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Sarah White
Skincare has been an interest of mine since about age 12, admittedly that was mostly making face masks in the kitchen, shortly followed by whatever I could buy from boots to magically get rid of my spots. However post teenage skin, it’s become something of a passion. I’ve tried everything from just using bar soap and oil to a monthly Beauty Pie subscription I shared with a friend. But I just wasn’t satisfied with anything. I wanted to find the balance between looking after my skin and minimising my impact on the planet and I’ve found that in FaceTheory.
It ticks all the important boxes which for me are:
- Vegan and Cruelty Free
- Effective and Cost Affective Skincare
- “Clean” Ingredients (which is a term I don’t actually like but it feels like the simplest way to describe it)
- Sustainable Packaging
- I also wanted to hit all the relevant actives in a minimal amount of products, I’m not one to have 5 different serums.
What I Use:
Clarifying Cleanser C2 (PM) : Since using this the texture of my skin is softer and smoother and my acne scars are becoming less red. It’s a creamy consistency and produces that tingly feeling we all like…well that I like anyway. It removes my makeup (not eyes, avoid those) well and can also double up as an acid peel, which for me means leaving it on for a few minutes every few days. Key Actives/Ingredients: 4% Glycolic Acid, 1% Lactic Acid and 2% Salicylic Acid.
Cera-C Pore Reducing Toner T1 (AM) : I go back and forth on whether or not I think a toner is worth it. But I wanted to give this one a go because it contains ceramides. It’s thicker than your typical toner so I like to massage it in to my skin, it also provides some additional moisturising benefits and sinks in really quickly. The only downside about this product is the name. Anything pore reducing/shrinking is just misleading, so whilst this is a great toner, don’t expect it to shrink your pores. Key Actives/Ingredients: Niacinamide, Ceramides, Vitamin C and Aloe Vera.
**new addition**
Amil-C Whip M5 SPF 30 (AM) : This is a new addition to my routine as prior to this Face Theory only had an SPF 20. This moisturiser has a whipped consistency, sinks in well and does not feel at all like a traditional SPF. I’ve only been using this for about a month but so far I’m really impressed and I’m very happy to now have my moisturiser and SPF combined as that means 1 less product. Key Actives/Ingredients: Niacinamide, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Lactic Acid.
Regenacalm 2% Retinol and Vitamin C Serum S1 (PM) : I’m in my mid(ish) twenties so it was definitely time to start using Retinol and so far I’m really liking the results. I’ve not really got wrinkles yet, but I do have some fine lines under my eyes which this has helped with. Plus the texture of my skin has improved, you get that immediate soft and supple feeling when you use this, as well as waking up with that “glowy” skin look. The serum itself is a slightly thicker consistency, which seems to be a theme with FT — and sticking with that theme it sinks in quickly. Key Actives/Ingredients: Retinol, Vitamin C, Liquorice Extract and Hyaluronic Acid.
This is my full routine, in addition to squalane oil which I use to remove my eye makeup (I also use it as a hair oil) and a bentonite clay mask I use as and when needed. This hits all the actives I want, in minimal products:
- AHAs & BHAs: AHAs and BHAs are both chemical exfoliants with AHA’s being the gentler of the two. BHAs penetrate deeper so they are more targeted to blemish-prone skin. Both also help with brightening and pigmentation.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic Acid absorbs and maintains moisture within our skin.
- Niacinamide: Niacinamide helps with inflammation so it can be used for acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. It also improves skin elasticity.
- Retinol: Retinol is the main ingredient I think of when it comes to anti-aging, it boosts cell turnover (helping to prevent and reduce wrinkles). However it can also be used to treat acne.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C does many things but the main ones are brightening and protecting the skin from day to day environmental stresses.
- Ceramides: Ceramides are found in your skin, they help restore skin elasticity, helping skin to appear smoother.
I have combination skin and I’ve been using these products for around 7 months now and plan on sticking with them as I’m really liking the results so far. I hope this has shown that you can have an effective skincare routine, that doesn’t cost the earth.