Simple Steps - Moisturising

This is the final installment of my 'Simple Steps' posts. We have gone through cleansing and toning and now we will go through the best moisturisers for different skin types and why it is so important to use them. By moisturising your skin your pumping it with water therefore re-hydrating your skin. This helps tackle those irritating dry patches on your skin and leaves the texture smooth and radiant. 
If you suffer from dry skin then you will need a much thicker moisturiser as your skin cells are shedding a bit too fast which can look a bit 'flakey'. 
If you have oily skin, you want to find a moisturiser that hydrates your skin without adding extra oil. It is best to try and find a product that tackles oil and shine whilst moisturising at the same time - and yes they do exist. 
My skin tone is always changing, sometimes i suffer from seriously dry skin (the flakey type where it hurts to smile) and sometimes i get an oily t zone, so i have tried and tested a fair few products. Here are the ones i think beat the rest. 

As a great 'all rounder' moisturiser that is sutible for all skin types i recommend Lancomes Hydra Zen Neurocalm. At £39 this is quite a pricey moisturiser but it really is great. The smell is lovely, sporting hints of rose and your skin is left hydrated and smooth. This is an everyday moisturiser which may not be strong enough for those who suffer from really dry skin, when my skin is at it's driest i move onto thicker creams. For those with combination skin i believe you would be fine using this product, as iv gone through two pots of this and have not suffered from any break outs. It says it is soothing and anti-stress and it definitely is. I can almost hear my face saying 'thank you' as the cream relaxes my skin.  

 Oh the little joys of life so often come from Clarins, and this blue pot of moisture is one of those joys. Clairns HydraQuench Cream is pricey at £34 but as the saying goes, 'you get what you pay for'. This is for normal to dry skin tones, so for those with oily skin its best to steer clear of this one. Having said that, i have combination skin and i love this, although i tend to use it when i can feel my face is on the dry side. Iv mentioned before that i LOVE the smell of all the Clarins products and this cream smells heavenly floral. The only problem with this is a love it so much it runs out so quickly. This 'melt on your skin' moisturiser leaves you skin soft, smooth and sumptuous - perfect!

When my skin was at it's driest I relied on Bobbi Browns EXTRA Repair Moisurising Balm and it was my saving grace. This balm is as thick as the price at £62, but can you put a price on good skin? I think not. The texture is so thick and rich is almost difficult to put onto your skin - i wouldn't recommend putting make-up straight over this. I wore this either at night or give it minimum of 10 mins to sink properly into your skin. It has SPF 25 which is fab for protecting your face from the sun and a little goes a long way with this miracle pot which slightly makes up for the price tag. This is has a luxuriousness to it that you wont find in most moisturisers, so for those with dry skin, break your piggy banks and head down to Bobbi Brown - you wont be disappointed. 

If ever you skin is on the oily side or your suffering from breakouts Dermalogica should be your first port of call. The £43 Active Moist is a moisturiser for combination and oily skin tones. It smells of the lavender extract, one of the main ingredients but is naturally fragrance free so great if your skin is sensitive  This is oil free cream is incredibly light, hydrating those dry patches whilst fighting off the oil and shine we hate. Get the moisture without the oily breakouts we want to avoid with this wonder cream. It you want your redness reduced and your pores perfect then this could be for you. 

If blemishes and spots are your main concern, look no further. Cliniques Anti Blemish Solution is similar to the Dermalogica Active Moist in that it is lightweight and naturally fragrance free but this is only £18.50. This moisturiser that is so light is more a gel than a cream creates a barrier to prevent breakout causing elements reaching the face whilst working on any spots you have already. I like this cream and i have found it worked for me, the only thing i didn't like was the smell. For maximum results use with the Cleansing Foam and Clarifying Lotion from the Anti-Blemish 3 Step Solution range. 

When the we've busted our banks and our purses have taken a hit, its time to find a cheapy that gonna do the job and Welda fits the bill. Victoria Beckham and Adele are fans of this £8.95 Welda Skin Food. This organic and award winning product is not only cheap, it really works. It targets dry and flakey patches but is also used as an everyday moisturiser. It replenishes skin and even though it is rather thick, oily or combination skin tones benefit from this beauty wonder. Whatever the issue is, be it wrinkles, redness, blemishes or dry skin - this stuff will help! Without having any light reflecting ingredients your skin will have a fantastic natural glow to it. Its cheap and cheerful and is a backstage beauty secret used on models and has many celebrity fans. If its good enough for them, whats stopping you?

I find myself returning to the cosmetic wonders of Clarins when researching the best anti-aging moisturiser. The Extra Firming Day Cream comes at £48 but the benefits are endless. This suits all skin types and with the light reflecting aspects this is perfect for women in their 40's and above. It promises to lift and firm the skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles. The cream is thick but remarkably it soaks into the skin incredibly quickly meaning you don't have to wait to apply your make up. As well as firming your skin it also reduces pores and evens out the skin tone, resulting in younger looking skin that is richly hydrated. 

My final moisturiser that suits all skin types, is from Temple Spa, who's £33 moisturiser Be Still was given to me to try and i absolutely fell in love. Temple Spa describe the moisturiser as 'liquid velvet for the skin', sounds inviting doesn't it? Well i couldn't agree with them more. This soothing moisturiser is very appropriately named as it literally calms your skin into being still. The tranquility of this is evoked further by the relaxing scents of lavender that dances around your senses when you apply this. It is not too thick and sinks into your skin like a dream. This is also amazing for irritated skin as it soothes it back to its natural state. This is a professional standard moisturiser that you wont regret purchasing. 

So there you go, the final step of what should be your daily skin routine of CLEANSE, TONE and MOISTURISE! I hope this can be of help. Let me know what you think or if you have any further suggestions of moisturisers that you love. 

M. X