As fun as it is to experiment with different makeup looks, it's your skincare that is going to help to give you the complexion that you are after. Working out which products, and which types of products, work for you and deliver the best results can always be a bit trial-and-error. Throw in season changes, hormones, stress and anything else that can effect your skin and it can seem impossible to know what will work best. Over the recent months I've introduced new product and have altered the way I use things and I have found that it's a much better way of working for my skin. With the exception of a few spots which were caused from a product reaction my skin has seemed clearer and smoother than it has in a while. If you're skin is similar to mine (normal-dry with minimal scaring) and you're looking for a solution or something new to try then here are my most recent picks. 

Serums are a brilliant step to include in your routine, their higher efficacy often means they drive better results and are packed full of powerful ingredients. I recently listened to an episode of The Emma Gunns Show with Nadine Baggot & Caroline Hirons who were advocating ditching your moisturiser in favour for layering serums. Initially I was skeptical, especially with my dry/dehydrated skin, however, I've actually found it to work really well.

There are three that I have been layering of late; The Ordinary Salicylic Acid, The Ordinary Hyualronic Acid and the Lancome Genefique Serum. The first I have been using more topically on areas of redness, spots and any dark marks or scars that have been left behind. Afterwards I have been applying a generous layer of the Hyualronic acid, taking this all over my face and down my neck. I've tried many Hyualronic Acid based serums previously but of them all this is my favourite and it is incredibly affordable. To get in another dose of hydration and help to leave my skin looking more radiant I then apply a layer of the Lancome Advanced Genefique Serum, again taking this across my face and down my neck. This leaves my skin looking plumper and more hydrated than The Ordinary serum (emphasis on "looking"). I find my skin is supple and it creates a good base to follow with my makeup in the morning, or left alone in the evening. 

No matter how my skin is behaving, I will always incorporate a mask into my routine. Ideally I will use these a couple of times a week and alternate depending on the results I'm after. Recently I have introduced The Ordinary AHA & BHA Peeling Treatment into my Sunday night routine. If you aren't used to acids or have particularly sensitive skin then I would proceed with caution here. It does look a lot scarier than it actually is but even with my skin, which isn't particularly sensitive and is relatively used to acids, I could only manage 7 minutes the first time I used it. Over the past 6-8 weeks I have built up to go the full 10 minutes and honestly, no mask has ever left my skin looking so instantly radiant. It does sting, particularly if you have any spots, but it doesn't burn and isn't uncomfortable. I have also taken this down across my neck and chest and didn't have any issues when I left in on for a couple of minutes, ten minutes was certainly too long though. I haven't experienced any peeling or dryness with this after use, if anything I notice more if I use their Glycolic Acid for a few nights in a row. It's a brilliant affordable chemical exfoliant mask and one that I can never wait to use. 

Naturally, with having drier skin, a hydrating mask can always be found within my routine, my favourite is the Fresh Rose Hydrating Mask. The gel texture is refreshing and comfortable to leave on the skin, and even sleep in. Unlike many cream hydrating masks it doesn't leave my skin feeling border-line greasy after use, instead it feels smooth and cool. The mask contains aloe vera and cucumber so if your skin is a little more sensitive I can imagine this would feel soothing on the skin. This mask really comes into it's own in the summer, when you still need a hit of hydration but in a fresh and lightweight formula.

 Switching up the products that I incorporate to my routine, and how I use them, has given me a noticeable difference in my skin recently. As the weather starts to get warmer again I am sure some new additions may work their way in but for now I am content with this. Which products are the ones that you've seen the biggest difference since using?