I’ve been trying to scale down my skincare purchases, mostly to make sure I only buy things I truly like but also because if I don’t, there will be no trip to Australia for me in December. I’m not on a total buying ban, however: I indicated in my last overview some things I was planning to buy. Mostly, I’ve been sticking with the programme and here are the things I’ve gotten in the last month or so.

1.The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane. I know I’ve said before that The Ordinary releases too much stuff and I still think that’s the case. Then again, I keep buying, so it’s clearly working. I was hesitant about this one, because while I love the high retinoid content, I don’t like squalane much. I do think The Ordinary absolutely slays the affordable retinoid category, though, so I decided to give it a go. What an amazing decision! Go, me! This is one of the very few products I’ve used in recent years that has given me visible results after one use. I don’t know, maybe it was just an especially good day, but my face seemed smoother, tighter and somehow clearer by the morning.

Maybe because of the squalane base (it’s like an oil, but not quite), I haven’t experienced any flaking or sensitivity – and I’ve used it several times a week. My skin IS very dehydrated and quite dry, however, which may be because of this product, because of winter and stress or, most likely, a combination of both. As always, please do keep in mind that I’m 37 and my skin is used to heavy-duty stuff.

2. DCL Skincare C Scape High Potency Night Booster. Talking about heavy-duty stuff, DCL’s vitamin C booster* is possibly the only product I own that can be uncomfortable on my skin. It’s very potent and it also has that trademark gritty L-ascorbic acid texture that doesn’t help. I don’t use it much at the moment, as I’m in love with The Ordinary retinoid and I’m afraid using both (although on different days, of course) would be too much even for my long-suffering skin. I feel tempted, however, especially after this glowing review by Sali Hughes. She is not easily impressed and Caroline Hirons is a fan as well. In hindsight, I think it has already worked, as my hyperpigmentation is reduced – although it’s of course impossible to say which products exactly is responsible.

3.The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% and EUK 134 0.1%. Vitamin C is not the only antioxidant in town and The Ordinary has come out with two new kids on the block. The first one has resveratrol and ferulic acid, two ingredients I’m familiar with from the SkinCeuticals products that I love and trust, but cost about 20-30 times more than The Ordinary ones. EUK 134 is completely new for me and not used in many formulas, according to the brand. In all honesty, it’s too early to say how well these work and as antioxidants are more preventative by nature, they will remain difficult to judge. I have been using resveratrol at night and EUK in the morning, often mixed in with my moisturisers. They are unproblematic to use and EUK is reassuringly brown and medical-smelling. In terms of texture, both are slightly oily-feeling, probably because of the propanediol base. As I said: too early to judge, but considering my current lifestyle, my skin is holding up very well.

4. Lixir Universal Emulsion. I don’t like buying moisturisers, they seem unexciting and basic to me. Plus the ones I really like and are less basic cost a lot of money. Unlike other stuff on this list, however, I really needed a moisturiser (I was literally out of moisturiser and I’m NEVER out of any skincare category) and did not want to bankrupt myself with another tub of Sisley. Enter new cult brand Lixir (not entirely sure if it’s correct to say Lixir or LixirSkin?) that has come out with a well-curated good-looking carefully-formulated line-up. I found it because I was browsing the Victoria Health web site and decided to go for the emulsion (was obviously very tempted by the cleanser, but see above re real need). It’s not the best I’ve ever used, but it’s very good, cosmetically elegant and completely inoffensive – important in a moisturiser, especially if you use very active serums. The only issue I have is that it doesn’t seem rich/hydrating enough for me at the moment, but nothing seems to be. To address that, I’m layering it with something full of hyaluronic acid and sometimes mix in a couple of drops Vintner’s Daughter or Kypris Beauty Elixir I.

5. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask. I have been missing a night pack since I finished my Laneige and Bio-Essence. This one has been raved about on the beautywebs, it’s pink and it says watermelon on the jar, so a no-brainer for me. And I do like it. I like the texture that is somehow like a buttery gel, I like the scent and I like the colour. I don’t think it’s quite as hydrating as my other favourites, however, so if that’s your main concern, you may want to explore alternatives. This is good for smoothness and a little glow and I imagine that if you’re 10 years younger than me, this is all you’d need to look wonderful come morning.

So this is a quick update of things I currently use, love and like. Anything you’ve been obsessed with recently?

*Not pictured, as I realised too late that I should talk about it. Ah, well, it wouldn’t have fit the colour scheme anyway.