It’s been a hot minute since I did a beauty-related post, and an even longer one since I did a Top 5 Tuesday post.

I know I keep saying this, but life has been insanely manic what with fitting in regular work, blogging, studying and wedding planning (side note, today marks 32 days until the Big Day).

I’ve been battling with my skin so much of late – ever since I went off the contraceptive pill in August last year, my skin has been a right pain in the butt.  Spotty, dry patches, sensitivity, oil (ALL of the oil!), dehydration, weird bumpy texture.  You name it, I’ve had it.  I sort of got it under control around the end of March, just as I was a bridesmaid in a friend’s wedding.  Aaaannnddd then stress hit me up hard, and my skin went bonkers again.

I’ve found that sticking to simple soothing products works.  No heavy anti-ageing products for me right now, just plain, simple, soothing and unfragranced.  After a few weeks of using my good ol’ Silky Camomile Cleansing Oil from The Body Shop, I’ve realised that even this isn’t working, and I just purchased another (read below) to try out.  I’ve been using the dr.dermal Texture Correction Pads, as they do the trick with fixing up marks, breakouts, bumps, dry patches and slight pigmentation, and don’t usually irritate my skin, but I’m having to dial back on these too as I made the mistake of trying a sample of a moisturiser that did NOT get on with me, and it’s made my skin a lot more irritated.  Rookie error there, and I should have known better.

Basically, the following 5 products are goodies I’ve heard amazing things about for being calming on the skin, or I’ve used them before and am repurchasing as I know they’re going to work to fix my skin and calm it.

• Avène Eau Thermale Thermal Water Spray

This stuff is liquid gold.  I noticed the difference in my skin when I stopped using it for a while, as I thought perhaps it really was just ‘gimmicky’.  My skin was redder and the dehydration is worse by far.  I’m pretty much on the last bit of this can, and have been trying to not use it unless necessary, in my wait for pay day, but now I’m definitely popping into Clicks and grabbing another.  I mist it on my face after cleansing, after applying a hyaluronic acid based serum, as it will absorb more water and bind it to the skin, after applying makeup if my face feels a bit too tight and powdery, and any time my face feels like it needs a boost of hydration.  You get other brands that sell thermal water sprays, but this one is just my absolute favourite.

Buy from Clicks for R139 for 150ml.

• The Body Shop Almond Milk and Honey body butter

I’ve seen so many people raving about this newish line from The Body Shop, for dry and sensitive skins.  My skin has been more sensitive all over my body lately, and I’ve developed bumpy patches on my arms that were never there before (queue strict bi-weekly body exfoliation now – or try Environ Dermalac for this, it’s a freaking miracle worker for bumpy arms), and it’s been SUPER dry.  Like, I had a spray tan trial, and my skin reacted to the solution – Tan Lab too, which is much gentler and which I use at home in the cream formula without a hitch.  My skin went dark orange on the lightest shade and within a day had started to feel scaly and leathery.  I clearly had some odd reaction, and it stripped my skin of any moisture that had been there.  All of this paired with winter, and my skin on my body has been crying out for something more nourishing.  I even bought a pump-bottle of the Palmer’s Firming Butter, which I used about 3 years ago and was always rich enough for winter, yet it soaked up within an hour, and by the end of the day, my skin was dry and scratchy.

I grabbed my absolute favourite Raspberry body butter from TBS, when I’d popped into Clicks to grab some supplements, as it was a limited edition, and I try to look for it everywhere I can, and popped two tubs of the Almond Milk and Honey body butter into my basket two (3 for 2 after all).  This stuff is magic, soothes my itching and dry skin, and my skin is still nourished and soft until I shower in the evening.  The scent is yummy, but not overpowering or super sweet, and I can tell this is going to be a favourite, as there’s even a lighter version of the lotion for summer time.

Buy from The Body Shop or Clicks for R170 for 200ml.

• Avène Eau Thermale Gentle Milk Cleanser

I’ve read about this cleanser on countless blogs, and heard a good number of YouTubers talk about it.  It’s a basic milk cleanser, infused with thermal spring water.  Very gentle, soothing and it does the job.

With my skin in it’s current unhappy state, I think I’m just going to remove makeup with my Garnier Micellar Water for sensitive skin, and then cleanse with this, both day and night.

I haven’t yet tried this out, as I only just got my hands on it, but from tonight, this baby has a top spot in my bathroom cupboard.

Purchased from Clicks for R185 for 200ml.

• Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil

I’ve been dying to try this one out, as so many people rave about it, including my beauty-bestie Camilla from Jane Wonder.  I just cannot warrant purchasing yet ANOTHER lip treatment, as I have so many at home.  I’ve managed to finish up my Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm, which was incredible, a Piz Buin Sun Lipstick which was great, and I’m almost finished a tube of Eucerin Aquaphor.  I think once I’ve finished another two of my current on the go lip treatments (Clarins Moisture Replenishing lip balm and Dermalogica Climate Control lip treatment), I might be able to justify buying a new one.

Available from Red Square for R295.

• Avène Eau Thermale Hydrating Serum 

Again, just like the cleanser, I’ve heard nothing but good things about this serum.  I’ve been trying to finish up another serum at home before I bought this one, but the other one is just no longer doing much, and I figured I’d rather give that one a rest until my skin isn’t so reactive and irritated.  There’s no point for me struggling along to make something work, and having crappy skin on my wedding day.

So I grabbed this serum and plan on giving it a whirl this week.  I’m hoping with all the lovely Avène goodies, my skin will be soothed and hydrated again in no time!

Purchased from Clicks for R279 for 30ml.

Honourable mention

Avène Eau Thermale Soothing Moisture Mask

While I really tried to only use 5 items, and not have them all from the same brand, I have to mention this mask from Avène.  It is just perfect to soothe and moisturise your face if you need that last little bit of something extra, and I might very well grab this product next month to use a couple of times in the lead up to my wedding, as it leaves my skin hydrated and so soft.  I’ve even noticed a dramatic reduction in redness after this has been on my face for 10 minutes.

If you’re looking for a good moisture mask that can help soothe irritation or redness, or just soothe tight feeling skin, give this one a bash.  It’s R230 for 50ml, but my last tube lasted me a year, with at least a once a week use, so you really get bang for your buck on this one.

Have you tried any other fabulous products to soothe irritated skin and give it a much needed moisture boost this winter?