Skincare favourites of 2014

It’s time for my final favourites of 2014 post, and considering we’re a week into 2015 already, it’s about time too! I've already covered my favourite makeup, hair care and body care, including some of my favourite products and brands from both high-street and high-end, but now it’s the turn of skincare, and the products which really impressed me in 2014. Cuppa at the ready? Let’s get stuck in!

HealGel Intensive, 30ml £37.50, is by far one of my most holy-grail skincare products. In fact, I would go as far as to say it is my favourite ever skincare product. It’s a complete fail-safe for me; when my skin needs some TLC, nothing gets it back to a healthy, happy state as quick as Intensive. With a unique formula packed full of active ingredients, it’s a multi-purpose product which can be used for both face and body to help troublesome skin. With a gel consistency, it feels instantly soothing once applies and works to reduce puffiness, discolouration, irritation and sensitivity in a flash. It sorts out my redness, soothes any irritated areas and leaves my skin looking more youthful and rejuvenated. If you invest in just one high-end skincare product in your lifetime, it has to be this! (Full review here).

I’m a big fan of Indeed Labs and every product I've tried has been pretty darn amazing, but Retinol Reface, 30ml £19.99, is easily my favourite. Using three forms of Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A, it works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and ageing, whilst effortlessly leaving my skin feeling smoother and softer. I like to use this one 2-3 times a week, but it’s also suitable for daily use in the evenings after cleansing. Usually £19.99, it’s currently on offer for 1/3^rd of alongside the rest of the Indeed Labs range, so you can snap it up for just £13.33! (full review here).

The Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm*, 100ml £15.50, is a cleansing balm which was on my wish-list for absolutely ages, a cleansing balm I have seen nothing but rave reviews for. When I was recently asked if I’d like to give it a try, I jumped at the chance and it’s been a regular in my evening skincare routine ever since. With Sweet Almond Oil, Echium Seed Oil, Mangosteen Extract and Merumaya’s very own Signature Essence Blend, this is quite possibly one of the most beautiful cleansing balms you could ever try. The consistency is spot on; not too thick that you stress your skin working it in, but enough for a super relaxing pampering massage as it melts into your skin effortlessly removing makeup, dirt and grime. Beautiful doesn't begin to cover it! Great news for all you local lovelies, too, as Merumaya is now available at John Lewis, Leicester Highcross. Be sure to check them out!

Claudia Louch Botanical Cleansing Lotion*, 240ml £37.40, is suitable for all skin types and has become one of my most reached for daily cleansers, especially for an awakening morning cleanse. First things first, this natural beauty is huge and is definitely going to last a fair while – I use mine daily and haven’t even dented it yet! The scent is beautifully subtle yet refreshing and soothing at the same time, it makes me feel calm and serene when I work it into my skin each morning. But it’s the effect this cleanser has on my skin that I love the most. With Coconut, Sugar Beets, Chamomile, Aloe, Cucumber and Japanese Green Tea, it leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft after each use. I've also noticed a considerable reduction in unwanted redness and irritated areas of skin since using this daily, with its effective antioxidant and soothing properties. Love, love, love! My favourite Claudia Louch product yet.

CosMedix Purity Clean Exfoliating Cleanser, 100ml, £27.45, a product and brand I always want in my routine, because the benefits it’s given my skin are never-ending. I raved about this one a lot in 2014 (see here), and it’s a product I cannot recommend enough if you really want to up the ante with your skincare products this year. A concentrated exfoliating cleanser infused with cooling Peppermint Essential Oil, Calming Lavender and Clarifying Tea Tree Oil, it deeply penetrates skin working to remove dirt, grime and cellular debris, whilst clearing pores, smoothing skin and balancing oily skin for a healthy, glowing complexion. I couldn't be without this in my routine and make sure to turn to it at least a couple of times a week, and especially before face masks!

One of my favourite products to use for softer, happier skin is facial oils. I have quite a few beautiful offerings in my stash, but since its release nothing has made me fall in love as much as the Balance Me Rose Otto Face Oil, 5ml-30ml £10-£32. Whenever my skin is lacking in hydration and needs a boost, it’s my go-to product which instantaneously makes my skin feel softer, plumper and more hydrated. Working to calm, hydrate and protect skin, Rose Otto Face Oil is a 100% natural skin strengthening oil, which is suitable for even the most sensitive of skin types. With pure Rose Otto, Palma Rosa and Rose Geranium essential oils, it has a beautiful subtle rose scent and helps to stimulate cell production, whilst improving our skin’s natural moisture levels. A real hero product for me, especially in the colder months when my skin needs a hydration boost (full review here).

Last but not least, another product I raved about a lot in 2014 is the Neal’s Yard Remedies WhiteTea Facial Mist, 45ml £11. Suitable for all skin types and perfect for use both as a facial toner and refreshing facial mist, it works to calm, refresh and rehydrate. With a very subtle yet soothing scent, it utilises antioxidant White Tea, calming Organic Aloe Vera, Organic Essential Oils and soothing Bach Flower Remedies, my skin loves this stuff! (Full review here).

What skincare products and brands stood out the most for you in 2014?

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