updated: skin care routine

It has definitely taken me a while to gather a set of products which work for my skin and really help to keep it clear and a good base to apply makeup. I really feel that it is silly buying expensive makeup if you do not have a good skin care routine and most importantly, don't take your makeup off properly" It's a no brainer really, why would you want to put makeup on skin that isn't a good base because it will not I've your makeup application the best results. I have combination/oily skin, particularly oily through my T-Zone so these products are good for similar skin types. Please note that these products may not work for you, this is just what works for me and I thought I would share it with you.

Garnier Miceller Cleansing Water (£4.99) / Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 cleanser (£8)

I won't go on about the Garnier Miceller water as it has been a recent release and one which has taken the beauty world by storm, a rival for the ever-famous Bioderma, everyone rushed into Boots to pick up this beauty, as did I and it did not disappoint. This is my second bottle and I can confirm that it melts away your makeup in seconds, even heavy duty foundation (I use Revlon Colour Stay or MAC Studio Fix Fluid) or mascara. I personally haven't tried the Bioderma so can't make a comparison but this miceller water is good enough for me, cheap and does the job well - what more could you ask for?! I use this in the evening to take off the bulk of my makeup before moisturising and all that jazz.

The Peaches and Clean Cleanser is also a repurchase. I received my first bottle of this with a huge Soap and Glory set for my 18th Birthday and this cleanser was one of my favourites from all the products so when I saw this in Boots with the lovely new packaging/re-brand and it being on sale, I couldn't resist popping it back into my basket and I have no idea why I didn't repurchase this as soon as it ran out. I'd forgotten just how much I love it! I can't explain how fresh and lovely this smells and I use this in the morning in the shower for just that reason, it leaves my skin soft, squeaky clean and smelling like peaches, a great all rounder!

No7 Beautiful Skin Day (£12.50) and Night Cream (£13.50) for Normal/Oily skin 

These moisturisers have changed my skin dramatically. Before I was using the Superfacialist Tea Flower moisturiser which is targeted at oily skin, I used this both in the day and at night and it is a good moisturiser but I fancied having two creams - one for day and one for night. The two creams work perfectly injunction with one another, as you would expect. The day cream is thicker in consistency but lighter on the skin and soaks in very quickly - great for when you are in a rush! The night cream takes a little longer to soak into the skin but I like that as I feel like it is really penetrating the deep layers of my skin. I wake up with beautifully soft skin and my skin is noticeably less oily since switching to these creams. And a quick note: how lovely is this packaging?! Although the pots aren't made of glass, they certainly look as if they are and they look lovely sat on my desk.

La-Roche Posay Effeclar Duo [+] (£15.50)

After reading so many excellent reviews of this little bad boy I finally caved (I say that as if it took persuasion, it didn't.) and picked it up while it was on offer in Boots. It is incredible, and worth the full price if you have spot prone skin. You don't need this all over your face, only a tiny amount to dot this onto any spots or scarring. I tend to do this in the evening, before my moisturiser as I feel it can then work into my skin without a layer of foundation over the top, I don't want anything to stop it from working. I woke up after the first night of using this with my breakout visibly reduced and it has become a skin saviour. I can't rave about it enough!

Do you use any of these products? What are your thoughts on them? Do you have any skin products that I just need to know about and try?