One of the things I missed most about not sharing my skincare routines on Instagram is the discussions I had with all of you. I missed talking about the products and how and why I used them and getting really helpful feedback and tips. Now that I am getting back into sharing my routines I just had to do a blog post on this one because I’ve done it twice already and each time I can’t get over how much better my skin looks. The star product in the lineup is the Sacred Ground Mineral Mask from MOSS and it’s really what inspired this post because I have so much to say about my experience with it so far. It’s an incredible product and one I think you all need to know about. Since it’s such an involved routine I thought it would be good to fully explain how and why I use each product and what each step entails, so you know exactly what I did and could recreate it yourself. Enjoy!

Cleanse

Step 1: First Cleanse – Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser 125ml $68/£54

This is such a gorgeous product and has got to be one of my all time favourite ‘first cleanse’ cleansers. It has been a staple ever since Tata Harper launched it and am in love with how silky soft it leaves my skin. I don’t like to use this to remove makeup (even though it does and very well) because it’s too beautiful for that but since I didn’t wear any, I am using it to fully remove “the day” and also give my face a nice massage. I like to take one full pump and work it in to the skin for at least 5 minutes before gently removing with a warm washcloth. One of the things I love most about this cleanser is that it emulsifies very easily and doesn’t leave any residue behind, even when removed with just water. I don’t like to use washcloths/flannels every day because my skin is a tad sensitive, so using something like this is perfect, plus the scent is divine.

Ingredients: Rosa Canina Seed oil*, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Olea europea (Olive) Oil*, Argania spinosa (Argan) Kernel oil*, Plukenetia (Sacha Inchi) Volubilis, Jojoba Esters, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Aroma**, Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) Extract*, Arnica montana (Arnica) Leaves and flowers*, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract*, Symphytum officinale (Comfrey) Leaves*, Borago officinalis (Borage) Leaf Extract*, Spiraea Ulmaria (Meadowsweet) flower Extract*, Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract. *Ingredients from organic farming **

Step 2: Second Cleanse – Omorovicza Hydra Melting Cleanser 100ml $110/£65

I absolutely love this cleanser and think it is an underrated one out of the four Omorovicza currently have. It has such a unique thick gel-balm consistency that becomes an oil when you work it in and then a milky emulsion when you wash it away. It feels so refreshing and cooling on the skin and I adore the light, oceanic scent. It doesn’t completely break down right away, which I actually really like as it allows me more grip for massaging it in. This is a cleanser that I think would work really well for all skin types and especially those who are sensitive or acne prone would really benefit from how healing and soothing it is. I chose to use this today because it leaves my skin perfectly balanced, which I think is the best canvas for a mask. I just took about a quarter size amount, massaged it in for a minute and then rinsed with water.

Ingredients: Glycerin, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Aqua (Water), Sucrose Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Copper Gluconate, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Cellulose Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Salvia Lavandulaefolia Leaf Oil, Faex (Yeast Extract), Cinnamomum Camphora (Camphor) Bark Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower Extract, Phospholipids, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, and Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Limonene, Citronellol, Linalool, Geraniol.

Mask

MOSS Sacred Ground Mineral Clearing Mask 40g $68/£68

This phenomenal mask is the biggest reason I wanted to do this blog post. Even though I’ve only used it three times, I have been so impressed after each time that I couldn’t wait any longer to talk about how great it is. MOSS are such a brilliant niche brand doing pretty incredible things and this mask is a great example of that. As soon as I saw the inci list I knew it was going to be something special and I was not wrong. It contains a wonderful blend of healing, soothing and detoxifying ingredients like Sulfur, Zinc Oxide and MSM (amazingly healing and soothing for acne breakouts), Banana Leaf and Burdock Root (super skin soothers), Aloe Vera and Turmeric (anti-inflammatory) as well as Bentonite, Rhassoul and French Green Clay (purify, tighten and refine). I take a teaspoon and mix it with NIOD’s Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist and Cosrx’s BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (more info below) to further purify and increase the anti-inflammatory benefits. The mix is enough for a full face (including some of my neck) and I leave it on for about an hour and when I remove it my skin looks almost airbrushed, in that the pores are less visible, the skin looks firmer and tighter and any blemishes are considerably reduced and my complexion is clear and calm. I cannot recommend this enough and I am so excited to try more from MOSS because I know it’s going to be good.

Ingredients: Silt (Sulfur), Zinc Oxide, Bentonite Clay, Kaolin, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract, Raw Theobroma Cacao (Cacao) Powder, Lagerstroemia speciosa (Banaba Leaf) Powder, Magnesium Sulfate Powder, Dimethyl Sulfone (MSM), Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Powder, Rhassoul Clay, French Green Clay, Arctium Lappa (Burdock) Root Powder, Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Leaf Powder, Essential Oils.

Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 100ml $16.80/£24

I’ve always felt that mixing powder masks with plain water is a missed opportunity to enhance and customize the results, which is why I chose to use this with Sacred Ground. It has Willow Bark Water (natural salicylic acid) and Betaine Salicylate (from sugar beets) to exfoliate, Niacinamide to brighten skin tone and Arginine for wound healing. I got this from Buttermilk Skincare and ever since it arrived I have been completely addicted to what it does for my skin and thought it would be perfect to use with this mask and it was.

Ingredients: Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water, Butylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol.

NIOD Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist 240ml $50/£34

The Cosrx alone wasn’t enough to create a smooth, spreadable texture so I added a few drops of this to get the consistency right, but also because it is massively anti-inflammatory as well as being much more hydrating than plain water. I think if you were using Sacred Ground as a preventative treatment or only had a few breakouts, you could just mix it with this alone for a mask that was less actively purifying. I have done a full review of this wonder product that you can read here.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Superoxide Dismutase, Pseudoalteromonas Exopolysaccharides, Mirabilis Jalapa Extract, Arginine, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Salicylate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

Tone and Treat

After washing off the mask I liberally mist my face with SDSM to prevent any dryness and then go in with my serums. I decided on these two because they are very similar in texture and add a nice cooling layer on hydration.

OSKIA Renaissance Brightlight 30ml £85

I am seriously obsessed with this serum and have used it on and off for most of this year with exceptional results and you can read all about why it’s one of my favourite serums here. It’s back in my routine for reasons that will be explained in my upcoming Summer Favourites post, but for now just know that I am in love with it all over again. I decided to use it after the mask for the brightening, healing and soothing benefits thanks to ingredients like MSM, Niacinamide, Prebiotics, Zinc Glycinate and Vitamin C. I take about half a dropper full, mix it with the Cosrx and apply it to damp skin.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C Phosphate), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Dimethyl Sulfone (MSM), Zinc Glycinate, Arbutin, Glutathione, Lepidium Sativum (Cress) Sprout Extract, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Palmitate), Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Lecithin, Passiflora Edulis (Passion) Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Rhodinols (Natural Rhodinol), Inulin, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Cymbopogon Martini (Organic Palmarosa) Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Organic Roman Chamomile) Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena (Organic Rose) Flower Oil, Linolenic/Linoleic Acid, Cinnamomum Camphora Linalooliferum (Ho) Wood Oil, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Pelargonium Graveolens (Organic Bourbon Geranium) Oil, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Jojoba Esters, Juniperus Mexicana (Cedar) Wood Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Organic Clove) Bud Oil, Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Bisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Alcohol, Alcohol denat., Phenoxyethanol*, Citronellol**, Geraniol**, Linalool**, Eugenol**, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides) * We do not use phenoxyethanol as a seperate preservative. It is found as a component of one of our actives.  ** Natural component of essential oils.

Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence 100ml $15.20/£25

I wanted to mix this with the Oskia serum because they have very similar textures and I love how healing, soothing and hydrating Snail Filtrate is. I took half a pump, mixed it with half a dropper of the Renaissance Brightlight and then applied it to my still damp face. Thanks to SDSM, the somewhat tacky mixture spread easily, absorbed quickly and left a soft, dry to the touch finish.

Ingredients: Snail Secretion Filtrate, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Arginine, Allantoin, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol.

Moisturize

Suki Concentrated Clarifying Toner 100ml $32.95/£36

I waited about half an hour to do this last step, just because I didn’t want to overload my skin and because I really massage the oil blend in, so I wanted my face to be fully dry. This has become one of my favourite end steps and I am always in awe of my skin in the morning. So, as my skin is dry at this point I liberally spritz this beautiful yet underrated toner all over. I used this a lot back in 2014 (it was in my year end favourites on Instagram) but because of all the travelling I was doing at the time, I didn’t think it was a good idea to repurchase such a large, heavy glass product and then sort of forgot about it. My sister, who is also a massive fan, was the one who reminded me about how great it is and I immediately picked up a new bottle. It’s an excellent purifying toner because the high salicylic acid is balanced by ingredients like rose water, camomile flower extract, rosehip seed extract and aloe vera. I’m not a fan of the new and impractical (it doesn’t fit in my travel bag) long packaging or the fact that we now get 20ml less for the same price, but for me both are easy to overlook as the product itself is so good.

Ingredients: high-potency (aqua, organic rosa centifolia) rose concentrate™, organic alcohol denat (sugar cane extracted with lavender oil) with lavandula, phospholipids (liposomal delivery system), salix alba (TLC salicylic acid™ from white willow), ascorbyl palmitate (TLC vitamin C™), calming complexion complex™ (chamomilla recutita (matricaria chamomile) flower extract, organic rosa canina (rose hip) seed extract, calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract), vegetable glycerin, organic aloe barbedensis (aloe) leaf powder, melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, organic ascophyllum nodosum (seaweed) extract, 100% pure (fragrance) essential oils, linalool*. * components of 100% pure steam-distilled essential oils 22.5% certified organic ingredients.

La Belle Lune Organic Skin 20ml £46

This magical beauty needs absolutely no introduction at this point. It has been in my routines time and time again and I am so happy to see that so many of you love it as much as I do now. It is a gorgeous, potent blend and has become my absolute favourite oil that I can’t go too long without using because my skin just loves it. I previously enjoyed layering it with Bravura’s 2% Salicylic Acid Peel but this is now my current favourite oil blend. I did a full review of this oil here and I love it because it’s highly anti-inflammatory, healing, soothing and nourishing. My skin can’t get enough of stunning organic ingredients and it is now one of my all time favourite products. I use one full pump and then mix it with the next two oils.

Ingredients: Rosa Rubiginosa (Rosehip Seed Oil) Silybum Marianum (Milk Thistle Seed Oil) Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil) Salvia Hispanica (Chia Seed Oil) Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn Oil) Persea Gratissima (Avocado Oil) Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender Essential Oil) Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Seed Oil) Rosa Damascena (Rose Otto Essential Oil) Boswellia Carterii (Frankincense Essential Oil) Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot Seed Essential Oil) Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Leaf Extract) *d-Limonene, *Geraniol, *Linalol, *Farnesol *Naturally occurring in Essential Oils.   Cautions: For external use only. Keep out of reach of children. We thoroughly recommend a skin patch test 24 hours before use in case of sensitivity. If pregnant consult with your Doctor before use. We also advice caution in case of nut allergies due to the use of Sweet Almond oil.

Votary Super Seed Facial 50ml $110/£70

Votary is a brand that has massively impressed me this year and I have fallen hard for their exquisite products (and packaging). The new Super Seed line has become an instant favourite and this facial oil is just beautiful. It is packed full of skin loving oils as you can see from the inci list below and it is deeply nourishing and anti-inflammatory. This is such a highly soothing and skin calming oil that I love mixing it with Organic Skin because they complement each other so well. Also, this oil is quite thick in comparison to the other two, so blending it creates the perfect consistency that doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. I take two drops and mix it with Organic Skin before adding the next oil.

Ingredients: Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed) Oil Curcubita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Oil Limanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil Nigella Sativa (Black Seed) Oil Camellia Oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil Fragaria Ananassa (Strawberry) Seed Oil Papaver Somniferum (Poppy) Seed Oil Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil Vaccinium Corymbosum (Blueberry) Seed Oil Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Oil Tocopherol Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Seed Oil Prunus Cerasus (Cherry) Seed Oil Citrullus Lanatus (Melon) Seed Oil Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil.

Odacité Pa+G Serum Concentrate 5ml $39/£31

I have been such a long time fan of Odacité and this tiny powerhouse has done wonders for my skin in the short time I’ve had it. It smells absolutely beautiful and the ingredients are of the highest quality making it a very potent product despite the small size. I have loved mixing this with the other two oils because it helps fade discoloration, prevent uneven skin pigmentation, dissolve dead skin and reduce wrinkles. Because of my recent unprotected sun exposure (more on this soon), my complexion isn’t as even or clear as it should be, but this has helped so much. I add two drops of this to the other oils to create a beautifully scented micro-emulsion that leaves me with the most radiant, clear, smooth skin in the morning and I can’t get enough of this combo. The secret to why it works so well is in the application – I apply the oil blend to damp skin (after applying the Suki toner) and this has made all the difference. I have always heard that applying oil to damp skin helps them absorb better and it is so true. My skin just drinks the oils in thanks to the water content underneath and I believe it has also enhanced the results. I am sure I will continue to switch up the oils but right now this is such a winning combination for me and I highly recommend it for clear, calm, bright skin.

Ingredients: Highest-grade cold-pressed certified virgin Papaya (Carica papaya) oil, Certified organic Geranium, Lemon (Pelargonium graveolens, Citrus limon) essential oils, Certified GMO-free Vitamin E (Tocopherols) oil.

As you will know from my usual skincare routines I’m not one for daily over the top steps but when I have the time, I love to do something like this and the results speak for themselves every time. I’d love to know what your current favourite masking routine is and if you decide to try something like this or if you have and lovely any of these products, please let me know!

Arly

SaveSave