It seems every skincare line out there these days offer all kinds of products to renew and restore your skin. The problem is, these ingredients can leave our skin sensitive, with a rash or in a worst case scenario, we can be left with painful skin that is red, or peeling. Often, these products contain resurfacing and exfoliating ingredients like alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid, and beta hydroxy acid. Sometimes it’s a cleansing scrub with physical exfoliating ingredients like sugar or salt, or a toner with exfoliating acids. We don’t often know how to use these products correctly, or which products are appropriate for our skin type. If we end up with a product too strong for our skin, or we I over-use it in a fit of skincare enthusiasm, we can end up with a sore face and reactive skin.

And of course, the environment can wreak havoc on our skin as well. Too much sun, harsh weather conditions, excessive cold or heat, sunlight and even hard water can be tough on our skin.

When this happens, I usually revert back to the most gentle and basic skincare routine. This usually involves using the simple and fragrance-free drugstore dermatological skincare lines in my stash, like Cetaphil, CeraVe, Glaxal Base etc. But sometimes my skin needs extra protection, and a healing treatment. I love to apply these at night, when I’ve got nothing else on my face and they can work their healing magic. Here are a few I am currently loving.

I’ve been reading rave reviews of Decleor’s Rose D’Orient Soothing Oil Serum for awhile now and I knew I had to try it. It’s a healing oil serum that nourishises, thanks to the base of shea butter which helps regenerate the skin and the deeply hydrating properties of cupuacu butter. It does seem like a heavy waxy product, but it melts on contact with warm fingertips and my face. There are the divine Decleor neroli and rose essential oils, almond to protect against external irritations, rice Wax to protect and improve skin structure, plus beeswax to soften.

I can see using this once or twice a week. One of thing I recall reading in many reviews was how Rose D’orient Balm was great for dry skin, but also for oily and congested skin. I wake up with happy skin when I use this and can’t imagine being without it now. Decleor skincare has a habit of doing that to me! Send help.

AERIN Rose Night Table Cream & Mask isn’t a balm, but it sure feels like one so it’s getting included in this round up. I am so in love with the AERIN line. Her simple, classic and elegant approach to beauty and fragrance is right up my alley. And one of the things AERIN does perfectly is all the rose things. AERIN Rose Night Table cream is what the original Oil of Olay would have wanted to be when she grew up. I adore the soft rose scent, and the way it soothes and comforts my skin on contact. The scent is very gentle and I find it lovely and calming. I LOVE sleep masks for skin, and AERIN’s is a favourite of mine. My skin is dewy and radiant when I wake up, and Rose Night Table Cream is a fixture on my… night table.

Guerlain has always had product designed to help skin in need of healing, radiance and moisture. They started it all with their Midnight Secret serum (now a balm cream) and continue their expertise with their Abeille Royale skincare line. The Abeille Royale Black Bee Honey Balm Repairing Concentrate contains Ouessant Black Bee Honey, which is rich in amino acids, trace elements and high in fructose-content, all of which aid in repairing damaged skin. It also contains Guerlain’s exclusive Royal Jelly, which is rich in exceptional nutrients, proteins, lipids and vitamins. It’s designed for skin that’s been damaged by the environment, aggressive skincare treatments and even cosmetic skincare procedures. It is incredibly soothing, has the softest honeyed fragrance, and leaves me with dewy skin when I wake up. I even use it on my lips. Love it!