Fix my skin - as cheap as possible

freyasmum

Don't use anything too strong/astringent on your face as, strange as it may sound, the more you strip the oils out, the more your skin will replace. Use water-based products, rather than oil based, these are lighter and won't clog up your pores.

You should exfoliate and use masks, but keep these to once weekly, and use a gentle exfoliator (preferably a chemical once, which you put on and let it do it's own thing rather than a manual one, like a scrub) as scrubbing too hard will damage your skin and, again, exacerbate sebum production.

The dry/peeling bits sound a bit more like dehydration (which is a condition and can be sorted out) than dry skin - so drink plenty of water, eat plenty of fresh fruit, etc.

Make sure you keep your skin well moisturised and cleanse twice (the first cleanse removes make-up and surface debris, the second, deep cleanse actually cleanses the skin), two times daily.

You probably won't see results straight away, but persevere as skin takes a wee while to renew itself

If your skin really won't clear up, then you're best to see your g.p.

HTHs

Nordictat2

I have always had clear skin BUT some months ago...My skin broke out so bad and I had no idea what from!! I was trying everything from cheap to expensive and even home remedies but nothing was working UNTIL I tried something called Hope in a Jar. It's not that cheap but you can find some good offers on ebay for it (where I bought it) and a week after using it..my skin was on it's way to "going back to normal" and I use it on my face every other day and people actually comment on how nice my skin looks

gilliana_2

Nordictat2 wrote: »

nothing was working UNTIL I tried something called Hope in a Jar. It's not that cheap but you can find some good offers on ebay for it (where I bought it)

This is by 'Philosophy' I think? I've not tried it but I've heard good things about it. You can get it from Space NK too, and probably some of the bigger department stores.

LizD_2

I got some samples of REN products and they seeme to be helping, although the products aren't cheap. Skin can often be sensitive to certain chemicals such as parabens, SLS etc. REN uses alternatives wherever possibile.

Nordictat2

gilliana wrote: »

This is by 'Philosophy' I think? I've not tried it but I've heard good things about it. You can get it from Space NK too, and probably some of the bigger department stores.

YES, that's the stuff! I mean I tried alot of different stuff and honestly, by the time you spend alot of money trying the cheaper of this and that..you could of bought the more expensive product 2-3 times heh.

I also tried out something yesterday with it too. I was on the hunt for a tinted moisturizer and I just couldn't decided on what to do SO yesterday I mixed a wee bit of foundation into Hope in a Jar and BAM..tinted moisturizer and very pleased of how it looked. Not caked on and just giving me that wee bit of coverage which is perfect for daytime/summer use :T

goanmad

I can totally sympathise, my skin was never the best but when I hit thirty I was plagued with horrible boil-like spots around my chin and forehead.
I tried all the expensive brands as I was desperate but ended up out of pocket with no improvement.
In the end I treated myself to a monthly facial at the local beauty college.
They advised that I bought a complete set of products from a cheaper range (like Simple or Nivea or Boots' and Superdrug's own brand ). Like all the other posters have said, you don't need anything harsh which just strips the skin and makes the zits come back with a vengeance.
I started to use a wash-off cleanser with a muslin cloth, lightweight moisturiser and Quinoderm on my spots. I'd use a facial scrub once a week and a peel-off masque weekly, too. My skin definately improved from a simple, fuss-free regime and now over ten years later, although I still get the occasional spot I'm often complimented on my skin.
The only expensive addition to my regime now is Dermolgica's Daily Exfoliant. It costs around £25 :eek:(Jersey Beauty Company and The Courtyard often have good offers) but a pot lasts 6 months.

I've always drunk lots of water, am not keen on chocolate, been a lifelong vegetarian and tried various contraceptive pills so I think bad skin is genetic.

Good luck!

minerva_windsong

I had great skin up until I went back on the Pill about a year ago (I'd been prescribed Dianette for possible PCOS for about three years, then went off it about two and a half years ago in a fit of 'what's the point as it's not going to make me better'), and since then it's been OK but not brilliant, with the spots tending to be around my mouth and chin and being hard, painful under-the-skin ones that took ages to go away.

I also suffer from sensitive skin which I've had since I was a baby, so it is really difficult to find good products that tackle both problems because pretty much all skincare companies assume that sensitive always equals dry.

This is my current routine which seems to be working quite well:

Morning - Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Daily Facial Scrub, Lush Tea Tree Water toner, The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Day Cream, Lush Enchanted Eye Cream, Lush Grease Lightning spot gel

Evening - same as morning except instead of the scrub and the day cream I use Lush Ultrabland cleanser and The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Night Cream which is a bit richer.

That said though the Body Shop stuff is just because I need to use it up - I'm pondering buying Lush's Vanishing Cream moisturiser next as the sample I had of that was wonderful and worked a treat, and want to try Simple's Oil Balancing Moisturiser as well. Lush's Fresh Farmacy cleanser is very good too.

Clinique do an Anti-Blemish range which worked very well for me from the samples I had of it - the spot gel is particularly good and a little goes a long way.

It sounds a bit mad but I also keep a photo record of what my skin looks like with each new product I try to see if it's improving or not.

However based on the variety of different responses here I think it's really a case of finding out what works best for you, and unfortunately that might mean a lot of trial and error. Otherwise, good luck!

~*Plushroom*~

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Use Quinoderm on the blemishes ONLYat night-time and apply with a cotton-bud so you're not drying out the healthy skin around them.

I second this one, the stuff is brilliant and at £2.79 a tube it isn't going to break the bank. Does sting a little when you first start using it though, but oddly I like that as I know it was doing something!

Ali_UK

I've given in now (at the age of 38) to the fact I will never have completely clear skin. I think I've tried most things but what seems to have been best for me so far is using a cleansing oil (by DHC, was either 12 or 15 pound but is lasting for ages) but only in the evening - you massage it on and then remove with a warm damp face cloth. I know it seems mad using an oil on oily skin but I totally agree with everyone that if you strip the oils it makes your skin worse. I then use a light moisturiser. In the morning when I shower I don't use a face wash at all now, I really think I was overdoing the washing!

I'd say go to your doctor and have a chat about what they can do for you. Dianette/Yasmin might not suit your circumstances but you could get antibiotics, or if you don't want to take them then something like zineryt which is a topical antibiotic you put onto the skin.

One other important thing is to remember to change your pillow case regularly - sounds daft but I change mine every few days now. Your hair picks up so much dust and pollution (er, unless you live in the countryside I guess!) and of course that goes onto your pillow and onto your freshly cleansed face (which is sucking up the moisturiser you've just put on...so I always think is it sucking up the hair grease and dirt too?!).

I also find lack of sleep, too much alcohol/junk food definitely affect my skin!

becky_rtw

I used to take dianette and my pct wont do Jasmin - too expensive *rolls eyes* so I have a topical antibiotic roll on - only have to buy it every 3 months or and its much better than quinoderm as it doesnt dry out the skin in the same way (I only use it once a day now my skin has settled rather than twice), it also doesnt bleach stuff like those creams

But seriously speak to your GP - there are loads of options and if its affecting your confidence its well worth it - warning though none of them work overnight - usually takes about 1-3 months for it to settle again!