Help me make my skin look better

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all

I am in my mid forties and my skin is starting to look its age! I have never spent much money on skin care and have a very basic regime - although I do take my make up off every night. I struggle with a lot of moisturisers because they bring me out in spots but I feel like I should be doing more.

The amount of products out there is bewildering. I dont mind spending a bit if I get something that evens out my blotchy skin tone and gets rid of the wrinkles that are appearing around my eyes. But where do I start?

I have a work colleague who spends a fortune on make up and skin care and to be honest her skin does look much better than mine - so is this the answer? Do you really need to be buying pots of cream at £30 a time?

Any advice would be very welcome.

lostinrates

You need to to use the. R IGHT skin care, not the most expensive.

I use a mix of stuff I get in boots and stuff I get in space nk. I have very difficult skin.

If you are getting spots regularly and have no 'medical ' reason then I think you could definitely improve. From the boots sort of shop I really like the Avene range, DH was told to use it my his dermatologist.

Also consider not just what you use but how you use it? A good facial massage and home facial can me an excellent skin pick me up.

HPoirot

I used to buy all the latest offers in beauty halls, high end creams, potions, serums.

Then I switched to the body shop aloe range - no colourants, preservatives, mineral or essential oils - basic, gentle skincare without anything to weigh my skin down or clog it up. I use the facewash, night cream and sometimes the serum. I also use boots botanics organic cleanser to take makeup off. I have to say my skin has never looked better although I can smoke up to 20 cigarettes a day.

My lesson learned: less is definitely more for skincare. From being a firm believer in all the wonders of skincare technology I am now a firm non-believer, all your skin really needs is a bit of moisture without any of the added stuff.

System

Do you really need to be buying pots of cream at £30 a time?

No, you need to find a range of skincare that suits you. Whether it be an expensive brand or a cheap brand.

I'm 51 and have tried most of the expensive brands as well as the cheap brands and ive found the range that suits me is one of the cheapest. Decleor and Gatineau bought me out in spots.

At 51 I still cant wear most moisturisers and they give me enlarged pores. Even water based ones are liable to bring me out in spots. I have to look at my face on a day to day basis to see if I need moisture on dryer areas. Then I go easy.

My favourite range is the Simple range. Its cheap and very effective.

xMonsoonx

hydration & nutrition from within, moisturise and use least amount chemicals you can get away with.

I love the premae oil cleansers and tonics - but my skin is sensitive and breaks out with most moisturisers so I stick with No7 protect and perfect - normal in the day and intense at night.

I wish I could find an perfumed low chemical moistriser that my skin likes!

hgotsparkle

I find that slathering on Nivea Regenerating Night Cream after I've just washed my face with cold water really takes away any redness on hormone spots and pimples caused my blocked pores on me.

Plus, its only £1.99 when on offer at Mr Ts!

Fusspot

HPoirot wrote: »

I used to buy all the latest offers in beauty halls, high end creams, potions, serums.

Then I switched to the body shop aloe range - no colourants, preservatives, mineral or essential oils - basic, gentle skincare without anything to weigh my skin down or clog it up. I use the facewash, night cream and sometimes the serum. I also use boots botanics organic cleanser to take makeup off. I have to say my skin has never looked better although I can smoke up to 20 cigarettes a day.

My lesson learned: less is definitely more for skincare. From being a firm believer in all the wonders of skincare technology I am now a firm non-believer, all your skin really needs is a bit of moisture without any of the added stuff.

Sorry to hijack but I've been looking at the Body Shop aloe ranfe as my skin is very sensitive. Is the face wash non drying? I like face wash in the mornings but have read they are drying and cream cleanser is best. Im trying Liz Earle at the moment but can't make my mind up about it.

ka7e

I swear by exfoliation! I use a Body Shop nylon "buff-puff" with a moisturising shower cream (not shower gel as they are too drying). Getting rid of the top layer of dead skin cells does seem to help your complexion. Body Shop Vit E moisturiser is very light and you can combine it with the rest of the range. I've now "upgraded" to Nivea for the winter as CH, wind and cold makes me feel I need a barrier against elements!

HPoirot

Fusspot wrote: »

Sorry to hijack but I've been looking at the Body Shop aloe ranfe as my skin is very sensitive. Is the face wash non drying? I like face wash in the mornings but have read they are drying and cream cleanser is best. Im trying Liz Earle at the moment but can't make my mind up about it.

No, it's very gentle. I like face wash too as I don't feel "clean" in the morning with only a cream or lotion cleanser. Having said that, I follow up with the night cream in winter which is very moisturising, like a cocoon for the skin, and the serum in warmer weather. The face wash doesn't leave any residue on the skin unlike say, Clarins. I haven't tried Liz Earle. HTH x

Fusspot

HPoirot wrote: »

No, it's very gentle. I like face wash too as I don't feel "clean" in the morning with only a cream or lotion cleanser. Having said that, I follow up with the night cream in winter which is very moisturising, like a cocoon for the skin, and the serum in warmer weather. The face wash doesn't leave any residue on the skin unlike say, Clarins. I haven't tried Liz Earle. HTH x

Thanks, I may try it now. Do you use the aloe day cream too? I tend to use wipes at night or Liz Earle but get a bit fed up with those muslin cloths and I have just been splashing my face with water in the mornings but a nice gentle face wash would be nice, I just keep hearing bad things about foaming washes on sensitive skin I have a problem with my eye make up too, even the Liz Earle doesn't take it off properly, might have to use a separate eye make up remover.

HPoirot

Fusspot wrote: »

Thanks, I may try it now. Do you use the aloe day cream too? I tend to use wipes at night or Liz Earle but get a bit fed up with those muslin cloths and I have just been splashing my face with water in the mornings but a nice gentle face wash would be nice, I just keep hearing bad things about foaming washes on sensitive skin I have a problem with my eye make up too, even the Liz Earle doesn't take it off properly, might have to use a separate eye make up remover.

I tried the day cream but in my opinion it isn't as soft and melting as the night cream, maybe that's because it has added sun protection, so I stick to the night cream. The reviews for the aloe makeup remover are not great so I've never tried it, I've used the botanics organic makeup remover ever since I tried it, it removes my eye makeup very well. Before that I used Nuxe it was really good but the botanics is just a cheaper gentler version I found. Not sure about how efficient it is, but body shop has a new makeup remover line with camomile, looks interesting for eye makeup remover? I might give that a try next time for some variety