AIBU to ask for skincare tips please?

[LimaLemur]

Can I ask for your help please?

I’m now in my late twenties and haven’t actually yet set up a proper skin care routine

I’m sure things would get better if I had a regular consistent routine, but I’m at a loss about which products to use.

I have really sensitive pale skin (it goes red really easily no matter what I do) and I’m do frustrated with it. I always buy products that say they’re suitable for sensitive skin but they either seem to cause breakouts (still frustrated that I get spots :( ) or make my skin red, itchy and inflamed.

When I’m not using any products at all (most of the time), I either get really dry and flakey skin or really greasy-feeling skin :/ (sorry - TMI!)

Please can someone advise on what I can do to have better skin? I’m after a more even, smoother skin tone and healthier-looking, more flawless skin that doesn’t go red.

Should I go and see a dermatologist (could they do something about it?) or is there anything else I could do?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Orangesandlemons82]

I have similar skin and have spent a fortune trying different products. In the end I just went to the Dermalogica counter in John Lewis and they looked at my skin and suggested a routine. They gave lots of free samples so I could see how I got on with it. Also, they seem to be pretty good at exchanging or refunding if something doesn't agree with your skin. Once you know what you like you can buy it much cheaper online.

[UserUser123]

I don’t have problem skin so really couldn’t advise you on which products to use but I swear by mixing coffee grounds with coconut oil as an exfoliator then I moisturise with sudocrem. The coffee removes the dead skin and gives a nice glow like fake tan would, the coconut oil moisturises and the sudocrem also moisturises but gets rid of any redness or dry skin on my face. I then use a little Estée Lauder nude freshwater foundation. I’m 37 and always get compliments on how good my skin looks.

[Lockheart]

There's a whole style and beauty section where the experts will be, it might be worth posting in there!

[LimaLemur]

Orangesandlemons82 ooh that’s interesting to hear about Dermalogica. I once had a Dermalogica facial but haven’t used any of their products since then. Are they normally quite good for sensitive skin?

They seem quite pricey but, as you say, they could be bought cheaper online.

Has anyone tried La Roche Posay products? They’re reasonably priced and are meant to be quite good for sensitive skin.

[LimaLemur]

Thanks UserUser and Lockheart! :)

[woodwaj]

I'm just testing out tropic it seems nice so far and has no nasties in it!

[SpongeBobJudgeyPants]

Dermalogica is really good stuff. It seems pricey, but generally you need a very small amount, so lasts much longer than products you need to use a lot of. Years ago, Victoria Beckham had problem skin, and Dermalogica was credited with sorting it for her.

[peachgreen]

La Roche Posay's Effaclar was a miracle worker for me, I wouldn't be without it. Completely cleared up all my blemishes.

[Divgirl2]

Don't suddenly adopt a whole routine at once. Start with a cleanser (if you have sensitive skin go for something like cerave hydrating cleanser - it's very mild, cheap, and readily available). Once you know that's not making things worse chuck in a daily moisturiser (I've heard good things about neutrogena hydroboost gel). Once you find one that makes your skin feel and look good you can see if you need anything else (like sunscreen or a night cream or some actives).

If you start off with an entire 5 step routine and something irritates your skin you won't know what it is and if you're anything like me you'll just stop the whole thing.

[LimaLemur]

Thanks everyone! :) Thanks DivGirl for the tip - I’ll start off with a Dermalogica cleanser and see how it works out.

[Orangesandlemons82]

I use the calming range that Dermalogica do and I have been fine with it. They sell miniatures for lots of the range so you don't need to spend too much and as someone else said a small amount goes a long way.

[CycleWoman]

I have sensitive skin and find La Roche Posay stuff variable. The cleansers are too strong for me (especially the foaming one) and leave me red irritated skin. But I find their moisturisers, especially the spf, really good.

I found Lush Ultrabland to be the most benign cleanser out there (but it needs to be removed with a hot flannel otherwise leaves residue).

[Nothinglefttochoose]

I have extremely sensitive skin like you and I’m also pale and go red easily. I am using Nimue have been for a year now and I love it! My skin looks amazing. I’d give it a go

[suziedoozy]

Dermatologica is good but I would introduce it slowly - I used it for years and had dermalogica facials but all of a sudden my skin reacted really badly to it out of the blue.

I use REN products which I love - particularly the Rosa Centiflora collection which are for sensitive skins. Not cheap but I find well worth it - probably similar prices to dermalogica.

Good luck 👍

[peachgreen]

Another good mild cleaner is Glossier's Milky Jelly. I wanted to love Ultrabland (smells so goooood) but the oils broke me out even when using a hot cloth. But I know loads of people rave about it.

[KataChrisi]

Cetaphil cleansers and moisturisers are gentle but effective. I usually use the gel cleanser in the hotter/sweaty months and the creamy one in the winter. The moisturiser for oily skin is rich enough to stop the flaky patches but doesn't produce excess shine. It's usually in the pharmacy section near things like E45.

[Uptheduffagai]

I’ve just adapted an entire routine recently, I’m in my 20s also and thought it was about time I had one. I’ve just started oil cleansing, and using the 60 second rule which is to make sure you cleanse your face for a full 60 seconds.

I massage my whole body with raw shea butter but I have really dry skin so it may not work for you, after 2 days my skin has never felt softer. I was just using astral all over before and washing my face with water.

[CSIblonde]

I have similar skin. I've tried every brand going & Nivea is the only one that doesn't make it red & break out in. I use the 48hr moisturiser on my hands, neck & body as its very rich& the lighter one with jojoba in it for my face. And I've just found an organic aloe vera gel moisturiser by 'Beauty Formulas' that is fab (£1.30 in local chemist, never seen it anywhere else).

[CustardCreamLover]

I use la roche posay's effaclar and I don't have sensitive skin and it's sometimes too strong for me. I think they have a sensitive skin range as well though.
My advice is to give whatever you chose sometime to work. I changed my routine about 6 years ago and it takes about 3 months to see results.
Don't give up if you think something isn't working after 2 weeks!

[CustardCreamLover]

Also, use an under eye serum rather than cream. Stops mascara smearing! Creams can be too oily.

[Didiusfalco]

I have sensitive pale skin too. I keep it really simple, cleanse with miscellar water and use Nivea day spf 30 and night cream. That’s it. If I start messing around with masks or variations on cleansers I get spots. My skin seems to respond best to very little intervention.

[Molly499]

Have a look at The Ordinary products, the range seems daunting at first but there is a lot of information to help choose. It's about layering products to suit your needs and with most of the products around the £6 mark it's saved me a fortune as well as improving my skin.

[serenoa]

I'm a big fan of LaRoche Posay! I use their moisturiser (Toleriane) Legere version for day and Riche (night). Their Toleriane cleanser works brilliantly for heavy eye makeup and face. It's a skin cleanser as well as a makeup remover. I hadn't realised there's a difference.

My skin is dry as well as sensitive.

I'm almost out of LRP moisturiser so I'm giving The Ordinary a try for a while. Retinoids do improve skin condition, which I knew anyway as I had retinoid treatment for burns, but they make skin sensitive to sunlight so they recommend sunscreen if you use them. I'm also trying hyaluronic acid (moisturising), a separate daily moisturiser which is very nice, and rosehip seed oil as a night moisturiser. The only drawback I've found, is that my cat likes the taste of the rosehip seed oil and I'm often woken up by him licking my face! No need to buy an exfoliant now. . They have a regimen guide on their website which is helpful.

[Dreamzcancometrue]

I would google natural remedies for sensitive skin. Too many products out there with too many chemicals ! Makes sensitive skin even more aggravated.