Absolute top tips for skincare - come and share!

[Lottapianos]

With the weather turning colder, skin is likely to be suffering a bit more than usual. So I thought we could do with a thread of sage advice on how to take care of your skin and keep it looking fabulous.

Here's what works for me (they are all free or very cheap ):

• Sleep. Simple as that. As much as you can manage, as often as you can manage
• Water. As for sleep
• Vegetables. As for sleep and water
• Caffeine. The opposite advice! Cut it out if you can
• Alcohol. Ditto. Or at least neck tons of water alongside it and give yourself more alcohol-free days in the week
• Ciggies. Pack 'em in. It really does make a difference. I stopped in June and by the end I was down to about 2 fags a week. I still noticed a difference after quitting completely I think
• SPF. I've only been using a daily SPF for about 2 years (I'm 33) so I've yet to see if it works long term but it keeps coming up as one of the very best things you can do to prevent signs of ageing
• Oil cleansing. Works a treat on my dry and dehydrated skin that is prone to flakiness. I take make-up off with sunflower oil or coconut oil every night, removing with a warm wet flannel. I just use rosewater on a cotton pad in the morning
• Find a moisturiser that your skin loves and stick to it. For me, it's cheap and cheerful Astral, morning and night. Lots of love for Nivea too. You definitely don't need to use a fancy pants mega bucks moisturiser.

Looking forward to reading what works for other folks!

[Hazelbrowneyes]

Ooh great post!

For me (lots of your advice here actually!):

• Sleep - I don't get enough of it but I do notice my skin is healthier when I do
• A proper routine - I use facewipes (I know, big no no) twice a day (Lacura sensitive skin) followed by Simple purifying lotion, Simple toner, Lacura eye cream and Lacura day/night cream. I take make up off every night too. Everytime I shower I use Simple face wash, I exfoliate twice a week and once a week I use an inshower face mask.
• Limit crisps, chocolate or other "convenience" foods. Really makes a difference.
• Vegetables. Lots and Lots of veg.
• Water instead of fizzy drinks. This is my huge downfall but I'm really trying. I also limit my tea intake to 2 cups of day in summer, 4 cups in winter.
• Alcohol needs to be limited too, too much alcohol really has a negative effect on your skin.
• Don't smother yourself in make up every day. I used BB cream or foundation maybe 2 or 3 times a month. Otherwise it's just moisturiser and I use eyeshadow, eye liner, lipstick and mascara. My skin looks terrible if I wear a full face of make up every day.

[JennySense]

Using a flannel, getting into toners and Trilogy rose hip oil. Sadly I think genes play a big part too.

[Lottapianos]

Ooh, that's a really important one Hazel - take make up off properly every single night. That's EVERY NIGHT without fail.

[Eliza22]

Exercise If you can bear to get "out there" in the so called fresh air, all the better. I gave up my costly gym membership last year and started doing walking/running and yoga.
Sleep As much as is available and on a (near) empty stomach. I always seem to be restless when I eat too late in the evening.
Binning heavy makeup as I get older. The photographic evidence is that it just ages me more.
Neck moisturising every time I use hand cream. My stringy neck lets my face down. Feed your necks younger ladies!

[Eliza22]

Oh and serenity. I try to adopt a serene look as if nothing bothers me (everything bothers me!) as I'm too namby-pamby to contemplate Botox but I figure if I look serene and relaxed, I'll create fewer wrinkles, over time.

[LeoandBoosmum]

Sleep
Good Food
Fish oil
Take the heat down a notch
Plenty of water, and water from fruits and veggies
Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Cream (best ever!)

[sophiedaal]

Hydraluron gel Thanks to rosacea and gingerness, I've been doing sunblock for years, and thanks to having no children, I also get copious amounts of sleep. But nothing - nothing - has wrought such an instant improvement in my very pale, sensitive skin like twice-daily applications of this stuff under my serum/moisturiser. Baby soft, it is. Thank you, Caroline Hirons. (see also, Emma Hardie skincare)

[QuinnFabray]

For those of us with oily, congested skin ( blackheads and spot prone ), salicylic acid is wonderful. Either on it's own as a peel, or using products containing it. Also double cleansing.

[JemimaPuddle]

Double cleansing - if you don't remove makeup properly your skin will not look its best.
SPF - everyday
Glycolic acid - reduces large pores, helps pigmentation and scarring and helps ant breakouts. Since using a night cream with glycolic acid in my skin has massively improved. I also use a twice a week overnight treatment.

For the PP who can't wear makeup everyday it's possibly because wipes aren't very good so you won't be removing all the makeup. That's one of the reason they aren't generally recommended.

[NickECave]

Sorry to hijack, but I've got a question about SPF. I've always used a moisturiser with SPF 15 but this summer I switched to an SPF 30 moisturiser as I don't remember to put sunblock on every day. Not sure if I noticed a difference and I wonder if anyone who has increased the SPF of their moisturiser has noticed any skin improvements over time.

[SundaySimmons]

Never squeeze a spot or blackhead the day before an important event, it will become infected. :(

[JemimaPuddle]

I've always used a seperate SPF, I don't think moisturisers with SPF in a very effective against the sun x

[Kewcumber]

Okay you lot obviously know what you're talking about so talk to me about glycolic acid and vitamin c.

I'm late 40's fine lines bit genetically good skin. Would like to look fresher though

[Madamecastafiore]

What moisturiser do you use overnight with this acid jazz stuff in.

I have good skin without wrinkles but get blocked pores on nose and wondered if this would work?

My tip is big sunglasses, even when not sunny. I at 39 have no eye wrinkles although smoked for years and put it down to my big old film star sunnies!!

[JemimaPuddle]

Hi *Kew^ in no expert at all but if you want to try glycolic acid Alpha H Liquid Gold is a good place to start. You wipe it over cleansed skin 2-3 nights a week & leave it until morning. It's only 5% glycolic and works by removing dead skin cells, dissolving the stuff clogging pores and stimulates cell turnover.
Or you could try a glycolic night cream, I use an Alpha H one but I have read good things about Bravura glycolic night cream.

[JemimaPuddle]

Madame there are a few but I use Alpha H.

If you don't already then try double cleansing. That's great for blocked pores.

[GobblersKnob]

Double cleaning
Exfoliating with a soft dry washcloth
Removing cleanser with a hot wet washcloth
Face exercises
Cutting out sugar, proven to be ageing
Sleep/water/vegetables all in spades

[bigkidsdidit]

I second the rosehip oil post. I use it at night and. My skin is lovely and soft and I swear my little one lines are going

[bigkidsdidit]

Little fine lines

[lucidlady]

What is double cleaning? Is it basically washing your face twice?

[Madamecastafiore]

Yes spill the beans. Double cleansing?

[Pumpkintopf]

Interested re the Alpha H - where do you buy it from?

[Lottapianos]

Very good point about exercise Eliza22 - a good brisk walk around the park is as good as anything

I'm intrigued by the Hydraluron sophiedaal - where do you get it? I'm in the same boat with not having children - I am extremely grateful that I'm able to get so much sleep

[JemimaPuddle]

Yes it is basically washing your face twice :)

At night I cleanse with a balm & flannel to remove makeup then again with a cream cleanser & flannel to clean skin. I use Alpha H cleansing oil then superdrug radiance cleanser. You can use any cleanser though and it doesn't have to be a different one for each. Personally I wouldn't use a face wash though as they don't suit my combination skin.

Pumpkin I generally buy my Alpha H stuff from QVC as I use quite a few of their products and the kits they do work out cheaper. Try eBay or salonskincare for individual items or starter kits.

[madmomma]

I totally disagree with posters who say make-up ages skin. Make up protects your skin from the elements. Joan Collins swears that all her friends who have worn make up every day for decades look have much better skin than those who took a no make up stance. The problems only come with inefficient cleansing (obviously allergies aside)

madame I second the sunglasses tip. I am kicking myself for not wearing them since my teens. I've got dark spots around my eyes despite wearing high spf and I'm sure it's due to the sun magnifying on my glasses :(