So down over skin 😢

[Loveagoodbook]

So I'm feeling so down over my skin, apart from when I was in my teens I've not had bad skin. But over the last year or so it's gone awfull, my pores have exploded.
I've tried everything for good coverge but nothing works.
Any hints tip, make up products to help cover them. I'm at the srage where I hate talking to people.
The photo is with make up on!

[Snorkpod]

I can't see anything other than normal skin. I'm not just saying that. Yes, you have pores but we're meant to. If you were talking to me I doubt I'd even notice. You've posted a close up. No one else sees that, honestly.

[BagelGoesWalking]

Your skin looks good but you could use products which will plump your skin and perhaps minimise the look that you don't like.

Hydrating toners are fantastic, but look for ones like this. Korean/Japanese one's really are a cut above the rest. A few drops patted onto clean skin, you can do everything layers of this. You could also try a Hyaluronic Acid (not an Acid really) like La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Serum or Hyaluronic Acid from the Ordinary. Personally, I find the hydrating toner better but it's personal preference.

You can also look into primers or "pore blur" products like this which claim to minimise the appearance of pores. I haven't used any so can't really recommend.

[Loveagoodbook]

Ooh it's awful, like I said that photo is with make up on!
Thanks I'll try what you have suggested I like the sound of the primer, I've tried loads of primers and none seem to work, so will give it a go.
Thanks

[SukiTheDog]

Any of the pore blurring products? Clinique do one, Benefit, Lloreal. Ask to try.

Really OP, it looks worse to you. Looks ok to me. Do you smoke? It can be a cause (though also genetic).

[Loveagoodbook]

No I dont smoke. I have had a tough couple of years watching my mum go through and loosing her to cancer, plus I had the coil fitted which didn't agree with me, all went down Hill after that.
I've tried the benefit. I've tried the benefit one and didon't rate it. My local boots always seem reluctant to hand out samples

[Worieddd]

What about using a BHA exfoliator rather than just concentrating on covering them up?

[omBreROSE]

You have a really pretty mouth.
How about you buy a lovely new lipstick to enhance them?
Don’t worry too much about your skin...

[mixture]

I think you look perfectly OK in the photo, but perhaps cannot take up a job as a model. If the photo looks a bit weird it's because it's taken from beneath and is cropped so we only see your chin... The problem here is that you can't do much more than you're already doing, besides deciding not to let it make you feel down or stop you from doing fun things in life, but what you can do is to decide for yourself that it's not going to stop you from fun things in the future and people may think whatever they like. I agree with the previous poster about trying a light lipstick.

[SukiTheDog]

OP, I had a sample of L’Oréal Infallible 24hr Foundation and have to say, it has made my skin so smooth. I’m old and have pores on my chin and it has cosmetically done a good job.

I think stress is ageing. That’s just how it is.
L'Oreal Infallible 24H Longwear Liquid Foundation 30ml
Read more at www.boots.com/loreal-infallible-24h-foundation-10168511#ZHfIgm6bsHR7PiAU.99

[SukiTheDog]

This...

I agree that a nice spring lippie will draw the eye to your fab pout!

[CadiM]

I've significantly reduced the appearance of my pores in the last year but I've used a few products so couldn't say exactly which one/s to give credit. I think it's down to The Ordinary retinoid and the vitamin C suspension. I also use a daily acid toner (either glycolic acid from Superdrug or a Boots time delay one) and Alpha H about once a week.

Sorry about your mum

[MidLifeCrisis2017]

Ditto The Ordinary, only been using their stuff since Christmas but it's made a noticeable difference

[Loveagoodbook]

Brill thankso everyone I have got the retonoid but havnt used it yet. Do you use at night and then moisturise?

[SukiTheDog]

With retinoids I think you use at night and the next day use high spf, even on a cloudy day 😊

Be kind to yourself OP. You’ve had a tough time

[CadiM]

Yup, as Suki says. I use an SPF 50 each morning otherwise I'll be swapping big pores for more wrinkles.

[silver1977]

Tretinoin (Retin-a 0.1%) from a dermatologist helped my skin with melasma but also made my skin so smooth and reduced pores. The Obagi regime is what I used but I've read loads on MN about retin-a being the only thing that works, which is the main part of the Obagi regime. Would it be possible for you to visit a derm OP? They could prescribe it for you, you do need to wear spf50 every day, even cloudy days as your skin will be extra sensitive to sunlight and you could cause a whole new set of problems! I have done religiously for 3 years and is the just the norm for me now.

[Loveagoodbook]

Thanks it started the retinol last night. I'm wondering if it's because my skin is dry that's causing the problems? It feels really tight can this make pores, marks seem worse?