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Original poster

What shall I do about my skin then?

32 replies

FellatioNelson · 21/02/2011 20:31

It's parched, a bit flaky and tired looking, and I'm getting irritated reddish patches from my nose to the corners of my mouth, and on my forehead. I'm starting to get very visible pores - especially on my chin.

I am also developing dark saggy eye-bags and very pronounced fine lines at the corners of my eyes. I look like I've been the victim of a furious cross-hatching attack. Confused

I know I am very old. (nearly 45)
I know I drink too much alcohol
I know I don't drink any enough water
I know I'm a bit hit and miss with my night-time skincare regime. Blush

I only wear foundation/full make up once or twice a week, and I've been using Bare Essensuals for about a year, which I love, but lately it seems a bit drying.

What are the things that really truly make a difference? If I stop being hit and miss with my night cream will it actually make any real difference, or not?

OP posts:
Udderly · 21/02/2011 20:36

I dunno, but things that didn't make any difference for me are La Roche Posay Lipikar Baume and Aveeno, both of which are meant to be the Holy Grail for dry skin.

Original poster
FellatioNelson · 21/02/2011 20:39

They sound expensive!

OP posts:
bristolcities · 21/02/2011 20:41

Alcohol is a diuretic but i wouldn't give it up but instead drink more water. Sounds like some good fats might be good in your diet maybe avocados, nuts and fish. Obviously don't use perfumed products, to be honest i would minimize all products as much as possible and Try Aveeno is a brilliant natural, non perfumed moisturizer specifically for dry/sensitive skin.

bristolcities · 21/02/2011 20:43

Aveeno is dead cheep in fact you can probably get it on prescription oh and how could i forget take evening primrose oil capsules!!!

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 21/02/2011 20:47

Yes it will help if you stop being hit and miss with your night cream Grin

I used to be hit and miss, and for the last 3 months I have been religious about bedtime skincare and it has made a massive difference.
I am younger than you, but 8 months pregnant so I feel about 90!!

I started using Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser on the recommendation of a lot of people on here, and I love it. It actually doesn't work out hugely expensive, and I only use it at night as I CBA with the faff in the mornings :)

Original poster
FellatioNelson · 21/02/2011 20:52

Everyone raves about Liz Earle on here.

OP posts:
Alibabaandthe40nappies · 21/02/2011 20:57

There is a reason for that Grin

FoundWanting · 21/02/2011 21:13

My skin sounds similar to yours although I don't drink (but do smoke).

I've been using Neal's Yard Rose facial oil for a couple of weeks and that has made quite a difference to the fine lines and uneven skin tone.

My mum gave me half a pot of Creme de la mer and that made me break out in a blackhead rash (nice) so I wouldn't reccommend that.

VerityBrulee · 21/02/2011 21:19

Get yourself a serum to use at night under your moisturiser. Olay Regenarist and L'Oreal Youth Code both get good reviews and don't cost the earth.

And use it EVERY night!

Pinner35 · 21/02/2011 21:23

I would also recommend a facial oil....Sanctuary do a fab one

FoundWanting · 21/02/2011 21:25

Does that one smell Pinner? I'm pleased with the NY one, but it is a really strong scent. And twice the price of the Sanctuary one.

TwistAndShout · 21/02/2011 21:27

Liz Earle is fab!

TigerseyeMum · 21/02/2011 21:32

Is the skin at the corners of your mouth cracked? This can be a sign of B-vitamin deficiency, which also causes dull, tired skin. Try a liquid B-complex from H&B, take it in the morning (NOT at night).

I would recommend a moisturiser I have switched to which is Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balancing, or s erum such as Dr Organic Rose Otto serum £13 from H&B.

More water, more sleep, more fruit n veg. Zzzz. I have similar skin so I know I should look after myself, but I don't Grin

piratecat · 21/02/2011 21:33

i am 42 and i despair of mine too.

Liz Earle was, get this, too harsh for my skin.

dried it out. Sad

i have open pores and blackheads on my cheeks now that i never had even as a teen. but my skin is dry aswell, very dry. and sensitive.

it's so dry that water makes it dry. how can this be?

TigerseyeMum · 21/02/2011 21:35

Use a dermalogica cream cleanser, or REN also do a good one. Some people are sensitive to hot or warm water.

FWIW my friend and I (aged 37) had the exact same convo yesterday - she said, I look like an old woman and a teenager at the same time Shock

The winter makes it worse though, it has been harsh this year for some reason. My skin has struggled more than usual.

bellavita · 21/02/2011 21:38

I am 46 40ish and love Liz Earle. However I think you can have too much of the same thing and I have now changed to Elemis - fabulous stuff. Ren is also nice too.

I do however cleanse every night and moisturise day and night.

Drinking water is the way to go and I need to make more effort to do this instead of drinking loads of coffee

Original poster
FellatioNelson · 21/02/2011 21:40

My lips are very dry as well. It's the water thing isn't it? I know it. Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
FellatioNelson · 21/02/2011 21:40

Easily and cheaply solved as well - I just find drinking lots of fluid really dull!

OP posts:
laosvher · 21/02/2011 21:44

Oh yes, the water thing. I've recently started putting a bottle of flavoured water by the beds of both mine and the DDs - it still takes me a week to drink 2L but that's 2L more than I was getting before.
Vaseline for lips - there's a new cocoa butter one that smells delicious, but tastes of nothing (I couldn't resist).

Pancakeflipper · 21/02/2011 21:47

Water... And you know it. If you work - get yourself a drinks bottle and sip it through the day. Get some good quality cordial to liven it up a few times a day. At home always have a glass of water in a room. Once in the habit of drinking water you will crave it...

I have recently become a Liz Earle convert after years of the worst dehydrated skin ( and I drink like a fish) that you could peel off in Winter months. It's very easy and reasonable in cost. My skin without make up glows!!!!

Dermalogical is supposed to be good. That was my next try-out but sticking with Earle for now.

miche8 · 22/02/2011 08:43

i agree the liz earle cleanser is brilliant....the other products are nice enough but i'm always on the lookout for better. You can buy a trial size of all the products, also get the tubes rather than the pumps, when i get to the end i cut it open and theres a good 10 days worth of cleanser stuck around the sides. The superskin moisturiser is also very good i'm 32 so use it as a night cream.

piratecat · 22/02/2011 08:49

would you recommend REN or Dermatalogica to be better?

suwoo · 22/02/2011 08:54

I'm a spring chicken but a heavy drinker. I am 24 days into a 30 day detox of no alcohol and no diet coke (my other vice). The difference in my skin and eyes and everything else is amazing! I have also lost 12lbs and am back down to my goal weight. I do have slight dry patches on my cheeks too (excema sufferer) so I need to get a moisturiser sorted out, but the no drink thing is so worthwhile. Hard, but worthwhile.

MurkyTurkey · 22/02/2011 09:16

Try bio oil on your face, its lovely and really makes a difference.

Anonymousbird · 22/02/2011 09:22

I definitely don't drink enough water, and drink too much wine I suspect overall.

Are any of the lotions and potions mentioned on a budget though?? I don't know Liz Earle stuff and haven't dared google it, but I just know it will be expensive?!?!?!?

I really don't have the money to spend on high end products, so are there are any more run of the mill type things?

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