Dull oily skin - any tips?

[SpawnChorus]

Aside from the usual boring "drink lots of water" or unachievable "get plenty of sleep"?

I'm a bit gutted looking back on photos today from 5-10 years ago (i.e. pre-kids) to see that my skin was so much brighter and smoother. It looks horrible close up at the moment. Slightly oily, big congested pores, beginnings of fine lines around the eyes.

I had more time and money back then, as well as having youth on my side, but there must be something quick and cheap I can do?

Any great bargainous moisturisers out there? My budget is definitely less than a tenner (as opposed to the old days when I was a Clarins gal . Or maybe some wondrous homemade face scrubs / masks?

Please?

Why not ditch the moisturiser if you have clogged pores etc...it seems that moisturiser is seen as an essential, but it looks like your skin is doing a pretty good job of moisturising itself!

I ditched moisturiser about a year and a half ago when I found a cleanser that suited my skin perfectly, and cleansed properly without leaving it dry. Since then my skin has never been in better condition, and I only use moisturiser if I have used an exfoliator, or wet my face in the bath or shower with other soaps in the water.*

*having said all that, my skin has gone all dry since I had my baby 5 weeks ago!

You need to exfoliate. Try the Oil Cleansing Method - just do a search for it as talked about a lot on here. Very cheap as it's only Castor Oil mixed with oil of your choice and flannel. If you don't fancy that buy something like Boots No 7 Radiance Cleanser - same principle using hot flannel/muslin. It's the hot steam/flannel scrubbing that is the business imo. I had similar sounding skin and have had recent remarks about it's dewiness and I am old.

I'd ditch the moisturiser but find a bloody good primer. Even if you don't wear makeup. Let it replace your "day" moisturiser.

Most primers will have some kind of mattifying yet illuminating effect, and a really good one will have a SPF as well.

If you are oily (or even if not) you wont need a "day" moisturiser as well, it eliminates the need for sunscreen as well, and will do something for your complexion whether you then go on to put makeup on or not.

Start with Laura Mercier or Becca. Get samples before you invest if you can - visit the counters, if you dont ask, you dont get.

OMG hadn't even considered ditching the moisturiser . I use a gentle face wash at the moment (Simple) but my skin would feel kind of tight if I didn't moisturise (and doesn't that then encourage more oil production?).

I do have a fab primer. Actually my skin looks ok with make-up on...I just look like a hag without it.

I have oily skin ( I'm 36 ) and don't use a daytime moisturiser. I use MAC spf 50 primer instead. It smooths out the lines and pores, and keeps the oil at bay. Also stops foundation from sliding off my face.

I do use a night moisturiser.

I'm day three into the Oil Cleansing Method and it is definitely making a difference. I'm using a mix of 20% castor oil and 80% almond oil. My skin feels much softer already and I think my blocked pores are beginning to clear.

Just to add, I use the Aveda Balancing foam cleanser, and I apply Dr Feelgood primer by Benefit before my foundation which is You Rebel by Benefit.