Advice mrs Martin and anyone else who wants to chip in....

[pocketandsweet]

I am looking for some advice about how to improve my skin. I am 44 and one of those people who until a few years ago ( pre childbirth) used to get regularly told that I looked 10 years younger now I feel like everything is catching up.

On a superficial level I am lucky- not too many wrinkles and generally clear completion BUT my skin feels so congested. Pores that never seem to come clean. The pores on my nose and chin easily can be extracted but a week later are back to the same state. I have little blocked pores/bumps on my forehead that won't budge. I exfoliate a couple times a week. My other big problem is that especially on my nose my skin gets all flaky. So blocked pores and oil underneath and dry surface skin.... Obviously I am doing something wrong.

Age wise. I have the beginnings of little crosshatch wrinkles at the inner corners of my eyes and some laugh crinkles at the outer corners. Only other wrinkle is on one side of my mouth/ cheek a vertical line ( I am guessing due to lopsided smile).

Now that I have made myself sound so attractive PLEASE HELP. Primarily would like to sort out skin texture and set up proper eye/ wrinkle regime to slow down things as much as possible. Also not on a giant budget so no Creme de la Mer or whatever. I would spend a bit though for something really good.

currently using: Liz Earle cleanser, Korres wild rose day cream and Lauder Perfectionist at night. Avene gentle exfoliant. Liz Earle super serum oil roller thing at night.

(please)

my skin has never been more improved than since I started to use Clarisonic - pores and congestion thing of the past - just smooth and clear skin - whilst an expensive outlay i no longer pay out for expensive cleansers etc as this makes my skin so good just using cheap stuff.

I would also say make a concerted effort to keep on top of skincare routine if you do not already - I find that my eye wrinkles fade a lot when I am totally dedicated to the routine - and do it 2-3 times a day. I am no longer convinced about products since Clarisonic but I did get good results from Elemis which is not very expensive - tri enzyme stuff is good.

The cross hatch is dehydration, the congestion and flakiness completely normal. So here is what I would try:

Cleanse with LE and remove with muslin.
Buy the Elemis tri enzyme facial wash - cleanse again with this (concentrating on congested areas).
Wipe the wash off with LE muslin cloth and as hot water as poss.
Rinse the muslin cloth with cold water and lay over face (this will close the pores.
Swipe skin with toner. Any toner so long as it is alcohol free this elizabeth arden one is really good.
Use LE oil next (really massage in where you have wrinkles forming)
Finish with your day/night moisturiser.

That's two extra products at about £30 that should make a massive difference to your skin.Gatineau melatogenine would be the eye cream I would recommend but I would try that routine first as the oil should make a difference. For reference the eye cream is this one pretty expensive hence me saying try the above first though at least if you get it from them you can get a refund.

Thanks for thinking of me

Sorry to hijack a bit but mrsmartin you sound like you know your stuff....what day and night creams would you recommend? I need to buy both, am a big fan of Elemis oxygenating night cream and find the day cream ok but always wondering if something else better out there.

sleep - it depends what your main skin concerns are, your age, how likely you are to do a multi-step routine etc - pm me with what you do now, how your skin is now and what most bothers you about it and I'll message you back with some recommendations

There's lots of camphor in the LE cleanser which might be causing your flakes.... It did me!

Loads of useful info here

Www.beautymouth.com

She runs a free 'clinic' on a thurs when you can post all of your skin issues and get advice!

I def second Mrs M's advice.

Fwiw, my own advice is

1. Clarisonic. Expensive outlay but truly brilliant results

1. Make sure you are getting enough fluid. No need to go mad about it but drink a few more glasses of water through the day.

1. Review your diet and if you need to, take it up a gear - less sugar, more fish, less wine more olive oil, seeds, nuts, wholegrain food etc

1. take a specific skin supplement like Imedeem or the Boots own brand version

1. All the boring lifestyle stuff - sleep, fresh air and exercise, getting on top of stress.

I think lots of people ignore the above, more holistic, approach because it sounds a biy woolly, we've heard it all before and we're a bit bored of it and dont really believe it works.

I've been a beautician for 15 years and i can categorically tell you that it does work. Xxx

thanks MrsMartin and everyone else. I have been wondering whether a Clarisonic would be helpful but have been put off by the cost.

A couple more questions.... Do I continue us with the scrub exfoliant if I am using the tri enzyme? Also, I am going to run out of my current supply of LE oil and my perfectionist in the next month or so. In a perfect world what would you replace with. My littlest dd is now two so I can manage and commit to a regular regime since our days/nights are alot more predictable now ( knock on wood). Again I don't have limitless funds BUT I think since I don't smoke and barely drink I can justify putting some money towards the future of my face.

If I can be extra cheeky and ask two more questions.... Facial sunscreen. I need something good because I will be outside all summer ( not in the uk so it will likely be sunny :) ). Have heard good things about the La Roche Posay Antihelios.... I need something that both works and doesn't feel oppressive on my face to make sure I use it religiously. Mineral makeup. I have steered clear because of the flakiness on my nose which Inthought would be accentuated by powder.

thanks again.... I owe your a bouquet of flowers for all this!

Thanks Esmeraldada you must have been writing at the same time as me. Thanks for the advice. My diet is good but I am trying to be very conscious of the things you mentioned. I have always wondered about the supplements. o you think that there is much difference between the Imedeen and the Boots brand? I completely agree with you about the wholistic approach. Probably to the point where I have been extremely suspicious about any particular product claims. I don't want to overload my skin with unnecessary chemicals but if something is helpful I am interested. I am not likely to ever go down any surgical route/ injections ( too many past surgeries/ medical interventions for other things to contemplate doing anything optional ) to deal with things so I hope that by eating the right things and doing the right things I can manage.

Didnt want to read and run but just to say imho Imedeen is worth every penny. i can tell when somebody i know starts using it.

Use a moisturiser with sunscreen built in else you'll overload your skin a bit.

Just my opinion but i dont really think a 50 quid cream makes you look twice as good as a £25 one. I'm quite into eucerin's range at the moment and have been loyal to Neal's Yard frankincense cream for a few years (& i am such a product tart lol)

And honest to god, meticulous cleansing will dramatically improve your skin in ways no moisturiser or treatment cream ever will.

My friend is a dermatologist.

Expensive vitamin supplements are a con. Drinking loads of water (over and above what your body requires) simply creates more urine. It doesn't hydrate from within. By all means eat well and drink enough and exercise and sleep because you'll feel better.

Sunscreen, exfoliation (manual or chemical), judicious use of prescribed retinols and not smoking and drinking to excess is the best course of action.

He also recommends peels for problem skin.

Almost all cosmetic products are simply emulsions designed to trap water in the skin and are temporary.

Marking place as I was going to come looking for mrsmartin myself today!

46, still told I look in my 30s but....

It's definitely eye treatment I'm after, my skin everywhere else is still good (have always been good girl and cleansed and moisturised and spf'd) but my eyes are really wrinkly at the sides (the criss crossy thing) plus dark circles (am mozzarella white so that doesn't help) and sinusy so often puffy.

(actually, maybe should just always wear dark glasses then would look forever 18????)

Also, Mrsm do you do foundation recommendations? Am a Clarins Instant Smooth girl, but am always eager to try the Next Best Thing Which Will Be Perfect

(I second the Liz Earle and Neal'sYard recs btw)

Aggh. I could have written that opening post OP!

My main issue is the flakiness on and around the nose.....

When I have a few minutes later I will read this thread properly.

However, how on earth do you do this stuff on a budget (as I cannot stretch to the products that are mentioned up above)????

Bump

Hey - well, I've been getting abit of flack for not having 'scientific' evidence to substantiate skincare claims. However, I believe that good skincare helps me and you asked so...

Sun protection -
I use ultrasun as it is a once a day (8 hours) protection, my skin has never reacted to it and it is photostable (most important thing about it). They do an anti ageing formula for the face that has won anti-ageing awards in it's own right (I just use the standard as I'm enjoying using elemis PCMC over the top).

Scrubs and Tri-enzymes -
I use the tri-enzyme wash twice a day and use a cream exfoliator once a week (elemis papaya enzyme peel) - it is just a cream so you put it on like a mask and it basically eats the dead skin. I don't use granular exfoliators as a rule because I find they over stimulate my oil glands (though I do use them on my neck). Maybe if you want to use a scrub don't bother with the wash that particular 'cleansing session'- it's only once or twice a week.

Clarisonic
I want one - they are brilliant. I have a champneys copycat and it is fantastic but have a sneaky suspicion clarisonic is better...it is going to be my next beauty purchase (when I have moved house and found a new job...so boring).

Moisturisers
I'm a big fan of facial oil - bog standard rosehip, LE superskin, Decleor arromessence etc. I find they balance oil production, plump skin up and give skin a 'I've just had a facial' glow. They also make your cream moisturiser go alot further.

Everyone knows im a big fan of elemis pcmc - it combines hydration and anti-ageing in one pot and can be used as an eyecream too (which is why I use it). Decleor hydrafloral is also fantastic for hydration and alpha H is great for anyone with acne type problem skin. I'll be honest, I know more about the premium brands that qvc stock because I can try them out safe in the knowledge that I can return them. MIL uses protect and perfect and loves it.

Foundation
Sorry but I am a BE lover - wouldn't be without it. However, I do like to mix it up abit - I love Mally visible skin (another powder) and Bobbi brown Moisture Rich (liquid med coverage buildable to full coverage). For me primer is essential - it is pointless having good skincare and then putting makeup straight over it that is just going to sink in and clog the pores up.

Also - it is important to know that when you start a new routine it is perfectly normal to get a few pimples and breakouts - it is all the crap coming out of your skin and should clear up pretty quickly. Always start off with cleanse, tone (don't miss out tone) moisturise and then gradually add in serum etc so that you don't overload your skin and also so that you don't waste money on products you don't need.

Anonymous...I get my stuff from qvc when it is on easypay so I spend a max of £20 a month (though am currently paying about £40 due to stocking up/buying extra to put away for presents). You can get a good routine for a lot less than that if you want to try the oil cleansing etc - it seems to work for alot of people (not me unfortunately).

I'm also easypaying for 3 lots of elemis so not that easy atthe moment!

What is BE?

Bare Escentuals / Bare minerals (whatever they want to call themselves). Lot's of MN's say lilylolo (think that's what it's called) is very similar but I've never tried it personally. I love BE - have worn it about 5 years or so now whereas I don't think I have ever repeat bought a liquid fondation...I love the finish & the fact it lasts 16hours and still looks the same.

for everything

FWIW, another vote here for Neal's Yard Frankincense. I notice the difference if I stop using it. Also, the Frankincense lip and eye serum is amazing. All chemical and paraben free. I'm loving all the advice on here but also very concerned about the amount of chemicals & mineral oils in well known cosmetics and skincare. We use so many products every day and layer them on top of each other and we really have no idea of the long term impact so where I can, I use chemical free products.