Improving your skin?

[Hercy]

Just after some general tips really please.

I know water is a big one, but how much should I be aiming to drink daily? Do you lose the benefit if you have some with squash (no added sugar)?

I've cut out alcohol for January, but assume that coffee isn't great for your skin either. I won't cut that out completely, but is there a maximum daily amount I should be aiming for?

With diet, I know a healthy balanced diet with lots of fruit and veg is best. But are there any particular vegetables that are good for skin? I can't really eat any fruit other than citrus (for the time being at least - seem to have an allergic reaction to most raw fruit (and some raw veg) but anything cooked is fine).

With skin are routine, I cleanse and moisturise morning and before bed. I used to do a face ask once a week, so will reintroduce that. Is there anything else you recommend?

I get a reasonable amount of exercise - walk the dog for approx 2 hours per day, but would doing something a bit higher intensity (ie that makes you sweat) help with skin?

Any other tips and info gratefully received. Thanks:)

I recently got a Clarisonic and am in love with its skin-enhancing effects! And I already took very good care of my skin. I use Bioderma Créaline to remove make-up and then I use the Clarisonic with its foaming cleanser, followed by a Galénic eye cream and face cream.

This is the cream I massage into my face after cleansing it with the Clarisonic. I love this cream!

When I run a lot (and sweat!) my skin looks really good. I haven't run for about a week due to illness and it definitely looks duller. That and as you say, lots of water, fruit and veg and a good cleansing regime with no face wipes as a substitute for cleanser seems to work for me.

Hi Bonsoir, that cream reads very well. How did you find it? and where do you get it?

My DP runs a chain of cosmetics shops and it was one of the very many freebies he brings home. I'm a bit blasée about face creams but this one is amazing! Any French pharmacy or maybe online in UK?

Having spent a fortune on cream and serums over the years, for me the biggest benefit has been quitting the booze, really increasing my intake of fruit and veg and agree with louwn, aerobic exercise where you're getting nicely flushed and sweaty seems to really give my skin a dewy glow.

I have transformed my skin in the last year (had dry red patches and breakouts) by doing 3 things.

1. I stopped exfoliating.
2. Upping my water intake
3. Switching from different brands of moisturiser to one brand, La Roche Posay (might be a cheaper alternative to Bonsoir's fabulous looking stuff).

Without being vain my skin is bloody amazing. Clear and even and glowing and I have barely visible pores. That sounds a bit vain but feck it .

I eat an avocado pear everyday, I read an interview with Joan Collins in which she said this is what she does and it keeps her looking youthful. My skin does feel very soft and moisturised. Other than that the usual water and exercise works for me.

Sorry just realised you can't eat raw fruit or veg

Find a good skincare routine for you. Cleansing is the most important step, I like to use the hot cloth method with a balm/oil cleanser. Then I use serum, facial oil and night cream. I've quite dry skin so this routine in the evening really benefits me.

If you smoke, stop.

Eat some of the aforementioned avocados as well as smoked salmon and a handful of unsalted nuts a day. Almonds are good for the skin.

My skin goes horrid as soon as I even open a bag of crisps.
So I never have crisps now.

I think consistency is key. I always cleanse and use something at night and in the morning.
I also take Evening Primrose Oil every day.

if you really want effective skincare you need to go down the cosmeceutical range.

Morning:

1. Cleanse: AHA creamy cleanser that want make your face feel tight. I like Dermaquest creamy cleanser

2: Prevent further damage: use a topical antioxidant (Vit C&E) - I like Medic 8 as they are reasonably priced for a products that actually work

1. Moisturise or just use a daily sunscreen. You can easily use Boots Vitamin E cream and then use a French brand sunscreen for the face.

Night:

1. Cleanse - Clarisonic is great with any cleanser as it makes them work. Try the Superdrug Vit E hot cloth cleanser

1. Retinol product - the most important of all as it works at a cellular level to increase collagen. Again, look at Dermaquest or Medik 8. I'm sure the French pharmacy brands will have some effective products as well, but I haven't used them. To be really certain, get a script for Tretinion - it's the best, but can be quite hard to tolerate at first.

If you need more moisture at night then try a serum, before the retinol product, but wait at least 1/2 an hour.

This covers it all - AHA cleanser in the AM will exfoliate and the other products will work their magic. I've tried them all and this routine does really work.

Oh and chemical exfoliants like the Clarins Exfoliating Toner or some of the Paula's Choice AHA and BHA gels will work wonders too.

I drink about 3 litres of water, (after my cup of tea and two coffees, mind), exercise, fresh fruit and veg and take 2 fish oil capsules every day

Sorry to hijack Hercy, but has anyone tried the clarins lotus facial oil? Am thinking of getting some (combination skin, tending towards oily) and it seems to have good reviews for us oily types!

Using a glycolic cleanser daily plus a mix of Jan Marini and La Roche Posay products.

I use the Clarins Blue Orchid Oil for dry skin and love it! I've heard great things about the Lotus Oil.

Think I'm going to give it a try squoosh! Will report back: )