my skin is shit. apart from getting some sleep, what can I do for it?

[Kveta]

I have barely slept for 5 years now due to insomnia and children who don't sleep.

I'm 32, and my skin, on my face anyway, looks like it's been sandblasted, it is red and pockmarked and rough. And spotty and dry at the same time.

I look like I'm in my fifties.

Anyway, I wash it every day with water, and every other day with an SDS free face wash, and moisturise daily with nivea soft, and use sun cream in summer when I remember (I also burn very easily, so avoid sun exposure where possible).

I know more sleep would help, but dd isn't likely to permit that for a while, so are there any other ideas, preferably not expensive, as budget is virtually zero, that can make it a bit less crap?

Oh, I don't wear make up at all, ever, and plan to keep it that way, just to be difficult!

Thanks!

Have a look at Lisa Eldridge's website. Full of good tips.

Sudocreme.
Really.
Put a thickish layer on at bedtime. Sleep as much as possible (I can relate to your sleep situation, I have the Amazing Non Sleeping 2.6 year old).
Wash it off in the morning.
My skin always looks better when I have done this.

ooh, sudocreme, we may have some in the house, can give it a go! will look at Lisa Eldridge too, thanks :)

Please test sudocrem on a small bit of your face first. DH is allergic and went beetroot with welts

Rose is very calming. Rose balms are a bit spendy - Decleor/Neals Yard but you need such a little bit. Decleor is cheaper on amazon. Use at night.

ooh, red isn't a good look! I shouldn't be allergic, I have used the stuff often enough for the DC's bums over the years...

This works.

Probably obvious and you may do it anyway but try upping your water intake. I've started having a glass of water first thing before anything else and then a glass every time I'm at the sink and my skin seems to have improved loads. It could be a coincidence but I've changed nothing else. Also if you can afford a good facial can work short term wonders.

Watching with interest.

I've made lots of positive changes in the past 6 months. Cut my alcohol and caffeine intake, drink more water, diet is OK, use either plain water or a gentle cleanser and then moisturiser. I have had a couple of facials this year, which makes it feel better for about a week. I am fair skinned, too, so wear a high spf and dont sit out in the sun.

My skin has never been worse! It looks tired, dehydrated and spotty. Currently have a huge, sore zit on my lipline.

I am wondering if its hormonal?

Microfibre cloth, hot water to wash off la roche possay foam cleanser
Nuxe serum
La roche possay moisturiser

It changed my skin beyond belief.

Have a look at some sunbed shops near you and see if any of them have converted some beds to red light therapy. They have come down in price a lot, and do amazing things for your skin.

Clarisonic, gentle cleanser, good moisturiser with spf every morning. Evenings I hot cloth cleanse and alternate Alpha H liquid gold with Clarins Blue Lotus oil. Tried loads of stuff before I settled for this but I guess different things suit different skins. Forgot weekly mask, Eve Lom at the moment (fab, lovely present) but back to Clinique clay one when it's finished

A big Yes! To Alpha H Liquid Gold here too - I use it every other night after toning. Stopped using a couple of weeks ago...forgotten how blotchy and spotty I can get - especially around period time.

You might find Caroline Hiron's blog useful too.

It sounds a bit like rosacea? Particularly as you say it's dry and spotty at the same time

Posted too soon...

As well as the redness and sensitivity to sunlight. I don't actually gave personal experience of it but thought it might be something you could consider.

La Roche Posay Effaclar H

Bioderma sensibio (red lid) micellar water is great for cleansing, easy quick and gentle.
Avene mineral water spray is good for calming irritated skin.
2nd sudocrem - it's very good for irritated skin/acne.

The one thing in your routine that made me cry 'NOOOOOOOOOO' is the nivea soft. This is very perfumed and to be honest I always thought it was more of a hand cream. Ditch this straight away.

Try a really bland moisturiser for sensitive skin from the likes of Avene or La Roche posay. Olay sensitive (no spf) is bland too.
Once your skin has calmed down and is more balanced then you can introduce a day cream with spf, start to use other more targeted creams etc.

How is your diet? I am trying to cut dairy out to help my skin. Soya milk is about 59p a carton if you buy a value brand. If that doesn't work I am going to try reducing wheat.

FWIW I didn't sleep for a couple of years after DD was born, then she finally settled started sleeping through, and my skin was still crap!! I think it might be stress related, sorry if that's not much help though.

I think go to the GP and ask about going on a retinoid. Retinoids change the shape of the cells that your skin produces, which means that they're great for everything from acne to wrinkles. I've recently been on one (Isotrex, I've written a full review about its effect on my acne here: daisydabbles.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/acne-part-two.html )but basically it has done wonders. I've also read loads of articles in dermatology journals that all agree on how great it is - so its success rate seems to be pretty high. Obviously, you want to try and address the root of the problem too - so maybe (if you haven't already - and maybe you have) talk to the doc about the insomnia?

I'm not sure about taking medication for it just now - am still breastfeeding, so prefer to try simple remedies initially!

I don't drink tea, coffee, alcohol, I do drink dairy, but am not giving it up for anything! I drink a lot of very dilute squash, as water alone makes me gip.

anyway, we have somehow lost the sudocrem, so I slapped on some double base last night (DD has mild eczema) and my face feels less tight. Spottiness is probably explained by periods returning today though, grr (after several months on mini-pill). I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the changes are hormonal - it was all ok until last summer, when periods returned after DD - then I had 8 months of constant period, and my skin has gone from looking my age to looking 20 years older. I really don't agree with hormonal contraceptives though, so am trying to exist without them!

I plan to get to boots this week and look for the La Roche Posay to try that out, as it has been suggested a few times here! thanks everyone :)