Skin in melt down, need skin care splurge -what brand?

[toomanywheeliebins]

My skin is worse than when I was a teenager. Pussy spots. Blocked pores. Yuck yuck. My skin care regime that has slipped to a quick face wash and a slap of moisturiser. I work long hours in a senior job and have to small children. To minimise impact on children I get up and tackle the inbox at 5 am and travel after bedtime. I need to cut coffee and improve diet but can't help thinking I need to invest in skin care. Ideas? Dermologica?? I use Laura Mercier in the day and the coverage is great but can't help thinking troughing it on makes it worse. Advice appreciated

Two children not to! Argh

I quite like Elemis. Pricey and am sure those in the know will know similar cheaper brands... But some of the Elemis stuff is great. Leaves my skin a lot brighter anyway.

I used to get spots around my mouth and chin. Then I started a skin care regimen that included:

Removing makeup with micellar water (Garnier)
Washing face with L'oreal Skin Perfection Cleansing Oil
Putting a salicylic acid gel on spots (Neutrogena or Clean and Clear)
Applying Olay Regenerist Serum in the AM
Applying Olay Regenerist Night Serum before bed (after salicylic acid gel)

This helped a fair bit.

Then I cut out sugar and most carbs from my diet and my skin cleared up completely.

Clarins Lotus facial oil has transformed my skin, it was oily and congested and now my pores are clearer and no more oil. It's amazing stuff.

Diet and acne largely overrated. Hormones and bad luck account for 99% of acne.

Look up any of the Dr Sam Bunting Q&A on here - she answers this sort of question several times and following her advice to the letter has transformed my skin.

Basically:
Gentle, non-foaming cleanser: Cetaphil or Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser
Salicylic acid toner - on everywhere, not just existing spots, you are trying to prevent new ones forming as well as get rid of existing ones: LRP Effaclar Duo
Moisturiser: only if you think you need it, must be oil free and fragrance-free, in day time contain SPF.

You may break out initially (I got some random spots in places I never have spots) but stick with it as it takes 6 weeks before you have new lovely skin to do spot prevention on.

La Roche Posay Effaclar and Vichy Normaderm are great ranges to look at. Effaclar has a new 3 product kit which basically contains everything you need in one box.

If this doesn't work see a doctor as you need a prescription.

I can also recommend La Roche Posay Effaclar! I started using it in July this year and my lumpy congested skin is transformed! The best it's looked for years!

Eve Lom cleanser and clarisonic brush sorted out my hideous hormonal pregnancy skin and not too time consuming as only 1 product.

Philosophy works for me when I'm in a bad skin rut. The three part kits last long enough for a skin revamp.

Dermalogica!

Thanks. some excellent ideas here. Just had a really good look - it's being to look like acne in places. So do think I need Salic acid

I've been there and sympathise.

Hormones don't help but, for me, caffeine is the worst thing for my skin. Worse than sugar. Makeup doesn't help either.

I second the micellar water. And exfoliate regularly - I like the sanctuary facial scrub. My skin hated dermalogica, which made it red and lumpy, so if you're tempted get a sample first.

Get something containing benzoyl peroxide for problem areas. I think LRP effaclar contains this, or you may be able to get something on prescription.

Finally, I would go makeup free as often as possible. Or try a different foundation/powder.

Good luck.

Before you try anything expensive...These three things cleared my husbands acne up and his skin is in great condition now.

cetaphil cleanser followed by hibiscrub then astral moisturiser.
All available online from boots, Probably less than £20 for the lot.