Help! Midlife skincare/makeup crisis!

[Fishandjam]

Help me vipers! I need advice PDQ. I am having major problems with my face. In short, I have (and have always had) problem skin. Now, at age 41 and in the throes of perimenopause, it's ghastly. To wit:

• spots. Good grief but I had hoped I'd left those behind - seems not.
• oily T zone with crater-like open pores, dry cheeks.
• blotchy colour
• huge hollows under my eyes, which are both blue and finely lined

None of which is helped by the fact I'm a munter at the best of times. But now I'm actively avoiding mirrors because I'm so sick of this knackered, ugly face squinting back at me.

I need advice on which foundation and/or powder will even up the complexion and not slide off the greasy bits by 11am, while not drawing even more attention to the eye wrinkles. (I need to powder under my eyes, otherwise any kohl/eyeliner is panda'd by 11am too.)

I am going to try drinking less tea (not a coffee fan) and more water. My diet otherwise is pretty good.

Thanks in advance

Which skincare products are you currently using?

I'm 41. I love Dior Star foundation.

I can't help you though as just did my own post about open pores! Help!

I use the Protect and Perfect serum and moisturiser as always loved it.

I have recently discovered BB cream by La Roche Posay (I got a free sample). It seems (to me) more flattering than foundation because it doesn't sit in the wrinkles as much. I use a serum beforehand.

Then I just powder the middle of my face where it tends to get shiny, and it looks ok.

Ask for and try samples as much as possible before you spend any money though!

What is your current skincare regime? If we know that we can perhaps offer tips.

I have had to change mine as I hit 40 because my skin really changed for the worse, so I sympathise.

From tips I got on here I am currently moisturising, letting it sink in, powdering, painting on Revlon Colourstay with a foundation brush, then instead of powdering on top, I use Mua fixing spray (after eyeliner but before mascara).

I think I definitely look better for NOT using powder over my foundation as it sinks into little lines. The spray does do a good job of stopping panda eyes, I did test it on a Sunday though before wearing it through the day at work.

Hi everyone!

Thanks for your replies. To get the old boat race clean, I currently use either a Soap & Glory facial scrub, or an Organic Surge foaming wash (depending on whether I think it needs a scrub or not!) Then Nivea oil-free moisturizer in the day, with Avon eye cream. Some Boots Protect & Perfect serum at night. If I use serum and moisturizer in the day, it's too much - oil slick within an hour!

Makeup is currently True Match foundation which I quite like, with Boots No 7 pressed powder on the greasy bits. But the powder is terrible for highlighting the fine wrinkles . Plus the foundation is no good for counteracting the blue under-eye shadows. In fact, I've not found a single under-eye concealer which works while not accentuating the lines. I think it's the single biggest problem I have - if I didn't have these big blue hollows I'd not look too bad! (Very pale skin so the blueness is mega noticeable.)

Arse. Getting older doesn't half suck sometimes (though I suppose it's better than the alternative!)

PS can you tell I'm pretty low rent when it comes to makeup - though I'd happily spend more if the stuff worked!

Maybe a hot cloth cleanser would be gentler than a scrub or foaming wash. I started using Liz Earle after hearing about it on here, then switched to Superdrug Radiance hot cloth cleanser (cheaper but also good!)

It exfoliates more gently than a scrub.

Another tip I picked up from this board was to use an acid toner and it has reduced my spots. No idea if it would help with big pores however.

For an under-eye concealer it could be worth searching old threads or starting one specifically about that. I use Benefit Boing which seems to work quite well.

Don't put powder anywhere near eyes - just the chin, forehead, nose where it's shiniest!

Re skincare, I really like La Roche Posay or Avene moisturisers.

Collection do a brilliant concealer, you may need to check the colour though. It's also cheap :)

This is what I recommend:

La roche posay effaclar duo (face wash and moisturiser) for oily sensitive skin. You can buy in Boots.

Alpha Gold liquid every other night for open pores, lines etc.

Massage for 2 or 3 mins any old oil on alternate nights into face.

La roche posay BB cream diluted with a beauty flash balm (I like elemis one) or a primer (I like benefit).

My skin is looking pretty good these days for an old hag.

I also have oily sensitive acne-prone skin and makeup just slides off I've been using La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo after recommendations on here - it's a gel type thing which you put on after cleansing. It clears up spots and works as a primer for foundation too. Really helps my make up stay on.

Scrubs might be irritating your sensitive skin even though it feels like you're giving it a good clean - I'd recommend using a plain flannel in hot water to 'scrub' off make up after cleansing at night instead. Just as satisfying but gentler!

I completely agree that your scrub/foaming cleanser routine is probably too harsh for your skin. After reading advice on here and from the likes of Sali Hughes (writes on beauty for the Guardian), I've implemented a double cleansing routine and by golly, what a difference. Like hippospot I use the Superdrug Naturally Radiant hot cloth cleanser but I use a proper flannel (just a basic one from Superdrug) instead of the thin little muslin that comes in the box. You basically massage the cleansing balm into the skin for a few mins to 'lift off' your make up, run the flannel under the warm tap and then wipe your face, trying to use a clean bit of flannel for each part of your face. Obviously it makes a right mess of the flannel, but I rinse it well and then stick it in the washing machine. Flannels literally cost £1 for two in some places (like Wilkos). After that, I do a second cleanse with a cleansing gel (I use a REN one) to really make sure everything is off. If you normally wear mascara, then I'd advise using a make up remover before you use the cleansing balm. The Simple make up remover is fine.

I've ditched my face scrubs in favour of an acid toner (REN do a clarifying toner which is highly rated, also Clarins do a Gentle Exfoliating Toner which I've tried and like) and I use this twice a week. You just put a bit onto a cotton wool pad and wipe it around your face. I find that I've had less redness around my cheeks since ditching the harsh scrubs.

For concealer, I also recommend the Collection 2000 one (long lasting concealer) which is cheap and, in my view, better than the £££ ones. Don't apply too much and just pat it in under your eyes. Don't powder around the eyes though!

Ooh, lots of good for thought here - thank you!

So a specific question: if no powder round the eyes, how do I prevent eyeliner/kohl (on lower lids) doing the panda thing? I have really greasy eyelids! So far my best bet is using waterproof gel liner (designed for upper lids), but it's a right pain to apply as it gets all over the lower lashes. Plus it can be tricky to find colours other than black.

Gah, food not good!

Eeek, why are you using eyeliner on the lower lids? I find that makes me look even more knackered than I am! Upper lid only for me with mascara if I feel I need more definition.

The product that has really made a difference to my skin is nip and fabs glycolic acid exfoliating pads, they have worked wonders on my spotty chin area and my whole face feels softer, brighter and plumper. They're amazing and on offer at boots now.

Because, frankie, ordinary kohl just slides off! I do blur the liner a lot and never use black, so it's not like I'm going for the "two spiders crash-landed in a bowl of flour" look. I have hooded eyes and if I put nothing on the lower lids it genuinely looks grim.

My favourite is Rimmel Scandaleyes waterproof kohl in bronze, but it appears that the fuckers have discontinued it.

I second the liquid gold suggestion... I also think the skincare/beauty products that make the most radical difference to my own skin are face oils e.g. Clarins face oils, Pai rose hip oil, (there are loads - depending on your price point). They just make your skin look better all round - apply in the evening before bed and you wake up with your skin looking visibly better.

Dark rings around eyes can't really be helped with skincare. I think I read something about iron deficiency being a possible cause? (Or one of those essential minerals... maybe have a google?) So maybe supplements would make a difference. In the meantime, a good concealer is the best you can do. I use Nars creamy concealer - by far the best concealer I've used (and I've tried them all - MAC, Maybelline, Bobbi Brown, Collection 2000 etc!)

For bluish tinged dark rings I use a yellowish correcting concealer. Mines by avene but I think Max factor out Revlon do one on a sort of chubby stick. Then just normal foundation or bb cream over the top..

Could you try primer on the eyelids to keep makeup on? Apparently Urban Decay does a good one but Elf is way cheaper and is just as good. They're specific eyelid primers and some people seem to swear by them. Might be worth a shot?

Primer is a good suggestion, thanks!

I really do feel like an explorer, venturing into unknown territory . I had no idea about primer, face oils, hot cloth cleansing and whatnot. I've been reading that Sali Hughes column in the Grauniad that frankie mentioned, and I realise I am waaaay uninformed about what I could do better.

So - and I feel vaguely excited - I've ordered some Decleor face oil (recommended by Sali for grotty skin). Plus Tesco were doing an own-label hot cloth cleanser for greasy skin, so I've got that too. Worth a try, at least.

Now I just need to work out a better hairstyle and I'll be sorted!