Had my first " your skin looks amazing" comment-- THANK YOU Caroline Hirons!

[bigbuttons]

A colleague said this at work today, I was so chuffed.
I'm 47 and was looking not so good. This last month I have invested in serums, acids and what not have gone back to Caroline Hirons properly this time. I have been religiously cleaning and tending to my face AM and PM. I use a 30% glycol peel every couple of weeks and use tretinoin every 3 days.
I must say even I have noticed a difference, it has knocked years off me.
All blemishes gone, skin is ultra smooth, wrinkles reduced.
There is hope for us more (ahem) mature ladies!

I had awful skin- under a deem but getting worse
Now it looks good! And glows
I love hirons
I use Clinique take the day off balm (looks like lard, smells like lard) or balance me face balm to cleanse- I also adored Jane scrivener balm but wasn't keen on Emma Hardie balm that Caroline recommends
Treated myself to lovely cath kidston flannels to encourage me and have about 15 so always clean
Once a week I use indeed labs exfoliator- the powder one that turns into a foam
I use liquid gold every 2-3 nights - this was key step for me as takes off surface layer of skin that traps the crap
Daytime I use Kate Somerville goat milk from usa- worked out Shea butter gives me spots and it's in everything
Hydraluron under goat milk makes skin plump
On nights I'm not using liquid gold I use dauphin purifying balm or serozinc

My next buy will be a clay mask or maybe ren clearcalm; looking at Estée lauder advanced night repair to alternate liquid gold/darphin. I also fancy Sunday riley good genes or Artemis oil but those are expensive

I take large amounts of flaxseed oil as can't take fish oil

It's transformed my life but is expensive
I steer clear of mineral oils and Shea butter

Under a derm not deem

Well having watched Hot and Flashy's vitamin C serum review posted upthread I suddenly felt an uncontrollable urge to go on the Timeless website and order their Vitamin C serum . She looks so bloody good, I'll have what she's having please and thank you. If I come out of it looking half as good as she does, it will be money well spent.

I'm watching that many youtube vlogs I'm starting to pronounce vitamin like the Americans

Hi Zola the gunky pores are likely sebaceous filaments - have a google. I was told this be another Mumsnetter - absolute revalation that they were normal and I wasn't going to get rid of them.

You can however make them look a lot better with salicylic acid which cleans the dark tops off - usually recommendations of Clinique Mild Exfoliating Lotion, FAB pads, Clearasil pads, Paula's Choice 2% BHA.

Two top recommendations from my skin heroes -

Caroline Hirons: pores are not doors, they do not open and close, there is no product that will close them whatever they claim

Sam Bunting: look at your pores from the same distance everyone else does, not close up in the mirror - they will prob look a lot better! Have a look at some other womens faces, you'll discover your pores are normal size

The only thing that may make pores smaller is a retinol as it thickens the skin and gives the pores extra support so they may get smaller.

CoconutAmericano me too even with shipping it's still an inexpensive serum wishes I'd gone into the beauty industry, clearly someone is skimming billions off us

Yes, I'm not bothered by them at all, nobody gets that close to them!

How do I get all dewy and fresh looking though? What's going to get rid of that crepey look?

I cleanse with TDDO balm, and use Clinique Moisture Surge after Smart serum, but, as I said, I'm not mad keen on the serum. I want my skin to feel it's having a drink!

Wheretheresawill, what's hydraluron and goat milk?

*kundry I was having that very thought whilst driving to work this morning!

Dewy and fresh looking is the CH routine - double cleanse, acid tone (you will want salicylic acid), hydrating serum with peptides in (such as Hylamide or Boot No 7, poss Vichy Idealia), retinol, moisturiser. Actually Vichy LiftActiv Advanced Filler would be a great product as it's retinol +peptides.

Honestly, that will do it.

Thanks! Is the Vichy Advanced Filler the moisturiser or the retinol? Never used retinol before so apologies for being a thicko on that one.

Besides foundation how can you minimise thread veins and high colour? They'll be very ageing when my skin returns to that of a six month old child.

I think I might need to hide this thread! I want to buy everything I see recommended.

zola it's a moisturiser which contains retinol. I have it and am really liking it.

I used my Bravura Glycolic night moisturiser last night. Stung somewhat on application, so some really good strong acid in there @ 15%.
This morning my face looks super!
So My end of the evening treatments will be: First night: normal routine then c serum, wait for it to dry then retin A
Other night: Normal evening routine with Bravura face cloth finish with Bravura glycolic moisturiser.

Get your thread veins treated. There are lots of choices - electrolysis, IPL, veinwave. There isn't a skin care solution for them.

It's worth signing up for Aldi emails .
Once a year they do skin stuff and I bought a bottle of hyluronic with my grocery shop. There were women in there buying up multiple bottles of the stuff and the checkout assistant said it usually all goes within a few hours. This is an Irish blog about it but it's available on the uk usually November I think.
www.frillseeker.ie/blog/aldi-hyaluronic-gel-budget-take-brilliant-skincare-must-have

Is the Vichy Retinol better than the La Roche Redermic? Need to buy another tube, considering the Vichy as so many people are recommending it

What toner would people recommend for sensitive/reddish skin with a couple of red patches (poss rosacea?) I'm worried about using something too harsh and aggravating it.

My face is still burning after the reaction to pixi glow, and now hideous burn type little red spots all over my cheeks to boot.
I thought I'd look great by now but I look rubbish
damn my vanity!

That's a shame Euphemia. I've ordered it but it hasn't arrived yet. A bit worried now!

Hope your poor face calms down.

How does a peel fit in with the routine? Would you stop the toner for that day? Can you use Retin-A?

I think the Vichy, LRP and Avene Retinol products are all pretty similar - Sam Bunting tends to recommend the LRP and Avene so it's just going to be personal preference which one you like.

Euphemia have you got a nice rescue product? I find LRP Cicaplast or Avene Cicalfate work wonders for calming emergencies. Hope it calms down soon.

Baalamore I do a peel once a week, Friday nights in fact - only tone in the morning, no Retin-A in the evening is how I've done it and it seems to work for me.

Noticed a few people use Olay products so thought I'd mention - Lloyds pharmacy has a "fiver friday" promo on with a few Olay products which are really reduced. They did have the regenerist daily serum in but it has sold out however still available are

7 in 1 anti ageing mousturiser
regenerist replenishing cream

Thanks Kundry, it looks like a Friday night peel for me too!