Look at my bad skin - what can i use to improve?

[plum100]

Hi all. My skin was fine until i had children - the odd spot but otherwise ok. Now after years of squeezing spots ( i know!) and age taking its toll im left with very blemished skin.
Can anyone suggest something to help? I have seen people raving about at home peels on here . At the moment my routine consists of cleanser/ toner and night cream from the tea tree body shop range . Sometimes i use tea tree foaming wash , and during the day aldis lacure face repair, oh and i have a large hat for the sun

Op, I sympathise with you. I have bad skin, which I feel is now under control (in as much as it can be). I think I may have a different skin type to you (plus I have pcos) but I'll tell you my skincare journey, in case it helps.

For a long time, I thought I had oily skin, but a beautician told me I had dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin.

I started using the body shop vitamin e cleanser and moisturiser and saw a slight improvement. Then I incorporated the vitamin e serum in oil which further improved it. I recently changed the cleanser to lush (let the good times roll) and I think my skin is as good as it's going to get.

I'd change one item at a time. Start with your cleanser - the body shop tea tree cleanser may be too harsh for your skin and stripping it of oil. It may b worth adding a serum.

La Roche Posay effaclar duo is a fab treatment, works really quickly and seems to take down inflammation.

Like Chanie, for years I was using products much to harsh for my skin, thinking it was oily and greasy.

Now I use:

Cetaphil face wash (gentle) - twice if I have makeup on
Clean and clear exfoliating pads
A day moisturiser with spf (oil of olay at the mo) or a rich night cream

I agree with changing one thing at a time. My skin is so much better (just have to live with my acne scars now!).

I also find my skin goes haywire if I'm very tired or have too much sugar (esp wine).

Just looking at your photos. Am I right in saying that you are still getting a few new spots? I would get on top of these first. Efaclar is a great range, and if that's not doing it, I would visit to the GP. Otherwise you will continue to get new marks - totally defeats the purpose. Would you consider going to a dermatologist?

An exfoliant will help with the rest. A good one for you would be one with salicylic acid. V good for getting into pores. Bravura do one with 2% salicylic acid. I'm not a fan of complicated routines but others here might advise further if that's your thing. There are the big guns like laser etc but you need to stop getting new spots first.

ANd SPF50 everyday of the year.

agree with lurkingabit and the salicylic acid: Paula's Choice BHA 1% lotion cleared up the worst of my rosacea spots, pretty much overnight. I've got dry, sensitive skin but there are different formulations for oilier skin types.

I feel your pain - have been bemoaning the state of my skin to DH for ages. Finally he lost patience and pointed out maybe I should upgrade from using a babywipe to take off makeup or just splashing water over my face at the end of the day (fair point)!

So I gave in and read up a bit about skin care, ended up at Caroline Hirons blog (I know she appears to be a bit marmite here but what she says made sense to me) and started to do a 2 step cleanse, nothing foaming as they always make my skin feel tight and dry, use an acid toner (first aid beauty pads are great) and a calming moisturiser.

The difference is amazing - can leave the house without makeup for the first time in forever (channeling Frozen). You don't have to use expensive products, but the right TYPE for your skin is important.

Thank you everyone for your replies. Lurking yes i do still get spots - whiteheads or ones that are like big lumps under te skin that never equate to anything. Ive never been to the gp as i never thought my skin was bad enough.
I will google the recommended products , thank you.

Come an join us on the Asian beauty thread.

CalonDu, did you use the 1% lotion (creamy texture) or the liquid? The reason I ask is I have what I think is early rosacea (GP disagreed)-flushing over my nose. I've used her 1% get but that seems to make me oilier, strangely.

OP, Effaclar seemed to calm down a recent flare up, though I finished the Effacer duo cream before the cleanser and toner. But I think you could see your GP to see if they can give you something to control any new breakouts, especially if you ge cystic pimples.

I use the 1% lotion; I've got very dry skin, so not sure whether the 1% BHA gel is better for oily skin?

It was actually a beauty therapist who diagnosed my rosacea - sensitive redness, flushing, painful spots across the 'Adam Ant' line of my face - I thought it was just late-onset acne or something. Eventually I went to the GP who gave me a prescription for oxytetracycline ABs (which worked) and metronizodole gel (which didn't). I'd rather not be taking antibiotics on a regular basis so now I keep those for truly horrific flare-ups, and manage it with a combination of Paula's Choice Skin Recovery skincare, azalaeic acid gel for the pimples, and daily sunblock.

Annoyingly, my skin glows when I take the tetracycline tablets.

Yeah it isn't a good idea to keep picking at spots.

The clique 3- step has worked wonders for me, though you have to get used to the daily and night routine of it.