Face like a crocodiles armpit

[originalmavis]

Oh dear. I looked on the mirror this morning and it was the face of my mother looking back at me (and she does when she was 73).

Pasty, puffy, wrinkles under my eyes down to my cheeks - not a pretty sight.

I was up late last night ironing, DH was working (loudly) to the the wee small hours (so when I did manage to fall asleep he woke me up coming to bed). Pest of a child on a go slow this morning even though I got him up early. Late for the bus. Trains all delayed and I'm ashamed to say I was almost in tears at the station.

Managed to get to school very late (again), then turn around to travel across town to work, for which I will be late. I need to be on the ball at work too and after 4.5 hours sleep it isn't looking good!

Anyway very dry, papery and puffy skin most mornings, not just when tired). Mid 40s, could pass for 60.

I need energy and new face. Any tips, hints, magic lotions?

Water, water, water. And sleep. Get some early nights for the next week, drink at least 2 litres of water every day for the week and reassess the situation once you've done that.

Lotions and potions never seem much cop; I try them out then go straight back to the old favourites. Dermalogica moisturiser and Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser. Give yourself at least 10 minutes every night and morning to do both. And tell your DH to pack in working loudly, because it can't be good for him or you.

I try for early nights but they just seem to evade me- always somwthing that needs doing!

I'll try to drink water - I'm quite bad at having lots of caffeine at work, mainly as an excuse to get up from my and stretch my legs. DH has a lot of work on and isn't the quietest of people!

Oh bless you! I nearly burst into tears in a cafe yesterday. You are not alone!

Agree with Time re water, sleep and hot cloth cleansing, but I do think you sound like your skin is dehydrated, and drinking water helps less with the upper surface of the skin. Try a hydrating serum like Hylamide or Vichy Aqualia to plump out the wrinkly bits. A massage with a facial oil will help you get glowing, and if you are puffy this can help with that too.

Oh i know that feeling... i was away for a weekend recently and found time to use the Liz Earle hot cloth stuff i bought nearly a year ago ! Instant difference, i felt so much better just because my face looked and felt softer, and not so "grey". Haven't found time to do it since, but am aiming for one morning a week to start with ...got to go, the baby's eating fluff...

Sleep. Ear plugs at night if necessary and someone else will hear the kids.

Hot cloth cleansing - I put some no 7 face cleansing balm on (for very dry skin) and wipe off with flannel in the shower - takes no time at all. My skin looks much better since doing that. I've also upped my moisturiser from light and teenagey to something more matronly.

Getting out in the fresh air really helps to put a glow in your cheeks too.

Bottle of little face oil by bed and smooth some on before you go to sleep - I don't do this but a friend with lovely skin swears by it.

Thinking about it - it actually sounds like you need to prioritise sleep for a bit - work on that and everything else might fall into place.

Maybe a couple of nights either you or DH in the spare room if you have one. Just so you can sleep.

Cut out the caffeine too - (slowly otherwise you'll get awful headaches) that made a dramatic difference to my sleeping.

Yes to water & sleep :)

As to magic potions try this at night if you have the cash, time & inclination:

• Oil cleanse to take makeup off (use an oil or balm cleanser wiped off with a wet flannel)
• Cream cleanse to clean your skin once the makeup & SPF has gone (wiped off with cotton wool)
• Acid tone (Pixi Glow Tonic is good or Nip & Fab do acid toning pads in Boots/Superdrug usually half price
• Hydrating toner
• Serum
• Moisturise

In the morning:

• Cream cleanse
• Hydrating toner
• Moisturiser with SPF

Use a facial oil once a week & eye cream at night if you like. Do not use wipes & micellar water is not a cleanser, its a make up remover.

:) it worked for me :)

vitamin c added to your skin care routine can help

I had that moment a week ago. Since then, I have been cleansing twice, once with micellular water, once with a fat-based cleanser with a linen cloth. Then using a serum and moisturiser (Nuxe oil is amazing). My skin looks much better for it!

Cleansing? Steamig? Moisturising?

Oh dear, Im really bad for not taking off makeup!

If you currently aren't taking your make up off, then just doing that will make a difference!

I'm such a slob. My mother would be horrified.

No, you're just busy and knackered.

sleep. less stress. Eat properly. Smile. Less caffeine. Keep hydrated. All easier said than done in your position!

if there was a magic potion don't you think we'd have heard about it?

things that don't need doing should not get done. How much time could you save by not putting on makeup and then not having to take it off?

oh yes, fresh air and exercise too. Get out of the office at lunchtime even if it is raining.

I recommend Dermalogica cleanser and exfoliator removed with hot flannel
Decleor moisturiser (night and day)

I can throw on the slap in two minutes - bare minimum essentials only so that I dont scare the horses!

I bought a nice moisturiser on the way into work when I stopped for some milk. I left it by the self service till! Maybe someone will have handed it in when I go in tomorrow (not holding breath).

Ouf, I feel your pain. I looked like death warmed up last week!

Here's my list of face changers:

Loads of water
Sleep
Moisturizer
Exfoliate in shower
Fake tan
Wear a colour that suits you
Fruit, veg, less coffee

Stop ironing? Seriously.

Dh do his own.

School uniform DOES NOT NEED IRONING.

Neither do sheets, pillowcases, tea towels...etc. etc.

And anything you need for yourself, do it at the weekend.

Wrinkles away. 4.5 hours sleep is not enough as evidenced by leaving the moisturiser. It's the fastest way to age.

I'm not good at delegating. Even when I managed teams! Will attempt an early night but the ironing board is calling (the bastard).

Shut that board up, will ya?

No ironing is necessary. It doesn't need delegating really, other than dh can do his shirts if he needs them.

You should pop the ironing board outside in the garage. Or, better still, down the local tip. I am such a slattern when it comes to everything ironing and will only ever do the absolute essentials. Bedlinen? No need. Pyjamas? No need. Anything the DC's wear? Super no need because within four minutes of dressing themselves they've rolled on the floor, chased a cat across the lawn and rubbed toothpaste splatter up their tshirt.

Ease up on yourself. So easy to say, I know, but try, for the sake of your face!

Sadly I need a shirt for tomorrow, so does DH. I've had a nice dinner and a glass of two of wine.

Coconut oil. Inside and out.

Wearing a top in a flattering shade of pink (check out HOC) will instantly lift and brighten your face