I know I've left it too late, but help with my skin...

[SmileysPeople]

I'm 36.

My skin has always been greasy and spot prone so this has been my main concern. Zit zapping.

Never bothered wirh moisturiser (as skin so greasy anyaway), never worried about wrinkles (as didn't have any).

Toady in the mirror I realise I do have wrinkles, around my eyes, and a HUGE one between my eyes!!!

Skin looks a bit crepy and for the first time in my life a bit DRY!!

So what should I do?

I have been out toady and bought a moisturiser for combination skin.

Am thinking of getting the estee lauder night repair, is that any good?

Any other nigt creams?

Still prone to balckheads and spots so can't have anything very greasy.(Idon't look quite as bad as I sound)

I know I should have thouhgt about this 20yrs ago. but I didn't. That's me, everything last miute.

I think this is all exacerbated by finding a grey pube last night!!! I'm getting old

NO NO NO Clinique are gits for not telling their customers about their products properly. I work with one of their clinical staff, and the Clinique products are best for dealing with very very greasy skin. Other than that, forget it!!

Would agree that a dermologica prescription facial is excellent and their products are very good. About £50 for the facial and cleansers/moisturisers range between £20/£30 but last for ages.

i'm in the definate minority on clinique then !!

Funkimummi microderma wotsit .. why so opposed ? is it too harsh (my personal feeling )but then i use clinique aka paintstipper on my face ?

Yaddah - Microdermabrasion was originally formulated for acne sufferers with scarred skin. Although the 'over the counter' range is much less abrasive, it is meant to be a clinically or professionally prepared treatment, and I have had clients come to me who have done damage to their skin with microdermabrasion kits. They are way too harsh, in my humblest of humble opinion!

funkimummy I was just looking at dermologica website, it looks good but so much to choose from, it was hard to decide what I needed.
I didn't even look at thre prices...shows how desparate I am!!(are they very expensive?)

So to clarify (no pun intended) home dermobrasion bad, home skin peel OK?

I know I should exfoliate so I scrub my face in the shower with an old flannel, thinking that'll really get rid of the dead cells. I'm thinkng you're going to say NO to that??

So you so botox?? tell me more..cost..how often...how to persuade Dh money well spent etc

Oh I forget to mention I have some acne scarring which was why I was thinking chemical peel, is that logical funkimeummy?

God they way I sound don't know how iIface the world every morning without a paper bag

microdermabrasion definitely doesn't seem harsh, more like the scrubs i've used in the past. have always moisturised afterwards, and definitely one with spf 15 if going out afterwards

Firstly you'll need to go and have a dermalogica facial, they range from £30 upwards, depending on where you live. You can opt for a 'mini-facial' and either buy the products they offer you afterwards, or take down the names of the ones they offer and then sneak off and buy them on ebay!

Botox costs from upwards of £250 per syringe. Given your age, and the fact you prob won't have masses of wrinkles, you will get away with either half or a full syringe. The surgeon who performs the procedure will insist on you coming every 3 months, but it's really not necessary (unless you want to look like Joan Rivers) My mum is 50, and has hers done every 5-6 months or so. She looks brilliant, and it looks natural, as she specifically asks not to have the wind tunnel look. I'll definitely be getting it done, only the surgeon won't do me until I'm 30 (1 year to go then!)

Scrubbing your face with a flannel is rubbish! Do you want broken veins as well????

A very gentle exfoliant is all you need. Best I've used (over counter) to date are Clarins.

Smiley, microdermabrasion then. Get it done at a salon though. It works out much better in the long run. Crystal Clear is a good one.

And as bundle rightly says, no going outside without a spf on for at least 24 hours after, although I'd say spf 30 at least.

Smileyspeople - I was going to post EXACTLY the same OP - 35, never moisturised, have suddenly got wrinkles AND found a grey pube a few weeks back, lol.Do we own the same mirror?!
Am taking copious notes from all your beautiful ladies ...
I have clinique toner (need to splash out on step 1, obviously) and great vat of thier moisteriser somewhere in my bathroom cabinet - is that one going to suit my & smiley's greasy chip-fat faces?!
(Sorry smiley for lumping you in with me there )

Will high street salons do these treatments or do I need to go to one of those skin clinics?

I think botox sounds value for money. how do I find a good specialist for that?

I do nothng for 36yrs and then EVERYTHING at once!!

Going out for meal tonight with Dh will discuss botox, and why it's NECESSARY.

Clinique are good if you have oily skin. Combination skin Clarins is good. Dry skin - definitely Dermalogica. Although having said that, Dermalogica are good on all 3 counts!

The whole point with oily skin, is that although it's oily, it still needs nourishing.

As we get older, our skin dries out, and thus we need to change our skin routines around every 10 years. So another good look at your skin when you hit about 45 would be good.

No worries funnyperculiar

Mine has gone from chip fat to greasy prune seemingly overnight.

At least I knew where I was with chip fat

funkimummy .. how DARE you be under 30 !!!
You have no idea of the trauma we wrinklies have to endure at the hands of the white coated diva's in suburban day spa's

I'm shocked and appalled and off to hide my haggard 34 year old skin in a stylish paper bag

mwahh ha ha

Oh smiley, it's very very necessary. Just give him the whole 'If I don't get botox, then I will think you're going to run off with a younger model, and seeing as you have invested so much time and money in me already, I thin it's only fair I have botox. You wouldn't buy a prestige car without taking care of it would you?'

Whereabouts do you live (wonder if there's any salons I can recommend.) Otherwise there are two routes you can take:

Google babtac and the professional guild of beauty therapists. Also google dermalogica (to find your nearest salon.) and in terms of botox clinics. RESEARCH VERY CAREFULLY. Court House Clinics are good, as are Woodford Medical Clinics (they both have nationwide clinics I think)

Yaddah - since when has 34 year old skin been OLD?

30 is the new 20 daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhling!

Three words - Dermalogica active moist

Get it on ebay

That is a watertight argument Funkimummy. I will explain this to him tonight.

I'm near birmingham.

Hardly had a spot since starting to use it and it used to be a regular form of self abuse

Hmmmmm closest I can find to you for the clinics I have mentioned is Leamington Spa (?!?!) or Derby.

Good luck smiley

Wails but i'm 35 in two months funkimummy you wait til you get there....

its not fair

[stamps foot and and fails to look nonchantly cool about it] emoticon

No, the thirties is OK. It's the fourties I'm sweating over!

please don't mention the F word !!!.. it will never happen to me i'm going to count backwards from then on

right have GOT to go .. this MN is scarily addictive !!

Found a Court house clinic in Birmingham.

Am having legs waxed on Thursady (I do groom a bit) will discuss facial with therapist, they do dermalogica there.

Monkeytrousers, moisture mist good for spot prone skin? Sounds like the sort of thing I'd usually avoid like the plague.(strange to be talking fripperies with you instaed of arguing earnestly)

Thanks for all your help Funkimummy.