How can I get 'glowy' skin please??

[Pleasehelp11]

I have combination skin. Dark circles under my eyes (permanent) have quite a bit of stress going on. Not a good combination.

I get spots so I'm currently using avene skin care range. I exfoliate a couple of times a week. I am currently using the nip and fab pads. Wear make up every day, using Mac foundation and concealer.

I always look tired, worn down etc. My skin never looks flawless and lovely despite make up. I drink plenty of water and have a good diet.

Please does anyone have any tips or any wonder products??

Try to quit dairy
I was going to say this too. I started getting spots in my twenties, not having had any as a teenager, and eliminating dairy products was the only thing that got rid of them.

Ok thanks all. Sorry if I miss anyone out.... I don't have a lot of dairy, my kids are dairy free so the only dairy I have is in coffee first thing and maybe one or two cups of tea in a day max. I drink lots of water, always have a bottle with me when I leave the house so I don't think that is a problem.

I would love to quit sugar as at the end of the day we don't need it! I'm not keen on fish so can't eat enough a week to make a difference, what would be a good supplement to take?

I exfoliate once a week with st Ives. If I don't my face becomes bumpy. With regards to products, Iv tried loads and loads. From cheap to expensive from gently to harsh and nothing has made any difference. I went back to avene about a month or so ago as it doesn't leave my skin greasy or dry.

I hate oils on my skin it feels horrible and really greasy.

Iv tried using a primer under foundation and don't find it makes any difference so I don't bother now. I use a foundation brush to apply it. The fine lines under my eyes are fairy new thing (since turning 35!) really annoying as they're identical on each side and they sort of go from middle of under eye sweep out to outside edge of my eye in sort of semi circle if that makes sense. I don't use any eye creams as my eyes are so sensitive and most eye creams end up making the skin feel sort of burnt? So I stick to Vaseline to stop them getting dry?

Hive flax seed every day... that's omega 3

My skin is combination. Doesn't sound quite as extreme as yours, but I have very different skin care routine, so I'll share it. It might be worth giving a go...

I cleanse my face using the oil cleansing method. I've tried different oil combinations but, at the moment, I only extra virgin olive oil. I massage about 1/2 teaspoon of oil into my skin and leave it for about 10-20 minutes. Then I soak a flannel wtih hot water, squeeze and place the flannel over my face for about 20 seconds before wiping it off. I might rinse my face with only water afterwards and pat dry.

About twice a week, I use a turmeric face mask - turmeric, raw organic honey and yoghurt mixed into a paste. It's a mild exfoliator because turmeric doesn't dissolve and is really good for reducing dark circles/fine lines. I use it right up under my eyes to cover where dark circles would be.

I use either a basic Nivea moisturising cream for sensitive skin or coconut oil as moisturiser.

I've been doing this for about 4 years. People assume I'm younger than I am, my skin is rarely an issue any more and I genuinely have glowy skin.

I do sometimes wonder if all the products and make ups designed to improve the condition of skin makes it worse. I don't use anything chemically on my skin and the Nivea cream is the only 'skin product' I ever buy.

I gave up buying stuff because my skin was so affected by it. I also used to feel the 'burning' too. So I just stopped. I know the oil method sounds counter productive, but my skin has never been better.

Exercise.

I know it's probably not what you want to hear.

I've got back into 4x weekly gym sessions, working out really hard, and my skin is the best it's been since...last time I was really fit.

I genuinely believe the answer is good diet + exercise + sunscreen. A basic routine with occasional light exfoliation and daily moisturiser is all you need on top of that.

Thanks lets the burning tends to be my eyes hence why I only use Vaseline on them at night now mbut feel I need something under my eyes as they are quite puffy, dark and now fine lines! I'm always told I don't look my age, but I don't know maybe age is catching up with me now.

Do you get spots though? When Iv used any type of oil my skin just feels so clogged up?

Ok. I am told I have glowy skin. (!) I spend very little on products and prefer to keep it all simple. I use micellar water to remove make up, and for a morning cleanse, sometimes use Clinique Take the Day off with a hot cloth, I don't use toners, acid or otherwise. I use Olay Regenerist moisturiser, rosehip oil at night, and now and then a Balance Me face mask which has some exfoliation.

I am VERY fussy over my food and eat practically no sugar. maybe less than a teaspoon of honey a day at most.

This is what you need:

Forget faddy things like green tea. No proof it works for skin.

You need Omega 3 - in oily fish, ( at least 2 x a week- salmon, tinned sardines on toast, mackerel pate...)
Also found in nuts so a handful of walnuts or almonds daily.
Green veg- broccoli, spinach, cabbage etc.
Olive oil or grass fed butter (forget marg with transfats etc.)
Cut out sugar or reduce it drastically- it inflames the skin and breaks down collagen. If you must have something go for 2 squares of 80% cocoa chocolate.
Small amounts of full fat dairy- ie plain Greek yoghurt.

I don't get spots, no. And I still did. Not hugely problematic, but they were still there. It takes a while to get past the idea that putting oil on your skin won't make your skin oily, but it really doesn't (didn't for me).

I wipe my face thoroughly with the hot damp flannel so there isn't any residue.

I eat quite simply too. I try not to put anything processed or 'artificial' on or in my body. I'm not perfect, so never say never, but as a general rule...

Completely agree with Polly re: diet.

ps Dark circles under eyes are permanent unless they are a result of a run of lack of sleep.

My mum has them, I have them and DD has them. DD asked a dermo about them when she was being treated for something else. Was told they are due to thin skin and the blood vessels showing through (mine are a lovely shade of mauve.) There is nothing you can do to reduce them. Concealer is your friend. I use Bobbi Brown Brightener with Creamy Concealer on top and a very light touch of powder.

I am unconvinced about the no dairy thing. It is a great way to lose weight eating Greek yogurts.
Having lived and worked in France I found their high protein and dairy rich diet absolutely fantastic for glowing skin. And it seems to work for many French women who I worked with: they all ate yogurt and fruit for puddings.

Kennington I agree on the Greek yoghurt. I adore it even though I think I am (genuinely) dairy intolerant to a degree (since a child.) It's not that fattening. Last night I weighed a portion which was a full ramekin and it came out around 80 calories. I top it with blueberries and the tiniest drizzle of honey. Bliss! As I'm gluten intolerant, I don't 'do' puddings, cakes etc unless I can be bothered to make any, so my pudding every day is Greek yoghurt- full fat- but just not a huge amount. Sometimes I will just have Greek yoghurt with fruit as a quick lunch.

I also agree with Polly about diet (except for chocolate - 2 squares a day is a minimum but yes, must be dark).

I don't have that much dairy. I cook 95% from scratch so no 'hidden' sugars, ivknow where the sugar is! Under my eyes are so dry. I'm just putting my make up on and it doesn't sit right for starters despite having Vaseline on all night. Nothing else works apart from hydroquortisone when it's really bad and I obviously don't want to use that often. Bags are more mauve here too, my eye lids are quite purple and when I was younger used to get told off in school for wearing eye shadow when I wasn't!!

Perhaps I'm not after 'glowy' skin, but I wish it was even and I didn't look like deaths without make up!!!

I eat plain yoghurt with fruits or nuts at breakfast.

I would rather have the calcium to offset osteoporosis in later life. My skin is ok not necessarily glory.

I have good skin-people think I am 15 years younger than I am. (ha!) But I look terrible with no make up. I am pale with mauve circles. Maybe you are worrying about nothing? I wear make all day, every day.

Yogurt is absolutely fine, it's fermented and it's good for digestion, so good for your skin as well.

I don't mind wearing make up every day, inlike make up, it would be nice if I felt fine opening the door when I'm not wearing make up? I know that's my own insecurities. Sort of off the point, can anyone recommend a fake tan for the face with skin like mine? Going on holiday soon and want to not wear make up during the day if possible and I don't tan.... something hat isn't clogging and discreet as I won't be tanning my whole body!

I won't open the front door with no make up.

Not tried fake tans for the face but if I were, I'd look at Clarins, Clinique and St Tropez.

Sounds like you might have some eczema under your eyes? Have you tried some non-perfumed eye creams - not Vaseline which is too heavy- it's petroleum jelly.

Yes have tried vitamin e oil, the same make eye cream and the simple one

White eyeliner on the inside of the eye really wakes your eyes up.

Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel is my wonder product. The "Instant" is a bit of a misnomer, but a thin layer of gel rubbed in at bedtime is the difference between looking glowy the next day and...not.

Pleasehelp I am very eczema prone, so avoid eye creams too.... Vaseline is very drying which doesn't help under the eyes, have you tried maybe Epiderm or Cetraben? it's a good and better alternative for hydrocortisone ( you can buy small tubes to try) They're pretty good for me and my eczema is the bane of my life.

I know what you mean about using oils, I was very against them before trying as I hate skin feeling greasy and was worried about wearing contact lenses. However, it has been a revelation to me, skin feels fresh, plumped up and smooth after oil cleansing. It really helps.

With regards make-up, there's an Olay Daily Sensitive Moisturiser with built-in primer, works quite well and is great for sensitive skin. I think I paid £4 in Sainsbury's for it.... so might be worth a little punt?

Also, have you tried "baking" for when you apply your under-eye make-up? this really helps with creasing under the eyes....

Finally, be easy on yourself, sounds like your diet is pretty decent, I have no fake tan recs I am afraid, (am simply too pale for it to look ok on me ;-) )

The strobe cream is a moisturizer that has vitamins, green tea and shinny particles. I usually think the more glitter the better, but I find it's subtle but still noticeable.

www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13824/364/products/skincare/moisturizers/strobe-cream

I do also want to try the Charlotte tilbury Wonderglow.