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??

Looking at this because my skin has started to look old for my age. Its all pretty confusing!

I agree on dairy though, you don't have much anyway and add in eczema, acne and the fact your children are intolerant it wouldn't hurt to try. You could then add greek yog back after a month.

This is my first post ever on here I literally made an account to tell you about Estee lauder advanced night repair, I've struggled forever with my skin and I had this knocking about my makeup bag, I never used it as I thought cause it was an oily serum that it would make me break out. I saw my friend raving about it on Facebook last week and so decided to give it a try... best thing ever. Even after one night all my spots had dried out and I looked really healthy, after using it for only a week my skin is nearly completely clear and glowy. It's expensive but totally worth it, you can even get the smaller tester bottles on eBay to see if you like it first!

I think any skin oils are good, I liked the Clarins blue Orchid.

Re: bumpy upper arm skin - low sugar helps with this, I swear..

Dark circles under eyes - when I drink more coffee they actually look better!? Quitting coffee doesn't make a difference to them and actually seems to improve my skin too

I think you're best to keep it simple with products, I use Johnsons baby lotion to remove all make-up and also use it as a moisturiser. Sometimes use Nivea if skin is very dry. Never had acne or bad skin etc, but maybe it's just genetics.

Tilliii - agree with you on the link between dairy and spots. Lots of scientific studies prove dairy causes spots and acne

Thanks shanny! You're right it does seem counter productive.... I could look at a little bottle and just deal with any outbreaks from it? Bumpy arms have been solved by the eucerin thanks toffee.

Have you tried Clinique even better foundation?

I use that and then I use a lighter concealer under my eyes, along the bridge of my nose, on my Cupid bow, a little bit on my chin and some on the middle of my forehead. Blend that in, use s setting powder and then use a bronzer to warm your face up.

I have tried a lot of Clinique foundations and didnt like how they sat on my face but that was a few years ago now.

That Estée Lauder night thingy.... it's anti aging.... will that still be any good for spotty combination skin?

Lots of scientific studies prove dairy causes spots and acne

Real science or psuedo science/ 'nutritonists'?

Links?

DD was told by a very good dermo who treated her acne that food has no effect at all. She said many women's acne is hormonal and can either continue till menopause or start up in menopause.

Dairy, esp. cheese > fat > overweight > high estrogen > spots and bad skin

Here's your connection.

I did low carb a few years ago, lots of butter, cream, nuts, avocados etc.It really did make my skin look glowy!

I've not read every single post so not sure if anyone has mentioned a Foreo t-sonic cleansing brush? I got one (the Luna mini 2 model) about a month ago now as my skin had suddenly gone nuts, really dry, spotty and dull. Wasn't sure if it was an age thing or just the winter. So I started looking at Clarisonic and Clinique cleansing brushes and then came across the foreo. It's made from silicone and it has truthfully transformed my skin. It's soft, smooth, brighter and small cystic bumps on my jawline have all but gone. I'm staggered how quickly it has made a difference. Most of the reviews out there say the same.

It's not cheap and apparently there are other cheaper alternatives out there. I got mine when there was 20% off at Amazon so it was just under £100. But I feel it's paid for itself in spades already.

Check out their website for all the scientific and how to use stuff!

I'm not spending £100 on something that does the same job as a cloth nappy from Mothercare.

If you are using skin, hair & nails it may be the biotin in it that is breaking you out. I cannot take any vitamins with biotin in them as it breaks me out like crazy.
Many women on a forum I am a member of also found the same problem with it. Some found if they increased their uptake of water it helped, others had to stop talking anything with it in and like me discovered a massive difference to their spot problem.

What do you use to apply foundation op?

My skin has always been this way and have only been taking that supplement since last summer thegirl. kik I use a foundation brush, and yes I wash it regularly

I use rosehip oil at night which has made a real difference.

Exfoliate with acids, SR Skincare and Bravura are both good.

Double cleanse, use low ph/ph neutral cleansers.

Hydrate and look at the ingredients and the quantity of ingredients in your products.

Vitamin C works, so does Retinol, they need time to work so get them in your routine. The Ordinairy offer good, affordable versions.

Shop outside the UK, other countries offer some amazing products, Japan I'm looking at you.

Educate yourself about your skin, what it is. Educate yourself about different ingredients, what works and how, don't just buy blindly.

There are some fantastic forums and blogs out there, some on Mumsnet some on Reddit.

I am a 45 year old with glowy skin, even when I'm knackered and have a hangover like today!

You sound similar to me op. I'd suggest going to a dermatologist and getting prescription skincare.

The Vaseline is a barrier and wont hydrate your skin, you need something designed for undereyes.

Dove 'light' overnight gradual tanner is great for face and body.

To cover your lids, try MAC Painterly or Benefit concealer.

Ditch the MAC foundation completely and try Borjois Healthymix foundation. Very glowy.

Dairy, esp. cheese > fat > overweight > high estrogen > spots and bad skin

Here's your connection.

I asked for links to scientific papers not opinions!
Sorry but your equation is rubbish.

Cheese doesn't make you fat. Sugar and refined carbs make you fat if you eat too much.

Oestrogen doesn't cause spots. Most hormonal spots are due to too much testosterone or progesterone.

Whether you like it or not, cheese does give you spots.

It seems some people have never met an opinion, other that one expressed by them, that they liked.

Chardonnay I think to be fair, PollyPerky just reasonably asked for scientific links. The problem with threads like this is that one user may have found benefit from eliminating an entire food group, that doesn't mean it is suitable or will work for others.
Plenty of water, exercise and a full and balanced diet, including lots of oily fish,avocado and greens etc combined with a decent skincare routine would be the best start.

It might give you spots Chardonnay. How can you say that's a rule for everyone? I eat lots of cheese and almost only get hormonal spots.

You could have described me x

The thing that has made the most difference is prioritising sleep.

Make up will only take you so far.

Slowly but surely I'm getting that natural glow but its hydration, sleep, a home microdermabrasion scrub alternating with periods of retinol.

I sue the pur glow primer and I use strong techniques for make up, think kardashian etc.

That's made a massive difference and taken about a year.

I'm seeing a skin specialist tomorrow to take it to the next stage.

I'm specifically spending for targeted, proven skin care. You can spend time and money experimenting or just get a professional to cut to the chase and fix it. I think you prob spend the same in the long term.

Having said that losing weight has caused a few problems as my face has shrunk and crinkled a bit so watch out for that too x

I'm not at all over weight, thankfully I never have been. I can't afford to see a dermatolagist and I know I won't obviously get a referral on the. Nhs.