How to look better in my 50s without lots of make-up due to sensitive skin

[Bettydaviseyes]

I don't wear any make-up at the moment as I have psoriasis and find everything either irritates my skin ( especially my eyes) or my skin is so dry that foundation just makes it flaky, plus I can't find the right colour, even after a consultation, the one she recommended looked too dark.

I'm in my 50s and just look plain and tired. I prefer the way I look with mascara and a little eye liner, but that causes my psoriasis to break out.

Any tips? Also for eye make-up remover for eyes for sensitive skin.

Good plain cleanser and moisturiser plus physical sunscreen full spectrum - the right tintedsunscreen could really help. Sam Bunting and Dr Dray you tube videos v good on this.

Getting a good hair colour and the correct colour clothes to suit your skin tone can make a big difference to how skin looks.

Are powders ok? Powdered blush or hourglass finishing powders can make a big difference.

Can you wear lipstick? Focus on the mouth instead of the eyes? I have similar issues (not psoriasis but I’m sensitive to a lot of products, especially mascara). I’m having a complete make up break for a few weeks and that’s what I’m thinking of doing when I resume, even though I’ve never managed to keep lipstick on for more than 20 minutes!

I take make up off with almond oil and a flannel.

Agree with above. Get your eyebrows threaded and if your psoriasis allows, use a little brow gel on them to keep them looking neat (otherwise I guess just brush them into place).

Have you tried LRP eye products - mascara and liner? The only eye makeup remover that doesnt cause my eyes to sting and skin to flare up are the neutrogena makeup wipes

Thanks.

I have very dark eyebrows and keep them quite tidy.

I can't keep lipstick on either!

I've not tried LRP, I'll have a look for them.

Powders seem to make it worse, especially as my nose is very dry anyway.

Drink loads and loads of water

Blephasol for sensitive eyes. I’ve just ordered some as it’s suitable for eyes prone to Blepharitis. I have really sensitive skin and eyes and use Clinique, Kalme and Cerave and they are fine. Occasionally my eyes become really sore and I have to lay off the make up for a day or two but then I’m fine.

Thanks. What is Blephasol?

It’s a make up remover and also removes deposits that can cause Blepharitis and inflammation apparently. I have Blepharitis that flares up from time to time although most of the time I’m fine using Clinique eye make up remover. I do occasionally react to the eye creams though.

Have you tried something like eye lash tinting maybe?

Thanks.

My eye lashes are very dark but getting a bit sparse so I need the mascara to make them look longer and thicker, so I'm guessing tinting wouldn't help?

I've considered individual false ones but aside from the fact I've no idea how to apply them and am cackhanded and short sighted, I think the glue would probably aggravate my psoriasis.

I second the tinted sunscreen - just gives a 'polish'. I use Boots no 7 sunscreen/ BB cream but while I have dry skin, it's not normally sensitive. Have you tried oil cleanser? Does a good job including on eye make up and non drying. Simple do a good one. I don't know whether non drying is the whole problem for sensitive, but it might be worth reading up about - or waiting for someone who KNOWS! Good luck

No I've not tried oil cleanser ... I've used wipes because I'm lazy

I have a lot of blackheads on my nose which I want to hide but I'm hopeless with foundation and concealer. I can't do much at the moment due to a new nose piercing but in a few weeks I'll book a facial and have a chat with them about it.

Whatever I do at the moment, it looks false and flaky. Partly the wrong colour and partly because my skin is so dry.

I have really sensitive, dry skin too and if I used wipes on my face it would be so sore and very dry.
If you stop using the wipes it could make a big difference. I really like Pai calming cleanser. Sort out the dryness and flakiness then you might be able to find a foundation that sits on your skin better.

Definitely cutting out the wipes and using a proper cleanser instead (+ moisturiser) could make a huge difference. Something soothing with no fragrance etc.

what treatment have you had for your psoriasis? have you seen a consultant? if not, you should.

Clinique Take the Day Off Balm is very mild,soothing and should not irritate. Def stop using wipes- they are really bad for skin.

When I had bad eczema on my face, I found I could use Clinique foundation. Have you tried it?

You need a very light foundation, or maybe a tinted moisturiser, or BB/ CC cream.

I'd go to a Clinique counter and ask to try all, and also Bobbi Brown. Their Skin foundation is very light and watery as is their tinted moisturiser.

Have you used products from Avene which are for very sensitive skin? They do a lovely non irritating serum .

It sounds as if you need to push as much moisture into your skin as you can, followed by a very light foundation, some concealer on the red patches.

I really do believe you could find something, but you need a sympathetic sales asst, and then lots of samples to try at home .

Can you get to a dept store to try this out?

I agree about stopping wipes and using a proper cleanser or even an emollient for sensitive skin like dermol 500.

Stop the wipes, loaded with alcohol or other harsh preservatives, really bad for skin. Also they tend to just smoosh the dirt and makeup around and push it further into pores rather than lifting off.

A gentle natural cleanser, toner with no alcohol and daily moisturiser, a really good pure facial oil used at least twice a week at night to soak in and absorb, a nourishing night cream or mask on other nights should be where you start. Dry skin needs more oil in the skin (water helps rehydrate the skin so it looks plumper but it's oil that will help the texture and tone).
I can't stand Clinique personally, it stripped my skin and left it red and sore but I know it has its fans. Although most of the people I've met in my H&B role who say they love Clinique also said they had problems with redness and irritation so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Re makeup I would go for mineral for your skin type. Much less likely to cause any irritation. Bare minerals is ok but isn't very finely ground so can lie in the wrinkles and make them look worse. Mii, Tropic and a couple of other natural brands I'm trying to remember the name of all grind their powders much more finely which in my opinion gives a better more flattering coverage. Tropic also do a Tinted moisturiser in their suncare range that some of my clients with sensitive skin find works really well. Mii BB cream is good but a thicker coverage. Remember to change your eye products esp mascara every 6 months to avoid infections and never "pump" the brush, as this pushes air into the tube making bacteria growth more likely. A light bronzer or nice blusher can do wonders for bringing a bit of colour and life into a face, try several before committing to a shade if you can. Go a little warmer/golden in summer, more pinky in winter to warm up skin tone.
Good luck!

I cut out the wipes a while ago, just use water now. But I don't wear make-up. It's dry and flaky I guess due to psoriasis.

I can only get to a small Debenhams, I don't think they have a clinique counter. I might be able to get to a large Boots, will they have a Clinique stand?

Any ideas what I can do about blackheads on my nose?

I'll look into the products mentioned.

Sorry posted too soon.

I just don't know where to start. Samples are so hard to get.

It's only my nose that is flaky, the rest is dry though I guess.

Halfahunner what cleanser and moisturiser would you recommend?

At the moment all I put on my face is water and Body Shop hemp moisturiser.

My dp suffered very badly with psoriasis all over his body, not on his face yet but looks like it may head that way. He uses that child's farm moisturiser, it clears it up within around a week. Using it around 3 times a day. It's about £4 a bottle and he gets it in Tesco.