Help me with my dull skin

[ethelfleda]

I’m 35 - no wrinkles as yet but my skin is very dull and patchy. I cleanse twice a day and alternate vit c and retinol each night (both from the ordinary) I have slight sun damage on my forehead and a dark spot on my cheek from an insect bite years ago. I have blackheads and dark circles. I don’t look too bad when I wear foundation but then it gives me spots! Just want my skin to be more even and glowy- any tips please?

Are you using moisturiser/serum? Plenty of hylauronic acid and glycerin will help as dull skin is usually caused by dehydration. If you're not using any serums, The Ordinary do a good hylauronic acid one which is cheap - you just pop it on underneath your morning/night cream.

Have you tried an acid peel? I've recent started using Revolution AHA and BHA peeling solution, it's an intense exfoliator so should only be used once a week. It sound a bit scary, but it's really brightened my skin and I haven't peeled at all.

My complexion looks much brighter since I started oil cleansing. I also found vitamin C brightened skin, but you're already using that.

I agree with pp that sometimes the dullness is skin in need of hydration. I would slather on something hydrating (vit C and retinol are not) for a few overnights on the trot to really give your skin a drink.

You could also try different foundations to give you that glow/brightness. I'm just trying the new Maybelline Dream Urban Cover for £10. Pretty impressed - it's vv lightweight, has a SPF50 and has a huge glowy/radiant effect.

I know next to nothing about skin care but literally the day after I started using Clinique Moisture Surge moisturiser I got lots of compliments on my “glowing” skin

My skin is a little bit dry, but I still get spots... Would that Revolution stuff be OK for dryish skin?

Thank you for your replies
Hyaluronic acid gives me spots unfortunately.
Will definitely try a peel - and you could be right about the moisturising as I’ll only put on the vit c or retinol and no moisturiser on top.

I've started drinking loads more water OP - I aim for about 4 pints a day - my skin is really noticeably different. No dry patches, no spots on my jawline, it's glowing and I feel so much better. I also don't have the puffy circles anymore. Drink more water!!

welshmoth I do think water makes a difference and I do drink a lot... but also breastfeeding so should probably drink even more than I am! That might also be why - all the nutrients going to DS rather than myself!

Seconding oil cleansing. Though with a note of caution: the instructions for this usually involve incorporating at leas some castor oil, but I find it dries my skin out. Have been cleansing at night with only apricot kernel oil for a while and it has really improved glowiness. In the morning I rub my face with a hot, wet flannel but don't use any face wash or anything.

If I notice dry patches on my skin during the day, the next morning I massage in a bit of apricot kernel oil after cleansing and before moisturising.

Also, vitamin E is good. I like the Superdrug vitamin E day cream, which is cheap too.

My sister swears by drinking fruit smoothies every day for glowy skin.