Please help me to sort my skin out. Pics attached

[Liveandforget]

I'm at my wit's end with the state of my skin. It's really affecting my confidence. I've always had bad skin, and would love to sort it out once and for all. I'm 39.

I use a basic cleanser and warm flannel to clean off, superdrug glycolic toner, superdrug pure serum and cerave facial moisturiser. I use nivea spf vitamin c cream when going out. Used to use M&S spf50, which has run out recently.

I have used retinol and vitamin c serums without any noticeable difference. Foundation sits horribly on my skin. Uneven, botched and disappears after a couple of hours.

I have normal skin, not dry or oily.
I have Pcos and am happy to answer questions about my diet/health/skincare.

I'd really appreciate it if you lovely users could take a look at the pics attached and recommend me products or skincare regimes that may help improve the appearance, texture, glow of my skin. I don't spend much on skincare at the moment, although happy to spend more on things that could make a real difference.

Thanks in advance.

I use a basic cleanser and warm flannel to clean off, superdrug glycolic toner, superdrug pure serum and cerave facial moisturiser. I use nivea spf vitamin c cream when going out. Used to use M&S spf50, which has run out recently.

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I'd say this is too much. It seems to be blocking your pores

I’m sure it get mentions a million times here but have you read Caroline Hiron’s blog or her cheat sheets?

First thing I’d say- do you wear makeup and do you double cleanse? The basic cleanser sounds a bit iffy, can you invest in a better one? With normal skin you’ll have loads of good ones to pick from- REN do great ones.

Also I’d mix up the acids, PIXI glow tonic is great for daytime but I try and use Alpha H liquid gold a few times a week- that’s really improved my skin tone.

If you have a hormonal imbalance then that’s what you need to address. Have you discussed your skin with an endocrinologist?

You look very wrinkle free and obviously really look after your skin. I have similar on my cheeks. I have found the following to help. Gentle cream cleanser followed by simple miscellar water then a serum or night cream or face cream with spf if day. I then just wear a smoothing primer and a concealer rather than foundation. A couple of times a week I use Superdrug radiance glycolic pads, followed by the radiance toner then I use the overnight peel. This seems to clear my skin. What you are using may be a bit too heavy and clogging the pores. I have focused on gentle double cleansing followed by as few products as possible.

Maybe try double cleaning - oil based for the make up and then gentle foam with warm water?

Also worth trying changing your pillow case more often.

Vitamin C serum, and an spf moisturiser day time followed by prescription Isotretinoin at night. Can you get your GP to refer you to a dermatologist?

I have similar skin and have recently had a Clinicare peel and now use their skincare range.

I’m on week 3 and very happy.

The only thing that sorted my skin out was a high eostrogen pill (yasmin)

These are the bits I have, you can reuse mask a few times.

Have you tried doctors? I suffered with my skin for a while then the second I went to doctors it was fixed within a week

Thanks for responses everyone.

@managedmis. I should have clarified, I don't use the products all at the same time. At home I'll use either the serum or cerave. When going out i use serum and spf.

@Pinkmexicanskull I do double cleanse. I do need to look at better cleansers i think. I've used Liz earle in the past, no visible difference. I do use make up, though not everyday. I'll take a look at the blog and products you mentioned. Thanks.

@Velveteenfruitbowl. I will look to addressing the hormonal imbalance issue, thanks. That may be the root of my skin issues, as no product seems to make a difference. Thanks you.

Dermatologist. £££ but worth it

@Muminabun. I don't have wrinkles, thankfully. I will look at the glycolic pads. Thank you.

@7Worfs pillow case.. I definitely need to change more often!! Have never thought of that. Thank you.

@sue51 I like the sound of isotretinoin. I've heard it's the only form of retinol that's effective. Thank you.

I hope you manage to sort it. I have skin issues resulting from hormone issues as well. I’ve tried a lot to clear it up but nothing really has a real effect. The only time I’ve had nice skin was during pregnancy which obviously isn’t much of a solution. Good luck

Go get a bottle of The Ordinary AHA 30% & BHA 2% Peeling Solution. It's absolutely transformed my skin, and it's cheap as chips as well. I use it about once a week, and it's been amazing for my hormonal skin.

I use the St Ives blemish fighting apricot wash and find it helps. Might just be coincidence but my skin has been a lot better since using it.

I had skin like yours and started using la Roche posey face wash and moisturiser and skin has really cleared up.
Hormonal spots tend to be along the jaw line area so you may want to see your GP as well.

Have you tried cutting out dairy? It’s been hugely helpful for a friend of mine. And free too!

Face wash every morning
Drink lots of water throughout the day
Clean face before bed with a face wipe
SPF moisturiser

Isoretinoin does work but be aware of the side effects. I had to go every month for pregnancy testing too.

My night vision has still not recovered and I stopped taking it in January.

.I use a basic gentle cleanser and moisturiser now. My skin is much much better.

This may sound silly and I don't mean it to, but have you tried increasing your water intake? It really helped my skin and made a difference once I found the right balance of products. I use the avene cleanance range and it's fantastic, it targets oily skin.

I would recommend a chemical peel. Nothing too drastic, a glycolic or retinol peel. Home care, PCA blemish bar (wash) is excellent and a 1% retinol serum.
What retinol have you tried? What % retinol is in it?

I also have pcos and have always suffered with bad skin, i’ve tried all of the prescription creams and antibiotics as well as most over the counter creams, the only thing i’ve found that works for me is La Roche Posay face wash and then the effaclar duo cream.
I can’t use any type of oil on my face as it just breaks me out even though i have quite dry skin.

About 2.5 months ago I started my first proper skin care routine at the age of 36 and my skin has never looked better!

In the mornings, I use:

1. Cream Cleanser
2. Glycolic Acid Toner
3. Vitamin C Serum
4. Eye Cream
5. SPF 50

In the evenings, I use:

1. Oil Based Micellar Water
2. Cream Cleanser
3. Salicylic Acid Toner
4. Hyaluronic Acid
5. Niacinamide
6. Retinol
7. Eye Cream
8. Night Cream

I also take a daily multi-vitamin, a biotin tablet and a coconut + collagen capsule.