Anyone with gorgeous skin willing to help me?

[Timona]

So today I was reminiscing with my sister (via WhatsApp) over some photos we took together three years ago and I can't believe how much more shit I look after just a few short years . I know a couple of obvious things I need to change -drinking more water, eat healthier food, exercise and get more sleep- and have decided to start all of that straight away!
But looking in the mirror, my skin is so terrible. Mainly it's really blotchy and awful pores..plus dark rings.

So my question is, are there any beautiful skinned people out there willing to help me by telling me their skincare routine? I've honestly never had any sort of routine, just face scrub once a day in the shower, so I'd like as much detail as possible because I have no clue 😬

Any help is appreciated, I'm just coming out of a long depression that has shot my self confidence to pieces so am trying to make an effort to look after myself. (I am also planning to also start wearing make up..so may need to start another advice thread again soon 😉).

Thank you in advance.

[MiddleClassMother]

Trial and error is a lot of it, but agree a retinol is essential to prevent wrinkles. Daily supplements (I take loads but a multivitamin is all you really need) makes a huge difference. Exercising everyday and keeping my hair off my face when I sleep also keeps my skin glowing and free of spots. I don't have perfect skin but it's clear and youthful. The only issue I have is my panda eyes...

[Jumpalicious]

Things that don’t work: alcohol, stress, over work, poor sleep, poor diet = me when I had small kids...

Things that DO work: water, sleep, good food, time off to relax, and — question for the floor: does good olive oil taken neat help you? (Some say it does! I’m just trying this!)

Keep creams simple, splash cold water on face. Look at your parents - have they aged well? Some, not all, of it is beyond your control. Life’s like that...

But for me, hate to say it if you like alcohol, but not drinking (or not drinking very often!) has been the absolute best thing for my looks and indeed general health (the two are linked, of course!).

[Sup1979]

I really rate Caroline Hiron too

[Melange99]

Not drinking alcohol has massively improved my skin. A combination of not being dehydrated because of the booze and improved sleep. Boring but true.

I also think it is what you put in that is important, not what you put on it, unless you have a particular need like rosacea. I also take starflower capsules like a PP. I have taken them for 20 plus years, I get complimented on my skin. I think less is more and too many layers and chemicals can make your skin worse. If you are going to try a convoluted regime, take it slowly and introduce the various elements one at a time.

A lot of the stuff that is sold is overkill when you can do a lot of it yourself by sticking to the basics - sleep, good nutrition (supplement if you have to), stay hydrated reduce booze, sugar and caffeine, up water, do sweaty exercise (If I go through a period of exercise - rare - my skin loves it). I do think that cleansing well in the evening is a must, particularly if you are city based. I usually do a micellar water for first go, and a Decleor cream cleanser for the second go. In the morning I sometimes use a Cerave hydrating wash off cleanser, but often I just splash my face with water in the morning instead of using cleanser.

I am a big fan of oils - The Ordinary Marula is my favourite at the moment. I use this in place of moisturiser because it suits my skin not to put on moisturiser on top. I like a gel eye cream because some of the richer ones can make your eyes puffy. I used to think the gel ones were not moisturising enough but one from La Roche Posay is. I use an exfoliator (a manual rather than chemical once a week - The Sanctury) and a mask weekly too (Filorga Meso Mask - love this, smells great, does the business but it's too expensive).

[Soaringhigh]

I agree re Caroline Hirons.

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

The skin is basically an excretory organ, so what you put in is the most important thing. Lots of water ( I don't always follow this but notice the difference when I do).

I come from a family with excellent skin, simply never get more than the teeniest pimple -so genetics for me are at least 70% of it. As I've got to my late forties and now fifties, honestly the biggest injection of oomph I've given my appreance is Botox, Dermatica tretinoin and really high doses of Vitamin C (orally and topically)

I use any old cleanser ( it's only on your skin for a few seconds) and chop and change moisturiser with whatever I have on hand. Alpha H liquid gold a couple of times a week and a gentle physical exfoliation with a facial sponge once a week or so. Then SPF 50 and I'm done.

But I'm very aware that I won the genetic lottery skin wise ( facially anyway, the skin on my legs looks like corned beef)

[Ginevere]

My skin is normally pretty good, but by following my regime it’s perfect. I notice if I skip even a day though being lazy!

I wash in the morning with glamglow supercleanse, then follow with pixi tonic and origins into the glow serum and ginzing eye cream, origins willowherb day cream and finally SPF50.

In the evening I wash my makeup off with Chanel oil cleanser and origins checks and balances cleanser. I then use Alpha H liquid gold, kiehls creamy avocado eye cream, kiehls midnight recovery concentrate and inkey hylaruonic, followed by origins night a mins and then an allesandra steinherr sleep mask I get from primark.

I think the kiehls midnight recovery concentrate and the night a mins cream are the two real power houses for me. I also massage my night cream in for 30 seconds with a foreo luma which makes a big difference.

I would get samples if you can and try them first, see what works for your skin; my older sister found night a mins too strong for her skin as it has fruit acids in it, but for me it’s a miracle worker.

[DeeCeeCherry]

I'm 57 with very good skin. Partly genetic. I use Aldi facewash as it doesn't have too many ingredients in it. I use 'L'Oreal face moisturiser. I wear Nivea UV Face Anti-Aging SPF50 every day no matter the season, as the sun batters the skin.

The way you've described your skin, Mandelic Acid would improve your skin. Look it up, it's by The Ordinary. Often sold out but NEXT sell it now and you can have it delivered. It doesn't work as speedily as other facial acids but it's very gentle on the skin as molecules are larger. If using this you do have to use sun cream as it can make skin a little sensitive to the sun.

Use at night, every other night to start with, pat it into your skin - don't rub it in. Wait 20 minutes or so then use a good night cream. Aldi do a Snow Algae cream which has very good reviews and seems to be as good if not better than pricier ones. Or choose another of your choice.

Take a Multivitamin & Mineral supplement. Take Vitamin D. Don't get dehydrated.

Probably more you can do but depends if you have the time. The above is a quick routine for me - We are all going to age and that's it and I don't want anything that takes more than 15 minutes per day.

[user1471523870]

What made a huge difference for me has been watching a video about the Korean 10 steps routine. I didn't know it existed and I found it way too much for me.
However, few weeks forward I gave it a go (to a modified -shorter- version!) and my skins has improved so much.
I am 46, combination skin, large pores and prone to acne on chin and jawline. My biggest issues has always been oily skin: foundation sitting on top of dry skin...and then melting off few hours later.
After only few days of this routine my skin felt super soft, no more dry areas, make up always perfect all day and now that I am about a month in, I haven't seen a single spot on my chin.

What I do:

• I apply an oil based cleanser (or recently just coconut oil) and remove the make up with a wet hot flannel
• I then wash my face with a cheap face gel (at the moment one from Boots, with Vit C)
• I either estoliate or apply a hydrating mask
• I remove and apply an acid toner
• I apply a night cream

I think the extreme cleansing really works for me!

[doadeer]

It's really individual.

You'll always get people on here that say "I only use soap and water and I look 25" but for many people this would result in awful skin. Many of us do need to be careful with products and choose wisely.

I am so happy with my skin, I never wear foundation anymore and I feel proud being makeup free. What has helped me is a consistent routine of balm cleanse, acid exfoliate, serum, moisturise and in morning vit c and Spf.

Before I got into skincare I had OK skin, but it never glowed and people never commented on it. I started to take my skincare seriously when my son was 2 months old and I looked haggard. Within two weeks other mums kept asking how i looked fresh faced when my son was waking every 2 hours. And I was bombarded with skincare questions.

So for me, it's absolutely not a con. I've bought some of the products I use for my sister and for the first time in her whole adult life she no longer wears foundation and loves her skin when she was previously self conscious.

[BerlinCalling]

@Bluntness100

I wash my face in the shower and that’s it. I’m fifty two, surprisingly smooth skinned, no spots, touch wood, and no open pores, black heads, dark circles or blotches.

I moisturise when I’m going to wear foundation. Other than that I don’t.I take my make up off every night with simple cleanser and never sleep in it.

I think all the crap women put on their skin doesn’t help at all. I think it’s a con.

Wow what a helpful post

[1frenchfoodie]

Can I suggest you dont throw lots of new stuff at your skin - you wont know what effect (if any) each product is having. If you hydrate properly and go back to a healthier, pre depression, diet that might in itself be enough. A moisturiser with SPF is a good idea too though. Once you have done this and got back on an even keel that woukd be the time to play around a bit.

[doadeer]

Oh I should have given products in my post. Please don't use a face scrub is so harsh!

Cleanse - Espa Optimal Pro Cleanser is my favourite but lots are nice, there's a great value m&s rose balm which is fab

Acid exfoliate - Paula's Choice, ZELENS, Pixi Tonic, Good Genes - all varying price points

Serum - I love the espa serum, I've tried a lot and this is the one I repeat buy

Moisturise - Espa overnight hydration but to be honest I think any moisturiser which is rich enough is fine.

Facial oil - Herbivore or Sunday Riley

Retinol - Medik8 Crystal 3

Vit c (am) - Oskia or Medik8

Spf - I use the nivea one - cheap and cheerful for me here.

[PippinStar]

I’ve got pretty good skin and it’s definitely genetic. I don’t really do anything except wash it in the shower and I moisturise twice a week maybe. I hibernate from the sun however and do drink lots of water. Sleep is also really important. I look about 5 years older when tired (which is all the time now).

[Howyoualldoworkme]

I'm 64 and I've been told that I have excellent skin.
I don't drink (allergic)have never smoked and try and keep out of the sun as much as possible. If it's summer I wear Factor 50 as I lived in the Far East as a child so probably got more than my share of sunburn!
I drink lots of fluids, mainly water but I don't have a particular skin care regime at home although I do moisturize in the morning and in the evening but nothing too oily. If my skin is getting a bit dry though I put a thin layer of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream on overnight. That generally sorts it.

My big indulgence is (not now due to Tiers)a light microderm and collagen mask every six weeks or so.
And try not to lose too much weight on your face. I've lost five stone over the past year and I was a bit concerned about elasticity but so far, so good!

Oh and always always take off your make-up at the end of the day and if you can, give yourself a couple of make-up free days

[Timona]

Thank you all for the responses!! I am still reading them..I have lots to start googling, retinoids and starflower capsules to start with but I definitely take on board the importance of water. I barely drink any at all and I'm sure it's a massive part of the problem (along with terrible sleep) so I'm going to make sure to do that and see how much it helps before I invest...although I'm going to maybe look for a cleanser too and see if that helps me feel a bit more 'fresh faced' 😅.
I'm still reading through the responses though, it's all good to know so thank you

[Timona]

Just reading the responses telling me not to use scrub every day 😮 thank you for that I will stop! I think I have blackheads on my nose (I assume that's what they are but the scrub/nose stops never remove anything) so thought I needed a scrub for that, maybe I will just use it once a week or something!

[doadeer]

Don't use the scrub ever again.

Use a BHA EXFOLIATE eg Paula's Choice which will do it far more effectively and not scratch your skin

[meecrowahvay]

They could be sebaceous filaments if you're not getting anything out. Definitely reduce the scrubbing!

[Shehasadiamondinthesky]

My skins fantastic at 60 and always has been, lines, no dark rings, no open pores but I think its just genetic as I don't have a skin care routine. I just wash my face in the morning and put nivea soft on it. I never bother to take my makeup off and sunbathed a lot in my youth.
I did get a dark blotchy sun spot right under my eye once but I got it lasered off in a salon for £30 a couple of years ago and it didn't come back.
I do use touche eclat foundation and nothing else and it gives a lovely even tone, and I've always been teetotal and drink a few pints of water a day - alcohol is death to the skin but really I think it is genetic.

[Timona]

@doadeer

Don't use the scrub ever again.

Use a BHA EXFOLIATE eg Paula's Choice which will do it far more effectively and not scratch your skin

Thank you I will buy some to use instead of the scrub wash

[Timona]

@meecrowahvay

They could be sebaceous filaments if you're not getting anything out. Definitely reduce the scrubbing!

Oh wow! I just googled and I think that's what it is, I can't believe it! I've spent so much time thinking about them and wondering why the strips and scrubs don't work 😅

[Thatsmycupoftea]

Same a pp, I have very good skin. Only ever had a couple of spots even in my teens. No blackheads etc. I'm 32 and still get asked for id so must look fresh 😁
I have never had a skin care routine either. I just wash my face with water and a bit of soap or shower gel and moisture when I can be bothered.

My two best friends do the same as we have spoken about it and they also have good skin.
Also non of us wear makeup every day. I also wear that when I can be bothered.
I'm sorry but I too really think that all these products and regimes are a load of rubbish and fill the skin with a load of crap so it can't breath.

[sadonfriday]

Best thing ever was going vegan. Dairy was ruining my face....

[theboardgame]

I am going to share what I started to use recently and it makes wonders. Try adding a mixture of coconut oil, olive oil, potato starch, juice of lemon, powdered milk to your bath. I create the bath bombs with this mixture for my toddler having some skin issues and I started to use it myself. My skin is soft and bright and all skin problems of my toddler disappeared. The face mask made of coconut oil, lemon juice, cinnamon and honey will make your skin also better.