Skin help

[Livinthedream84]

I know there are skin threads out there but I can’t quite get the answer I’m looking for without trawling through and I’m shattered.

I’m 38. I’ve always looked young but lately my age is catching up on me. Almost overnight. My face is quite dry to the point round my chin and forehead is flakey. My eyes look sunken and I’m starting to get small lines round them. I have enlarged pores and my nose is red. I dont drink or smoke. I suffer from excess hair on my chin.

I usually just give my face a once over with a hot cloth cleanser and a bit of moisturiser before bed. This isn’t cutting it anymore. I bought one of those 5x mag mirrors. Big mistake! I’m now obsessed with looking at my massive pores and wrinkles close up.

So any tips on skincare? Hair removal? Or reducing redness and dryness? All ideas are most welcome.

I'm 49 wit the big 5-0 later this year. A few years back i was the same and started trying out a few things and now happily have found what works for me. Might not necessarily work for you but always good to have a few ideas to try.

For info, my skin is normal/dry and I can get the odd nasty hormonal spot, but on the whole it's in decent nick.

I wash my face in the shower every morning using either Balance Me (BM) facial wash, or im using a sample Origins mushroom one at the mo. I use with a Foreo Luna to massage it in which I bought at great expense many years ago. They've come down in price now, but you can get a identical type now every now and again in Aldi - my daughter has one and it's juts as good.

Then when face is still a bit damp, I'm trying out Originas Mushroom tonic water stuff. I had a sample and like it so bought a bigger bottle. Jury still out on it but it's not doing any harm and good for calming skin. Then I either apply BM Rose Otto oil (5p blob does face and neck) or BM Radiance Oil. I find neither oily and they sink into the skin making it feel u we moisturized and plump. The. After drying hair (so 15 mins later) I apply whichever moisturizer I fancy. I have a few on the go - some sample ones, some full size and alter depending if I'm going out/working at home/walking dogs/going into office.

Moisturizers - love Nuxe (various ones) , Origins Ginzing range (both the plain and the glow enhanced one), & origins mushroom range.

And that's it! All in, takes about 10 mins to apply and my skin seems happy in it.

I am atrocious at doing anything at night though. Too tired! I will take make up off if I have any on, but that's very rare these days as still working from home and not bothered about putting a face in for the supermarket etc.

Any help re hair but hopefully you'll get some More ideas and pointers soon.

If you haven’t worn sunblock, not spf in moisturiser proper sunblock, this is normal ageing. The UV damages the dna and the collagen degrades.

I’d add a retinol at night from inkey list or similar and a sunblock daily.

Pluck hair on your chin…. We all do!

You need to start with a good moisturiser. Antipodes avocado cream is intensely hydrating. Start with that and see how you get on.

Also, I’d say give the hot cloth cleanser a break. Buy bioderma sensitive skin micellar instead. Gentler.

Less harsh cleanser, more nutritious face cream, could be all you need right now for skincare.

Sunken eyes suggest either you aren’t sleeping well, aren’t drinking enough water, and/ or it’s genetic and a facial excercise for the orbital area will help.

Step away from the magnifying mirror!! I have one but got my OH to hide it for a while and it really does help with not obsessing and in my case picking.

I would sign up to Dr Sam Bunting's mailing list as you get some great sheets on how to deal with various skin issues, all in one place. Her advice has really helped me deal with bad skin. It's still a battle but most days I'm happy with how my skin looks.

Oooh thank you for the advice! I have been busy yesterday so sorry for delay in reply.

The mirror is hidden and I’m going to start with the sunblock today. I’ve tried the city block in the past so I’ve bought more of that to give it a go.

I tried my epilator on my chin but sweet mother of god I cried!! I’ve been doing my legs and bikini line for a while but that’s nothing compared to that little patch under your chin!!!! I think il stick to plucking by hand

I’m going to look into the moisturisers etc thank you. I’m so useless at apply things regularly but I’m going to have to start.

Any other suggestions please feel free to add :)

Thanks again