Please help me look less haggard - skin help

[Dhama]

Hi All,

I know I need more water and sleep but what else would would you recommend?

I currently use Boots No7 serum, Boots No7 moisturiser at night I use a retinol serum thing, these were all from the Boots advent calendar last year.

I just look dull, and well haggard I think. I also have a fairly deep marionette line on one side that I'd like to reduce the look of.

Money is a bit of an issue due to current separation/divorce, so best stuff on a budget preferably.

I don't wear a massive amount of make up, my skin if fairly clear, I will use a bit of concealer to reduce dark eyes if I have a zoom meeting, I do my brows but thats about it. I'm 46 if that's relevant.

I just want a nice and easy skin care routine that makes me look brighter! What are your recommendations or must haves?

Thanks in advance

Dharma

I've had nice results from Profhilo but that's not all that 'budget' unfortunately.

I also use Mac Strobe cream everyday, I mix a little of it with my regular CC cream or foundation, and it gives a lovely glow to the skin. Maybe that's all you need? It's not glittery or anything, just a subtle sheen, and I've had many compliments on it.

Also is your skin dehydrated? Have you tried a hyaluronic acid? The ordinary do a nice one, and the Vichy 69 is really nice too, not expensive.

Not makeup but omega 3 vitamins and water, lots and lots of water will really help.

I bought the Charlotte tilbury flawless filter that everyone goes on about.

it works for me!

put on under my light foundation or in its own, then a bit of nars cream blush on my cheeks and lips

I would go to the nearest tkmaxx to you and get a decent cleanser, vit c serum and retinol moisturiser. They have some great products there really cheap!

Also buy this

www.amazon.co.uk/Skincare-ultimate-no-nonsense-Caroline-Hirons/dp/0008375526

She tells you stuff, you go to tk maxx buy it cheap ! My skin looks so much better for doing very little but understanding what was needed and I really haven't spent that much.

I would recommend Face Theory, they have a little quiz to find what suits your skin. Mine is oily so can’t recommend specific products that might help you but my skin is the best it has ever been, the price is reasonable and the products are packaged sustainably!

Salicylic acid toner or wipes can make your skin look brighter. I like the nip fab wipes.

You cannot always get a decent night's sleep, but if you know you do need to drink more water, this is something you can address fairly easily.

There's no hard evidence linking drinking more water to improved skin, though there other things you can do.

www.webmd.com/beauty/features/drink-water-skin

www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/hydrated-skin/faq-20058067

www.byrdie.com/drinking-water-stay-hydrated

I like the Clarins SOS primers. There are different colours, I like coral. It brightens my skin and my foundation looks better on top. I also like YSL Touche Eclait Illuminating pen. I use it under my eyes, eyebrows and any lines that I want to disguise. They are a bit pricey but last quite a while.

Water, sleep, exfoliation, good moisturisers and perhaps an extra hydrating mask once a week.

That said, remember it will take up to a month to show a difference and tbh my skin only ever looks good with make up - worth a visit to a make up counter for them to recommend some light products to give you that glow?

No magic bullet but I know the things that make me look less haggard are:
Eating well
Sleep
Time outdoors - I run but a walk or bike ride is great too.
HRT
A good scrub (I use a muslin cloth and oil cleanser but a flannel will do the job too or a posh exfoliator)
Face oil (I use Clarins blue lotus but I reckon you can get same benefits with rosehip or Vit E oil from TK Maxx or health food shop)

Thanks everyone, some really good advice and recommendations - I’ll check them out.

Thanks again

Dharma

Salicylic acid bar of soap has been great for my skin. About £5 on Amazon. I also use the no.7 hydrating mask every week.

I have some organic argon oil that I give my skin a treat with once a week.

The big thing I would suggest if your budget allows, is to get a prescription with Dermatica. They are an online company of dermatologists who assess your skin through photos and then set up a monthly prescription tailored to your needs. It is supposed to be about £20 a month but a bottle lasts me 2 months easily so I just get it when I need it. My concerns were anti aging and hormonal acne so I am on tretinoin with niacinamide and azelaic acid. I use it about four nights a week.
Apart from this, for the uneven skin, blackheads, open pores etc, I recommend a BHA. Its a chemical exfoliant that you put on at night, maybe once or twice a week - you just put it on a cotton pad and wipe it over a cleansed face and that's it - no other products. I swear by Corsx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid. My skin feels so good the next day.
Not sure what your cleansing routine is but I would avoid any kind of physical exfoliant as they strip your skin and are way too harsh (stick to the BHA to exfoliate). I would use a cream cleanser, followed by some hydrating serum and then a moisturizer. Superdrug do an excellent range - their vitamin e cream cleanser is excellent and their simply pure hydrating serums are also great and all really cheap. I use cerave moisturizer (the big pot) which also is really budget friendly - I wouldn't spend too much on a moisturizer - it's what you put underneath it that matters. I also recommend hyaluronic acid as a serum (I like the Ordinary one) and I would also suggest a nice Vitamin C serum - I am using the Medic 8 one. I use a hydrating spray in between serums - I use the Sukin hydrating mist - it is amazing for adding moisture to your skin and making the serums work well.
Some nights that I am not using tret/BHA, I sometimes use a hydrating mask and an oil with vaseline at the end to seal it in - I like the NO7 hydrating mask and the Ordinary Rosehip oil.
Be careful of products that can clog your pores (vaseline does not, despite what people might think). I would advise against coconut oil for this reason and shea butter in moisturizers.
The cheatsheets on carolinehirons.com are great - I find her product recommendations can be good but always uber expensive - there are great, more budget options out there.

@Lydia777 wow, so informative, I am definitely going to try the Corsx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid u have suggested and also the hyaluronic acid from Ordinary.

OP, thanks for posting this question, I was just about to post something the same. I am 36 and as past year, have got so so haggard. It’s really upsetting me when I look in the mirror and hate my skin and how I look.

You were all super helpful, found myself down a rabbit hole last night and have ordered a few bits! @Lydia777 you were very helpful in your post too!

The best thing I ever invested in was a colour analysis. When you are wearing the right colours it instantly makes you look like you’ve had a great night’s sleep. If money isn’t an issue, I’d book yourself in. If not, there are online tools.
Colour me beautiful gives a great analysis.