My skin is really struggling!

[Haycorns4Piglet]

I'm 33 now and it has been aging for a while, losing elasticity and gaining creases. It's got so damn dry too! If I rub my face little dandruffy flakes float down (sorry, TMI!) although it doesn't look flakey in the mirror. My face is very annoying in that it's prone to spots too, so I have the worst of all worlds! It's scarring very readily now as well I've noticed. I'm shocked that I accidentally scratched my forehead last week (just with a brush from a fingernail, nothing major!) and it still looks like I've been battling with barbed wire!

Anyway, I'm crap at looking after my skin. Always too tried to be bothered, and don't like the sensation of face cream, I couldn't have it on overnight or anything. I do better with the occasional face mask that set and I can peel off or are in that tissue stuff and I can just take off all at once after 10 mins or whatever. Can anyone recommend some? I don't mind expensive as long as it's 'Oh My God this stuff REALLY works!' expensive. Thanks!

Oh, also, is there anything that can be done for undereye shadows? Not bags really, just dark skin. I get enough sleep and drink plenty of water. I don't wear makeup so the obvious shadows are aging me.

No answers really but watching with interest.

I'm the same- my skin is flaky in places but I also get spots and oiliness.....so can't figure out what skin type I am at all.

If I use any kind of heavy moisturiser it is too much and I break out.

I find I have to use very simple products- French pharmacy brands are good like La Roche Posay and Avene- except avene have discontinued my fave cleanser.

Last year I got the liberty advent calendar and for a while my skin was amazing- especially after using the Votary serum and the REN liquid exfoliant thing. But I can't afford those products all the time.

I've tried cheaper hyluaronic serums like beauty pie and L'Oréal and they were not the same at all.

Unfortunately if you don't like face cream your skin is going to stay dry. I know you say you don't like the texture but can you use something that's easily absorbed? I just use Simple light moisturiser in the morning, it takes about 2 minutes to sink in. Even using that morning and night would be a start.

AHA/BHA toners are good chemical exfoliants that would help with spots, but they'd be far too drying without moisturiser.

Caffeine serum is meant to be good for dark circles. I don't know what you mean by the face masks in tissue? Any of the ones that set and peel off I'm aware of are more for clearing pores so would be quite drying.

Try an oily serum for before bed maybe ? I found that has helped me with dry skin and also dermaplanning

I find the oil cleansing method (almond oil, hot flannel to remove) helpful for both the flakes and the dryness.

If you want nice skin you need to be consistent with a cleanser and moisturiser, not random face masks. I'd recommend CeraVe PM moisturiser which imo is very light but effective.

I have a daytime and nighttime routine. AM I use a mild cleanser to wash my face try savers for budget range products. I use a vitamin c serum and the sukin hydration elixir absolutely love it. At night I use an exfoliating cleanser apply retinol serum and hyalouronic serum. I don't necessarily go for the most expensive ones and usually buy my products from boots

Tricky - the only way to really combat dryness is to moisturise in some form. Single use masks etc won't do anything other than for the short period of time after using one. If your skin is so dry that it's flaking I would really recommend the Eucerin 5% Urea facial cream. It really doesn't feel heavy and sinks in well whilst eradicating dryness.

If you are concerned about scarring, moisturising the skin properly will promote healing but something like Azaleic acid would be a good option to work on marks left by breakouts whilst clearing the skin over time but it doesn't get around the fact that you would be far better off moisturising at the same time.

If you really can't bear anything on the skin I would try something like the Simple Water Boost Hydrating Booster. It has a gel consistency but does add moisture and can't be felt on the skin. I use it as a few drops in my moisturiser if I need a bit more and to my foundation to give it a more hydrating and glowy finish which it is lovely for.

Eyes- I still think the answer is an eye cream. Nothing will eradicate dark circles really but they can be reduced in appearance by good hydration or colour correcting creams.

Of course it's flaky if you're not moisturising! Not moisturising only works, if you're also not cleansing your face daily. Cleansing removes the natural oils that your skin produces, so you have to replace them.

That said, we all have our quirks.

I'd recommend this product, if you don't like the sensation of moisturiser.

www.clinique.co.uk/product/1687/58208/skin-care/moisturisers/dramatically-differenttm-hydrating-jelly-anti-pollution?size=125ml_with_Pump

Also, the only cleanser that I use which doesn't make my skin feel taut is also from Clinique.

www.clinique.co.uk/product/1682/5003/skin-care/exfoliatorsmasks/7-day-scrub-cream-rinse-off-formula/rinse-off-formula-for-all-skin-types?size=100ml

If you have a decent Boots or department store near you, I'd go in and have a chat with them. For me, the best (but out of my price range) is Lancome. Clinique is at a better price point. I love their moisture surge range too.

You'd need to speak to a skincare expert.

Aside from all that - 2 things are important. Hydration and Collagen. So basically, water and protein!

Also, a lot of the big brands have upcoming black Friday sales, so now is a good time to stock up!

Take care of your skin from the inside out - drink water, eat fruit and veg, take probiotics and eat good fats.

That Clinique 'jelly' isn't really a jelly. It's more like a watery serum (as opposed to an oily serum lol). Hard to describe the consistency of it!

Vit E is important for your skin too. Mangos are one of the best food sources for that I think!

Treat it from within. Eat good oils, lots of fruit and veg, and keep hydrated.

Can you remember which REN exfoliator it was? I'm always willing to try some new skincare!

Was the Votary serum the brightening hyaluronic one?

Skin and me is good if you can afford it or use a cheap first time trial code. Once you know what ingredients you need you can buy cheaper alternatives yourself.

I used it not realising I'd had roseaca and it helped a lot. I have hormonal acne which it also helped with. But now I know to use certain active ingredients I can get them from boots.

@whatausername yes that Votary one, the REN one was orange - aha tonic?

Ready Steady Glow looks like an AHA toner, and it's in an orange bottle so I guess that's the one.

Thank you!