Skin has gone to hell! Please help!

[redfacebigdisgrace]

I’ve always had pretty good skin. I’m 50.

I’ve really got into outdoor pursuits over the last 5 years and with that and the perimenopause my skin has gone to hell.

I’m prone to red veins and have been having IPL and laser treatment but it’s not made much difference.

My hormones have given me spots so I’ve been using salicylic acid products in those areas.

I’ve pretty much stopped the retinol given the redness I’m having.

I struggle to find a sunscreen that doesn’t give me a rash.

Help please!!! Photo below (apologies if you’re eating your breakfast…)

Little bump to see if anyone has any ideas? Thanks.

What are your skin concerns? You seem to have similar to me in that you are oily in the t-zone with visible pores and blemishes. That is where I suffer too. Have you tried any products with niacinamide in? btw yes, I would say you have amazing skin and I am shocked you are 50!

Wow thanks. My skin used to be good but it’s so blotchy and spotty and pigmented these days. I think it’s hormones and the outdoors! I’m running and just generally enjoying being outside more these days.

No I haven’t used niacinamide but it sounds like something I should try. I’m just alternating between blasting the spots then dealing with the sensitivity. Frustrating.

Rosacea?

If you can afford it, go see a dermatologist.

Otherwise I would try and stop using any actives for now. Gentle wash, sensitive skin moisturizer (Vichy or La roche posay have good options for sensitive skins) and mineral sunscreen.

Thanks @standardduck how can you find a dermatologist? I don’t mind spending a bit. I have had dermapen, radio frequency micro needling etc… and buy retinol from them. Quite high strength but I’ve been only been able to use it once a week more recently. It seems the sun is what’s setting me off. Luckily I live in Scotland!

You could try Skin + Me or the other one (can't remember the name) for a tret prescription with niacinamide if you haven't already? I have found it's make a big difference to my mid-late 40s skin (but I don't think yours looks awful by any stretch).

Thanks @planthelpadvice yes I might do that. I tried it a few years back and didn’t see much difference, but my skin was better then. Need it more now!

Gentle cleansers that I'd recommend are:
Cerave hydrating cleanser
Vanicream gentle facial cleanser (need to use a flannel with this one though)

I haven't tried this yet but have seen some good reviews - apparently it helps soothe

Purito centella serum

@stardust777 thank you. That serum
looks good.

I got spots and rosacea with menopause. Dermatica online skincare service sorted it really quickly. I use their rosacea formulation, not the tret. It’s been like magic!

@Lucia574 oh that’s good! I’ll look into that, thanks. I bought a whole load of different sunscreens and Avene sensitive /factor 50 seems to be doing the trick without any reaction. fingers crossed.

This is your 'gone to hell' skin? This is considerably better skin than my 'wow my skin is so much better now than it has been for years' peri face!

Thanks @PinkArt its probably a flattering photo. My forehead and neck are bad too. I’ve ordered that serum above and think I’ll sign up for dermatica too. Hope yours continues to improve. It’s crap isn’t it 😏

Peri seems to be working fairly well for me skin-wise at the mo. For the first time in thirty years I am mostly spot free. I could do without the beard that comes with that though! 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’d advise against anything with ceramides in it - they can cause pimples. Use The Ordinary niacinamide and a light/oil free moisturiser until your skin settles.

I’d suggest seeing an allergy specialist too. I developed lactose intolerance later in life and the initial signs were skin like yours.

If you try Dermatica, they advise keeping your skincare really simple. So no acids etc. it’s a serum that you put on before moisturiser at night.

Jesus Christ I thought this thread would be full of people thinking the same as me - I would die for that skin and I’m 20 years younger than you 😄 what the hell… so clear and fresh looking! I have spots AND wrinkles and skin&me and beauticians won’t touch me due to health condition 😂

I for one think you look just lovely.

You have really lovely skin. I'm 31 and you put me to shame and I really look after mine lol! X

Thank you @MyFaceIsAnAONB that’s really sweet of you. Sorry to hear about your skin woes. I really like this for brightening and retinol if you can use it.
https://www.lookfantastic.com/alpha-h-liquid-gold-30ml/12451407.html

That’s what’s helped my skin over the years. Hope yours improves soon.

@Cece92 thanks, that’s really nice of you to say so.

I would’ve guessed that’s the lower face of a 20yo. You go girl!

straight up looking at the picture and ignoring your comments (mostly) I’d say a cleanser with salicylic acid in it followed by andalou anti ageing (purple line, it’s just SO nice). And skip on the makeup when you can.

Definitely see a dermatologist it's worth doing so you don't waste money and get the right things and targeted.

Sunscreen seems to help with my red veiny bits so I’d keep that up. Your skin looks very lovely in general though op!!

Your skin looks great, plump, youthful skin. Only a couple of very small blemishes.
My skin was almost rosacea like for a while during peri, triggered by a reaction to the chemical sunscreen in my tinted moisturiser. I think the shifting hormones can make skin more reactive and sensitive. Mine is fine now I am post menopause. I might try one of those subscriptions though , just to see if it helps with fine lines etc.