Please help my skin find it’s lost sparkle!

[LazyDoll]

Hi,
After a LOT of googling I thought I’d try the power that is Mumsnet to help rejuvenate my skin.
I am 46 and want to start a skincare regime to banish the dullness.
I know I need to drink more water so that is in progress.
I’ve previously done a course of roaccutane in my early 40s so my skin is now balanced if leaning towards dry, no spots (any more!), some very mild scarring, some slight pigmentation, some fine lines round the eyes but it’s mainly the dullness that’s my concern.
My current skincare regime is pretty non existent - I use hand soap or my sons clean and clear face wash or exfoliator but this is for teen acne so am aware it’s too harsh. I DO always moisturise so am not a total lost cause!! I use bio oil or a Nivea Q10.
But definitely need guidance!!
I’ve been browsing The Ordinary and tanning drops but not really sure where to start and don’t have the budget to make too many mistakes!!
If you could help that would be amazing!!
Thank you for reading this far!

I'd start with something gentler to cleanse - I found the Simple range effective. Do you wear make up?

So I have switched to medical grade skincare and it has made an amazing difference my skin is so glowing and looks better than 10 years ago (I'm 49). I use a vitamin c serum a halurinic acid serum and at night retinol. I see a dermatologist twice a year for a facial with a peel.

The brand I use is alumier it's expensive but well worth it in my opinion. At 49 I can go without foundation in the day if I can't be bothered.

www.alumiermd.co.uk

I use garden of wisdom from Victoria health,
I wash in the morning with their facial wash, then use Hyaluronic acid serum, eye contour serum and espa moisturiser with spf.
In the evening, I use temple spa windows of the soul eye cream, vitamin c and ferulic acid serum and a couple of times a week, use prickly pear seed oil.
Sounds complicated but it takes minutes!

Hi,
Thank you.
I use a Touch Eclat type thing under my eyes and on a couple of old marks and then eyebrow powder and mascara. If I feel particularly flat I’ll use a tinted moisturiser but that’s maybe twice a month. I feel now if I put too much make up on my skin it makes me look older.

Wow thank you I’ll do some research into those serums.

Thanks I’ll be busy googling today!

I’ve been using tropic skincare and I can honestly say it’s been amazing. I use the cleanser, the glow serum and the night moisturiser at night, and the morning mist and day moisturiser in the morning.

I also love the Vichy serum in the blue bottle, skin always glows after that.

Finally The Ordinary BHA peel thing is great! Immediate effects. I only use ones or twice a month but every time I remember why I need to do it.

I have a beloved skincare routine

Morning
Vit c from geek and gorgeous
Tinted Spf from Dr Sam
CC cream Erborian
(i don't really wear make up)

Evening
Cleansing balm
Tret from Dermatica
Illiyoon ceramide cream
If I'm dry vaseline

It's mostly all very affordable and I think I have lovely skin 😊

For dullness, Superdrug naturally radiant glycolic peel (and other things in the same range). There’s no actual “peeling” and it’s not harsh, though you need to use spf afterwards. But it works for me.

Hello OP 🤗

So... I love skincare 🤗🤣

I learnt a lot reading Dr Natalia Spierings or Caroline Hirons.
They don't like each other 🤣 but between them they make skincare make sense to little old me.

I have done what I do in order saying when it is morning and/ or night.

AM/PM
Cleansers
Sounds silly but read the instructions, one of my best friends never did and when I said too, she said it transformed her face care!
I use a clean flannel every day with warm water (not hot).

I personally like these to cleanse...
Ceravae Cleanser (any of them) - Can get between £8-£10
Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Butter Cleanser - £12

AM/PM
Exfoliating Toner
This will help with your glow. I use morning and night with a cotton pad.

Pixi Glow - £15-£18
However, I use the same from Aldi!! Lacura Healthy Glow - £2.99

AM/PM
Hyralonic Acid
The ordinary one is lovely as is ceravae. It's super hydrating and helps put moisture back into the system.

AM/PM
Moisturiser
AM - Moisturiser with SPF, I personally use Ceravae Day Cream.
PM - Ordinary Moisturiser is lovely and not too expensive. Use your evening moisturiser AFTER retinol.

PM
Retinol
Google about retinol...
This will really help with the glow.
I started with The Ordinary and followed their instructions... Start with a smaller percentage and work your way up. But make sure you follow the instructions.
Only use at night.

I flit between one of these each night whatever takes my fancy or I see first. No idea if it makes a difference but it feels like it seals it all in at the end.

PM
Vaseline
Suitable for face, as well as lips.
There are mixed views on this but Dr Natalia Spierings swears by it. And it's cheap and cheerful.

PM
Cetraban overnight ointment - £7.49
I used this at night, which is really oily, but makes my skin feel lovely in the morning.

PM
Face oil
I currently use a Botanical one from Boots, their own brand.
I have also used The Ordinary/ Garnier.

I have heard good things about Skin and Me subscriptions, so maybe give them a look! They put it all into a tube each month so you don't need too worry about buying lots of things.

Happy skin care!!

Thanks for this thread OP, and all the advice. I’m going to try new regime and there’s lots here to look at.

Holland & Barrett vitamin C & Hyaluronic acid serum has done wonders for my dull skin, use once a day with moisturiser over the top, have been getting compliments on how well I look which is miraculous as I have a baby who doesn’t like to sleep. I also love Zoe Bee products.

5 products only for me and my skin is pretty damn good and glowy for 44!

PM

bodyshop chamomile cleanser
skin & me (or any other night cream that includes tretinoin)

AM

Liz Earle toner
Medik8 super Ferulic (vitamin c)
moisturiser - nothing fancy!
minimum factor 30 sunscreen

The key items are tretinoin and high efficacy vitamin C - both will brighten and have an effect!

I'd be very wary of any so-called "medical grade" skincare. It's just a marketing term and will be massively overpriced. You'd be better using your money on a subscription from the likes of Dermatica or Skin and Me for tretinoin, which is the only thing that is actually clinically proven to be effective. Cleansers also don't have to be pricey - they will literally be washed off down the sink. I enjoy using the Superdrug Vitamin E range for my cleanser and moisturizer as I like the scent and some dry out or irritate my skin, which can be sensitive. SPF is also absolutely key but the most important thing is to use it consistently, so it might take time to find one that suits you. I like Japanese brands such as Biore (also now available in Superdrug I believe) and Canmake Mermaid UV gel (not sure if that one is available in the UK though, I live abroad).

How did you find the dermatologist? Were they recommended to you or did you do your own research?

Oh wow thanks everyone and thank you SO much LilyJessie I LOVE someone just telling me what to do when this whole skincare thing has SO much choice it’s incredible so I’m going to use your reply as a jumping off point …..whom I kidding I’m just going to buy what you’ve told me too 😂

Currently Googling about Retinol!

Aw you’re very welcome! So lovely to get some super specific advice as Googling is all well and good but SUCH a broad topic it’s a bit overwhelming!!

As we age our skin turnover slows down radically from 28 days as a teen to twice or three times as long. This is what is created the dullness, an accumulation of dead cells, which can become quite thick if not dislodged.
You need regular exfoliation (2-3× per week). Not with a harsh grainy product but something gentle for older skin.
Another option for great results are regular chemical peels. Not industrial strength, "face peels off In scary way" that only doctors can do. Any good facialist will have mild to medium peels in their arsenal as part of a good facial. Your skin will immediately look fresher and brighter and regular peels can reduce fine lines and sun damage.
If you can afford it, together with Vit C serum and retinol, a facial every 4-6 weeks should radically improve your skin.
Medical grade skin care that dermatologists and estheticians sell will also offer high quality product lines for older skin with exfoliation components.

P.S. "medical grade" means the products have been meaningfully tested for efficacy and safety. It's usually to meet international standards and are higher quality. If course noone is required to purchase them, but they generally have higher quality ingredients and well as medical testing.

All skincare products have to be tested, regardless of price. There is no requirement for anything marketed as “medical grade” to be tested to a higher standard, unless it’s classed as a drug (e.g. higher strength retinols).

I agree with the PP that - aside from actual prescription drugs- “medical grade” is just a marketing ploy.

I am not in the UK so that may be different. That's why I referred to international standards.

There any many products that have active ingredients that's true. There are also plenty of products at every price point that are just marketing and won't do anything meaningful for your skin. In some countries Medical Grade has a meaning that may not be relevant in the UK.

Giving up sugar (including simple carbs) was the most effective thing.

Yes, sugar causes cross-linking and ages the skin faster. Lots of water, fruits and veg with natural antioxidants. Also wear SPF daily (not within a another product such as foundation/moisturizer) and reapply during the day.