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Original poster

facial care for a tired face.

33 replies

PavlovtheCat · 30/01/2010 12:21

MNers i need your help.

I used to take for granted the youthful face i have -had- been blessed with and did not really bother that much, apart from ensuring i never get sunburnt, and would use whatever moisturiser i happened to get free with my clinique makeup on bonus time or No.7 freebies, but not daily.

Now, after DS has been born, i need to start looking after my skin better. The effects of continuous vomiting throughout my pregnancy, lack of sleep then, and now, and my skin is tired, dry but not dry, red and patchy and i feel old. my hands are wrinkly, my face is wrinkly and i have grey hair.

I have bought some body moisturiser, some hand and nail cream, and i have just dyed my hair a simple brown colour (close to natural) to cover the grey. I normally use a daily face wash such as oil of olay, but also will use clinique if i am feeling extravegant.

What facial cream? I cannot choose! I want one that works, not one that is used just because it is a brand name. I want to spend no more than say £20 on it, but will go up to £30 if it is one that is highly recommended by lots of people. I went into Boots and the woman i spoke to recommended the Oil of Olay Regenerist daily cream, but i know nothing about it and I don't want to spend £25 on face cream only to find it is just the same as wacking a bit of body lotion on it!

DO i buy day cream or night cream? I probably won't do both as I wont remember to use both, so if i only get one, which one?

Thanks x

OP posts:
Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 30/01/2010 12:22

My face is not wrinkly as in old wrinkly i don't think, it is more dry wrinkly and i think a few weeks of using a good moisturiser will sort that out.

OP posts:
JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 30/01/2010 12:31

Body lotion is crap for the face, it's not rich enough, so whatever you do, do get a proper facial moisturiser. I haven't got a clue which one as I have allergies which mean I can only use very basic creams which don't irritate my skin.

But I did just want to say, why not have a professional facial done first? I had one a few years back (when I was more flush) and it was amazing, my skin was glowing, smooth and felt so much more hydrated, and it took days for it to feel/look less so.

And then you can start a proper moisturising routine, to keep up the look.

(This is going to be my present to myself when I'm 9 months pregnant and feeling like poo!)

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 30/01/2010 12:37

james yes, quite, i was being ironic at spending a fortune on something that would do the same job .

I want lovely soft youthful glow. I want to look nice again. In fact, DH has said he reckons i might need to spend more (i shan't take that the wrong way ) so if i need to spend a little more, then so be it.

That is a good idea about the facial treatment - oh where would i start though? At the moment i can't even wear the decent make-up that i have as it just does not sit well.

OP posts:
Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 30/01/2010 12:40

oh, and i have heavy set eyes atm, with dark circles. I am upping my water intake to see if that also helps.

OP posts:
JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 30/01/2010 12:44

Ah sorry, didn't realise you weren't serious about the body lotion thing (can I plead tiredness?)

Where to start, well ring round the different salons in your area and ask about the type of facials they do for dry, tired skin, and the prices as some are extortionate.

Often your local college has a hair and beauty salon where the beauty students can practise on real people, they are usually very cheap so you can afford to get an eyebrow shape/dye, massage or a manicure at the same time for the price of a facial in a proper salon.

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 30/01/2010 12:47

ooooh an eyebrow reshape would be nice.

i would not be honestly, i feel haggard and have done since well the beginning of my pregnancy, just no point doing anything about it til now! I saw a photo of me and DS taken a couple of weeks ago and I cried. I looked so awful.

OP posts:
JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 30/01/2010 12:58

Aaw you poor thing, I do know what you mean, I have chronically dry skin and even though I don't smoke or sunbathe I can see wrinkles setting in because my skin is constantly dry, and I do drink about 4 pints of squash a day, no caffeine. Just got crap skin which pregnancy isn't helping.

I've been considering trying the oil cleansing method (if I can get anyone to sell me castor oil at 25 weeks pg!)

ruddynorah · 30/01/2010 13:03

i find that the oil cleansing method works for me. i then slap on some bourjois 10 hour sleep foundation and i'm good to go. i also used to get a hell of a lot of compliments when i used aldi's foundation you really don't have to spend a lot!

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 30/01/2010 13:09

isn't the oil cleansing method for blemished skin though? i have no blemishes and minimal blackheads just on the nose...

but i will it a try, won't hurt!

OP posts:
walkthedinosaur · 30/01/2010 13:09

DH bought me the Olay Regenerist stuff for Christmas - the moisturiser and the micro dermabrasion stuff. It's really, really good. I do the oil cleansing method too and with the two combined my skin is really starting to glow. Also the crows feet round my eyes don't seem to be as defined - but maybe that's just wishful thinking.

My skin was really grey and drab a few months ago but it's definitely so much better now.

I'm going to have restock soon and have found the Regenerist stuff is much cheaper on Amazon.

cornsilk · 30/01/2010 13:10

this works well under any moisturiser but this is lovely. I also like elemis pro-collagen marine cream.

Cyb · 30/01/2010 13:12

Ay yup corny

cornsilk · 30/01/2010 13:13

allo cyb
hows you?

cornsilk · 30/01/2010 13:13

'

cornsilk · 30/01/2010 13:14

forgot the apostrophe

Cyb · 30/01/2010 13:16

fine, just about to start painting the stairs

cornsilk · 30/01/2010 13:20

very motivated? what colour? I've been psyching myself up to do the vacuuming.

ruddynorah · 30/01/2010 13:23

no not just for blemished skin. it just re conditions your skin so it looks after itself without needing to be stripped with a cleanser then moisturised by another product. easy peasy and costs pence.

Cyb · 30/01/2010 13:24

corny- boring white to cover grubby prints

I'll stop hijacking this thread now!

Tillyscoutsmum · 30/01/2010 13:35

Second the facial - it'll really give your skin the kick start it needs. I personally love Decleor ones - great products and it includes a back massage. Seriously blissful

In terms of moisturiser, I really love Jo Malone Ginseng and something or other (they only do a couple and I can't go and check the label atm - DS is asleep on me ). Its expensive but really thick and luxurious and you only need a bit. Its marketed as a day cream but I bung a bit on morning and night (if I remember)

You also need to exfoliate - a facial wash will be fine but it'll just help the moisturiser sink in properly

A primer/serum is good for under foundation - Boots No.7 Instant Radiance is good, as is Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. Just gives a bit of a glow.

Dark circles - I feel your pain. 2 hourly night feeds are taking their toll on me as well ! Lots of water, iron rich foods, sleep when you can get it etc. Garnier do a roll on eye serum which is good. Pretty cheap and as effective as anything else I've tried. I think its probably the roller thing that does the trick - helps get rid of congestion

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 30/01/2010 13:52

tillyscouts - i use the no.7 instant radiance concealer for eyes, so they do one for the face?

So just to check the processes i need to follow, being a novice and all...

  1. get a facial treatment
  2. start to do the oil cleansing method (how frequently, once a week?)
  3. exfoliate daily.
  4. moisturise with yet to be decided moisturiser daily - morning or night?

then, when do i use the serum you are talking about tillyscoutsmum?, if i chose to use one? after moisturising? How about if i am not wearing makeup? do i use it then? No.7 do a protect and perfect one which i got a sample of and was nice - any good? or is the instant radiance once better? How about their moisturisers? any good?

OP posts:
MillyR · 30/01/2010 14:07

My beautician told me I should not exfoliate my face daily. She said exfoliation should only be done twice a week. She advised me to choose any skincare range other than Clinique, as Clinique over-exfoliates. Someone using the clarifying lotion morning and night and the 7 day scrub in their shower is exfoliating 27 times a week!

The one thing I would use above all other products in No 7 perfect and protect intense serum.

I use Decleor moisturiser and oil, but I am sure there are lots of other brands that are as good.

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 30/01/2010 14:11

millyR - what do you use the oil for? I had considered by the protect and perfect before now, so maybe i will try that...it is aswell as a moisturiser isn't it? to put on before or after a moisturiser though? (oh the headache!)

OP posts:
ruddynorah · 30/01/2010 14:12

well imvho and ime..oil cleansing method EVERY day. i do it each morning. at night i just wipe with hot flannel.

no moisturiser at all. i cleanse with neat olive oil. i only added castor oil to it in the early days to get rid of blackheads. now i don't need it and find it too drying. so just olive oil works for me.

oh, and for exfoliating, well the ocm means you don't really need it much. but if i feel like a bit of invigorating i just add some sugar to the oil in my hand and carry on as normal. again..cheap as chips!

duckyfuzz · 30/01/2010 14:15

I use the no7 serum and find it works wonders, my skin looks great even though I have had a stressful week at work ,with PMT, sleepless nights and unhealthy diet. I also like Elemis stuff, which I find perks my skin up and makes it soft and lovely, I use their tri-enzyme facial wash every day and alternate the marine cream with their regular moisturiser, as its so £££. I'd go for the serum, it is fab