Skin advice for wedding

denhaagenite

Hi All.

I'm getting married in June and my skin isn't looking good. I had a problem with eczema when I was younger but never really with acne or spots, now I'm covered in blotches and I'm never blemish free. My pores are clogged and breakouts are a regular occurence.

I think I still have enough time to sort it out, but how do I do this without breaking the bank? I have a healthy diet, go to the gym twice a week, walk the dog every day and cleanse tone and moisturise twice a day, it's really p*****g me off at this stage .

Is there anything else I could do?

LizT

Cleanse, tone and mosturise every day. Sometimes over cleaning your skin strips it of its natural oil and makes the skin produce even more oil.

I used zineryt for a few months (you need a prescription) and it cleared up my skin really well when I was using it but once I stopped, I started to get break-outs. It would be a good solution for a wedding though, if you start soon enough because it took about 1 month to clear up my skin completely.

Also, consider using an exfoliator once a week to remove dead skin cells.

denhaagenite

I was kind of hoping to stay away from the doctor if possible, previous experience with medications/ antibiotics haven't been good so I would be afraid I'd make it worse.

How do people remove their makeup with they don't cleanse? I tone and moisturise as I thought that it was better but maybe I'm wrong... Toners would generally be rose water or witchazel as I find that they make an improvement. I do use an exfoliator once or twice a week so I don't think that's the problem...

grumula

E45 cream is pretty good if you use it frequently.

tan11ie

denhaagenite wrote: »

I was kind of hoping to stay away from the doctor if possible, previous experience with medications/ antibiotics haven't been good so I would be afraid I'd make it worse.

How do people remove their makeup with they don't cleanse? I tone and moisturise as I thought that it was better but maybe I'm wrong... Toners would generally be rose water or witchazel as I find that they make an improvement. I do use an exfoliator once or twice a week so I don't think that's the problem...

Regardless if your skin is dry or oily it's important to cleanse tone and moisturize every morning and every night but i will point out YOU NEED THE CORRECT PRODUCTS for your skin type! i can't stress that enough.

My advice to you is go to a good beautician -have a ring round - ask friends for recommendations, explain your problem and they will advise you on the correct skin care program.

There is no point me or anyone else telling you what to use unless i could have a close look at your skin and get an outline on your lifestyle it's impossible.

Really you should get moving on this ASAP if you want it sorted before the wedding.....

Good luck let us know how you get on..

E.T.

Definitely agree with tan11ie about finding a good beautician. I was plagued by spots for years, and was always told I'd oily skin. Got a recommendation for a really good beautician who said I've actually got dry skin, which was being stripped by the harsh products I was using, and ending up dehydrated, plus producing too much oil to make up for the harsh stripping. Still get the odd spot, but nothing like I used get.

Tayla

I recently bought this facial sauna, it's cheap and it's so good, my skin looks great after it. http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/4424266.htm

My all time favourite skin product is http://us.clarins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/beauty-products_serums_skin-beauty-repair-concentrate_C010403003_10051_10204_-1_23658_40062_10315

It's €50 for a teeny bottle but you should be able to get a sample at any clarins counter, it's really really excellent. actually if you managed to get some samples from a few different clarins counters you'd nearly have a full size bottle

Mario badescu products are fab and not too expensive and last forever, you can get it in Harvey Nichols or on beautybay.com and I would recommend either the glycolic foaming cleanser which you could use on the days you would normally exfoliate. http://www.beautybay.com/skincare/mariobadescu/glycolicfoamingcleanser/ or the enzyme cleansing gel.

Trust me make it your mission over the next few days to get a sample of that clarins product, put it on at night time, it is the shiz!!!

denhaagenite

Unfortunately not so easy to find a good beautician where I am. I am going to keep my eyes open for that Clarins product, I'll be in the airport next month so may be able to pick it up cheaper. That facial sauna also looks good but where can I buy it online in mainland Europe?

Is there anything that I need to be eating/ drinking more/ less of? I have a feeling that it might do the trick to cleanse from the inside out.

Miaireland

I have discovered an excellent Beautician in my locla area who I went for a facial to.

She analysed my skin and suggest the type of products I should be using. (She did not push any brands).

I know follow her skin care advice which takes ten minutes daily plus use a face mask once a month. I also wear sunscreen on my face everyday now.

I go to her for an express facial every month -€20.

My skin has never looked better.

E.T.

Clarins do a really good clarifying face mask - my beautician told me to use it normally and also to put it on a few nights in a row on problem areas or big spots (not on your whole face, it'll be too drying), and leave it on for the night. Great stuff - it says for oily/combination skin but I find it fine on my dry skin.

http://www.feelunique.com/p/Clarins-Pure-and-Radiant-Mask-50ml (much cheaper on feelunique than in shops here, and there's free delivery)

Daisy!

Probably stating the obvious here but drink loads of water too. It's easy to get tired of it but it's a must. Plenty of sleep aswell. Without those two my skin really deteriorates.

denhaagenite

Water is about the only thing I do drink, apart from cranberry juice (also one part water) and a night out every couple of weekends. I get 7 - 8 hours sleep every night. This is my frustration.

You see people who drink soft drinks all day and eat nothing but rubbish and then they give up and say "Well I cut out chips, cola and chocolate and the weight fell off and my skin is amazing" but I've always been aware of what I consume because of eczema so I've nothing to give up!! It's a real pain

Daisy!

denhaagenite wrote: »

Water is about the only thing I do drink, apart from cranberry juice (also one part water) and a night out every couple of weekends. I get 7 - 8 hours sleep every night. This is my frustration.

You see people who drink soft drinks all day and eat nothing but rubbish and then they give up and say "Well I cut out chips, cola and chocolate and the weight fell off and my skin is amazing" but I've always been aware of what I consume because of eczema so I've nothing to give up!! It's a real pain

Oh tell me about it! Some people are just lucky I guess. I feel your pain. I'd say go to a beautician alright if anyone locally could recommend a good one to you. They'd know better once they look at your skin.

And good luck for the wedding!!

kandr10

A friend recommended soya products for clearing up skin problems especially eczema. Maybe that might be something to try. I'm testing it out myself cos I'm in the same boat - wedding in July and suddenly started getting horrible skin. Like you I always cleanse tone and moisturize twice daily and drink plenty of water and fruit/veg. I'm a big fan of soya but I might try it til the wedding anyway. I feel your frustration though

Oh also, I've been experimenting to see if make up is having an adverse effect on my skin. Yesterday I wore a full face of foundation/powder etc for the first time in a week and my skin is a little worse Love wearing make up so it's a bummer but might be worth while trying that for yourself. Maybe a week or two before the wedding don't wear any makeup.

tan11ie

OP - Regarding your diet - do you eat oily fish at all? do you take fish oils regularly? I ask this as i suffered from the skin condition psoriasis for 15 years and steroid creams weren't working. I ended up doing lots of research as i was at my wits end!!! i found my diet and stress played a major part in flare ups.

Anyway cutting i short i changed my diet and eat lots of oily fish less sugar and carbs , I'm free of psoriasis 6 years now maybe it's something you should start looking into. Believe me i know what a pain it is to suffer with a skin condition.

Tayla

denhaagenite wrote: »

. That facial sauna also looks good but where can I buy it online in mainland Europe?

Is there anything that I need to be eating/ drinking more/ less of? I have a feeling that it might do the trick to cleanse from the inside out.

You would get a facial sauna from any of the European Amazons, they might not be as cheap though.

If you can stomach it then taking a shot of apple cider vinegar each day is supposed to be wonderful for detoxing and is supposed to clear acne and make your skin bright and glowy.

borderlinemeath

I have combi skin with dry patches and flaky skin and then other times it's very oily. I got a lovely Yonka moisturiser from my beautician but the price of it!!
OP I find a detox from tea or coffee does me the world of good and when I'm off regular tea I drink green tea in copious amounts and it's supposed to be a good inner cleanser as well.

Daisy!

Tayla wrote: »

You would get a facial sauna from any of the European Amazons, they might not be as cheap though.

If you can stomach it then taking a shot of apple cider vinegar each day is supposed to be wonderful for detoxing and is supposed to clear acne and make your skin bright and glowy.

I always thought you were supposed to put cider vinegar on your skin not drink it?

Tayla

Daisy! wrote: »

I always thought you were supposed to put cider vinegar on your skin not drink it?

No you can drink it, some people have a shot straight, some dilute with water or add honey!

GermanicGalore

I think many of us are not aware of what stuff is actually in the products we use. I find the web page beautypedia.com really helpful. I struggle with breakouts too but my skin has notably improved since I'm cutting out all the irritating stuff. Have a browse around that page, there is a skin care blog and a lot of information on a wide array of products and it's all for free, so that's good.
AND..congratulations on getting married!!!

Gavin "shels"

Just on the eczema side of things, I have it. Wash myself with Silcocks Base and an exfoliating glove, then use a Liquid Parafin Gel (get in boots for around €11). Key is to also pat yourself dry after a shower, etc... and not rub yourself dry.

denhaagenite

Hi All

Thanks for all of the tips, tried the less expensive advise and unfortunately nothing worked. Coupled with a facial that I don't know was a good one or not- brought alot of impurities up which scabbed and really were quite painful- and a stressful few weeks I was really at my wits' end. Then remembered something which has been so miraculous I have to pass it on.

Sudocrem. Simple, cheap, and used for 3 nights has completely cleared everything up. I am going to use it every second or third night from now until the wedding, have another facial about three weeks before and I am confident that I will have clear skin on the day.

Really can't recommend it enough and kicking myself I didn't remember it sooner.

LizT

Good to hear that sudocrem worked. Personally it doesn't do anything for me but you're lucky you've found something that works!!