Skin Care Change-help!

hattoncracker

Hey there everyone,

I am getting married in six months. I think I need to change my skincare routine because I have exfoliated every second day for years and my skin looks and feels a little red and sore. I don't really get spots but I do think my skin never really looks clean even when I do exfoliate so I'm wondering if someone could recommend a skincare routine that I could use to improve it.

I'm not really wearing make up much at the minute because I'm trying to let my skin breathe a bit (and I'm broke!) but it doesn't seem to be improving at all. I normally wear Estee Lauder double wear but I never have to use much.

jadie

Are you exfoliating with a scrub? these should only be used on the body not face. A chemical exfoliator is what you need, like the Clarins exfoliating toner or for a cheaper option try Ziaja sensitive skin peelings. I'd take a look at Caroline Hirons website if I were you, she has cheat sheets on routines etc. I'd also book in for a course of facials, you've probably made your skin sensitized by all the scrubbing

quinevere

Neostrada do the a great peel here's a review of it underneath I tried it and it worked wonders for me the mccabes stores give samples if you want to try before you buy

We’ve had quite a few posts recently about NeoStrata, in particular their Glycolic Face Wash, which I’ve tested and found to be hugely effective. It truly does what it says on the tin – it resurfaced my skin, diminished blemishes and oddly coloured patches, made it glow, and generally gave me really noticeable results. You don’t often get that with skincare products, especially if you’ve got normal-ish skin, so I was thrilled.

The one thing I found about it was that it did make my skin dry. And that’s where the Bionic Face Cream comes in. It’s a super-moisturising cream that NeoStrata recommend you use in conjunction with the Glycolic wash. It contains an advanced anti-aging formula, and it really moisturises dry skin. I’ve been using it before bed a lot recently as well, as my skin is suffering under the onslaught of the high winds we’ve been having, and I’ve been waking in the morning with velvety soft skin. And I really can’t emphasise this enough – my skin feels buttery smooth and soft, it’s gorgeous!

This product doesn’t look glam, it’s true, and there’s no fancy scent – but it works, and that’s the important thing. If you’ve got very dry skin, or are finding that your skin is suffering in winter weather, I urge you to pick up a pot of this highly effective product. Stockist information is available on one of the original NeoStrata posts.

hattoncracker

quinevere wrote: »

Neostrada do the a great peel here's a review of it underneath I tried it and it worked wonders for me the mccabes stores give samples if you want to try before you buy

We’ve had quite a few posts recently about NeoStrata, in particular their Glycolic Face Wash, which I’ve tested and found to be hugely effective. It truly does what it says on the tin – it resurfaced my skin, diminished blemishes and oddly coloured patches, made it glow, and generally gave me really noticeable results. You don’t often get that with skincare products, especially if you’ve got normal-ish skin, so I was thrilled.

The one thing I found about it was that it did make my skin dry. And that’s where the Bionic Face Cream comes in. It’s a super-moisturising cream that NeoStrata recommend you use in conjunction with the Glycolic wash. It contains an advanced anti-aging formula, and it really moisturises dry skin. I’ve been using it before bed a lot recently as well, as my skin is suffering under the onslaught of the high winds we’ve been having, and I’ve been waking in the morning with velvety soft skin. And I really can’t emphasise this enough – my skin feels buttery smooth and soft, it’s gorgeous!

This product doesn’t look glam, it’s true, and there’s no fancy scent – but it works, and that’s the important thing. If you’ve got very dry skin, or are finding that your skin is suffering in winter weather, I urge you to pick up a pot of this highly effective product. Stockist information is available on one of the original NeoStrata posts.

Thanks for this, think I'll give it a go!

retro:electro

hattoncracker wrote: »

Thanks for this, think I'll give it a go!

^^^ she clearly works in mc cabes!
I tried the peel she's on about and on a scale of boo to yay I'd give it a meh, it didn't really do anything to be honest.

Sheela

In fairness, there was a fairly positive review of it on Beaut.ie and I was tempted to get it based on that....


Don't know if we're allowed to link to other forums, but if you google Neostrata + Beaut.ie, its the first review that comes up.

How Strange

+1 for the Caroline Hirons website. She is amazing! I found out this summer that the red raw outbreaks on my chin, the acne like outbreaks on my cheeks and general red complexion was rosacea. I'm now following Caroline Hirons advice; pre cleanse with an oil such as Una Brennan superfacialist which is around €10 from boots, then use a balm (I'm using trilogy simply because I had it but will go to Clinique take the day off when it's finished), then a AHA serum (I'm using olay regenerist night elixir because I had it at home) and then a moisturiser or oil such as trilogy rosehip. I alternate my cleansing between oil/balm, oil/soap and glory ultra melt (boots €12ish), and balm/darphin intral milk. In the morning I cleanse once usually with darphin milk, toner (I'm using Liz Earle, yonka and Loreal age perfect - highly recommended by Caroline. Clarins toner is on my list of things to buy next). Then serum which is hydrolauron (boots €30ish but €10 off at the moment - Caroline raves about this). Then moisturiser which is dermalogica active moist at the moment and SPF30.

I exfoliate about twice a week with dermalogica microfoliant and another day use a mud mask which is a cheap as chips boots one. I'm waiting on my FAB radiance beauty pads to arrive which have glycolic acid so I can alternate with my toners.

It might sound complicated but my skin has improved so much. I still get outbreaks but I can generally control them with this regime.

I buy everything on feel unique as they always have promotional/discount codes and give free deliver over €15.

dudara

@quinevere I notice that a lot of your posts mention a particular pharmacy chain. Please do not use Boards to promote a commercial enterprise.

dudara

ComputerKing

Op have you considered using Retin A given the time you have before the wedding you should be able to do a long course and not have any problems. Its great a preventing acne and getting rid of scars uneven skin tone and its even anti aging so it will get rid of any fine lines that may be popping up if you have any.

jadie

OP, I think you skin has suffered from years of over exfoliating. I would stop that entirely for the next few months and focus on getting it back to normal. Darphin Intral which someone else mentioned would be a lovely range for you. step away from the peels/neostrata etc and book yourself in for a course of good facials

jadie

How Strange wrote: »

+1 for the Caroline Hirons website. She is amazing! I found out this summer that the red raw outbreaks on my chin, the acne like outbreaks on my cheeks and general red complexion was rosacea. I'm now following Caroline Hirons advice; pre cleanse with an oil such as Una Brennan superfacialist which is around €10 from boots, then use a balm (I'm using trilogy simply because I had it but will go to Clinique take the day off when it's finished), then a AHA serum (I'm using olay regenerist night elixir because I had it at home) and then a moisturiser or oil such as trilogy rosehip. I alternate my cleansing between oil/balm, oil/soap and glory ultra melt (boots €12ish), and balm/darphin intral milk. In the morning I cleanse once usually with darphin milk, toner (I'm using Liz Earle, yonka and Loreal age perfect - highly recommended by Caroline. Clarins toner is on my list of things to buy next). Then serum which is hydrolauron (boots €30ish but €10 off at the moment - Caroline raves about this). Then moisturiser which is dermalogica active moist at the moment and SPF30.

I exfoliate about twice a week with dermalogica microfoliant and another day use a mud mask which is a cheap as chips boots one. I'm waiting on my FAB radiance beauty pads to arrive which have glycolic acid so I can alternate with my toners.

It might sound complicated but my skin has improved so much. I still get outbreaks but I can generally control them with this regime.

I buy everything on feel unique as they always have promotional/discount codes and give free deliver over €15.

Lovely list of stuff there, I use a lot of those products too. Just a word of caution, clay or mud masks aren't the best for rosacea, they can aggravate it a lot. I had to give them up

ComputerKing

Op can you just answer a few questions first it will make it easier for us to recommend a good solid skincare routine. First you say you were exfoliating alot were you physically exfoliating with little beads or chemical exfoliating with an aha or bha? Secondly what is your current routine and what products are you using?

I'd recommend you start using a gentle clenser twice a day. You also need to make sure your using a moisturiser twice a day and sun cream every morning. I'd recommend you start chemical exfoliating I'd advise using an aha PC make some good ones and nip and fab also have some. Make sure you leave 30minutes after you apply the aha before you put on your moisturiser. Lastly I'd recommend you using an acid peel once a week if your skin can handle it I'd recommend muac ones I know a lot of people who find them great. I'd also advise you use a hydrating face mask such as the Queen Helene Mint Julipe Masque.

hattoncracker

I am using a face scrub every second day and a cleanser at night.... Then a serum and a gel moisturiser... It's just a brightening serum, nothing fancy. Sorry about the delay in replying!

ComputerKing

hattoncracker wrote: »

I am using a face scrub every second day and a cleanser at night.... Then a serum and a gel moisturiser... It's just a brightening serum, nothing fancy. Sorry about the delay in replying!

Stop using the face scrub immediately I'd stop using your brightening serum as well for now. What serum is it also? I'd recommend cleansing once a day for now at night and double cleansing if you have makeup on. Secondly make sure you are moisturising and at night put a small layer of Vaseline on over your moisturiser. I'd recommend you also get a sun cream and use it every morning. You should also get an aha I'd recommend paulas choice ones. You could also try some chemical peels muac make good ones. However I'd leave it around 2 weeks or maybe 3 before you introduce an aha or start chemical peels.

mazdaminx

I've noticed some women use a lot of products. I had bad skin and have rosacea but my bad skin is gone and rosacea has massively improved. Granted I am on an anti biotic for it. I am so glad I eventually went to the dr about it. All I do now is wash my face with coconut oil. Then apply the cream the dr prescribed. That's it! I only put this creamon the small effected area.
If I need makeup which I don't really need anymore I only need a fraction of the amount I needed before.
If you have rosacea you need to read up on histamine inducing/releasing foods. My rosacea flares after eating strawberries. Red wine is another culprit too.

Lia_lia

OP, don't exfoliate! I find whenever I use any type of exfoliating scrub/brush etc my skin just can't take it. I bought a Clarisonic a few months ago and was using it everyday, the first couple of weeks it was fine, but then my skin was spotty and red all the time. Stopped using the Clarisonic and my skin was perfect again. Now I use it once a week and it's fine.

I personally use Nivea and Eucerin products for sensitive skin on my face. Nivea sensitive cleansing milk, sunscreen, and Eucerin moisturiser. Nothing else. My skin is looking great! And they are cheap, so yay!

Oh and I use Double Wear too. I use the thinnest layer possible, though. I started using the Double Wear foundation around the time I got the clarisonic, and I thought for a while that the Double Wear was causing me to break out.