Your skincare secrets

erica74

Hi all

I'd like to welcome you all to share your skincare secrets
What I mean is, what "secret" routine have you unlocked that has specifically helped your skin?

I think over the past 5 to 10 years with social media being such a huge influence on consumers, particularly beauty and skincare consumers, brands have grown a lot and there are so many different brands to choose from now. I also think there is so much more information out there now for every skin type and every skin need.

When I was a teenager, which wasn't a million years ago, there wasn't really lots of information for different skin types so I made a few mistakes with my skincare. However, over the past 5 years or so, I have really begun to take care of my skin and take an interest in the products I use, not just what my products do for me but the ingredients and the brand reputation etc.

Is there any particular brand that you swear by or do you use a mixture of different brands?
Is there any really expensive product that you use that is totally worth the price tag? Is there any really cheap product that you use that you want the world to know about?

erica74

I am soon to be 30 and my skin concerns are:
lines around my eyes - these don't bother me from an aging point of view (getting older doesn't bother me) moreso because make up can sometimes settle into the lines and make them look worse,
problem pores around my mouth - I use lip balm because my lips get quite dry from being out on the bike and my pores can sometimes get blocked and occasionally I'll get some bad spots,
hormonal spots - just prior to getting my period and while I have my period, I get a few hormonal spots, quite big and sore.
My skin tone is quite even and other than the above, I'm happy enough.

My skincare secret is steaming my face!
I only started doing this in the last 3 or 4 months and it has made a huge difference to my skin, particularly the problem pores around my mouth and my hormonal spots.
I steam my face twice a week. I start by cleansing my face thoroughly (usually a double cleanse) and then apply a layer of Nip + Fab glycolic fix mask and leave this on while I steam my face (just a bowl filled with boiling water and a towel over my head - my dogs are still bewildered by this!). I steam my face until the water cools down and then I wipe off the mask and seal up my pores again with Nip + Fab glycolic fix cleansing pads and then apply moisturiser and whatever else.
This has improved the problem pores around my mouth so much that they don't even really cause me problems anymore. This has also helped my hormonal spots a lot, they aren't as bad as they used to be and they don't hang around for as long as they used to.

I definitely swear by the glycolic fix pads. I use them morning and night as part of my cleansing routine and prior to using them my skin wasn't as smooth as it is now.

I use a big mix of products - Origins, First Aid Beauty, Nip + Fab, Eucerin, La Roche Posay, Ren and Murad. I tend to spend my money on good quality skincare as I don't wear make up everyday and as I am getting older, I want to look after my skin.

Parchment

I have always been into skincare and read all the scientific studies published on various ingredients/write ups on new products claims.

My skin is pretty good as a result of my routine but its dry skin and i get some spots around my chin/jaw when i have my period.

Things i really believe in and know work :

-SPF every day - a real SPF not just SPF in makeup/moisturiser. I use the Soltan Dry Touch SPF30
-Retinoids - i use Avene Eluage every second night
-Double cleanse - i use Ponds Cold Cream removed with a warm damp cloth then wash my face with Elave Facial cleanser
-Gentle skincare is so important - no scrubbing or harsh treatment.
-AHA/BHA are great for unclogging skin - i use Avene Cleanance K
-Avoid fragrance in products
-Sulphur is great for drying spots out - i use DDF Sulphur Mask once a week

I use a mix of brands but i would use a lot of Avene products, French skincare really works for me. An expensive product i think is worth the money - Avene Eluage and Nuxe Reve De Miel lipbalm (both last a long time too) . Cheaper products that work for me - Ponds Cold Cream is wonderful and Elave Facial Cleanser.

I think its so important to learn about products, learn what actually works and whats a gimmick. Read the scientific studies, look at Paulas Choice website. Dont be sucked in by adverts and marketing. Make your products work for you and you wont waste money.

GingerLily

Really quick one, but use any leftover skincare on the back of your hands! I've noticed a massive difference in my skin ageing in my hands which is a lot worse then my face and this really helps