Skin care help!

Hi Laura.

I have sensitive combination skin which is a right pain! What sort of products do you use?

I use a Simple foaming face wash once a day. If I wear make-up then I use unscented make-up wipes to remove in the evening. The best ones I have found are by Rawganic, they really are gentle and don't sting like so many of the other so-called 'sensitive' wipes, but they are a bit hard to get hold of (I get them online). Every few days or so I put on a little bit of gentle calendula cream just before I go to sleep. And I use Simple face scrub once a week.

I do find that some sun creams cause me to break out but I recently discovered L'oCcitane do a face specific one which is much lighter and not oily and so far so good, although it is very expensive so I use it sparingly.

I've recently started using the Liz Earle range and my skin has never looked better, I have sensitive/combination skin also.

It's a set with cleanser (&cloth), toner and moisturiser I got (I'm sure it was around £30)-worth every penny though!! It's decent sized bottles so lasts for ages!

Liz Earl tends to get great reviews for those with oily skin, but before shelling out, it's worth visiting the various quality cosmetic/skin care counters or a beauty salon and getting some samples to see how your skin reacts. I've recently been introduced to Dermalogica which is very good. A dermologica technician will give you a face mapping session and some samples to try, usually found in beauty salons. They then do really good priced travel packs, cost about £25 but you get everything you need and used wisely they last ages. My skin is deffo better from using it, but I don't use it every day

At the end of the day it's not what you pay but whether it works for you and we are all different.

Another vote for Liz Earle from me! I love their cleanser, I have combination skin which is sensitve and I now would never use another cleanser! I find all products good and for what they are they are really well priced. They often have an offer of the month on the website which is cleanser, toner and moistriser and then something else which is worth the money.

You can always try it from QVC which is where I first tried it as they have a 30 day money back thing where if you use it and dont like it or you do have an allergy you can send it back and you get a refund. Worth doing this way as you wouldnt be able to do it direct with Liz Earle.

As an ex therapist I would now never use another brand and I work for many in my time some 5 times more expensive and believe me they dont all live up to tehir claims!!!

Another vote for Liz Earle! I love her products. My skin is oily and spot prone, it has never been better since using the cleanse & polish.

Caroline Hirons' blog is also amazing for skin tips/routines, try the cheat sheets on the right hand side: www.carolinehirons.com

My skin is super sensitive and prone to redness, although not oily. I use Cetaphil cleanser and it's very gentle. Tea tree is great for zits, but you do need to apply it very precisely or it will dry out all the surrounding skin!

I swear by Bare Minerals purifying facial cleanser for combination skin. It feels fantastic and goes on really nicely. I've been combining it with an Olay Pro-X facial brush and my skin has never been better. For the first time in years I've been venturing out of the house without make up on.

I agree with Pammy67 in recommending Dermalogica.

When you first visit a technician they will perform a face mapping and discuss what you want to achieve, and then advise on the best products from their range to help achieve that. They will provide you with samples for a lot of the products and do have a some nice travel ranges in smaller sizes if you did not want to jump straight in with the full size bottles.

They are more expensive than most but in my experience they are really worth it.

I have sensitive and very spot-prone skin. I have been using Dermalogica daily for about 2 years now (cleanser, toner, serum and moisturizer) including 1 year in the run up to my wedding, and have been really pleased with the results, especially on the big day ?

Thanks guys!! I'll have a look for a Dermalogica counter by me. I've used Liz Earle before: my Mum ordered me some stuff from QVC - but she only ordered me the face fash and I'm going back at least 10 years. Depending on what I like/prefer best, I think I'll get one or the other. Might get my Mum to buy me the Liz Earle stuff off QVC, but this time with the toner and moisturiser. I like to do it all properly!!

I don't think you can go wrong with either of them to be honest, I tried dermalogica before and really liked it, I do prefer the Liz Earle range out of them both though. The moisturiser is fab so you def need to get the set! Usually some really good deals on the website and once you join they often send you free delivery options too!