I need a new face..... well, new skin, and other stuff...

Hi there,

Do you use normal or sensitive soap/face wash? Could it be something to do with your washing powder (i.e have you tried using a sensitive version of it)

Or

What about a few minutes on a sunbed this can help clear up bad areas.?

Well done on joining the gym though!!?

Nivea face wipes for cleaning my face, followed by a cleansing pad for problem skin. Soap powders not a problem, think i'm just v v unlucky. Thought I grew out of my teenage acne but sadly no. Dont like/agree with sunbeds so wont be going there! thanks anyhoo

I walked past a mirror today at work and actually stopped and shouted 'holy christ'.

My skin is doing its own thing at the moment not sure if its down to the change in weather. Im going to have some facials as i have 5 months to go so wont suddenly wake up looking like mr blobby a week before my wedding if i react to them. I dont get spots very often but i do get black heads. I always found using the steam room at the gymm helped my skin as it will open up your pores.

I can totally sympathise with you as my skin is exactly the same. I cleanse, tone and moisturise with oil free, blemish products and exfoliate my skin too. I drink between 2-3 litres of water every day too and my skin will not clear UP!!!!!!

Like you I have breakouts on my face and chest but also really badly on my back and down my arms too. This is nothing new to me, my skin has been this way since puberty! I have never been to the doctor's before as I think that I would feel vain IYKWIM and that he'd think was a bit trivial to bother him with.

The only thing that has ever worked, and I am going to be hiring one shortly, is going on the sunbed, it really dries up my skin and really helps. I know that they're not good for you but that's the only thing that helps it and I rarely have them ☹️

I know this doesn't really help but think it helps to know that you're not alone- not everyone has Snow White skin (although it blummin feels like it!)

HTH

Kaye x x

Hello. You could try using a facial wash - I have started using Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser and it's amazing how much cleaner and clearer my skin has been. I find that the wipes you get don't really remove all the make-up and to test this I used one then washed my face with the white cloth and I still had loads of make-up on. I think it's worth investing a bit more on your cleanser if you can and try and get into a routine before the day. I've had the same facial routine for two months now and have found my skin has been so much better., The other tip my hair and make-up lady recently told me was that you need to moisturise twice a day...I didn't do this because i find I get really oily skin but even if you just moisturise your cheek area the 2nd time in the day...this stops the pores opening and craving moisturiser.

1) Cleanse and remove make-up with Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser

2) Use Liz Earle revitalise toner afterwards

3) Moistiurise with Elemis Day Cream (a tad expensive but so worth it)

The every other day I use Body shop Tea Tree Oil facial wash in the shower - they're body wash is also good combined with exfoiliating every other day. Then applying E45 all over my body and bio-oil on my cellulite every day too. It seems like alot of hard work but those extra few mins a day spent are so worth it. If you have the time before the wedding it might be worth trying Liz Earle stuff...my friend recommended it and I haven't looked back (promise I have no connections with Liz what so ever!!)

I have the same problem ☹️

Had lovely skin as a teen and now have spots in my THIRTIES -what the hell is up with that.

Have been to Dr who has given me some ointment for it which at the mo makes my face flaky - not feeling v attractive

Are you on the pill? Very personal question but there are some out there that help bad skin :0)

x

Well done on the gym - I have but 6 weeks to go and still haven't organised regular swimming or exercise classes - ho hum . . .

This sounds exactly like my skin - so glad it's not just me!

I've just found this Dr Nick Lowe cleaning stuff at boots which I use after my normal cleanser, jury's still out but I think its helping.

Other option is find some really good concealer

Yeah im on the pill, not that its done me any good in the old looks dept; weight gain, zits etc lolol. i'm 35 almost and I dont want the zits either!

I have never heard of liz earle and wouldnt know where to buy her stuff but having splashed out 15 bucks on a No7 hydrating moisturiser I certainly wont spend more that that. I have garniers facial wash/mask and I use St Eves blemish fighting exfoliating.....

might just have to look into facials too but the one my salon does starts with a back massage, whats that all about??????, would rather not have someone rubbing oils in to my already spotty back! Thankfully my back is covered in my wedding dress!

Pop to the docs I say and see if they can help - they were helpful to me. I'll let you know if the change in pill works! and the nasty gel they also gave me.

I've heard of Liz earle but only on here = i don't touch garnier products as they make me want to scratch my face off. I use simple stuff and witch face wash. Neither of which actually help that much re spots actually come to think of it... Gonna try clinque next...

On a positive note, my make up lady is a GENIUS - absolutely no sign of any blemishes by the time she finished. I was so impressed and want to install her in my bathroom to do my make up every morning - sadly she wasn't up for that!

Just another thought you probably already have but what about tee tree cleanser and face wash etc Body shop sell it. It's really good. Or as Kat said some facials, I had two before our wedding and it was great, really relaxing aswell. I bought some cream from the spa I went to, It was ESPA 24 hour rebalancing cream and it is fantastic. Little bit pricy but worth it.?

How long have been doing your skin and going to the gym?

I went into the bodyshop to stock up on their vitamin E range as I have used it before and found it really worked for me, when I went in I spoke to one of the ladies in there and she really helped. She said my skin would break out over the next couple of weeks as my pores are opening and it takes a month for your skin to start looking like its working. I have just started excercising and eating healthier which will also cause breakouts. She did say by 3 months my skin should be lovely, so fingers crossed. I would go to your local bodyshop and ask someone in there, but I reconmend Vitamin E its fab.

HTH and goodluck, hope you sort it

Zoe

Oh havent started the gym, we both signed up tonight. I do get more exercise than him generally though and I am eating better than I used to. He suggested i use the sauna there too, so I might just do that. Also...(this is gross) we have bugs. I've just come out the shower and somethings been having a feast on my left breast OH has just gone and sprayed the matress with some fly/bug spray, lolol but looks like we will have to fumigate somehow. Clothes were fresh on this morning!

pretty embarrassing. But I still have zits. and now bites. Gonna look into the tea tree thing. I used it before but my skin got immune to it and it stopped working for me.

Spots can be caused by stress too, you can have the worlds best skin regime but when your body is stressed spots are one way it tries to relieve itself.

Also when you change routine your skin will break out just until it gets used to the new chemicals.

My chin and back can be my problem areas (chin at the time of the month and back when I give into my craving for chocolate ☹️, guess who's going to be grumpy leading up to her wedding! ?).

Working in a doctors surgery I have kinda gotten used to what all the medications are for and to be honest I was a very naughty girl...I readup on one of the acne creams and bought it from e*bay, I shoulf of gotten it from my doc and the weakest strength first but decided on the strongest one at 10% and it works a treat, it's called Panoxyl...I just put a little dab on the spot twice a day for a few days and it's gone.

Baking soda toothpaste will do exactly the same thing (and is probably a mite cheaper)...

Can I suggest that you ditch the facial wipes and go for a skin type specific cleanser, toner, moisturiser and exfoliant from the same range. Products are designed to work together and when they're from the same range you get the best out of them. You need to cleanse, tone and moisturise twice a day, using a day cream in the morning and a night cream at night. The exfoliant you only need to use once or at max twice a week. I would also recommend a serum for the spots i.e. something specific for spots.

You skin will probably break out when you start using new products - it shows the products are working but it will take your skin roughly 21-28 to renew itself.

I of course recommend Virgin Vie products. If you want any more advice about them then please get in touch - ******.*********@********.***

Facial wipes are crap! Definitely stop using those - I bet they're not getting your skin properly clean. Don't know if you're wearing makeup on a daily basis, but if you are I'd also recommend Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish to get rid of it at night. It is the best cleanser and gets any amount of stubborn slap off! We sell it on QVC where I work: https://www.qvcuk.com/qvc.product.212059.html

I'd only recommend that you get it from QVC because if you decided to try it, and it doesn't work, you have 30 days to send it back! Honestly, I'm not plugging - it's just if you got it direct from Liz Earle and it was no good, you're stuck with it!

Also, why don't you go to the docs? They might be able to either adjust your pill - which may help. Or give you some stronger creams than you can get over the counter.

I remember speaking to Alison Young who is QVC's beauty presenter about my skin. I wasn't having quite the same issue, but I do have oily skin and I'd stopped moisturising. She said that it's important to moisturise and not to strip the skin of its natural oils as if you do, it just produces more which then causes more breakouts. So all those wipes and pads sound as though they could be doing just that. Sharon Spink is right, don't over exfoliate.

Personally, my skin cleared up when I went on the pill. I'm on an Elemis routine at the moment, as it is really really good stuff. I'm determined to have nice skin for the wedding! The only thing is that it's not cheap, but I think my skin's worth it. Can't remember who mentioned it further back, but their pro collagen marine cream is just lovely!

Ok, that's my advert for QVC beauty products over! I hope you find something to sort you out. Get down the docs!

Ali x

TBH there are so many lotions, potions, ointments, treatments etc. being recommended that if it were me I'd be doing this ?.

Firstly I'd book an appointment with your doctor, (speaking from experience) it maybe that you pill just isn't working for you anymore perhaps it's too strong - like mine was. I was changed to Dianette to help with my skin and it also covered the contraception and period issues that I had. You can only be on Dianette for 3 years, so I'm now on yasmin which is working just as well.

I wash with simple soap and a flannel, I moisturise with a non perfumed cheapy moisturiser and that's it.

So before spending hundreds of pounds on creams etc. see what your doc says.

Hi

I have found by skin is alot better since I stopped using products specifically for spot prone skin, as these are often far to harsh on your skin and make it produce even more oil to protect itself. Just washing with a mild clenser and using a light moisturiser are all you should need.

Also stress definately doesn't help, so have some nice long baths with lavender oil, which is very good for your skin.

Just enjoy yourself and look foward to your big day.?

Just to add to the potion melee - have you looked at the shampoo and conditioner you're using? I had the same problem a number of years ago. I've got sensitive skin in general and was getting the same spotty outbreaks. Someone suggested that my shampoo/conditioner may be causing a reaction (I was probably using Pantene or some such brand) - if you think about it when you rinse your hair under the shower the shampoo/conditioner runs the length of your body.

I changed to Aveda and haven't had a problem since. It also cleared up scalp problems I'd had but resigned myself to.

x

Hi Tee hee

Just another suggestion to add to the mix, I use Anne French cleansing milk (you can get it from boots for about 3 quid) and find that I don't need to use toner or moisturiser - its also great for taking off make up. Totally agree with everyone - wipes are rubbish and tend to make me spotty in some places and give me dry skin in others!

My other top tip is a witch hazel stick, dab it on every couple of hours - or when you feel an area starting to break out and it clears them really fast.

Good luck with your interview!

Red

Oh sheesh, well lots to consider. Not going to change my pill - not after last years fiasco (cough) so sticking with it tyvm! My nivea face wipes have never been a problem and I use 2-3 a night to remove my crap. I will however look into cleansing lotion. I exfoliate once a week. I use moisturiser every day and most nights as well as Boots protect and perfect serum. Yes I have a big mix of stuff but maybe i'll splash out on one brand this week. Zit stuff is a mix too. Ive got spots in my scalp too but think thats the bugs How do I know if I have nits?? (god I sound soooo attractive! LOL) I change my shampoo regularly and concentrate mostly on the dryness of it.

hell I really do sound a mess dont i??

You sound just like me 6-9 mnths ago, I went to the doctor and have been on a form of anti-biotics for motnhs now, but it means ditching the pill - sorry, less help than recommending you another product ?

The change in season (god I sound like my mother now) can have an effect too.

Have to say your are sounding really attractive at the min luv! ? ?

Get h2b go "dig" round with a nit comb or just have a look at the hair behind your ears, is your head really itchy?, have you vaccumed your mattress?

Your probably stressing out with your wedding getting so close and with having bugs in your house its making you feel worse...treat yourself to a wee pamper day, facials, manicure, pedicure etc etc ?

I been naughty. I just bought a whole load of undies in BHS sale and the I thought Ach, bugger it, gonna hit Boots and I got some No7 stuff, including cleanser, which I got cheap annnnnnd its 3 things for 2 so I also got some face mask and night cream annnnnd a foundation (coz the last one I bought was incidentally too orange for my white white skin)

so im gonna get me a nice new face hopefully.

woop!

Hope you remembered to get a toner too - it removes cleanser residue but more importantly it helps to close your pores back up so they don't get full of make up etc.

Alright ladies

I just got back form the Clarins counter at Debenhams. My skin is shocking (oily, blackhead etc) They had an offer on so i decided to spend some money and think i did ok.... clenser, toner and exfoliator for £50 but with all the freebies and tester stuff i have a total of 11 bottles of stuff to try, 2 weeks worth of foundation (something i struggle with to find right colour) and a free facial in 2 weeks time.

Might be worth a look this weekend

(i do not work for clarins or debenhams, just thought was good and wanted to share!!! lol)

x

Another vote for Liz Earle here after recs from hitched. Fairly expensive but last a long time.

The make up lady I had told me that wipes are no good - quick and easy but do not really cleanse as well as you think.

I tried Avon Anew Advanced Dermabrasion System for the 1st time last night and I have to say even after the first try my skin does look better, it has 4 settings (2 tubes tgether sort of thing) and you change it every 2 weeks using it every 2-3 days until you get to setting number 4, use that for 2 weeks then start again and number 1.

Have to say I am impressed!