Slightly O/T - Skincare

I went into my local L'Occitane last January for a skin consultation, and have been using their Anjelica serum and moisturiser ever since then. This really controls my spots. (I have combination skin but used to get some really ugly red spots)

Ditto. I just use E45 Cream (moisturiser) on my face after I've washed it, as it does feel that it suddenly gets too dry. E45 is a pure basic emollient. I went to a dermatologist in my teens who explained that all the branded moisturisers will have the same properties but just with extra chemicals in which may be better/worse for your skin depending on how you tend to react to them. A night cream is only moisturiser....again. I tend to put some E45 on again on any dry patches before bed. E45 is the only moisturiser that I'm guaranteed not to react to. I had a nightmare on a month long trek through Africa when I lost mine. Surprisingly they don't stock it in any of the central African countries, LOL. Had to try several other things, and had skin reactions to them all.

I'd say a good skin routine for problematic skin is only to do things once a day. So, if you use a face wash in the shower in the morning, use a cleanser at night. One use of each.

Well, a lot of night creams have (supposed) anti-ageing ingredients, so it depends on what you want from it. It's worth trying Bach Rescue Cream, but get a sample first if you can - no point spending money on something if you don't know how you'll react to it! For cleanser, I'd recommend Cetaphil - it's very gentle - or Lush Ultrabland (if you haven't tried it already).

Try Liz Earle. They have a cleanse and polish cream set for about £45. It is pricey but really works and has made a big difference to my skin. My doctor actually recommended it! They do small sample sizes for about £5 each if you wanted to try it. I think so e John lewis stores sell it or if not try online.

http://uk.lizearle.com/offers#skincare

Hope things get better.

A few that I've been using recently:

Lush Movis (might be too oily for you but no drying)

Kiehls Centella- I find this brilliant for make up removal as well but apparently it's discontinued no idea why!

Hi,

Elemis is excellent although quite expensive but sounds as though Liz earle Cleanse and Polish plus their moisturiser would suit you. Speak to the lady on the John Lewis counter or you can buy a starter kit to try from there or from qvc. It is so good and i have sensitive skin and it is great.

Lynne

I would agree with a couple of others on Liz Earle - I booked my wedding last August and knew that I had to do something to sort out my skin! I immediately had my contraceptive implant out and switched to Liz Earle cleanser, tonic and moisturiser. I would never go back to anything else now! Not many places stock it, but you can get it very reasonably priced from QVC, and you get 30 day money back guarantee if it doesn't work for you!

Is the face wash you've been using a foaming one? If it is then steer clear as they are notorious for drying out skin and leaving it feeling really tight. I have blemish prone skin but also suffer with dehydrated patches, I cannot recommend the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm enough, yes it's a balm that melts to an oil on application but it honestly does not make blemishes worse and it leaves your skin feeling so soft and can be used as a makeup remover as well as a normal cleanser. You can get it from various websites.

As for night cream then Origins do an oil free version of Night-A-Mins which is so hydrating but perfect for blemish prone skin as no oils.

Also don't exfoliate every day, twice a week max.

Have you tried St Ives Apricot scrub as an exfoliator? I personally think it's amazing. You don't need a lot and it doesn't dry out the skin. I used to only use Dove soap to wash my face and it was starting to get a bit dry. I still use dove soap but with St Ives and it had made a difference. my skin no longer feels tight after washing it. hth x

I've just started using boots botanics cleanser and toner, and i've got to say its been amazing. I usually use either the simple or boots own version but gave this a go as it was on offer. I have sensitive, eczema prone skin, particularly my forehead and nose but since using this my skin is so much softer and brighter - i've even started ditching foundation altogether.

All skin is different but whilst its on offer not too much money wasted if it doesn't work for you.

https://www.boots.com/botanics-all-bright-gentle-cleansing-cream-250ml-10139906

I would also recommend Liz Earle, has really cleared up my skin as I had lots of underskin spots, but isn't harsh on your skin, feels and smells really good! It does seem a bit pricey but I have had a 200ml cleanse & polish and a 200ml toner and pot of moisturiser and it has lasted ages (since mid March) as you do not need large amounts. On their website it tells you what John Lewis and Boots stores stock it, and they also have a few of their own shops, so I am sure you could get a sample to try.

Hope you find something that works for you x

Cheers, guys. I think I'm going to try Botanics first, and if that doesn't work I'll give the Liz Earle a go.

Another vote for the Emma Hardie and Origins! Sounds like your skin is dehydrated to me - maybe try Hydraluron by Indeed Labs (available in Boots) which is just pure moisture! I also really like The Body Shop cleansing oil for getting off make up, and the Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean cleanser is a lovely one too!

I use Simple face wash too and also find that my skin is very dry afterwards. Normal face creams are no good for me but I've recently started using E45 and its much better x

Caroline Hirons' blog is fantastic - http://www.carolinehirons.com/

No nonsense advice and her cheat sheets are great, they're along the right hand side of the blog so you can pick which is most relevant to you.

This..... I love Liz Earle, if you get Palma violets name then providing she has bought off the website and you say she recommended you, then they will send her a little prezzie too. I just re ordered a load as their offer this month is with a 150ml bottle of their new cleanser, it's lush.

I have stopped using a traditional wash altogether and now use a cream cleanser (a pink one from garnier I think) followed by a Simple toner and Clinique dramatically different moisturiser. I also exfoliate twice a week and use a Nivea nightcream. It's made the world of difference. No more tightness and it doesn't exacerbate my acne.

Putting my work head on Cetaphil is really worth trying if you have skin problems and if you are really struggling with dryness it would be worth trying to use a basic emollient cream (something like e45) to wash with - I know it sounds a bit weird but it works because you're not applying any drying chemicals to your skin when you wash it.

It looks like you have lots of great recommendations for skin products to try.

My advice would be to make sure that you are working from the inside out too. i know that i see a huge improvement in my skin when I religiously stick to drinking more than 3L water every day: it shows up in a week....it's only when I forget that things slip backwards.

I just had a consultation at Skn clinics, I bought a few products and have been using them religiously for 3 weeks... I am so pleased I got some professional advice and the right products for my skin!

I thought my skin was dry, which it turns out it ISN'T... so all these years I've been treating my skin with products that don't really work.

I have started using a hydrating serum by Avene under my moisturiser which is working wonders. I use a glycolic cleanser that doesn't dry skin (acts as a gentle exfoliant) and an anti-aging moisturiser. Also bought some lovely tinted moisturiser

I would highly recommend Skn - my skin is the best its been in years

Just throwing it out there, I wanted to change my skin care routine to have my skin looking it's best for the wedding, i'm still trying various cleansers/washes, but one skin cream I found that works wonders and my skin looks so much better for it, is the good old fashioned ponds cream (the face cream not the cold cream). You can get it for a couple of quid in the asda, but it's aroud £4 in boots. I did have a little breakout when I changed over, but I noticed that my porse were closing so that'll be that then, but all my dry patches have cleared up to. Now just to find a cleanser/wash to work with it.

Aside from sunscreen, moisturizer is arguably the most crucial part of any skin-care routine

Although there are a lot of different moisturizers with their fair share of bells and whistles, a few characteristics should be standard. "A good moisturizer should absorb right into the skin and relieve any tightness or dryness.

To mitigate the time- and money-consuming process of finding that perfect formula, you can find a lot of good quality moisturizer at sherwoodskincare.com