how can i improve my skin?

[thisisyesterday]

i've always had bad skin, made worse by the fact that i can't help but squeeze a spot

anyway, my best friend is getting married next year and i am chief bridesmaid type thingy and i want to not look shit!

i know i'll get make up done and all that but i'd really like to improve my skin anyway so that they don't have to pile the slap on to cover it up!

am going to start drinking more water, but what else can i do?

[electra]

How about a microderm? Or a skin peel? They can really work wonders.

[ttalloo]

The Cor skincare range got good reviews in The Times earlier this year for dealing effectively with acne - it sounds miraculous!

women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/beauty/article5452272.ece

[thisisyesterday]

i am a bit scared of skin peels and stuff! although i guess it might be what i need, i think i am just worried about looking really weird for a while and scaring the children lol

[Celery]

Cut out sugar, that has the biggest effect on my skin. If I go sugar free, my skin is great.

[thisisyesterday]

gosh, that's expensive isn't it?
it IS my birthday though

[HopeForTheBestExpectTheWorst]

I know this probably sounds very obvious, but do you have a skin care routine? My skin gets very blotchy if I don't cleanse it every day (I use a gel face wash, and I actually think it's the water to wash it off that's helping more than the cleanser!). I also use a very nice foundation which improves my skin (not just the look of it). It took me a while to find the right one for me though.
Same with moisturiser - I've tried quite a few, but most just made my skin more greasy. The one I have now is really nice, just right. But I don't use it every single day - I'm not that disciplined!
Anyway, my point (after quite a bit of rambling) is that a good skin care routine with the right products can work wonders!

[GentleOtter]

I know this sounds naff but drink lots of water and your skin will improve.

[MrsSeanBean]

MD Formulations range is good, especially the cleanser IME.

See here

[MrsSeanBean]

That's very true GO, I once drunk 2 litres of Evian every day for a week (I hate water) and it did more than any cream I've tried. It was probably more expensive though! I suppose tap water would work just as well, although it might taste worse.

[thisisyesterday]

well my skincare routine involves washing with soap and water and then a little bit of clinique moisturiser.

i find that a lot of products make my skin really dry and itchy

i don't wear any make-up normally either

[thisisyesterday]

well my skincare routine involves washing with soap and water and then a little bit of clinique moisturiser.

i find that a lot of products make my skin really dry and itchy

i don't wear any make-up normally either

[bran]

Soap and water? For dry itchy skin I recommend this. Use as I describe on this thread. I'm over 40 and it has made a huge difference to my skin in the year that I've been using it after decades of inconsistent or lax skin care.

I didn't really get pimples much, but I did get blackheads and whiteheads which are now gone apart from a couple of small but persistant blackheads. If you have scars I recommend Bio oil or camellia kissi oil from here, click on the "yummylicious samples" button and order the plain camellia kissi oil. A sample sized bottle has lasted me for ages because I only use a few drops.

[cocolepew]

Bran, can you use that on eyes?

[truthisinthewine]

How bad is bad? Is it worth a trip to your GP? They have lots of things that can be perscribed for persistant problem skin or can refer to a dermatologist.

[thisisyesterday]

it isn't like terrible acne bad. just lots of blackheads, particularly on my nose and chin.

alrthough my skin gets dry and itchy when washed with certain things, in general it's actually kind of oily i think

[bran]

I use the cleanser on my eyes with no problem cocolepew, I just smooth it on downwards over the eyelids. I use the camellia kissi oil around the outside of my eye, on the laughter lines and underneath but I haven't used it right up against the lashes.

[cocolepew]

Thanks, I was reading your solution on the other thread about whiteheads, I'll have to give it ago, I'm plagued by them.

[bran]

When I started using the cleanser it did take quite a while for the existing whiteheads to melt away, probably a couple of months, but I haven't had any new ones at all.

[cocolepew]

Really!? I'm going to give it a go, thanks.

[ilovemydogandmrobama]

Flax seed Oil
drink lots of water
little to no alcohol
sauna at least twice a week
nothing on skin at night

[BitOfFun]

You need the famous MN Oil Cleansing Method, my girl!

[walkthedinosaur]

I'm going to second the Oil Cleansing Method - I've been doing this for about 4 months now, my skin has gone from being grey and haggard to looking really, really good, and everybody comments these days on how well I'm looking. Seriously a bit of almond oil, castor oil and vitamin E and I'm whole new me.

Go for it, it's the cheapest skin care regime I've ever done and probably the most effective.

[BitOfFun]

[thisisyesterday]

hmm well, so many different ideas lol

will give the oil thing a go, although it does seem crazy to be slapping oil on my face! but it's definitely cheaper than some of the other products out there

i never have anything on my face at night, rarely drink alcohol.
so i think mainly i just need a lot more water which i find really difficult as it's so bloody boring to drink but i will do my best lol

off to read about the oil method in more detail