Question:
I used to use Clinique for ages, then had my first child 9 years ago and stopped using it (I found the clarifying lotion a bit like nail varnish remover-maybe baby hormones??!). Also, new baby....couldnt really afford to pay such prices for skincare.
Then moved onto Liz Earle for a couple of years. I did like this, but found the moisturiser too heavy (although I know that they have brought out a lighter version now).
I now use Body Shop Seaweed range and have been using this for about 6 months.
I have combination skin.
My problem is that I am approaching my late thirties, and my skin has gone bonkers! Blemishes, uneven skintone, dry patches just under and around my nose down to my mouth, marks on my forehead when I frown (very scary!), fine lines around my eyes............I hate it! By the end of the day my skin feels oily. I went to a clinique counter to ask for some advice, but of course - they tried to make my buy their stuff and I felt like she wasn't really listening to me. Been to doctors and she thinks I have dermatitis and has prescribed a cream called Rozex for the red dry patches around my nose. I am not convinced....I think my skin regime needs to change.
Has anyone else had a similar problem? I used to get the odd spot, but my skin looks terrible. I eat healthily (maybe dont drink enough water, but....).
Please help! I hate it! My skin has been dodgy for about 2 months now.
Thanks
xx
Answers:
The Dr Hauschka skincare range is amazing. Everyone I know who's tried it swears by it. I've been told by beauticians that Clinique is very harsh on the skin, I've particularly noticed this about their toners especially since I started buying the Dr Hauschka
for info but much cheaper from (although the labels will be in German!)
I'd recommend getting a "travel kit for problem skin" with 5 different products for about £8/12. But their most amazing product is the normalising oil, and this would really be suited to your skin type
Answers:
I find my skin goes through cycles and the symptoms you described are typical of one of its "changes"
Use a gentle exfoliant every few days as well as your cleansing regime
Try Bio Oil to even the skin tone and reduce blemishing, I use it as a feed for my skin each evening then use a good moisturiser on top
I agree with Alltheloginsaretakenappar about Dr Hauschka, it is great. Neutrogena, Gatineau, and Roc are all really good too. Ring the changes and revise your regime once whatever you are using is used up, try to find 3 or 4 you like and rotate them rather than continuously use one product.
Feed from the inside with Vit E and lots of water. To reduce fine lines fast juice 1/4 small red cabbage, 2 Royal Gala or Pink Lady apples and 1/2 a small or 1/4 large head of fennel and drink it every other day for a week. Promise it doesn't taste as bad as it sounds and it really does work.
Try facial workout to keep lines at bay. But be careful, too much of this can be a bit... odd
Answers:
Have to second the Dr Haushka. My skin was like yours untill I changed to Dr H. I use the cleansing cream once a day - still use Liz Earle in the mornings or to remove make up - and the mud pack once a week. Pores are looking smaller and skin tone and texture is much improved. I found the normalising oil not so good for me, it does work but I find I get better results with Decleor Ylang Ylang oil.
If you do decide to give Dr H a try then order from the site recommended by Allthelogins, the instructions are indeed in german but you can just go to the Dr H website for the English. Theres even a demo video on how to use the Cleansing cream as it does take a bit of a while to get the hang off
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I forgot to mention , which is absolutely brilliant for getting you through those really difficut times when your skin doesn't know which way up is.
The , and are really amazing and fast working. Sadly, it ain't cheap
Answers:
Thanks guys - you've been really helpful. I will try Dr H. I don't really want to spend a fortune, but if it works - then thats great.
Thanks again
xx
Answers:
As I previously posted, I use both Liz earle and Dr H. The cleasning cream is not like anything you have tried before - it decongests the pores and needs to be used on skin that has been cleaned of make up first - I use it in the mornings and Liz Earle at night. The mud/clay mask is excellent - its expensive for the initial outlay but its in powder form so a jar will last for yonks. The good thing about it is you can add whatever you want to it - I use a squirt of Liz Earle moisturiser as well as the water or a few drops of Ylang Ylang - depending on what my skin is doing that particular day. The Liz Earle moisturiser I use is the one for the combo skin and its very light but rich. Its the only moisturiser I can use as it really doesnt clog the pores or make me break out. Hubby uses it as well as it dries to a matt finish.
Decleor is a great range as well. If you fancy giving it a go then order it from QVC. A little bit dearer then most places BUT you can try it for 30 days and if it doesnt suit you can return it for a full refund. I love the aromaesence ylang ylang, two or three drops on my face at night and my skin is so less oily
Answers:
I think you need to go as natural as possible. In the States there's a big thing about parabens. apparently they are aritifical and lots of moisturisers have them and they're not supposed to be good for you. Dr. H is very good but if it's too expensive you could maybe try stuff from a health food store as it will be more natural.
One other thing, have you tried taking Zinc supplements? I developed excema on my face in my early 30s and all the doctor gave me were steriod creams. I wasn't happy about putting steroids on my face so I looked into other remedies and tried zinc. I take one a day and haven't had a problem since.
Answers:
OK guys.
Have had my first morning of using the trial samples of Dr H.
Felt very odd not grabbing my facial wash and sloshing it under the shower but used the cleansing cream, clarifying toner and the normalizing oil. Was very surprised that skin doesn't look oily, so thats fab - I still have my dry flaky patches under and around my nose. Should I apply more oil, or should I just leave it and let my skin sort itself out? Presumably the idea is for the skin to find its own natural balance??
Normally if I'd used a moisturiser those flaky patches would have disappeared for a while (and would have come back later in the day), but presumably, I am going to be flaky for the rest of the day?! The redness has calmed down - even after just one application.
I think I will go down your route Suki of using the Liz Earle to take makeup off in the evenings and then this in the mornings. I notice Dr H recommends not using the normalising oil or moisturiser in the evenings - do you Suki? I noticed that you said you use the decleor at night sometimes.....is that just when you feel it needs it or every night?
Also, do you use the Liz Earle toner, or just the C&P and moisturiser?
Thanks for all your help folks.
xx
Answers:
Im glad you are seeing results straight away
My routine is this, Dr H cleanser in the morning, Liz Earle and decleor ylang ylang at night. Dr H Clay mask once a week. Liz earle moisturiser as and when I need it - dog walking etc.
Dr H says that the skin should be left free of potions and creams at night so doesnt do a night range and say the oil should be worn during the day. I use Decleor as I get better results and Decleor say night time use is good Mind they say to use it during the day as well but Im just too busy to be waiting for it to soak in before I apply make up.
Dont be slapping extra moisturiser on around the nose area - let it heal on its own. That flakiness is the dermatitis and moisturiser just "sticks" it down. I had a major flare up earlier in the week with forehead, ears, nose and cheeks really suffering so I just used the Dr H cleanser twice a day (after removing make up with liz Earle) and used Nizoral shampoo twice (leaving it on for 5 mins each time) and now my face has cleared again with just a flaky area on one temple.
I never use a toner to be honest unless I get a Liz earle freebie. Dr H leaves my skin feeling squeeky clean and I add the ylang ylang at night after the C&P so it sort of spreads around a bit further on a slightly slippery skin (eeks it out a lot )
Really hope you do get further improvements, and if you want to try the ylang ylang, you can get tester bottles from ebay for a couple of pound (once a day and a small bottle will last at least 3 weeks)
Answers:
You are a star. Thanks!!
xx