Right here goes:

Im a 21 year old female and i dont have much of a skincare routine, so i thought i would start. I have combination skin, still fighting against teenage spots that seem to have forgot that their purpose was 'teenage spots' not 'forever spots' !

I dont suppose that its the spots that im trying to to tackle, i figure that i should take a hollistic approach and go for overall wellbeing, if this works, then surely the environment for spots might not be as lucrative! Im also scared about getting wrinkles, crows feet and generally looking old before my time! I know i know, im only 21, but time flies by you know!!!

I bought two boots botanics creams:

Botanics Day Shift Moisture Cream SPF 12: to 'restore, plump and smooth your skin'

Botanics Pore Perfecting Light Night Cream: to work 'while you sleep and prevent blemishes and help fade the visible signs of past blemishes'

Now the night cream seems to be really good, but the day cream seems very thick and heavy and doesnt seem to sink in as much. I put that one yesterday morning and my make up felt like it was sliding off my face all day.

So i have come up with a plan, can i use the night cream as a day cream and the day cream as a night cream?

Anyone used these before? What did you think?

What are other peoples faves? Any swear by products?

Anyone who started doing someting at my age, and twenty years later their skin is radiant as a result?

P.S. i dont smoke and rarely drink.

You need to give the moisturiser a good fifteen minutes to sink in before you apply your base or it will slide off - is that perhaps where you went wrong?

Don't be surprised if you get really spotty for a few days of your new skincare routine. There things (in my experience at least) take a few days to settle in.

Good luck and keep at it! :thumbsup:

K x

this is one of my pet hates,
every commercial break on tv theres another cream thats so wonderful and better than the others,
have you seen the prices of some of these!
sad thing is some people buy them thinking they will look young and they are buying a good product,half the items advertised have not got full backing from research labs etc.
best thing to do is buy a good mousturiser or cream with a good spf,and use it regularly.
glad iv got that off my chest:heyhey:

Well Kristian you are on the ball tonight, i didnt expect a reply so soon, not least from you! Thanks! I think i probably left about 10mins! Oopps!

It helps too if your face isn't completely dry (after you cleanse it) for the moisturiser to be absorbed.

It does sound like you may need a lighter day cream. I quite like tescos moisturisers (but that's cos they're cheap too).

After i cleanse it? Oooppps? Am i missing a part of this whole skin care routine out? CLEANSE? Whats that when its at home?!

I have recently only moved on from baby wipes to take make up off and a superdrug face wash!

Try Virgin Vie cosmetics. They sell this vitamin C thingy and it's really gd :D

Originally posted by pdrnsf
After i cleanse it? Oooppps? Am i missing a part of this whole skin care routine out? CLEANSE? Whats that when its at home?!

I have recently only moved on from baby wipes to take make up off and a superdrug face wash!

Don't panic - it just means giving it a good clean. Doesn't matter if you go for old fashioned soap & water (although I find that really drying) or a cleansing wipe or something else :)

Well my Grandma used to wash with soap and water and use Ponds Cold Cream, Mum does the same but uses Nivea - the old stuff in the pot, and both had/have fantatsic skin.

Makes you wonder what all these fancy things really do!?!

exactly my point.......thanks:clap:

Originally posted by pdrnsf
After i cleanse it? Oooppps? Am i missing a part of this whole skin care routine out? CLEANSE? Whats that when its at home?!

I have recently only moved on from baby wipes to take make up off and a superdrug face wash!

Awww honey, you're gonna have to enrol in my masterclass! ;)

You really should take your slap off when you go to bed; it's important to remove it (with all the daily grime) so your skin can breathe. Not removing it is also a big cause of spots (has the mystery been solved? :suspect: )

There are lots of all-in-one cleanser and toners on the market, but as I have a combination skin, I like to use seperates; I find they are better for me.

Toners frequently have an alcohol content so beware of you have a sensitive skin. They remove any residue of cleanser, and tighten your pores.

I'll go see if I can find a good link for you, but if you end up looking better than me, I'll sue! :P :D

K x

Originally posted by speenie
Well my Grandma used to wash with soap and water and use Ponds Cold Cream, Mum does the same but uses Nivea - the old stuff in the pot, and both had/have fantatsic skin.

Makes you wonder what all these fancy things really do!?!

I must admit that old fashioned Nivea in the blue pot is excellent; I use it if I get dry skin anywhere and it never fails to work! :thumbsup:

I used to use Virgin Vie, which worked for a while, but then my skin started getting really greasy, so I've stopped using it.

I've been using Clinique for the past few months... It's fabulous! :D It's all catered to your individual skin type... There's a special chart at the clinique counter which helps you work out which one you are... I'm type 2...

The clinique skincare system consists of a "3 step" which is your cleanse, tone (or exfoliate) and moisturise... The cleanser is a bar of really gentle soap... Doesnt dry your skin like most soaps, just makes your face feel really clean, not tight or anything... The toner is quite strong, if you ask me... You can smell the alcohol a mile off... I counteract this by wetting my cotton ball with water and just adding the tiniest splash of toner to it... The moisturiser is a lotion, its quite light and doesnt make you feel all clogged up... Infact your skin feels quite matt after use, therefore is quite a good base for your make up too...

Clinique is dear... Trust me, I've just had open wallet surgery today when I went for a bottle of moisturiser (125ml for £26!!! :o ) But it does last you ages and a little does go a very long way... Definately an investment, thats for sure!

I never use soap on my face.

But use a moisturiser every day......find a cheapo vitamin E one from Superdrug does the job.

Thats why i still look so young. :suspect: :loopy:

Don't most skin care products contain something called 'parabens' that are undesirable to the skin, or something?
( from a half remembered mangled conversation with Mrs Draggle. Or maybe I wasn't listening :suspect: :D

I agree with Caprice - the clinique stuff is great. I bought some of their make up and got a pack of sample sized freebies - 2 different sorts of moisturers (day and night) and they have lasted me 4 months now with daily use... worthwhile investment - get it cheaper on ebay! The Boots No 7 advanced hydration is good too...

I quite like Olay moisturisers. The total effects is my favourite. The Olay double action night cream stings my face though. My mother has always used Oil of ulay/olay products and she has hardly any wrinkles. Maybe its in her genes not to be wrinkly.

Depends wether youve got oily or dry skin.There are different creams for either type. Some people have combination skins as well. The best kind of cosmetics to use are by Liz Earle,and are sold on QVC .Her creams have won awards and are made completely from natural products. Her cleansing cream is called "Cleanse and polish" and your skin will feel marvellos afterwards.She has a beautiful Toner for after that,then a moisturisor. Remember, its cleanse, tone and moisturise.She started making her cosmetics because she suffered from acne.You will never ever have spots again if you use her products.By the way, I never wash my face with soap.

Originally posted by pattricia
Depends wether youve got oily or dry skin.There are different creams for either type. Some people have combination skins as well. The best kind of cosmetics to use are by Liz Earle,and are sold on QVC .Her creams have won awards and are made completely from natural products. Her cleansing cream is called "Cleanse and polish" and your skin will feel marvellos afterwards.She has a beautiful Toner for after that,then a moisturisor. Remember, its cleanse, tone and moisturise.She started making her cosmetics because she suffered from acne.You will never ever have spots again if you use her products.By the way, I never wash my face with soap.

Guess you don't have any "Crows Feet" then ? :hihi:

Originally posted by poppins
Guess you don't have any "Crows Feet" then ? :hihi: Ha ,Ha, Ha , Ha,. Very funny.:hihi:

Originally posted by pattricia
Depends wether youve got oily or dry skin.There are different creams for either type. Some people have combination skins as well. .
So very true!
Avoid an oil based moisturiser if you have oily skin (which young skin tends to be on the whole) and go for an aqueos based product. I find synergie good for my skin but that's me.
I always found the best testing route is to trawl around Debenhams beauty counters and ask for the freebie testers. Tell them you are investing in a full 3 step product range but you want to try before you buy. Then do Coles, Body Shop and Boots and try a range of products each day, then buy whichever range worked for you.
I started the whole cleanse tone moisturise routine around 18 or so and worked for Avon for a while, my skin isn't aging badly although I did smoke for a number of years.
Keep it up, you won't regret it.

I used to sell Virgin Vie products and still have some things in stock that you can try out if you want.

Your basic skin care routine should be: cleanse, tone, moisturise. Then you can add to that by using a facial mask/scrub and night cream.

It doesn't matter what age you are, you will always benefit from a good skin-care routine.

It takes trial and error and personal preference to find something that is right for you. I personally don't use night creams because I always come out in spots when I do - whatever brand I use. I do use an eye cream though as the skin around your eyes is the most fragile and therefore will show the early signs of ageing. If you tend to have dry lips I would recomend vaseline - can't beat it in my opinion.

There's a good range of products out there specifically for combination skin (usually an oily T-Zone and dry cheeks). There is often no need to use moisturiser on your nose as it secretes sufficient oil normally (unless you have very dry skin).

Exfoliating once or twice a week with a scrub or scrub/mask will help to get rid of any dry skin cells.

As Kristian said, allow your moisturiser to be absorbed before applying make-up. Also, when applying make-up try to ensure your skin and your products are as cool as possible - in the heat of summer put them in the 'fridge.

Any moisturiser is better than none at all, but make sure your face is cleansed properly first. Toner removes the excess cleanser and any grime your cleanser has missed. I found the Clinique products too harsh for my skin - they can strip away your natural oils.

If you fancy a facial and trying out some different products PM me, I will do one for you (no charge) and give you a few tips on general skin care and make-up application too. Try to avoid buying products unless you have tried them out first, most counters in places such as Debenhams will demonstrate the products on you and should be able to give you some samples.

Body Shop products are fantastic. As they don't advertise the prices are not high, yet you are getting quality products. Yes I did used to work for them until three years ago and still use their stuff.
I would recommend the Vitamin E range. Full of antioxidants which protect against those nasty free radicals. Vitamin E cream has not been a consistent best seller for nothing, althogh i prefer the newer illuminating one these days. Suits all types of skin, which is wonderful for most women whose faces go from dead oily to rather dry in a month. Unless you have extremely dry or oily skin think most women's skin fluctuates.
Also try the retexturising peel which gets rid of dead skin cells. Like a very gentle mask. Been recommended in Marie Claire, Grazia and many other magazines.

Think someone else said perserve with stuff as takes a while for your skin to settle down. Takes 28 days for the skin to renew itself and unless you have a severe allergic reaction, you need to use something for this amount of time to see if it is any good for you. Don't let spots put you off - that just means that the product is fetching all that gunk out of your skin!

Although must agree that for a spot zapper, Clinque clarifying lotion used over three days sorts it out.

Dont forget, the most expensive creams arent always the best.Vaseline for chapped lips,Nivea for face & hands,and Ponds cold cream at night.I used to love the pottery pots that my Mom used to have her Ponds cream in.Dont know wether they still do them as I use Liz Earle off QVC.

I use the also use the Clinique range and am really happy with it. The toner is quite strong but they do a mild alcohol free version for sensitive skin. The moisturizer really is amazing...the best I've ever used! :D

I knew a girl who worked behind a Clinique counter in Boots and at the end of the day she used to wipe the glass down with the toner. It cleared away all the day's scuz.

I am looking for a cleansing gel if anyone can recommend one. I find that creams clog my pores. I also require it to take off my eye make up as I can not be bothered with an excess of pots full of different creams and lotions. I have had little luck in finding one that is suitable. I too have combi skin.

Any suggestions?

I just use Boots own brand cucumber moisturiser and cleansing wipes. They do the job and the cream comes in 2 "strenghts" - i use the pot in winter as its slightly thicker than the bottle (which i use in the summer as it's very light). Neither have spf in them though :(

I agree with what's been said before about the expensive things not necessarily being the best :)

Wow! Thanks for everyones great replies! Thanks for your exceptionally kind offer, but as it happens, my partner is treating me to a facial tommorow-he's not doing it dont worry! So busy with work now, so will get back to you all soon. Thanks soooooooo much!

Originally posted by EdnaKrabappe
Body Shop products are fantastic. As they don't advertise the prices are not high

I must be going into another Body Shop then, £3 for a bar of soap is not cheap.

Since trying Lush skincare products I will not use anything else, I swear by their 'fresh pharmacy' face cleanser for my (previously) spotty skin, and 'celestial' moisturiser- both suitable for sensitive skin:clap:

Originally posted by pdrnsf
Right here goes:

Im a 21 year old female and i dont have much of a skincare routine, so i thought i would start. I have combination skin, still fighting against teenage spots that seem to have forgot that their purpose was 'teenage spots' not 'forever spots' !

I dont suppose that its the spots that im trying to to tackle, i figure that i should take a hollistic approach and go for overall wellbeing, if this works, then surely the environment for spots might not be as lucrative! Im also scared about getting wrinkles, crows feet and generally looking old before my time! I know i know, im only 21, but time flies by you know!!!

I bought two boots botanics creams:

Botanics Day Shift Moisture Cream SPF 12: to 'restore, plump and smooth your skin'

Botanics Pore Perfecting Light Night Cream: to work 'while you sleep and prevent blemishes and help fade the visible signs of past blemishes'

Now the night cream seems to be really good, but the day cream seems very thick and heavy and doesnt seem to sink in as much. I put that one yesterday morning and my make up felt like it was sliding off my face all day.

So i have come up with a plan, can i use the night cream as a day cream and the day cream as a night cream?

Anyone used these before? What did you think?

What are other peoples faves? Any swear by products?

Anyone who started doing someting at my age, and twenty years later their skin is radiant as a result?

P.S. i dont smoke and rarely drink.

I dunno if the following has been suggested, cos I can't be arsed to read the whole thread, but consider:

Drink more water.

Sleep well (early nights).

Exercise.

Smile and have kind thoughts / actions.

Eat healthy food.

... *may* all improve your complexion.