Dull skin

I think you might be better off trying gentle exfoliation first, something like oats to remove any dead cells that might be making your skin look dull.

I'm not totally sure, no doubt someone more knowledgeable will be along!

Good luck!

This is a nice one, I think you can buy sachets to try first. One tube lasts ages.
www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/vitamin-e/vitamin-e-cream-exfoliator.aspx

Have you tried Superdrug I do believe i have seen the sachets in there !

[clover]

Or , "Savers" ?

I read somewhere recently that the best exfoliater is the good old fashioned face flannel.
Don't smoke and do drink lots of water.

The best one I've tried was very expensive but very good. It comes from Iceland (the country not the store) and is made from the salts of the blue lagoon. I think you can get it in this country as well. I'm still using the tube I bought back. I keep it for before special occasions, which as they are very rare means it's lasting well.

I just rely on the restorative powers of tinted moisturiser and blusher!

Yes Jane, I agree, no point in scouring the complexion with an expensive paste made from exotic seeds from an endangered tree, that have passed through the intestines of a rare sub-species of yak. The surface of the skin is made of dead cells. Rub with a wet flannel in the shower and you will dislodge them. And avoid abrasion wounds.

I use a facial scrub - sounds harsh but isn't. I've used lots of different ones - all cheap and cheerful. You just wash your face with it and rinse off. My skin comes up all pink and glowing.

I find that dehydration and lack of sleep have an increasingly noticeable effect on my skin.

Jess I agree. And I hate it when I have had a poor night's sleep and my "eyes are in the back of my head" - it seems to accentuate the hollows under my eyes, combined with dark circles. That's when I reach for the concealer

Thanks everyone for your quick response.

I realise that I have an unopened bottle of exfoliator in the back of my cupboard, if it is not passed its sell by date I will try it with my flannel.

I will pop into Superdrug tomorrow to look for a sachet of something smelling nice.

{smile] you will be best looking girl for miles around ! x

I like the feel of hot water and a face flannel. "The benison of hot water".

And soap is good.

You need water in a wash basin though. You don't get enough splash in a shower.

I read an article at the weekend about a cheap and easy face mask. All you do is take the flesh from soft avocado, squish it into a paste and apply to the fizog for 20 minutes 2x a week. The oils contained therein are supposed to be beneficial to the skin. I shall try it once the avocado has ripened a bit more and report back.
I wonder if it can be consumed after use?

Soap can be very drying to the skin. I never use it on my face, I just use a good cleanser.

Gally I think I would prefer to eat the avocado with a few nice prawns and rose Marie sauce - yummy.

Ana I agree about good quality cleanser I use Estée Lauder 'take it away' the smell is gorgeous and it works well for me.

Nonu I like being called 'a girl'.

I have discovered on the Internet Liz Earle Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask which I will buy today at John Lewis today. Liz Earle products are lovely.

Thanks for all your advice.

I'm with Soutra on this. A touch of tinted moisturiser works wonders. Just tried the new BB one and have chucked it in the bin, and reverted to me Boots No 7 triple protection. Takes 5 years off me in a minute!

I need a bit of heavy duty slap on my face Aka, so tinted moisturiser would not be thick enough for me. I have discovered Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation it lasts all day and with some Bourjois blusher I look passable. I just felt my skin needed a good Spring Clean.

So nice to have you all making helpful suggestions.

Has anyone ever been to a salon for a professional facial? I am treating myself to my first one ever on Thursday and looking forward to it, a deep cleanse massage to rehydrate and regenerate leaving my skin healthy and glowing!! I expect to look at least 20 years younger!! Watch this space.

Always on a cruise. It's the first thing I do. Go to the salon and book
1) a facial
2) a manicure and pedicure and
3) (blissful sigh) a hot stones massage

I've gone back to using Vichy tinted moisturiser; used it years ago but then switched to another when it was no longer available. Now it's back on the shelves and I love it. Not much in the way of colour choice, though, but I'm fine with that as I can wear the very pale one. I agree with drinking lots of water [something I don't do these days but must get back into the habit of again].

Caz it is a real treat to have a facial. My skin looked really good for my Ruby Wedding two years ago.

Do report back how it goes for you.

FYI your skin can look a little flushed after a treatment but by the next day it should be fine.

They sometimes give a head massage too which I don't like and I ask for foot massage instead which is blissful.