Dreadful complexion/bags under eyes etc

[PinkFizz]

I am so miserable with my skin and general appearance lately. I exfoliate my skin, moisturise every day, drink loads of water, use a night cream as well but I have never looked so rough!! I am convinced I have a food intolerance which is causing really puffy bags under my eyes, dark circles and general dull skin but my doctor is not interested. So until I can get to the bottom if this is there anythig at all else I can do to look brighter and reduce these terrible puffy bags under my eyes? Also would a proper facial at a clinic help??

TIA XX

[Champagne]

Hi Pink. Are you sure you're using the right face creams for your age? As you head into your 30's you need to invest in creams that even up your complexion and smooth out any fine lines. Your skin on your face won't be as plump as it was which is why bags may be appearing under your eyes. Avoid using eye creams as these can make matters worse. Instead, invest in a decent face serum and use that morning and evening under your face creams. I use the Olay serum and after 2 weeks of use I noticed a huge difference. It's light enough to even use on the fine lines around your eyes.

If you're using the same day cream that you've used for years then it's time to swap it. I used to use Nivea oil-free moisturiser but now it's just too light for my skin. Again, I switched to the Olay Regenerist foaming moisturiser. It's about �20 which is the most I've ever paid, but it is lovely and after 3 months of switching my skincare regime my skin now looks 5 years younger and healthy and glowing!

Also, never exfoliate your face more than twice a week. And maybe you could opt for a medicated exfoliator or one for sensitive skin as it could be too harsh for you.

For under eyes, pop into a good sized Boots and in the skincare section you'll find a special range of eyecare products. Can't remember the name of the range, but they have things like concealer, red vein concealer, wrinkle fillers etc. etc. Buy the concealer in and use a little amount of that around the eye area when applying make-up. Use a highlighter pen afterwards. I swear by Touche Eclat and have been using it for years.

Good luck!

[pinkspangle]

Hi Pink, I have to agree with Champagne and say that Touche Eclat is a life saver, a little expensive but defo worth every penny. I heard years ago about using a lilac concealer for eyes puffiness, the green ones are to reduce reddness but the lilac/pink based ones help with dark circles and bags. I managed to get hold of one through a website as nowhere on the high street sells them i went everywhere! but it really does work. Will try and find out where abouts i got it from and get back to you. Hope this is of some help.x

[PinkFizz]

I use the Olay serum and moisturiser anyway. I have done so for about a year. The lines are very few and I accept they are age, but the puffy bags under eyes are rapidly getting worse. When I get up in the morning I lookmas though I have been punched in the eyes!! And my complexion is so dull.

[Champagne]

How much water do you drink in a day?

Spangle is right, you need the lilac concealer. Regular concealers won't work. But they're bloomin' hard to get hold of and all make-up artists have them!

But make-up is only going to disguise any bags you have. If it's a case of dark circles then I would say drink about 2 litres of water a day and see if that makes them any better. If it's severe eye baggage we're talking about then i'm afraid there's very little you can do about that without resorting to surgery. :o(

Seriously though, try this range in Boots. I'll keep an eye out for the name and let you know if I find it. They have some products which may help reduce the bags.

[SizzleSquid]

It sounds like the problem is that you are using to many products on your skin. Forget stuff like serums ect, they are a marketing ploy. It sounds ike you have sensitive skin, which you can have even if your skin is oily or dry.
Its good that you exfoliate once a week, but unless you've got really oily skin only do it once.Use St Ives facial scrub or Avon clear skin
CREAM
The best cream i have used is Clinique antioxidant cream. Its the brand new one out that they are advertising at the moment, and I am normally sceptical about face creams and marketing, but that one really seems t work for me. I had really dull skin and a bad reaction to something but that really helped. It costs �35!
CHEAPER OPTION
A cheaper option for an amazing cream that i use is Olay Double Action day cream for sensitive skin, around �4.99 a pot. It is very soft and allows your skin to regenerate and feel better, back to its natural state. It also leaves my skin luminous. Have you not tried a face cream that gives you luminous skin, such as Olay radiance?
For the next two months make sure you use your normal day cream that you choose both day and night. DO nOT use a separate night cream. These can be really harsh and slow your skin right down. Also, if you decide to keep using a night cream make sure that it is the same brand as the day cream.
I found that Nivea Q-10 for eyes (�7.99) really helped with my eyes. Its effectrive yet gentle, and remember many eye creams cause the probs aroun eyes that they actually try to eradicate. Never use anything to harsh, and make sure the ones you do use are for senitive skin.
Also, take skin supplement tablets (herbal) plus Vitamin B5, Magnesiun, Selenuim and Zinc. Also take vitamin E and Vitamin E. (better still buy a high strength multi mineral and vitamin complex) and use for 3 months. Try pharmaton, which will also energise you with ginsend, or Boots A-Z. Eat at least 3-4 dairy products and

[PinkFizz]

Awwwww, thankyou so much for you answers - it really means a lot that you have gone to so much trouble.

I have since lunchtime rang a beauty clinic that I walk past every day and am going in for a proper skin/eye analysis and a cleansing facial so they can work out the best way forward. They also said the same - I may be putting to many products on in order to cover the problem but in the meanwhile what I am doing is actually making the problem worse!!

[alijangra]

How about a facial peel (professional) to get rid of dead skin cells and reveal the healthy glow underneath? I use one once a week but it is specifically for problem/oily skin, you need to be very vigilant about sun protection when using these products.

[nuoyg]

My tips for concealing and brightening the peepers are:
1) No 7 do their own version of the YSL Touche Eclat - it's half the price though and having used both I prefer the No 7 and it claims to help de puffing of the eyes. I couldn't go without this in morning when I'm looking like a frog.
2) depdning on how much make up you like/use/wear I think It's worth using a pinkish/white eye liner on the rims of your eyes as this can brighten - I like Benefit's eye bright - although it's quite a big eye pencil so it's not for all but I'm sure that any make up counter will have one.
3) Getting back to Benefit - they do some good make up brightening things - I like their high beam on my brow bone as it's gives a bit of a sheeny look. They also do something called Lemon Aid which I've not used but it's meant to conceal under eye circles I think. Their stuff is a little more expensive than high street etc so I'd use the testers a couple of times first, also if you have a shop around you can generally find a copy somewhere else for a snip of the price. I've heard superdrug do a make called ''me me me'' which is meant to be like benefit but I've not used it personally so wouldn't know but if you have an afternoon and can get to the shops it's worth looking around.
I get really dark circles under my eyes (grr) & find that if I use the No 7 concealor underneath (& also a subtle dab on my eyelid) and the pink eye pencil on the rim it gives a brighter look.

[nuoyg]

Hi Pink Fizz
Part 2:
For my complexion I use a No 7 Microdermabrasion face wash once a week which is a bit like sandpaper - but only a small amount gently - and then I use their hydro sauna mask once a week too - and find this is a real beauty pick me up - I get on really well with No 7 as find it is quite gentle on skin. Daily I use a moisturiser with SPF and general face wash.
Another little make up secret I like is using a pressed powder/loose powder with yellowy tones as it conceals any redness and then I use a pinky powder (benefit do one called dandelion or no 17 do one called something like glow dust - depending on how much you want to spend) as it gives a bit of a complexion lift.
I love make up and lotions and potions! Good luck!