So much is written about how to get great skin. We see celebrities endorsing products for big companies and we look at their air brushed faces in glossy magazines. But what really works for you? Do you think great skin is a result of genetics, lifestyle or sheer hard work and constant maintenance? Let me know what you think!

Very interesting question pinkcupcake!

I suppose that good genes are a key factor and I am lucky that my mum has great skin. She is turning 60 and doesnt have wrinkles but has the most baby soft skin.

I started using proper skin care at 15 and was lucky enough to use Biotherm (before its departure and then comeback into Australia). I was working in a pharmacy after school and was then fortunate to go on to Lancome and Guerlain all before I was 20!

Whenever I have a facial (which is not often as I do a better job and have better products!) I get told my skin looks like that of a 25 year old. As I am almost 40 it's almost worth going just to get an ego boost!!:D

I notice my skin going to crap if I am not cleansing and exfoliating properly and when I am under stress (which is now as I to start a new job next week). Can get lazy and use those easy cleansing wipes and just fall into bed.

Using my masks makes a huge difference to my skin. I like the following:

SKII Facial Treatment Mask (pitera impregnated cloth mask - fab!)
Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Mask (great boost with antioxidents)
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Mask (this one is cleansing and moisturising)
Chanel Hydrating Mask (more soothing)
Clarins Extra Firming Mask (before a night out)
Dr Lewinns Ultra 4 Recovery Mask (this one is fabulous, just bought another tube)
NeoStrata Citrate Treatment (20AHA pads that you wipe on and remove after 3hrs)
Alpha H Glycolic Hydrating Mask (15AHA and addictive -avail at Adore)
Alpha H Purifying Cleansing Mask (I use after the glycolic as suggested and because you have exposed new skin the purifying one works better - also at Adore)

All in all I am very happy with my skin and despite genetics, do make an effort to delay that ageing process!:p

I have also been blessed with great skin. Don't have many problems with it at all. The biggest problems I ever get are puffy eyes (from lack of sleep) and slight dehydration on my cheeks!

Whilst I feel that I have been blessed with good genetics I also work really hard at looking after my skin.

I always try to drink a lot of water. I always cleanse, tone and moisturise twice a day. I never go to bed with makeup on and I always use good quality skincare.

I regularly exfoliate my skin. I think this is truely one of the best things one can do for their skin. I use a gentle exfoliant daily such as Dermalogica daily microfoliant or Clinique 7 day scrub. Once to twice a week I will use a harder more concentrated scrub to really wash away any dead skin cells that may be still lurking!

I try to get regular facials but also find that my own skincare is often better than some of that used in salons.

Oops I forgot one of the most important things: Sun Care!!!! I always wear sunscreen!

Oh! Me too! See thread on sunscreen!:)

Great skin results in hard work I reckon. You need to drink plenty of water, cleanse everyday, eat well and invest in products that are right for you. I find it so easy to get sucked in to the latest and greatest in mags and such, but I find it's better to stick to what you know works.

I have problem skin and I've wasted so much money on trying everything out there...but at the same time if you don't try it you'll never know!
One product I'm using at the moment is Murad Oil Free Sunblock SPF 15+ .... fantastic! I actually forgot I had it :o now I use it every day!

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!!

My friends all call me the Sunscreen Nazi as I harp on about it all the time. I always have a bottle or tube of SPF30+ in my bag and I wear it on my face 365 days a year. In fact I think I give some customers a shock when I tell them I am not going to sell them any expensive anti-pigmentation serums if they are not going to wear sunscreen because they are wasting their time and money :)

I had a really bad experience where I had seriously burnt my face. The whole face scabbed and went hard, then I literally had new skin grow back! It was the worst ever!! I didnt leave the house for about a week. Kate, the Sunscreen Nazi, gave me numerous lectures...:D so now I'm paranoid about sunscreen.

I wear it every single day. But I think the key to my skincare is my cleanser and definetly the purifying clay mask from Alpha H. If I don't use it for a couple of weeks (becuase I'm lazy) I break out straight away.

I have freckles and scarring from my hacking days :p and I'm still to find a product to get rid of them (the scarring) I use some great products which def help and have improved my skin by 100 times, but still haven't found the magic product.

Any suggestions...?

Sarah I'm with you, I also have a teeny bit of scarring from my teenage years - I would love to know if anyone can recommend a product to help the skin...

My secret is 8-Hour Cream by Elizabeth Arden. It fixes everything and is a great lip gloss too.

I also like Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, which I use as a primer.

And surprisingly, I tried the L'Oreal HappyDerm mousse cleanser recently and thought it was great - smells heavenly too.

Sarah, there is a product called Bio Oil which is quite underrated. You can pick it up from your chemist. It's about $15 and lasts for ages. It is designed for scaring, both old and new. It is what I would describe as a "dry oil" and certainly wont aggrevate an oilier/combination skin. You could also just apply it to the scarring. It will also help dehydrated and lack-lustre skin. Another you could try if your skin is normal to dry is the Alpha H Hydra Defense Serum. Love this products not only for it's smell, but the ability to repair and regenerate the skin - check it out on Adore! You can mix this with your regular night treatment but I like to use it on just damp skin and pat it in straight.

I have an interesting product to include in Key to Great Skin - I have recently started using Imedeen tablets, designed to work from the inside to assist skin and dealy ageing. I had been using the Anthogenol caps which I feel made a more noticable improvement to my skin, hair and nails.Will see how the Imedeen goes!

I will be very interested to hear your feedback on the imedeen. I have seen it advertised a lot.

I agree with most of you savvy adorables- susnscreen is imperative. If you are out in the sun you also need to reapply it- this is really important, I think. A good sunscreen, plus an excellent cleanser- thorough but gentle. I believe that it is important to treat the skin gently and with respect. For example, do not use overly aggressive products- don't over exfoliate, over cleanser or use too many products at once. Eat heaps of fresh food- my skin looks great when I eat heaps of non-processed food and fruit/vegies. And tuna & salmon! Keep your skin routine simple. When I was a teenager I had acne which was only aggravated when I used too many products or overly harsh products. I'm 26 now and my skin is still oily but the texture is good and I rarely break out.

In my opinion:
Genes
Diet/drinking water
Using good quality products/using what works for you
Sunscreen
Excerising
And trying to eliminate stress from your life (which can be easier said than done)

I have an interesting product to include in Key to Great Skin - I have recently started using Imedeen tablets, designed to work from the inside to assist skin and dealy ageing. I had been using the Anthogenol caps which I feel made a more noticable improvement to my skin, hair and nails.Will see how the Imedeen goes!

Found a good run down and opinion on the Anthogenol caps. Worth a read.

http://www.thebeautyreview.com.au/2007/January2007/html/jan07_beautyland.html

Over the past week I have been drinking more water than ever and making sure I get some really good sleep. I am really surprised how my skin has responded to this, it's glowing!

Pinkcupcakes key to great skin:

Drink Plenty of Water
Get Plenty of sleep
Use good quality products and put in the effort of 'at home maintenance'.
Always wear sunscreen
Have the odd facial
Always get professional advice on any skin concerns you may have.
Don't overdo the active skincare Lol:chuckle:

Also I do think good genes help!

drink water
sunscreen such as Clarins 100% mineral spf 40 or Clinique super city block which is mineral based
active/balanced lifestyle
keeping skincare/beauty simple avioding as many chemicals as possible
limit alcohol intake
genes
keep out of the sun!
don't smoke if you can help it!

I have an interesting product to include in Key to Great Skin - I have recently started using Imedeen tablets, designed to work from the inside to assist skin and dealy ageing. I had been using the Anthogenol caps which I feel made a more noticable improvement to my skin, hair and nails.Will see how the Imedeen goes!

Luisa how have you found the Imedeen?? I have often considered trying it and would love to know if it worked for you and if you stuck with it!

drink water
sunscreen such as Clarins 100% mineral spf 40 or Clinique super city block which is mineral based
active/balanced lifestyle
keeping skincare/beauty simple avioding as many chemicals as possible
limit alcohol intake
genes
keep out of the sun!
don't smoke if you can help it!

Alice I agree with most of yours but I don't necessarily agree that skincare/beauty has to be kept "simple". For example my skin always reacts badly to natural or organic 'health food store' type products that use essential oils - it does far better with more high-tech products. But really it's about whatever works for you!

i have found since i have started to age that i have had to kick up my skincare , mine was always pretty good & simple from quite young [i have used an eye cream/gel since i was 18]
but being raised in an era of nudda suncream [as appose to now] it has become necessary to 'turn back' the clock with Vit A & C so skincare varies greatly from person to person for many reasons including age
go the serums :worship:

so keys to good skincare r ,use age appropriate products that work for U.

i have tried the imeedeen in the past with decent results but u need to keep taking it :whistle:

I'm with Fusspot. We've learnt the hard way. I noticed the sun damage to my skin starting to appearing once I hit 30. I am also using prodcuts to rectify this, with success I'm glad to say.

I lather my kids in sunscreen. I was horrifed when my sun worshipping friend told me not to put SPF on her sun because she likes the look of freckles. :shockedhair: What the !!

Luisa how have you found the Imedeen?? I have often considered trying it and would love to know if it worked for you and if you stuck with it!!

I am very sporadic when it comes to taking any supplements but found a better result with the Anthogenol than the Imedeen. Apparently results are seen first in nails, then hair, then skin so can take a while.

I have just started taking Bioglan's Maxidene tablets which in my opinion have a better formulation than Imedeen and don't stink! Will keep you posted!

I lather my kids in sunscreen. I was horrifed when my sun worshipping friend told me not to put SPF on her sun because she likes the look of freckles. :shockedhair: What the !!

That's called child abuse!:shakehead:

Really bright!!:explode:

Exfoliating.
Liquid gold.
washing my face morning and night.
water
no sun
sunscreen
Mineral make up!

Drink lots of water
exfoliate regularly (and gently)
Don't smoke
Don't drink to excess
Sunscreen every day
Use products suited to your skin

Drink lots of water

Need to up mine more Rosie. Ever since I started this new job, the air conditioning is really having an effect on my skin.:tears:

I think I have finally realised that they key to great skin does not lay in the never ending quest to buy more and more products. I think good skin can be achieved by:

Getting plenty of sleep
Drinking lots of water
Using Quality Skincare - In saying this I think it is also important to use what works for you regardless of brand or cost. Also try to keep things simple (take your own advice PCC!!:redcheeks:)
Have Good Genes - Or take your parents to court for compensation if you don't have them!:chuckle:

in winter i live in front of the heater and my skin defintely dries it out. if i dont drink enough water my skin dries out too.
smoking and alcohol is so damaging to your skin. i dont smoke but if i have been out to a really smokey place my skin is horrible the following days. i even break out.

I think hydration in a critical part of skin care. Do you use a different moistuiser in summer than you do in winter. Do you have any intensive hydrating products. Cliniques Moisture Surge is one of my all time favourite moisture boosters. You apply it over the top of your moisturiser or you can use it as a mask.

Using Quality Skincare - In saying this I think it is also important to use what works for you regardless of brand or cost.

Yes, well, I am thinking that I am going to blow all my Melbourne money at Adore, on some Ole......... unless the Natio I plan on getting when I next need skincare performs out of sight!!

Yes, well, I am thinking that I am going to blow all my Melbourne money at Adore, on some Ole......... unless the Natio I plan on getting when I next need skincare performs out of sight!!

Oh No! What have I done!! Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole!!

I'm really a firm believer that you can have fantastic skin using low-end products, so long as you are vigilant and consistent in your use, and of course as long as you are using the right products for your skin type. I have known a few people who spend insane amounts on skincare (*coughMUMcough*), but still go to bed without cleansing and forget to wear sunscreen. Of course, if you want those super-high-quality ingredients and actives then you will have to pay for them, but I think great compliment-getting skin is possible on a budget if you are willing to put in the hard yakka.

I'm really a firm believer that you can have fantastic skin using low-end products, so long as you are vigilant and consistent in your use, and of course as long as you are using the right products for your skin type. I have known a few people who spend insane amounts on skincare (*coughMUMcough*), but still go to bed without cleansing and forget to wear sunscreen. Of course, if you want those super-high-quality ingredients and actives then you will have to pay for them, but I think great compliment-getting skin is possible on a budget if you are willing to put in the hard yakka.

Totally agree Oz. :waving:

Additionally, consuming at least 2 litres of water each day and a balanced diet are a must.
( Yes, yes I know I sound like a Nanna. ) :chuckle:

Additionally, consuming at least 2 litres of water each day and a balanced diet are a must.
( Yes, yes I know I sound like a Nanna. ) :chuckle:

Oh, trust me, I am permanently on a Beauty Budget, I just dream about how nice it would be to be able to buy $$$ skincare, and not worry.

And yes, 2 litres of water is a big one Nanna, and really isn't that hard to do.......................

Yep, it's impossible to have great skin if you have a crap diet, drink no water, and do no exercise. Even if your skincare regimen is second to none!!

I'm really a firm believer that you can have fantastic skin using low-end products, so long as you are vigilant and consistent in your use, and of course as long as you are using the right products for your skin type. I have known a few people who spend insane amounts on skincare (*coughMUMcough*), but still go to bed without cleansing and forget to wear sunscreen. Of course, if you want those super-high-quality ingredients and actives then you will have to pay for them, but I think great compliment-getting skin is possible on a budget if you are willing to put in the hard yakka.



completely true Oz , i still use lower end products mixed in with the $$$ serums

I'm really a firm believer that you can have fantastic skin using low-end products, so long as you are vigilant and consistent in your use, and of course as long as you are using the right products for your skin type. I have known a few people who spend insane amounts on skincare (*coughMUMcough*), but still go to bed without cleansing and forget to wear sunscreen. Of course, if you want those super-high-quality ingredients and actives then you will have to pay for them, but I think great compliment-getting skin is possible on a budget if you are willing to put in the hard yakka.

Totally agree! And it's also about what works for you. Some product that has fantastic reviews may not be that crash hot for you. It's about understanding your skin and alot of trial and error! :rollthoseeyes:

My Mum has amazing skin and doesn't look anything like her 54 years of age. She grew up extremely poor and all she used on her skin was velvet soap and water. She still does this and just can't fathom why I buy all these high priced Skin care. As for exfoliant.... What's that she asks. The only things she uses from high end type brands is what I give her and then it sits in it's bottles for what seems like an eternity!

My Mum uses moisturiser by Olay (or oil of Ulan as she still calls it) and an eye cream and that's it and her skin is gorgeous. I don't care I'm not giving my products up for her or anybody!!

Oh I have friends like that PCC. It sucks. Here I am using tons of products just to keep up and all they use is soap and a basic moisteriser and they look great. ARGHHH :explode:

My Mum has amazing skin and doesn't look anything like her 54 years of age. She grew up extremely poor and all she used on her skin was velvet soap and water. She still does this and just can't fathom why I buy all these high priced Skin care. As for exfoliant.... What's that she asks. The only things she uses from high end type brands is what I give her and then it sits in it's bottles for what seems like an eternity!

My Mum uses moisturiser by Olay (or oil of Ulan as she still calls it) and an eye cream and that's it and her skin is gorgeous. I don't care I'm not giving my products up for her or anybody!!

My nana is like this PCC she uses dove soap and an Olay moisturiser, shes nearly 70 and practically doesnt have ANY wrinkles :worship: just a few tiny soft lines......???? Never used an eyecream or anything and wouldnt know what exfoliater is :chuckle: