Q.I am 62 and have very thin dry skin, with inevitable lines of sun damage on my face and throat as well as under and around my eyes. My mother always told me that the nurse said I was born with fewer than layers of skin than usual! I have always thought this was a strange comment, but I must say that my skin does feel very thin. I use all sorts of products but haven’t found the right one yet. I am not looking for something greasy. I do not wear tinted face make-up and do not wish to.
A.A little reassurance, first: everyone basically has the same number of layers of skin, and those are virtually identical in thickness from one person to another. However, particularly in the case of fair-skinned women, skin can have the appearance of being more fine and transparent – so it perhaps appears thinner. In general, that’s porcelain/English rose appearance is very becoming – but in our experience (Jo’s in particular), it does go hand-in-hand with dryness and sometimes sensitivity. You say you’re not looking for something greasy – but it’s still good to create a ‘barrier’ for your skin, as this will help protect it from UV damage. This should be something with an SPF15, if possible – and at night, we would layer a moisturiser over a lightweight facial oil or serum, if you don’t like the feel of an oil. (NB Click on any of the product names below to find them on-line.) Again, you say you don’t wear tinted face make-up and don’t wish to – but we would suggest you check out the Dior Hydra-Life range, which includes Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint, this comes in a very light-toned option which can even out the complexion without the need to wear foundation. The range also incorporates a Pro-Youth Sorbet Cream, which is a fabulously light-textured product for use at night (if you don’t like something greasy), and might work well for you at night. The Hydra Life range was one of our ‘finds’ from 2010 and if you take this response to your question along to a Dior counter, they may be able to spare you some samples! (Always worth a try.) We also unhesitatingly recommend Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare Superskin Moisturiser. But we still believe you’d do well to layer your night product over a facial oil, for extra nourishment: we have no hesitation in recommending Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate. A drop or two will help brighten skin and also keep that all-important ‘barrier’ healthy. If that’s a stretch price-wise (even with the discount!), we’d prescribe A’kin Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil or even The Body Shop Vitamin E Facial Oil, which is non-comedogenic, so won’t block pores. But above all, relax about the idea that you’re somehow missing out on a few skin layers – because that nurse was just plain wrong, and you’ve been living with the legacy of one ill-informed comment, all your life…
• Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint, £28.50 for 50 ml at www.boots.com; buy here
• Dior Hydra-Life Pro-Youth Sorbet Cream, £41 for 50 ml at www.boots.com; buy here
• Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare Superskin Moisturiser, £35 for 50ml at www.johnlewis.com; buy here
• Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate, £40.25 for 28 ml at www.johnlewis.com; buy here (NB you’ll also get an exclusive 5% discount deducted at the checkout)
• A’kin Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil, £16 for 23 ml at www.lovelula.com; buy here (NB you’ll also get a 5% discount if you enter the code bb12 at the checkout)
• The Body Shop Vitamin E Facial Oil, £11 for 15 ml at www.thebodyshop.co.uk; buy here