Cheaper Beauty Products?

LilacLillie · 5 March 2005 at 6:42PM

For about 12 yrs I used the Body Shop moisturiser.
I started to look like a teenager (spotty!), so decided that I'd used the same face cream for far to long.
For the last couple of years, about 3, I've been chopping and changing my moisturiser almost monthly and haven't really found anything suitable.
I now realise (being on here), that I am in fact, wasting money big time. I don't want to continue doing so.
So any idea's on a good basic, cheapish moisturiser?
I've tried expensive and cheapies, with little benefit from either. My skin now looks rough. My pores seem to be getting "enlarged".
Just come back from yet another trip to Boots, bought the Neutrogena "Visibly Refined" range ( because it says "Pore refining Moisturiser" on the box!), spending once again a small fortune, with little faith that it'll be any different to the countless other products that clutter my cupboards.
Also (as a cheaper version) back up, bought the Boots own range (all of it) of "Complete skincare", smells nice!.
Its one I haven't yet tried. I think this range will exhaust Boots though.
Any help much appreciated.
LL

MATH · 5 March 2005 at 7:13PM

It sounds to me like your problems may be coming from cleansing the skin rather that the moisturizer. A moisturizer is only as good as the cleansing system it follows. A very cheap but effective way to pep up your cleansing routine is to use a muslin cloth. It doesn't matter whether your skin is dry/aged or oily/spotty you will see visible results quite quickly. Muslin cloths are available from a very expensive premium skin care range and play a large part in the cleansing system (Mrs MATH uses this line) Don't worry I have tried the muslin technique with a regular supermarket cleanser and got equally good results IMO.

The muslin works cos it has a very fine weave and is much more effective at removing impurities and dead skin cells than a terry face cloth or splashing off. One of the first things you will notice is how smooth your skin begins to feel. If you usually exfoliate with a granular scrub or peel say, once a week you can easily reduce this to once a month or so cos the cloth is exfoliating a little bit twice a day. (so a bit of money saved there);) If you are happy with your cleanser (I would recomend a cream cleanser for this technique) then stick with it. A bit of muslin from any fabric shop cut into squares will do and your ready to get going.

Massage the cleanser into the face and really work it into all those nooks and crannys especially where you notice enlarged pores.
Soak the muslin in hand hot water and wring out until almost dry. Scrunch into a wad and move around the face in small circular motions removing the cleanser. Rinse and wring the muslin as it becomes full of cleanser and gunk. After a week your skin should look a lot smother, clearer and refined.

Wash the cloths on a hot wash and reuse. HTH

No I don't belong to a muslin cartell:D

System · 5 March 2005 at 7:34PM

Your skin changes over the years. I have tried the majority of the skincare products from the major cosmetic/skincare houses to the cheaper end of the market. I paid £100 for a pot of cream the once, and it was absolute pants.

Unfortunately, to get your Holy Grail product, you will have to do an awful lot of testing on different products and i have literally spent hundreds doing so, only to find the best thing for me costs very little. Saying that, i dont think you can skimp on the price of sun protection factor for the face.

Muslin cloths are brilliant at exfoliating the face, but can i warn you not to scrub too much, i warn you about this as i have a couple of spider veins on my face from over enthuthiastic scrubbing.

LilacLillie · 6 March 2005 at 7:54PM

I know its only been a day since my last post................................but last night (after buying all that new stuff in Boots), I was babysitting and saw a n Avon book. They have a range that I'd not seen before called "Pore-Fection".
I was suckered again by imagining because I haven't tried it, that it will work. So have learnt nothing yet!. Ordered the whole range in the last 2 books.........DOH!
LL

Thanks for the muslin tips, I'll have to find where to buy that now.

System · 6 March 2005 at 8:19PM

LilacLillie wrote:

Thanks for the muslin tips, I'll have to find where to buy that now.

Boots sell them and so do Mothercare but i think you may have to cut them down as they are huge nappy sized squares.

Quackers · 6 March 2005 at 8:28PM

LilacLillie wrote:

For about 12 yrs I used the Body Shop moisturiser.
I started to look like a teenager (spotty!), so decided that I'd used the same face cream for far to long.

I used a body shop cleanser & moisturiser for yonks too. I've always had spots

I now use Johnsons Baby Wipes

I got them for my daughter after discovering that the 'cleanser type wipes' for teenagers were soooooo expensive and soooooo tiny!! She only has the use of one hand so this is convenient and easy for her to do by herself and helped her skin so much that I though I'd give them a go. And wahey - me spots have cleared up!! Obviously it may not work for everyone but me thinks they're fab. And I only buy them when they're BOGOF or in special 'value' pack type thingies.

Lollypops_3 · 9 April 2005 at 6:04PM

LilacLillie - I read somewhere that if you overmoisturise your skin, the pores enlarge because the skin is trying to 'breathe'. Not sure if that's right but it's a thought. I'm the same as you - I've got enlarged pores, spots and dry skin !!! There's no justice in this world ! Does the neutrogena one work ? I was thinking about trying it.

reverie · 9 April 2005 at 6:15PM

I use Acqueous (sp?) cream from boots; you have to ask at the pharmacy counter. I have used loads of expensive and apparently miracle moisturisers as had grumpy combination skin - very dry cheeks and spotty nose, but Acqueous is so fantastic, my skin has never looked better. It's not a brand name, I think it's prescribed for dry skin. It also costs about £3 for a HUGE tub.

mrsmab59 · 9 April 2005 at 8:17PM

reverie wrote:

I use Acqueous (sp?) cream from boots; you have to ask at the pharmacy counter. I have used loads of expensive and apparently miracle moisturisers as had grumpy combination skin - very dry cheeks and spotty nose, but Acqueous is so fantastic, my skin has never looked better. It's not a brand name, I think it's prescribed for dry skin. It also costs about £3 for a HUGE tub.

Can anyone tell me how to pronounce 'Acqueous'...I'm assuming it's something like 'ack-wee-us' but I'd feel silly if I asked for it in the shop and they didn't know what I was on about

Thanks

foreverskint · 9 April 2005 at 8:37PM

mrsmab59 wrote:

Can anyone tell me how to pronounce 'Acqueous'...I'm assuming it's something like 'ack-wee-us' but I'd feel silly if I asked for it in the shop and they didn't know what I was on about
Thanks

Thats about the right pronunciation. Aqueous(sp)

foreverskint · 9 April 2005 at 8:39PM

I find E45 Lotion is very good and not too heavy. about £3.50 for a bottle

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