What skin care products do you use?

chickien_2

Hi everyone,

I'm after some advice about which skin care products/routines you use. I'm coming up to 30 and have noticed some tiny lines starting to appear:eek: I think I need to start an anti-ageing skin routine:rotfl: I would say my skin type leans more towards being dry and a little bit sensitive. I want to start having a proper routine and set of products but feel a bit baffled by what's on offer. The most important things are that the products are not tested on animals and that the price is not too expensive, I'd be willing to pay up to £40 for a set of skin care products.

Is it better to buy everything (cleanser, toner, moisturiser etc) from the same range because I've seen a few moisturisers from avon and nivea but they don't seem to offer the matching cleansers and toners. Also, is it better to have face wash cleansers or the cleansers that are applied by cotton pads?

The last thing is do you think buying anti-ageing products is actually worth it? I hear some people say that as long as you moisturise regularly that's enough.

Sorry for all the questions, thank you for taking time to read my ramblings:)

jenniewb

I have very dry skin, am also comming up to 30 but my skin is fickle rather then sensitive (it doesn't go red or swell up with certain items, it just gets clogged very easily and this causes me painful red welt type spots with a horrible massive white head middle! -Sorry if thats TMI!)

I think from what I understand, you cannot reverse fine lines, once they are there they are there for good, the best thing you can do is help prevent them from getting any worse. Things like SPF as well as moisturiser- n/b, SPF moisturisers are not good enough, they do not contain enough of the SPF to make any real difference or offer anything other then a 1-2 star rating (rating out of a max 5 stars). You'd need to apply a huge amount of this stuff to get the full SPF mentioned and I don't think anyone does that! Instead, get an SPF dedicated protection cream or stick and apply before your daily moisturiser (which does not then need SPF). Also try to stay out of the sun 11-3pm when the sun is at its peak, its still there outside of these hours and you will still need protection but its not as string and you are doing your skin a favor by keeping it from as much damage. If you do have to be in the sun outside of these hours, try a hat, sun glasses and plenty of SPF.

WATER! Makes a huge difference- the closer to plain the better, try drinking up to 8 glasses a day for 2 weeks, you will notice the difference I promise you!

Sleep- again, works wonders, you know your body better then anyone else, you know how much sleep you need to feel healthy.

Vitamins and nutrients. Make sure your getting enough vitamin D and E as these are needed for your skin. Also fatty acids and omega 3+6 oils I think help too (thats my opinion, I have no knowledge either way). Fresh fruit and vegetables I think help too, they have alot of nutrients in but be careful not to over cook or leave out for too long as they can lose their vitamin content quite quickly.

Always cleanse every day. If your wearing make up, you may need to cleanse twice, once to remove the make up and a second time to remove any debris or daily dirt. I swear by using a toner- I used to have dry white patches all over my t-zone. I started using a toner on cotton wool pads and it just went away in a week. (this is using a toner after a facial wash). I didn't need to up my moisturiser or change my cleanser, just a toner or facial wipes and my skin really reaps the benefits. Some people think toners are a myth but all I can say is if I stop, I get the white patches back and thats enough to keep me toning as well as cleansing. I think this is because the water where I live is hard water, it has alot of lime in it. This added to the fact that most people cannot remove all the cleanser from their skin, these two things sit in small amounts on the skin and dry it out daily. Eventually it has an effect and I get white patches of dry skin.

Exfoliate once or twice a week. Mild exfoliant- the last thing you want to do is cause micro-tears in your skin as this can lead to no end of problems. Make sure its a facial exfoliant and not a body exfoliant, the two are very different just as the skin on your body and face is different.

Use an eye cream. I never believed there was anything in eye creams, thought it was just a faff and something mad people spent their burning-a-hole-in-my-pocket cash on. I have no such money so never bothered. But then I started using one about a month ago and OMG the difference! No more puffiness- I have eye that look so much better, bigger and less pasty. Very much recommend trying this for a month and seeing what you think.

I think that for facial creams and eye creams to recommend, its hard as its such a personal thing. I don't know if any of the anti age creams work as there are so many different ideas of "working". I do not for a second think they reverse or even stop the aging process. Slow it down? maybe but I doubt it. I think what they do is use fine particles to plump up the skin and give the impression that the aging has stopped or been reversed. But actually all it is is a load of silicon and other plumping agents which if you were to stop using, would just make your skin revert back to the age it is. I have theories on aging creams making fine lines worse but they are just theories and I am no scientist! Safe to say though that I use them with caution and favor natural over chemical/man made creams for this and many other reasons.

Best thing to do is to see if there are any freebie events on with any of the big names (Lancome, Origins, Clinique, Clarins...) and get some advice on what to use, with samples. Boots No.7 are great for samples with purchase but they mess with my skin and cause me spots. They have ingredience which my fickle skin does not like!

chickien_2

Wow, thank you so much for all the advice jenniewb!

I never ever use a facial suncream, so the first thing I'm going to do is go out and get me one of those:)

Do you mind me asking what brand you use?

Thanks again!:j

chrisaj

Hi there
Regrding cleansers, it's a case of personal preference, some people like facial washes as they like the soap and water feel, but others prefer the wipe off with cotton wool.
I prefer the cotton wool, I apply the cleanser, then using damp cotton wool wipe away the cleanser. Next use a toner, this gets rid of any residue cleanser/makeup. Rose water is a good toner and reasonably priced. Always moisturise as well, preferably one which has an spf in it. Eye cream is a must as ordinary moisutiser is too heavy for the eye area, as you dont want to be dragging the delicate skin.

Daisygirl

Hello chickien

I just thought I would say that there is a freebie available with a coupon that is in Woman's Own Magazine at the moment, I've posted about it on the low spend board but thought I would here as well

It is the Ultrasun one, especially for the face SPF30, I got mine yesterday (you redeem the coupon at Waitrose) and it's worth £18!

As for other skin care recommendations - jenniewb has given excellent advice! For me I use a cream cleanser (the Boots Radiance Boost one that you take off with a muslin cloth) as my skin can get very dry on my cheeks, but is combination elsewhere - I'm 43 btw! Also a good eye cream I use is the Vitamin E one from Boots - only £2.49 and has an SPF15, which I find excellent.

Really, it's just finding the right things through trying some out on your skin - I've heard A'Kin products are excellent also - I'm thinking about trying out their range of products for myself soon.

I could talk about this all day so I'll stop now!

Sandra x

shandyclover

I think the most important is a daily moisturiser with SPF, if you do nothing else or can afford nothing else - invest in one of those, there are some very reasonable priced. I tend to flit from one product to another trying out different things and availing myself of different offers or in pound shops when things run out. I've set myself a money limit though and that keeps me from going too mad! It's nice if you have all matching products from one brand but only cause it looks good on the shelf. I don't think I owe my allegiance to any brand - yet. I used to use face wipes alot for their convinience, now find after a few days of using them my skin burns a bit - so switched back to the good ol' cleansing lotion and cotton. I do have a face wash too and will use that instead if I'm going to be showering anyways. I also have a Dove face glow gradual tan thingy which I use during the summer as then I don't have to wear any kind of foundation or concealer.I used to use the Garnier Day/Night cream, buying it when it was on offer - but now use the Aldi's own skincare range and seems to work just the same. I've also an eye cream a French friend gave me which I use when I remember I put it on! Then I use a St Ives face scrub once a week, wish more St Ives roducts were available in Ireland - I do like them.

I've a friend from South America with amazing skin and hair. She uses baking soda as a face wash, olive oil as a makeup remover, diluted apple cider vinegar as a toner, and coconut oil as a moisturiser, and only mineral makeup. I've been quite inspired by her especially after I read an article on how many chemicals a woman puts on her body every day. I've been trying out a few of her 'potions' and have been pretty impressed - though I confess I think I'm still hooked on the whole pretty packaging and sensual experience of using something bought from a shop!

elfen

Botanics cleanser, toner, moisturiser

bertiebots

I have really sensative skin and am prone to getting spotty...even at (a month off) 37!
I like Simple products and there cleaners are good and not heavy on the skin. I fluctuate depending on the tom from very dry to very greasy skin too and find that oil of olay sensative beauty fluid is perfect for every day use (it contains sunscreen too).It absorbs well and doesnt feel like its sitting on your skin iyswim... I keep meaning to get an eye cream but havent yet!
I have also just got a soap and glory face mask/scrub for refining pores but the jurys still out on this one for me ,as my skin has just gone through a bad patch again , and so I avoided using it as it is quite harsh.
Actually I havent been much use have I except that value for money wise I think olay products are quite good! I must remember to get that eye cream too-soon!

vatic

Oooh thanks shandyclover, I'm really intrigued by your friend's 'potions'. Would you mind posting them if it's alright with her?

BitterAndTwisted

In my opinion any beauty regime or particular product range isn't really that material to how your skin ages. You need a cleanser and moisturiser that suits your skin. The most important things to do are to keep the skin adequately lubricated and STAY OUT OF THE SUN!

I'm the fickle type so I've never been loyal to any product or maufacturer but I have never, ever been a sun-worshipper (too fair) and I look at least a decade younger than my sister who is 15 months younger than me. I am absolutely convinced that it's due to avoiding sun-damage as she's never been as cautious about the sun as I have been.

chickien_2

Thanks for all your posts.

Will be going to get the magazine for the free suncream, thanks daisygirl!

The natural "potions" sound good, but I'm kind of with you, shandyclover, about the lovely packaging etc :rotfl:

I think I'm going to have to try some brands out!

I've used avon products in the past and seemed to get on well with them so in true mse style have just managed to buy brand new full size anew day cream, night cream and eye cream all for £13 delivered!

Thanks again, here's hoping for a (slightly) less wrinkled future:D