Cleanse, Tone, Moisturise - But with what??

sohurt

Hi everyone, hoping someone here can give me some help..

I am 23 yrs old and up until now have never ever had a proper routine for skin care, and my skin is really starting to annoy me! I want to get a proper set to use (preferably all same brand) to use to help it look good.

I have generally 'good' skin, no large pores etc, and never ever get spots. T-zone is oily but cheeks are dry-ish.

I'm leaning towards Clinique but everyone seems to have such bad things to say... ?

Any ideas on what I could use? I've tried Liz Earle but don't like it

Thanks!

LillyJ

I love clinique. It's expensive but I think it is just excellent. If you go to the counter, get them to grade your skin (they give you a number related to your skin type) then get them to give you some samples. See if you like them then go back and buy them! I can't afford it anymore but I would love to!

pandora205

Have you tried Olay Total Effects moisturiser? That's fairly light and is very popular. It used to be my staple until I discovered Philosophy Hope in a Jar but that's probably a bit rich at your age.

I can't advise on the cleanser and toner as I use Liz Earle.

LillyJ

Total effects is to fight the 7 signs of ageing. I don't know about the OP but I am 23 too and I haven't got any issues with ageing skin!

RoseFairy

Hi. I too when i was younger, did not really have a routine - or rather did not understand the proper routine especially with so many products out there. I have tried so many products - and each one at least 3months usuage:- i tried Body Shop during my late teens - when it was all they hype in early 90's! i just used the cleansing cream and toned and moistured - and did not use/wash with water or soap! ( i used to get the usual spots but due experimenting ended up suffering propert acne for at least 10years! - though its sorted now!) i went back to soap and water and many brands, clearisl, johnson & johnson, neutrogena, No7, Garnier, Loreal, Olay, St IVes, to name but a few! I tried CLinique, and noticed a difference in a month. and stuck to it for about 4-5 years. i thought i'd try some cheaper brands - jsut to really be sure i was using the right products and i was back to sq.1. So since Jan 08 i have gone back to Clinique and i will never change again.

I know a lot of people criticise it ie expensive or maybe it uses certain ingredients but for a lot of us it really works - it keeps me spot free and happy! the products really do last a long time and it does work out worthy - and the best time to purchase is during its bonus time.

If you do try it or any other brand - you need to use it at least 3 months to see any effect. anything not good for the face - or too strong - i just use it in the shower like a bodyscrub/wash!!

The basic routine is usually to take off as much makeup as possible - eg eyemakeup, cleansig cream/cotton wool. Then the best toner is to wash your face eg, facial wash (some didn't clean properly), or facial soaps. Pat dry with face cloth - only for your face and then to moisturise with cream/gel/lotion whatever suits you. This is best done last thing at night before you sleep - when your sking repairs and in the morning to wash away any dead skin.

Personally i use the 3step and i love the other cleansing products suited to my skin type. the bonus time allows you to sample their products.
Other people swear by other brands - it depends on what you can afford, what your skin is like and how much it can cope with/how sensitive it is and how it reacts to products.

I could suggest that if you want to try other brands, spend some time in say, Boots, see what brands and regimes they have, select a few that look interesting to you and list a chart of what you would like to try over time and then go for clinique. That way at least you will be sure for yourself whether the cheaper brands are as effective as the premium brands.
I have tried clarins - but they were perfumed which i did not like. i would like to try some other premium brands but dare not as i am happy with clinique. Maybe i chart the expensive products and try them -later in the future.....!!

vixarooni

I always think you have to find out through trial and error what works best for you skin.

Ive had a skin care routine for years now. Since i was 16 when my mum would go to the clinique counter and the lady would give me advice. I make sure i take of my make up properly each night (use wipes, cliniques make up remover and then some tea tree thing to put on top) in the morning i use a anti spot wash cos im only 21 and still get a few depending on time of month, then when i feel the need i'll use an exfoiliator follwed by a moisturiser.

Even though im 21, i use anti wrinkle cream. My friend who works on clinque says i dont need to use one yet but i badly burnt my face in spain once and my science teacher said the people who invented the stuff in them look really young cos they tested it on themselves so i use one!

LillyJ

RoseFairy wrote: »

Hi. I too when i was younger, did not really have a routine - or rather did not understand the proper routine especially with so many products out there. I have tried so many products - and each one at least 3months usuage:- i tried Body Shop during my late teens - when it was all they hype in early 90's! i just used the cleansing cream and toned and moistured - and did not use/wash with water or soap! ( i used to get the usual spots but due experimenting ended up suffering propert acne for at least 10years! - though its sorted now!) i went back to soap and water and many brands, clearisl, johnson & johnson, neutrogena, No7, Garnier, Loreal, Olay, St IVes, to name but a few! I tried CLinique, and noticed a difference in a month. and stuck to it for about 4-5 years. i thought i'd try some cheaper brands - jsut to really be sure i was using the right products and i was back to sq.1. So since Jan 08 i have gone back to Clinique and i will never change again.

I know a lot of people criticise it ie expensive or maybe it uses certain ingredients but for a lot of us it really works - it keeps me spot free and happy! the products really do last a long time and it does work out worthy - and the best time to purchase is during its bonus time.

If you do try it or any other brand - you need to use it at least 3 months to see any effect. anything not good for the face - or too strong - i just use it in the shower like a bodyscrub/wash!!

The basic routine is usually to take off as much makeup as possible - eg eyemakeup, cleansig cream/cotton wool. Then the best toner is to wash your face eg, facial wash (some didn't clean properly), or facial soaps. Pat dry with face cloth - only for your face and then to moisturise with cream/gel/lotion whatever suits you. This is best done last thing at night before you sleep - when your sking repairs and in the morning to wash away any dead skin.

Personally i use the 3step and i love the other cleansing products suited to my skin type. the bonus time allows you to sample their products.
Other people swear by other brands - it depends on what you can afford, what your skin is like and how much it can cope with/how sensitive it is and how it reacts to products.

I could suggest that if you want to try other brands, spend some time in say, Boots, see what brands and regimes they have, select a few that look interesting to you and list a chart of what you would like to try over time and then go for clinique. That way at least you will be sure for yourself whether the cheaper brands are as effective as the premium brands.
I have tried clarins - but they were perfumed which i did not like. i would like to try some other premium brands but dare not as i am happy with clinique. Maybe i chart the expensive products and try them -later in the future.....!!

I would just like to add that that is the good thing about clinique, there are different things to suit everyone's skin. For example I never get spots even though I am young and have really dry skin, especially on my cheeks. Whereas my friend who also uses clinique is prone to spots and has really oily skin. Their system means that we both have different products which suit our skin types.

However I would say that I definately cannot use soaps as I am so dry, and I prefer things that don't use water apart from when I exfoliate. It just goes to show we are all different!

sohurt

Thanks everyone, it's good to hear people say good things about Clinique - I have tried some of their products before and liked them. I did go to the counter to be 'graded' and the lady tried the number 2 toner and it stung on my face so she tried the 1 and suggested I go for that instead. So it's not like she was letting me walk away with something not suitable. I am moving to America temporarily so not sure if I should just wait until I am going to get it in duty free or not

Other than that does anyone know of any Bonus Times coming up in Glasgow?

Thanks

LillyJ

It is likely to be cheaper if you actually buy in America I would have thought. I know I got my usual Mac stuff for about half the price I pay over here when I was in NY.

noonesperfect

TBH unless you really want to use a branded make why not experiment with Boots own or even Marks and Spencers cleanser etc.?

After all, Aldi's anti-wrinkle cream at less than £2 (not saying you need it yet :j ) has been proved to be just as good as a £200 pot of moisturising cream.

Paying alot can make for expensive mistakes if it doesn't suit you!

BubbleFrogette

I worked for Clinique part time while at uni. After that I did a PhD in biochemistry. I know that half the stuff spouted by cosmetics companies regarding their products is scientific nonsense, but that said, I do have a barrage of skincare products! I mix and match everything and I'm not loyal to any one brand. Clinique are good for 7 day scrub, but I don't rate 3-step. I use Clarins facial wash, then Neal's yard organic violet day cream. Toner is a waste of time and money - it doesn't do anything in it's own right. Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream is great for spots/sore patches. Most important is a facial sunscreen. I've tried them all and the best is MAC face protect SPF 50. I'm 27 BTW.

Oh and by the way - you will never know about bonus time in advance as it's never advertised in advance.... because they'd have no sales in the run-up otherwise!