Mumsnet Talk

I think I need a skin care routine.

I have always just used any old soap or shower gel to wash my face. Then it's moisturised with whatever body butter/ baby lotion/ aqueous cream is hanging around in the bathroom

I have Botox every 6 months in my '11s' and last year I did few glycolic acid peels which made my skin look really radiant but I gave up.

Recently I've noticed my skin feels dry - and close up in the mirror I have little lines all over my forehead. Not like wrinkles - but like crepe paper, or a dried up river bed. I also look old and tired.

I work outside a lot of the time and have noticed how old a lot of other women in my industry look for their age.

Soooo, it's my birthday next month and I've budgeted between £50 and £100 to spend on products, ideally to last 2 - 3 months. Is this possible?

Help me please!!!

Atm I use Liz earle cleanser and toner (about £12 each) YSL forever serum (£60) this is just amazing though and Clinique youth surge moisturiser (about £36 I think) Although with the serum you can use any cheaper moisturiser as the serum does all the work and you need very little moisturiser my current jar has been going for about 7 months!
I have looked after my skin since being a teenager and even used Lancome as a student! People think I look younger than I am and I often get complimented on my skin (non stealth boast alert!)
I suggest going along to some counters and asking for samples for your skin type so that you can try out lots and find out what suits you best before you commit to buy.

I second getting samples to try to see which you prefer. I switch brands regularly depending on the phase I am going through but regularly go back to Clinique - it is more expensive than some brands but not as expensive as the likes of Lancôme (which is lovely and I would buy more often if I could afford to!). If you want to buy a full range of products such as face wash, eye cream etc, you could probably get clinique within your budget, not as sure about others...
Have fun, and good luck!

Have you asked whoever does your Botox what their recommendations are? I asked my dermatologist who does my Botox and she recommended a combination of La Roche Posay, RoC and Skin Ceuticals. La Roche Posay is reasonably priced and available at larger Boots. I have dry/sensitive/dehydrated skin and it's worked wonders on me. RoC Wrinkle Filler is fab at smoothing the skin. Again it's reasonably priced, widely available, and a little goes a long way - I only need to use it once every other night. I've never found a better exfoliating mask than Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel.

Spend your money on a dermatologist? I saw one for £90 and she recommended a £26 face wash containing salycic (sp?) acid, a £2 moisturiser and £8 prescription for Retin-a gel. My skin never looked better!

Need to book a new appointment now I am done breeding and bf'ing, can't do either whilst using Retin-a.

Oh, and I recommend Kiehl's or Boots No 7.

I would say you definately don't need to spend £50-£100. I would second the La Roche-Posay recommendation. I'd get a cleanser, toner and moisturiser from whichever of their ranges suit your skin. Easy, job done. They're about £11-£15 an item and often on 3 for 2 at Boots. I use their Efflaclar range, which is for oily/spot prone skin and contains salicylic acid, but they do ranges for sensitive skin, dry skin etc too.

Actually, as you're working outside, you should be wearing spf every day too. Again, La Roche Posay do great sunscreens.

Thank you or the suggestions. I'll visit my local house of Fraser for samples and have a chat with my Botox doc.

The YSL serum, or any serum in fact - is it for day or night use?

Do I need different moisturisers for day and night?

What about eye cream?

I use a different cream for day and night - my night one is heavier and my day one has SPF in it. That's just what works best for my skin - you might find something that works for both day and night.
I think it depends on the serum, as to whether it's a day thing or a night thing. If it's adding loads of moisturiser it might be better for night.
I use a La Roche Posay eye cream. The skin round your eyes needs moisture and protection. 'Face' moisturisers can be a bit too heavy for the delicate skin round the eyes, so that's the rationale for a separate cream.
Good luck, have fun, and let us know how you get on!

botox and peels but no skincare routine - I think a good routine would prevent you needing these things?

Probably - that's why I'm asking

I have always been lucky with my skin until recently, apart from my 11s.

You might be able to downgrade the peels. Don't think it'll make much difference to the Botox though!

If you don't mind me asking, how much do you pay for your elevens?

£150 I think

I think it's £150 for one area, £200 for 2 areas and £220 for 3

I use Liz Earle cleanser, toner and moisturiser plus Neals Yard rose facial oil under moisturiser before bed twice a week and boots no7 protect and perfect serum under moisturiser in morning. Each lot lasts a few months & is within budget. I've tried loads of high end combinations but this is definitely what's best for my skin!

I use either Liz Earle cleanser or Kiehls pinapple and papaya scrub. The Liz Earle toner or Kiehls rosewater followed by the Kiehls creme d'elegance repairateur. I can't recommend this highly enough, it's for very dry skin. You only need to use a tiny amount and it's amazing what a difference it makes straight away. I also do a weekly Body shop vitamin E moisture mask - takes no time, I pop it on brush my teeth and go in the shower and wash it off last. Good luck!

I'd save some of the budget and forget about an expensive cleanser. I've been using olive oil and a muslin cloth to clean my face for the last 4 yrs and am often complimented on my skin. As others have mentioned La Roche Posay do great moisturisers and I can second the Rose Oil (or Rosehip Oil) at night time. Your skin will look and feel fab in the morning...

Clarins, Clarins, Clarins, go to a counter and get them to assess your skin (my local does you a free facial). They will give you a skin care plan and you can return them if you don't get on with a product.

There's lots of offers on at the mo, they'll also give you samples to try. The products last for ages, I haven't run out of cleanser since June and had my moisturiser since August.

I've tried loads of high and low end products, Clarins is the only brand that I would recommend and have noticed a big difference with.

Also, your skin sounds as if it is dehydrated which isn't the same as dry. Drinking lots of water will help this. As will products for dehydrated skin. Good luck.

For that budget, I use the Eve Lom range. As your skin isn't dry but rather dehydrated, I think you might like to start with the Intense Hydration Serum to restore your skin's moisture and cleanse with the particularly smooth Morning Time Cleanser. You could follow it with the TLC cream.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm looking forward to trying some samples.

Just another quick question. What SPF should I be wearing daily? My regular foundation is only 6 SPF