So which cleanser should I use?

[Germgirl]

Been overhauling my skincare, it's been going well & I thought I'd cracked it.
I have dehydrated flaky skin, a few spots, small eye wrinkles, quite deep marionette lines.
Since starting my new regime my skin is so much better.
At present I'm using:
AM
Micellar water to cleanse (Garnier at the moment)
FAB pads or N+F glycolic pads
Vichy Aqualia serum
LRP Hydraphase UV Intense Riche cream

PM:
Superdrug vit E hot cloth cleanser
Same Micellar water
Then either Alpha H LG (2-3 nights a week) or
LRP Nutritic Intense Riche.

I have ordered some 0.025% retinol but I have to work out where to slot that in once it arrives.
So, my question. I thought I was doing the right thing, cleansing with Micellar water but I read today on CH blog (an old post) that she considers MW to be about as bad as face wipes.
So what should I change my Micellar water to? I would like a cleanser that I wipe off rather than wash off as I already use the hot cloth one in the evenings.
Any suggestions? Not too spendy please.
Thanks.

[Charityworker34]

I like La Roche Posay Physiological cleansing milk for a gentle wipe-off cleanse, my skin is not dissimilar to yours. And how brilliant is that Vichy serum?! Thank god for French pharmacy

[Fabulassie]

I find Micellar Water to be not so great. I mean, it's not as good as a proper cleanser. I mean, by the time I get all my makeup off (I wear a lot of war paint) I may as well have just used some eye makeup remover and then washed my face (I use Cetaphil or Clinique Take The Day Off Balm)

However, I do like it for repairing my makeup (racoon eyes!) in the middle of the day or on a cotton swab for picking up mascara mistakes. And I sometimes look in the mirror after washing my face and see a bit of black smudge on my lower lids so will pick it up with MW. (I wear a LOT of dark eye makeup, including that Benefit waterproof "They're Real" liner and mascara, and those are both a bitch to remove.)

[Germgirl]

Charity thanks for that suggestion, I might see if my local Lloyds pharmacy have it in when I pop out today, they often have money off too! And yes, that serum! Amazing stuff :) I don't know which aspect of my new regime is doing the most good but the serum certainly has the most instant results. I love using it. Although I found to my cost that if I use to much I end up a sticky mess
Fab I love MW but I do accept its not as good as a proper cleanser. I don't wear much make up, or rather I don't wear it often but when I do I pile on a fair bit so maybe I'll keep my MW for touch ups like you suggest, I do tend to dab mascara on my eyebrows when I'm doing my lashes & then have terrible trouble cleaning it up. Sounds like mw + cotton buds is what I need.

[mowglik]

Germgirl cetaphil is a good bet as a precleanser if you don't use much makeup (it's rubbish at removing makeup), cheap and pretty basic so your hot cloth cleanser can do the cleansing and softening job it's meant to

Although I do use micellar water as my first cleanse as it gets rid of my makeup quite well and really don't want to do a three stage cleanse!

[Germgirl]

I've actually got some Cetaphil, I bought it in the U.S. When we were there last year. Isn't it a wash off thing though? Can it be tissued off? (I actually age those big soft face tissue things, love those)
I'll dig it out & have a look. Can't remember why I stopped using it.

[baies1]

Why don't you want to use your Superdrug cleanser in the morning? Slap it on while brushing your teeth, get it off in seconds.

I have used an Avene milk cleanser in the mornings but I used a flannel with that too

Anything you just wipe over your face isn't going to be as effective as properly washing it. I use the cleanser twice a day and it works for me.

[Germgirl]

I don't know really. Maybe I don't want to wash twice as many flannels! :)
I think it feels too 'thick & creamy' for morning use. Not sure why I feel like that. I love it at night & do exactly what you say, slap it on, clean my teeth, flannel it off :)
I do the rest of the routine sat on the edge of the bed as I have all my lotions & potions lined up on my bedside table, I just wanted something I can use there too. Weird aren't I?

[baies1]

Yep

I only use one flannel a day. New one in the morning, then use in the evening and then wash.

[Germgirl]

I bought the LRP cleanser.
That was the good bit of my day. It's gone increasingly downhill since then.
Oh well.

[Charityworker34]

I have had a tricky day too Germgirl. Hope yours starts to improve, or that at least tomorrow is better. The LRP cleanser is nice- new toiletries are cheering

[Lottapianos]

I use micellar water to take off my heavier make up - eye shadow, mascara and lipstick. Then I still double cleanse all over my face after using it.

Also love the Vichy serum Sali Hughes reckons its as good as serums that cost five times as much

[Germgirl]

New toiletries are indeed cheering :) I was pleased when I woke up this morning because I get to use my new cleanser. Sad eh?
Didn't use it last night because I washed my face in the shower & then used my retin-a cream for the first time. Haven't looked in the mirror yet it my face doesn't feel like its fallen off!
Yesterday was horrible, today looks like it's going to be the same, if not worse. I might just stay in the bedroom and look at my lovely basket of new skincare stuff and try to forget how much it all cost