To think face creams make no difference? Or am I using the wrong ones?!

If all of these potions make skin look young why does anyone look over 40 ? Surely if they worked there wouldn't be a wrinkle to be seem on anyone.

Tretinoin is proven to help with everything from acne, texture to wrinkles.

Moisteriser doesn't need to be expensive, nor does cleanser.

It's the sandwich method. Both ends of your routine can be cheap as long as the middle bit has the core ingredients that are proven.

None of it is pricey though. Skin & Me for the Tret.

Learn whether your skin is dry or dehydrated (it can be both whilst still looking oily). That will help you decide what moisteriser you need.

I personally like to incorporate acids into my routine.

The most life changing product I have ever tried is Dr Dennis Gross Intensive Peel Pads.

Yes they are expensive, but I use one pad a week so they last forever. I cut one pad in half and then seal it back in the packet with a bobby pin. So one pad does me on a Sunday and a Thursday night.

Don't try these unless you are willing to keep going though, because you will become obsessed!!!!!!
I would sacrifice just about everything in my self care routine to have these.

(be careful if new to acids and tret. I still do one night on, one night off with actives. Actives are skincare with active ingredients that can cause irritation).

My skin is good and I have hardly any lines at 58. It’s mainly genetics, my Dad was East Asian, so I’m mixed race. Plus being raised to not go in the sun a lot and always wear a hat. A mixed diet of Asian and English food plus being raised with hardly any cake, biscuits or puddings so never much sugar. I do wear a Clinique moisturiser with spf 40. I’m also allergic to all perfume. At my NHS medical as a teenager when I told the Dr I was allergic to make up he said women shouldn’t wear make up anyway as it ruins their skin.

I disagree somewhat. You can’t turn back time and the damage done completely, but you can certainly improve it. I didn’t start proper skin care until my mid 40’s.

The biggest difference I’ve seen recently is using G15 from the Ordinary twice a day. My jowels and lines have improved.

When did you start? If you just started you’ve started way too late.

Yes I think I saw that tv show. Basically he said any moisturiser helps skin retain moisture and that’s it! Big message on SPF was what I took away. I’ve never had injectables. Where in your face do you have the filler? I have 11s that I dislike but hey I’m 54!

I can remember a dermatologist on tv years ago saying that it’s all mostly expensive and clever marketing. The only thing you need to do is moisturise with a cream containing spf to guard from sun damage. But ‘wrinkle creams’ are just a waste of money. He explained the only thing that gets rid of lines is something that fills out that line from underneath. ie fillers and Botox to paralyse a wrinkle causing muscle.
I have had filler once a year for about 8 years and have no lines. I do swear by the spf moisturiser though and never wear make up except a bit of lippy.

I can remember a dermatologist on tv years ago saying that it’s all mostly expensive and clever marketing. The only thing you need to do is moisturise with a cream containing spf to guard from sun damage. But ‘wrinkle creams’ are just a waste of money. He explained the only thing that gets rid of lines is something that fills out that line from underneath. ie fillers and Botox to paralyse a wrinkle causing muscle.
I have had filler once a year for about 8 years and have no lines. I do swear by the spf moisturiser though and never wear make up except a bit of lippy.

My oily/combo/open pores skin (early 50’s) massively improved when I started using single ingredient products about 10 years ago - Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, Glycolic acid toner, niacinimide, retinol (Boots own brand or Inkey List are inexpensive) alongside very bland moisturiser - I love Cerave. Also double cleansing - balm (Superdrug or if feeling fancy Elemis) to take off makeup followed by foaming cleanser (at the moment loving Superdrug own brand salysilic acid cleanser). I use LRP SPF every day I’m going to be outside for any length of time.

I got magic cream for Christmas and it was lovely but now it’s finished. Too pricey for me and not enough of a difference from cheaper stuff. Revolution Pro do a reasonable dupe.

I’ve tried loads of combos and now Use L’occitaine face wash, toner and serum and then Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream.

I also never sit and face the sun.Always in sunglasses and a hat if sitting outside for a while or I will put back to the sun. Never try to tan. I use Bondi Sands daily tanner every other day from now throughout the warmer months. I use tan luxe drops in my moisturiser for my face.

I always wash with a non perfume face wash & then moisturise with a L’Oréal age perfect cream ..
I also take revive beauty complex with collagen , the one for skin , hair & nails & it’s 👌 & omega 3 ..
I Find I have good skin , I think everyone has to take something that will work from the inside out ..
I drink a homemade smoothie every day aswel & always try to eat well..
I find the combination of all these things definitely work for me 😊

I’m 54 and my skin is better now than late 40s. I don’t spend a lot on a moisturiser- I currently have a Beauty Pie one(£18) but use Boots, L’Oreal , Aldi sometimes. The important routine for me:
Night - cleanse, revitalist retinol serum, Niacinimide (The ordinary) and moisturiser. Retinol eye cream.

Morning- wash my face with warm water and muslin cloth. Vit c serum with hyalaronic acid plus under eye cream, moisturiser and factor 50 spf over the top. I have a good Beauty Pie one called featherlight. Have also used La Roche Possay and L’Oreal do a good spf 50 serum

I was sceptical but been using cream with retinol every night and good day cream with sunscreen and seems to have really helped

Boots serum is good, if I run out of it I notice difference very quickly

I'm also 42 and look bloody haggard. I think I'll try the serum

The things that have made a huge difference to my face are not creams but acids. BHA, AHA, hyaluronic, vitamin C. They just brighten up my skin dramatically. I really notice when I get a bit lazy with skincare.

I'm about to start tret once I'm back from my holiday as it seems to be the acid that people claim makes the most difference.

Retinol makes a big difference for me. Start slow - my skin is sensitive so I use a very gentle Beauty Pie one every other day. That's enough to really improve my skin.

Reading with interest - my skin is crap at the minute. 47, peri...

Dry patches, blotchy and just rubbish. But then so is my skincare.

Cerave face wash and moisturiser and that's it. I definitely need to change it up!

Reading with interest - my skin is crap at the minute. 47, peri...

Dry patches, blotchy and just rubbish. But then so is my skincare.

Cerave face wash and moisturiser and that's it. I definitely need to change it up!

I use tret, a peptide serum from timeless, sunscreen, double cleanse and vaseline moisturiser. My skin still can’t tolerate vitmain c tbh. My skin is ok, I have acne scars and some texture. But tret probably makes the most difference to me.

but heavy duty Vaseline can fill in the little ones (wrinkles)

My friend is a dermatologist and besides the usual high SPF factor, he tells me to slap on the serums as they are more bang for your buck.
I use the aldi and lidl anti aging serums for a decade and am constantly told my skin is fab for 60. As they are inexpensive I really can slap them on.
My skin absorbs them very quickly .
My daughter who is 18 loves them too particularly after a shower, light but highly absorbant.
Worth trying with other stuff.
Oh I use vitamin C too.
Keep it in a dark spot though, not in full sunlight.
Again I use the Boots range or The ordinary or Inky list.
Budget all the way here.