Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To buy Estée Lauder moisturiser?

62 replies

StuntNun · 09/01/2013 15:24

I suffer from eczema and the skin around my eyes used to be really dry; it looked awful and couldn't be covered using make up. My SIL recommended Estée Lauder's moisturiser and since I've been using their products the skin on my face has healed and is now in good condition. Unfortunately I have been made redundant and am having to cut costs. The creams I use cost me about £180 a year

AIBU to buy expensive face creams when I'm trying to cut costs? I realise there are cheaper products available but it would be trial and error to find ones that would be as effective and I'm worried that it might end up being more expensive if I buy creams that I can't use.

OP posts:

Finney2 · 09/01/2013 15:26

YANBU. I have eczema and it's so difficult finding cream that's compatible with your skin. Even when you do, I tend to find it stops working after a couple of years and it's back to square one.

Which cream is it BTW? I might give it a whirl.

catgirl1976 · 09/01/2013 15:27

I do find the more expensive creams last longer than the cheaper ones so they are not that bad

Unless that's just what I tell myself..........

valiumredhead · 09/01/2013 15:29

Try the aloe range from The Body Shop first - seriously good stuff and after YEARS of having bad skin I am clear. I thought I had excema on my cheek but it disappeared after using aloe within 3 or 4 days. Its magic stuff and very cheap especially if you order on line. I have used all sorts of expensive creams and imo it really is the best stuff I have ever used.

IwantaPetFox · 09/01/2013 15:32

I second valiums suggestion, BS Aloe Vera is magic. But no, I don't think YABU if the Estee Lauder is the only thing that works for you. £180 a year isn't so much if it gives you healthy, comfortable skin.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 09/01/2013 15:32

aparently pure virgin coconut oil is meant to be a godsend for skin conditions like excema and psoriasis and makes skin smooth and beautiful. I have just bought a big tub off Amazon (cheap) its huge and will last ages. I used it on my hair and its all soft and shiny. I also have started taking a spoonful in some hot water twice a day as its meant to help with weight loss and tons of other things. rubbed some on my skin after my bath and I feel all silky today so will do it again after todays shower. It seems its a versatile ingredient that replaces loads of products. will see how I get on with long term. Oh yes its also good for cooking, replaces butter, oil etc and can be added to curries, rice etc.

IwantaPetFox · 09/01/2013 15:33

Ask for a sample from the Body Shop - they will give you a generous pot of it so you don't have to shell out on something that might not work.

Arthurfowlersallotment · 09/01/2013 15:33

Aloe is really good. Also Elizabeth Arden 8 hour stuff.

halcyondays · 09/01/2013 15:40

I've used many different face creams, many of them cheap and cheerful, over the years and the only one that ever affected my skin was an expensive Estée Lauder one, which brought me out in a rash.

IwantaPetFox · 09/01/2013 15:43

The other one I've been recommended OP is La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5. Think it would be cheaper than EL and might work for you.

RuleBritannia · 09/01/2013 15:45

I had an eye problem and my GP suggested a cream called E45 for my lower eyelids, available from shelves in supermarkets. It was a godsend and cost £1.45 for a tube but don't buy the tube, buy the little jar. Lasts ages because you need only a tiny scrap of it on the tip of your finger.

I suggest that you don't buy the tube because you can't see how much is in it. It's thick plastic so not the sort of tube that you can roll up (like toothpaste) to squeeze out the last bit.

TacoLeBell · 09/01/2013 15:46

YANBU. I have eczema and it's near impossible trying to find skincare that doesn't react with my skin. I've tried myself in the past to find cheaper alternatives but just end up spending as much through trial and error, and throwing most of it away.

Also interested in knowing which cream you use though, might try and get a sample!

valiumredhead · 09/01/2013 15:53

You see E45 is dreadful for my skin , I wish I could only spend £1.45

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 09/01/2013 15:56

RuleBritannia cutting thick tubes in half often gives loads more days of use with what is left inside. Anyone else out there tried coconut oil?

RuleBritannia · 09/01/2013 16:00

Eccles I thought I was good at lateral thinking! Good idea. thank you.

Original poster

StuntNun · 09/01/2013 16:26

I used their Verite moisturiser until my skin healed, along with the eye cream and calming fluid. Then I got a sample of TimeZone and I liked the way it made my skin feel so I switched to that.

I do think the creams are worth it, it's just the cost now that the family income is reduced. Maybe I'll ask for them as birthday presents instead of buying them for myself.

OP posts:

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 09/01/2013 16:28

you are welcome, my cupboard is full of half tubes, use one end first then slot in ito the other as a lid. (thrifty)

MaxPepsi · 09/01/2013 16:33

I too have eczema.

I have always used Clinique dramatically different moisturiser. The yellow one.

I can't honestly tell you how much the large bottle is because it lasts so long. Approx £30 maybe??

I religiously use it every day too. You only need a very small amount. It should last ages.

emsyj · 09/01/2013 16:39

YANBU. You wear your face every day, and £180 is only 50p a day.

I've suffered with acne since I was 13 and so, although I have no experience of eczema, I can imagine what it is like to find a 'cure' for a problem that causes discomfort and that you feel looks horrible.

ComeAlongPond · 09/01/2013 17:02

Do you have a link to the coconut oil you bought, stepaway?

mrsjay · 09/01/2013 17:32

180 a year isn't a huge expense when you think about it, keep buying your cream if it works and you are happy and cant find anything else that works try online to see if you can buy it cheaper , but apart from that if you can afford it buy it, ,

bigbuttons · 09/01/2013 17:35

I am about to try the lacura stuff from Aldi, it gets ver,y very good reviews i.e just as good as the expensive stuff.

bigbuttons · 09/01/2013 17:37

I have also read that glycerine you can buy from the supermarket mixed with water and put onto the skin can be excellent. If you look at the ingredients for most of these super- expensive creams glycerine is the chief moisturising ingredient!

valiumredhead · 09/01/2013 17:41

big that stuff is hideous on sensitive skin so be careful if you are delicate!

AnyoneforTurps · 09/01/2013 18:00

YANBU to spend your money as you like.

OTOH, expensive moisturisers do not work any better than cheap ones - you are paying for packaging and hype. The EL one does not suit you because it is expensive but because it does not contain an ingredient to which your skin is sensitive - probably a perfume or carrier agent.

The best moisturisers for eczema are actually the greasier ointments because these absorb into the skin well. However they are not great to use under make up so you might want to use an ointment at night and a cream during the day. Experiment with those marketed for eczema - there are dozens out there and one of them will suit you. A lot of my patients like Diprobase which you can get for £2: link here

mrsjay · 09/01/2013 19:22

My auntie raves about the Aldi stuff and she used to be a clinique all the way woman ( until she retired) she is in her 70s and looks in her early 60s her skin is lovely ,

Flip

1 2 3