To find skin routines a con?

[pinkbottle48]

I remember we use to be always told to cleanse, tone, moisturise. Now we have to double cleanse (two different cleansers), tone, moisturise, prime, serum, facial oils, BB cream, night cream, eye cream (obviously not all in that order).
AIBU to think we being conned into buying more and more or does anyone actually find it works?
At the minute I cleanse (once), moisturise, eye cream and occasionally prime. It cost me enough but when I see other ladies with lovely skin/make up I do wonder is it their skincare routine?

Sorry just realised the title should say AIBU to find skin care routines a con?

Am I unusual to not have a skin care routine? Do most women, I sometimes moisturise, sometimes remember to use a night cream and occasionally do a mud pack.

Saves time and money.

Of course women are being conned!
That’s how advertising works

You don’t need loads of expensive potions - drink some water, try and get good sleep, Nivea, and have good genes - simples

I would have agreed with you a few years ago, and anyway when I was younger, I think my skin was ok with just basic cleansing and moisturising. Of course when I got older, it wasn't so good any more, I had large pores, fine lines and a general dullness.
I have started a more active regime in the last year and I have to say I have really noticed the difference. I was sceptical but there's a definite improvement.

YANBU. I suffer with redness and spots and I tried all sorts of fancy products to try and sort it out. Nothing worked and eventually I stopped using them. All I use now is a gentle cleanser and water and my skin is the best it's ever been.

Not drinking alcohol makes my skin amazing
The only product I use is moisturiser from Lidl

Complete con, I wash my face on the shower, the occasional bit of moisturiser and that's it, bar frown lines I have no wrinkles at all and I'm 48, the single most important thing you can do for your skin is stay out of the sun, I've always had a dislike of hot weather and have avoided sun all my life, I'm convinced this is why I'm wrinkle free
I get sucked in occasionally though and spend money on crap I don't need

As someone who suffered from acne for a decade yes it’s all a con. I’ve spent so much money and time on products.

I’m now finishing up my 2nd course of roacctuane and my skin is amazing. I do have to moisturise and I obviously take my make up off. I am lucky in that as I have traditionally very oily skin, I have no wrinkles yet but I do have melasma and use a brightening cream

Yes its a can. There is some evidence also that some harmful chemicals are absorbed. I have gone back to water and occasional moisturiser. Serum on the rare occasions I wear makeup. My naked face is no worse than the naked faces of my high maintenance friends ( when I can catch them without make up!)

I agree with you but at the same time I have pretty manageable skin.

I clean off makeup with coconut oil and that’s the end of my routine.

I don’t wear make up and all I do is when I get up every morning I wash with hot water and a flannel. YANBU - it is all a con and I can’t believe how many people are sucked in by it.

Totally agree, I never cleanse tone and rarely moisturise

I don’t use soap and clean with pure baby wipes

At 49 I don’t have any wrinkles laughter or frown lines and am told I look at least 10 years younger

I do protect from the sun, rarely drink and have never smoked

it always makes me laugh when people comment as I’ve spent the last 20 years suffering with severe auto immune illnesses and often feel 20 years older than my age but at least I don’took it

I think the double cleanse thing might be because these days women tend to wear sunscreen on a regular basis. 25 years ago that wasn’t the case.

Having said that I don’t double cleanse. I do have really sensitive skin though so I follow a regime otherwise my skin looks crap

Are we meant to have a routine? I just put lidl face cream on cost less than £2 and drink water. Is that a routine

Oh god, this thread is going to be full of MN competitive skin neglect, I can feel it.

You have to clean your grimy face. You should wear sunscreen. Everything else is optional. But pleasant.

It’s a complete con. I agree with Tante & tccat I wash my face in the shower and last thing at night with ordinary shower gel, moisturise very light with aqueous (I know lots of people will be shocked at that), it works. haven’t got a single wrinkle and a few months off from my 50th. I get asked my skin regime a lot, when I say I don’t have one people think I’m trying to be evasive, but I’m not.

I think it really depends on your skin.

I have awful skin and had never really followed a regime. My pores were so blocked you could see them a mile off. I would also get huge spots.

I would was my face in the shower with a clenser but that was it. I dont wear makeup.

I have now started using a proper regime and the difference is astonishing.

I am a recent convert to washable face pads. I’ve been doing a proper skin care regime since I was 21 (now 37). The washable wipes (from Cheeky wipes) suggest using coconut oil on your face, then wipe once with a wipe rinsed in warm water and then one with cold water. Cleanses, tones and moisturise! The wipes aren’t cheap (£13 for 10) but the coconut oil is and I reckon in the couple of months I’ve had them I’ve already saved money. My skin looks as good as with all the expensive products too.

"I work down t'pit everyday, use castor oil to clean the soot off on bank Holidays only, and everyone says I look FIVE YEARS OLD"

I used to but don't anymore. Wash face in shower, occasionally moisturise. My skin is absolutely crap though. I'm just tired from mum life and working. But maybe if I work hard enough I'll be able to afford a fancy facial and some Botox/filler lol

You can't polish a turd, I say.

Drink plenty of water.
Take a multivitamin.
Eat healthily.
Use moisturiser.

I use a Dermaflannel & use DDs childs farm moisturiser, only because its open & needs using, thats it.

A routine is a con.

Some products = bloody amazing and worth every penny.

I've just started using honey to wash my face and I find it moisturisers well too. It's natural, antibacterial, comes in a recyclable container and is cheap. Job done.

Elspeth I know it’s beginning to sound a bit like that, thing is face products are really expensive and based on their low effective many can’t even afford them so it really is just a quick wash in the shower. I’m always amazed at the facial products thrown at me when I go to buy makeup, toner, primer etc when they tell you the collective price for everything I’m just , grab my lip pencil and leave. But I think I’m lucky in that I’m one of those with naturally young looking skin.

I just use water and Anne French.
Been using Anne French since I was 15 now early 30's and people always remark that I have lovely skin ! If anything adding more products to your face = more chemicals and stuff that blocks pores , skin sensitivity etc. Your skin doesn't need all that stuff on it. Just drink lots of water and have a good diet and moisturise ! Sorted !