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?

A lot of men have skin like leather gloves as a result.

No thanks.

Elspeth,

they have no problem attracting the women though do they?

Hard to have silky skin with a faceful of bristles!

Anyway, I reckon a lot of this advertising towards women re skin care is to stay young and attract the men.

The opposite doesn't seem to apply does it!

Nobody is forcing moisturiser on anybody though.

Plenty of people on this thread apparently don't give a shit about advertising.

I do my skin routine for me. Men don't notice whether your skin is good or not.

I think it all comes down to genetics mostly, but after a $600 caviar facial (which I didn't pay for), my skin glowed like I was an angel. God knows what that woman did with that Elemis/La Prairie stuff but ''twas wonderful.

Generally I'm a sucker for pretty packaging and shallow promises but I'm also lazy so instead I use prescribed retinol 4 x week, I wear factor 50 on my face without fail every day (live in the Caribbean) and moisturize with cold cream.
At night I remove make up with face wipes and then wash in the shower.

And because I don't believe that any skincare regime is magic, I get juvederm from my fantastic ophthalmologist to keep me plump where I should be...

Meh. I don't really care about looking or getting older, as long as I don't look totally shit whilst doing it!
Bizarrely enough, I look far younger without make up.

“Men don't seem to have all these skin care routines”

That’s because they don’t tend to wear makeup

Ghost,

Lots of women do not wear make up, but still have skin care routines. Their choice.

Men don't have to. Women who do all this and spend a fortune are mostly doing it to push back time and attract men. Men never get too old to attract a woman, usually a younger model admittedly, so there is (for some women) a need to stay and look young for that reason!

Probably need to go to the feminist board, but it is Sunday and I need lots of energy for that one!

I will duck down now...

The only time I have had spots as an adult is when I have started cleansing, toning and moisturizing!

I use a pumice stone once a week very gently on my face in the shower leaves skin soft
Also use water and cleanser On face and drink water no juice or anything
women you see pay through the nose for chemical face peel and thick heavy makeup like primers concealer, foundation, powder then a makeup setter all in that order without it their skins shitty like everyone else’s lol
Don’t be fooled

DH has olive skin, started wearing spf 15 daily on my recommendation 19 years ago. Now looks 30-something, not nearly 50. He couldn't be happier!
Me, I wear spf 50 face & neck all year around.
#trust me on the sunscreen

Almond oil, sugar and pure honey... You're welcome.

My boyfriend uses a face wash, exfoliates and does the occasional mask because he likes how it makes his skin look and feel. These are the same reasons why I do my routine, with the added reason that it feels like a bit of a pamper and I find it fun to try new products.

If for any reason I go without my serum or face mask, I soon notice the difference in my skin tone. It appears dull and less smooth. So for me it is not a con although I haven't ever paid more than £20 for one item and the majority of what I use comes from a subscription box.

If you're expecting to cure acne or look like a whole different person after doing a face mask or using a cleanser then you will undoubtedly feel conned!

YANBU It's a con.
I always get asked how I get my skin so nice, when I tell people I just wash with cold water as my skin reacts (badly) to pretty much everything they start with the "oh, you just haven't found the right overpriced crap". No, seriously, I have very sensitive skin, a skin disease, and allergies. And also, you just asked me how I get my skin so nice, so clearly the plain cold water is working.

AIBU to think this whole thread is a con

Op posted and that's that. Lots of products mentioned on the thread now

Sunscreen is the answer to ageing. I have worn it every day since age 19 and now at 45 my skin is far less saggy or wrinkly than that of my friends who have just worn ordinary moisturiser. I'm also edging my bets by using a cream which contains retinol and antioxidants. Your skin may look great day to day by just splashing with water but you never know what the long term benefits might be from anti-aging ingredients- I'm prepared to give it a go because in 30 years it might have been worth it (plus I enjoy applying my skincare every night- it's relaxing before bed and makes me feel good about myself).

Fresta do you use a sunscreen plus moisturiser or a combined one? I’m thinking I need a sunblock plus moisturiser

Can't answer for Fresta but I use both now. I used to use a combined one but find you have more options with moisturiser if you go separate I. E. I can now go really basic and cheap with moisturiser!

Thanks Elspeth - what sunscreen do you use if you don’t mind me asking?

I use the La Roche Posay anthelios spf50 in the funny little square bottle.

It's OK. You have to shake it well but at least it's like water and so doesn't make you feel claggy and sticky. I drizzle it all over my hand and slap on any old way and you can't even detect it a minute later.

Thanks Elspeth, that’s the one I’ve been looking at, cheers.

I use a serum under a combined moisturiser/sunscreen in the morning- both from Paulas choice. SPf30

In the evening I use an oil followed by a night cream- currently using an espa oil and M&S ultimate sleep cream and Paulas Choice resist Intensive repair cream (which has retinol) on alternate nights. Edging my bets

It’s hedging your bets not edging (no offence intended)

Ok- whatever😊

I barely wash my face. Mostly just wash it in the shower and it's lucky if I remember to moisturise. I'm just busy so slightly neglectful of myself. When I was younger and had more time and money I spent a fortune on stuff like this - creme de la mer and the like and I loved nothing more than browsing the cosmetics and skincare in Selfridges and spending half my monthly income whilst I was at it.

It's all a con. People comment frequently on my lovely skin. And apart from being more lined it looks the same as it did a decade ago. Everyone knows flawless no lines post 40 is Botox!!

The thing is, expensive doesn't = effective. Moisturising isn't anti-aging either, it's just moisturising. Unless you suffer with really dry skin a moisturiser won't make much difference to how your skin looks.