Affordable effective skincare - does it exist?

[overweightcat]

I'm late 20s and up until now my skincare routine has been pretty non existent, cheap Neutrogena face wash and superdrug own face moisturisers (under £5 each) - its really not cutting it, I'm noticing saginess, texture, redness around nose and smile lines and generally not feeling so great about my skin.

I'm determined to get a complete new skincare routine together with some anti ageing products in there and would love some tips and advice as I'm feeling overwhelmed with the amount of products out there..

So far in my basket I have: SPF 50 for my face and a rose quartz roller to help depuff in the mornings

• I have the ordinary aha bha peeling solution which I've used in the past but just not kept up with it so will start using it again.

I would really love some serums , retinol and recommendations for creams and products that really work but don't break the bank as I can't afford to keep repurchasing £££s worth of products every couple of months - also a cleanser/face wash.

Could anyone point me in the right direction? / Recommend products that work?

I’m late forties and get tretinoin from Dermatica. It’s £22 a month I think. Definitely helped my skin.

The ordinary do great stuff at decent prices too.

Retinol is the only thing that will help with lines and wrinkles.

@ClementineWooleysocks I agree.I love that range

Make up revolutions skincare, especially the CBD stuff

I’d really recommend getting Caroline Hirons SKINCARE book, it’s a great way to educate yourself about what you might need and how to use it.

I like the French pharmacy brands like Bioderma and Avene. Both are available in Boots. Avene is particularly good for my dry/sensitive skin.
My favourite is Caudalie which is a bit more expensive (but not outrageous!) You can can get it on Cult Beauty, LookFantastic etc and in John Lewis I think.

@strawberryplanting

"The next best thing you can do is use retinol, or even better, retin A (which is not the same as retinol). I'm not sure where you are but if it's the UK retin A is hard to get for cosmetic reasons and you may have to see a private dermatologist or order it online from abroad. "

Retin-A is the brand name for Tretinoin which is easily got hold of in the UK from Dermatica online

What I meant by that is that most GPs will not prescribe Retin A for cosmetic purposes.

I was the same as you OP, never really had a consistent skin care routine but was never really happy with my skin. I have a pretty oily T zone and shine has always been a massive issue for me, since mid-May I have been using the following products and have noticed a massive difference in my skin and my break outs are now few and far between:

La Roche-Posay Effaclar three step set
Nip & Fab Glycolic Extreme Scrub
Pixi Glow Tonic

Yes!!!!!

Facetheory is AMAZING

really high end effective ingredients and an amazing price

Made in Yorkshire too

Theor Facebook page gives discount code FB 30 for a 30% discount and there’s a money back guarantee

@PastaAndPizzaPlease

Make up revolutions skincare, especially the CBD stuff

I’d really recommend getting Caroline Hirons SKINCARE book, it’s a great way to educate yourself about what you might need and how to use it.

That book is trash.

Follow proper derms on insta / YouTube instead

It’s cheap as chips but I love Nivea creme!

Apparently it’s almost identical to that uber expensive creme de Mar stuff which costs hundreds!

Not wanting to boast but i have great skin. I’ve tried L’Oréal age perfect which is ok, but Nivea is better!

Your genes are the biggest factor in skin ageing, and those you can't do much about. Next is smoking, drinking and diet. Sun exposure comes next, but you need some for Vit D.

My 100 year old Grandma had amazing skin, smooth and unblemished. She was a farmer so pretty exposed, but only ever used soap and water and cold cream.

92 year old mum also pretty good, not many wrinkles, although some sun damage, but she grew up in Italy. She also uses soap and water, and basic face cream.

I don't have a skin care routine at all, and I'm 50. Just soap in the shower in the evening, some very basic body shop face cream, and a quick wipe over with Micellar water in the morning with moisturiser again, spf 15. My skin is pretty good, but the I also don't wear make up, which I think helps.

I’m a body shop, lush and nip and fab fan
I also like Tropic
Lots of people swear by the Ordinary but it gave me awful acne

I can also vouch for the Nip n Fab range.
The texture of my skin is a lot smoother and brighter and the pores are a lot less noticeable.
Like someone said they are often half price in Sainsburys/ Waitrose etc. so worth stocking up. I particularly rate the scrub and toner.

Thanks all you have swayed me to Face Theory!

Just put an order in for their recommendations and added the Regenacalm 2% which they didn't put in my routine suggestion but I wanted to give retinol a go.

£42ish in total for 4 products, Amil-C whip with vitamin c moisturiser, freshening face wash with aloe Vera, clarifying cleanser c2 with acids and Regenacalm 2%.

Thank you to pp who posted about the discount code! I saved over £17! Which is great and it comes at around £10 per product which I'm more than happy with.

Excited to try it all .

@Confrontayshunme

SPF every day (even when cloudy) is the best kept cheap secret that I feel like no one believes. Also an omega 3 fish oil capsule helps acne more than anything else as you get older. Caroline Hirons has a simple routine and is great.

I agree. I use Nivea factor 50 anti aging facial sunblock as my moisturiser. Much cheaper than a lot of moisturisers.

I’m a big fan of beauty pie but think I’m going to have to look up Face Theory now after all the recommendations here!

Agree with advice to look up Dr Sam Bunting, she gives great, really clear advice. I used only her products for a couple of years to simplify my skincare routine after going a bit mad with The Ordinary products and irritating my skin - I think they can be good but easy to get carried away with such cheap prices.

Started using beauty pie a few months ago and really enjoying trying new products which have all been great although I may go back to Dr Sam’s - I don’t think I’m good with too much choice although Dr Sam keeps on expanding her range too!

I bought the Caroline Hiron’s book and regretted it, I definitely got caught up in the hype. Really not much in it, nothing which I don’t think people who are already into skincare don’t already know and as someone else said it’s all already on her website.

SPF 50 everyday is the best thing you can do for your skin long term, I’ve got my teen DD’s into the habit of putting it on everyday. They make fun of me telling them that they’ll thank me when they’re older but they will if they keep it up!