To wonder if ‘skincare’ is worth it?

[Eeksteek]

I’ve never really bothered. It seems like more faff than I can be arsed with and my skin seems to be indifferent to what I put on it. I have PCOS, and for most of my adult life I’ve been on Dianette (great skin), keto (great skin!) or had acne (icky skin, but the carbs taste good!)

Just lately, though my skin feels drier (hurrah, I might be able to look at a carb and not break out in boils!) and there’s no denying I’m solidly in my mid-forties and starting to look a bit crinkly around edges. I’m clueless though, is it really worth slathering yourself in expensive gloop? I don’t aspire to look like a teenager, and I don’t wear make up unless I’m going out out (lone parent, so that’s once or twice a year, then!) but I don’t want to look like an haggard old witch either!

Should I start with something? And what? Do you really get what you pay for? How can those little pots of gloop possibly be worth spending so much on? Gin’s loads cheaper - probably wouldn’t to do much for my skin, but it’s more fun and I’m sooo cynical about ‘beauty products’. There’s no way of knowing if you’d have aged well anyway!

(No judgement on people who enjoy spending time on their appearance or their skin. I’m lazy and irreverent, and you probably look loads better than I do. All self care is good, as far as I’m concerned!)

I think it’s mainly genetics and luck in terms of skin appearance.

For a few years I used a few serums and moisturisers that cost a fair bit.

Now I just use dermatica and moisturiser and my skin is ten times better.

I really don’t think a lot of the high street stuff works to be honest, the formulas are too weak with not enough of the advertised product.

The main thing to concern yourself with is moisture. Moisture moisture moisture.

Don't use a self tanner- these age the skin by increasing free radical damage.

I haven’t heard this before, is it a new thing or do I need to come out from under my skincare rock more often?

@Wheniruletheworld

Like the OP, i am ambivilent about skin care. Bit of Nivea when I remember. Yet, neither do I have any neck or chest crinkles, and I am 60. Much of ageing is down to genes. Much of the 'science' of OTC skin care products is not really science (e.g. ads stating that 77% of 80 women agre..., etc). If it was that easy to rejuvinate skin and replace collagen, all the tissue viability/wound care professionals would be out of a job. Once skin starts losing collagen to ageing, you cannot replace it! But sadly, companies will continue to profit from selling snake oil because people want to halt the ageing process and they feel under pressure to look 'young'. The hands will always give age away....

If “the hands always give the game away” then it suggests what’s being put on the face is working surely?…..and maybe needs to go on the hands?

@Hotpinkparade

I didn't bother until two years ago (I'm 35) when an older more beautiful friend recommended I get ahead of the game. I had always had acne and it's now completely gone. I didn't really believe the hype but I was totally wrong, it's been a real game changer. I wash my face and apply a vitamin C serum in the morning, use SPF, then wash at night and use a retinol serum (prescription from Dermatica, online and cheap!) before bed. Best thing I've done for myself this decade.

Hey

I’m 36 and really starting to notice my skin aging, especially around eyes. It’s really getting to me but I shouldn’t really complain as I basically do nothing to help my skin over years.

What exact products do you use and where do u purchase?

I’m just hoping it’s not to late for me to help my skin

I love blue Nivea! Used it through winter then a lighter moisturiser in the summer, like loreal revitalift.

I use coconut oil at night, and a hyaluronic acid serum every other night. Sometimes glycolic acid toner. Superdrug have a great range

Ive tried Clinique dramatically different and to be honest, its uninspiring. Not hydrating enough and lacks something. But i do love the moisture surge range but at the moment, i can’t afford it

But over the winter ive slacked somewhat. And I noticed the skin around the eyes have aged me. Im 50 in 2 years snd seriously considering fillers in my tear troughs and crows feet.

Forgot to add i have dry skin, tight dry skin.

I steam once a week, and by the time i get to the bathroom from the kitchen my skin is tight.

Plus im lucky never to have been bothered by spots. But now, when i get one, it bloody huge! Peri!

Are they really "absolute basics" or is that just what the marketing companies are telling you?

That is what dermatologists recommend.

Placemarking for later x

Totally agree that the best "skincare routine" is diet. Loads of greens and oily fish.

No smoking or alcohol.

I wash my face with olive oil, and use glycolic acid. In winter I use the cheap nivea or astral cream.

Lidl day cream SPF15. In fact any daily moisturiser with SPF15 as that will stop wrinkles and sun damage.

@Fairislefandango

There is really no need to spend lots of money. I buy Aldi Lacura Caviar pots of gloop ,and they are easily as good as any of the expensive pots of gloop I have bought in the past.

You don't need to 'embrace the world of skin care'. Just buy a good, cheap moisturiser and slap it on. Job done. Your skin will feel and look better.

Came on to suggest exactly this, right down to the Aldi recommendation!

@noblegreenk

I think certain skincare products are worth it. I've always been lucky to have very good skin and only ever used a cheap basic cleanser and moisturiser plus spf. Around this time last year I noticed my skin looked tired, dull and it'd lost its glow. Did a bit of research and bought a night cream, some retinol serum and a vitamin c serum. Within a week of starting my new regime I had a few people on how well I looked. I've kept it up and I definitely look better. The products I bought weren't expensive ones either.

Hi

What exact products did you use?

I’m needing a cheap(ish) and simple routine so I stick to it x

If your skin is that bad then topical products are limited.
Isotretinoin medication is amazing and I've had amazing skin now for 6 years.

Also idk if I'm lucky but I never use moisturiser as recommended by my dermatologist. She doesn't see the point but does advise some active products

@esgdance sorry, I wasn't clear as my brain was ahead of my fingers and I didn't add that I was thinking more of hands giving away the reality when cosmetic surgery has tried to make one look 30 instead of 50!

Sunscreen is worth it. Nothing else.

Botox and fillers will end up making you look odd.

Like the OP, i am ambivilent about skin care. Bit of Nivea when I remember. Yet, neither do I have any neck or chest crinkles, and I am 60. Much of ageing is down to genes. Much of the 'science' of OTC skin care products is not really science (e.g. ads stating that 77% of 80 women agre..., etc). If it was that easy to rejuvinate skin and replace collagen, all the tissue viability/wound care professionals would be out of a job. Once skin starts losing collagen to ageing, you cannot replace it!
But sadly, companies will continue to profit from selling snake oil because people want to halt the ageing process and they feel under pressure to look 'young'. The hands will always give age away....

Oh I'm with you on the snake oil merchants, but I think most people find that, assuming they clean their face regularly, a basic moisturiser is helpful for preventing it from being dry afterwards. And, while you can't really prevent wrinkles, dryness makes them (and your skin in general) look worse.

I'm 50 and had pretty oily skin most of my life. It's now much drier, so I use a richer moisturiser (with SPF) My skin looks much better for it. I don't need to 'remember' to put moisturiser on - my skin feels tight and dry if I don't!

Soap and water for the past 60 years. It's fine. I really don't look like a crispy sallow old bag.

Absolutely.

I had a bike accident 2 weeks ago, with a 8cm face laceration to the bone. The plastic surgeons commented on the quality of my skin being like I'm in my twenties when I'm 35.

At my check up, surgeon could not believe how well my skin is healing.

I do spend money on my skincare - all very high quality through my facialist and some medical grade (where I go for treatments has a dermatologist attached). I also do treatments like skin needling, LED lights, hydratherapy.

And 100% 50+ SFP is an absolute must + hats in the sun.

@milkyaqua

Are they really "absolute basics" or is that just what the marketing companies are telling you?

That is what dermatologists recommend.

Of course they do - they want to sell you stuff

Good skincare in my opinion is vital
Follow simple routine of
Non perfumed gentle cleanser morning and evening
The CSA- morning use a vitiman C product and ib sunscreen every day. At night introduce vitamin a/ retinol ( gently and build up in %}
Not complicated good products last a long time and you do t need much

I think there's alot more to it than skin care. Genetics, drinking water and eating healthy have a big impact.

But skin care makes a difference. Most if my life I have washed, mousturised, spf then make up. But that's it.

I suffered a bereavement in December. Dp got me a beauty Advent calandar, just before. Oddly a skin care routine is helping me grieve. It's given me a good morning and evening routine, something else to focus on and keep me busy at quiet times. Weird but it helps.

I have added and replaced bits. The Sunday Rielly face oils make my skin feel lovely.

My skin looks loads better, I get loads of compliments and wear far less make up. My diet has stayed the same. Its definitely helped. But it's not the only part of good skin.

Can I ask - What brand sunscreen do people recommend ?