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!)

@SockFluffInTheBath

No I lie, it’s regenerist whip, I’ll look for the one you mention…

No problem glad I found it, it was difficult to find one that didn't make my face as oily as it goes without moisturiser

Olay Regenerist Whip is lovely and often on special offer.

@IcedPurple

Only two products have been clinically proven to be effective in protecting our skin from the effects of ageing.

They are retinol and SPF. A good sunscreen is available for a couple of quid in Boots or the supermarket. Retinol can be bought inexpensively over the counter in some European countries, or from some online pharmacies abroad.

So there really is no need to spend big money on skincare. Sure, if you like the smell or the texture, go for the fancy cream if you can afford it. But it's probably not going to be any better for your skin than something you get on offer in Boots or Superdrug.

You can get Tretinoin in the UK from Dermatica and skin and me very easily

I’ve found it’s the actions and being consistent that has improved my skin rather than expensive products (mine are Aldi with the odd Superdrug if on offer). Try to do the same thing every morning and night.

Wash face with a Muslin cloth
Wipe some toner on after with cotton wool if you can be bothered
Bit of serum (hyualornic acid if your skin feels crinkly or dehydrated).
Let that dry in a little then use moisturiser (a slightly heavier one at night or when weathers cold)

I dodged skincare for most of my thirties, now in 40s and starting to look slightly crinkly so have started. My skin care routine is m and s beauty calendar and Aldi. Made a big difference but not expensive. On a side note the illuminating concealer they’ve started selling for 2.99 is really good.

RetinA has made a huge improvement along with SPF. As pp mentioned Superdrug has very good cleansers and moisturisers at reasonable prices.

I have a morning and evening 'regime': 2 serums, a moisturiser each time, double cleanse with same product at night and sunscreen in the morning. Cleanser is £10 for a huge 150ml. Everything else is between £4 to £7. I spend about £20 a month on skincare.

I have good clear, slightly reddish (thank you irish heritage)
skin just starting to wrinkle at 53. Before I started skincare 5 years ago I had spotty, very red blotchy, extremly sensitive, combination with dry flaking patches skin just starting to wrinkle.

It takes 5 minutes and that's minutes I don't allow myself to be distracted by the 101 things I need to get done. Like a breathing space twice a day.

I'm 36 and have terrible wrinkles. I never did much more than a cheap cleanser and moisturiser for my very dry skin. I'm regretting this now, I also suspect I'm seeing the signs of sun damage.

So are people who say 'apply a SPF' putting on a suncream everyday or is this a moisturiser containing it? I haven't found a suncream yet that doesn't bring me out in spots with regular use. I use a factor 30 moisturiser but I always thought we weren't meant to on duller winter days because we struggle so much with vitamin D here.

Thanks

Also, I saw Superdrug have started selling a retinol night cream, although I don't think you are supposed to use it when pregnant.

I started a proper routine when I was 29, probably with the fear of turning 30 Now nearly 33 and I love my routines, I'm a mum of 2 and it's something that is just for me and my products aren't expensive but they're my little bit of indulgent spending for myself.
For me, glycolic acid, niacinamide and retinol make all the difference and I'm hoping I will see the benefits as I get older of staying consistent with it now. Also SPF everyday!

@45redballoons

I'm 36 and have terrible wrinkles. I never did much more than a cheap cleanser and moisturiser for my very dry skin. I'm regretting this now, I also suspect I'm seeing the signs of sun damage.

So are people who say 'apply a SPF' putting on a suncream everyday or is this a moisturiser containing it? I haven't found a suncream yet that doesn't bring me out in spots with regular use. I use a factor 30 moisturiser but I always thought we weren't meant to on duller winter days because we struggle so much with vitamin D here.

Thanks

Most sun cream was horrible for my skin. Dermatologist recommended Altruist - amazing company whose mission is to eradicate skin cancer globally. Super cheap to but- their Face Fluid is amazing and I've had no issues. I do t use moisturer.

Any cruelty free face SPF posters could recommend please?

I say don't bother with all that junk.
We all end up looking like a shrivelled up old ball bag anyway.
Embrace that turkey neck, saggy eye-bags and broken nose veins!

I have found my holy grail skin care
Trouble is it is too expensive . ( sunday riley vit c, charoltte tilbury magic cream, trinny bff with sunfactor in it. Night
sunday rikey luna oil and good genes and ant moisture cream. ) so its good to hear you can get cheaper stuff. Good luck op on finding cheap n good products .( i just need to try.to find same!)

Can anyone recommend a good facial suncream?

I like Anthelios Factor 50 for my face, it's by La Roche Posay. It doesn't suit everyone as it is very moisturising but I have dry skin so it's fine. Nivea UV Face is good too.

I have always looked after my face and I'm virtually wrinkle free.

I swear by hyaluronic acid.

Second Nivea UV face (I use the sensitive one). Feels like an incredibly sophisticated formula for the price- non greasy and no cast. Really good alternative to pricier brands.

@flower277

Can anyone recommend a good facial suncream?

Thank you Farmer is really good and Ultrasun.

@flower277 @Birdfooddirect @Chewchewaboogiew - Altruist face fluid is cruel free and cheap. Can't recommend highly enough, I'm so glad I was recommend (by an NHS dermatologist)

I used a very expensive and complicated Medik8 & Skinceuticals regime for years, involving retinol, vitamin c, ceramides, hyaluronic acid etc etc etc. I have now learned that the single best way to improve skin is to use a simple routine comprising really stellar active ingredients (for me, that is tretinoin, niacinamide and azaleic acid) plus a really good quality gentle cleanser, moisturiser and SPF.

I use Skin and Me which is excellent and it’s a monthly subscription to a dermatology prescribed routine. They work out what your skin needs and can treat acne, rosacea, pigmentation, dullness etc. All you do is cleanse and use SPF in the morning, then in the evening cleanse, use their serum and moisturise. Three steps, max.

There’s another company very similar to Skin and Me called Dermatica which I haven’t tried but it gets similarly excellent reviews. It’s a bit cheaper too. However, I read the doses are a bit stronger and my skin is very sensitive so I opted for Skin and Me.

With both, you can have a reduced price trial month to see how you get on, so I can’t recommend it enough: you can’t really lose!

I have a referral promo code if you’re interested but won’t spam it on here!

"Gloop" is a rather 90s idea of skincare. Modern products are light and watery.

I use a light serum and yes, a very light SPF. It only needs reapplying regularly if you're outdoors the whole time. We have a family history of aggressive skin cancer due to 1980s style encouragement of tanning; while I stopped sun-seeking when I was 14, I've had two cancerous removals. So, yeah. SPF daily.

I have better skin now than I did as a teen. I say it's worth it, given that for a few swishes of serum I can have a face like a baby's arse. Figuring out what works for you can take some time, but once you nail it it's easy.

Face, I use the Bioré watery one from Japan. Goes on feather-light, factor 50 or 60, perfect under makeup or on its own, non-greasy and I remain milk-pale all summer. Amazing stuff.

Skin is classed as mature after 25. You should really start taking care of your skin from your teens but your skincare routine obviously changes throughout your life.

I'm 36 now and I've really upped my daily routine in the last 2 years. That has really made a difference. I also wear a lot less makeup now than I ever have. Day to day I don't wear foundation or anything unless I have a zoom meeting and then I'll put on some mascara!

Skincare doesn't have to be expensive. A basic exfoliator and aldi skin creams are amazing. The old school plain blue Nivea tub is also great.

Skin is classed as mature after 25.

"Classed" by who?

Skin is classed as mature after 25

Google says skin over 35 is classed as mature NOT 25.