To think skincare is a con

Because you were really rude. And you still are being. There really is no need for it. You could have just ignored and scrolled on past, but nooooo it's all the rage on AIBU to be as nasty as possible over the tiniest thing.

YES!! It's so true. Also a special needs. This is my favourite part of my day. I light a candle and do my routine. It is my zen.❤️ I use a facemask a few times a week. It makes me happy.

I also wear makeup. I love it.

Ehhh, no. I don't agree with the 'bar of soap' logic. I’ve used a lot of skin care brands; Clarins, Simple, Cerava, Elemis, Dermalogica to name a few. I finally settled on The Ordinary's range and have never looked back. I documented my skin journey and can see the reduction in dark circles, acne, uneven skin tone, but most of all I definitely FEEL a difference when I don't do my skin care routine.

I do also believe in you pay for what you get. In terms of makeup, a £1 pound bottle of foundation isn't going to compare to a £30 bottle of Two Faced. I do believe the same when it comes to skin care. 🤷🏼‍♀️

It depends on your skin, I have very dry skin, if left my cheeks crack in winter and my forehead flakes.

On the whole people are saying that fancy skincare products are not necessary. For a lot of us, it is a chore and an unnecessary expense that’s good to free of. £60 per month over a lifetime is equal to a substantial house deposit. But if it is a ritual that gives you pleasure then do it.

I think much of how your skin ages is down to genes. Very expensive skincare is probably a rip off - ultimately products can either cleanse or moisturise. If there were a product that drastically stopped ageing, no one would be shelling out for botox or surgery.

One of my friends had great skin, and gave all the credit to her Clinique moisturiser.

Then she had to stop her birth control - boom, spotty again.

I use the endless moisturisers one gets on my hands or feet if they dry out. My face gets nothing but suncream, and looks fine. Well, I got hit on by a sixteen year old yesterday who was very surprised that I was 33 anyway!

(I don't, obviously, think I look sixteen. It was dark!)

Yes, this! It’s so irritating.

Also smug people who say things like, ‘well all I’ve ever used is Pears soap morning and evening and I’ve never had a single spot, my skin is perfect. Skincare is a con.’

As if it’s that easy for everyone. I spent over a decade with severe acne, so bad that I couldn’t even lie on a pillow without being in pain. There was more spot than skin to my face. I had every idea under the sun suggested to me (despite never asking anyone’s advice), as if it were somehow my fault for having a horrible skin disease, that if only I just did/didn’t do x y z or cut out gluten and dairy I could have perfect skin just like them.

Acne, eczema et al are diseases of the skin. It took two rounds of isotretinoin over 2.5 years to sort out mine and I still get spots. I have to use topical tretinoin several times a week to keep it at bay. This dries my skin, so I use hyalauronic acid (as directed by the NHS consultant dermatologist) and aveeno face cream on top.

Some people don’t have the luxury of just being able to use a bar of soap and be done with it. But if you can, and you have good skin, well done you, you are very clever to have the genes you do and that you have no control over.

@FuckFuckGo completely agree although I was told earlier in the thread acne isn’t relevant here because it’s a medical condition. Like you, my acne meant I would carefully follow anything that kept it somewhat under control and at whatever cost. Sadly mine has suddenly worsened in the last 2 months and I’m back on tretinoin plus gp told me to reconsider isotretinoin if I’m definitely done having kids :(

Im so preoccupied with trying to have clear skin that anti aging doesn’t even feature on my radar, I would just kill to have skin with no spots or scars for a while

I'm 30 but compared to a lot of people I mean this in the nicest way, my skins is really good condition. I use like £1-5 products I can't afford anything else food is important, water and Nivea ... always get compliments on it

Oh no, I’m really sorry it’s come back. I remember when mine came back after the first round of isotretinoin, it was infuriating.

And I know exactly what you mean about anti aging not even featuring. Although isotretinoin and tretinoin are excellent anti-agers so there’s a silver lining at least!

Yes I agree OP.
I've always looked after my skin as I had acne as a kid, then rosacea in middle age. 2 years ago i started with eczema especially on my face. I stopped using anything, just washed in warm water. I have spent a fortune over the years, didn't seem to do me any good at all.
Sometimes I wonder if my skin problems were caused by too many creams lotions and potions

I know it's a con. But. Like other posters i enjoy the routine of it, I like the messing around with serums and creams. Hey, I probably need to get out more. But until I do, this is a good substitute.

I have excellent skin. Whether that's due to genetics/ luck or the products I use I couldn't tell you.

I get a lot of compliments on my skin. Its clear and not too bad for lines for my age, i think. I don't really ever get dry skin.

Im with your neighbour - suncream, soap & water!

I wear very little makeup too which helps. The less you do to your skin the better!

Thank you, I have been fortunate to have inept had one course so far which was in my early 20s but it was utter hell. It got SO much worse before it got better - horrific deep cysts all over my face which left scars that took years to heal.

Sometimes I try tell myself to see the silver lining in getting 3 months’ tretinoin on prescription for less than £10 when skin&me etc charge £20/month! Like any other acne sufferer, I’d swap it for clear skin in a heartbeat