Can you recommend me a moisturiser/face wash?

[HazedandConfused]

I am still looking for the "perfect" moisturiser, and nearly at the end of a pot so wondering if you have any recommendations!

My skin is combination-ish I guess, but more dry than it used to be (used to be quite oily) - it definitely feels tight after washing until I've moisturised, and oily-skin moisturisers are definitely not enough now and it feels better with a moderately dry-skin one. But if I go too rich it starts to get greasy again, also if I am under pressure or use the wrong moisturiser it still gets a bit spotty sometimes.

I am 35 but haven't really noticed any particular wrinkles yet (possibly because of naturally oily skin) and tend to get freaked out by the ones with "wrinkle repair" or "anti-aging" written all over, so have avoided them so far - just hoping I won't regret it later! Not sure if I should be trying something like that now though...

The one I'm using now is Clinique Superdefense, it seems OK but nothing special, and is pretty expensive so I'm not sure whether to get another pot or keep trying to find one that might suit me better (and ideally be a bit cheaper, though I wouldn't mind paying for one I was really happy with!). But I'm wary of buying a whole pot and then finding it's totally wrong for me, as that has happened before.

Also wondering about a good face wash which I can use in the shower (mornings are always a rush) but which isn't too drying? I have an Origins one now, but again it is OK but expensive and I think I could probably find something at least as good or better for less money. Thank you!

Cleanser: Oil and a washcloth wrung out in hot water.

Moisturiser: Oilatum Natural Repair, rosehip oil, Embryolisse, E45, Eucerin urea 5 pct for any dry skin.

A good broad spectrum sun screen.

I do also like Dermalogica Microfoliant as an exfoliator (can't use my Paula's Choice Resist Resurfacer as am pregnant)

Pretty much all fancy creams OTC are a waste of money. Simply whipped emollients and air and water with silicones to give 'slip'. Any active ingredients are in such low concentrations as to be barely effective. Ingredients that truly work (retinoids, hyaluronics, glycolics, for example) often have unwanted side effects so aren't available OTC.

This is from my dermatologist friend.

Save your $$$ for

your $$$ for clothes, wine and shoes.

Great question Hazed - I have been having the same problems and am getting sick of paying for what I knew wasn't worth it. Otchayaniye brilliant advice, will definately have a look at the creams you have suggested- Thank you.

What you want is Liz Earle - her face range is awesome stuff -skin repair light moisturiser is lovely, and the Cleanse and Polish cream is brilliant.

Second Eucerin 5% Urea Cream for tight-feeling dry skin. It's done wonders to my skin and it's immediately soothing. I use it as a night cream because it's quite rich. If I only need a bit of something under the makeup in the morning, La Roche Posay Toleriane Riche is great.

I use either Boots Botanics skin soothing marshmallow moisturiser (inexpensive) or L'Occitane moisturiser (expensive). Both have SPF15. I use a separate eye cream as am prone to under eye shadows and use L'Occitane having tried lots of others.

I use Simple face wash in the shower in the morning and toner before moisturising in the morning and take any make-up off at night (in so much as I'm wearing any) with a make-up wipe. Occasionally I exfoliate with Body Shop scrub/mask - my favourite was Botanics in shower facial scrub but haven't been able to get it recently.

I've reviewed loads of cleansers and some creams too, more to come:
www.yumetc.blogspot.com

Wow lots of replies, thank you all, I will definitely look at some of the ones you have mentioned!

MissFoodie your blog is awesome!!

aaaaah thanks you sooo much!!!! :-)
it's a hobby really, but it's so much work it's like a full time job!!!
but at least it's enjoyable, plus I like to "spread the word"!!!
:-)