quality skincare which is not £££? Possible?

[helloitsme]

I stopped using any decent skincare products because they were so expensive. I used to use Dr Hauschka, but I just looked up the prices, and I don't see how I can justify it.
So what do you use? What is affordable and decent? In my ideal world I would like cheap (ish), natural (or natural ish I guess), and not too much hassle! Is that too much to ask for? Maybe it is....Anyone got any good suggestions?
PS - I should add that pre-DD I had terrible acne and oily skin, but now after the miracle skin solution of childbirth, I just have a few scars and the occassional spot....

all the brands mentioned are not "natural" - if you are looking for a cheaper version of Dr Hauschka there are loads, if silicones et al are not an issue for you, then go with the brands mentioned above.
otherwise try and get samples from: green people, lavera and antipodes, all a lot cheaper than DR H but without any silicones, mineral oil or parabens, good luck!

I have been using this recently.

Yes to Lavera, also Lush are quite good for natural effective skincare. Weleda but they are also £££, maybe a tad cheaper than Dr Hauschka though.

I like Lush's products but they are not as natural as they make out. They are chuck full of parabens. Read the labels and you'll see what I mean!

I am using Boots Botanics cleansing balm and finding it great, especially if I massage it well. I'm sure a few fine lines have faded with it.

Lush is full of parabens, Boots botanics (apart from the cleansing balm) is full of silicones, sorry!

Weleda is def a lot cheaper than DR H, the other brand I've just thought of that's v affordable is A'kin

hey thanks miss foodie for making things a bit more clear on the natural or not front. I think when I started this thread i wasn't that clear about it, but the more I read, the more I do want natural if I can afford it. The trouble is, that usually in the past I have found only expensive natural ones to work! I am very dubious about the cheaper naturals, having had terrible spots from them in the past. Having said that, my skin is much better now.....
So, it's great to have the heads up about which ones really are natural. I haven't the foggiest what a paraben is, but glad to know where they aren't!
Lotta, I have read about the Oil Cleansing Method, but again, worried it will cause a flare up. I have spent most of my life with terrible spots, and just can't face it (pardon the pun) again. Also, OCM looks confusing as it looks like you have to figure out exact oils and it also looks time consuming, which again, I would like to avoid.

all this to say, i'm glad of all this info, and still a little confused! I guess I'll just pick something and try it....

Weleda is v over rated IMO, hausshka also. Sometimes natural isn't the best way especially if spots are a problem
I found the oil method terrible but loads love it and swear by it.
.
Try Olay dry cleansing cloths sensitive
http://www.neutrogena.com/product/oil-free+acne+stress+control-+3-in-1+hydrating+acne+treatment.do Neutrogena stress 3 in 1 moisturising gel ( this is a BHA and should keep your oil in check, pores free)
Olay serum fragrance free

I also use an aha to keep skin clear and reduce redness

Weleda is v over rated IMO, hausshka also. Sometimes natural isn't the best way especially if spots are a problem
I found the oil method terrible but loads love it and swear by it.
.
Try Olay dry cleansing cloths sensitive
Neutrogena stress 3 in 1 moisturising gel ( this is a BHA and should keep your oil in check, pores free)
Olay serum fragrance free

I also use an aha to keep skin clear and reduce redness

I have combination, v sensitive skin, and use oil a lot - the key is to find an oil that suits your skin, a lot of creams use sunflower oil as a base (it's very stable) but I personally don't like it; Jojoba and Sweet Almond are much better if you have combination to oily skin.

Try and get samples and try a few, and see if you can work out what you like, then look for products containing those base oils. Don't go by the "oily/comb/dry skin" labels, just try the product on the inside of your wrist, or, ideally, your neck.

I use creams that are supposedly for oily, combination and dry, (I have lots) and vary them depending on whether I'm wearing make up, the time of the month, the weather, etc

There is a v cheap natural brand called Skin Blossom, they stock it in John Lewis and Whole Foods, their products are about £10. The other cheap one is Organic Surge, used to be stocked in Boots, but no longer, you can order online.

What you can always do is try to find a light day cream, then just buy some plain jojoba oil (from Fushi online or in Holland Barrett) and use that at night.

Boots Botanics.

thanks missfoodie. I have ordered the combination skin stuff from Lavera, since a few people recommended it. I tend to find I need to use something for a week before I find out how my skin likes it, so I thought I'd use this now, and then when it's finished, try another brand recommended on this thread. It's been really helpful. I will also think about getting some jojoba oil. It's true, I'm wondering if the combination skin stuff will be too light, especially for this weather, so maybe it's a good idea to get a couple of things now and alternate them....
anyway, really appreciate the support.