can you recommend some face cleaning products? thanks! budget around £75

[Renovatinghouse]

That's all really. I wear mosturizer and makeup from Lancome and Clinique. I have good skin and almost never clean my face other than with shower soap but recently i got some black spots, so i'd like to buy cleaning and toner (dont know if this is t,he right name).

I would prefer cleaning wipes rather than lotion. Are they good?

Many thanks!!

[scottishmummy]

I love Clinique 3step,they'll give you samples if you ask

[Missbopeep]

Have a read- 2nd paragraph down ' what the experts say'

beauty.about.com/od/toner/f/tonernecessary.htm

[scottishmummy]

I don't think anyone has claimed toner shrink pores,it's an astringent
For me Clinique toner does work well,isn't harsh.get them to advise which one
Of course cosmetics and skin care big up likely results,that's how they shift the stuff.multimillion pound business

[Missbopeep]

You wrote this a few minutes ago

Toner is deeper cleansing,and astringent to reduce pore size ,minimise breakouts

[scottishmummy]

Reduce the appearance of temporarily,yes
Shrink,no.shrink implies a permanence
Beauty is a ritual I'm do use toner,habit and IMO it works

[scottishmummy]

I wholeheartedly admit I'm fall for most marketing blurb
Even though I know realistically,scientifically the claims are still hyped
I still buy new pricy shampoos,creams,largely to be disappointed.silly I know

[FoxyHarlow123]

La Roche posay and a dermaflannel. Did u not see the recent thread about the dermaflannel?

[scottishmummy]

What's a dermoflannel?

[Renovatinghouse]

Have you tried the dermaflannel? does it work?

Scottish, I am the same, will always buy pricy cosmetics but my problem is that I dont have the discipline to use them and they languish in my cabinet. But at late 30s I noticed that my skin really needs now some consistent care.

[scottishmummy]

At least now I ask for samples,worst I used was hope in jar,nasty smell
Visit counters get samples,see what works for you
But I know I'm gullible

[InMyShreddies]

Modern toners have active ingredients though like alpha or beta hydroxy acids which exfoliate gently in a chemical way (which I prefer to grainy scrubs) or hyaluronic acid (which is made up of wee cell things that hold something like 100000 times their weight in water) which cosmetically and temporarily plump the skin and make it look and feel fresh and hydrated. So they can be a beneficial extra step prior to moisturising with a comfortable cream.

Alcohol in toners is bad for skin - I actually had a postnatal meltdown in Selfridges as it was the first time I'd left my baby for any length of time, wanted to splurge on lovely products and had researched exfoliating toners - went to the Clinique counter and they spent ages selling me their crappy 3-step system, in which the toner is basically just alcohol. The girl at Shu Uemura explained that my skin would benefit from her fancy schmancy toner instead and having already bought the Clinique stuff, I burst into tears she was a bit baffled but helped me swop for her stuff. I've stuck with it but buy online now in case she remembers me and thinks I'm bonkers Since then loads of people have said to avoid Clinique toners as they are all (apart from one iirc) v alcoholic

[Missbopeep]

There are loads of moisturisers that contain hyaluronic acid.

[scottishmummy]

No,not all Clinique toners have alcohol there are alcohol free toners
Clinique mild toner no alcohol

[SingingSilver]

It's a good idea to look at the beautymouth blog if you haven't already OP. She has a cheat sheet on skin routines I think, listed on the right hand side of her blog.

I use Liz Earle C&P, though I hate that she's been bought out (by L'Oreal? A big brand anyway.) I haven't noticed a difference yet, but it would surprise me if some corner cutting or economising hasn't taken place. I still love it for now though.

[scottishmummy]

Jo Malone owned by Estée Lauder.im not bothered when they sell to multinational
If they get a big pay off good luck to them.im not bothered if its an individual or multinational
If I like the product and Doesnt change I buy.the big brands acquire the niche brands like bobbi brown, origins

[valiumredhead]

Liz Earle was bought out by Avon.

[Renovatinghouse]

Thanks for all the advice! will check the beautymouth blog.

[SingingSilver]

Avon? Do they sell it through their catalogues now? I could save on p&p.

This isn't the best comparison, but remember when Kraft took Cadbury's over and said the recipe wouldn't change, but now to anyone with tastebuds Cadbury's tastes like it's made with rancid cooking oil? That's what worries me about LE, especially because it's harder to tell when beauty products have been altered.

[SarahJayne321]

Liz Earle all the way, especially the toner and moisturiser.

As far as I know they were bought in 2010 by avon and nothing has changed yet!

[SorrelForbes]

I use the Jan Marini cleanser (along with other products in their range) and my skin has never been better.

[MrsMcGregor]

Neena28 . A couple pf weeks back I started a thread asking for toner recommendations..You recommended the Clarins Exfoliating Toner and linked to Caroline Hiron's blog. I did hesitate before buying the toner and was surprised it's such a small bottle but .... three nights of double cleansing (Lancôme Cream cleanser followed by Liz Earle C&P), followed by the Clarins Ex Toner, then a sample of a serum I got from Space NK and finally Lancôme Night Cream - and my skin looks soooo much better. No longer dull and yes, even the pores around my nose are less prominent. So thank you!

OP - yes, yes, yes to the double cleanse method. Can't really recommend products as the only new product I have purchased is the Clarins Exfoliating Toner (and it's really impressive this far) but will watch thread with interest.

[BrandyAlexander]

I use a mixture. Liz Earle 4 times a week and at night but use each of the following once a week: kiehls pineapple and papaya facial scrub, kiehls ultra (moisturising?) facial cleanser and body shop oat and honey face mask.

[MrsMcGregor]

Oh, and my make-up is lasting most of the day (though in the morning I just wash with water, tone with Liz E and moisturise before make-up.

[Renovatinghouse]

wow, great blog. Thanks for the recommendation!

[scottishmummy]

Yes it's a fab blog,I'm new to it but loved it