Skincare - know its been done to death but alternative to Clarins?

[permaquandry]

Use all Clarins products, which are the best that I've found in terms of skin feeling nice and the fact that it lasts so long.

However, my skin doesn't look great, well not as great as the 50 quid price tag for the miracle serum alone suggests it should.

I'm just wondering what everybody uses that is cheaper and can say is a good as a premium brand.

I'm mid thirties, combination skin (blackheads on nose and chin) but dehydrated. A few wrinkles appearing and think my top lip is starting to pucker (not nice!).

Thanks v much.

decleor is very good
often good deals on qvc
although I'm using aldi at the moment and it's fine

La Roche Posay is a fantastic, less expensive brand.

I'm really impressed with Balance Me face cleanser - I feel it's taken 5 years off my face!

It's 20% off in Waitrose at the moment :)

I have combination skin and am using REN at the moment - ClearCalm 3 clarifying cleanser <a class="break-all" href="//.www.renskincare.com/p/3325" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here It is a wash off cleanser and leaves my skin feeling really clean but also not dried out. I am also using the night serum.

They also do a combination skin trail kit for £12 which is very good too - a cleanser, moisturiser and mask here. I buy from M&S.

I use sanctuary, its the only stuff not to make my face greasy and dry?!

I don't use one brand. Also think its as much what you do as what you do it with. So I double cleanse in the evening for example - balm then milk, both removed with hot face flannel.

I have slightly combination skin (not too oily in t zone but definitely a bit) and dehydrated cheek area and some fine lines (I'm 36) so similar to you.

I like a lot of Clarins but currently trying some high street stuff.

I love Body Shop Nutriganics Softening Cleansing Gel which is a balm cleanser. It was recommended by Sali Hughes and I love it. Makes my skin feel so clean and soft.

Hydraluron is worth trying for dehydration. Working great for me, and on offer in Boots at the moment.

I like Avene products as they're very gentle. Going to try La Roche Posay as heard lots of very positive stuff about them.

I love La Roche Posay, have been using it for years and have no problems with my skin since I started using it. It is highly recommended by dermatologists which is how I found it.

I love La Roche Posay, have been using it for years and have no problems with my skin since I started using it. It is highly recommended by dermatologists which is how I found it.

Thanks for the replies. La Roche Posay seems to very popular. I've just looked on web and must say I am completely confused! How did you all work out what to use?

Thanks again.

I second Decleor - the neoli oil and hydra floral moisturiser are a good place to start.

I've been using Decleor on and off for over a decade and it's still what I turn to when my skin is parched and dull, they somehow manage to put the juice back in it iykwim.

I'm confused by LRP too - it's the only reason I haven't tried it yet!

Decleor is just as expensive as Clarins though, surely?

An aromatherapist I saw said that Decleor was a rip off as you can buy the oils yourself and pop them into any old cold cream for ££££s less.

The one thing I always go back to time and again (although am skin care whore and will always try new stuff) is Neal's Yard Frankinsence. Nothing has ever done for my skin what that does. Even though I clearly still can't spell it.

Decleor is horribly expensive and whilst the products are nice, they are not (imho) nice enough to justify the expense.

Neals Yard stuff is lovely to use, and agree that the Frankincense is excellent. No idea how much it is though, as I just had a freebie.

If you want an oil, you could do worse than the Superdrug vitamin E oil, which costs less than a magazine but is really good.

I second the superdrug oil. I use it at night and find it very soothing and my skins looks improved after just a couple of days.

I've recently tried the naturally radiant range from SuperDrug (half price at the moment) having previously used Clarins and it is lovely :) the hot cloth cleaner and exfoliation cream are really good, leaves my face super smooth and well; radiant

I also buy lots of oils from Naissance on Amazon.

Frankincense (I did it! Spelled it right!) nourishing cream is about £20 for a 50ml pot which is actually cheaper than n7.

I really don't rate Clarins although some of their foundations are top notch- except for the perfume.
I used to buy Clarins 35 yrs ago when it was hard to get hold of and products with plant extracts were rarer. Then it was more like Dr Haushka- now it's just expensive and full of perfume.

I've got on well with most Clinique face creams and recently tried Olay Regenerist 3 point ( off Amazon for half price) and was really impressed.

Ren is okay but gets the thumbs down from some experts for unnecessary plant extracts that can be irritating.

I'd rate Neals Yard but they are expensive and not sure totally organic is really essential.

Have you tried Liz Earle?