I've been wasting my money on eye makeup remover all these years- is expensive toner another rip off?

[LostMarbles99]

I have used Gatineau eye makeup remover for years as I fell for the hype that it was also an eye treatment! The QVC lady said "just look at how you can see the the tracks of eyelashes on the cotton pad, it just glides off."

Well yesterday I bought some Simple eye makeup remover and it did exactly the same job but even better I had NO black panda eyes this morning the way I normally do with the bloody Gatineau stuff!

It made me wonder if expensive toner is also a rip off and if the cheap Simple stuff wouldn't do the same job?

Any other things I can be saving on?

I use baby wipes to take make up off or Primark face wipes 2 for £1.

I've been using Liz Earle for years and never thought I'd change. After reading on here about the Boots Botanics range I bought some of the range about 2 weeks ago. It's amazing! I think it smells better than LE, does exactly the same job and is less than half price.

The organic, yes organic! Beauty cleanser balm is fantastic and I've even got my teenage DD using it, and she can usually only be bothered with wipes.

I have previously used expensive but have now realised its a rip off.
When I use toner its the boots botanics one which is often on offer.
Now I am using the superdrug hot cleanser so not using toner.Its amazing & currently on offer at 2.99.
My advice dont waste your money on expensive brands !

I cleanse with baby wipes, tone with water and moisturise with a £1.99 cream from Aldi. Strangely my skin has never looked better!

What you want is Johnsons baby lotion. My skin has never been better. Blob on cotton wool pad, wipe, job done.

Toner is unnecessary full stop! If you cleanse, a splash of cold water will do the same job.

Johnsons baby wipes to take make up off in this house. Works really well.

What?

Is toner unnecessary? Isn't it meant to rebalance your skin or something?

Liz Earle is a liar!

99% of everything you've bought for your skin has been a waste of money.

You could have spent that money on cake!

Maybe I should spend the money on Botox?

I also think that toner is unnecessary. I splash my face with tepid water, or sometimes spray it with a rosewater mister that lasts forever and costs less than £5.

I think most expensive skincare is a bit of a rip off. I mean, it's fine if you want to pay for it and can afford it, but cheaper stuff is generally just as good if not better. Skincare is about consistency and the only thing that makes much difference is AHA/BHA, retinol/retinoids. And you can get those for reasonable prices.

Well, I think there are probably 2 distinct camps here...but I have found this a very interesting and informative read: www.beautymouth.com/

I've just gone back to using a toner, and following lots of tips on skincare routines from the blog.

I think if there's one thing to takeaway...step away from the face wipes!

Skip toner, rinse off your cleanser with warm water, way less expensive and just as effective. And yes, use the money saved on Botox!

If you look at toner ingredients it's mainly water and little tiny bits of 'stuff'. 'Stuff' which can be irritant to the skin. In face some toners are purposely made to be irritant. Especially the ones that claim to shrink pores. They irritate the skin and cause minor swelling, and hench pores appear smaller.

Home I've started toning again after reading that blog. Got a great acid toner from eBay, I don't use an hydrating one though as I can't find one which doesn't break me out.

I spend next to nothing on beauty products but I do use toner as I find it genuinely gives me less spots!

This is the most popular cleanser in France - it is a fabulous product works for all skin and all make-up, including eye make-up, and you don't need a toner afterwards. It is quite a lot cheaper in France though, so for those of you who travel here regularly, stock up.

Never believe anything you are told by QVC for a start (do people seriously watch that?!)

It is all a big con with skin treatments, imo. I don't use any, I'm 39, I'm always being told I look about 30.

Don't support the 'make women feel ugly and guilty' industry. You don't have to.

I'm another convert to Simple Eye Make Up Remover from expensive brands. It's a brilliant product.

I use a Biotherm foaming/rinse-off cleanser so don't feel the need for toner, but I do live in a soft water area.

I use face wipes and no toner and my skin is fine.

I'd never use a wipe on my face in a million years

I have a massively complicated regime but one thing I don't depend money on is eye make up remover - I use one by Nivea and it does the same job as my favourite which is Lancôme bi facil. I do use a toner - clarins brightening one - it's £££ but contains AHAs and makes a difference.

I am firmly in the beautymouth camp. I found that blog and ditched the wipes six months ago and my skin is no longer as dry. I love my toner! Sceptically I used it on half my face for two weeks and that side felt softer. A lot of the products on there are super pricey though so I'm interested in good alternatives. I'm going to give the superdrug hot cleanser a try. Might start a beautymouth thread!

does the Boots organic stuff smell nice too?

I've used Simple eye make up remover for years. I've now discovered Wilkinsons do a cheaper version called Skin Therapy Eye Make-up Remover. it's fragrance and allergen free & best of all costs 98p! Sometimes on 3 for 2 offer as well.

Lady, do you mean the Botanics Boots organic stuff? If so, yes it smells lovely. It reminds me of a much more expensive Neal's Yard cream.