What is your facial regime?

[TheRealCarrieBradshaw]

I'm wanting to know what skincare products you use and swear by and which you would avoid, and what your regime usually consists of?

I need to find a good make-up remover - I used to use face wipes to remove the make-up but research has taught me that this can really dry your skin out?

Then I use Neutrogena facial soap wash followed by a Neutrogena face scrub (The Pore Minimising range, in the green bottles or the Pink Grapefruit ones)

I also need to now find a good mask, possibly an intense weekly one?

I used to swear by both Clarins and Clinique but cannot afford those these days

Any advice ladies ... ?

My New Years resolution was to get a proper regime going so I'm not the best to advise

But I'm using l'oreal skin perfection gel wash
L'oreal toner but find this stings my face a bit don't know if this should happen
And l'oreal moisturiser it's good for under makeup and for during the day but today I went and bought superdrugs naturally radiant night cream and it's went on and my face feels lovely
I've googled the superdrug naturally radiant products and they got brill reviews so might try the rest of there products

Have been using coconut oil to cleanse for ages and it was great but treated myself to Josie maran oil cleanser and it's totally amazing, follow with la Roche posay eye cream, wrinkle stuff (both redermic c) and moisturizer (hydra phase intense in winter). Works for me but most important is lots of water, at least5 a day fruit and veg, no sugar and as much fresh air as possible.

Does it not make your skin sore using wipes then soap then scrub?

I've always used fairly expensive skincare - Decleor, Elemis, alpha H.

Have you tried hot cloth cleansing? It may be better than wipes.
I tried both of superdrugs own brand hot cloths cleansers after seeing the reviews and they are both really nice.
I then tried their moisturisers and absolutely love their vitamin E instensive moisture cream & night cream. They're cheap and BUAV approved which is a bonus.

What skin type do you have?

The Superdug Radiance range is on better than half price at the moment so is £2.98 for 150ml.

£2.98 is for the cleanser.

Well I do actually use facial wipes and don't find my skin is dry. However, I would only use the Simple ones. When I use the cheap ones, my skin looks and feels horrible. I think it would be better to use a cleanser though and I know Liz Earle, with the hot cloths is really good. For me though, cleanser and then moisturiser is just too much for my skin and it gets really greasy. If you have dry skin though, you'd probably get away with it, so I would definitely recommend Liz Earle.

As for face masks, I use the Sanctuary, youth boosting, time reversal face mask. It's gone up in price quite a lot recently, but I would say it's worth it. You'll need a muslin cloth to wash it off though, but they're cheap. A flannel would probably suffice, as long as it's not too abrasive.

My daily routine (after I've used the dreaded facial wipes ) is this. I give myself a quick facial massage to help with circulation, which can help with giving you a bit of a glow. I then use olay regenerist 3 point serum, leave it on for 5 minutes and then I use the olay regenerist flawless skin cream with SPF 30. I leave that on for at least 10-15 minutes before applying foundation. It's a heavy cream, but it really is good I would say. Whenever I run out and use cheaper creams, but skin looks dull and thirsty. Then once a week I use the Sanctuary face mask, once every two weeks I exfoliate, with a gentle exfoliator.

The best thing you can do is take your make up off at night, which I'm yet to do. I can never be bothered tbh but as I get older, I probably need to invest some time

How old are you OP? I'm considering using the new Estee lauder night serum, which gets really impressive reviews.

I've never really spent loads on skincare and I've always kept my routine simple.

I use a gentle apricot scrub in the morning and evening, then depending on what im doing during the day / evening I always put sudocrem on - I swear by it now!

I tend to stay away from lots of makeup during the day I will only use some mineral powder and a little blusher. I generally save the rest for occasions or if im really wanting to look good!

I have yet to use any anti ageing stuff but I must look into this!

I can't get enough of Ole Henriksen's products but they are super expensive.

I also love Superdrug's Naturally Radiant range. That's definitely a great option if you're looking for cheaper than Clarins and Clinique.

I've been a slut the past 2 nights and used facial wipes... eek.

Clarins One Step Facial Cleanser with Orange Extract is lovely it cleans and tones approx £17.00.

I also do use Garnier Cleanser (not sure which one) and a toner (Naked Up Tone Girl or Boots Rose water toner). then moisturise.

In mornings used to use Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Face Wash but they've changed it and it's not as good. Now trying Boots Cucumber Face Wash.

I use a scrub (anything not bothered, Botanics is nice though as is Simple) and a Montagne Jeunesse or MUD Mask. Sometimes I use peel off masks and got one (not tried) from Soap and Glory the other day.

I'd steer clear of the Neutrogena as they can dry your skin out Olay used to use a nice one.

I'd invest personally in Clarins Orange Cleanser or Garnier and toner. and a good moisturiser. Not sure about masks. the high end ones seem nice but what can they do? You can also make your own masks with avocados etc.

Good moisturiser is a must, with SPF at least 30. I like Bobbi Brown Hydrating and use Nuxe or L'Occitane separate SPF on top.

Hey guys, thanks for all your comments and suggestions!

I'm 30 and have combination skin, very slightly (and only occasionally) oily on nose.

I'm going to try the Superdrug Radiance range as a lot of you rate that, will go for a nosey in a bit ??

Joey8 - I remember reading an interview with Kimberley Walsh re Sudocream and tried it a few times, I really liked it. Just can't seem to get the right moisturiser at the mo, one that suits my skin

I've always been pretty lucky with my skin and never suffered spots or breakouts, only very occasionally and when I'm due on Period

I'd love to go back to Clinique, but never rated their (yellow) moisturiser (can't remember its name but it's their famous one?)

Is a Cleanser the same as a make-up remover??

I've never quite understood using a cream cleanser to remove makeup then washing your face properly afterwards - doesn't washing your face take the makeup off?

I use Nutrogena Pink Grapefruit scrub, once in the morning followed by No7 'Beautiful Skin' moisturiser for dry skin. Wait for it to sink in, whack on makeup. At night I use the same scrub, but 'double cleanse'. Then apply Nuxe facial oil and Nivea thick blue pot cream.

I'm 37 and used to use Clinique 3 step, plus their facial washes and an expensive anti aging night cream. Realised I was spending £££ and changed some products around:

Morning:
Clinique 7 day scrub
Clinique liquid mild facial soap
Simple toner
Simple age resisting day cream

Night:
Simple age resisting facial wash
Clinique liquid mild facial soap
Simple toner
Simple anti wrinkle night cream

Not only am I saving money but friends and colleagues have complimented how 'glowing' my skin looks. This never happened when I was using Clinique 3 step.

OP - don't use washes, soaps or scrubs or wipes. All bloody awful for your skin! They dry and irritate. Don't fall for Simple, either.

I recently changed my whole routine and my skin is sooo much better now. I am about the same age as you and have slightly oily skin.

In brief:
Massage in a cleanser into dry skin. Use whatever you like. I'm currently using Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean, body shop camomile oil cleanser, clinique Take the Day Off and Avene really gebtle cleanser.

Then wipe/wash off with a flannel and warm water (new flannel every day, you can buy them for about 15 p so get lots and wash and tumble)

Then a toner. I am using Ren clarifying toner and Pixi Glow. Have a Google for others people recommend.

Then you start on moisturising bits and bobs and serums, whatever you like and can afford really. I use an eye cream, then vitamin C serum (ole henrikksen), then hydralon (from Indeed Labs at Boots) then a moisturiser (currently Estée Lauder Daywear).

In the evening I use a creamier eye cream and moisturise. I rotate three masks and use one every few days. I use a Sanctuary clay one, a Ren one (radiance renewal I think?) and Nuxe creme fraiche. I'm also finishing a sample of Estée Lauder advanced night repair serum.

For good skin care advice look at Caroline hirons blog.

Hope that helps.

Shower gel (whatever I have in) and water. No creams or anything like that. I never get spots, have no blemishes and my skin always feels soft.

scarlet76 - I LOVED the Clinique liquid soap, that was my fave product of theirs

hiphip - Great advice...Will deffo check out that blog

hiphip - Funny you say that about Simple, as I've never rated it at all, yet so many people do

Years ago I recall reading an interview with Jennifer Anniston, and she said all that she used was a bar of Neutrogena soap, no cleanser, no toner, no exfoliator etc, so I got myself one Loved it, used it for about a year until it was discontinued Would go back to just a soap anyday but there are so many to choose from, I wouldn't know which the best was ??

I bet you she was lying!

I just used to use water then e45 but now I'm scared of looking old! Everyone thought my son was my brother but no one has said it in ages

Hiphip, how are you finding the Estee Lauder serum? Was going to try it, but it better be good for that price!

Hard to say really - I've changed everything I'm using so can't confidentially say whether it's that serum making my skin look good! However my skin looks and feels good immediately after using. Seems to go a long way. Has great reviews. I would get a sample if you can - hard to come by though - women in Debenhams nicked a pot from Clarins and put a few drops in it for me. Estée Lauder do say though that they will refund anything no matter how much you use if you're not happy with it.

TheRealCarrie

you can get the Bar soap Neutrogena on Amazon UK and listed here so still in US.

www.neutrogena.com/product/facial+cleansing+bar.do

Hot cloth cleansing with oil or cleanser is super! Buy a stash of face cloths/flannels as hiphipreplacement suggested, new one daily, launder and dry.

I'm using a bit of sweet almond oil at the moment which seems to be helping calm the redness around my nose tha's rather kindly refusing to budge! Great at removing makeup too, I just spend a bit more time massaging the oil in to my face before taking it off, repeat if mascara or lippy is stubborn.

I'm also using Oqibo cleanser and toner which is quite pricey although I've had mine for nearly three months, I'd guess there's probably a quarter left even with once daily use. www.oqibo.co.uk/oqibo/purifying-cleanser-and-toner/

I do bang on a bit about it (and hot cloth/oil cleansing!). It's just taken me so long to find something that works really well for my skin... 35 and still misbehaving! Recommend Decleor masks too (3 minute radiance is fab).

Trial and error I guess for us all. Good luck!
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