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 ... ?

I did OCM for a bit, I like it once in a while but it's a bit of a faff. Lately I've just been washing my face with hot water in the shower! No cleanser. Then rosehip oil and a NY night cream.

TheRealCarrie yes the clinique facial soap is the one product I can't seem to find a cheaper replacement for! I love it.
I like the idea of cream cleansers but I just don't feel clean if I haven't splashed lots of hot water in my face.

OiVaVoi oh how I envy your fabulously behaved skin... I think mine would be begging for mercy within the hour!

I've read lots of interesting articles surrounding ideas of over cleansing and excessive use of various products and there does seem to be a really good body of evidence suggesting a gentler approach is better in the long term. If I'm honest, I've always veered towards a more natural, self regulating approach but my face seems to need a little extra help! OCM is definitely a bit faffy but it seems to be one consistent thing that my skin actually likes!

scarlet76 I've not tried the clinique facial soap so not sure if it's anything like but I can highly recommend the oqibo cleanser. It's not a soap but is gel cleansing, not foamy or stripping. Texture feels really silky and you need a miniscule amount to clean properly (v similar to dermalogica special cleansing gel). I love the fact that it's dual action, I've never really been taken with toners but this is v gentle, more a skin prep than astringent...fab!

I wash my face in the bath every night with a clean flannel and a face wash, usually wilkos tea tree exfoliating one (2 for £1.50). Then I put aveena cream on (boots, about £7 for 200mls).

In the morning I just give a quick swipe with a cold flannel and put more aveena cream on with a touch of piz buin SPF50. I don't wear foundation, just a bit of concealer, lipstick and mascara.

That's my regime. I have good skin and am told I look young for my age. I think diet is the most important thing when it comes to skin, hair and nails and I would rather spend money on food than gloop for my face.

Bigbum, very good point about diet and lifestyle playing a big part in how your skin looks. I love wine and I know I usually drink more of it than I should. Couple of glasses most nights. But when I cut back, I notice a change in my face really quickly.

I like to threaten my skin with internment if it gets any wrinklier. Was that the kind of regime you had in mind?

Do people who cleanse their face with oil and hot cloths, do you moisturise your skin afterwards? Can you just use oil as a moisturiser or would that be too greasy?

I use olive oil and a flannel and Olay night cream afterwards. I do have pretty dry skin.

I was using the oil to moisturise but it was too greasy. I do put some essential oil in too to stop me smelling like the kitchen!

DrSeuss I like your thinking!

fedup21 Personally I've found it depends on the oil I use and time of year but I've definitely noticed that the longer I've used it, the less moisturiser I need to use, your skin adjusts and finds it's balance really quickly. I gel cleanse and OCM once a day (morning/night). At the moment I'm using Sweet Almond which is a little bit heavier for the colder winter months (and wearing a little more makeup). Hazelnut in the spring and summer is lighter, naturally astringent.

Both are fab for cleansing and moisturising, if I wear makeup I tend to do it twice, first to take off the gloop then again to clean and moisturise. I don't tend to use extra moisturiser after OCM unless my skin is feeling thirsty/dry/wind chapped. I do use a moisturiser after gel cleansing to top up moisture (oqibo hydra restore at the mo).

Depends on whether your skin is dry or dehydrated. If you are already lacking moisture, use a moisturiser as well, the oil then helps to protect natural lipids/stop dehyration - try oils that mimic skins structure - jojoba, camelia, rosehip etc.
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