How do you pick a skincare range ??

[mumtosp]

Hi all,

I've never had a skincare regime and have been thinking of starting one as my skin isn't as great as it used to be. I've always used Garnier rose moisturiser but I am thinking of switching to something with sun protection in it.
So I walked in to to Boots and that's where my problem started - there are too many options !! I don't mind spending a bit on the right product, but how do I decide what's right for me...
I don't think I have the patience to buy trial packs from various brands and spend the next year trying out everything! :(

So my question to you is... how did you discover your perfect skincare brand ??

Btw...I am 30 and have normal to combination skin

TIA :)

I started with Decleor then going it too expensive
Then went to Liz Earle but again expensive and crap!

It's best to find items you like then buy cheaper versions as they basically do the same thing

I currently use:

Superdrug vitamin e hot cloth cleanser
Body shop aloe toner
Neals yard facial oil
Boots botanics organic eye cream
Boots botanics radiance youth moisturiser spf15

All the above are what I used with Decleor but at a fraction of the price

I read a lot of MUA reviews. Then buy online. Thus avoiding retail panic!

I don't tend to pick a range in he way I think you're describing. I don't say right I will use products by X and then only use those. Nearly each step of my regime is by a different brand.

First I would work out what you need. The most obvious thing would be a cleanser, the second a moisturiser, then really its if you want to go for the extras such as oil, serums, toners and treatments. I personally can't be without these things as I have such temperamental skin.

The next area I'd consider is your skin type and needs. Is you skin dry, dehydrated, oily or combination. Do you get its of spots, are you wanting things that will help with anti ageing? Do you wear lots of make up?

Price does come into a bit, work out what is the maximum you will spend on an item as that narrows down your choice quite a bit.

I think some good low- mid price ranges are REN, Una Brennan and La Roche Posay.

The next step I would say is to read reviews, ask for recommendations and have a look online. Why don't you try watching the Lisa Eldridge videos on skincare and reading Caroline Hirons blog (her cheat sheets are v. useful). I'm not saying they're the be all and end all but they're a good place to start for product ideas.

Maybe if you said what your specific needs are, posters could give recommendations.

I find it hard too Mozz. This dermatologists' review site helps! www.paulaschoice.com/beautypedia/

I use a mixture of Makeupalley reviews, filtered to my age range and skin type, Caroline Hirons and here. I wouldn't have found the Superdrug Radiant hot cloth cleanser without here and it's fab.

I agree with above, the radiance cleanser from superdrug is very good,
Superdrug also do a mincellar cleanser that is very good at removing eye make up.

The only exp item I use is Clinique eye cream. Its the only one that makes difference to my dark circles.
I have tried others but always return to this product.

Facial oil is very good and does not have to be exp. olive oil will do. I use it on my hands and nails several times a day.

It's difficult to really recommend items to you because everybody's skin reacts differently.
There is a thread on here at the moment about items that people have bought that haven't lived up to the promises made that's quite interesting.

Superdrug Radiance range are half price in Superdrug at the moment. Not sure if the moisturiser has an SPF. There is also as mentioned , the vitamin E range from there. If you have a superdrug near you have a look at those. Just buy a cleaner and a moisturiser and see how you get on. It is not always necessary to get the whole lot from one range although it might make sense if your skin likes it, but people sometimes mix it up.

Obviously if you are 'getting on a bit' you would probably need to look at anti ageing stuff.

Boots also have an offer on skincare too.

For what it is worth, I have used Boots Time Delay, Olay total effects, Boots Botanics (people rave about the BB cream on here). I haven't used Soap and Glory skin care but I have used the body care and that again gets good reviews. I love La Roche Posay and Vichy but these cost a little more. I have also used Marks & Spencer stuff. At the moment I am using Superdrug B Micellular cleanser or Pure hot wash cloth cleanser. I normally reach for Astral (no spf) or Olay cram and or Botanics BB Cream. All have been fine. My skin is combi too but my cheeks and throat are dry and I have an oily t zone. I am also 'mature' - 54 but have good unlined skin anyway.

As you have normal to combi skin you probably won't need such a rich face cream. Normally it will say skin type on the product.

I am afraid it is all down to patience! Sometimes people find 'their' products straight away, others are still looking! I do find trial packs useful. Surely better than spending ££ on a whole bottle or tube then finding it gives you a breakout or flare up.

Happy Hunting!!

What about Boots No7?
They have different ranges for all different skin types, often come on some sort of offer like 3for 2 or a voucher for £5 off & their consultants are really approachable & helpful.

I went to a few places and tried various bits, some of which I had really bad reactions to like Vichy. Love the moisturiser from Bobbi Brown and Elizabeth Arden (and their scrub) but a little too much out of my price range for daily use.
I use now No7 (I also work for Boots) and find it has really helped my skin, it looks better than it ever does and as Aquelven said, with the vouchers makes it easy to try stuff without spending a fortune.
Why not go to your local counter and have a chat and get some samples?

Another vote for the Superdrug Radiance stuff. I'm currently using the wash (excellent), the serum (v good) and the day moisturiser (it does have an SPF but it's the one I'm least pleased with so won't buy it again). I've been using the Vitamin E oil at night and think it's v good but I recently bought a Waitrose Pure oil and think that's nicer. I'm going to try a higher end one next though, maybe a Neals Yard one.

The Neals Yard stuff is generally really lovely to use, if you didn't want to start at the Superdrug el-cheapo level!

For more expensive stuff, I generally vote for Clarins products, which are nice to use and smell gorgeous. To be honest though, the Superdrug stuff is just as good.

Thanks all for your replies !! :))

MamaPain Thanks for introducing me to Caroline Hirons... have spent most of this morning on her blog.... very tempted to go out and buy everything she recommends !! :)

You can't go wrong with Una Brennan or La Roche-Posay. I've tried so many different brands over the last few years, and these are the ones I've repurchased several times since discovering them. Often on special offer in Boots too.