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Original poster

Need a sensitive moisturiser with a bit more "oomph" please.

38 replies

FindMeAPixie · 07/02/2015 16:22

Have great skin (for my age) - but it is starting to feel a bit tight/dry.

I have a very lazy skin care routine - wash in the shower, bit of a final-eye-makeup residue wipe with a Simple Age-kind-thingy face wipe and then pop on a splodge of cheapish sensitive SPF15 day cream.

I have been using (for about 15 years) the £5 or so pots of oil of Olay/L'oreal like this www.boots.com/en/Olay-Anti-Wrinkle-Sensitive-Skin-Day-Cream_1262039/

My skincare routine has worked for me for up until recently - the last month or so - it has just felt not oomphy enough - I need a bit more I think. Skin feels a little tight.

I am not likely to change my routine but would just like not to have this slightly tight feeling.

Can anyone recommend anything please? Do I just need to switch to a night cream (is it a bit more oomphy) or do I need something er...more...if so what? What do I look for? Wary of the beauty counters and I am not too keen on the idea of going stupidly expensive. Especially as I have sensitive skin - so anything non-sensitive also makes me a bit itchy/irritated.

I am 43. If it helps. So I am not sure if I should be looking for anti-wrinkle/stuff for "mature" skin or what. I am totally clueless. Please help.

OP posts:
rosiepinkcheeks · 07/02/2015 16:40

Hi. Whenever my face feels a bit stressed or tight I use Avene Cicalfate repair cream. Its ideal for sensitive or irritated skin. It absorbs well. Its reasonably priced. I am also a fan of using face oil at night. There are lots on the market but I usually switch between Decleor Aromessence (Iris), Kiehls Midnight Concentrate, Clarins or sometimes Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate. Yes I am a beauty junkie.

Behooven · 07/02/2015 16:46

I like Precious cream from L'occitane. I've got sensitive skin prone to breakouts and this is lovely and creamy without being all cloggy and heavy.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 07/02/2015 16:49

Cetaphil

TheSpottedZebra · 07/02/2015 16:55

Stop using face wipes! They're really not great for skin, especially sensitive skin. Could you not use eye makeup remover first, then wash face in shower with a gentle cleanser?

Original poster
FindMeAPixie · 07/02/2015 17:19

Am not going to all tell you I use soap and water in the shower .

The L'occitane Precious cream stuff wayyy to pricy. Yep can probably afford it - but a huge jump from £5 a pot ot £50!!

Maybe TheSpotted has an idea...stop the drying out rather than re-moisturise iyswim? I only tend to use the wipes around my eyes. And yes, I do just use basic, unperfumed soap in the shower. Maybe I should try your idea. Oh poo and fafff...my way is sooo lazy and easy.

Any suggestions for reasonable priced cleanery thing I could use in the shower? And eye-make up remover (never owned any Blush)

I am in my forties ffs - I am having to learn new stuff....mutters but grateful

Please keep the ideas coming. Thank you! Flowers

OP posts:
Vintagebeads · 07/02/2015 17:39

I use a creamy cleanser in the shower and use a muslin cloth to clean it off . It's quick and easy.Currently using boots no7 for sensitive skin,have used lots of different ones I think you will find using something creamy might help with the tight feeling.
I use La Roche Posay Ciltlplast, i use it as a moisturizer though it may not be its official use.Grin
Its less than a tenner, bloody great for dry sensitive skin.
I want to have a good routine but am just not disciplined enough lazy

TheSpottedZebra · 07/02/2015 17:46

I use a Superdrug it's one of their balm cleansers, I put a 20p sized blob in my hand, rub it into my face, neck and chest, and remove with a muslin cloth. It costs buttons, and is usually half price, and the cloth comes with. Youd need a few cloths, but cheapy flannels are fine to use too. Don't scrub at the face, just gently rub. I do all that in the shower, it takes seconds! There are 2 (in superdrug)i I think -I use the greeny one, which is a bit less rich than the beige one. Otherwise, any gentle wash off cleanser might suit you. STAY AWAY from words like astringent, spot control, oil control etc...

I use it on my eyes, but if I have a ton of slap on, I'd use eye makeup remover also. I really like the Body Shop one, have loved it for decades. But I hate the actual shop, so sometimes buy a Simple one, or Garnier.

The other thing is that your skin might be dry due to lots of central heating. But do get rid of the wipes tho.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 07/02/2015 18:04

I was liking the Nivea Essentials Sensitive day and night creams, but they don't seem to be doing it for me now and my skin has been feeling tight and looking a bit red.

I use an Avene cleanser, which I love, but I didn't like the moisturiser I tried of theirs.

So, am no use to you but here to see what people suggest!

squoosh · 07/02/2015 18:09

Introduce some facial oil to your nighttime regime.

mrsminiverscharlady · 07/02/2015 18:19

I have very dry, sensitive skin. I was using a la Roche posay cream but I was getting through it quickly and when I ran out of my supplies from French holidays, I tried Aldi Q10 cream for sensitive dry skin. It comes in a pink tube and is about £3 for 75ml iirc. Honestly, it's great. Doesn't feel too greasy, keeps my skin supple, no break outs and I can slather it on as much as I like with no regard to the price. Love it.

mrsminiverscharlady · 07/02/2015 18:20

Oh, and I use Avene micellar water for make up removal with cotton wool pads. Lovely.

Verbena37 · 07/02/2015 18:26

I have very sensitive skin and the only facial moisturiser I can use is either Nivea Soft or Nivea original in the blue pot.

Thisishowyoudisappear · 07/02/2015 18:27

I find Olay 7 signs of ageing day cream is good.

At night I've recently started using coconut oil wiped off with hot flannel. If I need to take off makeup first I use L'Oreal micellar water, which is gentle. I don't use night cream, I find my skin feels worse in the morning if I do.

In the morning I just rinse my face in the shower.

Less is more when you are a bit lazy like me

Verbena37 · 07/02/2015 18:29

My SIL swears by No 7 daily sensitive cream.

smugmumofboys · 07/02/2015 18:48

My skin is quite sensitive and I like Liz Earle Superskin moisturiser and oil/serum.

I also have some Neal's Yard Rose Hip oil for night time.

I have also used Dr Hauschka Rose Day cream which is lovely for sensitive skin.

Original poster
FindMeAPixie · 07/02/2015 19:13

Nighttime regime? The one that involves cleaning my teeth and putting my PJs on?

Though to be fair I only use a teeny bit of powder on my face most days so nothing left to clean. OMG.. I am now cringing at the sound of this. Seriously, I have never, ever, ever, ever had a night time routine. Cannot really see that that would be my problem.

And I will be honest - trying to add one at the late stage of my life ? Not likely!

Though tell me about these face oils...

OP posts:
Original poster
FindMeAPixie · 07/02/2015 19:27

Am t'interweb searching/looking stuff up. Fuck me people spend a lot of money on creams and shit don't they!

OP posts:
smugmumofboys · 07/02/2015 19:30

I'm older than you and honestly think oils are great before bed.

Original poster
FindMeAPixie · 07/02/2015 19:50

OK, I have some l'oreal micellar water/removery stuff in my Boots basket, some cotton wool pads and some pure coconut oil. Also some Nivea sensitive cream.

A grand total of £11.45.

I am going to try cleaning make up off my eyes with the micellar stuff and some coconut oil. Possibly before bed. Or maybe whilst waiting for DH and DCs to shift themselves in the morning - ie in the half hour before my shower. Then just water in the shower - then the nivea moisturiser afterwards. Though I have some of my current Olay stuff left - so that may be OK if the cleansing stuff is less harsh. I think I know how pants I am (and tired) when I go to bed, so trying to be realistic.

Will report back in a week or two.

OP posts:
Original poster
FindMeAPixie · 07/02/2015 19:50

And thank you!

OP posts:
Millerpup · 07/02/2015 21:19

I have mega sensitive skin, and have tried the majority of wonder potions and spent a fortune but i take my eye make up off with two damp cotton pads and vaseline, (removes even the most stubborn mascara's) for cleansing i use M&S hot cloth cleanser (I never use a toner) and moisturise with Clarins SPF30 sun wrinkle control cream which smells divine and is not too heavy. sometimes in the winter if my skin needs a bit more i switch to Astral, swear by this moisturiser !
I think its all down to the individual but i have used in the past Elemis Gatineau but for the money using the above gives me the same if not better results.

MamaLazarou · 07/02/2015 21:31

Hang on: you're going to take your make-up off in the morning? And why would you use eye-make up remover AND coconut oil?

MamaLazarou · 07/02/2015 21:33

It's probably the soap that's giving you the 'tight' feeling. Try a mild cream cleanser instead, or a hot cloth cleanser, as others have suggested upthread.

PorkyMinch · 07/02/2015 21:35

You can add evening primrose oil to your face moisturiser to make it more moisturisy. I do this when I don't have the money for fancy pants stuff.

Pixa · 07/02/2015 21:45

I used to have tight and dry skin. I now alternate between the following:

  • Liz Earle (rarely, I don't think it's as excellent as some of the other products)
  • Coconut oil (only when in the house alone)
  • BodyShop Vitamin E cleanser, hydrating toner, moisturiser and serum (I love this range)
  • Antonia Burrell Natural Glow Cleansing Oil
  • Weekly face masques

BodyShop Vitamin E tends to be my go to though.

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