What cream to save my youth?!

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I was just reading the save vs spend thread and everyone raving about the various creams and serums they use.

First of all, a confession- I don't know what a serum is for!

Secondly- as a mid (to late) thirty something what should I be using on my face to stave off the ever present ravages of time? I have 2 tinies which means I'm often tired, 2 sets of bags under each eye etc, starting to get quite a few crows feet etc...

I use Lancôme moisturiser (hydra zen) and smash box make up but just take off makeup at night with a baby wipe and use a simple face wash in the shower in the mornings.

Genuinely never bothered with eye creams etc as thought a bit of a swizz, makes no difference etc... But am I wrong? Would/could I look better than my current (fairly haggard!) appearance?

All suggestions gratefully received, thanks!

Oh dear- I may actually have to do some solo research!

First of all stop with baby wipes!! And the soapy foaming crap!

Go to boots.

Use a thick creamy cleanser/cleansing oil (Una Brennan good and not too pricey) on DRY skin, massage in to dissolve make up. Use a flannel and warm water to clean off. Repeat if you can be arsed. New flannel every day

Use a toner (Estée Lauder, blue bottle or pixi glow, online)

Advance night repair serum, Estée Lauder.

Or LA Roche Posay redermic

Moisturiser, any old stuff you get on with.

That's the basics.

Don't bother with eye cream.

Try different serums.

Use masks, oils etc

But start with the basics!

I echo what Olive says above. Start with the basics.
Cleanse,
Acid Tone
moisturise.

Now, to answer your question on serums.
A serum is a task specific skin care product. For example if you have high pigmentation or fine lines then you use a serum to counteract that.
I heard someone describe serums with the analogy of if you had a sore head the serum would be the paracetamol you'd take to treat the pain and the moisturiser would be the blanket you would snuggle under on the sofa.
serums are to treat a specific issue.

I was guilty of using facial washes up until around 6 months ago and since i ditched them I've seen a massive improvement in my skin. It is a wee bit of a pain to start off with but after a while it really doesn't seem like that much effort. My skincare regime has grown arms and legs but I do agree that you should start with the basics.
Cleanse, acid tone, moisturise.

Do you have any issues that you would like to try and fix at the moment?

Thanks both very much for your advice. So if I do the cleansing routine with c/t/m at night can I not just use face wash in the mornings in the shower or is that just generally bad and needs to be ditched?

Re specific issues- my cheeks have lots of tiny bumps- not blackheads/comedones just tiny little papules that I can occasionally extrude a bit of whitish stuff from (sorry if that's gross, it's the best way I can describe it!) im also prone to spots - I guess that's why I'm trying to think of a change in the first place.
Thanks again in for your wisdom!

Also clarabumps when you say "acid tone" is that different to normal toners? I will take a trip to boots but prob won't make it til end next week what with half term etc. Excited at the prospect though!

This explains about the toners
www.theguardian.com/fashion/2013/may/18/exfoliating-toners-sali-hughes-beauty

You basically want one that does something rather than just smells nice

I would ditch the face wash, yes. If im having a shower in the morning I will cleanse as normal then rinse it off in the shower.

I'm not sure about the bumps on your skin but are they little white heads? Cleanser and toner will help. Use a deep cleansing mask once a week. Anything clay based to bring out the gunk. The Sanctuary do one in a grey tube, about a tenner in boots

Thanks again olive - it's like a whole new language! Ridiculous that I don't look after my skin properly when I feel having "good" make up that's decent for my skin is important. I suppose I am lazy and never thought it would make a big difference!

Re the bumps on my face- they're almost just palpable rather than visible- I suppise they're blocked pores but they're not blackheads. They only get inflamed if squeezed which I do occasionally as it seems to get rid of them... Anyway, lots to think about! Thanks again for taking the time to reply, you're v kind.

Can I ask a question please?

Do acid toners remove the need for exfoliation? Sorry if this is a dim question!

Thanks

They exfoliate, so yes.

I will never use a 'scrubby' exfoliator again.

Thanks oliveinthemartini

And do you use an acid toner every day, twice, or less often?

Twice a day.

I also like the Ren one as it's quite gentle but am fine with the Estée Lauder and pixi glow ones. I think the Clarins one is stronger.

Seriously- this is such an eye opener for me (I know I sound very silly and foolish!) but my god there is so much to know about it- I had a look at caroline hiron 's blog and immediately felt bamboozled so will stick to what olive and clara said initially, get the basics right- and get a decent cleanser, toner (and a shed load of face cloths )

I'm in a similar boat OP and thus is an eye opener! Can anyone suggest a good hot cloth cleanser that isn't highly scented? I've tried a few ok the past and they are overpowering. Sorry to hijack, this is just what I need!

After many years using all sorts of products, mainly cheap ones and scrubby face washes, I now, at 35, have changed my routine. OP, I have the same bumpy skin you mention and milia (milk spots) and I also suffered with MASSIVE deep spots on my jawline.

I use all Clarins products just because there are so many brands and I get overwhelmed! So, cleanser and toner and eithet night or day cream - and I use the cleanser how clarins do when they give you a facial; you press it into your skin and lift off with toner. I also have a sample of their facial oil which I was dubious about as I have oily skin but it has really made a difference. I have also been drinking more water. My skin is definitely softer, clearer, and feels cleaner. I have stopped using facial washes / scrubs completely.

Stars, I like the Sanctuary hot cloth cleanser, for that very reason. It's too gentle to take off mascara/eyeliner though so you'll need an eye make up remover too.

I tend to use a facial cleanser in the shower, using a Lancome one at the moment. Cleansing at night with Clarins cream and toner.

I used to use Clinique NO 2 toner.

Isn't it best not to use too harsh a toner if your skin is ageing?

Basic cleanser - it's washed off, the fancy ingredients aren't going to stay on your skin doing good. Cetaphil is great.

Acid toner - salicylic acid if you have spots, glycolic or lactic if not. Scrubby particles and beads don't scrub effectively, clay just removes the oil that's there so it comes straight back again, normal toner does nothing at all. I use Paula's Choice 2% BHA - lasts forever even using twice a day.

Serum - if you want to. Should have peptides or Vit C or E in it to make it worth while.

Moisturiser- in the morning should have SPF 30, at night should have retinol eg LRP Redermic.

Ageing skin benefits from acid and retinol even more as the exfoliation reveals new skin and helps you build thicker skin with more collagen. Both actions also get rid of the bumps and spots of oily skin. So 2 actions from the same product - marvellous.

none of this will prevent or affect wrinkles. Wear sunscreen, don't smoke, eat properly.

if there was a product that really reduced wrinkles (apart from surgery and botox) I think it would have made the news. All the before and afters you see have no difference at all.

I AM GOING ALL SHOUTY AND SAYING JUST MAKE SURE YOU USE A GOOD DAY CREAM WITH AN SPF AND WEAR BIG SUNGLASSES.

Seriously crows feet, sun damage and liver spots will age you and the above us best way of fighting those.

Can anyone recommend a good moisturizer with high SPF? Or should I use a separate sun screen?

My Lancôme (hydrazen) one has spf 30 and my foundation has spf 15 in it so I think I have that covered!
As madame and specialsubject both point out, above, I don't believe that any of this fancy cream lark will make me look younger than I am! But I have spent my whole adult life thinking "those creams can't make any difference" and in doing so I think I forgot that I still need to take care of my skin, cleanse it properly etc if I want to look half decent and not all spotty and haggard!!! So... My middle ground, and my resolution from now on: cleanse and tone and moisturise (with its spf of 30), throw out my wipes and foaming face wash, and wear big Audrey Hepburn sunglasses, dahhling, and hopefully feel my skin benefitting in the process!

Maidmarigold- It's entirely up to you. If you want to and if you can afford to use a separate sunscreen.I use Clarins SPF 30 facial sunscreen separately. It goes on well under make up and doesn't have that pilling effect. I do agree that these products probably don't ensure that you don't get wrinkles. however, I do believe you can tell the difference between those who look after their skin(with whatever products) and those who don't.

Apple you have the right idea. I started off with the basics then added a wee cream here and a toner there. There is also no need to go out and buy an entire range. Products should be able to stand on their own two feet. They don't need to work as part of a range.

Agree with Clarabumps - I bought one thing at a time and used for at least 2-3 weeks to decide if I liked it or not and whether I thought I needed to add anything else. So did cleanser first, then acid toner, then SPF, realised I didn't necessarily need to moisturise if I thought my skin was fine.

Felt a lot better than the time the Clinique lady sold me half her stand as apparently I NEEDED to cleanse, tone and moisturise without fail and then I never used half the products.

Marking place to read later

Useful thread. I plan to try an acid toner this week. I will report back. Thanks for all the tips.