What cream to save my youth?!

[AppleSnapple]

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!

About the bumps on your face - I used to have a lot of these on my forehead. I think they were caused by not cleansing properly and using too much moisturiser. Anyway, I started using an acid toner and effaclar duo and they have gone! My current routine is:
Morning: Rinse off cleanser in the shower. Serum, effaclar duo on forehead and chin. Moisturiser on rest of face if I need it.
Evening: Balm cleanser (this is a thick greasy product to remove makeup, don't worry though, it won't cause spots.) Remove with a hot flannel. Then cleansing milk, again remove with a hot flannel. Acid toner. Facial oil.
I also use eye cream, but that's because I have zillions of samples to use up, I don't really know if its necessary!

Day two of cleansing, acid toning etc. Not noticed any difference yet apart from general virtuous smugness that comes with knowing am looking after my skin! Might report back in a week to see if I am a new woman!

Sorry to jump in, but can you buy acid toners in Boots or the like?

Yes, I think so fallenangel ! I think so long as it has salicylic acid in (for spotty types like me!) or one of the other 2 acids mentioned either up thread or in the article olive linked to.

Give natural organic oils a try, I am converted and never looking back. My favourites are rosehip, moringa, tamanu and camellia.

Absolutely agree with all the mantras about SPF. That, water and diet are the best things to stave off premature ageing. I say 'premature' because, let's face it, without surgical intervention, we're all gonna get old looking eventually. I've worn SPF50 everyday since I was very young, having had it drummed into me by my ma who passed away at 72 looking like a 45 year old.

Other than that, I double cleanse with an oil followed by micellar water, tone and moisturise with Liz Earle, and sometimes slip a facial oil underneath my moisturiser (balancing for those times of the month/rehydrating at other times as needed).

The idea that any over the counter cosmetic creams do anything subcutaneously is, I believe, a total load of hokum, but psychologically they do give a feeling of well being and they will have a temporary effect on the surface appearance of the skin which is confidence boosting.

I've bought the Estee Lauder acid toner recommended by Sali Hughes. I have high hopes after spending that much! Never used toner in all my life...

Am really hoping it'll help with spots and bumpy forehead.

hippo I bought the burts bees one recommended from the same article! (In part because of cheaper price...) it stings though, a little. Should it? Part of me thinks it must be very astringent and bad for skin if stinging but like you I have bumpy bits- cheeks mainly- so am hoping the salicylic acid rather than the other type I can't recall is helpful for that! Am thinking of adding in la Roche posay effaclar duo that hauntedhenry has recommended... But maybe I'm just trying to add in too many things, I notice no difference as yet but only using cleanser/Toner since Monday.

I love it though, irrespective of no difference- the hot face cloth etc- a real sense of washing off the day!

Any thoughts on using frownies, I have started to use them but look like a Klingon at night time.

also used a wrinkle filler by Dr Nick Lowe which seemed quite effective.

What a brilliant and informative thread, makes much better reading that Ms Hirons' blog!

I gets lumps and bumps plus milia. Will look at an acid toner. Thanks OP!

Cheers picastyle ive found it really helpful! I do actually think after 1 week my skin is feeling (and looking) bit better- it wasn't terrible to start with but lots of subcutaneous bumps and few blackheads etc... I'm sticking with cleanse/acid tone etc for now as I don't buy into a lot of the other more expensive miracle creams written about on blogs etc (nor, let's face it, can I afford it!) but it's funny, I do feel good about myself for putting jn the effort to look after my skin!

I'm currently using a clarins cleanser/burts bees acid toner/ Lancôme moisturiser and la Roche posay effaclar duo... 4 bottles where I was previously using a baby wipe still... It doesn't take long and it feels good at the end of the day.

Thanks again for all the wise words of posters above!