Best La Roche Posay for combination skin. Or maybe Avene? Dermalogica Active Moist substitute?

[MaybeDoctor]

I currently use Dermalogica active moist but am thinking of doing the swap to La Roche Posay.

My skin is sometimes a little dry in patches and slightly congested on the nose, occasionally the cheeks. Rare break-outs, but always a little bit of congestion going on. However, as I am in my late 30s I think I need something quite gentle rather than an 'acne treatment' type of product. If I stick with Dermalogica I was thinking of trying out the Intensive Moisture balance, but it is £50!! I love Dermalogica but that price definitely brought me up short!

The other products I use are Special Cleansing gel, microfoliant (once a week) and sometimes at night I use a Clarins facial oil or Body Shop vitamin E night cream.

Thanks.

Have tried most of those brands and have similar skin to you. I really like Caudalie - I use a moisturising sorbet of theirs (somewhere between a lotion and a cream - light but rich enough). Comes in a white tube with burgundy lid. Also their vitamin C serum. Did try LRP and Avene moisturisers but didn't rate them for my skin. I do like avene facial cleanser (use a wash off gel) and la Roche posay micellar water to take off make up first. Night time - I use either a Caudalie facial oil or - if DH feeling generous at birthday or Xmas - Sarah chapman facial oil, delicious. Caudalie is sold here - think john Lewis sell it - but is cheaper in the French pharmacies so get people to pick up supplies for me or stock up if we go

Thanks for that, I looked it up and it seems a bit cheaper than the dermalogica. Might give it a try!

I've used both LRP and Avene, I prefer the latter as my skin is very sensitive, but both are good. They both make micellar water which is excellent for clogged pores (is that what you mean by congestion?) then you don't have to exfoliate, which can cause breakouts.

I found the Olay moisturiser in a pump dispenser worked as well as Active Moist. It is a lot cheaper, but lasts nowhere near as long, so there probably isn't a big price difference, but I like the convenience of being able to buy it in a supermarket.

I gave up Dermalogica for £ reasons too when I had my kids. However I've just bought skin smoothing cream again. I love it. I'd forgotten how much. I'm late 30s now and have decided to spend on certain things that work. Moisturiser being one. I did try LRP, No 7, Olay etc etc over a number of years. They were all ok.

Sorry if that is v unhelpful. It's just my experience is that I probably spent just as much and wasn't as happy searching for a cheaper alternative.

I use Elemis Pro radiance cream cleanser - its really balanced my skin and I only get the tiny bit of oiliness just before my period.
I have barely used half after 3 months.

Elemis do some brilliant sets that make it really economical- I got the cleanser, apricot cleanser and some skin capsules for £37.50

Ps was a huge Dermalogica fan previously

apricot toner