Cheap beauty products & advice for 40+

[Madmog]

Our disposable income has greatly reduced over the last year and I don't have much cash for beauty products and have to admit haven't been eating quite so well (am trying to rectify this). I'm 46, feeling old and haggered and can see the appearance of wrinkles and age spots.

Can anyone recommend any beauty products, particularly moisturizers which might be good (but cheap!) to either improve the feel or my skin or help with it's appearance. Also, any other advice appreciated.

L'Oreal Revitalift Laser renew. I was horrified when I suddenly sprouted crows feet recently, this stuff really helps. I have age spots too, I can't tell if it's working on those or not (about 4 weeks in). I got it from super drug for around £13.

Check out SR Skincare. They are so cheap. I've tried a couple of things and have really liked them, and they get good reviews.

They sound interesting Nabootique.

I know! Couldn't believe I'd never heard of them until a couple of months ago. They put all the ingredient lists on the website as well, so you can compare to brands and they're not trying to hide anything. Packaging is pretty rubbish, and they don't advertise, so I guess that's how they are so cheap.

Nivea Creme. Blue pot for night or dry skin, Nivea light for day use. Get them in Superdrug for a quid each

Aldi Lacura Q10 Night cream. Legendary for a reason!

If you're on a budget then the only things I'd use is non-foaming cleanser, separate sunscreen and retin-a at night. Any old moisturiser will do. Its the actives that count.

If you wanted to incorporate a serum I'd suggest a vitamin c serum. Plenty of budget options available but also can be diy'ed.

Join us on the Caroline Hurons thread.

Make you own oil cleanser. Olive or sunflower oil (75%) mixed with castor oil (25%). Massage on then remove with a warm damp cloth. Almond oil is good to massage into the face too once you have cleansed. Dissolve some asprin in Apple cider vinegar dilute with mineral water to make a toner.
Use coconut oil on your body. Mix with sugar to make a scrub. You can add a few drops of aromatherapy oil if you like. Bicarbonate of soda also makes a good scrub.
Aldi and lidl are great for serums and moisturisers. Aldi have a face oil on sale at the moment too.

I second Nivea Creme. My mum has amazing skin and all she has ever used on her face is mild soap, warm water and a muslin cloth with Nivea (and stayed out the sun) She looks 20 years younger than 69!

Frowns- what is retin a? And do you use a moisturiser with sun screen in it?

Take vitamin b complex, I use a cheap supermarket one and my skin has improved tenfold.

Retin-a is a vitamin a cream where the active ingredient is tretinoin. Tretinoin has 25 years of studies behind it and thought to be one of the few things that can actually slow down and/or reverse aging. It boosts collagen production and exfoliated the surface layer of the skin to reveal new, fresh skin underneath.

The reason we don't hear more about it is in the UK its prescription only from private dermatologists. After forking out for the appointment, the cream is £70 odd I'm told. Its a potent ingredient so should be used under doctor's supervision but anyone sensible who does lots of reading and goes about it in the right way should reap rewards. I put a link on the other thread about where I get mine from. I've been on it on my own accord for about 1.5 years and love the stuff.

That was for janx btw

Thanks Frowns -which thread is yours?

I didn't start it but contributed towards the end. Fascinating thread full of advice. here

I'm thinking about this along different lines. You mention you haven't been eating so well. I know it can be hard on a budget, but a good diet will help your skin and help you feel more alert and better about yourself. Always drink plenty of water (free unless on a water meter), try and get your 5 a day and enough protein (things like kidney beans and chickpeas are cheap and sardines are tuna are a good source of protein for their price).

I'm not sure it helps with age spots, but I've got some Nivea daily essentials (rich moisturising day cream) - got it on offer in Tescos for £1.99 - I've seen it on offer in Superdrug since, so look out for offers. It smells really nice, always give me a boost in the morning and makes my skin feel soft.