More effort required now I'm 40! Are the more expensive moisturisers worth it?

[Jemster]

I've just turned 40 & am really starting to notice signs of ageing. I have to take regular medication which probably doesn't help. I'm also lacking in a proper skin care routine & don't always remove make up properly, no excuses just not got a routine. I do drink a lot of water but also tea & coffee & I have a bad habit of snacking/comfort eating.
I'm sure this all reflects in my face looking tired & pastey!

Do you think it's worth me investing in more expensive skin creams especially moisturisers to help things? I've always liked Clarins products but am slightly scared by the prices & buying the wrong thing and wasting money.

Can anyone offer some advice please?

I'm in my 40s and I've recently been researching the sane thing. I know have a routine based on Caroline Hirrons routine cheat sheet. All of the advice that I've come accross suggests that moisturiser is the thing that you need to spend the least on. Serums and retinol are where the money goes.

That's right: you can get away with a cheap moisturiser. Serums and facial oils are what you need to be spending money on.

Ok thanks when should I use a serum or oil, before or after moisturiser?

I don't think they're worth it. I think they glide on beautifully and smell lovely but wear a day moisturiser with a really high spf and alternate between a rich night moisturiser and a lighter one at night.

I like a serum from aldi which has hyaluronic acid which is supposed to be great. Leslie Kenton used to rave about that in her book ageless ageing. I should re-read it. I read it at a bizarrely young age, 24! why, I don't know.

I don't think the expensive moisturisers are wroth it, but I've been using a sample of a Clarins face oil and it's lovely. I think I'll be splashing out on it, unless anybody can recommend one that's cheap but just as good.

I like the Superdrug Naturally Radiant stuff - it's definitely as good as the Clarins things I've tried (and I do rate Clarins).

The only expensive over the counter moisturisers that work in terms of anti aging are those with retinol. I've been using LRP Redermic for a while now and am really pleased with the results. Some fine lines that were beginning to show have actually gone. I was quite shocked tbh, though obviously in a good way! Takes a few weeks to start working though. It's around £30 so not too eye wateringly expensive.

I got some Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar in early June (present from my DC) it lasted 3 months and was £35ish.
Nice, sinks in well, not greasy.
I ran out and because I had some Aldi serum (frosted glass bottle Aqua Complete H2O, probably less than £5) that I thought I'd use it.
My skin is still good. Maybe it will go a bit downhill in the colder weather again, but at the moment I'm not rushing out to buy a replacement (I'm 49yo)

Good moisturisers are worth it. Some are expensive and some aren't.

I use Logona organic rose cleanser and rose moisturiser, and rosewater with no added alcohol for a toner.

It's really worth having a good night cream, I use:

• Dr Hauschka's Rose day cream (too rich for day imo)
• Neal's Yard Frankincense Nourishing cream
• Guinot Intensive Nourishing Cream

It's really worth having good moisture masques, I use:

• Logona Age Protection Moisture Masque

It's really worth using oils, I use:

• Avocado oil and almond oil, and extra virgin olive oil for when my skin is really dry. These are all inexpensive.

For every day I found my sister an excellent line called 'Skin Food' which is excellent and very good value. There's a nourishing moisturiser and a lighter one, and they do a cleanser, exfoliant and body butter in the same range.

Link

They have no parabens or sulfates in them and they're only about £8 each.

Thanks for the 'Skin Food' recommendation Twinklestein. I have put it on my wish list so I can remember to buy it when my current moisturiser runs out!

sunscreen. Don't smoke. Eat properly.

some of the stronger stuff mentioned on here may help a bit.

Wrinkles can't be reversed with creams, but IME products can help a lot with giving your face a bit of glow.

What I found most helpful in reviving my skin when i turned 40 was starting to use Clarins beauty flash (which I know some people don't rate, but works well on me), plus Dior radiance primer over the top, before I put my make-up on. Those two products make my skin look so much fresher and 'glow', and my make up also stays put to the end of the day as well. I also use an acid toner each night (Ren), again to keep my skin looking fresh.

I also make sure to use a moisturiser for dry skin (normal, not an eye cream), around my eyes which means that lines don't look worse because my skin is dehydrated.

When do you use the face oil? Instead of moisturiser?

Wrinkles can be reversed with retinol/ retin A. That and AHAs/BHAs are the only proven topical products for anti aging.

Do you exercise?
Do you eat enough good fats (avocados, nuts, fish)?
Do you get enough sleep?
Do you wear colours that suit your skintone?
Do you drink alcohol, eat much sugar, smoke?

I think all of the above can make even more of a difference than your skincare routine (but I think using the right products religiously can certainly help).

I don't think you necessarily need to spend a fortune though. I favour mid-range brands such as Avene and LRP, which are kind to sensitive skin.

I've found price doesn't make a difference. But doing something does ... It starts with food and drink and ends bathroom cabinet. I now use only cheaper brands where I used to spend out and do look younger. Cetaphil is working for me. Super gentle. Not at all glam.

XiCi is spot on. There are very few things proven to help with ageing and most of them aren't in expensive moisturisers.

SPF is far away the most important thing to stop it getting any worse.
Retinol is next - basically only thing that genuinely improves the structure of your skin and reduces collagen loss
Acids - AHA (glycolic and lactic) if dry skin, BHA (salicylic) if spotty - will help exfoliate making your skin look fresher and possibly also helping the structure of your skin.

Then you have anti-oxidants and Vit C for pigmentation (retinols also great for pigmentation), niacinamide, ceramides, peptides and that's about it.

Moisturisers and things like hyaluronic will help do a temporary plump up but nothing more long lasting.

However you do not have to spend a fortune to do this:

Cleanser - whatever you like

Acid toner - see numerous threads before. I'm spotty so like Paula's Choice 2% BHA or Clinique Mild Clarifying lotion. Mega budget version would be Clearasil pads.

Serum - Hylamide has hyaluronic + peptides, there's a good priced Vit C version. Aldi Lacura is v cheap but hyaluronic only.

Night time - retinol LRP Redermic R or Avene Ystheal

Moisturiser - day time any SPF of your choice. Night time I like Cerave for ceramides + niacinamide.

Not masses of product, nothing ££££, and includes everything proven to be helpful.

Great post Wolpertinger. The Cerave night moisturiser is brilliant for the price and the Avene Ystheal is a really good introduction to retinol for those with sensitive skin
I would add that Cosrx do AHA and BHA toners that compare very favourably to Paulas choice at a fraction of the price. They're a Korean brand but easy to buy from Korean online shops via eBay.

takes notes about Cosrx

Can anybody recommend a toner that is less than £15 and available on the high street, please?

Nip and Fab have dragons blood toner pads Remus that are about £10. They're salicylic and hyaluronic acid. I think they do a glycolic one as well. Boots time delay also do a daily brightening toner for less than a tenner which is good. Clinique have a salicylic based mild clarifying toner. I've not used it but its a bloggers favourite and has really good reviews. It's around £13.

Thank you. I like the Boots TD range, so will have a look at that as a starting point.

I used organic rosewater as a toner - no alcohol.

Suvarna £8.50 of 100ml

You can also buy it food grade in M&S food halls for £4.

Yes I think the time delay range is very good. I've used the toner and really liked it. Gentle but effective

Is this it?