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?

Yes that's it Remus. Bargain!

Time Delay eye serum with a metal rollerball .
Do they have different ranges? The one I have is Anti-Ageing with a pink lid.
Doddle to apply, you don't get it all over your fingers and it feels quite soothing.

Often on offer 3 for 2 or half price.

I'm approaching 40 with dry sensitive skin- rosacea prone. Which of these products would you recommend. I just use avene basic things at the moment but my skin is going downhill and I want to get a grip on it if I can! Sorry I don't mean to hijack thread but this is really interesting/useful reading! And you all seem to know so much!

No point buying expensive moisturisers or serums until you are cleansing properly every night and morning. Then try some of the above.

And don't use wipes because they won't clean your face at all, micellar water is a great alternative if you can't face a proper cleanser washed off with a clean flannel or muslin cloth every night.

Twice, once to take off make up and then to clean skin to prepare for your moisturiser or oil.

I have the opposite type of skin to you zippyswife so am probably not the best person to recommend products to you.

It would probably be a good start to look at Caroline Hirons or Sali Hughes sites as they both recommend routines for specific skin types

zippyswife I have dry and very sensitive skin and the fancier my routine is, the more I risk a flare up. My recommendation is to just use as few products and ingredients as you can get away with.

It's trial and error really but the products that work best for me are: almond or wheatgerm oil (as both cleanser and moisturiser) Dr Organic Olive oil moisturiser from Holland and Barrett or Neals Yard Frankinsence cream or Nivea in a blue tub. If I stick to those, I can then get away with a sunscreen on top.

These may not work for your skin but hopefully you get the idea. I find price has very little to do with it.

Mine's sensitive and prone to dryness too zippyswife

Another of the Dr Organic range that is good is the Vitamin E moisturiser and their Vitamin E body lotion too.

If you don't want to get into pricier lines such as Neal's Yard and Dr Hauschka: Nivea, Astral or Ponds night creams are all good (look for the sensitive versions). And I think Olay's Beauty Fluid sensitive is very good value for a day moisturiser (and importantly not greasy).

I'd also avoid toners with alcohol as I find them harsh and drying.

I've always used clarins, but recently have switched to play regenerist for cost reasons (1/3rd price of clarins) and I have to say its been good. My skin dries out so much in winter though, I may have to go back to clarins over the winter. I've done this in the past, switching to a cheaper product in spring/summer when my skin seems happier, usually to other okay products. Now I'm a little older I didn't feel they were doing quite enough so tried regenerist this time (not actually sure what age its aimed at). Pleasantly surprised, though I bought on offer, not sure I'd pay full price.

Thanks all. I'll give those a try one by one to see what works.