I need a verdict please ! Is expensive skin care really worth it or not ?!

[ginorwine]

Age 50 skin looks dull and sad . No spots . No vitality . Pale .
I did try clarins double serum once and it seemed to improve matters but stopped as I read that the improvement was just a visual and it didn't actually treat the skin . I used their creams once and thought they were great but stopped as too expensive as I read that moisture cream can't really do much to improve skin and therefore something cheap will do a similar hydration job .
So Amy comments ? Does money buy better products ( if so which are good ) or do cheap ones do the same ( and which are good!)
Please tell me your views 😄

Do you think we are in danger of emulating the advertisers? I mean, words like 'brighter'? What does this really mean?

People have referred to my skin as being 'glowy' but I put this down to walking outside all year round ( a fast 45 minute blast 4-5 times a week) but with layers of protective stuff slapped on! Moisturiser, spf 50 and then foundation. And always sunglasses when there is a hint of sun to stop me squinting and keep the UV rays away.

If you are pale OP that's not bad- means the sun isn't getting to you! maybe focus on keeping your skin as good as you can through diet, exercise and some basic skin care, then get the look you want with a decent foundation, blusher etc? (You can't surely go barefaced at 50!?)

Polly "You can't surely go barefaced at 50!?"

why not?

my mum did, my boss does. I wear concealer occasionally to stop me scaring my co workers with shadows under my eyes but that's it.

Only joking. I look like death. I have really good skin but it's unevenly toned- not sun damaged, just really pale and with under eye circles. I've worn foundation since I was about 15. I'd not answer the door without it. When I have people ask if I am ill. Most 'older' women imo look better with some foundation or tinted something unless they are lucky to have beautiful colouring like rosy skin or an olive complexion.

My mum goes barefaced and she's in her 70s and has the most lovely peaches and cream skin with very few wrinkles. There's alot you can do to improve your skin if it's problematic but if you have good genes then you really have to do very little.

I use Liz Earle cleanse and polish and Aldi moisturiser. Both brilliant.

I spent a fortune in Christian Dior creams prior to my wedding my skin was no different.

I now use Liz Earle and it's great

Have a look at Dr Sam Bunting on YouTube
Also look at Paula's Choice website.
Saved me making a lot of expensive mistakes.

I love Avene or La Roche Posay. Both available at Boots.

The most effective treatment, as pps have said, is retin-a. But you need a prescription for that. Retinol is not as effective.

I'm pretty low maintenance, but recently bought a face brush (from Lidl). It has made a significant difference to the appearance and glowiness of my skin (60, so no miracle was expected). The surface is brighter, and the marula oil I buy in TK Maxx is lovely: light, moisturising, pleasant smell and quickly absorbed, The other products I use are a hydrating serum (a cheapie) and a Dermalogica wash I have been using more than 10 years. Then all I need for cosmetics is a quick fluff of skin-matched powder to even out complexion, and mascara.

I think it depends on your skin and how reactive it is. I can spend as much reacting to and trying cheaper products as just buying the one more expensive one that I know I can use. So, for example, I can use Clinique balm, Avene extremely gentle cleanser or Nivea sensitive cleanser but that's about it so if I'm feeling flush I might buy the Clinique (esp if it's Bonus time) if not then I might pick up the Nivea.

I'm not convinced expensive moisturisers are worth the money though. (I don't use serum, my skin prefers as few products as poss). Currently using a Nivea Q10 with spf30 which was £5.99 I think in Boots.

If I had the kind of skin that loves soap and water and any old hand me down moisturiser (I'm looking at you mum) I'd be thrilled and quite happy, but I need to spend a bit more to keep my skin happy. FWIW the person I know who has the most perfect skin I've ever seen swears by Dove soap and the Nivea moisturiser for dry skin (in a tube).

I pretty much agree. A lot of cheaper brands really disagree with my skin, Nivea in particular. But so does Clinique.
I've found that my skin has been ten times better since I stopped using foaming cleansers in the shower and started using a balm or cream cleanser, rubbed into dry skin and taken off with warm water and a flannel or muslin cloth. The cleanser itself doesn't seem to matter, over the past year I've used Lush, Clarins, REN and Boots Botanics.
I do love an acid toner as well but again it doesn't have to be expensive. Nip + Fab always seem to be on offer in Boots/Superdrug and Botanics Allbright toner is very mild but effective.
I really rate Botanics generally, their serums and eye creams are great. Much better than No 7 in my opinion and loads cheaper.
The other brand I get consistently good results with is Garnier.

I've used loads of high end brands and settled on;

Merumeya balm
Retin A cream
Nip & fab pads in extreme glycolic 1-2 times a week.

Aldi soy day and night creams.

I've worn sun block of SPF 30+ since I was 22 my skins hardly aged.

I need to eat better & drink less booze than when I was younger, it all helps.