Sorry. I know this has probably been asked 2 billion times - is good quality moisturiser more importany than good quality any other skin product?

[JamesDelaneysHat]

Like serum or cleanser etc? What should you spend the most on?

I use cheap nivea moisturiser. I double cleanse starting with jojoba oil or botanics hot cloth balm stuff then any old cream cleanser. Then Nip & Fab pads followed by blue tub nivea at night or the other cheapy nivea in the morning. Where should I spend the extra money?

Spend on Serums.

Sorry -posted too soon.
Cleanser isnt on your face for long enough to make much of a difference unless you're using a particularly foamy or harsh one -some kind of balm or cream one will do fine.
Same with moisturiser -it's basically oil and water in various combinations and is there to make your face feel comfortable and give a nice base for make up (arguably primers do that too)
All the money in skincare is spent on developing serum and treatment formulations, which is why they are often more spendy but they are the things that are resurfacing/exfoliating/treating so find a range that targets your concerns (brightening, anti ageing, hydrating etc) and start there.

That said, you could do worse than use The Ordinary products, which arent spendy but do just as well as more Luxe brands.

Ah thank you Lady. I don't actually use a serum at the moment! Oops. Are they before or after moisturiser? I will check out The Ordinary (isn't that the name of a boy band?!). What about moisturiser with SPF? Is that important?

Cleanse, tone if you feel like it ( your nip and fab pads are doing that at the mo) then serums ( more than one if you like!) the moisturiser then oil ( if using). It sounds like a lot but you get used to it and in most cases (allowing for horses/courses) your skin will look noticeably better in a week.

I don't use a separate spf personally as I'm hardly ever out in daylight so I rely on my normal moisturiser to give me protection. I think if you're in an office environment with minimal day to day sun exposure then that is sufficient, but then I'm shamefully lax on that sort of stuff.

Do check out The Ordinary, if you only buy one thing make it the Buffet serum. Every one seems to like it and it works on most skins.

Caroline Hirons has the answer (spoiler: it's serums) www.carolinehirons.com/2015/02/cheat-sheetfaqs-where-should-i-spend.html

As long as your moisturiser suits your skin (e.g. you've found one that's not too rich/too light, doesn't bobble under makeup etc) then paying extra for similar won't add anything.

Spend your money on an excellent SPF. The most important item of your skincare regime. Daily, winter and summer. At least SPF 30. Take a Vit D supplement.

As for moisturiser, whatever keeps your skin comfortable.

I would buy whatever moisturiser suits your skin, ditto a cleanser and separate sunscreen then spend any money you have left on oily fish, avocados and nuts

As an absolute serum junkie who spends next to nothing on moisturisers, I totally agree with the last two posters; SPF and a good diet and the best things you can do for your skin.

Cetaphil range - around £8 and better than any of the 30/40 pound Ines I've tried . I'd say cleanser and moisturiser are most important for healthy skin

But then again I have eczema so die without moisturisor

My main focus is getting moisture in, I cleanse once with a creamy cleanser rubbed in then wiped of with a damp cotton pad, I do not cleanse twice as it's too striping for my skin, I don't tone either, then I mix a few drops of vitamin e oil (TBS vit e serum in oil) in vitamin e cream and apply (both from The Body Shop) and I also use a eye cream for sensitive skin as I can get eczema in this area if I'm not careful. I don't spend loads on creams but would pay a bit more for a oil/serum as they give my skin the instant moisture it craves. I also always choose a foundation that isn't mat or drying that adds a glow too.

OK have just ordered The Ordinary Buffet, rose hip oil and hyaluronic acid 2% + B5.

I'll look at Cetaphil moisturiser but think I'll stick with the cream cleanser and balm for double cleansing. I already take vit d and have done for over a year. Thanks for all advice!

Serum, definitely. Serums and acid toning have made my skin look 100% better.

The best serum I have tried is Deciem Hylamide sub-Q. I won't be buying it again, though, because it smells like a decomposing corpse. I had to breathe through my mouth when applying it but it made my skin luminous and plump looking.

The Ordinary's lactic acid 10% makes me heave. The smell is so awful.
It's also nowhere near the 40% of Sunday Riley's Good Genes which smells like lemon sherberts and makes my skin look amazing. Ok so it's a tenth of the price, but I don't wince every time I use it!

I like to mix it up a bit but tonight I have used:

Avene cream cleanser for dry skin, massaged in and taken off with a muslin cloth
Pixi Glow toner
Wipe with Nip+Fab Dragon's Blood (hyaluronic acid for hydration/plumping)
Boots Time Delay serum
Clarins Hydraquench
Few drops of Trilogy rosehip oil

I really like all these products apart from the serum, which is a bit meh. Haven't found one I really like yet.

What does the rose hip oil do? ^^

So do you put oil over your moisturiser?? I don't use a serum but have been using oil under my moisturiser at night. Should I be using a serum as well as oil? Or instead of an oil? And in what order? I'm confused (sorry for slight hijack of the thread )

I think I read somewhere it should be water based stuff first then oil? Which would normally mean moisturiser then oil I guess. Seems to be all about getting dead skin off then cramming as much moisture via serum and oils in as possible??!

Well all my Ordinary skincare stuff has arrived! Am quite excited about starting!

I think it's diet, SPF, low alcohol consumption & no smoking.

If your a junk food eating heavy drinker who smokes & uses sun beds you won't look 21 again if you use a nice serum.

I've used everything from pretty expensive moisturisers to Aldi ones and plain old Nivea out of the blue pot/bottle. I can't tell the difference except the price tag and different smells tbh. My skin looks better when I drink more water and less booze and do more exercise.

I agree.... I have been through everything possible and find the beauty industry an absolute endless quest!!! I agree with above poster.... Good diet, sleep and fresh air..... Your skin will then take care if itself with minimum input!!!!

Hi! - Just seen your msg. Firstly, do check out Caroline Hirons blog. She knows everything you need to know about skin. Also Nadine Baggott - Knowledgable, down to earth and like CH gives the best no BS advice.
And yes, as others have said, cleanser isn't on your face long enough so as long as you aren't using a foaming cleanser (too stripping no matter what your skin type), then a double cleanse pm and single cleanse am is good. Check out the Body Shop cleansing balm and Una Brennan range (Boots stock her products - they're lovely and affordable). The Ordinary range is INCREDIBLE. They don't do cleansers (yet), but a wide range of serums which normally would be the product you would spend money on but now don't have to. And finally, the most important product of ALL, SPF. Every day all year round. If this isn't in a skincare routine then you're wasting your money on other lotions and potions. xx

Oops! Forgot to say - serums go on after cleansing and 'toning' - your Nip and Fab pads will be the 'toner'. Try the extreme night pads if you're on a budget. But as I said before - just check out Caroline Hirons and Nadine Baggott - they are the font of all expert, down to earth knowledge! And don't forget your SPF! xx