What is ONE beauty/skincare item that has literally changed your life?

[optimisticpessimist01]

I’m in a bit of a makeup and skincare rut and I think I need fewer items that are holy grails

What is one item that has changed your life? It can be makeup or skincare!

Thank you in advance!

@bluebell1981 no, it needs to be a dedicated separate SPF

@ClientListQueen ..that you reapply throughout the day? Don't know how that's doable if you wear makeup!

@bluebell1981 you can get away with it if you're not outside much if you apply a decent amount
I don't tend to use SPF at the minute because it's dark when I leave the house and when I get in! So I usually retinol all winter and then lay off it for the summer to be honest

Pixi products

Particularly the glow tonic, peel and polish scrub and the double cleanse balms!

Konjac sponge
Used alone or with a cleanser , very light exfoliation and no effort

Ah thanks @ClientListQueen !

I tried pixie products @suitepea, didn't make any difference whatsoever to my skin! Was very disappointed after reading so many good things!

GOAT soap!!! Amazing stuff!!!

@BringmeGin

There was a thread about Vaseline on the face before bed a few months ago, here where lots of posters has great success...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3602246-Vaseline-on-face-before-bed

The short version is that applying a layer of Vaseline "locks in" your other skincare products and makes them more effective.
Vaseline is completely non-comodogenic, it will not give you spots but if you aren't putting it on a clean face (at the end of your skincare routine is ideal) or if one of your moisturisers clogs your skin then you will get spots as its locking the grime in instead, iyswim.

For me its amazing, makes my skin glow and look plump, and has meant I haven't suffered the dinosaur's butt skin which often goes with retin-A. Which is great as my skin is naturally very dry.

I live in a hot part of the US, and it worked brilliantly in the midst of summer too.

It just washes off with warm water in the morning. It will rub off a bit on your pillowcases, but I change mine daily anyway, so not a huge issue for me .

I’ve always removed my eye make up with Vaseline and hot water. My eyes are holding up bloody well as 50 appears on the horizon so I think it’s a pretty big factor.

Other than that Roche Posay Duo. I found out about it on the S&B board and now wouldn’t be without it.

I have a few, not counting tret/retin-a or retinol.

Dr Hauschka clarifying day oil. It balances out my usually very oily skin by some kind of magic. Lasts aes because you only need a couple of drops. www.allbeauty.com/gb/en/1060076-dr-hauschka-face-care-clarifying-day-oil-30ml

Garden of Wisdom niacinamide serum and azelaic acid serum. Loads better than the ordinary versions, nice serumy texture, the azelaic acid can dry a tiny bit chalky feeling but moisturiser sorts that right out. No more spots.

Paula's Choice BHA. It is so popular for a good reason.

Where do you buy the garden of wisdom niacinamide? Thanks :)

Victoriahealth.com sell all the UK Garden of Wisdom products.

It won't be approved of by skincare types but it was the realisation that most of what I did to my skin didn't make much difference and some of it was making things worse.

Now I wash my face with aqueous cream and use a basic moisturiser and my skin is better than it's ever been. The only thing I've found that helps the appearance of wrinkles is drinking lots of water. It's not a permenant treatment but it does give your skin a more plumped up look.

Bobbi Brown foundation with serum (used MAC Studio Tech for years until about 42, then skin needed a foundation with more oil & schtuff in it) - costs a lot, lasts ages and is beautifully sheer plus smells of lavender

Camelia Oil at night - or if I can afford it / get given it as a present - Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial.

A313 vitamin A pommade (replaced "Avibon" for those that know of it) - I use it a couple of times a week at night, v oily! some use it nightly but like any Vit A / retinol product - you need to build up. It's good on spots and hyperpigmentation as well. You can get it in France - or on amazon!

https://theskincareedit.com/2019/03/30/a313-pommade

Botox every 6 months - unapologetic, v expressive face so constantly raise my eyebrows and concertina my forehead like Gordon Ramsay without it

Amazing sheet masks - got these in a fit fab box from the US - blinking expensive in real life! https://www.johnlewis.com/111skin-rose-gold-brightening-facial-treatment-mask-5-x-30ml/p3824207?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappioss_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5Lk1lc3NhZ2U=

Dermatica's Retin A !!

Moisturiser. Have really dry skin that gets sensitive and reactive if i don't moisturise properly. And I have a fear of eczema sparking back to life if I don't moisturise enough, so I would sleep in a vat of it if I could.

Coconut oil for my hair. It's changed it from messy frizz to beautiful silky waves.
Using Factor 50 suncream everyday for years. I'm over 50 and have zero wrinkles.

Roaccutane. Would take it again if I had too.

I was a contributor to the Vaseline thread. I started applying a layer around my eye at night, over a gel eye cream. The area around my eyes is now much more hydrated and plumped up. Been doing it since July.

Before I was using an eye cream. I used to get quite puffy eyes but reducing to a less rich gel with a swipe of Vaseline on top has been transformative for me. I was worried about milia, but has not happened. I have saved money too. I was using quite expensive eye creams, now I use a much cheaper La Roche Posay gel.

I tried the all over face too, but too gloopy for me. Felt claustrophobic!

Thank you so much @CravingCheese that's really useful. I also suffer from milia. I'll try squalene (I'm glad there's options not made from sharks lived 😬

Not one but...

Retinol and glycolic
Hyaloronic acid
Elemis pro collagen day cream and overnight matrix cream
Hada labo eye cream

The combination has had fantastic results.

Vitamin C serum before moisturiser
Una Brennan Rose Hydrate facial oil plus Una Brennan vitamin C brighten night cream before bed

Vitamin C is great but it really seems to break me out. I love the ordinary 30% aha peeling mask. Skin looks amazing the next day

Tretinoin at night, aqueous cream as a cleanser and CeraVe moisturiser has improved my skin significantly.

Another vote for retinol! I started with The Ordinary stuff but have progressed onto prescription strength (well it would be in the UK but I buy it OTC in Spain) tretinoin. I mix it with night cream and use it several times a week. I'm 50 and while I won't say my skin has never looked better, I have noticed a definite improvement.

It kind of makes a nonsense out of all those 'wonder' creams you see being touted here and there. Get yourself a tube of retinol for a modest price and a decent moisturiser (doesn't have to be expensive) and you've got yourself a great skincare routine right there.