Best skincare brand for age 40

[Eminybob]

I’m trying 40 in a couple of months time and up until now haven’t really had much of a skincare regime.
It’s starting to get a few fine lines but nothing too bad yet, my biggest concern is my under eye area. I have dark circles and bags (currently worse due to non sleeping 1 year old but even when I’m well slept they are still there)
I’m happy to look at higher end stuff as I can ask for birthday presents but any if there are any secret miracle budget brands then even better.
I’m currently using The Ordinary caffeine stuff on my eyes but it doesn’t seem to do much. Also tried garnier and I think it was L’Oréal (With the roller ball) But never found “the one”
I’m also looking for a good moisturiser which will help with aging, brighten my skin, reduce pores and firm up my saggy jowells (holy grail?)

I thought The ordinary was distinctly ordinary! Nothing special at all.

Clinique is good.

I don’t there is such thing as a ”best” brand for any skin type. I’ve tried La Prairie (£££££) and it was shit. Sisley, however, is fab for me. For everyday, I use organic Argan oil in face, Barbary fig oil under eyes and Mustela emollient balm (v rich in oils and no nasties) as daily moisturirer. Nip and fab glycolic pads 2x a week. I drink lots of water and take statflower oil supplements. My skin at 43 looks fab.

In general, I like La Roche Posay.

Apart from that I like Liquid Gold and the odd thing from Lancome.

44 and really into the Sarah chapman range. Not the cheapest but a little goes a long way

I'm quite a lot older than you and have tried everything. By far the best things are Rose hip oil and/or Cerave moisturising lotion. None of the expensive stuff have been any better than these. Highly recommend.

The Ordinary has made a big difference to my skin. It was starting to look a bit dull post 40. I think retinol and hyaluronic acid have made the biggest difference.

Skin care definitely depends on your skin type. Trinny Woodall’s recommendations don’t work for me as she has oily skin and I have dry sensitive skin.

I think that if you have not done a regular skincare regime before then start now with something like Boots No7 and work up.

Cleanser
Serum
Moisturiser with SPF 15 or more
Weekly face mask
Drink lots of water
Cut down on alcohol and sugar
Use an SPF!

I use Sarah Chapman for day cream as it is one of the few high end products which contains an SPF. You can buy primers or drops with an SPF but this is adding yet another layer and sometimes I forget to use it. I started on Boots years ago then moved to Estée Lauder through to Kiehls, Liz Earle, Eve Lom Rescue Mask and I am using Votary Facial Oil atm.

I buy NIOD when it's on special offer. Just 2 products: either CAIS or CAIL, followed by Hyaluronic Complex. Then finish off with factor 50 (either Body Shop or La Roche Posay). That's all. I think it can get way too complicated using loads of products.

Vitamin c capsules for my skin from Elizabeth Arden, the ordinary 5% retinol Plus spf. The vitamin c is definitely helping with brightening my skin

Beauty pie vit c capsules and triple Hyaluronic serum are fab

Erno Laszlo. The oil and the soap, amazing stuff but rather £££££. I use Superdrug moisturiser to balance things up

No advice for under eyes but you need a good serum. That's the stuff that makes a difference and a cheap moisturizer and separate SPF ( moisturizer with SPF are not enough protection).
I use the genefique from lancome at the moment. Now is a good time to buy as they are trying to get rid of the Christmas gift sets, so you can get the product you want and extras for the same price or cheaper.

I don’t think it’s about the ‘best brands’ either. Remember they pay lots of money for advertising and marketing.
You need:
A serum (vitamin c for the day is good)
SPF 50. This should be separate to your moisturiser as we don’t use enough of the moisturiser. And it’s wasteful.
Cerave is an amazing brand full of ingredients that work such as peptides, niacinamide.. Cheap too. Lots of dermatologists recommended it. You do t need an expensive moisturiser.
PM: a retinol serum.
Night moisturiser I use Cerave PM.
My splurge is IS clinical eye cream and it’s amazing but £££. I justify it by not spending much on moisturiser and my SPF is Altruist which is about £8

Don’t need an expensive moisturiser that should say. I spend more £ on serums.

47 here.
I’ve always returned to La Roche Posay. I swear by this range. I use cicaplast every night.
In your 40s, it’s a good time to invest in a Foreo Luna or cheaper version (I use the cheaper version with excellent results) as well as a
jade roller to massage the face, which is good for under eye bags. It feels heavenly under the eyes.

I periodically use the warming eye masks by optrex.
I swear by a bi-monthly aloe vera sheet mask by Body Shop.
Sleep 7-8 hours a night.
Drink water/herbal tea during the day
I know it’s a bit boring but not drinking throughout my 40s has unquestionably improved my skin.
You have a 1 year old so go easy on yourself.
But if I were to recommend ONE thing and one thing only to anyone turning 40, it would be to ditch booze. It really is a game changer.

A proper cleansing routine. Warm water and flannel in sink. Also works wonders.
I do this in morning and double cleanse at night ( one with oil to get rid of SPF/ make up, and one to cleanse properly) . It has made my skin much brighter and clearer.

Aldi Lacura caviar day and night cream, about £6 each.
Absolutely brilliant.
I've tried so many high end moisturizers and none are as good for my skin.

What cleanser do you use with the foreo @TheVanguardSix Am thinking of getting one based on your recommendation!

If you want one brand I'd say Paula's Choice.

But really you don't need one brand, you need bits and pieces that suit your skin and what you are trying to achieve.

So for me - oily skin, spotty, trying to do a bit of anti-ageing -this means SPF, retinol, salicyclic acid.

Cleanser - doesn't really matter, whatever you like, it's only on your skin for seconds
Paula's Choice BHA
Retinol of your choice in the evening
Cerave moisturiser - has hyaluronic acid, ceramides and niacinamide
SPF for the day

That's pretty much it. You can add other stuff in - prob a Vit C- but that is the main bits that are going to do the work.

Wow thanks for all the replies. I’ll pick out a couple of bits and have a go. The eyes are my priority atm

For those recommending cerave eg @AnnaMagnani - do you go for the moisturising cream or the facial moisturising lotion? Thanks!

If you have dry skin, Drunk Elephant La La Retro Whipped Cream is the best moisturiser ever.

I don’t think the brand matters as much as the active ingredients and how you deliver them.

So your retinol, vit c, acids and sun blocks are what’s going to work but those who’ve smoked, not worn sunblock, drunk alcohol regularly & eaten shit food are never going to look fab without serious intervention from a dermatologist.