Is it worth paying the extra ££££s for Clarins and suchlike rather than Boots own brand ?

[rookiemum]

When I was a flush singleton I used Clarins creams.

Now that we have had DS and moved to mega expensive mortgage house I have changed tack and for the last couple of years use whatever is on special offer and has SPF 15.

At 37 I feel my skin is not what it was and I seem to have aged immeasurably since having beloved DS, although maybe its just because I look so old beside his wonderful 18mth old little face.

I am thinking about reinvesting in some good skin care products, but is it really worth forking out for the expensive brands or would something like Boots (which is still reasonably expensive) do just as well ?

i've been using no 7, i think it is pretty good. not strong enough for winter though.

HI, my cousin is a bio chemist and she went to a dermatologist who said a good aqueous cream is all you really need on your skin, it doesn't matter what the brand. I changed from Clinique to N07 to Olay and saved a fortune.

I used to use cheaper brands, then switched to Clarins and I do find them better I'm afraid.

hiya, did u see my post on another thread, i use the boots agedefying stuff, after a recommendation in a few mags, that it was top stuff at a moderate price.

I am 38, and my skin has really changed inthe past few yrs. I prob should have looked after it more then but i didnt.

Give it a go.!!

Agree with the basic cleanse and moisturize/SPF moto.

However we all like to indulge don't we?
I think all we really need on top is maybe a good eye serum that you can also dab on around mouth and between eyes/forehead.

I found Olay eye regenerist serum very effective and very reasonnably priced and sensitive skin friendly.

The L'oreal brand is basically made in the same labs as many upmarket brands owned by the same company( see L'oreal website for sister brands)
So basically you pay less for the same engineering as clinique to name just one.
Their wrinkle filler apparently works well. Not tried though.

I think as long as you are using a product that suits your needs it doesn't really matter how much it costs. It is however really easy to fall into the trap of finding a product you like and sticking to it regardless of how your skin might change esp as we get older - you probably don't need a more expensive cream, just a more appropriate one.

Thanks everyone, I will have a look at the age defying stuff plus the L'oreal.

Flowerbeanbag what difference did you find when you changed to Clarins, and if you don't mind me asking what age are you ?

I'm wondering if its just because I am getting on a bit that I am asking too much from my lotions and potions.

Slim22 - Clinique belongs to the Estée Lauder stable, not the L'Oréal stable .

There is some truth in what Slim22 says - that large cosmetics companies that have many brands use the same science when formulating creams in their different brands. But the cheaper creams generally have cheaper ingredients and are not quite as good quality as the more expensive ones.

However, it is much wiser to choose a proper dermatological brand than a cosmetics brands where you are paying a huge % of the price just to cover the marketing costs (all those supermodels and glossy ads ).

Go to a good independent pharmacy for advice.

Anna888 thats really helpful thanks can you advise what the difference is between a dermatological and cosmetic brand, I'm assuming its one that doesn't do cosmetics, am I right ? Also you are French I think, in UK most pharmacies have a few jars of Ponds and thats about it so probably wouldn't be able to give expert advice. If you know an especially good brand, do tell.

Oops! my mistake, but the point is the same.
Thanks for correction Anna!

Dermatological brands are ones that are promoted through dermatologists (who are of course specialist doctors) rather than through advertising in magazines directly to consumers.

Really good dermatological brands are Avène (available in Boots), LaRochePosay and Ducray.

Insider info - the very best toothpaste in the world is the French brand Elgydium and you can get it in any Boots .

Anna, now that I found you I'm not going to let you off without another quizz......

Any stretchmark/bust booster that's worth the expense?
(I'm pregnant!) I hear lierac good.......???

sorry for hijack

Foundation is def worth the expense. After paying a small forune on trying a multitude of different brands I now use Clinique Soft finish which is amazing.

Don't think expensive and cheap mascaras are that much different though, although Lancome and Dior mascaras are very good.

slim22 - I'm very sorry to have to say that I don't have stretchmarks so I've never tried any products.

Bust could deal with a boost but I invest in bras .

Let me ask my DP and I will get back to you. He sells loads of dermatological and pharmacy-only brands in his shops and he has encyclopaedic knowledge of products that work (because they sell... year in year out) and products that are hope-in-a-bottle only.

Rookiemum I'm 31, changed a few years ago. Can't remember specifics I'm afraid but I know I remember wishing I had changed earlier! My skin was just in better condition really, less patchy I think.

Sorry I can't be a bit more specific!

I'm not a big clarins fan, but there was a rumour, probably circulated by M & S that their stuff is made by clarins.

I agree it's about finding what suits you - I do fork out for origins stuff because it works for me, but it might be that what suits you is something cheaper. However if you're looking for new things to try I would recommend that and Dr Hauschka, and I also like Boots botanics.

I don't think you need a lot of super-expensive stuff though - just a good moisturizer. Anti-ageing ingedients have little effect and can iritate your skin. I think you'll get better results using a good moisturizer with spf, and keeping your face/neck out of the sun.

I think we all suddenly look older when we've got a toddler though

I believe there was once a scientific survery that conclusively demonstrated the most effective face creams were in direct reverse proportion to price - old style Nivea coming out top. The basic pricniple being that if the expensive creams did all they said they good it would mean that your pores and skin were so open effectively they would not be doing the job they are there to do - i.e. keep blood, tissue, muscle etc in. Gory, nice.

That said, as other posters have put there is a lot to be said about using a product your skin likes - in my case Body Shop Vit E cream, which I would consider relatively expensive compared to aforementioned Nivea.

I have used several types of creams, from cheap to expensive. I have quite sensitive skin so have to be careful. I find Boots non-coloured/perfumed and Simple best for my skin.

avon....(no i am NOT an avon lady)...brilliant stuff. Just bought the retexturising peel and the anew night cream - my skin is definitely looking better already. Plus you get alot of free offers and you don't need some avon lady copming to your house nowa days - you can do it online

as I've got older I've started to care more about what I put on my face so that means natural stuff (not 'natural' in a marketing way, but actually natural)

so places like neal's yard - their frankincense anti ageing cream is fab

and green people

it's actually more Boots prices than Clarins prices and I'd far rather put plant extracts on my skin than something someone has dreamt up in a lab

i think Olay moisturisers are excellent
their daytime one with the SPf is fantastic

I use a Jurlique cleanser which is £££ but i have sensitive skin and it is the only thing i have tried which doesn't make my skin flare up

mascara - Boots natural collection is amazing and less than a fiver i think

I LOVE JULIQUE!! It's £££ but so lovely.
I also really like the julique and dr haushka way of doing things, i.e. not moisturising over night to give your skin a chance to breath and repair itself

Oooh cappuscreamo I do like that green people web site and i like the idea of natural products, I did try the frankinsence cream once and thought it was good although a tad smelly.

I am a convert on the make up side I have to say, I have tried all sorts of foundations but always come back to Clinique almost make up as its so light and natura .