Best serum and SPF

[londongirl12]

I'm 37 with quite good skin (well, it's a bit red and dull sometimes, but good in terms of spots/wrinkles). I want to try and maintain that for as long as possible

I'm looking for recommendations for a serum. I currently use Clinique, but at £50, it's quite expensive for a small tube. And I don't know if I've noticed that much difference. I want something that isn't extortionate, but don't mind paying for something that's good.

I also want to get into the habit of wearing a daily SPF. Looking for recommendations for that too

For SPF I like ultra sun for face

QVC often have deals on it

I've tried everything from Aldi's skincare up to Creme de la Mer. The "serum" that I have settled on is Trilogy's Rosehip oil. It is great. It gives a lovely healthy glow too. I use it in between tone and moisturiser.

Glossier. Future Dew. Game changer. Skin has a beautiful glow.

I would say make sure to exfoliate.

Trying to settle on an spf myself, so be interesting to see what people recommend

I find SpF really difficult as they can be so sticky that it then makes any foundation on top go weird.

@BettySweaty

Glossier. Future Dew. Game changer. Skin has a beautiful glow.

I would say make sure to exfoliate.

Trying to settle on an spf myself, so be interesting to see what people recommend

I've not heard of Glossier. I'll have a look

I've just discovered glossier. Their cloud paint is gorge also. I've quickly become a huge fan. I hadn't heard of them either, it was a recommendation Caroline hirons.

For sun protection I use La Rochay Posay Anthelios 50+ the fluid version in the small rectangular bottle.
It's a great SPF, although it's very runny, so I add a bit of moisturiser to make it easier to apply to my face. That does dilute the SPF a bit, however I'm still getting good coverage. Boots sometimes have it on sale.

Stay away from the spf 30 version as it is perfumed and has a horrible smell.

I just give it 2 mins to sink into my skin and make up goes on really well afterwards.

In terms of serums, what exactly are you looking for?
Instead of brand names, try looking for serums with active ingredients, e.g:

hyaluronic acid for helping to retain moisture,
vitamin c serum is an antioxidant which helps brighten/even out skin tone
niacinamide helps with pores/ blemishes, general skin texture
aha's/bha's are exfoliants, helps with dull skin
retinol helps with skin renewal, increases cellular turnover
peptides can help boost production of collagen etc.

All work in different ways to help skin appear plumper, clearer, more hydrated, reduce appearance of fine lines - basically younger.

The Ordinary do great active ingredient serums at good prices, but they can be quite strong so be careful when using them - e.g. I use their 10% niacinamide but I mix with equal amounts of moisturiser to tone down the strength.

Have a look at this thread, in the OP there are links to where to start and the basics etc. It's a fantastic resource.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4018138--Fantastic-Skincare-Jump-through-flaming-hoops-repeat-Beauty-is-Pain-and-acces-to-this-thread-will-be-unlocked

I'm in my late 30's and just starting to get a grips with decent skincare in the last year or so, my skin has never looked better. I even go without makeup more than I ever have. But it can be a bit of a minefield, so I would advise to start 'low and slow', i.e. start slowly introducing one or two ingredients at low amounts over time and build up.

Hope that's helpful.

@londongirl12

I find SpF really difficult as they can be so sticky that it then makes any foundation on top go weird.

I live in a sunshine climate so tried pretty much all SPFs and my favourite is Paulas Choice , factor 30/50. Came across my researching of google and it's amazing.

It's sort of grey/sand looking texture but it must be designed on purpose as the colour blends so good on the face. Not cheap but I do think it's the best.

Just checked the exact one I use it's Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30
It's only $33! Didn't realise it's so cheap, thoguht I paid around $80 for it. It's worth that to be honest

I've recently started using Thank You Farmer SPF50 and it's amazing! Smells lovely but not over powering, isn't greasy and does not leave that weird chalky white layer on your skin that some face SPF's do

For SPF I use Biore Watery Essence. It's really light, doesn't leave a residue and I can put makeup over it (although I don't use foundation) without any issues.

@Mulletsaremisunderstood

In terms of serums, what exactly are you looking for? Instead of brand names, try looking for serums with active ingredients, e.g:

hyaluronic acid for helping to retain moisture,
vitamin c serum is an antioxidant which helps brighten/even out skin tone
niacinamide helps with pores/ blemishes, general skin texture
aha's/bha's are exfoliants, helps with dull skin
retinol helps with skin renewal, increases cellular turnover
peptides can help boost production of collagen etc.

All work in different ways to help skin appear plumper, clearer, more hydrated, reduce appearance of fine lines - basically younger.

The Ordinary do great active ingredient serums at good prices, but they can be quite strong so be careful when using them - e.g. I use their 10% niacinamide but I mix with equal amounts of moisturiser to tone down the strength.

Have a look at this thread, in the OP there are links to where to start and the basics etc. It's a fantastic resource.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4018138--Fantastic-Skincare-Jump-through-flaming-hoops-repeat-Beauty-is-Pain-and-acces-to-this-thread-will-be-unlocked

I'm in my late 30's and just starting to get a grips with decent skincare in the last year or so, my skin has never looked better. I even go without makeup more than I ever have. But it can be a bit of a minefield, so I would advise to start 'low and slow', i.e. start slowly introducing one or two ingredients at low amounts over time and build up.

Hope that's helpful.

I feel like I want to it do everything . I have some redness and also my skin feels dull and grey. I could never ever not put foundation on. So maybe the vitamin C one would be good?

Check out the recent thread on how to make skin glow. There's lots of recommendations on that, albeit many of them (including from me) are for Clarins Double Serum, which isn't any cheaper than the one you currently use.

I also love Glossier everything and have futuredew, but i don't really view it as a skincare product. I see it more as a glowy primer for occasional use under makeup, but that's just me.

If you do want to glow, the futuredew and Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint are fabulous and not overly expensive. A little goes a very long way too. Check the promo board for a 10% off referral code.

Otherwise, I agree with a PP that you need to decide what you want the serum to do to be able to choose the right one. I use Clarins for just general beautiful smoothing, hydration and glow but it contains no actives, so i also use things like vitamin c etc separately.

Be very careful with that redness, stuff like vitamin C, exfoliating acids and retinol could make it worse, especially with more budget formulations. SPF on the other hand, could improve it. Have you tried the Clinique mineral? The OP of the Fantastic skincare threads mentioned a few she uses somewhere on the current thread. I've recently had a bad reaction to the LRP shaka fluid mentioned above, though I've used it before no problem.

Hi OP, the reason I mentioned the Ordinary is that they are cheap so you could try one or two of them and if you don't like them it's not a lot of money wasted. The problem is, because they are so cheap, people tend to buy loads, slap it all on their face at the same time and wonder why they have a bad reaction.

I don't use their vitamin c, but I use Garden of Wisdom 23% vitamin c in the morning, before moisturiser and spf. It's about £10 or something and I buy it from Victoria Health. I know there are Vitamin C serums that go up to £80, or £100 or more no way I'm spending that on one product.

Once you start looking into it, it can seem a bit overwhelming with all the ingredients and formulations. I suppose it depends on your level of interest; some people just want a very simple routine of cleanse and moisturise, others have 20 different potions at the ready.

You could try introducing the vitamin c for a few weeks and see how your skin reacts, and then try an AHA for exfoliation, or a retinol (but that will take a while for your skin to acclimatise to). Most good moisturisers also have hyaluronic acid in them, I use Cerave moisturising lotion, as it's fairly cheap from Boots.

I only started a few years ago, after noticing my skin getting dull and a few fine lines were appearing. I didn't want to go down the botox/ fillers route so I researched good skincare, and I'm really happy with the results. However, I know that everyone's skin is different , and what works for me may not work for everyone.

That being said - vitamin c serum, retinol, AHA's all have good results if you use them properly. Unfortunately, there is no miracle cream that does everything but there are some really good ingredients that can help improve your skin massively.

@Mulletsaremisunderstood that's the thing, it is overwhelming. I use all clinique products at the moment. Their face wash, cleansing lotion, serum, moisturiser and SPF. My skin was doing really well, but it's gone a bit red again. Not like inflamed and sore or spotty, just the colouring. I hadn't been drinking much water so I've increased that too. I'm nearly finished the serum, so that's why I thought maybe try something new. And also like I mentioned before, no way would I go out and not wear foundation. I just look dead

Sounds like rosacea, OP.

I've been using the Medik8 Vit-C serum in the morning and liking it so far. Clarins spf 50 for over my moisturiser and whilst it's a bit white going on it's been fine so far.

So many layers - do you have to wait for each one to absorb?

Has no one invented a tinted moisturiser with SPF and serum built in - or would that not work? Or be commercially unviable?

@Sssloou

So many layers - do you have to wait for each one to absorb?

Has no one invented a tinted moisturiser with SPF and serum built in - or would that not work? Or be commercially unviable?

I know, I'm wondering if it's a conspiracy to make us buy more

Do you use SPF with a five star rating as a base before primer and foundation? I use the Aldi or Sainsbury's one, but unless leaving a while for it to settle on skin it can make my foundation rub off. Wondering if there is a lighter factor 30 with a five star rating

I use vitamin c in the morning. Oskia is the ultimate glow for me but I also like medik8 and la Roche posay.
My morning routine is:
Cleanse if I've been hot with a milk cleanser
Vit C
Beauty Pie Spf and primer
Glossier future dew
Tiny bit of Glossier tint
Lip Balm
I don't wear foundation or any makeup unless I'm making an effort

In the evening I like the espa serum as I love a spa smell and it's deeply hydrating (which my skin likes)

I'm like a PP and use an oil - Balance Me Rose Otto facial oil. I think it's also recommended if you suffer form roseacsea.

I use it in the am after washing my face and before using moisturiser. I should prob try to start using a dog one myself but am using up a tonne of gift with purchase/samples. My fave at the moment is Nuxe creams. Big fan of Nuxe anyway.

Night time I've been using up a sample of clarins facial oil which has always been good but to be honest the price point of the balance me Rose Otto oil suits me so I'll stick with that once this wee sample is done. Cheaper on Amazon too btw.

I have a sample of Glossier futuredew but scared to try it as I've read a lot of people find it too shiny. Maybe I'll save it til summer! I do rate glossier cloud paint and boybrow though. Feel free to use my referral code if you like for 10% off your first order. I benefit too by getting account credit (which DD ends up using!)

re.glossier.com/85bc184f

I've read that facial oils go after moisturiser, as the cream will allow the oil to sink into your skin better. Then spf last.I was also watching a Nadine Baggott video on YouTube which confirmed this. It's so confusing!