Expensive moisturiser but skin still feels tight

[Littlemiss74]

So I treated myself to a Clarins moisturiser based on mid 40’s skin but my skin doesn’t feel very moisturised at all, in fact it feels a little tight. It’s the multi active jour and was recommended to me by a friend.
I thought the pot was quite small for the price but the leaflet says you only need to use a small amount and pat it in. I feel as though I want to slather loads on as a small amount isn’t making my skin feel moisturised. Bit gutted as was expensive and meant to be a rare treat for me.

Any suggestions please - should I just use more?

Could it be whatever cleanser you're using that's making your skin feel tight?

Did you get the moisturiser or the lotion? Can you please post a picture as I’m not sure which it is? I would layer it with a serum - you don’t need to spend loads, Olay is great

Don’t spend your money on moisturizer. Honestly any cheap one will do.

If you want to splurge, spend it on a serum.
Then use just some Nivea or Neutrogena Waterboost (bit more expensive then Nivea but great stuff).

I normally use elemis, but needed a night cream so bought this and it is fabulous. I will continue to buyy elemis day cream but will definatly buy this again.

www.loreal-paris.co.uk/age-perfect/intense-nutrition/manuka-honey-night-cream

Do you drink enough water?.

Maybe your skin is dehydrated (lacks water) rather than dry (lacks oil). Well hydrated skin would be able to suck in more moisture.

After cleansing but before applying moisturiser, pat on a hydrating toner this Garnier Rose Water one is good

As PPs have said, a serum might also be useful. Apply it after the toner and before the moisturiser.

Agree with previous poster that moisturiser is not the place to spend money. Buy a good basic moisturiser (I like The Ordinary’s Natural moisturising factors) and a face oil and slather them on - your skin will be very happy if it’s dry. And save your money for serums (or not, there are loads of good mid range products out there).

Honestly I don’t get on with Claris at all. I feel it’s all very drying.

I use Nivea Q10 spf 30. On offer for £5 usually

Thanks for all the replies. Oh dear looks like I’ve wasted my money! I do drink water but don’t
always remember to drink enough so will try to do drink more.
I have a very simple routine of washing with a creamy cleanser as my skin has always been good so haven’t felt the need to do more until now. I didn’t even know about serums to be honest - what do they do?
There are so many products available I find it quite overwhelming to know what to buy.
Also as getting older I had this idea in my mind that perhaps I need to start buying the more pricey brands as they must be more effective..

I think the multi active range is targeted at the 30s age range so it might be that if your skin is on the dry side it's not going to do much. I have used it in the past but Nivea soft is just as good for me at you can get a 500ml pot for less than a fiver, so I don't feel like it's worth spending extra.

If your skin is dehydrated as opposed to dry you could try a gel moisturiser instead of a cream one? Something like this...

www.boots.com/neutrogena-hydro-boost-water-gel-moisturiser-10216727

www.boots.com/beauty/luxury-beauty-skincare/luxury-beauty-offers/clinique-moisture-surge-100h-auto-replenishing-hydrator-30ml-10292728

www.cultbeauty.co.uk/glow-recipe-watermelon-glow-pink-juice-moisturizer.html?queueittoken=e_testwaitingroom01~q_c27f5667-b09a-48ff-b518-a2780a61f5ab~ts_1622204053~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_63ccbbec29ec948b7f0505ccec30c950b9b6902717f3338dca1b6d83928a9941

Aldi have dupes for the Clinique and Glow Recipe ones. Or you could try ordering samples off eBay before you commit to full sized (I do that with all my spendy products)

I'm sure the Clarins multi active day cream was reformulated a while back and after having used it on and off I bought one and was very disappointed.

Generally that tight feeling comes from over stripping your skin. So foaming face washes and strong toners do this to me.

I spend on the cleansing (I do use Eve Lom; but Lush do one called ultrabland which is excellent and cheaper) and I buy cheaper face creams (Olay total effects and nivea Q 10 night cream). I have very good clear skin.

I'd use the Clarins as you re doing but I'd use a hydrating serum before. This is great: www.amazon.co.uk/CeraVe-Hydrating-Hyaluronic-Serum-Facial/dp/B08XC54CW5/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=serum&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1622205216&sr=8-15
Just layer it thinly before the moisturiser - you should notice the difference

Price doesn't equal efficacy especially with skincare .

I would ditch Clarins and buy Cerave .

Follow Dr Natalia Spierings on Instagram and she will change your skin and bank balance :)

I bought an expensive night cream ( well expensive for me - £96 ) and it is no different from the £10 - £20 ones.

Aldi Lacura Q10 spf 20, for under £2 a pot. Best stuff I've had. I used expensive cream for years before trying it. Use as much as you like at that price.

Have a look at Susan yara on mixed makeup I think some of her recommendations would really work for you.

One of the biggest cons about the skincare industry is that you have to spend lots of money for it to work. In reality, you are paying for the fancy packaging and swishy ad with the celebrity in it.

There are lots of decent mid priced ranges in boots and pharmacies, Cerave is great for an everyday lotion.

In general, look for good active ingredients that will actually do something (e.g. hyaluronic acid). As pp have said, a little research about ingredients that work will go a long way to stop you spending unnecessarily on overpriced 'luxury' brands.

Moisturiser always makes my skin feel tight - even the fancy stuff!

I switched to Kiehl's Midnight Recovery & Daily Revival concentrates and my skin never gets that tight feeling any more. Plus it works much better than moisturiser, I find. Will never go back to using creams.

I honestly just use Dove in shower and never have tight skin. It has a quarter moisturising cream in it.

I believe Multi Active is aimed at women in their 30s. Not sure why this is the range you bought. The Extra Firming range is for 40s and Super Restorative is for 50s

You could buy a basic facial oil and add one drop to the moisturiser as you apply. Or use a moisturising SPF with it

@ItMustBeBedtimeSurely

Agree with previous poster that moisturiser is not the place to spend money. Buy a good basic moisturiser (I like The Ordinary’s Natural moisturising factors) and a face oil and slather them on - your skin will be very happy if it’s dry. And save your money for serums (or not, there are loads of good mid range products out there).

This is what I do - I use this same Ordinary moisturiser (or the Superdrug Vitamin E one which is only about four quid and always on offer) with an oil underneath before bed and my skin hasn't been dry for ages.

My current favourite is the Revolution Night Restore oil which is only £9.99 and on 3 for 2 at the moment if you go on their website for it. It smells nice and lasts for ages too :)

Not a popular opinion i know but I disagree about moisturizer not making a difference. i have really dry skin & have tried loads of hydrating serums, Hyaluronic acids etc that have not made any difference to my skin, but my moisturizer is key. The right moisturizer makes my skin soft, smooth & plumps it up, it sort of glows. If I stop using this & swop to a different one the change is immediately noticeable. My skin goes dull, dry & feels bumpy. I've only found a small number of moisturizers that have this affect but none of the serums have made any difference at all.

You don’t need to buy a range for your age group, just your skin type. Try something like this under it

olay.co.uk/skin-care-products/serum/regenerist-3-point-super-skin-firming-serum

A while ago I had an allergic reaction to shampoo which resulted in my skin on my face becoming dry and scaled. I had to stop using all my skincare and could only use a prescription ointment. I then changed from expensive skincare and serums to body shop Hemp moisturiser. Honestly now my skin has never looked better and I only use this.