Do you find skincare works?

[onlychildhamster]

I used to follow a very strict skincare routine- double cleanse, clay mask, hado labo lotion, facial oil, serum (superdrug), sunscreen (day time), moisturizer (night). Treatment products when needed- tea tree oil, AHA/BHA products if i had a hormonal spot. I used a fairly sheer bb cream and believed that prioritizing skincare over makeup was the way to go.

This changed over lockdown. I became lazy with my routine. And lockdown boredom meant I ordered a few expensive base products online- makeup for ever, skin 79 bb cream, milk makeup bronzer, charlotte tilbury bronze and glow mini, chanel baume essential multi glow stick. And when lockdown lifted, I even bought an embarrassingly expensive Suqqu foundation (£68! but I got a free lipstick with my purchase) cos I was so happy to be able to go to a makeup counter and have my face done.

And the crazy thing is- my skin looks exactly the same as it did without the skincare! I still wash my face and use a mask in the bath, slap on some sunscreen when the sun is shining, moisturize with lotion, facial oil, serum and moisturizer if my skin feels dry but I hardly use skincare now. In fact, I look better now because the expensive makeup is actually quite good and the colours are nicer.

I used to be a huge proponent of 'look after your skin and you can get away with cheap makeup' but I am not so sure now. Maybe its because I am in my 20s. Would I see the (negative) effects in later life? I used to be an avid follower of Caroline Hirons but I am not so sure now...

I'm 50 and regularly get complimented on my skin. My Mum looks young for her age so I'm genetically lucky. I grew up in the north of Scotland and never have had a beach holiday (I have very fair skin so avoid the sun as much as possible) so have less sun damage than average. I wore SPF moisturizer when I was younger. I don't smoke and don't wear makeup. I regularly forget to use soap on my face in the shower (so just wash with water and whatever shampoo makes it onto my face). I don't use fancy skincare. I use very cheap moisuriser (often emolients that DS who has eczema doesn't get on with). I eat lots of fruit and veg (typically 8-10 servings a day) and exercise every day. I do drink wine at the weekend but I'm a lightweight so don't drink a lot, most of the time I just drink water. I think expensive skincare is a waste of money.

Yy - I'm about to turn 50, have never smoked, don't drink much these days and am not a sun worshipper at all. The one thing I do find hard is remembering to drink enough water.

I find a less is more approach works for me, I'm almost 35, don't drink enough watch, am addicted to fizzy juice and am forever stressed which shows on my skin

I use all Beauty Pie skincare now which I really enjoy. In the morning I just wash my face with plain water, then use my eye cream (the Inkey List caffeine one for now) and my moisturiser, SPF if I'm going out (I don't bother if I'll be in the house all day).

At night I use the same cleanser and eye cream, then an oil and my moisturiser, done!

Makeup wise I've been decluttering my makeup for years and years as my makeup style has changed. I use mostly all cream products, have switched out foundation for a skin tint or very very light coverage tinted moisturiser (big fan of Trinny London products), use a brow gel, brown mascara, bronzer on occasion, cream blushers, cream highlighters and usually use the blusher on my lips also.

I have a few small eyeshadow palettes (Charlotte Tilbury star Aura, Natasha Denona minis in Zendo in Glam) for when I fancy some powder shadow but nine times out of 10 it's cream shadow.

I will say though, my face HATES masks. I wear one 11hrs a day for work and when I've done a few shifts in a row my chin and jawline has broken out in spots. Can't find anything to work!

Yes it does for me.

I have atypical acne rosacea (atypical because nothing has got rid of it ) but a good combination of products keeps my skin smoother and dulls the redness.

I use either Glossier jelly cleanser or By Wishtrend acid duo 2 % mild gel cleanser. Then Isntree clear skin 8% AHA essence and Purito unscented centella serum which has niacinimide - my skin loves ghat. Days I normally use Child’s Farm if I’m not going out or sunscreen - currently Purito unscented which is discontinued. Nighttime I’ve just bought this night moisturiser which is wonderful - It’s a cool gel texture, has niacinimide in it so it soothes the red well - and it smells gorgeous, like a cherry yoghurt!

Every week or so I use The Ordinary peel - I have huge pores as well as the rosacea and a strong acid actually makes my skin feel great.

I also use centella sheet masks and under eye masks every so often, but they’re more of a treat after the strong peel.

I can ‘get away’ with just ensuring I wash and moisturise but I can feel the difference in my skin after a couple of days if I don’t.

I’m also very prone to hormonal outbreaks - so my skin will just reject make up and I’ll get one honking zit that leaves a scar if I’m not diligent with the Origins gel treatment. And sometimes even if I am. I’m nearly 40, that part especially really annoys me!

@onlychildhamster which German facial oil is it? I’m in Germany so curious 😁

I know I’ve got a lot of doubling up there - I don’t tend to use them all during the same time - I vary them for morning and evening routine. I live in a city so even if I go out with no make up on I’m wary of pollution.

I think the three things that make a difference, in order, are:

1. Genes
2. SPF
3. Retinoids

If you have acne you may need extra help. I’m know the minute I cut any corners my oily, reactive skin will kick right off. But I have terrible genes.

OP you're only in your 20's, just don't smoke and wear sunscreen everyday and you should be fine.

It's great that there are lots of products and active ingredients out there, and more knowledge, but I do feel bad for young women who feel pressured into starting this stuff when they don't have to.

I only started at about 35 and that seems early. Just enjoy being young!!

@HopeForTheBestExpectTheWorst it's just alverde rose oil and diaderma carrot oil from dm. Also love balea Reinigungsöl. Weleda skin food is slightly cheaper there so I buy it in Germany when I visit.

@Bobsyer I live in London and used to commute by tube! I wonder if the ok skin despite lack of skincare may be because I am working from home now?

I find it's made my skin worse in some ways! As in its so clean and clear but my pores are now much more visible - I assume they were clogged with dirt and old skin before but they weren't noticeable, now they're very noticeable so I'm sorry I bothered!

A lot of it is a gimmick. I've bought plenty of medical grade skincare and honestly much of it is definitely not worth the hype. Sunscreen as a wrinkle preventative and exercise gives my skin a nice glow.

Until I was 27 I used to smoke and drink like a fish and wear no sunscreen. I always embalmed myself in moisturiser and kept my skin clean. I am now 44 and exercise and have a healthy lifestyle. Despite my misspent youth my skin is clear and glowy and I don’t use foundation. For me personally it is cleanse and moisturise that has made a difference not any particular product.

I wonder if all the different products aren't bad for your skin. My grandmother had clear clean skin even in very old age, and never used anything other than soap and water and Oil of Ulay. She never wore make-up.

You need controlled trials to know what works not lots of anecdotes from us lot.

They are things that seem to work in trials and you can look these up - but effects are not massive.

My own view as a 48 year old who has become very interested in how people age is that the thing that matters most (assuming you are not destroying your skin with excessive alcohol, smoking or sun exposure) is genetics. How your skin sags is more aging than wrinkles in my view and lotions and potions don't really affect that. Its all down to your genes.

The Alverde Rose daycream is amazing too OP. Oh how I love DM

I don't think you have to spend on creams, they all do the same thing, just find one that suits your skin, spf is the best you can do for your skin, and maybe retinol. I often think when famous people have the botox ,fillers and some have face-lifts, they could afford the best creams you could buy, obviously they don't work.

Skin care addict too but I'm 42. I only really started taking it seriously a few years ago. In my 20s I never used spf unless sunbathing and it was only spf 15 and used cleansing wipes and occasionally whole drunk slept in make up. I really wish i looked after it. My skin tells me when I'm tired, sick or pissed off very quickly. I wonder if i looked after it younger, it may require less effort now?
At your age, drink water, spf vit c sleep well. ( dont mean to sound like your mum lol)