Not happy with Liz Earle - Talk to me about Avene, La Roche-Posay

[yoshiblue]

Have been using Liz Earle 3 Step for years and have recently got fed up with their formulation changes likely down to cost cutting. Moisturiser changed for the worse but put up with it, but now my toner turned up yesterday has changed too. Weirdly foamy and caused my skin to itch. So I need to find an alternative sensitive toner quickly, then cleanser/moisturiser too.

Those with experience of Avene or La Roche-Posay, could you please advise which is better for sensitive combination skin. I need a toner asap, so was looking at the Avene Gentle Toner or LRP Soothing Toning Lotion.

Would welcome suggestions for alternative cream (or other gentle) cleanser and day moisturiser too.

What to you want the toner for? Avene therme day and night cream are good on my extremely sensitive skin.

And cetaphil is a great face wash for every day use.

@AutumnLeafy I just used one for so long! I do tend to find it removes last bits of make up/dirt that cleanser may miss. Maybe that is a problem with my cleanse routine!

Toleriane by LRP is their range for sensitive skin.
You don't really need toner, unless it's an acid tone, but I like one personally. Liz Earle's is my favourite, are you telling me they've messed it up?

I can't help with the toner but my dd has super sensitive and reactive skin. She uses the Avene Tolerance cleansing lotion. I have tried it a few times and it's lovely. It doesn't strip the skin at all, it still feels like lotion even when it's been rinsed off. I am an Avene fan generally, am using the eye cream as my eyes are just silly sensitive to most creams. And then my absolute fave is the Akerat 10 body lotion. It only lasts about a month, but I think it's worth it. It gets rid of all the little kerotosis bumps, which I had in backs of legs and arms.

Avene is my absolute go to when my skin gets sensitive. The cream cleanser, gentle toner, serum and moisturiser are lovely. The sun cream is pretty good too.

@Geamhradh yes they have, I've compared the new and old bottle. The list of ingredients are different, Aloe Vera moved right down the list. I ordered it not realising; in checking the reviews all the recent ones are 1 star 😩

I'm really unhappy and it seems counter productive, I'm going to move on from using them and won't be the only one.

Avene Tolerance cleansing lotion ooh yes this is good too. I have ridiculously sensitive skin and most stuff stings but this is nice and gentle.

[quote yoshiblue]@Geamhradh yes they have, I've compared the new and old bottle. The list of ingredients are different, Aloe Vera moved right down the list. I ordered it not realising; in checking the reviews all the recent ones are 1 star 😩

I'm really unhappy and it seems counter productive, I'm going to move on from using them and won't be the only one. [/quote]
How disappointing. I bulk buy the sets when they do the offers and am on my last toner and cleanser. Looks like I won't be getting any more then. Thanks for the heads up!

@Geamhradh you may be worth trying the new one in case it suits you. If you order direct and don't like it, they will refund you

Liz Earle has been bought out by Boots so the bean counters have probably changed the formulas to make products cheaper. As PP s have said Avenue and LRP are great for dry and sensitive skin, and do serious sunscreens that cut out the ageing UVs as well as the burning ones. I think Avenue is as good as LRP, and a little cheaper, probably because they don’t advertise so much.

Thanks @whataboutbob I use the LRP sunscreen and really like that.

Yes you are right about the bean counters! Their perfumes have been watered down too, as I replaced the same one like for like and could barely smell it. Just not worth the premium prices.

Not the brands you are asking about, but I discovered REN earlier this year. I love their products and they are reasonably priced (their own site often has discounts and free stuff. They have several types of moisturisers, cleansers and toners to meet various needs. They are moving over from plastic to eco packaging (may have completed that by now), cruelty free and Vegan.

Thanks @AnnieSnap are they sensitive skin focused? I think I've seen it in M&S before maybe.

@yoshiblue

Thanks *@AnnieSnap* are they sensitive skin focused? I think I've seen it in M&S before maybe.

They are. I have sensitive skin and love their Evercalm range. It’s gentle, but nourishing and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. www.renskincare.com/search?type=product&q=Evercalm

For my eyes, I use this. Again very gentle and does a great job.
www.renskincare.com/products/vita-mineral-active-7-eye-gel?_pos=1&_sid=36f78bb14&_ss=r

I used Liz Earle for years but not now. The ingredients have completely changed

I now use this spray toner-

www.templespa.com/toning-essence-toner

This eye cream-

www.templespa.com/windows-of-the-soul-eye-cream

This moisturiser-

www.johnlewis.com/clinique-dramatically-different-moisturising-gel-with-pump-combination-to-oily-skin-types-125ml/p62973

Not a brand you asking about but I was also a LE fan. Now I prefer Tropics, Temple Spa and L'occitaine.

Oh Liz Earle, you spoilt it.

Just a separate point - toner should be first hydration step not to remove make up. Cleanse twice if you still have make up 😊

Hope these new ones are good for you!

Thanks @doadeer. TBH I don't wear much make up but find toner does tend to bring a little bit of residue off!

I went from LE to using CeraVe. LE is unrecognisable from the old formulation, it is completely different.

I have sensitive skin and I will always love LaRoche Posay and Avene products.
And it's always so hard for me to admit this (because it is an MLM) but I really love Tropic smoothing cleanser (it really is one of the best I've used).
At the moment, I think the cleanser I love the most is Frances Prescott tri balm. It's heaven for my dry, sensitive skin.

@TheVanguardSix I can't bring myself to go near Tropic - I have a mum in my DS's class ready to pounce and sell me that and Juice Plus!!!

Reporting back - I bought the Tolerance cleanser, toner, day cream with SPF and eye make up remover to try. Will likely introduce them gradually to make sure I'm not totally setting my skin off.

Thanks for contributions above about other brands too. I hate the hassle of having to find new of everything, but am totally ready to move on from LE and their substandard products!

Just found this thread whilst browsing for ideas as an alternate to Liz Earle. I have stashed two bottles of the original toner and can't believe after twenty years they've ruined it. I bought the new pre biotic cleanser and day cream to try but am underwhelmed so I'll be returning them (qvc).

Something I have tried recently is the new Aveeno range (it was on offer in boots) as I often use Aveeno cream on my face. The cleanser is good, not drying, but I'm not sure how well it would take make up off. The serum is amazing and I've also got my very spotty teen on it to use alongside his stuff from the Dr to counteract and dryness. I'll definitely buy that again. The moisturiser is also fab, it's a gel but really moisturising without being heavy.

I haven't used many LRP products, but I do like Avene. The extremely gentle cleanser is great for sensitive skin and the skin recovery cream is also really good.

My skin is reactive, sensitive, but spot prone so it's a minefield finding products that don't trigger eczema or spots. I'm using fewer Liz Earle products these days although I like the cica paste at night. And I get fed up buying products that don't suit my skin, I wish there were more sample sizes available.

@frugalkitty The thing that puts me off Aveeno is that it is tested on animals and there is just no need to cause that suffering these days 😔

I have just bought Avene Tolerance mill cleanser and it is absolutely gorgeous ! Will buy more from the range.