Skin Cream ranges

[wink1970]

Hello All

I'm due a massive 'Boots' shop and would like recommendations on skin ranges that you rate.

I am 52, so menopausal. Slightly combination skin (though not as oily as I used to be, at all) and not too wrinkly. Recently, I've been getting small 'pop-able' white spots round my marionette area, don't know where they have come from! Don't otherwise get spots.

I have used Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair serum + Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Creme for years now, though I ran out in August and have been using up aftersun (so that might account for the spots).

I prefer a serum & moisturiser, and ideally not one with SPF or a low one at least. Price not a factor, but efficiency is - I want my skin to feel firmer and plumper.

Thanks in advance.

Elemis pro collagen - swear by it.

To be honest, it's not about a skin range or brand it's about ingredients that work. Once you know them, they are available in different brands at lots of different price points and formulas, whatever suits your wallet and your skin type.

But really, over the counter skincare can only do so much, have you thought about trying tretinoin which is a prescription strength retinol? It has lots of clinical research behind it showing that it improves skin with consistent use over time. It is basically the gold standard in anti-ageing skincare.
If you are in the UK you can get it from a subscription service either Dermatica or Skin & Me, or if you can stump up for a dermatologist appointment they can prescribe it.
Or what I do is buy it online from an overseas pharmacy. Tretinoin works by increasing collagen production and cellular turnover, which both decrease as we age. With longer term use it also thickens the underneath layers of skin which can give a slightly plumped effect. It is brilliant for improving skin tone and texture and generally making the skin look brighter and fresher. But it is heavy duty stuff, and quite strong and can cause irritation and peeling when first used so do your research before starting.

If you don't want to go down the prescription strength route, Boots sell The Ordinary brand which do some good retinol and other ingredient serums. I also rate Geek and Gorgeous as they are cheap and with good ingredients, but you need to order them online. Medik8 is also recommended on here, but is more expensive, again available online.

Really, you want to look for ingredients that work, not fancy packaging. Look at ingredient lists on products to see what is actually in them. The basic 'active' ingredients that work to improve skin tone, texture and reduce lines and wrinkles and generally make the skin look better are

• A retinoid (tretinoin is the best, but if you can't get that, then an over the counter retinol will do, or retinaldehyde is slightly better)
• A vitamin C serum (look for L-ascorbic acid as the active ingredient)
• An exfoliant - for you I would say salicylic acid as you have oily skin (but only use sparingly as can irritate the skin with overuse)
• High SPF sunscreen - use everyday to prevent further sun damage

There are other ingredients like peptides, ceramides and niacinamide which are nice to have but don't have that much research behind them so I wouldn't spend much money on them.

Thank you @Flyingmaniac I’m off to see a skin clinic & will ask about Trentoin.

until I do, Elizabeth Arden do capsules of Vit C and Retinol, I got some free and have been impressed with the former. Do you rate these?

If you like them then go for it

Just be aware that a skin clinic will not be able to give you a prescription for tretinoin, only a dermatologist can do that (not sure if that's what you meant). If you mean the aesthetic clinics, they do have retinols, usually brands like Obagi, Skinceuticals, Image etc. All very nice but basically expensive brands.
If you are happy to spend lots of money, that's fine, but not necessary.

I agree Elemis pro collagen is a lovely moisturiser if looking at over the counter stuff. Don't think they have it in Boots though.

Tret from Dermatica. Elemis Pro Collegen moisturiser and Ultrasun spf50.

Elizabeth Arden do capsules of Vit C and Retinol, I got some free and have been impressed with the former. Do you rate these?

I would highly doubt there's enough vit a or c in these to make any difference whatsoever. Sometimes we experience hydration from the moisturising products they mix in serums like this, but long term the active ingredient is too low level to make any meaningful difference

Larger Boots stock Elemis. Good if you can get with Advantage card offers

Update if anyone’s interested:

I used the Vit c capsules on an evening and the Retinol / peptide ones during the day, my skin cleared within a week. Very expensive so tried the Ordinary but not overwhelmed.

i also made dietary changes - a green smoothie each morning and a daily antacid pill, plus a daily shot of aloe Vera and dandelion. I have lowered my Progesterone dose of HRT and am using a Benzoyl Peroxide cleaner plus a Vit c serum evening (any brand seems to do), my skin looks great!

Hope this helps. My mid life spots were getting me down, I feel much better. Thanks for the advice.