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Recommend me a face serum or cream

17 replies

Laurdo · 31/10/2022 15:28

I'm 35 but constantly being told I look way younger. I don't have much of a skincare routine but I do have a good diet and drink plenty of water. I use a face wash in the shower every morning and put moisturiser on every now and then. I only really wear makeup if I'm going out for dinner or a party etc.

I'm getting married in 2 months so want to look as fresh and nice as possible and as I'm getting older I guess it's not a bad idea to continue a decent skincare routine afterwards too.

Can you recommend me some creams, serums etc? I do have a slight bit of discolouration on one of my cheeks (a small darker patch about 1cm or so) which I'm sure the makeup artist will correct but anything that may reduce that would be great also.

I'd say I have combination skin. It can get quite oily but I do get dry patches sometimes on my t-zone.

Thanks in advance 😊

OP posts:
Farmageddon · 31/10/2022 16:14

Do you wear sunscreen OP? That's your first port of call, to limit UV damage to your skin. Make sure it's not just a moisturiser or foundation 'with added SPF', because in order to get the stated SPF rating on the bottle you would need to slather on loads.

Honestly, I wouldn't do anything too drastic in advance of your wedding in case you have a bad reaction or something. Or maybe go to a reputable skin clinic and ask for a gentle peel or facial or something, but at least 2 or three weeks before your wedding day so any redness or peeling has gone away beforehand.

Longer term I would also recommend you get on some prescription skincare, like tretinoin. It's not available in the shops, you would have to get it from a subscription service, or from a dermatologist (expensive option), or I get it from an overseas online pharmacy.
It is a stronger version of over the counter retinol, and works by increasing collagen production in the skin, and increasing cellular turnover - both of which start to decline as we age.

I started using it a few years ago when I was about your age, as I started to notice my skin wasn't looking so fresh and dewy anymore. It's brilliant stuff, and I highly recommend it, however I wouldn't go near it or any retinol until after your wedding day, as the first few weeks/ months on a tretinoin can give some people irritation and peeling, so you don't want to have any big parties to go to for a while :-)
If you look up tretinoin on these boards your will find loads of good advice, I would recommend you do a bit of research first.

There's a few other ingredients which are quite good -

Vitamin C serum (with the active ingredient L-ascorbic acid) gives a nice brightening effect to the skin, and over time it can lessen hyperpigmentation. It's also an anti-oxidant that has protective benefits against UV damage.

AHAs/BHAs - these are hydroxy acids, which give an exfoliating effect when used on the skin, and removes some of the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin - but can be quite harsh so use sparingly. If you have oily or combination skin beta-hydroxy acid would be better.

I know it sounds like a lot, but if you do some research and find out what works, it doesn't have to be complicated. Also my advice is don't bother with expensive brands, you don't need to spend money on big brand names, instead spend your money on ingredients that work.

I have quite a basic skincare routine, takes 5 mins in the morning and evening. My skin is looking better than it was a few years ago.

Morning:
Cleanse with gentle cream cleanser (I have sensitive skin)
Vitamin C serum (I use Geek & Gorgeous)
Sunscreen (I use high SPF everyday because I wear tretinoin)
Moisturiser (I use cheap CeraVe from Boots)

Evening:
Cleanse
tretinoin
Moisturiser
Occasionally I use an exfoliant like AHA, but not very often as I have sensitive skin.

Sorry for the essay!

Farmageddon · 31/10/2022 16:20

Just to say, you obviously don't have to go for tretinoin. Many people prefer to just use over the counter retinols because they are less irritating and easier to get.
You say that your skin is in good condition, so maybe start with OTC stuff and go from there.

Laurdo · 31/10/2022 17:30

Farmageddon · 31/10/2022 16:20

Just to say, you obviously don't have to go for tretinoin. Many people prefer to just use over the counter retinols because they are less irritating and easier to get.
You say that your skin is in good condition, so maybe start with OTC stuff and go from there.

Thank you so much. That's so helpful and given me loads to look into. I've used high retinol creams before and didn't have any reactions so I'll definitely get back on that. I tend to buy stuff use it then don't replace it when it runs out. Just laziness! Really I just need to get back into the habit of doing it every day and night. Like you say, it's not a lot of time, just 5 mins in the morning and night. Thanks again. 😊

OP posts:
Shitfather · 31/10/2022 21:56

Sisley black rose cream is divine.

LadyOfTheCanyon · 01/11/2022 07:33

The quickest fix you'll see in my opinion is a good strength (15% or above) Vitamin C serum which will give you a nice glow.

Cailleach1 · 03/11/2022 23:41

I'm really enjoying this combination of serum and face cream from 'Rí na Mara' (Made in Ireland).

rinamara.com/product/facial-serum/
rinamara.com/product/moisturising-face-cream/

They are also sold (quite cheaply) in Aldi in Ireland as 'Lé Mara'.

They have seaweed of some sort, and hyaluronic acid. Used together, the serum and moisturising cream make my skin feel so hydrated.

Cailleach1 · 03/11/2022 23:55

These are the 'Lé Mara' version prices in Aldi (in Ireland only, I think):-

groceries.aldi.ie/en-GB/ALDIIE/p-face-cream-lemara-50ml-le-mara/609728233709 €5.99.

groceries.aldi.ie/en-GB/ALDIIE/p-ireland-hyaluronic-face-serum-30ml-le-mara/797776057573 €4.99.

xogossipgirlxo · 04/11/2022 10:50

I'm not an ambassador, but I love tropic skincare. I tried to switch to facetheory, which my husband uses and likes (because my friend who is tropic ambassador became bit pushy and it annoyed me, but you can always order online without getting anyone involved). I think it's the only brand that made difference to my skin in terms of hydration, nourishment etc. Their collections work better moneywise, solo products are more expensive. I bought new serum on vinted for half the price recently 😬Girl used 3 drops, it was still in the date. I paid 25 quid instead of 43.

Laurdo · 04/11/2022 12:28

xogossipgirlxo · 04/11/2022 10:50

I'm not an ambassador, but I love tropic skincare. I tried to switch to facetheory, which my husband uses and likes (because my friend who is tropic ambassador became bit pushy and it annoyed me, but you can always order online without getting anyone involved). I think it's the only brand that made difference to my skin in terms of hydration, nourishment etc. Their collections work better moneywise, solo products are more expensive. I bought new serum on vinted for half the price recently 😬Girl used 3 drops, it was still in the date. I paid 25 quid instead of 43.

Oh I hadn't even thought about Tropic. My DP uses their shampoo and body wash. We have a friend who sells it but thankfully isn't pushy about it. To be fair the products are goos and generally sell themselves without pushy ambassadors. I'll have a look at the catalogue.

OP posts:
xogossipgirlxo · 04/11/2022 13:14

Laurdo · 04/11/2022 12:28

Oh I hadn't even thought about Tropic. My DP uses their shampoo and body wash. We have a friend who sells it but thankfully isn't pushy about it. To be fair the products are goos and generally sell themselves without pushy ambassadors. I'll have a look at the catalogue.

My husband uses body pebble, when he finishes his facetheory cream I might treat him to tropic. I had skincare set once and I really loved it. Now I have different serums with active ingredients (from facetheory), so I just buy small bits from Tropic, but I really love it. This is why I bought serum on vinted, I really missed it as part of my routine, my skin is fussy and acne prone.
Friend of mine became pushy knowing I have very big expense going on saying "don't compromise your skincare!". Yes, like this is the first thing I will think of knowing I have to pay few grand somewhere else. I was thinking where I can cut on some luxuries and her commission wasn't my worry, really 🙄

JamSandle · 04/11/2022 13:19

Place holding for info.

GettingStuffed · 04/11/2022 19:08

Nip and Fan dragon's blood serum www.nipandfab.com/products/dragons-blood-fix-plumping-serum. It's the best serum I've tried

Laurdo · 14/11/2022 10:40

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and recommendations. I've bought some retinol which I've used previously and didn't have any reactions. I do quite fancy trying tretinoin but I think I'll wait until after the wedding in case I do have a reaction.

I've also bought some Vit C serum and moisturiser.

I saw a post about the ordinary Argireline solution being described as botox in a bottle so I've bought this too to use on my forehead where I'm starting to get some fine lines.

Just under 7 weeks to go so hopefully that's enough time to make a difference and I'm looking all fresh faced on the big day!

OP posts:
xogossipgirlxo · 14/11/2022 11:07

Laurdo · 14/11/2022 10:40

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and recommendations. I've bought some retinol which I've used previously and didn't have any reactions. I do quite fancy trying tretinoin but I think I'll wait until after the wedding in case I do have a reaction.

I've also bought some Vit C serum and moisturiser.

I saw a post about the ordinary Argireline solution being described as botox in a bottle so I've bought this too to use on my forehead where I'm starting to get some fine lines.

Just under 7 weeks to go so hopefully that's enough time to make a difference and I'm looking all fresh faced on the big day!

It's plenty of time to make a difference, good luck with your wedding preparations 😊

Laurdo · 14/11/2022 11:20

xogossipgirlxo · 14/11/2022 11:07

It's plenty of time to make a difference, good luck with your wedding preparations 😊

Thank you so much! Had my hen night at the weekend so it's feeling more real now! 😊

OP posts:
CookieDoughKid · 15/11/2022 09:52

I’ve posted before on mumsnet but I love it so much. Try Dermatica as they will tailor a custom formula for you. Something like Niacinimide will help with sun spots or aging dark patches but let the derm experts decide for you. Here is my referral code and we will both get a discount off our purchase www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/GYELLR

AnchorWHAT · 15/11/2022 14:17

GettingStuffed · 04/11/2022 19:08

Nip and Fan dragon's blood serum www.nipandfab.com/products/dragons-blood-fix-plumping-serum. It's the best serum I've tried

Also their no needle fix serum is the bees knees.

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