Sort my skincare! Luxury edition

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Hi all. After your recommendations!

I have dry skin, some red patches (possibly from waxing my top lip every week, sigh) sometimes peels especially forehead

Here's what I do

Estée serum
Moisturiser (can you recommend one? Currently use clarins multi active with SPF. But in the market for a nice moisturising one for the winter

I have a facial once a month which helps

Should I add in a daily toner?
Also today I bought Estée eye cream, as have dark circles. Don't know if it'll make any difference

Skincare is my treat so not looking for dupes etc

Thank you!

Elemis Marine Cream is lovely although the smell is marmitey for some people. I love using it but it genuinely doesn't do anything that my £5 Astral cream doesn't do apart from be more luxe.

Unfortunately there's no one size fits all with moisturiser ( or any skin care really). I've had to kiss a lot of Frogs in the search for skincare I like and that works with my skin.

Thanks! I have a sample of marine cream and think the smell is fine, was surprised to learn that people didn't like the scent!

I think people who are reactive to perfume in cosmetics/ have sensitive skin can find it reactive. Personally I love the scent!

Skinsense multi active day cream. Beautiful and doesn't roll like some others.

StriVectin SD Moisturiser. I only know how good it is because, I haven’t used it in a while and I look “tired”. When I can afford it, I’ll buy again. Often, they have offers on and, it’s 118ml so, it’s 2x50ml+ for that price. Even so, it’s right out for me, right now.

How old are you? Because the multi-active from Clarins is great, but once you get a bit older, it's not enough. So it might be worth going up a level to the extra firming range. I'm 47 but have just upgraded to the super restorative for day.

I don't know anything about the Estee serum but I use a combination of three - Clarins double serum (my "general" serum) , a neutrogenia hyaluronic acid serum (with dry skin - hylaronic acid is a must), and a Murad Vitamin C serum. I use Vitamin C in the morning and alternative the hylaronic and Double Serum in the evening.

Are you using a specific night cream. My skin is very dry and needs a richer night cream. I'm actually using a relatively inexpensive one - the Neutrogena one with hylaronic acid - because I find it really helps but whatever Clarins range yo use, I'd make sure you're using the night cream as well as the day cream.

For the last year or to, an acid exfoliator has been good for me. I have used the Clarins one in the past. Currently using one from Farmacy which I am loving. I also use the Farmacy Green Green cleansing balm which, on my dry skin, is amazing at night. It's probably, per use, my most expensive product though as a tub of cleanser is about £34!

I was just reading India Knight in the Sunday Times recommending Ren Evercalm serum for red patches.

I bought some of the Ren Evercalm Day Cream for my DD as she has some red patches ( dry skin ) but she hates the smell so I've inherited it 1

It's lightweight and doesn't have much of a smell , slight lavender/herb

I'm using Alpha H and added the M&S Formula Brightening Night Cream
Alpha H 24 Gold (might not be the correct name) made my face sting and I;m not sensitive to products really .

Agree hyaluronic acid changed my life!

Might want to look into protecting skin barrier too for red patches - I would guess daily toner would be too harsh

Dermalogica is my one and only now after using most brands.

If money isn't an issue this is the one ☝️

You've literally just described my skin, minus the dark circles.

I've come to the conclusion that I have been using too many products on my skin and it's stripped my skin barrier.

Do you think the monthly facials may be too much? Do you think you may need to use unfragranced products?

I have just ordered this- Dermalogica ultra calming range and barrier repair. Expensive but hopefully it will help me.

I think skin peels are great.(in a professional setting)
I use image skin care.your therapist will advise you which products to use.

Marine Cream smells like Dior Poison. I love it. But it's not good for dry skin. It's a fairly thin cream which lightly moisturises. I'm actually using it at the moment as I have a 30ml jar left but am topping with Clarins Blue Orchid oil.

If you want a treaty cream, then L'Occitane Divine, the original yellow one, or the newer reddish one, are beautiful. As is Lancome Hydra Zen. All 3 smell gorgeous.

Estee serum- Advanced Night Repair? Very very similar to Clarins Double. I've alternated both for a few years and though I generally like Clarins skincare more than EL, ANR hydrates more. NB neither imo are life changing serums, neither have active ingredients and, hand on heart, imo both are overpriced to say they are decent hydrating serums with nice ingredients, none of which alone, are expensive.

An ordinary toner isn't necessary. A glycolic acid toner will make a difference as will adding a vitamin C and a retinol.

We don't need to spend on moisturizer or cleanser, though it's nice to have a luxury one every now and then. I treat myself in the sales/offers to the stuff I mention above, but honestly, I know that the ingredients are what matters not thr nice advert and box.

@gerbils you can use a HA acid at the same time as the Clarins. It just adds extra hydration. I think the Clarins has some HA in it (the EL does, as do most hydrating serums)

Dr Barbara Sturm Rich Face Cream

Honestly a lifesaver during the winter.

Yes, I do use them together sometimes but honestly, while I have always been very consistent with a skincare regime, I only have the energy for a maximum of one serum in the morning and one at night! . So the hylaronic acid as a night cream is boosted every second day with a HA serum and on the other days I use the Clarins serum. The clarins one is weird - it doesn't have any immediate effect but my theory is it boosts my other skin care as I find if I don't use it for a while, my skin overall just starts to look a bit tired and dull.

Yes, I find that with serums. I had some Advanced night repair and was a bit meh about it, then after a couple of weeks noticed my skin was much duller and less hydrated.
Think might replace my Clarins double with the ANR when the Clarins finishes

Thanks all

Yes I meant ANR Estée. Clarins really doesn't suit me, had a mild reaction to it.

Thanks for all your tips! I've been making notes and come up with a little plan for myself, and have put all my day stuff in a nice little bag so I don't forget any of the steps. Same with night. I've realised I have so many samples etc so hopefully if I actually use what i have my skin will improve!

love clarins which is highly perfumed
also caudalie which is less
avene is also a good line