Skincare Recommendations Please

[GeneHuntsCowboyBoots]

I have had acne for decades and the only thing I have found to keep it at bay long term is Tret from Dermatica. Because of this I have been using a hydrating toner and a serum to combat dryness and peeling. However, I’m spending a small fortune on products and I’m looking to see if I can reduce the cost. I got through one TO squalane cleanser a month, an Iunik black snail mucin serum monthly too, a Rovectin cleanser every couple of months, then SPF, moisturiser (not expensive as I use an Altruist one). All told it’s approximately £70 a month, with my Dermatica script about every 6 weeks included in that. Technically I can afford it and I will potentially keep using the things I have been but I wanted to see if I could swap for similar but cheaper.

So, I need recommendations please for:

A makeup remover (tried an Inkey list oat one and the Body Shop Camomile which weren’t great for me).

A gentle, hydrating cleanser

A hydrating serum

And while I’m asking, a decent conditioner (currently use Wella Elements but seem to be going through loads lately).

If you can recommend any of these products that would be fabulous. Thank you in advance.

I'd have a look at Geek and Gorgeous which is all quite affordable. They have a new cleansing balm that's meant to be really good, their hydrating cleanser would work for the other cleanser (although Cerave hydrating cleanser is good too, potentially cheaper per ml) and they do a hydrating spray that's popular with acne prone tret users. Hada Labo toners are also worth looking at for hydration as you get quite a lot of product for the money. The premium gold one is the most serum like and most deeply hydrating.

I'm a bit useless with conditioner recommendations, sorry.

Thanks for this. I’ll be off to have a look at those. I like the G&G C-Glow so fingers crossed!

Finding the holey grail of skincare that suits is so hard.
I've tried so many products and 🤞what I'm using is working.
One of the best serums I've found that has reduced blemmishes and doesn't dry my skin or make it red is Dr Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic texture renewal serum. Once you get past the slightly smokey rose smell of it makes your skin look and feel so much better. After a few days it looks so much clearer, the retinol is super gentle , I only use 5 drops on my face and the bottle lasts months.

Cleansers I find are the most irritating on my skin and have discovered the Boots No.7 Derm Solutions calming Gel cleanser is fabulous. Never really use No.7 but bought on a whim to try. At first I thought it was a bit rubbish, but no breakouts and has reduced redness.