Upgrade from The Ordinary

[Monket]

Well, New Year, New Me and I now have a skincare routine - cleanser, two serums (sera?), moisturiser and retinol from TO.

When these run out I’d like to have a cleanser that’s better at getting off make up (I find the one I have just smears eye make up over my face when I wash with it) and a moisturiser that includes SPF.

What are you favourites? I’m 34, combination skin I think…

Ponds cold cream to cleanse the makeup away, then I use Aveeno oat cleanser to wash my face.

It’s generally advised to keep spf and moisturiser separate as you don’t really use enough of the moisturiser for the spf to be effective. I use a Cosrx spf and love it.

Interesting! Didn’t know that, thanks. SPF feels laughable in the UK right now tbh…

I know, I really have to force myself with it! If I’m going to be outside the house for more than ten minutes a day I’ll make sure I wear it though.

I find a cleansing balm really effective at removing make-up. Elemis is lovely but the Lacura, M&S and No 7 ones are just as effective. You just get a better cloth with Elemis. The cloths with the others are way too small but you can always use a facecloth.

I agree with this but would buy a pack of muslins as I find washcloths a bit harsh on the face.

What type of skin do you have OP? Any problems you want to solve?

I used to work at a skincare / aesthetics clinic 6 years ago, I got exposed to lots of brands/products (skinceuticals etc) the 2 products I’ve never ditched and recommend to everyone:

• Double cleanse - Dermaquest essentials daily cleanser - you only need a small amount and a bottle lasts me 4-6 months
• spf - Heliocare tinted spf - uva and uvb factor 50 - I promise you you will not look back! It also smells lovely

Cleansing balm is the way to go I use e.l.f and it does the job very well. I also use Ordinary serum (the one that used to be buffet) and moisturiser. Always apply spf on top. I only moisturise in the morning as the cleanse doesn't really dry my skin out and I dislike the claggy feeling when cream is applied at bedtime.

I'm 61 and my skin is still pretty good, which I mainly put down to fortunate genes and decades of avoiding the sun.

An oil. Any one will do. I had a lovely seed oil one in my advent calendar and its no better or worse than my other one.

Both knock spots off of wipes, micellar, and cleansing balms.

Thanks, sounds like a balm (I have a small sack of muslins thanks to DC) or an oil would be a good next bet, instead of the cleanser. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it, hence wanting a change once it’s used up.

I am in a similar boat OP and have booked a free skincare consultation at John Lewis so will see how that goes!

Try Kiehls ultra facial cleanser.

You can always alternate balm and oil.

I've been using beauty of joseon cleansing oil for my first cleanse in the evening, followed by a water based cleanser.
Previously I was using Elemis cleansing balm, but I'm trying to keep costs a little lower at the moment

I like the M&S rose cleansing balm, it's around £12 but a tub lasts me for months. I massage a small blob all over my face to remove makeup, then wash off with a flannel. Then follow up with a wash off cleanser (I like Cerave foaming oil) to get all the balm residue off.

Not an expensive upgrade at all, but a huge functional upgrade was when I started using organic coconut oil to remove makeup. It comes off so easily, then I use my normal hot cloth cleanser.

Nothing useful to add, just wanted to say yes to the plural of serum being sera 😁

Cetraben cleanser is very affordable and effective and super gentle, good for older skin because non drying, non irritating. It’s a cream in a pump bottle.