Want to splurge on skincare, what works for you

[SpongeBlobSquareFace]

I trawl this board and I've had Dermatica and Skin& Me subscriptions but felt it was a waste as my skin dried out. I'm currently using No7 1per cent retinol in teeny amounts and adding castor oil on top.
I tend to be stingy with everything but I need a boost and am willing to throw good money at it.
I'm 55 and just want to hear if anyone else has used high end premium products and how they make you feel
I'm not expecting miracles it's more for the experience. If they do work that's a bonus
Thanks

Watching with interest! I have seen lots of adverts for The Ordinary GF (growth factors) 15%, which has great reviews for helping with texture and wrinkles, it’s only about £15 though so I’m unsure…
I can’t get on board with skin and me or dermatica either, so drying and no improvements!! Retinol does seem to help brightness and texture but hasn’t made a difference to my actual wrinkles sadly.

Yeah I'm secretly wanting permission to try La Mer or some such!
But the sensible part of me won't fall for the hype!
I've used Lancome stuff in the past that I've liked but not loved
Same with Elemis
I want to love something

I've got very into k beauty recently. If you're looking for a beauty rabbit hole at not too expensive prices then this is for you!

At the moment I'm using a relatively new k beauty serum called Numbuzin No.9 that has a zillion different peptides in it with the aim of lifting and firming. Too early to say if it does anything miraculous but it feels gorgeous. The texture is fab and not quite like anything else I've used.

It's usually on offer for anywhere between £18 - £25 on k beauty sites. The only downside of that is there's usually a min spend of around $60 to get free shipping. The $60 tends to be before discount codes and coupons though and there's always loads of codes and coupons to be had.

https://global.oliveyoung.com/product/detail?prdtNo=GA250127641

https://www.yesstyle.com/en/numbuzin-no-9-nad-bio-lifting-sil-essence-50ml/info.html/pid.1132864358

https://www.stylevana.com/en_GB/numbuzin-no-9-nad-bio-lifting-essence-50ml.html

Tip for k beauty sites - If you want something quickly buy from Olive Young. Shipping times can be very variable on the other sites. They are legit but sometimes the cheaper prices is offset by the delivery time.

You can some products via UK sites, mostly the well known brands. Or via resellers but generally you'll pay a bit more. Maybe worth it if after just one item but be wary of fake products. If buying on Amazon some brands have their own store so stick to those.

You tend to get lots of freebies and BOGO offers buying direct from the above sites. Best discount codes tend to be on the sites social media accounts.

Sorry that was a bit long but it didn't seem fair to suggest a product without explaining how to buy it and k beauty sites can be a bit of a learning curve.

I love Nip + Fab. I have very sensitive skin, and can be extremely dry. But also oily forehead! I use a hydrating cleanser, a ceramide serum which helps to repair the skin barrier, a moisturiser and a peptide finishing oil which is amazing! I use a very gentle retinol twice a week. My skin has never looked better.

To add, if you want to try something in the UK and higher end the new MediK8 Liquid Peptide serum is also nice.

I tried a 5 ml sample for a few days so bought a full 30ml (with a slight discount). After I've finished the Numbizin I'm going to try this and see how they compare. The MediK8 is around £79.

I am currently loving the Skin Rocks range from Caroline Hirons. My dry and extra sensitive skin really likes it. I haven't used everything (though I want to!) but the gentle acid especially is super gentle (I've never found a chemical exfoliator that doesn't aggravate my skin before this one) and the moisturiser has ruined all other moisturisers for me 😂

I've tried them all in the past. La Prairie, La Mer, Augustinus Bader but still prefer M&S Ultimate Sleep Cream. I'll use it during the day too if my skin needs it. I do love retinol though and use Dermatica for this. Elemis girl on the cleansers. Sensitive wash in the morning and Omega cleansing oil at night. Can't be bothered with serums but do like Hada Labo Hyaluronic.

Oh and I'm 55 too

I've tried so many creams, oils, and serums.
Dermatica didn't work, but Skin & Me has taken years off.

I love Tatcha products. Not quite at La Mer levels but definitely not cheap.
I love the rice wash - it is slightly exfoliating but gentle enough to use everyday. The dewy skin cream is lovely and feels luxurious.
i have also started using Dr Dennis Gross Universal Daily Peel and it definitely improves my skin texture and gives a glow. There is a gentle version but I’ve found the universal one is fine on my dry and very sensitive skin.

I love la prairie & I've used most of the premium brands over the years . This I found to be the best but I don't use regularly due to cost .
Clarins is my go to for everyday, it's premium but not crazy .
I use the cleanser and moisturiser , prob around £75 for both, but I only buy 2 of each a year

Honestly one of the things that's made the biggest difference to my skin has been committing to a routine and doing it consistently. I think we often swap between products too quickly, or only do it when we remember, or don't use the right amount of product, and then wonder why it's not working. Do it every day! I find if I'm doing my routine consistently, a standard 30ml bottle of serum will last me around 3 months, and a 50ml tube of moisturiser two-three months. Don't be afraid to use stuff up!

Products I really like:

The M&S pure balm cleanser (rivals Elemis for me)
Geek & Gorgeous retinal and happy barrier cream (the moisturiser is so rich and lovely)
Sali Hughes vitamin C serum (v glowy)
Any squalane based facial oil - Kielhs do a nice one if your skin tolerates essential oils well, or Minimalist/the Ordinary for an unscented one.

Second this: nothing is as good as M&S sleep cream.

I still use Elemis rose day cream - because I like the smell - but £100 extra just for the scent is, I recognise absurd.

I recently lost my luggage on a trip so was using DD (13) toiletries and I loved her byoma brightening serum and rich moisturiser cream. Both less than £15. I might actually switch

Surely their ingredients are the same tret + niacinamide etc? I cannot see that there would be much difference between the two.

The Ordinary are pretty good but the biggest difference as a pp said, is sticking to a routine.

and properly cleaning your skin every day.

@Bignanna
I think they've given me a different mix. The Dermatica made my skin really sore.
I was on it for around 4mths a couple of years ago but couldn't take the pain.
The Skin&Me has worked wonders.

Rodial bee venom moisturiser worked an absolute treat for me.
Left my skin feeling plump, clear and healthy.

Dermaviduals. Pharmaceutical grade skincare. I have been told I look 35. I am 56. Totally charged my skin.

Any recommendations for oily skin? There seems to be a huge focus on hydration and dry skin and us oily girlies get left out all the time. The only things targeted at us are teenage products. I don't have acne I'm just greasy!

Dermalogica range worth a look.

I use the Daily Microfoliant and it’s brilliant but they also have a number of anti aging serums.

I have tried retinol and tret but my skin couldn’t tolerate either, took months to recover from both.

Now I use Zoe Bee Gold Cream, saw it recommended on here when my skin was recovering from a Skin & Me prescription few years back, and I love it.

It’s ingredients are quite simple but working for me along with sunscreen daily.

Just wanted to point out the Skin&Me etc will dry your skin out to start - it's the purge. I use straight up tret and when I started I shed like a little snake. My skin is pretty good now! I'd persevere

The biggest splurge you can commit to is time, PPs are right about that! The only true splurge I have is the dermologica microdermabrasion powder stuff. I buy the big bottle and it lasts about two months.

I agree sticking to a consistent routine is key. I'm pushing 50 and for me at this age it's also getting the right balance between products that tackle ageing and exfoliate/brighten but also keeping my skin moisturised. Creating a moisture sandwich really helps! My routine is:

Morning
Cereve oil face wash
Pixi glycolic acid glow tonic (exfoliates)
Moisture sandwich:
Spritz with Superdrug hydrating face mist
Ordinary Matrixyl with HA
Spritz again!
Ordinary GF solution
Spritz again!
Weleda skin food
Garnier factor 50 SPF

Evening
Body shop camomile butter and Cereve oil face wash to double cleanse
Dermatica tretinoin
Weleda skin food

None of it is that expensive and takes 5 minutes.

When you were using tret, what were you using to support it? I have to use tret, moisturiser and squalane before bed to keep my skin hydrated and in the morning have hyarulonic acid, niacinamide, moisturiser and sun cream.

I'm in a Facebook group for tret users and it seems like I have quite a basic routine in comparison to some although I do tend to give products more of a chance to work than just a few days. I got a free sample of the Ordinary multi peptide eye serum which lasted for months but it gave it time to make a positive impact and now I always use it too (and Airgireline/Matrixyl on my forehead).

@littleburn How are you finding the Ordinary GF? I'm tempted by it.

Medik8 products are fab!