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

@Whatwaswrongwiththatusername
Hiya
I watch a lot of Tik Tok and follow Dr Berg on YouTube and the effects of castor oil are widely extolled. I'm from an Asian background where castor oil is used a lot too
I apply a tiny bit round my eyes mixed in with my Byoma seabuckthorn oil
I haven't noticed extra hairiness tho as an Asian I'm very hairy anyway
All that is controlled with dermaplaning and my Philips Lumea IPL machine

Maybe a difference in prescription? I tried both and Skin + Me started me really low on tret and with niacinamide and azelaic acid at 4% each. Dermatica went straight in at 0.05% tret and nothing else.

@BridgetCleaver I am oily but dehydrated. As mentioned by another poster, I like byoma which is marketed for the youth but has calmed down my 50 something skin a real treat. Their gel cleanser and brightening serum really suit my skin and their moisturiser is light enough not to kick off the spots and slicks reaction I get if too heavy.

I do also use medik8 retinal - early days for me but I spent ages (like over a year) on skin and me and my skin was just uncomfortable. Tried dermica before reacted. Medik8 hasn’t made me feel sore at all.

I've recently discovered Estee Lauder Advanced Night Recovery serum, it's fab stuff. Revolution do a version too which is almost identical.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal is really good, spendy but 20% off at the moment and not harsh like retinol, like the rest of their products too.

Heaven is working for me. I’ve bought and binned thousands of pounds of products historically. This range isn’t a budget range but also not priced int the ultra (ridiculous) premium price category.

also keep it simple, don’t use too many products, something I think the industry encourages us too and I have at times.
heavenskincare.com

I really like Caroline Hirons' Skin Rocks app. You fill in your skin profile and it lists the most suitable products (not just hers), with all the detail you need.

I certainly don't spend a fortune as I believe most of the highest end products are just marketing and expensive perfume. But you do you if it makes you feel good.

Second this, I’m convinced it makes an actual difference and will replace when my bottle runs out.

My other recommendation is anything ReVive but especially the rescue balm overnight mask. It’s pricey but it’s now my absolute favourite product.

I've chopped and changed through so many ranges, from expensive to budget. At 62 I've now settled on a mix of ranges including Estee Lauder. My regime is this:

AM

Garnier or Superdrug B Micellar Water
Caudalie or REN face wash
Garnier Aloe Vera toner
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair eye gel
No. 7 dermo rebalancing serum
Estee Lauder Revitalizing + youth moisturiser

PM

same cleansing regime as AM
EL ANR eye gel
EL Advanced Night Repair serum
REN Evercalm Overnight balm

The EL products are expensive, but you only need very little so they last. I find I don't get so many breakouts now and my skin generally looks smoother and brighter. I can't use retinols and had a horrendous reaction to a bachiol cream which was suggested as a retinol alternative so avoids anything like that.

Like everyone else over the years I've used cheap and expensive items on my face.
After having breast cancer my face started to dry up quite quickly.
I went back to the most basic thing.
CETAPHIL face wash for sensitive skin and the same brand in the moisturiser.
My face is now smooth and well moisturised.
Hardly wear makeup as I felt it was patchy, now it goes on so well.

im also on a journey to find what’s good and take care of my skin after decades of neglect.

I started buying Avon about 12 months ago, I’ve tried most of the products now and really like them. I particularly love the Vitimin C serum, I used it 20 years ago and it was what incentivised me to try it again. I prefer the Anew products over the others they have. I buy from a rep but you can get it in Superdrug and online.

ive also been getting glossy box for the last few months to try new products, I have been introduced to Rodial which I’m loving one of the face washes.

My DH also bought himself The Ordinary products which he recommended so I bought the face peel last week, I’ve only used once but my skin felt amazing afterwards.

i have also bought some beauty by Joseon serums and Medicube glow stuff recently to try, the serums are nice but I don’t think the glow gel is great, I’m not keen on, it feels like my skin isn’t breathing and in the morning my skin looks more sweaty and bumpy rather than glowy and smooth.