Recommend skin care range- small budget

[mrsflux]

Ok I need to do something with my skin as I look grey and dull! I'm currently using nivea aqueous whatever day cream and their cheap face wash and toner. It's just not cutting it.
What do you recommend please?
I'm on a reasonably limited budget - I have used clinique in the past but i couldn't really justify it once ds was on his way.

I'm 29 and have quite fair skin which is very combination. Dry cheeks and shiny nose. I have to be really careful not to use anything oily/ greasy as I just break out- I had v bad skin till I was well into my 20s. My pores can look massive aswell if my skin gets too oily. I'm also conscious of looking tired thanks to ds and the last 10 months of sleep deprivation. Thankfully it's getting better but it's taken it's toll.

What do you use?

Why don't you look at some of the French parapharmacie skincare ranges? They are cheaper than cosmetics brands like Clinique, but extremely good quality. I never use anything else.

Avène
ADERMA
La Roche Posay
Vichy

are well known brands though there are many others. A large Boots will carry some of these, as will a good independent pharmacist.

Buy a huge bottle of Purity from Philosophy. It is a wonderful product for cleansing. It doesn't dry your skin out, gets every trace of face and eye make up off in the shower and you never need toner. It lasts for ages and I love it. Definitely worth the initial expense. You can get it online from John Lewis, HQ hair or QVC. I always spend a lot on moisturiser because I have temperamental skin so haven't got any budget recommendations.

oil cleansing method

Hmm time to start browsing online me thinks.

Polly - I really don't think I can bring myself to put oil on my face especially as I break out so easily. It just seems so wrong

I'm with Polly. The oil cleansing method really sorted out my skin and reduced spottiness.

use distilled witch hazel from the chemist on the oily/combination/big pored bit

v cheap, v v effective

Neals Yard Frankinsense cream is bloody fab.

Ronald- I tried that years ago when my skin was much greasier and I ended up with some dry flaky patches.

Not wishing to poo poo anyones suggestions but there are some lovely looking products that are not really what I'd call small budget.
I really can't justify more than about £15 for moisturiser to give you an idea of how teeny my purse is

I usually use Liz Earle cleanser (I am always recommending it on here) and like HinnyPet love Neals Yard Frankinsense cream as a moisturiser. However, I have forced myself to budget and I am using Boots Botanics at the moment and I have to say I am pleased

mrs flux... read thru some of the threads, a lot of people on it seem to have had oily+/- spotty skin and found it helps.

Lush, Lush, Lush, Lush, Lush!

I found them in covent garden 12 years ago and never looked back - you have to be savvy about what you buy but some of the stuff is great, and others a little expensive.

Angels on bear skin is a fab cleanser - don't need a toner with it - it's £5.50 a tub and lasts about 2/3 months. It takes a bit of getting used to but is amazing.

Moisturiser I use Imperialis, for combimnation skin, £10 pot, can streach as you don't need much when used with the angels as it leaves your skin so soft.

Best thing about lush is they will give you small samples of things to try and will demonstrate in shop if you ask.

Natural elements - online only from essentially-yours.co.uk
Good ingredients and good price for what you get.

Liz Earle products are fabulous too - not badly priced, lovely ingredients plus go a long way. Know there's a website though also know QVC channel sells as well.