Do facial moisturisers do any good?

Are you really prepared to stop moisturising twice a day and wait to see the result?

As we get older our skin gets dry, so using moisturiser will help. Nothing expensive. If I haven’t used my Diprobase (on prescription) I can feel the dryness. I think the 60s model Marie Helvin uses coconut oil. I know she uses it on her hair, but the face, I’m not too sure.
My neighbour who is 83, has beautiful skin. Her secret is Nivea.

I only know that if I have forgotten to use my moisturiser for any reason, I can definitely feel the difference in my skin - it feels dry and tight. I don't know if it makes much difference to the way I look, but it definitely makes my skin feel better. I don't think it has to be an expensive one either, I've used Simple or Olay most of my life, but have recently found the Aldi range is very good.

Are you wasting your money? Yes, if you are using proprietory moisturisers, of which 'miracle' night cream sounds like one.

Go to any pharmacy and buy a 500g tub of emulsifying ointment. It's a generic product shouldn't cost any more than a fiver. Every morning smooth a small amount over your face with your fingertips. Then wet your face and gently massage it in.

It's done me fine for over twenty years since I first learn about the trick and I'm told I pass for a good deal less than my 68 years. A tub lasts me about 2 years. Try not to get any water into the tub as it doesn't keep so well. I keep an unused urine sample bottle which I fill with ointment and dispense from there rather than directly from the tub. It's also easier to travel with. Other small containers are available.

As an experiment I tried making a fragranced version with some essential oils, with a view to selling 'my secret formula'. The ointment takes the scent well but I didn't think it worthwhile. Unscented is much better anyway, if I want a fragrance I'll wear one.

I use emulsifying cream too. You can get Big tub in the pound shop and it lasts ages. When I had radiotherapy I was told to use it after every session. I think it helped me. It’s good and has no perfumes in it.

In my humble opinion, yes, but I've never used them so I have no practical experience.

Everyone I've known who has beautiful skin has used Nivea. My skin feels very tight and sore if I don't use any. I do t think it needs to be an expensive cream, probably paying for the packaging and name.x

I love Nivea eye cream inexpensive and it works. I'm trying to wean myself of Clarins which is great but pricey...trying No7

I use The Body Shop vitamin e cream and I have done for many years, I occasionally buy expensive moisturisers, serums, anti ageing, anti wrinkle creams with retinol, hyluronic acid etc etc. But have come to the conclusion none work except a decent face cream to avoid dryness and I like the vitamin e cream the best.

I like the M and S formula range. (between £11 and £22) and bought online at low cost some serum. Its non-greasy (which I found some cheaper brands are and works great,

I think its probably more than Nivea but not like Clarins?

Yes I did buy Simple cream for some time but all I found it that I was using 3 or more times as much so it didnt work out a lot more to get the M and S stuff.

Only thing not mentioned is to wear SF factor on top of daytimes moisturiser, if you are out and about outside, some day creams have it in.

It makes an immediate difference to the look of skin and I have no doubt that taking the time at bedtime for massaging rich cream gently into skin after cleansing makes a difference.

Cleanser - Simple "age" brand is super.

I always make sure moisturiser has a decent spf of at least 20.
Aldi have a nice one with 30. I use their sun cream too which came top of Which magazine

I’ve used a moisturiser for years now. The problem is what would my skin be like if I’d never used it?

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I tried not moisturising for a few days and my skin felt dry and uncomfortable. But there's no need to spend a lot. I mostly use Nivea. But at the moment E45 moisturiser.

Boots Botanics at £6 a pot. I bought a really expensive moisturiser and the Boots one was much better. The other was too heavy and greasy.

Some will moisturise your skin better than others but they won’t stop the ageing process.

I use nivea at night and aldi face cream with spf30 during the day. Both leave my face feeling nicer than without.

I've moisturised daily since a teenager following my mother in her skin regime she used to use Ponds Cold Cream.
I use Superdrug dry skin cream after using Simple Facial Wash
if I don't moisturise my skin is tight and uncomfortable,I have tried expensive creams over the years but my skin is so sensitive and it flares up so a total waste of money on my part.

The downside with emulsifying moisturisers is that they not have an SPF formula. Therefore, they might be great for night time use but would offer no protection whatsoever during the day.
I use No. 7 - day cream and night cream - not expensive compared to many alternatives. It suits my skin type and I am not changing now.

Having always using hood moisutiseRs, Estée Lauder girl years, I've come to the conclusion that it's made no difference, as long as you moisutisers with something, Nivea, E45, something without perfume or loads of additives the results the same. I friend of mine, same age, has used Lancôme all her life and bemoans the fact that she's got more lines than her mother, who just used soap and water.

I haven't yet put on my moisteriser this morning and my skin already feels dry and chapped.

I have always used a basic moisteriser, no 'miracle' creams for me. However I now have a number of skin allergies so now use a basic organic moisteriser bought online.

While we’re on the subject, can anyone recommend a cream to help with a “crepey” neck? Moisturisers have helped my face to stay relatively unlined, but it’s my neck which really gives my age away. It makes me feel very self conscious.

skunkhair- I agree. These days, I have the neck of an aged tortoise...

I have used Nivea for many years and Garnier night cream. I also moisturise my neck and just below. Hopefully it's making a difference.