Economy or extravagance

mumofmadboys I too don't use much more than soap and water on my face. I was 'blessed' with oily skin when I was young, although I didn't see it as a blessing back then! Mum always said that I would be glad of it in later life and she was right. I don't have many wrinkles and my skin feels comfortable.

I use Clinique soap every day and an Aldi Lacura moisuriser maybe once or twice a month if I remember!

I've discovered that Aldi's skin care products are as good as any and are cruelty-free. M&S own-brands are a bit more expensive and also cruelty-free. I like their moisturiser a lot. Oddly, I find that many moisturisers, whether more or less pricey smell rather like the Ponds cold cream my aunt used to use!
I have bought Liz Earle products when feeling flush, but really, they are no more effective than cheaper products.

I like Elemis too Paddyann and Pantglas, and I often buy it when it’s on offer on QVC. Otherwise I use Olay or Nivea, but I do find I have to be careful as some creams make me itch. The other expensive cream I like is Ester Lauder Resilience Lift, but I don’t think any of them make any difference to wrinkles, they all simply moisturise.

I just use any cream for daytime use that is on offer and not very expensive. I have been told many times that I have lovely skin with hardly any wrinkles . I put it down to my mums genes and the amount of water I drink in a day rather than any beauty routine. Just use soap and water and a daytime cream.

sluttygran, I would disagree with the notion that tapping the skin can aid exfoliation - tho it'd be good for encouraging product absorption and also improving skin tone.

Using an exfoliating product 2 -3 nights a week on drier, mature skin will remove the dead skin cells and allow the fresh new ones to benefit from your moisturiser - of whatever price.

I believe you get better results from a cheaper moisturiser plus an exfoliation regime than simply applying expensive cream on top of dead, dry skin cells.

sluttygran

Encourage your DH/OH to do the honours with whichever face cream you use whilst you lie back and think of ... another G&T ??

Johnson's baby moisturiser £1 from Asda.

Thank you ladies - opinion seems largely on the side of the less expensive moisturisers!
I have consulted with my pet dermatologist (an old uni friend) and he tells me that the cheaper moisturisers like Nivea or Astral, are probably as good as you can get.
What makes the difference, he says, is that the expensive stuff often gives instructions on how to massage and ‘tap’ the cream onto your face and neck.
This helps the tone and appearance of the skin. It peps up circulation and exfoliates the dead cells. People bother to do this when they’ve paid a lot for a product, but the effect is the same with any moisturiser.
Well, who'd a thunk it?
Oh, and he says never forget to add a separate SPF - 30 all year round, and 50 in hot sun. I think that’s a bit over the top but he’s the expert.
Well, I shall use up the expensive cream, refill the pot with good ol’ Nivea, and I shall try to do a proper massage every night. Or when I remember, if ever.

sluttygran
Ah! but how many people see it to admire it sitting on your dressing- table?
Is it worth it just for the 'ornamental value'?
There are super duper whipped mousses at £11 in various fragrances with various 'beneficial' ingredients on the Other Stories website. I have the one in the photo.

I remember having a pink bottle of Helena Rubenstein Apple Blossom when I was very young which I probably splashed on liberally. Did it smell of apple blossom? I have no idea.

And a good daily spf

The experts (as in the independent ones) say that the more expensive moisturising creams are no more effective than the cheaper ones - they all do the same job of hydrating and therefore plumping your skin. I remember hearing an interview with a consultant dermatologist who said that there were no miracles to be found in a jar - the only miracle was that women continued to believe the hype . Not smoking, reducing or cutting out alcohol, exercise and a good diet will do far for you than expensive creams.

Well I use baby oil as a cleanser (£2) and my daily moisturiser cream costs £3. I am clearly “not worth it” I wouldn’t waste a penny more on this ugly mug anyway.

M0nica Helena Rubinstein, don't hear of that any more, certainly not on the High Street. My mum loved it.

A couple of Christmases ago, my OH completely stunned me by going into John Lewis and buying me a jar of Christian Dior moisturiser. I know it cost well over £100 (because he left the receipt in the bag in case I wanted to change it). I was deeply touched that he did that but also a bit that it would be any better than my usual Elemis marine cream. I used it religiously, just as that famous actress of mature years advises. Apart from the fact that it was in a very pretty pot and looked amazing on my bathroom shelf, it was no better, or worse, than Elemis. But OH did earn extra Brownie points that year!

It is not what you use but how regularly you use it. I have always gone for the regular use and the least expensive cream I can get away with.

Unfortunately I have skin allergies so I can no longer use Superdrug or Boots Basic (or Nivea), but I have sourced a good organic cream that is reasonably priced and use that.

I did, once, in my early 20s spend a lot of money on a Helen Rubenstein night cream that promised perfect skin. It was exceedingly greasy and most of it went into my pillow rather than my face as I had to wash the pillow case every morning, it was so soiled by the cream. I haven't bothered with anything with a big brand name and price to match since.

A family member works for a company that sells premium skincare. For example 15ml of anti aging cream (no SPF) sells for £130 in Harrods.
He gave me some samples to try and all I can say is YUK...highly perfumed thick greasy gloop.
I went back to my Lidl cheapo with SPF and use the samples on my crepey neck at night.....no improvement!

sluttygran Please do use the cream! Hopefully you'll enjoy it, and your daughter will be delighted that you did.

I used to send similar gifts to my mum and can't tell you how sad I was to find a considerable stash of it, unused, after her death.

Many years ago my DD worked on a magazine in the beauty department. They got a lot of freebies from the beauty companies and she once gave a two week supply of anti aging serum from Estee Lauder, my DH noticed the difference! As it cost £250 I decided not to bother buying it when my supply ran out!

DD1 once gave me a jar of Crême de la Mer, and I had no idea how ridiculously expensive it is. I have very sensitive skin but hardly any wrinkles (being chubby does have its advantages) ... DD1 can afford it, but still I did say to her, very gently- that I'd rather like a spa or garden voucher

I use sensitive skin Boots stuff- great.

As long as there is a sun screen then most moisturisers work the same way, but hey, we all love a bit of luxury and I can't go to bed with a tight, dry face, those of you who scrub with soap and water......oh no I couldn't do that!

finished

Use the face cream and enjoy - what a lovely DD you have!
You may or may not notice a difference and you can go back to your trusty Nivea when you've finisged the pot.

The best thing for your skin is to stay out of the scorching midday sun (not difficult at the moment) or to use a cream or facial sun tan cream with a high SPF.

mumofmadboys that was my mum’s routine, occasionally followed by a vigorous rub with Nivea which I’m sure didn’t do anything to improve her skin

After receiving a sample of No7 products from Gransnet a few years ago, I was converted and ditched Clinique & other expensive brands. The No7 products are clinically tested and if you use your bonus points and vouchers, and their 3 for 2, it sometimes feels as though they’re paying you to use them

I have pretty good skin. I confess I use soap and water once a day and no creams at all. Does anyone else do as little as me?