topic Re: So how do you decide?? in Beauty

So how do you decide??

CherryHugs — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 11:43:26 GMT

There are SO many skin care product lines everywhere! How do you all decide what to use?

I have used many different ones and try to keep the budget in mind so I dont

go overly costly but not super cheap either.

Truly hard to decide on what products whether it is for face or for body!

I do not buy products full of chemicals and Plus I cannot have alot of fragrance in products or it will cause me to get an allergic reaction or nose to get stuffed up!

Re: So how do you decide??

CalminHeart — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 11:38:33 GMT

My philosophy is to keep it simple. Cleanse, exfoliate (I do it once a week), moisturize. I also use a serum under my moisturizer. I'm 67 and most people think I'm in my mid 50s.

You don't have to spend tons of money. There are some good products in any store. I prefer Neutrogena unscented products.

Re: So how do you decide??

Harpa — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 11:43:32 GMT

@CherryHugs What worked for me was to understand skin, understand my skin at my age and what I really need; what improvements I wanted to address, and research which ingredients will take you where you want to go.

And then, good old trial & error. You learn an awful lot of practical lessons that way.

It helps, too, when you understand marketing strategies.

Re: So how do you decide??

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 12:13:47 GMT

What do you mean "full of chemicals"?

Most personal care products in them.

Re: So how do you decide??

SilleeMee — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 12:29:30 GMT

I usually go by price range, target the products which apply to my concerns and try to look for made in the USA/cruelty-free.

When I started using tretinoin, I stopped using other products b/c tret addresses so many of the signs of aging.

Re: So how do you decide??

marmarbrooklyn — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 13:04:36 GMT

@CherryHugs

Good morning . I know it can be such a challenge to find good products . i will soon be 58 and have struggled with oily acne prone skin my whole life and still do . I was lost about 2 years ago my skin was looking terible . Most acne/oily products were geared to younger skin and many product lines for over 50 can be heavy or richer for the skin . I found the young dermatologist DR Dray on Youtube ( from talk on the boards ) and she literaly changed my skin and the way I shop . She is not everyone's cup of tea . She focuses on keeping it simple , avoiding fragrance and buying products with ingredients that are good for your skin issues . She stresses drugstore and reasonably priced products too . There are many specific video for particular issues (acne , roscea, oily ,melasma , etc). Good luck .

Re: So how do you decide??

Shanus — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 13:48:30 GMT

@CalminHeart wrote:
My philosophy is to keep it simple. Cleanse, exfoliate (I do it once a week), moisturize. I also use a serum under my moisturizer. I'm 67 and most people think I'm in my mid 50s.

You don't have to spend tons of money. There are some good products in any store. I prefer Neutrogena unscented products.

@CalminHeart Annoying, I know, but I'm adding SPF to your great routine. Neutogena has some wonderful choices.

Re: So how do you decide??

Effie54 — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 13:52:12 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1 wrote:
What do you mean "full of chemicals"?
Most personal care products in them.

Not if you buy vegan products. I go on Etsy and have my products custom formulated for me, without any additives. They are all natural, and have not caused me any allergic reactions.

Re: So how do you decide??

Shanus — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 13:52:14 GMT

@CherryHugs I will say that one line may not have all the products that you need or agree with your skin. Purchasing a lot of different ones for trial and error can be expensive.

Are you willing to share skin type, concerns, age, etc.? I may be able to narrow down a routine for you.

Re: So how do you decide??

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 15:11:12 GMT

I don't purchase high dollar skincare although I have some because it came in BoxyCharm. My routine is also pretty simple.

Because I get BoxyCharm which most months comes with at least one skincare item, I am not one that is married to any set of products. There are some staples that I use but I am lucky that I can switch around a lot and not have any adverse reaction for the most part.

My staple products are the Sephora brand Make-up Remover Balm in the evening, Cetaphil Cleanser in the morning and The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil at night. Other than that, I switch things up all the time to use up what I get.

I know I have said this before but I am not one that wants to put a number of things on my skin. I don't want a different serum for everything. I'd rather have a comprehensive moisturizer.

Re: So how do you decide??

happycat — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 16:05:43 GMT

My dermatologist has recommended several different things, including makeup, but the one thing she recommended that I have stayed with for years is the skinmedica aha/bha cleanser.

The other things I use have mainly been by trial and error.

Re: So how do you decide??

tototwo — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 11:11:08 GMT

I agree with @Harpa -- it took me a lot of trial and error over the years to find what works best for me. And what works best for me may not work for you because everyone's skin is different. Some products worked well for a long time, then my complexion changed and needed something else, and I got rid of one and added another.

At 72, I've settled on a very simple routine and mostly drug store products. Neutrogena makes some wonderful products -- your skin could probably use the ceramides in every CeraVe product. Add/change one product at a time in your routine in case you get irritation or other reaction -- you need to know which product to blame.

For me: a gentle cleanser, a vitamin C serum, a moisturizer, a retinol cream, a firming cream on my neck. That's it! Nothing fancy.

Re: So how do you decide??

Harpa — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 11:38:28 GMT

@tototwo wrote:
I agree with @Harpa -- it took me a lot of trial and error over the years to find what works best for me.

For me: a gentle cleanser, a vitamin C serum, a moisturizer, a retinol cream, a firming cream on my neck. That's it! Nothing fancy.

It's not that I think trial & error is the way to go, it's just that you discover which things are true performers.

@tototwoYour routine is basically my routine. I also heartily ascribe to toning. Like using an essence for deeper penetration into your surface layers.

Also, in method, in facial stimulation via massage (not necessarily with gadgets). You can use practically anything and achieve visible results.

Re: So how do you decide??

AngelPuppy1 — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 11:42:34 GMT

It is hard because as you stated, there are just so many lines out there and new stuff comes out constantly! I have a suggestion but it might not be exactly what you want. How about trying one of those beauty box subscriptions? You can go on line and plug in beauty box subscriptions and quite a lot of them will come up and there are different price points, as well. I used to get one from Ipsy which was very inexpensive --- I believe it was $12 a month. You initially fill out a profile of your wants, needs, likes, etc. Then, each month they send you a selection of several products. That way, you can try out a lot of different products for not a lot of money!

Otherwise, for me, I have very senstive skin and I can't use products with fragrance or harsh ingredients. If I see a new product advertised, whether it's in a magazine or on tv, or wherever, I will try and research it first to see what is in it. Also, price is very important. I don't like to go overboard and I don't buy high end things either. I also don't want a complicated regimen. The fewer things the better. Some like organic products, products with fruit extracts, etc., but I find these things cause reactions for me. Lines like Almay, Neutrogina and even Cover Girl work well for me. As for cleansing and moisturizing, Cetaphil, Neutrogina, CeraVe are great ones.

Re: So how do you decide??

CalminHeart — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 11:59:52 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@CalminHeart wrote:
My philosophy is to keep it simple. Cleanse, exfoliate (I do it once a week), moisturize. I also use a serum under my moisturizer. I'm 67 and most people think I'm in my mid 50s.

You don't have to spend tons of money. There are some good products in any store. I prefer Neutrogena unscented products.
@CalminHeart Annoying, I know, but I'm adding SPF to your great routine. Neutogena has some wonderful choices.

I should have mentioned that! I do too.

Re: So how do you decide??

Shanus — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 14:18:10 GMT

@monicakm wrote:
I've been using some very highend products and products on the other end of the spectrum...CHEAP. I don't care that it's a lot of product. It works and my face has never looked better.

Spendy: Tatcha (Oil Cleanser, Rice Wash and Rice Polish). If I could only keep one of those, I think I'd keep the Rice Polish

Avg: Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence

Cheap: The Ordinary ( HA, Buffet, Niacinamide, Granactive, Marula Oil)

@monicakm Kudos for you, but that's way too many skincare steps for me. I stay with cleanse, exfoliate, serum, moisturize and spf....Retin A at night.

Re: So how do you decide??

Shanus — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 19:24:40 GMT

@monicakm wrote:
@Shanus

Several months ago I posted a question asking if anyone else enjoys doing their skincare. I do. It's relaxing, it feels good knowing I'm doing something good for my skin and I'm loving the results.

@monicakm At night, sometimes I light a lavender candle and put on soft classical music while doing my cleansing, moisturiers, etc. It's relaxing for sure.

Re: So how do you decide??

Drythe — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 03:29:28 GMT

@Harpa wrote:
@CherryHugs What worked for me was to understand skin, understand my skin at my age and what I really need; what improvements I wanted to address, and research which ingredients will take you where you want to go.

And then, good old trial & error. You learn an awful lot of practical lessons that way.

It helps, too, when you understand marketing strategies.

@Harpa @CherryHugs

This is my process as well.

Then I eliminate anything with fragrance & anything tested on animals.

That really narrows the field. 🙂

Re: So how do you decide??

Drythe — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 17:44:16 GMT

@Harpa

Thank you for sharing your toner recipe. I made it and am enjoying it, on to my second batch - will never use ‘store bought’ again!

I added a only bit of niacinamide to the tea mix.

Thanks again!

Re: So how do you decide??

Katcat1 — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 01:57:42 GMT

@CherryHugs I started using Mario Badescu last March 2020. He offers something for everyone -- sensitive, dryness, oily, normal at a reasonable price. I refuse to break the bank on skincare but i do want a quality product at a good price. My skin has been hydrated on an ongoing basis and I have gotten in the habit of cleansing, toning and then moisturizing.