Share your favorite facial oil and/or serum

K.M.

I've been using a facial oil by L'Oreal (called glow renewal or something like that) and though I like it, I'd like to try different products to compare (this is the first facial oil I've ever used). I put it on day and night after cleaning and before moisturizing.

I'm 40 and I have dry skin and fine lines.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

(PS. At some point I'll go to a dermatologist for a customized regimen, but until I can do that, I want to try a few things on my own.)

9 years ago

General

36 replies

Latest reply was from greenie

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Kiehl's midnight recovery oil. As you can guess from the name it's intended to be used at night. I don't love the scent (very heavy floral musk) but it really does work when your skin is dried out or red from the weather.

I also recently got some Supergoop sunscreen which is oil-based, so it's basically a face oil and sunscreen in one. I use it in the mornings under my makeup and really like it. I suspect that with my oiler skin it might be a bit much during the summer but it has been working well in colder weather.

9 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Ren rose oil.

9 years ago

trekkiegirl

Veteran

It's not a serum, but if you have issues with dry skin, Fruit of the Earth Vitamin E cream is amazing. For what it contains (wheat germ, vitamin a and e, aloe extracts and a host of other things including collagen) it's extremely affordable too!

9 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

For me, the key products have been a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer containing ceramides and hyaluronic acid, a retinol product, Vitamin C serum or its inclusion in one of my other products, sunscreen 20 or higher (preferably zinc oxide which sits on the skin instead of being absorbed), and an exfoliant (either my Clarisonic brush, a washcloth, or an AHA product). If I get dry areas, I treat them with either Vaseline or a few drops of pure olive oil for a few days.

At 65, my skin is really good shape and I have almost no wrinkles except for a few fine lines around my mouth and eyes.

As for the actual products, my cleanser and moisturizer are from CeraVe, and my retinol and Vit C serums are from Paula's Choice as is my broad spectrum sunscreen. None of the products are very pricey. My only $$ product is Eucerin Hyaluron Filler cream which my sister brings back fro the UK for me since it's hard to find in Canada. It was the first hyaluronic product I tried and I was amazed at how well it worked on the fine lines that were starting to show around my eyes and mouth. I still like using this product when I can get it, although the CeraVe moisturizer also contains hyaluronic acid and is less costly and easier to find.

9 years ago

Mellllls

Veteran

i don't use an oil but i love oil of olay's moisturizer. i also love their body was that contains the moisturizer. it keeps my skin less dry in the winter.

9 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I've recently started using a mild Retin-A cream that I'm very pleased with -- in fact I just posted about it! I'm 42 and have medium skin -- neither oily nor dry -- and fine lines around my eyes, but not really my mouth yet.

I also use CeraVe facial cream -- plain jane and cheap, but effective. If an area gets really dry (sometimes the tip of my nose will mysteriously dry out!) I'll dab on Vaseline. I don't need oil on my face. I do try not to wash my face too often, as that seems to cause more problems than it solves. I wipe my face with warm water in the morning, and at night I wash off my makeup with a mild cleanser (CeraVe or Cetaphil). I use a bit of eye-makeup remover afterwards, if necessary.

I'm also a consistent sunscreen user. Prevention is more important than cure!

9 years ago

Anonymous

Oils? I use Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Capsules (oil), have tried Josie Maran's argan oil, the Keihl's oil mentioned above, BioE, and a few others I can't even remember. I'd LOVE to try OlioLusso (Linda Rodin's oil) next time I see it somewhere to buy. It's tremendously expensive, but I love her I quite like facial oils, but I'm not necessarily convinced they perform miracles. There is a Shu Umera cleansing oil I'd like to try too. This is all reminding me I need to hit Holt's in Yorkdale next week if there's time !

9 years ago

Anonymous

Serum? Estee Lauder's Night Repair, and EA's Prevage.

9 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I have Pai's Rosehip oil and Trilogy's CoQ10 booster serum on the go at the moment. The Trilogy one is more an oil than a serum so I use one or the other of these most nights. I also love Kimberly Sayer lightening and brightening serum and Caudalie Polyphenol c15 anti wrinkle defence serum x

9 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

Thank you so much for all the replies! So many products to try, I'll have to organize a line up! I'm in the middle of a hectic day (yes, my Sundays are hectic with housework and childcare and work prep...) so I can't reply with more calm to each of you, but thank you again for all the wonderful suggestions. I'm also curious as to whether you all found these products by yourselves, trial and error, or if you saw a dermatologist or other professional for recommendations...

9 years ago

Anonymous

My DD turned me onto Mario Badescu products and I use their hyaluronic acid serum with vitamin C ( http://www.mariobadescu.com/Serums ) under my Cerave moisturizer. They also have a great eye cream that I use at night and those red dry patches I get in the cold winter months are gone.

I used to get monthly facials until my favorite esthetician left and I used to use their Clarity products, but am finding I really like MB products, though I probably will continue to use my Cerave moisturizer.

I am 58, no wrinkles, just a few lines around my eyes and I always get complimented on my skin. My mom who lived to age 90 also had the most beautiful skin with no wrinkles (maybe genetics?) who used to use just a moisturizer called Flowing Velvet for most of her life and she always stayed out of the sun.

9 years ago

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Josie Marans argon oil for two years and loving it!

9 years ago

Veteran

I started usingNative American Nutritionals Skin Care Blend which is a mix of essential oils in a base of cucumber seed oil, which I then dilute in argon oil to make it last longer. If my skin is really dry, I will also use some coconut oil. I found because I was interested in more natural skin care.

9 years ago

jackiec

Veteran

I use Spectro facewash with my Clarisonic and Spectro moisturizer. I keep coming back to it b/c it works for me. I've added (within the last week - so jury's still out) a Vitamin C serum by Oz Naturals. It is in a jojoba oil base.

http://www.amazon.com/OZ-Natur.....B00DPE9EQO

My skin is super sensitive so I have to be very careful about what I use on it.

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Cross-posting from another thread in case anyone wants to hold my hand here....

I literally didn't know what a serum was until today (had to look it all up). I had heard of retinol and retin-A but basically don't do anything to my skin. It's dry so I don't use soap. I sometimes use a washcloth or an sugar exfoliant. And day and night, I slather it with an inexpensive moisturizer. (Right now I am using Cetaphil cream, which does not get great reviews from Paula's Choice, I learned today. Worse, it's supposedly full of parabens, BUT while the website lists them as ingredients, they are not on the label of my jar and the EWG doesn't mention them. However, they rate the cream as a 3 -- not great. Cerave gets the same rating, by the way, and it does have parabens according to EWG.

OY....what's a woman to do? I tried to find an inexpensive and effective moisturizer for dry skin recommended by both Paula's and EWG -- nothing doing. That item does not seem to exist. Meanwhile, Cetaphil feels great on my skin, soothing and fresh, and leaves it soft and dewy, as Angie says. Something I really appreciate.

I can't tolerate lots of sunscreens so often go without. (Horrors, I know; I promise I don't do it when the sun is high or if I am going to be out for very long.) I suppose I am paying for it with laugh lines and the rest.

Clearly, I need to put some effort into this whole thing

9 years ago

shiny

Veteran

My skin used to be "combo" but as I move into menopause it's more and more dry, not oily, but I can still get breakouts especially around my chin. The breakouts seem to happen mostly when I travel, so I suspect that I may have an irritation to laundry detergents used in hotel rooms. I also get facial flushing which my dermatologist does not think is rosacea -- we are still trying to sleuth that out.

Needless to say, I have very sensitive skin so less is more approach is best.

I find serums incredibly drying, so I don't use them.

Suz, I think I am the only person who gets a reaction with Cetaphil -- wouldn't say I'm allergic, but it makes me itch like crazy.

My current regime is:

- A few drops of olive oil (from a bottle straight from the kitchen) to wash; twice a day. This not only leaves my face clean & moisturized, it is incredibly soothing.
- Aveeno gentle face scrub; a few times a week.
- Lancome Renergie day cream with SPF under my foundation which also has moisturizer in it
- Lancome Renergie night cream before bed.

K.M., I started the Lancome Renergie right around your age. I'm now 49. I switched over to it from Oil of Olay, which I'd used daily since my 20s. The OoO was no longer cutting it, it just wasn't rich enough.

I might venture out and try other types of oils down the road, but for now, my face really likes the olive oil, and it's cheap & convenient.

You can click on my profile and see my pics, at 49 I do not have that many noticeable wrinkles. ProTip: I find that the fine lines and wrinkles are much less noticeable when I smile!!! In fact, the bigger the smile, the less noticeable.

9 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

shiny, Yes, I noticed that while before I could get by with a simple moisturizer, now my skin demands more... I just haven't found what.

How do you wash with olive oil? I read that washing with oils is a good thing. Do you wipe it off ("dry" wash) or do you wash/rinse with water?

9 years ago

crutcher

Veteran

I am also using L'Oreal 8 essential oils...and really like it...I use it after cleansing morning and night and my skin is soft...

9 years ago

Anonymous

I have been using this oil from Amazon for the past two years and love it. Applied nightly and in the morning prior to my makeup:
http://www.amazon.com/ELMA-SAN.....38;ie=UTF8
Organic, moisturizing, and inexpensive. One bottle lasts me about 3 or 4 months.

9 years ago

AviaMariah

Veteran

I have very dry skin in the winter and have recently started using coconut oil to wash my face. I'll also use it as a moisturizer from time to time. It's worth a try since it's a cheep choice!

9 years ago

Mona

Veteran

I have never used it myself but have heard Josie Maran's argan oil line is very effective and available from Sephora.

9 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

I was just chatting with another YLF member about serums. My favorite is by Suki - an organic skin care line. They make versions for dry and oily skin. I am super oily and have never had breakouts or clogging from the oily formula which I have used primarily around eyes.
Has anyone tried coconut oil on face? I have friends who swear by it. It seems greasy though so I have only used on body.
I have had good results with the "Say Yes to....." line of products Suz. I like their Blueberry eye cream and it is paraben free. Maybe a face cream would be an option. Price is reasonable at drugstore/Ulta.

9 years ago

Hil

(website)

Veteran

I have a combination problem skin and a few months ago, I started making my own face oil, mixing various oils and my skin has never been clearer. I occasionally use a maca and honey moisturiser that a friend makes for me.

9 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

Hil, a maca-honey moisturizer sounds... delicious!... Do you know how your friend makes it?

9 years ago

Leoniekemmer

Member

My best friend recommended dermalmd glowing serum to me and this is the best thing ever and my skin is glowing and clear as ever And my skin is super soft.

2 years ago

cat2

Veteran

I use the Biossance Squalene Rose Oil and Vitamin C at night, and Kiehl’s Calendula oil during the day.

2 years ago

Anonymous

Seconding Pai Rosehip Oil! Also have samples of Leilani oils and like them

2 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

The ordinarys marula oil.lm not very consistent with skincare mainly because l can never see much of a difference with anything but this really seems to help with mature dry skin.l wouldn’t use it on oily skin though,it’s too rich.

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I miss KM!

2 years ago

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