Clarins - is it really any good?

I can't get on woth clinique either but love Clarins.

Try out the samples and see how you get on. I really do love their stuff though. I have the hydraquench cream and serum. the cleanser, eye make-up remover and eye contour cream.

I used to work in a salon that used Clarins and I was told that Clarins are better at their cleansers, moisturisers etc and Clinique was better at their make-up. Although I do love their foundation tints.

I always use their Eye balm, Beauty Flash Balm and Eau Dynamisante (sp?). I used to use their cleaners but switched back to Johnsons baby lotion, it was just too expensive, as are their moisturisers but would still buy them if I had extra money. I used the multi-active day/night cream.

ETA - I have very dry skin, I have psoriasis and sometimes get patches/flaky skin on my face.

He sent me away with enough samples to last me a week, to see how my skin coped with it, and that will be the real test

I'd just hate to spend so much on a collection of skin stuff and then have someone say "ooh, you should have asked, I would have told you to try xxx first"

we've not got much spare at the moment, but it's been making me really miserable lately because of how old and scaly my face looks

I've tried Johnsons, but that brought me out in a rash. I looked like this --> ?

Clarins Hydra Quench Mask is yummy. I have not found another product that matches it.

I was lucky and grabbed a gift set that had the hydraquench mask, moisturiser and serum for the same price as the moisturiser is usually. Could you serach flea bay and see if they have any sets going?

I've heard lots of good stuff about Clarins.

Another idea is to try something like Eve Lom or Liz Earle- the cleanser is really good for problem skin and the cloth acts as a gentle exfoliator. You also don't necessarily need a moisturiser with it, which is obviously a money saver.

If you have eczema, the best cleanser in the world (and a fraction of the cost of Eve Lom) is emulsifying ointment on the face (it's greasy; not quite Vaseline but not far off) - then washed off with a hot flannel or muslin. It's completely gentle and lovely and will moisturise without irritating. Buy it OTC from any chemist - less than £3 for 500g. Then a very plain moisturiser: here's a list of what I try with my eczema patients - different brands work better for different people, and for different areas of skin: doublebase, cetraben, aveeno, diprobase, balneum, oilatum, dermol. Clarins or similar might be ok but tbh any brand might react so I wouldn't use anything without trying a sample first.

(I love Clarins and have used it for years, and rate it highly, but I don't have eczema.)

i forgot to mention this one, this irritated my skin too, but I'll have a look at the Eve Lom tomorrow

thanks everyone

I am guilty of skim reading your OP ? so didn't pick up on the eczema, sorry. Clarins hydra Quench is very lovely but perfumed, so probably a no. My daughter has eczema and I second what Rache says about emulsyfying ointment, it has been the best thing by miles for her skin.

thanks for this Rache

so I just ask for emulsifying ointment?
I've worked my way through doublebase, aveeno, diprobase, balneum, and oliatum so far, so cetraben and dermol are left to try

I've also been using hydrocortizone on my face at my gps suggestion, but I don't like to and he's not too keen either
and he said he doesn't really want to put me on anything stronger, but would as a short term solution as it's been really bad lately
I've also switched to goats milk, and we're in a very soft water area

if you have any other handy tips or thoughts I'd be very grateful

Liz Earle didnt suit my skin either - neither did Clinique. I have tried quite a few, and am now a dedicated Kiehls fan. Whilst it is pricey, a little goes an awfully long way, and my skin is much calmer now. I use a foaming face wash twice a day and a dab of their oil free moisturiser. And thats it. It probably costs me about 10 pounds a month but my skin is not inflammed, red nor patchy.

My friend has eczema and psoriasis (sp) and uses Clairns face gel foaming wash and a Body Shop moisturiser.

You could also try unguentum merck or lipobase cream as a moisturiser - they *might* be too rich but they might be just right. Emulsifying ointment or its branded equivalents like Epaderm are probably too rich for a daily facial moisturiser but are good as a cleanser and to moisturise really hard and flaky areas on the body.

Have a look here - written for doctors but probably very useful.

http://www.npc.co.uk/MeReC_Bulletins/1998Volumes/pdf/vol9n12.pdf

I use the clarins toner and moisturiser every day, I have really dry skin on my face and it really works for me (I don't have excema but my son does so I know how hard it is to find something that doesn't irritate). I know the moisturiser is expensive but because it's really rich I only need a tiny amount so lasts a good couple of months so in the long run it's very cost effective.

good luck with your search

Thanks again for all the info, I'll hae a read of that doc now ?