Skincare (Night Time) Within Your Budget – My Favourites from 2022.

Since cleaning up my act, diet and exercise wise, my skin has benefited. I can see the difference it has made. Of course, sometimes, there is no avoiding stress which can have a major impact on how we look and feel about ourselves. But, our lines show we have had a life. As skincare is so important too I have always looked after my skin, and, always using a good moisturiser, is a key component. My favourite, which I mentioned in my last post, and the one I keep returning to, is the Cerave PM. I use this cream, mostly in the morning and, sometimes, in the evening if I’m not trying a new “night time” moisturiser.

Following on from my last post, here is a list of my night-time skincare products, plus a few extra products I have tried and tested. I hope you enjoy and find the following info useful.

Jumping straight in with an unusual cleanser that I have used for most of my life. It’s both effective and cheap as chips!

JOHNSON’S Baby Lotion 500ml £2.49

If I have been wearing makeup, I remove it with this simple, cheap and effective cream. This has been my go-to makeup remover for as long as I can remember – certainly before I had babies, which gave me more of an excuse to buy it. It’s great for that “difficult to remove” mascara and so gentle around the eye area.

Garnier Micellar Water Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin 200ml

Next, I pop a little of this onto a cotton pad and gently sweep over my skin looking for any traces of dirt and make-up that the baby lotion has not managed to remove. I find this so effective in cleaning my skin, especially around the eyes. It is so gentle.

I then wash with CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser followed by:

Retin-A

I started using Retin-A Tretinoin) in March 2016. I have written a post regarding Retinols – click here if you would like to read it. However, if you want to continue, here is a brief description.

Retin-A (Tretinoin) is hailed as the magic skincare ingredient. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen while stimulating the production of new blood vessels in the skin – which improves skin colour. The additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin. This is a powerful skincare ingredient. But it must be applied, correctly. Otherwise, it can lead to side effects such as redness, dryness, itching and continuous peeling. It can take a good while getting used to, and comes in various strengths. This is only available in the UK with a private prescription – or, alternatively, I buy it abroad where it is available over the counter in pharmacies in Europe. I stocked up on our last trip to Spain!

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion 52ml click here

I then moisturise with this or anything else I am trying. Here are a few night-time creams I have tried over the last six months

Boots Collagen Night Cream 50ml

I did not feel the consistency of this cream was quite thick enough for a night cream. It absorbed into my skin very quickly, which is good, but it did not make my skin feel hydrated. So, I found it to be a better day cream (noticeably light).  Maybe my skin needs more moisture than most!

*Cannabotech UK Skin Lifting Cream 50ML £69.00 – now £51.75 as there is a 25% discount offer – applied at the checkout

 This cream which has been featured in both “Vogue” and “The Evening Standard” immediately felt like a high-quality product. I used it as part of my night time routine because I felt it had great hydration and the consistency was quite thick for daytime use. It absorbs into the skin very well and is non greasy which I like.  I would definitely try again.

*Cannabotech UK  Beauty Sleep Drops 30ML £75.00 – now £59.25 as there is a 25% discount offer – applied at the checkout

My sleep pattern changed when I hit my late forties when I started waking up every few hours. Fast forward to now and it is much improved. But, I still struggle to have a full night’s sleep. I was very curious to try this product to see if there would be any improvements. I popped a few drops on a teaspoon an hour or so before bedtime. They certainly helped me feel more relaxed! Then, I woke up feeling more refreshed and ready for the day ahead. I was disappointed when I came to the end of this product as it is not cheap. But, they always have an offer of some kind on if you want to try for yourself. The Beauty Sleep Drops contain their signature M²CBD formula, which is a blend of medicinal mushrooms, Cordyceps and Reishi, with premium CBD oil to promote healthy and restful sleep.⁠

*Eyelash and Eyebrow Serum NYK1 Lashforce £44.95 – use my code Alison at the checkout to get 10%off

I have tried quite a few eyelash serums over the years and find that, after a while, they stop being as effective following the first six months of usage. I have been using the NYK eyelash and brow serum for a few years.  And, as long as it keeps working, I will continue with it. Without this serum, I think my eyelashes and brows would be virtually non-existent, or sparse, at best. As you can see in the pictures, I don’t have dramatic improvements. But I am so pleased with the results. There is quite a bit of product in the container, so it lasts for a good while.

I am seriously looking into getting my brows “microbladed”. So, if you have any advice regarding this, let me know in the comments.

*Please note, the eyelash Serum was a gift but I purchased my own eyebrow serum – I was under no obligation to write about these products, though you can get 10% off at the checkout using the code Alison10 – click here

Supplements I take daily:

Omega 3 and Primrose Oil

I get psoriasis at the bottom of my hairline and find when I take Omega 3 and Primrose Oil (daily), it helps control it – though, it is always worse in the winter time.

B12 

I had a blood test taken to see if I was B12 deficient, a while ago, and my readings were low. However, my results were “borderline,” so I was not offered a prescription from the doctor. So, I buy my own and take 10g dosage, daily.

Iron tablets (Ferrous sulphate)

I have been mildly anaemic for over thirty years, so I take iron three times a week.

Levitex pillow – This one is £75.00 – use the code Midlifeandbeyond10 to receive £10.00 reduction click here

Like most people, I have always been very particular about what kind of pillow I use. It can make or break a good night’s slumber! Plus, I sometimes suffer from shoulder and neck stiffness/pain, so it is so important to have the right kind of support and comfort.

When Levitex contacted me, last summer, to try their product, I was extremely interested. They explained that, initially, I would meet one of their team, via zoom, where I would answer questions regarding how I sleep; my most comfortable position; and what my sleep quality is like. Following this, I received a suitable pillow for my needs, which would, hopefully, tick all the boxes.

I have since found out that James Leinhardt, the founder, is passionate about back/neck pain and good posture. He knows the benefits of a good sleeping position so teamed up with another professional to create the technology geared at practicality and comfort. The company works with sports people as well as those with health conditions, which shows they have great credibility.

I was under no obligation to do a review on this pillow. But, I wanted to share it with you in case you are thinking about changing yours and want a pillow which is super supportive and comfortable.

I have checked the website and you can still use the code below to get £10.00 off the full price.
Click here and use Midlifeandbeyond10

*So Body Co Collagen Powder Combined £ £29.69

I have been taking this “Collagen” powder for one month only – so it’s “early days” to see anything dramatic. Though, I did notice my hair is shedding less and seems to have slowed, slightly. I have decided to continue to use this for a little while longer to see if the improvements continue. I have also read a lot of the reviews on the website from other users who saw improvements in their joint pain, nails and skin, as well as hair. But, this was with continuous use.

Notes

Disclosure: Like most blogs, this post may contain affiliate links (from which I might make a small commission if you make a purchase). This helps towards the running costs of

I have also received some products to try “free of charge”, and such links are identified with an asterisk *. But, all product reviews are my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to write about them.

I hope you have enjoyed my post.  Thank you for reading and supporting my blog.  I’ll be back shortly with my last post of the year – I can’t believe how quickly the time is passing.

Alison xx