Boots No7? I haven't tried the serum, but my daughter and I like the night cream.

Hi, Tammy - welcome! What a coincidence. I was looking at that product in the store the other day; another customer said she'd heard of it and was interested in trying it. she bought it; I didn't. I have been wondering, too!

I use a serum daily and have for several years now. I've used various brands, Oil of Olay, Neutrogena, Roclon and others. They're all pretty much the same but I do notice a difference in my skin. Not magic, but better. I'm going on 74.

I caved and bought it and won't buy again. Not impressed. I think that is why the less affordable alternatives/classics are always there. We try the expensive, new best thing and, not so great.

Don't know about this one but I have used Nerium products and the before and after pictures were amazing...made a believer out of me....but rather expensive...for me, that is.

I saw the report on TV that's transcribed in Sushipup's link. It says the same thing I've always heard from the pros. The active ingredients in the cheap stuff are the same as in the expensive stuff, and the biggest differences are in packaging, perfume, fillers, stabilizers and preservatives, waxes and "sealers", etc.

None of them will prevent aging, and they don't claim that they do. They lessen the appearance of aging with moisturizing, fillers (which wash off), exfoliating acids (you could use a washcloth for that part), etc. What prevents premature skin aging (aging itself is genetic and some people look older at a younger age and nothing will stop that), is reducing sun exposure, and keeping a healthy body (no smoking, little drinking/drugging, good diet (including sufficient fats), general fitness, and lots of water).

Re before and after pictures, make your own. Make them for a friend. There are good reasons why older actors look so youthful on screen, and like hags in the vegetable aisle. I'm not saying you won't see a difference. Just that there's a lot of difference in lighting and focus when you're trying to make the before picture look as bad as possible and the after picture look as good as possible.

I frequently get comments "you don't look like you could be 93!" Probably genetic but I have intermittently used simple things like Dove soap, Ponds dry skin cream, and a moisturizer (Target brand.) Not a smoker, not much of a drinker except for an occasional glass of wine. Never tried to get a suntan--red hair and freckles!

Thank you all for your info/input. Much appreciated.

Isn't that industry just snake oil?

Unless its SPF40 snake oil.

Thank you.

When should one start using these things ... about in the high 80s?

o j