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For a good while now quite a few of you have been raving about Aldi beauty products of all things. Is Aldi joining Tesco as a supermarket that does fairly decent beauty products?
We’ve heard glowing reports of Siana moisturiser, of body creams, makeup, sunscreens and more.
And the best bit seems to be that not only do you find them really good products but they’re mega cheap. Mere pence in fact.
It’s not only the Cien range that’s got you all excited though – Head Strong (now how on earth do they come up with these names I wonder!) and the other originally titled shampoos and mens grooming products get high praise too.
Thus far no one has had good things to say about Lidl beauty alas… Have you tried any beauty from Lee-dil.?
Or Liddle (to rhyme with piddle), as it’s more popularly pronounced. As in: “Jesus great bargains to be had in the Liddle. Tins of beans only 6c each. Disgusting but I just shovel them into the kids. Dog food too. Turns the dog’s poo white but sure I’m saving a fortune!”
And have you ever noticed how many Mercs are parked in the carpark of de Liddles? Tells you something. Watch the pennies etc.
So what do you think? Have you tried the supermarket beauty brands? Or do you hurry past with your nose in the air spurning Aldi beauty in favour of Brown Thomas exclusives?
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Yes yes….. Lidl do a Cien body butter which I am swearing by. Best body moisturiser that I have ever used! Not too smelly, not greasy at all and really nourishing. Comes in 3 flavours – Chocolate, Olive olil and aloe vera.
Its costs 5 Euro, for a really big pot and lasts and lasts. Cannot rate it highly enough for a cheapy cheap moisturiser!!
Yip have thrown stuff from Liddles into the trolley! They do a shower gel that doubles as shaving foam (copy of J&J stuff) and some nice lotions alright. Also like their handwashes.
no never – my skin is so feckin fussy, id be too afraid to try them
Have never tried any of their stuff, would be happy enough to try body lotions. My face is very sensitive though, and after years of Rosacea I finally have a routine and products that have it looking super – so won’t try anything that would risk that!
Oh yeah – I get shower gel and soap from de liddle for the husband.
I use so much body lotion etc (as in slather myself in it from head to toe)that I cannot condone spending bucks on it, hence the cheapy habit. Wouln’t dream of cutting corners on facecare though…. that is clinique all the way.
I have used the face stuff from aldi, the wash off cleanser and moisturisers are very good…also their shaving foam is great, deodorant as well…find them brilliant really, and if it saves me money for bags, well then!
OOooooh never thought of picking up shaving foam in Lidl… I do my usual lap of biscuits, beef tomatoes, sparkling water, chicken fillets, ice cream and through the finish line!
I’ve tried stuff from Aldi also – I rate the anti-ageing face cream, and the shower gels are nice. Plus, soap, mouthwash, toothpaste… serious money-saving to be had. And things like cotton wool, ear buds, nail varnish remover, are all soooo much cheaper.
a little off topic, but tina10, what products do you use that have your rosacea under control? mine has flared up recently something awful, and i’m looking for all the recommendations i can get. thanks!
Have to second the cotton wool ect. My Cat who will not eat Whiskers will eat Aldi cat food also the cat litter is good
I have the Tesco Vitamin E nightcream (€1.69) and its grand. Does the job – not too thick but not to light either. I also got the Vitamin E Cleansing Lotion (€1.12!!!!) and its great! Cheap as chips but gets the job done. I’m mid-30’s with fairly problem-free skin sometimes it can be dry and I don’t wear tons of makeup but imagine if you did you might need a more heavy-duty cleanser. I’m not a total tightwad though I did buy some yummy Clarins moisturiser and its fablis.
I buy household cleaning products etc. from Lidl, I think the quality is fine. I’ve tried Lidl’s liquid handsoap in the red bottle – my skin was literally sore after it, had to throw it out; their shower cream didn’t fare much better. I wouldn’t buy meat in it, but they do very good frozen salmon fillets. Their dry dog food caused my 7 year old mutt with an iron stomach, to visit the vet for the first time in 7 years!
Haven’t got an Aldi close enough to try it regularly, wouldn’t mind trying their beauty stuff, it would have to be better than Lidl!
I love Aldi’s shower gels there either 99cent or €1.29, the Almond one is really nice.
anna_k – recently I thought my skin was showing signs of the onset of rosacea and did some research. La-Roche Posay seemed to be universally praised so I decided to give the products a whirl. Flipping hell, it made my skin worse. I got such a shock when I saw how red and aggravated my skin looked.
So, I was pretty put out, especially after a discussion of the problem with some girls in a pharmacy who expressed bafflement at my reaction (“I’ve never heard of anyone having a problem with it before”). They also said that it’s the only product on the market that targets rosacea, but they were completely wrong on that score. That’s if you only buy your products in pharmacies.
So, I went back to shopping in the health food store, where I usually get my skincare products. Following are a number of products that I’ve used, and have not given me a bit of bother. In fact, after all this testing and being ultra-rigorous about my skincare my skin is looking brilliant now. I usually get a small break-out around my period, but didn’t have a problem this time. My short sharp skincare fright resulted in a long-term solution.
First off I’d recommend a lot of Burts Bees products – I use their Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream and their Rosewater and Glycerin Toner. Also, their Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub is freaking fantastic – no tightness of the skin afterwards and it doesn’t feel raw either. Smells divine.
Regarding moisturisers I’m using the Weleda Wild Rose Day Cream, which just sinks in. If you have very dry skin, or your skin is just extra hungry, give it some Weleda Skin Food, which is wonderful.
Lavera is another brand to check out. They do a similar Wild Rose range of products – in particular their Wild Rose Skin Liposome Face Mask makes your skin feel spectacular. Also, I tried out their Basis Sensitiv Cleansing Milk and it did the job. They also do an Aloe Vera range which targets sensitive skin, but I haven’t needed to try it. Lavera really is attuned to delivering products for people with problem skin.
All three companies specialise in using natural products, often organic, that are paraben-free (there’s a lot of controversy over the merits and de-merits of parabens). They all have excellent websites with plenty of information about their products.
Finally, thanks to a recommendation here I tried out the Clarins UV Plus Protective Day Screen (SPF 40), because the conventional wisdom seems to be that people with sensitive skin need sun block on all the time. I was a little worried after my reaction to La-Roche Posay, but my skin doesn’t mind Clarins at all. In fact, the stuff eases on like a dream. I also picked up the Age-Control Hand Cream (SPF 15) which is sucked into my skin with no greasiness and leaves my hands feeling pampered. I keep it by my computer now and apply it several times a day (it’s amazing how many times a day you wash your hands!). A little of Clarins goes a long way, thankfully because it ain’t cheap. I haven’t tired any of the sunblocks by Lavera, Burts Bees or Weleda, but they all have equivalents.
Oh, and in the past I’ve tried Dr. Hauschka and always found it to be brilliant – however, it’s pricier than the other three.
Of course, you need to watch out for your foundation too. Again, all of these companies do foundation. Try out a couple. Burts Bees have a lovely tinted moisturiser, but it’s quite thick and I found it needs encouragement to spread. I’m trying out a Lavera foundation now and it’s pretty good so far. I’m also dabbling with mineral foundation and am finding it pretty good – I just won’t spend the money trying out a billion different version.
Generally, the rule seems to be for me: the least amount of chemicals, and the more natural the ingredients, the better my skin will like it.
I should add, of course, that your skin is a reflection of your general health. It’s always been my experience that my skin flares up if I’m under stress or eating crap, or even developing an intolerance to a certain kind of food. I’ve a pretty good diet and exercise regime, so I suspect that because I don’t put that much rubbish into my body my skin now won’t tolerate it on it either.
It might not hurt to keep a strict food diary for a while and note the state of your skin after certain foods and drink. Alas, if you like red wine you may have to cut back as I hear that’s often a trigger for rosacea. You will find a solution, but you may have to consider other aspects like diet and exercise as well as changing your skin care line.
Sorry, this has turned into an essay!
Does anybody know if either Lidl or Aldi do a body scrub at all? Or can anyone recommend one that won’t break the bank? I was just looking in Boots, but they’re all pretty expensive.
Mise I think Aldi have one….but if not, I’ve used st ives as a body scrub before…
Mise – the best body scrubs I’ve used have been home-made. Similar ingredients to top-range ones, but really cheap.
Sensitive skin – and I mean physically fragile here, like it rips if you scrub at it! – mix some fine-grained sugar in with your regular cleanser. If your skin’s really delicate, something like caster sugar (sp?). I use this on face.
Slightly tougher skin – coarser grain sugar (tops of arms here). Can also mix with whatever oil your skin can take (I use lighter ones that are less comedogenic and irritable, using standard cooking sunflower right now).
Tougher skin still, like feet and hands – mix some oil with salt. Oil here: I use olive, but whatever takes your fancy and your skin can take. Salt: regular table kind, please gods not the chunky sea-salt crystals!!!
Mise, invest in a pair of scratchy exfoliating gloves. Far more effective than any body scrub I have ever used and you can just use your normal soap/ shower gel and use the forever…..
Some Tesco’s makeup is good, like their pressed powder, one of the few that’s suitable for pale blue people. Their sensitive wipes are excellent, the same is true of Dunnes’ Stores ones. And both Tescos’s and Aldi baby basics (like baby oil) are fab.
I don’t know why, but Tesco’s sell a far bigger range of own-brand beauty (and baby, etc.) products in the UK than they do here. Big plus: their stuff isn’t tested on animals, I believe the same is true of Aldi (cos it’s German, possibly).
Been using Aldi toothpaste off and on for years, since it won “toothpaste of the year” from some Which?-type mag decades ago. They also do a very decent “sensitive” mascara, if you’re ever stuck.
I second the scratchy gloves, ya seem to need more shower gel than ya would with a puff cos it foams up less, but leaves your skin nice and polished feeling!
Mise,
Try the M & S pre-tan body scrub. Really gritty and only €7.50 (around that)
I love it!
Bunnybun and Flame, I’m actually using the gloves at the moment, but I just don’t find them as good as an actual scrub.
For ages I used a Boots own vanilla scrub, but unfortunately it’s been discontinued which is a shame because it was really good and only about €5.
Hayden, I don’t actually have an M&S near me (I’m in Limerick) but should be down in Cork in a couple of weeks time so I’ll check out the one there.
mcq – great comment!
I would also recommend the Seavite range for you – buy in pharmacies and debenhams
I’ve used the Teco skin wisodm moisturiser and found it grand. Love seavite – fab smell…….
Thanks Aphrodite, I’ve been eying that range too. You can get Seavite in most health food stores too (it’s available in my local place).
Getting on topic – I find Lidl excellent value for really practical things like toothbrushes, cotton wipes, and they have specials on a weird range of other products every Monday and Thursday. I’d recommend signing up for their email newsletter to keep up to date. For instance, you can buy DVD players, barbecues, kitchen cabinets, flower compost, flowers, etc. etc. They even sold scuba kit one week, and a mate of mine who is a diver said the stuff was top-notch.
I’m the kind of person who scrutinises ingredients on packets or beauty products, and once I see too many E numbers, the dreaded MSG, or chemicals then I put the package down again. Some of Lidl’s products come with a lot of this stuff – but, they do a good veg and organic veg selection, some of their canned stuff is great. And of course their booze is very attractively priced. I’m now shopping there more, because the savings really are worth it.
sorry mcq – I MEANT to say health shops – duh!!
Penneys on O’Connell St do those “scratchy gloves” a pair for just a few euro. Exactly the same as The Body Shop ones…Also saw on Sat this coconut range of body products they had-shower gel, exfoliant and moisturiser. All only 2 euro, in white and green packaging, smelt really nice but didn’t purchase as was on phone and got distracted…
This is such a coincidence because this weekend I ran out of my usual Avene night cream and since I’ll be awaiting it’s arrival from t’Internet for a couple of weeks I decided to trot into Aldi and buy the Q10 night cream to use in the interim as it’s only 2.99. And it’s really nice stuff! Far less greasy than the Nivea Q10 one, but the smell isn’t as tasty – more floral. But unexpectedly lovely to use, I have to say. It’s light as a feather and just sinks in. Really impressed! Even bought one for my mother!
mcq – thanks so much for all that info. you sound like a lady who knows a thing or two about rosacea.
for me, clarins is a total no-no, so i’ll be staying away from their sunscreen. i also have tried la roche posay, and didn’t like it at all. i tried a moisturiser which i found did nothing for my skin – though it didn’t make it any worse i guess. their foundation i found just sat in my pores. and their sunscreen does that horrible thing where it looks like i’ve put tiny balls of wet tissue on my face.
lately, i’ve been using a cheapy olay cleanser and moisturiser, just because i had no money to invest in anything more expensive, and weirdly my skin is looking a touch better. not clear, but a little less like i’ve got measles!
i do like dr. hauschka’s rose day cream, but i think i’ll check out burt’s bees, weleda & lavera on your recommendation.
good tip on the food & lifestyle factors too. red wine is definitely my tipple of choice, so i might try cutting it out completely for a while to see what difference it makes – sob!
thanks for all the info on sensitive mcq…plenty of food for thought. I too found La-Roche Posay wasnt all that great and got the same surprised looks in the pharmacy!
I hear Liz Earl is good too but I havnt tried it yet…
oh, and on a lidl note….they do great chocolate biscuits. can’t remember what they’re called, but they’re in a big bag, and are a delight of assorted wafer and chocolate creations. yum!
Tigerlily .. Penneys do a coconut range??
Mise, Seavite do a body scrub too .. and Tesco (Finest) Amande scrub is nice and smells divine
Lidl do nice American chocolate chip cookies
I bought a big packet of plain brand Bourbon Creams for the hubby in Lidl and it was 59 cents! There is plenty of the sweet stuff in Lidl, but you know, all things in moderation. A treat every now and again is great.
ann_k, yep, I’ve been staying away from the red wine lately too after that last flare up. Whites seem to be okay.
You might want to consider doing a juice fast, which is fantastic for the skin. The down side is that it’s a detox and of course that will make you feel crap for the first couple of days. But, you can bring back in your usual foods afterwards and check to see if you are reacting badly to any.
I could go into a big ramble about diet and its effect on our bodies. I had to learn all this when I was having problems with psoriasis years back. Learning what my body liked and didn’t like was a huge help.
Generally, however, you can’t go too wrong by upping how much veggies/fruit you eat, and cutting back on meat, diary and wheat. I know, you’re thinking what’s left? It’s all about moderation, as I said. Get the balance right. I don’t believe in living the life of a health puritan, but I don’t shove any old thing into my mouth either.
Oh, and of course each skin is individual, and what suits me make not suit you. Lavera do a little “face kit” which costs about a tenner, that has samples of cleanser, moisturiser, and mask, so you can try out their various ranges without investing in the bigger tubes. Maybe a mixture of the wild rose and the aloe vera range might work for you. They do a natural range and a basis sensitiv one too.
Argh, dairy! I always flipping mistype that as diary. Silly brain!
I’m off to have coffee now: I do like certain vices.
Yup Dewy. The part of Penney’s that backs onto Abbey street beside the back of Arnotts…they have all sorts in there as I discovered Saturday…
annak – hate to say – red wine is a known aggravator of rosacea! Time to find another tipple methinks
Also – olay is a really good brand – as good as some of its high priced competitors. So it may well be suiting your skin just fine!
i know, aphrodite. i have been burying my head in the sand a bit on that one. can’t imagine surviving without a nice glass of red after a hard day at the office. i’m not sure how impressed the hubbie would be if he came home and found me swigging vodka on a school night!
Tesco has a great basic body lotion with Aloe Vera in, it’s around a pound and you get loads, its great for sunburn and isn’t greasy and smells quite nice but not too strong.
i have never tried and im not sure id have the guts but a friend of mine used aldi’s make up brand “lacura” compact powder and it look really well on her…!haha i just rralised my comment looks like the clise “my friend” story!
Yay! Feeling the love for Lavera. Been using some of their stuff for decades (started when in Germany a while back), particularly the Neutral and Basis skincare ranges, and I a-d-o-r-e their sunscreens. Fairly cheap, and quality.
They’re some of the only ones I haven’t burned or broken out with. I’ve just developed irritation to silicones, so bang go those lovely silicone-based face sunscreens (Clarins, that Chanel one reviewed here recently, Dermalogica, plus some more exotic ones). I’m currently using the Lavera kids’ spray (Neutral range, SPF 30) on face – light but strong – and their SPF lipbalm. The only issue is less UVA protection as only TiO2, so working on that one.
Back on topic – if your skin’s OK with the non-physical sunscreens (mine alas ain’t), Tesco’s and the new reformulated Boots Essentials do excellent basic sunscreens that are OK on sensitive skin. And really cheap, so no excuse not to slap it on. And both places seem to be doing BOGOF for the summer, bargainaceousness.
And a big thumbs up to Tesco’s and Aldi for excellent cheap wine (non-red or otherwise). And yes, that is a crucial beauty product – obv. in moderatio etc. etc, it’ll make you feel more gorgeous and look even more delish to a fellow imbiber…
Now I love a good bargain but . . . bought a box of what I thought were tissues this morning “Beauty Iseree 3-ply Cosmetic Wipes x 90 sheets”.
I thought these were just normal tissues because that’s what the box looks like with nice roses on the packaging, I normally buy the Kleenex or Tesco own brand “cosmetic tissues”
But please avoid these at all costs, yes they look like normal tissues but they smell of Mr. Sheen, even went out to my kitchen to compare, yes Mr. Sheen (well Mr. Sheen Vanilla scent anyway, as that’s the one I currently have).
P.S. I’m currently almost out of eyemakeup remover, anyone have any suggestions for a good *credit crunch suggestion
* this was the term they were using in the Sunday mags instead of the word budget.
LIttle blue, boots do fragrance free eye make-up remover pads for about €2.50. I find them really good, you only need 1 or 2 to get all traces of make-up off both eyes, then use your normal face cleanser\toner afterwards. Bargain really and often on 3for2 or BOGOF! I usually stock up then.
Aldi do a nice ciana hand cream too for a couple of €.
On the Rosacea, I have to say that La Roche Posay’s Effaclar K fluid is the only thing that keeps mine at bay; their moisturisers might not be great, but this stuff is s a lifesaver.
actually speaking of furniture polish I got some y’day in Lidl, the ‘anti-static’ one (after furtively spraying a little on my hand when I thohgt no one was looking), and it’s got a lovely clean smell off it .. and the bathroom cleaner ‘ocean’ smells good too but doesn’t really leave a lasting scent ..
read someone saying that the ‘olive’ body butter smells really ‘clean’ is that right?
Hi Dewy, yes. I said that… Its lovely.
Hi sweetie,
I forgot about boots, I’m using the origin ones at the moment and find them very effective but I’ll give the boots ones a shot sure they may be just as good if not better (and at Euro 2.50 they are worth the risk ).
Thanks for the suggestion.
Aldi did Lacura liquid foundation as a special a while ago and it’s brilliant. only 2.99 and it’s better than a Lancome one I had been using. If it appears again, snap it up !
I always use Lacura duo eye shadows from Aldi, nice colours and they stay on all day compared with other more expensive brands Ive used and only cost 2 or 3 quid!!