The best 'ingredients' in skincare? Glycolic/retinol/niacinamide? What else?!

[crystalgall]

Ok so after reading many threads on here and being a total sheep I'm trying to buy products which have actual ingredients that do something.

I have a basic cleanser (cetaphil)
I use nip and fan glycolic pads 3x a week
Alternate between cerave night cream which has niacinamide and hyaluronic acid and Nivea q10 plus which has creatine and coenzyme q10. Are these effective ingredients?

Day cream is Nivea q10 plus because I like it on my sensitive skin. Also creatine and coenzyme q10 whatever that is

Serum is nivea q10
Which has hyaluronic acid and sometimes the no7 one though i have no idea what's in it.

What else do I neeeeed?

I think I need another serum and something with retinol or retin-a?
Also a better night cream maybe?

I'm on a budget so nothing too mad.

Any skincare nerds out there who can help?

[crystalgall]

Anyone? Anyone?

[yongnian]

C'mon over to our skincare ingredients thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2759152-Skincare-Ingredients?
All us skincare nerds are hanging out there and there are some awesomely knowledgeable posters there who can help

[crystalgall]

Thanks. I did have a gander earlier but it all sounded super advanced and technical!
I will have another look and maybe post my queries from my OP