Skincare routine - so embarassed and ashamed :(

[SuperPixie247]

As the title says, I am ashamed to say I have no skincare routine at all. I went through a period of never washing my face at all (due to depression) and now my skin is awful. Most days I slap a load of makeup on top of yesterdays

My DM has offered to buy me some nice skincare for Xmas but I have no idea where to start. I watched some videos recommended on here but was so confused. If anyone can help me, I would be incredibly grateful.

I wear full coverage makeup. My skin is dry and uneven in some areas but greasy (?) in others. I'm 27 so fine lines and wrinkles not at the forefront of my mind as such, I just want some decent skin on my face.

I would be so so grateful for help here. I can kind of see an end in sight to my bad habits but not sure how to get there exactly!

[Sara2000]

I have never had a skincare routine and I'm 47. Nothing to be embarrassed and ashamed about. my skin looks fine.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

You want something nice and quick. Maybe Liz Earle’s Cleanse and Polish?

[tenlittlecygnets]

Nothing at all to be ashamed of!!

I use a nice rose facial scrub once a week it so. Alpha-H rose cleanser (it was in a beauty advent calendar and I really liked it) then Korres wild rose moisturiser (hmm, there is a theme there!).

Ask your friends who have good skin what they use.

But a beauty advent calendar and try our new brands!

Or go to Boots, browse and see what you like the smell of.

If you like ethical brands that are vegan or not tested on animals, have a look at www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/fashion-beauty/skincare/best-vegan-cruelty-free-skincare-a9492576.html

[carleyemma91]

I use clinique take the day off eye make up remover, and their clarifying lotion to take off all my make up - the eye make up remover is oil based so it just whips it away. Honestly, from what you've described you need to just make sure your make up is off and put on plenty of moisturiser as your starting point.

[Michaelbaubles]

Remember having a “skincare routine” isn’t a sign that you’re a better person, more organised, better looking or anything like that. I wash my face with soap in the shower and use whatever moisturiser is on offer in Tesco. It has no bearing on my value as a person. Skincare products can be nice to use as they smell and feel nice but they’re all just variations on soap and basic lotion. Mostly you’re paying for minuscule differences. Some people enjoy playing around with those minuscule differences and it can be a nice hobby but it’s nothing to be ashamed of if that doesn’t interest you. Would a man beat himself up for not having a skincare routine?

[CoffeeInAnIV]

First of all, don't feel ashamed. Skincare routines are luxury but there are some things that are important. Start there.

Cleansing is super important. I'd recommend a Micellar water (Garnier with the pink top is good) to get even stubborn waterproof mascara off. It's good practice to cleanse again with another cleanser but you could leave it there.

Moisturise. Important! Preferably one with an SPF 15+ in. Two basic steps that are manageable and low cost and if you can stick to them, they make all the difference. Right now even cleansing and moisturising is a new routine so stick to that unless you have specific skincare issues.

[Lillygolightly]

Depending on how simple or easy you need or want it be, if your suffering with your sling here is some staples that I would definitely recommend. All are cheap and for me they all work.

Face wash

groceries.asda.com/product/make-up-remover/asda-the-skin-system-tea-tree-foaming-face-wash/910002014215

Cleansing pads for when your feeling lazy

groceries.asda.com/product/make-up-remover/asda-tea-tree-60-cleansing-pads/1000114612672

Blemish treatment - this stuff is excellent, really works well at calming spots and breakouts.

groceries.asda.com/product/night-creams/asda-the-skin-system-overnight-blemish-serum-tea-tree/910002014024

Fancier, stuff but still cheap and also works great.

The Ordinary serum, I love this stuff, great for helping with pores and fab for evening out skin tone. This has worked wonders on my old spot scarring.

www.boots.com/the-ordinary-mxy/the-ordinary-niacinamide-10-zinc-1-10267783

Great for hyper pigmentation

www.boots.com/the-ordinary/the-ordinary-shop-all/the-ordinary-alpha-arbutin-ha-10267773

Moisturisers I buy from Aldi, and use the Lacura spf 50 day cream, and I use the Lacura Q-10 night cream.

Everything I’ve listed bought all together you would probably have spent less than £20.

[Lillygolightly]

Skin not sling

[ThisBear]

Clinique take the day off is great, so quick and effective. I used to cleanse but not use a dedicated make up remover and when I tried ttdo I was shocked how much extra make up it was catching. If you do fancy trying Clinique, they often have deals where you get a cosmetics bag with samples of other products with your purchase, which is good if you want to try a few things and see what works for your skin.

Just in case you feel self conscious about trying new products or making a change, remember you won't stand out, even people using products every night can find their routine just isn't working for their skin.

Another thing that helps for me, is using a face mask or scrub twice a week. The Body Shop have some nice ones, and Superdrug usually have a good selection of little individual sachets.

[Mojitomogul]

If you want something low effort and very easy, use micellar water on a cotton pad, the neutrogena one is really nice and gentle. Takes a couple of minutes to wipe over your face and takes off waterproof mascara too. No need to rinse it either. I use this to take my make up off and then sometimes follow with the cerave hydrating cleanser, it feels lovely on my skin and leaves it extra clean. I then use the garnier hemp oil or a vitamin E moisturiser(superdrug for both). In the morning I use Olay day fluid SPF 15.
I'm 27 too and have sensitive skin, but with this regime my skin looks really glowy and healthy (I do eat a lot of vegetables and try to drink loads of water too!) But I think the main thing is removing your make up at night, it will make a huge difference. You can even get reusable cotton pads from tk maxx that you can use on their own without any remover and it will take off your make up. So really low effort but will make a big difference.

[FrankieChips]

I really recommend REN skincare. If you buy directly on the site you can get lots of freebies and trial sizes.

[Crimbles]

OP, I was exactly the same until I was gifted a copy of Skin Care by Caroline Hirons and started a proper routine. I can honestly say it has transformed my skin.

Products wise I use a mixture of Caudalie, Pixi and The Ordinary, so nothing super expensive.

The book is a tenner on amazon and I can't recommend it enough!

[eatthatbueno]

I don't do much skincare to be honest but if I fancy a moisturiser I go on youtube and watch Skincare by Hyram. He's truly amazing and knows his stuff.

[Tempnamelady]

For me . Aldi hot cloth cleanser in shower , 30 secs. Day cream , one day I use Aldi rose oil mixed with skinny tan face drops, plus nip n fab retinol eye fix , next day Dr organic manuka honey rescue cream from Holland and Barrett . Night time I use Aldi Midnight secret eye gel and night cream , plus the Manuka honey foot cream on hands and feet.

all of the above , quick and cheap .Must be working as I’m 50 early next year abs regularly get age checked for age 25 when buying booze 👌🤣🤣🤣

[KnightsofColumbusThatHurt]

I wouldn't spend loads on skincare, expensive skincare is mostly a con, just think carefully about what you want to use.

I cleanse with Micellar water (but I don't wear makeup on a daily basis so don't need anything much), then use a glycolic toner every other day to exfoliate, then spray with rosewater to dampen my skin (you can just use water), put hyaluronic acid on to hydrate, lock it in with a moisturiser (any will do) and then SPF.

I know that doesn't sound that simple but it is really. Exfoliating with glycolic acid and putting hyaluronic acid on damp skin are the two things that have really given me lovely glowy hydrated skin and I would definitely recommend.

[amymel2016]

Get a nice cleanser (use both morning and night, rub onto dry skin and then take it off with a wet flannel):

www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb/face/cleansers-toners/camomile-sumptuous-cleansing-butter/p/1093232?ds_kid=92700046385809082&utm_placement=G%20%7C%20Cleanser%2FToner&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkL6LiePQ7AIVxbHtCh0rKAoaEAQYCSABEgLHi_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

A exfoliator (use at night, this one can just be applied with a cotton pad and wiped over your face):

www.lookfantastic.com/pixi-glow-tonic-250ml/11200055.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&shoppingpid=cyberweekendsave20off&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000073533399&adtype=pla&product_id=11200055&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI66rjs-LQ7AIVWuztCh1YzA24EAQYASABEgIGnfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

A nice spritz which will wake you up/give an extra layer of moisture (use morning and evening):

www.lookfantastic.com/pixi-glow-mist-80ml/11105029.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&shoppingpid=cyberweekendsave20off&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000026979856&adtype=pla&product_id=11105029&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0vuqhuLQ7AIVGOvtCh0vcgjZEAQYASABEgI7u_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

An eye cream (use in the morning):

www.cultbeauty.co.uk/the-inkey-list-caffeine-serum.html

A simple serum (use in the evening):

www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb/face/serums-essences/vitamin-e-overnight-serum-in-oil/p/p000150

A moisturiser (use in the morning and evening, both as the last step):

drsambunting.com/products/flawless-moisturiser?variant=16381549215833&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2020-08-26&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign

Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t do it everyday just do it as much as you can

[Heidyx]

23 here 🙋‍♀️ no skin care routine
Only wash my face in the shower, my skin is fine

[TibetanTerrier]

Go for a simple routine to start with, just cleanse, tone and moisturise. Like someone else has suggested, my vote would be for Liz Earle products. Cruelty-free products with good, clean, natural botanical ingredients that suit any skin type and any age, and a brand that has garnered countless awards over the past 20 year. I think you'd find these would turn your skin around within a few weeks. Once you've got into a cleanse, tone, moisturise routine and seen good results, you can start looking to add a face oil, serum etc., but if you get too complicated too soon I think you're likely to find it isn't enjoyable and puts you off. Good luck whichever products you choose!

[SinkGirl]

Don’t be ashamed! Can’t say I ever took good care of my skin in my 20s - my skin was fine, I didn’t need to and didn’t really care. It’s only since I’ve developed painful acne in my 30s that I’ve done more about it.

Lots of people have recommended cleansers etc but if you want something that feels really luxurious and like you’re doing something lovely, I love the Skinesis Overnight facial. It smells amazing, it’s like a serum/oil that helps with the dry bits and helped with my greasy areas too. Plus it feels like you’ve had a lovely pampering session because it smells and feels so lovely.

It’s pricey but if it’s a present then that’s okay! I wake up with lovely soft skin when I’ve used it. I’ve run out but now I’ll need to order some more :)

[Redcrayons]

I’m 49 and my skincare routine is best described as ‘haphazard’.
In my twenties and older
I regularly slept in my make up, washed my face with soap and water, and never used sun screen.

[RUOKHon]

Don’t be ashamed. For goodness sake, my skincare routine for the past 20 years has been to use a baby wipe and then slap on whatever moisturiser I had around - sometimes hand and nail cream if I didn’t have anything else!

In the last year or so I’ve upped my game though. Now I use Avene everything. Non-rinse cleanser to take off makeup, plain water as a toner and then a rich moisturiser at night and a lighter one (on top of spf) for day. That’s it. Three products. Four if you count the SPF. And my skin has never looked better. Forget all the acids and retinol and all that shit. Less is more.

[myhobbyisouting]

Elemis marine cream is lovely

Continue your face routine down to your neck and thank me in 20 years time

[wishing3]

If you’re mum is splashing out I’ve heard really good things about Clarisonic -not tried myself though.