To ask your skin care routine?

[Stampy84]

Ok so I’m 35, I need to start taking better care of my skin.
So far this is what I’m starting this week-
Cleanse face,
Toner (rose water toner)
Retinol serum
Olay anti wrinkle night cream (For evening) and the day one with spf 30 for day.

So turns out I need to use eye cream as well?? Seriously?? Ugh. But ok, if needs must..
so, can anyone recommend an eye cream they love? Or is it unnecessary?

Morning:
Cleanse (currently using Lumene C Glow)
Spritz of Liz Earle toner
Serums - Drunk Elephant C-Firma and Vichy Aqualia Thermale
Day cream - Lumene Arctic or Drunk Elephant La La Retro. In the summer I like something a bit lighter like Lixirskin Universal Emulsion

Evening:
Cleanse (as above)
Toner (as above)
Serum - Vichy Aqualia Thermale and every few days I add in a glycolic acid serum, currently Drunk Elephant Framboois
Face oil - I find these all much of a muchness so I just get one that smells nice. Currently the Body Shop Oils of Life one. I might stick a bit of moisturiser over the top if my skin feels tight.

I find I'm always being given samples of eye cream so I use one of those occasionally when I remember but I don't find it makes much difference.

I am really happy with my skin at the moment. My routine has taken a lot of tweaking and is not cheap but I think it's there now. I don't wear much make up (or have a social life now!!) so that's how I justify the cost to myself. I have very dehydrated skin that feels uncomfortably tight most of the time so all the serums etc have really helped.

I'm 55. I suppose it depends on what type of skin you have. Men has always been pretty good, although fair so prone to sunburn. I used moisturiser from age 30 and stepped up a bit when I got to 50. I have very few lines and wrinkles.

Morning -
wash with dove cream bar soap,
Some kind of serum
Some kind of moisturiser
An eye cream
Posh brand is no7, but switched to Aldi last year

Evening
Wash with dove cream bar soap
Some kind of night cream (currently Aldi)

Thanks everyone, it’s been interesting to read everyone’s skin care!

Am currently sat on my sofa with a Garner Vitamin C shot facemask on.. I love this one!!!

I've been pretty lazy up until recently (42 now) and only really bothered with a spf moisturiser. But.. Lock down has given me extra time to research and I've got addicted to The Ordinary.

I can't recommend it highly enough. High quality skincare and its so so affordable, average £6 per product!! The only downside is that they sell mostly the solution ingredients rather than an all in one, so you have to do a little research to create your regime

I would definitely recommend you add in a serum and can strongly recommend Buffet.

Morning - Liz Earle cleanse and polish
LE instant boost skin tonic
Aldi rose oil
Aldi day cream

Evening LE c and p
Aldi Minight secret facial oil and night cream.

My Mum who is 70 has lovely skin, really smooth and glowing - she’s been using coconut oil since she was in her 30s! I personally don’t use it as it made my skin clog up but because of my Mum, I’ve been moisturising since I was about 13! I’m 33 now.

I have chopped and changed some products over the years but stayed faithful to Olay face cream because it works well for me and my skin is in good condition.

Morning:
Wash face with warm water and a little Simple facewash using a soft micro fibre cloth, then splash with cold water.
Put a little Kiehls avocado eye cream on, then the Olay 7 in 1 day cream with SFP.

Night time:
Wash off make up with Simple face wash and micro fibre cloth, put on face serum by Elf, then moisturise with Olay 7 in 1 cream. Kiehls eye cream.

I use the rose Elemis cleansing balm about 2/3 times a week, a little goes along way and it feels luxurious.

Once a week I exfoliate using Boots No.7 skin polisher.

I'm 31 and my skin care routine is:

Morning:
Wash face with water at sink.

Evening:
Wash face with water and whatever body wash I'm using in the shower.

I honestly think that the more products you use, the more you need to use...the less you bother your skin the better it will be. It's a vicious cycle to get money out of you!

I honestly believe that I know my own skin better than anyone.

I also know that enjoy researching it all.

I know I can afford the products I buy and that they are cruelty free.

I also know that my self esteem is tied up with the state of the skin on my face - sure that’s not very feminist or whatever but it is what it is. I prefer not to go around covered in whiteheads and scars.

@SweetPetrichor if I just washed my face with water and left it, it would feel so tight and uncomfortable, does that not happen to you?

if I just washed my face with water and left it, it would feel so tight and uncomfortable, does that not happen to you?

For me personally, no. I just use water at bedtime and shower gel or whatever I use in the bath in the morning. No issues with my skin at all.

"If I just washed my face with water and left it, it would feel so tight and uncomfortable, does that not happen to you"
No, not at all.

I love skincare and consider it self care.
Am
Cleanse, tone and moisturise. I use factor 20 I don’t believe anything can be higher than 30 aside from full sun block so don’t see the point. I also like to have a bit of sun on my face sometimes.
Pm
Double cleanse with soap in the shower or use a cream and hot cloth cleanse with a flannel if I have been wearing make up. Then serum and night cream.
I use Superdrug vitamin e range.
I believe in results from a consistent skin care routine but I don’t believe in expensive products unless you have specific skin care problems.
My skin is very soft and smooth and glows. I am in my 40 S. I believe in leasing very thoroughly and no lots of moisturiser and having a routine.

Decided earlier this year that now I'm in my mid 30s I need to do better than just using whatever nivea tub I have laying around. Now using La Roche Posay toner, serums and moisturiser and my skin is sooo much better.

I tried The Ordinary products after hearing about them on MN. Really unimpressed. They are a weird consistency, dont seen to absorb into my skin and they pile and sit poorly under make up. The idea that it is 'the same' vitamin C or retinol etc as the branded products is too good to be true at that price point. Maybe the active ingredient is the same but it doesn't settle and get absorbed the way other products do.

It's each to their own. I can't use just water or soap because my skin would be tight, dry and full of acne
I find people who can just use soap are very much "pfft skincare" but are lucky enough to have good skin naturally - some of us aren't!
Plus I wear a fair bit of makeup and SPF and need something to remove that especially around my eyes

@Peridot1 I am a ‘freak’ yes . If the JSS retinol is doing that then I’d be very cautious to try Dermatica. It’s next level stuff.

@LaLaLanded Thank you . Steal away.

I think the posters who are being snarky about skincare are incredibly lucky. If soap and water works for you then great but you’ve obviously never had serious skin concerns that require proper treatment.

I’ve sat and cried many times at the state of my skin before I found how to treat it properly. It diminished my self confidence and stopped me from doing many things. There are few pictures of me with DS when he was smaller as I was too embarrassed to have my photo taken.

I totally agree with all the skincare fans here. I would love to splash my face with water and forget about it but that's just not possible for me. I have always had dry, sensitive skin and I'm very pale. Therefore I have to use really hydrating moisturiser, with good ingredients so my skin doesn't react. I can't go out in any weather without SPF as my face would be red and tight, even being in the wind makes my face red and swollen! So if you can get away with shower gel and a loofah, lucky you. If I tried that my face would be flaky, rough and as tight as a drum.

The other point is some people have a genuine interest in skin and beauty products. The science behind them might be a bit fuzzy but there is some truth behind it and my skin has never been better since I started really understanding what it needs. It doesn't need to be expensive, there are so many new brands emerging that have stripped back all the luxury packaging so if you do your research you can easily get the same ingredients from lower priced brands. There is so much information out there on social media and in magazines that some people enjoy their skincare routines as a sort of hobby. It's also wrapped up with self esteem and confidence. Again, if you don't need this, then lucky you.

Yes some products have "silly" names but they have to stand out to get noticed by the beauty bloggers and to appeal to a young audience. Paint companies use stupid names too.

Sorry for the length of my rant, but if you are a soap and water type then I wouldn't dream of telling you you 're doing it all wrong. People have different priorities that's all.

I think my face would actually fall off if I washed it just water and/or shower gel. My face feels so tight and uncomfortable just thinking about it.

I have extremely dry skin though It would be lovely to be that low maintenance!

I don't spend a huge amount on my skincare. You can get decent products with spending ££££. I have a decent, affordable routine and my skin feels and looks pretty good!

But if other people aren't interested in / don't need skincare products then that's up to them. Everyone is different.

Some people spend a lot on haircare stuff, which I have never been interested in. My hair is in excellent condition and I just wash and condition once a week, and very rarely use any hair products.
Ditto perfume, loads of people love it - I can't stand it, it makes me feel sick!
I don't judge anyone who uses loads of stuff on their hair or wears perfume though. It's an individual choice!

@NotExactlyHappyToHelp - I reckon it might be a year away before I can try Dermatica! Think I need to buffer the JSS more. Jordan suggested using the hydrate serum first which I did last time. Think I need to dilute more with an oil too. Maybe retinol is not for me. We will see!

Completely agree with those who ‘get’ why some of us need more than just soap and water. Or just enjoy the whole skincare process. I watched my mum enjoying skin care for years so was brought up with it. I find it soothing and calming. I know my mental health is slipping if I lose interest.

@Peridot1 I swear I’ve seen him say that you can mix the retinol with the soothing oil if you have it? That may well help. I’m sure it’s not that it’s not for you but that you just need to find the way your skin likes it best .

@NotExactlyHappyToHelp - yes he was on a thread and I asked him. He is so lovely and helpful. That’s my plan next time. Hydrate serum and then mix the retinol oil with the soothing oil. Prob one drop retinol to two soothing.

As I posted earlier I don't really have a routine but this thread is convincing me to try! I do have a dry forehead. Is there ONE product I should add (serum?) to help with this - if it staves off wrinkles even the better!) NOT The Ordinary- tried it once but smell put me off.

@totallyyesno CeraVe moisturizers or hylaronic serum would be a good option... My DH gets s very dry/rough/irritated forehead from wearing hard hat and working in extreme temps. Steals my CeraVe products and sorts it really quickly.

@totallyyesno Superdrug Hydrating serum sensitive skin is like £3 and amazing for dry skin

Kate Somerville is amazing but spenny
Beautypie does amazing products
Also love Pixi

Currently:
Kate Somerville exfoliating foaming wash
Beauty pie super healthy skin serum
Kate Somerville Glow moisturiser

Evening
KS face wash / or exfolikate (which is like having a facial)
Serum / pixi retinol
KS moisturiser or Maybe Rose face oil
Drunk Elephant eye cream

Revolution is a really good inexpensive brand, I like their hyaluronic serum and also the rosehip spray, I get it from Boots.