To think elaborate skincare is unnecessary, or will my face fall off with this routine?

[GreatBigYou]

All my friends of a similar age (40s) seem to use loads of different serums and potions, but I can never remember/be bothered too.

I just wash my face with a face wash (Superdrug one) and use moisturiser (currently Simple one) in the morning. I don't wear makeup usually so I don't do anything at night.

AIBU to think that everything else is a bit of a con that doesn't have any lasting impact? Or will I regret being laissez-faire when I'm in my 50s or 60s?

Wondering the same.. still use gasps wipes to take my makeup off sometimes and up until recently didn’t bother with a moisturiser half the time. Now trying to make slightly more effort and use a cleanser and put on a bit of spf moisturiser (once a week) 😂

YABU as skin condition really is down to a number of factors like genetics as well as lifestyle, so “elaborate” regimes are necessary for some. If what you’re doing is working for you and you’re happy then don’t change it. You can always tweak if you need to. If I could make one suggestion though it would be to make sure sunscreen is in there somewhere/somehow as sun damage cannot be undone!

Depends on which serums tbh but most are not a con especially the acids, peptides and retional/oids.
If you're happy with your skin and the routine you have then fine, each to their own.

I wish I knew the answer to this! I’m early 40s and current skincare routine involves Lidl face wash and cream, then the Nivea in the dark blue tub at night. I don’t have any wrinkles, which seems only fair as I had spots like a teenager well into my 20s! Sometimes I get free samples of more expensive products and like them but not enough to buy the full size versions.

Nah! You’ll be fine.
I’m 53, I’ve been going to bed in my make up for years( yeah I know, disgusting 😂)
I wash my face in the shower with soap and that’s it. No cleanser, toner or moisturiser. I get lots of compliments on my “lovely skin” and am often told I look younger than I am.
I think it’s genetic. DM is 74 and has lovely skin too.

If you're not interested in skincare OP that's fine, some people really like it.
I use a few products that have made a difference to my skin, but my best friend thinks it's all a con and doesn't - each to their own.

I would recommend sunscreen though.

There’ll be a hoard of people on to tell you in a moment that they just let the dog lick their face clean once a solstice and that they look like a 28 week old foetus so skincare is soooo unnecessary but these people have never had problem skin and it’s fairly annoying to folks like me that have had to really put in some work to make our skin decent.

If what you’re using works well and you’re happy then crack on.

I think you'll be fine. I use a microfibre cloth and water to take off my makeup at night, then a basic moisturiser. Face wash and SPF in the morning. I'm in my forties and my skin is good. I think a lot of it is just genetics or how your skin is naturally.

I hear ya! Mid 40s and have never taken my make up off for bed 😬I only use a face wash in the shower each morning and then Nivea moisturiser.

I defo have better skin than my friends my age but I am very aware it’s largely genetic. i have always protected my face from the sun. I also have very sensitive skin so all the expensive lotions and potions feel like they are ‘burning’ my skin

Tret does work. The only thing that is proven to. The rest is garbage.

The one thing you should add is sunscreen.

There’ll be a hoard of people on to tell you in a moment that they just let the dog lick their face clean once a solstice and that they look like a 28 week old foetus so skincare is soooo unnecessary but these people have never had problem skin and it’s fairly annoying to folks like me that have had to really put in some work to make our skin decent.
I'm both of those camps. I have "problem skin", I have rosacea. I'm usually very red with some bumps, sometimes bad rash. I certainly don't think I look any younger than my 44 years but I don't think I look much older.

But I'm also still in the "skincare is soooo unnecessary" camp too. I use a sulphur soap when I remember (about once a fortnight), other than that my face is washed by water running down it in the shower. No make-up, no moisturiser or serums (I don't actually know what a serum is).

If you like doing skincare then a multi step routine is nice.

If you hate it then don't. Skin ideally should be clean, moisturised and protected from the sun. Everything else is an add on.

I really enjoy the ritual of skincare, but I'm like that with body stuff and baths too. It's pleasurable for me. I would be a good roman spend all day in bath houses.

Night cream and day cream. That’s it for me. 39 now- absolutely zero skin issues. No other serums potions washes scrubs - nada. Not a single line/zit/blemishes etc.

however - Genetics plays big role. South Asian skin for one - and living here in the UK doesn’t result in any comparable degree of sun burn (at all) or various other things I see happening with many others.

i also don’t drink or smoke - which may or may not be playing a role.

so I don’t really know how much can or cannot be directly attributed to elaborate skin care

I’m 55.

I use an oily cleanser in the evening, wiped off with a warm flannel, rinsing out a few times. I slather on moisturiser (but nothing expensive). In the morning I just rinse with water in the bath, and I use a facial oil (I have used all sorts - again, nothing fancy) and a lighter moisturiser. I use a sun screen every day; 40+ if I’m outside.

I have very good skin, and people often comment that they think I am younger than I am.

I really don’t like the idea of putting layer upon layer of chemicals on my face.

I’d much rather spend my money on other things.

I think you can tell the difference with more expensive skin care. When I turned 30 I freaked out and upgraded to Elemis £94 a pot moisturiser! And I think it’s made a real difference to my skin.

That said I use basic Boots exfoliator and face wash etc. so don’t think you have to use expensive products all the time.

Im Late 30s and very very rarely moisturise/dont wear make up etc. past few years I’ve noticed more wrinkles..whether it’s from lack of moisturising or not I don’t know. I’m not too bothered tbh.

I thought similar but I suddenly started looking really old and tired in my early 40s. Started on tret plus lots of hydrating products snd factor 50 day in day out, and 12 months on the difference is incredible. I look a good five years younger.

If I don't use Clarins, my face goes to shit 😂

I enjoy skincare- it’s been my thing since I was a teenager. So yeh I do use different cleansers, creams, serums etc

However, I’d say the only things you need if you want to make a difference to your skin are tret, spf50 EVERYDAY, and vitamin c. Everything else is just a treat.

I'm with you - I have always used a face cloth in the shower and Nivea moisturizer. That's it. Skin is smooth and youthful and I'm 64. I think it's all genetic. My mum used Sunlight soap and nothing else, and had beautiful smooth skin until she died at 89.

Tret and sunscreen

There is very limited evidence for most other products, mostly marketing .

Buy it if you like it but don't expect miracles .

I do some treatments too - Botox is brilliant but I would save for an actual face lift over a lot of other treatments ( I have friends in the industry , read a lot and have tried a lot)

Despite having access to a lot of free products gifted by friends - my routine is am / moisturizer and sunscreen

Pm - cleanse , tret , moisturizer / some days just Korean hydrating essences and some days 20% glycolic !

Korean skincare is generally far superior to UK brands and very affordable compared to what's for sale here . French pharmacy staple brands like avene and la roche posey brill .

You do NOT need to spend much to have good skin .

To a huge extent, its genetics.
I'm 54, I apparently have wonderful skin. I wash it with mild soap andba flannel every day. That's all. No serums, moisturizers, SPF stuff.

I wouldnt know wonderful skin from terrible skin. I dont look at other people to notice the state of their skin. Other people have told me I have lovely skin.

But looking through these replies, many people enjoy or have to use things. So its probable that these things do have some effect.

What is tret? Google is not being helpful.