Completely new to skincare!!! Where do I start?

[TheOpalFox]

Can someone help me please? Completely new to skincare ?? Im40!!! Never ever brought it! Where do I start please? Thank you

Don't complicate it. Buy a cleanser and moisturiser. That's it.
You can add to it over time if you wish.
If you are completely lost, you can go to any large department store and have a chat with people at different cosmetic counters. Don't commit to buying anything. Just have a consultation with 4-5 different brands and see if a common theme emerges in terms of skin type, ingredients etc.

What do I put them on with. ? Pads. ? I don’t even no lol

Have a look at YouTube.
It very much depends - some cleansers are applied with pads, some you massage in with hands and then rinse, some you use hot towels to remove. As I said, go and have a consultation at a beauty counter. Also, all the instructions are on the product packaging.
Cream you obviously just put on with your fingers. I am sure you have used hand cream before. Or a medical ointment? Or something along these lines.

I recommend Liz Earle. They come in kits often and they have a hot cloth flannel in there. All their products are very gentle and natural. The products are idiot proof because they tell you on the back exactly what to do and in excruciating detail.

Something like this that has a face wash, toner
, moisturiser and flannel is a good start.

Its good quality - not cheap shit but also not overkill for a beginner.

https://www.lizearle.com/skincare-offers/build-a-skincare-routine/BYO043.html

I was the same last year (I'm also 40!). I got started with this which I loved
https://www.wildmintcosmetics.com/products/5-step-clear-skin-kit
Although I must admit I bought it on offer...

I also like CeraVe for a simple face wash and moisturizer.

Great answer!

What's making you want to start now? What you want to get out of it might affect what to buy. I've not started yet (at 46) but if I do decide to later on it will be if I think there's an actual problem I'm trying to fix.

I had this same issue, and last week went for a skincare consultation at John Lewis. Free, covered all brands they stock, and looked at what I wanted (easy, quick, skin needs). Crucially, they also listened to what I wanted to spend.

thoroughly recommend.

Liz earle products are great, so are some of the inkey list things. Inkey list is usually cheaper than liz earle.

Both the liz earle and inkey list sites have guides where you answer questions and it makes recommendations based your needs and budget

If i were you OP, I would go to Boots and buy a no frills unscented brand of cleanser and a moisturizer.

Cetaphil do a very nice gentle cleanser. And Cerave is also unfragranced. Both do cleansers and moisturizers.

As you are new to starting out, you do not know what you are going to react to, if you are sensitive to ingredients etc.

Once you get going with the basics, you can look to add in a serum or something to target any particular issues you are having.

I don't advise starting a whole range of new things all at once, because then if you react to something, you will not know which of them it is.

And then also get an SPF of some sort. This you might need to play around with a little, as some are more oily than others, and some leave a white cast. If there are any samples, then ask for those. I have just asked for samples of ISDN, but you have to ask. Most places won't offer if you don't ask I find. ISDN is pricy, hence why I won't buy outright before trying.

Moisturiser: put it on with your fingers. Rub it in. Buy one with an SPF to prevent sun damage. That's the no 1 way to protect your skin.

Do not over complicate it. Influencers showing you a 20 step skin care routine are trying to sell you products. Your aim should for clean, comfortable and protected skin. There are no magic ingredients which penetrate deeper than the stratum corneum (the top layer of your skin). There are a few which have proven anti-ageing effects but the results are not dramatic. If you want to slow ageing the best thing you can do for your skin is to use a sunscreen daily.

Find a cleanser and moisturiser/sunscreen which feels good on your skin and doesn't irritate it. Cleansers can be creams, foams, oils and applied with a cotton pad, hands or used as a wash with water. You want to avoid anything which leaves your skin feeling tight because that means it's stripping your skin of the natural oils which protect it.

I've used expensive products over the years but now I use the Ordinary or Cera Ve, both if which are very affordable, and I don't think most of the expensive products lived up to the hype. The only product I've used which I think is worth it is the Dermaliogica Daily Microfoliant which I used in place of a cleanser for years. It's an enzyme rather than physical exfoliator and needs water to activate.

Factor 50 spf every single day of the year

Completely this.

use a cleanser every morning and evening with a clean flannel. Moisturiser and some sun screen in the day. Then a gentle exfoliation twice a week for now.

there will be an amount of trial and error for you. The key thing is to understand your skin type, is it dry? Oily? Dehydrated? And buy products accordingly. Also be prepared to change the products you use seasonally as the weather will make a difference to how your face feels and looks

In my opinion, if you don't wear foundation' type of products, you can just wash your face with soap and water. I think the whole: cleanse/tone/moisturise/foundation to make your face colour look uniform, then blusher & shaper to give it some colour and shape, is a huge con and unnecessary.

Cerave facial wash and moisteriser with spf 50.

There is high end and affordable, and if going for affordable you can get some really nice single actives.

So cleansing- if you wear make-up, micellar water and cotton pads to remove. This is generally the most skin kind way to remove make up.
Then face wash. If you have sensitive skin go for something really creamy. Cetaphil and Cerave always have good reviews.
Feeding your skin - hyaluronic acid is the go too. There are some good serums by Inkey List, Ordinary but also boots own line.
Want to go a bit further? Peptides. If you're feeling flush, the No7 future renew night Serum has good feedback. Or again, Inkey, Ordinary or boots own peptide Serum.
Moisutrise - just a nice thick cream. Slap it on before bed.

Little extras if you fancy it:
Q10 Serum
Vitamin C

And if you're bringing out the big guns:
Tretinoin- promotes skin cells turn over, gold standard outside surgery! Prescription only, but can get it from a website like Dermatica for £20 p/m

Rule of serums - go from thinnest consistency to thickest.

Agree. I'm in my early 40s and I wash my face just with hot water and a flannel 😂 Facewash every few days in the shower, but nothing resembling a "skincare routine". It works for me, probably especially because I don't ever wear makeup.

I Don’t wear make up either ! Xx

Why don't you start by talking to a dermatologist?

Depends what you want to target:

Want softer skin - Use a hydrating moisturiser (You don’t need an expensive brand)

Want to prevent fine lines - Use a retinal. I use Medik8 Crystal Retinal (it’s quite pricey but it’s really good. Start with the lowest strength and work your way up)

Want to combat adult acne - (mine is more hormonal but I can combat it a bit with toners) use a BHA or AHA toner. These can be harsh on the skin so don’t use everyday. Use every other day.

Always wear spf factor 50 on your face and neck if you’re going outside. Even if it’s cloudy. And even if it’s winter.

I’ve recently gotten into Korean skincare and use a few Medicube products and can really see a difference in my skin.

But essentially keeping it clean, wearing spf, drinking lots of water, avoiding sugars and UPF and using a silk pillowcase, is the best cause of action for great skin.

I do not understand this advice. Why?

Why don't you start by talking to a dermatologist?

The OP is 40, but seems to have lived this long without having gleaned any information from her mother, her friends, or periodicals. That's unusual
To me, if she's as innocent as she seems, rather than ask random strangers on the internet, going to an expert seems like a sensible idea, instead of being waylaid by trendy labels or baseless personal suggestions.