Bit random - face stuff for ASD/ADHD 40 year old?

[hoorayandupsherises]

That's me, the 40 year old.

I asked once on Style and Beauty for recommendation for one thing that would make my combination skin (dry, but big blocked pores) look better and people (very kindly) gave really complex suggestions.

Only with my terrible executive function, there's no way I'll do some complex routine, plus I hate any chemically smells - so I'm hoping you guys might be able to help!

I wash my face at night with olive oil soap. I'd like to put something on afterwards to improve my skin, but only one thing or I'll never do it. In the morning I put on suncream that smells like the one my parents used, so that's an acceptable smell. Lemony, flowery, herby fragances are also OK.

I'm so picky

I would try a serum rather than a face cream to put on after you wash your face at night.
They seem to be very light and they absorb into your skin really quickly but they make my skin feel softer & I think look a little better.

I find the face creams just make me spotty as they are too greasy for my skin no matter how expensive they are - research has shown they all have pretty much the same effect so there is no benefit to spending hundreds of pounds on a pot if you like one that's just a tenner.
The serums never make me spotty.

There are loads of different smelling ones so you'd need to sniff a few in Boots or somewhere that they would let you smell them.

That's what I do because I find it confusing when you are supposed to do all the things to draw things out of your skin, then things to close your pores & things to put back in etc... that seems to be the purpose of the whole 'beauty regime'.

Serum is a good shout, I don't like creamy textures a lot of the time. I am struggling to go into actual shops since all the lockdowns, just got out of the habit so much, not cause I think it's dangerous or anything. I've always been pretty scared of Boots (bright lights, too many smells), but I think you're right and I do need to be brave and go back into shops at some point

I look for things that aren't too comodogenic.
Lush will give sample pots and I like their Enzymion. Dd uses another one of theirs which is very light - vanishing cream.

For me, a serum feels too oily.

I've only really had to use products recently as my skin has become a bit drier due to perimenopause

Lush has a lot of smells, I realise.
But if I say 'my skin reacts to most things but I've read yours might help me' they will give sample pots.
And if something does make you react (including in a sensory way, I assume) they will swap it for something else

I find that all of the Simple brand and also the Boots Sensitive brand are amazing, I know lots others who are ND, my skin reacts so easily and these products are lovely. With all the skincare options and fancy packaging out there sometimes it can all be really confusing. I also find almond oil moisturiser amazing and so gentle and I think I got it in Aldi. I hope you find something that helps

Sorry just read on, I feel the same way about Boots and the bright lights there. I know that their delivery service is pretty good though

Since I started using just water on my face, my skin has never been better. I don't tend to wear make up. No moisturiser either. I'm also menopausal.

Lush is a genuine nightmare. Colours, noise and the hideous smells.
I use a Vit C serum I order from Amazon. It is a watery liquid. Keeps spots etc at bay. Burt's Bees face wash is very nice, smells like lemon sherbet.

Some great ideas, thank you all, I'll look into them!

Have you tried ‘the ordinary’? They have very simple targeted products for specific issues and are quite affordable.

I use wild rose beauty balm for everything and it works for my spotty rosacea riddled sensitive post menopausal skin, I use it as a barrier when cycling and at night as a leave on masque.

You can vary the feel of it on your skin depending on how much you apply. It has never made my spots worse - it seems to contain something that soothes spots/skin.

Been using it for 30 years, At £40 a pot it sounds expensive but it lasts a long time.

Wild rose beauty balm from Neals Yard

There's a brand called SBC and I really like their hydra collagen gel, it sinks in well, doesn't feel greasy, keeps my face hydrated/spot free and has a very subtle fragrance. The worst thing I found for my face was tap water. I live in a hard water area and found if I washed my face with water (even just to wash off cleanser) I would end up with lots of spots. So my routine is garnier micellar water to clean my face followed by the hydra collagen gel, simple and effective.

@snowsuit

Have you tried ‘the ordinary’? They have very simple targeted products for specific issues and are quite affordable.

I have looked at them before but it seemed like you might have to combine products which seemed a bit complicated for my level of skincare expertise (complete novice)! I'll try taking another look.

What about Dermalogica? It’s not strongly fragranced.
Link below to my fav moisturiser, Intensive Moisture Balance. It’s somehow very moisturising but not heavy on the skin, I don’t know how it works but I love it.

or you can go to the Jersey Beauty Company website and look from there.

I do have all the cleansers/toner stuff as well but most of the time I can’t be bothered with all the faff - I always do the moisturiser though!

www.jerseybeautycompany.co.uk/dermalogica/intensive-moisture-balance-2-0/variant/3632

I like Neals Yard wild rose beauty balm as well but use it as a cleanser mainly! But it is a really nice multi use thing.

I was actually going to suggest Neals Yard wild rose beauty serum for what you want, something to put on after washing. Light and silky, smells nice (to me, try it) but not too strong, and makes my skin feel luffly. Seems to last forever as well.

I ask for these things for presents.

@hoorayandupsherises - sorry, it's a bit of an essay!

I have used The Ordinary products for years and find them excellent - do you mind if I make some suggestions for you? The regime thing confused me too at first, but basically it's just the beauty products you use for whatever reason. I rarely wear makeup but love my skincare. I have very reactive skin (psoriasis, eczema and urticaria) and cystic acne so I'm very fussy about what I put on my face

Right, let's start with a cleanser. I had oily skin congested skin for years; finally I stopped using soaps or soap based cleansers and started using either just water, or this seems contradictory, oil-based cleansers; try The Ordinary squalene cleanser, buy directly from Deciem HERE or from Boots
or Simple Oil Based Cleanser from BOOTS half price at time of writing and Superdrug
or my favourite, but expensive - Nuxe Delicate cleansing oil
HERE slight rose fragrance if you are scent/smell sensitive.
These all rinse off in water and are used as make-up removers too.

Next, serums.

After Cleansing I use Hyaluronic acid serum HERE morning and night, it adds moisture to your skin and stops mine looking dull and grey in winter.
Next, for combination skin with open pores, I highly recommend using Niacinamide every few mornings - about 2-3 times a week HERE this goes to work on congestion (blocked pores and blackheads) and spots and helps diminish them.

Next, Moisturiser
either The Ordinary HERE
or Nuxe Creme Fraiche HERE smells of orange blossom/neroli
or expensive but worth it if you commute, work in front of a screen, or get irritated skin - it does what it says on the box; Ren Evercalm Cream HERE smells herbal, wouldn't be without it. Also from M&S, Holland and Barrett, John Lewis or buy online from Renskincare.

PS now I'm older, I have dry skin, these all still work

The Ordinary Niacinamide - reduces appearance of pores and helps with breakouts
Clear, non smelly product
Fairly cheap
Just put it on after you wash your face

I would also recommend checking how you’re washing your face - it may be that it isn’t right for your skin type but one thing at a time!

My autistic daughter uses Cerave face wash and moisturiser, fragrance free and often on offer from Superdrug.