So I'm 39 in a few weeks and I don't have a skin care routine please help!

[BrokenBananaTantrum]

My skin is a mess. I don't have any skin care routine at all and I need to get sorted. I don't have loads of money and need something that won't take more than 5 minutes a couple of times a day with maybe an intensive sort of treatment once a week?

Can I do it in that time? What should I buy?

Thanks

Do you wear make-up or do you just want a cleanse/tone/moisturise type routine?

Some people pick-and-choose from different ranges but the different companies recommend the products are from the same range.And you might say "Oh well yes they would say that" but years ago I read an article by a 'Leading Dermatologist' who suggested that most skin problems come from overloading with product and mixing brands.

Personally, I don't want to be going to Boots or Superdrugs every 2 weeks to buy more cleanser or another serum.

At the moment I'm on Elemis. I'm 47 this year and my skin is fairly well behaved.
I use a wash off cleanser in the shower and ProCollagen Marine Cream with the ProRadience Eye Serum for morning.
I've got the bliss capsuals (am/pm) that I used before Christmas as an intensive boost.If I need to, I go back to.
If my skin is really dry I use the night cream, otherwise ProCollagen again.

For eyemake-up removal, Liz Earle cleanse and Polish is brilliant (use with a muslin cloth washed out in hot water. For all over face, not just eyes)

I find a few products , not a whole chemist shop, works better for me.

You could start with the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish for day and night and a moisturiser. It works as an exfoliant as well, with the muslin.

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Oh, and drink water.
Lots.

The aldi Lacura range. Really cheap and has won loads of awards.

Thanks 70 for your post. I dont wear make up but I want to start doing so. Im going to go and look online at the products you suggest.

And thanks dancing. Is it good for older skin too?

What is your skin actually like OP?

Describe and I will prescribe!

Well Virgil it is dry on my cheeks and a little bit oily on my chin very oily on my nose and a bit dry on my forehead. It is very uneven in colour with little sort of bumps. I have problem blackheads on my nose and chin and dark shadows under my eyes. Oh no when I write it all down it sounds awful. Also I am type 2 diabetic and find my skin is worse if my sugars are high. I am.working hard at getting them under control.

Yes they have a full range. My friend who is really into beauty products and spends a fortune on them switched from a very expensive brand to the aldi range. As they are only a few pounds a pot, you can experiment to find the best one for you

Thanks Dancing will go and have a look tomorrow.

I cant comment on the skin care (also in desperate need of one) but i bought an aldi foundation a few weekd ago out of curiosity and its just as good as anything else ive used. Im really surprised tbh and chuffed. Goes on a treat.

aldi never fail to keep surprising me its a fab place :)

Best cleanser IMO is coconut oil. You can buy it from tesco in the food oil section. It's abut six pounds and will last 4-6 months since you only need a scraping the size of your little finger nail.

I'd then recommend garner ultralift day cream. It's fab. Makes my skin really glow and I've used far more expensive creams in my time which are not nearly as good. I use it morning and evening. It's about £8.

If you can stretch to it I would also recommend cane and Austin refining pads. They are pricey at about £40 a pot but a pot contains 30 pads and I cut them in half and use every other day so a pot lasts me 4 months.

Final tip is high dose cod liver oil every day. Improves skin and hair.

Thanks Virgil I will look at all the things you have suggested. Cod liver oil capsules I had forgotten about taking those. I used to take them when I was younger so will pick some up tomorrow.
And thanks monstermissy

Broken google "oil cleansing method" (OCM). This uses cheap as chips olive oil ( I use the cheap stuff you get from the chemists) and castor oil (which is again cheap) you just workout the balance of oils eg 70% olive oil and 30% castor oil, mix them in a plastic bottle rub them on your face and wash off with a warm flannel. I'm 48 and this has been marvellous for my skin - it's improved so much (it doesn't make it greasy and moisturises the dry areas)
I find any type of moisturiser is OK for me, so I tend to nip into Superdrug and use one of their own ranges which imo are excellent.
I know you didn't ask about makeup, BUT a mineral makeup makes my skin look nice, either Bare minerals or Lily Lolo (Lily Lolo do small sample pots for a couple of pounds)

Thanks Berry I will google it and see about it.

My other two skin are tips are as cheap as chips.

Don't bother with buying an exfoliant (although you do need to exfoliate if you have dry bumpy skin). Just take either a clean dry flannel or the corner of a clean towel and rub you face with it. It will exfoliate your face and will also help to circulate the blood in your face. You will feel the blood come to the surface. You can do the same with the rest of your body too rather than buying a body brush.

Then once a week do an aspirin face mask. Take a soluble aspirin and a teaspoonful of honey. Mix the two together so the aspirin dissolves (you may need to add a tiny drop of water to the aspirin before adding the honey). Slap it on your face and leave for twenty minutes. It makes an amazing face mask and costs pennies.

Next Chrismas or birthday ask for a clarisonic Mia. They are about £100 and are fantastic for cleaning your skin.

Wow thanks againVirgil those are great tips! I'm going to try them now.

If you want something to help with the oily areas and the blackheads, try something with salicylic acid in. Neutrogena Visably Clear do a light moisturiser with it in, which will moisturise and treat the problem at the same time. They do a cleanser too. Their pink grapefruit range is also good for oily/combination skin. Only £3-5 an item. Or slightly more expensive, La Roche-Posay Effaclar. Both available in Boots.

Thanks Quinn

aspirin is salicylic acid, that honey & aspirin face mask sounds interesting.