I need a new skin regime. What brand of cleanser, moisturiser etc do you use and would you recommend it?

[SoftKittyWarmKitty]

I'm 40 and my skin is awful - spotty, red, open pores, dry in places. It just looks awful, especially without foundation - even DS has commented at how spotty my face looks when I get up in the mornings .

When I'm looking for skincare I get overwhelmed at the choice and have no idea what I need. For the last year or so I've been using Garnier Simply Essentials cleanser and toner, with Nivea Q10 day and night moisturisers. I exfoliate (Soap & Glory) about once a fortnight week. I think I need a regime that's more targeted and aimed at my skin's issues. I'm seriously considering getting a dermaflannel when they're back in stock but would really appreciate advice about what cleansers/toners/moisturisers might suit my skin.

I'm going shopping on Friday, so planning to visit Boots/Superdrug then.

Go gentler rather than harsher cleanser-wise would be my advice. And try La Roche Posay 'Cicaplast' moisturiser - it's very nourishing and also antibacterial so great for dry but congested skin.

I'm a great believer in what you eat and lifestyle affecting your skin- troubled skin is IMO a symptom and you need to deal with the causes.

Fish oils and Omega 3 are great for skin. healthy oils from nuts, avocados, salmon, sardines etc. Lots of water , no booze and lots of exercise can all help- and sugar inflames the skin and destroys collagen.

I honestly don't think that what you use to take off make up makes much difference. I use some cleansers from L;oreal- Age Perfect- but they are just a simple cleansing lotion.

I'd maybe give up on perfumed products and try something hypoallergenic like Clinique- their 7 day scrub is really gentle- and use an oil free moisturiser. Pimples can be caused by over cleansing and affecting your skins natural balance so the products need to be gentle.

If there is any hint of scarring from the spots you should see your dr as it could be adult acne- which needs medical help not lotions and potions.

Cleanse with either Cetaphil (very gentle) or Bioderma Eau Micellaire. Then moisturise with La Roche Posay or Filorga.

The cleanser on its own - and I think I would recommend the cetaphil - should make a difference.

Liz Earle

It might be worth having some microdermabrasion sessions?
Get some Nanoblur from Boots in the meantime
It's horrible when your skin makes you feel down. Mine did for years & I ended up having some peels. They're not for everyone which is why I suggest microdermabrasion to start with. But I wished I'd done it years ago

I use Liz Earle. Recommend the cleanse and polish and also the face masks. Their moisturiser is worth a try too.

I use a mixture of Philosophy and Elemis.
Philosophy MicroDelivery Exfoliating Wash (it's got salt granules in a foaming base) or Elemis Tri Enzyme Wash in the shower.
Purity or the wash off Elemis gel to remove make-up.

And I did have ProCollagen Marine Cream but recently bought another Hope in a Jar.

I have missed HIAJ- it's light texture melts.

But isn't Elemis just overpriced stuff which is no more effective than lots of cheaper brands?

OP if you have spots, you should not IMO be using a rough exfoliator- you will cause more inflammation and possibly spread bacteria. If the spots re bad see your dr, ask for a referral to a dermotologist. Adult spots are often more than just a problem that can be treated with OTC cosmetics. it's often hormonal.

missbopeep - I never buy my toilettres/skincare in store now. When I go into Boots or Dept Stores I don't have the urge to browse. I get intimidated by (sometimes overzealous) sales staff.

I sometimes wonder how long the stuff has been sitting there in a warm store.

I buy mine from QVC. I can watch (endless) demonstrations, videos, read reviews.
I can price compare online.
There's a 30 day money back guarentee.

I wouldn't have looked at Philosophy or Elemis TBH if I hadn't seen it demonstrated (I wouldn't go up to an Elemis counter instore).

I spend less. I buy what I want. They do brilliant 'kits' to try different items, then I use the special offers to stock up on basics.

I bought a huge (nearly a litre) pump bottle of the Philosophy Microdelivery in Dec 2011 for £40 ish. I'm still using it, over a year later (and it smells fine, it's a pump dispenser ,so airtight).

Elemis- I use over the winter, I'm 47 soon ,skin pretty good. I'm not going down the Botox or fillers route.

I am about your age and had an outbreak of spots last year which cleared up on their own, eventually, although products containing salicylic acid can help apparently. I think they may partly have been triggered by starting to use a heavy night cream (Boots no 7 P&P) which I then stopped using. I have combination skin but get dry patches sometimes too.

I use, on MN recommendation, Superdrug hot cloth cleanser which is on sale at £2.99 at the mo, Aldi Lacura serum £3.50 and Aldi Lacura day cream £1.99. Seems to work fine for me without spending a fortune.

I spent my 20's and early 30's with awful skin (I'm 38 btw), I tired everything in the end I tried a course of microdermabrasion facials which seemed to do the trick but I had to overhaul skincare routine as a result and avoid anything that had perfume, mineral oil, silicones and other nasties.

I binned everything I was using and switched to the less is more approach using a good cleaner, day cream & night oil. I only exfoliate once a week + I don't use toner. I also shopped around until I found a skincare range I liked by only buying sample sizes or travel sizes.

Now I've settled on Nude Skincare, its a bit pricey but my skin is so much happier and the night oil is amazing.

I get dry patches, open pores, blackheads and redness like you OP, though only the odd spot (usually when I have my period). My skin's been really good using these products though:

Simple Refreshing Cleansing facial wash - day and night. Whenever I stop using this I get more spots.

Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant - a mask to use once or twice a week. It's AMAZING. Evens out my skin tone, gets rid of all flakiness and helps moisturiser sink in properly so my skin is less dry. I remove it with a muslin cloth so I get a bit of extra exfoliation.

Body Shop Aloe Vera night cream - gets rid of flakiness and redness, skin very smooth and moisturised, doesn't irritate or cause more spots.

Clarins Multi-Active Day cream - very moisturising, doesn't block pores, makes skin all glowy.

Just got in from work to see all the fab replies! These suggestions are great, it's given me lots to look into.

I don't have many actual lump-type spots as such, the red spots are more like pin prick dots on my skin, especially on my forehead. I don't drink, and I'm improving my diet as much as I can, plus I've started taking the Perfectil skin, hair and nails supplement. I want to approach this from all angles so this, along with a change of skin care, will hopefully do the trick.

My skin is both oily and dry and I used to get really bad spots. I've learnt that it is better to treat your skin as if it is sensitive rather than throwing lots at it at the same time.

If you dehydrated skin then superdrug do a really good range called Simply Pure, I use the serum and the night cream and they are fab. They are much better than some serums I've bought for £40 +.

I use Liz Earle cleanse and polish morning and evening. At night I use Estee Lauder idealist as I have some red marks I'm trying to get rid of and it is working well.

My skin is like yours OP, and after many very expensive experiments with brands such as decleor, origins, clarins etc, I've finally come to the conclusion that I should ditch the scrubs and just double cleanse with a warm flannel. Then a smidge of oil or serum and a good slap of moisturiser/sunscreen. The range I've found makes my skin calmest is boots time delay. It's cheap but feels quite luxurious, and my skin looks fab on it. Good old boots (and no I don't work for them!)

I tried the Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Moisturiser + Touch of Max Factor Foundation recently and thought it was fab. Really nice to put on.

I would suggest just a mild facial wash like Simple and stop exfoliating. Also drink lots of water and exercise/ get fresh air.

Just bought the Simple Regeneration Green Tea moisturiser.

I mid 40's and have revamped my cleaning regimen. I've been using Effaclar K for oily/ spot prone T zone and Olay serum (at night) on other areas. The effaclar is so good I've just bought the effaclar H cleansing foam and the effaclar H moisturiser. I really like them too
I already use Sunsense factor 50 sunscreen daily, everyday.

clinique

Darphin is my fave. Transformed my skin. Pretty pricy but have been using it for years because it is so good. The SkinMat serum is great for blocked pores - the only thing that has ever worked for me.