Retinol, collagen, AHAs, serums, acid toners.. I'm lost! Any skin care experts about?

[UntamedShrew]

I have had the same basic skin care routine, with the odd change of brand, for years. (I'm 36). I went into a beauty store yesterday to have a browse as I was thinking my skin probably needs a bit more 'help' these days and I was so bewildered that I just bought a candle and left! I feel like skincare has moved forward by a century or two and I have no idea any more what I am looking at, never mind what I need.

I thought a bit of a browse online might help but if anything I am even more confused!

What, if any, of the above do I actually need to consider having in my skincare routine?

I wish there was a facialist I could ask but all the salons where I live are tied to particular brands, so I'd have to know what brand I wanted first if you see what I mean.

My skin is pretty good, plenty of laughter lines around my eyes though and starting to get the ones that go from the sides of your nose down. My skin is a bit dehydrated so I tend to use nourishing things. I'm also prone to excema on my eyes if I use the wrong thing, like a highlighter or concealer or an oily eye make up remover.

Currently I use:
Emma Hardie cleansing balm
Decleor oil
Decleor eye cream
Decleor day/night cream

Any help gratefully received! Thanks :)

Have you looked at caroline hirons blog?
I do (pm) cleanse with balm, exfoliating toner, hydrating toner, REN serum oil stuff then moisturise
am is cleanse, hydrating toner then moisturise

Thanks goodas, that is a blog I stumbled across, yes. Do you use the Clarins exfoliating toner she likes? What other one?

I thought toner was just posh water for removing cleanser, so I wouldn't need one with a wash off balm..? But I need two?!

And moisturisers, do you use the same one every day? I'm sure it was on her blog that I saw something about using a treatment one (retinol etc) alternated with something else?

Hope you don't mind me asking what you use!
Thanks.

I don't think things have changed that much really. The basic product is still moisturiser. I'd also recommend sunscreen if you don't use it already. What has moved on is the marketing which, I agree, is bewildering but then companies believe we are so terrified of ageing that we will swallow any old bollocks. One of their ruses is to sell us moisturiser two or three times over by repackaging it as a serum. (All these super powerful ingredients yet you still need a normal moisturiser too - funny that.) In my personal opinion, it is complete horseshit. In fact horseshit would probably be just as effective.

I should add that I'm not a skincare expert but I've made it into my fifties with very few wrinkles by simply cleansing, moisturising, using a sunscreen and - probably most important of all - not smoking or sunbathing.

I use REN or Bravura for exfoliating but have used the Clarins one too
The hydrating toner I use anything really!
Moisturiser I use one by amphora aromatics (echinacea one) as it's less than a fiver and suits my skin
I think you can make it too complicated with skincare but it's trial and error as to what works and my skin looks amazing at the moment so sticking with it!

It depends on your goals. If you are looking for anti ageing then the golden rule of thumb is:

AM:
Gentle cleanse like Cetaphil
Vitamin C serum (Obagi, Medik8 or Skincueticals)
Moisturise - I like th La Roche Pasay
Sunscreen
Every second day use an AHA for exfoliation

PM
Cleanse -
Retinol (gradually build up frequency)
Moisturise on non retinol nights

Thank you all - great to get a few ideas and I am especially loving the horseshit idea but er, think I might give that a miss :)

My goal is definitely anti ageing but I'm a bit scared to use anything that sounds too harsh. Do you mean a moisturiser with Retinol in it, by the way? Think I saw a couple in the pharmacy recently. Did you have any side effects? I'm a but worried about triggering my excema.

Might check out the REN range as their serum sounds nice and I didn't know they did an exfoliating toner, too.

I am three weeks into following the Caroline Hirons routine. I am getting so many compliments, it's made such a difference.

Which is the Ren exfoliating toner? Have just looked on their website, but can't find it.

OP what decleor range are you using?

OP try Avene Eluage cream from Boots. It has a milder form of retinol in (retinaldehyde) so less likely to cause any reactions but does the same job, gradually reduces fine lines and gives a glow. Use it at night, starting off every other night or every two nights till your skin gets used to it then you can use it every night. Use sunscreen during the day.

This is the toner
www.renskincare.com/p/3393/Clarifying+Toning+Lotion

Serum
www.renskincare.com/p/3707/Omega+3+Optimum+Skin+Serum+Oil

Wonderful, thank you stylish and beautiful ones! I will definitely try that Avene (every other night still?), sounds good and yes those Ren products look lovely.

Lambzig is the routine pretty much as luvfizz outlined above? Glad to hear it is working for you, am hopeful for similar...

Clavicle I have been using the neroli oil and balm, and the expression de l'age day cream with hydra floral eye cream. Lovely products but they just aren't cutting it any more, time to wheel out the big guns :)

Untamed, I have been following this process.

www.carolinehirons.com/2013/06/routines-cheat-sheet.html

AM

Balm cleanser, acid toner, hydrating toner, serum, moisturiser, SPF

PM

Balm cleanser, cream cleanser, acid tone, serum, facial oil, moisturiser

Am about to try liquid gold and would love to try bravura, but they look scary.

Following this routine, my skin feels softer, looks more plumped and a couple of sun damaged spots have really faded.

Saw my parents for the first time in a month today and they both asked me if I had had something done or Botox.

Bravura toners are fab and not irritated my skin at all

I read somewhere that a dermatologist recommended that use a SPF from late teens, you use AHAs/BHAs in your twenties and a retinol based cream once you are thirty?

I've bought the REN toner and serum and the Avene cleanser. New routine is now (I'm on day 2!)
Micellar cleanse
Cleansing balm
REN toner
Caudalie spritz (why not, it was in the cupboard)
Eye cream
REN serum
Avene eluage

Is that right??! It doesn't take too long thankfully but I wonder if the novelty will wear off. Will try to stick with it!

I was expecting a tingly feel from the toner and the Avene retinol moisturiser but they just felt like any other thing I've used before.

A friend today was telling me she gets Retin - A ( think that's how she said it) from France. She has amazing skin so I might be planning a French family holiday this year to get some :)