Is it ok not to moisturise?

[frillyskirt]

I've always used a decent face cream in the past, but in the last year or two, a few issues have come up.

Background: I'm 40, good skin, no signs of aging yet apart from my skin is a tad less taut. I'm fairly pale (blue eyes/blonde) and have never liked sunbathing (don't have any wrinkles or fine lines yet, so maybe it's genetic or something?).

My routine has always been cleanse, moisturise and then add an eye cream.

But then a while ago I quit using face cream because I wanted to see if it was causing the odd breakout that kept cropping up. It did. Eventually, about a year later I got into Clinique (my fave brand) and it worked really well, no spots, etc. I also use the eye cream (all about eyes).

Then the bloody spots appeared again, so I quit it and my skin is lovely once more, glowing and really nice.
In the past whenever I try an anti-aging cream I get a lot of breakouts so have never used it at all. The one that did work was just a basic 'moisture surge' sample.

So am I ok to stay this way, as it appears my skin is very pleased just being cleansed and with the eye cream?

Or will i regret it later, if i don't find an anti-aging cream now?

I'm of the mind that all anti-aging products are a tissue of lies and shite, so don't really worry much, but I do care about my skin being the best it can at any age.

Thoughts?

I don't use moistruriser, my dermatologist advised I don't need it and my skin is pretty good apart from the nasolabial folds......... I do however use a high SPF every day.

So, my stuff arrived today, didn't know Boots moved that fast!

I have the SPF and the new cleanser, and a tube of the retinol redermic stuff.
What I pan to do, as a few advised, is start slow - will try the cleanser first, move on to the others in a week or so. Will only try the retinol sparingly at night and see how it feels. If that fails, the other two products shall suffice - I technically got the retinol free (gift points) so no big loss if it turns me into the singing detective;)

Haven't got a moisturiser yet. Will see how things go.

Just an update in case anyone is interested.
It's only been a week, but the Roche Posay products have worked out fairly well so far. I've worn the sunscreen daily and have a few pimples but so far nothing to worry about. I do feel better knowing it's there!

As for the retinol product (redermic r), I used it on Tuesday evening, with no reactions or issues. Next day I wore sunscreen and felt ok outside, no burning or tenderness.

Morning and evening I am cleansing and must say there is a difference in the smoothness of my skin since this began.

Only difference I've noticed so far is that this morning when I went to put my eye makeup on, I noticed that my skin looked as good as when I wear Clarins instant smooth. Like the extremely creamy and even, no patchiness or pores like usual.

Have no idea if this is the retinol or the cleanser, but shall keep on with it.

I am still scared of the retinol as have read horror stories (test subjects in older men getting lung cancer!), but if there are any issues I will quit it fast.

Woohoo. Glad your skin looks lovely already.

I think you really have read horror stories! Retinol is much milder than Retin-A so you are v unlikely to get any sort of reaction. People have been cheerfully using Retin-A for years with no problems - the worst that can happen is redness and skin peeling, which in the grand scheme of things isn't that bad.

I've checked your lung cancer horror story and this is of people taking oral retinol supplements - a massively higher dose than the tiny amount in an over the counter retinol cream. Also all the increase risk of lung cancer was in SMOKERS. Firstly, if you are not a smoker this doesn't apply to you. Secondly if you are a smoker this massively increases your risk of lung cancer - you should stop! Using a bit of face cream will not be the cause of your lung cancer, it'll be the smoking.

My skin is best if I wear/use absolutely nothing.

Every time I approach it with make up, moisturiser or sun cream it breaks out in spots.

I'm 46, it still has no more manners than when I was 14, it's very annoying.