Skincare help - very confused

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Hi there. I've always had fairly good skin - not too spotty, dry or oily and for years I've just washed my face and put moisturiser on, occasionally using oils or serums as well.

However, a couple months ago I saw professional photos of me and realised that I look a lot older than I think I do.... (In my head, I'm late 20s, but on screen I'm very definitely a 38 yr old mother of a 1 yr old and 3 yr old who gets a tiny fraction of the sleep I need.)

Anyway, my new year's resolution is to sort out my skin care regime and try to look a bit more "glowy" and a bit less knackered. I've had a look at the Caroline Hiron blog that's been mentioned here, which looks great for product recommendations, but have just got confused. Should I use an oil or a serum, or both? Before or after moisturiser? And what is double-cleansing? And acids?

I'm currently stuck at home recovering from a broken ankle, which means that I have time to get into a new routine before normal life takes over again and I forget all about it. If anyone could give me an idiot's guide to skin care or point me in the direction of a blog that does that, I'd be really grateful! Thanks very much.

Oils and serum are a matter of preference. I prefer serum as I like actives like hyaluronic acid, retinol, vit c and AHA's. I don't find oils do much for my skin type.

Double cleansing is what it sounds like. Cleansing twice. The first time to remove your make up and the second time to clean your skin. I don't double cleanse as I don't wear lots of make up daily but I think it's useful, if you do (and I do if I'm wearing a full face).

Acids sound scary but they aren't. They are just a way of exfoliating and are gentler and more effective than the scrubs you can buy. AHA/ alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic for eg) are good for resurfacing and plumping (good if you have fine lines and discolouration). BHA/ beta hydroxy acids are better for spot prone skins they exfoliate inside the pore and can break up all of the sebum.

I use an oil at night as well as a serum, putting the oil on last. A rosehip based one agrees with my combination,blemish prone skin. It's quite a dry oil but some people might find they don't really need an oil.

The idea behind the double cleanse is like attracts like, so an oily cleanser or balm is used first to remove make up, which tends to be oily, then a water based cleanser to remove sweat and traces of the first cleanser.

Thank you both.

I don't tend to wear much make up so I guess I don't really need to double cleanse very often. I probably do need to make more of an effort to cleanse morning and night though....

The acids sound good. I get the odd spot, but I think resurfacing and plumping is what I'm really after so I will look those out. Do you basically use them like a toner (ie after cleansing before moisturising)? I got given a Clarins oil for Christmas so will get into the habit of using that at night too.

Once I've got myself properly into a good routine, I will treat myself to some good products.

Anyway, fingers crossed that it all starts to work (because I don't think our boys are going to let us have more sleep any time soon!).

Don't introduce too many new things at once.

If something's not right you won't which one it was.

Acids wise I would recommend going easy! Some people can tolerate it daily but my skin can't so I do it every third night and use the Alpha H night repair serum - not as strong glycolic acid wise as the Liquid Gold, contains skincare goodies where LG is a pure glycolic 'toner' and you can apply moisturiser afterwards which you don't after the original liquid gold. The serum one you would use at the serum stage (between cleansing and moisturising)

The REN glycolactic mask (mix of glycolic & lactic acids I think) is supposed to be good too. That's a wash off face mask, looks like orange shred less marmalade. Use a couple of times a week after cleansing.

Clarins do an acid toner too, I find it a bit much but lots say it's gentle and get on well with it. This is instead of what we used to use as 'toners' when we all did the cleanse, tone, moisturise with cotton pads and lotions.

Definitely introduce things slowly, YY.

Ren Glycolactic Mask is lovely.
Does the job but doesn't make me go red.