Skin care routine needed for novice approaching 40

[bookwormbeagle]

I'm embarrassed to admit that my skin care routine has always been very hit and miss , and generally consists of washing in the shower with soap/shower gel and bog standard moisturiser when I remember. I realise this is not good and would like to change this lazy habit and start to take proper care of my poor skin.

My skin type is fairly sensitive, pale and prone to rosy cheeks, rarely have spots but nose is a bit oily sometimes. Area around mouth and nose is prone to flaky patches.

I'm getting some boots vouchers for my birthday and want to treat myself to some goodies. Any advice of recommendations?

TIA.

sunscreen, don't smoke, eat properly. Wear some moisturiser if it makes you more comfortable.

nothing else makes a difference apart from surgery. You have saved a lot of pointless effort and money by not doing 'skin care'.

Buy Pretty Honest by Sali Hughes and just take all her advice. Or pick it up and skim the relevant sections in a shop.

Failing that, read the relevant columns online. She speaks the truth.

Haha, looks like I'm a lost cause then, although I do wear sunscreen (and attempt to eat healthily ).

20+ years of smoking though, not much is going to help with that I agree!

Thank you both I'll have a look at that link.

She really is very good. She writes about a range of skin types (her book does this in good detail) and recommends products for that. She'll also cut out the BS. She doesn't believe in eye cream for example. Her book has a chapter on basic, good skincare routine but I think it's taken from a Guardian column so enough googling you'll probably find it.

I've just had a look through some of her columns, sensible advice with minimal beauty jargon! Will have a thorough check later, so thanks again

I really disagree that skincare doesn't make a difference to our skin. Yes sunscreen is the best thing for preventing wrinkles but wrinkles aren't the only things that age us.

Treat your skin to natural oils, there's nothing better for it. The products are normally just made of mostly water and then a tiny amount of active ingredients, which are herbal extracts and all sorts of oils. So I do not see the point in paying for that! My favourites are Camellia, Moringa, Tamanu and Carrot oil, you can use them morning and evening. You'll see a difference in a few days if not sooner!

Have a look at the caroline Hirons website too (although it is a bit overwhelming with too much on it now IMO.)

There are some pages though where she summarises:

Age 40+

Essential - Sunscreen, a good serum, a good acid toner (there are loads around now).
Will help - Vitamins, water and lots of fish oil.
Not as important - Don't worry as much about spending lots on moisturiser just a mid range one will do.

you want to use sunscreen from a lot younger than 40.

eating the right food is better than taking vitamins.
water is quite helpful for everyone...

all I see in the stuff about acid toners is the usual word 'helps' (i.e. does nothing provable). Although it is difficult to prove without identical twins and a lifelong experiment.

As an aside, highly amused at the woman in this Saturday's Times peddling some potion made from blood extracts, saying it makes her look 10 years younger than she is. Saw the photo and thought 'early forties'. She is indeed 42, and has the normal wrinkles of someone that age.

Perhaps treat yourself to a facial, and see how you find the products they use. We are lucky enough to have a place that does Clarins Facials nearby. Or try Liz Earle cleanse and hot polish cloth, serum I like is a Vichy one, Aqulia Thermal I think the name is, really hydrates your skin, get a moisturiser with an SPF, Lancôme do a nice oneSPF 25 for daytime. I use cleanser, serum and night cream, currently a L'Occitaine one. Sorry I am hopeless on names! Vichy serum is about £17 and recommended by Sali Hughes.

Like with most things I think its a question of trying out a few things to see how they suit your skin. If you're completely starting from scratch I'd go for something basic to start with to get yourself into a routine and then work your way around some testers from the counters to see what you like and what you don't like.

I have used some pretty expensive products but actually really rate garnier ultralift moisturisers (the ones in the red packaging). They have acids in them and suit my skin (and are cheap and easily obtainable. Home bargains had them for half the price of boots last week). There's no point going off and spening a fortune on products that might not suit your skin until you're in some sort of a routine.

I'd personally then but some glycolic pads (again something basic and easy like nip and fab).

My personal favourite serum is Vital C anti ageing serum but its difficult to get hold of at the correct price (about £30). Amazon often have it but at double the price a salon will sell it at. Again though, I'd say initially go for something fairly basic but highly rated such as the boots protect and perfect range.

Sorry I didn't check back on this thread so nearly missed the new comments.

Thank you all for the great suggestions, am definitely keen to try the hot cloth cleansing method and will invest in a decent serum and go from there.

I'm a big fan of Caroline Hirons' website - I think her advice is great. The Sali Hughes book is also very good. My recommendations would be a cleanser that can be removed with a hot cloth (Superdrug do one for a few quid, right up to Eve Lom which is £££), a decent serum, and a moisturiser with SPF. I don't use a separate SPF myself, but I know lots of people do. Caroline Hirons suggests spending most on the serum as it's the one doing most work. I'd be inclined to go to a counter like Clarins and ask for help, they're brilliant at giving samples so you can try stuff at home, and the consultants tend to be both very knowledgeable and not at all pushy, which is win-win.