Skincare - I'm really late to the party

[Teladi]

I am 30 years old and have never really 'done' skincare. I have moisturiser which I've used sporadically. That is it. I know I have sensitive skin, I'm prone to rashes and redness, and stinging so I have to be careful with what make up I choose, when I wear it (not very often!).

I think I look okay now but it's suddenly dawned on me that I am no longer 19... and I don't really know where to start. I don't have a big budget at the moment, in that I can probably afford non-bargain basement products but would really like to only buy things that I will be able to use, that won't hurt my face. Can anyone point me in the direction of anything reliable I could read and learn about this? I know there must be blogs and such like out there. I walked up and down the skincare aisle in Boots the other day and I couldn't tell what would be suitable for me and what wouldn't!

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes pity on me!

Pop over to the amazing faces thread :) full of fabulous skin care advice ... Prepare to become addicted though !

Thanks dramarama, I'm reading it now - it feels like a different language but hopefully I will catch up!

Definitely chat to someone in Boots about Avene and La Roche Posay

I did see both those brands. I have used Avene moisturiser in the past and thought it was nice. The Boots I was in didn't have anyone I could ask about the skin stuff (that I could see anyway) but I can maybe try again.

I reckon good basic advice is to 'hot cloth cleanse' with a cream or balm and flannel. Then a serum, finish with an SPF moisturiser. Night time routines can get a bit more complicated if you want, with retinols and the like. But I've never gone too far wrong if I do the basic routine

Thanks, that is giving me a useful starting point! Still ploughing through Amazing Faces too!

Yes to Avene and LaRoche Posay! Wonderful products. I also love, love, love Khiel's ultra facial moisturiser.

Superdrug do nice products on the cheaper side. Their hot cloth cleanser gets good reviews, although I think you can use a flannel or muslin cloth with any cleanser and get good results. They also have a radiance range which is usually on offer.

I've recently gone back to a cleanse tone and moisturise routine and I'm already noticing a difference. I use body shop chamomile butter as a cleanser, rose water and glycerine as a toner (dirt cheap from boots) and a body shop night cream. I use a hot flannel with the cleanser and my skin feels smoother after about a week of doing it.

You could also add a serum. There's a good deal at boots at the moment - 2 time delay products for £13. They have a nice serum and various moisturisers and stuff.

If you want to dabble with the budget approach first, have a look at superdrug's own skincare range. I'm also addicted to the amazing faces thread but I'm trying to curb my spending while still seeing good results :)

In the morning I use cetaphil cleanser, clearasil fruit pads from the pound shop, superdrug pure hydrating serum and superdrug solait factor 50 SPF. I double cleanse in the evening and use either superdrugs overnight glycolic peel or some retinol cream.

I don't undretsand how to hot cloth? Is it apply the cream with water and then apply a hot cloth?

I also can't spell understand

DragonsCanHop - that (I think) I do know! You put the cream on your face then take it off with a warm cloth.

Thanks much for the recommendations. Good to know it doesn't have to be hugely expensive if you don't want it to be. I have just realised I have Advantage Points so I am having a wee browse!

If you already have senstive skin my main advice - from personal experience - is to keep the routine very simple and use as few products as possible. I find the more stuff I use (even if they're branded for sensitive skins) the more I risk a flare up.

Also I would only try one new product at a time so that if you do get a reaction, you have a good idea what's caused it.

Eveyone's different but retinols can be particularly irritating.

i used olay until i was about 42 and loved it. now use liz earle and marine cream at nigh (from QVC otherwise it's mad price) i think liz earle is really lovely though

keep it simple I know so much through trial +error use liz earle korrs Greek product in tesco +Muslim cloth hot cleansing + cleanse twice in one go keep away from wipes +sls products are rubbish x

Tesco do own brand micellar water it's way cheaper than big brand ones and works fine. Plus it isn't tested on animals! I've started using rose water as a toner sometimes too. That's very cheap and smells lovely.

I have mega sensitive skin and would also recommend Avene. its fabulous. the simple cleansing lotion might be a good place to start as a hot cloth cleanser if your skin is sensitive. slather it on, then take off with a hot cloth. cheap as chips and fragrance free. I also get on well with the soap and glory one, ultimelt.

At 30 I would say the best thing you can do for your skin is to wear a sunscreen every day.

It's an unfortunate fact of life that most of us only figure this out a couple of decades too late. I got a carcinoma on my forehead even though I have never been a sun worshipper (hate to swim, not all that sporty) and I had been living in Glasgow for a couple of years - the damage is done over years and it's not about today.

If you wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day, you will look better at 40 than you otherwise would, I promise you.

Thanks everyone so much!

I do already have some micellar water at home which my skin is ok with (I have used it to take off make up). I have tried Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser, and did not get on with it at all, it made my face look burnt! I'll look into the Avene one.

Thanks for the words of caution. I will take it all very slowly. I wasn't going to rush into retinols etc as tbh they seem a bit scary to me, a bit nervous about acid toners as well but I think they probably just sound scary due to the word acid!

What actually started me on this little quest was reading somewhere that I should have used SPF throughout my twenties. I did not. I'm hoping that as I live in Scotland it shouldn't be too disastrous, but I will start now at least!