Please critique my routine and help me navigate the skincare minefield in very simple steps ...

[SaltySeaBird]

I'm pregnant, have a toddler who hates sleeping and I'm approaching 40. Not exactly a combination for youthful, blemish free, glowing skin.

I come onto the style and beauty board a lot and I can see there is lots of good advice. I started hot cloth cleansing most nights and ordered some high SPF from the Asian skincare boards. But I'm confused when it comes to having a really good skincare routine.

I've read Caroline Hiron, I've puzzled over snail and starfish cream and been mystified over things that make me feel I should have paid more attention in chemistry.

What I really, really would appreciate is a beginners, step by step guide. Or just a list of what products and routine everyone who is happy with their skin does.

Mine at present is:

AM:
Lancôme Advanced Génifique serum
Clarins Multi Active Day Youth Recovery Cream
Biore aqua rich uv sunscreen

PM:
Boots No7 Hot Cloth Cleanser
Clarins Multi Active Night Youth Recovery Cream

Skin: Not really happy, it's a bit red and patchy, I get breakouts around my nose and I can't really describe my forehead lines as fine anymore. I don't just look my age, I look about 5-10 years older. I definitely feel I need something else ...

I have about £100 to spend on new products this month (but I need to stock up now before maternity leave).

First observation - there's no cleanser listed in your AM products.

I used this as a beginners guide...
Cheat Sheet

Add and acid to get rid of spots
Cleanse in the morning
A light vit a serum occasionally
Stop a couple of their img products as it could be clogging your skin. It looks too heavy. Just use suncreen mixed with a little moisturoser or oil?

burnished, I don't use a cleanser in my am routine. A flannel or konjac sponge & water to rinse off night products is enough for my face. I double cleanse with an oil cleanser then follow with a foaming wash on an evening.

Ok I am by no means an expert but I am similar in that my skin was very spotty and I just looked knackered (toddler that wakes in the night, baby up several times a night and just back to FT work ) this is what I do and my skin has cleared up I don't feel I look quite as decrepit as I feel

AM
Cleanser - Cetaphil
La Roche Posay effaclar duo
Dermalogica hydration serum
La Roche posay sunscreen

PM

Mac cleanse off oil to remove make up
Cetaphil to cleanse
La Roche post effaclar duo
Olay night renewal elixir (this stuff is magic in a bottle)