Badders, below is what I would work towards (unless any product isn't agreeing with you currently finish it all up first, no need to go out and buy it all instantly). Go one at a time introducing things gradually. Start with SPF, cleanser, moisturiser. After getting those sorted explore the other products, spaced two weeks apart, evaluate efficacy after six.
Routine for sensitive combo-oily, with dehydration (?) targeting enlarged pores and ageing.
Core actives:
- Beta Hydroxy Acid for pore tightening, oil and sebum control.
-Hyaluronic acid for dehydration (possibly in combination with peptides and fermented extracts for further anti-ageing boost).
-Vit C for collagen production, melanin inhibiting, and facilitating healing post inflammation and breakouts. SPF and Retinol booster.
-Niacinamide for pores and skin tone evening/brightening.
- Retinol for anti-ageing and pores.
- SPF for anti-ageing and protection.
AM:
- Lose the ultrabland, it's a far too heavy a cleanser for the morning. Relegate to nighttime for now (consider an alternative as I've heard this is quite a difficult product to work with and cleanse properly). Consider something like LRP Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser here in its place.
- Nivea Toner really no need for a toner here provided you have a well performing cleanser. I'd toss this out (assuming it's the Nivea Visage Daily Essentials Refreshing Toner) it's an old school alcohol laden nightmare that does nothing beneficial to your skin.
- Vit C serum, beyond its textural issues The Ordinary Vit C 23% is a worthy contender.
- HA serum, Hylamide q10, The Ordinary Buffet, Superdrug Simply Pure Hydrating Serum, etc.
- Nivea Q10 moisturiser, not the most exciting moisturiser in the world with a few ingredients that not everyone will like (silicones, fragrance, parabens) but mostly the obsession with Q10 is a bit overrated. It's a good antioxidant but it's not the most exciting one out there. A regime with Vit C, Niacinamide and Retinol will do more for anti-ageing than Q10 on its own. Alternatives to look at, LRP Toleriane Fluide or Face Theory
-!SPF!, you really need to get a separate SPF in here if you're getting serious about anti-ageing ingredients and/or acid toning. Beyond that SPF is beneficial on its own for anti-ageing and most importantly preventing skin cancer. SPF 30+ in winter and SPF50 in summer. The SPF in your moisturiser is sorely insufficient. LRP Anthelios or Biore Aqua Rich UV Watery Essence are good contenders for daily wear year round (but the Biore less so on hot holidays).
PM:
-Lush Ultrabland (or an alternative version of a balm/oil cleanser if preferred).
-LRP Dermo Cleanser if wearing SPF/Makeup
-Acid toning. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid. 2-3x a week. Introduce gradually, you may find using it daily works best but start with 1-2x a week and build up gradually.
-Estee Lauder Night Repair Eye, if you like this and the normal serum it's fine. Somewhat overpriced for what it is, mostly a suped up HA serum with a lot of fermented ingredients and some peptides (TO Buffet and Hylamide SubQ have a similar profile ingredient wise). There are various Korean versions that are more affordable and eye creams that do various things depending on what you desire from it.
-Estee Lauder Night Repair Facial Serum, consider swapping this out for The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% and TO Advanced Retinoid 2% using an HA serum from the AM here too if you feel a need for added hydration (the Niacinamide serum does contain HA though so not likely).
-Moisturiser, as above and consider an oil blend to boost the 'basic' moisturiser a bit for nighttime (and to massage with). Clarins Blue Lotus Oil, Pai Age Confidence Oil, and various others that have been discussed in thread one, this would be one of the last things I'd look into buying although it does make for a good Christmas present but considering the investment sampling and knowing your skin well by this point is the way to go here.
An incidental clay mask (1x a week) from Cattier will help with the pores (the pink or white one).
REN as mentioned before there are not many products that I have been wowed by. Hollin likes the Omega Serum which is somewhat oil like.
Nip + Fab are acid toning pads (mostly, it's a brand but these are the ones people usually refer to), come in Glycolic (AHA) and the Dragon's Blood pads contain BHA. I've never tried them myself due to alcohol and fragrance issues but they are very well liked, they are not excessively strong but will suffice for most and are quite affordable. I think PC is a better pick for BHA personally (based on formulation and efficacy) and find nothing really surpasses BR P50 on the AHA front but many will have differing opinions on this.
Fun as an advent calendar sounds trying out a lot of different skincare all at once often ends in tears... Also, brands are uninteresting as such, most only have a few standout products so one product says very little about the next within the same range. If I have to make an estimated guess I think you would like the EH cleansing balm in place of the Lush Ultrabland but it can be irritating so it's not one I recommend universally. I'd be cautious about Alpha-H Liquid gold on account of sensitivity, it could cause a reaction as it's quite full on. Beyond that there's not much of (skincare) interest in that calendar.