Please tell me what I should be doing with my face.

[CaptWentworth]

I'm 30 years old, new mum, tired and have neglected myself for a long time. I have no clue what I should be buying to make it better. Id love some suggestions of products to use as the choice is endless.

I have combination skin (I think). Greasy in the t zone, tight and uncomfortable everywhere else. HUGE pores, some blackheads on my nose and chin which I hate. I rarely wear any make-up, and used to get away with it as my skin was pretty clear. Now I feel I need to cover it.

Need a skincare routine please! (Willing to splash out for products that work)

You've described my face! I sometimes get motivated and buy something, but it never works out. Routine currently includes makeup remover wipes and moisturiser when I remember! Will follow with interest.

I didn't post my current 'skincare regime' because I don't have one My pretty, dewy-faced friends have been telling me for years that I need to get one. Honestly....I use baby wipes a lot. I buy whatever blackhead fighting scrub is on offer at the supermarket, and always use my trusty pot of Nivea day cream. That's it. I have been to the Clinique and Clarins counters, but have no idea what to buy and when the assistants ask if they can help me, I usually scuttle away pretty sharpish in case they see my pores!

I use micellar water to clean my face before bed. It feels really nice in the morning. I got a fairly cheap one from superdrug. I also have no skincare routine and hardly wear makeup

I am you!

I recently went to the Clinique counter in Boots. I told the poor woman all my woes and she helped me with some products. She cleansed my face there and then which felt great (and was 5mins break from the toddler!) When one product made my face react I took it back (used) and she changed it, no questions asked. For that reason alone I'd talk to someone rather than choosing random products off the shelf.

Too early to say if products are working but my face does feel much better :-)

They're all so good looking though Rachie! I look like a burst couch most days. I'd rather visit the dentist...no, gynaecologist, than have one of the Clinique assistants judge my lack of routine

But what should I be washing my face with? A scrub, a foam wash, cleansing lotion, cleansing oil? I'm lost.

The lady I saw was so unjudgemental and kind - seriously, give it a go :-)

I use a cleansing oil before bed to remove makeup. I also love exfoliating, this makes more of a difference than anything else for me. At the moment I've got an amazing one from Aesop. My skin looks so bright.

I've recently discovered all the Superdrug own brand range of skincare and I am loving it!! My routine is fairly long and probably quite intimidating for a first timer but you could work up to!

I clean my face with the Superdrug hot cloth cleanser (dupe of the Liz Earle stuff at a much cheaper price!). I then use a foaming face wash to make sure everything's all off. Every other day (when I remember) I use the nip fab exfoliater that has a slight acid in it which takes off all the dead skin cells. After that, I use the Superdrug hylauronic acid moisture spray, Superdrug essence lotion, Superdrug serum, eye cream, then a day moisturiser. At night I do all the same steps but switch the day moisturiser for a sleeping mask or night moisturiser.

You can get face brushes for cleaning with which I really like, but you need to be really hot on replacing them because they can build up bacteria which won't help for lovely clear skin! I'd really recommend checking out the Superdrug ranges, it's all really affordable and they always have reductions or buy one get one free on so it works out really good value!

Superdrug stuff is good, agree. I use cetap hil cleanser and its made a huge difference. I teach to heavy moisturizers etc so use scene light or steam cream which also smells fab. Occasionally I'll slap on a mask ( usually monthly when my skin feels all claggy from being due on). Slap on, clean the shower while in wait, scrub off with flannel.

Thanks, I may try the Superdrug stuff. I've heard of the Nip Fab exfoliater, I think I saw that in Superdrug too. They do individual pads too which might be quicker, and I'm lazy So expensive is not necessarily better?

Dear OP, get yourself to Clinique again OR Liz Earle. Lovely products. If you choose Clinique, you might like to try their new miceller cleansing gel. Cleans skin really effectively but gently. Then use the clarifying lotion, this exfoliates the skin which is good for clarity, keeping blackheads away and helps your final step (moisturiser) work more effectively. You could try the city block (an spf which is very lightweight and lovely on the skin). Anyway, they're really friendly and will help you. Liz Earle is good too (their cleanse and polish cleanser is superb). Good luck and enjoy looking after yourself, xxx

Visit the nearest Bare Minerals counter for a free consult. Its not cheap but its Gabby for troublesome skin and a doddle to apply without looking like a cake or a clown. That and it actively rebalances your skin too. I swear by it, its my lifesaver.

Fabby not Gabby doh!

Ooh Partyrat, I might give the Superdrug cleanser a go when Liz Earle runs out - (though I love it so much and alway come back to it)

I currently only use miscellar water (the garner sensitive in pink bottle)

I have spent years using expensive scrubs, washes etc and this is the best to remove makeup and just give my face a wash. (I react to the hard water in our area so only use miscellar water with cotton wool)

You could also try Liz Earle. They have a great skin care range. You can buy a tester of their products. I think it comes with the hot polish cleaner, cloth, scrub and moisturiser. It's pretty good for blackheads.

As long as you use a good moisturiser straight after, I'd just go soap and a good flannel to do gentle exfoliation. Your skin sounds pretty normal to be honest - think the gentle rub of a facecloth is worth a thousand fancy potions. Just have to gently remove the blackheads when skin is warm and damp.

I love the Superdrug hot cloth cleanser too, and I used to use Liz Earle. It's lovely, and a great price.

I don't think expensive is necessarily better. In think what's important is to start with something and get into the habit. Starting entry level makes it easier as your less worried about wasting money or not wanting to use all your expensive nice stuff etc. Start small and learn what works. I used to buy all clinique etc but now gave more fun shopping around.

Superdrug Naturally Radiant hcc, nip fab extreme pads as a toner, Superdrug Naturally Radiant 2in1 serum/moisturiser. Try those 3 things first as a basic routine day and night and see how you go.

Liz Earle is your friend. Her Hot Cloth Cleanse and Polish is fantastic for combination skin and blackheads, and her Superskin daily moisturiser is lovely.

Do not use wipes, foaming stuff or anything scrubby - the use of a flannel/muslin when you cleanse and an acid toner (such as the nip fab extreme pads suffices for exfoliation).

Superdrug and Boots are good. Waitrose Pure is good too, as is Simple.
Start with moisturiser and eye cream.

The most important thing for your skin is to cleanse it properly. That means a decent cleanser and a hot flannel.

If you wear make up then you should double cleanse - once to get rid of the make up and then again to clean your skin.

This alone will make a big difference.

I like liz Earle cleanser, rodial stem cell and eve lom. I use a decleor micellar oil to get rid of make up and then one of the cleansers above.

The pixi double cleanse is good - two products in one point - solid oil for make up remover and cream cleanser.

I buy cheap flannels from Amazon and change them daily. Use the flannels to exfoliate your skin - you'll see the blackheads improve.

Other than that I have a nice moisturiser- I don't pfaff with toner etc. Clinique moisture surge is good if you have combo skin as it's a gel formula as is rodial dragons blood gel. I don't bother with eye cream - just a dab of coconut oil on the lips and under eyes (I get the Waitrose baby one - cheap but lovely).

Job done....