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)

Sorry to add - stop the wipes. They are only good for moving dirt and grease around your face .

Secondly Rodial and Pixi are now sold in M&S so if you don't fancy braving the Clinique counter, but want to check out products in peace those ranges are a good option as you can pop in a store and use the testers to see if you like the feel of the product.

This is a kit of rodial hero products. It contains the cleanser I mentioned and the gel. In addition it has a face mask and moisturiser for dry areas.

All smaller sizes but gives you a chance to see what you like.

www.marksandspencer.com/heroes-collection-kit/p/p22441001?prevPage=plp&pdpredirect

My skin sounds like you.

I don't have time to faff too much, but I have finally ditched the wipes. I now use garnier micellar water and nip and fab glycolic pads at night and a moisturising face wash in the morning. My skin does look better. I now need to find a decent spf moisturiser that suits my skin.

Sounds like yours not you.

I'm freaking out

I wash my face with whatever shower gel or bar of soap is at hand

Today that was Dettol soap, DH has just opened some Dove shower foam stuff so that'll do in the morning

I fire on some Nivea moisturiser the odd time

Am I destined to look 130 years old by the time I hit 30?

La Roche Posay... www.laroche-posay.co.uk

Ok, I am on a mission to Superdrug today. Thank you all. I will stop using baby wipes to move dirt around on my face I will be a fabulous yummy mummy!

I found my spots cleared up after swapping to the Avene soapless cleanser (blue gel), its the only facewash that has continued working for me for more than one bottles worth. Ive also always suffered with a nose full of constant blackheads, which turned out to actually be sebaceous filaments - the Nip and Fab Dragons Blood pads are definately making a bit of a difference with those.

Great tips so far. Am ordering the nip fab pads. Unless there is a cheaper alternative? Any tips for eye bags/tear troughs? Do I need eye cream as well as moisturiser?

ragz, Superdrug have started doing acid pads similar to the nip fab one's in their Naturally Radiant range. They're not quite as good but worth trying?

Haven't read all the replies to see if t had been mentioned but search for caroline hirons blog. She is life changing.

Hyaluronic Acid will hydrate your skin and make it softer and plumper. La Roche Posay have one called Hydraphase serum, also The Ordinary or often recommended is Hadalabo Gokujun premium hyaluronic solution 170ml. It's about £10 on Amazon and less than 1/2 the pride of the Ordinary one.

LRP do great cleansers and moisturisers. I like their Toleriane Dermo Cleanser and my DD likes their Sensitive Micellar water. A bit more expensive not they actually Last a long time as you only need a small amount each time. Boots often have offers and some chemists have the range.

Micellar water and cotton wool to remove your make up.

Cream cleanser and a warm flannel to cleanse your skin.

Exfoliating toner. Soak a cotton wool pad and sweep it over your skin.

Serum. In the evening anything with retinol. In the morning anything with hyalaronic acid.

Moisturiser. In the evening something with active ingredients. In the morning something with an spf 30 - 50.

Use a clearing mask 2 to 3 times a week and add a few drops of facial oil in your night cream every other day.

All of the above (apart from the mask) should cover the area from your hair line right to your chest. As Caroline Hirons advises, take it to the tits!

I can recommend specific brands and products if you're still reading.

@partyrat
I screenshot your skin care regime, went to Superdrug and have been following it for the last few days. My skin is feeling better already.
Thank you!

Miracle if you're interested in the Ordinary thiss is a useful guide (doesn't include some products which have just been released) and thiss

But I'd go for a gentle cleanser (TO doesn't have this yet!), Hyaluronic Acid for hydration, a good moisturiser and maybe a serum or two to start with. The HA has made a big difference to my dehydrated skin.

So many ppl buy everything and then wonder why their face is reacting!

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I just wanted to let you know how I got on.

My skin is great, I feel comfortable going without make up again. It's smooth and glowy (word?). Blackheads are a work in progress, but definitely better.

I've been using: Superdrug radiant hot cloth cleanser; Nivea gentle toner and Superdrug radiance balm twice daily. Couple of times a week I use the Nip Fab Extreme glycolic pads at night (you can really feel those working!). I also use a simple Nivea day cream with SPF 15 all weathers. If it's sunny I use an SPF 20 sun cream too - but this is quite greasy so my next task is to find better sun protection in something designed for use on the face.

Thank you for all the tips! I will change a few things regularly to find what works best, but so far my skin is much better in only a few weeks.

Glowy is definitely a word!

Am pleased you got sorted and are enjoying the results.

Great update! It's nice to know when things actually work.

I've seen a lot of people recommend the Biore sunscreen, as a really lightweight one for the face. Also the La Roche Posay Anthelios range.

Soap and glory at Boots do a good spf50 which is designed for everyday use . Thinks it's around £10-£15.

I was in Superdrug today and I've a similar non existent routine to the op. I literally stood and read this thread in front of the Superdrug section. I've bought the Superdrug naturally radiant hot cloth cleanser, Superdrug's radiant moisturiser/serum and nip fab glycolic fix night pads! Hopefully this will help.

Just to double check- I should only use the nip fab pads a couple times a week yeah?

@Hatethinkingofusernames82

Sounds good!

Maybe 3 times a week just to see how you tolerate the pads. Then you could build up to every other night.

I would add a micellar water to take your makeup off (if you wear it) at night before you cleanse. Maybe a night cream too.

Oh thanks human. I did look at the micellar water today but couldn't decide if I'd need it. Makes sense though. I don't wear much/any make up really but when I do I just use a wipe the next morning! So bad!

But I'll be trying to be new and improved from now on!

@anarchykitty that's amazing! Glad it's working for you

To look after your skin and to give yourself some me time, bathe or shower every day. Take cleansing products into shower with you, scrubs, foaming cleansers, shampoo and mask or conditioners. I guarantee if you have a routine like this it will become second nature to look after yourself. Baby steps. Boots and Superdrug or even BMI are your friends. You don't have to spend fortunes. Then go and ask for some samples from cosmetic counters when you are out. If they are reluctant ask a manager and explain why you would like some samples.