Please critique my first ever skincare routine!

[ChesterBelloc]

Inspired by reading through some of the skincare threads on here, I've decided it's high time to start a basic routine, as I'm noticing some ongoing issues with a few things. But I need help! Total skincare virgin.

I'm 37, I think my skin is pretty much 'normal' but with some longstanding twenty-year-old blackheads/congested pores on my chin and on/around my nose. The only other problem area is my forehead, which is probably sun-damaged because I've never routinely worn sunscreen and is much more lined and rough than it should be at my age (unsurprisingly, given lack of sunscreen - I know, I know ). Might be dehydrated as well; the rest of me certainly is.

Literally the only products I've been using semi-regularly (and only for the last year or so) are Garnier Micellar Water to cleanse/tone (am/pm) and Neal's Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm (majors on Rosehip Oil), which I use as an overnight mask once a week-ish.

I don't wear make-up apart from the odd bit of mascara/eye-pencil occasionally.

I have neither the time nor budget for a very involved/costly routine, so have been eyeing up a few things from The Ordinary:

Salicylic Acid 2% solution to address nose/chin blackheads/blocked pores
Buffet and/or NMF+HA - do I need both? Do either count as a moisturiser?

I tend to have more time at night than in the morning, when I'll be doing well if I manage the Micellar Water and then sunscreen. Can I combine the SA with a moisturiser/serum at night?

And lastly, I would really appreciate recommendations for a lightweight, easily-applied (spray-on?) sunscreen. I have quite fair skin, so maybe should go for SPF50 rather than 30..?

Any ideas/advice/criticism gratefully received!

That was too long, right..?

I like the Body Shop Multi Protectipn Essence SPF50- very lightweight and no n greasy. Prett sure is still on buy one get one free in store too as I got it on that deal last week. Have been using it every day for ages now and it's lovely.

www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb/face/view-all/skin-defence-multi-protection-essence-spf50/p/p001071

Don't use a spray on as they really aren't very effective protection wise and are really only there for top ups over makeup.

Thank you! Will check that one out.

By the way- be careful not to go mad with too many new products at once- you can end up overexfoliating/cause yourself more problems. (I stupidly recently started using the Effaclar range to deal with post pregnancy spots and have ended up making my skin very very sensitive so have had to go onto using v gentle and basic products) If you are using an AHA/BHA like the salicylic etc, definitely introduce it very gradually to see if your skin is ok with it. Maybe you would be best to start very simple and not even go down that route yet- you haven't been using a proper cleanser and moisturiser so that may actually be all you need!

Ps. You 100% need SPF with any acids

I like Buffet and don’t use a moisturiser with it but then I do use a make up base and a B.B. - neither of which probably appeal to you. Why not just get a basic day cream with spf?

Of - yes, the Acid = SPF message came through loud and clear on this Board! (And is partly why I'm now belatedly in the market for a sunscreen - cos I really want to try the SA on my chin!)

Sparkle - thanks, but I'd rather aim for a good sunscreen which also happens to be moisturising, rather than the other way round. I'm quite tempted by Buffet for its broad anti-ageing qualities too though...

And yes, I WILL be restrained and not buy a load of products in a hurry that I won't end up using...

P.S: would the Micellar water not count as cleansing?

SPF face cream really don't offer the same protection as a proper SPF product. It is much better to use a proper one, especially with acids. As you already sun damage too it would be a really good idea to use a proper one.

There are loads of great ones around now. I know a lot of people also like the La Roche Posay Anthelios or the Avene ones.

Haha cross post!

I personally think micellar is fine for makeup removal or a first cleanse. It isn't enough to effectively cleanse with on its own though. Double cleansing makes a huge huge difference if you haven't don't that before. So you could use your micellar as a first cleanse, then use a gentle cream cleanser with a flannel and water. (Avoid foaming cleansers as they strip your skin).

Even if I haven't been wearing make-up? I used to occasionally use my NY Beauty Balm to do hot cloth cleansing with...generally under the shower which I now know is also a big no-no!

The Boots Botanics range do a nice cream cleanser which is only about £4.

i think the general consensus is that double cleansing in the evening, whether you've had makeup on or not, is a good thing to do. You can double cleanse by just simply washing your face twice with the cleanser too. Whichever you personally prefer really. Just a single cleanse in morning.

The skincare thread on here is really helpful- they have some cheat sheets too.

The Superdrug Natutally Radiant range also do nice, affordable cleansers, serums and moisturisers.

Depends on your skin type though- are you sensitive at all?

No, I don't think so - just need to be careful of product around my eyes.

Any opinions on the Biore Watery Essence? And if the Body Shop SPF linked to above is the one similar to it?

(I've been browsing the cheat sheets and Snail thread...)

My skin HATES Biore Watery Essence and also Biore Bright Milk. Both dried my cheeks and forehead out terribly. The Body Shop Essence is similar style but I find it nice and non drying. It doesn't give the weird powdery feel that the Bright Milk gives either. Also is a pain waiting 6 weeks for things to arrive from Japan!

what type of skin do you have?

Hmm, interesting... the Biore essence seems to be about a tenner on Amazon, free delivery but takes 2 weeks to arrive (supposedly). Half the price of the Body Shop one tho..

Cross post! I'd say I have normal skin, with a slight t-zone over nose and chin - BT even there I wouldn't describe my skin as oily, just a bit spot-prone.

As long as you are using an SPF then it's up to you which you like the sound of. The Body Shop one is definitely a nicer product, and they pretty much always have an offer on (3 for 2 or buy one get one free) so it would end up actually cheaper per ml than the Biore. (I know a lot of people do struggle with the Biore Watery Essence in particular though- it really is very drying and I don't even have dry skin)

Cleanser and moisturiser wise definitely have a look at the Superdrug Naturally Radiant range as is particularly good for normal and non sensitive skin. They also have a cracking Serum called Simply Pure in Superdrug that's about £2.99 and is great when dehydrated. Lot of the beauty press (Sali Hughes etc) also rave about the Simply Pure and the Naturally Radiant.

Quite a few of my family members love the No7 hot cloth cleanser too and there's always a voucher for No7 stuff in Boots.

Thank you for your help

No prob

I used the environ range it's expensive but I'm conscious about my skin and notice big changes when using it so I think it's worth every penny for me... it's vitamin a which is brilliant for your skin

Another thing I love is the b. Range from Superdrug I use their micellar water to pre-cleanse before normal cleanser and also the glycolic acid cleanser peel, you use a hot Muslin cloth to wipe off and skin is lovely afterwards