I need a skin care routine to delay the signs of ageing! What do you use?

[coffeecoffeemorecoffee]

I’m 27, single parent to two young children so I’ve neglected my skin and my tired face speaks volumes. I’ve noticed recently that my face is looking more and more wrinkly, my foundation doesn’t sit right anymore because my skin doesn’t look smooth. I just generally feel like I’m starting to look old... I’m a serial baby wipe user for make up removal so I doubt that helps! I need something that is going to tone the skin a bit, give it a bit of life again and delay the signs of ageing!

Any tips or recommendations of products? I’ve read on here that some people use retinol?

Anyone??

Not 100% relevant in terms of an anti ageing routine but I do find that when I use primer underneath my foundation my foundation sits better than when I don’t. When I don’t use it I feel like it sits into the creases in my face.

I would at your age try to do the boring things.
Get more sleep
Drink water
Get out in the fresh air to exercise.
With sunscreen on
Eat your 5+ a day.

I use Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish - wipes are the devil's work! And Granactive Retinoid from The Ordinary. Seen results in a month and I'm twice your age!

I'm late 20s and a single mum to two too. I swear I aged 10 years after the second! I use hyaluronic acid and squaline in the am and niacinamide and granactive retinoid in squaline 2% in the PM. The brand I use is the Ordinary. I look loads better since using this little regime and it's cheap!

Second Maccapacca there, I've just started using The Ordinary retinol (around £8) and it's amazing. Heard about retinol from a BBC programme on a few weeks back, apparently its the best thing after botox for wrinkles. And spf in your moisturiser. I thought it was worth a try, and after a few weeks I feel like it is making a difference.

I’m at the stage where I’m seriously considering starting Botox before i wake up one day looking like a crisp packet!

Where do you all find these creams? Or know what to use? I’ve read a lot about retinol/retinoid and it seems that’s the way to go but it all seems so confusing

Firstly, stop the wipes. Secondly, get Body Shop Camomile Balm Cleanser and a gentle creamy cleanser. For example, La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser or Avène Extremely Gentle Cleanser. Anything low or non foaming (foam means it basically has soap in it which can dry your skin). Lots of ppl like Liz Earle or Superdrug Vit Ebro Radiant ranges.

The Ordinary- you can buy a good all round serum like Buffet (or more expensive Hylamide SubQ). A couple of drops AM and PM after cleansing, then a moisturiser. Again, many ppl like a few drops of oil mixed with moisturiser. Marula, Squalane or Rosehip from the Ordinary aeenall under £10 each.

That's a basic start. Get those in place and then consider retinoids.

PS Don't panic, you're only 27! Also, if you add a good quality sunscreen to your routine, that's the best anti-aging thing you can do for your skin.

Right so I need to be cleansing morning and night? Is cleanser just cleanser or is it worth spending a bit extra on a good one?

Is toner worth using?

And a moisturiser with spf in it? Can I then apply make up? I don’t wear it everyday but I do like to wear make up 3/4 times a week...

Agree with other posts. I use and like the ordinary and cleansing with a balm and cloth makes my skin feel so much better.
I would invest in a separate sunscreen rather than a moisturiser with spf.

If you Google The Ordinary website you can find a list of stockists. I used Victoria Health and they were very good. You can find suggested regimes on the website or email them with your skin type and what you are hoping to achieve and they will suggest products. Caroline Hirons is good for skin care info (Google for website or she has a youtube channel). I read an interview she did with the founder of The Ordinary and that is what sold me on the brand.

Oh and as for cleansing, I only cleanse in the evening. I like No7 Beautiful Skin hot cloth cleanser personally. I don't see the point in morning cleansing... Maybe I should?! I don't tone either but have read good things about acid toners. If I were you I would add things in one or two at a time so it becomes habit.

Placemarking as I love all this advice!!

The products on the Ordinary website look confusing. Is emailing them describing your skin type the best way around it. What has everyone else done to ensure they are using the right Ordinary product?

To remove makeup, you need something that will dissolve it without irritating your skin. Oil is a good option. Una Brennan Superfacialist Vitamin C is fairly good, although quite orange scented (beware if your skin doesn't like perfume!) I've since moved onto a French product, much prefer it as it's unscented.

Re: cleanser, La Roche posay Toleriane cream cleanser is pretty good & tolerated by most. Can be used with just cotton wool, or water to rinse if you prefer. If you decide you like it, it's available a lot more economically from this French website.

For toner, I just use a floral water from an aromatherapy shop. Currently using rosewater, but I have also use orange blossom water when the shop didn't have any rose. Both smell absolutely lush, & are totally non-irritating (unless you happen to be allergic to the essential oils I suppose).

SPF - on the skincare thread in S&B, a lot of us like Japanese brands for this. I currently use Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50. It lacks the oilslick quality that the majority of European sunscreens have, & doesn't seem to cause any problems with makeup.

Opinions & feedback on retinoid /retinol vary - some of us, myself included, have been using them from The Ordinary for around a year now. Personally, I think there are better products that don't involve retinol.

I think skincare is really individual, what's great for me may be awful for you!

The best thing to do it so get samples and see how they do. My skin isn't sensitive in a dry sense but a lot of products would cause me break out. I've found kiehls the best for me. Re toner I was told you need it for moisturiser to work effectively as it closes the pores after the cleanser has opened them. No idea if this is true!

Ive been really making time for skin in the last six months and I've noticed a difference. I cleanse, tone, moisturise, then use the hydrating balm in the morning. In the evening I do the same but also exfoliate twice a week and do an overnight mask once a week. Before bed I use the kiehls midnight recovery oil and eye cream as they are magic it seems expensive but the quantities needed are so small it last ages.

I do think the best thing to do is drink lots of water. I also try decrease booze, sugar etc as my skin is always worse if my diet is!

It is all lies. Wear sunscreen, eat properly, don't smoke, get enough sleep, have the right parents.

Farting about with ickle pots of gunk with French writing on does nothing except waste resources.

27??????

The cleansers i recommended may be a bit more expensive than, say, Superdrug, but they last a long time so are good value for money. But you'll have to find what suits you.

I don't think it's necessary to cleanse in the morning if you've had a good cleanse at night, but some like it. Double cleansing is really worth a try.