No lectures please - but how do I improve my skin.

[ARumDo]

I have actually namechanged for this - I am all too aware it is a problem of my own making and I feel bit ashamed/embarrassed. I am the one who ignored all the health warnings over the years and actively sought out the sun. I love(d) the sun on my face and seldom bother with sunscreen - though I always use a decent moisturiser so that, I guess, is something. Now, as I approach 50, all my chickens are coming home to roost and my skin looks a bit old and weathered. Ideas please for how to improve my skin and a good skincare routine to take me into the next decade. Disclaimer - I do not have a huge budget so realistically priced solutions please. Thanks all.

Alright then - maybe just a bit of a lecture, but it's done now.

There are so many products to help with pigmentation issues etc...
The Ordinary make lots of them...
I’m not going to judge you - society has judged enough and expected fair skinned people to turn themselves mahogany for decades.
To go against the grain there - you’d need to be pretty think skinned.
Only 50?
Plenty of time to make a difference now.

I started using Liz Earle cleanse and polish, toner and moisturiser about a year ago. Love it, my skin looks and feels better, felt a benefit straight away.

Botox - work of the gods

Use a good retinoid and a moisturiser with hyaluronic acid. And start wearing sun screen on your face every day.

And a bit of Botox is marvellous.

I have had a huge skin improvement using the following
Morning
Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix pads
Nip+Fab Dragon's Blood serum
Sunscreen (Currently Natio for men, but whatever suits your skin)

Evening
Nip+Fab Dragon's Blood pads
Neal's Yard Frankincense Intense moisturiser and eye cream (or whatever you usually use is fine)

HOWEVER, the acid pads make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so absolutely do not use them unless you will be completely vigilant with the sunscreen.

Also really good for toning down pigment issues and general roughness is Camellia Kissi oil.. Anita Grant sells it.

Thanks all - will go and do some research.

Honestly? Fresh aloe vera every day, top to toe. It's amazing. Either straight off the plant or use something like the Holland and Barratt gel:
www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-aloe-vera-gel-60002672

Slather on good sun protection, but make sure you get a bit of vitamin D exposure too.

Cover up with sleeves and hats. Don't sit in the sun. Use a fake tan if you want extra colour. Clarins tan drops are good.

Embrace the pale!

@silverhaired is the Holland and Barratt aloe gel good for discolouration and pigmentation?

@Doingreat tbh I’m not sure about that part - it’s something of a panacea in lots of Far East countries and I’ve learned to swear by it for just about all skin conditions!

No lectures? Hmmm

What’s the night repair serum on the little brown bottle? Clarins? Clinique? It’s good anyway.

This sun cream was recommended by a Dermatologist I saw years ago and I still use it religiously : www.sunsense.co.uk/product/daily_face/

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair is what I meant

Along with all the above advice for treating the outside, you need to remember that your skin is a reflection of the inside.

Drink plenty of water - not fizzy juice or alcohol. Just drink a couple of litres of water a day. Make sure you're getting the nutrients you need with a good diet.

Like PP, I use Sunsense factor 50+ as I have pigmentation patches. I recommend the Nip + Fab products with glycolic acid, the higher % the better (on offer in Superdrug at the moment!) read the reviews they're great. I have also used Liz Earle cleanse and polish which is lovely.

When I had really bad pigmentation patches I used a retinoid 0.1% (tretinoin) and hydroquinone with good results, but factor 50 is essential every day sun out or not as you will cause more pigmentation otherwise.

Ive heard that lectures reverse sun damage.

Phenol or tca peel. They give brilliant results and you have to wear sunblock after or you’ll burn so it forces good habits.

Failing that, red light led face mask.

Thanks again all - some good tips here to follow up on, and definitely, less alcohol and more water is very timely advice.

....... and not a lecture in sight!

Start drinking more water, that alone can have a dramatic effect on your skin. I'm 47 and have never put moisturiser or sunscreen on my face, and I barely wear make up as it makes my skin feel clogged. I also eat tons of veg as I'm diabetic and vegetarian. If you eat crap, you kind of look crap too.

RetinA for anti ageing, High SPF sunscreen, lots of sleep water and healthy food.

Depends on your budget but lasers are fantastic for addressing sun damage.

Then, a vitamin serum, retin A and high SPF every day.

Diet and exercise are important too.
So lots of good fats like salmon, nuts, avocados, seeds etc plus loads of veg.