Where can I learn about skincare (total beginner)?

[laurzj82]

Hi everyone,

I am 36 and have never had a skincare regime I'm starting to look old and need to start taking care of myself.

I'm finding all the product types and names totally overwhelming. Is there a good website I can look at as a total beginner? I don't even know what type of skin I have really! I look tired, no wrinkles yet but just tired and puffy eyes. The odd spot on my chin at totm. Not particularly oily but not dry either. Is that "normal" skin?

Is it just cleanse, tone and moisterise? There seem to be so many products!

Would really appreciate it if someone could help. Tia

If you join Reddit there's an amzing forum (subreddit) called skincare addiction. The side bar has a really good library of routines and advice but you do need to spend some time in there working out what will work for you. More expensive option is to try paula's choice. Their website has a really good section on skin types. The Ordinary is my best place to get products for specific issues but it can be a bit daunting at first.

I'd join the FB group for the Ordinary. All brands are discussed freely. Lots of info and good sense. Basic starting point would be a gentle cleanser, decent moisturiser and sunscreen.

Personally, I like La Roche Posay Toleriane range, Avène for sensitive skin, for example, their Extremely Gentle Cleanser is good for all skin types and both are easy to find in Boots.

Meant to add, a lot of ppl like CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. Not too drying for most people. They also do a moisturiser, hand cream etc. It's in the skincare are with creams for dry/eczema prone not with the other skincare brands. They are very affordable but good ingredients.

Youtube Videos. A woman called Stephanie Nicole did an extremely detailed and long video about skincare for different types of skin, you can click ahead to your type. She also does a step-by-step guide

Just search whatever you are looking for into YouTube, whenever you consider buying a product that has been recommended just search "xxxx review" into Google.

My personal routine is

1. Cleanse and Polish by Liz Earle (rub the cream into a dry face to clean it, then use the damp muslin cloth you get with it to wipe all off)
2. Use micellar water on a cotton wool pad to double check I have no makeup/dirt on my face
3. Liz Earle tonic with cotton wool, all natural ingredients very good for the skin
4. Moisturise, maybe an anti aging one if you feel like your age is starting to show?

It really doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just 4 steps to my routine and I have no skin problems at all

Forgot to add, there are cheaper alternatives to my own routine

No7 has a good cleanse and polish alternative
There are loads and loads of cheaper toners too, just a case of trying one you like the sound of what it does
Same with moisturiser, nothing fancy I just use Nivea

Don't use facewipes if you can avoid, I only use when on an overnight visit to MIL, they're harsh on the skin and dont clean properly

Thanks so much everyone. I will get busy learning :-) I just found out about the samples you can order from Feel Unique so will have some fun trying some products out

Some really good info here. www.carolinehirons.com/2013/06/routines-cheat-sheet.html

Ignore the "advanced" ones and look at the routines. I'd also ignore Acid toners for now and get a good, basic routine. Doesn't have to be expensive! Worth finding out about items you may want and then get them in Black Friday sales 😬

There is a dermatologist called Dr Drey on YouTube. Someone on here recommended her to me.

She doesn’t take any sponsorship or endorsements. She is kind of sweet and funny in a girl geek kind of way.

I started off finding out about skincare by reading blogs who take sponsorship and ended up spending a fortune and buying loads of gimmicky things and using far too many products. Watching Dr Drey has really helped me pare things back to items that really help and suit my skin. I wish I’d started there!

Thanks Bagel. That is really helpful. Why does she say to rotate cleansers?

X post thank you. I will check out Dr Drey today

Whatever you do, wear sunscreen every day with a high UVA and UVB rating, minimum SPF30. All year around.

Prevention is much easier than cure for skin. damage. I've ditched my morning moisturiser and replaced it with sunscreen.

I will, thanks for the heads up. Any recommendations for one that is not too greasy? I take it it's better to buy a seperate one rather than a moisturiser with SPF in it?

Juice Beauty Oil Free SPF 30 or Altruist SPF 50. But it’s such a personal thing. I’ve tried loads.

Laurz I have no idea! Sorry, as someone with very reactive skin, I tend to stick to things once I've found they're ok for me, so I certainly don't rotate! (Well, I have 2!).

I recently joined her FB group which is a lot of fun. Some know and use a hell of a lot but others are like you/me and can't/don't use much. But it's fun and easy to ask lots of questions and get help.
m.facebook.com/groups/607073569665649

Thank you :-)

Ha I was the same age as you when I realised I needed to start routine and felt totally overwhelmed by products, blogs, videos and forums. I did the old fashioned thing and bought a book - Pretty Honest by Sali Hughes (she has a beauty blog and a column in the Guardian too). She breaks down the basics, explains what different things do and how to choose them. Some of the book may be a little bit out of date but it’s a good starting point I think.

I personally buy SPF separate to moisturiser, to me skincare should be specialised, so if they're attempting 2 things in one product their most likely sacrificing the quality of something (in most cases its SPF). You also need to pile on a lot more moisturiser to get the required amount of SPF where it is actually protecting your skin, its the same with foundations + SPF too. I think its the equivalent of 2 table spoons you'd need to get the correct amount of SPF and nobody is putting that amount on their face so you should never solely rely on that for your sun care