My skin is the best it's ever been!!!!

[Lotsofsausage]

So I'm now mid 30s and a year or 2 ago started panicking and taking care of my skin, wow it's genuinely looking amazing and I get so many compliments... don't even need make up these days! the odd faint forehead line but that's to be expected I reckon...

Superdrug naturally radiant hot cloth cleanser
Superdrug Glycolic pads
AM: Origins Vitazing moisturiser with SPF
PM: The ordinary retinol followed by rosehip oil.

My skin tone has evened out, no blackheads, and looks a lot more youthful compared to others of similar age. I am so happy!

I love the Superdrug glycolic acid. Used the pads then they were out of stock but went for the toner. Brilliant! My 14 yr old DD uses it too and the spots on her forehead have sll but gone.

I'm testing cleansing pads for Boots at the minute. Two weeks in and I'm astounded by how good my skin looks and I'm a cynic where skin care is concerned. Whatever they are I hope they make it into production

It's the acid tone.
That was the thing that made the biggest difference to my skin when I added it to my routine.
Now, I rotate hot cloth cleansers and serums, use Astral cream but always use an acid toner and a vit C product. My skin was good anyway after a couple of years of acid toning, but when I added the Vit C I glowed!

Does The Ordinary retinol have a particular strength or %?

Please, please come back OP, I need my skin to be amazing too!!!
Please tell us about the retinol. I've used the retinoid but it did nothing for me

I have used The Ordinary retinol, a couple of different formulations. They're great and combined with glycolic acid you will have good skin! Have a look at the website and choose a low strength retinol to start with as going too much too soon can cause your skin to react. Always use a good SPF as well.

I've been using super facialist wash purifying face wash which has salicylic acid and their face cream with retinol and my skins looks awesome. I have just started using a Foreo Luna mini to use the face wash and I have seen a huge difference. My skin honestly glows. They are in TK Maxx for 45 quid at the moment. I get big dead spots and I had four all over my cheek for weeks. They have improved dramatically. It looks a gimmick but I can't deny the results.

Great suggestions, thank you Barbayagar and LadyoftheChateau!
I'm guessing for The Ordinary, I should go for 0.2% or 0.5% retinol...
Barbayagar, can you recommend a good glycolic acid please?

The ordinary 2% retinoid in squalene is probably the best one to start with (not the retinol). I started with 2%, moved up to 5%, and my skin looks fab.

Hmmm I've actually used the 2% retinoid but didn't see any results...I know many people really rate it, which is why I'm a bit confused!
Lady, was it the retinol day cream/night cream you have been using?

The 10% lactic acid or even the mandelic acid that The Ordinary do are both fab. Or the Nip and Fab glycolic pads or Superdrug glycolic peel. I use a combination of them all.

Thanks so much, I shall try those!

By combination of them all I obviously mean on different days otherwise you'll burn your face off! Just take it slow to begin with.

Does anyone micro needle? I tried it and my skin looked great for a day but now I'm getting little spots.

The day cream. At night I'm using nib&fab no needle fix. I like that too.

Yes, I microneedle, when I can be bothered. I started off with the smaller needles but now use the hardcore ones. By christ it hurts and it makes me sneeze but I want that acid/retinol/vit c pushed right into my skin!!!

How hard doyou roll? Or do you do it nice and gently? I think i overdid it on my first go, especially around my chin.

I use the 5% Retinoid in Squalane. Game changer. The 2% didn't do much for me either, and my skin is too sensitive for retinol.

(Also currently testing the Boots pads!)