I'm 48 and people don't believe I am nearly that old when I tell them - a young guy today actually laughed when I told him my age. I had bad acne in the past and did 2 courses of Roaccutane in my 20s and 30s, now my skin is ok, I get the occasional spot. I wear makeup several times a week.
My skincare routine is very easy:
At Night
Bland and unperfumed creamy cleanser (Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion £3.80) on a really generous piece of cotton wool (pull great chunks off a big pleat, not crappy little balls). Use plenty of cleanser on the cotton wool to 'float off' the eye makeup, that's why you should use a cheap cleanser, as you don't want to be skimping. Use more pieces of cotton wool as needed, until all the makeup is off. Follow with new big pieces of cotton wool soaked in warm water and squeezed out - wipe off the cleanser, starting with the eyes, and gives a bit of exfoliation to areas that need it. I don't agree with 'proper' hot cloth cleansing because hot water gives you broken veins and I can't be arsed washing all the cloths, but my method gives the benefits of it without the downside.
Morning
Rinse face in warm but not hot water, under the shower. No need for any soap or foaming cleanser, I have only been in bed! Apply my fav moisturiser - as recommended by Sali Hughes - Superdrug own brand Naturally Radiant range - all around £3. I use the night cream as a day cream, as the only difference is the lack of SPF, which means I can put it on my eyes as well. [If you prefer an SPF, they also have 2 SPF day creams and a separate eye cream.] I keep lots of pots of this moisturiser scattered about the house: I put it on several times a day if I am at home and not wearing makeup. I have a pot on the bedside table and I sometimes give myself a little facial massage in bed with it. If you want to spend more, I also like Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Refining Moisture Cream Complex - this is often on offer in duty free shops.
Sun:
When out and about in the UK I don't use SPF unless I will be out in the sun a significant amount of time (I don't count walking for 5 minutes to the station to be significant, despite what beauty editors say), but I am absolutely paranoid about wearing quality sunglasses every single day winter and summer - I totally put my lack of wrinkles down to this. If I am going to be out in the sun any proper amount of time, or abroad, I use Factor 50 on my face and decollete. I like Ladival, or any of the French pharmacy brands. When I used to get acne, the only SPF that didn't make it worse was Clinique SPF40 Face Cream. If I have been wearing SPF this is the only time I would use a foaming cleanser or soap on my face.
Exfoliation / pore unblocking:
I sometimes use an acid product or a physical exfoliant mainly on my body - Nip+Fab make fantastic acid gels, and Clinique the best exfoliants in a range of scrubbinesses. Not every day though.
My other secret is advanced electrolysis. I have had various tiny bumps, imperfections, broken veins etc done with this and I am convinced that the lack of broken veins on my face is one reason I look youthful. It's pretty affordable and you don't need lots of repeated treatments. Find a therapist at electrolysis.co.uk/member-directory/
To me the electrolysis and the sunglasses are the actual 'investment', not fancy creams that tell lies.