Skin care regime for the utterly clueless

[AwkwardPaws27]

I'm 29 and I don't know what I'm doing re: skin care. I don't feel like a real adult

I've tried a bunch of different things over the years, but never really stuck to a routine. I want to establish a simple but effective routine by the time I turn 30. My goal is to not look like a old boot. I'd love to have skin that looked nice without foundation, mine is dull and flawed.
I get what seem to be hormonal spots mainly on my chin in the run up to my period. My T-zone is a bit oily, but elsewhere is quite dry.

My current approach is superdrug vitamin E day and night cream, la Roche possay cleansing gel wash in the morning, and micellar water to remove makeup at night. Use a vitamin C serum most days (Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Glow Boost Skin serum ) & No.7 primer under foundation.

Any suggestions for a good routine and products? Can spend around £100 on a "fresh start" for my face.

I'm 35 and I swear by Dr Sam Bunting's advice (search for her on youtube) she's a dermatologist. Her key client base seems to be those with acne or rosacea who are also concerned about aging. I have actually had a consultation with her, but it was completely consistent with what she says on her videos. I had red, sensitive, bumpy skin that would be an oil slick at the end of the day or when I got up, but also had horrible dry flaky patches, red bumps and spots that would come up randomly. My skin wasn't terrible, but I wasn't happy with it, and I wouldn't go out without foundation.

She suggested:
AM

• Gentle cleanse with 1 pump cetaphil daily facial cleanser, rinse thoroughly with tepid water and pat dry with clean towel - no exfoliation or being rough with skin.
• Moisturise with avene skin recovery cream (rich for dry days, normal for other days)
• Sunscreen either elta md UV clear or neostrata sheer physical protection (I chose this one, I like the tint which means I'm not bright white like when I put on other sunscreens)

PM

• Cleanse with two pumps of cetaphil. Massage into face for at least one minute. Rinse and dry as above.
• Moisturise as above

That was the basic. And even doing that for 6 weeks really improved my skin. I then added in azelaic acid in AM (between moisturiser and sunscreen) and a retinoid after moisturiser in PM. I added these in gradually, starting with the azelaic acid evert other day for a month, then every day for another month. Then the retinoid once a week for three weeks, then twice a week etc. Took 4 months or so to build it all up but the improvement is dramatic but the biggest change was in the first six weeks with a better basic routine. I can now go out without foundation and did for pretty much the whole of the summer.

Ooh that was long, but thought I'd share my experience!

....whatever you do, do NOT use facial wipes to cleanse. They don't do a good job and are terrible for the environment.

If you wear makeup then a double cleanse, toner and night cream for pm should do. I have combination skin and really like la Roche posay stuff, along with one or two The Ordinary products.

Bother not cetaphil - Cerave hydrating cleanser. I used to use Cetaphil and then Dr Sam suggested the Cerave.