Skin care help please

[JaffaBiscuitNotCake]

I've always been extremely lazy with my skin care, just wash in the shower with whatever is to hand . I really want to start looking after my skin properly as I'm nearly 40 and it's starting to show but there are so many products and I'm clueless. Can anyone give me some tips or recommend products? My skin is still a bit combination with slightly grease t zone and drier cheeks, although I have age lines on my forehead and around eyes.

I don't wear make up and already drink lots of water

Switch to a gentle cleanser (La Roche Posay Toleraine/ Cerave Hydrating) and keep your face out of hot water.

Wear SPF of at least 30.

Get some kind of basic moisturiser that isn't too expensive and doesn't have fragrance or a huge list of ingredients (same brands are worth looking at).

Try a hydrating toner and a hydrating serum and see if they make any different to fine lines. If they do your skin is possibly dehydrated. Superdrug do a serum thingy. Vichy do one called Mineral 89. (I thought it was pricy and not doing much.) The serum stuff goes on first and your seal it in with moisturiser. Some people like to use an oil before moisturiser. You could try rosehip oil or argan or squalane.

Retinoids, acids, vitamin C and peptides are anti-aging products you can put on your skin. The first 3 are the most proven. Some people have results with niacinamide (sp) which is a type of vitamin b I think.

Start with one thing at a time to (a) see if it does anything and (b) doesn't irritate your skin. Garden of Wisdom Vit C is sometimes recommended here. Paula's Choice is another brand you might look at. Deciem/The Ordinary is another.

Lixir Skin is a relatively new skin care brand that covers the basics.

I forgot to say you should look for the skincare thread on here - it's got an elephant in the title - and the posters are very knowledgeable. One of the posters botemp has taken the time to do extensive documents on SPF, retinol, damaged skin and more. Well worth a read and covers everything you need to know.

It's very much a practical common sense approach. Lots of products discussed and tips for budget friendly alternatives to high end products - and discussions on how good value products are.

I'm not into makeup at all though I did take care of my skin in my 20s (kind of anyway) I sadly neglected myself in my 30s. I'm on a tight budget now so I really can't afford to make expensive or even cheap mistakes.

Cleanse.
Vitamin c and SPF in morning
Retinol at night.
Acid tone twice a week.