40 and suddenly look like shit. Could I get a skin intervention?

[ShimmeringIce]

My skin has never really troubled me, but since turning forty it seems to have gone downhill fast
I have a minimal skincare routine, cheap-but-with-spf moisturiser, scrub off make up with micellar water at night. I feel like I should be buying The Ordinary, and maybe retinol, and serums??
Hoping the pics will show all my lovely lumps and bumps, red veins(?) and new under-eye wrinkles where I store my eyeshadow...
Any suggestions please?

@carrottopper What's your skincare routine now, how's your skin, and what issues are you looking to address?

I suspect 2% retinol would definitely make my face fall off!

Kaldefotter, I have pigmentation issues on my chine forehead and cheeks, and red veins around my nostrils. Very uneven skin tone. It's pretty normal skin type.

Am-I use a range of cleansing creams, serum, moisturiser and spf50 (no toner- do I need it?)

Pm- I use Clinique take the day off and then a cleansing cream, then serum and night cream.

Any suggestions?

carrottopper- I'd be looking at some products from The Ordinary to tackle the pigmentation and tone issues, like glycolic acid and alpha arbutin. If you scroll down in this link, there's a suggested skincare regime for pigmentation issues.

theordinary.com/regimenguide

Thank you very much

Does anyone have a good eye cream recommendation? Is retinol / vit C ok to use in that area? I have in the past got pigmentation in that area when using things that are too harsh so am a bit wary.

Thanks again!!!

The Ordinary, 2% retinol, fantastic. I broke out for first 10 days or so (I’m 55, haven’t had spots for decades) and I understand it can irritate some people, cause dryness etc. But I’ve got very testy skin and it didn’t cause me any problems. Stick with it religiously. 3 months on and my eye bags have practically gone, pores closed right up, tones evened out, a lot. Don’t have many wrinkles (not big headed, just don’t) and my oiliness has settled right down. 8 quid a bottle, lasts a month.

Just read the label. Quite right, “granactive (wonders to self, does that mean it only works for grans ) retinoid 2% emulsion. Whatever it’s called it’s brilliant. Actually tried the 5% in squalane first but didn’t seem to do much.

My Superfacialist Vitamin C Cleansing Oil has arrived! But it says use a cleanser or scrub afterwards Is micellar water completely off the menu? What am I looking for now? (What if the next thing I buy also says cleanse afterwards?? Do I have to cleanse all day?? )

Superdrug vitamin E cleanser for use as a hot cloth cleanser is really good - cheap and kind to skin. They do a great moisturiser as well.

LaRochePosay anti redness serum is a must for me - I started getting more redness in my forties and a few thread veins - this completely got rid of it and I use daily as preventative (wine makes me a bit red).

For vitamin C I've just started using Lixir vitamin c paste - it's a morning mask, few minutes, it's amazing really brightens and firms.

I also use Garden of Wisdom serums - hyaluronic acid and their squalane oil at night. Ordinary retinoid twice a week.

I think a glycolic acid exfoliater a must. Ordinary one is very strong, I'm about to go back to Pixi.

@shimmeringice I'd use micellar water for when you're in a rush or knackered at night. Facial oil cleansers can be a bit much for some skin and block it - they're talking about doing a double cleanse which adds time - you might find a one off hot cloth cleanse does a better job

I’m Superdrug-bound in the morning! And tempted by a few things from The Ordinary, but I need to spend about £5 more for free delivery... any recommendations?

Squalane oil - great facial oil for nighttime use if you want moisture.

My must have products are both from Aldi.

Lacura Expert eye gel.
Lacura Caviar moisturising day cream (silver box).

I also find a healthy diet & drinking plenty of water help a lot.

ShimmeringIce - add in AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution!

But never ever leave it on for more than 10 minutes!

I e read the page you suggested and it all seems really scary.

carrottopper - did you see the section on the example regimen for pigmentation issues?

AM
Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10%

PM
Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

3 products to use in the morning, 2 products to use in the evening. If you wanted to try this regimen, that's 4 products to buy. I followed the above to tackle some sun spots / pigmentation, though I now mostly use acids and oils.

JRMisodious - excellent results! I've also found a lot of Ordinary products have had a great effect on my skin.

Definitely think a cleansing balm then a wash off is the way to go.

I find oils etc a faff, use a face halo to remove make up, then wash with Glossier milky gel non foaming wash.

Having used the ordinary things, I liked a lot but tbh my best results have been from using indeed labs retinol, and then that boots 'your good skin' range. The night cream has been amazing and my skin is happier.

A good facial cleanser or gentle wash + an acid toner + a simple moisturiser. Twice a day every day. I only use an spf if I'm going to be out side for a period of time and then only on top of my moisturiser. Day creams with spf can block pores and cause congested, sluggish skin. My skin has never looked better. And water - lots of it.

Kaldefotter, yes they are items I've never heard of. I will definitely look into purchasing them. Would I use my cleansing balm prior to this and then follow with those items? Would I not need an spf or moisturiser to finish??

has anyone tried chemical peels here? would like to try but am worried that it might make things worse. I have enlarged pores and red marks from past acne.

@ShimmeringIce your skin looks fine for 40 to be really honest

@ShimmeringIce this link might be useful for you.
www.health.com/beauty/vitamin-c-serum

I've personally tried the skinceuticals one and it is pretty effective.

Hi carrotttopper, yes cleanse first, then sit down and apply these products in the prescribed order. The magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is a cream, and the azelaic acid is a gel-cream, so you may not need more moisturising on top. If you do, use an oil or moisturiser after applying everything else.