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?

Oh, and in the daytime, always use your SPF, and as the last step.

What SPF do people use? Like the stuff you get to go on holiday? I've never used extra SPF, my Clinique daytime moisturiser says it has SPF 30 in, is that good enough?

Ditch the St Ives! It’s irritating AF!!! Might as well be using sandpaper!!!

Also, once your skin is calm and settled, maybe - get some gentle laser on your capillaries. Then don’t go anywhere in the daytime without sunscreen every again.

So much knowledge here 😳👍

I have to use mineral sunscreen (allergies) but either avene or the ordinary do good ones. Biore watery essence is apparently excellent

Knackered: that would be enough for regular daily use but if I’m out for hours I use Frezyderm velvet. Only discovered it a couple of years ago after years of hating the sun because of runny, greasy creams and sore eyes. It’s brilliant. Comes in 30 and 50, clear or tinted (which has the same camouflage abilities as a medium coverage foundation, which I can’t use so this is excellent for occasions), mattifies all day (I’ve really oily skin in spite of my great age) and doesn’t run in your eyes even after a 10 mile coastal hike in 25 degrees. Bit more than bog standard chemist stuff so hide it from everyone else but well worth the bit extra.

There's a series of dedicated skincare threads to immerse yourself in if you want to, first one is here
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3492911--Fantastic-Skincare-New-Year-NuFaces?pg=1 with links in the OP to all the previous ones.

There are info sheets linked in the OP as well with info, for example one called "where to start".

General wisdom is not to change everything at once!

Thanks JRM that's helpful. I am bamboozled by the depth of knowledge on this thread!!!

Aw thanks @Yukio! Maybe I’m just in denial about ageing

Another question: sunscreen after retinoids. I’ve been using bioré watery gel for a couple of years but I’m not great at every day, especially in winter. Do I really need it on the days I’m at work and therefore only outside from car park to building?

ShimmeringIce - if you're using retinoids, your skin will be much more sensitive to sun exposure. Better to just be in the habit of using SPF every day, than estimating in the morning how much sun exposure you might get that day.

I used to think foaming cleansers were a no no but, since I've tried the ExfoliKate Cleanser I am sold as it has stopped my Rosacea.

This article is good www.cultbeauty.co.uk/blog/2018/02/shes-so-cult-kate-somerville

Sorry to ask you again kaldefotter, the Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% says to apply after water based serum. What would that be? What should I be using before?

Just adding this to my online shopping list.
AM
<a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=theordinary.com/product/rdn-alpha-arbutin-2pct-ha-30ml" target="_blank">Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, <a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=theordinary.com/product/rdn-niacinamide-10pct-zinc-1pct-30ml" target="_blank">Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, <a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=theordinary.com/product/rdn-magnesium-ascorbyl-phosphate-10pct-30ml" target="_blank">Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10%

PM
<a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=theordinary.com/product/rdn-alpha-arbutin-2pct-ha-30ml" target="_blank">Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, <a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=theordinary.com/product/rdn-azelaic-acid-suspension-10pct-30ml" target="_blank">Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Where's the best place to buy?

I know you said I may not need moisturiser, but won't I need anti wrinkle night cream?

Also do I need a retinol?

I also have a sun spot on my cheek.

Hi carrottopper - the general rule is that you apply your lightest products first, and move to your heavier products on top. So that's why the order is alpha arbutin, then N&Z, then MAP.

If you applied your magnesium ascorbyl phosphate first, your serums (AA, N&Z), couldn't penetrate. So that's all that is.

If your skin feels comfortable at night after the alpha arbutin and azelaic acid, leave it be. If you need more moisture, then stick a moisturiser on top.

Remember that you're going to use these products to tackle your pigmentation and sun spot. It's already quite a lot to introduce to your skin. Best not to try fixing everything at one time. You don't need to tackle wrinkles right now. Just try this regimen, see how your skin is, and if it's helping with your pigmentation. Later down the line, you can look to switch your routine about. Retinoids are powerful and you don't want to stress your skin - consider looking at them later when you're happy that your pigmentation issues are reducing.

Will do. Thanks

Well, I didn’t make it to Superdrug, but have ordered my goodies from The Ordinary It’s going to take real willpower not to use everything at once!
Is the website always so glitchy/slow? Or are 3 million MNers all trying to order?

I'm really nervous about using new products. Going to place my order tomorrow. What did you end up ordering?

I have some alpha h liquid gold. Is that a no no for pigmentation problems? Or will I be ok as long as I use dog 50? I forgot I had it. Bought it last year and liked it but stopped using it due to the hot summer and worth it would make my pigmentation worse

Also how long would I need to use the products to see a result do you think?

May I ask for some help ?

I'm 55. Pretty good skin (rarely break out) but

1. Quite a few under eye wrinkles and a little dark there too

1. Nose gets pink - not sure why.

1. Neck starting to get lines and my chest has some lines

What would you all suggest for me?

Love this thread, btw 🥰🌟 - thank you

I got everything in the example regimen for textural irregularities *. Still need a second cleanser though!

Oops, that was a reply to carrotopper

Gina, I'm certainly no expert but maybe try where I was pointed to -the Ordinary website. Hope someone else can be more help.

@Gina2012 - if you're comfortable with getting products that are a little spendier, I'd suggest a couple of Hylamide products, SubQ Anti-age and SubQ Eyes:

hylamide.com/product/subq-anti-age-30ml
hylamide.com/product/subq-eyes-15ml

I think you'd see good results from these. The Hylamide website doesn't have the first in stock, but you can buy both from lots of websites, including Feel Unique.

www.feelunique.com/brands/hylamide/core-series

If you'd prefer something cheaper, how about The Ordinary Buffet (or the more expensive Buffet & Copper Peptides), plus the Caffeine Solution for your eyes.

theordinary.com/product/rdn-buffet-30ml?redir=1
theordinary.com/product/rdn-buffet-copper-peptides-1pct-30ml?redir=1
theordinary.com/product/rdn-caffeine-solution-5pct-egcg-30ml?redir=1

My links seems to have gone a bit awry there, but I think they all work.