Almost 50, menopause, combination skin

[alwaysthepessimist]

At the moment I use the Carbon Theory charcoal soap morning & night because since full menopause I appear to have breakouts, I have tried serums etc but they seem to make me come out in spots - not just any ordinary one's either - cyst like spots, GP isn't particularly bothered but I really need a decent skincare regime that isn't going to cost me an absolute fortune - max £100 all in if I can get it. I just want to stop looking so tired & dull, I want to wear no makeup if I can get away with it. I do use the NO 7 makeup and prime my skin before putting on foundation with a brush, with makeup on I look kind of reasonable but without I look tired & haggard & old (I think). I just don't know where to start anymore :( I was considering going to somewhere like John Lewis and asking them but surely they are just going to sell me what they want to rather than it being whats best for me?

To help keeps spots under control I really like Effaclar Duo cream by La Roche Posay. It doesn't dry the skin at all which is great because it doesn't mean you're spotty and flaky which is hard to conceal with make up. I think that less is more with skincare so be careful with layering lots of products. It's such a minefield with all the products out there to choose from!

I'm the same age as you and have acne too :( I have always had it, but perimenopause has also made my skin more sensitive and hard to look after - it sucks.

I like the Superdrug naturally radiant range, especially the glycolic peel (sounds scary but it's not, it's just an overnight mask) - it makes my skin look brighter and fresher. However I also do use Duac on prescription to prevent spots - worth asking your GP about.

I also recommend to everyone Benefit Dandelion blusher. Won't fix your skin but is great for making you look "woken up" and fresher, even without other makeup.

thanks for the responses - have looked at the Effaclar before as said it's a minefield and the prices go from ok to absolutely eye watering!

Same age and skin here, agree effaclar is great, lasts for ages, also try Vichy hydrating serum and moisturiser usually cheaper online at escentual

always I agree, I swing from 'sod it, I'm worth it' to feeling guilty for spending too much to 'sod it, cheap and cheerful works just as well'

Over the years I've worked out that my skin likes being treated very gently, fragrance free is better but not essential and actually it's no better for spending loads on products. I don't mind spending more on eye cream/serum but that's because dark circles are the bane of my life and enough to contend with before having wrinkles to deal with too. At the moment the products I'm using that work well for me are Dr Organic tea tree soap, Lush eau Roma toner or the Liz Earle one (I don't care that toners are out of favour, I like one), Olay complete care lotion (sensitive one) and Elemis absolute eye serum. To cleanse at night I like Superdrug Vitamin E hot cloth cleanser, the body shop camomile butter or Elemis cleansing balm (love this but it's expensive). I also love Liz Earle superskin moisturiser.

I think Superdrug is a good place to start because they have several good ranges - I use the vitamin E (body lotion), naturally radiant, and calming ones, and they also have some more advanced and expensive ranges, but still not OTT prices. You can try a few things here and there without breaking the bank and see if any of it suits you, before trying Effaclar etc.