Help me start a skin care routine!

[Rachellow]

Ok, this is probably a little grim but I'm in my early 20s and have never had a skin care routine. I've been wearing make up (foundation, mascara, eyeshadow) most days since I was 17, don't take my make up off at night just wipe the mascara off after showering in the am. However, my skin is really clear won't have more than about three spots at a time and that's only really around my period. However, I'm aware this neglect could really hit me someday and I could look like a haggard fish wife by 35. I don't actually own any moisturiser, cleanser etc and it's embarrassing to ask anyone because as it's the sort of thing I feel most people just know. My skin can be a little dry sometimes, red in places and I'm on a fairly limited budget looking to no more than £10/15 a product. Please help xx

I started at 21 on a basic cleanse/tone/ moisturise routine. Be warned, starting it may bring out spots initially! But it’ll clear. On that budget you could afford Simple stuff. I’ve recently switched to Washable pads from cheeky wipes actually. You apply coconut oil to your skin, wipe with a pad soaked in warm water and then follow with cold water. Much cheaper and leaves your skin soft! I bought these and a net bag to wash them in the washing machine.

The biggest thing you can do that far outweighs anything or any routine or product is to stay out of the sun. That is the single thing that will wrinkle you up like a prune. As far as getting your vitamin D take a supplement. Also full body exposure to the sun for a mere 20 minutes will more than suffice. But you want to constantly protect your hands and face from the sun. Of course I am assuming you don’t smoke which would age you as well as kill you and destroy your health

I was expecting you to be 40yo and was about to regale you with my "fuck I'm forty" skin revelation two years ago.

At 20 I'd say moisturise and use good quality UVA UVB sunscreen. SPF25+ (preferably SPF50). Cheapest are chemical sunscreens but if they make your eyes water, switch to mineral. Bare Minerals do a good tinted one. Sunscreen is the one thing you must splurge on. 40yo you will kiss your feet.

Stick any old cheepo makeup on (or none) at your age and you'll look stunning!

Oh and cleaning your makeup off in Em the shower is good enough.

I agree with all the above advice. As a super spotty teen i’ve always had a good routine, I have barely any wrinkles at 40. However my face isn’t perfect and is showing signs of age in other areas that product will not solve!! The skin beneath my eyes is thinning, and my cheeks are dropping causing nose to mouth lines and a slight over hang along with more prominent tear troughs. My mouth is also turning down.....feels like my reflection in the mirror is “ resting bitch face”. I’m now researching Botox and fillers and a good doctor.

Sounds like you have amazing skin, expensive product alone cannot fix all signs of ageing, so a £15 budget is very wise!

Yes as others have said just cleanse, tone, moisturize. Superdrug own brand stuff is great and they often have deals on.

I can't even remember what I did at that age, fairly sure it was nothing complicated and I've never had a big budget. But I've always used moisturizers with SPF.