Yet another skin care question: dry, red and 40

[HedgeSparrow]

I realise there are quite a few threads on skin care, but I am still very confused and ultimately would like someone to tell me exactly what to do . I'd be prepared to spend some cash (within reason) for 'miracle' products.

I'm fair skinned, probably normal to dry but prone to redness and blotchiness. I get a couple of hormonal spots on my chin a month but mainly clear.

I was pootling along with Body Shop bits but as I hit my late 30s I thought perhaps now was the time to invest a bit more, so I moved to Clinique (just because I'd heard of it). I use the facial wash in the shower each morning, then the moisturiser. And the take the day off balm in the evening. Cheap micellar water to get rid of eye make up. Got a free pot of eye cream so using that too.

I experimented with the toner but its like paint stripper! I like the take the day off balm but have come to the conclusion the other stuff is too harsh. My face is dry and tight after the face wash which doesn't seem right. Redness and dryness remain.

So what should I use and in what order, oh wise people?

Hi OP

I use Nuxe cream cleanser ( from Marks or TX Max) or Cerave hydrating cream cleanser , both are suitable for face and eye make up removal and don’t sting and are lovely. I also like Toleriane from La Roche Posay , they’re all under £20, I don’t spend lots on cleanser, there’s plenty of good value ones available. I massage it in and rinse off with a warm flannel.

I spray with seronzinc toner ( LRP) then apply a vitamin c capsule in the morning followed by a few drops of squalane face oil and a moisturiser and spf cream.

I’m all for nourishing the skin and not using harsh drying toners, not on my skin anyway.

At night I use retinol cream instead of the vitamin c and then apply the face oil .

I am 50 and have dry skin , it loves lots of hydration through creams and serums.

Clinique is very harsh. Remember it was originally marketed at problem oily skin.
I had dreadful red almost chapped skin around Christmas and good old Nivea blue tin has got rid of it. My skin also feels more plumped, probably because of the massaging you have to do for it to soak in.

For cleansers I like Body Shop chamomile butter, Liz Earle cleanse and polish, Superdrug vit E and Boots botanics balm.

Serums I spend more on. Vichy vit C is AMAZING.

I also use an acid toner. Nip and Fab glycolic pads or an Olay one. Have Pixi Glow but it's no better than them.

I am the same, but swear by keeping it simple. Dove soap and Aveeno moisturiser at night and just Aveeno in the morning.