I use a cleanser, at the moment an nspa balm which is fine but a bit perfumed, more often a plain unperfumed cleansing cream, take it off with a flannel then rinse well and pay dry with a clean towel. Then either:
Do nothing, or
Spray with ‘hydrating toner’ - actually Boots Rose and Glycerin decanted into a spray bottle -
and/or
Moisturise with something fairly plainish. At the moment I’m using Neutrogena hydrogel, which is meant to be a body balm, but the ingredients seem to agree with my face although I don’t like the scent much. I also like their ‘deep comfort balm’ which is similar but the hydrogel one is a bit lighter.
Then sometimes use something else on top, such as Cetaphil, or maybe on any dry or troublesome bits.
Glycolic acid was great for my skin in the short term, but I think I’ve had more sun damage since. I use SPF but I’m sweaty, so I don’t think I always get the best coverage. I’m thinking of adding it back in once a week or so. The Nip+Fab pads are handy.
I also am cautious with retinol, but I’ve been using it on my chin, where I have a tendency to get a spot every couple of months, and the skin turnover is much better. I use the Ordinary weakest one.
Really interested to read about the Lush Ultrabland challenge. I used to be a Dr Hauschka devotee and they always said to cleanse but not moisturise at night. It made a big difference. If you use the right products your skin doesn’t get that dry, thirsty feeling. Before that, I don’t think my skin knew what it wanted and it always felt desperate for moisturiser after washing/cleansing.