How best can I include acids in my face routine?

[SummersB]

So my current routine morning and evening currently is: remove waterproof mascara with cotton pads and Nivea waterproof eye make up remover, wash with Superdrug non foaming cleanser, use Clearasil 5 in 1 cleansing pads and apply Aldi’s Lacuna face cream.
I’m about to hit 40 and have recently noticed more lines/wrinkles plus the beginnings of sagging skin, so I would like to start including some acids/retinoids into my routine. Any tips/advice on where best to include them would be much appreciated!

Do the Clearasil pads not have salycilic acid in them?

They do, but I was wondering about incorporating Hyaluronic Acid and/or a retinol too.

You could use a retinol after cleansing but before moisturiser, I would skip the clearasil cleansing pad when you are using the retinol. You could start by using the retinol two or three times a week (it can also be applied over moisturiser for a few weeks if your skin is a bit sensitive while it builds up tolerance). Did you have a particular retinol product in mind?

I would use the hyaluronic acid on the nights when you are not using the retinol. You could use it on a morning but I find that make up doesn't go on that well afterwards, if you wear it.

I've just got these. I use them after cleansing. It's early days so can't say I've seen any difference but though it might be worth a try.

www.boots.com/no7-serum-activating-pads-10266432?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs--(GB:Whoop!)+No7-_-(GB:Whoop!)+Boots+Shopping+-+Category+–+No7+-+Mobile&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAjw1rnqBRAAEiwAr29IIyEUTo9OlX6J1syhV7HWtMBatFkaRKnRFWm4K9XGfywUcgP3eeqqyRoCtcMQAvD_BwE

The easiest and most effective thing I have found is to use a glycolic acid toner after cleansing before serum/moisturiser. I use The Ordinary one. I also use The Ordinary Buffet which I think has some hyaluronic acid in it.

Hylauronic acid isn't the same type of 'acid' as glycolic, salicylic and retinols though is it? Hylauronic is more about trapping water in the skin I think.

Also, be careful with 'retinols' - apparently the only ones which make a difference are 'retin-A' which are different to 'retinol' and are usually prescription only? Or something? Look into it before you buy anyway. I haven't gone down that route just yet.

Oh and if using exfoliating acids make sure you use SPF!

Yes, hyaluronic acid draws moisture into your skin, hence why you should always put it on after a moisturiser/serum/on a damp face, as otherwise it can work the other way and make your skin feel drier. It is amazing at making your skin feel plump and moisturised.

I use it morning and night, and I've only found it pills under makeup if the makeup had silicones in, but as I avoid using them on my face its not a problem for me.

As PP have said, a glycolic acid toner is a great starting point, Aldi do a cheap but good one I believe.

The Ordinary do some good retinoids, they are no where near as strong or effective as Retin-A, which as others posters have said is prescription only (though easy enough to buy online from Spain or Portugal).

If you google Hot and Flashy's blog and retin-A results she has some amazing progress pictures of the difference retin-A has made over several years.

Go slowly with retinoids/retin-A though, your skin will need time to get used to them, and don't use any kind of exfoliators at first, so no glycolic, salycilic acids.

Meant to say that while over the counter retinoids are nowhere near as strong of effective and retin-A, they are a great way to get your skin acclimatised to retinoids.

And yes, absolutely wear a facial sunscreen, I use Canmake Mermaid Gel, its cheap on Amazon, feels lovely and is brilliant under makeup. Biore Watery Essence sunscreen is also very good.

Vitamin c, sunscreen and retinoids are a starting point for purchases. Acids are really for resurfacing/exfoliating, hyaluronic acid for moisturising.

When I started learning about what works for my skin I used the ordinary. They are so accessible from a price point and they have some great routines on their site based upon your main worry (dehydration, ageing, acne etc). Once you have a feeling for what works then you can look at other brands that are well reviewed. I love sali Hughes for skin care recommendations but once you start looking there is a plethora of reviews.

The essential thing to understand is your skin type and also your problem. Best of luck

Fab advice thank you! I’ve used The Ordinary before and was really impressed given the price so i will have a look at their website for guidance. Thanks again!

Happy to help OP - I waste countless hours on this stuff. Its fascinating especially when you start to see some results. Vitamin c for me is game changer. I've been without some a few weeks and really noticed my skin looking meh

Oooh I hadn’t even considered Vit C! How/in what form do you use it? It’s such a complex subject and there are so many options, it feels mind boggling at the moment! Thank god for the kindness of strangers on Mumsnet, otherwise I wouldn’t have had a clue where to start

So my favourite product is balance me vit c hyralauonic acid serum. My skin was really lovely even if I do say so myself! However I went through a bottle in just 5 weeks - which was just not budget friendly.

I tried superdrug vitamin c serum and was really not bad, but it didn't seem to have the super impact of the balance me one.

I had just ordered the garden of wisdom one - read quite a few excellent reviews and is only 10.

As I said above it really depends on what you are trying to achieve. For me its keep my skin hydrated and anti aging.

I'm just about to take a plunge into beauty pie. Yipppee

Similar goals as mine then great thank you, I might try the Superdrug one and see how my skin reacts. Thanks again!

The Ordinary have a really good selection of Vit C. Look for L-Ascorbic acid on the ingredients, this is the most stable form and the 'gold standard' for Vit C.

I've been using the Vit C and Alpha Arbutin and it has really helped to fade my acne scars and hyperpigmentation that I suffer with in the summer.