Stripped back skin care routine

[NinetySixer]

Over the past couple of years I have developed a long winded skin care routine. The problem is that I’m not sure whether it’s entirely necessary. In addition to this I travel lots for work and I’m getting tired of lugging a huge and heavy toiletry bag around and hate the environmental impact of using so many products.

I’d love to hear people success stories of stripping back their routines.

Mine is currently:

AM
Cleanser
Dragons Blood Serum
Eye serum
Moisturiser

PM
Cleanser
Pixie Glow Glycolic
Vit c Serum
Eye serum
Retinol
Moisturiser

Plus face masks and exfoliating when needed.

For context I’m late 20s with good skin that get somewhat dry

I think hydration is key. I always look older if I’ve had a couple of drinks the night before. Moisturisers are mostly superficial but do make the surface of skin look nicer and easier to apply makeup on.

The truth about looking good, Cherry Healey on iPlayer is enlightening.

tellme with any kind of retinoid/Retin-A its always best to go slowly, and if you start getting any dryness or flakiness take it back down to what you were doing again

thought thank you, and I'm happy I could help. I don't often wear makeup on my face now, other than blusher/highlighter and it feels great to see perfect skin in the mirror.
I've also found that having great skin seems to make even my scruffiest outfits look much smarter. Not sure how that works really

Oh, I should have probably added that despite having a great diet and drinking loads of water and green tea, I am a chronic insomniac, but always now look well rested, bright and breezy. Thank God my face doesn't mirror how knackered I feel!

I used to use a ton of products in my 20s. Now nearing my 50's I can't be arsed and my routine is now:

Morning: wash face with mild soap and then apply a few drops of almond oil, topped up with some very boring and cheap sensitive daily Moisturiser.

Evening: wet face, massage in almond oil and then remove with warm water and cloth then mist with elemis apricot toner and then finish with a few drops of almond oil.

Once a week I make a mild scrubbing mask using oats soaked in milk honey and then add some sugar. works a treat.

To me the key is water water water. Drink as much as you can, it's amazing on days when I don't hydrate enough I can tell.

Next year I will be 60, for the last 10 years all I have used is a gentle face cream wiped off with a hot muslin cloth and a serum and moisturizer from Aldi. I only wear full make up on special occasions otherwise it's mascara and lippy. I have been told by a number of people how good my skin looks. Maybe it's in the genes or really it's because I'm lazy.

I’m 63. I’ve only ever used soap and water all my life. Never worn make up.
Since the menopause, I sometimes use a bit of cheap moisturiser from the supermarket (Vaseline intensive care) if I’ve been in the sun or in very dry central heating. My skin is fine. Probably due to lots of veg and fruit, and never smoking.
I’m amazed at the amount of money some people spend on skin products, and sceptical that it makes much difference!

AM - Clinique cleansing bar, moisturiser, SPF (la Roche posay Anthelios XL)

PM - Clinique cleansing bar, Botanics night oil.

I’ve just been reading people who rave about putting oils/Vaseline in their faces before bed so I’m giving it a go.

Hmmmm, I was just wondering how much my skincare costs, I've never added it up exactly, so:
Double cleanse (African black mud soap) - $2.10
Toner (rosewater) - $2.50
Facial oil (Measurable Difference Jasmine Oil) - $3.99
Hyaluronic acid (The Inkey List) - $6
Eye cream (Kiehls Midnight Recovery eye cream) - meh. Too much $$$$ but I didn't buy it myself and the eye cream I was using was $15
Facial moisturiser (Ponds Clarant B3) - $5
Sunscreen (Canmake Mermaid Gel) - $7
Retin-A - $1.20 per tube (we have v good healthcare though)

So that's $41.59 in total (I think, best I can add up whilst thinking around a wannabe migraine)
I do buy things when they're on offer, but all of those last me at least four months, usually more, so it works out at less than $10 per month. I don't think that very expensive?

Yes, and they eye cream I was using I didn't buy either, the eye cream I'll get next is $6, so that brings my skincare costs down further

Ffs, typos and forgot to add in Vaseline cost. Huge tub from local dollar store, $1.50.

AM
Garden of Wisdom Daily Cleanser
Aqua Oleum Rosewater
Evolue Hydrating Serum
Altruist SPF 50

PM
Evolue Gentle Cleanser
then
Alpha-H Liquid Gold
or
Pixi Retinol Tonic
Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum
Dr Alkaitis Elixir

Once or twice a week
Garden of Wisdom Salicylic Acid
followed by Cattier Yellow Clay Mask

Mine is
AM
Hot washcloth on face, rinse with cold water
Sunscreen (Altruist, goes on lovely under makeup)

PM
Coconut oil or sweet almond oil, smear all over face
Remove with wet hot washcloth
My Trusty sunflower face oil
Followed up with nivea if I need some extra moisture

Honestly my skin has never looked better. I've tried all kinds of expensive brands but this routine works, and costs under £15 for the lot.

For cleansing and moisturising I switch between almond/wheatgerm and avocado oil. (If cleansing I massage in then wipe/rub off with a flannel.) Sunscreen on top.

I once tried to up my game with more products. It left me with sensitive skin and huge scepticism about the whole business. I remember reading Ben Goldacre on the skincare industry and wishing I'd read it years earlier.

Tried Vaseline last night! I did use very sparingly as I was worried it would end up in my hair . Skin felt lovely this am but of course way too soon to see a difference.

Do you all use branded or is a big tub of Poundland own ok? How much to use? Do you need to change your pillow case every day?

And yes to pp who mentioned SPF ... I've dropped day moisturiser altogether and use La Roche Posey SPF50 fluid. I buy it when it's on offer.

I love reading other people's skin care routines, I find it fascinating. I'm such a weirdo

tellme I'm glad the Vaseline is looking promising for you too . I use the branded stuff as I got a huge tub cheap in our local dollar store, so I'm not sure if own brand works as well, worth a try though.
I spread a thin layer all over my face and neck, sometimes I plaster it on but that doesn't seem to have any additional benefits.
I do change my pillowcase everyday, that's something I have always done, and I do brush my hair back from.my face before putting the Vaseline on.

Can any of you knowledgeable skin types recommend something for my crows feet please? I’m not sure if you could actually call them crows feet as when I am not smiling they are not really there… but the muscles in my face are such that when I smile the whole crows feet area Looks deeply wrinkled and like crêpe paper.And I absolutely hate it. I am starting to get some fine lines there even when resting. I look like my dad and he has very very wrinkly eyes.

This wrinkling up didn’t happen when I was younger so I’m definitely thinking some kind of anti ageing products might help the situation. I have very fair skin, I definitely need to drink more water ... can’t afford Botox sadly ! Thanks

Shazafied an over the counter retinoid product (The Ordinary do some great ones) or prescription strength retin-A would sort them. Its the middle of the night here so I'll post some more info when it gets to a more civilised hour, but if I try now I think I'll fall asleep mid post!

Dr Paw Paw is also really good as an overnight treatment. Has a similar texture to Vaseline.

I've been prone to breakouts all my life and eventually realised that the more I "care" for my skin the worse it gets.

Now I wash my face with aqueous cream and moisturise with a basic moisturiser, either Simple or the original Olay liquid.

My skin is better than it's ever been. I'm actually really cross that I fell for all the marketing for so long.

I’ve stripped back my day routine to

Cleanser
Eye cream
Moisturiser

And my pm routine is a bit more:

Cleanser
Toner
Eye cream
Serum
Oil

If im travelling though I just take a cleanser, eye cream and moisturiser normally in travel tubs. I’ll skip the serum/toner/oils and don’t tend to see too much of a difference in my skin.

Also use a lot of Kiehls and Bobbi Brown skincare who have handy travel size products.

goes to stock up on plain pillowcases and industrial quantities of Vaseline. Aware of how dodgy that sounds! <

Munemema I have also been reflecting on what a mug I've been over the years and how much £ I've wasted . Clarins does smell sooooo good though! But I too am now a convert to the stripped back approach.

I don't believe in all the hype re double cleansing etc... if it works for you, great, if not, great too.

Strangely enough since I've stopped exfoliating and using face masks - used to use once a week a mask and 2-3 times exfoliating - my skin hasn't looked any better or worse.

AM: Face wash - anything from Lacura to Sainsburys own.
Moisturiser - right now Boots basics unscented
SPF: LRP Antihelios 50

PM: Eye makeup remover - think using L'Oreal dual phase one.
Cleanse/tone Either - Nivea 2-in-1 cleanse/tone lotion for makeup or face wash - see for AM.
Moisturise: Sainsburys Q10 night time moisturiser

If I have time - Avalon Organics Vit C Serum and Ren Bio Retinoid Anti Age Concentrate (I lknow the Ren isn't a proper retin A etc) or any Rosehip Oil. Also quite like Neals Yard Rose Oil. I do have and have used Kiehls Midnight Secret etc and sometimes it makes a difference, sometimes not.

I'm 47 and regularly get taken for early 30's - 32 was the last comment.

I also ensure I have a good diet, fruit, veggies, avocados, olive oil etc. Drinking as and when but don't deprive and no smoking. SPF always.

DefininitelyaWeeGobshite - you'll hate me - but I used to see a dermatologist and eye cream is a waste of money...

In fact the last time I believed the eye cream hype I developed a milia because of it which took ages to go!

munenema - You're similar to my DM who for years has only ever used soap and water and Nivea cream etc... and has skin twenty years younger etc - not kidding! She's upgraded to L'Oreal day/night time anti ageing creams but that's it at 78 now.

She did have oily skin as a teenager/young woman.

her advice was always use an SPF especially on the face/neck/chest.

Thank you @EatenByDinosaurs ! I had 2 hrs sleep thanks to both my babies having colds and my eyes look worse than ever !!