Tell me a skincare routine for my dull old grey 44 year old skin

[sweetkitty]

So just now I take my make up off (wear make up most days) with no7 hot cloth cleanser and simple eye make up remover then throw on some night cream, in the morning I simply splash face with cold water and stick on some day cream with spf 20.

I’m 44, my skin look haggard, grey and dull, I have 11s and lines around my eyes. Obviously I need to up my game. I’ve been on the ordinary site but am so confused, where’s the make up remover part and the moisturiser.

I need someone to say right AM use
X
Y
Z

PM
A
B
C

I have combination skin, it’s dry but also greasy especially at the corners of my nose where I have filaments/blackheads.

Any help would be great, moderate budget please.

I have similar skin and do the following - when I am consistent my skin glows and I am often told I look early 30s (I’m 40). I’m a lazy sod a lot of the time though!

AM
Light cleanser - any of the milk/lotion types. NEVER foam - they strip your skin

Toner - either rosewater type thing or glycolic IF you haven’t used acid/retinol the night before

Serum - the ordinary buffet is my fave but the super drug own brand hydration (blue top) is amazing value and better than a lot of the expensive ones

I sometimes use a hydrater spray after this but depends on weather

In winter I use L’Oréal age perfect day cream factor 30
In summer I use altruist factor 50 sun screen

Then make up as usual.

PM
Double cleanse with a hot cloth cleanser and flannel and then the light cleanser

Tone with rosewater

Then once a week to start with, working up to 3/4 times a week if your skin can take it, use a retinol or retinoid. The ordinary retinoids are a good starting point and less likely to cause a reaction. I’ve worked my way up to the retinol in

Give that a chance to soak in and then OIL - seems counterproductive when you have oily skin but it seems to balance mine. Rosehip is my fave but you might have to play around to find one to suit. The ordinary have a few but Holland and Barrett is worth a look too, especially when they have their sales on.

Once a week a big cleanse and massage followed by a mask.
For decongesting, bentonite clay mixed with apple cider vinegar will give a good clear out.
Alternatively an acid peel mask is good - The Ordinary have a few. I like the pepperberry.

If I feel my skin is dehydrated I will put a thick layer of Nivea or weleda skin food on and leave it for an hour or two if I’m pottering about - just try not to answer the door!

I’m a big fan of sheet masks as well. The ones you can buy in primark are great and TK Maxx always have boxes at fairly cheap prices - usually less than a tenner for 5.
Sleep in one of those ahead of a big day and you’ll look fresh as a daisy!