Skin Care for an Idiot

[Synecdoche]

I have 0 skincare routine, 0 skincare products and 0 clue.

But when I looked in the mirror today I realised I am getting the beginning of wrinkles and my skin is looking tired and dull.

Can you please recommend some cruelty free and reasonably budget friendly products to get me started and tell me how to use them? Moisturiser? Clay masks? Serums? Oils? Day/night cream? Cleansers? Toners? I have no idea.

I am in my late 20s, have dry skin, not prone to break outs and don't use make-up. The only thing I use on my face and body at the moment is soap. I use body shop hemp for my hands and lips when they get really dry. Other than that I am clueless.

Please send help!!

I have oily skin so can’t recommend many products as our is totally opposite! But I would say you need;

• a moisturising cleanser (nothing too heavy duty since you don’t wear makeup)
• an SPF for the day (this one is meant to be great for dry skin; www.boots.com/simple-protect-n-glow-radiance-booster-spf-30-for-glowing-skin-invisible-sun-protection-50ml-10271982
• an eye cream (I love the Kiehls avocado one but it’s not cheap, mind you I think you do have to spend a bit for eye creams)
• a hyaluronic acid serum (I like this one- www.boots.com/the-inkey-list-hyaluronic-acid-serum-30ml-10271175)
• a night cream (I SWEAR BY this one, but it has fruit acids in so might be a bit strong for your skin as a first timer. It really is a game changer though; www.boots.com/origins-high-potency-night-a-mins-10256913)

You could also use a facial oil instead of night cream if you are worried about using the fruit acid night cream. Bio oil always makes my face look fresh the next day as long as I really rub it in.

Things like face masks/toners etc you can worry about later, the above is all you need to get started. Also, I would use a clay mask as it will make your dry skin drier! Good luck!

WOULDNT use a clay mask!

I can't really recommend any products as I mainly use Clinique, which is sold in China. But broadly, my routine is to use a face wash in the morning, then a glycolic acid toner and a moisturiser. In the evening, I double cleanse by using an oil cleanser to remove make up, then wash with the same face wash, toner again, then serum and then a night cream. I'm in my early thirties and the toner has definitely made the biggest difference to my skin.

@Vectura Thank you very much for that list. Is a moisturising cleanser one product? Do you just out it straight on with fingers or use a cotton wool pad/alternative?

I do actually have some bio oil as use it for scarrs. I will steer clear of the clay masks for now then!

With the other products (other than the night cream) do they all go on at once? Do you layer them up or put them on at different times i.e moisturiser after washing face, then SPF and then eye cream and serum on top, then night cream at night? Do you avoid the eye area with anything other than eye cream?

Thanks again!

Great thanks for the routine advice @Reginageorgeous. I tried a face wash once but went back to soap. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to either?

I also swim a lot so am in chloriney water most days which I don't think helps matters.

I've never used bar soap on my face, I think it's more about what works for your skin type. I have combination skin and the Clinique Liquid Soap facial wash for combination skin is the only thing I've used which doesn't leave my skin feeling stripped and tight afterwards.

I can relate to that stripped and tight feeling, previously synonymous with the clean feeling...

Yes a cleanser is one product- this one has good reviews. You wouldn’t need a mega clean since you don’t wear makeup, just taking the day off.

www.boots.com/cerave-hydrating-cleanser-236ml-10246701-

After washing you would apply serum first, then eye cream, and give them some time to soak in- after that apply your night cream. No need to avoid eyes, I tend to put serum around my eyes also. The key thing is to make sure you rub the product in as it’s more effective.

If you’ve already got bio oil then give it a go tonight, I think your skin will thank you! Also I would stop washing with soap as it will make your dry skin worse.

Cerave isn't cruelty-free, though.
Get yourself to Superdrug, all their own brands are cruelty free. I'm currently using a mix of their Deep Action Extreme (I have spotty, middle-aged skin), Vitamin C and B skincare.

Thank you both! Will definitely give this a go!