Advice for better skin

[Littlepigsmig]

After numerous video meetings and therefore staring at my reflection I need to do something about my skin. I currently remove make up every night and use No7 Protect and Perfect serum, eye cream and day/night cream but my skin looks dull and old.

I'm 38 so not expecting to be fine line free, but I'd like to look a bit fresher and try and reduce the lines around my eyes/forehead.

Any advice, haven't got huge amounts to spend and obviously can't go out to buy new products.

I'd start with using a decent cleanser with warm flannel, maybe a balm or oil depending on skin type, and double cleanse if you are removing makeup.
Focus on adding some Vit C serum to brighten and fade melasma and a retinol to remove any acne scarring and fine lines.
I'd also start using an acid, maybe glycolic or lactic, that will help even out texture irregularities and also brighten.
All of the above can be purchased cheap enough if you shop around.
For most products it's trial and error until you find what suits your skin, but I'd definitely start with the retinol and Vit C.

If budget is an issue I'd purchase The Ordinary or Inkey list off Cult beauty. Best place as any to start..

Vit C serum has made the biggest difference to getting a glow for me. That and a glycolic mask. I also use HA as my skin is quite dry. Another product I love but not sure if it's added to glow is squalene, my dry skin loves it.

I agree with everything @Sadiesnakes said - if in doubt about how to use products, the Paula’s choice website has some great articles you can read that explain different types of acid, double cleansing etc.

Retinol is the saviour - it’s great. And I use acids regularly - they’re great for skin turnover and keeping skin looking fresh. But, Retinol for fine lines.

Given the choice between The Ordinary and The Inkey List, I go for Inkey every time - I think they do better with proper formulations (though am aware the point of TO is that it’s basic). It’s also a good price and you can buy it online very easily.

Paula’s Choice is also great by the way! But more expensive.

Do you drink at least 2L of water a day and eat reasonably healthily? And get enough sleep?

Drink more water and reduce sugar and salt in your diet.

Thanks all! I do struggle with sleep, I have not slept well since giving birth (nearly 5 years ago). I do drink water but I also drink a lot of tea, not sure if caffeine is great for skin.
Diet is ok, broadly vegan apart from eggs (we have chickens so eat their eggs) and my sugar intake is nowhere near to what it used to be. I'll look into the glycolic and retinol, last time I tried retinol my skin went very red and dry but perhaps the solution was too high.
With double cleansing, is this just cleansing your face twice? Or do you use different cleansers on each cleanse?

I use grape seed oil, then a foaming cleanser from Aldi.

I mix vit c powder into my sunblock every morning. If you introduce actives like vit c or retinol build up slowly then add another product. Don’t introduce too many products and end up getting a rash.

Just to say thank you for the recommendations. I got some vit c serum from The Inkey List and I think I can see a difference. Also using a PHA toner by the same company as didn't want to go straight for retinol! Thanks all!

Awesome! Hope you see great results.

If you do decide you want a mild starter retinol, the Inkey list does an eye cream (I use it on my forehead and around my mouth too) that is very mild.

I have sensitive skin and react to strong retinols but my skin copes really well with the ordinary granactive retinoid 2% (not the one with squalene). It's the only skin product that I repurchase every time it runs out.

SPF50. Every. Single. Day.
Even when you're sat at home all day in front of a computer.

There are four key things that I’d recommend:

1. Vitamin C - I use the Ren Vit C in the mornings
2. Good SPF - again mine is from Ren
3. Acid - I use glycolic every other evening, the Pixie one
4. Retinol - I have a prescription from Dermatica (and use on the evenings I’m not using glycolic)

Other than that I use facial oils and moisturisers from Kiehls.

This has helped change my skin significantly, particularly the texture.