Critique my skin care routine - oily skin

[JoeExoticsTiger]

I have terrible skin, it’s oily prone to shininess, black heads, breakouts you name it! I’m rubbish at all things skin care so could really do a bit of advice on improving it...

I currently have the following skin care routine:

AM:
micellar water cleanse
No7 protect and perfect eye serum
Simple light moisturiser
SPF (hélio 360 oil free gel) factor 50

PM:
Micellar water cleanse
Clarins toner
Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser
No7 protect and perfect eye serum
Elizabeth Arden 8 hour miracle moisturiser

I have just ordered some of the ordinary retinol and niamticide... where would these slot into my daily routine? Any other suggestions on how I can improve my skin care regime?

I would add some salicylic acid and use this after cleansing. I’ve used Paula’s Choice in the past which is great, but also I get the same results with clearasil pads. I don’t use moisturizer now at all as skin feels balanced.

I use a weak retinol in the evening - Beauty Pie night one.

@billstickersisinnocent - would you use the salicylic acid with the niamticide? And do you use the retinol every evening?
Thank you for your response - really interesting!

Yes I think you can - the salicylic is a BHA exfoliant (gets into the pores to de-clog) and the niacinamide reduces pore size I think.

Yes I do but it’s a weak one and supposed to be layered with serums, so not sure if it does anything I just like the texture.

I said I didn’t moisturize in my previous post but I do - in the evening with this retinol night moisturizer. Sorry! But I don’t moisturise in the morning now -my skin is much better since I’ve stopped washing my face in the morning and then needing to use moisturizer for the tightness. I now just splash with water, salicylic acid, SPF.
Evening is double cleanse, salicylic acid, retinol night moisturiser.

I’d recommend having a look at Paula’s choice website for recommended routines per skin type, it’s really helpful.

Why are you putting toner before Liz earle cleanser?
When you say micellar water cleanse is that a face wash or just the water. I would actually wash my face with perhaps a salicylic acid face wash in the morning rather than use a micellar water. Or use a salicylic acid or glycolic toner.

@Custardcreamies101 i actually don’t know why I’m putting the toner on before the hot cloth cleanser (if you couldn’t tell I’m Rubbish at skincare..!) should it be the other way around?
It’s just the micellar water on a cotton pad that I’m using to remove make up/ and cleanse a bit.

Watch Cassandra Bankson on YouTube she uses the ordinary products.
I use a very similar list of products to you but add in the ordinary products for my specific concerns.
My skin has never looked so good, I had very similar skin to yours for many years.
I love the ordinary glycolic toner, L ascorbic powder and their range of retinols. Good luck.

Yeah a toner should be used after a cleanser. I would watch YouTube videos as they’re very useful. I would get rid of the micellar cleanse in morning as use an actual face wash. Doesn’t have to be expensive . It can be a normal wash or get one with salicylic acid. Then I would use a toner, again can be normal one or you could get one with acids in it.
If you’ve bought the niacinmide serum then use this after the toner. I’m not sure what you can or can’t mix with niacinimide so I probably wouldn’t use it if your toner has acids.

Not used retinol but I would use it in the evening before your moisturiser

Paulas Choice 2% BHA is a game changer. I’ve used it for over a year now and nothing beats it. Cleared my congested bumpy forehead within a few days and I have lovely smooth skin. Controls my oily t zone (really oily) better than any other product I’ve tried (and I’ve spent a fortune trying anything and everything)

Yep toner after cleanser. Toners were originally designed to remove the last traces of cleanser back in the day when cleansers were horribly greasy. Look instead for a toner containing salicylic acid (also known as BHA) which will help to clear out pores. This goes on after cleanser and before any serums or moisturisers.

If it helps, I am oily and this is what I use (I'm also 37 so aging is a concern), all listed in order of application:

Morning

• Gentle cream cleanser with a warm cloth (using one from Paula's Choice at the moment)
• Paula's Choice BHA liquid (salicylic acid - keeps my pores clear)
• Hyaluronic acid serum (NIOD MMHC serum - helps keep my skin plump and hydrated without any oiliness)
• Chanel camellia water cream (lightweight non greasy moisturiser)
• SPF 50 sunscreen (non greasy)

Evening

• Cleansing balm (currently Clinique Take the Day off) with a warm cloth to remove makeup
• Gentle cream cleanser with a warm cloth (Paula's Choice) to properly cleanse
• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum (I only use the Ordinary one at night as makeup doesn't sit well on it)
• One other active product which I rotate daily, e.g. retinol, AHA serum
• Paula's Choice Moisture Boost cream

Another recommendation to use some form of Salicylic Acid over here too!

Also consider The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% which is an inexpensive alternative to the Paula's Choice one contains the same amount of salicylic acid.
If you have sensitive skin though, The Ordinary one contains witch hazel, so a witch hazel-free option is The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid, which still has 2% salicylic acid and a similar price but I haven’t used this one.

If you do go for The Ordinary, also consider purchasing The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser - it is soap-free and sulfate-free and you apply it to dry skin (it comes out as a cream but you rub it in your hands first and it changes into a light oil like consistency) - I’d swap this for the micellar water.