What should I use on my skin?

[teacuptale]

I’ve let myself go. Badly. I know there are far bigger things to worry about, but it would be lovely if anyone has any advice about what I should use on the skin on my face. I’m mid-30s. I’ve recently started breaking out (could be stress, I don’t know). My skin generally looks congested and dull. I’ve got fine lines around my eyes which are worsening. I feel like I’m looking old.

I don’t have a skin care regime. I use Garnier miscellar water to cleanse and that’s it. Sometimes I’ll use some Simple moisturiser. I tried a clay based face mask the other day and it just made my skin redder and angrier. I feel absolutely clueless. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you.

I'm not a skin expert but I find using an exfoliating wash helps to clear my skin, gets rid of dead skin cells and then a light moisturiser twice a day. Moisturising definitely helps. Dry skin can clog up your pores or cause your skin to produce more oil to compensate and you end up with spots.
I get the odd spot so use a exfoliating wash containing salicylic acid which really seems to help. It's a Garnier Pure Active one. You can get creams specifically for the eye area to help with that.

I don't know how bad your skin is in terms of spots but I also use Acnecide benzoyl peroxide cream. A light layer over affected areas before bed clears up any acne and prevents it returning. You can get it over the counter in pharmacies- Boots or Superdrug stock it.

I've been using the ordinary's granactive retinal in squaline (sp). I was hoping it would help prevent wrinkles, but it also seems to be clearing up congested skin that I've had for years and never been able to clear. Around my mouth used to be particularly bad and nothing I tried made it better until this. I put it on before bed at night and make sure I use a cream with spf30 or 50 in the day time because apparently the retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

When I first started to use it, I broke out in random spots but I think it's all the stuff that's been making my skin look congested for so long finally coming out. The spots have calmed down now and the skin left behind is so much better. I'd really recommend it.

My night time routine is something like this:

If being lazy, witch hazel (I have a bottle from the chemist which I added a few drops of tea tree oil to) on cotton wool to cleanse. If being less lazy, then I use a proper cleanser and wash off with water - currently have pixi mud face cleanser.

Have run out now but was using the pixi glow toner after the cleanse. That stuff did leave my face looking really bright.

Granactive retinol in squalane.

In the morning I usually just splash with water or use witch hazel, followed by a vitamin c serum (cheap one from savers), followed by sun cream.

Thanks everyone. I will have a look at those suggestions. The pixi glow toner sounds good!