Please help with skincare! Making an effort seems to be making things worse...

[StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind]

Up until recently my routine was crap, I used to be quite good but over past couple of years post divorce I cba. My routine was cleanse with Aldi hot cloth cleanser, moisturise with simple or neutrogena hydroboost. Followed my the rest of my makeup routine.

Totally shit and at 32 I need to do better. I look young for my age but I've got slight find lines around my eyes and skin could be brighter so I want to step things up.

Thing is, since I've been trying to improve, my skin keeps breaking out, and I never get spots usually. I have normal/combination skin so have tried nip and fab salicylic tonic, a Nuxe Prodigieuse boost cream that came in a set which is supposedly non-comedogenic and for first signs of ageing, and a nuxe eye cream, and at night M&S ultimate sleep cream, which really does make my skin look and feel great, but I'm wondering if it's just too rich. I also have a neutrogena clear face spf which I think is ok and not the problem. I know I need to add some serums in too but no point throwing more at my face until I know what might suit better.

Like I said, breakouts just weren't an issue when I had my crap skincare routine, so does anyone have any ideas of what I should do/what products would work better?

I’d drop either the toner or night cream.

cleanse with Aldi hot cloth cleanser, moisturise with simple or neutrogena hydroboost.

This sounds like a great routine to me. My skin is very sensitive and breaks out a lot.

Hot, well hand hot clothed is great, it gentle exfoliates as well as cleansing. Moisturiser good too.

Why do you think you need to do more?

I'd go back to your previous routine for a few months, to check whether it really is the new products making you break out.

Ignore the advertising and blogs that get paid to flog you products. Enjoy your life.

Drink lots of water. Sorted.

It sounds very similar to what I did. Admittedly I was closer to 52 than 32 but I thought it was time to raise my game, tried a load of new products at once, and ignored all the warning signs until my skin pretty much exploded. Listen to your face.

In your shoes, all I would add to begin with would be a separate sunscreen. Then (if you've not already done so) I'd focus on things like a good diet and limited booze. If you still want to try more products after that then I'd introduce them one at a time and wait a few weeks before adding anything else.

I've had to go back to a similar routine to your original one as my skin went hormonally wonky in my forties and reacted to anything rich (including Ultimate Sleep cream). So back to Superdrug hot cloth cleanser and Simple moisturiser. I also use the Superdrug glycolic toner and Hado Labo hyaluronic lotion which is watery. And finally Watery Essence SPF. I used to love experimenting with new products but at least I'm saving money. The only relatively expensive thing I use now is tretinoin at night but a tube of that lasts months.

Thank you for the replies!

@FinallyHere I wanted to add in some other products as at 32 I thought it would be good to do something for the early signs of ageing, and also because my skin seemed a bit dull. No particular issues as such, clear with no spots, no dry patches, just a little dull and slightly oily at times, and of course the early signs of ageing. Basically prevention rather than cure, if it's at all possible 😁

I think I need to go back to the drawing board re products though- and it's a good point @Floisme about adding one product at a time.

I know the Aldi cleanser works well for me, I also have the neutrogena spf that is fine. I might save the ultimate sleep cream for once a week and also use on my neck. I see la Roche posay do an effaclar serum (I've used effaclar duo in the past) that claims to help with early signs of ageing, but I'm wondering if effaclar would be good as primarily aimed at blemishes?

I thought the salicylic acid may be good as an exfoliant, given I'm a bit more combination skin, but would I be better with glycolic? I've had alpha h liquid gold in the past and pici glow tonic too.

@StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind

Old gimmer alert.

I've found eating well (avoiding sugar and drinking lots water) makes much more difference to my skin than lots of the things we are sold through advertising.

Of course, no one gets paid more if we drink lots so no one recommends these simple things.

Enjoy whatever 'lotions and potions' you want to use but know that they are mostly advertising. Remember what Estée Lauder said about her company ' we make creme but we sell dreams '. I haven't bought expensively advertised products ever since.

😀

@FinallyHere it's a good point! This is all coinciding with me trying to be a bit healthier and correct some of the sins committed since the original lockdown, namely drinking triple the recommended units of alcohol per week, generally being a slob and not taking care of myself. So I've been going down the eating healthier, drinking water, and cutting right back on booze route.

I guess beauty products and nice clothes have always been a hobby and something enjoyable for me, so would just like some skincare that gives a little boost. From an anti ageing POV I agree it can difficult to do too much but the nicer products I've used have certainly made my skin look a bit brighter and feel much nicer- albeit with the unfortunate side effect of causing a few spots that I really don't want! I really don't believe in spending a fortune but don't mind spending a little bit on something nice. The M&S cream for example, £23 for something that will probably last me 2-3 months using once a day, I don't think is bad value.

You're overloading your poor skin, OP! Go back to your original routine until it settles down, and then maybe try ONE new thing at a time

Also, it's always a great idea to go to a dermatologist and get proper advice.