Using assorted acids/creating a new regime

[AhFiddledeedee]

Im in my 30's and I'm trying to take better care of my skin. I have oily yet sensitive skin, lots of forehead bumps (closed comodones?, skin coloured bumps that never turn into spots)

I use salicylic acid at night which helps with stopping actual spots coming through but not with the bumpy texture.

I've been looking at other producers and I'm at a loss now what to use as there are so so many.

Aha, bha, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, retinol, different strength percentages, face washes, toner, serums, cream, day, night, you get the idea!

Add to that dont use certain types with another certain type and I dont know where to start.

Can anyone recommend a website where I can build a skin care regime?

If it helps, at the moment I double cleanse with cetaphil. Tone with naturally radiant bha.

Serums used a niacimide and zinc once a day.

Moisturiser, I'm working my way through various types with spf. I've not yet found that holy grail with spf that isnt heavy and wont break me out. Recommendations heartily received.

Once a week I use retinol.

I might be over doing the acid or using them in the wrong way or combinations. I've built this up over time as one product would make one skin problem better, but not another, so I'd add something else in.

Sorry for the long post. Max budget £20, up to £30 if its guaranteed to make my skin as soft and smooth as a babys behind

I'm in the same position. My mum gave me Caroline Hiron's book which explains it all and I follow her insta, but I'm still a bit confused. Apparently the serum was where you should spend your money but I'm confused about which one to get and who in should be used AM or PM or both. It's a minefield!

So, I'm 36, skin used to be oily but now much dryer.

This is my 'routine' however, I don't usually do it all. I don't tend to wear make-up.

I use Asda Tee Tree Oil 3 in 1 cleanser/scrub/mask in the bath or shower, then la roche posey serozinc spray (toner), which I love. I have the Antipodes Kiwi Seed eye cream, Aveda intense hydrating soft creme day cream, and La roche posey suncream.
I use the M&S formula absolute ultimate sleep cream at night, which is amazing.

I have the upcircle face serum, which is really lovely for the morning, and The Vitamin C serum from The ordinary (which I use at night), a salicylic acid peel from Bravura London, and a squalane from the Inkey List.

But I don't really use any of them on the reg.

I absolutely recomend the upcircle serum, it's made of recycled coffee grounds and smells heavenly, and the Serozinc spray is literally the best part of my day!

Also, a random variety of masks which I do if I get a bath in the evening to relax.

BHA is for oily and spot prone, AHA for dry and ageing.
It's more complicated than that, but that's the basics.
What salicylic are you using? SA is often an ingredient in a BHA product.

Nadine Baggott is the no nonsense skincare guru. She recommends for everyone
A cleanser (Cerave with salicylic is probably the one suitable for you, though remember oily skin can also be dehydrated, encouraging more oil production= vicious circle)
A vit C in the morning (it shouldn't be applied with certain other acids or retinol so is recommended in the morning while acids and other treatments at night)
Sunscreen SPF 50
Whatever moisturizer works for you

Evening
A cleanser
A serum (suitable for your skin) oily likes niacinamide and azelaic acid.
Moisturizer of your choice.

People rave about Paula's Choice BHA exfoliant. The ingredients and % are exactly the same as a Superdrug one but considerably more expensive.

Clinique, Dermalogica, La Roche Posay (Effaclar) all for oily spot prone complexions.

Hyaluronic acid isn't an acid like the others. It's a liquid that attracts moisture to itself. I find it a bit Emperor's New Clothes. Jury is out on if topical use of HA actually does anything special.

@StepOutOfLine thanks, that's brilliant, exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for.

Any thoughts on a good spf that wont block pores?

I use Heliocare SPF50 cream. It's rich and doesn't make your face go white. They do a gel also which I think would suit you. Both available on Amazon.

The Kiwi seed eye cream sounds lovely, where do you buy that from?
Don't you find the Asda 3 in 1 makes you dry or irritated? I was always a bit cautious about buying those which many brands do, as I thought how can a product be okay for all 3 things. I have looked at a few products that have Tea Tree in, and concerned it might irritate if I use daily. I know Witch Hazel is not for me, as I used a cleanser with it in, and between that and the fact it contained Sodium Chloride it irritated and made me itch.

@J0nah perfect, thanks! I will check the gel spf out.

[quote AhFiddledeedee]@StepOutOfLine thanks, that's brilliant, exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for.

Any thoughts on a good spf that wont block pores?[/quote]
I use Biore watery essence spf 50. I also like frezyderm which is a brilliant spf50 primer (win-win!) But that's quite silicony as most primers are, so might be pore blocking. The watery essence is great, just a well, watery essence

Have a look at the 'Fantastic skincare' threads on here. They have documents that explain what everything does and what does and doesn't work well together etc at the start of each thread. They people on there are really helpful too. If you have a read first then post on the thread if you have questions.

Lactic acid sorted my forehead bumps (sub-clinical acne) right out.

I have combination skin. I use products for sensitive skin, but an exfoliater with salicylic acid aimed at spot prone skin on my problem areas (t zone and round my mouth) every 2 or 3 days. I also use a spot stick and spot patches occasionally, but since using the salicylic acid I've barely had a spot. Before I would swing between different products, but targeting different areas has helped me to be kind enough to my sensitive skin and thorough enough with the oily skin, and committing to a few products not keep introducing new ones all the time. I'm thinking of introducing a new eye cream now, but I try to introduce just one change at a time to see what is or isn't working for me

Check out Trinny woodall’s skincare routine videos. Youtube, or via her Trinny London website, I think.

There’s a tonne of info there, and I take pages of notes while I’m watching! She’s caused me to spend loads on product, but I’ve equally saved loads I might have spent on high st and/or luxury brands that are all adverts and fragrance but no active ingredients.