The Ordinary / skincare for beginners

[PinkDaffodil2]

I’ve lurked on this board for a bit in the hope of picking up tips to look after my hair and skin better. Anyway I saw ‘the ordinary’ recommended, did their quiz thing, and am now the proud owner of some squaline cleanser, niacinamide with zinc, rose hip oil, a salicylic acid masque and natural moisturising factors.
And now I’m a bit worried that I don’t know really what I’m trying to achieve, or if I’ve bought the right things.
I always thought I had ok skin because I didn’t get spots, and don’t wear makeup often so I’ve never used anything except a cheap cleanser and occasional no.7 moisturiser. Since turning 30 last year and having a baby I’ve noticed I certainly have more pores and blemishes, the skin by my nose gets a bit flakey, lines are starting to appear by my eyes and now I’m wearing a mask a lot I’ve had a couple of spots.
Where do I start! Do I have the right things? Is my skin actually going to get better or is this just part of getting older?
Thank you and sorry for being so clueless

Start with the squalane cleanser and natural factors moisturiser. Get into a routine of using them every day. I'm no expert, but I think you should have a basic routine, even if that's all you do.

Providing your skin is okay, you should introduce one extra product over a few weeks, to see how your skin reacts. If you see a positive improvement, carry on, if not, stop using.

A couple of tips:

I used to use TO niacinamide with zinc and found my skin was always a little red. The Deciem SA said that it may be the zinc and suggested Hyalamide pore control (hyalamide is another brand by the same makers of The Ordinary). The pore control works much better for me. So sometimes, you may just need to try a different brand.

Another tip is that you may need to play around with the your routine and when you use the products. I used the online form on the Deciem website and they sent me a personalised routine. I found that using all the products started to dry out my skin, so some of the acids, I dropped to using a few days a week and they works much better for me.

.... to add

It is trial and error. It is worth it, but you need to persevere.

Thank you I’ll start with just those - both twice a day? Then introduce something else

I only use a cleanser on my face once a day, in the evenings. In the morning, I splash my face with water when I'm washing and use an antibacterial toner. Washing twice a day was also stripping my skin of its natural barrier, so I stopped. I know the 'experts' like Caroline Hirons wouldn't approve, but I could see visible dry patches on my face.

I have the Squalene Cleanser and the moisturiser ( there's probably more than one !) nearly finished and not inclined to re-buy .
I ended up with yellow marks on my pilowcase from one of the products .
And the Vit C serum bloody stings ! They advice to mx with moisturiser if it does .

I've tried some , and gone back to Superdrug Optimum and Aldi .