Skin care routine for over 40s

[ditavonteesed]

I have never really been big on skincare, always use coconut oil to cleanse and then either nivea blue or steam cream for a moisturiser.
I started to think I need a skincare routine, I'm starting to look old.
I have no idea where to start. I bought a serum from tkmaxx but to be honest I have no idea what your supposed to do with it.
I can't bring myself to spend silly money on creams but I don't mind spending a bit. I've tried looking but it's all so very confusing.
I like natural products if possible.
So can anyone talk me through proper skin care as if I'm a toddler. Let me into their skin care secrets?
Thanks.

I use a basic face wash from Waitrose, an spf 30 sunblock every day mixed in with a bit of the ordinary vitamin c powder mixed in then at night I remove with grape seed oil, face wash and put either Superdrug’s overnight glycolic acid treatment on or the ordinary retinol.

When my skin gets very oily before my period I use Superdrug’s glycolic acid toner prior to sunblock.

I don’t use moisturiser but if you need to it goes on before sunblock and after retinol at night.

I eat really healthily too, I can tell the difference in my skin if I don’t.

I use Dermalogica products. Double cleanse, tonic and moisturiser with spf. I don’t use serum, maybe I should. More important than skin care products are sleep, healthy food, lots of water and fresh air. And sadly very little alcohol.

Aldi products have good reviews, their cleanser is bla but some people swear by the Lacura Healthy Glow collagen toner, and the Q10 intense serum and moisturisers. They are similar to Nivea in branding and texture, that's what I use, day cream has a sun factor and night cream is lovely and rich. Some people say it's too rich.

I use the Rose toner. So I cleanse with Ceravi (I use the one for dry skin, but I am 50 and menopausal so my skin is paper dry), then I use the Rose toner (I splash it on rather than using a cotton wool), then Aldi Q10 day cream. Same at night, but with the night cream. Pretty simple, but it works for me so far.

I tried products with glycolic acid but they tingle too much and made my skin go patchy red. Apparently you have to use it gradually but I'm not sure I have the patience.

There are loads of reviews for different aldi products, they will come up if you do a search. And they deliver.

Sorry the Rose toner is also from Aldi www.aldi.co.uk/lacura-glow-rose-tonic-2-pack/p/00000064395000

OP the Caroline Hirons skincare book is a brilliant place to start in establishing a routine that suits you.
Lots of clear explanations on ingredients, budget friendly options etc.

I try and keep it really minimal, I also have sensitive skin with a bad acne past. Just water to wash in the am, followed by beauty pie healthy skin fit c serum. suncream in the summer as well. Then at night beauty pie healthy skin clay wash, sometimes the glycolic toner but not every night, then a retinol eye cream (every night!).

BP is serving me well currently but have also used simple, jan marine and dermalogica ranges in the past with good results.

Very minimal here too as I don’t believe skincare alone can give you great skin. I use a basic far jet face wash, slap on organic argan oil and Mustela emollient balm (it’s actually for babies but feel divine on my skin - very hydrating). One a week, I exfoliate with Apri and use Nip and Fab glycolic pads. My nanny commented that I liked like I was 16 a haven’t seen her for a year. I use Sisley Black Rose cream on make-up days. That’s it. I drink a lot of water and sleep well. No alcohol, sugar, junk. Sounds very boring, I know. Skin looks much better after a long walk/yoga. Finally, don’t underestimate genetics. My parents are in their late 60s and look amazing.

AM
Cleanse
Vit C
Moisturize

PM
Cleanse
Retinol
Moisturize.

Retinol if you fancy it. Spf50 always. Whichever cleanser and moisturizer you like. Serums if you fancy them.

Watch Nadine Baggott on YT. She's a mature straight talker who explains the science behind skincare and gives suggestions at all price points.

@ditavonteesed

I have never really been big on skincare, always use coconut oil to cleanse and then either nivea blue or steam cream for a moisturiser. I started to think I need a skincare routine, I'm starting to look old. I have no idea where to start. I bought a serum from tkmaxx but to be honest I have no idea what your supposed to do with it. I can't bring myself to spend silly money on creams but I don't mind spending a bit. I've tried looking but it's all so very confusing. I like natural products if possible. So can anyone talk me through proper skin care as if I'm a toddler. Let me into their skin care secrets? Thanks.

What serum did you buy?

AM
Sam Bunting Cleanser
GOW Hyaluronic Acid serum
Fushi Jojoba Oil
Mychelle Dermaceuticals SPF 50 facial sunscreen

PM
Sam Bunting Cleanser
Skin+Me Tretinoin, Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid prescription
Fushi Jojoba Oil

The first thing you need to sort is a decent stand alone (i.e. not in moisturiser or makeup) broad spectrum sunscreen, preferably SPF 50. Eucerin, Avene, Bioderma, La Roche Posay are brands that are fairly easy to get. You need to wear it everyday, summer and winter, indoors and out, and it takes at least 2.5ml to cover your face and neck adequately. Some leave an undesirable white or shiny face so do read reviews or ask on here. Boots often have discounts as do the online beauty sites like look fantastic. Broad spectrum means it protects against ageing and cancer causing UVA as well as UVB (the burning rays).

If your sunscreen is heavy or sticky it might take a bit more effort to clean it off, though I'd imagine coconut oil would do a bit of dissolving. I'd think it would be best to clean off the coconut oil and any residue with a cleanser. I like a gentle one myself but my skin is sensitive. CeraVe do very reasonably priced cleansers. And moisturisers for that matter. The CeraVe Cream to Foam for normal to dry might suit you. I use the big bottle of moisturising lotion.

When you're happy with your sunscreen - as in wearing it daily, doesn't sting your eyes, cause breakouts or dry your skin, you can add a retinoid at night. This is Vitamin A basically, and helps decrease the signs of aging but makes skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Comes in many forms. Tretinoin is the prescription form. Retinol is the most common and best researched of over the counter forms. Both can irritate a lot, and dry out your skin. Retinal is a less researched possibly less irritating form. Indeed Labs do a cream called retinol resurface or something similar that is a good product to start with. Usually on offer somewhere too. It also contains peptides, another anti-aging ingredient, with less research behind (they cause my peach fuzz to become more noticeable so I don't use). Boots no7 have a retinol, la Roche Posay have Redermic, Avene do retinal and Medik8 do a range of different types.

You could add vitamin C in the morning before starting on retinol but both together have the potential to irritate and I'd start the retinol first. Same with exfoliating acids. You can always start using them at a later date.

Morning

Clean or rinse with water.
Moisturiser.
SPF

Cleanse
Retinoid
Moisturiser

Slow and steady is the way to go.

AM: Superdrug Vitamin E cleanser - rub it into dry skin before getting into the shower, take it off in the shower using hot cloth (otherwise known as a flannel); after shower, I use Simply Pure Hydrating Serum. No moisturiser needed (by me anyway). Finish with NARS tinted moisturiser.

Before bed: Superdrug Vit E cleanser, just take it off with hot, wet flannel - no shower needed! Followed by Superdrug Naturally Radiant Night Cream.

All 4 products are totally fab, 3 of them are really cheap, and all are recommended by Sali Hughes, the Guardian's beauty editor.

I use a vitamin supplement for skin, hair and nails and I don’t put my face in the sun if I can help it. I drink lots of water and eat fruit too. I use Clinique Take the Day of Balm at night and Nip and Fab Glycolic pads day and night. I use hyaluronic acid, and some nights use vitamin c serum or Beverly Hills 7.5% fruit acid peel. I use Clinique Moisture Surge day cream and Turnaround night cream, and Poppy Austin eye cream. It sounds a lot but honestly takes me about three minutes! I’m 47 but most people think I’m about 38-40. I don’t ever drink alcohol though.

The serum I have is vitamin e and furlic acid.

Vitamin E or C?
If it's C (which is often paired with ferulic) that's a goody for mornings. C is an active so will really make a difference. It's the one product I can tell if I don't use. Makes your skin glow.

I use Superfacialist (Boots, Sainsbury's or Amazon). I use the rose cleanser to remove make-up, the vitamin C night cream, and the rose day cream. I prefer it to Liz Earle.

If you have dryer skin, the caviar night cream from Aldi is good and only £6 a pot.

It's defiantly e.

I also went to boots earlier and bought myself more confusing things. I got a toner with glycolic acid, a q10 serum and rose water cleanser. Made myself even more confused.

You shouldn't use the glycolic acid without wearing SPF. It increases your skin's sensitivity to UV light, which is the biggest cause of skin aging.

@ditavonteesed

It's defiantly e. I also went to boots earlier and bought myself more confusing things. I got a toner with glycolic acid, a q10 serum and rose water cleanser. Made myself even more confused.

Why?

Re double cleansing, I think you wear a shed load of make up then fine. Otherwise it's just double the sales and profit.

Be very careful with acid on your face btw.

Age is mostly genetic. A lot of people seem to buy SPF moisturiser to use indoors.

I think the key parts to a decent skincare routine are: cleanse, moisturise, Spf

Cleanser - these come in lots of forms most common are balms (thick), oil (these two are good for removing make up) milk, gel, foam
If you wear make up I'd go for a Balm or oil, then you might like to cleanse again with a milk or gel.
For budget I like the m&s pure range, it's really nice.

Spf has been covered above by others.

If you want to add acid, serum - that goes after the cleanse.

If you want anti aging you need a good strength Retinol, I like Medik8 3 as a starter. Ways wear Spf!!!

To get a glow... Vitamin C is great. For a budget version I think the revolution one from boots is nice. I use Oskia capsules but they are pricey.

The acid is an exfoliater - like using a scrub but much better for you skin.
If you do start Retinol, don't use acid and Retinol in same routine.

Thank you lots of useful tips in this thread! I’m similar, early forties, I like natural simple products but I don’t really know what I’m doing! So far things I’ve found good are:

Am: cleanse (I use something “foaming” currently a Lush soap but I’ve tried loads of different things and honestly the only one I really thought made a difference was Dr Hauschka which I will buy next time!
Moisturise with Spf - I cant be bothered with different products so want an all in one, I’ve tried loads but my current favourite is heliocare 360 fluid cream, it has a bit of a tint and makes my skin look nice. It’s UVA and UVB etc.

Pm: cleanse with something different ie an oil or balm
Moisturise

At the moment I have ethique bars for both of these which are great and work, plus cruelty free and natural.

I am mystified by acids etc and don’t really want to start all of that unless it’s really necessary. Interested in opinions on this!

I work with older people and I have met a couple of older women with incredible skin who both said they used Clarins for years....

I also now massively notice the impact of alcohol on my skin which is a definite thing since turning 41... - sad but true...

Does one definitely need a separate SPF? Just looking at your useful list @Apileofballyhoo. If you put on spf then moisturiser don’t you get too oily?

It’s moisturiser first, if you need it, then sunblock but you need a separate sunblock.

45 yo here, never been interested in skin care routines. Also have sensitive skin, constantly react to things. I recently tried Tropics skincare ( I know I know everyone whose about to hurl abuse about it being a MLM scheme) I don’t care though. I bought it through a friend who never pressured me, 35 years of friendship she knew better, and wouldn’t anyway. But I really do love it. I have chronic health issues and even putting a wipe across my face seems to arduous most days, but since using this I actually enjoy doing it and do it every day, something I’ve never done before. Cleanse, tone & moisturiser. There are lots of other stuff which seems so overwhelming which I will try but I’m happy with the basics at the moment and I know my skin is definitely looking better for it. It’s worth looking into. But you may get grief of other judgemental people for it being a MLM scheme.

I love nivea q10 and have nice skin. It has sunscreen in it but I may start to use a seperate one.no do think it makes a massive difference.