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.

@buddy79
Your Heliocare SPF is a sunscreen, it just so happens that it's a moisturising one and your particular skin doesn't need a moisturiser underneath. My poor face would be very unhappy if I skipped moisturising it.

What are no good are moisturisers that say SPF on them because they aren't sunscreens and there's no telling how effectively they are blocking UV light. Also I can't plop that much moisturiser on my face. You need at least 2.5 ml of SPF to get the protection it states. Now some people say that's face alone, some say that will do your neck too. If you measure it into a medicine spoon, it's quite a lot and a 50ml bottle should only last 20 days at that rate of application.

If you're not using the right amount the SPF rating goes way down as they are all rated on the basis that you use so much per square centimetre of skin. That's why I'm much happier using SPF 50 because I feel if I am not quite hitting the right amount I'm still likely to be getting very good protection. I use the Heliocare mineral mostly.

@Apileofballyhoo thank you, that makes sense. Honestly this thread has just explained so well things I have never understood before!

My current regime is Astral, SPF30 then foundation that also has spf in it. I use a microcurrent device daily alongside a hyaluronic serum product. I’m also going to get an LED mask. Then PM I use astral and Vaseline on my eyes to remove make up. Then I alternate products such as a retinol serum one night, Nip and Fab glycolic pads another. A313 tret salve another.

The thing I’m noticing the most difference with is the microcurrent device. It’s amazing!!

No worries, buddy. I probably should write a routine like:

Cleanse or rinse with water
Moisturiser if needed
SPF

@justanotherneighinparadise which device do you have?

I have the Rio 60 second lift but I wouldn’t say it’s the hot grail by any means. There are lots of them. It was just at a price point that worked and I had an amazon gift voucher i wanted to use.

Thanks justanother. It's great you've found it to make a big difference.

Face Theory stuff. Do the quiz, buy the stuff. I look so much better (not surprising, before I was using baby wipes and cheap moisturiser!). I use vit c cleanser twice a day, a collagen serum, a vit c moisturiser, an exfoliator once a week and a retinol serum twice a week. Plus under eye cream. There’s discount codes if you Google. Really really rate them.

One thing I would say is that if you’re going to start a skincare routine (which I do recommend doing), accept that there is going to be some trial and error and spend accordingly. Anything that doesn’t agree with your face may be fine for the rest of your body, so nothing needs to be a total waste, but don’t spend lots on something new just because you’ve seen someone on Instagram or YouTube or TikTok sing its praises. Most actives come in various price points so it may make sense to go for the lowest cost option first to make sure the active at least doesn’t do any harm, then upgrade if you’re getting on with it.

I have found myself that one of the best ways to keep my skin in order is putting on a full face of makeup every day, even when I’m wfh and not leaving the house or on a single video call. It forces me to clean my skin thoroughly every night. I had gotten lazy with my routine over the past few months and let my routine slip on the basis I wasn’t wearing makeup so I didn’t need to be as diligent, and it showed.

Totally agree with everything @Apileofballyhoo said about spf and there are some real gems of advice in her posts.

My routine (53, no major skin issues):

AM
Cleanse with either LRP Toleriane or Avene Gentle Milk, with flannel
LRP Effaclar gel on any zits
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright vit C serum
Vichy Mineral 89 hyaluronic acid
Vichy LiftActiv Anti-aging Supreme Face Cream
Either LRP Anthelios or Avene High Protection SPF

PM
Double cleanse: first with M&S Pure cleansing balm then with either the LRP or Avene above, again with a flannel
LRP Retinol serum
Vichy Mineral 89 hyaluronic acid
Vichy Neovadiol Rose Platinum Night Cream

I’m 40 next month.

Currently I use:

Am:

Cerave hydrating cleanser
Skinceuticles serum 10 (vit c serum)
Skinceuticles HA intensifier ( hyaluronic acid)
Kiehls corrective cream spf 30

Pm:

Cerave Hydrating cleanser
Tretinoin dermatica or an acid, never
Both.
Cerave pm moisturiser.

I’m currently experiencing the ‘retinol uglies’ at the moment, and am trying to push through the purge. But apart from that my skin is looking good, and I can tell a difference.

Do you not use a separate SPF, Diadora? Or a 50, for that matter. Thought that would be absolutely essential with tret. Did Dermatica not advise?