Skin gurus I need you! 30s skin HELP?!

[pasinphoebe]

So I’m mid 30s, my skin isn’t great, but not awful. I don’t really get spots but my forehead seems to be constantly uneven/blotchy/congested? It’s never smooth and more recently has large open pores. I have dry skin to normal skin.
I’ve also got fine lines under my eyes (from when I smile but they are fine lines when I’m not smiling)
SO please can the skin care gurus offer any advice specifically on products and order of application.
I don’t mind a type rather than specific product eg glycolic, etc.
Anyone recommend a working product for those fine lines under eyes?
Current ‘routine’ looks roughly like wash with drops of light from body shop, tone with either aloe vera toner or pixie toner.. sometimes use a nip fab pad. Usually use some vit c serum and then moisturise usually cerave. SPF every day

I guess that’s a no then eeek I may have to try google

Funny, I came here to ask basically exactly this! Hoping someone more knowledgeable will come along...

Hi guys, I am a Dermalogica Expert ( industry title) and a Guinot therapist and have over 10 years experience in the industry.
I would recommend a good basic routine for a minimum of four weeks so cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise.
Vitamin C is your friend but not all are created equal, I love Dermalogica's Biolum C as it's ultra stable. It's not about the percentage it's the stability, if it goes brown around the seal then the product is oxidised and useless.
The most important thing you can do is wear an SPF religiously. Hope that helps

I'm 35! Look into paulas choice skincare, and face theory!

Paulas choice is very good also have a look at the ordinary products

Buffet by The ordinary is fab, my skin is definitely brighter and feels smooth and fresher... I'm 37

Is the spf too high I wonder, it can unfortunately clog pores and cause spots.

Thank you all, I really appreciate you all helping! Funnily I keep seeing ads for the ordinary and face theory so great that people would recommend them.
Anyone think the fine lines under eyes can be tackled?

I love CeraVe for cleanser but recently discovered Paula's Choice for the serum part of my routine which has been skin changing. I use Alpha H liquid gold glycolic acid a couple times a week for exfoliation but will buy Paula's Choice next time because of friends positive reviews. I dont spend much on moisturiser, the Ordinary or the Inkey List generally. Spend your money on your active ingredients and save on cleansing and moisturiser. La Roche Posay is good for SPF. Theres tons of info on Paula's Choice website about ingredients, Caroline Hirons has a good blog (she gets alot of stick on here but I learnt loads reading her blog), Sali Hughes and Nadine Baggott on YouTube both also have good routine/starter videos.

I can relate OP! Same age and skin type here. I tried cleansing, lactic acid in the evenings 3x per week followed by Paula’s Choice moisturising mask and had amazing results. Bumpy forehead (subclinical acne) all cleared up within three weeks, and redness elsewhere reduced too. Recommend you read up and try AHAs.

Gentlest of cleansing, (double at night if you need an oil or balm to take off your SPF/makeup), sufficient moisturising, proper SPF 50 and some form of retinoid.

If the retinoid doesn't sort out the congestion on your forehead try Paula's choice BHA/salicylic acid Skin Perfecting Liquid. But give the retinoid a couple of months.

If you look for the fantastic skincare threads you'll find a link on the first page to fact sheets including retinoids. The OP really knows her stuff.

I use a Balm cleanser - this is very personal, I like a spa style one like Espa - I'm obsessed with the optimal pro cleanser but others like fragrance free.

I'd do
Night 1 Paula's Choice BHA
Night 2 Medik8 Retinol
Night 3 ordinary buffet
Then repeat

Then a serum, then a normal moisturiser

Morning vit c and spf

This is so so helpful, I’m going to make a note of the brands/ products and possible ‘regimes’ to go through. Fingers crossed for clearer skin.

Only start one new product at a time. Skin cycle is something like 6-8 weeks and if you start more than one thing in that time you won't know what is doing good and what's causing a problem and what's not doing anything at all. Also you risk damaging your skin barrier.