Skin care help

[Hamhockandmash]

Argh, I’m so lost! My face is hideous and I want to sort my skin but There are SO many products...

I’m later 30s with lots of lines, blackheads and generally tired, dull skin. I look awful because I barely sleep. I’m breastfeeding so can’t use retinol. (I drink loads of water and have a great diet and take a vitamin tablet, so not the inside that’s an issue!)

I currently use (in this order)

salicylic acid or milk cleanser
Rose water toner
Niacinamide Acid
Collagen serum
Collagen based moisturiser
Coffee based serum (it says to use on top of moisturiser)
Sun cream

I don’t look any different. I also have a vitamin c serum, hyaralonic acid and glycolic acid but I don’t know what to use when or how often.

Any recommendations? I will use retinol when I’m no longer breastfeeding

Thank you!

I say this kindly and as someone who is pregnant with no3 and have been pretty much pregnant or breastfeeding for about 6 years... your skin will never look its best while you're breastfeeding. Sorry! How old is your baby? Try not to be too hard on yourself.

You're doing way more than I did so if you're happy with the products just keep going and accept that things will improve as your breastfeeding slows down. Did you add products gradually or have you panicked a bit and bought and introduced lots things all at once? If you feel as though it's made things worse I'd strip it right back to cleanse, tone, moisturise and reintroduce things gradually and only keep them up if you actually notice a difference.

To answer your question about where/how to include your extras, don't use the vit c at the same time as the niacinamide (I read it somewhere but can't remember why) - so maybe use those on alternate mornings? The hyaluronic acid I would use after toner morning and night. Glycolic acid at night (possibly every other night if you feel like your skin needs a break). I'm not an expert in the slightest, that's just what I would do with the extra products you listed if I wanted to weave them in.

I'm a similar age to you and will also be starting on the retinol as soon as I'm allowed to post-baby!