Simple upgrade for skincare in 40s

[WasThisSexist]

I turned 40 this year and would like to upgrade my skincare routine without getting into anything too complicated. I don’t have any issues other than the usual early signs of ageing and some enlarged pores on my nose. My goal is basically to achieve a healthy glow and protect my skin as I get older.

I already use micellar water, a cleansing balm (currently Clinique) and have found a good daily Spf. I think I would like to add an
exfoliant and serum of some kind. I also wonder about retinol - should I be using it?

Any advice or product suggestions would be most welcome. Cost isn’t much of an issue for a really good product but I tend to stick to mid range stuff.

NB I know there are other threads on this but I have found them baffling! I think I need the novice version.

TIA

Agree about getting baffled by some advice! So many products and different regimes. Have you looked at the Beauty Bible website? The Beauty Bible was originally a book by Jo Fairley and Sarah Stacey - both beauty journalists with years of experience. BB recommendations are based on reviews from a large team of testers, and they have yearly awards. Product advice is reliable, and cheaper ranges are included. www.beautybible.com/ Testers are also all over thirty-five I think.
There is lots of advice on different treatments…search ‘Retinol’ and you will see articles. I’ve used Beauty Bible to hone my routine…and weed out non-essential products. Personally I don’t use anything other than a cleansing muslin with Liz Earle Cleanser to exfoliate. Sunscreen, sleep, lots of water and a healthy diet go a long way, but a few tried and tested products certainly help! It’s worth looking at bargain beauty products in TK Maxx and Aldi as well, if you want to test out a few things. Aldi serums/facial oils are great, and a bargain.
Not sure if the book is now updated…but I think you might enjoy reading it - even an older version, and copies are cheap on Amazon. It’s a useful reference.
www.amazon.co.uk/Anti-Ageing-Beauty-Bible-Josephine-Fairley/dp/0857833170?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

After spending ridiculous amounts on skincare over the years I have finally settled on an effective routine that has really improved by skin. I use Eve Lom cleansing balm in the evening ( there are always offers on the website) and Dr Sam Bunting nightly serum and her moisturiser if needed. I put a thin layer of epiduo on my chin as it’s prone to acne. In the morning I use Dr Sam’s cleanser and then her brightly day serum and Heliocare factor 50 water gel which is brill and goes over eyelids too with no stinging.
I do not deviate from this routine and have learnt that skin likes consistency. All the chopping and changing to try out the latest products was definitely my downfall.

@mrssmiling thank you - I'd never heard of the Beauty Bible but like the look of the website and will order the book. To be honest I quite like the idea of reading something a bit outdated as I feel the world of skincare has become incredibly complicated in the last few years...!

@DameDoom I've never heard of Sam Bunting either so thanks for the recommendation. I have the Eve Lom cleanser and like to use it as a treat or for days when my skin feels drier. Switching to a good cleansing balm and not much else has been one of the best things I have done for my skin in recent years and I am wondering if there are any other little gems like that that I am missing out on.

Paulas choice might be a good option to look at. I’d recommend the 1% retinol and the aha bha toner…..not all at the same time though! Maybe try some cheaper retinol first though I don’t think it suits everyone especially if you are sensitive or have rosecha

OP you might like this article. Some useful tips. 😀
www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/beauty-bibles-best-beauty-secrets

Medik8 are good entry Retinols you can start at 1 or 3 and see how your skin reacts (sometimes it can be harsh)

Paula's Choice, or Ren both do chemical exfoliate.

I love the beauty pie capsules for a serum. They are fab

I would do
Day 1 - cleanse, Retinol, serum, moisturise
Day 2 - cleanse, exfoliate, serum, moisturise
Day 3, no actives just serum
Repeat

Ok, my two cents:

• Ditch the micellar water, it’s basically washing up liquid in a fancy bottle, use the Clinique balm to take off your make up and get a simple, gentle cleanser for your second cleanse. La Roche Posay and Avene both do nice ones but there are loads of options.
• Retinol is probably the single thing you can introduce that will have the biggest effect, so I’d start there. Don’t think you need a ++ strength one, I’d start with a gentler one and build up from using it a couple of times a week to every night. If you go slowly you reduce the chance of side effects like sensitivity and peeling. I agree that Medik8 is a fab brand for retinoids.
• Once you’ve got to grips with retinol, you could consider adding in an acid exfoliator and possibly something like a vitamin C serum or something hydrating, but I’d focus on the retinol first personally as you don’t want to go overboard, spend a load of money and piss off your skin in the process.
• Definitely have a look at Paula’s Choice, their products are great and their website has a lot of good information about different ingredients.

Skincare is bewildering but the only thing proven to help with ageing is a retinoid (not quite the same as retinol). You can access medical grade tretinoin otc in some European countries or sign up to a service like Dermatica or Skin and Me. Then you just need a simple cleanser and moisturiser and SPF, the French beauty brands like La Roche Posay and Avene are good for this.

You can put together a more elaborate routine and some people really enjoy the fragrance or luxury of a product or like a particular brand, or the rituals that go with them, but ultimately this is the only thing proven to help, albeit we all have different genes so it’s not a level playing field, which I think makes it quite hard to take recommendations from others.

@DameDoom

After spending ridiculous amounts on skincare over the years I have finally settled on an effective routine that has really improved by skin. I use Eve Lom cleansing balm in the evening ( there are always offers on the website) and Dr Sam Bunting nightly serum and her moisturiser if needed. I put a thin layer of epiduo on my chin as it’s prone to acne. In the morning I use Dr Sam’s cleanser and then her brightly day serum and Heliocare factor 50 water gel which is brill and goes over eyelids too with no stinging. I do not deviate from this routine and have learnt that skin likes consistency. All the chopping and changing to try out the latest products was definitely my downfall.

Do you use the Heliocare as a moisturiser or as well as? I’ve been moisturising and then putting an spf on top but think this may be too much and I feel like my skin is going oily through my foundation which it never did before.

I think healthy skin is mainly genes, good diet, lots of water and sleep. I am late 40s and use Dermalogica and Nivea in the blue pot for night.

@WeeM I use it instead of. I only ever use moisturiser at night and only when needed - which is pretty rarely for me as I am oily.

I agree that good skin is mostly down to genes @PandoraP but there is a lot you can do to improve problematic skin. My skin was dreadful for years - acne and rosacea - but it’s the best it has ever been now and I put that down to a simple, consistent and effective routine. If I miss a day or two, I pay the price so it is important for me to put the effort in.

@WasThisSexist the Dr Sam Bunting serums contain actives like retinol, niacinamide and azelaic so no faffing about with separate products and potentially irritating the skin by incorrect dosing. Her videos are really helpful and prices are sensible.

Thanks @DameDoom, I think I’ll start doing that. I’ve been using the Biore watery essence spf but not sure I’m loving it as feel it’s making me oily despite all the great reviews. Maybe if I try without moisturiser I’ll get on better.

.

I do agree it's pot luck on the great skin genes. I didn't have a single spot my entire teenage years and even now I've had about 3 in my life. My brother has really sore acne.

But... I do know that since I started really having a nice routine after my son was born my skin now absolutely glows and I rarely wear make up anymore. I love my 5 mins at night and feeling so confident in my skin.

Mid 40's here, use superdrugs own serum and night cream, and Burt's bees moisturising lotion in summer and Eva hyaluronic acid moisturiser in winter.

I mainly use No.7 products, with some Clarins and Tropic also, Tropic do good serums, No.7 nicest moisturiser and Clarins best cleansing for me!

@doadeer Would you tell us about your glowy skin routine, please? :)

The things that make a difference to my skin are:

Double cleansing nightly with Elemis balm and a flannel (clean one every day)

Morning in the shower I use Cera Ve Anti roughness cleansing gel - contains salicylic acid, so exfoliates without grains.

Good day cream - either Elemis marine cream or Estée Lauder. I also mix Estée Lauder Advanced Night repair in to my foundation so it's like a treatment foundation.

Tan Luxe Sleep oil every 3rd night and on the 2 nights in between a tiny amount of bio oil - only going up to the occipital bone,

I dont ever use an eye cream as they just make my under eyes puffy.

And sadly - Less carbs, less sugar and lots more water 😂

I have dry tenancy skin so this would be too much for anyone with oily skin

A cleansing balm, at the moment it's Before I Met You which is gorgeous.

Medik8 Retinol Crystal 6 / zelens acid exfoliate

Beauty Pie Super active Serum Capsules

Emma Hardie night oil or Sunday Riley Luna

La Roche Posay moisturiser

And I love the Laneige lip mask - it's divine.

Morning I use Medik8 or Oskia vitamin c, an Spf 50 (alternate brands) then Erborian CC cream

My skin has been the best it ever has just by using a magic cloth and hot water morning and evening, anti ox dragons blood cream, anti ox dragons blood eye cream and anti ox lycopene oil, all morning and night. I use spf50 if I go outside.

BUT, I haven't had a drink since new years eve and I'm trying to only eat whole foods, and drink 3-4.5L of water a day.

Watch some Nadine Baggott videos. She's brilliant and maintains you need only a handful of products. She recommends all price points from Superdrug £2.99 to Skinceuticals ££££s.

She says you only need: AM
Cleanser- any cleanser you like, it goes down the plughole, no need to get spendy.

vit C serum. (this is what I find makes the biggest difference)

Hydrate: she's a big fan of hyaluronic acid. I'm on the fence though finishing a ginormous bottle.
Moisturizer you're happy with. Peptides and ceramides a plus. Glycerine the biggy.

PM

Cleanse

Serum /treatment, a retinol if you want one.

Hydrate as above.

I use retinol every other evening, and a glycolic acid toner on the other.

Definitely ditch the micellar unless you're cleansing afterwards. It's ok as a quick make up remover.

Oh, and spf50 separately in the morning.

The Ordinary

Best thing ever

Thank you all, there are some great suggestions here that make it all seem much less overwhelming!

A couple of questions - the micellar is mainly for makeup removal, but I had no idea it was so maligned! Can I use the same balm to cleanse twice instead? I’m really enjoying the Clinique Take the Day Off.

I also like the sound of the MediK8 retinol - which one should I try? I have only lightly dabbled with retinol before and have fairly sensitive skin.

Thanks again