Skincare regime for a 40 year old who has never had one- help me please!

[Flamingo49]

Please help me develop a skincare regime as I don't know where to start. I've had dry skin my whole life but other than that it's pretty good- no spots, no wrinkles. For as long as I can remember my "regime" has been to wash my face daily with lukewarm water, use a face cream every other day and maybe twice a week slap on some cleanser while I'm in the shower. I've noticed over the past 6 months though that my dry skin has got really bad around my forehead/ eyebrows, and my skin just generally looks dull and pasty. I think I need a good exfoliator and something to brighten up my skin but I don't have a clue where to start! Please can you give me some ideas for a daily skincare regime that doesn't take too long but will stop my face looking dry, flaky and dull. Thank you!

That's where mine's struggling too. I use a hot cloth cleaner (liz earle is my preferred but Superdrug NR OK too) when I'm in the shower. If I'm not showering then I use (I'll get flamed, no doubt) a micellar water.
I follow with a wipe of a glycolic toner every other day. On the opposite days I use an Elizabeth Arden anti aging serum.

I always use a moisturiser- I do like Liz Earle and I also like Simple. I even like Neutrogena Balm! And I've used moisturiser at £100+ a pot. These are just as good for me.

If my skin feels parched, I use an oil - I've got Elemis Bliss Capsules & a cheap rosehip oil. I also have a hyaluronic serum that I use if I look really dull

Can't tolerate vit-c or retinol sadly.

I've pared back considerably from years of expensive products. And I'm happy now!

I'm 43 btw

An acid toner like a glycolic toner is kinder than scrubbing. Superdrug do one. I started with Nip & Fab and now I'm on an Aldi one. They're much of a muchness at standard strength

Have a look at Nadine Baggott videos. Essentially you only "need" 5 things
Cleanser
Vit C
Moisturiser
Sunscreen
Retinol
AM
Cleanser- anything you like, you don't need to spend loads, it goes down the sink
Vit C, will protect your skin during the day from urban filth and give you a glow
Moisturise- anything you like. Again you don't need to spend. Main ingredients even in the ££££s ones are hyaluronic acid and glycerine, both cheap as chips
SPF 50, separate from moisturizer and makeup

Evening
Cleanse
Retinol.
Moisturizer

If you want to add anything else: glycolic acid toner will resurface, salicylic acid if oily. Serums - look for peptides and ceramides. Facial oil.

Morning:

Face wash, hydrating serum, moisturiser, spf 30.

Evening:

Micellar water with cotton wool to remove make up if you wear it, hot cloth cleanser, retinol cream, moisturiser and an oil on top if you feel you need it.

Add an eye cream if you fancy one and a mist or essence after your morning cleanse and before serum really helps with hydration.

The most important things are cleansing, retinol and spf. Sign up to Skin&Me for a monthly retinol prescription (£20) and they will advise you on your other products, none of which have to be expensive.

Apri scrub and Nip and fab glycolic pads (I do this once a week).
Daily morning/night - wash with water only, organic rose water, face oil (argan, rosehip, or prickly pear), rich moisturiser (I use Mustela emollient balm is not doing my makeup; absolutely love it as it’s so nourishing).

I only use a face wash if I had make up on. Under my makeup, I use Sisley rose cream; ££££ but is amazing on my skin.

I don’t have any lines on my face (partly genetics but also healthy lifestyle - 2l of water daily, no junk unless I’m craving it, plenty of walking and yoga, good sleep). I never drank alcohol or smoked. I do think lifestyle will have an effect.

Following. Hoping it's ok to jump into this thread with the same question.

Can anyone recommend any particular retinols, serums or vitamin C. I've never bought any of these and just use a rinse off cleanser and a moisturiser. I'm 50 yr.

Google Skin&Me @apinions

Great place to start.

@Lookingoutside thanks, but I'd prefer to buy products individually rather than paying a monthly subscription.

1. Double cleanse. Use an oil or cream cleanser first. Afterwards, a foaming cleanser.
2. Serum.
3. Moisturiser
4. Eye cream
5. Toner spray

1 double cleanse first with oil and then foam
2 toner
3 essence (I use the Korean brand cosrx )
4 serum (I like Darphin or Clarins )
5 face oil ( Darphin or Clarins)
6 cream

I skip face oil in the summer entirely in the summer.

@apinions

Following. Hoping it's ok to jump into this thread with the same question.

Can anyone recommend any particular retinols, serums or vitamin C. I've never bought any of these and just use a rinse off cleanser and a moisturiser. I'm 50 yr.

If you're just starting off on retinols then you need a beginner's level one and to move up gradually. Retinol is a long game thing. A good cheap entry level one is the Inkey List one. Garden of Wisdom also do a Retistar serum (there are lots of different retin-- products and some companies aren't as transparent as others when declaring their % on the packaging- again Nadine B has a great video explaining it all- I'm not Nadine (I wish) but everything I know I learned from her (and my Mum!)

My favourite VitC is Vichy LiftActiv as it's a water consistency and others I've tried, despite having a higher % of active ingredient are slimy and I don't like the consistency. Garden of Wisdom, La Roche Posay all good though. Timeless is good if you can get it. The important thing is it's L-Ascorbic Acid and it's more than 12%

If you want an all round serum then you can do a lot worse than Superdrug and Boots. The Boots Lift and Luminate range is great for your (our!) age group.

Thanks everyone this is so helpful. What is retinol?

@Flamingo49

Thanks everyone this is so helpful. What is retinol?

Vitamin A in a form that skin can take benefit from. One of very few scientifically proven anti-ageing Ingredients.