Skin Consultation.... would you?

[Millylovespuddles]

I am 55 and think I need to shift up my skin care routine. I'm a LRP Effaclar foam wash, eye cream and moisturise kind of gal.... I buy midrange eye cream and like Aldi's moisturisers, but reading this thread over the past few days is making me think I need a few additions.

There are a few local beauty salons that specialises in skincare, and whilst there are rave reviews, I'm reluctant to go as I know they promote one brand (one does Elemis and the other is Environ).

I know I will be advised to buy x,y,z (and possibly a,b,c too) of an expensive product line that I've never used before. I'll come away thinking that it is a big investment in 'potential' but will never know if it's what's best, if you know what I mean.

People on here will recommend one type of cleanser, another type of retinol etc, so feel I'd rather get products suited to me experimenting with different options.

Or, do I bite the bullet and go for the easy (more expensive) one-stop-shop type of approach? I'd be very grateful for feedback to help plan!
Thanks

Would you have an esthetician near you? They are often not affiliated with a particular brand, and even if they are the idea is you book multiple appointments over an extended period, so they are invested in the long term improvement of your skin - so unlikely to give you poor recommendations as you would so no change an not make future bookings.

Sorry, I think I spelt it wrong, think it should be Aesthetician. Dija Ayodele is an example of one who gets excellent reviews online and specialises in black skin.

I'm sure I could do the research at home, it's just the retinol/ vit c/ serum order and application that is a bit of a nightmare to the uninitiated!