How to improve my skin in my 40s (pic attached)

[Bookwest]

I used to have nice skin, pretty pale but ok and the texture was fine.
Now my skin is permanently red, almost blotchy and not a good texture.
Would retinol help? I'm wary of using strong products because I don't want my face to get redder. Really I'm just worried that my face is going to get more red each year until I'm a red faced old woman.
I would say my two main problems are redness and the texture looking less smooth.

I have tried mirvaso and soolantra for redness, neither of which have helped.

Oh and I'm not going to be able to regularly use expensive products so would appreciate any tips for affordable products. Thanks!

I use Q&A camomile night cream from Holland and Barrett and it does help a bit. During the day I use Simple face wash and Simple moisturiser. I avoid the sun, rarely drink alcohol and minimise spicy food as they all make my skin flare up.

The beauty section in today’s Times recommends Paula’s Choice Calm Hydrating Moisturizer SPF30 as being good for those with sensitive skin including rosacea. It also recommends Curel Intensive Moisture Facial Cream.

My daughter (15) uses a cbd teen skincare brand that her friend suggested - ink. ink spot's worked brilliantly on her occasional eczema outbreaks. It's a creamy balm that she dabs on all kinds of redness, spots, breakouts. Honestly, it's fab. I've been using it myself for the odd breakout and as an overnight pack once a week to keep on top of any little dry patches, irritation. vegan/organic etc. She won't let me share so I've had to buy my own!

Invest in an appt with a dermatologist.

Seriously, there is litle point asking for recommendations of creans etc here.
You need a dr to diagnose you.

Look at all the private hospitals in a 20 mile radius and look at their dermatologists- look up their bios and choose one who deals with skin conditions such as rosacea/ eczema.

it will cost you around £250 but far cheaper in the long run than pots of cream at £30 a pop which might not work.

Try the online dermatologists instead. Much much cheaper. Dermatica or Skin n me.

Diagnose them? I think it’s interesting that you seem to have such faith in a GP. And at £250 a pop. Then there’s meds on top.
They’re a business (practice) in the enthrall of big pharma so they’re hardly best placed to offer independent, experiential suggestions (not advice). It’s basically not in their interest to make you well, but to keep you just ‘sick’ enough that you’re reliant on meds for the rest of your life.
Surely Mumsnet is a forum for experiential advice (as was presumably being asked for) not a place for easy deferral to medical opinion on problematic skin?

That's a very cynical view. Qualified doctors take the Hippocratic oath to do no harm. GPs are generalists and unless they have a lot of experience or interest in a particular condition, they won't necessarily know more about it than the informed patient.

I would try CeraVe wash for sensitive skin and follow with CeraVe PM moisturiser. Give it 3 weeks and see if there's a difference as it helps build up the skin barrier. My skin was the same and CeraVe has transformed it. If your skin tolerates it add the AM moisturiser as that has SPF but I can't tolerate any SPF on my face so I just use the PM one.

Discolourisation sometimes looks like rosacea, and this looks like that to me, which suggests you should look into treating discolourisation first and foremost, which should make it easier to spot any other issues.

Products with tretinoin are good for that, low-dose retinol can also be a good choice (but introduce them slowly if you do). I personally don't have those particular issues (yet!) so can't recommend any specific products. What would be worth to have a look at for recommendations/explanations is Dr Shereene Idriss's youtube channel - she is actually a certified dermatologist and knows her stuff (there are other channels like hers out there, too - obviously).

@Jerrytherockstar

Diagnose them? I think it’s interesting that you seem to have such faith in a GP. And at £250 a pop. Then there’s meds on top. They’re a business (practice) in the enthrall of big pharma so they’re hardly best placed to offer independent, experiential suggestions (not advice). It’s basically not in their interest to make you well, but to keep you just ‘sick’ enough that you’re reliant on meds for the rest of your life. Surely Mumsnet is a forum for experiential advice (as was presumably being asked for) not a place for easy deferral to medical opinion on problematic skin?

@Jerrytherockstar No one suggested a GP- I suggested a dermatologist.

These are highly qualified doctors with a specialism in skin. One of my DCs had been 'treated' for acne by a GP with no effect at all. Seeing a dermo at a local private hospital sorted it out for them.
They don't just dish out drugs. They discuss diet, skin care and also the psychological issues around skin conditions.

They are no more a 'business' than the companies peddling creams and lotions that rarely work.

Surely Mumsnet is a forum for experiential advice (as was presumably being asked for) not a place for easy deferral to medical opinion on problematic skin?

Problematic skin does need medical advice. Surprised you think MN posters are qualified to offer this.