How to look after my skin?

[Hoolahoophop]

I've been a soap and water zero makeup person all my life. But hitting 40 this year, have a little more disposable income and have noticed my bright complexion is not so youthful as it once was.

I'd like a simple routine but don't know where to start. Creams, oils, cleansers? I honestly don't have a clue beyond face wash and occasionally some e45 in the summer when my skin gets dry.

Is there a starter pack for any brand that you could recommend? What's the bare minimum I could do. Is there a light, invisible, east to apply cream I could use to hide eye bags and the little red blister/moles that has appeared in the last couple if years. Should I be wearing daily SPF?

Any advice would be very much welcomed.

Thank you.

Inky List and The Ordinary are good brands that aren't too expensive

Basics

Cleanse (am & pm)
Moisturise (am &pm)
SPF (am only)

Everything else is just add ons really.

If you do want to exfoliate, you could use something like pixi tonic

For brightness a vitamin c serum is great (in the morning before your sunscreen)

For antiaging you want Retinol (used at night)

Skin that's hydrated will look plumper.

You can make it detailed but really it's not worthwhile if you don't find it enjoyable.

Get Caroline Hirons book. It's incredible at explaining skin care and what you do and don't need. Love the sections about myths.

I think a cleansing balm with a hot cloth is the most luxurious way do cleanse your face. It leaves my skin shining. Also a double cleanse at night is amazing if you’re wearing make up.

Make up goes a long way whether we like it or not so ask in the chemist or department store for a nice dewy or glowy foundation. I love watching my face transform in the mornings when I put dewy foundation on. Mascara goes a long way at making us look more awake & just generally better.

I think L’Oréal Elvive moisturisers for day and a different one for night are great & available in any chemist. You don’t need to go barmy with skincare. A few simple routines go a long way

Garnier miscellar water to remove make-up at night then a gentle exfoliating cloth ( Korean Italy towels on Amazon) in shower.
Prescription Tretinoin. Dermatica or similar could do.
Wash with ice cold water in the morning, good 10 splashes, wakes you up as well 🤓. Then a good deeply moisturising cream, LRP has many, look for lipid restoring quality. Then SPF 50, voila.
You could add VitC serum but the ones that actually work are £££.

CeraVe wash followed by CeraVe moisturiser.

If you don't wear much make up you can get cloths that cleanse with just water. I normally do that followed by an essence (toner) and serum either the inkey list Polyglutamic Acid every morning and alternate evenings, retinol other evenings and moisturiser with spf for day and simple rich in the evening. If I'm venturing outside then a facial sunscreen too.

Is the SPF a moisturizer with SPF or a specific sunscreen like if lather on the kids daily?

I am a novice but promise not completely uncaring about my skin and health. I eat a very healthy diet, exercise regularly and drink a lot of water. Just never felt then need to do anything more.

I hate mascara, bit had my eye lashes tinted for my wedding and quite liked that, might see what those home lash tints are like.

Vitamin C, SPF and retinol are the 3 things that have made a huge difference to my skin. Use those religiously, everyday, and your skin will thank you. I also add in hyaluronic acid. Double cleansing at night and a gel wash in the morning.