Where to start

[RidingMyBike]

I'm mid-40s, have no idea what type of skin I have and no idea where to start. For years I've bought increasingly random skincare from a mixture of Boots (Liz Earle, Boots ingredients), Body Shop (most recently vitamin E stuff, camomile
Cleanser, aloe Vera etc), Superdrug hot cloth cleanser, La Roche Posay sun stuff. Mostly as a result of seeing this stuff mentioned somewhere or there was an offer on.

I've used up almost all the toiletries I had in the cupboard as we cut back drastically on spending to pay for our house renovation. That's coming to an end, and I need to wash my face still(!) so any recommendations for products to buy?

You can probably make out the price range I'm in from the above. I usually wash face with some kind of cleanser, then moisturise. Occasionally wear make up. The only brand I really didn't get on with was Green People!

Which of the ones you have tried already did you like? Were there any you didn't get on with?

Skin needs to be clean, protected from the sun, and hydrated.

You're already doing all of those with the products you are using. (SPF should be high- 30+)

None of those 3 things need to be expensive, it's a matter of taste, I love some of the ones you've named, the Liz Earle cleanser, the Superdrug Vitamin E etc. Cleanser is on your face for about 30 seconds so can be as cheap as you like. Moisturizer should do what it says.

If you want to add some anti-ageing actives- you could think about a vitamin C in the morning. Helps with protection against pollution and gives a glow. Likewise a retinoid at night. An entry grade one (0.3% give or take) Lots of them available at all price points- The Ordinary, Inkey List etc.

An acid toner might be an idea, used alternatively with retinoid. If you're still a bit oily, a salicylic like Paula's Choice (though there are much cheaper ones around with the same % of salicylic) if you're dry, then a glycolic like Pixi (or one of its trillion dupes)

I'd just continue using the products you like and add the above- slowly though!

Thank you! This is really helpful. I am a bit mesmerised by all the extras that are acids etc and what they're meant to do.

I like the Body Shop camomile cleanser one (partly because it's satisfyingly squidgy!), especially in the evening. And the hot cloth stuff in the morning. Liked the smell of the Liz Earle one although both it and the Superdrug one seemed to give similar results.

Moisturiser I'm never sure about and not really found one I'm happy with.