Skincare help - starting from scratch

[OoohWhatchaSay]

I am in desperate need of some recommendations for affordable skincare products please!!

My skin has always been awful (spotty, big pores etc) and I have to admit I have neglected it. I'm now in my 30's and showing signs of ageing at an alarming rate. I need to do something to help but am absolutely clueless on where to start!

I'd love to find a really simple skincare routine which might help to slow down further wrinkles etc (I know they can't perform miracles 😂) or at least generally improve my skin.

I hear about cleansers/toners/moisturisers/masks/serums/spf etc and get completely overwhelmed. Without spending a fortune, would anybody please be able to recommend some products to me. My skin is oily in places but I get very dry patches too, if this makes any difference.

Huge thanks in advance to anyone able to help!

Your skin sounds just like mine. After extensive reading of forums and fb this is what I came up with and I have transformed my skin. It didn’t happen overnight however. Key things are tretinoin, Korean skin care stuff and SPF.

Here’s what I do;
PM; Gentle cleanser on an evening - I use aveeno oat calming cleanser (like £8 off Amazon).
Hada labo premium essence gold (this is a hydrating toner type thing) apply to wet skin after cleansing (Amazon approx £12?).
Wait 5 mins then apply tretinoin. Dermatica prescription online - they will prescribe you an appropriate strength and you will slowly build up. I am now on 0.1% which is the highest dose after a year of building up (it’s £20 ish a month but you can delay the next months order very easily online if you haven’t used it all up yet - I usually go 6 weeks on one tube).
Wait 5 mins then apply Illyoon ceramide moisturiser (Amazon maybe £17 I think)
Rose hip oil to finish (cheap off Amazon)

Morning;
Splash face with water (no need to cleanse again on a morning and I find if I do this dries my skin out more)
Hada lobo toner again on wet skin.
Illyoon ceramide moisturiser.
50 spf Nivea.

Hope this helps, I’ve trialed a few different moisturisers etc and my skin loves all the above together.

Ps - the above has reduced spots dramatically, removed hyperpigmentation, (hopefully) delaying wrinkles forming more! And my skin is glowing. After starting on tret you do go through an awful stage of purging of spots and drying of skin but if you keep skin well hydrated withe products like the above it’s well worth it when you come out the other side

Thank you SO much @Rockaroundthexmastree I really appreciate this!!! I will look into all these products. I'm excited to get into a good routine and hopefully see some improvements.
Have you ever found a good tinted moisturiser that works for you? My skin is so pale and I'd love a little glow without having to use so much foundation etc.
Thank you so much for your recommendations, you're a star!

Yes I like missha M perfect cover bb cream. Not as heavy as a foundation but decent coverage - the shades go to very pale ones

Also if you’re on fb, there are some great skin care groups on there relating to tretinoin and a lot of advice probably better than mine. I tried cerave stuff for a while which is fairly cheap and comes recommended by many skin care people but my skin didn’t like it. Also good old Nivea stuff has been fine but the Korean toner and moisturiser has really been a game changer for me. Like anything though it’s trial and error for every person!

Following this thread, I also don’t have any skincare routine and really need to /want to start.
I signed up to skin & me for a daily treatment, I think it’s a similar concept to dermatica. I’m just not sure about the rest! I’m going to look into those products as well. I don’t have acne but I do have red cheeks a bit like rosacea but not as bad/inflamed.

Thank you @Rockaroundthexmastree this all sounds great 🙏🏼

@Rockaroundthexmastree I’ve read so much on here about Dermatica and always been put off by the subscription. However, I’ve just been on and signed up to it. Hopefully this makes a positive difference. X

Ooh I’ve also realised I have a refer code if anyone does try Dermatica off this post https://www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/WW8813 (absolutely not why I’ve recommended it however!) genuinely

Ah that’s annoying!! 😂

If your skin is oily you'd find something with salicylic acid useful.
La Roche Posay Effaclar range is excellent and almost always on offer somewhere. Dermalogica/Paula's Choice/Clinique etc (any ranges basically which originated for oily/breakout skin) have the same products but with heftier price points. Superdrug also do a range as do Nip & Fab.

For routines, you need a cleanser, a moisturizer, an SPF. Cleanser can be as cheap as chips. It's on your face for 30 seconds. Moisturizer doesn't need to be fancy.

Skin and Me/Dermatica offer subscriptions then you get a reward every time someone uses your referral code. They'll tailor you a routine but can be quite pricey.

Thank you so much @ScentOfAMemory x