Full Skincare Products - Recommendations Please :)

[TTCm]

Hi ladies

I am not very good with my skincare routine / knowledge of products so I need your help!

I currently use Simple cleanser and toner which I really like. I have the Q10 Intense Serum that is supposed to go on before day/night cream but I've just been using it as cream so no SPF etc.

I've also seem a few posts on here about retinol, tretinoin and vitamin C so figured I need to sort my products out!

I am happy to spend a reasonable amount (not excessive) on good recommended products and would also like a nice face scrub to use a few times a week.

I don't have oily skin, but it often feels quite dry.

Please could you ladies recommend any skincare routines so I know what products I need? Thank you

Hi OP,

I'm late thirties with combination skin. These are the products I've used and would recommend:

AM

Cerave hydrating cleanser or Vanicream gentle cleanser (with a flannel)
Byoma gel moisturiser
Beauty of Joseon spf

PM

Bioderma micellar water
Cerave hydrating cleanser
and then either a retinol, serum or other treatment

Indeed labs retinol reface
Moogoo vitamin c (I prefer to use this at night but think you can use it during the day)
The ordinary lactic acid 5% (for liquid exfoliation)
Facetheory saliatica 2% BHA exfoliant (for liquid exfoliation)

I'm 40s and combination skin.

Morning
Cerave hydrating cleanser
Clinique moisturiser gel
Sunscreen

Evening
Inkey list oat cleansing balm
Cerave hydrating cleanser
Boots own glycolic acid x3 a week
Inkey list Retinol serum
Nivea night cream with bakuchiol

I was getting sloppy and spots came back to back on it

Watch Nadine Baggott's 5 ingredients video on YouTube from a couple of years ago.
Skin needs to be clean, hydrated, protected from the sun. So:
A cleanser
A moisturizer
Neither of these need to be spendy.
An SPF50

Two other products that will make a difference:
A vitamin C in the morning.
A vitamin A/retinoid at night.

B
NB's video has suggestions at all price points.

Don’t use face scrub. It’s awful for your skin.

use a chemical exfoliator like glycolic instead. Much better.

Wow, thank you @stardust777 @Bovrilla @NowZeusHasLainWithLeda and @mintbiscuit for your recommendations.

I am busy looking into all the recommendations you have very kindly taken the time to post about. I also found this very helpful link which sets out really good advice on the order.

This is going to be an expensive (but worthwhile) evening :)

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a25372431/what-order-to-apply-skincare-products/ link to Cosmopolitans Skincare Order if it helps anyone x

Most of my skincare is from beauty pie but I'm trying to branch out a bit. No other reason than the excitement of trying something new.

For retinol, it's recommended to start using a very low percentage once a week and build up to say 5 days out of 7. Get a night cream. I started with the beauty pie retinol night cream + vitamin c.

Generally in the day I do
Cleanser - I like the ones that are a balm or cream and turn milky when you wash them off. I use a good face cloth to wipe off.

Niacinamide - this is good for clear skin. It was the buzz word for skincare last year

Vitamin c - a great antioxidant to have in your routine. Brightens the skin. I have used capsules and serums in the past. I'm just about to try the simple serum.

Moisturiser

SPF 50 - this should be separate and used everyday of the year. I'm using the Garnier one at the moment which is ok. But I prefer the la Roche posay one as it's thinner so feels nicer on the skin. I'm also trying the Garnier over makeup mist to make sure I'm topping up in the day.

Sometimes I'll use a glycolic toner, say once a week after cleaning in the morning.

At night, I try and keep it simple with a cleanse, retinol serum and a nice cream or ceramide capsule on top. On the days I don't use retinol, I try and give my skin something nourishing to maintain the skin barrier.

Recommend feeding people on Instagram to follow, e.g. Caroline Hirons, the beauty recluse.

I've just re-ordered the Medik8 vitamin C which is spendy but I've had to accept that I can't be without it: https://m.sephora.co.uk/p/Medik8-C-Tetra-30ml

I also love the Hada Labo super hydrator, which someone recommended on here ages ago. I apply it under vitamin c (I wait till it's £11.99 then buy 2 and it lasts ages) https://www.superdrug.com/skin/face-skin-care/face-balms/hada-labo-tokyo-super-hydrator-lotion-150ml/p/795466 – it feels like water and at first I thought it was a bit emperors new clothes but now I can tell if I've skipped it.