Skin help please

[Shallysally]

I’m menopausal, and my skin has definitely changed due to this.
Usual routine is a creamy cleanser that I wash off with a flannel, Elemis apricot toner, hyaluronic serum and the nivea Q10 moisturiser. I use the espa facial scrub once or twice a week.

My skin never really looks bright or even, it’s gone from being quite dry to a little greasy and my make up slides off my nose after a couple of hours even when I use a setting spray.

What should I change please?

I'd start with swapping your Elemis toner for Superdrug's Naturally Radiant Glycolic Toner instead. I usually have quite expensive tastes but this Superdrug toner is amazing and far superior to more expensive products I've tried. For me the difference was visible within a couple of days as my complexion looked so much brighter.

Thank you @HundredMilesAnHour! I’m also aware that I don’t use an SPF, do I need one with the glycolic toner please?

You should be using SPF anyway but if you don't want to, you can minimise the impact by using the toner in the evening. 😀

I use the super drug toner too and like it.

I would definitely use spf everyday though when I'm using it.

I've started a skin and me subscription and so far I have azeleic acid and niacinamide. Next month they will add tretinoin which I think is meant to help keep pores clear. My skin can get quite congested which sounds a little bit like what you ate describing.

@HundredMilesAnHour, yeah I know I should! Do I need a separate one or is a combined SPF in a moisturiser ok?

@NatTheGnat I’ve liked at the skin and me but to be honest I find all the different ingredients a bit overwhelming. And also don’t know what I’m doing!

Sorry meant to add, yes it is a bit congested. Never really feels clean if you know what I mean.

@Shallysally I don't understand any of it either. You upload pictures and explain what your skin problem is and they prescribe you a single product with everything in it. That's why I like it! It's a daily dose thing so you only use the right amount of product and then it runs out at the end of the month and another one arrives. It seems to be dermatologists who prescribe it.

It is quite pricey but I got my first one free with a code from a youtuber and since it stops me having to buy any other skincare products, it's worth it for me. I still buy cleanser, face wash, toner and spf but don't have to get any serums.

Another thing I sometimes do when my skin doesn't feel clean, is to add a few drops of tea tree oil to my moisturiser. It's a very fresh feeling. Go easy though to begin with

@Shallysally Lots of people will say you need a separate SPF but I just use one that's in my make-up and/or moisturiser unless I'm going to be out in direct hottish sun. Actually even then, I've found It Cosmetics CC cream's SPF (50) to be outstanding and it's protected me well even in Morocco and Qatar (I learnt the hard way as there was a gap between my CC and my hairline duh!!)

I've been using Dermatica for the past year and that's also made a huge improvement to my skin. I used the Superdrug toner for 6 months then started Dermatica as well.

The thing with skin and me (and dermatica I assume) is that you don't really need to know as their derms use photos of your skin and what you tell them you don't like currently about it to prescribe the ingredients you need into the one formula.
Though it seems most people get niacinamide, azaeliac acid and tretinonin in some combo.

Apart from that all you need is gentle wash or cleanser, moisturiser with soft and I use a gentle toner too.

@NatTheGnat thanks, I’ll have a look at skin and me then, sounds fail safe even for me!

@HundredMilesAnHour ah that’s reassuring then. I’m reluctant to add another layer of moisture on at the moment.

@Schoolchoicesucks thank you. Ah so the dermatica/skin and me is a treatment, like a serum.