60 and have never worn makeup

[Richaldis]

I've just turned 60 and have never worn makeup or had any sort of skincare routine - I'v never used creams, moisturisers or serums. Post menopause I now have uneven skin tone and dry areas which I never had before. Where on earth do I start? I don't even understand what half the products on the supermarket shelves are, what all the names mean or what they do.

@Richaldis if you want to keep up with the warm water and flannel you could try oil cleansing. I do this most of the time as I have dry sensitive skin and it doesn't cause any stinging. You can use any oil, I use coconut or almond mostly but you can also use Olive oil (good for very dry skin) sunflower oil etc.

Pour a small amount of oil in to the palm of one hand, rub hands together and massage the oil into your ( dry not wet) face. Make sure your hair is out of the way first! Give it a good massage around then remove by wiping your face with the warm wet flannel. This will also remove makeup should you decide to use any.

You may already have an oil in your kitchen cupboard so will cost nothing to try! 🙂

I also massage a small amount of oil into my face after doing the cleansing to help moisturise but you may not need to do this by if your face feels ok without moisturizer.

I have always moisturised, but recently that has been with rapeseed oil, morning and night, and I look glowy and fine. But my skin is dry. If yours isn’t, that might be too much. I think eyebrows need a bit of definition in our 60s. My favourite Is a Rimmel pencil in mid brown, very cheap, really easy, just stroke a bit on and then disperse with the brush. It’s proper subtle. I do also use a primer with spf on sunny days, a basic mascara, and sometimes lipstick as close to my actual lip colour as possible, in my case, bohemian raspberry by Bourgeois. If I look really rough, I will use a bit of foundation,, but bb cream is a good shout. I can get more complicated than that, but really, I shouldn’t, too much makeup and that frozen mask face definitely aren’t good.

Moo Goo full cream moisturiser and Lanolips 3 in 1 balm for extra dry spots. Moo Goo milk wash for washing your face.

Yes exactly. 5 drops in your hand, warm with the other hand by rubbing them together. Press onto your face. The skin will absorb what it needs.

The best skin I e ever seen was a French lady selling her pure organic creams. No SPF , just really good products

Yep, I honestly just use olive oil and a garnier SPF. And at night a hot cloth oil cleanser then olive oil.
A nicinamide serum on spots.
But so few of them.

It is SO tempting to buy products but they are really not necessary.

@Richaldis, 57 here and in same boat. I have no clue.I hate the dark bags under my eyes, jowls and wrinkly neck..

Sounds good to me 😀 have you followed this routine for while? Just wondering if it's worked out ok for your skin to do this longterm?

Yes pretty much for 15 years. I change spf brand and occasionally add in some face cream. That inevitably causes redness or spots. Then I stop using it and it clears up.
And repeat!
It is so darned difficult not to believe the marketing rubbish.

The things that do work- vitamin c serum. Nicinamide serum. Vitamin A ie retinol.
Other than that it's just olive oil and SPF for me.

I think the SPF every single day has made a huge impact. Compared to friends that haven't done that, I literally have fewer wrinkles, less deep wrinkles and less dry skin.

Thanks for your reply @KeeeeeepDancing 😀

I agree it is hard not to believe the marketing rubbish, we are bombarded with information as soon as we step in a shop or website. I get sucked in occasionally then regret it when i end up with a very red itchy face!

I used to spend so much on skincare in my 20's and 30's, but not any more! I'm going to have a look at the Garnier face spf's as some sun protection can also irritate my skin. Good to know this routine has worked well for you for years, thank you.

Stick to using as little as possible! If all you want is to get rid of the dry patches and even your skin tone you don’t need to be faffing with blusher and mascara.

Moisturiser - I use white tub Nivea, just slap it on morning and night. Simple oils are also good.

Even skin tone - a BB or CC cream (basically work as a lightweight foundation) or tinted moisturiser. I like NARS tinted moisturiser. Nice and light, you don’t need much. SPF 30 so while you ought to use a separate SPF this will help if you don’t.

Honestly if you’re mostly happy with yourself I wouldn’t add anything more.

Have a look at Look Fabulous Forever. They do good YouTube videos to show how to use the various products. The range is aimed at older women and divide lipstick into cool and warm tones. The right tone makes a big difference to how well you look.