Skin care help please

[Ioverslept]

Hi, I'm after some advice on what I should be doing to look after my face and product recommendations. Mid 40s, "normal" complexion if there is such thing, suspected perimenopausal acne on and off, seems triggered by stress but not too sure. Never wear any make up. Skin care routine currently consist of face wash in the morning followed by anti-aging moisturising cream and eye contour from L'Occitane (an extravagant luxury I think) and some nights when I remember I use the serum of the same line before bedtime. I prefer natural products, used to like Olive and Joyce for how they left skin but hated the smell (tried 2 different ones) and they felt too rich/oily. I went into Boots today and was totally overwhelmed by choice and also unsure what I was looking for. Any recommendations please?

It depends what you want to do. Rosehip oil is a good one also a retinol. Tretonin is popular here but I’m scared of it! And vitamin c serum is popular. I’ve just started using it again.

I’ve personally found a pared down skincare routine suits my skin better and even just used simple soap on it, got a cheap Boots Rose face wash. I like Garnier vitamin c moisturiser, with the vitamin c serum and upcircle caffeine eye cream and Aldi lacura q10 night cream with retinol every other night.

Neals yard Rose oil is a nice night time oil.

Also use an spf 50 at least on top of daytime moisturiser.

You could try Liz Earle. The Cleanse & Polish might help with the outbreaks,it’s a hot cloth cleanser. If you buy from QVC you can return if you don’t like the range even after opening & using unlike most places you buy from. There are lots of brands on there you could try.

Thanks, yes I forgot to mention the SPF 50 in Spring/Summer. In fact is the only thing I ended up buying today! Why are you scared of Tretonin?

Because for me, it's quite harsh and you have to build up to it slowly. There are others on this board who can tell you how to use it and how to build up to it.

My skin isn't that bad with wrinkles either (she says!) so I prefer just to use retinol (The Ordinary).

The one thing I wish I had looked into when I was your age (am 52 now) is sagging around the jawline. Didn't have any of that then and it's only started about 2 years ago. I mean it's hard to stop anyway but I think it really ages me.

Another thing which helps - a fairly clean diet. So minimal or low processed foods. Lots of fruit and veg and less of sugar and salt. I admit though I like the latter two.

I think I'll pass on that too! Thanks for the tips

I'll try the rose oils and massaging the jawline, maybe I should try face yoga!

If you do want to try tret then just post here on SAB, there are people who are much more knowledgeable about it than I am.

I am thinking of trying face yoga!

Basically, I would advise, if you're happy with what you're using now, then carry on.

I only decided to pare down/back my regime as I noticed my skin was getting worse (but this was mid to late 40s) and was only the odd spot - weird to suddenly get a rare spot that came to a head at 40/early 40s when I thought that was gone from my life.

The one thing I noticed re peri was I needed more sleep (I was told this by a friend slightly older than me), so ensure you get that. Anything else you like doing, yoga (I did vinyasa flow yoga solidly every week from late 30s to mid 40s) or something relaxing or invigorating then do it, it shows in your face, spas etc.