New basic facial/skincare routine needed after big product cull

[MaybeSwitzerland]

I have never really managed to commit to any routine or product for skincare. I buy products occasionally and then fail to routinely use them - i have some sensory issue for anything sticky, so don t do much beyond a splash of water / the shower and using SPF when i go out (rare, i m indoors most of the time).

i can t really apply make up (no skills) - the only product i like and used is a shimmery transparent lipgloss from clinique, now long discontinued.

i am now middle aged and feel i need to do something to improve both tone and glow. I ve considered permanent eyelash tinting, as well as various creams, oils, etc... but i d like to not waste more money into another set of products i ll never use (or understand).

My budget would be below £200 for both skincare products and make up (i threw everything i had, some of it was 10+ years, from my wedding).

i really hope someone who started at a similar low baseline can come and advise!

https://gb.readly.com/magazines/woman/2024-04-30/662a37dc079f5367a1a1ed78

thanks @JenniferBooth - loads of interesting products, but i cannot see how someone who starts from zero would be able to build them into some sort of sustainable routine?

Did a big overhaul recently as I’m approaching 50 and the things I found in my last overhaul about ten years ago weren’t right for me anymore.

Went to Dermatica for a prescription/personalised formula that is used nightly and started from there. Been using that for about six months now and it’s made a massive difference.

Once I had that underway (a couple of months) I started trying other things one at a time.

First thing I tried was some of the dermatica add on products. Found a cleanser I like with them and I’m also currently trialling an azelaic treatment cream from them which is promising

For a moisturiser I researched my main concern (redness) and found out that calendula is good for that so I found an oil with calendula in it just by searching on Amazon.

So I’d say find a core daily treatment and build out gradually from there. Only change one thing at a time so you can see whether it is working for you or not.

A basic routine for me is this with the product used in this order:

1/ Cleanser (CeraVe) Boots. Also available on Amazon
2/ Toner (I make my own. However, you can get a basic toner from anywhere, such as Savers/Superdrug or Boots, for approx average £4.00.
3/ Eye cream (CeraVe) Amazon
4/ Serum (CeraVe)
5/ Daytime Moisturising lotion mixed with Rosehip oil. Moisturiser by CeraVe. Rosehip oil Amazon
6/ Suncream.

On a night, cleanse, tone, and use CeraVe night cream

Cost approx £70.

You can also Google any of the CeraVe products and maybe find a deal.

That leaves you £130 for makeup. I suggest you make an appointment at an apartment store or somewhere like bodyshop to have them do your makeup. Then you can choose which products to use.

Probably using body shop or Boots makeup counters will work out cheaper than the department stores like John Lewis.

I hope this is helpful.

For anyone interested, I also use a beauty prescription product with tretnoin and retinol in which really helps the ageing products.

I use now the cersve products as above as these are the most gentlest natural products for my skin. It's also good for anyone with skin problems such as acne.

Referral link below. You get the first one for £3.50 and I get a referral discount. It's worth the money l

www.skinandme.com/?promocode=CAROLT5VTM

If you want something simple:
gentle cleanser
oil free moisturiser- won’t be sticky
tinted moisturiser and/or liquid blush
mascara
lip balm or lip oil - balm might be best

Clinique has a Light Reflecting primer which gives a lovely glow. I use it in summer instead of tinted moisturiser.
Laura Mercier makes an oil free tinted moisturiser, and tinted blush and bronzer.
Clinique makes an eye brow mousse/gel which I find gives my face as big a lift as mascara.
Nars makes a really lovely Afterglow lip balm in beautiful colours.

i am out shopping for this (finally) today.
i have a plan for all except sunscreen.

what i use at the moment are
random face spf50
or
superdrug spf30 liquid dropper thing

both have textures that seem to mess up whatever i applied on before (eg blush, or tinted cream)

is there a good "all in one" product?
do you redo make up everytime you apply spf?