Help me create a skin care routine

[prospectivenhs]

I literally use nothing on my face and now I'm heading into my mid to late 30s, I feel I really need to invest in some good skincare. I have normal skin.

What should I buy and what do I need? Bonus for any recommended products.

Certainly nothing too expensive - pricey skincare is a con. I'd start with a basic routine: a plain, gentle cleanser, a plain, gentle moisturizer (Cerave is good for both, or I also like Superdrug's own brand Vitamin E range), and a SPF that you will actually use daily. That one can require a little bit more experimentation to find one that suits you, but Nivea and Ambre Solaire are 2 good budget options. Le Roche Posay Anthelios is also very popular but more expensive. Once you have established the basics, you might want to add in tretinoin, but don't bother with anything over the counter - either purchase it abroad or use an online dermatologist like Dermatica or Skin+Me.