Skincare help - what products and when??

[WobbleHead]

I need some help from knowledgeable mumsnetters to figure out a skincare routine with some new products I’ve bought.

After a cold dark winter my skin was looking really dry and haggard. I’m 41. I’ve always had pink skin and my face increasingly just seems so red all the time, especially on my cheeks. It might be a touch of rosacea.

I decided to get some products to help me try and improve the quality of the skin on my face. Generally all I wore was a moisturiser with spf in the day and sometimes some light moisturiser at night.

I did a bit of research about what I needed but I realise I’m a bit clueless about when in the day I should be applying these, and in what order:

In the morning after a shower I have been putting this on first:
Happy Face 10% Azelaic Acid Skin Clearing Gel Cream (supposed to tackle redness)

… Then this on top:
Garnier Ambre Solaire ultra-light sensitive sun protection face fluid spf50+ (with hyaluronic acid)

At night after washing my face with warm water I have been putting on:
Neutrogena Retinol Boost Night Cream

… Mixed with a bit of this for extra moisture:
Aveeno Face Calm and Restore Rehydrating Night Cream

It feels odd to be putting two products on at once, and I wonder if they may be affecting each others’ effectiveness.

I’ve also read online that people have been using an azelaic acid product at night, not the morning, but would this mean I wouldn’t be able to use the retinol product at night too??

Before my shower in the morning I work out outdoors and have been slapping a bit of spf on - with all the sweating and wiping of my face I do during exercise, I don’t think there’s any point to putting the fancy creams on beforehand, is there?

I’d really appreciate some perspectives and advice.

I tried all of the above and just got myself in such a mess. Wasted money with ‘trial and error’, never sure how long till I gave up, how long would it be till I saw results, whether the redness is usual - good sign/not….😵‍💫

Eventually, I read some of the prescription dermatologist threads on here and signed up for Dermatica. They prescribe the cream I need, in appropriate strengths increasing overtime. They prescribe by photo and adjust as time passes. I can ask them questions.

My skin is so much better.

This is a thread that gives some info overtime. It would be great if it is continually updated.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5160597-has-anyone-tried-dermatica?reply=142297309

Oh super interesting thank you.

I have been using skin + me which is similar to Dermatica mentioned above, my perscription is azeleic acid and tret (strong retinol) thats mixed in a single product so in theory you could move your azeleic acid to the evening too but the thing sbout skin + me is they gradually build up the dosage.

This is all so interesting

I think you can definitely simplify your routine a little. Mild cleanser (eg Squalane Cleanser from The Ordinary), moisturiser and SPF in the morning (Heliocare is excellent), then cleanser + customised formula and more moisturiser (as necessary) at bedtime. Instead of more wasted money and trial and error with over the counter products and low strength retinols, I suggest you let the experts guide you to better ingredients in a prescription made just for you. This is such a great modern way and at 60, it works well for me (daughters also). I subscribe to Monderma for my skin concerns. They will advise if you have rosacea and prescribe accordingly. Also; have you tried Rosalique? It’s a great day cream that camouflages any redness and is SPF50. Don’t be alarmed as it goes on green, but quickly adjusts to your skin tone.

Keep it simple. A cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen, and a night cream.

Focus on those four, and strike a balance between quality and what works best for your skin.

I also have a tretinoin 0.025%, azelaic acid 3%, niacinamide 2% Monderma prescription.