Skin care in your 40s

[Cannedheat1999]

I have relatively good skin, but I have a few age related concerns
-enlarged pores
-puffy undereyes
-some drying out in general
What skin care regime is anyone having success with? I should add a can be a but sensitive TIA

This is mine:

PM:
Balm cleanser (I find this effective, but also very gentle as most washes/cleansers make my skin feel too dry etc)
Retinol (I started small and took MONTHS to build up and am still on a low dose but it does help. I'm using Neutrogena).
On days I dont' use retinol or when my skin is feeling especially dry, I use a cheap and cheerful hyalorunic acid serum as a short term fix.
Night cream - I like the Neutrogena Moister Boost ones.

AM
I just rinse in the shower. Once or twice a week I will use a mild exfoliator or something with salicylic acid.
Vitamin C serum (I currently use The Ordinary one but it's a bit marmite. The Inkey List one is is a good intro and I used it for ages, The Body Shop Vitamin C range is good and I have loved the Murad one on the pricier side)
Good day cream, with SPF. On the expensive end I like Clarins. On the cheap and cheerful end I use Nivea or Elf (the neutrogena one should be my go to but I dont' find it moisterising enough in the SPF version and I can't be bothered with a separate SPF).

If your skin feels particularly bad, it might be worth a short term investment in Clarins Double Serum. I used this every second day in the morning and it helped my skin a lot when I was feeling particularly bleugh . But it's pricey so now my skin is looking and feeling better I haven't replaced it.

I cleanse, tone and moisture. So basic but it suits my skin. I tried retinol and spent the next month with horribly sore skin and dry sore patches under my eyes whilst it healed(I ended up having to use my eczema cream on the patches). I just wanted to rip my skin off. I have very sensitive skin so I've found a routine that doesn't hurt my skin so I'm sticking to it.

I use a hot cloth cleanser in the evenings to take my make up off, a normal gentle cleanser in the morning that I wash off in the shower. I use Nivea Q10 moisturiser morning and night. Nivea Q10 eye cream.

I need something quick and easy, can't be doing with the faff at 5 am!

I also drink lots of water and very little alcohol.

I watched endless videos and saw endless SM posts about retinol and how it flakes and it makes your skin dry and red and sore but "it's worth it" and thought that's a load of bollocks. I'm also bemused, in light of the above, at how often on MN people recommend going straight to Tret!

Then I discovered actual dermatologists on social media who all say the same thing - introduce retinol very slowly, very carefully and at very low doses and, if it causes discomfort or pain stop IMMEDIATELY, plus up your moisterising products - until it feels better.

A friend tried it and went straight to using it every day, without moisteriser. Obviously, within 3 days her skin was in agony. And now she won't touch the stuff.

Obviously, do not use retinol if you're happy with your current routine (and I also love the Nivea Q10 stuff - thats' my morning cream) but I would say if you do want to try it again in due course, it's probalby doable but you should be very cautious and slow in your approach.