I am 40 and don't do skincare but I think it is time. Any tips/recommendations?

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I don't have an unlimited budget but I do have some birthday money.
I don't want to get anything really expensive though as it may not be affordable long term

Literally have no idea. Completely clueless.

Where do I start?

Following because I desperately need help on this 😄 xx

Nivea in the blue tub. Brilliant.

Honestly I wouldn't bother. From the people I see around me the less you put on the face the better you seem to look. Stay out of the sun, don't smoke, drink lots of water and not much booze, a simple moisturiser when needed.

Keep hydrated, eat a healthy diet, wash with soap and a good moisturiser with spf - I use Aldi’s caviar one with isn’t that expensive. I don’t use makeup, or any expensive skin products and my skin looks very good for my age (genetics helps also!)

I don't drink or smoke but am terrible at staying hydrated.

I like the Liz Earle stuff, especially the balm cleanser. There are often deals to be had, often at John Lewis.

Some moisturising sunscreen. Don't ask me which one but seem to recall using some Garnier on holiday once that felt good on.
Unless you're looking to go full on in which case you'll want a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, sunscreen, then maybe something to matte it down a little with if you're not into the shiny look- I like a powder personally. Good moisturising lip product. I like a lanolin based one with sunscreen in. Then in the evening you'll want your retinol, maybe over a serum and under a thicker moisturiser. Oh and eye creams.

What’s your current routine? Do you wash your face with a facial product and do you use a SPF? I don’t have a fantastically complicated routine but I like for my dry / mature skin to be moisturised but I tend to buy products when they’re on offer. How would you describe your own skin.

I took out a Skin & Me subscription about a year ago and it’s completely sorted out my skin. I wouldn’t say I had acne but I always had at least a few spots at any time. I hadn’t really ever done skin care before so didn’t know where to start. I just did an online questionnaire and then they sent me everything I need. Would deffo recommend.

Saira skin… absolutely brilliant. Pricey, but it lasts forever and the difference it’s made to my skin is just incredible. I wouldn’t be without it, it’s made me feel so comfortable in my own skin.

Tropic Elixir. It's expensive but lasts 2 years.
Factor 50 in the spring/summer. We use Beauty of Josean which is reduced at many online shops atm.
Tinted moisturiser with spf autumn/winter. I'm using Lumene this year.
I need to drink more water too.

I am 42 and started serious skincare routine at 40. I use medic8 vitamin c tetra serum every morning then use a nice moisturising spf (currently loving beauty of joseon). At night I use tretinoin (started with skin and me but then got from a pharmacy in Middle East) and lots of moisturiser. Skin has never been better. I use a nice face wash twice a day too, using byoma at the moment.

I wash with soap and glory facewash and sometimes put a bit of palmers cocobutter on my face

This but whack some hyaluronic acid on before night moisturiser
simple cleanser and spf during the day
maybe physical exfoliator once a week

really depends on your skin type

It depends what your main concern is and what your skin type is really.

A good skincare routine is simple and easy to keep up. Cleanse your face gently but effectively, use a prescription strength retinoid (Dermatica/ Skin + Me etc), a moisturiser that suits and a good broad sprectrum f50 sunscreen.

All can be done very cheap these days. You can add in extras to suit your specific type or concerns but that’s the bones of it.

I agree. I have sensitive skin and find it best to leave it alone but will moisturise if dry. I'm 60 and my skin is unlined but I have got some broken veins on my cheeks which are annoying.

Cetaphil cleanser with a flannel and water. If you don’t wear makeup.

if you do wear makeup remove it by massaging Body Shop Camomile oil cleanser on dry skin the use the Cetaphil.

follow with Nivea blue pot.

sunscreen essential in the summer or if you’re outside a lot.

45 with the skin of a 30yo here

I'm 40 in a few months and recently upped my skincare and I can tell the difference, toner with collagen, loriel serum, Elizabeth Arden face oil, then Vera ve blue moisture

I think the serum is helping with plumpness and the oil is helping against dehydration

I'd put moisturiser on and feel like I'd not put it on half an hour later

SPF day cream or moisturiser (Doesn’t have to be expensive) www.boots.com/simple-age-resistand-day-cream-spf15-50ml-10363460

Retinol serum (more expensive but you don’t need much per day) https://www.boots.com/no7-protect-and-perfect-intense-advanced-serum-10301973

These would be my recommended starting places.

Soap and glory face wash is really nice

Drink water
double cleanse twice a day (I use Vaseline to remove make up and then I wash my face with La Roche Posay face wash and then use a cotton pad with their toner)
https://www.lookfantastic.com/p/la-roche-posay-effaclar-purifying-foaming-gel-cleanser-for-oily-blemish-prone-skin-400ml/11434754/

https://www.lookfantastic.com/p/la-roche-posay-effaclar-clarifying-lotion-200ml/11091820/

at night I then apply tretinoin which i purchase online from overseas
in the morning I use a la Roche Posay vitamin c serum
https://www.lookfantastic.com/p/la-roche-posay-vitamin-c12-serum-anti-wrinkle-and-radiance-restoring-serum-30ml/15456549/

in the day I then slap on a clarins moisturiser with spf in it
if it is super sunny or I will be outside all day then I ask use a high spf all day face sunscreen from Utra sun.

At night I slather on an Aldi night cream (in the blue pot - a dupe for La prairie I guess) over the top of the tret.

I'd get yourself a moisturizer with spf in it - I'm on a Neutrogena one - and start with that every morning after washing. You'll also need to wash (although I've been rinsing with water) in an evening. Keep the Palmers incase you want sonething overnight.

Try that for a few months, and then see if you want to add anything else in.

My skin was badly sun damaged as i didn’t bother with skincare at all until i turned 50. Dermatica tretinoin treatment, spf 50 and the ceramide Dermatica moisturiser have made a huge difference and my skin is better to the point where people often don’t believe I’m in my mid fifties. I don’t wear makeup except mascara though and subscribe to the less is more approach so usually just a splash of water or a makeup wipe is the most cleansing I do.

Honestly you don’t need loads, just start with a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and SPF, and add anything else later if you feel like it.