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

[AppleXmasMagic]

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?

I really like The Ordinary stuff.

I regularly use their cleanser, glycolic toner, retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and moisturiser (not all at the same time and on the same day!) and just a random spf that was on offer in Tesco. I’ve added other stuff over time.

Depends what you’re looking to achieve.

Start with a nice, gentle cleanser and a moisturiser with SPF.

Cerave is a good one to use in the morning, it has spf 30 or 50

For cleansers then depending on your skin type there is also Cerave but Byoma also do a couple of really nice cleansers, either the jelly or the milky ones.

Then a moisturiser for the evening. Cerave, Byoma or Aveeno are high street options.

You might then want to add in a retinol. Start low with a 0.2% and build up.

YOu can then decide if you want to add in something like a peptide or vitamin C. Naturium are a good brand for this

Le Roche posay moisturising spf is a godsend. No matter what I’d go with that!

The Ordinay, Inkey & Geek & Gorgeous are really good budget brands. Some supermarkets like Sainsburys have own label skincare as well.

I have become a bit of a fan of Korean skincare recently. A lot about hydration and sun protection. It can look horribly daunting and I am not advocating all of the serums and stages but there are starter kits around especially at this time of year. I also like Byoma Which again can be found in Boots and again in starter kits.

maybe starter kits could be a plan? Everyone’s skin is different (I hate the ordinary and inkey list for example but they work really well for lots of others). That way you have a ‘routine’ in a single box and if it doesn’t suit you, you can try something else….

Tret - hold grail. Use Skin and Me or Dermitica - I used to be so into skincare but I have got very lazy - my skin is amazing with this - I put it on at night after cleaning my face. I cleanse with Aqueous cream - huge pot for abut 4£, then a serum such as hyaluronic acid from somewhere like The Ordinary and the cerave moisturiser (in morning) - huge pot so lasts ages. I have tried so many different things. A nice oil such as the Ordinary Rosehip Oil after this if you want.

If you are using tret (retinol) or vit c serum you must wear sunscreen. Otherwise your face can react to daylight (really not a glamorous look!!)

I use a cleansing face balm, wipe off with a muslin cloth and then moisturiser with cetaphill moisturiser.
Add a sun block if going out. I hardly wear makeup. I have been told I look younger than I am.

You don't need anything expensive. Superdrugs naturally radiant range us a good cheap one and if you want to go mid range, I am liking boots protect and perfect stuff which may still be on offer.

I like Superdrug Naturally Radiant hot cloth cleanser plus very affordable

If you haven't been using sunscreen and you are 40, you might start to see the effects from about 45. I think prescription tret is amazing for this as already suggested by PP and I would spend my money on that Renew+me is the Skin+Me for 40+ onwards (originally for peri women so has more moisturiser).

Vitamin c in the morning (the Garnier serum is good). Tret at night and then a good simple unfragranced moisturiser (the type dependent on whether your skin is dry or oily). I only splash my face with water in the morning and Dove soap at night (unless Im wearing makeup). I do also experiment with Korean skincare (pdrn for example) but that's just for fun.

Im.also big on exfoliating as its stops the dull skin of middle (ha) age. I often use a facial sponge for that or a chemical exfoliator.

I would avoid expensive serums...this is because sometimes you get one that is amazing and you want to carry on using it which is a bit of a financial commitment!

Prescription skincare such as Tretinoin. I use Dermatica, it has transformed my skin.
No fancy packaging or glossy tbh adverts, that's what you pay for with the Charlotte Tilbury, Estee Lauder etc.

I'm 60 but but girls half my age ask how I've got such great skin. Also, factor 50 sunscreen, every day. Wish i'd started that much earlier in my life.

I'm 38 and my skin has really improved since I started taking more care of it. I definitely have noticed a huge difference although I don't think it needs to be expensive or complicated. The best skincare routine is going to be the one you can stick to as consistency is key.

I would buy five products and get into the habit of using them every day. One cleanser, two serums, one moisturiser and an spf. Which ones you choose depends on your budget, skin type and any particular concerns. I'm oily skinned so use a gentle foaming cleanser and a lightweight gel moisturiser. If I were dry skinned I'd use a cream cleanser and a richer moisturiser. The thing that I think has made the biggest noticeable difference to me is using a vitamin c serum in the mornings for brightening but then you must use an SPF..... although you should anyway!

My routine is:

Morning

Wash face

Vitamin C serum. I use Garnier so it's cheap and cheerful but seems to do the trick.

L'Oréal Revitalift SPF 50 - this is brilliant and usually about £8 on Amazon.

Evening

Wash face with cleanser and a flannel. The gentle exfoliation from a flannel is good.

Serum. I use Nivea Bakuchiol serum as it's a plant based version of retinol so a bit gentler and can be used daily.

Moisturiser. I use nivea hydra boost but if palmers is working for you I'd just stick with that.

I was using a full range of a bit o the expensive side Clinique products in my late 20s and early 30s as my skin reacted badly to “everything” else.

Then I split from my husband so moved to L’Oréal products as I couldn’t afford Clinique anymore… nothing happened,, then I bought him out so to manage the expensive new mortgage I downsized to Aldi Q10… my skin is absolutely fine and has been for almost 10 years on Aldi products.

i look younger than my age but I think that is due to genetics primarily, not drinking/smoking, drinking a lot of water and never spending much time under the sun.

When I was much younger I tried all sorts of expensive brands. Eventually, I lighted on Boots No. 7 range and have stuck with it since. I'd particularly recommend the serums. People express surprise when they learn my age and I do notice that age-mates in various contexts (classes; groups, etc) have skin which looks much more dry, papery & lined than mine.

So, good ol' Boots for me.

I use loads of products the 2 main things I would never go without are skin+Me for the Tretinoin and then an spf with vitamin c boots do a good one as do garnier.

If you use my code you can get a month of skin+Me fir free just £3.50p&p

www.skinandme.com/?promocode=LAURENS5YP3

What? The £30 one?

I like Aveeno. When my mum was in her last months, she could only use Aveeno and Simple products so I've stuck with those.
Gruum do quite a nice moisturiser as well - these products also get used on my feet!

@AppleXmasMagic Hi. I would recommend upcircle. My skin is much better since using this range. I definitely think having a good product makes a massive difference. Also any lines or bags under my eyes have gone from using their eye cream, I also get
compliments on my skin from using their face oil. X

i use Beauty Pie vit C serum and moisturiser and my daughter always mentions when I go back to it, the first time I was using it she asked if I’d had Botox
But I think the most important thing is to decide on a routine and stick to it

Husk and Seed do a nice basic starter kit. I've tried all sorts over the years, but theirs is by far my favourite. The full sizes are quite expensive, but do last for months. Also theirs are very natural products, and seem particularly good for older and /or menopausal skin.

I’m 45 and usually follow something for 2 weeks and then give up and go back to soap so following for interest!

I have always used Clinique dramatically different moisturiser (yellow one) and then i use cleanser or toner when I can be arsed. I think a lot of it down to genes though. I also don’t wear make up.

@Iocanepowder i like the dramatically difference moisturiser too especially in the winter

I have a shower in the morning and then while my skin is still warm and damp I put on a dollop of blue Nivea and let it sink in for about 20 minutes. Same at night. I’m 57 with skin that doesn’t look lined or papery. Mind you, I have youthful skin due due to genetics and possible Elhers-Danlos Syndrome, and also I’m slightly fat which fills out the lines 😁