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 use Tropic most of the time but love Palmers cocoa butter too.

I’m 70 but people are genuinely surprised as I do look younger. I’ve always looked after my skin since being a teenager which I think has had benefits but also good genes. When I was 11 I had to see a skin specialist (scalp psoriasis) who told my mum I was very lucky as I had the type of skin that wouldn’t age a great deal. She was right.

You don’t have to use expensive products. I use miscellar water for cleaning (my skin is oily so suits me) and I moisturise morning and night.

It’s all down to how concerned you are about how you look.

I did no skin care until mid 40s when my skin became itchy and often felt like it was badly sunburnt even though it wasn't. I assume hormones. Also rosacea.

A nurse recommended Epaderm and I have definitely noticed improvement.

Palmers for the face isn't the best tbh. It depends on your skin type though are you dry? Are you oily? are you combination?

What are your concerns? Different concerns require different serums?

I use mostly tropic skincare (I’m not an ambassador before anyone asks). Cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser and then SPF (I use SPF all year as I’m very pale). Evening routine I cleanse, tone and moisturise and use a youth potion.
I’ve just bought Charlotte tilbury magic cream and my face feels like silk! I doubt I will keep buying it as it’s expensive but I got a Black Friday deal. I used to think skincare was a bit of a con but if I get lazy and don’t do my skincare routine you can really tell! My make up looks better when I use skincare too. Always finish with setting spray and it lasts all day! Im 45. On another note my mum has amazing skin in her early 70’s. All she’s ever used is oil of Olay every day!!

CeraVe (Boots though available on Amazon. Very reasonably priced)

You need cleanser, toner, eye cream, day, night cream and suntan lotion. Use in that order.

Obviously toner and suntan lotion isn't CerAve. That lot will cost you about £60 to get you started..

I also use a serum and rosehip oil however these aren't a necessity.

The second paragraph items are necessary. Suncream is a necessity all year round. I also use a spray suncream too, to top up during the day.

For anyone interest Skin + Me - retinol/tretnoin on prescription for rolling back the years though you must be prepared to use a skin routine then the link below is an offer of the 1st and 5th dose at £3.50 whilst I also get a discount as well, is really good. I've been using it some years.

www.skinandme.com/?promocode=CAROLT5VTM

An SPF moisturiser for the day (super drug own brand is fine) and Vaseline at night. Don't forget your hands and neck.

Stick with your current face wash as that is obviously working for you.

Easy to upset the acid mantle of the skin by introducing a load of new products.

Obviously your skin is not that dry, as you would notice due to the lack of water and moisturiser.

At this point would just introduce one new product, a good SPF which will also act as a light moisturiser instead of your body lotion.

My favourite as non irritating including to eyes:

https://www.boots.com/la-roche-posay-anthelios-uvmune-400-invisible-fluid-spf50-50ml-10306562?traffic=paid.shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21096115648&gbraid=0AAAAA-AdmwQGWOxdHj0k-wHxs7crxxEwe&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjuu6zvuakQMVzZdQBh0GGi-ZEAQYAyABEgIDc_D_BwE

(struggling to shorten link with edit function sorry)

Include your neck and hands unless wearing a scarf and gloves!

Drink more water or herbal teas have a glass or cup nearby and maybe set hourly reminders to get in the habit.

Ive got a lot of credit on Skin and Me.

Does anyone know how that works??

Wrong image.

How does spending this work?

Lots of people will tell you not to bother or simply to use a moisturiser occasionally and that it's all snake oil. I am here to tell you that my personal experience having started a skincare regime in my 40s is that my skin is absolutely revolutionised. I don't think brand matters but what kind of product you use absolutely does. I'm going to tell you the brands I am currently using but it doesn't matter, just go to Tesco or Superdrug and buy what's on sale.

Every morning I use a glycolic acid cleanser which exfoliates (Pixi Glow gel cleanser or Elemis), a glycolic acid toner (Pixi Glow), followed by a vitamin C serum (No7) and Vit C eye cream (L'Oreal or Garnier, can't remember), then a hyaluronic acid serum (L'Oreal) and eye cream (No 7), then a moisturiser (Nivea water-based) and then an SPF on top. I am currently using a sample pot of Trinny Elevator treat for the neck but again not convinced it's doing much that a moisturiser wouldn't.

In the evening, I do exactly the same thing except that I swap a retinol serum and eye cream for the Vit D (No 7 retinol serum, Beauty of Joseon retinal and ginseng eye cream) and the Nivea water-based night cream for the moisturiser, no SPF.

I had terrible seb derm (constant redness, flaking and itching) that has gone completely into remission in the year since I started this and my skin tone and shade, which I thought had been totally wrecked and reddened permanently in blotches by years of steroid creams to treat the seb seem, has evened out so much that you can barely see any staining now.

Seriously don't fret about using expensive products. The cost honestly doesn't make a difference. It's just packaging. I listened to various dermatologists on reputable podcasts that said retinol, Vit D and SPF are the products that have an evidence base so that's what I have prioritised (and HA for the instant plump).

PS two things: (a) you should use SPF daily during the day anyway but you must if you're applying retinol or retinal (which you should do in the evening not the morning). And (b) you can get moisturisers with an SPF included but I always use an SPF serum or product over moisturiser because my understanding is that the moisturisers with SPF don't contain enough SPF.

Thinking about it, I do use micellar water probably 50% of the time for cleansing.

I find my skin looks best when I focus on drinking lots of water and cleansing it properly. I always wear sunscreen.

If you're after something more, I'd book a consultation at the Boots No17 counter. The staff are very helpful and not pushy. I find the items effective and there are always offers on which make the items affordable.

I'd not go from zero to 50 products either.

You wont know what are working and what are doing nothing and it will be over-whelming and difficult to keep up with.

I would not buy anything yet- get a copy of ‘Skin Care’ book by Caroline Hirons. This looks at different skin problems so that you can build your routine from there. She also has a (free) app called ‘skin rocks’ which you can check products to see if they match your skin type/skin needs. She does not try and persuade you to buy expensive products, but to buy the ones with the correct active ingredients for your skin. The book is under £10 and will stop you wasting money on products that are no good.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skincare-award-winning-ultimate-no-nonsense-best-seller/dp/0008375526/ref=asc_df_0008375526?mcid=79a4daa85c6e3a34b47fa25848c89c89&hvocijid=4517362747685566633-0008375526-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4517362747685566633&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9220661&hvtargid=pla-2281435177338&psc=1&gad_source=1

Currently I use soap and glory facial wash every Morning and night. In the morning I either use a vitamin c moisturiser with spf 25 in from Garnier or their vitamin c tinted moisturiser. Again it contains spf 25. It depends if I want a bit of colour adding. At night I’m using boots no 7 night cream.
When I can afford it I use Elmis rose cleansing balm which is lovely.
I use a body oil on my neck after showering. I buy it from boots. I also use it on the rest of my body too and it stops my skin from becoming dry.

Reading with interest.

Oh this depends on what your skin is currently like ?
In winter because of chilly wind and central heating my skin needs slightly different products , in summer I can go lighter with the moisturising unless the humidity levels go very low .
I always wear sunscreen .
Do you wear makeup ?
Do you have any skin issues or things you’d like to address ?
What is your budget ?
La Roche Posay and Avene are reasonably priced and easily available.

I'm nearly 63 but due to sailing competitively from 13 my DM bought me moisturiser from then. I don't think I have missed a day since. I think it's the daily cleansing, toning and moisturising that make the difference. At 50 my skin looked the same other people my age, but now I still have no lines or wrinkles and it's smooth and dewy. DM had good skin into her 80s so genetics probably helps.

@AppleXmasMagicYou need to change your settings to either getting the next xyz amount free or request a sum of money to your bank. If there is a problem with that ring or email them. Mine are set to come off each time someone uses my link

I'm a keep things simple type.
Non smoker/non drinker/ not much sun ( no bloody point, I have Celtic skin and it doesn't tan)/lots of water/good genetics ( thank you Dad)

Pai rosehip oil and a Waschie pad in the shower
Balm if I wear makeup. Marks and Spencer one at the moment
Prai Gold serum and moisturizer
Skinn exfoliation once a week
Did a facemask yesterday and pleased how nice my skin feels so that might be an ongoing thing

Yes you can start anytime. Here goes my routine if you would be interested:
Morning:
Using water to wash your face,
Sebamed clear face gel,
Garnier spf
Cicaplast
Evening:
LRP moisturizer,
Tretinoin (0.1) from skinorac
Sebamed clear facial gel

I had a friend years ago who sailed. She said she just got into the habit of using daily full block sunscreen. Her skin was impeccable..she looked at least 20 years younger. I always regret not following her system!

I use astral or nivea moisturiser. Have done for donkey's years. Wash face with clean flannel and fresh water, no soap or face cleansers. Smooth on moisturiser. Done. 63 and no visible wrinkles.

Good cleansing routine andMoisturise, you can save money by buying high street ones

SPF every day

EsteeLauder night repair serum.