Anti-ageing skincare routine / product / supplement advice? 42 and feeling out of my depth with the choice out there!

[pinkflamingo83]

Hi, I'm 42 (43 this summer) and feeling out of depth with what to do for a skin care routine to reduce ageing! Please could I have some advice from people more clued up?!

I'm looking for recommendations for serums and moisturisers to brighten dull skin and reduce the fine lines on my forehead, plus reduce puffy eyes.

Could anyone tell me about retinol and collagen? Are there any supplements I could take? I feel like I knew what I was doing in my 20s, but suddenly the beauty industry has moved on and I haven't.....

I want to stay natural and avoid botox. My only non-negotiables are cruelty free products and a day moisturiser with a SPF. Budget wise, I could go to £30ish per product for a 2 moisturisers and a serum. I'd really appreciate some recommendations, especially around supplements. I've been looking at the Boots and Holland and Barrett websites today and feeling overwhelmed with the choice out there.

Thanks so much 😘

At 42 the two ingredients worth building around are retinol (at night) starting low around 0.1 to 0.2% a 2-3 nights a week and building up gradually, and niacinamide (in the morning) for the dullness and puffiness.

I’m finding that AI is pretty good at recommending routines and products - both ChatGPT and Gemini seem to work quite well … but obv you need to use it as a guideline and do some basic checks on what it tells you.
having said that - you can’t beat a proper discussion / chat on here for some real insider tips!

Eat plenty of protein.
Drink plenty of water.
Make sure your diet is healthy and balanced.
Wear a decent SPF.
Moisturise.

Are you wanting to avoid future ageing or are you wanting to address any current issues?

Things like SPF , water , sleep , good diet , don't smoke is the backbone .
(I have inherited good genes from my Dad's side but I don't want to be complacent .
I do glug the water like it's going out of fashion ( partly because of hot flushes ) I don't drink alcohol and I've never smoked .
Coffee otoh is my weakness but I try and counteract each cup with a couple of glasses of water .

I use :
In the shower a Waschie (towelling mitt) to remove cleanser ( at the moment I have Inky List Balm and M&S Hot Cloth Cleanser and a sample Mario Badescu wash)
Prai moisturiser and a Korean Beauty serum under that . Skin1004 ampoule .

I need to buy something for my neck as I didn't like the Prai neck/decolletage cream .

I'm a "No" to Botox too ( it is tested on mice so not for me ) but I know loads of people love it too "look fresher"

Korean skin care. I used ChatGPT to work out what would be good for my skin. It’s been very trial and error, for example I like Anua but not house of joseon as I find it drying. I also like Volufiline from the ordinary and azelaic acid. Sorry if I’ve not spelt anything correctly!