Skincare for mid 30's?

[clairebear]

After years of washing my face with Clean and Clear acne wash I feel like its time for an upgrade for my skincare routine. What do you use and what's your routine? I have uneven skin with a really red nose, a slightly bumpy forehead, some dark acne spots that never faded and wrinkles around my eyes. My acne seems to have gone away so that's no longer a major concern. What do you use and like? At this point I'd rather stay away from the derm and any more invasive peels or Botox, but open to suggest if you have any miracle procedures. I gave up foundation during lockdown and really don't want to go back to heavy makeup. 

[al dente]

As an absolute basic you'll want face wash, sunscreen, and moisturizer. You can see how that goes and then add in what's needed.

My basic routine is:
Morning
CeraVe hydrating face wash
Vitamin C serum (currently using CeraVe which is ok, I've also used Timeless and liked that but the bottle leaked which annoyed me)
CeraVe daily moisturizing lotion
Biore watery essence sunscreen

Night
CeraVe foaming facial cleanser
Olay regenerist
Vaseline on lips and eye area

[twinmomma]

I was using Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer and it was ok. It didn’t cause any breakouts but didn’t really help my skin either. I went and got a facial and the esthetician explained that Cerave and Cetaphil are great for maintaining skin and are super gentle. But they have no ingredients that will actually fix anything.

I now use Dermalogica products and have noticed a big difference. I use the skin resurfacing cleanser morning and night. I add in the microfoliant powder in the morning too. And then I use the skin smoothing cream for moisturizer. I love the microfoliant and swear that’s the product that has made the biggest difference for me.

[Roc A Bee]

I just got a facial for the first time. I highly recommend. I’m using the products she recommends which for now is a cleanser, toner and moisturizer. I also use sunscreen in the morning.

I have a lot of redness to my skin so I’m hoping regular facials will help.

Oh! The brand is Skin Script. I need something for my sensitive skin.

[ssmjlm]

I 100% recommend a derm appointment for a mole check and a retin-a prescription.

That said, here’s my routine:

AM:
I don’t wash my face in the am, I may splash some water on there and pat dry.
-Vitamin c serum, I like Peter Thomas Roth
-eye cream, using origins currently with brightening
-moisturizer with spf, I like EltaMD

PM:
-wash, like neutrogena hyaluronic one
-alternate retin-a and Sunday Riley good genes
-eye cream, like clarins
-moisturizer, like clarins

If I feel like I need more moisture, I’ll do either an oil or like the Peter Thomas Roth rose stem gel as a final step.

[VillainV]

I use:

- Foaming face wash
- Toner
- Serum
- Eye cream
- Moisturizer with SPF (day) or night cream (night)

I’ve used several brands, and I’ve found that brand doesn’t tend to matter as much as long as active ingredients are present (usually hyaluronic acid and/or retinol). Skin is so personal as far as what kind of texture you need (lotion vs. cream), fragrances, etc. Simpler is better.

[chilerellanos]

For morning: Saint Jane vitamin C serum.
A Sephora brand eye cream.
Supergoop glow sunscreen.
And then my makeup.

At bedtime: a gentle cleaner. I’m not loyal to a particular brand.
Tretoinin
Saint Jane beauty oil.
(During the winter I also use a moisturizer, but it’s been very humid)
Eye cream.

[goldengirlz]

Every derm and esthetician I’ve ever seen has recommended:

-sunscreen (#1)
-retinol
-vitamin c serum

It’s also worth exfoliating regularly. And moisturizing, of course.

That’s it. Keep it simple. Don’t spend a lot of money.

[wambam]

For me, less is more. I use very basic, drugstore products. Vanicream cleanser and moisturizer. I use tretinoin for acne, but it’s also used for anti-aging. I use light moisturizer in the morning and a cream at night. In the winter months, I use aquaphor on dry areas at night as well. Sunscreen every single day, no exceptions, no excuses. I use elta MD clear.

[laterz]

I am pretty basic - Aveeno face wash, Neutrogena moisturizer w spf (Clinique nighttime moisturizer in cold months). But... I LOVE Glossier's exfoliator. I didn't think anything would compare to Dermalogica's skin prep scrub (it was discontinued) - but it's exceeded my expectations. Somebody here recommended it to me.

Good sleep and staying hydrated play a big role too.

[dancingirl21]

I have a lot of redness in my cheeks and have added in Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid to my routine, and I think they help. Most of the products I am using right now are from the brand Naturium.

AM:
Water splashed on face
Vitamin C
Niacinamide serum
Moisturizer (something light for day - I like The Ordinary)
EltaMD SPF

PM:
Cerave cleanser
Niacinamide serum
Azelaic acid serum or Retinol (I alternate nights)
Heavy moisturizer (I’m loving First Aid Beauty)

And then once a week I use mandelic acid as an exfoliater. On those nights I just do the mandelic acid then add in a hyaluronic acid for moisture and my nighttime moisturizer.

[winnied]

I've always prioritized skin care so that I don't have to wear as much make up. I've changed brands and such over the years but right now I'm using Beauty Counter with a consultant I don't personally know (huzzah, no harrassment! No pressure!). I like that they have regimens that are easy to figure out. If I recall they also have a quiz online to figure out what you may want, based on your individual skin care needs. I don't think you have to buy through a consultant, FYI.

Cleanse: regular old Dove bar
Tone: Beauty Counter (BC) toner. I didn't buy into toner for a long time but I can see how it improves the outcomes overall. It helps your skin better absorb the other products you're using. It's an extra cleaner, if you will.
Serum: BC gray bottle
Moisturizer: Neutrogena SPF 35. I prioritize the higher SPF bc I'm hella pale and the higher SPF was recommended by my derm.
Eye cream: Eminence Plum Eye Cream. I switch up eye creams a bit here and there. When I got a facial my esthetician raved about this stuff and I'm pleased as well.

Once a week(ish) I'll use a clay mask. Right now I have a sample from BC but otherwise I use whatever I find at Target.

I exfoliate cleanse 1-2x/week with St. Ives green tea something or other.

I also have BC sample for some night time serum that I use 1-2x/week. It's nice! For people with higher skin needs they seem to find it makes a big difference.

*big tip* Whatever you're putting on your face, put on your neck and decolletage as well. You could have a gorgeous face and then a turkey neck because you ignored that area and it gets a lot of sun/environmental exposure!

Because of all this and probably decent genes I don't wear face make up (foundation, powder, etc.) Just eye make up, blush, and lipstick when I feel like it.

[sunshineandpinot]

Aug 14, 2022 19:06:44 GMT -5 laterz said:

I am pretty basic - Aveeno face wash, Neutrogena moisturizer w spf (Clinique nighttime moisturizer in cold months). But... I LOVE Glossier's exfoliator. I didn't think anything would compare to Dermalogica's skin prep scrub (it was discontinued) - but it's exceeded my expectations. Somebody here recommended it to me.

Good sleep and staying hydrated play a big role too.

This one?  www.glossier.com/products/solution

[twilightmv]

I'm 38 and my botox doctor complimented my skin and asked what I use! My face runs normal to dry.
I wash my face in the evening with neutragena foaming cleanser.
In the morning I use Drunk Elephant Protini, sometimes mixed with Sunday Reily CEO vitamin C
In the evening I use DE Protini mixed with DE TLC Framboise. Sometimes I add marula oil in the winter 
I also use Bite Lip mask every night because otherwise my lips get so dry during the day. 

I will sing the praises of botox though, for both treatment and prevention. I use it in my forehead and crows feet. Wrinkles gone. 

[Deleted]

I'm 32 and have been very into skincare since early twenties. It's evolved from dermalogica, Tatcha, Drunk Elephant, to other skin care (to include K beauty). I found that one brand doesn't have everything I need. I used to have acne prone skin but I rarely get a pimple now and I get hyper pigmentation if I pick it (and often if I don't). I have dry skin that gets red when dry so the more moisturized I get it then the less red. I would look at what you want and then look for active ingredients to achieve those results. You could always go to an esthetician and get a facial with recommendations. You don't have to buy their products (because usually they just recommend the brand the spa uses) but ask specifically for the ingredients that would be most beneficial to your skin. I would look at adding them slowly to your routine and add one change at a time. Do not go wild and just pick up a new face routine because it might freak your skin out or ruin your skin barrier.

A.M.
CeraVe hydrating cleanser
Thayer's witch hazel toner
The ordinary's hyaluronic acid and niacinamide mixed together (apply while toner is still wet)
Drunk Elephant B-hydra mixed with the C-firma and Retinol mixed together
Kiehls ultra face cream with squalane
Dr. Jart Cicapair color corrector on my red parts of my face (medial cheeks)
Super goop glow sunscreen

P.M.
Tatcha's the rice polish: gentle
Thayer's witch hazel toner
The ordinary's hyaluronic acid
Kiehls Midnight Recovery Oil on the dry parts on either side of my nose and under my eyes
Drunk Elephant B-hydra mixed with their glycolic acid (T.L.C framboos)
Kiehls Midnight recovery eye cream
Kiehls ultra face cream with squalene

Once a week, on different nights, I use Drunk Elephant baby facial, Kiehls rare earth deep cleansing mask, and use my PMD. On days I mask or use my PMD, I use Kiehls avocado moisturizing mask which I do not wipe off but sleep in. I put it on before my moisturizer and sit in it for an hour before I put my moisturizer on then go to bed. I do my skin care at least an hour before bed so everything soaks into my face and not my pillow. I sleep on silk pillow cases. If I get a pimple, I open it a little and use Peace Out acne dots. Then it comes to a head after and I pop it. If I have a dark spot that isn't clearing then I use the Peace Out dark spot patches and they do work for me. I will try random masks and sample products but this is my current line up.

[lust2hart]

I have combo-to-oily skin, used to be acne prone but over the past year I've done some stuff (did an antibiotic from the derm, made some diet changes, been using skincare regularly) that has really cleared up my skin. My currently 40yo skin looks better than it has since before puberty! 

Morning:
Cleanse with a cleanser that has salicylic acid (for acne) - something like this from Neutrogena or this from CeraVe
Bio Oil for reducing acne scarring and general skin brightening and moisturizing
CerVe mineral sunscreen with a sheer tint - there is also a tint-free version 

Evening: 
Same cleanser
Bio Oil
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair with Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid

Once or twice a week I'll do something special in the evening. Sometimes it's a mud mask to help clear out my pores; sometimes it's a chemical exfoliant. My favorite exfoliant is this one from Paula's Choice, but I'm very interested in this one from The Ordinary and will try it once I've used up my current one. 

[Patsy Baloney]

I’m also a less-is-more person.

I wash with cetaphil. Moisturize/sunscreen with Olay.

My forehead is wrinkled, but 🤷🏻‍♀️

[laterz]

Aug 15, 2022 9:16:29 GMT -5 sunshineandpinot said:

Aug 14, 2022 19:06:44 GMT -5 laterz said:

I am pretty basic - Aveeno face wash, Neutrogena moisturizer w spf (Clinique nighttime moisturizer in cold months). But... I LOVE Glossier's exfoliator. I didn't think anything would compare to Dermalogica's skin prep scrub (it was discontinued) - but it's exceeded my expectations. Somebody here recommended it to me.

Good sleep and staying hydrated play a big role too.

This one?  www.glossier.com/products/solution

Yep!