If you're on Instagram, check out RanellaMD for lots of recommendations for products at various price points for various skin types. This was a great starting point for me. For instance, Vit C serums - some are better for sensitive skin than others, there are good ones at great price points or you can splurge on some fancy options, but she recommends effective products at all price points. If your skin is dry vs oily vs combination, impacts what moisturizer you should choose - she has lists of moisturizers for each skin type at each price point too. Etc. Very helpful starting point.

On IG I also like ShereenIdriss, another derm who gives lots of recommendations and advice on skin care. She has her own skincare line now, so a bit of product pedaling, but still provides great education and her older feed is filled with all sorts of product recs.

I actually have found these things make a huge difference without in-office procedures, if you haven't been doing much of anything before. I started at 39, and at 42 my skin is much better and younger looking than late 30's. i haven't splurged on office procedures yet like laser etc.

You need a good moisturizer and effective/cleanser, period. I use bioderma micellar water with the pink lid and it's amazing before gentle cleaner to remove makeup and junk on your face. What moisturizer is best really depends on your skin type and needs.

Morning: Moisturizer followed by Vit C serum followed by (non negotiable, EVERY day) sunscreen. I hated every sunscreen I tried until I tried some Korean and Japanese brands, which are incredible and it's no big deal now to wear sunscreen religiously.

Evening: BioEffect Eye Serum (has made a serious difference in the quality of skin around my eyes - this is a splurge but I'll never stop using it), Dieux Serum, Dieux Moisturizer. 2-3 nights/week I use a retinol (Medik8 currently, built up from A313, over time will use stronger and stronger as my skin tolerates it, but it's a slow build for me). Other nights I use gentle exfoliation products and a serum strong on the peptides.

This is it, and my skin is completely changed in the last few years from this routine. The primary changers IMO are sunscreen, vit c, retinol, peptides. Everything else is noise, though a good fit for moisturizer and cleaner are a must, they don't need to be anything special.

I also use NuFace nightly and love it. It's not a dramatic effect for me, but I can tell the difference between using it regularly and not. It does give a subtley lifted appearance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IMO the products help minimumly until you go get some mild laser treatments and possibly botox. The good products will then help maintain things.

For anti aging yes, but if you have problem skin or if fluctuating hormones lead to adult acne (this is the case for me) then good skincare is really important.

I didn't say it wasn't important. Also, laser can help with adult acne too.

I started using retinol (every night) at 42 and it made a dramatic difference almost immediately. That stuff really works. I use A313 but I think it doesn't matter too much which one you use. Retinol + sunscreen are amazing.

Night --

Cream cleanser then a mild normal cleanser
Paula's choice BHA (for me this prevents breakouts)
Retinol
Night cream

Morning. ---

Wash with cold water
Toner
Moisturizer
Sunscreen

Wash face with Aveeno brightening scrub

-30-

Morning:

Wash face
Red light LED mask (every other day)
Azelaic acid 20%
Moisturizer
Sunscreen

Evening:

Wash face
.025% tretinoin micro gel (every other night)
Moisturizer

Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin for acne as needed.

Every four months 20 units Botox for elevens.

Every other year, in winter, set of three BBL sessions for broken capillaries and sun spots.

Moisturizer, vit c, and spf in the morning, tret at night. Botox around my eyes and I use my Omnilux face mask 3x/week

Anonymous wrote:IMO the products help minimumly until you go get some mild laser treatments and possibly botox. The good products will then help maintain things.

For anti aging yes, but if you have problem skin or if fluctuating hormones lead to adult acne (this is the case for me) then good skincare is really important.

I’m a skinceuticals person with freckles/sun spots and my skin can’t tolerate retin A.
All products listed are skinceuticals unless noted

AM: Cetaphil wash, CE ferulic, discoloration defense serum, moisturizer (sometimes Naturopathica calendula, sometimes triple lipid restore), Elta MD sunscreen.

PM: remove makeup with La Roche Posay effaclar micellar water, Cetaphil wash, retinol 1.0 then moisturizer. If I get sensitive, I drop the retinol to every other night.

Every week I add in a “fun” face mask (clay or naturopathica cherry/pumpkin - something that smells yummy) or overnight glycolic renew overnight treatment (I skip retinol those days).

Anonymous wrote:+2 on skincare only making a minimal difference.

AM
Vit C
Hyaluronic acid
Sunscreen

PM
Retinol
Moisturizer

This is my routine too. And I agree on skincare only going so far. The rest is lifestyle and cosmetic dermatology.

Lots of water, minimal alcohol (like one drink per month, if that), limited caffeine, no smoking (duh), moderate exercise, decent diet, lots of sleep.

The only 'active' things I use are tretinoin and SPF. Otherwise, just gentle face wash, day moisturizer, night cream, witch hazel to remove residual SPF, and a thick night cream.

+2 on skincare only making a minimal difference.

AM
Vit C
Hyaluronic acid
Sunscreen

PM
Retinol
Moisturizer

Anonymous wrote:IMO the products help minimumly until you go get some mild laser treatments and possibly botox. The good products will then help maintain things.

+1

AM:
Vit C
moisturizer
suncreen

PM:
Gentle wash (x2 if you wear makeup)
retinol
AHA
moisturizer

IMO the products help minimumly until you go get some mild laser treatments and possibly botox. The good products will then help maintain things.

I am 42 and feel like I suddenly look old. Lines around my eyes and mouth. Lackluster skin. I feel like I should have started an anti aging skincare routine years ago but did not. Honestly I just use face wash and moisturizer, and occasionally an eye cream. I do use sunscreen religiously though.

Can others please share their skincare routines in the order you use products (which confuses me)? Do you have different morning and evening routines (minus SPF)?

Thanks!