Overwhelmed by skincare

[patricemish]

I am so overwhelmed looking at skincare products!!  

I’m 56

sun damaged skin

with signs of aging,

dry (what’s the difference between dry and dehydrated??)

I have never routinely used products and I currently use Noxema because I’m so confused!

any advice??

[ElleSmith16]

I will turn 56 this summer, and, like you, I was soooo overwhelmed last year when I decided to start caring for my skin rather than just washing it and slapping on some cheap cream. I watched lots of youtube videos, picked out people with similar skin concerns as mine that had beautiful young looking results and bought what they were using.  Angie Hot N Flashy is one of my favorite choices. All that being said, here is a simple summary of what has worked for me. I get complimented on my skin all of the time now from friends and family to literal strangers in a store. 

1. Sunscreen - I knew that the sun caused burns and cancer, but we don't get burned through windows, so I didn't worry about sunscreen unless I was spending the whole day outside. Wrong. The sun is responsible for 80% of the effects of premature aging and the "aging" rays penetrate windows!!!!  I used foundation with sunscreen and thought that was good- also wrong. You don't put on enough foundation to get the full protection on the bottle. Now, I always wear moisturizer with 30 spf and PA ++++ under my makeup, on my neck and chest, and hands. Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense® Lotion SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion  is good. 

2. Go to your dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or use an online service and start on Tretinoin! Do this today. Watch videos on how to use this cream without irritation. This is prescription vitamin A that will allow you to age in reverse. You will use this medication at night after cleaning your face and letting it completely dry. You should moisturize before and after applying the cream. Try Caudalie Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturizer with Niacinamide 1.6 oz/ 50 mL 

3. Buy a good product with Vitamin C. I started with SEPHORA COLLECTION Super Glow Serum with Vitamin C + E  . You will use this in the morning after washing your face and before your moisturizing sunscreen. 

If you will do these things and nothing else, you will look younger in 1 year than you do today. 

[SS50]

Hi there!  I love the Laneige line of products, they are so moisturizing and make you skin feel baby soft.  
LANEIGE Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid 8.45 oz / 250 ml  

LANEIGE Cream Skin Refillable Toner & Moisturizer with Ceramides and Peptides  

LANEIGE Bouncy + Firm Radiance Boosting Sleeping Mask with Peony Collagen Complex 2 oz / 60 ml  

[SportyGirly125]

@patricemish Sephora employee here 

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil 1 oz/ 30 mL  

Caudalie Premier Cru Fine Lines and Wrinkles Anti-Aging Set  

LANEIGE Hydro UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ 1.67 oz / 50 ml  

LANEIGE Cream Skin Refillable Toner & Moisturizer with Ceramides and Peptides  

[izzydoj]

I would totally recommend Epionce Spf, MelanoLyte System, and Renewal Facial Cream! My mom has the same skin concerns as you and has been using Epionce for a month and already feels and looks better! Ask a dermatologist for samples and see if it works for you! 

[danielledanielle]

My advice is pretty generic. Keep it simple.  There are a lot of choices and yes, it can be overwhelming.  The basics are usually a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer for your skin type and sunscreen.  The rest, like serums, essences, masks, treatments etc etc, you just add gradually based on what you are trying to target.

Dry and dehydrated - dry skin my just be generally more prone to flakiness, feeling tight and or dullness.  I have combo skin, but my forehead and parts of my cheek run dry in the winter.  Dehydrated skin is more of a state, so you can be dry and have dehydrated skin, but so can other skin types, since other things affect dehydration (loss of fluids for example).

As far as product recs, since I am not dry, this will likely vary, but these are pretty well loved or used.

Cleanser: Youth To The People Superfood Gentle Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser or fresh Soy Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser  

Moisturizer: Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin™ Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream 1.7 oz / 50 mL or Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream Plumping & Hydrating Refillable Moisturizer  

Sunscreen: Saint Jane Beauty Luxury Sun Ritual Pore Smoothing Face Sunscreen SPF 30 1.7 oz / 50 mL or Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA +++ 1.7 oz / 50 mL  

What I use sometimes as oily combo:

DIOR La Mousse OFF/ON Foaming Face Cleanser 5 oz / 150 mL  

Moisturizer Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution™ Water Cream Glow Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid 1.69 oz / 50 mL  

Sunscreen (and moisturizer): Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Hydra Vizor Mineral SPF 30 Refillable Moisturizer and or Supergoop! 100% Mineral (Re)setting Powder Face Sunscreen SPF 35 Medium