Does anyone have a skincare routine?

[jimbouk]

So, as I head rapidly towards my midlife crisis these sorts of things cross your mind. Currently I just wash with soap or hand wash, and moisturise due to dry skin (well super fun combination skin as it's oily as well). I shave 2/3 times a week but not a close shave due to my skin being difficult.

I had a quick read on the old internet and I'm now exfoliating twice a week (inherited a facial scrub). I had a nosey in Body Shop when passing at 'proper' cleanser and toner 'for men' and it was £19 a bottle!

Does anyone have a routine? An affordable one preferably...

[Rob_B]

Double post

[Rob_B]

My wife has tried to get me to do so many times but I do for a bit then it's a faff and I forget

For shaving I now use the Philips Oneblade, not as close but so much easier and good for sensitive skin.

[jimbouk]

My wife has tried to get me to do so many times but I do for a bit then it's a faff and I forget

Haha yeah maybe I should add 'quick' to the list of requirements. Shaving and cutting nails often go out the window for a while when things get hectic!

For shaving I now use the Philips Oneblade, not as close but so much easier and good for sensitive skin.

That looks good. Wish I'd asked in here before getting a new shaver recently. Currently use the foil attachment for around the mouth and the trimmer for the rest.

[Jonj1611]

I used to but gave up. Really should try harder I suppose. I used to use the Nivea moisurising cream for face as it help with flakes that used to appear when you haven't shaved for like a day

[jimbouk]

I guess I could always just ask my other half, rather self conscious about the whole thing!

[kalniel]

In my opinion, using too many products is likely to be worse than using none at all. Keep it simple - remember there's a massive bacterial population on our skins and it's largely beneficial. Products interfere with that natural balance. Sunscreen is the one must.

If there's a 'problem' it's usually caused by something else - diet, hormones, stress etc. - products might help deal with the symptoms but better to address the cause if possible.

If I'm getting spotty (due to diet ) then I use a face wash with salicylic acid (aspirin/willow bark/oil of wintergreen) up to twice a week.

[ik9000]

I think the OP might be having a midlife crisis already. Can we have a whip round and buy him a pack of beer so he can contemplate his future from the comfort of a garden chair?

[jimbouk]

I think the OP might be having a midlife crisis already.

I certainly wouldn't disagree. I'm just trying to make sure I do it properly! Though 10 years ago I had 3 sports cars on the drive, all broken in one way or another so maybe I peaked early my life expectancy is shorter than I had thought?

On a serious note though, this is a weird phase of my life. I've tried to be a big part in my kid growing up working 4 days and hopefully doing my share of the responsibilities (and fun!) but he's growing up and starting school next month. Not exactly a huge change like shipping them off to uni/the navy but it feels like the end of the 'toddler' era. It's been great but you do give up a lot of yourself as a parent, and with 40 coming next year I'm trying to think a bit more about 'me'. I've sold my Toyota MR2 as it was getting rusty and barely used so I don't have my 'car thing' any more. My social video gaming in an evening with geographically spread friends has fallen by the wayside (I always clocked out early due to being knackered and wanting to go to bed!). My main physical activity was climbing and we do go with the little one sometimes I'm struggling to make it a regular thing otherwise. Whilst I enjoy regressing and making things with Lego I do miss my own identity a bit so all this midlife crisis thing is just an excuse/ploy to be a bit more selfish!


Back on topic, I popped into Boots and got myself some cleanser (CeraVe Blemish Control Face Cleanser) and toner (Harry’s Men’s Freshening Face Toner). Toner is once a day so I'll do that in an evening. This morning I just used soap in the shower and did notice how much it dryer my face was after - I will have to change up my morning routine to wash my face outside of the shower instead. Moisturiser wise I'm working my way through some Childs Farm baby stuff which is actual nice (not too heavy) but should probably switch up to something with an SPF rating for the daytime at least.

If I'm getting spotty (due to diet ) then I use a face wash with salicylic acid (aspirin/willow bark/oil of wintergreen) up to twice a week.

Ugh yeah. Message to my teenage self: Lay off the chocolate and cheese!

[Rob_B]

Kids do change you from your own person to a caregiver, with a soon to be 17yr old I can tell you it never really changes

As you mentioned that's part of the crisis, wanting your own time back and your own "things"

I'm in a similar place at a couple of years older then you. Trying not to be selfish whilst doing what I want, I think a purpose can help with that, but I've not figured that part out yet.
Win lottery, pay off everything, make sure the kids are on, then maybe a cabin in the middle of nowhere with fibre internet

[Dreaming]

Washing and moisturising is all you need really, exfoliation, cleanser, toner etc. is superfluous largely.

Ideally you'd want a moisturiser with sun protection built it to prevent skin aging.

[jimbouk]

Just washing with a soap based product really wasn't doing it for my skin, having switched to a cleanser my skin is so much 'happier'. No overnight transformation and it was weird at the start as the soap used to just remove everything but leave the skin super dry - moisturising after couldn't get it back into good enough condition. I'm sure it depends on your skin and some people with less troublesome skin will be fine using a soap based face wash, but for me this experiment has been a massive success.

Toner, not super convinced. It wasn't that expensive and you hardly use any so I'll carry on. Maybe not a replacement straight away when it runs out and see if it makes a difference.

Exfoliation, again with the 'maybe'. Currently a hand-me-down so nothing lost using it. I'll have a look at chemical ones next time maybe rather than physical

100% on the SPF moisturizer. Ironically it's probably less needed in summer as I'm fairly careful with sun cream, but will be picking some up on my next trip out.

Anecdote time - I actually managed a close shave without my skin feeling like it was going to bubble and melt off after! Unsure whether I'll keep it up or not though.

[AGTDenton]

Often overlooked, two of the best things for the skin is hydration and diet.

I've always aimed to drink a minimum of 2ltrs of water a day, and if you can get to 3 it's even better.
Good for the bowels as well.

My diet on the other hand has a lot of room for improvement, I do take some multivitimins but I'd prefer to eat better.


If sunny/hot and likely to be outside for long periods I wear sun cream. Only when I'm going out for an evening will I bother with moisturiser.
Otherwise I don't do anything special.