(Contains affiliate links/ad & some gifted items marked with *)

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the skincare and all the skincare routines? It takes time and effort to find a good skincare routine that suits your lifestyle and skin’s needs. Luckily I’ve tried 100s of different skincare products and tried different routines and this is the best skincare routine I have developed.

If you are in your 30s or 40s (like me) this routine might suit you! A low maintenance and super effective anti-ageing skincare routine! I also have a guide on how to layer skincare here with free printables (I’ve added them at the bottom of this post too!).

 

Night-time Skincare Routine

 

Firstly! If you aren’t using SPF you absolutely must! This is the single best thing you can do for your skin. Protect your skin with good high SPF and broad spectrum sun lotion. I have a selection of some of the best sun screens I’ve used here plus a recent favourite here, one of the best sun screens I’ve tried.

 

Cleanse, Exfoliate & Mask

I previously blogged about my minimalist cleansing routine here which is still my basis for cleansing. I appreciate a good cleansing oil or balm (this Evolve Gentle Cleansing Melt is my absolute favourite cleansing balm-it’s amazing!) to completely remove everything (I use a cotton face cloth for removal) followed by a good AHA (considering using BHA too, any recommendations?).

Then once of twice a week (when I remember and have the time) I use a treatment such as a face mask. I’ve been using several small batch face masks (one of them is from Herbivore Botanicals which I wrote about here). I’m going to do a separate post dedicated to them because they are just so lovely and deserve their own post (this is the small batch natural/organic face mask post here!).

Best Budget Face

Serums

After my skin is cleansed and prepped it’s time to get serious. I love a good serum. And I especially love a good budget serum that’s packed full of targeted, active ingredients. Who does this kind of skincare best? I hear you asking breathless with excitement (yes I want to write cheesy romance novels, what of it) Well, my friend, it’s The Ordinary of course.

One of my favourite places to discover skincare is the Reddit Forums, particularly this The Ordinary subreddit and this skincare addiction subreddit (oh and I mustn’t forget about Lex’s blog). Reddit is an especially good place for finding information on The Ordinary. But if you’re still confused as to what the product is and how to use it The Ordinary have a very good guide here. It clearly explains where about in your routine you should be using specific products.

Skincare has got very scientific and it’s good to thoroughly research the products you’re going to use. (And I recommend doing a patch test, especially if you have sensitive skin.)

 

I’ve been using different The Ordinary products for a while now but recently I’ve been using three (not all together) and I am super happy with the results. I’ll start with one of the newest additions to The Ordinary’s extensive line up, their Buffet with Copper Peptides 1%*. This is the pumped up version of the cult classic The Ordinary Buffet and OH  IS IT GOOD.

The Ordinary Buffet with Copper is one of my most favourite skincare products in a while and I’m lucky to have tried quite a few, like this French night cream*. Copper is an amazing skincare ingredient, it actively helps the process of rebuilding elastin and collagen. And I have to say the addition of copper in the buffet makes an enormous difference. I immediately saw an improvement in how my skin looks: it’s brighter, smoother and clearer. I’ve had no adverse reaction with this and the smell doesn’t bother me. It does smell slightly of copper but I find it disperses when applied.

The Ordinary Buffet with Copper Peptides is slightly more pricey than the rest of the range (almost £30) but a couple of drops is only needed and I usually just apply this in the morning before my SPF but I do occasionally use it in the evenings too. So a bottle should see you good for a while. Despite it’s cost I really think this is an amazing serum and it will most definitely be staying part of my skincare routine.

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS POST? HOW TO LAYER SKIN CARE

The Ordinary Retinoids

Another long-standing favourite of mine are the granactive retinoids from The Ordinary. I’ve been using The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane* for a while now. Before I moved onto the higher concentration of retinoid I used the 2% emulsion, which is also really good and I’ve experienced to irritation using The Ordinary’s retinoids possibly because I graduated my use. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is an amazing little potion of skin goodness.

Firstly the squalane. This is like a super-moisturiser (and it does feel quite oily) which will leave your skin super hydrated and soft. Which is a perfect partner to granactive retinoid.

Apparently retinoids are highly effective but cause less irritation than retinols. And I love it. I have experienced irritation with retinols previously but nothing with retinoids. Retinoids are amazing for targeting wear and tear over time. My skin looks healthier, smoother and more even. The Ordinary’s retinoids are another mainstay of my skincare routine.

The Ordinary AHAs

If you do have sensitive skin or have previously had issues with AHAs Mandelic Acid 10% + HA* may be worth a shot. Mandelic Acid has a larger molecule than other AHAs which means it is slower to penetrate the skin causing less aggravation to the epidermis.

And Mandelic Acid 10% + HA really is incredibly gentle. I still can get a little sting when using AHAs (apart from Superdrug’s version which I’ve blogged about here). Mandelic Acid 10% + HA also contains hyaluronic acid to give a boost of hydration. I think this is a great starting place for people unsure about AHAs or those of you with sensitive skin.

This is an incredibly low irritation but highly moisturising AHA solution (it’s more like an oil in consistency). My skin is used to AHAs, but if I’m going through an especially sensitive phase this is most definitely in my routine.

UPDATE: I’ve also been using The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid 10% (there’s a weaker solution available too) and I LOVE IT. I actually find it better suited to my skin than the much lauded Glycolic. Full review coming soon and updated skincare routine!

Best Moisturisers & Facial Oils

The final step in my evening skincare routine is moisturisation. It’s time to wrap my skin up in a soothing blanket of hydration. I’m not a stickler for one moisturiser, I like to rotate a few depending on the weather, what my skin needs and how I am feeling.

I currently have a couple of cream moisturisers on the go. I blogged about the gorgeous Evolve moisturiser here and also the S5 moisturiser here. I’ve used the Evolve moisturisers for months now but the decadent S5 cream is a new addition.

I also use an oil when I feel I need extra hydration. I’ll be using them more consistently over the winter months.

I still love Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Oil and more recently I’ve been using The Ordinary Rosehip oil, which is just brilliant for the price. Packed full of anti-oxidants, fatty oils and more. A must for your winter skincare routine.

I’ve also been using the new REN Evercalm Balm-to-Oil*, which might be preferable if you like “drier” oils.

I have some more moisturisers and skincare products that I’m currently enjoying in this post and this recent skincare post too. There’s lots of great skin care products for most price ranges for you to try.

PIN FOR LATER!

Phew! If you made it all the way through you deserve a cup of tea. I don’t think I’ve missed anything out of my evening/night skincare routine. Above are all the products I currently use depending on how I feel and how my skin is. I’m going to post about the face masks I’m currently using as I think they make a really nice addition to a routine plus they give you a little pamper throughout the weekend.

FREE PRINTABLES-HOW TO LAYER SKINCARE

MORNING SKINCARE STEPS

NIGHT TIME SKINCARE STEPS

If you like this post you can get more skincare ideas on my dedicated Skincare Pinterest board here!

(*PR SAMPLES)

(CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS)

Tags: anti-ageing skincare routine, budget skincare, ethical skincare, skincare, skincare routine, the ordinary