Help a newbie out to make sense of it all please!
I’m a 43-year-old female with somewhat oily skin. My main concerns are mild wrinkles (crow’s feet, forehead lines, 11s, and lines around the lips), sun damage/discoloration, and overall skin texture from years of acne when I was younger.
I only got into skincare a few months ago, and one of my very first purchases was SkinMedica TNS. That product was nothing short of witchcraft for my skin — immediate results — and it completely broke the dam for me. Since then, I’ve purchased pretty much every product with great Reddit reviews, and now I’m trying to make sense of it all and figure out the best way to layer and use everything.
Fair warning — I fully realize the list of products I’m about to share is wildly excessive, and I certainly don’t expect nor want to use all of them daily. What I’m really looking for is a comprehensive but sustainable routine, recommendations on what’s worth keeping versus what may be redundant, and most importantly, the correct order to use everything.
Here’s what I currently have:
For cleansing, I have the Obagi Foaming Gel and Toner, which I’ve used for several years and like well enough. I also have the SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cleanser that I keep in the shower and use about 2–3 mornings per week.
SkinMedica TNS is the one product on this list that I absolutely will not give up, and I’ve been using it morning and night as my very first layer.
In the AM, I’ve been enjoying Allies of Skin Advanced Firming Daily Treatment as my last step before sunscreen. It’s moisturizing enough for my skin and contains lots of “extras” like peptides and antioxidants. For sunscreen, I’ve been using EltaMD and really like it.
In the PM, I’ve been alternating retinol and Vitamin C because my skin cannot tolerate retinol daily, and I don’t love how shiny Vitamin C makes my skin look during the day.
For retinol, I currently have: Alastin Renewal Retinol (love it), Obagi Retinol 1% (will use it up, but probably won’t repurchase).
For Vitamin C: Alastin C-Radical (won’t repurchase) and a bunch of Sunday Riley Vitamin C / brightening samples that I plan to use once I finish the C-Radical
For eyes: I tried Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment (didn’t care for it), Neocutis Lumière Riche (okay, but probably won’t repurchase). I just ordered SkinMedica Eye Bright and Revision D.E.J Eye Cream
Now here are all the “extras” that I own but have absolutely no idea where — or if — they belong in my routine
Obagi Nu-Cil Cellular Renewal Serum (NAD+) — picked this up while waiting for a new TNS bottle and actually loved it. My skin looked healthier, plumper, and bouncier. The problem is the instructions say to use it first after cleansing, but I’ve been reserving that spot for TNS. Any guidance on layering these two?
Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced — haven’t tried yet
Medik8 Niacinamide Peptides — haven’t tried yet
Medik8 Exo-PDRN Serum sample — haven’t tried yet
Glytone Enhance Brightening Serum (azelaic acid + glycolic acid + vitamin E + HA) — I’ve been using this in the AM and think it helps with brightness, but nothing life-changing
Glytone Enhance Brightening Complex — supposed to be stronger/more potent than the serum above, but I haven’t used it yet
Allies of Skin Copper + Ectoin — just got it and used it once, but no idea where it fits
SK-II Essence with antioxidants — I assume this replaces toner? I used it a few times but oddly found it a little drying, so I put it away for now
EltaMD PM Moisturizer and Barrier Renewal Complex — I use these occasionally at night. Nothing remarkable, but they seem gentle and barrier-friendly
Products that did absolutely nothing for me:
SkinCeuticals P-TIOX (gave it to a friend who swears by it)
Neocutis Bio Serum (didn't see any results and currently using it on my body)
Any help organizing this chaos into a routine that actually makes sense would be hugely appreciated, and of course, if there are any other truly amazing “holy grail” products you think I might love based on my concerns and what’s already working for me, I’m absolutely open to recommendations