Has anyone improved their skin by keeping their routine simple

[HIBATIM]

I keep seeing 10-step routines everywhere but honestly my skin sometimes looks worse the more products I use. Has anyone actually improved their skin by doing less?

I have found my skin has responded to just using vit c in the morning then cerave moisturising cream (big pot £15), then UV cream (loriel). Then in the evening i wash eith Aveeno oat wash (not finding it terribly easy to use) and use the cerave again. Every other day use a dab of retinol (superdrug). That’s all. It’s complicated compared to what I used to do but simple compared to other routines i have read about.

10 step routines were invented by cosmetic companies to make more money. No self-respecting Japanese or Korean woman does this.
You need a cleanser, moisturiser & sunscreen. If you want actives, get a prescription for Tretinoin. Anything else is simply a choice.

In the morning, if I need it, I wash my face with a gentle foaming cleanser, then I apply a gentle moisturiser that I can use around my eyes and then a shitload of sunscreen. (Sunscreen is not negotiable for me.)
Because I am strict with sunscreen, I use a cleansing balm or oil to break it down, then the same cleanser followed by the same moisturiser. I dot a little tretinoin on, let it sit and apply a bit more moisturiser if my skin feels tight or dry.
In winter, I like to add a splash of a milky toner on bare skin and build the same skin care routine from there.

No-one needs a ten step routine. I moisturize and use sunscreen when needed. All these cosmetics are full of chemicals that probably make skin worse

I use simple soap and Epaderm cream, night and morning.

Factor 50 in the summer. No spots, no dry skin.

Yes. Face wash, retinol, cream. In the morning wash, cream, spf. Most of these serums do nothing. I had congested skin and retinol fixed it. I’m 33 so can’t tell about wrinkles yet but retinol is anti aging

My skin is fine and pretty good for someone in their fifties. I wash my face with a flannel in the morning and use moisturiser with SPF.

I don't do anything to my face at night unless I've worn make up, then I remove it with Simple wipes (no point in keeping anything else in as I use make-up so rarely these days) and then warm water and a flannel.

That's pretty much been my regime all my life!

I find my skin is best when I don’t just blindly follow a routine. So I will assess my skin each morning and evening and tailor my skincare accordingly I also don’t apply everything all over I might target certain products to just one area of my face and then use different products elsewhere. I do have a basic routine but essentially I always assess my skin and what it needs before I apply anything and this seems to give me the best results.

People often comment on my skin and how I don’t look anywhere near my 50’s I’ve never used any gunk on my skin other than hot flannel wash and if going out a mineral based tinted moisturiser to even out skin tone. I believe Good skin comes from within so a good diet is where you need to concentrate and hydration.

My ‘routine’ is very relaxed!

morning: cleanse with micellar water; vit c serum; moisturiser

Eve: very rarely… collagen serum; night cream. More often, just straight to bed.
It’s very rare I bother to take make up off in the evenings, it’s just never been a habit I’ve picked up.

Im mid-40s, never had issues with spots, skin being too dry or greasy. My skin has a natural shine to it and ‘looks’ healthy. I’m sure if someone looked under a microscope they may find it’s shocking but on the surface it’s great.

I use Simple soap, a flannel, and then Cerave. My skin is clear and very good for my age (67)

Yes, clinique balm followed by Clinique DDML,skin has never looked better. I use BOJ eye serum at night.

I use Simple cleansing oil and their rich moisturiser in the evening and an organic oat soap and the same moisturiser in the morning. I use my DD's differin gel on my chin once or twice a week and at the moment my skin is the best it's been in a long time. My skin prefers as little as possible and fragrance free it seems.

Yes absolutely. A lot of people keep their skin in a constant cycle of irritation by layering too many actives/exfoliants/trendy products together. Then when they strip everything back to a few basics and/or a targeted one, the skin finally calms down (starts functioning normally again!). Consistency usually matters more than having 10 diff products. But it still depends on each person skin.

I wash with a gentle pure (no perfume/colours) soap.
Use a bit of cotton wool to wipe over some distilled witch hazel.
Add some Nivea cream.

That’s my total routine.

If I’m going to be in the sun I’ll add sun protection.

Skin significantly improved. Rarely wear make up now which also probably helps but also don’t feel I need it day to day now. Only make up if going somewhere special.

This is making me feel like I want to strip back my routine to a bar soap, sunscreen & moisturiser and see what happens…
AM: I currently use Nivea cleanser/toner & cotton wool pad (no water), vit c serum, Mario Badescu face mist (more a sensory thing, I love the smell & refreshing feel) and sunscreen. Once a week I use Sali Hughes Glow Tonic.
PM: I use The Ordinary Glycolipid cleanser & flannel followed by a Revolution serum or oil and Cerave moisturiser.
I’m 49 and am pleased with how my skin looks and feels (I have gone thru shiny or dry phases but it feels balanced now… I get the occasional spot, mostly hormone related I feel).
Those who use bar soap, what do you use?

Yes,

AM:
vit c serum
Nivea soft for moisturiser
SPF

PM:
Double cleanse - BOJ cleansing balm / aveeno oat wash
BOJ eye cream
Azealic acid (sometimes)
simple skin barrier repair moisturiser

1 x a week I’ll use a clay face mask

Best thing I ever did for my skin was give up alcohol a few years ago

Yes. Whenever I resolve to take "proper" care of my skin it gets worse. The best routine for me is aqueous cream and a warm flannel as a cleanser and a basic moisturiser like E45 cream.