DIY for a Newbie on a Budget
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skincare Tools & Do-It-Yourself Skincare

Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:49 am

I spent most of last night reading through the DIY board and have a list of stuff I want to try, but wouldn't you know that my list outweighs my budget! The quantity of the sources seems to be the be the biggest trouble - only available in 4 oz, only need 1 cc.

About me: I am 31 and have dry, flaky, redness-prone skin. I have red patches on my cheeks, have large pores and blackheads on my nose, and still get acne on my T-zone. There are a few dark spots that look like freckles out of control on my cheeks. I have hereditary dark undereye circles with milia, fine lines, and am starting to get wrinkles/lines around my eyes and mouth.

My current routine is super basic - Cetaphil cleanser and cream morning and night, plus sunscreen during the day when I'm going out. I've been eyeing a Vitamin C, E, Ferulic acid serum for mornings and retinoid evenings, and I'd love to try Kassy's face firming face cream and Ally's eye cream.

I'm open to experimenting, but I have a $100 budget and want to stretch it as far as possible. My mother in law is a microbiologist, so the hardware is accessible for me and (someone familiar with mixing small batches!), but the actives and bases will need to be purchased.

If you were starting from scratch, what would you get? Help a newbie out!

free skin care · Thu Apr 08, 2010 6:28 pm

Hi momaste,

If I were you, I would definitely start with DIY Vitamin C. You can buy 1 oz. of the ultrafine ascorbic acid from Lotioncrafter.com for only $3.95 and it lasts forever. Even if you do the basic recipe without the Ferulic, I think you'd find it beneficial. If you've read the thread about Kassy's face firming cream, you'll see her suggestion about saving yourself some effort (and money) by starting with a base and then adding actives to it. I've found that's a great way to keep from having to buy lots of different ingredients in amounts which are more than you can ever use. I really like the Vegetarian Base from Gardenofwisdom.com. I've also used the Canvas Base from Skinactives.com and liked it too. I know Kassy likes Juice Beauty serums as a base. I don't know if you'll be ordering oils, but I've just discovered that gardenofwisdom has sample oil packages where you can get three sample oils in smaller amounts. What I do to try to save myself some money is look at what I need and see if I can get it from one site. Even if I'm spending a little bit more on some ingredients than I would at another site, I may come out less when I factor in the shipping charge. One thing I really like about lotioncrafter.com is that you earn customer reward points that you can then apply to future purchases. I've really saved myself some money doing that.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

free skin care · Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:25 pm

momaste wrote:

About me: I am 31 and have dry, flaky, redness-prone skin. I have red patches on my cheeks, have large pores and blackheads on my nose, and still get acne on my T-zone. There are a few dark spots that look like freckles out of control on my cheeks. I have hereditary dark undereye circles with milia, fine lines, and am starting to get wrinkles/lines around my eyes and mouth.

My current routine is super basic - Cetaphil cleanser and cream morning and night, plus sunscreen during the day when I'm going out. I've been eyeing a Vitamin C, E, Ferulic acid serum for mornings and retinoid evenings, and I'd love to try Kassy's face firming face cream and Ally's eye cream.

I'm open to experimenting, but I have a $100 budget and want to stretch it as far as possible. My mother in law is a microbiologist, so the hardware is accessible for me and (someone familiar with mixing small batches!), but the actives and bases will need to be purchased.

If you were starting from scratch, what would you get? Help a newbie out!

Hi and welcome to the forum, and the joys of DIY Very Happy

Since I spent way too much money out of the gate, buying everything under the sun, and then not having a clue what to do with it all, I'm grateful for this opportunity to hopefully help you out... (Phew, long sentence there.)

I'm glad you mentioned your age, routine and skin woes. It's most helpful.

The 1st thing I'd like to say is my "firming" cream recipe is not for you. You are very young, and have young skin issues (based on what you wrote.) That cream would be much too rich and occlusive for you at this time, and could compound your problems.

If I were you, I would start with a nice vitamin C serum, retinol and definitely an AHA/lactic acid product. From what you wrote it sounds to me that you have congested skin, with lots of dead cells hanging on. (Do you drink enough water BTW? I only ask because you are really young to have wrinkles.)

A perfect shopping cart for you might look like this; (Just my humble opinion mind you!)

- microfiber cloth
- L-Ascorbic Acid
- Retinyl Palmitate (Retin-A would be a good option also!)
- Ferulic Acid
- Lactic Acid
- Salicytic Acid
- Rosehip or Vitamin E oil
- Jojoba Oil and/or Macadamia Nut Oil
- Algae Extract (nice subtle skin tightener)
- Green Tea Extract
- Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum
- CeraVe Lotion
- Optiphen (a good preservative)
- Polysorbate 80 (a good emulsifier)
- And both base creams that Skippie recommended are good
- Skin Gel (I get this at vitacost.com and it's an awesome gel base, good for most actives, and won't clog your pores.) In fact you can start with only this as a great base for now!

There are of course lots of other actives to address specifics and antiaging issues, but I'd really recommend that you start simply with just 2 or 3 DIY products. Once you get your skin more *healthy*, then you can see where you are, and add additional actives accordingly.

I remember my very 1st orders when I decided to try DIY. I received all my goody boxes, opened them up excitedly, and then completely forgot what went with what, and what the he!! it was all for... Shock

It was only then that I realized I didn't do enough homework before ordering, and didn't need half of what I bought.

Moral of the story is this; even though I now enjoy and use several other *special* actives, what I absolutely can't live without, is everything I have posted above for you to consider... Wink

Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:09 pm

Thanks, Skippie and Kassy, for the thoughtful replies. It sounds like Vitamin C is the first step from both of you, so that is the one I'll start with! I'll definitely see if I can get most of the supplies in one place to keep from spending more on shipping. I'm all about reward points, and Lotion Crafter seems to have quite a few of the ingredients listed in small quantities.

I should have been clearer: I have crows feet, laugh lines, and the start of wrinkles, especially when I smile, but nothing deep set yet. I also had a lot of sun damage as a kid growing up at the beach, which certainly doesn't help now. I drink a lot of water, but you're right that there are a lot of dead cell hangers-on.

Kassy, I appreciate your shopping list! Now what would I make with all of these ingredients? The Vitamin C, E, and Ferulic serum I see out of this list. How would you suggest I use the lactic and salycitic acid, algae extract, and green tea extract?

Retin-A is on my list to try, too. I was thinking of starting out with a .025% cream from an online pharmacy. Does that seem like a good starting point?

I bought avocado oil today to try as an overnight moisturizer, to try to hydrate the dryness away.

I don't want to go overboard, but I want pretty skin, and it would be nice if it could be there overnight, haha!

Also, would this serum be overkill for me?
www dot essentialwholesale dot com/product_p/453.htm?1=1&CartID=1 (I can't post links, so replace the word dot with .)

free skin care · Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:58 pm

For a really nice Vitamin C + Retinol serum see the one I posted recently on pg 28 here; (This is quickly becoming my new favorite BTW.. Very Happy

)

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?tid=30621

You can safely use this during the day, BUT be sure it has absorbed before going out, (about 30 minutes is great!)

On page 29 of the same thread you'll see recipe's with 'algae' and 'green tea'. For the lactic + salycitic acids, you can easily add them to CeraVe or a base cream of your choice. In fact, you can add the algae in there as well. For lactic I'd suggest 10% and 2% for the salycitic. There are calculators on lotioncrafter (and elsewhere) if you get stumped. (Just keep in mind that these acids should remain on the skins surface, so don't put them in anything with penetration enhancers.. The CeraVe is perfect, as it has barrier repairing ceramides in abundance, which will keep the acids where they belong.

Have a look here (if you haven't found it already), for tons of DIY recipe's from EDS forum members. There are also great and informative links for all things DIY including all vendor info... (Great big THANK YOU to 'havana8' for putting it all together in one place for us.

) (Now if I could only talk her into coming to my house and sorting out my DIY cubby'sss Embarassed

)

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=11902

ETA: Could you tell us the name of the product you tried linking.. I couldn't get it.

free skin care · Fri Apr 09, 2010 5:03 am

Quote:

I remember my very 1st orders when I decided to try DIY. I received all my goody boxes, opened them up excitedly, and then completely forgot what went with what, and what the he!! it was all for... It was only then that I realized I didn't do enough homework before ordering, and didn't need half of what I bought.

LOL, Kassy. I did that too and to this day, I have some ingredients that I've never used.

I'm glad Kassy chimed in, momaste, because her recipes are wonderful. She really does put a lot of thought into them and gives such wonderfully detailed instructions. I also like that she actually tries them out on herself before sharing them.

Fri Apr 09, 2010 12:57 pm

I tried to reply last night but the system wouldn't let me, saying that new posters can only post 5 times a day. I only posted twice yesterday, but anyway...

I'm digging the DIY list! Thank you! And if you don't mind, I'm going to pick your brain some more! Smile

The product I was linking at Essential Wholesale is "Ultimate Facial Serum". It says, "This power packed with the active ingredients of DMAE, vitamin A, B, C and E, ibodene and alpha lipoic acid along with multifruits and the wonder oil meadowfoam." But the pH is 4.5-5.5, so too high for the C to work, right? All of the ingredients look good, but is it overkill for me, or could I add the algae to that and call it a day? I think I read that green tea shouldn't be combined with C, and it's intended to penetrate so wouldn't be good for the lactic acid, right?

For the lactic and salycitic acid, I shopped my cupboard last night and found a jar of Alpha Hydroxy 12% souffle, which is glycolic acid. Could I use that with the other acids, or with the algae, or would that be too much? It already has green tea in it. If not, can I use that instead of lactic and salycitic acid to streamline the routine? Or would you doctor up the AH souffle another way and rotate between that and Retin-A?

For the serum recipe you listed, if I'm starting Retin-A, would I also need the Retinyl Palmate? I was thinking of using the recipe that is 15% C,E + FA with HA (New 6/23/09). Would that be a good choice for me?

For Christmas, I got a bar of facial soap made by Chagrin Valley called "Dead Sea Spa Soap" and I tried that last night and this morning. I moisturized with straight avocado oil that I picked up at the grocery store yesterday. My face isn't flaky this morning! I think I'm going to try using those two for awhile and see how it works for me. The ingredients are:

Saponified oils of sunflower, coconut, palm, olive, palm kernel, jojoba, unrefined shea butter, apricot kernel, and castor bean; filtered rainwater; Dead Sea mineral mud; Dead Sea Clay; sea kelp; essential oils of lime, litsea cubeba, lavender, rosemary, orange, and eucalyptus; cornstarch; and rosemary oil extract.

I was thinking a routine like this:

AM
Cleanse (Dead Sea bar or Cetaphil)
Vitamin C serum or "Ultimate Facial Serum" or swap between the two
Moisturizer with sunscreen (continue with Eucerin 30 SPF?)
Make up if I'm going out

PM
Cleanse
Retin-A or AH souffle (swap nights)
wait 20+ minutes
Moisturizing cream (home made w/avocado oil)
Eye Cream or serum - I want something to help with the under eye circles, milia, and fine lines. Is the serum and Retin-a/AHA combo enough for those?

Does it seem like I've covered all of my bases? Would it help to add a mask every week or two? I used to use a toner but I'm afraid it would dry me out even more.

Thu Apr 22, 2010 6:56 am

If you're trying to stay on 'budget' and need a great microfiber cleansing cloth go to MerryMicrofiberBath (.com). In their facial cloths they have the 11 x 11 Beige Premium. It's the exact same as NCN's Microfiber Cleansing Cloth at about 1/3 the price.

free skin care · Thu Apr 22, 2010 9:46 am

msboo wrote:

If you're trying to stay on 'budget' and need a great microfiber cleansing cloth go to MerryMicrofiberBath (.com). In their facial cloths they have the 11 x 11 Beige Premium. It's the exact same as NCN's Microfiber Cleansing Cloth at about 1/3 the price.

Great find!

The 'premium' look great, but these 12X12 waffle weave, are identical to NCN's. At $2.99 that's 1/4 of the price... Shock

http://www.merrymicrofiberbath.com/product/0110WW-1212

Thu Apr 22, 2010 9:55 am

Thanks, msboo! I'll check that out now. Awesome find!

I ordered my Vitamin C supplies and Sea Kelp Bioferment from LotionCrafters and am waiting for them to arrive. I spent about $50, which isn't too over the top. Smile

I e-mailed Essential Wholesale about the serum, asking about the pH for Vitamin C, and they said their formulator had never heard of Vitamin C needing a lower pH. I've written of the serum for that. Am I off base? Still a good serum to check out?

Any suggestions on doctoring my AHA souffle, or should I leave it as is? Is the regimen I listed a good one?

free skin care · Thu Apr 22, 2010 10:07 am

Description: Active form of vitamin C as it occurs naturally. Purity 99.4 %, pH 3 (0.5 % solution). White powder, ultrafine, odorless. Easily soluble in water & alcohol. CAS# 50-81-7.

INCI Name: L-ascorbic acid.

Properties: Potent anti-oxidant (protects skin from oxidative damages e.g. by sun rays), anti-aging effects (improves skin elasticity by enhanced collagen production, avoids hyperpigmentation incl. age spots, anti-inflammatory & soothing effects. Anti-oxidant effect can be increased by combining L-ascorbic acid with L-ascorbyl palmitate and/or vitamin E.

Use: Add to water phase of formula, usual final concentration 0.2-4 %. Should be formulated at pH <3.5 for best results.

Application: Lotions, creams, sun care & after sun products, shampoos, makeup products (e.g. lipsticks).

http://www.makingcosmetics.com/Actives-Cosmeceuticals/Anti-Acne-Agents/Vitamin-C-L-ascorbic-acid--p188.html

Thu Apr 22, 2010 10:34 am

Right, I sent her a few links explaining it. I never heard back. Rolling Eyes

free skin care · Thu Apr 22, 2010 10:43 am

momaste wrote:

Right, I sent her a few links explaining it. I never heard back. Rolling Eyes

Every source other than EW that I have ever checked recommends the ph of 3.5 or lower??? Exclamation

free skin care · Thu Apr 22, 2010 10:56 am

momaste wrote:

I tried to reply last night but the system wouldn't let me, saying that new posters can only post 5 times a day. I only posted twice yesterday, but anyway...

I'm digging the DIY list! Thank you! And if you don't mind, I'm going to pick your brain some more! Smile

The product I was linking at Essential Wholesale is "Ultimate Facial Serum". It says, "This power packed with the active ingredients of DMAE, vitamin A, B, C and E, ibodene and alpha lipoic acid along with multifruits and the wonder oil meadowfoam." But the pH is 4.5-5.5, so too high for the C to work, right? All of the ingredients look good, but is it overkill for me, or could I add the algae to that and call it a day? I think I read that green tea shouldn't be combined with C, and it's intended to penetrate so wouldn't be good for the lactic acid, right?

For the lactic and salycitic acid, I shopped my cupboard last night and found a jar of Alpha Hydroxy 12% souffle, which is glycolic acid. Could I use that with the other acids, or with the algae, or would that be too much? It already has green tea in it. If not, can I use that instead of lactic and salycitic acid to streamline the routine? Or would you doctor up the AH souffle another way and rotate between that and Retin-A?

For the serum recipe you listed, if I'm starting Retin-A, would I also need the Retinyl Palmate? I was thinking of using the recipe that is 15% C,E + FA with HA (New 6/23/09). Would that be a good choice for me?

For Christmas, I got a bar of facial soap made by Chagrin Valley called "Dead Sea Spa Soap" and I tried that last night and this morning. I moisturized with straight avocado oil that I picked up at the grocery store yesterday. My face isn't flaky this morning! I think I'm going to try using those two for awhile and see how it works for me. The ingredients are:

Saponified oils of sunflower, coconut, palm, olive, palm kernel, jojoba, unrefined shea butter, apricot kernel, and castor bean; filtered rainwater; Dead Sea mineral mud; Dead Sea Clay; sea kelp; essential oils of lime, litsea cubeba, lavender, rosemary, orange, and eucalyptus; cornstarch; and rosemary oil extract.

I was thinking a routine like this:

AM
Cleanse (Dead Sea bar or Cetaphil)
Vitamin C serum or "Ultimate Facial Serum" or swap between the two
Moisturizer with sunscreen (continue with Eucerin 30 SPF?)
Make up if I'm going out

PM
Cleanse
Retin-A or AH souffle (swap nights)
wait 20+ minutes
Moisturizing cream (home made w/avocado oil)
Eye Cream or serum - I want something to help with the under eye circles, milia, and fine lines. Is the serum and Retin-a/AHA combo enough for those?

Does it seem like I've covered all of my bases? Would it help to add a mask every week or two? I used to use a toner but I'm afraid it would dry me out even more.

- For your PM routine, (on the nights you're applying AHS) put that on following your moisturizer. It's meant to work on the dead surface layer, and is best as a final step.

- I'm not familiar with the product you referenced from 'Essential Wholesale', as I never shop there. I know others have used that product, so sorry they didn't chime in for you.. Sad

- No, you don't "need" RP if your happy with RA. But yes, RP is a nice addition to the C serum, and/or to alternate with RA. It all comes down to what your skin responds to. For me, I get the best results when I DON'T use things religiously, but alternate them every other day or so. I'm also very careful about protecting/maintaining a healthy skin barrier and avoiding TEWL, so on my acid free days, I replace the epidermal barrier essentials with ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol and vitamins A + E (in oil form.)

- The only other thing I'd offer (since most was already addressed in my previous posts), is to try to keep things simple, and not just try to throw every active you have, in every formulation. You have plenty of time to experiment after you've researched your actives some more to see what's compatible. (Check out the best ready made product ingredient lists, and you'll see at a glance what goes with what!)

- In case it helps, I'll tell you what I've found to work best for me on a weekly basis. (And trust me when I tell you, I have every active under the sun in my cubby'sss, and could pretty much duplicate anything out there if I so desired.. Laughing

1.) A good C Serum (My favorite has been the one I posted with Jojoba, but the latest one has a nicer texture, and definitely a better *glow* factor.

2.) Retinyl Palmitate + AHA (I use this when I take frequent breaks from Retin-A)

3.) Collagen/Anti-aging Serum (Currently I'm using the exact "Cell Stimulating Serum" recipe I posted lately. It's intention was for LED use, but I now use it most days.

4.) Epidermal Barrier Repair (For this I simply use CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion as my base, and add to that; a little coconut oil (fatty acids for starters!), palm oil (all the (A) carotenes + all of the (E) tocopherols and usually I throw in whatever active tickles my fancy...(like niacinamide, Co Q 10, Alpha Lipoic Acid etc..)

So that's my take for what it's worth.

Disclaimer: I am an amateur DIY'er, and simply share my opinions based on what's worked out well for me and some friends after a minimum of 1 months testing. I'd advise everyone to be responsible for their own skin health + condition, by researching further anything I said that sounds appealing to you. We're all unique and different, so with that in mind, leave the "cookie cutter" for your "cookies"... Very Happy

Thu Apr 22, 2010 6:34 pm

Kassy.... I had just received my first NCN cloth when I found the MerryMicro website and posted it on another skincare forum. Someone on that forum, who had already been using NCN's cloths, ordered the 11 x 11 Beige Premium from MerryMicro then posted it was exactly the same. I've seen the other 12 x 12 waffleweave but think those are white? I know they're not trimmed w/edging, right? NCN's are beige and edged now... were they white at one time? Someone said they didn't used to be edged like they are now (makes them very nice).

Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:03 am

In an earlier post (4/8/10, 9:58pm) you mentioned acids that exfoliate, one being salycitic. Did you mean salicylic? Confused

Also mentioned was that lactic and salycitic should remain on the skin's surface.

I do know that lactic, along with glycolic, are common alpha hydroxy acids that are used for exfoliating the skin's surface. I don't know about salycitic, but salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy that gets into/exfoliates inside the pores, as well as the surface the skin----also has anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial properties, making it great for those who experience breakouts.

Would an alpha hydroxy (lactic, glycolic) be able to penetrate the skin in a base that penetrates, even though alpha's ability is to exfoliate only the skin's surface? AND.... if you indeed meant salicylic, how could you prevent it from not penetrating when that's what it's supposed to do? (unless it's mixed into such an occlusive base cream so as to prevent it from penetration)

With my interest in DIY, I want to be sure I understand correctly when it comes to mixing actives in a base.

Mon Apr 26, 2010 1:05 pm

Hey Kassy.... forgot to address my last post to you, as I had questions.

free skin care · Mon Apr 26, 2010 1:35 pm

Kassy did mean salicylic acid (just a misspell). The rest I'll leave for her to answer - I would be giving a best guess only.

free skin care · Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:06 pm

LMAO! Yep a *misspell*...

IMHO AHA's + Salicylic Acid are best used in a simple formulation that allows it to stay near the skins surface...

It's *main* job is to clear the pores + stratum corneum of the dead skin cells that accumulate there.

As for the microfiber cloths, yep, these are just like the ones from NCN, for 1/4th of the price;

http://www.merrymicrofibercloths.com/product/0110WW-1212

Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:37 pm

Thanks Kassy, you too Sweets.

? You wouldn't need to us the AHA and the BHA together, right? (BHA exfoliates inside the pore and on the surface, where as AHA works on surface only)

While I love my NCN micro cloth, I generally prefer using a 2% BHA lotion over manual exfoliation. Got to be careful with the cloth Pray

free skin care · Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:30 am

This is such a great thread and the advice given is so useful sounding. I am also in the same situation as momaste. This year I have to knuckle down in many ways, a big one being financial.

It would be great if advice could be given for my skin routine too. I am 31 also, I am half East Asian but really take after the East Asian side skin wise I think - except I am aging really fast. I have skin that has dropped a lot and is sagging, this is most apparent with my eyelids which I have been recommended a bleph for as they are really uncomfortable with all the folding at the end of the day. My skin doesn't seem that strong and plump, more soft and fragile now (although I don't think it is sensitive). I have sun spots, overall pigmentation, big pores, pronounced tear troughs and crows feet. Ghosts of lines are coming up everywhere - between brows, forehead, nose to mouth, smile..
I don't know why it got so bad but I wonder if it is because I have been pretty anaemic for more than a decade. I am really trying to work on this but I just cannot eat meat. I haven't really bothered with skin care except for spf either until about the last 18 months.
At the moment I am using Retin a .05% at night, washing with Aveeno cleanser, olive oil/ avocado oil in the morning, EES for undereyes, Avene Ystheal for upper eyes and zinc sunscreen whenever out/ near a window. I've tried a few other things here and there but this is what I am using right now.
I have a NCN microfiber cloth but don't use it that much as I like just rubbing my skin in a circular motion with my hands and warm water. Also have CP serum and NCN pumpkin peel but don't really use them much, the CP only been testing on a scar on my knee.

Is there anything I should do in particular/ anything different to the advice for momaste? I'm not sure our skin is completely the same and it would be great to get to the bottom of why my skin looks so tired and old already. Smile

Fri May 14, 2010 7:33 pm

I'm back with a thanks and questions! I didn't try to do the whole kitchen sink at once, but my face is getting used to the routine and isn't so happy with me. It's smooooooth (after exfoliation), but red and angry!

I started Retin-A .025% last week. I used a thin layer twice last week, 4 days apart, and my face is red, peeling and irritated. After the second use, it felt like a sunburn and one patch looks shiny like it's a little burned. After the microfiber, it's less peely, but still quite red.

I got a microfiber washcloth from the less expensive link above. It makes my face REALLY red but smooth as a baby's butt. Laughing

I'm using it before bed and doing that twice a week on post-Retin-A nights for the past three weeks or so.

I started the Vitamin C DIY serum with E and ferulic acid (the jojoba recipe made with avocado oil instead of jojoba) about 2 weeks ago, and it is lovely. I'm using that in the morning and doesn't make me irritated! Amazing!

My dead sea soap dries me out, so I picked up CeraVe tonight and am trying that out to see if it improves. I also have CeraVe cream that I'm slathering on at night to sooth my stressed skin. I'm considering doctoring it up but haven't yet. I have coconut oil and niacinimide but am not sure how to add them.

I'm using Eucerin SPF 30 sunscreen during the day and can't stand it. Over the vitamin C serum, it's tacky and makes every peely spot stand out. Without the Vitamin C, it's too dry and my face itches. I can't wear make-up over it because it all balls up and makes the peely spots really obvious. Recommendations on gentle, moisturizing, broad spectrum sunscreen appreciated!

So now what? Should I back off until the red irritation goes away? I thought I was going fairly slow.

free skin care · Sat May 15, 2010 5:27 am

Hi momaste

I think it is great that you are taking Retin-A slowly (every 4th night to start if I read correctly)

What stood out to me in your post was the use of the micro fiber cloth. That is a major exfoliant (as is Retin A) - and you never want to scrub so hard your face is red.. no matter how smooth your skin feels. You will just irritate and led to premature aging. Most experts at this time recommend exfoliating every other night at most unless your skin is super oily.

What type of moisturizer are you using at night?

The last thing that I would recommend as someone who also likes DIY (and is on a budget) is good 'ol green tea or honey. Brew some strong green tea and use as a toner. It will cut down on irritation. Also, I apply honey once a week (diluted with warm water so it is not as sticky) as a mask and will often leave it on overnight.

Anyway, have fun!

Emily

free skin care · Sat May 15, 2010 5:30 am

TTD -
Hello! The only thing that I could think of to add is a Vitamin C serum. Helps with pigmentation problems.

I also ***LOVE LOVE LOVE*** NCN's bioactive day cream (I actually use at night). My skin feels plumper after use.

Emily

Sat May 15, 2010 8:55 am

Hey Momaste.... listen to Erg and be gentle when it comes to EXFOLIATION. Pick ONE and do that. OR when using your Retin-A wait a few days after the irritation from that goes away THEN if you want to use The Cloth do so very carefully. Sometimes when manually exfoliating you can be too aggressive without realizing it until afterwards. I found I do better just using the BHA I have (first time I used The Cloth I felt very smooth, not red, BUT somewhat irritated and stingy Rolling Eyes

----I had been very careful due to the fact that my skin is super sensitive BUT).

Leave some of your CeraVe lotion/cream un-doctored for those times you're irritated.... you'll be glad for that.

Don't know what's causing the "tacky" feeling and "rolling off" with your sunscreen hmm

----surely someone here may have an answer for that one. As far as SSs causing you irritation.... I'm super sensitive and don't like a lot of stuff on my skin yet, I've used Paula's Choice SSs for 10-12 yrs now with great success.

Good Luck and remember..... BE GENTLE wave

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