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Tue Jun 05, 2012 7:04 pm  |
I'm 27 and getting married next year. I want my skin to look its best. For the most part, I have no wrinkles. I just have a few tiny brown spots that appeared in the last year. I have some faint hyperpigmentation from some hormonal breakouts on my chin. I avoid the sun like the plague and wear sunscreen (Badger). Is this a good enough brand? I'm finishing up a degree and on a budget, plus saving for a honeymoon and moving to another country.
I'm debating whether I should try some type of Retin-A. I tried the generic form through ADC about two years ago and I stuck with it throughout all the "uglies." It was awful and I really didn't see any benefits from it. Is the generic formulation not as good? I was thinking of trying Renova. I want to fade the hyperpigmentation spots on my chin and prevent the signs of aging.
I was using Skinceuticals Vitamin C serum, but didn't really see any benefits from it. I finished off a whole bottle of it..not sure if I want to repurchase.
I have combination skin that is sensitive. I use a sulphate free cleanser and a moisturizer with antioxidants. I also use an eye cream with hyaluronic acid in it. I like organic products without parabens.
I welcome your feedback and suggestions. Thanks in advance.  |
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Tue Jun 05, 2012 10:32 pm |
Congratulations on your engagement! Retin-A (tretinoin) doesn't suit everyone, it's too harsh for most sensitive types.  Since you have probably have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation you would be safest using the gentlest actives. You should expect to use any active for many months to get the full benefit. Proven combinations include vitamin C with a retinoid (vitamin A) - perhaps magnesium ascorbyl phosphate OR AA2G with retinol because these are gentler than L-ascorbic acid and tretinoin. Alternatively an effective combination for hyperpimentation is niacinamide (vitamin B3) with N-acetylglucosamine. All of these are also effective on other signs of ageing or for prevention.
As you are on a budget and are particular about ingredients you might be best DIYing your products. Be sure to select recipes that consider the science - appropriate pH, which actives work together or fight, correct percentages, etc. Highly recommend checking out the KinNiaNag, chrysalis eye, AA2G and MAP serum tutorials here http://skinessentialactives.blogspot.co.uk/
Kit for the KinNiaNag plus ingredients for everything else here, also includes published studies backing each active.
http://stores.skinessentialactives.com/-strse-SEA-Lab-cln-SEA-Lab-Kits/Categories.bok
Kassy has come up with some great recipes if you check the recipes index
http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=11902 |
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Sensitivity, forehead pigmentation & elevens, nose & chin clogged pores. Topicals: Aloe vera, squalane, lactic acid, Myfawnie KinNiaNag HG: Weleda calendula, Lanolips, Guinot masque essentiel, Flexitol Naturals, Careprost. Gadgets: Vaughter dermarollers, Lightstim. |
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Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:40 am |
Hi Firefox, thank you so much for responding. I was hoping you would reply. I read the forums a lot, but don't post much and I think you are like a fountain of knowledge! lol
Out of the things you suggested, what would you say would be your top suggestion? I was thinking of trying the KinNiaNag.
Do you think I should try Renova as well or would the KinNiaNag probably do just as well? If the Tretinoin didn't work well for me (It was Retin-A from ADC), does it seem like Renova probably wouldn't either? I was on the lowest percentage and it made my skin extremely dry and flaky. I stuck with it, but I can't say I saw any great results from it. I applied it mostly just to my chin area. |
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Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:01 pm |
Chiming in to congratulate you on you new life, BellaKai!
I agree with FF that KinNiaNag will give you the most bang for your buck. Its not exactly easy to make the first time but you quickly get the hang of it and then its a snap. Lots of studies behind the ingredients on the blog there.
My experience with KNN is refining of pores and texture of the skin, lightening overall (my skin is fair with freckles and some sunspots), and cessation of hormonal zits. In the long run it builds and protects collagen, in the short run it makes skin look and feel good. HTH! |
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✪ My go-to products: MyFawnie.BigCartel.com ✪ |
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Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:20 pm |
| BellaKai wrote: |
Hi Firefox, thank you so much for responding. I was hoping you would reply. I read the forums a lot, but don't post much and I think you are like a fountain of knowledge! lol
Out of the things you suggested, what would you say would be your top suggestion? I was thinking of trying the KinNiaNag.
Do you think I should try Renova as well or would the KinNiaNag probably do just as well? If the Tretinoin didn't work well for me (It was Retin-A from ADC), does it seem like Renova probably wouldn't either? I was on the lowest percentage and it made my skin extremely dry and flaky. I stuck with it, but I can't say I saw any great results from it. I applied it mostly just to my chin area. |
Ha ha thank you, but there are plenty of holes in that knowledge so it's fortunate there are others to fill the gaps! That is the wonderful thing about forums, lots of snippets of information and numerous different experiences all in one place. 
Prescription retinoids are great if they suit you, but I don't see the point in fighting your skin when there are effective actives that can give you a healthy glow! Most people are concerned about ageing on the eye area, so it would make sense to choose something you can use all over. Yes KinNiaNag as the lovely Fawnie suggests because it is packed to the gills with actives and you should be able to use it right up to your wedding day. 
Another option that I didn't think to suggest is to exfoliate with lactic acid - diluting your own from 88% is super cheap. Gentle, hydrating, collagen inducing, can help with hyperpigmentation and leaves silky soft skin. BTW I've used KinNiaNag after a light LA peel with no additional irritation. |
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Sensitivity, forehead pigmentation & elevens, nose & chin clogged pores. Topicals: Aloe vera, squalane, lactic acid, Myfawnie KinNiaNag HG: Weleda calendula, Lanolips, Guinot masque essentiel, Flexitol Naturals, Careprost. Gadgets: Vaughter dermarollers, Lightstim. |
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Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:55 pm |
Thank you, Fawnie, for chiming in!
And thank you to both of you for your kind words. You are both such lovely and sweet ladies.
Firefox, I am going to order that serum soon. I've never made my own so I'm a bit nervous I'll mess it up, but I'll give it a go. I've used a lactic acid cleanser in the past. With the lactic acid, are you using it as a peel or like a toner? How often do you do it? Thanks again for your help! |
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Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:30 am |
I'm doing a light peel maybe every fortnight. Started out at ~22% for three minutes and worked up slowly from there. Just rinse off with water!  |
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Sensitivity, forehead pigmentation & elevens, nose & chin clogged pores. Topicals: Aloe vera, squalane, lactic acid, Myfawnie KinNiaNag HG: Weleda calendula, Lanolips, Guinot masque essentiel, Flexitol Naturals, Careprost. Gadgets: Vaughter dermarollers, Lightstim. |
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Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:04 am |
| I see you use a cleanser and moisturizer. I'd always add a tonique in, because it helps with pH balance as well as overall brightness. Clarins, Liz Earle, L'Occitane and La Roche Posay are really good brands. Rosewater is also really great, you can get it for $5 at Whole Foods, Heritage Brand. Retin-A is good - I recommend the Vitamin A treatment from ARCONA as a really good wrinkle treatment. Vitamin A is great for regeneration of any kind, be it acne or wrinkles. Good luck, and congratulations! |
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Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:53 pm |
Hi, ErinJoy!
I don't use a toner regularly and I think I'm going to add it back into my routine. I actually do have some rosewater sitting in my medicine cabinet that I got from Whole Foods. I will start using it again. It's nice to put a little bit in bath water too sometimes.
I just finished the La Roche Posay Effaclar Cleanser. It was just okay. I'm thinking about trying the salicylic treatment in that line.. would love to hear from anyone who has used this. I will look into the Arcona brand you suggested. I've never heard of it before.
Jom, I have used the MyChelle Fruit Enzyme Cleanser from Whole Foods as well as the Creamy Pumpkin Cleanser. Both were good. I've also tried samples of their masks. That's a nice brand and I wuoldn't mind using it again. My favorite brand from Whole Foods is Suki. It's amazing. |
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