VITAMIN C VS. RETINOLS FOR FACIAL FIRMING
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free skin care · Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:42 pm

In your opinion and experience with using either Vitamin C serum or Retinols/Retin-A, which do you think is better for firming skin and collagen production??

And has anyone achieved firmer skin by Vitamin C serum alone??

free skin care · Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:05 pm

I use both. I find that I NEED both, too. When I only used Retin-A, my skin quit being so prone to cystic acne and it seemed to repair sun damage and reverse wrinkling that was starting around my eyes, etc. But, it was the addition of C serum to my routine each AM (followed by sunscreen)that got my skin to the point where I feel confident in its appearance with just powder and a bit of concealer. Retin-A never could even out the tone the same way or make the texture so much finer. I say, why choose, use BOTH.

free skin care · Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:48 pm

I agree with Betterat40 ... I see no reason to choose between these two products.

I use a tretinoin at night and my Vitamin C serum in the morning. I've been using Vitamin C longer than the tretinoin ... but I think that, like most good and useful products, they each enhance what the other does, making for a better "whole".

Now, I'm in my mid-fifties and I've been very fortunate in that my face isn't terribly lined ... and I don't have a lot of "sagging" issues. I'm just trying to look my best at my age ... and I think that both the retin-a and the Vitamin C are helping me to do just that.

I wish I had begun to use these two products ... and mineral makeup ... when I was much younger. However, I think that my skin, in the last 6 months is better than it's ever been in my entire life ... so it's always better late than never! Laughing

Good luck!

Mary

Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:49 am

What brand/type of vitamin c do you guys use. Id love to use it but have tried one (forget which one right now) and it really broke me out. i have really acne prone skin. i wrote on another forum and some of the girls said vitamin c can be bad for acne prone skin.

any ideas...i really need to use it!! im using tazorac but need that extra something! Rolling Eyes

free skin care · Fri Mar 24, 2006 6:46 am

First of all, I agree with the others....your really need both especially if you are over 30. I used the vitamin C serum alone for over a year, but when I added the Retinol in the PM about 2 weeks ago, I really noticed a huge difference in my skin.

As for the type of Vitamin C. I use Skinceuticals Serum 15. It is not oily at all. Soaks right into the skin, and I have not had any problems with breakouts since using it. They have Serum 10 and Serum 20 as well depending on the strength you want.

Lori

free skin care · Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:13 am

Well the things I've heard about with the L-Ascorbic vitamin C serums is that the texture is often sticky. I used one that was really sticky and I just ordered skinceuticals 10% to see if I have that same problem (should get it by today) but I've heard it from others. I would think that stickiness could agravatate acne-prone skin like I have. Especially if you have oil build-up and stickiness at the same time.

My main concern is facial firming and prevention of future wrinkles, thats why I'm curious as to which is better collagen booster - the retinols or vitamin C.

free skin care · Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:25 am

I have used the Skinceuticals Serum 10 and now the Serum 15 (and eventually will move up the the Serum 20). I do not find them sticky at all. In fact I found these to be the most watery of all the c serums I have tried.

Good Luck. I hope it works for you.

Lori

free skin care · Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:36 pm

I agree with everyone else that you would benefit most from a combination and I have also had great experience with the Skinceutical vitamin c serum. I think retinol makes a huge difference to the skin and should be a part of any anti aging, firming regime. I posted a topic a while back to ask which ingredient people felt had helped firm their skin and most of the replies featured DMAE, so now I want to add this in to my regime, but I just don't know when to layer it in, day, night...

free skin care · Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:45 pm

I make my own 10% Vitamin C serum ... and it's never sticky unless I use glycerin instead of PG.

The recipe can be found in the DIY section of the board ... and it's been a real $ saver for me. It never breaks me out ... and I know exactly how fresh it is.

Mary

free skin care · Fri Mar 24, 2006 2:19 pm

mermaid,

i have acne prone skin and haven't found a Vitamin C yet (my skin is still adjusting to Paris) that my skin likes, but my choices are currently limited. i've heard raves about the ISClinical line and am planning to try their Pro-Heal which has C in it. you might want to do a search on this forum to read more about it.

oh, and i agree -- both.

free skin care · Fri Mar 24, 2006 2:52 pm

if you are more interested in firming the skin, why not try DMAE? I have heard really good things about this. It is supposed to firm up the skin. I would still use a C in the morning and RA at night, but maybe that would help until you found a C that would work for you?

free skin care · Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:15 pm

Well I keep hearing more things about more products like DMAE firming the skin. I might try that as well. Do you know if its better to take it internally or topically?

I initially started with Vitamin C serums specifically because I heard they increased collagen production, but I'm wondering if now its a waste of time since I'm not hearing its doing that for most people.

free skin care · Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:17 pm

mermaid - I definitely was talking topical. I am not big on supplements, so I don't know anything about taking them internally. Externally, DMAE is supposed to really work. Good luck. Oh, I believe I heard source naturals skin eternal (not exactly sure of the name) as what a lot of people like!

free skin care · Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:22 pm

Thanks Rileygirl I will look into those. My skin isnt sagging now as I'm 37, but I'm just looking for future prevention of sag and wrinkles. And then I keep hearing about the copper peptides too....so many choices Confused

free skin care · Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:29 pm

hpjrt wrote:

I make my own 10% Vitamin C serum ... and it's never sticky unless I use glycerin instead of PG.

The recipe can be found in the DIY section of the board ... and it's been a real $ saver for me. It never breaks me out ... and I know exactly how fresh it is.

Mary

I also love the DIY Vit C serum, and would never again pay the big $$$$ for the Vit C. potions out there on the market, when this is the same main ingredient. I can think of better things to do with $50 or $60! Smile

My skin has never been better. I am a dedicated Retin A fan as well.

free skin care · Fri Mar 24, 2006 4:32 pm

I'm using Vivier vit C 10%+Kinetin in the moring, and Skinceuticals retionl o.5 in the evering( sometimes is Skinceuticals PHYTO+, depends on the situation of my skin). my skin looks better than before( smooth, clear)

free skin care · Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:03 am

I like the Cellular Skin Rx C+ Firming serum. It's been my favorite for a year and a-half. I tried skinceuticals, avon, cellex-c but this one is my fav by far.

free skin care · Tue Mar 28, 2006 6:53 pm

Me too... CsRx + Firming. I've tried SkinCeuticals... too drying. I've been using it for 4 months now Smile

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