What's essential? Please help!
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free skin care · Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:19 am

I am working on finding an effective anti-aging skin care routine and a bit overwhelmed by all the options. SO far I am convinced that a good Vitamin C is essential and I want one that includes E. Using SM Vit C complex on half my face and the Skinceutical CEF sample on the other half. Also a retinol and maybe an AHA product later. Of course, cleansers, toner and moisurizer. But not sure how many layers of product I can use so want to keep it minimal. I am waiting for a sample of Remergent DNA Repair and thinking this might be worthwhile to include based on reviews here and what I read in a magazine about it.

The esthitician also suggested the Skinceuticals Phyto+ and B5. Are there any benefit to either of these? I like the B5 but not the bottle with dropper and it seems to go fast. I have one little darker spot but not that bad.

Besides the following, is there anything else worth including in a skin care routine:
Cleanser/toner
vitamin C
sunscreen
retinol every other night

(maybe later alternating with an AHA product)
moisturizer
anti-aging treatment - DNA Repair or other

What about Copper Peptides? What about growth factors? Skin Lightners (phyto+)? B5?

I am sooooooooo confused!!!

Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:08 pm

It is confusing. I think you've got a good plan. The Vit. C and retinol will help with clarity, tone, and firmness, as well as preventative (anti-aging). Sunscreen is a must, to protect your investment in the other products and the end results.

I think you're set with just those, after all, it's only Vit. C and tretinoin that's been proven to combat aging, nothing else, unless I've missed something.

Copper peptides -- you may want to experiment with these after you've gotten your other routine down and see what results you've thus far obtained. This way you'll be able to see if CP's are helping you. Keep in mind that CP's and Vit. C should not be used at the same time (they cancel one another out); use your Vit. C in the morning and the CP's at night. I've also read that Vit. C stays active in the skin for 72 hours, so maybe you should rotate usage throughout the week.

And since retinol can be drying, you'll most likely need a moisturizer, and probably a very gentle scrub to help remove flakies when you peel. Members of MUA use a baby washcloth, but any mild scrub will work. You can also use an enzyme peel, which only removes dead skin -- Zia makes one.

I would wait on everything else, it may be overload for your skin if you start with too high-powered products.

hth Laughing

free skin care · Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:15 pm

That is a big help. I know the esthetician is probably anxious to tell me I need so much more than I really need.

Thanks so much. I will try to be patient about trying too many different things all at once. It is hard though. I am like a kid in a candy store. I want it all! Laughing

Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:24 pm

I know, I'm the same way. I've been trying to work out my own plan, and it's so difficult because they're just too many choices. I decided to keep it simple to begin with, and then expand only when I have results to analyze. (I've been trying to decide on just the right type of tretinoin to begin using -- it's mindboggling to say the least.)

Good luck with your program. Smile

Oh -- but I can recommend the Skinceutical B5 gel -- it's a great humectant and helps to hold moisture in my skin. I really love it. The Phyto, which is used to lighten, is also great, but you'll get those results just by using Vit. C and tretinoin. And if you discover that you still need a boost, then you can add in the Phyto later. Smile

free skin care · Tue Oct 10, 2006 5:50 am

leyel wrote:

I know, I'm the same way. I've been trying to work out my own plan, and it's so difficult because they're just too many choices. I decided to keep it simple to begin with, and then expand only when I have results to analyze. (I've been trying to decide on just the right type of tretinoin to begin using -- it's mindboggling to say the least.)

Good luck with your program. Smile

Oh -- but I can recommend the Skinceutical B5 gel -- it's a great humectant and helps to hold moisture in my skin. I really love it. The Phyto, which is used to lighten, is also great, but you'll get those results just by using Vit. C and tretinoin. And if you discover that you still need a boost, then you can add in the Phyto later. Smile

HELP!!!! Something is making little bumps appear on my forehead! Maybe just clogged pores???? I think it might be the B5 but for now baking off and letting my forehead clear. Then I will start back slow to see if I can ID what is causing that. My skin usually doesn't break out like this so not sure what is going on! If I get a reaction it is usually allergic and this isn't like that. I am tired of my skin feeling parched and need to do something esp with the cooler weather coming and the air at work is so dry.

free skin care · Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:34 am

Hi Marie:

Are you using a Retinol product? I ask this because every retinol product I have used "initially" caused white heads on my face the first few days, then it was fine. I am currently using Ystheal Emulsion Lotion (with Retinaldhyde).

I use SkinCeuticals B5 Gel and have mild acne-prone skin and never had a problem with this product. It is the only moisturizer I use.

It looks like the rest of your routine looks good. This is my routine:

Morning:

Cleanser
Vit. C Serum
B5 Gel
SPF 30 Sunblock

Night:

Cleanser
AHA Serum (alternate nights w/ Retinol)
Retinol (alternate nights w/ AHA)

Each of these Once a Week:

At-Home AHA/Glycolic Peel (Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel)
At-Home Microdermabrasion (Epidermx II)

free skin care · Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:00 am

MystyPines wrote:

Hi Marie:

Are you using a Retinol product? I ask this because every retinol product I have used "initially" caused white heads on my face the first few days, then it was fine. I am currently using Ystheal Emulsion Lotion (with Retinaldhyde).

I haven't used the retinol for almost a week. The Skinceuticals CEF made my rosacea flare the first day I used it (last week Tuesday) so I wanted to let my skin settle down. I first noticed the bumps when using the Phyto+, B5 then the moisurizer. THen in the morning yesterday I tried Vit C and B5 followed by moisurizer with SPF. Last night I just used moisturizer and things looked better this morning. After the Vitamin C and B5 this morning, I noticed them again and hadn't put moisturizer on yet. So I cleared all that off and my forehead is looking better. I could be wrong but thinking the B5 is the common product when I noticed a problem. I will try to eliminate that and see if the problem goes away. I am hoping it isn't Vitamin C causing this.

Which AHA serum are you using? I just ordered the Avene Ysytheal and hope it arrives this week.

Thanks.

free skin care · Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:25 am

Hi Marie:

The SkinCeuticals B5 Gel can have a sticky/tacky feeling after putting it on, but it is not oily in any way. I am thinking maybe what is causing the bumps is the Vit. E in the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. I also use SC CEF and although I haven't had any breakouts from it, the Vit. E in it can be oily.

The AHA Serum I am using is the SkinCeuticals Intense Line Defense Serum (AHA 12%). I have been alternating the AHA serum nights with the Ystheal Emulsion Lotion (with Retinaldhyde).

free skin care · Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:33 am

Hi Marie -
I read thru your post and went YIKES! - if you have rosacea, be VERY careful with retinol and AHAs - these are things that will often make this condition worse. It's so frustrating, because we cannot use anti aging products with the same ease as the "normal" folks out there Sad

if you have been using them for some time with no irritation, please ignore my concern - all rosaceans react differently and of course you could be a lucky one who can use these products, but if you are adding them into your routine please please be careful Smile

free skin care · Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:29 am

elizasue wrote:

Hi Marie -
I read thru your post and went YIKES! - if you have rosacea, be VERY careful with retinol and AHAs - these are things that will often make this condition worse. It's so frustrating, because we cannot use anti aging products with the same ease as the "normal" folks out there Sad

if you have been using them for some time with no irritation, please ignore my concern - all rosaceans react differently and of course you could be a lucky one who can use these products, but if you are adding them into your routine please please be careful Smile

So far my rosacea has been very mild but seems to get worse in the winter. It has also been unpredictable about what will affect it.

My skincare has not been very thought out and I wasn't really happy with it. Usually Prescriptives or Aveeno products but some LaRoche Posay. My journey to find a routine to change it started in August when I got a sample of Murad Age Diffusing Serum at Sephora. I couldn't believe the difference this made - my skin looked so great. I later found out this does have a little glycolic acid (8% I think) so don't know if that was what made my skin look so good. I wanted to take it to the next level and the search began. I added Vitamin C and that went OK but I still felt dry. THat was when I went to the esthetician and now I feel like I have taken a step back and feel so frustrated about what to do. These Forum has been great although I am overwhelmed with all the choices. I want to try everything but at the same time just want to settle in quickly with something that works so I can stop thinking about it! Is that normal for a newbie here?

free skin care · Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:44 am

Marie1120 wrote:

elizasue wrote:

Hi Marie -
I read thru your post and went YIKES! - if you have rosacea, be VERY careful with retinol and AHAs - these are things that will often make this condition worse. It's so frustrating, because we cannot use anti aging products with the same ease as the "normal" folks out there Sad

if you have been using them for some time with no irritation, please ignore my concern - all rosaceans react differently and of course you could be a lucky one who can use these products, but if you are adding them into your routine please please be careful Smile

So far my rosacea has been very mild but seems to get worse in the winter. It has also been unpredictable about what will affect it.

My skincare has not been very thought out and I wasn't really happy with it. Usually Prescriptives or Aveeno products but some LaRoche Posay. My journey to find a routine to change it started in August when I got a sample of Murad Age Diffusing Serum at Sephora. I couldn't believe the difference this made - my skin looked so great. I later found out this does have a little glycolic acid (8% I think) so don't know if that was what made my skin look so good. I wanted to take it to the next level and the search began. I added Vitamin C and that went OK but I still felt dry. THat was when I went to the esthetician and now I feel like I have taken a step back and feel so frustrated about what to do. These Forum has been great although I am overwhelmed with all the choices. I want to try everything but at the same time just want to settle in quickly with something that works so I can stop thinking about it! Is that normal for a newbie here?

I am experiencing the same kind of newbie urges. There is so much information available, that I find myself wanting to try new things all the time. I made the mistake back in August of adding too many actives all at once--then had to go through psychological withdrawal from products to let my skin calm down and am only now able to add actives back slowly. When does newbie mania for products calm down?

I hope your skin clears up soon, Marie. Hang in there!

priscilla

free skin care · Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:47 am

Marie,

I have been on the forum for almost 6 months and I often still feel the way you just described! I think it is perfectly normal and not necessarily a good thing for those of us with sensitive skin! Rolling Eyes

I noticed that you keep mentioning concerns about your skin being dry. Some of the products that you have been experimenting with AHAs, Vitamin C and retinol can all be drying. So even though you are trying to moisturize you may be unable to compensate for the drying effects of these products. I am dealing with dryness from actives right now and trying to find the best option for my situation. You seem like you might be having similar issues. Just something to consider.

free skin care · Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:32 am

TheresaL wrote:

Marie,

I have been on the forum for almost 6 months and I often still feel the way you just described! I think it is perfectly normal and not necessarily a good thing for those of us with sensitive skin! Rolling Eyes

I noticed that you keep mentioning concerns about your skin being dry. Some of the products that you have been experimenting with AHAs, Vitamin C and retinol can all be drying. So even though you are trying to moisturize you may be unable to compensate for the drying effects of these products. I am dealing with dryness from actives right now and trying to find the best option for my situation. You seem like you might be having similar issues. Just something to consider.

Thanks Theresa - good to know I am not alone with this. I hope I can learn from you and others that are more experienced and knowledgeable. Right now I am just using the C and still feeling like the dry air in my office is sucking the moisture from my skin. I just expect that one day I will try something and my skin will go Ahhhhh - that's it! The Murad serum didn't seem to dry me out but the esthetician told me to only use the samples she gave me and see how that went. Although then I switched to only use those on half my face. Some things I used on both (one being the B5) though. I've read a lot of your posts when doing research and you have really made me think about some of the ingredients and question whether they should be used. I am starter to feel smarter!

free skin care · Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:37 am

Priscilla wrote:

I am experiencing the same kind of newbie urges. There is so much information available, that I find myself wanting to try new things all the time. I made the mistake back in August of adding too many actives all at once--then had to go through psychological withdrawal from products to let my skin calm down and am only now able to add actives back slowly. When does newbie mania for products calm down?

I hope your skin clears up soon, Marie. Hang in there!

priscilla

I can relate and good to know I am a normal newbie. It seems like everyone is able to get samples of things to try so hopefully I will be able to get more of those too to help weed through the gazillion products.

free skin care · Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:00 am

Priscilla wrote:

When does newbie mania for products calm down?

Never, in my case! Laughing

But try your best to get hold of samples first. You can cut down on a lot of unnecessary purchases that way and find products that will really work well for you.

free skin care · Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:14 am

majorb wrote:

Priscilla wrote:

When does newbie mania for products calm down?

Never, in my case! Laughing

But try your best to get hold of samples first. You can cut down on a lot of unnecessary purchases that way and find products that will really work well for you.

Probably true since always new stuff coming out that I will HAVE to try! Laughing

Although today I am excited about my Remergent samples and maybe that will settle me and my skin down for awhile!

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