Lotions and potions

[Autumnalpiefortea]

Do they really work?

I’m mid forties and to my shame have only started to properly look after my skin the past year or so (previously cleansed (not always 🙈slept in make up-I know, I know) and moisturised sometimes.
I now do it all…vitamin c in the morning and cleanse, collagen serum, filler cream, eye cream and Tretinoin at night-I alternate this with just cleansing and a vitamin C serum the other nights. I exfoliate twice per week and use face masks
Is it going to make any difference and am I now doing too much??
Do all the creams and serums make the skin better, have you seen results?
Have I left it too long now?

Retinol and vitamin c yes. Anything else - no

@happylittlesloth So not the collagen serum or tret?
What’s different about the Vitamin C? Serum, moisturiser or both?

I'm rubbish at skin care but Iv found olay retinol def improved my skin and made my neck less crinkly.

Retinol and sun screen!

The Neutrogena retinol boost night cream got rid of a couple of fine lines I was developing, but the day cream did absolutely nothing at all

I think you're exfoliating too often, you can end up breaking the skin too much and drying it out.

The other thing that is really make or break for my skin is never washing my face with hot water, only tepid water. Also keeping my nails short because I absent mindedly scratch at my face otherwise.

I do like expensive lotions but mostly for the feel and smell of them. I go through phases of using them a lot and then other times when I forget but there's no visible difference

I'm not convinced that anything works other than genetics, sunscreen, not smoking and staying hydrated. I'm late 50s, have good skin with only a few fine lines and don't use any lotions or potions at all apart from sunscreen - I don't even use moisturiser and I rarely wear makeup. My skin has always been sensitive so I prefer to leave it alone so nothing can irritate it.

Clean your face gently - I like a balm
Tretinoin
Moisturiser
Spf
Vit c

I think these things consistently do help. I wouldnt be able to exfoliate on Tret though.

Skin that's hydrated always looks more youthful

I've always had bad pigmentation on my skin - including a fine brown 'moustache' on my top lip and marks on my cheeks - I've been using No7 Damage Reversal day cream, serum and night cream for 6 weeks and it's gone completely (had it for 30+ years!) so yes some things work!

I always cleanse and tone morning and night, now moved to retinol No 7 at night but keeping the same serum and day cream (spf 40)

Should I be using Tretinoin or should I just choose a Retinol? (Do you use that only at night?)
Which are the best ones? It’s all v confusing!
I will cut back on exfoliating

I would start with Retinol and if you manage that for a year move to Tret. Medik8 do a good one. Yes at night. Followed by moisturiser.

Spf in the morning

I would swap the serum for collagen pills (benefits overall) .
Hydrate yourself, collagen rich diet, bit of exercise, good moisturiser and cleanser.
I think lots we are sold are simply money makers with minimal if any effects.

There's a YouTube channel I watch called, Doctorly. It's two American derms and quite good. Lots of vids on retinols, tretinoin, etc. Everything you need to know.

I use Niacinamide and if I run out and stop for a few days I notice.

I’m mid forties and to my shame have only started to properly look after my skin the past year or so
Where's the shame in that? I'm mid-40s too and still never had any skincare process or products. It's a perfectly legitimate choice to try it or not to. I don't feel any shame.