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sorry for rubbish title, it's been a very long day!

You really need to moisturise after. And maybe slow down a bit until it's not stingy feeling. Serum not really important here as no serum does for your skin what Retin A does, it's just a nice bonus. Your skin wants healing and moisture Cerave

Indeed labs or la roche retinol products any idea which is better?

Do I need to use it if I don't have many lines yet?

am I better off just concentrating on clearing my skin first with salicylic acid then moving on to retinol products?

And is hydraluron better for dry skin?

I'm actually now getting confused.

No idea if Indeed or LRP better. Indeed is newer so may not get the same recommendations, LRP is a better known brand so tends to get the dermatology recommendations.

Yes it is worth using if you don't have lines as it is anti-acne, prevents you getting lines not all of them it's not a miracle, helps pores look smaller and gives that 'glow'

However on the principle of introducing one thing at a time I'd do at least 2 weeks of the salicylic and be sure my skin was happy before adding it in. FWIW although salicylic massively clearer my skin, the spots didn't go completely until I added the retinol so you amy need both just for the spots.

I really can't comment on whether Hydraluron is better for dry skin, I have combination and thought it was rubbish! Sali Hughes has dry skin and didn't rate it much either. It hasn't had a lot of love from people on this thread - plus it's for dehydrated skin, won't do anything for your dryness. And finally it has the same ingredients as Aldi Lacura Serum which costs pennies and Hydraluron is £££ Lots of products have hyaluronic in, you might not be getting anything from having a separate product which is only hyaluronic.

And finally it is confusing, don't worry, I'm fairly sure the manufacturers are quite happy it being confusing as then you buy more stuff

Right.
My new glossy face has to come on holiday with me so I need a bit of advice from you wise ones
We will be going across Europe by train for two weeks and then Greece for a week.
I'm not sure if I should be Retin A right up to when we leave or stopping a week before to recover?
Also I will need a reduced regime (DP has banned my new toiletry case suitcase) so for three weeks of plodding around what would be your five must haves?
Will take spf50 as that can be considered for both of us.

TIA

I got the SpaceNK box :) It was the first time they didn't have any 'fillers' like nail polish and random makeup.. just lots of serums and masks. Perfect for travelling.

I'm also trying out Omorovizca's sunscreen, and the Dennis Gross vitamin c serum.

So far, the Cane & Austin pads salicylic (2%) + glycolic (5%) pads have been working better for me; the 10% glycolic ones are bit too sting-y.

No irritation from Retin-A 0.025%.

A new discovery for me is the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser! Very gentle, and doesn't leave the skin tight. Thumbs up!

My dream beauty box would be

1. A couple of acid pads samples
2. Samples of sunscreen
3. a hydrating mist
4. A hydrating serum
5. retinol serums (Sunday Riley's Luna!)

Fatstacks I'm bringing my Retin-A with me, but in your shoes I'd do it right till when I leave. I'd bring sunscreen, a super light moisturiser, a milk/cream cleanser (use twice if needing to double cleanse), a hydrating spray (with glycerine, not just water) and Cicaplast Baume. Have a great time!

proteins I'd be very interested to hear what you think of the DG vitamin C serum as I've been thinking of getting it. Love his Alpha Beta Peel pads.

Proteins that would be my dream box exactly too. I got a sample of Luna from Space NK (a very generous one too, love the lady in my local branch) so I'm going to try that tonight.

We are going to need a 3rd fred soon, can you believe it!

I'm enjoying reading people's experiences of their new purchases, the jury's still out on some of mine but I wondered if for the new thread that might be a nice thing to do, if we all rate our new products? Just an idea. Was thinking it might help me whittle down what Vit-C serum to get as my next purchase!

Anyway in the meantime is anyone else finding that Hylamide serum gives a slight sting? Nothing too awful but I wonder what it is in there that my skin isn't enjoying.

Nabootique The DG vitamin C has a silicone base (very primer-ish). It has no smell, and comes in a airtight pump container. It itches a little when it goes on, not as sharply as acid tingling. I don't have trouble layering a moisturiser over it, despite the silicone base (no pilling). It's meant to be used at night, so sunscreen+makeup on top may very well result in pilling.

I know that Paula has mentioned that the pH of this product is a little high to be truly effective, which may be why the package suggests using this after the Alpha-Beta Peel pads you mentioned. What else would you like to know about it?

UntamedShrew Good luck with Luna! Do report back, won't you?

Thanks proteins Do you find it brightening, does it sort of pep your skin up? I'm always fighting against skin that looks a bit dull, so that's what interests me in a vitamin C serum.

Can't wait until Luna is launched over here. That will be my first dalliance with a retinol.

GERTI this has a few "don'ts"

There is some conflicting advice. One article I read said don't mix AHAs and BHAs, but use them separately and alternate, but loads of toners contain both! I've never had a problem. Another thing said don't use acids and vitamin C because both can irritate. Suppose it depends how sensitive you are.

Nabootique I've only used it once, so I can't tell for sure. This morning, my skin did look brighter then usual (I've had 5 years of broken sleep patterns and hyper pigmentation on cheekbones, so my baseline standard is rather low you understand). It may have been due to the low amount of lactic acids in the serum. No redness, no irritation or spots.

My first impression was that I'd like to continue using it. I can update with any 'interesting' effects on this thread :)

Sounds promising! Thanks proteins My routine is good, skin good otherwise, just tends to look a bit dull. The obvious answer would be to give up smoking, I'm sure

I thought I'd better clarify: Paula says that the pH of the vitamin serum is too high for the acids in it to work. She did not say that the efficacy of the vitamin C itself would be diminished.

Tizwailor that's fantastic! I am still trying to elimate the last of the spots - fingers crossed someone will notice soon.

Proteins that is exactly what my ideal gift box would look like too, do you think we could lobby Cult Beauty and SpaceNK

Fatstacks I going on holiday tomorrow (Venice - can't wait!) and my holiday routine is:

Avene Micellar Water sample size for days I'm removing makeup
LRP Physiological Cleanser full size
Clearasil pads - already don't like but will do for holiday
Clinique Smart Serum sample size - suspicious it won't be as good as Hylamide but ideal for holiday
Bits and bobs of Avene moisturiser samples
SR Skincare Haloxyl eye serum - didn't think anything worked for dark circles, am amazed by this
Avon Anew e-Defence SPF 50 - love the product, hate the bottle but as least it's small

And yes I will be taking my Retin A for evenings. Last year I did 2 weeks Italy in August and was on Retin A 0.5% - stopped over winter and am now working my way back up so only 0.25% at the moment - it was fine with SPF 50.

Had anyone come across a cheap, light, silicone free moisturiser? I want one for before the gym on days I go- Nivea sensitive is too heavy, and don't want to spend ££ on something I will sweat off! Thinking hydrating?

Thanks!!

Btw the Una Brennan superfacialist bit c capsules are okay despite the silicone- do feel a bit brighter.

Tizwailor Dimethicone is a form of silicone and that's in there. Sorry, didn't mean to pooh pooh your suggestion, but worth knowing for anyone who wants to avoid.

I think so many of the cheaper ones do have silicones, especially day moisturisers so they have the smoothing effect pre make up.

Although my favourite day one has silicone and is an Elemental Herbology one. Why do you want to avoid silicone Tanaqui?