The truth about looking good, BBC1

[lovemylover]

Very interesting programme on BBC1 about skincare, moisturisers etc,and which work best
Also about Botox

[Callmegeoff]

Yes I've lurked on the other thread. Will join .

Of course I used two products at the same time so it could be Paula's choice. My issues are enlarged pores and filaments, ( seem to be diminishing) sun damaged skin , sun spots - now looking more even and fading.

Hooded wrinkly eyes, dark circles - no real change.

I'm not expecting miracles tbh, I'm 51 I liked TO it's caused no irritation and I'm now using it every night. I bought x2 at 2%, after that I'll increase to 5% .

[SophieLion]

Hi Callmegeoff, it's good to hear that the TO retinoids are working for someone. Haven't seen very good reviews on another thread.

I don't profess to be an expert by any means but I personally wouldn't use an acid on the same day as a retinoid/ol. What I am learning is that acid use very much depends on skin type and is quite a personal thing. I think I, for eg, should be using an acid toner once or twice a week at most.

[Callmegeoff]

I watched the program too and noticed at the same time Mumsnet were recommending Paula's choice Bha to minimise pores and The ordinary retinoids in squaline. So started with them.

I am 51, never really bothered much with skin care - the odd bit of moisturiser.

4 weeks in I am noticing a difference - a dark sun spot has almost gone and my skin is more dewy.

I am amazed at the results.

In retrospect I've used too many products in one go but fingers crossed it's been ok.

I'm currently cleansing followed by Paula's choice, Aldi caviar day cream plus a sunscreen. I've just added a vit c serum in the day and about to increase retinoid to nightly.

I also need to get a better sunscreen.

I did pick up an Aldi mud cleanser which has acids in it. I'm assuming that it isn't as good as the leave on acids, I've also bought but yet to try an Aldi caviar 3 minute peel mask thingy.

I am confused about whether to mix acids and retinoids - watched a few vloggers and still not really sure.....

[SophieLion]

Thank you Bagel. I just posted on the other thread.

I'm afraid I had already put the retinoid on when I saw your post. I had done a Castalia rehydrating mask beforehand though. Will pop to the pharmacy today about the LRP serum. Flying again on Saturday.

Was disappointed to see that generally TO doesn't have good reviews in the other thread - particularly the retinol/oid products. Oh well... will see if it does anything for me.

What retinol/oid product do you use Bagel?

[BagelGoesWalking]

Btw, join the www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3130064--Fantastic-Skincare-Happy-Snail-Year-Bring-Spoons thread - great skincare advice there. I've learnt a lot.

[BagelGoesWalking]

Sophie your skin is probably really dehydrated from flying so I'd concentrate on hydration for the next few days - even before the Retinoid if you haven't used it yet. For that reason, I'd hold off on the Acid toners etc for a day or two to give your face a chance.

Apart from the Ordinary, La Roche Posay do Hydraphase Intense serum which is Hyaluronic Acid. Otherwise, there's just loads on the market now, including ones like thiss*

[SophieLion]

Also does anyone have any recommendations for a hyaluronic acid serum to help with dehydration? Do these serums work?

[SophieLion]

Thank you Bagel. I've got a couple of spots on my cheeks from severe tiredness and flying so not looking my best. Hoping a good night's sleep plus this retinoid will have me glowing again!!

Would it be ok to use an acid toner tomorrow as per usual? And could I use vitamin C on the days between the retinoid application?

[KatharinaRosalie]

can be easily applied throughout the day and not ruin your foundation / make up
La Roche Posay spray can be used over make up. As the name says, it's invisible and won't uin your foundation.

[BagelGoesWalking]

Sophie I wouldn't use the Pixi glow or any other acids with it. You can use serums (like Buffet or similar) beforehand and just oil/moisturise after.

2-3 times a week to start off with is plenty. Don't get too close to your eyes as product can "wander".

[SophieLion]

Bump

Anyone?!

[SophieLion]

My retinol/retinoid has finally arrived! It's The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in squalane. Hoping to start using it tonight but want to check with someone experienced who has used it before if I'm doing it right.

Planning to use it night time only 2 times a week (or would 3 times be ok at the start?).

Will wash and acid tone (with First Aid Beauty pads or Pixi Glow - won't be using Liquid Gold on the retinoid evenings) and then spread a pea-sized amount over my face. Do I put eye cream and moisturiser on top?

Get ally does retinol help with fine wrinkles. Will it help with crow's feet and lines under eyes which appear when I smile?

Thank you

[HLBug]

Thanks sophie - I'd love for someone to come along and say "yes, this spray (or whatever) can be easily applied throughout the day and not ruin your foundation / make up" ... does such a spray or person exist?

[SophieLion]

Bug- like Delatron, I apply SPF after I've cleansed and put on eye cream and moisturiser etc. Then just use Touch Eclat, blusher etc on top.

[SophieLion]

Marinade - I've just ordered a bottle of 2% Granactive Retinoid so don't profess to be any kind of expert! However, from the research I've done, it seems you should use it for a few months until your skin is used to it before you move up to stronger versions. I suppose it depends on your skin type too and how well it tolerates the retinol.

Re SPF, I think you are supposed to put it on 20/30 mins before sun exposure and reapply it every 2 hours if in the sun. So I would think an application in the morning wouldn't last all day.

I don't tend to wear foundation or similar during the day so it's fairly to easy to reapply if I'm going outside again. Tricky one if you wear foundation...

[Huntinginthedark]

Interesting. I haven’t thought about how long spf lasts.
My usual cream has spf 15 and my foundation has spf 15

[HLBug]

That's exactly what I was wondering delatron. Hmm...

[Delatron]

I use SPF after serum then just pop concealer on top. I think the only ones that don't disturb make up are the spray on ones. I think La Roche Posay does one.
I tend to reapply before I go out on the school run but as I don't have foundation on it doesn't disturb anything. Not sure how you can reapply with foundation without having to re-do make-up!

[HLBug]

The SPF part of the programme really struck me. My B.B. cream etc all claim to contain SPF but I doubt it's enough (as pps have already alluded to). For those that use an independent sunscreen, at what point in your morning routine do you apply it, and do you reapply throughout the day? Are there any that don't interfere with makeup?

[Marinade]

This is a really useful thread thank you. Can I ask how long the 30ml bottle of Ordinary granactive retinoid 2% lasts and do you know approximately how long you need to use this strength before you can proceed to the 5%? Does anybody know if it this product contains lightening properties to remove dark acne marks ? Also, has anybody tried the Ordinary's Vitamin C products? I have botox and my doctor advised on Vitamin C for the eye area but the one he sells wasa £70!

[SophieLion]

Hi Perfume, I have the Liquid Gold that User mentions above. Ive attempted to attach a photo - hope it goes through ok.

Thanks for that Bagel. Many of those are available in the pharmacies here which makes that easier for me. I use an Avene SPF which I like but is a little white.

[user187656748]

You want the liquid gold solution. The range has expanded and so there are now cleansers and masks etc but you want the solution.

There are various limited editions (Im using the rose atm) but these aren't important.

[BagelGoesWalking]

I put this on a parallel thread about skincare as someone asked, but it might be of use here?

Here are the ones know seen most often recommended. In order of popularity as far as I can tell 

• Biore Aqua watery Essence (does contain some alcohol, I think, so maybe not for drier skin).
• Nivea Water Gel spf 50 - huge bottle, good value. Gel- like so disappears into skin.
• La Roche Posay Anthelios facial mist or ultra fluid lotion
• Etude House Mild Airy Finish SunPrise spf 50

The Asian sunscreens (and that includes the Nivea in this case) are on eBay and Amazon. Couldn't put a pic of the Etude but it's in a light green tube. Easily found by googling

[VanillaSugarGlider]

Love this thread, thank you!

[JoyceDivision]

Ah, thanks for clarifying