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Skincare experts - help!!

4 replies

babysnowman · 26/06/2019 12:15

Hoping someone with a bit of knowledge can help me out!!

I've been getting more interested in skincare and buying bits and pieces that I've seen recommended but I'm not sure if I'm using them in the right order or as frequently as I should be, in order to maximise their potential (especially the toners, acids, serums etc).

I've listed the products I own below...if anyone has any suggestions of what order to use them in or anything I should add to my routine that'd be much appreciated!

Garnier micellar water
Clinique take the day off balm
Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser
No7 total renewal microdermabrasion exfoliator
Mario badescu glycolic foaming cleansed
Pixi glow tonic
Nip and fab dragons blood plumping serum
The ordinary argireline solution 10%
Murad rapid age spot and pigment lightening serum (bought for dark spots)
Cerave facial moisturising lotion (spf 25)
La Roche posts anthelios spf 50
Estée Lauder advanced night repair
Kiehls midnight recovery concentrate

OP posts:
Branster · 26/06/2019 17:30

The general current thinking is:
AM mild cleanser, mild toner, serum, moisturiser, suncream, makeup
PM makeup remover cleanser, deep cleanser, active toner, serum, moisturiser
Weekly exfoliant unless using acid toner on a regular basis

Serum also includes specific local treatment for hyperpigmentation

Based on your selection I will give you some suggestions to help you use up these products since you’ve already bought them without recommending other products. If you haven’t had a serious skin routine so far, it will be a lot for you and your skin to adapt to. Take it slowly and add a new step every day/other day and be gentle to your skin. I suspect you might have some issues with the odd spots as you have selected quite strong cleansers here but if you keep skin clean and let it regulate its own oil production whilst being gentle then it will get better before you know it. Hyperpigmentation is another issue here, I suggest make sure you use suncream all the time at least whilst treating it with Murad. If it is hormonal related (pregnancy or the pill, topical treatments will not get rid of without the change in hormonal balance). Anti ageing products only work so far but they prevent future damage and good hydration softens fine lines, ceramides and peptides also soften and erase fine lines. Retinoids will be your next step but let your skin adjust to this programme first then you can explore more.

PM
Micellar water only if removing makeup (on cotton pad, press to skin, hold, swipe. Repeat if necessary. Splash with water or hydrating toner as this is a drying product. You haven’t got a gentle toner in your collection but water is fine)

Follow with Either of the 3 cleansers you have, Clinique, Cetaphil, Badescu - just start with one, and change when you finish the bottle. Cetaphil is great for all skin types and very good on sensitive skin, Badescu is more geared towards acneic skin, Clinique cleansers in general are heavy duty.

Follow with Pixi glow toner - this has glycolic acid so it might be a bit too much if used after the Badescu cleanser.

Add one or more serums of your choice, one at a time but start with one and gradually build up. I don’t know what they are all for but read instructions on the manufacturer website if suitable for every day, evening and or morning use and look at ingredients because if they are similar then you only need one of them I think nipfab and Lauder both have hyaluronic acid for example (nip fab, ordinary, murad, lauder). I guess Murad needs regular consistent daily use.

Add an oil (Khiel) but check ingredients so you don’t over do it and double up on ingredients with serums.

Add a moisturiser if your skin is on the dry side - your Cerave is aimed at daytime use but it might be OK for night for now, however you might not need a moisturiser after all of the above. Cerave in general is more of a hydrating product rather than moisturising and you already have hyaluronic acids above.

AM

Cleanse with Cetaphil and splash of water or gentle toner afterwards or simply wash face with plain water.

I think Pixi toner might be too much both AM and PM

Add a serum of your choice - as above I don’t know which one, you’ll have to make a decision based on ingredients and product instructions.

Add Cerave moisturiser if your skin is on the dry side otherwise you probably don’t need it.

Add La Roche Passat suncream

Add make up if you use makeup

WEEKLY
No7 exfoliator unless you use an acid toner or cleansers with acids on a regular basis (Pixi is an acid toner and Badescu has at least one acid). Acids like glycolic, salycilic, lactic not like hyaluronic

General rules: cleanse well in the evenings, don’t overstrip your skin with too much glycolic, use very little serum/ lotion at a time and wipe away excess with a tissue, be generous and consistent with suncream.

RuggyPeg · 26/06/2019 17:49

Waaaaaay too complicated!!

Am - vitamin c then spf
Pm - cleanse and then retinol

Acid tone once or twice a week.

Start with this regime and then add on from there.

babysnowman · 26/06/2019 19:25

Thanks for the replies! I am keen to start using retinol but am breastfeeding at the moment so will have to hold off for now

OP posts:
Branster · 27/06/2019 07:37

There’s a lot of information about retinoids online so you’ll have time to learn about the subject. When you feel ready to start, ditch the stronger cleansers and toner and try to avoid acids (glycolic, salycilic, lactic, fruit based) on the days you use a retinoid. Start with a weak version, Introduce it slowly and if you feel you skin is getting dryer, use more moisturiser.
Always be gentle to your skin so as not to cause (or worsen existing) sensitivity/redness which would be very difficult to reverse.
I am by no means an expert but I am very interested in skincare and have been very curious about the subject and religious about looking after my skin since I was 13-14. Strangely enough, my skin looks its absolute best when I do nothing to it which happens For 1-2 days every 3-4 weeks when I just take a conscious break. Then I start again. I am cautious about a lot of products and eventually change various items as new ones come out on the market also flatly refuse to use certain highly regarded products and it paid off after three decades I am very happy with my bare skin.
Enjoy the skincare journey and I’m sure you’ll settle into your own routine which will work for you.

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