Can I ask what your skincare routine is? Preferably including Vit C serum and Retinol...

[VillageFete]

Hi,

Just wondering how to incorporate Vit C serum and Retinol in to my skincare routine? Also, any recommendations for these products? I’m looking at Garden of Wisdom and Drunk Elephant 1% Retinol up to now.

I’m hitting my mid 30’s now and conscious of dull, ageing skin.

My usual night time routine is double cleanse, then tone with micellar water, then moisturise. I also exfoliate with Dermalogica a couple of times per week.
Day time is wipe over my face with micellar water, then factor 50 SPF, moisturise and then put my make up on.

Any help/advice/recommendations?

Might be worth noting that i’m having an embryo transfer in July and will (hopefully) fall pregnant. I know Retinol is a no no when pregnant, but I was thinking it may be ok to trial it until June?

Holy hell thanks OP - I had no idea you shouldn't use retinol when pregnant until now and I'm 13 weeks

@roarfeckingroar Congratulations!! But stop, immediately! It’s only because too much Vitamin A during pregnancy isn’t ideal. I highly doubt a bit of retinol now and again (particularly only 13 weeks in) is enough to make any kind of negative impact, but still - better safe than sorry.

@BlahBlahLand Will check these out. Thanks!

@botemp How many drops of the Timeless Vit C do you use in the morning? Just ordered it

I just use a single pump of it, it used to be in a dropper bottle and then it was something like four or five drops. It's best kept in the fridge, that goes for all L-AA based Vitamin C serums.

@botemp I massively appreciate your recommendations and advice. Thanks so much.

Can I ask how this sounds to you (given I can’t use retinol right now)

AM -

Cleanse
Timeless Vit C
Moisturise
La Roche Posay factor 50

PM -
Cleanse
Dermalogica daily microfoliant (But twice a week No7 resurfacing paste which is AHA based instead of the microfoliant)
Micellar water
Moisturise.

Anything I need to tweak? I was thinking adding a serum to PM but not sure where to start with it?

Personally I wouldn't ever use micellar water as a second cleanse as it has surfactants in it which aren't ideal to leave on your skin. Are you still wearing makeup ATM? Otherwise there probably isn't much of a need to double cleanse. If you are, I'd probably switch it around, so micellar then followed by dermalogica/no 7

Since you're avoiding retinol I'd hedge my bet on bakuchiol and peptides. They're considered the next best thing if you can't use a retinoid but the evidence behind them isn't all that strong so I wouldn't go crazy with paying too much for it and bet on both in the hopes that one does something. I think the Inkey List does a moisturiser with bakuchiol that's quite popular, GOW may have something too. If you are feeling reckless (financially) Bioeffect EGF does really work and has very noticeable results quickly but it's a lot of money for a teeny tiny bottle. I've heard good things about this Klair's serum from South Korea that has the same main ingredient as Bioeffect that may be a good alternative.

@botemp Will take a look at your suggestions. Thanks again! Any thoughts on Olay 3 point regenerist serum, which apparently contains peptides? I use their cleanser and moisturiser as it’s non comodegenic and i’ve never had an issue with, keeps my skin soft. Wondering if it’s worth a try to start me off?

Also loving the look of Paula’s choice serums, and basically everything they stock...

I think Olay is hit and miss, their main USP is the use of niacinamide but you'll get that through your moisturiser so no need to have another product with it as I doubt there will be a high concentration of peptides used in their serums as it's very low on the INCI.

Paula's choice makes a handful of really good products (the retinol and the acid exfoliators) but the rest is a bit underwhelming, especially if you take in consideration the asking price. I'm sure their peptide serum will be a decent one but it comes with quite a price tag.