Hyaluronic acid, Retinol or VitC

[PeanutbutterJamSandwich]

Hi, I’m new to any sort of skincare routine so I don’t want to overwhelm myself or my skin with too many products, otherwise I won’t stick to a routine.

Atm I wash face in shower morn and eve then wear spf30 during the day.

At 36 the wrinkles and ageing skin is catching up with me! So I’m considering finding a better evening routine of a serum and then moisturiser. Then sticking to my spf in the morn.

But which serum? There’s so many ingredients I don’t know which is best!

Hyraluronic acid, retinol or Vit C?

Thanks!

I would say use a retinol in the evening (not every night to start with) and then a hyaluronic acid in the AM.

I would use vitamin c and hyralunic in the morning and retinol in the evening.

Use all of them. Vitamin C and HA in the morning, retinol in the evening.

It’s a lot of money to be splashing out so I wanted to start with one 1st. Just din’t know which!

Doesn't have to be expensive - check out The Ordinary for retinol, Garden of Wisdom for vitamin C and The Ordinary/Hada Labo off eBay for hyaralunic acid. Vitamin C is where I'd spend most money, hyaralunic acid the least.

Hi could I just ask is the ordinary 5% granactive retinoid the same as a retinol?

I love the Inkey List retinol and vit c. I’ve been really impressed by the results on my skin so far!

As PP suggested go on inkey and fill in the questionnaire to get an am/pm plan. I mix there products with the ordinary and I haven't bought ALL the suggestions!

Mainly vit c in the morning and caffeine for eyes and retinol in the evening.

It's a start for me after years of not taking my make off at night and just using face wash and a bit of moisturiser in the morn

*their products

If you are having a bad skin day, what does that mean for you?

If you mean puffy, go for hyaluronic acid.
If you mean fine lines/wrinkles, go for retinol.
If you mean hyperpigmentation/sun damage, go for vitamin C ( but not if have rosacea).
If you mean breakouts go for salycylic acid.
If you mean scarring, go for glycolic acid.

As you say wrinkles/ageing it’s most likely retinol.

Thank you, I’ve bought the ordinary vitc, Inkey retinol and clinique spf25 day cream

Be careful with vitamin C, it can sting and be a bit irritating. My skin really doesn't like it. I use a low percentage retinol in the evening.

Such a helpful thread! I hadn’t heard of Inkey but it looks brilliant and I’m trying to stop myself putting in a mega order...

All of the above

Thank you @Alwaysthesun, I’ll keep that in mind x

I’m glad you find it helpful @AnneLovesGilbert, it’s an absolute minefield!

Sorry to hijack your thread OP, this post is so helpful!

@strandedatthedrivein do have you a recommendation for the caffeine eye cream? Pregnancy and a toddler my eyes bags are so prominent right now!

@dingdong me too! I've got The ordinary caffeine solution, doesn't break the bank either which is a bonus

Drunk elephant do amazing skin care .. I use retinol 3 times a week & but c most days x

Thanks for the recommendation - have just ordered Inkey list retinol. Never tried them before so seems a good place to start!

Sorry to hijack your post OP but can anyone recommend a good alternative to retinol? Looking for an anti-ageing night serum but can't use retinol as I'm BF.

Also, OP I just bought the Glossier vitamin C serum - it does sting a tiny bit but absorbs quickly and leaves a nice glow!

I'm breastfeeding as well, but a GP friend of mine said the amount in topical retinol is v low and is relatively safe for bf. There are lots of articles about it. Pregnancy obviously is different

I am bf a toddler though rather then a newborn so it's a personal chiice

That's good to know @MabelMoo23 thank you!

Do people actually find retinol (and other products) work?

I took part in a product test not so long ago when I was sent a large pot of retinol to test and report back. The test lasted a month (building up slowly) and I could see no change after that relatively short time.
I carried on using the free sample afterwards for several months (it was a big pot) but only on one side of my face. Despite using it religiously for all that time I couldn't make out any difference between right and left side of face. I was very disappointed as I'd have loved to find a wonder cure for ageing!

Follow Caroline Hirons, You tube fbook ect & watch her vids. No nonsense expert skincare advice!! Def but c am hyaluronic acid Am & a Retinol Pm..but get some info first as it can be trial and error and of course your budget dictates what products to get..