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!

@GreenShadow, that's interesting. I've been using Retinol for 3 months and I don't think there's any improvement in skin tone or wrinkles.
I'm not sure of the % but it's Medik8, started on the lowest dose and now up to the middle one.
I wonder if it's still too low to make a difference? I haven't had any peeling or flakiness.

@BlahBlahLand it can take 6-12 months to see the effects of retinol properly on your skin. It’s a slow burn long term solution.

@NotExactlyHappyToHelp thank you, I knew it wasn't straight away but didn't realise 6 months.
What results would I hope to see?

@BlahBlahLand Hopefully you’ll notice your skins a little firmer and fine lines are more reduced. Skin tone and texture should be more even too.

I find that I’m a bugger for not noticing a change if it’s gradual so I try to take a ‘before’ picture. Makes me realise how far I’ve come.

Thanks for your comments BlahBlah and NotExactly. That's very interesting to hear it takes so long to make a difference.

I use prescription strength Tretonoin and am only just starting to see my skin changing for the better - I’m 9 months in and have used it religiously.

I used Medik8 3TR and didn't notice a huge difference, although it did make my skin quite flaky. Have just started using Drunk Elephant A Passioni and noticed a difference straight away. No idea why!

emma6776 did you get the Tretinoin online from Dermatica? I was going to order from there but I want to finish the retinol I’m using just now.

@everythinginred if you plan to sign up to Dermatica then you might want to do it soon as they currently have a waiting list. It's only about a week but then by the time you complete the questionnaire and they send out your prescription it could be a couple of weeks. The code 'CAROLINE-HELP' was working a few weeks ago and gave the first month free so it's worth giving that a go.

@OxanaVorontsova the Drunk Elephant is so much stronger than the. Medik8, not surprised you can tell a difference. I'm currently using the Medik8 crystal retinal 6, it's more powerful than the tr3 but still very gentle , no peeling etc , but I do feel my skin tone is looking better.

Yes, weird that the Medik8 irritated but not the stronger DE though, must be the other ingredients perhaps. Love it and would recommend anyway!

@emma6776 That's good to hear. I'm only 4 weeks in but in it for the long haul. Did you have any reactions at the start?

Thank you everyone who’s contributed!!

I’m still waiting on my feel unique order... bit of a backlog due to covid. I’m waiting on Originals VitC, Originals Retinol Serum and Clinique moisturiser.

In the meantime I’ve been to Sainsbury’s and bought a teen pore cleanser by Nip/Tuck. A Garnier rose toner and a VitC overnight weekly mask by Nip/Tuck.

1 week in and I’ve seen a huge difference in the appearance of my pores! They were always really open and obvious, but now so much better! My skin looks healthier too 😀