Vit C, Hyaluronic or Retinol serum?

[Sogoodfeelssobad]

Hi,
I've hit my forties and have noticed a real change in my skin, wrinkles rapidly increasing and skin looking generally droopy and dull. Skin is generally greasy, always looks shiny but not spotty.
So I've been looking at skincare and the above serums are mentioned a lot but how do I know which ones I want/need?
Do you apply them together? Or are some better during the day and others better in the evening? Is there a particular order I should apply them if I do need all 3? Would I still need a moisturiser and if so does a serum go on before or after?
If anyone could help I'd be very grateful!

In general vit C in morning after cleansing, followed by moisturiser then spf. But some v strong vit cs are best overnight eg The Ordinary.
Retinol at night after cleansing. Can use moisturiser after.
Most important thing is the spf.

Good place to start is watching Nadine Baggott or Caroline Hirons on YouTube, Caroline also has a useful blog . Nadine is better for budget beauty items and being clear about what is and isn't needed.

A good starting point might be The Ordinary Buffet as it’s a mixture of a few good things.

The Ordinary do two sets to start you off.

theordinary.deciem.com/product/rdn-the-no-brainer-set?redir=1

Hyaluronic acid is very mild and great for keeping your skin moisturised- I have found my skin less oily since using it- you can use it am and pm post cleanse before moisturiser (or just mix a few drops in with your moisturiser). Vitamin c and Retinols are a bit stronger, can't be used together, and need to be introduced gradually- I would start with maybe once week in the pm, and not on the same day (1. Cleanse 2. Hyaluronic acid 3. Either Vit C or retinol 4. Moisturise). I second The Ordinary stuff- they are the cheapest and the best. The starter kits are great and there is an app called Skincare (it's got a peachy background with what looks like a drop on it). It's has a one off cost of maybe 4.99 but it has all of the Ordinary products pre loaded in and you tick the ones you have, and you can also manually input any other products you have, and then it will create a list for you and you can click which ones you are thinking of using in any one session and it will tell you what order to use them in and also whether there are any conflicts (for example if you tick the Vit C it then will flag up for you not to use anything containing retinol). Good luck!

Thanks everyone!
So Hyaluronic serum and Vit C in the morning and then Retinol in the evening?
I'll check out The Ordinary and that skincare app.
I was just looking at Vit C serums on Amazon then got bamboozled by all the different serums that came up as recommended!

I’ve started using the Ordinary products I bought years ago and never mastered and my skin has never been better.

@Sogoodfeelssobad yup but don't use retinols and Vit c on the same day! And don't use them every day- especially at the start, they could end up burning your skin :)

Ow! Thanks for the warning Girlinglasses!
So every other day? Once a week?
What is the difference between Vit C and Retinol then? What are they each supposed to help with? Is one better than the other?

@sogoodfeelssobad Retinol is supposed to be the best for anti-aging; it exfoliates and stimulates collagen production, and over time is supposed to reduce the look of fine lines etc. It can make your skin more sensitive to the sun though, so you are only supposed to use it at night. I would start with a low strength one (this article is really good and might help you to choose! www.google.co.uk/amp/s/theskincareedit.com/.amp/the-ordinary-retinoid). I would start with once a week for retinol and maybe work gradually up to every other day.

Vitamin C also stimulates collagen but it's main benefit is it helps to reduce and heal sun damage, and also evens out skin tone and protects against free radicals which can cause signa of aging like fine lines etc. Again, the ordinary vitamin C suspension (23% +HA) is great but is strong so again id start with once a week and work up to every other day (so you can eventually alternate vitamin C days and retinol days!) Vit C can be used in the mornings- just make sure you are using SPF 50 too!

Disclaimer- I have no qualifications and am absolutely not an expert, I just got really into skin care over the past few years and have done loads of research. Someone mentioned her previously but Caroline Hirons it's great, I learnt loads of stuff from her blogs!

Thanks for this really well put info. I’m posting so that I remember to come back to this post when I need more skincare. I have lots to get through first!

I use Inkey List Vit C and Hyaluronic serums in the morning, mixed together as the Vit C on its own is a bit stingy on my skin. I don’t use Retinol in the summer but when I do use it it’s at night.

Also, you must use a facial sunscreen when using these kind of products because it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. Use it every day, even when the weather is cloudy.

Thanks Girlinglasses!
You've made that really simple, I was getting so confused with all the different information I was reading. You may not be an expert or have qualifications but you have explained it so much more clearly and consisely than the online experts!!!

Really helpful thread. Thanks!

Inkey list is great and really good value. I use Inkey list HA and retinol

The most important thing is that you must use SPF

Both vit C and retinol make skin photosensitive

Any recommendations on a facial sunscreen? I normally use a moisturiser with SPF 25 - is that high enough after using the Vit C/Retinol?

Ah so I have been doing it wrong

Vit C serum AM
I've been using retinol PM.

Only use the retinol every other day though.
I just bought the Ambre Soleil face sunscreen, as Sainsburys had it.
It is spf 50 and some other things too.
Is that a rubbish one?

Always SPF 50 for your face! Also the SPF in makeup is basically pointless, you would need to apply about 20 layers of foundation for it to actually have the SPF effect it says.

I think any SPF is fine for your face as long as it doesn't make you break out. If your skin feels ok after it then I wouldn't worry! I'm currently using a REN zinc one because I'm pregnant so can't use chemical ones (or Retinol - absolute no no in pregnancy just FYI, along with anything containing lactic acid or salycilic acid).

It's a good idea to double cleanse in the PM if you are wearing makeup or SPF during the day to make sure it's all fully removed also :)

Has anyone used the Kizenka HA?

I went into retinol, Vit C and lactic acidosis far too heavily and my skin became really sore. I now cleanse with a glycerin heavy soap and olive oil and then add HA from the Inkey List and rosehip oil. I believe the Rosehip oil has Vit C in it and seems to be much kinder to my skin. SPF 50 everyday unless I am inside all day.