Skin + Me or Dermatica

[marthastew]

Anyone using either of these? How have you found the products?

Don’t pack it in! You can apply moisturiser first, to reduce the impact and get your skin used to it.

I was lucky I didn’t peel but I think it’s because i previously used The Ordinary peel which is pretty intense so my skin was well prepped!

@RockaLock I haven't used Dermatica but I have used plenty of The Ordinary products so have experience pilling - a lot ;-) The Skin + Me cream is absorbed pretty quickly by the skin. I use Rosehip oil 10 mins after applying it and have no problems. It doesn't feel as if it'd pile if I applied a moisturiser, like The Ordinary products I've used in the past.

@ChangingStates

Can I ask those if you who had ageing as your main priority what month you are on and what's in your formula?

I went for skin texture first & ageing second and my 2nd month is made up of:

Tretinoin 0.009%
Niacinaminde 4%
Azelic acid 4%

Just wondering what is different for the age priority one

I’m in my first month. I said fine lines/ageing and my percentages are the same as yours but with tretinoin of 0.006%

Thanks anneshirley and dotty. - maybe skin + me is worth a try.

I’m really surprised people are peeling on such low amounts - I must have skin that’s tough as old boots! My prescription is Tretinoin 0.05% / Niacinamide 4% / Clindamycin 1% (think the tretinoin was half that for the first month)

Sink Girl is you prescription for acne and PIH? My son has mild but persistent acne (largely isolated to odd outbreak on cheeks now) and uses Treclin gel (0.025% tret and 1% clindamycin) via GP. Am wondering whetther it's worth switching (more expensive). How's it going for you? Does the higher dose of tret help?

I’m not sure exactly what the right term was for what was wrong with my skin - I had huge solid deep spots, painful and full of awful gunk. Mainly across my cheeks / either side of my nose. They were genuinely awful. The photos I uploaded are really upsetting to look at now.

I used it for three months - the first month I got the same level of tret as your son as I hadn’t used it before them months two and three it went up to 0.05%

My skin improved a fair bit in the first month and then in the second it cleared up completely. I still get blocked pores on my chin but not obvious spots and I haven’t had a deep cystic type spot since.

I only use it about twice a week now and I still haven’t had a recurrence. I will be continuing with it, just need to upload some new photos and get my next tube.

My only real concern was the spots - I also have some patches of melasma on either side of my forehead but I didn’t really care about that. Those have significantly reduced too.

I think it’s a very fair price for how effective it is - I had spent a lot more on a shelf full of stuff that did bugger all.

They would probably agree to start your son on the higher dose of tret as he’s already on it.

I've just signed up for skin + me, this thread persuaded me! If anyone needs another code mine is CLAIREL5WYA

@TSBelliot

Dermatica didn’t work for me and I went in and developed another skin condition. They weren’t interested in giving any support or feedback. Not what I expected so whilst I don’t know that their prescriptions caused the subsequent skin issues their lack of interest or help means I won’t use them again.

I used them for four months . I sent in the photos at three months and said I was getting a lot of spots breaking out since the treat was upped and no difference . I didn’t get any advice and just the same sent , no comments . So have cancelled .

Is there better support with skin and me ?

I had no response to my three month review questions about breakouts with the upped Tret does and no improvements to my skin with Dermatica .

@RockaLock

For those of you that have used Dermatica and Skin and Me, how do you find the textures of the creams compare?

I used Dermatica for 4 months, but stopped, because it had made zero difference to my pigmentation, but also because I hated the texture. It seemed to sit on my skin rather than be absorbed, and even if I waited 30mins to then put on moisturiser, my moisturiser still pilled and my skin felt tacky and awful.

I'm wondering whether Skin and Me would be any different.

I had no difference at all with my pigmentation either . Considering Skin and me .

Do people use on their neck as well ?

For peeling with Dermatica products, I've sorted it out by using No.7s Hot Cloth cleanser. I use the Dermatica product at night, without a moisturiser. The cleanser has stopped the peeling completely.

My skin is amazing with Dermatica, I'm really pleased in the difference in pigmentation and texture.

@MoriaRoseForever

Is there better support with skin and me ?

I had no response to my three month review questions about breakouts with the upped Tret does and no improvements to my skin with Dermatica .

I can't comment on dermatica as I haven't used them but the customer service with s+m is great

Thanks for your response Sinkgirl. I will bear it in mind. DS' skin is much better than it was, but there's generally a spot or two on the go, and congested pores. Tretclin - in fact, any of the retinol/antibiotic combos - is only supposed to be used for 6 months, but every time he stops, there's a resurgence (pustules). So he's plainly still getting the inflammatory response to the P acnes bacterium colonising his skin! It's not severe enough to warrant roaccutane, but it's persistent.

I will bear this service in mind if the GP baulks at more prescribing, because only prescription grade stuff has worked to date. OTC retinols/niacinamide/benzo did nowt. (Except drain my bank account!)

Just to update, I had confirmation from Dermatica today that they are upping my tret level - I will be getting 1% tret and 4% niacinamide, no clyndomicin. So will be interested to see how that goes! Happy to update later.

Over the last couple of months I haven’t been great with keeping on top of my skin due to a lot of stress at home so even though I’m not getting the big spots it’s not as clear as it was a few months ago. I have been amazed by how well it has worked and the fact my skin has stayed much clearer despite not using it regularly.

Sorry - 0.1%, not 1% - that would be bonkers 😂

Can I ask the advice of those who have had peeling. I am approx 5 weeks into skin + me. I am on 0.06% Trey, 4% niacinamide, 4% azelaic. I now have worsening redness mainly around nose and chin but seems to be spreading to cheeks. The peeling is really getting me down though. I'm peeling everywhere including forehead now and isn't showing signs of stopping. Any advice greatly appreciated. Do I stick it out? Or perhaps it's not right for me?

I'm just trying dermatica. 3 months free for nhs staff. Got the link off Caroline hirons website.
Been using it about 10 days. So far so good. No peeling or redness, skin feels much sifter and smoother.

Used the ordinary and glycolic before. This is definitely better.

Softer not sifter

@lostinthoughts are you using it every night? If so then back off a little, try every other night
Make sure it's on dry skin, and you can use moisturiser first as well as after to sort of buffer it a bit. Load up on hydration! I use mine after the date on the tube so I didn't worry about dropping to every 2/3 nights while my skin got used to it. If anywhere is very peeling or irritated then maybe just apply to other areas, I sometimes skip my chin

I'm peeling on my chin at the minute as my strength has gone up but my skin has changed so much it's been well worth it for me

Thank you @QueenPaw I will try those things.

Just wanted to say thank you to @QueenPaw your advice worked a treat. I took a night off then last night used after putting on moisturiser to buffer it and my goodness, my skin has been glowing today. Possibly the best my skin has looked in years. It makes me excited to continue rather than thinking this is another product that doesn't work for me.

Also if anyone is tempted I have a code:

EMILYC5YN4

Gives you two months free!

@lostinthoughts oh fab! Yeah just go slowly and make sure if you use it on bare skin that your skin is totally dry
I load hydration on in the morning too