Layering skincare with Hada Labo

[ArtInsurance]

Hopefully some of you with more knowledge and interest will be able to help me?

I'm 54 with minimal combination skin (only slightly oily around my nose) but I do have open pores and slight redness around my nose and on my chin. I am not prone to breakouts and I don't have many wrinkles.

I've been using Hada Labo Anti Aging Super Hydrator after cleansing and follow it with a Nivea Q10 moisturiser for some time now, however, I've decided to try some Niacinamide and Vitamin C serums which I was planning to alternate between AM/PM to try to address the redness and open pores.

Given Hada Labo has both Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol in it, should I apply it before the other serums or after?

Is there anything else you would recommend for the open pores?

After, in both cases.

BHA from Paula's choice (2% perfecting liquid) for pores, just use it exclusively on the pore areas the travel size will last you for a very long time then.

Thanks for confirming that. I’ll have a look at the Paula’s Choice.

I would vit c in the am and retinol at night, some vit c doesn’t mix with niacinimide well so maybe alternate those in the mornings? Depends though as some are fine to mix.
Agree with pp about a chemical exfoliation.
Are you using spf daily? That’s the only other thing I would add

Jjr33 Can I just confirm, is that to not mix the Vit C and the Hado Labo (which has some form of retinol in it) in the morning? I was thinking that I would alternate the niacinimide and vit C morning and evenings but happy to be guided.

I've been using Glycolic acid pads a bit randomly up till now and the face cream and tinted moisturiser I use both have SPF 15 in them (and I use SPF 30 when I'm on holiday).

I would imagine the Retinol amount is very low (I haven't checked so could be wrong). But it's worth using a higher factor dedicated Spf anyway and a decent amount.

I would do vit c in the morning. If you want to do pm I would cleanse, niacinimide, hada labo then moisturise.

I wouldn't use anything with a Retinol in, in the morning. It makes you more sensitive to sun damage so it's not wise.

I wouldn’t mix them but maybe my skin is more sensitive than yours. I use vit c or niacinimide in the am and retinol pm only.
I would really look into a stand alone spf for every day use or sun damage could just be undoing all your hard work.

There's no actual retinol in it. Per the INCI it's retintyl palmitate which I personally wouldn't be a fan of using but it does get used in sunscreen formulations and is considered safe so it's fine for use in the day. It's also more of an antioxidant in formulations like these as opposed to a proper active that causes irritation or sun sensitivity (marketing bullshit to allow them to label it anti ageing, basically, where it's unlikely to do much in terms of anti ageing).

I would echo others, OP, it's pretty standard skincare advice, if you're using actives then you need to be using daily SPF. A standalone product, not part of moisturiser, makeup, etc. SPF 30 as a minimum to account for human error in application, but most will use SPF 50 if they're looking for anti ageing prevention as they have better UVA protection. Top up every two hours with prolonged outdoor exposure. A 50ml bottle should last you just over a month for the face alone (neck not included) if applying the correct amount to achieve stated protection.

I use that hada labo and I love it but that retinol does nothing. I'm amazed if it's gone any in. (If you need a retinol product, you need to be using one separately from HL. Don't rely in the HL HA serum to be doing the job.) You could mix the HL serum with anything and you won't have a problem. I'd do vit c am and niacinimide pm. I couldn't mix them as my face is quite sensitive to vit c. And anyway, they're both mild exfoliaters so they're doing the same job. If you're using a serum vit c or niacinimide, I don't think it'd make any difference which order you put them on with that hada labo. If your vit c and niacinimide are creams, put the HA serum on first.
If your nose and chin are going red, be careful with your use of glycolic acid and vit c. They could irritate your skin even more. In skincare sometimes less is more, so limit your more harsh skincare to once a week and gradually build up to check how much you can tolerate.
I use a stand alone spf 50 (maybe 30 in the winter. Bit I love mine so am happy to use it as part of my make up. Look for broad spectrum. Moisturiser with spf in is rubbish. Never go out having exfoliated with glycolic acid or vit c etc without applying spf or you're just undoing the good you're paying a fortune to do.

Thanks everyone. What high street SPF's would you recommend?

When I've used an extra SPF (I used a Protect and Perfect SPF 50 after some laser treatment) I really felt that I would be adding to oiliness around my nose and making my open pores worse. Is there one which isn't greasy (and doesn't need much time before I put on primer/tinted moisturiser/foundation)?