Use retinol and self tan together?

[Glassesareneeded]

I'm hoping someone can advise me about how to use certain products, as I'm getting myself confused!

I'm trying to get a new routine together to improve my facial complexion after a year of neglect! Sorted out my various serums and creams, and ordered some new things.

I've ordered a new retinol, Medik 8 crystal retinal, but would also like to use face tanning drops for some colour. I'm looking at tan luxe but not bought those yet, thought I'd best sort out retinol first.

Can I use the drops in my night time moisturiser or oil after the retinol? Any body who has successfully used retinol and self tanner, I'd appreciate your comments. I'm just wondering if I should alternate the nights I use the products, or if they can be used on the same night?

I'm also wanting to restart using vitamin c but thought I'd start on one new product at a time. I do have an SPF to use daily so that's one thing I've cracked

Anyone who uses these products and can share their routine, I'd be greatful as I'm getting myself confused! Also, which tanning drops are good for pale skin?

Many thanks.

I would advice against tanning your face. It's not something many talk about but the process of tanning your skin is pro-aging (ie. it accelerates the process of aging), it's not as bad as with the sun but it still damages your skin all the same. It seems a waste to get a (usually expensive) active routine together and then undo all that with the fake tan. The actives also fade the tan quicker so you'd be using even more to keep it up which is just a vicious cycle that's not going to end with improved skin. Finding a good balance with actives and focusing on evening out your own skin tone will be a much better goal than tanning it.

Thank you, you've articulated what I was worried about much better than I explained! You make some very valid points.

I don't want to waste money, and upset my skin.Maybe I need to focus on just looking at vitamin c products instead and improve my complexion that way.

Thanks.

Yes, get acclimated to the retinol first, probably worth getting some B vitamins in (Niacinamide, Panthenol) as they help with both skin barrier health that retinol can undermine and niacinamide in particular is good for skin tone evening.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is good specifically for skin tone, I like to say it makes me look like an ethereal ghost. Vitamin C is also good for skin tone but more brightness and it has other good properties, TXA and Vit C work well in tandem together, but take it one step at a time, slow and steady wins the race and all that.

If anyone can recommend a good vitamin c product, that would be appreciated. (I have a voucher to use soon at Space NK, which is why I'm researching products and confusing myself! It needs to be one of the cheaper products though, after my splurge on retinol!).

Thank you, I will look into those.

Not at SpacNk and a bit of a hassle to purchase but good and very cheap is the Geek and Gorgeous C Glow. They also do a Retinal product that's the same form as the Medik8 crystal, people are enthusiastic about that too but I use prescription tret so don't have experience with using both and how they compare. I suspect the Medik8 is a better formulation but the G&G is probably still good. From SpaceNK I'd probably get the drunk elephant vitamin C in the new packaging where you mix it yourself but probably not in budget, they often do 20% off though and it is singles day tomorrow, they might run a site promo.

Lots of people use tanning drops and retinol successfully but I've no idea if they apply them on alternate nights or wait a while between applications

Botemp, thanks for all your input, really useful. Off to Google...
Goingforawalk, thanks. I may start looking at getting complexion cracked without tanning drops over winter.

Space NK stocks The Ordinary which does a Vit C

Thanks Botemp, drunk Elephant looks good but over my budget at the moment 😔

Thanks Daisy, have you used the powder that is mixed with a moisturiser? I'm just looking at that one.

@Glassesareneeded not in answer to your original question, but I really like the Sunday Riley Vitamin C which you can get from Space NK.

Isn't fake tan just basically a weak dye for the skin? In that it won't age your skin like using sunbeds would? Happy to be corrected on that, but I've been using fake tan for at least ten years with no discernible difference to my skin as it just fades after a few days. ( possibly I would still look 20 if I hadn't started- dammit!)

I use retinol in the evening ( I'm with Dermatica) and maybe once a week put some tanning drops in with my moisturiser for a bit of a glow. I've not had any problems with this system and been doing that for 2 years or so together. No side effects at all.

Oh I also use VitC in the mornings, also no bad effects with either retinol or self tan!

TuftyRusty, thanks for that recommendation.. .especially since I changed my mind about what I want to purchase!

@botemp

I would advice against tanning your face. It's not something many talk about but the process of tanning your skin is pro-aging (ie. it accelerates the process of aging), it's not as bad as with the sun but it still damages your skin all the same. It seems a waste to get a (usually expensive) active routine together and then undo all that with the fake tan. The actives also fade the tan quicker so you'd be using even more to keep it up which is just a vicious cycle that's not going to end with improved skin. Finding a good balance with actives and focusing on evening out your own skin tone will be a much better goal than tanning it.

How on earth do tanning drops damage your skin and accelerate ageing? 🧐

Dedalus, it's not a dye, it's a chemical reaction comparable to sun tanning just without the UV damage but there's still damage nonetheless. It's fine in small doses but continual use is probably not the best idea. For more in depth information goes into it further.

OP the ordinary powdered vitamin c is not the best choice, it's very imprecise and can be quite irritating as a result and when it comes to Vitamin C formulation and concentration is key. Since you're not going to be using it immediately you're probably better off getting a derivative as those are stable and don't expire, is the Medik8 C-Tetra within budget?

@botemp

Dedalus, it's not a dye, it's a chemical reaction comparable to sun tanning just without the UV damage but there's still damage nonetheless. It's fine in small doses but continual use is probably not the best idea. For more in depth information goes into it further.

OP the ordinary powdered vitamin c is not the best choice, it's very imprecise and can be quite irritating as a result and when it comes to Vitamin C formulation and concentration is key. Since you're not going to be using it immediately you're probably better off getting a derivative as those are stable and don't expire, is the Medik8 C-Tetra within budget?

Thanks! Didn't know that - I shall do some more reading.

DedalusBloom thanks for your advice regarding routines. All very helpful.

Thanks Botemps, very helpful. Unfortunately medik 8out of budget at the moment, so think I need to look at some thing mid priced and not as hard to mix as the ordinary powder.

Botemps-C tetra radiance would be within budget... I'd been looking at the luxe. Would medik8 c tetra radiance be as useful?

@Glassesareneeded

Botemps-C tetra radiance would be within budget... I'd been looking at the luxe. Would medik8 c tetra radiance be as useful?

Yes, that's fine, it's the starter strength, Iirc luxe is just a higher concentration (they keep renaming things). This seems to be the Medik8 marketing, entry level is quite affordable but going up in strength is costly.

Thank you, its all very confusing trying to work out basics needed without paying the earth for something that doesn't work!

Why would you do this? Retinol is so sensitive! To the point that you have to wear sunscreen. Don't risk your help just to be a bit brown for the day.

secular39- I was asking for advice as it's been a while since I had a proper skincare routine. Once upon a time I had a healthy glow... the thought of tanning drops made me think they could help.

I use the Beauty Pie retinol night cream every night and add some tanning drops in a couple of times per week and have no ill effects, although reading these comments sounds like I should have aged 10 years and ruined my skin