Are Skin & me & dermatica basically the same thing?

[arbitraryarsehole]

Both subscription services that give you your own formula based on questions you've answered? Is one better than the other? & why are they better than shop bought? Any advice from people who use them is much appreciated!!

Yes they are the same thing.

The key thing they offer is tretinoin, a powerful retinoid far superior to anything you'll find in the shops or from a normal online retailer. Tretinoin is good for both acne and ageing, I have both going on.

People tend to have their favourite but I think both do the job! (I'm Team Dermatica as I prefer the texture and they take your tretinoin strength up faster).

I have hyperpigmentation and my Dermatica included hydroquinone as well as tretinoin and it made an amazing difference to my skin. After 5 months it’s now moved to tretinoin with azeleic acid and niacinamide so more similar to skin + me. I’ve used all sorts of high end, low end, The Ordinary, etc. Dermatica is the only thing that has made an obvious difference.

As previous posters have said - they are better than shop bought because you can't actually get tretinoin in the shops. You would otherwise need a prescription from a dermatologist, which is pricey.

That said, I can't get either S&M or Dermatica because I'm not in the UK, and I have to order my tretinoin from an online pharmacy abroad. But ideally I would like a subscription service because you can get other ingredients, and they tailor the formula to your needs. Also, I live in fear of not being able to get it anymore.

I like Dermatica as skin and me do very low dosage Tret. I think the Dermatica bottle is a bit bigger too

I also use Dermatica. I’ve never used Skin & Me but my understanding is that the container gives you a measured dose where as with Dermatica you can choose how much product you use. I use dermatica 6 times per week and one bottle lasts me closer to 2 months. The textures are also slightly different so it depends on which one you have prefer.

Dermatica was too strong for me, S&M has worked wonders. I’d say if you have sensitive skin try S&M first but otherwise Dermatica gives you more bang for your buck.

Here's my skin + me link for anyone who wants to try for cheap (I get a kickback too - win/win)

Skin + Me cheap trial link

Do any actually have any affect on fine lines/wrinkles though? If so how long does it take, how noticeable is it?

Well in this study Tret wasn't as effective as a normal "anti aging regime"

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841824/

But there have been other studies that have different outcomes I believe

Thank you! I think I might go for it and try dermatica...

I much prefer skin + me, having used both. My skin is noticeably improved with it, while with dermitica it looked no different to when using over the counter retinoids. Which is odd as I was on a higher dose with dermatica.

I also like the doser, and the fact it's entirely plastic free.

I've used both. I stopped Dermatica because the customer service (admittedly a few years ago) was shocking when I needed them. In terms of results I find Dematica and Skin + Me comparable but also like the 'infinitely recyclable' doser with S+M.

I'm using skin + me and have hyperpigmentation. My daily dose is treat, azeleic acid and niacinamide which sounds similar to yours after 5 months - wondering why it moved from the hydroquinone? how are you finding it now? I can't really say I've seen any difference, I'm near the end of month 2. I like the texture, and my skin feels a bit softer, but no change to pigmentation or (v mild) redness.

That's really interesting. The only comments/criticisms I would have are that the alternative group still used a retinol product, so it's not really retinol vs. everything else. Although it's a good example of good alternatives to tretinoin as not everyone wants to bother with a prescription strength retinol.

Also, 8 weeks (or even 24 weeks which some of the participants did) for me wasn't enough time to show the proper results from tretinoin, it took me 6-9 months or more of consistent use. I would like to see a study that showed comparisons after a year or so.

maybe I’m being too cynical but I’m also suspicious of the fact that the study was funded by proctor and gamble and was comparing their products with tretinoin….

@sunshinesallday hydroquinone is only recommended for 5 months at a time. You can use it again after a break but I can’t remember how long. I had a patch near my eye on one side that has improved dramatically with it and nothing else has ever helped. I’m not nearly as consistent as I should be either.

Ohhhh I didn't twig that. Yes that makes me suspicious!!!

I am a Tret user myself, but it's always interesting to read studies of any kind, but they are always flawed.

Also as Farmagedon said, the other product had otc Retinol! And 8 weeks is a short time for Tret to work.

I use Dermatica as they offer stronger strength. Skin and Me sound good if you have sensitive skin though.

Tretinoin has decades of research behind it (only anti-ageing skin care that does). I would not trust a P&G study after 8 weeks.

It takes at least 6 months to see results usually, hence lots of people give up! It really is the longer game..

What results have folk seen with tretinol please?

I have been using Dermatica for 11 months now for rosacea and my skin has never looked so good.
No more constant pustules and swelling in the chin area, overall the redness has reduced.
I found it strange looking in the mirror as the person looking back wasn't the me I had know for 30 plus years of suffering.
I would say my skin in normal now, normal colour and so smooth on my chin area.
I do have Botox on 11 and crows feet and my doctor was interested in what I am using and very impressed.
My tube lasts about 5 weeks so I defer it each month and I like the texture not oily or thick feeling at all.
I have a code if anyone is interested in trying.

www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/3LW935

I have been thinking of asking them if I can have some tret in my prescription and will most likely ask at the next photo update.

TBF S + M customer service is excellent

@PhillyJoe it's great you've had such a good result.

I feel like I should persevere with S+M seeing as I've just received my third daily doser, but I'm very skeptical as to whether it works. I do like the pared down routine. I think in reality I'm itching to try out all the fab skincare products I bought on Black Friday but am making myself wait!

To be fair, I think it's great to show that there are comparable options for people who don't want to go down the route of tretinoin because of the hassle of getting hold of it, or the irritation etc.
From that study, it seems that niacinamide, peptides and an over the counter retinol will give good results on the skin without much irritation.

I always recommend tretinoin because I have used it with great results (after an initial few months of peeling and irritation), but some people are happy to stick to OTC retinol, and apparently some people just can't tolerate it on their skin.

I've been using s&m for almost 2 months. I've not tried the other one.

It took a few weeks to see a difference. It made my skin smoother,less blotchy and improved my pores/spots. I didn't have much of a reaction to it in the first month. The second month it did make my skin peel a little.

I like applicator but it is a bit difficult to get the last couple of doses out.

In the last couple of weeks I have had to drop down to using it every other day to stretch the treatment out. That isn't having the same effect. I've started using it daily again and saw an instant improvement.

I like the paired down routine as I was using multiple steps with The Ordinary.

One major pain is that you MUST wear SPF with it (I know you should anyway but...) but I'm finding it difficult to find an SPF that doesn't turn me into a greasy lump.

I will continue with it.

I do have a referral code if you'd like it. Alternatively there are offers on S&M floating about anyway.

I meant to say, just over 2 months.