Is anyone good with skincare routines?

[Smartnugget]

I currently use cleaner, toner (soothing am and salicylic acid at night), hyaluronic acid, then a vitamin c serum and moisturiser. Oh and an eye cream. My skin is looking good. Much better than it ever did investing in the Clarins double serum. I am using Inkey list and Liz Earle products which I am quite happy with.

I would like to add in retinol. I’m 52. Where above do I add it in. Do I remove a step or just add it? I know it’s at night a couple of times a week and build it up. I’m just not sure where.

Caroline Hirons has a fb page loads of helpful advice on there OP

I’d replace the Vit C at night

Hi OP, I started using retinol earlier this year. I've been impressed with Indeed Labs retinol reface. I think it's improved the texture of my skin and I've had zero irritation. Personally, I'm nervous about using too many products at once. Perhaps you could alternate the salicylic acid serum and the retinol at night.

I've tried retinol , a few different brands, and it's made eff all difference.

If you want to add in a Vitamin A then first decide whether you want to use a retinol, retinal or Tretinoin. Retinols and Retinals (stronger of the two) can be bought over the counter and I’d recommend looking at brands like La Roche Posay or Medic8. Tret is much stronger and can only be purchased with a prescription in the UK. Lots of Mumsneters (including me) use Dermatica or Skin & Me subscription service.

Use it once a week to start and gradually increase your usage. You can also buffer it by applying moisturiser first. On the nights you use a retinol then don’t use any product other than a moisturiser. Definitely don’t use SA on the same nights. Be aware that it can take months to see any effects and your skin can look worse to start with which is why it’s really important to take it slowly.

You don’t mention using an SPF but it’s vital to use a dedicated SPF (don’t rely on spf in moisturisers or makeup) daily if you’re using vitamin A.

Vitamin C needs to be moved to morning, then a retinol can be added at night. Build up the retinol gradually, and then use the Salicylic on alternate nights. Start with something like a 0.3 if it's retinol. Most retinol creams sold in Boots etc and by big brands are 0.3 (ish) unless otherwise specified.

As above, an SPF (preferably 50 and absolutely separate from skincare/makeup) every day.

Nadine Baggott has some great videos on Insta about which retinoid, and the difference between all of them.(granactive/retinol/retinal/retin A) In her most recent live she was with a consultant dermatologist and neither of them use prescription retinoids but generic ones.

This is great advice.

I would also swap your toner so the hydrating one is at night. You might find the SA one too strong alongside Retinol but it depends how your skin reacts. You also might find this with vit c. If you go down the Tret route it's best to totally strip back your routine for a bit and let your skin settle.

And 100% you need Spf 50

Thank you all. Yes, I do use an SPF that’s not in my skincare or make up so all good there. I’ll read through these posts properly later tonight. I appreciate you all responding.

Hiya! Tretinoin is an incredible retinol, it is prescription strength and retinol is the only scientifically proven ingredient to actually make everyone’s skin better! Google it, dermatologists love it.
DO NOT mix retinol with vitamin C. Use retinol at night and vitamin c in the morning but I’ve never had a good experience with Vit C.
this is what I do:

morning
double cleanse with hydrating cleanser
niacinamide on damp skin (vit c too if you want)
moisturiser with SPF

night
double cleanse with hydrating cleanser
niacinamide on damp skin (vit c too if you want)
moisturiser
tretinoin
moisturiser

you can buy tretinoin from tretinoinworld.com at 0.025%. Use it every 3 nights for 2 weeks, then every 2 nights then every other night.

Best of luck!!! Xxxx

Also you need to do lots of research into what can be mixed with tretinoin, a lot of active ingredients will cause irritation. Niacinamide works amazingly with tretinoin but SA will be too much. Vitamin C will cancel it out if used at the same time. Hyaluronic acid also doesn’t work great with Tret in my experience.
keep the routine simple and moisturising, forget your toner.

Mine is really simple:
Morning- cleanse then moisturise my face and use eye cream
Evening- repeat.

Weekly I replace the evening moisturiser with oil.

Go to bed early so I wake up before my alarm.