Skincare question: what products is it OK to combine on face?

[CarterBeatsTheDevil]

Having dipped a toe in the murky waters of skincare, I'm now mildly obsessed and trying to work out how I can make myself firmer, less wrinkly and more even-toned.

At the moment I use the following on my face morning and evening:

Pixi Glow Cleansing Gel
Pixi Glow toner

which I understand mainly to contain glycolic acid as the active ingredient.

I have been following that, again am and pm, with No 7 Lift and Luminate serum, which I think contains Vit C and pro-retinol.

I then use Garnier organic eye cream (does not appear to contain anything remotely active but has nonetheless improved the tone of the skin around my eyes), and finish off with either L'Oreal day cream SPF 50 or L'Oreal night cream, both of which contain retinol.

I'm reading that I shouldn't be combining Vitamin C or retinol with Alpha AHA (glycolic acid), but also that the No 7 serum probably doesn't contain enough of anything to be particularly effective!

I've not had any irritation or redness, which is nice, but obviously I also want to get maximum effectiveness from what I use. Any suggestions for how I can divide serums/treats to get the best effect between morning and evening? Specific brand recommendations also welcome!

You don’t specify any skin issues? Are you just looking for overall improvement? My first thought is that all those products and your concerns about how they’ll combine & when to use must be stressful. I stopped using lots of products twenty years ago and my skin is clear and glowing in my 60s mainly due to healthy diet, lots of fresh air, good sleep and, importantly, simplifying my skincare to just cleanse, moisturise and protect in the morning, and cleanse, treat and moisturise at night. So straightforward really, once you step away from the marketing tactics of hundreds of ineffective brands. The addition of prescription strength Tretinoin (a powerful retinoid that activates skin turnover..) at night has made a visible difference for me. It’s great for both ageing and acne prone skin. I get mine from Monderma, but a few other companies offer similar. In summary; simplify and get rid of all the stuff that shows little to no change in your skin.

I also came on to say don't bother they're all bobbins. Basic moisturiser, good cleanse. exfoliate once in a while. Drink water, save the money to go on holiday with!

You are right to be wary of mixing actives. I couldn’t get on with even pixi glow toner let alone retinols apart from EA capsules (with ceramide I think). Here’s a handy guide uk.theinkeylist.com/blogs/news/what-products-should-i-not-layer-together?srsltid=AfmBOoqRySlGkdzmKViU9m7HKzKFN6izqf_UEL7BD2f5j1AkBo4_f2Tb

I'd book yourself in for a facial somewhere and use the opportunity to chat to them about products you can use at home

I hear where the "don't bother it's all rubbish" posters are coming from, but I have spent the last thirty years subscribing to that principle and using a basic cleanser and moisturiser with the occasional exfoliation. All I can say is that after years of dull, dry skin the last couple of months of additional attention with slightly pricier products have left me with the best skin I have ever had. So I'm interested in whether there are more gains to be made, and how I can experiment with that without either neutralising the actives in whatever I use or irritating my face. It's something I'm interested in and enjoy spending time on, rather than anxious about.

Thank you - this looks really helpful. I gather that some products with mixed active ingredients are formulated so that they are OK for skin so perhaps the No 7 serum is one of these and I should just stick to it!

I may also try this - thank you

What I'd say is expensive doesn't always mean good..

I was an elemiss girl for years and I've stepped away from that.
Anything fragrance is not good for your skin.

I really rate the ordinary, inkey list and face theory.
Face theory especially as you can narrow down what you 'should be' using by skin type.

I used an really expensive eyecream for years. And I should know my stuff I do Aesthetics.

I've recently changed to Beauty of Joseon retinol eyecream.
I think it's about £14 and it is fabulous.
Much better for results than the £60 eyecream I used for a decade previous.

I find pixi quite drying.
I have it and use it maybe once a week ( the toner)

I came across an irish brand when I was on holidays there & forgot to pack moisturiser so I bought a little sample pack & I knew after the very first face wash that it was a game changer for me.

It's called Pestle & Mortar www.pestleandmortar.com

I buy it on line now & will not use anything else. It's a really fabulous range.

What about doing a consultation with skin and me or dermatica?

I also get tretinoin from Monderma. Try it with hydroquinone?

I’ve given up on vitamin c, it did nothing for me and the ones actually worth using are very expensive. But when I did it was vitamin c in the morning and Tret in the evening.

There are very few ingredients that are a ‘no’ to combine, it’s more about not layering too many actives that may cause sensitivity or a reaction. In that case it’s trial and error to see what your skin can tolerate.

I don’t put my money into topical creams these days. Just high SPF, moisturiser, Tret and an AHA peeling solution. I save the bulk of my budget for laser and other treatments.

Hi op! Don't listen to the 'it's all bobbins' camp, it's not. May I introduce you to Korean skincare beauty of josean , haruharu, centella and anua are the brands I would go for. Beauty of josean is my fave, I have everything from there and it does not disappoint !

Good grief! I wouldn't be putting any of that on my face....especially if it was already causing irritation.

I use this now. You hardly need any so it lasts ages and there's nothing in it that wouldn't be safe to eat (should you feel the need to) 🤣

www.madeforlifeorganics.com/collections/face

Go 3 step. A cleanser, tinted moisturiser with SPF, and a retinoid at night. Rather have a few high-quality products than many that overlap.

Thanks, all - lots of food for thought here!

i had my skin barrier ruined by a beautician !!
I had to go right back to basics
cleanse
tone
moisturiser
Once my barrier was all ok I then added Paula’s choice salicylic acid after cleaning and toning !
Then I do 10min led mask
Then hydraulic Acid la Roche posy
Then azeliac acid Paula’s choice
Then a moisturiser la Roche posay
All products La Roche posay for sensitive skin or redness !
And the Paula’s choice !
my skin is not red anymore my bumps are going ! No more acne flares (hormones)
And I don’t look dry lol 😂
Hope this helps anyone it’s taken me nearly 2 years to sort my skin out !
trust me thou any problems with skin go back to basics with a very mild products and add only 1 new thing at a time x