I need skin help

[crunch]

Help please!

I need skin help. I'm feeling droopy and old. I use dermalogica face wash and moisturizer and I like it. I've also used paulas choice in the past.

I feel like I need some products to help make my skin look younger, healthier, anything... 

I have acne issues (but haven't really broken out since paulas choice/dermalogica) so I'm a bit worried about break outs but I need to do something.

Any suggestions? 

Oh and I have bags and dark circles under my eyes.

[Uncaripswife]

Following, in case anyone has any suggestions for under eye bags, 'cause I got 'em.

[mb3]

Have you ever tried charcoal soap? I got a bar at Whole Foods and I think it was like $10 or $11 but it has lasted me 16 months and I still have probably a few months left in it.

[allisong]

For my skin Argan oil is a game changer. It hydrates my skin, makes it feel healthy and smooth and just makes my skin radiate.

[crunch]

Does anyone use collagen on their skin? Or retinol or both?

[mb3]

Feb 11, 2018 14:07:12 GMT -6 allisong said:

For my skin Argan oil is a game changer. It hydrates my skin, makes it feel healthy and smooth and just makes my skin radiate.

I use Argan oil on my hair but haven’t ever heard of for skin. What else do you use and in what order does the Argan oil go?

[byjove]

I’ve had really good luck with he Sunday Riley brand lately. They make a Luna night oil with retinol you can layer under moisturizer. I have sensitive skin and alternate that with good genes every other day.

[Taitai]

Here are some quick thoughts on skincare:

-Vitamin C serum is very good for your skin. It evens skin tone and has been shown to promote collagen growth. Ascorbic Acid (Vit C) easily oxidizes and is very sensitive to light - so if you get one, try to store it in a dark, cool place and keep it sealed tightly. Also - after putting it on, wait 10-20 minutes before putting anything else on your face, to give the Vit C time to work/absorb.

Hyaluronic Acid is amazing for keeping skin hydrated - which keeps it firmer and less droopy. Sheetmasks with this product are a great way to plump your skin.

Retinol, AHA, and BHA acids are also proven to be effective for anti-aging. However, you MUST use daily sunscreen on your face if you go this route, because all of those things are photosensitizing. Wearing sunscreen every day is the #1, most effective way to fight signs of aging. Like, if you do all of the above, but then keep exposing your skin to the sun without protection, it's kind of a pointless situation.

Also - have you tried any asian beauty skincare products? Join us over in the AB skincare thread if you want to learn more!

[crunch]

Taitai

Thank you. I do have sunscreen (50) in my moisturizer. I was a lifeguard for 7 years and made the mistake of not wearing it a lot. I could kill my 17 year old self.

Last night I ordered hyrdoboost for under my eyes and a Vit C/Collagen/Retinol serum from amazon.

I'm going to get every other month facials too. I get them but only when I'm home visiting my parents so I need to find someone here I trust.

[Taitai]

crunch I hear you about the mistakes of the past. I never wore sunscreen when I was a teenager...or really even through my 20s, because I would tan so well and didn't think I needed it. Grrrr....I figure at least now I can avoid doing any further damage.

Also - here are some recs for hyaluronic Acid and Vit C stuff. I use all of them and they really help. I only use the hada labo gokujyun lotion on my neck, because for some reason it causes little bumps on my face. Lots of people love it for their face too and swear by it...I must be unlucky. Despite that, I must say the lines on my neck have seriously improved and my neck looks a lot better.

With all of these things, the effects are only temporary. So when you stop using the product every day, your skin will go back to how it was. But I think that is the case for most skincare (unless you go the surgery/laser/botox route).

Hyaluronic Acid Sheet masks:
www.target.com/p/my-beauty-diary-174-hyaluronic-acid-hydrating-mask-10-ct/-/A-50335065#lnk=sametab

Hada Labo lotion (hyaluronic Acid - really has more the consistency of a toner):
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BSNBO9O/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1518439661&sr=8-3&keywords=hada+labo&dpPl=1&dpID=31FmSYKShdL&ref=plSrch

Hada labo Refill - cheaper and good for the environment!
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BSNBPZW/ref=mp_s_a_1_9_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1518439722&sr=8-9&keywords=hada+labo&dpPl=1&dpID=41QqlrmeBFL&ref=plSrch

Vit C serum (put on after washing your face. Then put on any other skin care, like moisturizer, you might have):
m.ebay.com/itm/TIAM-My-Signature-C-Source-30ml-O-S-T-Original-C20-Pure-Vitamin-Serum-/111115643456

[crunch]

Taitai can you walk me through your process?

Right now I wash my face in the morning and put on moisturizer. And then I was again in the evening, use a Paula choice toner and then put on my night cream/moisturizer.

[piperanne]

I second Vit C and hyaluronic acid. I use Philosopy's Vit C powder and Paula's Choice HA. I have very sensitive/reactive skin and this combo works really well for me.

My skincare regimen is:
AM: splash with water, toner, VitC/HA combo above, moisturizer/SPF

PM:
Double Cleanse with Banila and Soon Jung water cleanser
Toner (same as above)
hydrating sheet mask couple times per week
Oil mixture of jojoba, avocado, sweet almond, and grapeseed

I'm trying out Asian skincare like Taitai mentioned and have been enjoying the double cleanse, especially to remove makeup.

[Taitai]

Feb 12, 2018 7:02:20 GMT -6 crunch said:

Taitai can you walk me through your process?

Right now I wash my face in the morning and put on moisturizer. And then I was again in the evening, use a Paula choice toner and then put on my night cream/moisturizer.

My routine is influenced by asian beauty, so it has a bit more steps than a normal western one, but it doesn't take that long. You can shorten it too - depending on what kind of day you are having or what you want to focus on. Please don't be overwhelmed by below - this is just my full routine. I often shorten it if I'm feeling lazy or short on time.

AM:
-wash face with a low ph cleanser
-hydrating toner
-cosrx snail serum (I know it sounds gross, but I swear by it - really helps prevent breakouts for me, and it's hugely popular in Asia where I live)
-day cream/moisturizer (if my skin feels dry)
-hada labo gokujyun on neck
-spf
-makeup

PM:
-wash face - I do a double cleanse to get my skin really clean. First cleanse is an oil cleanser (to remove makeup and sunscreen), followed by a low ph water soluble cleanser (to remove any remnants from the oil cleanser or makeup/sunscreen).
-Vit C serum
**wait 10-20 min for Vit C to work
**if you use AHA/BHA, or retinol, you would put those on here. Because retinols can interact with vitamin C, you might want to do Vit C in the morning (after cleansing), and then do retinol/AHA/BHA in the evening. I know lots of people that do them all in the evening though. You just need to wait 20 min between application of each.
-hydrating toner
-snail serum
-optional - sheet mask
-optional - night cream
-optional - sleeping mask (if it's really dry or my skin feels like it needs a boost)

If you'd like product recs for any of the above, let me know! I don't want to overwhelm you though. Ultimately - you should do what you are comfortable with. The general guidelines are Cleanse, moisturize, SPF. Also - when in doubt, products should be applied in order of thinnest to thickest.

Hope this helps!!!

[crunch]

Thank you Taitai !

So I went through the products I have (I got some for christmas) and this is what I have. What order would you do these in and day/night? Sorry I'm so skin dumb

Day moisturizer with 50spf
Vitamin C moisturizer
Retinol Roc eye cream
Eye cream to help dark circles
A serum with hyaluronic acid
A serum with Collagen
ROc retinol cream

Edit: I also have BHA toner

*I wash my face with the same face wash morning and evening

[crunch]

Also, I use straight up aquafor on my lips

[Taitai]

Feb 12, 2018 17:00:03 GMT -6 crunch said:

Thank you Taitai !

So I went through the products I have (I got some for christmas) and this is what I have. What order would you do these in and day/night? Sorry I'm so skin dumb

Day moisturizer with 50spf
Vitamin C moisturizer
Retinol Roc eye cream
Eye cream to help dark circles
A serum with hyaluronic acid
A serum with Collagen
ROc retinol cream

Edit: I also have BHA toner

*I wash my face with the same face wash morning and evening

Happy to help! Quick question first - what is the consistency of the vitamin C moisturizer? Is it more like a cream? Or more watery/thin? Or somewhere in between?

[Taitai]

Feb 12, 2018 17:00:43 GMT -6 crunch said:

Also, I use straight up aquafor on my lips

I do this too! Works so well - I like the baby healing ointment version the best.

[crunch]

Feb 12, 2018 20:05:24 GMT -6 Taitai said:

Feb 12, 2018 17:00:03 GMT -6 crunch said:

Thank you Taitai !

So I went through the products I have (I got some for christmas) and this is what I have. What order would you do these in and day/night? Sorry I'm so skin dumb

Day moisturizer with 50spf
Vitamin C moisturizer
Retinol Roc eye cream
Eye cream to help dark circles
A serum with hyaluronic acid
A serum with Collagen
ROc retinol cream

Edit: I also have BHA toner

*I wash my face with the same face wash morning and evening

Happy to help! Quick question first - what is the consistency of the vitamin C moisturizer? Is it more like a cream? Or more watery/thin? Or somewhere in between?

Definitely cream. It’s murad vitamin c moisturizer. It says night but when I feel really dry i have used it during the day.

www.murad.com/product/essential-c-night-moisture/

My day moisturizer is

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00RUO0ULI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1518488027&sr=8-1&keywords=dermalogica+age+smart+moisturizer&dpPl=1&dpID=317WgMMyUPL&ref=plSrch

[Taitai]

crunch I love murad! DH uses the skin perfecting lotion, and I always try to steal it. The dermatological moisturizer you have is good too.

Here is the order I would use for your products:

AM:
-wash face
-Serum with HA
-Serum with collagen
-Vit C moisturizer
-eye cream to help with circles (day or night)
-day moisturizer with SPF

PM:
-wash face
-BHA toner
*wait 10-20 min
-Roc retinol cream
-retinol roc eye cream
*wait 10-20 min
-Serum with HA
-Serum with collagen
-Vit C moisturizer (if this was a Vit c serum, I would say to apply it immediately after washing, but since there is moisturizing lotion in here, it's better to use it later in your routine)
-eye cream to help with circles (day or night)


This would be a full morning/night routine. If you don't want to do all the steps, that's fine. Just listing everything so you have the order.

[crunch]

Thank you Taitai.

You are so wonderful for trying to help me. I'm feeling so blah and old. I wear my hair in a pony tail every day (it got VERY VERY curly and dark after my pregnancies). I now have an appointment for a Brazilian blowout and new color (lighter) and I also have an appointment for a stud nose piercing. lol

I blame military life. I'm so used to moving a lot and change that if I don't have a big change every year I grow antsy.

Do I need to wait any time in between the serums in the morning?

[blurnette989]

Taitai what spf lotion do you use? I used to use philosophy miracle in a jar oil free with spf and it was perfect, buying can no longer find it. And harder anyways because Portugal. I need spf, but haven't found something light enough that doesn't make me oily.

[blurnette989]

Dupe

[Taitai]

crunch Good for you that you are getting a Brazilian blowout and new color! I tend to get in ruts too where I feel blah. I think researching skincare and trying new things helps me feel better and more excited to take care of myself...even if just for 15 min a day - if that makes sense!

You don't need any specific wait times for the serums....HA and collagen are not "active" ingredients, so they don't need much time to work. You can wait a few minutes between each serum to allow them to absorb into your skin though. I gently pat my serums/moisturizer in. Once it's absorbed, I move on to the next layer.

Lemme know if you have any more questions! I love skincare. Enjoy your blowout and color - you're going to look amazing! 😀

[Taitai]

blurnette989 I use this one from Biore - it's amazing and doesn't break me out or feel heavy at all. Plus, the protection is really really good, and it feels moisturizing. I hated using SPF on my face until I discovered Japanese sunscreen. Life changing. Works really well under makeup and doesn't leave a white cast too.

www.amazon.com/Biore-Aqua-Watery-Essence-SPF50/dp/B01MTDFFQ5

Also - there is a 2015 and 2017 version of this product. I prefer the 2015 version, but the 2017 is also fine.

Edit - if you can't find that one in Portugal, I think you should be able to get this one from Nivea. I love it as well and am using it now.

www.amazon.com/dp/B00SM997I2/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2UM5ARI0XPBSL&colid=3HOGHJ7F5JED8&psc=0

[blurnette989]

Taitai thanks! Amazon.de has the biore one for 8€ so yay!

[allisong]

Feb 11, 2018 14:17:43 GMT -6 mb3 said:

Feb 11, 2018 14:07:12 GMT -6 allisong said:

For my skin Argan oil is a game changer. It hydrates my skin, makes it feel healthy and smooth and just makes my skin radiate.

I use Argan oil on my hair but haven’t ever heard of for skin. What else do you use and in what order does the Argan oil go?

Sorry I’m just seeing this now!! To prep my skin I only use my clarisonic with purity cleanser and then the Argan oil.

[crunch]

Taitai

I hate to keep bothering you but I hate the collagen serum I got from amazon. I actually think I hate serums because it makes me feel so oily. If I got a collagen cream would it be too much to add to my routine.

So like

Wash
Eye cream
Retinol cream
Collagen cream
Moisturizer

[Taitai]

Feb 16, 2018 19:56:38 GMT -6 crunch said:

Taitai

I hate to keep bothering you but I hate the collagen serum I got from amazon. I actually think I hate serums because it makes me feel so oily. If I got a collagen cream would it be too much to add to my routine.

So like

Wash
Eye cream
Retinol cream
Collagen cream
Moisturizer

You are not bothering me at all! Happy to help. Okay - on collagen creams...I actually personally don't use them, because research has shown that topical collagen cream doesn't penetrate deep enough into the skin to make any difference. It's basically just a glorified moisturizer. Vitamin C serums and retinoids, however, have been shown in scientific studies to promote collagen growth (your skin uses Vit c to produce collagen). So, that's why I use vitamin C and/or retinol (when not pregnant or breastfeeding) instead of any collagen products.

I hope that makes sense. Since you already have a moisturizer and you use products with retinol, I don't think a collagen cream is necessary.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

[crunch]

Feb 16, 2018 20:18:48 GMT -6 Taitai said:

Feb 16, 2018 19:56:38 GMT -6 crunch said:

Taitai

I hate to keep bothering you but I hate the collagen serum I got from amazon. I actually think I hate serums because it makes me feel so oily. If I got a collagen cream would it be too much to add to my routine.

So like

Wash
Eye cream
Retinol cream
Collagen cream
Moisturizer

You are not bothering me at all! Happy to help. Okay - on collagen creams...I actually personally don't use them, because research has shown that topical collagen cream doesn't penetrate deep enough into the skin to make any difference. It's basically just a glorified moisturizer. Vitamin C serums and retinoids, however, have been shown in scientific studies to promote collagen growth (your skin uses Vit c to produce collagen). So, that's why I use vitamin C and/or retinol (when not pregnant or breastfeeding) instead of any collagen products.

I hope that makes sense. Since you already have a moisturizer and you use products with retinol, I don't think a collagen cream is necessary.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Excellent thank you!

[byjove]

Taitai, I have a face oil from Sunday Riley with retionids in it. The bottle just says don't use while pregnant. I've been using it for several months now while still BFing my 2 yo. Is that a big no-no?