topic Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine in Beauty

Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

Irishrose136 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 01:12:02 GMT

Oh, the trauma of making decisions.

I had the choice of bumping an old thread (not looked on kindly) or starting a new one. Hope I made the right choice. Be gentle with me.

Instead of relying on just a few products marketed by a big name brand, I've chosen to purchase multiple products - from PC & NCN - which target specific issues. That leaves me with the issue of figuring out the best way to layer and to decide if any are am or pm specific.

I know the logical thing is to email NCN where I bought my recent stash. Apparently they recently moved and phone cs has been suspended and my emails have not been answered (I rather believe they're floating out in the cloud somewhere......nanci prides herself on cs).

These are my current products. I would appreciate help on sequencing their application. SusyQ, I read your reply in the "Retinol" thread. TY

I follow Paula's suggestions to Cleanse.....Tone.....Exfoliate......Treatments.......Moisturize. The issue is how to layer the treatments.

1. Vitamin C+ Serum With Vit. E, Ferulic Acid & Glutathione (am only)

2. Skin Tight Lifting Elixir

3. GHK-Cu Copper Peptide With EGF Formula I

4. Multi-Active Accelerator Oily/Acne Skin (formerly CP Accelerator)

5. RESIST Weekly Retexturizing Foaming Treatment 4% BHA (1x weekly at night)

6. RESIST Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 (moisturizer - last step)

7. Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant (use 6x weekly am & pm)

8. RESIST BHA 9 for Stubborn Imperfections (use only at night)

9. RESIST Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum (use am & pm)

I bow to those of you out there who understand how all these ingredients mix. Feel free to tell me if I'm overdoing something and need to cut back............or if I've missed something important. Thank you!!!

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

Irishrose136 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:01:20 GMT

Any help??????

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

goodstuff — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:23:35 GMT

An honest comment: I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who feels they need to buy and use this number of skincare products. A delusion and a waste.

You're overdoing everything, and yes, you need to cut back. Why not simplify to a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Bam. You're done.

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

Irshgrl31201 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:25:10 GMT

I would start off with cleansing, toning then using your exfoliants and then the treatments from thinnest to thickest and then moisturize.

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

Irshgrl31201 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:31:23 GMT

On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
An honest comment: I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who feels they need to buy and use this number of skincare products. A delusion and a waste.

You're overdoing everything, and yes, you need to cut back. Why not simplify to a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Bam. You're done.

Because for someone who really wants to take care of their skin simply using a cleanser moisturizer isn't enough. You need products that have cell communicating ingredients, antioxidants and peptides to get the best effects in skin care. They want to properly exfoliate their skin and put products on their skin that fight past damage such as sun damage and maximize their skins collagen production and what you listed doesn't do it.

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

goodstuff — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:34:44 GMT

On 3/13/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
An honest comment: I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who feels they need to buy and use this number of skincare products. A delusion and a waste.

You're overdoing everything, and yes, you need to cut back. Why not simplify to a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Bam. You're done.

Because for someone who really wants to take care of their skin simply using a cleanser moisturizer isn't enough. You need products that have cell communicating ingredients, antioxidants and peptides to get the best effects in skin care. They want to properly exfoliate their skin and put products on their skin that fight past damage such as sun damage and maximize their skins collagen production and what you listed doesn't do it.

They have you in their clutches, but good. You've swallowed the whole complicated, expensive, magic-from-our-skincare-scientists spiel.......hook, line, and sinker.

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

Irshgrl31201 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:39:44 GMT

On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
On 3/13/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
An honest comment: I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who feels they need to buy and use this number of skincare products. A delusion and a waste.

You're overdoing everything, and yes, you need to cut back. Why not simplify to a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Bam. You're done.

Because for someone who really wants to take care of their skin simply using a cleanser moisturizer isn't enough. You need products that have cell communicating ingredients, antioxidants and peptides to get the best effects in skin care. They want to properly exfoliate their skin and put products on their skin that fight past damage such as sun damage and maximize their skins collagen production and what you listed doesn't do it.

They have you in their clutches, but good. You've swallowed the whole complicated, expensive, magic-from-our-skincare-scientists spiel.......hook, line, and sinker. Probably past saving, sad to say.

LOL.. I am not in anyones clutches. I spend probably less than most people here. I work as an aesthetician for derms and I spend less than $100 a year on skin care products. I know which ingredients actually have the power to cause change to their skin. There are products out there that absolutely do produce collagen and help reverse skin damage from sun and environmental factors. If you are happy with just cleanser and moisturizer good for you, but you are absolutely NOT getting all the benefits you can from that and that is simply a fact.

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

FUTURE — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:42:56 GMT

On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
On 3/13/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
An honest comment: I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who feels they need to buy and use this number of skincare products. A delusion and a waste.

You're overdoing everything, and yes, you need to cut back. Why not simplify to a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Bam. You're done.

Because for someone who really wants to take care of their skin simply using a cleanser moisturizer isn't enough. You need products that have cell communicating ingredients, antioxidants and peptides to get the best effects in skin care. They want to properly exfoliate their skin and put products on their skin that fight past damage such as sun damage and maximize their skins collagen production and what you listed doesn't do it.

They have you in their clutches, but good. You've swallowed the whole complicated, expensive, magic-from-our-skincare-scientists spiel.......hook, line, and sinker. Probably past saving, sad to say.

You get that you are on a BEAUTY board, right?? So many if not most of us want to do more than cleanse and moisturize, in order to keep ourselves looking our BEST. If you want to use cleanser and moisturizer, then knock yourself out. But don't be rude to those who want to do more to try to make themselves look and feel their best, and combat the effects of aging. The poster was simply asking a question (one that I'm sure many people have, believe it or not), and doesn't really need a lecture from you about how ridiculous it is that she uses more than TWO products. For the OP, I think Irish had good advice. I don't know about some of the products, but I think starting with the exfoliants and then going thin to thick works well. If you get pilling with MU or the last layers, it could be from not letting them absorb enough or enough time between layers, or too many layers. You might not have that problem, but some do with several layers, so I just thought I'd throw that out there. Good luck!

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

suzyQ3 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:45:19 GMT

On 3/13/2014 FUTURE said:
On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
On 3/13/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
An honest comment: I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who feels they need to buy and use this number of skincare products. A delusion and a waste.

You're overdoing everything, and yes, you need to cut back. Why not simplify to a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Bam. You're done.

Because for someone who really wants to take care of their skin simply using a cleanser moisturizer isn't enough. You need products that have cell communicating ingredients, antioxidants and peptides to get the best effects in skin care. They want to properly exfoliate their skin and put products on their skin that fight past damage such as sun damage and maximize their skins collagen production and what you listed doesn't do it.

They have you in their clutches, but good. You've swallowed the whole complicated, expensive, magic-from-our-skincare-scientists spiel.......hook, line, and sinker. Probably past saving, sad to say.

You get that you are on a BEAUTY board, right?? So many if not most of us want to do more than cleanse and moisturize, in order to keep ourselves looking our BEST. If you want to use cleanser and moisturizer, then knock yourself out. But don't be rude to those who want to do more to try to make themselves look and feel their best, and combat the effects of aging. The poster was simply asking a question (one that I'm sure many people have, believe it or not), and doesn't really need a lecture from you about how ridiculous it is that she uses more than TWO products. For the OP, I think Irish had good advice. I don't know about some of the products, but I think starting with the exfoliants and then going thin to thick works well. If you get pilling with MU or the last layers, it could be from not letting them absorb enough or enough time between layers, or too many layers. You might not have that problem, but some do with several layers, so I just thought I'd throw that out there. Good luck!

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

Irshgrl31201 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 02:50:01 GMT

On 3/13/2014 FUTURE said:
On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
On 3/13/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
An honest comment: I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who feels they need to buy and use this number of skincare products. A delusion and a waste.

You're overdoing everything, and yes, you need to cut back. Why not simplify to a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Bam. You're done.

Because for someone who really wants to take care of their skin simply using a cleanser moisturizer isn't enough. You need products that have cell communicating ingredients, antioxidants and peptides to get the best effects in skin care. They want to properly exfoliate their skin and put products on their skin that fight past damage such as sun damage and maximize their skins collagen production and what you listed doesn't do it.

They have you in their clutches, but good. You've swallowed the whole complicated, expensive, magic-from-our-skincare-scientists spiel.......hook, line, and sinker. Probably past saving, sad to say.

You get that you are on a BEAUTY board, right?? So many if not most of us want to do more than cleanse and moisturize, in order to keep ourselves looking our BEST. If you want to use cleanser and moisturizer, then knock yourself out. But don't be rude to those who want to do more to try to make themselves look and feel their best, and combat the effects of aging. The poster was simply asking a question (one that I'm sure many people have, believe it or not), and doesn't really need a lecture from you about how ridiculous it is that she uses more than TWO products. For the OP, I think Irish had good advice. I don't know about some of the products, but I think starting with the exfoliants and then going thin to thick works well. If you get pilling with MU or the last layers, it could be from not letting them absorb enough or enough time between layers, or too many layers. You might not have that problem, but some do with several layers, so I just thought I'd throw that out there. Good luck!

I agree. She could have too much there layered on if she does get pilling. I do my cleansing then use my BHA in the morning, then my PC Vit C (which I have been loving and seeing a real brightening in my skin), then my PC serum and my moisturizer. In the summer I couldn't add anymore layers because of humidity here. At night my only change is I use Alpha Hydrox AHA 14% gel after my BHA. A couple times a week I use Retin A instead of AHA.

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

FUTURE — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 03:04:40 GMT

Irish, I'm the same with the humidity. It just gets gloppy. Lol!!

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

rac71 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 03:10:56 GMT

Way too many products. I can't imagine the dry-down wait you have between products! That would take me hours more than I'm willing to give up morning and night. PC's customer service would be the best bet for layering advice. What they can't immediately answer, they research and follow up with answers. One thing they told me, was not to mix exfoliants. I use a liquid BHA daily but occasionally use an AHA at night. Mixing them caused itching. I also use Metro Gel (AM) and Finacea (PM). When I chose to use a serum, it is after my RX. Per PC, the BHA 9 is to be used sparingly as a final nighttime step because it is so potent. I still have my sample vial from when it first hit the market. Also, you shouldn't need so many serums simultaneously. May want to alternate them. My basics add up to a total of 6, cleanser, toner, BHA, RX, serum, moist., with rare add-ins.

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

Irshgrl31201 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 03:24:22 GMT

I agree with rac71 that she should alternate. Too many to put on all in the same day. Switch them up throughout the week.

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

goodstuff — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 04:32:43 GMT

On 3/13/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
On 3/13/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
An honest comment: I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who feels they need to buy and use this number of skincare products. A delusion and a waste.

You're overdoing everything, and yes, you need to cut back. Why not simplify to a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Bam. You're done.

Because for someone who really wants to take care of their skin simply using a cleanser moisturizer isn't enough. You need products that have cell communicating ingredients, antioxidants and peptides to get the best effects in skin care. They want to properly exfoliate their skin and put products on their skin that fight past damage such as sun damage and maximize their skins collagen production and what you listed doesn't do it.

They have you in their clutches, but good. You've swallowed the whole complicated, expensive, magic-from-our-skincare-scientists spiel.......hook, line, and sinker. Probably past saving, sad to say.

LOL.. I am not in anyones clutches. I spend probably less than most people here. I work as an aesthetician for derms and I spend less than $100 a year on skin care products. I know which ingredients actually have the power to cause change to their skin. There are products out there that absolutely do produce collagen and help reverse skin damage from sun and environmental factors. If you are happy with just cleanser and moisturizer good for you, but you are absolutely NOT getting all the benefits you can from that and that is simply a fact.

If you are an aesthetican and work for dermatologists..........why in heaven's name are you asking skin care and product advice from miscellaneous beauty enthusiasts on a bulletin board? Why not ask the medical skin specialists and/or other professionals in your practice? And if you're using the list of products posted above and "spending less than $100/year", you must be getting a spectacular lot of free samples from your doctors and reps!

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 04:37:53 GMT

On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
On 3/13/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
On 3/13/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
An honest comment: I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who feels they need to buy and use this number of skincare products. A delusion and a waste.

You're overdoing everything, and yes, you need to cut back. Why not simplify to a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Bam. You're done.

Because for someone who really wants to take care of their skin simply using a cleanser moisturizer isn't enough. You need products that have cell communicating ingredients, antioxidants and peptides to get the best effects in skin care. They want to properly exfoliate their skin and put products on their skin that fight past damage such as sun damage and maximize their skins collagen production and what you listed doesn't do it.

They have you in their clutches, but good. You've swallowed the whole complicated, expensive, magic-from-our-skincare-scientists spiel.......hook, line, and sinker. Probably past saving, sad to say.

LOL.. I am not in anyones clutches. I spend probably less than most people here. I work as an aesthetician for derms and I spend less than $100 a year on skin care products. I know which ingredients actually have the power to cause change to their skin. There are products out there that absolutely do produce collagen and help reverse skin damage from sun and environmental factors. If you are happy with just cleanser and moisturizer good for you, but you are absolutely NOT getting all the benefits you can from that and that is simply a fact.

If you are an aesthetican and work for dermatologists..........why in heaven's name are you asking skin care and product advice from miscellaneous beauty enthusiasts on a bulletin board? Why not ask the medical skin specialists and/or other professionals in your practice? And if you're using the list of products posted above and "spending less than $100/year", you must be getting a spectacular lot of free samples from your doctors and reps!

GoodStuff - I think you're confusing two different users. The OP who is using the long list of products is Irishrose136. The member who is the aesthetician, and works with dermatologists, is Irshgrl31201. An easy mistake, to be sure.

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

Irishrose136 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 04:49:44 GMT

Thanks for your responses everyone!

I know that I listed 9 items, but I don't use all of them in one day at the same time. LOL......I'm not that far gone.....yet. I listed 3 different strength BHAs. The 4% foam is only meant to be used once weekly. I use the 2% gel daily. Rac, thank you for reminding me that BHA 9 is reserved for special issues.

And GoodStuff, there is a moisturizer in my list.

That accounts for 4/9 products. I'm currently using the vit c & antioxidant serum and I'm very pleased with how my skin tone and texture has improved.

I didn't feel I was ready for retinol because I don't have fine lines and wrinkles with the exception of the beginning of expression lines around my mouth. That's why I purchased #2,3 and 4 on my list - they just arrived today and they are meant to help firm and build collagen and all that good stuff (excuse my pun ).

I know a lot of you like NCN products. I was hoping someone might have firsthand experience with the elixir, copper peptides or matrixyl.

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

BellaCarro — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 05:18:28 GMT

On 3/13/2014 Irishrose136 said:
Thanks for your responses everyone!

I know that I listed 9 items, but I don't use all of them in one day at the same time. LOL......I'm not that far gone.....yet. I listed 3 different strength BHAs. The 4% foam is only meant to be used once weekly. I use the 2% gel daily. Rac, thank you for reminding me that BHA 9 is reserved for special issues.

And GoodStuff, there is a moisturizer in my list.

That accounts for 4/9 products. I'm currently using the vit c & antioxidant serum and I'm very pleased with how my skin tone and texture has improved.

I didn't feel I was ready for retinol because I don't have fine lines and wrinkles with the exception of the beginning of expression lines around my mouth. That's why I purchased #2,3 and 4 on my list - they just arrived today and they are meant to help firm and build collagen and all that good stuff (excuse my pun ).

I know a lot of you like NCN products. I was hoping someone might have firsthand experience with the elixir, copper peptides or matrixyl.

Hey there, firstly, sorry you got a snarky response when just asking for some advice. To each her own.

since you know about using the exfoliators I'll move on to the others. SuzyQ3 is absolutely correct about thin to thick. I'd also add not to use the C and copper at the same time. Technically, you can if you wait at least 20 minutes between them. But, I prefer C in the a.m. since it is such a great antioxidant. In the evening I cleanse (Boscia oil first and sometimes that is all), toner (but not always), then NCN's copper. Let that absorb for a little bit, maybe five minutes or so, then a peptide serum with Matrixyl. I'd probably use the elixir after that, absorb again and then the accelerator. Then moisturizer. Depending on the consistency I might have the Elixir or Accelerator in the wrong order.

in the morning cleanse (not with oil) and since I'm short on time straight to C (no toner), peptide serum then moisturizer and then SPF. I don't have time to wait as much in between products. So, that's what I do, or would do, for whatever it's worth!

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

MarenSeattle — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 05:38:58 GMT

On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
An honest comment: I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who feels they need to buy and use this number of skincare products. A delusion and a waste.

You're overdoing everything, and yes, you need to cut back. Why not simplify to a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Bam. You're done.

She asked for advice on how to use her products, not a judgment on her choices. See how helpful others are being? Maybe you could try that next time. Or just not respond if you have a different viewpoint. I don't think you're changing anybody's mind, so what's the point?

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

Irishrose136 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 06:10:47 GMT

On 3/13/2014 BellaCarro said:
On 3/13/2014 Irishrose136 said:
Thanks for your responses everyone!

I know that I listed 9 items, but I don't use all of them in one day at the same time. LOL......I'm not that far gone.....yet. I listed 3 different strength BHAs. The 4% foam is only meant to be used once weekly. I use the 2% gel daily. Rac, thank you for reminding me that BHA 9 is reserved for special issues.

And GoodStuff, there is a moisturizer in my list.

That accounts for 4/9 products. I'm currently using the vit c & antioxidant serum and I'm very pleased with how my skin tone and texture has improved.

I didn't feel I was ready for retinol because I don't have fine lines and wrinkles with the exception of the beginning of expression lines around my mouth. That's why I purchased #2,3 and 4 on my list - they just arrived today and they are meant to help firm and build collagen and all that good stuff (excuse my pun ).

I know a lot of you like NCN products. I was hoping someone might have firsthand experience with the elixir, copper peptides or matrixyl.

Hey there, firstly, sorry you got a snarky response when just asking for some advice. To each her own.
since you know about using the exfoliators I'll move on to the others. SuzyQ3 is absolutely correct about thin to thick. I'd also add not to use the C and copper at the same time. Technically, you can if you wait at least 20 minutes between them. But, I prefer C in the a.m. since it is such a great antioxidant. In the evening I cleanse (Boscia oil first and sometimes that is all), toner (but not always), then NCN's copper. Let that absorb for a little bit, maybe five minutes or so, then a peptide serum with Matrixyl. I'd probably use the elixir after that, absorb again and then the accelerator. Then moisturizer. Depending on the consistency I might have the Elixir or Accelerator in the wrong order.
in the morning cleanse (not with oil) and since I'm short on time straight to C (no toner), peptide serum then moisturizer and then SPF. I don't have time to wait as much in between products. So, that's what I do, or would do, for whatever it's worth!

Bella Carro, it's worth a GREAT DEAL to me!! Thank you. That's precisely what I needed. I read about the products on ncn's website, but it eases my mind when someone can clarify the details. Luckily, I'll have some time both in the am and pm to experiment and see what my skin is telling me. I also know it's important to add one new thing at a time.

GoodStuff probably doesn't get that I'm enjoying myself immensely. My age might be getting older, but I don't have to look it. And by buying from PC & NCN, I know I'm saving and I know precisely what I'm paying for.

Re: Advice on How to Layer New Products in Skin Care Routine

Irishrose136 — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 06:14:47 GMT

On 3/13/2014 MarenSeattle said:
On 3/13/2014 GoodStuff said:
An honest comment: I feel genuinely sorry for anyone who feels they need to buy and use this number of skincare products. A delusion and a waste.

You're overdoing everything, and yes, you need to cut back. Why not simplify to a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with sunscreen. Bam. You're done.

She asked for advice on how to use her products, not a judgment on her choices. See how helpful others are being? Maybe you could try that next time. Or just not respond if you have a different viewpoint. I don't think you're changing anybody's mind, so what's the point?

Thank you to those of you who defended my question. That was very kind.

I spent several years posting on ebay forums and that was a jungle at times. I've grown a very thick skin.......lol.......and a greater sense of humor.