topic Re: How should I work this in? in Beauty

How should I work this in?

Texasmouse — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 15:56:23 GMT

Good morning, Beauties!

I just recently started the lowest dose of Retin A, 0.025% and am trying to re-work my routine to derive the most benefit from the products. The problem is, I'm using Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid every morning (which I love and has made a huge difference in the size of my pores) and I want to re-incorporate a Vitamin C product because my derm recommends using that as well. I stopped using a vitamin c serum because the Timeless one would oxidize too quickly but if I'm going to start it up again, I'm not sure how to work it into my routine. Right now, I get up, wash my face, apply the BHA liquid and go about having breakfast, etc., then come back and do the rest of my routine, having given the BHA about twenty minutes to sink in. Should a vitamin c serum go on at this point or before using the BHA? Is there a recommended wait time for that too? I'm assuming it's best to use both of these products in the morning and the Retin A at night. I'm always looking for the best way to combine everything to give me the best outcome and you beauties are always so helpful. How do you all do your routines? TIA

Re: How should I work this in?

SilleeMee — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 16:20:06 GMT

I always apply my C serum first, wait about ten or so minutes then apply my BHA after that. Retin-A is applied every other night for me and on the off-nights I apply my AHA instead.

Re: How should I work this in?

Texasmouse — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 16:56:35 GMT

Thanks, @SilleeMee

I thought I might be able to get by without a vitamin C serum but at my age, I can use all the help I can get!

Re: How should I work this in?

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 17:03:03 GMT

@Texasmouse - just checking. By any chance, are you using Isomers Glutathiosome Plus or Elysee Pycnogenol? The reason I mention them is that Isomers Glut. has Vitamin C in it, and Elysee Pycnogenol is actually a more powerful antioxidant than Vitamin C.

Re: How should I work this in?

I am still oxox — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 17:03:26 GMT

Retin A is strong stuff are you working with an doctor or just deciding on your own what to use. Personally I think the retin A is enough and anything extra is just that extra

Re: How should I work this in?

Texasmouse — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 18:00:25 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch

No, I'm not using those but I'm going to take a look. Thanks!

Re: How should I work this in?

Texasmouse — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 18:01:38 GMT

@I am still oxox

I went to a dermatologist last week and he started me on a regimen of Retin A. I later had questions about incorporating other products and was told I could keep using whatever I like, as long as I don't experience any irritation.

Re: How should I work this in?

I am still oxox — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 18:40:34 GMT

Intersting when I started any retin a like script I was told to stop anything else

@Texasmouse wrote:
@I am still oxox
I went to a dermatologist last week and he started me on a regimen of Retin A. I later had questions about incorporating other products and was told I could keep using whatever I like, as long as I don't experience any irritation.

Re: How should I work this in?

SilleeMee — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 18:42:59 GMT

With my Retin-A use, I get a weekly peeling thing going on. Thought after a while this would eventually stop but it hasn't. The peeling is not as bad as it was when I first started using the Retin-A. Looked like a molting reptile

Re: How should I work this in?

Texasmouse — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 18:43:12 GMT

@I am still oxox

I don't know, maybe because it's a low dose?

Re: How should I work this in?

Texasmouse — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 18:43:47 GMT

@SilleeMee

What strength are you using?

Re: How should I work this in?

SilleeMee — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 18:58:07 GMT

@Texasmouse wrote:
@SilleeMee
What strength are you using?

I'm using .05%. This strength is what my derm recommended. I was using Paula's Choice 1% retinol for a while and found it wasn't doing anything. The PC 1% retinol acts like 0.025% Retin-A. So when I told my derm about my experience with PC 1% retinol, she recommended .05% Retin-A right from the start. Had I not been using the PC first, my derm would have suggested the 0.025% Retin-A to start out with. So far the 0.05% RA has made my fine lines disappear in about 4months...love that.

How long have you been using your RA? @Texasmouse

Re: How should I work this in?

Texasmouse — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 19:06:46 GMT

@SilleeMee

I just started using my Retin A last week. I have PC's 1% retinol and I peeled with that (now using it over a moisturizer on my neck - working ok there) so maybe it's a good thing I started with the 0.025% RA. I'm only supposed to use it every third night for the first two weeks and so far, so good.

Re: How should I work this in?

SilleeMee — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 19:14:11 GMT

Yes, PC made me peel, too. But I was using it too often so then I backed off until my skin adjusted. After that it seemed to plateau with no real visible improvement after about a year. That's when I started using the .05% RA...every three days in the beginning for the first couple of months. Now it's every other night, but honestly sometimes less because of the dryness and peeling which I give credit to making fine lines go away faster. My derm says some people take longer for the peeling to subside altogether. For me it's getting better...slowly. @Texasmouse

Re: How should I work this in?

LTT1 — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 20:55:33 GMT

@Texasmouse

Reina-A .025% under eyes and lightly on T-zone. Every night since forever.

Upping the strength has not helped my skin.

Re: How should I work this in?

suzyQ3 — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 21:50:17 GMT

@Texasmouse, I think you're on the right track.

Morning: Cleanse, BHA (give it a few minutes), Vit C (let it absorb; shouldn't take long at all), and then moisturizer and makeup.

Evening: Cleanse, Retin-A (wait a few minutes), moisturize.

Bot BHA and Retin should come before all else.

Re: How should I work this in?

SilleeMee — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 22:06:31 GMT

Keep in mind that vitamin C absorbs faster than BHAs or AHAs. Although you can apply the acids first, it may take them longer to absorb and prolong your wait time before applying your C if your C serum has a higher pH than your acids. Acids can be applied at the same time as your C but only if you know the pH of your C serum otherwise this may make your products lose their efficacy. Low pH C serum can be applied at the same time as your acids.

Re: How should I work this in?

Texasmouse — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 00:39:06 GMT

@LTT1

May I ask why you don't apply it all over?

Re: How should I work this in?

Texasmouse — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 00:50:34 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
With my Retin-A use, I get a weekly peeling thing going on. Thought after a while this would eventually stop but it hasn't. The peeling is not as bad as it was when I first started using the Retin-A. Looked like a molting reptile

@SilleeMee

How do you deal with the peeling? Do you try to slough off the dry skin with anything? I hope that doesn't happen to me as I still work and wear makeup every day.

Re: How should I work this in?

SilleeMee — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 01:11:18 GMT

@Texasmouse wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:
With my Retin-A use, I get a weekly peeling thing going on. Thought after a while this would eventually stop but it hasn't. The peeling is not as bad as it was when I first started using the Retin-A. Looked like a molting reptile
@SilleeMee
How do you deal with the peeling? Do you try to slough off the dry skin with anything? I hope that doesn't happen to me as I still work and wear makeup every day.

I exfoliate often using 20% glycolic treatment pads on the nights when I'm off the RA. Sometimes the glycolic may not be enough so I use an exfoliating muslin cloth which is very gentle and effective at removing flaky skin. These muslin cloths have a unique texture that really cleans the skin very well and should not be used everyday but only a couple maybe three time weekly. They are that good at exfoliation. The muslin cloths I use are made by Ecotools and I buy them from Wmart. You get two for about $6, free shipping.

@Texasmouse