topic Re: Hydrating essence? in Beauty

Hydrating essence?

Natureluvr — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 12:20:02 GMT

Sorry if this has already been discussed but I am looking for a hydrating essence for my very dry skin. I’m currently using Retin-A and my skin is extremely dry. I’ve been trying to add lots of moisturizers but it just doesn’t seem to be helping that much so thought adding an essence may help. I see a lot of articles about the SKll but that is out of my price range. Can any of you recommend a hydrating essence that you really notice a difference from?

Re: Hydrating essence?

Harpa — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 12:40:24 GMT

Yes, I do like those pricey ones, especially the Tatcha. But they really are pricey.

You can make your own fermented rice water (like I've done already) or you can make green tea (which is what I do now) and add in whatever your skin likes. A couple drops of essential oil/s, a squeeze of lemon for preservative & extra skin benefit, maybe rose water, glycerin....

Re: Hydrating essence?

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 12:41:46 GMT

@Natureluvr wrote:
Sorry if this has already been discussed but I am looking for a hydrating essence for my very dry skin. I’m currently using Retin-A and my skin is extremely dry. I’ve been trying to add lots of moisturizers but it just doesn’t seem to be helping that much so thought adding an essence may help. I see a lot of articles about the SKll but that is out of my price range. Can any of you recommend a hydrating essence that you really notice a difference from?

SK-II is out of the question for me too. I've had an excellent experience with Alteya Bulgarian Rosewater but have currently moved on to Son & Park Beauty Water. There are many out there that have good reputations; I'm From Rice, Missha Time Revolution, CosRX. Ample N also make one that I'm interested I trying.

You may also consider adding a hyaluronic acid serum to your routine. Make sure you use your essence before the serum. You can get a HA serum inexpensively and it will hold moisture in your skin.

Lastly, you may need to back off the RetinA temporarily and start over. If your face feels raw, stop all the skincare and just use jojoba oil or butter for a few days. Restart the RetinA but at ease into it and follow a careful and slow progression building up to nightly use. The concentration may need to be adjusted too. Years ago I was at the full strength and did fine. These days, I can't handle it so I've dropped back to .05% most nights and .1% sporadically just to use it up.

Re: Hydrating essence?

justashopper — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 12:53:35 GMT

I was also going to suggest skipping the retinol to every other day or less than what you are doing. I definitely did not like the retinol reaction I had... red, flaky skin. I quit using and haven't been back.

I do use an essence, the Tatcha brand. It is pricey, but not as much as SKII. I want to try the SKII but can't justify the cost. The Tatcha is very good. I quit using it for whatever reason then came back to it. Immediately saw the difference and thought-- wow! Why did I think this wasn't doing anything??

I am not sure how to make your own but I am sure there are recipes and you tube videos. Good luck!

Re: Hydrating essence?

Shanus — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:12:35 GMT

@Natureluvr wrote:
Sorry if this has already been discussed but I am looking for a hydrating essence for my very dry skin. I’m currently using Retin-A and my skin is extremely dry. I’ve been trying to add lots of moisturizers but it just doesn’t seem to be helping that much so thought adding an essence may help. I see a lot of articles about the SKll but that is out of my price range. Can any of you recommend a hydrating essence that you really notice a difference from?

@Natureluvr I'm not sure essences do more than moisturizers. It's basically a mist of water (usually the first ingredient) that doesn't stay on your skin long enough.

You can purchase, at the drugstore, or make your own rose water which does the same thing or just find an oil you like to seal in your moisturizer as a barrier. There are also serums to help seal in moisture.

Re: Hydrating essence?

Natureluvr — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:27:07 GMT

What type of serum would seal in moisture, something with hyaluronic acid?

Re: Hydrating essence?

scullychick — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:39:34 GMT

I have been wanting to try the TonyMoly hydrating toner called Wonder. It gets really good reviews. I wonder if this would be a good product for you?

Re: Hydrating essence?

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:10:59 GMT

@Natureluvr wrote:
What type of serum would seal in moisture, something with hyaluronic acid?

HA serums don't "seal in" moisture. They will attract and addmoisture, but the sealing part come with occlusive ingredients, like your moisturizer and a good oil.

I found an inexpensive HA serum, on Amazon, by a company called Cosmedica. It's a thin consistency and I think it penetrates well, but I still use a moisturizer and Skinn Divine Elixir Luminous Oil.

Re: Hydrating essence?

SilleeMee — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:27:52 GMT

When using Retin-A (tretinoin), it's important to avoid using harsh cleansers and especially avoid any exfoliation just prior to it's application. Try using a mild cleanser and w/o the use of hot or very warm water (including while under the shower on your face).

Dry skin is often times the result of a disrupted skin barrier so you'll need to improve that by applying some occlusive moisturizers such as one which contain oils, waxes and/or silicones.

Applying a moisturizing mist or essence will help restore some of the lost water from the skin but that still leaves the skin open for evaporation. Try using products to help increase ceramide levels in the skin such as lactic acid serum (mixed in with your favorite moisturizer), a moisturizer containing ceramides or even (phyto)ceramides supplements. Ceramides help prevent water loss from the skin.

Get a humidifier in your house and start using that especially now that the drier air is upon us.

Re: Hydrating essence?

Shanus — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:45:08 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
When using Retin-A (tretinoin), it's important to avoid using harsh cleansers and especially avoid any exfoliation just prior to it's application. Try using a mild cleanser and w/o the use of hot or very warm water (including while under the shower on your face).

Dry skin is often times the result of a disrupted skin barrier so you'll need to improve that by applying some occlusive moisturizers such as one which contain oils, waxes and/or silicones.

Applying a moisturizing mist or essence will help restore some of the lost water from the skin but that still leaves the skin open for evaporation. Try using products to help increase ceramide levels in the skin such as lactic acid serum (mixed in with your favorite moisturizer), a moisturizer containing ceramides or even (phyto)ceramides supplements. Ceramides help prevent water loss from the skin.

Get a humidifier in your house and start using that especially now that the drier air is upon us.

@SilleeMee ITA and also I find that a balm type moisturizer works better than a cream in this instance.

Re: Hydrating essence?

teganslaw — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 16:30:10 GMT

Sometimes I mist my face after applying primer and concealer so it will hold. Mists have different hydrating ingredients,--the same as an essence- so I don't think it would be necessary to use both. Aren't they the same, anyway?

Re: Hydrating essence?

SilleeMee — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 17:21:25 GMT

@teganslaw

Mists and essences are kind of the same thing depending on who makes them. But generally an essence is more like a watered-down version of a serum containing skincare ingredients whereas a mist is more about hydration with water being the key ingredient there.

Re: Hydrating essence?

ccassaday — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 17:39:48 GMT

There is a dupe for that SKN but can’t remember the name. Let me see if I can find it.

Re: Hydrating essence?

ccassaday — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 17:42:07 GMT

This is the dupe for the skn. You can get it cheaper then this on different sites then Amazon.

DERMALOGY by NEOGENLAB 93% Natural Fermented Facial Essence - Instantly Hydrates and Delivers Healthy Supple Skin (Real Ferment Micro Essence)

Re: Hydrating essence?

Natureluvr — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 18:52:21 GMT

Thanks so much for all your suggestions. I will cut back a little on the Retin-A since the cold weather where I live is creeping up quickly and is likely the culprit for my skin drying out even more. I use a humidifier every winter so I will drag that out of my closet and I will also try using some of the products recommended here

Re: Hydrating essence?

SurferWife — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 03:43:25 GMT

@Natureluvr

Naturium's Hyaluronic Acid essence is AWESOME! I use it every morning & night & I have dry skin. ❤️ 💦

Re: Hydrating essence?

SurferWife — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 03:43:49 GMT

@monicakm

It's an essence with Hyaluronic acid. It's not Hyaluronic Acid alone.

Re: Hydrating essence?

Midmod — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 18:58:51 GMT

I have 4 essences: tatcha which I use in the morning first and then a serum ( ferulic acid and vit c)
Night essence is EL then EL ANR and then niacinamide serum

@monicakm

In what order do you use those 4 essences? Thanks

Re: Hydrating essence?

Midmod — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 19:00:45 GMT

I should have said that I also have Exuviance essence and another essence which is a hydrating toner spray. I haven't used those much yet

Re: Hydrating essence?

Wsmom — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 05:23:41 GMT

@monicakm wrote:
@Natureluvr

Now if you really want some good hydration, check out Cosrx 96% snail mucin. I am about to wrap up my fourth bottle and have one waiting in the wings. Google it. It is an excellent source of hydration. And no snails are harmed in the manufacturing of snail mucin. Snails have to be happy and content to excrete their mucin. They live in dark cold clammy environments and crawl across a mesh screen. Their mucin falls to vats below the screen where it is refined and purified for our faces.

🤢