Beauty

[SilleeMee]

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@Ainhisg wrote:

@SilleeMee, good morning!  I am interested in taking powdered collagen.  I looked back at past threads and found a thread where you mentioned the collagen you buy, but the photo was replaced with a thin, rectangular blue box with a question mark in it.  Would you please let me know what collagen product this is?  I am wanting it for my skin, but I have joint concerns, too.

I also want to ask you about skin care.  For the last several years, I have tried numerous ways to use tretinoin without my skin becoming flaky.  Even though I have normal skin (slightly dry in winter/slightly oily in summer), I am throwing in the towel.  I've done every suggestion possible--from building up the amount of usage per week very slowly, to mixing it with moisturizer, to applying it to dry skin 30 minutes after washing, to different strengths...and my skin just will not tolerate it for some reason.  What can I use in its place?

Is there an all-around product you can recommend that has retinol in it that will also brighten and address other concerns of aging?  I've tried using products separately and know when to use them--for example--Timeless Vitamin C serum (stored correctly) in the morning and tretinoin at night.  I used the Vitamin C serum religiously for over a year and could truly tell no difference in my skin, so I stopped it.  I do use sunscreen.  Even though my skin is no longer flaking because I haven't used tretinoin for several weeks, I can tell my skin is looking worse for wear using a simple moisturizer only.

I hope my questions are making sense.  lol  Any product recommendations you have or any simple routine you can suggest would be much appreciated.

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@Ainhisg 

This is the collagen powder I am taking:

Horbaach Multi

Tretinoin comes formulated in what they call a 'micro' gel and that one is made for people like yourself who have skin which is intolerable to regular tret. 'Micro' means encapsulated or time-release and it is available in low and higher doses ranging from 0.025% to 0.1%. Apply it just like any other tret with the exception of not having to wait for your skin to dry before application which is nice. Micro encapsulation allows the tret to penetrate the epidermis w/o little or no irritation to the outer layers of skin as you normally experience with regular forms of tret.  Micro tret is only made into gels, not creams, b/c of the way it's blended it cannot be made into creams.

Unfortunately there are no substitutions for tret. It works like nothing else. But if you want to try another kind of retinoid, I would look at Paula's Choice Retinol 1%. Tried and true. Packaging is everything and with PC retinol you'll be good to go until the last drop.

 

Vitamin C serum is important to use. If not for anything else use it for it's antioxidant protection especially under sunscreen. One particular VC derivative to look for is THDA in serums. It has excellent brightening quality and it's gentle and compatible with other products you are using. The Lab Direct Power Punch is the one I use.

[Ainhisg]

@SilleeMee thank you so much!  The regular tret is covered by my insurance. I guess I'll have to check to see if the micro gel is, too.  On my formulary list, it just says tretinoin.  Can I get the micro gel through one of the online pharmacies I read about on here?

I will give the vitamin C serum a go again.  I have the brand you used saved in my wishlist.  I assume it doesn't have to be refrigerated like the Timeless?

For the collagen, I read in the thread this morning to not take it within 30 minutes of eating.  So I assume that means to not take it in my breakfast shake.  Does it dissolve okay in coffee?  I read mixed reviews on that.  Or how do you take it?

Again...thank you so much for your help!!!!

PS...in studying the label of the PC, I see where it has Vitamin C in it.  Is this just a nominal amount, and I would still need to use a serum in the AM?

[SilleeMee]

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@Ainhisg wrote:

@SilleeMee thank you so much!  The regular tret is covered by my insurance. I guess I'll have to check to see if the micro gel is, too.  On my formulary list, it just says tretinoin.  Can I get the micro gel through one of the online pharmacies I read about on here?

I will give the vitamin C serum a go again.  I have the brand you used saved in my wishlist.  I assume it doesn't have to be refrigerated like the Timeless?

For the collagen, I read in the thread this morning to not take it within 30 minutes of eating.  So I assume that means to not take it in my breakfast shake.  Does it dissolve okay in coffee?  I read mixed reviews on that.  Or how do you take it?

Again...thank you so much for your help!!!!

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@Ainhisg 

You're welcome.

Yes, I have purchased micro tret from AllDayChemist before. I'm sure it's available at other pharmacies online. 

VC serums, especially ones with l-ascorbic acid, are better preserved (reduces oxidation) in the fridge but so are most any kind of serums really. The thing about THDA is that it's very stable at room temp so no need to put it in the fridge unless you have several bottles as backups to store there. Another thing about THDA is it absorbs easier, better into the skin...much better than most other kinds b/c it's an oil-based derivative.

About collagen supps in general...

Most all collagen supps are difficult for the stomach to absorb them. It's best to take them on an empty stomach to reduce competing with the food or protein shakes you might consume. The Horbaach brand I take seems to dissolve fairly well in my morning coffee. Sometimes it clumps but I keep stirring and that helps dissolve it.

[Ainhisg]

@SilleeMee thank you, again! I don't know what we would do without you here! Have a blessed evening!

[SilleeMee]

Thank you so much for your kind words! @Ainhisg 

[Dazlin]

@Ainhisg ,  I respect your address to @SilleeMee ...but just wanted to share...I spoke with a patient from Mayo Clinic, that takes Vital Protein peptides collagen.   She suffers from cancerous  blood condition, said it has been a great help to her body aches, and more, etc.  I'm considering it myself, as I have a pre cancerous blood condition thats monitored,  and can cause severe fatigue, and body aches.  I believe there are no fish in it, it's bovine.   Of course there's much other benefits to a collagen supplement...im just very cautious what's real/pure.   Then I always believe,  our body is designed to absorb naturally from from a healthy diet...I know sometimes we don't get enough.  

Another you may want to look into...ANCIENT NUTRITION...hes a Christian dr, follows God, pricey product, but sounds trustworthy.   I haven't  tried any I've suggested,  but im looking into it.   I do see, my diet plays a major role on how I feel.  

[Icegoddess]

Just to chime in on the Tretinoin.  I get the Tretinoin Microsphere Gel 0.04% from All Day Chemist.  I believe that is the lowest percentage, but that doesn't mean there will not be irritation or peeling.  I don't necessarily get irritation, but I still get a little peeling.  I don't use it nightly, but on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights.  The one thing that worked for me was to use an occlusive.  I use an eye cream and usually jojoba oil on my marionette lines.  Those lines and my chin are where the majority of my peeling is.  I just use the eye cream because tretinoin spreads from the point where it is applied.  

I saw one video where it said you shouldn't use it in the area below the nose, including the lip lines, but I do.  It's a bit gritty going on.

I didn't say that to scare you, just to give you information from the perspective of someone actually using the product.  

[SilleeMee]

I actually used a 0.1% micro gel I got got from ADC. Used it for about a year. I did peel a bit but no redness. I wanted to try a higher dose from what I was using (0.05% cream) but I was hesitant to try a 0.1% in a cream so I went for the micro gel instead. But after a year of going that route I realized it wasn't doing anything better/different than the cream plus I was really not liking the grittiness of the micro gel so I went back to the 0.05% cream and that's what I'm using today.

[AZfem]

@SilleeMee  What is the difference between tretinoil & retinol?  Why do you prefer tretinoil?

I use PT Roth retinol & like it since it bursts at different times. Why do you th think Paula's Choice is better?

 Curious about this & have missed prior discussions. Thanks!

[Shanus]

@LTT1  @SilleeMee  and others interested in RetinA: 

As a side note, I've used Retin A for many decades beginning with the lowest strength and now 1%. 

Retin A is stronger, IMO than retinols or similar buffered products. It takes time to see results . I always say to ask or check your skin often and it will really tellyou what it needs. If too dry, add a richer moisturizer or lay off the Retin A for a few nights. If you don't plan on wearing SPF of at last 40 or higher every day rain or shine, don't use Retin A or retinols or tret (the genaric Retin A). They make your skin more sun sensitive. I apply SPF as a last step in skincare even if not leaving the house to make it a habit and not forget.

Retinols give your skin a long time to see results while Retin A is already a retinoic acid for impact when applied. Retinols may be milder but needs to be converted to a retinoic before it can work which is why it's less potent.

It's never too late to add this to you skincare lineup. Most derms will say it's the only scientifically proven anti-aging product besides sunscreen.