Building a Skincare Routine
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
Where can I turn for help building a routine? Spent lots of time reading on Paulas Choice; tried several products by the Ordinary. Been using the same Philosophy moisturizer for over a decade, and it isn’t cutting it anymore. I feel like I’m ready for big girl skincare but don’t know where to turn. My dermatologist was no help at all.
I recently bought the Guerlain Abbeille set, but all it does is make my face sticky and perfum-y. Would going to Sephora help? There are so many brands and sets that I’m curious about-drunk elephant; Peter Thomas Roth; Sunday Riley... would they be able to recommend something? I’m 41 with sensitive skin (though I mostly tolerate products just fine). I’m starting to get enlarged pores and tiny lines and can see some loss of firmness. Doctor recommended against retinol due to rosacea, but I’ve been able to tolerate the really light stuff by the Ordinary just fine. Appreciate your advice. |
Anonymous
|
Honestly I think the best route is an esthetician. Pre covid, I was getting regular facials which helped so much with my breakouts and the overall brightness of my skin. Working with my skin as long as she did, over time she was able to steer me towards the exact products that worked best for my own (also sensitive) skin's needs (without irritation). Sometimes they were products sold at her spa and sometimes they weren't.
It's hard to get advice over the internet because everyone's skin is different. A product might be highly effective and have great reviews - but something you can tolerate (for example, I know retin A works but it's a complete no go for my skin). |
Anonymous
| ^ can't tolerate |
Anonymous
|
This is OP. Thank you. I’ve been wondering if finding an esthetician is the way to go. I’ve never been to one and never had a facial. The closest I got was getting my brows done at the Red Door spa when the lady did give some pointers about my apparently dehydrated skin...
but, even if I knew where to start, as you said, COVID.... |
Anonymous
|
I’m 39 and just upped my skincare game 6 weeks ago. Moisturizer and sunscreen was no longer cutting it.
My derm advised me to follow a basic but effective routine: vitamin c serum, moisturizer and then sunscreen every morning. Differin and night cream each evening. AM: Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Aveeno moisturizer Elta MD UV Clear sunscreen PM: Differin Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Night Cream with Hyaluronic Acid It’s easy and it’s quick which means I will stick with it. Vitamin C and Differin both have data to back up claims of efficacy. |
Anonymous
|
Given covid, you can’t really get a facial right now. I agree with PP about vitamin C and skinceuticals is awesome for that. Elta MD Is an awesome sunscreen like she pointed out. So start with that. Once your skin acclimates, start adding to the routine- someone here turned me into Caroline herons, and here she explains what a routine should include - https://www.carolinehirons.com/2013/06/routines-cheat-sheet.html
|
Anonymous
Building a skincare routine is not about brands, it's about integrating the ingredients that are proven to work (and possibly finding products that you agree with, but ingredients come first.) AM: Clean Vit C serum (alternating with AHA/BHA product one day out of three) Moisturizer if need Sunscreen PM: Clean Tretinoin Moisturizer The end. There are no other products with clinically proven effectiveness. Tretinoin, Vit C, AHA/BHA and sunblocks is it. |
Anonymous
I'm the esthetician poster, but for what it's worth, vitamin c and skinceuticals (I use their daily sunscreen too) were her first recommendations for my skin. |
Anonymous
I think you mean clinically proven for anti aging/wrinkles, but there are clinically proven topicals for other issues (for example, acne or rosacea). It depends on what your skin's issues are. |
Anonymous
| I don't think someone with rosacea can tolerate differin/tretinoin, effective as it may be - certainly not during a flare up. |
Anonymous
|
OP here again, thank you all so much.
I’ve used vitamin C serums or powder throughout the years. I use sunscreen daily. It’s just that things I am noticing, enlarged pores and fine lines, are new and was hoping to address that. My dermatologist keeps telling me that my skin cannot take retinol or definitely not tretinoin, so I’ve never tried the prescription stuff.... that’s why I was looking at different non prescription brands. |
Anonymous
| Your skin might able to handle a retinal like Avene Retrinal 0.05 cream. Retinal is usually well tolerated (not necessarily the case with retinol and certainly not retin A). |
Anonymous
|
OP again,
Ha! I’m actually using the Avène retrinal right now but frankly, absolutely no effect or difference. I’ve also used the Ordinary granactive retinol. Also no reaction but also no difference. Similarly, I’ve used Philosophy Help Me and same. |
Anonymous
| Go see Ashley Taylor as S+P MedSpa - she gives the best facials and knows so much about skin health and products. Your skin will thank you! |
Anonymous
Honest truth time - what your skin may tolerate is going to conflict with what you can expect results-wise, from a cream or other topicals. There's only so much that a non prescription strength product can do for you (retinol vs Retin-A). You might have more bang for the buck with Botox, fillers or lasers. |