Hi guys! I'm fairly new here, but I've been reading this sub a lot lately because I'm trying to improve my skincare routine.
First, a little background and my goals: From about 13 to 30, I had moderate acne. After trying just about every home remedy, diet, OTC and prescription drug, and cleansing method I could find, I finally gave up and accepted my dermatologist's offer for an Accutane prescription (and to this day, I still think that it's best to use as a last resort, because Accutane can have serious and long-lasting side effects for some people). It cleared my skin very effectively. Even though it's been years since I took it, my skin no longer breaks out the way it used to.
The problem is, my skin's texture is a little bumpy (scars, I suppose?) and my pores are quite noticeable. Also, because I'm now in my mid-30s, I am developing some fine lines and wrinkles. I want to do as much as I can to minimize and prevent signs of aging and also make my skin's texture smoother.
For almost a year now, I've been using coconut oil to remove my makeup (no, it doesn't break me out), washing my face with Dr. Bronner's liquid soap, and applying Vitamin C serum in the morning (very inconsistently) and Paula's Choice 8% AHA morning and night (consistently). I was using Neutrogena Baby sunscreen (SPF 55?), but I'm now using La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL 50+ tinted fluid (the European formulation).
Recently, I bought Hada Labo "lotion moist" (clear liquid) and their other lotion (white).
I just bought a mini-fridge/cooler for the bedroom so I could move my Vitamin C from my refrigerator to my bedside. (I'm not a morning person, so I found it difficult to motivate myself to get out of bed to apply Vitamin C 20 minutes before applying my AHA.)
For now, this is what I'm doing:
AM
- Vitamin C serum (wait 20 minutes)
- Paula's Choice 8% AHA (wait 20 minutes)
- Hada Labo lotion moist
- Hada Labo lotion
- La Roche-Posay sunscreen
- makeup (some days)
PM - remove makeup with coconut oil (or a wipe if I'm feeling especially lazy) - wash face with Dr. Bronner's liquid soap - Paula's Choice 8% AHA (wait 20 minutes) - Hada Labo lotion moist - Hada Labo lotion
I know that using the AHA twice a day will seem excessive to some, but my skin tolerates it very well. Still, it doesn't seem to be doing much--if anything--to minimize the acne scars, and I will run out of my PC AHA very soon, so I decided to try a new chemical exfoliant.
First, I ordered Sunday Riley Good Genes (yes, I know that popular opinion here is that it's overpriced and overrated).
Then, while waiting for it to arrive, I delved deeper into this sub and discovered MUAC and the Ordinary. I have to admit, I may have gone a little overboard in my excitement:
From MUAC I ordered the Mandelic Acid 25% peel (sample size) and their prep toner. I may eventually work up to 40%, depending on how this goes.
From the Ordinary, I ordered the items they recommended for an anti-aging regimen: the Rose Hip oil, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, "Buffet", and Advanced Retinoid 2%.
...Have I gone mad? Is this way too much?
I know that I need to stop using my AHA for at least 24 hours before I do the Mandelic Acid peel (which I'll only do once a week, as recommended).
I've looked into using AHA/BHAs and retinols together and the info I've found is conflicting. I thought Paula's Choice made the best argument (in favor of using them together), but TBH, I sometimes question PC's research because they profit from the sales of skincare products. Can I use both Good Genes and the Ordinary's Retinoid 2% on the same day? Should I use them on alternating days?
How can I use the products I've purchased to make an effective routine and avoid irritating my skin?
Submitted March 31, 2017 at 09:23PM by Maggieneato http://ift.tt/2nn721s SkincareAddiction
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