Skin care recommendations anyone?

capriqueen
capriqueen Posts: 976 Member
edited November 2024 in Chit-Chat
So I am looking for a face serum to add to my routine. Any recommendations? I tried Estee Lauder but saw zero difference. I have dry skin, for reference.

Replies

  • elsie6hickman
    elsie6hickman Posts: 3,864 Member
    I am in love with Hourglass which is a serum and a face primer.
  • nooshi713
    nooshi713 Posts: 4,877 Member
    It depends on what your concern is. For moisturization, you want something with hyaluronic acid in it.

    For spots/overall clarity/glow, vitamin C at least 10-15%, lactic acid, or alpha hydroxy acid andr/or hydroquinone.

    For wrinkles, tretinoin (Retin A) works.

    I am an ER PA but have done Dermatology before and am doing Aesthetics per diem now. Ask me anything!
  • capriqueen
    capriqueen Posts: 976 Member
    nooshi713 wrote: »
    It depends on what your concern is. For moisturization, you want something with hyaluronic acid in it.

    For spots/overall clarity/glow, vitamin C at least 10-15%, lactic acid, or alpha hydroxy acid andr/or hydroquinone.

    For wrinkles, tretinoin (Retin A) works.

    I am an ER PA but have done Dermatology before and am doing Aesthetics per diem now. Ask me anything!

    Thanks! I am looking for something that would help with aging and bring about a glow, what brand recommendations do you have?
  • nooshi713
    nooshi713 Posts: 4,877 Member
    capriqueen wrote: »

    Thanks! I am looking for something that would help with aging and bring about a glow, what brand recommendations do you have?

    Obagi Vitamin C serum and SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic are good. Korres Wild Rose vitamin C serum is less pricey. Many of the products with a good percentage of active ingredient are a bit pricier. But, it is better than buying a bunch of products that claim to work, but don't. Also, if you see a dermatologist, they can write you for Retin A or an equivalent which is the best anti-ager out there but only available by prescription. Many of these products are a bit drying so are best used with a face oil or other good moisturizer. Also, it is best to start at a lower strength if your skin is sensitive.
  • capriqueen
    capriqueen Posts: 976 Member
    nooshi713 wrote: »
    capriqueen wrote: »

    Thanks! I am looking for something that would help with aging and bring about a glow, what brand recommendations do you have?

    Obagi Vitamin C serum and SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic are good. Korres Wild Rose vitamin C serum is less pricey. Many of the products with a good percentage of active ingredient are a bit pricier. But, it is better than buying a bunch of products that claim to work, but don't. Also, if you see a dermatologist, they can write you for Retin A or an equivalent which is the best anti-ager out there but only available by prescription. Many of these products are a bit drying so are best used with a face oil or other good moisturizer. Also, it is best to start at a lower strength if your skin is sensitive.

    Thanks a lot! I have heard a lot about CE Ferulic but was apprehensive about the price, so wanted to know if there were others out there. I tried Paula's choice retinol but that had no effect on me either, so I thought I would start with the serum for now.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    I'm a guy.

    A bar of Lava Soap works pretty well for me.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    I love Thayer's Witch Hazel with Aloe and Rose Water (about $16.00 CDN) along with Joyal Beauty Organic Retinol Serum ($24.00 CDN) and Original African Black Soap (white diamond -- $13.00 CDN).

    Do you know how many tacos you can get with $53.00 ??
  • nooshi713
    nooshi713 Posts: 4,877 Member
    edited September 2018
    capriqueen wrote: »

    Thanks a lot! I have heard a lot about CE Ferulic but was apprehensive about the price, so wanted to know if there were others out there. I tried Paula's choice retinol but that had no effect on me either, so I thought I would start with the serum for now.

    Yeah, that is the most expensive one. The Obagi one is a little less cost and the Korres is the cheapest option. I have used all 3 with good results. IMO, you can save money on moisturizers and cleansers and invest more on the serum.
  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,788 Member
    Coconut Oil
  • caco_ethes
    caco_ethes Posts: 11,962 Member
    Sounds weird but try not washing your face in the morning (assuming you do wash it at night). Sometimes in the fall and winter it’s just too drying to use cleanser twice.
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
    nooshi713 wrote: »
    It depends on what your concern is. For moisturization, you want something with hyaluronic acid in it.

    For spots/overall clarity/glow, vitamin C at least 10-15%, lactic acid, or alpha hydroxy acid andr/or hydroquinone.

    For wrinkles, tretinoin (Retin A) works.

    I am an ER PA but have done Dermatology before and am doing Aesthetics per diem now. Ask me anything!

    Derm just told me that I have melasma. He recommended a $250 bottle of something that is only a month supply... Sorry but I don't want to take out a second mortgage on my home to get rid of these spots. They aren't awful and I can live with them, I just don't want them to get worse. Any suggestions?
  • caco_ethes
    caco_ethes Posts: 11,962 Member
    nooshi713 wrote: »
    It depends on what your concern is. For moisturization, you want something with hyaluronic acid in it.

    For spots/overall clarity/glow, vitamin C at least 10-15%, lactic acid, or alpha hydroxy acid andr/or hydroquinone.

    For wrinkles, tretinoin (Retin A) works.

    I am an ER PA but have done Dermatology before and am doing Aesthetics per diem now. Ask me anything!

    Derm just told me that I have melasma. He recommended a $250 bottle of something that is only a month supply... Sorry but I don't want to take out a second mortgage on my home to get rid of these spots. They aren't awful and I can live with them, I just don't want them to get worse. Any suggestions?

    I did a few rounds of laser for mine. Couple of things:

    Always always wear sunscreen but make sure it’s a physical sunscreen like zinc oxide. A physical sunscreen will block the sun’s rays whereas a chemical sunscreen will simply convert the rays to heat. Heat is a big trigger for melasma.

    Make sure to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. You can get powder sunscreens that work really well for this purpose.
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
    edited September 2018
    caco_ethes wrote: »
    nooshi713 wrote: »
    It depends on what your concern is. For moisturization, you want something with hyaluronic acid in it.

    For spots/overall clarity/glow, vitamin C at least 10-15%, lactic acid, or alpha hydroxy acid andr/or hydroquinone.

    For wrinkles, tretinoin (Retin A) works.

    I am an ER PA but have done Dermatology before and am doing Aesthetics per diem now. Ask me anything!

    Derm just told me that I have melasma. He recommended a $250 bottle of something that is only a month supply... Sorry but I don't want to take out a second mortgage on my home to get rid of these spots. They aren't awful and I can live with them, I just don't want them to get worse. Any suggestions?

    I did a few rounds of laser for mine. Couple of things:

    Always always wear sunscreen but make sure it’s a physical sunscreen like zinc oxide. A physical sunscreen will block the sun’s rays whereas a chemical sunscreen will simply convert the rays to heat. Heat is a big trigger for melasma.

    Make sure to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. You can get powder sunscreens that work really well for this purpose.

    Thanks. I have been religious with the sunscreen since he told me that I had this. I didn't know though that I could get powder with sunscreen in it (powder and mascara is all I wear makeup wise) so this is great news. I just couldn't afford this serum that he recommended, was looking for a cheaper alternative... Is the laser expensive as well?
  • capriqueen
    capriqueen Posts: 976 Member
    nooshi713 wrote: »
    capriqueen wrote: »

    Thanks a lot! I have heard a lot about CE Ferulic but was apprehensive about the price, so wanted to know if there were others out there. I tried Paula's choice retinol but that had no effect on me either, so I thought I would start with the serum for now.

    Yeah, that is the most expensive one. The Obagi one is a little less cost and the Korres is the cheapest option. I have used all 3 with good results. IMO, you can save money on moisturizers and cleansers and invest more on the serum.

    Thanks! So have you seen better results with one versus the other, in terms of glow and your skin clearing up?
  • nooshi713
    nooshi713 Posts: 4,877 Member

    Derm just told me that I have melasma. He recommended a $250 bottle of something that is only a month supply... Sorry but I don't want to take out a second mortgage on my home to get rid of these spots. They aren't awful and I can live with them, I just don't want them to get worse. Any suggestions?

    Yeah you dont need to spend that much. There are many over the counter bleaching products for much less. Most that you can buy in the store are 2% hydroquinone. Prescription strength are 4-6% and just work a bit faster. Use a 2% product and spf 50+ every single day for 3 months to see results
  • nooshi713
    nooshi713 Posts: 4,877 Member
    capriqueen wrote: »

    Thanks! So have you seen better results with one versus the other, in terms of glow and your skin clearing up?

    Kinda the same IMO. I really like the Obagi one with vitamin C and hydroquinone.
  • nooshi713
    nooshi713 Posts: 4,877 Member
    caco_ethes wrote: »
    nooshi713 wrote: »
    It depends on what your concern is. For moisturization, you want something with hyaluronic acid in it.

    For spots/overall clarity/glow, vitamin C at least 10-15%, lactic acid, or alpha hydroxy acid andr/or hydroquinone.

    For wrinkles, tretinoin (Retin A) works.

    I am an ER PA but have done Dermatology before and am doing Aesthetics per diem now. Ask me anything!

    Derm just told me that I have melasma. He recommended a $250 bottle of something that is only a month supply... Sorry but I don't want to take out a second mortgage on my home to get rid of these spots. They aren't awful and I can live with them, I just don't want them to get worse. Any suggestions?

    I did a few rounds of laser for mine. Couple of things:

    Always always wear sunscreen but make sure it’s a physical sunscreen like zinc oxide. A physical sunscreen will block the sun’s rays whereas a chemical sunscreen will simply convert the rays to heat. Heat is a big trigger for melasma.

    Make sure to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. You can get powder sunscreens that work really well for this purpose.

    Yes great advice. You look good.
  • nooshi713
    nooshi713 Posts: 4,877 Member
    @caco_ethes What kinda laser did you use?

    I have used Spectra Peel with good results. But there are so many...
  • caco_ethes
    caco_ethes Posts: 11,962 Member
    nooshi713 wrote: »
    @caco_ethes What kinda laser did you use?

    I have used Spectra Peel with good results. But there are so many...

    They called it a fotofacial laser I think?
  • caco_ethes
    caco_ethes Posts: 11,962 Member
    nooshi713 wrote: »
    caco_ethes wrote: »
    nooshi713 wrote: »
    It depends on what your concern is. For moisturization, you want something with hyaluronic acid in it.

    For spots/overall clarity/glow, vitamin C at least 10-15%, lactic acid, or alpha hydroxy acid andr/or hydroquinone.

    For wrinkles, tretinoin (Retin A) works.

    I am an ER PA but have done Dermatology before and am doing Aesthetics per diem now. Ask me anything!

    Derm just told me that I have melasma. He recommended a $250 bottle of something that is only a month supply... Sorry but I don't want to take out a second mortgage on my home to get rid of these spots. They aren't awful and I can live with them, I just don't want them to get worse. Any suggestions?

    I did a few rounds of laser for mine. Couple of things:

    Always always wear sunscreen but make sure it’s a physical sunscreen like zinc oxide. A physical sunscreen will block the sun’s rays whereas a chemical sunscreen will simply convert the rays to heat. Heat is a big trigger for melasma.

    Make sure to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. You can get powder sunscreens that work really well for this purpose.

    Yes great advice. You look good.

    And thanks!
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
    caco_ethes wrote: »

    Thanks. I have been religious with the sunscreen since he told me that I had this. I didn't know though that I could get powder with sunscreen in it (powder and mascara is all I wear makeup wise) so this is great news. I just couldn't afford this serum that he recommended, was looking for a cheaper alternative... Is the laser expensive as well?

    Yes. It’s way more expensive than the creams. But I used alllll the creams and they did nothing so ultimately laser was a better value. Here’s a before and after if you’re curious.

    And the powder sunscreen I use is just Physician’s Formula CC something or other. SPF30. It’s like $10

    akffy070qc0x.jpeg
    aj42bhjttbqt.jpeg

    ixm5l6zpokex.jpeg


    Wow, looks great. I will have to look into my options.
  • nooshi713
    nooshi713 Posts: 4,877 Member
    All of this skin care stuff is worth nothing without sunscreen usage. That is the main thing that keeps you looking young I think.
  • Motorsheen
    Motorsheen Posts: 20,508 Member
    Motorsheen wrote: »
    I love Thayer's Witch Hazel with Aloe and Rose Water (about $16.00 CDN) along with Joyal Beauty Organic Retinol Serum ($24.00 CDN) and Original African Black Soap (white diamond -- $13.00 CDN).

    Do you know how many tacos you can get with $53.00 ??

    To really compare you'd have to turn it into a whole math equation because a bar of soap lasts for over a month and both the serum and toner can last me up to two months so you'd have to figure out how many tacos you'd have to buy to cover about 6 weeks (or so).

    Okay now go.

    Ugh..... I wasn't prepared for a math problem.


  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    I love Thayer's Witch hazel with Aloe and Rose Water (about $16.00 CDN) along with Joyal Beauty Organic Retinol Serum ($24.00 CDN) and Original African Black Soap (white diamond -- $13.00 CDN).

    Witch hazel + Aloe + rose water ...Win!
  • 777Gemma888
    777Gemma888 Posts: 9,578 Member
    nooshi713 wrote: »
    It depends on what your concern is. For moisturization, you want something with hyaluronic acid in it.

    For spots/overall clarity/glow, vitamin C at least 10-15%, lactic acid, or alpha hydroxy acid andr/or hydroquinone.

    For wrinkles, tretinoin (Retin A) works.

    I am an ER PA but have done Dermatology before and am doing Aesthetics per diem now. Ask me anything!

    Hydroquinone... I am just not one to tango with the risk. Tretinoin is extremely drying - even by second hand exposure. Like everything else you'd listed. 👍👍
  • nooshi713
    nooshi713 Posts: 4,877 Member

    Hydroquinone... I am just not one to tango with the risk. Tretinoin is extremely drying - even by second hand exposure. Like everything else you'd listed. 👍👍

    There are possible side effects to any chemical/medication. Youre right.
  • go_cubs
    go_cubs Posts: 1,183 Member
    Pure rosehip oil
  • Evelyn_Gorfram
    Evelyn_Gorfram Posts: 706 Member
    Exercise. IMHE, the best beauty fluid is sweat, applied from the inside out. ;)

    (Plus, wear sunscreen.)
This discussion has been closed.