Nov 19, 2018

Jillann A.

First, you skin is gorgeous! No way in earth would I even think close to 50 if I hadn't read your review. Second, you know your stuff and I've bought a few different serum from here but I'm lost in when and how to use them. I have terrible discoloration and uneven skin tone from pregnancy mask and hormones from having my 3rd baby after 35. My skin is terrible. The dermatologist I've seen just care about my wallet not my skin.
If you don't mind, what would say for me to use that would actually help? I have hyaluronic acid 2%, AHA 30% BHA 2% peeling solution, vitamin c suspension 23% and high adherence silicone primer. I have no clue in what order or am or pm and advice would be greatly appreciated and anything else I could buy that's not the amount of my rent??

Oct 13, 2017

Amanda B.

I saw your review on Vitners Daughter.. I ordered the sample size and have to say was tempted to order the full size but you have me really intrigued with the products you mentioned in your review.. I'd love to pick your brains :) Maybe you could help me find something for my 50!! yr old enlarged pored with roascea prone to breakout skin! oh wait I forgot uneven skin tone and the fact I need to exfoliate on a pretty much daily basis.. ugh if you have a min.. what advice would you give me (seems like your pretty knowledgable even if its just because you have tried lots and lots of things)..

Dec 18, 2017

K D.

Oh, my! So sorry I haven't replied to this! I didn't even know you could chat like this on Beautylish! Just figured it out today when I went to change my photo.
From what you describe, you and I share a similar skin type (we're also of a similar age, I ust turned 47 this November. Yikes!). I am no professional, but I have had enough frustration with my skin to have tried nearly everything! So, what I'll start by doing is telling you what I do:
For me, I found my Rosacea flareups were directly linked to caffeine, red wine, sugar and refined carbs and surprisingly, central heating. It doesn't matter how cold I feel, I turn on the heat, I get a flare up. I tried Metrogel for awhile, but once I reduced my caffeine intake (2 cups of coffee a day tops), I just didn't feel like I needed it anymore.
The first thing I'll say is I base my skincare around the magical, scientifically proven triad of Retinol, Vitamin C, and Niacinamide. Long standing, well established scientific evidence for all three of these.
Having skin that can be temperamental, the first thing I do is look in the mirror to see what my skin it trying to tell me, Is it oily? Red? Do I have a breakout? Does it feel tight or look dull? I also tend to take season into consideration as well. In the AM, I keep it fairly simple.

For cleansers I'm using Yuli Halcyon when I feel oily, Josh Rosebrook Moisture Cleanse if all seems normal. If I feel dry or irritated I use an oil cleanser like Josh Rosebrook's Herbal Infusion Oil or Maya Chia Nourishing Cleansing Oil (the difference is the Maya Chia emulsifies and can be rinsed off, Josh Rosebrook does not.)

Then, I like to tone with a mist such as Yuli Cocoon or Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator, just something nice and gentle. I follow that with a hyaluronic acid serum such as Yuli Ambrosia or even The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid serum.

From there, I use Marie Veronique's Soothing B5 serum which contains 10% Niacinimide. It smells odd, but works so well I ignore it :). I have used and enjoyed The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + 1% Zinc as well.

I try to avoid using acids in the daytime (glycolic, BHA's, etc...) but If I have a pimple I use the Sunday Riley UFO facial oil to spot treat. It has Salicylic acid, but what I really love is that it has a lot of Milk Thistle in it. I find anything with milk thistle greatly helpful with irritation and inflammation.

Dec 18, 2017

K D.

Ugh...sorry its so long...then I put on a light oil for moisture, I use and love Yuli ME Skin Fuel, Kypris Prismatic Array, as well as both facial oils from Tata Harper. From there it's sunscreen. I'm using Australian Gold's Mineral Facial Lotion. I like that it's water resistant, but it is a tad heavy.

The evening is where I use all my actives. I'm a double cleanse fanatic so I start with a balm cleanser. I like Sunday Riley's Blue Moon or Emma Hardie Moringa. I follow up with a gel cleanser (the Yuli or Josh Rosebrook Moisture Cleanse). This is where I use my acids. I try to avoid Glycolic as I find it overly irritating. My recommendations are DCL's Penta Peel (normally, I prefer something without alcohol, but these work so well! Particularly great for oily skin and breakouts), Biologique Recherche P50 V or 1970 V and P50 PGM400 toners(smells awful, but gentle and effective. The PGM400 is specifically geared towards pigment problems), and Marie Veronique Intensive Repair serum (another excellent choice for pore problems).

Then it's a pea sized amount of Differin. I love this stuff. I feel like it really helps to keep the pores clear and thus smaller. Yay! Next, I'll do a retinol serum. I'm using The Ordinary's Granactive Retinoid 5% right now and it's great. I like to wait a few minutes to really let the retinoid serum soak in.

Then I use vitamin C. Either The Ordinary's Vitamin C Suspension 23%(strong stuff! I use it only 2 or 3x's per week), Yuli Cell Perfecto PM (specifically geared towards pigmentation/acne scaring), or Marie Veronique C+E+Ferulic (gentlest of the 3).

Dec 18, 2017

K D.

Then, I do another antioxidant type oil, but a bit heavier for the evening. Right now I'm mixing La Belle Lune and Marie Veronique's Barrier Lipid Complex. then I seal it all in with a balm. I use May Lindstrom's Blue Cocoon or Josh Rosebrook's Advanced Hydration Mask if I'm using a lot of actives, Maya Chia's Pressed Serum or Josh Rosebrook's Vital Balm Cream for lighter actives.

If you haven't, you should check out Caroline Hirons' blog. She's our age and pretty straightforward. Paula's Choice Beautypedia website is another great resource. It has a great ingredients dictionary.

Sorry it was so loooong. I hope it helps some :). Keep me posted.