I use the Timeless brand. I really like it. I buy mine from amazon, but if you buy it straight from Timeless I read it is much fresher. Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C Plus E Ferulic Acid Serum, 1 oz. I also use their squalane oil and Matrixyl.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036BI56G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_V58sCbC1KR14N
My routine is pretty simple.
AM & PM: - wash with Neutrogena naturals purifying facial cleanser - apply vitamin c serum (I’m on mobile so I’ll paste the link at the end) - apply Neutrogena visibly even daily moisturizer - If my skin is looking a little dull I might exfoliate with generic Walmart brand apricot face scrub
Vitamin C serum: https://www.amazon.com/Timeless-Skin-Vitamin-Ferulic-Serum/dp/B0036BI56G
Neutrogena Hydroboost Gel Cream
Hado Labo Plumping Gel Cream (Love this one! https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Tokyo-Plumping-Cream/dp/B00I4BUBN8)
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It didn't break me out but made my face beat red the next day. The niacinamide is at a high percentage in TO niacinamide. I got into diy and niacinamide was on my list of things to make and read a good study about niacinamide showing great results at 4% when its formulated with 2% NAG. It's suggested use is between 2-5%. I didn't use any vitamin C when using it either, because it can turn niacinamide into niacin (I think). My skin handled the serum I made just fine and it actually helped with inflammation.
If you decide to try it from TO, it's cheap. But there are a lot of other niacinamide products out there with a lower percentage. Cerave has a moisturizer with niacinamide and ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. It's in my cart, I definitely want to try it. CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM | 3 Ounce | Ultra Lightweight, Night Face Moisturizer | Fragrance Free https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00365DABC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HoWIDb8ZF0QSC
A month ago I was reading about niacinamide and azelaic acid because people seem to have good results with one or the other, or both. I have cystic acne and have been looking for something to help. I have read that niacinamide increases keratinocytes, and azelaic acid decreases the production of keratin. I made a post about it, but nobody ever had an answer. I get nodules and cysts on my jawline and neck, so I don't put as much niacinamide in that area. But I wish I knew more about this because so many people do use niacinamide and if it makes acne worse, that's not good.
It’s on sale on amazon too, comes out cheaper than ulta if you clip the 20% coupon to your cart
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, 1.7 Fl. Oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NR1YQHM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_XvzgAb0AHVHH4
Sorry, on mobile.
Vanicream Skin Cream With Pump Dispenser,16 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NWGCZ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_FmMsAbD58RBDP
Great stuff! No perfumes and it’s quite hydrating. I wash my face, apply jojoba oil, and last the Vanicream. I have a few pimplies occasionally and I have combination skin so I usually only need two applications during the winter as long as I work it with some jojoba oil. Target will have this too and will likely be a little cheaper in store than amazon.
Elta MD doesn't use avobenzone and is a great sunscreen! Not sure if the specific one I linked is water resistant, but I know they make many that are!
Rave: Neutrogena Hydro Boost gel.
I’ve been using Clinique’s Dramatically Different moisturizing gel for about a year now and I’ve had absolutely no complaints. I couldn’t make it to Ulta/Sephora before my moisturizer ran out, so I decided to make due with what I could find at Target.
Oh. My. Goodness. I know I didn’t expect much, but I’m so happy with this moisturizer. I have extremely oily, acne prone skin. Since using this moisturizer, I haven’t been oily or shiny midday like I usually am. I stay matte throughout the day. The product itself is cooling, smells great and feels dry almost immediately.
I even started this on my week off of birth control, and usually that’s a bad skin week for me. No breakouts! I’m thrilled.
Not OP but I find them on Amazon HERE
Your skin needs moisture. The extra oil it's producing is often times a sign of dehydrated skin.
What I recommend is a good lotion. Maybe a toner, too. And a face wash.
Try this:
Cerave hydrating face wash
Hada Labo gokujyn lotion (this is the toner) and can be found on amazon very cheaply. It's a very moisturizing product and is highly recommended by the /r/asianbeauty sub. Edit: Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist, 5.7 fl. oz. (170ml)
And my favorite lotion is Cerave lotion. However, if you choose not to go with that, just make sure that dimithicone, cyclomethicone or cyclopentasiloxane are somewhere in the ingredients, preferably near the first few ingredients listed. Also try Cetaphil lotion.
You wash, tone, lotion. You can repeat this day and night.
I do recommend a sunscreen, but at fifty, you might be less inclined and there are not any actives in this routine. If you're feeling spendy, you can opt for the Cerave AM lotion, which has some spf in it.
Vaseline is also good if the lotion doesn't seem like enough. Just put a thin layer on at night.
Idk your hygiene routine, but it might also help to wipe your CPAC mask down with alcohol every couple of days or every day. Even if you never have done so in the past, skin can change and by the sound of it, seems like yours has.
My skin is dry as fuck too. This is the lotion that saved my skin. Even when I was sick from colds and rubbing my nose skin raw from blowing my nose often this lotion kept it healed. Now I use a different brand called malezia but I find it a little lighter. I would personally get this, put a layer on my skin after its freahly washed. Wait for it to dry. Put another layer on. Wait for it to dry. Then top with a thin layer of vaseline.
It honestly sounds like you could have dehydrated skin and you should check out /r/skincareaddiction and /r/asianbeauty
Asian beauty was extremely helpful to me as I have almost completely restored my skin and it is so much better, plumper and brighter. I find that there are great, drugstore friendly priced products that you can use with an AB skincare routine, although the sometimes it might be harder to get products as quick, as most ship from Asian countries. One thing that has helped me is using a hyaluronic serum before I use a hyaluronic face mask. I use these twice a day (when I have the time, which is almost daily). I also use the hyaluronic serum before my mask, let it sink in for a couple minutes, put the face mask on and keep it on until it starts drying out (about 45 min, which seems long but I prioritize it). I then take the mask off and let it all soak into my skin for a couple mins, use the hyaluronic serum again, let it soak in and then out my moisturizer on. I've only been doing this for the past month and the intense change in my skin is absolutely ridiculous. These are the two products I use. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FQUGXA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_ and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IK8E6CC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_1Pq3wbJQ8VPVV
If you're worried about the price, you can buy bundles of sheet masks on Amazon for low prices.
They are, but I've found that the American retailers of Hada Labo charge a lot more than it costs to get the Japanese version from, well, basically anywhere.
Case in point, Ulta's Hada Labo Hydrator is $9 when it's half off for 1.7 fluid ounces of product.
Amazon Prime has the Hada Labo Gokujyun Moist for a little under $12 for 5.7 ounces of product.
CVS ran a similar 30% deal a week ago. I got excited and stocked up on things, then realized Amazon had the same items for much less than the CVS sale price. Example below. Cerave PM at CVS (before 30% discount) same product on Amazon
If you're not too picky about cosmetic elegance, Vanicream sells their 16oz moisturizing cream in tubs with a pump. For the amount, it's about $13-$14 depending on where you shop.
I’ve asked my dermatologist about this.
I finish washing my face and don’t entirely dry with a towel. I let my face be damp but not dripping, and then put moisturizer on.
I use Hada Labo plumping gel moisturizer. It is sd safe and I am so glad I found it recommended by another guy with sebderm.
https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Tokyo-Plumping-Cream/dp/B00I4BUBN8
After moisturizer, let it be for a minute. Then put the hydrocortisone (or other steroid.) My dr said it’s ok to just put it on top of the moisturizer and mix it.
(Try to use the steroid for only one week and then take a break. You can also backpedal slowly. So after a flare up do 2x a day for a few days, then once a day, then every other day. I think this makes it easier for your skin to adjust. My dr said I have to do one week on, one week off. Don’t use it every single day or there can be bad consequences)
I even use moisturizer, then hydrocortisone, then ketoconazole which is antifungal. You can wait 3 min in between each so it absorbs better.
I’ve had this for two years on my face, around my mouth, nose, laugh lines, and chin.
Any questions? Just ask. Hope you feel better.
I've fallen into an Asian Skincare hole lately, and absolutely LOVE Hada Labo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Lotion Moist as a moisturizer for oily skin. It's super lightweight, makes my skin so bouncy and hydrated, is cheap and you can get it with fast shipping from Amazon.
I've been using CeraVe PM lotion, and that works well for me. It's not like, OMG AMAZING, but it keeps me moisturized without being greasy/oily, and it doesn't break me out. (PSA: this stuff is apparently like 80% off the normal price right now on Amazon if you get it in a Prime Pantry box.)
I tried the Hada Labo gel cream before the CeraVe. I liked it too, but it left me feeling a little bit ... stickier? So now I've just been using it for my hands and neck.
Also, if you haven't already, you should definitely check out r/skincareaddiction. There's tons of great product recommendations and helpful people over there!
I see "crows feet" and I think "dehydrated". So.
1) Replace your exfoliant with CeraVe Hydrating facial cleanser. It's not going to feel like your face is clean for the first like week to two weeks because you're probably used to the very squeaky clean (stripped) feeling. But focus on how your skin feels about two minutes after you pat it dry - that clean-but-not-desert feeling is delightful.
2) Add a purely hydrating layer. Depending on what type of environment you're in, that might be Hada Labo lotion or a serum. If you're in a dryer area, you probably want a glycerine-based serum or lotion rather than a hyaluronic acid based one, as HA can actually draw water from your skin if there isn't enough in the air.
3) Consider a thicker night cream like CeraVe in the tub, Jason Gentle Basics night cream, or (again depending on your area) a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to help your skin keep the moisture in it. If you're in central California or the south - somewhere with humid air - putting your hydrating layer on, sitting for a minute or two, then finishing with Vaseline might be enough. If you're in Tucson, you're probably going to want something like the CeraVe in the tub or the Jason to add additional layers of hydration to your skin.
4) As /u/glittercrotch said, r/asianbeauty is a great resource. There are lots of skincare companies in various Asian countries that have affordable, high quality products that you can get on Amazon. The Hada Labo lotion is one, and you might check out something like the Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel-Cream for your thicker cream step.
Amazon usually has good sellers.
Hada Labo Lotion: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BSNBO9O/
Sunscreens: https://www.amazon.com/Biore-Sarasara-Watery-Essence-Sunscreen/dp/B00LA6QEOE/
I've bought both and as far as I can tell, they're legit!
This Timeless vitamin c serum ($15-$24, price fluctuates) is an almost exact dupe for more expensive ones (Paula's Choice is $48, etc.).
https://www.amazon.com/20-Vitamin-Ferulic-Acid-Serum/dp/B0036BI56G
Essential oils can always be bought cheap as fuck in bulk. On Amazon there are a few brands of argan oil for around $3.25/oz, as opposed to Josie Maran which is literally the exact same thing for $28.25/oz.
Always stay on the lookout. If something is expensive as fuck, chances are there is something with the same or similar ingredients for cheaper, especially things with very few ingredients like vitamin C serums or oils. Personally all of my skincare products (makeup remover, daily AHA, weekly AHA, vitamin C, serum, moisturizer, oil) are all under $25. I don't think I would spend more than $50 on a skincare product. That shit would either have to last forever or be liquid skin perfection in a bottle.
Timeless Vitamin C Serum - https://www.amazon.com/Timeless-Skin-Vitamin-Ferulic-Serum/dp/B0036BI56G/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1470623581&sr=1-1&keywords=timeless+c+serum
(This serum works better than the Paula's Choice serum, according to a website I follow that tested them against each other: http://www.hotandflashy50.com/vitamin-c-serum-comparison-timeless-paulas-choice-css/)
I can't speak for any other guy, but the one in my life has used the Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer SPF 30 for years and likes it because it is not shiny. Otherwise, a sunscreen that is mineral-based will provide longer lasting sun protection. Unless you are in the sun for more than 2 hours a day, you should be able to get through the workday without reapplying a regular sunscreen. If you wanted to be extra careful, using one with zinc in it would give you longer-lasting protection. CeraVe AM is one that's easy to find. They can look a little whitish on the skin, though, so a lot of people don't like them. (I wear EltaMD UV Clear or EltaMD UV Daily -- they are zinc based, a little pricier than drugstore but I like how they wear and they dry basically clear.) You can find them on Amazon, too.
Since you asked about "piling" stuff -- basically, apply things in order of thickness/heaviness, from most watery to thickest texture. Otherwise, lighter-weight products will get blocked from absorbing by heavier ones. So serums go first, then moisturizers. Apply serums everywhere on your face that you would apply moisturizer. You only need a few drops of serum -- rub it around, basically everywhere but eyelids. Then apply the moisturizer all over, too.
If you are using a separate sunscreen, the sunscreen should always be the LAST skincare applied, since other stuff might remove it or mess with it. But that's pretty involved. You can find a moisturizer with sunscreen easily, so no need to complicate things with a separate sunscreen step.
Tbh I don't think it's the percentage of hyaluronic acid that makes the Gokujyun lotion so great, but the molecular weight of it. The lotion uses a low molecular weight of HA which is more bioavailable, i.e. it will sink deeper into your skin rather than just sitting on top. The Gokujyun lotion actually uses 5 different types of HA with different molecular weights which, in theory, can hang onto moisture in varying levels of your skin. HA is also only effective in skincare products up to a certain concentration, so trying to maximize the amount of HA you get per dollar spent is probably going to be a waste of time at a certain point.
As far as cost is concerned, I got mine on Amazon for about $10. I'm really pleased with it so far and don't think I am missing out on any HA goodness because it's only $10.
Second all of this. I started using a Vitamin C serum at this age and several years later am grateful I started when I did. There are some inexpensive, highly rated products on Amazon for around $20.
I use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036BI56G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
and am very happy with it. HTH!
Agree with this person ^ In my experience, having dealt with bad hand eczema, Vanicream Moisturizing Cream (has the pump) is like the tank of moisturizers for those with sensitive skin. And for about $15, you get 16oz of product.
This one comes very highly regarded by rosacea support forums and has many good reviews on amazon. It's on my list to buy once I'm out of what I'm currently using.
https://www.amazon.com/Eltamd-Clear-SPF-48-Gram-1-7/dp/B002MSN3QQ?th=1
For skincare, I am currently using the Redness Solutions line from Clinique. I find it has helped with the redness and also general inflammation in my skin. I have subtype 2, with a cobblestone like texture in my temples and tiny pustules around my cheeks and nose. I have been using the Clinique for about a month and it has helped so, so much. I also use Finacea cream and that has worked wonders for me also. I'm not exactly 100% redness and bump free, but I've made great progress and will continue to use my regime and recommend it to anyone with Rosacea who hasn't tried it yet. Best of luck.
Actually no, the most common one people use is less than $10 on Amazon :)
edit: the link in my comment is actually for a pack of 2, if you only want 1 it's even cheaper.
Have you ordering it from Amazon?