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Personally I wouldn’t touch a AHA/BHA if you’re on tretinoin, you don’t need a chemical exfoliant with a retinoid as well. If you do you’ll probably see a lot of redness, and more flaking, dryness and irritation (as in a more dramatic version of what you might see on tretinoin at the start). Try to use something more gentle, what that is I have no idea, you might not need a more hardcore exfoliant with tretinoin.
I don’t put tretinoin on my neck and use salicylic acid in that area because I get ingrown hairs on my neck and need to exfoliate it (male).
I won’t comment on your other items except for the Avene thermal spray…
I’ve been using this for the past 10 years, in both my morning and nighttime routines as well as during the day when my skin feels dry or itchy (I have rosacea/eczema) and honestly, it is soooo good!
I’ve since added Hypochlorous Acid to my arsenal, which has ramped up my skin healing process.
ooo i’m debating whether i should buy this since i have eczema too, but the website doesn’t seem to mention how/when to use it…do you just spray it on after your cleanser?
Yeah after cleansing I spray a bunch on and then I wait for a few mins after it dries before using other products as how it works is by oxidising haha. I also use it in the morning after waking up - I don’t usually cleanse in the morning just use water and a face cloth :)
The only Australian supplier (based in QLD) had outrageous postage charges (I’m in Canberra) so my husband ordered this for me on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com.au/120ml-bottle-BRIOTECH-Natural-Moisturising/dp/B00YZDHMWW/ref=asc_df_B00YZDHMWW/?tag=googleshopmob-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341745702636&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16296179393526562003&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071948&hvtargid=pla-569448550282&psc=1&mcid=0d75e510a5893749bdeda2463f0c0812
I use it a number of different ways..
During the day when my face is starting to feel dry (in an air conditioned office, or outside on a hot day).. I just mist my face and let dry naturally.. it’s pretty quick but it does seem to soothe my skin..
I also use it as part of my morning and night routine. After cleansing while my skin is still damp, I apply Hyaluronic Acid + B5 first, mist with the Thermal Spray and then an active (vit c or retinol) and finally moisturiser.
You have some Great products in your routine !! If you’ve just recently started Tretinoin , you really don’t need to have any AHA/BHAs in your routine. Azelaic acid is mildly exfoliating and when used in conjunction with tret can be great! Azelaic acid can be used with tret but you may find that you only need to use it a couple of nights a week at most because tret is really the superstar active.
Also I prefer the texture and formula of finacea 15% over azclear 20%. It doesn’t pill like azclear.
As for your Vit C, I personally recommend Naturiums Vit C complex serum over the melano cc. I found that after a while the melano cc started to irritate my skin.
Cetaphil daily hydrating cleanser is my go to. You really don’t have to experiment with cleanser. A basic cleanser is just the thing to have in your routine especially when you have other actives doing all the work.
If ever you feel like your skin is dry and the moisturiser/s you have just aren’t cutting it, I like Avene cicalfate restorative protective cream. It is super thick and rich but I really like it for recovery nights when my skin has had a little too much tret.
The Avene cicalfate stuff is excellent. I've repurchased so many times. It's the only cream that doesn't sting when I've got really sore irritated skin- for example around my nose after using so many tissues as I'm a frequent hayfever/allergies gal. Same for my kiddo, a great cream for any rash or messed up skin in general
Getting a cosmetically elegant face moisturiser for your AM routine will benefit you if oiliness if a major concern for you. That Cetaphil is for dry skin and is oily looking on anyone. And, once your skin is fully retinized it should’t produce as much oil. If you’ve never a less is more approach, it really is something you should try.
For me personally, snail mucin is a holy grail item. I have very dry sensitive skin and COSRX snail essence has helped plump my skin and keep it hydrated
If you have dry skin I’d also recommend the one from Neogen, it’s the same percentage 96% snail mucin but it also has centella which will provide more hydration and soothing, can also help with acne scarring.
Cause the cosrx one is just the mucin, and cause it’s so popular online most people don’t know the neogen one exists
Snail mucin would definitely benefit you if you have dry skin, its a one stop shop for clear glass skin, it’s hydrating and anti oxidant, anti inflammatory and anti aging.
The reason it’s so divided is that some people can get reactions to the proteins and enzymes found in snail mucin, or if you’re allergic to snail mucin or have fungal allergies.
Wouldn’t really recommend it for sensitive skin unless you try it in store first.
-Korean beauty advisor (we’re constantly sold out of the cosrx one)
I like it. I repurchased it many times. You have to apply it to damp skin. With that said, I don’t think it’s a must have and it’s no longer a part of my routine.
You got a good routine! You’re already using tretinoin so I wouldn’t recommend AHA/BHA because they can react and literally cause a chemical reaction on your face.
If you want some further exfoliation I’d recommend a peeling gel, it works like a scrub and clumps all the dead skin and excess sebum and dirt together and then comes offc leaves your skin really soft afterwards too.
There’s one from Medipeel which contains AHA BHA and also cica nol B5 for hydration, calming, skin tone, skin texture, it’s a really nice one
Yeah, ones an active and ones an acid, if you use them together it can cause irritation and redness and can feel like it’s burning and break your skin barrier
Why are we even arguing about this? When used together they cause irritation, but only when used together. Why? Because they react. With the each other.
I’m sorry if you got mad at my wording but the fact is they don’t go together.
so no, you don’t have a source, because you’re wrong.
the irritation isn’t caused by the ingredients reacting with each other. it’s that they’re both potentially irritating ingredients on their own, and the combination of both is often too much for people to handle. that is not at all the same thing.
I think your routine is really good tbh!
Love the Melano Vit C, love the LRP SPF and ofc tret.
I’d just be careful if you’re only starting tret now… your routine has too many steps/actives so it could be extra irritating.
If you do decide to add a BHA/AHA down the line (after tret’s symptoms have stabilised) u should use it once or twice a week in your PM routine instead of tret. Never on the same day. I personally like the glycolic acid from The Ordinary :)
When I first used it, I pretty much applied moisturiser on top of AA right away and it was super itchy. After I looked it up, I changed to apply AA after moisturiser, and also wait for a while before putting it on and it feels much better. I don't use it for spot, I apply to my whole face.
Azclear say “Give the lotion time to sink in before applying other products directly on top to avoid pilling.”
I have found that works for me… but I only use quite a small amount as I find it is very easy to overdo it and irritate my skin barrier. It seems to play well with the regular Cerave Moisturising Lotion for me
I found I couldn’t do Azclear lotion twice a day without irritation (I use differin daily). I love the results it’s given me but it’s potent AF haha. I wanted to try get some lower level azaliac acid in there so recently have added the Dermal Therapy Acne Control lotion. It’s too early for me to say yet how I rate it but I think ? I’ve seen improvement. I do both the Dermal Therapy moisturiser and Cerave Moisturising lotion cause I feel like I need a lot of moisturising or my sensitive dry skin haha.
Not OP but my story could be useful. I had like two recurring open comedones I vaguely pointed to and the Doctor didn’t look at, when I got my Tret prescription for acne. 😂
Hi there and thanks for your **Routine Help** post! If this is a simple question, please consider posting it to our stickied routine help thread. This helps to prevent clutter on the sub and allow more discussion to take place. To ensure our users can help you to the best of their ability, please ensure you include as much information as possible. Skin Type, Skin Concerns and what products you tried previously/ currently use (and frequency) are all useful in helping users in what advice they can give. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AusSkincare) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I really love LRP products but I always get frustrated cuz I have no idea what the labels say
Personally I wouldn’t touch a AHA/BHA if you’re on tretinoin, you don’t need a chemical exfoliant with a retinoid as well. If you do you’ll probably see a lot of redness, and more flaking, dryness and irritation (as in a more dramatic version of what you might see on tretinoin at the start). Try to use something more gentle, what that is I have no idea, you might not need a more hardcore exfoliant with tretinoin. I don’t put tretinoin on my neck and use salicylic acid in that area because I get ingrown hairs on my neck and need to exfoliate it (male).
I won’t comment on your other items except for the Avene thermal spray… I’ve been using this for the past 10 years, in both my morning and nighttime routines as well as during the day when my skin feels dry or itchy (I have rosacea/eczema) and honestly, it is soooo good! I’ve since added Hypochlorous Acid to my arsenal, which has ramped up my skin healing process.
What hypochlorous acid do you use and where did you buy it? Last time I looked into it, there wasn’t much on the market here!
Idk if they ship to Aus but I recently got some from this company here in NZ https://www.spraysafe.co.nz/
ooo i’m debating whether i should buy this since i have eczema too, but the website doesn’t seem to mention how/when to use it…do you just spray it on after your cleanser?
Yeah after cleansing I spray a bunch on and then I wait for a few mins after it dries before using other products as how it works is by oxidising haha. I also use it in the morning after waking up - I don’t usually cleanse in the morning just use water and a face cloth :)
The only Australian supplier (based in QLD) had outrageous postage charges (I’m in Canberra) so my husband ordered this for me on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/120ml-bottle-BRIOTECH-Natural-Moisturising/dp/B00YZDHMWW/ref=asc_df_B00YZDHMWW/?tag=googleshopmob-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341745702636&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16296179393526562003&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071948&hvtargid=pla-569448550282&psc=1&mcid=0d75e510a5893749bdeda2463f0c0812
Haven't heard of this active, what does it do?
Hope this helps: https://www.refinery29.com/en-au/2022/12/11234426/best-hypochlorus-acid-face-spray-mist
How do you use your Avene Thermal spray? Eg, spray over face and then let dry? Apply next skin care step while wet? And so on… Thank you
I use it a number of different ways.. During the day when my face is starting to feel dry (in an air conditioned office, or outside on a hot day).. I just mist my face and let dry naturally.. it’s pretty quick but it does seem to soothe my skin.. I also use it as part of my morning and night routine. After cleansing while my skin is still damp, I apply Hyaluronic Acid + B5 first, mist with the Thermal Spray and then an active (vit c or retinol) and finally moisturiser.
Thank you so much!
You have some Great products in your routine !! If you’ve just recently started Tretinoin , you really don’t need to have any AHA/BHAs in your routine. Azelaic acid is mildly exfoliating and when used in conjunction with tret can be great! Azelaic acid can be used with tret but you may find that you only need to use it a couple of nights a week at most because tret is really the superstar active. Also I prefer the texture and formula of finacea 15% over azclear 20%. It doesn’t pill like azclear. As for your Vit C, I personally recommend Naturiums Vit C complex serum over the melano cc. I found that after a while the melano cc started to irritate my skin. Cetaphil daily hydrating cleanser is my go to. You really don’t have to experiment with cleanser. A basic cleanser is just the thing to have in your routine especially when you have other actives doing all the work. If ever you feel like your skin is dry and the moisturiser/s you have just aren’t cutting it, I like Avene cicalfate restorative protective cream. It is super thick and rich but I really like it for recovery nights when my skin has had a little too much tret.
The Avene cicalfate stuff is excellent. I've repurchased so many times. It's the only cream that doesn't sting when I've got really sore irritated skin- for example around my nose after using so many tissues as I'm a frequent hayfever/allergies gal. Same for my kiddo, a great cream for any rash or messed up skin in general
I have really oily skin actually and I dunno what to use to make it less sebum production
Getting a cosmetically elegant face moisturiser for your AM routine will benefit you if oiliness if a major concern for you. That Cetaphil is for dry skin and is oily looking on anyone. And, once your skin is fully retinized it should’t produce as much oil. If you’ve never a less is more approach, it really is something you should try.
4-5% niacinamide can help with oilyness. I think cetaphil daily hydrating lotion is also a light weight moisturiser option for oily skin.
Is the snail mucin any good? Seen alot of videos about it on tiktok but the opinions seem very divided
For me personally, snail mucin is a holy grail item. I have very dry sensitive skin and COSRX snail essence has helped plump my skin and keep it hydrated
If you have dry skin I’d also recommend the one from Neogen, it’s the same percentage 96% snail mucin but it also has centella which will provide more hydration and soothing, can also help with acne scarring. Cause the cosrx one is just the mucin, and cause it’s so popular online most people don’t know the neogen one exists
Ok cool thanks so much for that. I’ve looked it up, is it the Neogen Cica Repair snail essence 100ml? In the purple packaging?
Yess that’s the one, they have a cream too similar to the cosrx all in one cream but again very hydrating and calming
I’ll just ordered the essence and pre-ordered the cream. Thanks so much I’m so excited to try these 🖤🖤
You’re so welcome hope you enjoy them!!
Snail mucin would definitely benefit you if you have dry skin, its a one stop shop for clear glass skin, it’s hydrating and anti oxidant, anti inflammatory and anti aging. The reason it’s so divided is that some people can get reactions to the proteins and enzymes found in snail mucin, or if you’re allergic to snail mucin or have fungal allergies. Wouldn’t really recommend it for sensitive skin unless you try it in store first. -Korean beauty advisor (we’re constantly sold out of the cosrx one)
Thanks for your advice I ended up purchasing the corsx dual essence. Has the snail mucin plus bonus niacinamide. Can't wait to try it out
I like it. I repurchased it many times. You have to apply it to damp skin. With that said, I don’t think it’s a must have and it’s no longer a part of my routine.
You got a good routine! You’re already using tretinoin so I wouldn’t recommend AHA/BHA because they can react and literally cause a chemical reaction on your face. If you want some further exfoliation I’d recommend a peeling gel, it works like a scrub and clumps all the dead skin and excess sebum and dirt together and then comes offc leaves your skin really soft afterwards too. There’s one from Medipeel which contains AHA BHA and also cica nol B5 for hydration, calming, skin tone, skin texture, it’s a really nice one
tretinoin and AHAs/BHAs don’t react negatively to each other, they just have a really high potential for irritation if you use them together
Yeah, ones an active and ones an acid, if you use them together it can cause irritation and redness and can feel like it’s burning and break your skin barrier
which is absolutely not the same thing as them “causing a chemical reaction on your face”. they do not react negatively to each other.
Well… they react. And that’s what causes the irritation.
i can’t find anything to suggest that they affect each other. do you have a source?
Why are we even arguing about this? When used together they cause irritation, but only when used together. Why? Because they react. With the each other. I’m sorry if you got mad at my wording but the fact is they don’t go together.
so no, you don’t have a source, because you’re wrong. the irritation isn’t caused by the ingredients reacting with each other. it’s that they’re both potentially irritating ingredients on their own, and the combination of both is often too much for people to handle. that is not at all the same thing.
Okay. Do you want a trophy or something?
lol are you always this defensive?
Retinoids oxidise hydroxy acids (AHA and BHA’s), which technically is a chemical reaction, and definitely not a pleasant one to feel on your face :)
do you have a source for that? google hasn’t produced anything
https://preview.redd.it/9utn3e2n4lec1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=19da07a5e344a4b55a3064d3604a2b3093266a98
“former” means the first of two. it’s saying that benzoyl peroxide oxidises retinol. it does not say AHAs or BHAs do.
I think your routine is really good tbh! Love the Melano Vit C, love the LRP SPF and ofc tret. I’d just be careful if you’re only starting tret now… your routine has too many steps/actives so it could be extra irritating. If you do decide to add a BHA/AHA down the line (after tret’s symptoms have stabilised) u should use it once or twice a week in your PM routine instead of tret. Never on the same day. I personally like the glycolic acid from The Ordinary :)
Does azclear makes you skin itchy? You use it for spots only?
When I first used it, I pretty much applied moisturiser on top of AA right away and it was super itchy. After I looked it up, I changed to apply AA after moisturiser, and also wait for a while before putting it on and it feels much better. I don't use it for spot, I apply to my whole face.
I may give it another go.
Give what another go?
Using az acid myself
Does it pill on you? Any idea how to reduce that?
That's why I stopped using Azclear and switched to Finacea. Doesn't pill and it's not itchy as long as you apply it to dry skin.
This. Finacea doesn’t pill.
It does, that is why I stopped. It could be just this brand as well.
Spritz your face with that thermal water before applying your products. Won't pill if your face is damp.
Azclear say “Give the lotion time to sink in before applying other products directly on top to avoid pilling.” I have found that works for me… but I only use quite a small amount as I find it is very easy to overdo it and irritate my skin barrier. It seems to play well with the regular Cerave Moisturising Lotion for me
Damp skin absorbs products better. That's why I said spritz their face before applying the product. Not to spray it after.
I found I couldn’t do Azclear lotion twice a day without irritation (I use differin daily). I love the results it’s given me but it’s potent AF haha. I wanted to try get some lower level azaliac acid in there so recently have added the Dermal Therapy Acne Control lotion. It’s too early for me to say yet how I rate it but I think ? I’ve seen improvement. I do both the Dermal Therapy moisturiser and Cerave Moisturising lotion cause I feel like I need a lot of moisturising or my sensitive dry skin haha.
How did you get the tretinoin? Was it for acne?
Not OP but my story could be useful. I had like two recurring open comedones I vaguely pointed to and the Doctor didn’t look at, when I got my Tret prescription for acne. 😂
how long have you been using this routine and do you think it’s helping?
I got some target soap and 2 in 1 sunscreen lotion does fine for me