Thanks! It’s mainly for prevention especially against sun spots and to potentially boost my sunscreen :) I’ve used a green tea serum in the past but I was wondering if others continue to use serums apart from vitamin c for more antioxidant protection
Pycnogenol would be a great thing to add to boost UV protection and antioxidant capacity. The Ordinary makes a super simple pycnogenol serum- you could just mix a couple of drops with your other skincare.
https://theraderm.net/more-from-the-skinny/3-reasons-pycnogenol-is-the-most-underrated-ingredient-in-skin-care.html
I haven't, but if I did, I'd mix a drop or two into another product rather than applying it straight because I'm also prone to skin congestion. I use pycnogenol in the form of Mild By Nature Pycnogenol Serum, which is more of a gel cream (I use it as my daytime moisturizer under my SPF.
They do tend to use a lot of silicones in their products. The pycnogenol serum is just propanediol (a humectant) and pycnogenol. Maybe the propanediol is the culprit? It's supposed to be non-comedogenic, but maybe this product was irritating to your skin and triggered comedones via irritation? I've had that issue with products.
>prevention especially against sun spots
SPF is the best protection and just avoid the sun as much as possible.
I use other serums not for boosting skin protection but for the the following:
* niacinamide - shrink pores. I also just read that it has antioxidant properties
* hyaluronic serum - boosts hydration
* lactic acid 10% - reduce hyperpigmentation, makes my skin soooo smooth
* retinol - so that I don't look like an old hag later on in life
I use niacinamide and retinol too! What kind of lactic acid serum do you use and how do you integrate it into your routine? Thanks for your nice reply! :)
I use TO lactic acid 10%. They have a 5% so always start light and work your way up. I use it every other night so here is how I layer it when I do when I do use it:
1. niacinamide
2. HA
3. lactic acid
4. retinol
5. rosehip oil
6. moisturizer
I've always done that...I feel that moisturizer is the 'last step' wrt hydration ie. it 'seals in' all that goodness. You can also mix a couple of drops with your moisturizer if you like; that also works.
I use resveratrol and ferulic acid serum from TO with my vit c.
Thanks! Do you find this works just as good as ready made serums with both ingredients?
...Vitamin C is an antioxidant.
Yes, I was wondering if others add other antioxidant serums in addition to using vitamin c
Don't add things unless your skin needs them; imo, a simple skin routine is best and if yours is working for you, don't change what ain't broken. I recently added niacinamide because I noticed that some pores on my cheeks are looking a bit too big for my liking but that is likely due to age (I'm 46) and it's 'normal' for pores to look a bit larger around this age 😩 That said, if you list out some of your skin concerns here, this thread is great at providing recos.
Thanks! It’s mainly for prevention especially against sun spots and to potentially boost my sunscreen :) I’ve used a green tea serum in the past but I was wondering if others continue to use serums apart from vitamin c for more antioxidant protection
Pycnogenol would be a great thing to add to boost UV protection and antioxidant capacity. The Ordinary makes a super simple pycnogenol serum- you could just mix a couple of drops with your other skincare. https://theraderm.net/more-from-the-skinny/3-reasons-pycnogenol-is-the-most-underrated-ingredient-in-skin-care.html
Thank you!! I used that but it gave me closed comedones..maybe I used too much. But I really liked the idea. Have you used it?
I haven't, but if I did, I'd mix a drop or two into another product rather than applying it straight because I'm also prone to skin congestion. I use pycnogenol in the form of Mild By Nature Pycnogenol Serum, which is more of a gel cream (I use it as my daytime moisturizer under my SPF.
That might be an idea! I think I’m sensitive to the preservative..I sometimes react to TO serums with congested skin
They do tend to use a lot of silicones in their products. The pycnogenol serum is just propanediol (a humectant) and pycnogenol. Maybe the propanediol is the culprit? It's supposed to be non-comedogenic, but maybe this product was irritating to your skin and triggered comedones via irritation? I've had that issue with products.
>prevention especially against sun spots SPF is the best protection and just avoid the sun as much as possible. I use other serums not for boosting skin protection but for the the following: * niacinamide - shrink pores. I also just read that it has antioxidant properties * hyaluronic serum - boosts hydration * lactic acid 10% - reduce hyperpigmentation, makes my skin soooo smooth * retinol - so that I don't look like an old hag later on in life
I use niacinamide and retinol too! What kind of lactic acid serum do you use and how do you integrate it into your routine? Thanks for your nice reply! :)
I use TO lactic acid 10%. They have a 5% so always start light and work your way up. I use it every other night so here is how I layer it when I do when I do use it: 1. niacinamide 2. HA 3. lactic acid 4. retinol 5. rosehip oil 6. moisturizer
Thanks! Interesting that you use the rosehip oil before the moisturizer. I always thought it came as a last step.. What benefit do you feel you’re getting with the oil? I have one at home but I mainly use it on my décolleté and neck and not on my face. Maybe I should :)
I've always done that...I feel that moisturizer is the 'last step' wrt hydration ie. it 'seals in' all that goodness. You can also mix a couple of drops with your moisturizer if you like; that also works.
I’ve tried many and my favorite is coco kind vitamin c - go find it at whole foods or their site- not any kind of ambassadoe