What are your favourite skincare products and rituals?
They can be cheap and cheerful pharmacy faves, or embarrassingly extravagant...
Got a serum or moisturiser you swear by?
An aging-well hack for happy skin?
Something that helps with peri/post menopause dry skin?
An indulgent face mask for your "me time"?
What can you not be without, and what has worked or not worked for you?
My current essential is cetraben ointment... it's bog standard and definetly no frills, but as I'm back on tretinoin its saved my skin from the dry, itchy, flakey stage, and the bonus is that it works on my bf's horrific scaly dry feet
My splurge is NIODs low viscosity cleansing ester, its the weirdest thing to clean your face with but it removes all the crap, and doesn't dry my skin. It feels 'oily' but isn't and my next products apply really well...its just really weird stuff
66 Comments
Filetternavn@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 7 pts · 32d
So, this is more than just skincare, but I have this comment already written for when someone asks about any of it! Here it is below:
Body:
Face
Wake-up
Bedtime
(yes, this has differences)
Self love days
(days I have off and want to do a little extra)
Hair (bonus!!!)
I wash my hair once every 3-4 days (so twice a week). At night, I put my hair in a bun to preserve it, and since I shower in the "morning" (for me), I'll leave it in the bun and put a shower cap on. I have somewhere between 1B and 1C hair (medium-high density) with a wolf cut, for reference
Wash days
Non wash days
And that's my routine! It looks very complicated, I'm sure, but I have it all down to a science at this point. Everything is routine, and I organize my products so I know which one to do next without having to think abt it. Everything has its place! My skin loves me for how I treat it, so I'm happy to go through every step in my routine. It feels so good to do skincare, bc it really is "me time". I'm doing so much just to treat myself well, and it works! I've had problems with cystic acne for years (especially on my body and neck), but at least since starting my face routine, my face doesn't really get breakouts anymore (unless I miss some makeup lol)! I may add a body serum to my repertoire at some point soon and see if that helps.
Anyways, hope u found this helpful! It's a lot, but I love my routine!
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 4 pts · 32d
Holy Shit!!!
I thought my skin/self care was involved (and I have a carry organiser with separate segments for my products)
I like The Ordinary too and have a few of their serums-AHA 30% peel, peptides and copper peptides, ascorbyl 12%, the pink serum. I've just started to fall in love with their squalane oil only to discover they've discontinued it.
How do you find peptides for your skin?
I'm completely undecided whether they actually do anything, I have been using NIODs CAIL which helped my skin over winter, but as it costs a lot I'm not sure its worth the splurge
Filetternavn@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 4 pts · 32d
I only use peptides on my eye contour and lashes/brows, but I've felt like it's helped me! Granted, I also use a retinoid on my eye contour, so I'm not sure I could isolate the effect, but I have very nice lashes and brows as a result of the multi-peptide lash and brow serum I use (not sure if it's the peptides or not tho lol)! The biggest improvement I noticed was from using the niacinamide + zinc serum and my exfoliating toner (glycolic acid 7%), as it significantly improved my acne! I can definitely say that the other products make my skin feel better (softer, smoother, more hydrated, etc.), but I'm really not great at noticing subtle changes over long periods of time bc I have a horrible memory. I get compliments about my skin quite often, though!
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 31d
Yeah I think retinol/tret does a lot of the heavy lifting in skin care, and its got a 50 year or so track record I think the peptides from geek & gorgeous are a more affordable option, if I want to keep using them in my routine
velma@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 32d
Seriously impressive routine, wowza! This is awesome! Thanks for sharing
I’ve seen a lot of The Ordinary in everyone’s comments hmmmm maybe they’re having a sale sometime soon…
Filetternavn@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 3 pts · 32d
Well, The Ordinary is already very affordable, especially as fas as skincare products go! They're one of the most affordable brands on that list. Other than the quality of their products and my experience using them, the affordability is a big reason why I often recommend The Ordinary products to people.
velma@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 32d
Even better! Thanks :)
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 31d
They do a "slowvember" in November when everything is 23% off for the whole month... get researching now!
velma@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 32d
My skin is very sensitive and dry and I probably have rosacea.
I use Cerave products and keep it simple:
I also use sunscreen every day.
Sometimes I use a BB cream when I wear makeup, I like the one from Erborian. It’s very gentle and blends well AND covers the red in my face.
I’ve tried a bunch of different products and landed on this routine like ten years ago. I could probably improve it, but overall I’m happy with my skin now.
Pipster@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 3 pts · 32d
I also like CerVe. I like the SA smoothing cleanser and the facial moisturising lotion (spf 50). The latter is what I always have on as the first layer before any makeup.
gingersaffronapricat@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 32d
My skin is sooooo dry and reactive. I too use the cerave in the tub for my face. So happy you learn someone else does 🥳😂
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 3 pts · 32d
I've only just started using cerave products- the pm moisturiser, a hydrating face wash, and a body lotion with urea. I'm quite liking them, especially the pm moisturiser as its doing its job to buffer the tretinoin I've restarted on
Do you know how the one in the tub compares to the lotion? I'm presuming its richer and more "fat"
velma@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 32d
I think you’re precisely correct - the moisturizer in the tub is richer and thicker. Sometimes I’ll use it as a body lotion as well!
I also have the SA Cream for rough and bumpy skin that’s really nice to use as a body lotion. Sometimes I get folliculitis and body acne and that lotion helps sooooo much!
fedikitty@piefed.social · 4 pts · 32d
I love doing vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night. I am not too picky about the brands for my serum, but I usually choose a good kbeauty one. I usually swap my retonol for an AHA BHA toner once a week to exfoliate. For cleanser and moisturizer I love vanicream and cera ve. They are great for sensitive skin.
velma@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 32d
I just left a comment about Cerave and having sensitive skin, you’re absolutely correct they’re great for it!
I might need to look into adding vit c into my routine. What benefits do you see most if you don’t mind me asking?
fedikitty@piefed.social · 2 pts · 31d
It helps with uneven skin tone and hyper pigmentation if I use it consistently. It also is supposed to help prevent sun damage and air pollutant damage, but obviously you still should use sunscreen.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 31d
If you're thinking about vitamin c start slow and low, it can really irritate the skin, but its amazing for brightening the complexion, fading age spots, as well as helping with some of UV that your SPF misses
ZDL@lazysoci.al · 4 pts · 32d
My skin (and hair!) "care" is purely Aleppo soap, proper hydration, and enough protein in my diet to keep my skin from going papery.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 32d
I thought they stopped making Aleppo soap due to the conflict in Syria? They usually have it on the soap stall at the Christmas market, but its been absent for several years now
It was nice though when I bought some, unfortunately these days I need extra moisture
I can get hold of Marseille soap, which is sort of similar, I have a massive cube for washing my brushes and art equipment 😀
ZDL@lazysoci.al · 2 pts · 32d
It's all over the place here in China. I suspect that it's been stopped being imported in the Americas.
The stuff I'm using is 3-year aged mixed olive/safflower oil. (The really purest grade is nothing but olive, but I've tried both and actually prefer the one with safflower as well.)
birdwing@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 4 pts · 32d
Water.
Wren@lemmy.today · 3 pts · 32d
Always wear a moisturizer or bb cream with sunblock every day. My dermatologist swears by it and she has the skin of someone twenty years younger.
I used to use expensive acne face wash until I discovered bioderma shower oil, I first got it because the winters leave me dry and itchy but it's been amazing on my face, too. It's expensive for a body wash but incredible for a face wash, plus I don't get dry and itchy anymore. After that I use a light combination skin toner, spf 30 moisturizer with retinol, then a light foundation plus mineral powder if I'm going out.
I only use aloe moisturizer everywhere else. People say I look young for my age, so it must be working.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 31d
Which aloe moisturiser do you use? I was looking into them once for body care but was put off as a lot of them were aloe powder based and I thought they wouldn't be any good
Wren@lemmy.today · 2 pts · 31d
I get life brand aloe moisturizer with vitamin E lately but I used to make my own with 97% aloe gel, vitamin E, shea butter and jojoba oil.
LavaPlanet@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 31d
I know most people don't like tiktok, or insta, but there's an amazingly awesome ghoul, on there called Nina Pool. She is autistic and her special interest is researching ingredients in products. She has a dupe for every expensive product available on the market. But also, along side she explains what they do, which is hugely informative. Highly recommend.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 31d
Damn that's the problem with avoiding most social media is that there is some good stuff on there, but I never get to know about it
I bet her info is amazingly thorough
LavaPlanet@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 30d
I'm yet to leave tiltok, (forced to keep fb). You can just use a Web page to look her up specifically. Have a notebook, you'd never have to go back. I could probably find some good ones and post them, maybe. Do we post tik toys here on Lem? I have a few saved.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 30d
I'll search for her on my PC this week, I can do more on there than on my phone, so I may be able to view her videos with a work around 👍
LavaPlanet@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 30d
If you can't, let me know, I've been looking for a reason to deep dive and write down all her tips. It's just hard because she shows the cheap product, and doesn't always name them, so screenshots etc. Plus I don't live in US so I can't go to the dollar store, for most of the stuff she recommends.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 29d
Nice one👍 that's very kind of you
sunbrrnslapper@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 32d
I really like The Ordinary products. Their eye serum works well for me and I love their squalane cleanser.
velma@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 32d
My bff swears by stuff from The Ordinary
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 30d
Yep, they certainly changed the skincare industry, and the good thing is lots more brands are out there with % of actives listed, and are as affordable
I think my faves have been the mixes rather than the single ingredient, I like the soothing barrier support serum, copper peptides, as well as a bunch from niod too
Beth@piefed.social · 3 pts · 32d
No preference on face wash. I like aestura atobarrier under light sunscreen for my skin barrier. At night it’s cerave moisturizer. Some of my skincare routine (in my personal consideration) is also my dietary choice rather than topical stuff. Anyways I kinda keep it simple.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 32d
Another cerave fan!
Agree with your dietary comment, plenty of water, fruit and veg, also salmon is good for the skin too...now if I could just wean myself off Ben & Jerries ice cream for the sake of my skin and waistline 😄
Beth@piefed.social · 2 pts · 32d
Ben and Jerries is diabolical. If I have it in the house I just eat it all. So I avoid it.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 31d
I never thought it possible to eat an entire tub in one go, but it's incredibly easy to do...👍
dkppunk@piefed.social · 3 pts · 32d
My skin is very sensitive to anything on it, so my routine is incredibly simple:
That’s it. I sometimes use a very light moisturizer on my t-zone, but only if my skin is noticeably dry. I don’t use sunblock very often, especially on my face, but I frequently wear hats and lightweight jackets if I’m going to be outside. I do use sunscreen if I’m intentionally going to be doing an activity in the sun like sea kayaking.
My skin is so sensitive that I can feel everything on it all the time. I’ve tried the lightest moisturizers I can find and I feel greasy all day long. The only body lotion I use is Vaseline Intensive Care in the green bottle and I only use it in winter when my skin is dry and itchy. Anything else on my skin makes me feel like I’m oozing grease all day.
I also can’t use hand lotion on my palms or inside of my fingers. I only put it on the backs of my hands and rub them together. Otherwise, the sensation of lotion on the inside of my hands gives me the big ick.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 31d
My bf has really sensitive skin too, its impossible for him to wear sunscreen because it burns, and practically anything else. He can use cetraben ointment on his skin now and even though it's a bit like Vaseline it 'soaks in' and doesn't leave a greasy film
Sensitive skin is no joke when the things you need to protect it cause you to react badly to it
As an aside I've found using cushion puffs (the things to apply foundation etc) really useful as I hate having sunscreen etc on my fingers and hands, so I use the cushion puff for application at home and on the go. I also use the back of the hands method to apply sunscreen to my arms, I must look like a contortionist when doing my biceps lol
dkppunk@piefed.social · 2 pts · 30d
Oh man, I have so much sympathy for your boyfriend! My skin doesn’t react to things that badly except with certain ingredients, specifically flowery scents dry my skin out and make me super itchy.
I just feel the lotion all day long, it feels like it never fully absorbs into my skin and just sits on top, which is what makes me feel greasy. I can feel it when it rubs off on inside my clothes and I have to wash my hands multiple times before I stop feeling it on my palms. In the winter, when I get dry and itchy, I put lotion everywhere but I have to sit naked for like 30-60 minutes until I feel like it’s fully absorbed, and that’s the really lightweight stuff.
I did like an Olay face lotion with sunscreen that I don’t have issues with, but mostly stopped using it when I switched everything to cruelty free products. I have a light weight one I use when necessary but otherwise, I just cover my skin when I go outside. I also had a vitamin D deficiency at one point, so I don’t cover up everything all the time because I don’t want that again lol
I am definitely going to try your puff method! That sounds like it could work for me too.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 30d
Do try the cetraben ointment if you can, it starts off like Vaseline then when you stop rubbing it seems to vanish. It speaks volumes if my bf can handle it 😃
dkppunk@piefed.social · 2 pts · 30d
I definitely will thanks! If I can’t feel it on my skin I’m going to be praising your name lol
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 29d
Or if you end up covered in a greasy slick you'll be cursing me instead 😄
RBWells@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 28d
I think 90% of my results are retin-a and sunblock. But here's my routine, or as my kids say, the 40 potions a woman over 40 uses.
Morning: rinse with water. A light toner mist called Haruharu Black Bamboo; DMAE serum from DermaE, copper peptide cream. Wait then mineral sunblock from Prequel.
Evening: Heimish Mandarin cleansing balm, then the CeraVe not-soap bar cleanser. Same toner and serum as morning, then I have been alternating RetinA and estrogen cream.
Random body lotion, I don't love the one I'm using right now except for the smell, which is lovely.
Monthly - ish esthetician facial too.
ETA I have also been Rogaine ing my eyebrows to fill sparse areas with pretty good results, as my sister says, the 1990s were not kind to eyebrows.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 28d
I'm curious on your opinion on copper peptides? I'm still not 100% on them, and as I also use tretinoin I'm thinking that that is probably doing the heavy lifting anyway (and has a long track record too)
Also a question about the estrogen, are you using vaginal cream on your face? I've just recently heard that that's a thing now, if so how is that working for you? And do you know how it compares to hrt gel (the stuff you can use instead of patches)
I'd love to know how you've been getting on with both
Cheers
RBWells@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 28d
Yes at night the vaginal estrogen cream on my face, every second or third day. I do take 1 lmg oral estriol every day too as MHT so the face is just for skincare. I do know there are many receptors in the face. I had an estradiol day cream before but just using the vaginal estriol seems to work better - I started out just using it on my lips (the ones on my face) out of desperation when they were so dry, and since it worked for that I stopped buying the day cream.
The copper peptide cream in the morning I do like - that and the dmae plus some microneedling is helping to keep my skin firmer. Esthetician says it's good too. The one I use is Tosowoong, and apparently the DermaE serum also has some so they play nice together (some ingredients will inactivate the copper, or cause irritation I don't think you can use it with vitamin C.)
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 26d
Wow it sounds like both the estrogen and copper peptides are working well for you.... I'm glad the estrogen helped heal your lips 👍
Duke_Nukem_1990@feddit.org · 2 pts · 32d
Usually I just use the most sensitive face cleanse the local drug store has (Rossmann, for the german girlies here, cause fuck DM!) together with a day/night face lotion from the same store.
I also eat pretty clean and fully plant blased and I swear that has a positive effect on my skin.
Have some dry skin around my nose but haven't really yet found something that takes care of that permanently.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 31d
Yep, a good diet and a bit if exercise definetly helps...plus a good nights kip and as little stress as possible
SharkWeek@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 32d
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 32d
Yep sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!
I've not tried the Nivea one, is it the Asian version?
SharkWeek@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 32d
Duke_Nukem_1990@feddit.org · 4 pts · 32d
Ehh for how much sun protection is that rated? Just "UV Filter" makes me think you probably want a better one/dedicated sun screen. Personally I always wear 50+ but I like being pale.
SharkWeek@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 31d
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 31d
A truly international sunscreen!
SharkWeek@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 31d
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 31d
I just wish there was an easier way to get decent sunscreen (asian, western etc) without the hassle
SharkWeek@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 31d
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 30d
I'm in the UK, I can get the Western ones easily enough, its the Asian ones. I have bought via Amazon, but I'm wary of fakes etc and stylvana website has some very mixed reviews. I'm still searching for a 'marketplace' website where I can buy decent sunscreens without ridiculous import duties
It would be nice to have a good choice of aesthetically pleasing Japanese/Korean sunscreen for daily use, and my La Roche Posay for more heavy duty times
unknown@piefed.social · 2 pts · 32d
I love threads like these! My routine is pretty basic these days but I love looking up the products people use.
Cetaphil non-foaming face wash is the gentlest I've found so far that is both affordable and comes in massive bottles, and I use it for any shaving I do too.
Vegtable glycerin for toner is unbeatable imo. It's cheap and super hydrating and helps actives penatrate. I buy it in bulk as I make my own eliquid with it too.
Retinol, vitamin c, salycillic acid, and niacinamide are my actives of choice and the only things I splurge on. I'm not picky about what brand and I rotate between them.
Blue tub Nivia is my moisturiser. It shamefully isn't vegan (I am otherwise) but for decades now it's been the only moisturiser that my skin really likes and is also cheap and easy to find.
(I tried so many vegan creams looking for my grail and it gave me so much anxiety at one point that I gave up and just made my peace with blue tub Nivia.)
I very rarely go outside during the day, and wear wide brimmed hats and long sleeves when I do anyway, so I don't tend to need suncream often. I don't think I even own one right now tbh.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 31d
This isn't basic if you're using retinol, niacinamide, vit c etc, this is a well curated and targeted skincare routine!
To be honest I'm whittling my lotions and potions down to vit c, tret, maybe peptides maybe not, barrier support serum, acid exfoliant, and moisture either lotion or serum etc
Also Glycerin is highly underrated for moisture, I'm going to diy a rosewater spray with some glycerin in it for on the go refreshment at some point
unknown@piefed.social · 2 pts · 29d
Unless you're also adding preservatives, only make a few tens of ml at a time as it will go off and get funky otherwise. You could repurpose an empty 30 ml actives bottle for it.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 26d
Forgot to ask, what preservatives do you recommend for your diy skincare? Thanks
unknown@piefed.social · 2 pts · 26d
Honestly this isn't really something I've dabbled much in, I've lived a pretty nomadic life for the most part and never really had the storage space for all the seperate ingredients that proper diy skincare involves.
My glycerin toner literally involves tipping a little bit of the pure glycerin straight out of the bottle into my hands, and then activating it with water and tapping it into my skin. It's hella basic, I just make very, very sure not to get water into the glycerin bottle.
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 2 pts · 29d
Thanks for the tip, I'll make small quantities, I don't fancy having a slick of ming all over my face
arcine@jlai.lu · 2 pts · 31d
I only do two things :
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 31d
I feel your pain, I hate the sun it's too hot, bright and makes me sweaty and horrible. I've also had really bad sun burns in the past so now its spf50 all year, plus UV protection clothing (hoodies, sleeves, hats etc), sun umbrellas, and avoidance at all times
My dads skin burns and doesn't tan, and while I do tan (after I've usually Burnt) I just avoid
My dad incidentally is using a really horrible cream to treat solar keratosis (?) on his cheeks and forehead and looks horrendous. Its like he has thick, brown, oozing, crusty barnacles on his skin, last year he had the top of his ear removed as it was going cancerous. This is the man who would wear a semi transparent white hanky on his head at the beach to protect his bald head
Sun damage is no joke, and yes moisturise!
quinacridone@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 31d
So my full routine currently is
Face
AM niod LVCE or cerave hydrating cleanser, niod SODS mist or la Roche Posay mist with niod hylauronic acid serum, niod survival 0, cerave PM cream and either la Roche Posay spf50 or skin aqua super moisture gel SPF 50
When I'm ready I'm going to introduce The Ordinary ascorbyl glucoside 12% before the survival 0 for anti oxidant and brightening
PM niod LVCE or cerave hydrating cleanser then either
or
Once a week I do a wash off mask currently either niod flavanone mud or myrrh clay, but I'm aiming to introduce the ordinary aha & bha 30% at some point when my skin can tolerate it
I'm using up a lot of niod products at the moment which I won't be repurchasing, and eventually I'll be looking into geek & gorgeous vit c, and maybe power peptides
For my body its either alpha renewal lotion aha or cerave lotion with urea, both of which I've only recently started
One thing I cannot recommend highly enough are the French pharmacy thermal water mists, they are amazing on sensitive skin, I know it seems like a rip off as its "only water", but my god there's something magical in them
Also for the hot weather a bog standard water mist to cool you down. I've read of some people using rose water with a drop or 2 of glycerine added, which I haven't tried yet. They're perfect for on the go refreshment!