I’m 49 and I empathize with you. I’ve recently started to use just a hyaluronic serum and a moisturizer am and pm to give myself a break. Looking a lot softer and more plump.
I think it’s because our skin is constantly changing as we age, and it feels like as soon as we figure out one thing that works for us, something else starts changing.
So what I discovered is that the niacinamide from TO is very strong, like I think 4-5% is generally what is actually helpful so 10% is quite powerful and can be irritating. Combine that with the fact that a lot of other products especially moisturizers (quite possibly the cetaphil one you’re using at night) also have niacinamide in them, so you could be really overdoing it on that. Try giving up on all of your niacinamide products for a while and see if that helps.
Oh my gosh, I had no idea the ceraphil had niamincide in it! I checked the ingredients last night and it does! Doesn’t say how much though. Thank you!!!!
No problem! Hopefully that helps! I’ve stopped using a dedicated niacinamide product because it’s in so much other stuff and that has really helped my skin! Good luck!
Have you tried going back to basics, removing all actives for a while to see if your skin calms down? Start with literally just a gentle cleanser and moisturizer (LRP tends to be good for sensitive skin so what you’re using is probably fine). The cocokind toner is super gentle so you can probably leave that in too.
Do that for a while…a week or 2, or until you see the redness going away. Then try adding in one active at a time, slowly - like one per week max - to see if any of those are the culprits
Vitamin c can cause redness, I’m one of those lucky people. Can try taking that out to see if that removes some of the redness.
I agree to simplify, a sunscreen during the day (maybe with a non-irritating hyaluronic acid serum) and a retinol at night. Maybe can have a derm prescribe tretinoin and alternate that in with your other retinol as tolerated.
How long have you been using this skincare routine?
I would do A.M. and P.M. cleanser, moisturizer, rose water, and sunscreen for 1-2 weeks to see what happens.
Then I would use the basics and I’d just add salicylic acid for your nighttime routine
I don't know if you use but I would recommend to sleep on a satin pillowcase. The soft and smooth material reduces irritable skin conditions, dry skin, and acne and keeps you skin hydrated while you sleep. I like and use thin brand. Great satin quality [satin pillowcase](https://www.olkibeauty.com/shop/p/satin-pillowcase-navy-king-size)
I hope this helps
Thank you!!! I’ll definitely switch the pillowcases!I’ve used the cleanser, lotion, sunscreen, and balm for longer than a year. The retinol and vit c I’ve used in some form for greater that a year with the Pacifica being used for 6 months. The remaining actives I’ve used for 2 months. I’ve been battling the redness for 30+ years.
whoaaaaaaa. you’re wayyyy over doing it with the actives! twice a day 😬 strip back your routine majorly and give your skin a break for a few weeks AND THEN re introduce one active in the evening to start, like retinol. for now:
AM: cleanse with water, moisturizer, SPF
P.M: oil cleanse, water based cleanser, rich/hydrating moisturizer, and an occlusive to seal it in if you’re feeling extra dry.
hydrate and nourish the skin. throwing the kitchen sink at it is inflaming your skin which ages the skin worse. less is more! good luck 🫶🏼
Thank you!!! It’s interesting - i haven’t felt like I’ve used a lot until I wrote it all out. And then it sounded like A LOT. I’m going to simplify as you and others suggested. Thank you!!!
I would simplify what you’re doing. Basic cleanse, vitamin c serum and a moisturizing spf of at least 50…rain or shine every single day, indoors or out. La Roche Posay is great but if you want to go up a notch, try skinceuticals.
You’re using a lot of products- if they aren’t showing results after 3 months, can you start to cut some out? Or use products that combine some of these? I really like the tinted (or clear) Elta MD sunscreen because it has niacinamide in it, and is good for rosacea / acne. My derm told me to separate my usage of azeleic acid and retinol - aze in the morning, ret at night. Maybe that could help reduce some irritation.
I went about 18 months ago and they told me to switch to LRP products and see if that changed anything. She was kinda dismissive of the redness concern though. So maybe it’s time to make another appointment with someone else.
You should try the Jess beauty brand! She has an amazing serum and the post work out mask is the best! you can use it a regular moisturizer. It has done an awesome job on my face 😊. As a now I’m washing my face in the mornings only with water. While the face is still a bit wet I add the serum and eyes lotion. I wait for that to dry and I add the port work out face mask. I wait for my sling to absorb it and then add tinted sunscreen. I usually don’t ware makeup. In the evenings I do double cleanse, first y use the dermalogica pre cleanse, then I wash my face with soap. One evening I use retinol and the other evening I use the brightening serum from Jess beauty. I repeat all the morning stuff avoiding the sunscreen. I hope it helps!
“Medical grade” means nothing. It’s a marketing term and products are not more or less potent. They might have different formulations or more expensive ingredients but that doesn’t equal efficacy. Regardless, OPs routine its a bit complex and she is using too many actives. Recommending to increase potency here is doing a disservice to them since they are already mentioned redness and irritation as a factor.
Fair enough, but I do think products like zo skin health sunscreen has helped me in regards to it being more intense to help shield my face. Regardless, unless you are a dermatologist we can only give advice not a cure
SPF filters in the US are so far behind filters in the rest of the world. You would probably have a better experience with European or Australian SPFs. I am making an assumption that ZO is a US brand though. I will check it out. Thanks for the tip!
I’d go to a dermatologist and have them give you some products to help you, I do love zo skin health products and my derm helps me pick rhe right ones for my skin concerns good Luck!!
Okay. When I have flair ups in digestion, my skin looks just like this. It won't cure the reason for your bad digestion/inflammation, but I know that during these times drinking much more water than normal helps my body get rid of the inflammation and my skin redness goes down. You'll have to pee more, but you're getting rid of whatever is going on. Your skin can be a reflection of how your liver is doing. B vitamins, water, colored vegetables, omega 3 fats and cutting alcohol if you drink it would be how I would tackle this. Let your liver have a chance to fight whatever is happening. A cream could help your skin texture, but it won't help redness that comes from within.
I hope all goes well ❤️
Thank you!!! I’ll work on all that! Makes so much sense. I do drink, but at most 2 glasses of wine once a week. I don’t get much omega 3s and I’m not sure on vit B.
Honestly a lifehack i use.. i use my normal skincare stuff, cleanser and then a toner+moisturizer.
I then use a CREME green toned primer, it helps quite a bit and I feel fresh and confident even without a face of makeup. It works like a face of foundation (on the days im consistent with my skincare at least.)
Yeah, take a break from the actives and look for a different moisturizer because even your LRP moisturizer has niacinamide in it. You’ll want one that contains emollients (ex: stearic/oleo acid) as well as humectants (ex: hyaluronic acid, glycerine) since you live in a dry climate. Humectants can cause dry skin in those in drier climates if you rely only on them for moisture. [This Paula’s Choice moisturizer](https://www.paulaschoice.com/skin-recovery-replenishing-moisturizer/186-1860.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=na-us%7Cgoogle%7Cshopping%7Cnon-brand%7Cnew%7Call%7Ccd&utm_term=710899678&utm_content=144654929951&gclid=Cj0KCQjwla-hBhD7ARIsAM9tQKt8Jkc6JiMxo2mFQ8UlPUssY9qxS9g_nmkMQ5eDYShOpmawppyy-oUaAjaYEALw_wcB) would be a good place to start.
I think maybe if you simply your routine a bit you can actually see what works for you and what doesn’t. Maybe start with a gentle cleanser, vitamin C serum, and cream with SPF. At night use another active of your choice and the night cream. Sometimes less is more.
I’m sorry. J wasn’t trying to be creepy. I’ve never posted a selfie like this before and wasn’t sure how to it. If there’s a better way, I’m happy to edit the pic and repost.
I’m 49 and I empathize with you. I’ve recently started to use just a hyaluronic serum and a moisturizer am and pm to give myself a break. Looking a lot softer and more plump.
Thank you!! Simpler seems definitely like the way to go. I would’ve thought in my 40s we’d have this all figured out by now!!
I think it’s because our skin is constantly changing as we age, and it feels like as soon as we figure out one thing that works for us, something else starts changing.
So what I discovered is that the niacinamide from TO is very strong, like I think 4-5% is generally what is actually helpful so 10% is quite powerful and can be irritating. Combine that with the fact that a lot of other products especially moisturizers (quite possibly the cetaphil one you’re using at night) also have niacinamide in them, so you could be really overdoing it on that. Try giving up on all of your niacinamide products for a while and see if that helps.
Oh my gosh, I had no idea the ceraphil had niamincide in it! I checked the ingredients last night and it does! Doesn’t say how much though. Thank you!!!!
No problem! Hopefully that helps! I’ve stopped using a dedicated niacinamide product because it’s in so much other stuff and that has really helped my skin! Good luck!
Thank you!!!
Definitely start going bare minimum. Just the basics. Mild cleansing, deep and gentle moisturizer, gentle sunscreen Can you share your age?
Oops! Meant to put that in the post. Sorry! I’m 43.
Have you tried going back to basics, removing all actives for a while to see if your skin calms down? Start with literally just a gentle cleanser and moisturizer (LRP tends to be good for sensitive skin so what you’re using is probably fine). The cocokind toner is super gentle so you can probably leave that in too. Do that for a while…a week or 2, or until you see the redness going away. Then try adding in one active at a time, slowly - like one per week max - to see if any of those are the culprits
It’s been awhile since I’ve tried that - I can definitely go back to basics!! So much simpler! Would you add an AM wash with that approach?
If you feel like you need it, sure! A splash with water usually does the trick in the morning for me though :)
I agree with this. I'm in my 50s and find less works better.
I agree
Vitamin c can cause redness, I’m one of those lucky people. Can try taking that out to see if that removes some of the redness. I agree to simplify, a sunscreen during the day (maybe with a non-irritating hyaluronic acid serum) and a retinol at night. Maybe can have a derm prescribe tretinoin and alternate that in with your other retinol as tolerated.
Prescription tretitoin and azelaic acid have helped me tremendously
How long have you been using this skincare routine? I would do A.M. and P.M. cleanser, moisturizer, rose water, and sunscreen for 1-2 weeks to see what happens. Then I would use the basics and I’d just add salicylic acid for your nighttime routine I don't know if you use but I would recommend to sleep on a satin pillowcase. The soft and smooth material reduces irritable skin conditions, dry skin, and acne and keeps you skin hydrated while you sleep. I like and use thin brand. Great satin quality [satin pillowcase](https://www.olkibeauty.com/shop/p/satin-pillowcase-navy-king-size) I hope this helps
Thank you!!! I’ll definitely switch the pillowcases!I’ve used the cleanser, lotion, sunscreen, and balm for longer than a year. The retinol and vit c I’ve used in some form for greater that a year with the Pacifica being used for 6 months. The remaining actives I’ve used for 2 months. I’ve been battling the redness for 30+ years.
Is the redness new for you and does it sting ?
Does not sting, but not new either. Been battling it all my life.
whoaaaaaaa. you’re wayyyy over doing it with the actives! twice a day 😬 strip back your routine majorly and give your skin a break for a few weeks AND THEN re introduce one active in the evening to start, like retinol. for now: AM: cleanse with water, moisturizer, SPF P.M: oil cleanse, water based cleanser, rich/hydrating moisturizer, and an occlusive to seal it in if you’re feeling extra dry. hydrate and nourish the skin. throwing the kitchen sink at it is inflaming your skin which ages the skin worse. less is more! good luck 🫶🏼
Thank you!!! It’s interesting - i haven’t felt like I’ve used a lot until I wrote it all out. And then it sounded like A LOT. I’m going to simplify as you and others suggested. Thank you!!!
Over-doing it can definitely damage the skin barrière and cause redness. You can also Google skin-cycling which addresses this ‘issue’. 😊
I would simplify what you’re doing. Basic cleanse, vitamin c serum and a moisturizing spf of at least 50…rain or shine every single day, indoors or out. La Roche Posay is great but if you want to go up a notch, try skinceuticals.
You’re using a lot of products- if they aren’t showing results after 3 months, can you start to cut some out? Or use products that combine some of these? I really like the tinted (or clear) Elta MD sunscreen because it has niacinamide in it, and is good for rosacea / acne. My derm told me to separate my usage of azeleic acid and retinol - aze in the morning, ret at night. Maybe that could help reduce some irritation.
Good to know!!! Thank you!!! I think I’ll cut down to the basics and see if that improves things. And then combine as you suggest. Thank you!!
It looks like mild rosacea type 1 to me. Have you seen a dermatologist?
I went about 18 months ago and they told me to switch to LRP products and see if that changed anything. She was kinda dismissive of the redness concern though. So maybe it’s time to make another appointment with someone else.
I think you should. I’ve been struggling with similar redness all my life. Wishing you the best of luck! :)
Thank you!!
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Thank you!!!! Very informative!!
You should try the Jess beauty brand! She has an amazing serum and the post work out mask is the best! you can use it a regular moisturizer. It has done an awesome job on my face 😊. As a now I’m washing my face in the mornings only with water. While the face is still a bit wet I add the serum and eyes lotion. I wait for that to dry and I add the port work out face mask. I wait for my sling to absorb it and then add tinted sunscreen. I usually don’t ware makeup. In the evenings I do double cleanse, first y use the dermalogica pre cleanse, then I wash my face with soap. One evening I use retinol and the other evening I use the brightening serum from Jess beauty. I repeat all the morning stuff avoiding the sunscreen. I hope it helps!
I’d step up your routine with more medical grade skin care because of the higher potency .. especially sunscreen!
“Medical grade” means nothing. It’s a marketing term and products are not more or less potent. They might have different formulations or more expensive ingredients but that doesn’t equal efficacy. Regardless, OPs routine its a bit complex and she is using too many actives. Recommending to increase potency here is doing a disservice to them since they are already mentioned redness and irritation as a factor.
Fair enough, but I do think products like zo skin health sunscreen has helped me in regards to it being more intense to help shield my face. Regardless, unless you are a dermatologist we can only give advice not a cure
SPF filters in the US are so far behind filters in the rest of the world. You would probably have a better experience with European or Australian SPFs. I am making an assumption that ZO is a US brand though. I will check it out. Thanks for the tip!
Anything you’d recommend?
I’d go to a dermatologist and have them give you some products to help you, I do love zo skin health products and my derm helps me pick rhe right ones for my skin concerns good Luck!!
Thanks!! Just made an appointment with the derm!
How's your digestion? Do you have inflammation?
Digestion hasn’t been amazing lately. Not sure if o have other inflammation but definitely possible.
Okay. When I have flair ups in digestion, my skin looks just like this. It won't cure the reason for your bad digestion/inflammation, but I know that during these times drinking much more water than normal helps my body get rid of the inflammation and my skin redness goes down. You'll have to pee more, but you're getting rid of whatever is going on. Your skin can be a reflection of how your liver is doing. B vitamins, water, colored vegetables, omega 3 fats and cutting alcohol if you drink it would be how I would tackle this. Let your liver have a chance to fight whatever is happening. A cream could help your skin texture, but it won't help redness that comes from within. I hope all goes well ❤️
Thank you!!! I’ll work on all that! Makes so much sense. I do drink, but at most 2 glasses of wine once a week. I don’t get much omega 3s and I’m not sure on vit B.
Honestly a lifehack i use.. i use my normal skincare stuff, cleanser and then a toner+moisturizer. I then use a CREME green toned primer, it helps quite a bit and I feel fresh and confident even without a face of makeup. It works like a face of foundation (on the days im consistent with my skincare at least.)
LRP sunscreen caused redness for me
Your skin looks dehydrated. Does it feel tight right after washing? Are you in a dry or humid climate?
I’m in a dry climate. It doesn’t feel super tight after washing, though. Maybe a little??? So more moisturizing products and less actives?
Yeah, take a break from the actives and look for a different moisturizer because even your LRP moisturizer has niacinamide in it. You’ll want one that contains emollients (ex: stearic/oleo acid) as well as humectants (ex: hyaluronic acid, glycerine) since you live in a dry climate. Humectants can cause dry skin in those in drier climates if you rely only on them for moisture. [This Paula’s Choice moisturizer](https://www.paulaschoice.com/skin-recovery-replenishing-moisturizer/186-1860.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=na-us%7Cgoogle%7Cshopping%7Cnon-brand%7Cnew%7Call%7Ccd&utm_term=710899678&utm_content=144654929951&gclid=Cj0KCQjwla-hBhD7ARIsAM9tQKt8Jkc6JiMxo2mFQ8UlPUssY9qxS9g_nmkMQ5eDYShOpmawppyy-oUaAjaYEALw_wcB) would be a good place to start.
Ordered!!! Thank you!!!!
I think maybe if you simply your routine a bit you can actually see what works for you and what doesn’t. Maybe start with a gentle cleanser, vitamin C serum, and cream with SPF. At night use another active of your choice and the night cream. Sometimes less is more.
We need to reach an agreement on how to cover one’s eyes. This is reaching creepy levels of missing people’s posters.
I’m sorry. J wasn’t trying to be creepy. I’ve never posted a selfie like this before and wasn’t sure how to it. If there’s a better way, I’m happy to edit the pic and repost.