If you use Vit C, Retinol, DE products, other actives, etc..

[ESF]

What's your routine for active, chemical products? I.e. not moisturizer or cleanser, but things like vitamin C serum and retinol and the like.

I'm trying to figure out what I really need to do. I know this is all going to depend on individual needs, but I am trying to get a sense of what others' routines are.  I've got so much product right now, and am thinking of doing some adjustments to find a routine that I can stick with.

Currently I use the DE C-Firma day serum about every day.  I have the DE Glycolic Night Serum, which I try to use about every other night.   I also have Babyfacial, which I rarely use because I hate waiting the 20 minutes to take it off, but I do notice a difference, so I should use more.

During the sale last month, I picked up a DE kit that had a small tube of their retinol product. I'm not sure how to work this in or if I even need to.  Using four active products seems kind of like overkill but maybe not.

What do you all do?

[bowies]

I use Vit C in the morning. That’s my only AM active so I’m not terribly worried about overdoing it. If I did use something like a glycolic toner after my Vit C then I would pay more attention to adding in lightweight layers of moisture after the exfoliating toner. Right now I’m doing: Vit C, essence, light moisturizer, sunscreen, primer.

At night, if I’m using retinol that is my only real step after cleansing since mine has niacinamide in with it: retinol, moisturizer. If I’m not using retinol then I will typically go: essence/toner mist, AHA/BHA, serum, moisturizer. If you want to use a heavy duty chemical exfoliator like BabyFacial, sub it in 1-2x a week for your regular AHA/BHA. My skin is in a good place right now so I’ve really pared down from things like masks.

ETA: I don’t use an AHA/BHA every day, and don’t have a heavy duty one.

[bluestreet]

Ideally, my actives go like this—

I use Vit C in the morning. It doesn’t increase photosensitivity and is supposed to help protect skin from sun damage.

I use retinoid in the evening. (Currently using Curology formula that includes Niacinamide and Azeliac Acid).

If you use AHA or BHA, I’d alternate with the evenings you use the retinol. At least initially. Some folks have skin that’s tough enough for AHA/BHA followed by retinol.

[ssmjlm]

Morning:
Colleen Rothschild Vitamin C
Fresh Beauty Brightener (although not impressed with this that much)
Cerave Light AM moisturizer with SPF

Night:
Retin-A .1% from derm
Eye cream
Night moisturizer OR Colleen Rothschild Hydration mask if I'm feeling really dry

[mortomo]

Morning:
DE C-firma mixed with DE B-Hydra
Olay Microsculpting serum
DE Protini

Night:
DE TLC Framboos
Curology (with Retin-A)
Korres Wild Rose and Vit C brightening sleeping mask (love this stuff)

I only use DE Babyfacial about once a month for the same reasons as you. I'm impatient when it comes to masks.

I bought some Paula's choice stuff a few weeks ago (can't even remember what I got) and need to figure out how to incorporate it into my routine. My brown/age spots aren't lightening like I would like them to.

[secretlyevil]

I use vitamin C in the morning and that’s it for regularly used actives. I am now seriously looking at using Curology but still working out the eyebrow waxing alternatives. When I do hit the trigger, I plan to use only in the evening. If I decide to put off retinol for awhile longer, I’m going to go back to using Truth serum at night.

[capscapscaps]

I use the Volition Vitamin C strawberry serum and the Sunday Riley Vitamin C oil in the morning.

Evening I use the Tatcha Vitamin C serum and Volition apple vinegar peel pads.

[Pippin]

No actives in the AM at the moment.
PM
Clarisonic AHA cleanser 3-4 days a week
SR Luna oil retinol
I’m also using a Good Genes sample before the Luna oil right now but it won’t last much longer and I don’t think it’s doing much to justify the price. I love the Luna oil though.

Has anyone tried the Derma-E Vit C Serum w/hyaluronic acid?

[beetea]

Jun 27, 2019 8:42:52 GMT -5 Pippin said:

Has anyone tried the Derma-E Vit C Serum w/hyaluronic acid?

Sadly, it didn't do anything for me and I went back to DE C-Firma. 

I use the DE C-Firma every morning followed by Farmacy Honey Drop or DE Protini, depending on how my skin feels.

In the PM, I alternate DE TLC and DE A-Passioni. I try to get the TLC in 2-3 times a week but if I use it too often my skin starts to feel dehydrated. I do a Babyfacial every 3-4 weeks.

[wawa]

Jun 27, 2019 8:42:52 GMT -5 Pippin said:

No actives in the AM at the moment.
PM
Clarisonic AHA cleanser 3-4 days a week
SR Luna oil retinol
I’m also using a Good Genes sample before the Luna oil right now but it won’t last much longer and I don’t think it’s doing much to justify the price. I love the Luna oil though.

Has anyone tried the Derma-E Vit C Serum w/hyaluronic acid?

The derma-e smells good. Feels nice. Didn't notice much effect.

[rubysoh0]

I only use DE products.
I use the DE vit C every AM
Once a week baby facial followed by Marula oil
Every other night is the tlc framboos alternated with the DE retinoid cream mixed in protini the other nights.