Preventing acne and wrinkles?

[Deleted]

I am 29 and still have mild acne, but at the same time I know it's time to get serious about wrinkle prevention. I'm just struggling with how to do them both at the same time! When I ask my dermatologist about wrinkle prevention, his only answers are sunscreen and Retin-A. I am pretty good about wearing sunscreen, and I've been using Retin-A for about a year. I can't tell any results from the Retin-A, but I've been sticking with it on principle. I did go up to a higher dose for awhile, but that was drying out my skin so my derm dropped me back down to 0.025%.

Now I'm using Duac topical gel (acne treatment) and Retin-A on alternate nights. My derm suggested that I use Duac in the mornings and Retin-A at night, but Duac feels like cement on my face and I really don't want to wear it all day, so he said to try alternating nights. This actually seems to be working as my acne is as good as I've ever seen it. But now I'm concerned about wrinkle prevention and feel like I should be using a night cream. I just picked up Olay Regenerist night cream, but I'm not sure how to fit it into my skincare routine. Can I layer it with the Duac or Retin-A?

I'm curious to hear how those of you battling both acne and wrinkles do it. Thanks!

[Deleted]

I wonder about this too. My derm has given my antibiotics for my skin as well which is nice because it eliminates that problem, but antibiotics are no ideal for a variety of other reasons.

So far I've been mostly ignoring the wrinkle issue. I'm just trying to drink more water and I do stay out of the sun and wear sun screen daily.

[boxer08]

You can use lotion/sunscreen/nightcream on top of retin-a and duac.
My derm says you don't have to let it soak in and can even mix then together before application. I usually let the meds sit for 5-10 minutes because I think they are more effective that way.
I haven't used retin in a while but it was awesome ( after the whole burning-drying phase). Just know that it's not recommended while TTC (random FYI).

[boxer08]

Oh and for anti-aging...a recommendation from someone would be great! I've been using the Olay regenerist night lotion (purple one) for years but I think it's more moisturizing than correcting? It can be so overwhelming! Especially when you're also trying not to rock the boat with breakouts.

[Deleted]

Jun 10, 2012 13:04:16 GMT -5 boxer08 said:

Oh and for anti-aging...a recommendation from someone would be great! I've been using the Olay regenerist night lotion (purple one) for years but I think it's more moisturizing than correcting? It can be so overwhelming! Especially when you're also trying not to rock the boat with breakouts.

Seriously. I am so overwhelmed by skincare choices.

[Deleted]

Jun 10, 2012 19:20:58 GMT -5 v said:

I hated Duac, by the way, so I stopped using it. The benefits never seemed to outweigh the damage to my towels/clothes.

I know, I've had to be really careful about it. I change into my PJs before applying it at night, and I bought white towels just for me. I think it does help with my acne, though.

Thanks for sharing your routine. That sounds pretty complicated, but I could probably stand to have a more serious skincare routine. I will look into the products you mentioned!

[ejpint]

I just use my anti-acne stuff once a day, then balance it with good, moisturizing skincare.

My routine -
Morning:
PanOxyl face wash
Clendamycin antibiotic wipes
Some kind of anti-aging serum, right now I'm working through some samples.
Josie Maran SPF40 face lotion
Benefit eye cream

Evening:
Origins Checks and Balances wash
Origins United State toner
Clarks Botanicals smoothing marine cream (love this stuff)
Again, eye cream - I usually use something a little richer at night

If my skin is clear, I might take a day or two, or even a week off from the acne wash - I just use the Origins. If I start to see breakouts, I have a Clinique spot treatment, and I go back to the acne wash.

Once a week I use a mask - right now I'm using Origins charcoal mask.

[boxer08]

Is duac bleaching to materials? Ive only used it in the mornings (finacea at night).
Speaking of, I think the finacea is more effective that the duac, but man does it BURN until you get used to it.

[Deleted]

I'm not familiar with finacea. Is it for acne? I just googled it and it looks like it's mostly for treating rosacea.

[Deleted]

Jun 10, 2012 20:09:47 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

DUAC was great for my skin. I cant imagine anything being better for wrinkles than Retin A. I would continue to alternate every other night. DUAC for daytime would make me grease city

Did you see results from Retin-A? I haven't noticed a difference in my skin, but I'm wondering if maybe it prevents the wrinkles from getting worse.

Do you use the brand name or generic? I know that generics have the same active ingredient, but I wonder if the brand might make a difference in topical meds where the formulation makes a difference.

[ssmjlm]

I'm on doxycycline for acne and retin-a. (Although both will stop soon for TTC.)

I only do the retin-a every other day and right now cerave PM at night. I need to find an anti-aging night cream b/c I know the cerave isn't doing much.

[boxer08]

Jun 11, 2012 6:29:26 GMT -5 @redbellpeppers said:

I'm not familiar with finacea. Is it for acne? I just googled it and it looks like it's mostly for treating rosacea.

Not sure if acne is the top use but it's what me derm prescribed in combination with the duac.
But really nothing's better than retin-a, I stopped using it since were TTC.

[Deleted]

I'm obsessive about skincare, with the particular goal of minimizing and preventing wrinkles. This should help.

www.pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=recommendations&action=display&thread=9878

Your doctor's answers of Retin-A and sunscreen are because those really ar the two best things you can do. How long did you give the higher strength Retin-A before going back to .025%? I'd really try to build up to at least .05%, and that may mean doing the higher strength only once a week and gradually increasing it. I had terrible flakes when I started on Retin-A (I started at .05%), but my skin adjusted after a couple of months. When I bumped it up to .1%, I barely had any adverse reaction at all. It can suck to live with the side effects, but if you push through it, they go away for most people.

You definitely need to add antioxidants during the day to wear with your spf 30. If you want to do more, I would do a copper peptide product. Neova is a really great brand.