Order of application?

[rachachella]

I just received my first order from the ordinary. I got the hyaluronic acid 2% + B5, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%. I have a prescription for Retin-A 4% from my derm as well as spironolactone for hormonal acne.

My question is can I use the N+Z and the Azelaic with the retin-A?

My current routine is:
AM
Cleanse
N+Z
HA+B5
AA
Cerave AM

PM
Double Cleanse
Rentin-A
HA+B5
Cerave PM

I'd like to make my AM routine shorter and PM the longer one but keep the Retin-A at night.

[mrsukyankee]

I would keep the N+Z in the morning and move the Azelaic into the evening. But make sure you wait between the Az and the Ret.

[rachachella]

Jul 15, 2017 10:40:41 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

I would keep the N+Z in the morning and move the Azelaic into the evening. But make sure you wait between the Az and the Ret.

Thanks! Would you do the ret first? Then HA then Az?

[jaycee]

Unrelated to your original question, OP, but how do you like spironolactone? My derm just prescribed it for me. I have very thin hair and he said it could possibly help with that too. How long have you been on it? Side effects? I hope you don't mind sharing.

[rachachella]

Jul 15, 2017 11:37:54 GMT -5 jaycee said:

Unrelated to your original question, OP, but how do you like spironolactone? My derm just prescribed it for me. I have very thin hair and he said it could possibly help with that too. How long have you been on it? Side effects? I hope you don't mind sharing.

I've been on it for about 7 weeks. I started at 25mg/day for a week, then 50 for a week and I've been on 100mg/day since. I haven't noticed a drastic improvement yet but they say it can take upwards to 3 months. No real side effects that I've noticed. I'm going this week to have my potassium levels checked.

It's a 2nd last resort for me. I did a round of accutane about 5 years ago and it worked well but I hated the side effects. If this current stuff doesn't work they want to put me back on that so I'm trying my best to avoid that.

Re thinning hair. I have thick hair so haven't noticed anything there but I will say I don't have to pluck my chain hairs as much or as often! So bonus?!

[jaycee]

Jul 15, 2017 11:47:53 GMT -5 rachachella said:

Jul 15, 2017 11:37:54 GMT -5 jaycee said:

Unrelated to your original question, OP, but how do you like spironolactone? My derm just prescribed it for me. I have very thin hair and he said it could possibly help with that too. How long have you been on it? Side effects? I hope you don't mind sharing.

I've been on it for about 7 weeks. I started at 25mg/day for a week, then 50 for a week and I've been on 100mg/day since. I haven't noticed a drastic improvement yet but they say it can take upwards to 3 months. No real side effects that I've noticed. I'm going this week to have my potassium levels checked.

It's a 2nd last resort for me. I did a round of accutane about 5 years ago and it worked well but I hated the side effects. If this current stuff doesn't work they want to put me back on that so I'm trying my best to avoid that.

Re thinning hair. I have thick hair so haven't noticed anything there but I will say I don't have to pluck my chain hairs as much or as often! So bonus?!

Thanks for the feedback. I also have problems with hair on my chin so that is awesome!

I hope this works for you. I agree that it will take a while. The anti-acne cocktail that has absolutely changed my skin for the better is clindamycin and retin-a.

[mrsukyankee]

Jul 15, 2017 11:00:07 GMT -5 rachachella said:

Jul 15, 2017 10:40:41 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

I would keep the N+Z in the morning and move the Azelaic into the evening. But make sure you wait between the Az and the Ret.

Thanks! Would you do the ret first? Then HA then Az?

I would do HA last of the three - the other two don't really matter which goes first.  

[rachachella]

I just have to say I'm loving The Ordinary products. It's only been 3 or 4 weeks but I've noticed a huge difference in the way my skin looks and feels.
Thanks for the advice on order of application. Here's some before and current pics. The lighting is bad in the first and 2 week pics. Sorry.

Current. Still a ways to go but I'm really happy with the progress.

[somersault72]

rachachella, I'm very excited to hear this! I got my Ordinary order this weekend so I've only been using it for a few days. I'm really hoping for good results! You look great!

[rachachella]

Aug 15, 2017 9:21:14 GMT -5 somersault72 said:

rachachella, I'm very excited to hear this! I got my Ordinary order this weekend so I've only been using it for a few days. I'm really hoping for good results! You look great!

Thank you!