Skincare Routine Help (Actives?)

[glitzy07]

Hello! I'm hoping someone might be able to teach me about actives like I'm 5? I'm running out of my current products and would like to add in something like a retinol or Vitamin C (or whatever makes sense for me). You'll see a theme with my current products because my sister is an esthetician and she uses Eminence Organics in her studio. She sells me products at cost and has given me a few things as gifts over time. 

Here's my situation:
- 32 years old
- Very pale, some freckles
- Pink undertones and some dull/dryness, but otherwise pretty good, even skin
- Most of the wrinkles that I'm noticing are around my under eye area - I have dark circles (thanks genetics!) and have to use concealer there or I look dead, but I've noticed lately that it's all settling into the fine lines.

Here's my current routine:
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (every other day, I mix in a shake of the Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant to exfoliate - this has a physical exfoliant plus lactic acid and is the product from my sister that I will definitely buy again)
- Eminence Bamboo Firming Fluid serum - this has a retinol alternative of some sort? I like it just fine, but probably won't buy again unless I can't find something else I like better
- Eminence Ultralift Eye Cream - This was a gift and I would probably never spend this much on an eye cream, even at cost, but I do like it.
- Moisturizer of some sort - Currently I have an Eminence day cream with SPF, or I just use CeraVe with SPF.
- Night cream of some sort - Currently I have an Eminence night cream that I won't buy again. Before that I was using a Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Night and I really liked that one.


All that to ask...how can I incorporate some actual actives into my routine? I'm definitely not getting any younger!

Is there a good serum that you'd recommend to replace my current serum? How about an eye cream with more oomph, since that's definitely a problem area?

TIA!

ETA: Should I be doing the whole double washing thing? I usually use a makeup remover wipe at night and only wash with cleanser in the morning. But I could be persuaded to actually wash and try an oil cleanser if it may help! 

[pantsparty]

I think a vitamin C serum is good for everyone. I use this one, it's a stable formula and doesn't require refrigeration. www.makeupartistschoice.com/Super-C-E--Correct-Sun-Damaged-Skin_p_185.html

MUAC also had some well-priced actives/acids. Mandelic acid is a good choice because it's fairly gentle, but they also have a lot of other choices as well. www.makeupartistschoice.com/Anti-Aging-Skin-Care_c_52.html

The Ordinary also has some actives, such as their BHA/AHA peel. I've also used COSRX BHA and AHA formulas. Those are a good value and the bottles have lasted me a long time.

For actives, you'll want to start slow and use them at night, and follow up with a good moisturizer. No need to get fancy, I like CeraVe Healing Ointment or the Cetaphil moisturizer in a tub.

If you're using actives, you absolutely need to wear sunscreen every day, without exception, since they will make your skin more prone to sun damage. I like Japanese sunscreens like Biore UV.

I do double wash at night, which you should also do if you're regularly wearing makeup and sunscreen. Using just a makeup wipe isn't enough. I use this one currently, it's not my favorite smelling, but it does get the job done and is fairly inexpensive. www.amazon.com/dp/B00RWX1CCI/ref=sxr_rr_xsim_1_s_it?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3513574162&pd_rd_wg=ZDK1F&pf_rd_r=ZRJGJB7TNET6ZD8EHYDE&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhs-carousels&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B00RWX1CCI&pd_rd_w=1TgqO&pf_rd_i=oil+cleanser&pd_rd_r=f5785d5f-807d-4ae5-90bd-d77a76904938&ie=UTF8&qid=1520974268&sr=1

[mrsukyankee]

Yeah, if you are using actives, I'd do more than a moisturizer with SPF - I'd go for a dedicated sunscreen on top of your moisturizer (and make sure it's at least 30, if not 50). Sunscreen is the thing that has helped me with my skin more than any other product.

I have sensitive skin so retinoid/retinols as well as AHAs/BHAs are too much for me. I found that Azelaic Acid is a fabulous active which isn't making my skin super red but still helps in a similar manner (albeit a bit slower probably).

[glitzy07]

Mar 14, 2018 7:48:21 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Yeah, if you are using actives, I'd do more than a moisturizer with SPF - I'd go for a dedicated sunscreen on top of your moisturizer (and make sure it's at least 30, if not 50). Sunscreen is the thing that has helped me with my skin more than any other product.

I have sensitive skin so retinoid/retinols as well as AHAs/BHAs are too much for me. I found that Azelaic Acid is a fabulous active which isn't making my skin super red but still helps in a similar manner (albeit a bit slower probably).

Question: The day cream I'm currently using has SPF 30. Would you still layer an additional sunscreen on top of that before make up? My foundation also has an SPF 15.

If so, are there any face sunscreens that don't make your face feel like an oil slick? I have dry skin but I still feel so greasy with every sunscreen I've tried, even if they are a facial formula.

[mrsukyankee]

glitzy07 , the one I find that works amazingly for my face and doesn't make my dry face feel greasy is this:

Shiseido

In the winter, it probably doesn't matter quite so much, but if you are spending any time in the sun or have light coming through windows/driving, then you probably want more protection. They've found that Asian SPF seems to work longer and better than moisturizers with spf.

[MrsAxilla]

Mar 14, 2018 10:00:48 GMT -5 glitzy07 said:

Mar 14, 2018 7:48:21 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Yeah, if you are using actives, I'd do more than a moisturizer with SPF - I'd go for a dedicated sunscreen on top of your moisturizer (and make sure it's at least 30, if not 50). Sunscreen is the thing that has helped me with my skin more than any other product.

I have sensitive skin so retinoid/retinols as well as AHAs/BHAs are too much for me. I found that Azelaic Acid is a fabulous active which isn't making my skin super red but still helps in a similar manner (albeit a bit slower probably).

Question: The day cream I'm currently using has SPF 30. Would you still layer an additional sunscreen on top of that before make up? My foundation also has an SPF 15.

If so, are there any face sunscreens that don't make your face feel like an oil slick? I have dry skin but I still feel so greasy with every sunscreen I've tried, even if they are a facial formula.

Those are chemical sunscreens so they're going to break down over the day. Physical sunscreens protect much better and last all day with normal activity. I've tried all of the Biore sunscreens and none of them are greasy. In fact, they usually matte down beautifully and act kind of like a primer.