22 replies to this topic

[yazgirl]

Before I saw the dermatologist, I had the following regimen:
Wash with Oxy Face Wash and moisturize with Olay Sensitive SPF 15 Cream. I use Neutrogena Skin Clearing Concealer and Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation. I love these two because they don't clog my pores or make me break out. It's pretty light coverage though.

I've thrown out the Oxy Face Wash because all it did was dry my skin out. Now I use DermaDoctor Born to be Mild cleanser in the morning and Neutrogena Fresh Foaming cleanser at night. My dermatologist recommended the Neutrogena wash. I found the DermaDoctor cleanser by accident while I was surfing the net. I love the DermaDoctor because it makes my skin feel very smooth and even. It has a very luxurious feel. Definitely worth the hefty price. The Neutrogena face wash is great at night because it gets rid of makeup. I usually scrub my face in the shower with my fingers in a circular motion to get rid of the peeling skin. It actually works without irritating my skin and gets rid of the "peelies" and clogged pores.

Hope this helps anyone who is looking for great cleansers. I know I have been personally looking forever and I've finally found a great combo.

[ihatethisboo]

thanks.. ive been using proactiv and cetaphil and oil of olay... they just aren't doing it for me. proactiv isn't that great cetaphil isn't strong enough and oil of olay is making my skin dry and irritated

[yazgirl]

I just ordered two new sunscreens: DERMAdoctor Ain´t Misbehavin´ Skin Clarifying & Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 30 PA++ and Obagi SPF 35. Since I'm using retin-a, I figured I needed a higher sunscreen than the olay sensitive spf 15 cream I've been using since forever. I ordered two different sunscreens because I read good reviews for both and couldn't decide which one so I figured, what the heck, order both and decide for myself. A bit costly.. but I've never been able to find a non greasy sunscreen for my face other than the olay that doesn't break me out, etc.

I tried the dermadoctor one today. My review: It's pretty good. Doesn't make my skin oily and it does dry to a matte finish, sorta. Slight sunscreen smell. It goes on white but then it disappears, which is good. It doesn't feel heavy at all, lighter than the olay but enough to moisturize fairly well. My skin had a nice glow to it all day. So far, I really really like it. I'm trying the Obagi one tomorrow.

P.S. I ordered both from drugstore.com, it was about 30 bucks each. Hefty, I know.. but one tube lasts me for months so it's not that much more expensive than going to the store and paying $15 for something crappy.

[yazgirl]

I tried the Obagi SPF 35 today and I like this one too. No white look and it absorbs well. It didn't leave me shiny either! I guess I'll just use both of them since I like them both. If I had to compare, I think the dermadoctor one left me slightly shinier but it gave my skin a nice glow. They're both good as moisturizers too.

[Max101]

i tried Olay Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 Sensitive Skin and i just wore it one day and my face seems like it's moisturized for the week! No breakouts and it really was what i needed to diminish these stupid red marks with tretinoin

[yazgirl]

After a week of usage, I've decided that the obagi spf 35 is better for me. It doesn't sting, no smell, doesn't break me out. It moisturizes fairly well, not as well as the dermadoctor one, but it also leaves me with a less oily look. Actually, not oily at all, kind of matte. I like the dermadoctor in that it moisturizes very well but it has some acne fighting ingredients that sting my face a bit if I apply right after washing my face, especially since my skin is uber sensitive with retin a peeling and all that.

[yazgirl]

I think depending on the day, I like the dermadoctor spf sometimes and the obagi sometimes. The dermadoctor spf definitely moisturizes better because it has hyaluronic acid, which attracts moisture to your skin. I think I was going through an extra sensitive period there at the end of week 5. The dermadoctor spf doesn't sting on some days.

[yazgirl]

Skinceuticals Epidermal Repair Review. I don't really have a moisturizer right now.. threw them all out because they either irritated my skin or it was old. It's still pretty humid and hot so I haven't been moisturizing other than using sunscreen in the morning. So, I bought a moisturizer called Epidermal Repair. It's about $68 on the skinceuticals website but I bought it from skinmedix.com for about $55 with shipping.

So far, it's pretty good. It's light and doesn't irritate my skin. It's supposed to reduce redness, moisturize, and be good for skin comprised by retin-a and other chemical peels etc. I mostly use it around my mouth and around my eyes. On nights where I don't use retina, I use the epidermal repair. I use the cream version of retina so I don't need a moisturizer on retina nights. Despite the rumors, the cream version doesn't break me out.

[yazgirl]

I've been experimenting with mixing my dermadoctor spf and my obagi spf. The dermadoctor is very moisturizing but doesn't spread well and stings a bit. The obagi is light and nonirritating but not moisturizing enough. So I figured.. what if I combined the two? So far.. no serious adverse effects.. I actually like the two mixed since I get benefits from both. However, I am slightly paranoid that I might get a breakout in the future. Also, am I somehow making the active ingredients ineffective? The derma spf is a chemical blocker and the obagi is a physical blocker. Do they cancel each other out or something? Oh well.. the experiment shall continue..

[yazgirl]

I forgot that my dermadoctor sunscreen has willow bark, which naturally contains some salicylic acid. Technically, you're not supposed to use salicylic acid in conjunction with retina. I guess I am not since I use the sunscreen in the morning and retina at night but using this sunscreen alone (w/o) mixing with the obagi sunscreen stings my skin and probably contributes to the redness I've been having lately. Anyway.. I've been layering the skinceuticals epidermal repair under my sunscreen and it has helped somewhat to decrease the redness.

It's Sept and it's extremely humid and hot today in the New England coast. It's approx 93 degrees today! However, I am thinking about winter moisturizers/night cream already. I know that the cold winds and dry heat will make my skin very dry, especially with retin a usage. So I've been debating between lots of different night creams.. olay sensitive, skinceuticals renew overnight dry or oily, you name it. Finally, I think I've spotted something promising. I was looking at my dermatologist's acne help sheet and it listed the following cream to help with skin sensitized by retina. The skinceuticals epidermal repair helps but I don't think it will be enough in the winter. Here's the link with good reviews:
Replenish Hydrating Cream

Definitely a winter type cream since my skin is oily in the summers. I'll let you know my review after I order it and have a chance to try it for a week or so.

[yazgirl]

I got the md forte replenish hydrating cream in the mail yesterday and I tried it yesterday night and this morning. I layered it under my sunscreen. It's a really interesting cream. It's supposed to be ultra gentle, basically for people who are using retin-a or other medicated face products. It is ultra gentle. It has this weird vaseline consistency except it doesn't have that vaseline greasiness. It sinks into your skin immediately and there is no shine whatsoever. It moisturizes pretty well and there is absolutely no irritation. It feels very smooth going onto the skin. The only thing I don't like about it is that it balls up a little when I layer sunscreen on top of it. So I make sure to be careful not to rub the sunscreen in too much. Hopefully this will help in the winter.

[yazgirl]

After a couple days use, I really like the md forte replenish hydrating cream. The only things I don't like about the cream are that it balls up under sunscreen and that it has a slight odd smell. It has silicone as the 2nd or 3rd ingredient so my face looks super matte for hours after I put it on, yet at the same time, moisturizes instantly. I get dry patches around the corner of my eyebrows and the md forte takes care of it immediately. I really love that it is very soothing and calming. It really calms down the redness and doesn't sting at all.. perfect for sensitive skin.

At night, I usually put on the skinceuticals epidermal repair right after the shower and then layer the mdforte on top of it. On nights that I use retin-a, I'll wait 30 minutes, then put a TINY amount of retin-a, and then layer mdforte on top of it. So far.. it seems to help a lot with minor dryness from weather changes.

Oh yeah. And I'm still mixing the sunscreens and I haven't had any adverse reactions so I guess I'll continue to do it. My goal is to one day find a matte sunscreen! Is that possible!?!

I looked at dermstore and they have some powder sunscreens.. that might be interesting to try when summer comes around again. I figure I need to stick with the liquid sunscreens in the winter.. just to have the moisturizing benefits.

[yazgirl]

So I don't think I am using too many products. My goal is to use the least amount of products possible and make my routine pretty simple. But also to use high quality products that WORK! Ever since I started using retin-a, I have ditched a lot of my old staples. I used to use Olay Sensitive products a lot, ponds cold cream, vaseline, and all sorts of drugstore brand cleansers. And way too much benzolyl peroxide stuff (dan's, drugstore brands, etc.) that dried out my skin and make it super flaky. I've never tried proactiv or murad or any of the tv stuff.. just Dan's stuff and drugstore acne stuff.

What I am using currently that works (i.e. doesn't break me out and performs what it claims):
1) DermaDoctor Born to Mild Cleanser (Mornings)
2) Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser (Evenings)
3) Skinceuticals Epidermal Repair (whenever I am slightly red or sensitive)
4) MD Forte Replenish Hydrating Cream (Mornings and Evenings)
5) DermaDoctor Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 30 (Mornings)
6) Obagi NuDerm SPF 35 (Mornings)
7) Neutrogena Skin Clearing Concealer (Mornings)
8) Neutrogena Sheer Mineral Powder Foundation or Neutrogena Healthy Skin Pressed Powder (Mornings)
9) Boscia Blotting Linens (Once Midday)
10) Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lip Soothers SPF 20 (Mornings)
11) Generic tretonoin cream (.025%)
12) Duac

These are items that I use daily, more or less. I don't have any other makeup products. I don't wear mascara or eyeshadow or lipstick or any of that.. I have no idea why, these things don't interest me. Just clear skin I guess. I might ditch the Neutrogena Sheer Mineral Powder Foundation.. lately, it has made me look too white/pale. Plus, the powder isn't fine so it cakes up a little bit on my chin, even though I put very little powder on my face. Yes, I'm at the point where I need very little coverage. Retin a rules. Mostly just a little bit of powder to take away shine from the sunscreen. I've never used liquid foundation.. it doesn't appeal to me. Also, I'll probably ditch the duac when I'm done with my current tube, i.e., I won't ask my doctor for a renewal prescription. I don't really need it anymore. I use it now for spot treatment, but it doesn't do much at this point, the retin-a is the star here.

[yazgirl]

Products that I'm considering buying in the new year:
1) MD Forte Glycolic Cleanser Level I (12% Glycolic Compounds)
2) Skinceuticals Renew Overnight Oily (10% Mixed AHAs)

I have read really good things about using glycolic acid and other AHAs in conjunction with retin-a. Supposedly it helps with the exfoliation, which sounds great because retin-a makes you peel. I am thinking of buying the md forte cleanser to replace my morning cleanser when I run out (dermadoctor born to be mild). I think the dermadoctor cleanser is perfect for the dry winters but I am looking forward to next summer already, where I will need a slightly stronger cleanser for summer oily-ness. Have anyone used any of the above two products while they're on retin-a?

[yazgirl]

Morning Regimen:
1) Quick Shower to wake me up - I use the dermadoctor born to be mild cleanser.
2) Immediately put on a little bit of Skinceuticals Epidermal Repair on apple of cheeks and chin. Then a little bit of MDForte around eyes and eyebrows and other dry spots.
3) Wait 5 minutes for skin to dry and then layer sunscreen. I mix the dermadoctor and the obagi sunscreens.
4) Wait 10-15 minutes for sunscreen to absorb. Use a tiny bit of concealer if I need it and then Neutrogena Healthy Skin Pressed Powder to absorb the shine from the sunscreen.
5) Put on Neutrogena lip soothers spf 20 to protect my lips.

Evening Regimen:
1) Quick Shower - I use the Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Face wash to get rid of oil and makeup.
2) Wait 30 minutes for skin to dry.
3) Apply pea sized amount of retin-a.
4) Apply a little bit of MDForte to dry spots. This really helps with peeling.

On nights I don't use retin-a:
1) Quick Shower - same cleanser
2) Spot treat with duac. I use very very little.
3) Apply a little bit of MDForte to dry spots.

My evening regimen is so easy!

[Seabass]

Wow, to me, this is all so complicated. As for powder sunscreens, I use Colorescience Sunforgettable SPF 30 powder. It is seriously a miracle product. I hate putting anything on my face because I am paranoid about it but this is seriously a godsend for someone using retin-a or being out in the sun. It doubles as a makeup also because it is tinted and provides very very sheer amazing coverage that is so nice and natural. It's a bit expensive but lasts awhile.

[yazgirl]

Thanks, good to know. I actually saw the colorscience powder spf in the dermstore catalog. I was debating buying it in the summer so your review definitely helps.

In other news.. I am in love with this MDForte Replenish Hydrating Cream. So soothing, moisturizes really well, and makes me look MATTE! The $50 I paid for it.. most definitely worth it. I used to use olay sensitive moisturizing cream in the winter but it never fully covered up the dry skin that I used to get in the winter (due to using benzoly peroxide). Plus, once I started using retin-a, the olay made my face a bit red and stung a tiny bit, even though it's supposed to be for sensitive skin.

Plus, the MDForte Cream has vitamin C and E, which are good antioxidants for your skin. The only negative is no spf but it doesn't matter to me since I use it more at night than in the morning.

[SpeciousHope]

Good luck with Retin-a! I remember when I started using it again in '07 I was flaking like crazy.

[yazgirl]

Dr. Fulton is the co-creator of retin-a and I found this website that has some interesting info on females vs. males and their acne development. There's an acne age curve at the bottom of the webpage which makes perfect sense to me.. there's a huge epidemic of women in their late twenties getting mild acne due to hormones, birth control, makeup, etc. while males at the same age have their acne disappear. Pretty interesting.

http://www.betterhealthyskin.com/acne-caus...-acne-book.aspx

[yazgirl]

Also, Dr. Fulton says that the retin-a should be peeling your skin and it's a sign that it's working. Obviously there is a difference between a mild peel and whole chunks of your face falling off (which would be a sign you're using too much or uber sensitive).

He also says that at the current time, the best topical combination for acne fighting is glycolic (any AHAs), benzolyl peroxide, and retin-a.

I have ditched the duac (benzoly peroxide and clinamycin) but I am thinking of adding a glycolic acid to my regimen. I'm thinking of getting MD Forte Facial Cleanser I, which is the mildest with only 12% glycolic acid. I figure I would use it in the mornings to get rid of the dead skin brought up by the retin-a. AHAs are supposed to get rid of the dead surface skin while retin-a works under the skin to bring up new fresh layers. It seems like the combo of the two would do wonders. I'll let you know what happens when I decide to order it..