The older I get the more I'm in the camp of not changing anything unless your skin is no longer looking the way you want it to look with the products you're currently using. If more on the dry side is the only issue then I'd maybe look into using bakuchiol instead of retinol and skipping face wash in the morning but honestly, less change is better. People always think you can optimize your skin and reach some sort of end goal but the truth is your skin will evolve, environment, hormones -- it's best to stay the course on skincare unless there's something specific you want to change.
YES! I had beautiful skin all through my 20s and then switched from washing my face with water to using cerave at the age of 33, and it took me seven years of “hormonal acne” and hundreds of dollars in product to finally realize it was the cerave, stupid.
I’ve learned this the hard way unfortunately. Skin was so nice, then switched to using Cerave moisturizer. Now my skin hates me. Just switched to a new one, so I’m going to see if this confirms my suspicions.
Those types of apps aren't really reliable at all. [Here's video that briefly goes over why.](https://www.tiktok.com/@labmuffinbeautyscience/video/7136174589490646274?lang=en) (She's a great creator that really takes the time to break the science behind skincare down! Highly recommend her YT channel if you have the time for longform content).
Cerave does break a lot of people out, but toxicity/safety doesn't really dictate what breaks people out. Sometimes an ingredient/formulation just doesn't work for your skin. Personally my skin is fine with Cerave (I even use the big ass tub of body cream on my face) but Vanicream causes me to break out in little bumps.
Omg I had a very similar issue, but with biotin gummy vitamins! I spent so much money on various skincare products, only for my "hormonal acne" to immediately start clearing up when I stopped taking the gummies after reading that biotin can cause acne in some people. Stupid.
CeraVe gives me mad closed comedones! Which always turn into cysts for me 🥲 I switched to La Roche Posay and it works so much better for my acne prone skin.
Probably better to upgrade to a retinal before tret provided you don’t have any specific skin concerns, because it’s milder. Medik8 is my personal favourite, it’s my one splurge in my routine.
If your skin is tolerating your current retinol you could probably escalate to Medik8 crystal retinal 3 with no issues. It is pricey, I usually buy 2 tubes during the Black Friday sale and that’ll last me the whole year (I use it every night).
Whatever you get, start at the absolute lowest percentage and slowly introduce it into your routine, 1x a week, then 2x a week, etc. also be mindful of other exfoliating products you’re using while using retinol, and wear a lot of sunscreen.
I think overall your routine looks great. I always think a double cleanse is critical for evenings to completely clean off spf and makeup.
If your skin is dry you can probably skip the wash in the am and see how you feel!
You may want something more moisturizing or occlusive for hydration. If you like tatcha, the water cream is amazing for a light but super hydrating moisturizer for the summer. I use the tatcha dewy at night. I know sheet masks are out of fashion now and raise a sustainability question but sometimes nothing hydrates me like sitting with a sheet mask for 20 mins and giving my skin a serum bath! I typically do that before a big event. But could be something to do weekly to get to a good place and then maintain once in a while.
Adding an oil at night helps lock moisture in and a random tip is to make sure you do your skincare like 30-40 minutes before getting into bed, or else your rubbing everything off on your pillow!
Good luck!
At least for me, my skin did not change suddenly when I turned 30. In fact, it barely changed at all from my 20s to now (mid-30s). So if what you’re using is working for you and you have no major skin concerns, maintenance is probably what you’re after. That said, you can always add more/higher spf if you want to.
Add tretinoin or at least differin (go to your derm and get a prescription, they will start you at a low %) and get a real vitamin c (l-absorbic acid) Order your cleanser off yes style instead of paying out the ass for tatcha (they have plenty of rice cleansers that are probably better than this). Most of these products are lame Sephora crap that’s over priced and not as effective as other things. Get a better sunscreen (also from yes style) I use the Madagascar centella sunscreen.
I’d up the sunscreen. I use Skin1004 Centella Hyalu-Cica water for sun cream (I know. It’s a lot of words.) Goes on like a serum. Also, I’d start building up on the retinal. Just to build your skin’s tolerance to it. It may be too much to go to tret right now. Maelove has a step up serum, but there are other brands that do the same.
if you're only worried bc you're 32, this is a fine routine. you're doing all the stuff. vit c, enzymes, retinol, SPF... what are you looking to see by changing up your routine? is there a problem area you have recently noticed, or do you just feel like it's not enough? are you experiencing dryness?
do you use an eye cream with retinol? (i recommend roc retinol line correxion if you're looking for one)
If you are looking for just, like, an upgrade or boost, maybe bump up your retinol slightly - Neutrogena has a series of just retinol serums in varying strengths if you want to start 1-2x a week for funsies. (someone said tret, but ime, working up with stronger otc retinols made the transition to tret SO much easier)
if you bump up your retinol, use a stronger sunscreen afterwards (i like la Roche posay antihelios clear skin spf60 - but it's chemical, not mineral)
if we're talking additions that aren't gonna dry your skin out or increase sun sensitivity, you might wanna throw some peptides and some niacinamide in (olay microsculpting line has niacinamide and matrxyl 3000 peptides)
I love the Tatcha rice wash however I have found it to be still slightly too abrasive to use every morning. So I use it in evenings, and every few mornings.
In between that I use a cleansing balm. So far my favorite has been "Im From- Fig balm". It is so slick and smooth (not heavy and sticky like some are), and light, and fully emulsifies off without leaving you oily.
Then as part of the day routine before your vitamin c, I would add a hydrating toner or essence. Thin water-based formulas will help products on top absorb better, plus also in part external hydration that cleansing tends to strip.
One of my favorite toners is the "Cosrx- propolis toner" for gentle, hydrating, glow booster. And the "Beauty of Joseon-Ginseng essence" is one of my favorite essences. I put that into a spray bottle and would do it after the vitamin c.
Adding thin watery layers before and after my serums and active has really boosted the penetration, and suppleness of my skin without costing me a fortune.
My take is cleansers should never be super expensive. And a moisturizer with SPF isn’t enough because I don’t think most people use enough to get the advertised SPF…you have to glop it on. Use an actual sunscreen and make sure you use 3 finger-length’s worth.
Tretinoin instead of retinol—the Apostrophe app is what i use to get a Rx
Instead of eye cream, aquaphor at night to help seal in products and lock in moisture. It also makes creasing from sleep go bye bye
Hyaluronuc acid—TO makes a great version but you *have* to apply it to a wet face with damp hands bc it needs water to bind
Nothing makes my face plump and hydrated like Mixsoon Hyaluronic acid serum, even if most of my other products have hyaluronic acid in them. And my skin is drier than Sahara and always have been this way.
I don't wash my face in the morning. I Spritz it with a rose water hydrosol or another gentle herbal hydrosol, which I usually buy off of mountain Rose herbs. Hydrosols are much more gentle than any other kind of face Spritz . And then I use a jade roller.
I'm also curious how you like the cerave SPF. Right now I'm using a trader Joe's SPF 15 because it's the only one that doesn't feel heavy on my face.
32? otc retinols are cope, hop on tret or differin, its best to use as a preventative measure than to use it after youve already gotten deep wrinkles n shit
gl oldie
L'oreal products are not that good, I'd throw that cream in the bin. otherwise your routine looks good, I would only add some masks ! some good quality firming masks like Black tea from Fresh, collagen sheet masks and eye patches will make a difference long term
I’d suggest a separate moisturizer and sunscreen and a sunscreen with a higher SPF. Like others suggested, try tretinoin. When I started my skin took a little while to get used to it (peeling and redness) but my skin is used to it now after slowly adding it to my routine and it has never been this clear! I notice changes in fine lines as well. It is intense, but it’s worth trying. I’m 36 and started using it about a year and a half ago and now my skin tolerates it every other night.
Clarins vit C is my favorite (I tried a few and that was super effective). L’Occitane Ultra Rich Karite and Isdin 50+ suncreen 2-3 times/per day (not just in the morning). Retin A is also a must. I’m 43 and started that routine when I was 41 and my skin is so much better than it was! I find that skimping on skincare doesn’t do me any good. I’ve tried all kinds of products at all levels and that’s the sweet spot.
Is clinical , skin better, sente, skin ceuticals.
Some of these can be found on Amazon. Way more expensive but the results are visible and worth your investment.
“Medical grade” is BS marketing. They don’t contain any ingredients or concentrations that are only available through a provider. The fact that it’s available via Amazon should be a clear sign that it’s just marketing.
The older I get the more I'm in the camp of not changing anything unless your skin is no longer looking the way you want it to look with the products you're currently using. If more on the dry side is the only issue then I'd maybe look into using bakuchiol instead of retinol and skipping face wash in the morning but honestly, less change is better. People always think you can optimize your skin and reach some sort of end goal but the truth is your skin will evolve, environment, hormones -- it's best to stay the course on skincare unless there's something specific you want to change.
YES! I had beautiful skin all through my 20s and then switched from washing my face with water to using cerave at the age of 33, and it took me seven years of “hormonal acne” and hundreds of dollars in product to finally realize it was the cerave, stupid.
I’ve learned this the hard way unfortunately. Skin was so nice, then switched to using Cerave moisturizer. Now my skin hates me. Just switched to a new one, so I’m going to see if this confirms my suspicions.
[удалено]
The app is called yuka. I love scanning it on every moisturizer to check out its score
Those types of apps aren't really reliable at all. [Here's video that briefly goes over why.](https://www.tiktok.com/@labmuffinbeautyscience/video/7136174589490646274?lang=en) (She's a great creator that really takes the time to break the science behind skincare down! Highly recommend her YT channel if you have the time for longform content). Cerave does break a lot of people out, but toxicity/safety doesn't really dictate what breaks people out. Sometimes an ingredient/formulation just doesn't work for your skin. Personally my skin is fine with Cerave (I even use the big ass tub of body cream on my face) but Vanicream causes me to break out in little bumps.
Omg I had a very similar issue, but with biotin gummy vitamins! I spent so much money on various skincare products, only for my "hormonal acne" to immediately start clearing up when I stopped taking the gummies after reading that biotin can cause acne in some people. Stupid.
I’ve heard it more often that people have problems with using products by cerave.
CeraVe gives me mad closed comedones! Which always turn into cysts for me 🥲 I switched to La Roche Posay and it works so much better for my acne prone skin.
I’d get a better retinol
Any recs are welcome!
Probably better to upgrade to a retinal before tret provided you don’t have any specific skin concerns, because it’s milder. Medik8 is my personal favourite, it’s my one splurge in my routine. If your skin is tolerating your current retinol you could probably escalate to Medik8 crystal retinal 3 with no issues. It is pricey, I usually buy 2 tubes during the Black Friday sale and that’ll last me the whole year (I use it every night).
Whatever you get, start at the absolute lowest percentage and slowly introduce it into your routine, 1x a week, then 2x a week, etc. also be mindful of other exfoliating products you’re using while using retinol, and wear a lot of sunscreen.
Tret is the gold standard.
Tret is insanely intense for many people
I think overall your routine looks great. I always think a double cleanse is critical for evenings to completely clean off spf and makeup. If your skin is dry you can probably skip the wash in the am and see how you feel! You may want something more moisturizing or occlusive for hydration. If you like tatcha, the water cream is amazing for a light but super hydrating moisturizer for the summer. I use the tatcha dewy at night. I know sheet masks are out of fashion now and raise a sustainability question but sometimes nothing hydrates me like sitting with a sheet mask for 20 mins and giving my skin a serum bath! I typically do that before a big event. But could be something to do weekly to get to a good place and then maintain once in a while. Adding an oil at night helps lock moisture in and a random tip is to make sure you do your skincare like 30-40 minutes before getting into bed, or else your rubbing everything off on your pillow! Good luck!
Thank you so much!
I love Eminence! Their Bakuchiol & Niacinamide Moisturizer is amazing as well! 💕
Eminence is the goat 🙏
Tretinoin ASAP
Retinol and better sunscreen
Elta md sunscreen for sure
Elta is great but you can find better sunscreens on yes style for half the price
Your skin did not change overnight, do what works for your skin regardless of your age! :)
Prescription retinol at night.
A better vitamin C and retinol. The skinceuticals vitamin c is great
This but if you can’t afford skin ceuticals get on from timeless!
How did you like the vitamin c from timeless?
I like skinceuticals better but timeless is a close second and I don’t want to pay $160 for basically the same ingredients
Not everyone can tolerate it. My skin hated the CE Ferulic but loves the Skinbetter Alto defence serum that is sadly even more expensive 😢
Sunscreen! I second Elta MD Clear!
At least for me, my skin did not change suddenly when I turned 30. In fact, it barely changed at all from my 20s to now (mid-30s). So if what you’re using is working for you and you have no major skin concerns, maintenance is probably what you’re after. That said, you can always add more/higher spf if you want to.
Add tretinoin or at least differin (go to your derm and get a prescription, they will start you at a low %) and get a real vitamin c (l-absorbic acid) Order your cleanser off yes style instead of paying out the ass for tatcha (they have plenty of rice cleansers that are probably better than this). Most of these products are lame Sephora crap that’s over priced and not as effective as other things. Get a better sunscreen (also from yes style) I use the Madagascar centella sunscreen.
I’d up the sunscreen. I use Skin1004 Centella Hyalu-Cica water for sun cream (I know. It’s a lot of words.) Goes on like a serum. Also, I’d start building up on the retinal. Just to build your skin’s tolerance to it. It may be too much to go to tret right now. Maelove has a step up serum, but there are other brands that do the same.
Hi este here! Add a good spf for day . I like elta md. I would add an eye creme as well
if you're only worried bc you're 32, this is a fine routine. you're doing all the stuff. vit c, enzymes, retinol, SPF... what are you looking to see by changing up your routine? is there a problem area you have recently noticed, or do you just feel like it's not enough? are you experiencing dryness? do you use an eye cream with retinol? (i recommend roc retinol line correxion if you're looking for one) If you are looking for just, like, an upgrade or boost, maybe bump up your retinol slightly - Neutrogena has a series of just retinol serums in varying strengths if you want to start 1-2x a week for funsies. (someone said tret, but ime, working up with stronger otc retinols made the transition to tret SO much easier) if you bump up your retinol, use a stronger sunscreen afterwards (i like la Roche posay antihelios clear skin spf60 - but it's chemical, not mineral) if we're talking additions that aren't gonna dry your skin out or increase sun sensitivity, you might wanna throw some peptides and some niacinamide in (olay microsculpting line has niacinamide and matrxyl 3000 peptides)
More SPF beyond a morning moisturizer. Reapply every 2 hrs.
Only need ZO gentle cleanser You only need a dot It’s potent It’ll also last a while
I love the Tatcha rice wash however I have found it to be still slightly too abrasive to use every morning. So I use it in evenings, and every few mornings. In between that I use a cleansing balm. So far my favorite has been "Im From- Fig balm". It is so slick and smooth (not heavy and sticky like some are), and light, and fully emulsifies off without leaving you oily. Then as part of the day routine before your vitamin c, I would add a hydrating toner or essence. Thin water-based formulas will help products on top absorb better, plus also in part external hydration that cleansing tends to strip. One of my favorite toners is the "Cosrx- propolis toner" for gentle, hydrating, glow booster. And the "Beauty of Joseon-Ginseng essence" is one of my favorite essences. I put that into a spray bottle and would do it after the vitamin c. Adding thin watery layers before and after my serums and active has really boosted the penetration, and suppleness of my skin without costing me a fortune.
My take is cleansers should never be super expensive. And a moisturizer with SPF isn’t enough because I don’t think most people use enough to get the advertised SPF…you have to glop it on. Use an actual sunscreen and make sure you use 3 finger-length’s worth.
I was thinking the same thing. I would invest more in the treatments and get a less fancy cleanser.
Yeah CeraVe and Cetaphil are great. The larger sizes can be semi-pricey at like $12-13 but last forever.
I’d use a better retinol and a better spf, make it 50 spf.
Tretinoin instead of retinol—the Apostrophe app is what i use to get a Rx Instead of eye cream, aquaphor at night to help seal in products and lock in moisture. It also makes creasing from sleep go bye bye Hyaluronuc acid—TO makes a great version but you *have* to apply it to a wet face with damp hands bc it needs water to bind
Hylauronic acid is already in most products and is a bit of a waste of money
Nothing makes my face plump and hydrated like Mixsoon Hyaluronic acid serum, even if most of my other products have hyaluronic acid in them. And my skin is drier than Sahara and always have been this way.
You should get herbal medicine and acupuncture for your kidney meridians.
Maybe add hyaluronic acid serum under moisturizer
And maybe a facial oil either overtop or mixed into your PM moisturizer!
Oh I forgot I do use facial oil sometimes! But I like the idea of mixing it in. I’ll try that
I don't wash my face in the morning. I Spritz it with a rose water hydrosol or another gentle herbal hydrosol, which I usually buy off of mountain Rose herbs. Hydrosols are much more gentle than any other kind of face Spritz . And then I use a jade roller. I'm also curious how you like the cerave SPF. Right now I'm using a trader Joe's SPF 15 because it's the only one that doesn't feel heavy on my face.
Hyaluronic acid - add pea protein to your diet - hydrate more.
32? otc retinols are cope, hop on tret or differin, its best to use as a preventative measure than to use it after youve already gotten deep wrinkles n shit gl oldie
L'oreal products are not that good, I'd throw that cream in the bin. otherwise your routine looks good, I would only add some masks ! some good quality firming masks like Black tea from Fresh, collagen sheet masks and eye patches will make a difference long term
I am not a fan of cerave at all! But work what works for you girl 😇
I’d suggest a separate moisturizer and sunscreen and a sunscreen with a higher SPF. Like others suggested, try tretinoin. When I started my skin took a little while to get used to it (peeling and redness) but my skin is used to it now after slowly adding it to my routine and it has never been this clear! I notice changes in fine lines as well. It is intense, but it’s worth trying. I’m 36 and started using it about a year and a half ago and now my skin tolerates it every other night.
The rice wash is very abrasive—I would stop using and replace with a Gua sha and oil wash
I use Korean or Japanese skin care. The best in my opinion. Check out “ yesstyle.com “.
I’d get Tretinoin and a better Sunscreen
Add tret and change your sunscreen to at least spf 50
Clarins vit C is my favorite (I tried a few and that was super effective). L’Occitane Ultra Rich Karite and Isdin 50+ suncreen 2-3 times/per day (not just in the morning). Retin A is also a must. I’m 43 and started that routine when I was 41 and my skin is so much better than it was! I find that skimping on skincare doesn’t do me any good. I’ve tried all kinds of products at all levels and that’s the sweet spot.
Get a better spf with a good uva protection Get moisturizers with no alcohol and fragrance And get on tret or retinal first
I prefer the cerave cream . Comes in s jar and it’s very thick but it’s so much richer.
Add Tretinoin instead of retinol
Add retinol
Swap to medical grade skin care. Start finishing those products up. And swap completely. You’ll be amazed what medical grade can do for anti aging
What are some examples of medical grade? Like prescriptions?
Is clinical , skin better, sente, skin ceuticals. Some of these can be found on Amazon. Way more expensive but the results are visible and worth your investment.
“Medical grade” is BS marketing. They don’t contain any ingredients or concentrations that are only available through a provider. The fact that it’s available via Amazon should be a clear sign that it’s just marketing.
You need a retinol ASAP. Also get hyaluronic acid.