Easy Routine for Dry and Aging Skin

[Anonymous]

Help! 
I have super dry, sensitive skin, not even slightly oily, small pores, and I’m starting to get wrinkles and sagging. 
I am horrible with skin care so I need something simple! No 15 step routines, I just want a good cleanser, moisturizer, and perhaps something for eyes and neck? 
Help a sister out haha I’m lost! 

[ChocolateSnow]

Hey!....I really like CeraVe SA lotion it exfoliates,  moisturizes and smooths super easy on skin. It tingles because it works and you can apply as much as needed. I sometimes use it as primer because it also provides a barrier. 

 

[jhe9488]

My two cents. I’m in my early 30s, but have been fairly invested in my skin care, especially with regards to anti-aging, following advice from my dermatologist friends from medical school. 1) Daily sunscreen at least SPF30 (not just moisturizer with sunscreen-you do not use nearly enough moisturizer to actually get the reported SPF—need a teaspoon of product on your face to actually get the reported SPF) is probably the single most important item for preventing signs of aging. I really like the La Roche Posay ultra light fluid, which is a light chemical sunscreen. It is very light and layers great under makeup withoutbunching. EltaMD UV Clear is a combo chemical and physical sunscreen andis a dermatologist favorite. 2) Retinoids are the only active ingredient with scientific research backing its effectiveness for-anti-aging. Everything else-peptides, etc—is just advertising and almost100% of it is BS and marketing. There are very few laws guiding what you can label as “clinically proven” and all the percentages about what worked for people are essentially surveys done by the company trying to market the product to you. I have no experience with OTC retinols but there aremany available on the market. I’ve been using prescription tretinoin for many years. It is rough going to get started because of purging andacclimating your skin to it so it is not for everyone, especially if youdon’t have the time or patient to deal with it. Retinoids do also really dry out your skin. 3) Would recommend staying away from cleansers whichare “foaming” as these dry out your skin and strip the natural oils. Any gentle cleanser is honestly fine and there is really not a benefit fromusing an expensive cleanser. I like the Fresh Soy Cleanser but also like drug store options like the Cerave cleanser (the dry skin one with the green label). 4) Vitamin C serums have promising early evidence in the dermatology literature for helping with aging as it is an antioxidant. The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is quite good, or the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic is a dermatologist favorite. I am not a huge fan of the texture of the Drunk Elephant but I’ve been using it as it is about half theprice of the Skinceuticals one for essentially the same product. Not all vitamin C’s are created equal as they are not absorbed equally and have different pHs. I’m told by multiple derm friends that the Skinceuticals/DE version is the best. 5) Acids such as AHAs can be helpful with skin texture, but can be a bit harsh especially if also using a retinoid. I’m not sure which to recommend as I’ve not really used them, since I’ve been using tretinoin for so long. 6) For moisturizer, I’m a fan of the Tatcha water cream, even though it is fragranced (fragranceshave zero skin care benefit and can be anirritant). The texture of thatcream is just great and it absorbs quickly and provides a good amount of moisture. For a drugstore option, Cerave daily moisturizer is a great one and unfragranced. I also enjoy the First Aid Beauty ultimate repair dream.

[greeneyedgirl107]

@ShannySAMM For anti-aging, antioxidants, AHA and retinol are really good starting points.  The easiest thing for your to integrate into your skincare will be the antioxidants.  I like FIRST AID BEAUTY - Ultra Repair® Hydrating Serum.  It's marketed as a hydrator, but has some nice anti-oxidants.

As for AHA, I really like Paula's Choice because it comes in a variety of concentrations.  Since your skin is dry and sensitive, I rec starting with the 5 or 8 percent.  Start with 1-2 times a week, and see how it goes.

Once you have tolerated that AHA, you can see about integrating a retinol.  I like FIRST AID BEAUTY - FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25% Pure Concentrate for beginners, and b/c it tells you what the concentration in.  CeraVe makes one that is only like .01% if you are looking for something even more gentle.

As for moisturizer, I like CeraVe PM, Cetaphil Night Moisturizer and Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Nourishing Whipped Refillable Moisturizer 1.69 oz/ 50 mL.  (I listed those from lightest to thickest). I also like FIRST AID BEAUTY - Pure Skin Face Cleanser.

Good luck!  Let us know how it goes 🙂

[AshGarcia]

1) For a non-stripping cleanser that is effective I LOVE OLEHenricksen Clean Truth foaming cleanser, but there are others that are great. I’m also a fan of my Drunk Elephant Pekee bar.

2) A good acid exfoliant in your routine will help gently resurface which is imperative for avoiding fine lines and wrinkles. There are a lot of ways to do this, some are used as toners, some as a serum twice a week under your cream, but a weekly mask has given me better results. If you want to go with a gentle daily toner I really like the FIRST AID BEAUTY - Facial Radiance Pads or for a weekly mask on the cheap that is foolproof and quick The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening 1 oz/ 30 mL is really good.

3) One of the best things I added to my routine when I was using fewer products was Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL This one has fragrance so you might want to find another that is better for sensitive skin. Vitamin c helps with collagen production and brightening so it targets multiple issues for aging skin and isn’t as harsh as retinol since you have dry skin.

4) For the eye area I have been using Derma Doctor Wrinkle Revenge eye cream on and off for 4 or 5 years am turning 45 this year with fewer lines/wrinkles around my eye area than many of the younger moms ... it’s safe for the entire eye area so I highly recommend it as you can put it directly on your lids to keep them hydrated.

5) Hydrating face cream. I have been using Fresh Black Tea corset cream but am looking for a replacement. Two products that I have samples of and am considering switching to are Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Nourishing Whipped Refillable Moisturizer 1.69 oz/ 50 mLand Biossance Omega Repair Deep Hydration Moisturizer with Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid + Squalane 1.69 oz / 50 mL

This was my go-to basic routine that helped preserve my skin before becoming fully obsessed with skincare. Its 5 products but never more than 4 steps at a time if you do your toner at night and vitamin c Serum during the day. If you’re unsure about a product and want to try it go in and ask for samples, that is how I’ve found most of my favorites. I hope this helps!

[angelena]

I’m 45 with dry skin... For quick and intense hydration, I highly recommend trying the 10.0.6 intensive hydrating sheet mask. They are very inexpensive, so when I got one as a sample, I did not expect much. I was sooo wrong. I could feel my skin soaking it in and it looked instantly firmer and hydrated. Full disclosure: I’m a sheet mask junkie, I have about 50 masks from all diff brands right now. I also recommend a quality serum. My favorite brands are Chanel, Murad, and Kate Somerville. I use a serum and them a moisturizer. If you can, one of the best ways to test which will work for you, is to go into a store and ask for samples. My Sephora will fill a tiiiny cup so I can have enough for a couple days. There are so many textures and formulas, you want to get something you like. Especially if it’s pricey. Again, my fave moisturizer brands are Chanel, Murad, Tatcha, & Algenist.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much Angela! I will look into those! Especially the masks! I’ve never used any until recently and I really like them!