What Is Your Skincare Routine?

This sounds counterintuitive but i've heard oils can make an oily face less oily. I guess it works by helping to balance your body's natural oil production

 

I need/want a facial.

Also, AHA or BHA?
Anyone into that? Any knowledge/experience?

 

https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Clarifying-Treatment-Toner-150ml/dp/B00OZ63ODA

 

apricot kernel oil, everyone should use it


i woke up 7 years younger lol

 

and I love avocado oil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qay0BdhhECA

 

I will have to try it

I ended up ordering a vitamin c serum and shea butter. I'm not sure if it is the serum or shea butter but any fine lines i had are gone after a few days of use

 

link


and someone who knows the stuff, please answer my AHA/BHA question

 

Vitamin C serum
https://www.amazon.com/Naturals-Vitamin-Serum-Hyaluronic-Acid/dp/B012Q4M3DO/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1483763602&sr=1-4&keywords=vitamin+c+oil

shea butter

https://www.amazon.com/Majestic-Pure-Organic-Cold-Pressed-Unrefined/dp/B01IRKTYII/ref=sr_1_8_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1484429596&sr=1-8&keywords=shea+butter

Is AHA alpha hydroxy acid? I used those glycolic acid wipes which I think is an AHA and had good results. I need to order more, thanks for the reminder. I'm not familiar with BHAs

 

Wow that vitamin C serum is cheap
Too bad Amazon shipping is crazy. Ah well.


Yeah, that is AHA that you used.
I'm not very familiar with all this AHA/BHA stuff, I just keep hearing about them...so I decided to ask here.

How AHAs work
Both BHAs and AHAs make excellent exfoliants (removing dead skin cells), but AHAs work by reacting with the upper layer of the epidermis, weakening the binding properties of the lipids that hold dead skin cells together. This allows the outer skin to “dissolve,” revealing the underlying skin. Exfoliants jump-start the production of new skin cells, and we like new skin cells. AHAs are also believed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, roughness and blotchy pigmentation, and may even stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.
As a general rule of thumb for AHA products, look for ones with alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) listed as the second or third product on the ingredient list. That way, the product is a little more likely to contain the recommended concentration of 5-8 percent AHA and a pH (acidity) of 3-4. To work their magic, AHAs must be absorbed into the skin, so you can probably skip cleansers containing AHAs that will be washed off or rinsed away before this absorption can occur.
There are several different kinds of AHAs, most derived from fruit and milk sugars. Five major types with common natural sources are…

1. glycolic acid – sugar cane
2. lactic acid – milk
3. malic acid – apples and pears
4. citric acid – oranges and lemons
5. tartaric acid – grapes

Glycolic acid and lactic acid penetrate skin a little better than the other varieties, so you’ll see these AHAs in products more often than you’ll see the others.
Unfortunately, AHAs have side effects (boo!), with the worst ones being skin irritation and increased sun sensitivity. Darker skinned folks may also experience a higher risk of scarring pigment changes.
Because of this increased sun sensitivity, sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 is a must when using any AHA-containing products. Don’t be chintzy with the sunscreen, either! Experts suggest applying sunscreen liberally, every day, and using formulas with both UVA and UVB protection (look for avobenzone, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide for UVA protection).

How BHAs work
There’s really only one kind of BHA in widespread skin care use, and it’s salicylic acid. Like AHA, BHA works well as an exfoliant by penetrating deep into pores, sloughing off dead skin cells to make room for new ones. After six months of daily application, BHA is reported to decrease the appearance of wrinkles, roughness and mottled pigmentation caused by sun-damage. Dermatologists often prefer BHAs to AHAs because they’re generally less irritating.
Unlike products containing AHAs, in which you want the AHA to be listed in the top three ingredients, BHA does its best work at lower concentrations, so keep an eye out for products listing BHA (aka salicylic acid) in the middle or toward the bottom of the list of ingredients. BHA in skin care products generally works best at around 1-2 percent concentration, with a pH of 3-4.
Like AHAs, BHAs need to be absorbed into the skin to work their mojo, so skip cleansers with BHA and opt instead for toners, gels and lotions that won’t be washed off right away.
While beta hydroxy acid may be able to reverse some of the damage caused by photoaging (Eek! The sun!), it simultaneously makes skin more susceptible to photoaging. Weird, huh? In some people, this sun sensitivity can increase by as much as 50 percent.
If you’re going to use either type of hydroxy acid, be sure to wear sunscreen, and plenty of it. Don’t be shy about really laying it on, either. And don’t forget to use it on your neck!



AHAS



WHAT THE HECK ARE AHAS?
AHAs are acids derived from sugar, milk, nuts and fruits. The most common types used in cosmetics are:

• Citric acid
• Glycolic acid
• Lactic acid
• Mandelic acid

WHAT DO AHAS DO?
AHAs are powerful multitaskers. They:

• Exfoliate skin by dissolving the glue that holds skin cells together
• Boost collagen production (glycolic acid)
• Hydrate skin
• Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots

WHICH AHAS IS BETTER?
Well, it depends on your needs. But the best one is definitely glycolic acid. Unlike the other acids, it goes the extra mile. It also boosts collagen production and makes skin thicker and firmer.
If you have sensitive skin, stick to lactic acid. It’s the gentlest member of the AHAs family and will exfoliate your skin without irritating it.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
AHAs, especially glycolic acid, can irritate skin and even make it peel at first. That’s why it’s best to start with a small dose (around 5%) a couple of times a week and build up dose and frequency from there slowly.
Also, if you exfoliate in the morning, apply sunscreen afterwards. Like all forms of exfoliation, AHAs increase skin’s sensitivity to UV rays.

WHO SHOULD USE THEM?
Because they’re so hydrating and can boost collagen too, AHAs are better for:

• Dry Skin
• Sun-damaged skin (glycolic acid)
• Sensitive skin (lactic acid only)

BHA

WHAT THE HECK IS BHA?
Yes, there’s only one beta hydroxy acid (BHA) used widely in cosmetics. I’m talking about salicylic acid. It’s derived from willow tree bark.

WHAT DOES BHA DO?

• It exfoliates skin by dissolving the glue that holds skin cells together
• Penetrates inside the pores, unclogging them from within
• Has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe redness and irritations
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and dark spots

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Salicylic acid is effective at lower concentrations than AHAs (1% or 2% work a treat). So, it’s less likely to cause irritations. But, it CAN still irritate your skin if you use it too often. Don’t go overboard!
And, of course, it increases skin’s sensitivity to UV rays during the day, so don’t skip your sunscreen!

WHO SHOULD USE IT?
Both AHAs and BHA exfoliate skin. The main difference is that AHAs are water-soluble while BHA is oil-soluble. So, only BHA can penetrate and unclog pores.
That makes them better for:

• Oily skin
• Acne-prone skin

THE BOTTOM LINE
Both AHAs and BHA exfoliate skin. But AHAs are hydrating and collagen-boosting, which makes them ideal for dry and sun-damaged skin. BHA, instead, unclogs the pores, making it a must for oily skin.

 

This might be an AHA/BHA compromise for those of us who just can't decide lol xD

 

The reviews are pretty good

 

I used salicylic acid as a teenager, it was in pretty much every skin product marketed to teenagers if I remember correctly, i am assuming because it unclogs pores

Hmm i am kind of interested in the combination product, seems like the best of both worlds.

 

Yup

http://www.barelytherebeauty.com/2016/05/cosrx-aha-bha-clarifying-toner-review.html

I want it now
I am weak

 

Well, shea butter was a bust. It made me break out worse than I ever have in my life, even as a teenager, and also burned my skin just like cocoa butter did. But it took a few days, my skin was positively glowing the first couple of days.

So now i'm back to coconut oil and it is healing my skin nicely.

I think i just have to switch around and use something different every day before my skin has time to react badly. Even without the break outs, my skin starts to look dull after too many days of using the same product

 

Yup. That is also what I (and Irina Shayk) do.
My skin likes it when I rotate products.

 

All I know is that my kitty's kisses break my face out.

 

I use facial wipes a lot of the time and I use face wash when I take a shower and use cream afterwards. Sometimes I use a cream that's light and not too greasy. Taking care of my face is probably one of the things I'm careful and try not to use any harsh chemicals on my face. That I use a mud mask once a week or every two weeks depending on how bad my skin is.

One thing I don't use anymore is foundation and my skin has been healthier.

 

I use this lotion on my hands and arms during winter cuz its so dry here, plus i take really hot showers, also very drying. It smells really good, almsot like vanilla and sugar cookies, even though its cocoa butter. I get a lot of compliments on it.

 

My skincare routine is basically staying out of the sun as much as possible. I don't use creams or oils. I don't moisturizer often at all, I just stay clear from that disgusting harmful sun.

When I had my eyes looked at with a rapidly ailing disease caused by UV rays, my doctor at the time suggested I needed to get out of Australia and head back north. She said my skin was very fine, my eyes were very fine. Although they are dominant hazel, the skin and cornea was fine.

She said this is because the UV rays aren't as prominent in European countries like Australia. She said that Australia was one of the worst countries for UV exposure.

I never moved back home because of that but I can clearly say that the rapid progression of the ailments did slow down once I did move back home. Taking up the night life that I did helps too, I'm active at night. Hoot hoot. Less active in the day, sleep during the highest points of UV exposure.

That's my suggestion. I know everyone likes the sun and thinks they look good in a tan but a tan is just skin cells in stress, there's nothing healthy about it.

I won't be heading into my 50s with a leather saddle on my face. Or arms. Or legs. Or shoulders.

 

Unfortunately, I have to agree with not wearing makeup making your skin better. I love makeup, and I'm fully aware that I got lucky in the skin deparment, so I don't have a lot of issues with my skin. However, I did spend a few years wearing no makeup, and my skin was way better than it is now that I'm wearing makeup again, even though it wasn't particuarly unhealthy before, and I don't wear that much makeup. So, I have to agree on that one. Also, drinking water makes a huge difference.