(Part 2) Best products from r/30PlusSkinCare

I just started biking to work. While I don't get fully sweaty, my face gets hot! And all of my skincare melts off. So I decided to make a mini backup kit to use for riding to work and the gym (when I go).

I optimized for small size for my mini kit - save a few things that are regular size. I had added the Milk Makeup Serum to my travel bag last year, and loved it! So I was stoked with the additional minis.

Here is the summary:

• Perricone no water plasma cleanser: I like this one, but it is pricey. I picked up a bunch at a clearance sale for $7-8. Not sure if I will replace
  
• Mini matcha cleanser - I am alternating this and the no rinse. Not sure what I'll want to use.
  
• Mini Matcha Toner - still testing, good so far
  
• Mini Watermelon Serum - hydrating and effective
  
• Pacifica Hydrating Gel - I used this a few months ago, and it wasn't hydrating enough in my regular routine. But it seems to be fine post bike ride!
  
• Maelove Sun Protector - just traded to this as my daily SPF, love it so far
  
• Malin Goetz Deodorant - seems to work pretty well, this is meant to be a backup to my regular natural deodorant (Native)
  
• Makeup remover cloths - these are cheap, dry fast and easy to wash

Your shampoo could be the cause. I would definitely start using an aha and or bha product. I would use a gentle cleanser like vanicream Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser with Pump Dispenser | Fragrance, Gluten and Sulfate Free | For Sensitive Skin | 8 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QY1XZ4W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_dq1CDbWX75558 then a good toner like MIZON Aha & Bha Daily Clean Toner, 5.07 Fluid Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LUU42NU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bo1CDb3KXNJ4A there is also a different selection on this mizon toner for a aha serum. I haven't tried it but I am planning on buying it. I really love Cosrx products. I use the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, 100ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073P6ZQ4V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Vw1CDb8W7WA27 a lot because it uses a different form of salicylic acid which great for sensitive skin, plus this is moisturizing.

Edit I would also recommend Jason dandruff shampoo Jason Dandruff Relief Treatment Shampoo 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FGDIAS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WB1CDbSVRBM37 it has the bha salicylic acid and sulfer which help exfolites your scalp. If you do have fungal acne or are having a reaction to your shampoo this is a good choice. I have been dealing with a dry scalp and then it turns into dandruff, after 4 uses my scalp looks so much better

When you say that you "have Stratia" I'm assuming that you mean the Liquid Gold, I think that's the most popular product and it's the first thing that I bought. I used it in place of my regular moisturizer and I was so happy with it that I wanted to try the rest of the products.

(Also, I am realizing that I sound like kind of an evangelist for Stratia -- so I have to say that I found out about the brand while lurking on reddit and reading skincare blogs, I paid full retail price for everything, and I have no sort of relationship with the brand or any of its employees. I'm a perfume blogger so I know how praise draws suspicion 😉)

My routine is adapted from this blog post that I linked above, which was written by the creator of Stratia. It's in a nice table format, and I found it easy to follow. But here's what I do:

Morning:

1. Wipe with micellar water (I use these disposable washcloths from Amazon for my face, a pack will last almost a whole year)
   
2. Stratia C+C Serum - then brush my teeth, go get dressed, to let a few minutes pass
   
3. Stratia Rewind (essence - niacinamide & DMAE)
   
4. Stratia Fortify (oil - fatty acids)
   
5. Stratia Liquid Gold (moisturizer - gift from the gods)
   
6. Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass CC with SPF 30 (for sunscreen but it also has centella and other anti-inflammatories, and a nice color-correcting effect on the areas where I still have some redness)
   
   Night:
   
   
7. Heimish All-Clean Balm (oil based cleanser, removes makeup nicely too)
   
8. Stratia Cleansing Milk (ETA - I rub this around a little bit very gently with the "chamomile" Konjac sponge)
   
9. Even days Paula's Choice AHA/ Odd days CosRX BHA - then brush my teeth, let the dog out, etc. to let a few minutes pass
   
10. Stratia Rewind (essence)
    
11. Stratia Fortify (oil)
    
12. Curology (a custom blend that they prescribe for you, it's an online service. Mine is Clindamycin 1%, Azelaic Acid 9%, and Tretinoin 0.009% - it was very easy to subscribe and I love that it's an all-in-one formulation. My derm said she can prescribe these things but honestly I'll probably stay with Curology because it's so convenient)
    
13. Stratia Liquid Gold (two pumps) mixed with Cerave Healing Ointment (pea-sized)

You mentioned wanting hydration, but aside from a bit of water and hyalauronic acid in the products that are intended to be used sparingingly (your AM actives) you only have a dedicated moisturizer. Additionally, your evening routine only has moisturizers and no hydrators, and tret can be pretty drying. I’d recommend adding a dedicated hydrator that you can really layer on before your moisturizer. I usually pat in 3-4 layers of hada labo moist and perhaps a spiritz of water before my moisturizer. Other thank that your vit c and the tret are good for dark spots/wrinkles respectively as long as you are giving them time to absorb/work before the next steps of your routine. Maybe consider getting a script for a higher percent tret from your dr if your skin can handle it. A humidifier in your bedroom if you live in a dry climate is also a good idea and will complement the hydrophilic nature of the hyalauronic acid.

yes, that's the one, and that's actually a really good price. It's usually around $10 a tube. Edited to add: I forgot to mention. Can Make is not waterproof and not reef safe. Please don't count on this for outdoor activities or swimming, but for an everyday sunscreen, it's amazing.

Here's the shiseido. Also this price is about what it is in Japan. You might be able to get it cheaper by ordering directly from Japan but probably not by much and then shipping takes a long time. I know this one is pretty significantly more expensive, but it literally disappears, almost immediately. It doesn't dry me out, even though it does have some alcohols in it (to help with dry down and absorption), and it sits under foundation invisibly. I can't believe it, because I love Can Make, but it is better, though the price tags shows it. FWIW Can make has no alcohol.

Here is the Biore. I hadn't tried Biore before the reformulation, so unfortunately, I can't give you a comparison. It is still highly regarded though and I do like it. The bottle is really large for the price. It does sit under makeup well. It also does have alcohols, and one of the complaints is people with dry skin says it dries them out, but I have severe dry skin and have not noticed this issue though I haven't used it daily consistently enough to really have an opinion about that.

I tend to try to avoid alcohol in my sunscreens, but I wanted to try these very popular popular ones. There's an AB sunscreen for everyone, as there are about a million on the market. I've tried a lot of AB sunscreens and some other notable ones that come to mind is the Missha Safe Block which I hated, and the Etude house face blur, which I loved but is less protective at PA +++ and has a baby powder scent.

I just responded to another one of your posts, but then I saw this and read the thing you linked to. My eyes water a lot, and sting as well.

I finally figured out that products I put on my forehead would slowly "melt" into my eyes. Also, as products are on our skin around our eyes, I found out they can swell with moisture and "creep" into our eyes even if we aren't wiping at them. But if we are wiping at them, it makes it so much worse! Taking an over the counter allergy med helps if I have to have something (like makeup or sunscreen) on my forehead during the day. Keeping my glasses super-clean also helps (I wash them in the sink 3-4 times a day, every time I go to the restroom).

On the idea of oily skin: if your skin is super oily, it often is over-compensating for dehydration. It's possible to have oily skin + very dehydrated skin at the same time. If you over-did the chemical exfoliation, then your skin may be making a lot of oil to try to fix it. (I should add that the reason I know this is because it happened to me!)

This means the opposite of drying is what you need to do. You need to plump and heal. This will also make your pores less visible.

Given what I've read in your other posts, I would try this gentle mask no more than twice per week to absorb some of the oil being created, and I would work on repairing the moisture barrier. Forget drying, try sleeping with a layer of hyaluronic acid + a layer of vaseline on top every night for one month. Then see where you are and what has changed. I think that is going to solve the oil issue! Good luck.

Edit: to add mask link.

This one isn't specifically for the eye area but I really like how it goes on my skin. I put it on right after I use bakuchiol. I follow up with a primer. Even after using all this my makeup goes on perfectly. The Purito sunscreen (PURITO Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF50+ PA++++,Broad Spectrum UVA1,2,UVB/oil-free suncream/non-nano system, Acne-prone skin) feels good but isn't moisturizing but the bakuchiol is moisturizing enough so it works out. I highly recommend it!

I picked up a MUCH better routine so day-to-day it’s better than when I was younger, but I have some residual sun spots that I want to zap off in the near future. My frown lines also started to settle, so hiiiii forehead Botox (zero ragrets).

Here’s my routine:

*****

AM

Moisturize:

Paula’s Choice SKIN RECOVERY Replenishing Moisturizer http://www.paulaschoice.com/skin-recovery-replenishing-moisturizer/186.html?cgid=category-moisturizers#start=5

Sunscreen:

EltaMD UV Facial Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000PHRIYE/ref=mp_s_a_1_4_a_it/130-7876967-3039938?ie=UTF8&qid=1511363261&sr=8-4&keywords=elta+md+sunscreen&dpPl=1&dpID=317QwX2tu3L&ref=plSrch

If I’m putting on makeup, I try to use a primer to protect my skin and give me a lil glow:

COVER FX Illuminating Primer https://m.sephora.com/product/illuminating-primer-P392107?icid2=skugrid

PM

Wash off makeup:

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B017PCGABI/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1511363325&sr=8-3&keywords=garnier+micellar+water&dpPl=1&dpID=415AdUVVeSL&ref=plSrch

Treat spots:

Paula’s Choice RESIST BHA 9 Treatment http://www.paulaschoice.com/resist-bha-9-treatment/773.html

Nightly AHA:

Alpha Skin Care Intensive Renewal Serum, 14% Glycolic AHA https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Skin-Care-fragrance-free-paraben-free/dp/B01BW71W4W

If I’m breaking out:

SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant http://www.paulaschoice.com/skin-perfecting-2pct-bha-lotion-exfoliant/205.html

Otherwise:

Paula’s Choice SKIN RECOVERY Replenishing Moisturizer http://www.paulaschoice.com/skin-recovery-replenishing-moisturizer/186.html?cgid=category-moisturizers#start=5

The occasional OCM:

Johnson's Baby Oil With Shea & Cocoa Butter https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00WEBVM5U/ref=mp_s_a_1_14_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1511364971&sr=8-14&keywords=Johnson%27s+Baby

Not entirely relevant but I've heard on SCA
that you want toothpaste that repairs your teath. In the US this is only available in perscription toothpaste but in other countries it's available OTC. You want Zinc Hydroxyapatite. Like this german toothpaste

So whatever you do to whiten, adding a repairing toothpaste is probably a good idea. :)

I personally use a sonic toothbrush, a whitening mouthwash, good toothpaste, and don't drink tea, coffee or smoke. I will occasionally do a whitening strip and mine are pretty white, but not hollywood white. I have had people comment on the whiteness of my teath, though!

She uses this aloe vera gel: https://www.amazon.com/Patanjali-Aloe-Vera-Gel-Pack/dp/B06WP7GKFF

But it's not like she does research. she just hears it from a friend and tries it. I think that's all she really does, but I dont think that stuff works, or is relevant to what she needs.

Thank u for the warning about the Phsyical exfoliant, but would it be okay to go with the Derma E and just warn her to be careful/go slow? If not, Ill go with that glycolic toner instead, which you seem to suggest is gentler.

Also, is the PA++++ necessary, or is SPF 110 good enough? Here is one: https://www.amazon.ca/Neutrogena-Sunscreen-Lotion-Ultra-Resistant/dp/B00ET04P2G/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=spf+50+UVB&qid=1559344100&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Im having trouble finding PA++++ that ships on time (She has a wedding coming up)

So, one last time, IM SO SORRY for taking so much of your time:

AM:

-20% Vitamin C Serum

-Moisturizer (Hyrdo Boost)

-Sunscreen

Then for nighttime:

-Derma E (or Glycolic Solution) Toner Exfoliant (every 3 days or so)

-Hydro Boost Moisturizer

One question: Where does a face wash fit into this? Should she not be using a facewash before all this? https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0010XP4NO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We have this face wash, is it okay?

THANK U SO MUCH