I really would like to have more active ingredients in my routine. But they would have to be for sensitive skin. I'd love some advice on a better exfoliant and a better moisturiser or serum?
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Thank you so much for your advice I will try the products you've mentioned. Just a query, so with the Dr Sam's serum, is that OK for am? And is it hydrating enough or would I need a moisturising sunscreen? Or a moisturiser over the top? Let me know :) xx
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Yes, Dr. Sam's product works great for the AM, it also has anti-oxidant benefits, so supports preventing photo damage. In terms of moisturization, I think you should be fine following it up with a sunscreen. Most face sunscreens have moisturizing benefit, so I don't think you need to look for anything special in your sunscreen. One note though: 10% azelaic acid can feel "mattifying" (do if your skin is dry applying a moistruizer on top feels good). And also there is no such thing as too much moisturizing. Especially as we are heading into the heating season, the inside air will get drier, so you might find that your skin appreciates an additional moisturization layer in the morning. You can decide on it day by day, depending how your skin feels. I'd always recommend to keep a good basic moisturizer on hand - to add an extra layer when needed or on days where you'd like to skip all actives because the skin feels sensitive.
You are actually already using good actives in your routine (UV protection, retinol, niacinamide - even though you could increase the concentration of niacinamide). So I wouldn't necessarily aim to add more actives, but rather on strengthening your skin barrier (and building up the tolerance to retinoids). I think you are right to looks for a different exfoliator - AHA 30% is too strong for sensitive skin. I'd recommend a product with a combo of PHAs /AHAs (PHAs are more gentle and more hydrating). An example: https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/lixirskin-night-switch-pha-aha-10 (1-2x a week) or https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/medik8-press-glow-press-and-glow (2-3 times a week).
You could consider adding higher % of niacinamide and since you are also looking for a more even skin tone, azelaic acid. For example, a product like this: (best used in the AM, instead of the LRP ultra fluid - it's not particularly effective): Azelaic acid 10%, Niacinamide 5% + bakuchiol https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/dr-sams-flawless-brightly-serum. If you get a product like this, I'd also drop the Dr. Jart+ essence