damatanina
2 years ago

A few questions regarding the routine built for me ..

First it's saying that to restore my skin barrier I should only stick with the basics (cleaner, moisturizer, SPF) for a few weeks. However, on the routine below it's saying I should only cleanse at night. Should I also only cleanse at night while doing the restorative routine? Also, how will I know that my skin is ready to receive the other products on the recommended routine?

My next question is about the order of the products listed. Are they listed in the order I should use them or really I should just be following the description below each product? For example, in the AM the 1st product listed in SPF but it says in the description it should be the last one to be applied so I'm guessing it'll come after my moisturizer right? Also, in the AM routine it shows that I should use the Azelaic suspension every other day before my moisturizer, however, should I use it before the serum or after?

A smiliar question with the PM routine: should the skin booster be used twice a week after the serum and prior to the moisturizer? And should it be used with the Effaclar Adapalene (if yes before or after) or should I intercalate the two products? For example, on the night I use the skin booster I don't use the Effaclar and vice versa.

I'd just like a little more clarification on the routine before I start on it. Don't want to do any damage to my skin which is already pretty sensitive. Also, I noticed that the routine builder didn't really ask me about the skin under my eyes. It's very sensitive and I tend to get puffy and dark circles specially in the AM. Any recommendations of under eye creams I should be using?

Nina
xoxo

AM - Everyday
1
Sensitive Skin SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick Aveeno - Sensitive Skin SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick
Use every day before going outside, even if it is not sunny. Sunscreen is the last step of your morning skincare routine. You can apply makeup on top of it.
2
Moisturizing Cream CeraVe - Moisturizing Cream
Use every day, as many times as needed. For most people, it's best to use a moisturizer twice per day. In the morning, apply it before your sunscreen (or skip the moisturizer in the morning if your sunscreen feels hydrating enough). In the evening, a moisturizer is usually the last step of a routine.
3
10% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum Timeless Skin Care USA - 10% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum
You can use this product either in the morning or at night, before your moisturizer or sunscreen. You can use it daily, but, in case you notice signs of irritation, reducing the application to every other night might help.
AM - Every other day
1
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% The Ordinary - Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Use your azelaic acid product every other day, either in the morning before your sunscreen or at night, before your moisturizer.
PM - Everyday
1
Extra Gentle Body Cleanser Ceramedx - Extra Gentle Body Cleanser
Use a generous amount of product to remove all dirt, sunscreen or makeup in one step. There is no need to double-cleanse. It is a good idea to always finish cleansing with a splash of clean water to remove any residue from the cleanser. Most people only need to cleanse their skin with a cleanser once per day, at night. It is the first step of a night skincare routine.
2
Moisturizing Cream CeraVe - Moisturizing Cream
Use every day, as many times as needed. For most people, it's best to use a moisturizer twice per day. In the morning, apply it before your sunscreen (or skip the moisturizer in the morning if your sunscreen feels hydrating enough). In the evening, a moisturizer is usually the last step of a routine.
3
Facial Treatment Serum Nuture - Facial Treatment Serum
You can use this product in the morning or at night, before your moisturizer or sunscreen. If your skin tolerates it well, you can use it twice a day.
PM - Twice a week
1
Skin Booster Time-Restoring Vitamin Shot Physicians Formula - Skin Booster Time-Restoring Vitamin Shot
Use this product up to two times per week, either day or night, on clean skin. Follow up with your moisturizer or sunscreen.
2
Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Topical Retinoid Acne Treatment La Roche-Posay - Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Topical Retinoid Acne Treatment
Start slowly with this product: it can be irritating, but your skin can adjust to it with time. It is best to start using this product only once a week for the first few weeks. Mild dryness is normal when starting using a retinoid. Once your skin is able to tolerate the product well, you can increase the frequency of use to twice, and even three times a week. Make sure to apply a moisturizer regularly when using this product. Apply this product on clean skin, before a moisturizer. Most people prefer using this product at night, but it can be used in the morning as well.
2
3
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Hello there 👋! Thank you for trying our tool!

Yes, we recommend cleansing with a product only once per day at night - especially if you have sensitive skin.

It's best to follow the restorative routine until your signs of sensitivity are gone - until your skin doesn't feel dry and fragile.

The Routine Builder unfortunately isn't smart enough yet to figure out the best order yet. In the AM, use serums first (vit C when you start it first, than azelaic if your skin seems fine tolerating both in the same step; if not, alternate days), then moistruizer, then sunscreen. The tool recommended you a sunscreen stick - it's good in terms of sun protection, but it might be not the most convenient format for every day wear. It's totally up to you of course. If you'd rather use a sunscreen lotion, you can browse our search here (I've preselected "sensitive skin friendly" filters).

For the PM, I think this serum would work better for you: https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/numbuzin-no-3-skin-softening-serum (or the Physicians Formula one )- it doesn't include Glycolic acid, so it's more suitable for every day (we will double check why the Builder recommended the glycolic acid daily - this must be an error, apologies for this). In terms of the PM order, cleanse first, then adapalene (on days when you use it), then niacinamide serum, then moisturizer. You don't need to skip the niacinamide serum on the days you use adapalene. But do "skip" adapalene every other day or so for the first month after starting using it to let your skin adjust. If you are tolerating adapalene well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily T

To sum up the timing, after you've completed the "restoration period", add adapalene 2-3 times a week. If you notice irritation, dial it down to 1-2x a week. Go like this for a month. If things go well, add one more application a week. If this goes well, add another one, and so forth (up to every night). Once you are happy with your adapalene frequency, you can introduce the Vitamin C serum - 2x a week first (and then see if your skin can take it more frequently - again up to once daily).

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Thank you so much for clarifying that for me, makes a lot more sense now.

About the serum for the PM, I couldn't find the one from Nuture to purchase so I actually bought another one that was recommended which is this one: https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/peace-out-dark-spots-serum which also has the glycolic acid in it. I will see if I can return it and swap it for the one you recommended but if I can't, would I still be able to use it just maybe not every single day?

Thank you again for your help!!

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The serum from Peace-Out has a small concentration of Lactic & Glycolic acid, so it should be fine to use every other day or 2-3x a week. It is a good product 👍

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