Sparkles Sparkles
last year

How to do skin cycling to unclog pores with these products?

I have so many products on the go - what is the best way to use them in a skin cycling routine so that I dont have conflicts?

AM - Everyday
1
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
2
Rose Petal Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Thayers - Rose Petal Witch Hazel Alcohol Free
3
Ultra Vitalizing Snail Essence Water DEWYTREE - Ultra Vitalizing Snail Essence Water
4
Essential Balancing Emulsion Light LANEIGE - Essential Balancing Emulsion Light
5
Essential Balancing Skin Refiner Light LANEIGE - Essential Balancing Skin Refiner Light
AM - Every other day
1
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution The Ordinary - Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
2
Treatments Brightening Amine Face Lift Perricone MD - Treatments Brightening Amine Face Lift
PM - Everyday
1
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
2
Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydrating Eye Gel Peter Thomas Roth - Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydrating Eye Gel
PM - Every other day
1
BHA Blackhead Power Liquid COSRX - BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
2
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution The Ordinary - Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
3
Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum The Ordinary - Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
4
Fractionated Eye-Contour Concentrate Serum NIOD - Fractionated Eye-Contour Concentrate Serum
5
Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream Neutrogena - Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
PM - Twice a week
1
Advanced Retinol Nightly Multi Correct Serum StriVectin - Advanced Retinol Nightly Multi Correct Serum
PM - Once a week
1
Gel Epiduo - Gel
2
"B" Oil The Ordinary - "B" Oil
1
3
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I’d say to alternate AHAs and BHAs. Maybe try not to use other actives on nights you use the Epiduo or the StriVectin because retinol doesn’t play nice with most actives lol. Definitely make sure you’ve got a good SPF 50 for the daytime since all these actives can make you more susceptible to sun damage. Make sure to reapply! :)

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A bit hard to comment on the "pore unclogging" aspect without more info on what it is you deal with (blackheads, closed comedones, cystic acne etc.) and how important targeting that is in comparison with other issues, such as anti-aging and hyperpigmentation which based on your products you also seem to be trying to target(?).

In terms of potential conflicts, I think the AM routine looks completely fine! The Laneige toner seems a bit redundant to me since you're also using the niacinamide serum in the AM, but no harm in that if you like the product and it works for you.

As for the PM routine, I would personally alternate the retinoids with the copper peptides -- so copper peptides every other day, and the Strivectin/Epiduo on the other days (maybe this is what you're doing already). Apparently the research evidence doesn't fully corroborate copper peptides being as incompatible with other actives as The Ordinary usage instructions suggest, so using copper peptides and retinoids on the same nights might also be fine. However I think it's usually best to follow manufacturer instructions if you want the products to perform best, and as we know TO currently recommends not combining copper peptides with retinoids. I would also keep in mind that not only is there a lot more evidence for retinoids vs. peptides when it comes to anti-aging, but retinoids also help with clogged pores, so you might want to consider whether you'd actually be better off using retinoids every night and dropping the peptides.

If you do want to keep the peptides, I would probably limit the chemical exfoliants to AM only, since there doesn't seem to be a clear consensus on whether acids interfere with the efficacy of peptides (and combining them isn't recommended by TO). It also seems quite unlikely to me that anyone would really need to exfoliate twice a day every day, so I'd suggest just alternating the AHA and BHA in the mornings. If you find that that isn't enough exfoliation for you, you could just move to using higher strength exfoliants.

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I agree with other comments, but I also think you probably irritate your skin with all those acids and vit A; so I suggest you to add a calming lotion or pm cream. There are plenty good ones, in the last times I really appreciate the Klaris midnight blue calming cream, not greasy and pretty kind on skin.

And you also miss hydration. A good Hyaluronic test net might do the job.

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