Turning 30 but feeling like my skin looks 35 : (
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Sun Jan 23, 2011 3:24 am

I am new to this forum and have been amazed by how much information there is here. Over the years I have been through stages of having very basic to very thorough skincare regimes with varying quality of products. Now I'm turning 30 this year and freaking out. I have BAD pigmentation under my eyes and down cheeks, lines under eyes from where my cheeks move up when I smile, enlarged pores on nose and overall fines lines around face. I've started using Priori Idebenone moisturizer which I like, currently using MD Formulations cleanser and scrub and still trying different eye creams but I don't really know what I'm doing... Please help...

free skin care · Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:12 am

Welcome! (From one newbie to another.)

I know exactly what you mean--when I turned 30, I freaked out and read several books by dermatologists (Baumann's Skin Type Solution and Irwin's Surgery-free Makeover) and promised myself to see a dermatologist and begin tretinoin cream (the closest thing to a silver bullet in skin care) as soon as I could. Now I'm about 4 months into it, and I love it, although I don't expect to see full results until a year or so has passed.

There's pretty much a consensus among derms that tretinoin and sunscreen are the foundation of a fantastic long-term skin program. And later one can add in other things, like anti-oxidants and laser treatments and whatnot. Tretinoin is tricky though: potentially irritating precisely because it's so powerful, so make sure you get good instructions from your derm on how to start.

You might also try to train yourself not to frown or raise your eyebrows too much (I have some tricks for this), and keep smiling. Smile

Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:11 am

Thank you I appreciate you taking the time to reply... I haven't heard of Tretinoin so will be sure to look it up... Is it for anything in particular or for overall skin health?

free skin care · Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:26 am

You're welcome. Tretinoin is a form of Vitamin A, and was originally developed for acne, but turns out to also repair sun damage, reduce hyperpigmentation, and prevent wrinkles / repair fine lines. Retin A is one of the main brands, and here are some links to get started:

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?p=162129#162129

http://www.otbskincare.com/blog/use-retin-a-tretinoin-for-acne-anti-aging-skin-care/1799/

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/skintype/6-great-reasons-use-retinoid

Cheers,
Kay

free skin care · Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:54 pm

Retin A or Tretinoin you must try.if you a re in the US http://www.alldaychemist.com/ has some for under $3.00.You will want to start with a low % like 0.025 and work your way up.

Awesome stuff

free skin care · Wed Jan 26, 2011 1:13 pm

Another cheer for Retin A or Trentinoin! I stopped for quite a while and noticed quite a difference.

free skin care · Thu Jan 27, 2011 2:12 pm

Hi kk29, I wish I'd had a Clarisonic when I was your age. A microfiber cloth is a cheaper alternative. Agree with Retin-a suggestions also.

Get a good sunscreen. A lot of people seem to be switching to zinc sunscreens; am reading good things about one called Devita.

Reduce carbs/bad sugars from your diet also. I went on the Perricone diet in my early 30s and am glad I did. The Zone is good also. Lowering your carbs will help prevent insulin spikes which in turn will help prevent wrinkles.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/75798-effects-sugar-skin-aging/

Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:56 am

Another on here who recommends the Tretanin. Do lots of reading first and be prepaired to take it slow. I also agree with the sunscreen. To begin with just use one, then as you learn more you will find out which ingredients are better. I am one of the people who mainly (like 95% of the time) use zinc based sunscreen.

Also think about your diet. Replace soft drinks and even juices with water. Try un sweetened teas if you want some variety. I highly recommend fish oil and evening primrose oil not just for general health but for skin health.

If you do not use Retin A - Tretanin then add exfoliation into your plan. Use what suits your skin type. Some people like really grainy things while others use a micro fibre cloth.

There are so many things out there to try. But make suncreen, retin a or antioxidents the first priority.

Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:21 pm

Ok so I have been researching and googling this Tretinoin and now I know why I haven't heard of it. I'm in Australia and it is prescription only here so not something that is common over the counter stuff that everyone use and knows of. Since my research though it seems that it is amazing stuff. I have some questions I'm hoping people might be able to help me with.

- when people say be prepared what do they mean? Is it because the results take time or because my skin might freak out?

- it can be really expensive to get stuff shipped to AU from the States but I have found a site that has Obagi Tretinoin 0.025 that ships international at reasonable rates, is this the same thing everyone is talking about? Is Tretinoin the type of cream it is not the brand name?

- and finally, when do I use it? Am I right in thinking cleanse, Tretinoin, moisturiser, eye cream, sunscreen? Can I use morning and night and do I put on whole face like i would with a moisturiser?
Answers will be much appreciated.

free skin care · Sat Jan 29, 2011 3:02 am

Hi again!

- Your skin might peel and flake for a couple of months, might be itchy, generally irritated. It helps to be super gentle: gentle cleanser, gentle/bland moisturizer your skin already knows, etc. You will see benefits during that time (radiance/glow, blackheads disappearing, etc.), but it takes patience to see the full benefits. If you're acne-prone, it will become worse first before getting better. Experience with OTC retinol (like Neutrogena Healthy Skin night cream) and niacinamide (Olay Regenerist line) helps prepare the skin for tretinoin.

- I would see a derm or GP for a prescription. Many derms prescribe antibiotics to get you through the beginning if you're acne-prone. Some people on the forum use ADC (alldaychemist).

- Night only, and every third night for several weeks, then every other night for another several weeks, then maybe every night if your skin can handle it. We can provide more detailed info about the application process...

Cheers,
Kay

Sat Jan 29, 2011 3:52 am

Thanks Kay : ) I have been googling like mad tonight and feel like I have a much better understanding now. I am going to try Retin-A Micro 0.04... I read that the Micro one can be less irritating. I'm currently using Priori Idebenone Moisturiser which I love, do you think this will be ok? I'd like to keep using it if I can. I had a look at the ingredients listing but it is mumbo jumbo to me... Also currently using MD Formulations Glycolic cleanser but have read that you shouldn't use the Retin-A with glycolic, is this correct?

free skin care · Sat Jan 29, 2011 4:01 am

You're welcome! Smile

Yes, the RA Micro might be less irritating. Some people start on regular cream .01% or .025% and then work up, but my derm started me on cream .05% and I've managed alright. If I had it to do over, I'd probably ask for cream .025%.

I understand that Idebenone (although it's a great antiox) can be irritating to some people, so you might want to back off, like use it only as often as the RA (and not at the same time). You're right, glycolic is not recommended, because it makes the RA penetrate deeper, and you don't want that at the beginning. I had to switch to a super gentle cleanser in order to tolerate RA: La Roche-Posay Toleriane gentle dermo-cleanser.

And do you have a go-to soothing moisturizer? Mine are Olay Regenerist regenerating serum fragrance-free and La Roche-Posay Cicaplast.

Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:26 am

Moonface001 wrote:

Another on here who recommends the Tretanin. Do lots of reading first and be prepaired to take it slow. I also agree with the sunscreen. To begin with just use one, then as you learn more you will find out which ingredients are better. I am one of the people who mainly (like 95% of the time) use zinc based sunscreen.

Also think about your diet. Replace soft drinks and even juices with water. Try un sweetened teas if you want some variety. I highly recommend fish oil and evening primrose oil not just for general health but for skin health.

If you do not use Retin A - Tretanin then add exfoliation into your plan. Use what suits your skin type. Some people like really grainy things while others use a micro fibre cloth.

There are so many things out there to try. But make suncreen, retin a or antioxidents the first priority.

I agree! Great answer Smile

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