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Thu Jun 07, 2012 12:11 pm  |
Hi everyone, I need your help! My skin was doing great (as far as I could tell) but I've come to a point where it has taken a turn, and I'm not sure how to proceed. I like to simplify, but suddenly I feel like things have gotten out of hand!
Overall Condition:
I have normal/oily skin and usually assume I've got a reasonable buildup on the surface protecting it - but of course this isn't always the case.
Most of my hyperpigmentation has faded, but there are some very recent scars from irritation (on my chin & jawline), plus a couple of other small dots which have never faded. I'm not sure what they are. I have a small issue with texture due to long ago acne on a couple of places on my cheeks, and large pores in my t-zone.
My routine has included:
OCM - 3 or 4 minutes when cleaning off makeup. Ran out of castor oil so just a mix of others.
Microfibre cloth - either alone in the morning, or to remove the oil. I overdo it!
Vit C - was applying every 2 or 3 days
Tretinoin - every 3rd night or so
Super ghk cp serum - every day or other day for the last couple months
KinNiaNag - I found it too oily for my liking, but recently introduced it again, particularly on hyperpigmentation & a little on the large pores.
Devita sunscreens - I have the moisturizer & body lotion & have been alternating
Zinc ointment - a little to the outer corners of my eyes
Hydroquinone - every few weeks I spot treat with it for a few days
Alpha Arbutin/Lactic (Platinum) fading gel - spot treating but went a little crazy for a while - all over the chin & lower cheeks a few weeks ago. Bad idea.
The very rare aspirin/honey mask, zia papaya enzyme mask, yogurt/sea kelp mask, the diy gelatin eye treatment...
Recent Condition:
My skin has started flaking and I NEVER get flaking! I'm not sure what triggered itbut I think the zia papaya enzyme (discontinued formula) which worked like a dream a couple weeks ago, made it vulnerable. The flaking is mild but all over, even above my eyelids!
Today the lower part of my face, stung a bit and the sides of my nostrils feel a bit crusty, so I know I'm in trouble.
Diet: Loads of fruit & veggies lately, less breads & grains & dairy, chicken or beef every 2-3 days, I take fish oil supplements but haven't had much fish in recent months
What I've done:
I'm gentler with my microfibre. I stopped using Vit C a couple weeks ago. I stopped using the spot treatments and masks. Haven't used cp's for a couple days. Today I'm going to try zinc ointment in the worst areas.
My questions:
Can I take a break from the Tretinoin without going back to zero? I gathered that after a year of everyday use you need to keep it up in your system every 2-3 days.
Is there anything to be lost by discontinuing cp's for a bit?
Will continuing the KinNiaNag be helpful for my condition? I want to keep treating the recent hyperpigmentation on my chin & jawline somehow if I can.
Thanks for your time! |
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Olive, normal/oily skin. Using rinse-off ocm, Vit C, Tretinoin since Nov/10, GHK since Feb/12, Niacinamide & glucosamine, alternating, & now skipping nights! Concerns include oiliness, hyperpigmentation from occasional zits, 11's & nasolabial folds. |
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Thu Jun 07, 2012 2:31 pm |
| LoriA wrote: |
My questions:
Can I take a break from the Tretinoin without going back to zero? I gathered that after a year of everyday use you need to keep it up in your system every 2-3 days.
Is there anything to be lost by discontinuing cp's for a bit?
Will continuing the KinNiaNag be helpful for my condition? I want to keep treating the recent hyperpigmentation on my chin & jawline somehow if I can.
Thanks for your time! |
Excellent questions! I wish I knew the answers! |
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Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:43 pm |
Enlarged pores can indicate dehydration. Flaking all over might indicate mild contact dermatitis not simply dryness, if that is the case you need to lay off as many actives as possible. IMO certainly the Retin-A and even the Devita Body Block - that contains essential oils which might irritate. 
Maybe switch to a lotion cleanser rinsed with plain water and your hands? Oils rich in oleic acid can contribute to irritation, plus using the microfibre cloth won't be allowing your skin barrier to repair. Once you return to the OCM maybe add an emulsifier to your blend so you don't have to use the microfibre cloth as much? Or switch to muslin cloths which are difficult to cause damage with?
Zinc can also be drying so IMO limit to sunscreen. Have you considered aloe vera? It has proven healing, humectant, anti-inflammatory and collagen inducing properties. Of all your actives the KinNiaNag is probably the gentlest and I have used it myself on irritated skin - post LA peel/ dermarolling - but I would not use it if it causes stinging. I don't find it greasy tho, do you mean if you apply moisturiser over the top? Are you using it morning or night? |
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Sensitivity, forehead pigmentation & elevens, nose & chin clogged pores. Topicals: Aloe vera, squalane, lactic acid, Myfawnie KinNiaNag HG: Weleda calendula, Lanolips, Guinot masque essentiel, Flexitol Naturals, Careprost. Gadgets: Vaughter dermarollers, Lightstim. |
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Thu Jun 07, 2012 3:46 pm |
If you stop using the Retin A, your results will slowly start to diminish. It is definitely not an overnight thing; just normal aging happening. If you have used the RA for 1 year, most will tell you that you can maintain your results with around 3 nights a week.
Can't help with the cps or the KNN product! |
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Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:19 pm |
| A second on it is not overnight I stopped RA for a week or two completely to try a product alone (initially). and did not see any difference at all! |
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I'LL SEE YOU ON THE DARKSIDE OF THE MOON.... |
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Fri Jun 08, 2012 11:05 am |
Oh boy.. you know what, I had become quite dehydrated a while ago so this may be in part a reaction! Have always had large t-zone pores though.
I don't have a safe lotion cleanser, but adding poly80 to my oils was a great idea I'd been meaning to try. LOVE IT - had missed washing with cleanser & rinsing!
I haven't found zinc drying to either lips or eyes, but those areas are different so you may have a point. I've never been wild about aloe - plus I read recently that its best mixed with other things? Anyway, I'm hesitant to apply more.. will cut the main irritants first and see how it goes, especially since there's already the Devita (moisturizer) & KinNiaNag. I find everything too oily for my skin. 
Will hold off on the Tretinoin, for sure. And the cp's too... as I recall, had developed a little dryness around my mouth soon after started on it.
(Btw, do you know if its ok to use knn after retin-a or cp's? I don't like layering things if I can help it but with ALL this stuff! Would like to use at night due to oiliness.)
Funny how I thought of myself as non-reactive and kind of invincible before this! Too much product for me, washing 2x a day at times (odd schedule), and absent-mindedly touching my chin & jawline too much.. a culmination of sillyness. Things feel a little better today.
Thanks everyone - very helpful! |
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Olive, normal/oily skin. Using rinse-off ocm, Vit C, Tretinoin since Nov/10, GHK since Feb/12, Niacinamide & glucosamine, alternating, & now skipping nights! Concerns include oiliness, hyperpigmentation from occasional zits, 11's & nasolabial folds. |
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