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Mon Jan 02, 2006 2:17 pm |
I have really been loving this forum! So much information! I am wondering if anyone has tried Isomers "One for Face" or Linda Sy's Green Cream??? I'm looking for a gentle retinol for my sensitive skin and an anti-aging serum for my fine lines. love all your advice |
_________________ 26, fair, dry skin, redhead |
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Tue Jan 03, 2006 8:14 am |
Hi and welcome! I just bought the green cream level 6 myself but have only used it once. I think I'm really going to like it though. I've used a few retinol products and even retin-a micro (which I HATED since I never stopped peeling after 8 weeks of use!). This product sounds like it's exactly what I'm looking for from the description.
I'm at day four after my first use and I haven't had any peeling but I have had some soreness similar to a sunburn in days 1 & 2. I think I'm going to only try it once a week until I really know how my skin is going to adapt to it. You have to be really careful with these products since it's easy to over do it. Retinol (or other form of Vit-a) is typically one of the top treatments derm's recommend for smoother skin and acne treatment. I think you just have to find the form that works best for you. I'm hoping that's what green cream will be for me. It's gotten great reviews on MUA too! |
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Tue Jan 03, 2006 2:40 pm |
Really? I read about green cream on one of the threads and was excited because I want something gentle. What is MUA? I too have tried Renova in the past which made me peel too. I expect some peeling, I mean that's what it does right? Turn over the skin cells faster? I have some recurring blackheads and pimples on my chin and mostly blackheads on my nose that I'm trying to eradicate! I was thinking of applying a retinol product to my whole face for a few fine lines and general cellular renewal. What do you think? Is that going overboard? Should one start a retinol once a week at night and gradually increase? should I only spot treat fine lines and acne? Thanks so much for replying! I hope it works for you too! |
_________________ 26, fair, dry skin, redhead |
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Tue Jan 03, 2006 3:04 pm |
Linda Sy's site gives some pretty good info, but when I bought the product they sent more detailed instructions. She recommends using it once a week at first and slowly increasing based on how well your skin tolerates it. Some people don't actually have any of the "peelies" and that's what I'm hoping for. I have a friend that is an esthetician and she said just because you don't see peeling doesn't mean the product (or chemical peel in that case) didn't work. Your face actually does peel but the cells come off individually so you don't see that "peely" effect. So I'm hoping that's what green cream will do for me.
I wouldn't say that the green cream is gentle, but it's definitely not as harsh as the prescription vit. A products. I would say Kinerase (which is supposed to act similar to retinol) is gentle, but that takes much longer to see any results. I've actually been using it for a few months now and really haven't noticed much other than it being a great moisturizer.
MUA stands for makeup alley and it's a great site for reading product reviews. Just go to makeupalley.com. I believe you have to register to see the reviews though but it's free. I'm addicted to EDS and MUA. Anyways, check out the reviews there when you get a chance. Many have used this product and everyone's results are a bit different. You can also check out the Isomers review there too. Good luck and let us know if you find something that works! |
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Tue Jan 03, 2006 7:33 pm |
Thanks TAMgirl! I'm going to order it and give it a go, hope it works for you too! I know about being addicted to this forum! I have spent a few hours reading and am very impressed! I'll check out MUA too! Thanks~!!! |
_________________ 26, fair, dry skin, redhead |
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Mon Jan 09, 2006 8:10 pm |
TAMgirl! I thought I would take our discussions on Green cream back here.
Too bad your eyelids are flaky!! How far did it migrate? Did you apply it around the orbital bone? I applied Renova directly to my eyelids in the past which was not good! Thought all my delicate eyelid skin was going to come off!!
Glad it's working and not causing too much peeling elsewhere!
What are you using for a moisturizer to help counteract the dryness and flaking?
Are you using any kind of glycolic acid prep prior to applying the green cream?
I read somewhere that applying g.a. preps the skin for the retinol. Also, If you wouldn't mind sharing, what is your skincare regimen with the retinol?
Anyone else incorporating retinol into their skincare regimen please chime in!! |
_________________ 26, fair, dry skin, redhead |
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Tue Jan 10, 2006 9:32 am |
Well, I actually did put a bit on the orbital bone right under my brow b/c I wanted to see what would happen. My top eyelids have gotten pretty slack over the last few years so I thought I'd try it. Luckily the peelies are all I've gotten on my upper lid, no tenderness at all. Really the only tenderness I've gotten is the area around the outside corners. I haven't tried a glycolic prep but I'll look into it next. I do have a nice glycolic toner I could try, but I thought I read something about keeping those two products separate.
As far as my routine goes, I've been using a sample of the Dr. H. rose cream mixed with a few drops of jojoba at night. During the day, I use Dr. H cleansing cream, PSF firming toner, homemade vit. C serum and Kinerase lotion followed by sunscreen. I haven't really been applying lotion to my eyelids so I started once I noticed the peelies and that's definitely helping. I'm trying to keep my routine pretty minimum for now since they recommend only using the green cream first and slowly adding other "active" products. What's your routine? |
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Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:06 am |
I've been using the aspirin mask at night followed by acv toner (I use chamomile, green tea about a cup with about 2 tbles. acv, 10 drops of geranium oil, lavender oil, and bermagot oil. I noticed that the smell of vinegar has gone down a lot.) My collage age brother recently visited over break and I got him hooked on the aspirin mask!!
My mix: -6 aspirin
-lime juice 1/4 tsp.
-let the lime juice soak into
the aspirin, then press them
to powder with a spoon
-honey 1/2 tsp.
-yogurt 1 tsp.
I love this because it smoothes the skin and the back of my hands. I haven't noticed a reduction in blackheads so I'm ordering Dr.H. CC
I ordered the green cream but it has not arrived yet, when it does this is my regimen I would slowly incorporate:
Morning-
1-exfoliate and cleanse with Dr.H. CC
2-Acv toner
3-vit c serum- 'Elixer C' from
beautynaturally.com
4-jojoba oil for moisturizing my dry skin
5-sunscreen (currently neutrogena ultra sheer
dry-touch sunblock spf 30. I am going to
order avene sunblock 60 for sensitive skin,
which I came to the conclusion is the best
if you wear mineral makeup from reading the
sunscreen posts)
I'll start with Dr. H to see how my skin likes it, then add the vit c, then the new sunscreen.
Once I'm sure my skin is ok with this regimen, I'll add the green cream one night.
I also ordered some epidermx, epiderm camellia oil, and dermabutter. Not quite sure how this will be incorporated into the regimen yet, may use it once a week? I ordered it to help with the exfoliation process of the retinol and prevent the flaky's! |
_________________ 26, fair, dry skin, redhead |
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Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:09 am |
WHoops! I forgot to share the night routine!
1-Cleanse with sircuit skin x-trap to remove
makeup
I like Jojoba oil to remove eye makeup
2-Aspirin mask or Dr. H. when that arrives
3-acv toner
4-jojoba oil
My face still feels rather dry so I'm going to need more moisturization and more exfoliation! |
_________________ 26, fair, dry skin, redhead |
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Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:50 am |
Laruabeth:
If you feel Jojoba oil is too dry for you try emu oil. Sometimes I use it only during the night time the next morning my face is still good moisturized. You only need 2~3 drops for your entire face.
Cheryl |
_________________ 53, DermaQuest, NCN Products, PMD, Dermarolling |
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Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:37 am |
laurabeth - Have you used the green cream yet? If so, what do you think so far? Also, I'm looking into the dermabutter as well, so please let me know what you think of it too.
I'm up to 2x per week on the GC, but this last time I had quite a bit of peeling. I'm going to use it once more tomorrow night but then I won't be able to use it until 2/12 after I get back from my ski trip. I don't want my face to be more vulnerable than it needs to be with all that cold weather and sun exposure.
Well, let me know how you're doing with the GC, and anyone else that might be using it for that matter. |
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Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:20 pm |
I have been using the green cream level 3 for 2 weeks. I started on the 21st and applied it at night every 3 days. It's weird because the day after I used it my skin was a little dry but the next day it was really flaky everywhere! It even made me look like I had a lot of wrinkles under my eyes because the skin was so dry. So I used Epiderm twice in a row! The thickness of dead skin was just too much. I could have used it a few more times to remove it all. I woke up flaky and dry after the Epiderm, camellia oil and dermubutter. I have been drinking 2 liters of water a day so I don't think I am dehydrated, it might also be the weather which is dry and cold. I used an enzyme mask in the morning to dissolve some of the flakies after using the Epiderm the night before. I'm really hoping this flaking stops at some time. It's like I finally remove all the dead skin, and I look a little moisturized so I use the green cream again and I am back to flake city. I know that the flaking is good- it means that the retinol is resurfacing. I also have had some cystic acne come out from hiding so I feel like I'm going through a period of the uglies I've been using the oil cleaning method every night which is such a nice treatment, I feel clean, moisturized and my face looks rosy afterwards. I absolutely LOVE avene sunblock 50+ !!!! I have the cream and it is my favorite all around. There is no stinging or itching on the skin like I had with some other sunblocks. AND it doesn't sting if it gets in your eyes!!! That was a big problem for me. My eyes would tear up in the wind and cold and then start stinging as some sunblock got in them. It is supposed to be noncomedogenic and doesn't seem to be the cause of my breakouts-- I think that is from purging my skin with the retinol, oil cleansing, and epiderm. It is so moisturizing, at the end of the day my cheeks still feel dewy. I recommend it to anyone with dry skin in the winter. I also got the spray which is more lightweight so that would be best for this spring and summer when it's not as dry. Tonight I'm going to apply the green cream again and will go through the flaky cycle again. I sure hope it is doing something good Have you found anything that really works to exfoliate the flakies? |
_________________ 26, fair, dry skin, redhead |
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Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:10 pm |
Hi everyone,
I have tried some of the isomer products like one 3000 for body and matrixyl, but not the one for face. I do not know anything about the green creams. I bought the isomers hyaluronic acid hpur and mix it with my hand lotion to give it a boost. I also have very sensitive and acne prone skin. Most product lines are too heavy or oily for me, even a kiss on the cheek from my husband can give me a pimple. I found the isomer products to be good as far as not breaking me out but feel overall the products I tried were just average.
I was into Skinceuticals for about a year, which I find to be very nice for balancing acne prone skin. I used their vitamin CE+Ferrulic Serum, Intense line defense (glycolic acid serum) and retinol .5% all over my face, neck and hands every day. I found the products did wonders for clearing up my skin by exfoliating in a gentle way, but not tough enough to get rid of lines and wrinkles so I switched to PSF this month. BTW, the Skinceuticals moisturiser for oily skin was too oily for me and did make me break out. |
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Sat Feb 04, 2006 6:10 pm |
pnw - thanks for the info on isomers and skinceuticals. I'm trying my first sc product today and it's the antioxidant lip repair. I've heard great things about this line!
Laurabeth - I'm having some of the same issues with the flaking. I had this same problem with retin-A micro, but that was WAY worse than this. You're supposed to start out slow (1x per week) with the GC and work your way up to every day applications, so be careful. You might want to back off a day or two and see if this helps. I've been using a few vitamin and moisturizing masks but even the gentle ones can slightly sting. I find the best thing to do when I'm flaking is just to use a soft washcloth when I cleanse and use a long-lasting moisturizer. I will often apply lotion throughout the days on especially dry areas like around my mouth and nose. I really haven't had any peeling on my forehead.
Also, the wrinkly dry skin is also part of going through the initial "uglies" with any retinol product, and another reason they want you to go slow so your skin can adapt to it. Have you checked out the gc website and the forum on it? They give some great advice on how to use it so I suggest checking there if you haven't already. There are also some great testimonials. I think I'm going to stay at twice a week for now since it appears my skin is going to take to this pretty slowly. I don't think it helps that I'm also using Kinerase as my daily moisturzier, but I'm almost out and I'll be switching to a regular moisturizer soon. Keep in touch with how your doing! |
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Sat Feb 04, 2006 6:53 pm |
TAMgirl99
I hope you like the sc lip antioxidant. It is the only lip product I have found that actually conditions my lips without drying them out. Good price too. It will last a long time if you can get good at 1/2 pumps, which is all you'll need. Extra spf lip balm over the top gives a good double whammy. Another SC product I forgot to mention that made me break out was the phyto+. I bought one of their kits to save money when I started out and this one still sits in the drawer. |
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Sat Feb 04, 2006 7:45 pm |
Hi TamGirl,
So ... since Green Cream is a Retinol ... it is milder than the prescription concentration of retin-A?
I have just got Retin-A .01% ... which is the lowest concentration of it you can get. I was beginning to think that perhaps it wasn't working because I hadn't seen any peel. After a couple of days of using it, I did get a bit "pink" on my cheekbones ... but no peeling.
So ... based upon what your friend said, I can assume that it is working?
I must say that the prescription Retin-A is much cheaper than the Green Cream! I only paid about $15 for my tube of Retin-A .01% ...
Thanks for any information.
Mary |
_________________ Over 50, combo, OCM. Originator of Pearl Paste ... www.silkenpearl.com |
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Sat Feb 04, 2006 7:58 pm |
pnw-- Thanks for chiming in, I also love the PSF vitamin C serum. It is so smooth! I brought up the Isomer One For Face because it had everything you need in one product, then I read somewhere that one should not use a product with more than 3 active ingredients because they could compete with one another and the product would not be as effective in the end.
I hope you find something that forms a barrier- helmet like sheild around your skin and let me know about it. We want men to kiss us don't we? ha ha They just don't understand the rigors we go through to look beautiful. 'sigh' My boyfriend came in from mowing the lawn last summer with his greasy, dirty hands and approached me after I had just cleaned and moisturized my face after spending the morning pampering myself with a mask and steam treatment. He put his hands on both of my cheeks and kissed my forehead! I was covered with sweat, gasoline, and dirt. I had to clean and moisturize all over again! If only he knew how expensive the products I was using were. he he. Obviously I was pretty distressed since this still sticks in my mind
Tamgirl
Thanks for the info. I have read the green cream instructions but I just got a little eager. Shocking I know! I read your posts about the got 2 be mask and leaving the Revitalizing mask on over night. I think I'll try that too. After using the Epidermx it feels good to use the camellia oil and dermabutter but I think I need something more for those off days. Last night I managed to put on the retinol without going anywhere near my eyes I got a sample of hyaluronic eye cream from mario badescu and applied that before the retinol. My undereye area was so hydrated this morning- no lines or flaking. yeah! I think that might have repelled the retinol from sneaking up there. Do you use a AHA serum or mask for exfoliation on your off nights? I'm thinking that the epiderm is a little too harsh for post retinol treatment, and the pineapple enzyme mask I have doesn't dissolve all the flakes. Maybe one day all the beauty secrets we are searching for will be revealed
Anyway, Have fun on your ski trip!! I'm having a blast (cough-cough)too. I'm a nurse in training-- I'll be an RN in June. Yippi!! I tell you talking about skincare is such a nice break from discussing disease, bms, cancer.... I love nursing but classes can be a drag. My favorite part of the week is when I have I have patient who I connect with.
PS-- wear your sunscreen! (I know that you do of course) When I was a kid I went skiing and had a worse sunburn than any I had ever gotten in the summer sun! I also had raccoon eyes from the sunglasses. ha ha |
_________________ 26, fair, dry skin, redhead |
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Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:22 pm |
laurabeth, you crack me up! My face twisted up in horror at your spa day fiasco. Thank god my hubby works in computers. Although, I remember just the other day, I had finished my new pumpkin peel mask an hour before he came home from work and as we were sitting on the couch about to watch tv, he sniffed the air, turned to me, and said in alarm "do you smell something burning?" - ha ha I guess not everyone finds the smell so divine. |
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Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:12 am |
Hi Mary! Yes the GC is a retinol product and is supposed to be a bit milder, yet still effective, version of retin-A. There are different levels 3, 6 and 9 which relates to the percentage of retinol in the product (i.e. 3=.3%). If your using retin-A at .01% then I would see why you wouldn't be seeing much happening. Laurabeth started on level 3 and I started on level 6 (since I've been on other retinol products before). As far as the comparison goes, I would suggest going to the green cream website (www.greencream.com) since they give quite a bit of info including how it compares to prescription versions (I think under the community link in the forums section). Also, MUA has a LOT of reviews. Here are links to both:
http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemID=27118/Green_Cream_by_AST/Unlisted_Brand/Treatments/
http://www.greencream.com/
I used retin-A micro for about 9 weeks but it was horrible. So, I'm trying something milder and hopefully working my way up to the less expensive prescription formulas. I hope that helps!
LB - I want to applaud you on your decision to become an RN. It takes a special person to fill that position and I have such great admiration for all nurses. I'm in healthcare myself, although on the management side. I currently manage a very large radiology department in a 400+ bed hospital, so I know what you mean about taking a break from topics of disease/illness. EDS has gotten me through some very long days! And yes I'm definitely bringing the sunscreen on my trip, even though I'm sure my entire face will be covered since I FREEZE! I'm really excited too b/c it's my bf's 30th birthday and I'm surprising him with a 1-hour dog sled tour through the continental divide. How awesome is that?
And yes I have tried a few AHA products, but I'm finding that on the days I'm really peeling it's just too irritating on my skin, so I'm better off using something gentle to keep my skin moisturized. I also just bought the camellia oil but I'm having to use a heavy moisturizer over it on the days I'm peeling. The dermabutter is next on my list!
Pnw - After night one of the lip repair I'm LOVING it! I will definitely be wearing an spf lip balm over it while I'm skiing for sure! |
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Sun Feb 05, 2006 12:57 pm |
pnw-- That is hilarious! I started laughin so loud my cat looked at me like I'm crazy (she always sits on the computer when I'm on it) I also love the smell of the pumkin enzyme mask! Your hubby sounds very likeable, even though he doesn't. So are you going to give green cream a try? It's working for me (I think) I am just going to be an avid exfoliator.
tamgirl- you lucky thing! have a blast, it sounds like the trip of a lifetime- sled dogs and all And yes, you will freeze. I have had to wrap a scarf around my head most of winter here. earwrapping things and hats just don't work by themselves. Get a nice soft long scarf and wrap it over and around Grace Kelly style. With the sunglasses I wear all the time I really do look like a movie star I pm'd you about the avene sunblock- if you read this first- do a search for avene and read the post on badbird and sunscreen where they discuss it's benefits and other sunscreens. I have to go study ha ha |
_________________ 26, fair, dry skin, redhead |
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Sun Feb 05, 2006 1:01 pm |
hpjrt-- sounds a lot cheaper, and you can work your way up as you go. I have decided that flaking is good. It's working to reveal the new gorgeous skin underneath. let us know how it goes for you!!! |
_________________ 26, fair, dry skin, redhead |
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Sun Feb 05, 2006 5:34 pm |
Hi all,
I have been rereading the posts to get a better understanding on the gc cream. At first it sounded pretty scary to me. I have been using the SC .5% retinol and glycolic acid (12% I think) for a year and never experienced any peeling. Got evened out skin, but didn't do much for the wrinkles (my chest looks like a river delta in the mornings)However, SC says this retinol is safe enough to use everyday.
Yet, with the gc even at lower percentage you all seem to be experiencing peeling. I wonder why? Is this the goal? I did recently switch to PSF and do their retinol 1% with the Pumpkin peel once a week. I think the peel kicks arse! I wouldn't want to do it more than once a week as I feel it is pretty strong for me. I've also heard you should let your skin heal between peels. I just started the stronger retinol every 3 days so I'll let you know later how that goes. I think it is also stronger.
I'm just unsure how strong to go - should I be trying to peel? The PSF site suggests a "pulse system" where you back off each time you begin to see peeling (m). I'm so worried about damaging my skin. Anyone want to add their pearls of wisdom here? Another question I have is - do we continue to do retinol forever or just until we get our skin where we want it?
BTW laurabeth - my computer lovin' keyboard sittin' cat Theo says "hi" to your cat. |
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Mon Feb 06, 2006 7:38 am |
I don't pretend to be an expert when it comes to retinol by any means, but I've read a bit about it and I think that the difference comes from the delivery mechanism of the product. I think I read this on smartskincare.com, but I can't be sure. This would explain why some products contain more retinol, but actually have less of an effect, since they don't have the proper "delivery" to get it into the skin. I think the GC site talks about it's special delivery mechanism as well. And I don't think the goal is to actually peel, although that does show it's working. Some people never see the flakes, but microscopically their skin is turning over more rapidly. So if you don't see flakes, it doesn't mean it isn't necessarily working. It could either mean that it's not as powerful, or simply that your skin has adjusted to it easily. The peelies that we're talking about are supposed to just be an adjustment phase. I hope that helps somewhat! |
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Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:43 pm |
Yeah, my skin is dry and kindof flaky before I even began retinol with the green cream. It just speeds up the turnover seemingly overnight, which requires some exfolliation in the morning. I used a sample of the psf 0.5% retinol and I didn't peel at all. I used that before I started on the green cream level 3 and then I started peeling, although the last time I used it this week I did not hardly peel at all- I really avoided the eye area though . I think I am adjusting. Also, retinol is a longterm thing. If stoped the skin will stop the speedy turnover and dead layers will form up again. These are the layers that the peels, glycolic remove. The skin will keep on regenerating new cells as long as we live, it's just how you want to remove the dead skin and keep the new cells in good condition. Retinol is also supposed to increase collagen production so that over time you will see a decrease in wrinkles, pigmentation and acne. I think that each time you move up a level or percentage you might experience some irritation or flaking as your skin increases it's turnover. I chose to go with retinol because I am scared to death of the chemical peels . Also, by using the glycolic acid 12% you may have dissolved the flakes too. I am working in a chemical exfoliant by starting with lactic acid and salicylic acid in low concentrations (asprin mask with yogurt) which is doing a good job dissolving some flakes. I have read that a glycolic toner is good to prep the skin with prior to applying the retinol for deeper penetration. I havn't done that ---yet... he he he. I am actually going with Linda Sy and TAMgirl's advice on that one. I'll incorporate it later. Look at green cream's website and you will see that the bottle it is stored in is airtight and protects it from light so it's retinol isn't deactivated. I did like the psf retinol and may use it in the future, I just want to see what retinol can do for my skin and the green cream seems more concentrated. I could be wrong though. I do love the psf vitamin c serum Very smooth, clear and works!!! |
_________________ 26, fair, dry skin, redhead |
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