😅 I currently don’t have a toner in my routine, and I don’t think I ever tried one before (it’s not a popular step in where I live). 

❗️My skin type is normal, it does need a little bit more hydration. 

I’d like you guys to recommend a toner or an essence that is mainly for hydration purposes - so nothing with BHA or AHA or any acne fighting ingredients. 

Preferably ones found online! 😄

Hydrating Toner Recommendation

Hey Pickies! 
I’d like some suggestions for sunscreen with these specific points:

- Bottle larger than 50ml
- SPF 50 or more
- Protection against UVA
- Not tinted
- White cast doesn’t matter!

Sunscreen 50ml+

To those who are taking Isotretinoin (Accutane/ Roaccutane) please consult your dentist and do frequent visits before during and after your treatment. 

As many of us know, Accutane comes with a long list of side effects. But what I didn’t expect to happen to me was tooth decay because of it. 

I brush my teeth 2-3x times a day, floss every night, and eat healthy food. But today I discovered that I had few tooth decays despite all the time and effort I put into taking care of my oral hygiene (my gums health is excellent, as described by my dentist).

So as I was looking into the possible reasons, I stumbled accross a study claiming that Isotretinoin can lead to cavities and tooth decay due to decrease in salivary flow (Xerostomia) during the course of treatment, which should return to normal after 2 months of completing the treatment. 

Salivary flow is important for many reasons:

- It’s an antimicrobial and has a cleansing acitivity to degrade some bacterial cell walls and inhibiting their growth

- Remineralisation of enamel with calcium and phosphate 

So with decreased salivary flow, there’s an increased chance of tooth decay. 

This is not to discourage you from taking the treatment, it’s only my personal experience so you won’t go through what I’m currently going through. 

Here’s the link of thr study if you’d like to read more into it: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17377383/

IMPORTANT: Accutane/ Roaccutane

So for those who use eyecreams, specifically for hydration and graceful aging .. do you apply the eyecream on your eyelids as well? Or only the undereye area?

Eyecreams

I see this all the time, the sandwiching method. 
Apply a moisturizer first, then retinol, and then another moisturizer on top of the retinol. 

I know the first layer of moisturizer is to reduce the side effects od retinol which will be applied on top .. then what is the role of the last layer of moisturizer? 
I’m not really convinced that it does anything regards minimizing the side effects, and the retinol I use has a thicker consistency than my moisturizer, so it doesn’t really make sense that the 3rd layer of moisturizer will do anything useful. 

Can someone clear this point please?

Retinol Sandwiching Method

Very irritating and drying when starting out. 
However, you can encounter that by starting slow with a low concentration and build your way up. 
  Moisturizing is essential when using Tretinoin, do not skip this step
   You need to discard the tube after 3 months as it becomes almost not effective at all.

This is product was prescribed by my dermatologist to treat my acne that has caused scarring, I’ve been strictly using it since 2017. 
  Tretinoin is a well-known product for treating acne and diminishing scars - and that is exactly what I got.
No more acne, scars are gone to almost 95% which is impressive. 
  I’m highly satisfied with my result, and I will continue using it 2 to 3 times probably for the rest of my life.

Sometimes (on really dry days) it doesn’t feel like it is enough on its own, probably better to pair it with a hydrating essence&#47;serum.
It does have a light fragrence, but I’m not allergic or sensitive to fragrence so I don’t mind.

Lightweight, doesn’t leave a sticky feeling or a residue
My skin easily absorbs it

🔘 Has a fragrance, I’m not sensitive to fragrance and I actually enjoy this one - but if you’re sensitive then this might not work for you
🔘 My skin feels “tight” after using it, probably a little drying for me but nothing major if I follow it with a moisturizer.

I have a normal skin that tends to be oily sometimes. 
☑️ Elegant package, not bulky and easy to travel with
☑️ It has a nice gel consistency as it lathers well, one pump is enough for my entire face
☑️ Affordable
☑️ Great for those who are looking for a daily mild cleanser as it doesn’t have any actives to fight acne
🌟 What I really appreciate about the packaging is the “Stop - Open” lock to avoid spillage of product.

it does form a slight film if you use too much of it, so I suggest you only press once and go over your whole face quickly and evenly. 

I tried using it on its own after cleansing step and found it to be a little drying after a while, I’d advise you to use it as an extra step before moisturizing to lock in its benefits and enhance the absorption of your moisturizer. 

I don’t see myself using it everyday nor repurchasing it again. 
It’s a little pricey and doesn’t feel like it added much to my routine. You cannot rely on it alone to hydrate your skin. Maybe someone with skin that is easily irritated can see more benefits of it than I did.

It comes in an aerosol spray bottle to ensure equal distribution of the product, I have the 50ml bottle and it’s not heavy to carry around. 

It’s one of the most concentrated thermal water among others, so it’s fully packed with beneficial and calming minerals.

It smells like mineral water, no scents were added to this product. It also feels like spraying a fancy mist. 

I have a normal skin with no active acne. 
I sprayed it all over my face after cleansing while doing my morning routine, and then followed it up with a moisturizer while my skin is still damp. 

I did notice a difference in my skin throughtout thr day, it became more calm and less likely to be irritated.

Norabella