Hii friends! I need some insight on this.

As many of your have probably already know, rosehip oil has some form or derivative of vitamin A. I won't get too in-depth about that.

I, myself, am currently using rosehip oil (Lifeflo Pure Rosehip Seed Oil) for its (possible) vitamin A benefits, specifically getting rid of acne scars. For almost 2 months of usage, I havent seen that much of a change in what I initially wanted to use it for. Because of this, I am planning to add a retinoid (The Ordinary Granactive  Retinoid 2% Emulsion) to my routine in the future. It could be that I should give rosehip oil more time to really work for my skin or maybe its not really reaping any of its vitamin A benefits.

I was wondering if anyone has tried using rosehip oil as an alternative to retinol and their experience with it, or if anyone just has some thoughts about this.

Rosehip oil as an alternative to retinol?

Hi, friends! This is a dilemma I've been facing recently.

So my routine is fairly simple and not complicated. For my PM routine, the only thing I apply on my face is just moisturiser and facial oil (planning to add a serum and maybe retinol/retinoid in the future)

Having skin of colour, I watch Dr Vanita Rattan on Youtube quite fairly a lot. From her video about facial oils, she recommends to wear oils as the last step of the skincare routine and mentioned that it shouldn't be used for treatment but instead as an occlusive to lock in moisture and hydration. 

However, I use rosehip oil and tamanu oil with the intention of getting rid of acne scars (PIE, PIH, and some not so deep pitted scars). Reading articles online and watching other skincare experts/youtubers, some say to wear it as the last step of the skincare routine but others say that if the oil is used as a treatment oil, it should be applied before moisturiser. 

So you can see the confusion and dilemma I'm facing. As the title states, my question is, should I use oils or moisturiser first? (and can I use oils as a treatment step in my routine?)

Oils or Moisturiser First?

Hi friends! I need helpp!!!

So you should know that I'm a quite lazy person when it comes to applying products to my skin after cleansing and/or wearing a wash-off mask. I like my skincare routine to be short, simple, and not take too much of my time, especially during mornings.

However, with many skin concerns, I find myself searching for more products to add into my skincare routine, making it more complex and time-consuming.

So far, my skincare routine consists of the basic three: cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen during AM (+ 2 facial oils during PM). On exfoliating days (twice a week), I switch to a salicylic acid cleanser, followed by an exfoliating toner before my moisturiser. I also wear a wash-off mask once a week, seperate from my exfoliating days. Ocassionally, when I get nodular pimples, I use sulfur ointment as a wash-off spot mask every night (except exfoliating days) until its gone. This, in itself already, is a somewhat complex routine for myself.

I'm now planning to add a serum (to be used twice daily, regardless exfoliating or mask day) and maybe a retinol/retinoid (to be used twice a week, seperate from exfoliating days, not so sure abt mask day). It doesn't seem like I'm adding a lot but idk. The number of products that I apply onto my skin (after cleansing and/or mask) in my new routine would look something like this:-

Normal routine (AM): 3 products
Serum>Moisturiser>Sunscreen

Normal routine (PM): 4-5 products
Retinol*>Serum>Moisturiser>2 facial oils

Exfoliating day (PM): 5 products
Toner>Serum>Moisturiser>2 facial oils

Mask day (PM): 4 or 5 products
Retinol**>Serum>Moisturiser>2 facial oils

(* depending on day, ** not sure if i should)

Idk if this seems a lot or not but my question still stands. How many products (regardless of what product it is) is considered to be an acceptable number of products to apply (after cleansing and/or mask) on my skin in one routine?

How many products can I apply on my skin in one routine?

Hi, friends! I got a question.

I've been planning to start using retinoid in my routine, specifically The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion. Reading up on this specific product, it is said to be good for beginners and oily skin, though if this works for me, I don't really plan to change to a different retinol/retinoid (mainly bcs its tedious to change my routine and its the most affordable for me, compared to others I've seen that is somewhat easily accessible for me)

I've heard that people mainly use this ingredient for anti-aging, starting in their early to mid twenties but I was wondering if i could use it as early as 18 years old to target pitted acne scars and prevent future acne.

Retinol/Retinoid at 18 years old?

Hi friends! I've been meaning to ask some opinions on this.

A while back, I started using The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser as a step in my exfoliation routine. It has 2% salicylic acid, tolerated well on my skin (not so sure if there has been any significant changes tho, I don't pay too much attention to my skin most of the time lol), pretty affordable and accessible for me, and is a product that has been recommended by many.

However, I have heard some contrasting opinions on the efficacy of salicylic acid in cleansers. Some say that having the product on your skin for at least 20 seconds is enough for the salicylic acid to work itself onto the skin, while others say that because it is a cleanser, essentially you'd be washing away the product and not allowing more time for the salicylic acid to penetrate the skin. The latter would recommend using leave on products instead (e.g. toners, serums, etc)

I'm the kind of person who likes a somewhat minimal routine and feel as if I apply too many products on my skin/have too steps AFTER cleansing, that by the time I reach the last step in the routine, the final product would not be able to penetrate my skin. Also because too many steps is just tedious and complicating for me lol.

Just to give you an idea, this is what my exfoliation routine looks like:

SA cleanser > mandelic acid toner > serum* > moisturiser > 2 facial oils
(* to be added into the routine)

So, my question, do salicylic acid cleansers really work to exfoliate the skin or should I just switch to a leave on product with salicylic acid?

marzmoo