Me + My Nightime Routine

Hey ya’ll! In part 4 of Reviewing My Followers Skincare Routines we’re reviewing @Raks and @juliachristine’s skincare routines. Starting with @Rakswho reached out to me via Cherie message because she started skincare about a year ago because of her upcoming wedding. She starts by cleansing with theThursday Plantation - Tea Tree Face Wash Foam which costs $8.99 for 5.1 fl oz. This cleanser is very basic. It has tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil. My issue is with the eucalyptus oil, which is a very irritating essential oil right up there with lemon oil and peppermint oil. If this doesn’t irritate your skin then it’s a great cleanser, but I can’t recommend it to those with sensitive skin. Then she goes in with 4 serums. First is thepura d'or - 20% Vitamin C Serum which costs $14.99 for 4 fl oz. This is a really good serum. It has aloe vera juice, glycerin, jojoba oil, and argan oil which are hydrating ingredients, and then it has hylaronic acid, retinol, and Vitamin C. I love it! Then she uses#The Ordinary - Nicinamide Serum[products]#[FiveStars] which costs $5.90 for 1 fl oz. We’ve talked a lot about this serum, it’s very good. Next is the#Tree Of Life - Hylaronic acid serum[products]#[TwoStars] which costs $10.95 for 1 fl oz. I don’t like this serum. It started off good with hylaronic acid, aloe vera juice, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C, but it contains way too many Essential oils and irritating extracts. And her final serum is theSkinMedica - LYTERA 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum which costs $130.90 for 2 fl oz, which is very expensive. This is not worth the price. It has nicinamide and glycerin, and then some not very researched acids. I don’t recommend continuing use of this serum. Then to moisturize she goes in with theOLAY - Regenerist Regenerating Day Cream which costs $29.99 for 1.7 fl oz. I don’t like this moisturizer. Let’s start with some positives. It has nicinamide, glycerin, and Vitamin B3. Now it has a lot of bad ingredients also. It has Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which is a harsh cleansing agent, as well as fragrance being the 6th ingredient. The she uses a Neutrogena sunscreen, and occasionally usesThe Ordinary - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution which costs $7.20 for 1 fl oz. This is a great exfoliant. I think @Raks is using too many serums. I would stick to only the Pura D’or and The Ordinary serum, and ditch the other two. Keep the cleanser, and maybe try a different moisturizer. You asked for mineral sunscreen reccomendations for dark skin tones that don’t have a white cast, so I got you girl! I have light skin, but I did some research and I’d recommend the#First Aid Beauty - Weightless Mineral SPF 30[products]#[FiveStars] which costs $34 for 1.5 fl oz, and the #Biossance - Squalane Zinc Sheer SPF 30[products]#[FiveStars] which costs $30 for 1.7 fl oz. Both of these have minimal white cast, and Skincare by Hyram recommends them. Next is @juliachristine’s night routine. She starts off by cleansing with the #Vanicream - Unscented Gentle Cleanser[products]#[ThreeStars] witch costs $8.99 for 8 fl oz. This a nice basic cleanser with glycerin. Next she uses the#OBAGI - Tretinoin 0.025% Cream[products]#[TwoStars] which costs $84 for .7 fl oz. This cream has tretinoin which is a Vitamin A derivative which can treat acne, as well as retinol which also Vitamin A. I don’t think it’s worth the price, but it’s okay. Next she uses the #The Ordinary - Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%[products]#[FourStars] which costs $7.99 for 1 fl oz. Along with azelaic acid, it has dimethicone which is a great moisturizer for dry skin. Next she uses theCeraVe - Daily Moisturizing Lotion For Normal To Dry Skin which costs $17.99 for 15 fl oz. Y’all know I love this product! Finally she finishes off with theVERSED - ZERO-G Smoothing Eye Cream witch costs $17.99 for .5 fl oz. Eye cream is definitely not necessary but this one is great! It has glycerin, algae extract, and olive oil which are hydrating, along with shea butter and a blend of peptides which can help firm the skin and increase collagen production which can help reduce fine lines around the eyes. Overall @juliachristine your routine looks great! That’s it for this post please cheer for this post if you liked it, comment your opinions on these products, and follow me for similar content. Upcoming posts include a 1 month Curology review and unnecessary skincare steps you don’t need. -Mae

I’m still having trouble with my acne, at first it was clearing up then all of sudden it keeps getting worse, any recommendations will help ! 😣 Cetaphil - Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser epielle - Black Charcoal Peel-Off Mask The Ordinary - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution Sometimes I would use .. The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% but if I don’t I would skip it and use .. The Ordinary - Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%

Okay so I did a post about Vitamin C earlier and the two main different types use mainly in vitamin c serums & other products (L-Ascorbic Acid & Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate). These are the most used & come in a range of different percentages (you need a minimum of 8% to be effective) Serums absorbs better than a vitamin c toner, moisturizer or any other concoction that comes with skincare. When using Vitamin C it’s best used during the day, UNLESS your product has retinol (which I usually don’t recommend due to irritation). Okay with that recap out the way ... The Ordinary - Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% & The Ordinary - Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution are product versions of vitamin C I’d NEVER EVER RECOMMEND! Why? When buying Vitamin C, it’s potent when just by itself which makes it a sure fire product that’ll cause irritation (mostly if your not used to it). There is a checklist when it comes to vitamin C & how it should be made: Dark packaging: vitamin C is not that stable ! It’s should be in tight, dark PUMP OR SERUM JAR Ingredients matter! : vitamin C mixed with other items make it more beneficial . -With hyaluronic acid : great for dry skin -With Vitamin E: great for anti aging -With Ferulic Acid: great for extending the life of vitamin C Best serums to look into I’d never in my life spend $166 on a serum so SKINCEUTICALS - C E Ferulic With 15% L-Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C Serumwhile never touch my face unless I get it in a super sale. Yet these formulation is the staple for all vitamin C serums for a reason. Here’s some I recommend DR. BRONNER'S - Vitamin C Serum with Ferulic Acid this serum is an EXACT DUPE FOR SKINCEAUTICALS .. this is ascorbic acid (be careful if you have sensitive skin). It’s $14.99 Seoul Ceuticals - 20% Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Serum this is my current personal fave K-Beauty I use everyday. It has Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate which is my go to since I use a lot of serums and to avoid sensitive skin. Its $16.99 Mad Hippie - Vitamin C Serum this was my favorite for a year because it’s really natural type ingredients. It has all the checklist points plus Konjac Root which is amazing for having tons of vitamins. Only reason I stopped buying was its $33.

The Ordinary has a large profile of different Vitamin C products. These include: The Ordinary - Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone The Ordinary - Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% The Ordinary - Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% The Ordinary - Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% The Ordinary - Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% The Ordinary - Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution The Ordinary - 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder ———————————— The Ordinary - Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F This product is an oil-soluble derivative of vitamin C that can be used in a higher concentration. It contains Vitamin F which is also known as fatty acid. This includes two fats: linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA). ALA is part of the omega-3 family, whereas LA is part of the omega-6 family. These help maintain skin barrier. Vitamin F (which technically isn’t a vitamin at all) works well with other topical active ingredients and is safe for all skin types. The Ascorbyl solution is a light oil solution. It has a high potency but is very low in terms of stinging. The absorption rate is 1-5 seconds. It costs $17.80 CAD, which is more expensive than some of the other TO vitamin C products. I like this product because it is a light-weight oil but is high potency, and the fact that it doesn’t sting upon application is wonderful. I know some of the other TO vitamin C products can sting quite a bit. This product is great for: ☀️Dullness, uneven texture, uneven skin tone, and fine lines and wrinkles. This product does apply quite oily but once it is absorbed into the skin you forget you applied an oil and are left with a bright complexion. This can be used in the AM/PM. Definitely recommend if you have sensitive skin and want to try a Vitamin C product and not worry about the stinging :) This could also great for all other skin types! PS if you’re not sure which Vitamin C product by The Ordinary is best for you, check out this link: https://theordinary.deciem.com/vitcguide

This is definitely not a dupe situation. These two formulas are only similar in the fact that they contain the same amount of niacinamide (as well as some texture and preservative agents). I’ve been a longtime user of The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and it does work, but I felt after my first bottle I wasn’t getting any continued results. I was also left unimpressed and looking for a different option due to the fact that this is a very tacky formula that can be difficult to work with. TO includes zinc in their formula which they state can reduce acne and can be anti-inflammatory. At $6 you’re getting your 2 active ingredients; niacinamide and zinc. PAULA'S CHOICE - 10% Niacinamide Booster includes the same 10% of niacinamide but doesn’t stop there. They also add vitamin C and a BUNCH of calming, hydrating and restoring products that your skin needs (see attached ingredient list). It’s been a controversy whether or not vitamin C and Niacinamide can be used together, even The Ordinary suggests that their Niacinamide not be used at the same time as vitamin C. Many brands and consumers have disagreed. Paula’s Choice adds the protective ingredients to ensure you’ll have less of a chance of irritation. Paula’s Choice serum is a lightweight watery formula that leaves no residue and I find easy to work into my routine. I wasn’t quite prepared for the thin formula as The Ordinary has more of a tacky texture. I found it best to add it directly from the dropper to my face, versus my hands then face. When it comes to the price difference it does seem that The Ordinary would be the obvious choice. I’m not one that believes that quality skincare has to cost more. But Paula’s Choice formula offers much more than Niacinamide. You’re getting several ingredients that are not found in The Ordinary, hence the price difference. Once I’ve emptied my bottle I’ll be better able to determine if spending 4x’s the amount is worth it. I could choose to use a less expensive option and add the antioxidants and other skin-replenishing ingredients found in Paula’s Choices formula, but I have to admit, I do like the simplicity of fewer steps in my skincare routine. 😉 There are also several other options available that I’ve not yet tried. I have tried The Inkey List and it is just a tad bit less tacky than The Ordinary. Other brand options I’d be open to try are: Good Molecules $6 - formula looks similar to TO and TIL with the only active ingredient being niacinamide Naturium $16 - 10% niacinamide and 2% zinc Good Molecules $14 - similar again to TO and TIL I LOVE how Paula’s Choice lists their ingredients. Behind each one you’ll find out how it benefits the skin. This saves me a TON of time and effort when doing my reviews! Individual reviews on The Ordinary and The Inkey List Niacinamide can be found on my page. What’s your favorite Niacinamide to use? ❤️🍒

I have oil/combo skin and been struggling with hormonal acne for a few years now which is mainly around my chin. I have noticed some positive changes but also some negative ones, for example I have more blackheads in areas besides my nose which I never had before. Here are the products I've been using lately. AM Routine I don't cleanse in the morning just splash water on my face and pat dry, then I apply PAULA'S CHOICE - Resist C15 Super Booster after I apply moisturizer e.l.f. - Holy Hydration! Face Cream - Fragrance Free then sunscreen Supergoop! - Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 With Sunflower Extract PM Routine During the day I don't wear much makeup just some mascara so I just use GARNIER - SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Water for my first cleanse, then I go in with PAULA'S CHOICE - Pore Normalizing Cleanser which I am just about out of so I will be using CeraVe - Salicylic Acid Facial Cleanserwhich I haven't tried before but decided to buy it because of all the hype! Than I apply my toner and depending on my skin at the time I will either use PAULA'S CHOICE - Pore-Reducing Toner or I'm from - Rice Toner I have just recently purchased and starting using The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% then I moisturizer with THE inkey LIST - Peptide Moisturizer I use PAULA'S CHOICE - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliator twice a weeks and PAULA'S CHOICE - 1% Retinol Treatment with Peptides + Vitamin C 3 times a week. My skin is still breaking out so I'm gonna try eliminating certain products to see if I can pin point what is causing the breakouts and blackheads. I recently purchased a cleansing brush and I'm gonna start by eliminating the Paulas choice BHA Exfoliator and start using the brush 2 or 3 times a week instead. If that's not the problem then I'm gonna try taking out the Vitamin C. If anyone has any advice or tips I am all ears!!!

I consider myself to have a fairly neutral stance on "clean beauty " and although I can appreciate organic and naturally derived ingredients, it simply comes down to if the product works for me or not. This is a very good example of when natural does not equal better. ANDALOU NATURALS - Q10 Night Repair Cream I was so disappointed! I wanted to like this, I really did. I'm not even saying that it's a bad product, but it simply did not sit well with my skin. It has a long list of wonderful ingredients which include: aloe vera juice, flax seed oil, fruit stem cells, cocoa butter, goji fruit, various nourishing oil and of course, CoQ10. Not to mention the texture is that of a smooth, silky balm that melts into the skin. And yet, this caused my sensitive skin a lot of irritation. I gave it 3 different tries and each time I felt my skin burn and start to get red and sensitive to the touch. Here is the interesting thing, this cream doesn't contain artificial fragrances, essential oils or harsh alcohols. I keep looking at the ingredient list and wondering what it is that's causing the irritation and I can't put my finger on it. The first ingredient is aloe vera juice, so could that be the main irritant? Let me know your thoughts!

I have been super intrigued by Andalou Beauty products and I was super pumped to be able to try out some of their products. The fruit enzyme mask is so jelly like... but still has a great consistency for masking. It feels super soothing and “cool” on the skin - and really makes the skin feel super hydrated and refreshed afterwards. The night cream feels really moisturizing and I love the creaminess of it. It’s not super thick... just perfect enough that you only need a little bit to spread across your entire face. Their products are super pricey either... which is always an added bonus!! ANDALOU NATURALS - Q10 Night Repair Cream ANDALOU NATURALS - Fruit Enzyme Mask, BioActive 8 Berry, Age Defying