Joined
·
4,587 Posts
Hi,
First post. Love the site.
![]()
Here's my 2 cents about what I've learned about skin health.
First and foremost use a QUALITY sunscreen daily. Most sunscreens sold in the US are pretty weak at protecting against UV damage. Improvements have been made with the introduction of Octocrylene being used to stabalize Avobenzone. These sunscreens still fall way behind what is available in Europe such as LaRoche Possay Anthelios with both Mexoryl XL and XS and Bioderma with Tinsorb M and S. These sunscreens provide a PPD of at least 20 which is very good.
Most US sunscreens only provide up to around a PPD of 10. Buying these European sunscreens can be cost prohibitive for many. A good alternative is to buy something like
the brand Ombrelle SPF 45. canadadrugsuperstore.com
This is a pretty big bottle at 240ml compared to most having 120ml or less.
This product has the Mexoryl SX but not the XL.
westcoastskin.com They will match this price and give you a 25% additional discount if you call them and mention where you found it.
Second is a good vitamin C serum to be used in the morning under your sunscreen.
Many good options to choose from such as CE Ferulic. These are pricey to say the least. A better option is to make your own DIY vitamin C serum. I recently came across one that looks very promising:
You can get the Ascorbic Acid powder (L-ascorbic acid is the same thing) at any health food store. Make sure it is 100% pure. Now brand is a good one.
You'll also need a 1oz dark colored dropper bottle to store it in.
This is what I recommend to use as your base.
DS Laboratories Viterol A Cream for General Face Area
You'll also need "Distilled water" (nothing else will do!), that you can buy in any grocery store. Also pick up a small bottle of Vitamin E capsules (for an added boost.)
So here it is all together;
What you need;
- Amber or dark colored 1oz dropper bottle
- Ascorbic Acid crystals
- Distilled water
- Vitamin E capsule
- Viterol A for Face (It has vitamin A + Ferulic acid already in there, and the PH is low.. It will give you a perfectly lovely C serum)
Recipe for 15% 1oz Vitamin C serum;
- 1 tsp Ascorbic Acid powder or crystals
- 3 tsp Distilled water
- 2 tsp Viterol A (If you only use this for formulating, you'll have enough to make a years worth of serums!)
- 2 Vitamin E capsules (you'll pierce it, and squeeze the contents into the Viterol A)
Here's how to do it;
Use two shot glasses. In one measure in 1 tsp of Ascorbic Acid, then add the 3 tsp of distilled water to it. Stir a bit, and allow to dissolve completely (5 to 10 minutes).
In the other shot glass, measure in the 2 tsp of Viterol A, then squeeze in the 2 Vitamin E capsule contents and mix this thouroughly.
Once the Ascorbic Acid has "fully" dissolved in the first shot glass, you'll combine the two. Stir well, and carefully pour into your 1oz bottle..
It is a very stable formulation, and will remain so if kept out of heat and direct light. It will last 2 to 3 months depending on how liberally you use it.
All in all, if you follow my recipe, here's the *main* goodies you'll have;
Vit C - Both AA + Oil soluble varieties
Vit E
Vit A
Ferulic Acid
D-Panthenol (Pro B-5)
And a nanosome delivery system to boot!
Thirdly, use Retin-a (Tretinoin) nightly. Work up to using it every night if possible. You may have peeling, reddining or worsening of acne symptoms initially, but this will pass in time. It will be worth it. Put it on immediatley after bathing for best absorption. Many will say to wait 20 minutes or so after bathing but that just lessens the absorption which is not what we want. The gel seems to penetrate better than the cream versions. I would go with only the retin-a and nothing over it at night. This is coming to light recently as superior to adding a moisturizer on top of it which has been said to interfere with the actions of the retin-a.
First post. Love the site.
Here's my 2 cents about what I've learned about skin health.
First and foremost use a QUALITY sunscreen daily. Most sunscreens sold in the US are pretty weak at protecting against UV damage. Improvements have been made with the introduction of Octocrylene being used to stabalize Avobenzone. These sunscreens still fall way behind what is available in Europe such as LaRoche Possay Anthelios with both Mexoryl XL and XS and Bioderma with Tinsorb M and S. These sunscreens provide a PPD of at least 20 which is very good.
Most US sunscreens only provide up to around a PPD of 10. Buying these European sunscreens can be cost prohibitive for many. A good alternative is to buy something like
the brand Ombrelle SPF 45. canadadrugsuperstore.com
This is a pretty big bottle at 240ml compared to most having 120ml or less.
This product has the Mexoryl SX but not the XL.
westcoastskin.com They will match this price and give you a 25% additional discount if you call them and mention where you found it.
Second is a good vitamin C serum to be used in the morning under your sunscreen.
Many good options to choose from such as CE Ferulic. These are pricey to say the least. A better option is to make your own DIY vitamin C serum. I recently came across one that looks very promising:
You can get the Ascorbic Acid powder (L-ascorbic acid is the same thing) at any health food store. Make sure it is 100% pure. Now brand is a good one.
You'll also need a 1oz dark colored dropper bottle to store it in.
This is what I recommend to use as your base.
DS Laboratories Viterol A Cream for General Face Area
You'll also need "Distilled water" (nothing else will do!), that you can buy in any grocery store. Also pick up a small bottle of Vitamin E capsules (for an added boost.)
So here it is all together;
What you need;
- Amber or dark colored 1oz dropper bottle
- Ascorbic Acid crystals
- Distilled water
- Vitamin E capsule
- Viterol A for Face (It has vitamin A + Ferulic acid already in there, and the PH is low.. It will give you a perfectly lovely C serum)
Recipe for 15% 1oz Vitamin C serum;
- 1 tsp Ascorbic Acid powder or crystals
- 3 tsp Distilled water
- 2 tsp Viterol A (If you only use this for formulating, you'll have enough to make a years worth of serums!)
- 2 Vitamin E capsules (you'll pierce it, and squeeze the contents into the Viterol A)
Here's how to do it;
Use two shot glasses. In one measure in 1 tsp of Ascorbic Acid, then add the 3 tsp of distilled water to it. Stir a bit, and allow to dissolve completely (5 to 10 minutes).
In the other shot glass, measure in the 2 tsp of Viterol A, then squeeze in the 2 Vitamin E capsule contents and mix this thouroughly.
Once the Ascorbic Acid has "fully" dissolved in the first shot glass, you'll combine the two. Stir well, and carefully pour into your 1oz bottle..
It is a very stable formulation, and will remain so if kept out of heat and direct light. It will last 2 to 3 months depending on how liberally you use it.
All in all, if you follow my recipe, here's the *main* goodies you'll have;
Vit C - Both AA + Oil soluble varieties
Vit E
Vit A
Ferulic Acid
D-Panthenol (Pro B-5)
And a nanosome delivery system to boot!
Thirdly, use Retin-a (Tretinoin) nightly. Work up to using it every night if possible. You may have peeling, reddining or worsening of acne symptoms initially, but this will pass in time. It will be worth it. Put it on immediatley after bathing for best absorption. Many will say to wait 20 minutes or so after bathing but that just lessens the absorption which is not what we want. The gel seems to penetrate better than the cream versions. I would go with only the retin-a and nothing over it at night. This is coming to light recently as superior to adding a moisturizer on top of it which has been said to interfere with the actions of the retin-a.
