Hi, Pickies! 💕

I've been trying to get rid of some steps in my routine so it's not that extensive and expensive (😆). I came to conclusion that toner/essence step is the most superfluous one as this type of product is usually just a watered down serum (I know it's not always the case). I still have a toner to finish up but the thought of not having such product in my routine already makes me sad 😅. Do you all use toner/essence in your routines? If not, do you wait for your skin to dry before you put serums/moisturizer? I know that toner isn't an essential step but I love putting it on still damp skin so it drinks all that goodness up. And it makes my face prepped for the rest of my routine (or at least that's what I'm telling myself) 😭

Life without toner

Hi Pickies! 🖤

I've been looking for a good AHA + BHA leave-on exfoliant. I tried the cult TO classic but it's too strong for me. Currently I'm using Paula's Choice BHA liquid and AHA gel (not on the same day, obviously) and I'm very happy with the results BUT I'd prefer a two-in-one kind of product that combines glycolic and salicylic acid into a moderate strength leave-on formula I could use in the evening.

 I was hyped for PC's new exfoliant but unfortunately it's not available in Europe due to our cosmetics regulations 😭.

 I'm also in love with G&G exfoliants but they don't have glycolic + salicylic acid combo. 

There's also this new product that Purito is launching: AHA and BHA Refreshing Solution 😍. However I don't know where can I get Purito products as Yesstyle doesn't sell them anymore to Poland.

P.S. I'm not looking for products like Some by Mi or Cosrx AHA+BHA+vit C as I find them too mild.

EDIT: I also tried LRP Effaclar serum but it broke me out 😭.

I'd be grateful for your recommendations! 🤞🏻

Looking for Good AHA + BHA leave-on exfoliant 🖤

I'd like to reduce number of steps in my routine and I was thinking if I really need a moisturizer in the morning as I already put toner, vitamin C serum and then sunscreen. My skin is oily and when I put too many layers and then top it off with generous amount of spf it becomes really greasy later in the day. I don't think I need that much moisturization during the day as I already use alot in my PM routine. Would sunscreen suffice in this case? Would it be occlusive enough during the day to prevent TWL (transepidermal water loss)?

Atm I'm using La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra spf 50 that contains glycerine so in theory it has some moisturizing base.

🌞 Sunscreen, no moisturizer in AM

I just watched the newest Dr Dray video and it crept back right in. The doubt. I've watched her previous video in the matter where she discusses how unstable vitamin C is and how she's not using any vitamin C serums, and that the only one that's backed up with studies is Skinceuticals one that is on a very expensive side. Since that video I did my online research on forums and YouTube and it would seem that people use different vitamin C products and they are pretty effective for them. So it would seem that it's not only Skinceuticals one that is worth it. I've also read that it's difficult to measure Vitamin C's anti-aging properties (as very strong antioxidant) because you have to use it constantly for years and then you will see if it was worth it. As for me personally I use vitamin C serum by Geek & Gorgeous and I've been using vitamin C serums for two years now. I'm not sure if it's doing anything as I also use strong actives in my routine that already help with fine lines, texture and brightening (AHA, BHA, retinoids, niacinamide, chamomile). 
Aside Dr Dray there are some dermatologists online that praise vitamin C and it's amazing properties and advise using it in your daily skincare routine (i.e. Labmuffin).
What do you think of it all guys? Do you use any form of vitamin C? Do you see any benefits of using it? I'd be grateful for your insight.

Is Vitamin C worth it? (new dr Dray video made me question it)

Hi Pickies! 🖤

I've been wondering if I could use a lightweight, gel type, moisturizer BEFORE a potent, leave-on AHA/BHA. I know you can do it with retinoids to reduce potential irritation and the latter will still be effective. I'm not sure if the acids will keep their effectiveness though. What are you thoughts? Did you try buffering a leave-on acid product? If so, was the acid still working as it should? Thank you in advance for any insight in the matter 💜💜💜

P.S. I would put a more occlusive moisturizer on top of everything to seal them in.

Moisturizer as buffer for AHA?

🤔 It has feint, natural scent to it that not everyone may like.

🤔 It stung and further irritated my skin when I had damaged skin barrier.

🤔 Paula&amp;#39;s Choice doesn&amp;#39;t disclose percentage of niacinamide.

🖤 Context: I have pretty oily but resilient skin. What I was looking for was hydration, soothing, skin barrier strengthening and brightening.

✨ I love the texture: very watery but with a little bit of slip to it. It absorbs quickly and easily when put on damp skin or on top of an essence or other toner. It layered well with other products.

✨ Contains stellar ingredients like ceramides and cholesterol for skin barrier repair, panthenol and camomile extract for soothing, moisturizing glycerin and the biggest star of them all: niacinamide that has brightening and healing properties. 

✨ My experience: it hydrates well, it does brighten the skin well so my guess would be that the niacinamide has to be around 3-5%, it definitely improved my skin&amp;#39;s texture. I also noticed it balanced sebum production ❤️.

✨ Feint, citrusy smell, even though there&amp;#39;s no added fragrance. It&amp;#39;s quite pleasant and relaxing.

✨ No alcohol, no added perfume.

✨ Bottle is quite large (190 ml) and it lasts ages!

💔 I&#39;m not convinced you need amazing skincare ingredients in your cleanser as it doesn&#39;t really stay long on your face. A simple cleansing oil will do the job as well. 

💔 It is expensive. I like the packaging, the mild fragrance and how well it works so I don&#39;t mind paying extra.

TL;DR: It&#39;s as good as the original version, though more expensive (because of &quot;better&quot; ingredients I suppose) and the scent is not as intense.

👉🏼 Texture and fragrance: It has the same balmy texture as the original: solid and white in the jar but once you get it on palms of your hands it melts into oil. The fragrance, in my opinion, is more delicate and on powdery side than the original. 

👉🏼 My experience: I love it even more than the original one though it is slightly more expensive. It removes well waterproof makeup and sunscreen, leaves no greasy residue, rinses easily. Also a little bit goes a long way so this 100ml jar will last you a long while (it lasts me three months and I use it every evening).

💔 It stains. Be careful not to spill it over your clothes. 

💔 It didnt do anything to my skin, good nor bad. Just an average toner.

😐 It&#39;s an okay toner for me. It was such hyped product that when I got it I couldn&#39;t wait to use it! 

🤷 I was expecting hydration and oil balancing properties, perfect toner for my oily skin. Unfortunately it didn&#39;t live up to my expectations. It was just okay. 

🤷 It felt like water on my skin. I must admit it absorbs really well, is very lightweight and you can layer it without any problem. But that would be all. I didn&#39;t see any additional benefits of using it.

🤔 You have to keep it in fridge, otherwise it oxydizes quickly.

🤔 I&amp;amp;amp;#39;m not a fan of dropper bottles but I understand it&amp;amp;amp;#39;s cheap and effective way to store L-Ascorbic acid.

🖤Context: I have oily but resilient skin. I already tried a few vitamin C serums so it&amp;amp;amp;#39;s not my first vitamin C product. I use it every morning, just before sunscreen to boost sun protection and mainly for anti-aging benefits.

✨ Very lightweight consistency, feels almost like water on the skin so it absorbs quickly and works very well with other products in my routine.

✨ Fades hyperpigmentation quite efficiently, makes complexion brighter and improves a little bit skin texture.

✨Boosts sun protection when used under sunscreen.

✨ No to slight fragrance (not added fragrance though) depending on batch I suppose.

✨ Batches made to order so you always get fresh products! They also ship fast and safely 🖤.

💔 I didn&#39;t notice as much soothing as I was hoping for. Nor did it help with breakouts. 
💔 It probably won&#39;t provide enough moisturization to people with dry skin as it&#39;s basically a quick absorbing gel.

💦 It&#39;s a very lightweight, non sticky, clear gel (although it has cream in the name) that absorbs basically immediately. I bought it because I&#39;ve been having more breakouts than usual recently and it has a lot of soothing ingredients. 
💦 It spreads amazingly on the skin and there&#39;s this slight cooling effect right after application.
It works well with other products in my routine in terms of texture. It doesn&#39;t pill, it works well under sunscreen and makeup. 
💦 It&#39;s a very nice daily moisturizer for people with oily skin that want to avoid putting too many greasy products on their face but I wouldn&#39;t say it fights acne. At least not in a very visible way.
💦 To sum it up: I rated it 4&#47;5 because I do think it&#39;s a very nice moisturizer for oily and acne prone skin. It doesn&#39;t cost much, it has nice ingredients, sleek packaging and it&#39;s a non sticky, waterlike gel. It just didn&#39;t meet MY expectations as I was expecting soothing and acne fighting tool which it is not.

ComatoseBear