Hey everyone! 

I need a lot of hydration in my routine as I’ve started tretinoin and need a thicker, slower absorbing toner/essence. I’ve been using the isntree hyaluronic acid plus toner for over a year now and I love it! Just wanted some other suggestions.

Thank you <3

Thick Toners?

The famous serum is popular because it contains, centella, low strength niacinamide, peptides and ceramides.

Wondering if there’s anything that meets the same criteria. Because if this product or brand disappears, I’ll be very sad :(

Purito Unscented Centella Serum: Anything Comparable?

I’m warning you now, if you DARE discontinue the unscented centella serum, the retinals or the relief sun… I will revolt and burn your companies to the ground. I better be able to use them when I’m 75.

Much love. 😡

PURITO, GEEK & GORGEOUS, BEAUTY OF JOSEON. LISTEN. UP.

Hey guys,

Just thought I’d write a post filled with my favourite retinal (retinaldehyde) treatments.

I prefer this ingredient to retinol. I’ve seen quicker results regarding my clogged pores, mild acne and texture. Most importantly, without irritation.

I found tretinoin too harsh, even with a perfected routine which I’ve had good feedback on. My rosacea was just making me experience a more exaggerated version of the side effects, and for an even longer time. Vaseline (slugging) was the only way to prevent issues, but it’s just not something I enjoyed doing. Give it a go if you never have and the benefits intrigue you, it may be great for you. I just wanted to state that if tretinoin worked for everyone, everyone would use it. It might simply be too inconvenient for you right now, which it was for me. 

This is why I love retinal. I’m only 22, don’t have severe acne or scarring. Just rosacea, PIE (post inflammatory erythema), clogged pores and combination skin. I really hope there are more options to come in 2023 and I will keep this updated with my favs!

Geek & Gorgeous A-Game: 0.05% (5) + 0.1% (10) available
Elf Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum: 0.06% retinal & 1% granactive retinol
Same formula:
(EUR) Avene A-Oxitive Night Peeling Cream: 0.1%
(US) Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream: 0.1%
Same strength, different formula:
(EUR) Avene Physiolift Smoothing Night Balm: 0.5%
(US) Avene RetrinAL 0.05 Cream: 0.05%

Retinal Options:

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to write a quick post on here to help anyone who struggles with SPF stinging their eyes like I do. 

I have found that even most mineral fragrance-free sunscreens have stung my eyes. I can’t believe how much money I’ve wasted testing SPF products. This may seem obvious to me and a lot of you now, but it didn’t cross my mind for a while and I see a lot of people really struggling.

USE A SEPARATE SUNSCREEN FOR BABIES OR A MINERAL SPF STICK AROUND YOUR EYE AREA! <3

The white cast, finish, heaviness will not matter as much if you’re only using it here. This gives you so many more options not only for your eye area, but the rest of your face too. It becomes so much cheaper when you can buy any old £5-£10 SPF for your face and a £10 SPF for your eyes that you KNOW won’t irritate you. Unless sunscreens sting your eyes a lot, you won’t really understand the bliss hahaha.

For reference, I will mention some products that stung my eyes so that you can gauge whether your eyes may be as sensitive as mine:

La Roche-Posay Invisible Fluid SPF50+
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream
Missha Sunscreens
Alba Botanica Sensitive Mineral
SOS Serum SPF50+

In the tags section, I will put the formulations that work for my eye area.

Hope this helps somebody <3

Sunscreen Stinging Your Eyes? Please Read 🤍

I wouldn’t use a few CeraVe products (including this one) on sensitised skin. If I apply a CeraVe moisturiser after a shower (even if it’s moderately warm) my skin burns. Keep this in mind. If you’re looking for a moisturiser that doesn’t sting in any context then la roche-posay, avene and isntree are good options. Isntree has a green tea emulsion, a gel cream and a lotion and all of them are non-irritating. 

If you like warm&#47;hot showers like most people but you have sensitive skin, apply a rich moisturiser after the shower (avene recovery cream or similar) and do your actual routine an hour or so later. It gives your skin time to calm down. Saves me from any issues with CeraVe moisturisers if I feel like using them.

Lightweight lotion that’s suitable for all skin types depending on your preference. Has some good ingredients for a healthy skin barrier. It’s affordable so worth a try.

It is really thin so you need to use more than you’d think but that’s to be expected. The key is to dry your hands before applying the cleanser. This way, the cleanser isn’t as diluted and is way more effective. I do this with all my milk/cream/jelly cleansers. Perfect amount of water!

For reference: combination, reactive, rosacea, easily congested pores, currently using tretinoin 0.05% + finacea 15% gel.

A very thin lotion and incredibly mild formula. However, my face feels surprisingly much cleaner when rinsing. I love this and is one of the few cleansers (alongside cetaphil, vanicream & la roche-posay) I can use when I’ve damaged my skin barrier. So definitely give this a go if you’re experiencing stinging. 

What’s great is that I often find this on vinted, depop or ebay for such a low price. (UK)

It CAN sting me a little but only if my rosacea is flaring up or if my barrier is damaged (of course). There are cleansers that never sting, even when I’ve fucked up badly. Like Avene extremely gentle cleanser, vanicream and LRP caring wash. I’d opt for one those if you’re especially sensitive. This is better for more resilient skin.

Non-stripping, non-foaming affordable cleanser that works for a lot of skin types. Cleanses more thoroughly than you’d expect. It feels like snot, but in a good way.

It doesn’t provide long lasting hydration for me personally. Hence why I mix it with a cream that’s too heavy for me on it’s own. If you’re suffering from some flakiness, oily or dry, I wouldn’t recommend this as your go-to.

It’s not irriating on my combo skin w&#47; mild rosacea, it’s also quite cooling. Quick to absorb, so a good one for people who prefer a lighter product before their base.  It worked best mixed in with a heavier moisturiser for me.

So cost effective (per ml) and is often included in the 3 for 2 deals at Boots, ended up being £6 something each. Melts easily as you’d expect, isn’t overly silicone-feeling but does have a silky formula. Removes waterproof makeup with ease. Doesn’t cloud my vision at all and effectively clears out my sebaceous filaments. Would buy again! Definitely worth trying out if you need something accessible in the UK. Unsure why this doesn’t have much hype on socials.

ljk16