Its NEVER too early to think about this stuff.
Are there any go-to products anyone might know of for firming, toning and lifting?
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
I am wondering this very thing. I especially want to start with eye cream but from what I hear eye creams are gimmicky and even oil can be used to moisturize that area. Basically, areas that are dry tend to age the fastest and since the under eye cream cannot produce it's own oils it tends to be dry the most.
I also hear Vitamin C serum and retinol are great for anti-aging but I still need to do more research on this. In fact, I need to do more research on good skin care in general. What do you use now, @Reha?
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
For anti aging...nothing right now.
I have noticed that my skin has gotten drier than before. Its not super dry...still combination but its drier. That could also be because of the fact that its winter...lol.
I have been thinking of trying out Avage. Its a derivative of Vitamin A and supposedly good for aging but needs a prescription. :(
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
Tone skin with green tea. Let it dry before applying moisturizer.
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
sigh Yea that’s an age thing. In my teens and early 20’s…my skin was super oily. Mid 20’s…combination. And these days…majority of it is on the dry side (it has it’s “oily days” but most of the time…its dry). 
As for anti-aging…my routine consists of DIY Vit. C serum, AHA’s (Glycolic and Lactic), Retin-A, Argan Oil and sunscreen. Of course…improving diet and exercising. Did my first TCA in December and loved it. Can’t do it regularly due to the downtime required but planning on doing it at least 1x (hopefully 2x) each year from now.
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
Where is Gina - She usually has awesome input
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
Paheli, I was thinking of getting this Vitamin C serum, a lot of people on MUA recommended it: Amazon.com: NuFountain Fresh Cosmetics C20, Made Fresh When Ordered, 20% Vitamin C Serum, 1.0 oz.: Beauty
Why and how do you make it yourself? Also, how much do you space out your AHAs? What’s the Argan oil for? Please elaborate!
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
well rosehip oil which i know many people are now using has retonic acid and vit c. it's supposed to be good for anti ageing. argan oil is good too, it has a lot of vit E.
i'm not sure how much what we apply externally can have an effect. keeping the skin moisturised, not pulling it about too much (for example the skin around the eyes), wearing sunscreen all the time all help with slowing the process.
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
Ou, I didn't know Rosehip Oil was that beneficial! I'm going to look into it. And when would you guys apply the oils such as Rosehip or Argan? After the retin products? The esthetician I spoke to said to always apply products going from thinner to thicker.
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
I think Paheli would know the answer to that.
I don't think you can get retin-A without a prescrip in the UK. Also, is it of any use if you have no skin issues? What would it do?
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
Argan oil is my moisturizer. . There are other oils out there that people love too (avacado, macademia nut, rosehip etc.).
Spacing out the AHAs: This is what works for MY skin but othesr may have to adjust it based on how their skin reacts.
I use .025% RA cream every other night or every 2 nights.
I alternate between 30% Glycolic peels and 55% Lactic peels every 2 weeks (I used to alternate every week but since my skin is to a point where I’m content with it…right now I’m doing mostly “maintenance”).
I did TCA last December and loved it. I plan on doing it again either during Thanksgiving or Christmas break. Wish I had the downtime to do it more often.
** Note: 2 days before, and 3-4 days after a peel…I do NOT use RA. Those few days before and after the peel…I only use Argan Oil at night and Vit. C serum in the morning. I’ve made the mistake of overexfoliating my face before and it’s not pretty. :bummer: Also, I’m not very strict on my “2 week cycle” with the peels. Since I use RA…that also exfoliates and evens out my skin tone in between. So if due to my schedule (ie. weekend plans) if I can’t do it every 2 weeks…I’ll definately do it every 3 weeks.
Last night I made my own Lactic Acid lotion for body…will see how it works in the next few weeks. 
After doing research, basically I believe due to how unstable Vitamin C is…most products that are “ready made” do not have a high enough % of vit. C to really do the job. In addition…if it’s not “stable”…its not benefitting the skin and I have no idea how to make sure that the company is putting something in it to make it stable. Plus the prices…eeks! Most are too expensive! I apply the Vit. C serum every single morning on my face, next, upper chest…and even on both arms. It takes me 2-3 weeks to finish a 1 oz bottle so the cost would add up real fast.
Here is the recipe I use. All ingredients can be purchased at Lotioncrafter.com. I’ll also post 2 links at the end about an article that explans the stabity of the chemicals better than I can. I’ve been doing this for like the last 5-6 months and really liking it.
**"15% vitamin C + E + ferulic acid serum with Jojoba
**1 tsp L-Ascorbic Acid
1 tsp Sea Kelp Bioferment
1 tsp Jojoba Oil (You can use any other oil too…I use Argan)
3 tsp Distilled water
1/4 tsp Ferulic Acid
1/4 tsp Vitamin E Oil
1/4 tsp ice cold Vodka or Witch Hazel
- First dissolve the ferulic acid in the vodka in one shotglass.
- Combine the SKB, vit E and jojoba oil in a second shotglass.
- Quickly mix the L-ascorbic acid into the water in a third shotglass and combine with the other 2 shotglasses.
Store in a dark closed dropper bottle in a cool but not necessarily cold place.
Shake before using each time.
Be sure that each phase is completely dissolved before combining all the phases together. Your serum should be a milky thin fluid, and it is normal to have an oily layer on top. Shake well before using each time to disperse the oil and water phases.
The pH of any L-ascorbic acid serum should be less than 3.5 in order to be absorbed by the skin. If your serum’s pH rises above 3.5 or turns yellow or darkens, throw it away since it has oxidized and is no longer effective.
Your skin may sting the first few times using this. If you are too sensitive to a 15% serum, use less L-ascorbic acid in your next batch until you adjust to it.
You will use the C serum in the morning along with your other products, but NOT with copper peptides as they cancel each other out."
News & Research - Vitamin C and Skin
Vitamin C + E + ferulic acid: enhancing stability and effectiveness of topical ascorbic acid
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
That serum has some seriously good feedback on Amazon!!!
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
Here’s a link that talks about/sells a lot of different types of oils (including Rosehip). From this site, I have tried the following oils: almond, cranberry seed, sesame seed, and avacado. Cranberry and Sesame has a weird smell that I can’t stand. Almond and avacado are nice but the texture is too thin for my liking. That’s why for now I’m sticking to my Argan (note: I purchase mine from MUAC). I personally have not tried rosehip (I still have the other 4 oils plus my Argan for my use!) but I’ve read good things about it.
Since ADC delivers Retin A in the U.S…I assume they deliver in the U.K. but you can check their web site to comfirm (and no prescription is needed on that site). As for usage…among other things…Retin A has been proven to diminish fines lines and prevent future lines/wrinkles. So even if a person doesn’t have any issues right now…if future wrinkle prevention is a concern, that RA is something that can’t be ignored.
RA should be the first thing that goes on the skin. In the beginning, while the skin is getting used to the RA…you can apply the RA, wait an hour or so…and then apply the oil (whatever oil you choose). Personally, I’m to a point where on nights when I apply RA…I don’t apply anything else on it. On alternate nights or any nights when my skin feels dry…I apply oil only and by next morning, my skin is baby soft. But if your skin isn’t super dry/flaky etc. from the RA…then no reason to dilute it by adding oil afterwards.
Hope this makes sense.
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
WOW. Thanks, Paheli and Stoppit. I’m going to look further into everything you guys mentioned and make a few purchases. I want a well-rounded skin care routine and this seems like the perfect way to to start. Thank you!
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
l guys u r in uk and knw abut that chemistry. But i cant understand such chemistry.
i hv heard after 25 u start takng care of ur skin like aging skin.
So need some gud advice except above chemistry.like ponds , olay or loreal hv aging products. r they nt worth buying?
diet and exercise at its own place. must be careful., but knw abut aging products. or any homemade recipe.
One thing that is very important is moiturizer. skin should be moisturize well. but which one is best?????//
As for as eye cream i think castor oil is also best.
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
so using all oils around the eye area is ok? or u can use only specific ones?
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
castor oil always heard best for area around eyes. daily night massage is ideal and est for this area.
Re: Anti Aging Skin Care
tell me best cream nt a chemist one for skin. as a anti aging. as going to 30s.