Now that the weather is a bit cooler, I’m in fall transition mode! I’ve broken out my booties, have started changing up my skincare routine, and I have big plans to head to the mall this week for a fresh foundation match for the fall and early winter.
I’m pretty excited that I’m sharing a lot of my favorite fall transition tips in this month’s Family Circle Magazine! (Tip: I’m on page 137.) Some of my tips are pretty self explanatory, like the one to get a fresh foundation match each season.
The tip that isn’t so obvious is switching up your skincare with the change in weather. I even went so far as to recommend two specific active ingredients: a retinoid and vitamin C. Why? These ingredients will give you a big bang for your buck when it comes to improving your skin.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Everyone should be using a retinoid. They are vitamin A derivatives that increase the turnover of skin cells, improve your skin’s overall tone and improve fine lines and wrinkles. They’ll make your skin brighter, smoother and even help fight blemishes!
Retinoids do come with a trade off of skin irritation, though even those of us with sensitive skin can find a way to incorporate them into our skin care routine. I apply my retinoid over a serum and use it every other night. Even with my rosacea I’m able to use a retinoid regularly.
Vitamin C is a special antioxidant, it helps to fight the effects of oxidative stress after sun and
pollution exposure. But it also increases collagen production and helps even out your skin tone.
The sponsor of my feature was Skincare LdeL Cosmetics Retinol, a brand I hadn’t tried before. I’ve been trying out their products for the last 6 weeks or so, and I was impressed! Here are my thoughts on three of the most popular products.
Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Facial Serum
This serum is the most traditional of the products, and the one that I would likely recommend starting with first. Because everyone’s skin reacts differently to a retinoid, I usually recommend starting every other night and slowly working your way up. It’s easiest to do this when you have 1 product dedicated to your retinoid, the rest of your skincare routine can be the same each night.
The serum is a light yellow color and has a light scent. It doesn’t feel sticky at all, and it sinks into my skin completely without leaving behind a residue. I had no irritation with this product, though note I’m not new to retinoids. I was able to increase my use to nightly very quickly. The directions state that you can use it twice a day, and I do think it would be fine to use under makeup.
Retinol Day Cream with SPF 20
I typically think of retinoids as a nightly active ingredient, but you can use retinoids in the morning. Note that they do get inactivated by the sun, but as long as you’re allowing time for the product to sink into your skin before heading out into the sun you’ll get benefits.
This day cream isn’t very heavy, but it is more hydrating than my normal morning lotion. I have to admit that I want to hoard this cream and use it in the winter, it packs some serious hydration but it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy. It sinks into my skin within about 2 minutes and it preps my skin perfectly for makeup. I look glowy, not shiny.
The formulation does have a retinoid, but it also offers vitamins C and E. I love that it has broad spectrum UV coverage as well!
Anti-Aging Sheet Mask
Finally, I tried out the Anti-Aging Sheet Mask. I am not usually a sheet mask person. I think it’s because I’m often multi-tasking when I use a face mask, and since sheet masks pretty much require you to just lie there…. I need some amazing results to justify my time investment!
This is definitely the best sheet mask I’ve tried. It makes my skin look glowy and I swear makes it look like my skin tone is more even and it feels smoother. I love that it is a super punch of retinoid without irritating my skin.
Don’t forget to check out the October issue of Family Circle Magazine!
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This post is a collaboration, but all thoughts and opinions are my own!
I’m a doctor, a mommy and a bit of a beauty addict. If you let me, I can take 2 hours to get ready in the morning. Really. I'm on a quest for faster beauty that works!
Great info!
Do you have any insight on the newly hyped “low and slow” use of retinoids? I think it’s a lower concentration, and then you use it every other week. Also, is prescription tretinoin clinically shown to be more effective that otc retinoids? I forget, though I’m aware that the skin processes them differently due to the different chemical structures. Would you want to use both rx and otc if your skin can tolerate it? There are also otc products that have more than one form of retinoid; are these more effective?
So the “low and slow” really only describes starting with a low percent of retinoid (or a lower strength) and slowly increasing in frequency of use and then increasing the strength and/or concentration. I’ve been told by dermatologists that you need to use your retinoid at least every 3rd day to see the benefits, which does make sense to me. Some of what you’re doing is altering the cell’s function, and it will revert. Every other week will not give you the benefits. The effects of a prescription retinoid will be more, but you’ll also see more side effects such as redness and irritation. It really depends on what your own skin can handle, I know a bunch of derms who can’t handle prescription strength and use over the counter themselves. You only need 1 retinoid, no need to use a prescription and over the counter! I hope that helps.