Time for an update! This time with extra retinoid power – my Tretinoin skincare routine for sensitive skin!
Skintype?
Usually, I’d characterize my skintype as sensitive combination. But that’s changed since I’ve started to use Tretinoin in the summer. Since then, my skin is drier, and even more sensitive.
What do I want from my skincare?
When I did my last routine post, hyperpigmentation was my biggest issue. Sure, I’m 46 and my skin suffers from signs of aging like occasional dullness, fine lines, the occasional (mostly hormonal) outbreak. But since I’ve started with Tret, my only issue is to strengthen and repair my skin barrier. (I’ll do an update post on my experiences with Tret in January.) Be shocked how many products I use. It’s… a LOT.
AM routine
Cleansing
Balea cleansing oil, always and forever. The OG. Honestly, I don’t know any cleansing oil that works so well for so little money. (Review)
Toner
A spritz of Eucerin’s Face Spray (review) gives me some hyaluronic acid and a lot of that refreshing feeling. After that, I use a ‘proper’ toner, like Paula’s Choice Resist Advanced Replenishing Toner (review) with a lot of fatty acids and ceramides or her new-ish reformulated Calm Toner.
Serum
Right now, mainly for barrier repair, I concentrate on serums with ceramides, panthenol and antioxidants. Centella is also nice, and niacinamide, too. You could apply all of these one after another. I, though, do mix one pump of each in the palm of my hand and apply from there.
I start with PSA The Most (review) for some more hyaluronic acid, but also panthenol and other skin soothers. I add a pump of Allies of Skin’s Niacinamide Booster (review) with (again) centella, and antioxidants and a pump of The Ordinary’s hot and new Soothing & Barrier Support Serum with (you guessed it) centella and ceramides.
Moisturizer & eye cream
I either use Paula’s Choice’s Omega+ Complex Moisturizer (review) or Beyer & Söhne’s Hautcreme (review) for dry skin. I’m not really happy with the Omega Moisturizer – skin feel is nice, but it sometimes burns when I apply and makes SPF pill sometimes and will definitely change that one to the new Barrier Repair Moisturizer. Hautcreme, as always, is great, if you’re looking for a minimalistic approach.
My eye cream is La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane (review), which I usually use during allergy season. My eyes, though, don’t seem to know that allergy season is over: they’re still easily aggrevated, red and itchy, so I stay with my tried-and-true.
Sunscreen
Right now, I’m still using the Tocobo Watery Sunscreen (review) or my old fave Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk (review). Both play well with my sensitized skin, and still work well under makeup, if I use any.
PM routine
You’ll see that I’m a creature of habit, and don’t switch around a lot of products.
Cleansing
I double cleanse only when I wore makeup, otherwise it’s the balea oil again. I double cleanse with the Beauty of Joseon cleansing balm (review) and L’Oreal’s micellar water which might be discontinued, which is a shame because it’s excellent. After using a micellar water I ALWAYS rinse with water – that will minimize the potential for sensitizing skin!
Toner
Same as in the morning.
Serum
Again, I mix my witches’ brew in my hand: the only product change is that I switch The Ordinary’s serum for Theramid’s Ceramide Treatment: it’s a bit richer than The Ordinary’s, and comes again with ceramides, ectoin and centella. (Review coming soon!)
Moisturizer & eye cream
If I use Tret, I follow my morning routine sans sunscreen. Then, I wait for about 20mins, and mix Tret into a moisturizer and apply.
I switch between three (yes, it’s crazy over here) heavy duty moisturizers. First, the Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Balm: a heavy-duty balm with squalene, shea butter and oils that’s super rich, and still sinks in quickly. (It OBVIOUSLY also has panthenol and some peptides.)
Then, some drugstore options: tetesept is usually known for bath products, but also has a SOS Crème for babies that’s excellent: heavy-duty moisturizing, with oat kernel extract that also Aveeno uses, plus ceramides.
The balea ultra sensitive crème also comes with shea butter, sunflower oil, panthenol, ceramides and oat kernel extract, too. It reads heavenly, but I still like the tetesept one a smidge more, because the formula feels nicer on the skin.
Treatments
Ahem. Apart from Tretinion, you mean?! Nope. Nopenopenopenope!!! The only acid I still occasionally use is Azelaic Acid when I break out (Paula’s Choice Azelaic Acid Booster – review) and the Skin1004 Centella Quick Calming Pads (review) for a calming mask session.
- More: I started with Tretinoin. Here’s what I learned.
- More: Hyperpigmentation routine
- Even more: Sensitive combo skin skincare routine
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