Please criticize my DIY + routine

[rbn]

Hi there!
I am a big fan of this site! I have read a lot of ingredients/products info here and from many other sources and decided to make a "optimal" regimen for myself. 8) So after a week of research - Here it goes:

Face:

A.M.:
1) Facial Cleanser - Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash with Tea Tree oil (I found it on cosmeticdatabase.com as one of the best gentle ones)
2) Retin-A 0.05% gel
3) DIY oil-free moisturizer: 100g water + 1g Oat Beta Glucan + 5g Niacinamid (nicotinic acid)
4) Vanicream Sunscreen Sport SPF 35 (also found on cosmeticdatabase.com, broad UVA/UVB protection)
5) Mineral Loose Powder - Affordable Minerals (I've tried several, but this is the one - smooth, no bismuth - no itching, cheaper then others)

P.M.:
6)Facial Cleanser - Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash with Tea Tree oil
7) Skin Biology CP Serum or Skin Biology P&R 2
8) DIY calming moisturizer: 1oz Emu oil + 400IU Vitamin E + 600mg R-ALA + 15mg Lycopene

9) 1-2 times a week - DIY Aspirin Face Mask (Instead of BHA)

Body:
12) 1-2 times a week - DIY Sugar Scrub or Aspirin Exfoliator
11) DIY Body Lotion: 1 oz Neutrogena Visibly Firm Body Lotion Active Copper + 400IU Vitamin E + 15mg Lycopene
14) DIY Anti Cellulite Leg Wraps: Seaweed powder + Essential Oils + Camphor Oil (I was using them for a while - messy but really work!)

Targeted Problems:
1) A LOT of blackheads and whiteheads all over the face, Oily T-zone, Many small wrinkles around eyes and 2 huge ones around the mouth, breakouts ones/week that leave a lot of tiny scars and red capillaries.
2) I know there is no info here about cellulite, but still maybe somebody is an expert.

Sorry for the long post - but i think it will give you more info to use.
Please, criticize/evaluate and be harsh - I really would like to get some insights from the experts :D

THANK YOU!!!!!

[Mairead]

Retin A should be used in PM. It makes skin more sensitive to UV. CP serium should be used inAM. It is in Skinbiology sunscreen. Hope that helps.

[rbn]

Thanks Mairead!
I agree with what you suggested and tried CP Serum in the morning, but the decision to use it at evening is based on 2 factors:
1) CP Serum or P&R make my skin looking "blueish" and I cannot get rid of that blue color :roll:
2) As Dr. Pikart suggested I am using Emu oil after CP serum to make it stronger - but Emu oil stays oily on skin for 2 hours :lol: , so there is no chance to have a matte finish
Thanks!!!

[sdguy]

In addition to increased sun sensitivity, I believe sunlight breaks down tretinoin, reducing its efficacy. I just have a few questions:

How is that am moisturizer working for you? I recently ordered liquid oat beta glutans for their anti-inflammatory effects, but moisturizing? or is that the purpose of the niacinamide? Also, what is the purpose of the Mineral Loose Powder and what's in it?

If you're using Retin-A, you may want to add a morning Vit C + E + Ferulic acid topical to help protect against the sun. And have you considered any kind of regular exfoliant?

Looks like a pretty good regimen to me.

[rbn]

Sdguy:

Oat Beta Glucan:
I researched it a lot and I don't remember the exact sources, but you can look on smartskincare.com - "While the utility of beta-glucan in moisturizing and healing minor wounds and burns has been fairly well established..." "It has a long history of safe use in skin care and dermatology as a long-lasting, film-forming moisturizer. It has also been shown to work as anti-irritant..."
I like it a lot - although it's oil-free - it gives me kind of silky feel and it is great under make-up


Mineral Powder
.. a lot of purpose ;)
1) Gives me a coverage without breaking me out
2) Don't need to worry if it is going to decrease/cancel out the effectiveness of my Sunscreen or somehow interact with the Serum and Retin-A
3) "Affordable Mineral Cosmetics have only four Ingredients - Titanium Dioxide provides waterproof and SPF properties while providing a Matte look, Mica has some transparent properties and allows the makeup to go on smoothly, Iron Oxides give the makeup its color, Zinc Oxide is known for its healing properties in problem skin such as rosacea and acne, it has the ability to stay on even while sweating and swimming, as well as offers protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. It does not contain Bismuth, corn starch or any other fillers"
4) If you interested - look at mineral-makeup-reviews.com - they have 15 different mineral makeup companies reviewed and most importantly for me a list of bismuth-free powders

Vitamin C
Ohhh... I was trying to put it somewhere, BUT I know that you cannot use it neither with Retin-A nor Serum, so i just decided to skip it .. As to Sun protection - I hope the broad-range sun block plus the mineral powder will be effective

Exfoliant
I am thinking to add some BHA later when I see how my skin will react on Retin-A

Thanks a lot for your input!!!
What are the benefits of Ferulic acid? Are you using it?

[sdguy]

Ferulic acid is an antioxidant, among other things, and aids in sun protection when used with Vit C + E. From wikipedia "If added to a topical preparation of ascorbic acid and vitamin E, ferulic acid may reduce oxidative stress and formation of thymine dimers in skin [6]."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferulic_acid

I also saw this nice chart that shows benefits of the three in a Skinceuticals serum.

treatment-skincare.com/Clinical/C-E-Ferulic/Sunburn.html

treatment-skincare.com/November-2006/Topical-Vitamin-C.html