A couple of questions about skincare.

[Toby]

Hi all,

I have a couple of questions about the skincare line, as I'm looking to transition from Lush skincare, which I'm not completely thrilled with. I e-mailed the site and Jen gave me a couple of great suggestions (thanks!), but I do have a couple more questions before I actually put my order in:

The main concerns I have about my skin are general maintenance and blackheads. I don't get a lot of whiteheads, but I do have quite a few blackheads, as well as some small scarring and very few fine lines around my eyes -- I've got pretty good skin generally, but I've been looking pretty haggard (oh, university, how I love it!).

Jen recommended the AHA toner and Super Serum for me. While I like the idea of what these two products could do for me, I do not use sunscreen and am wondering how damaging the AHA could be if I used it overnight. I'm also unsure how I feel about the Super Serum's skin lightening effect -- is it a general lightening, or just of scars & the sort? If I wanted a serum that wouldn't lighten my skin, does anybody have any recommendations?

I have already bought the Apricot Cleansing Oil, as I needed a makeup-removing cleanser, and am getting the Pore Refining Toner and samples of the Raspberry and Jojoba moisturisers, the Microdermabrasian Cream, and the Ultimate Luxury Treatment Powder. Does that sound like a decent routine? I won't be introducing this all at once, of course -- I intend to introduce a new item every week or every other week.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[lcash]

Hi,Toby. I use or have used most of the things you mentioned. I use the microdermabrasion cream in the shower every other day, just rubbing gently with my fingers. The "scrubbing" particles are very fine and don't scratch, but do remove that fine layer of dead skin and oil. On the non-shower days, I wash gently in the AM with KISS cleanser. I use the Apricot oil cleanser at night to remove makeup, rubbing gently with my fingers or a microfiber washcloth. I love both the moisturizers you mentioned, but find them a little thin for winter. Currently I'm enjoying the Intensive moisturizer, which is a bit thicker and has all sorts of yummy anti-aging ingredients. The Utlimate Luxury Treatment powder is just that - a powder that makes your skin incredibly soft and touchable. I use it at night after cleansing with AOC and wake up with the softest skin. I like the super serum and several others, but only use them every few days - more of a time factor than anything else. Can't help with the AHA toners. Haven't tried them yet. Sounds like you're off to a good start. Just be careful not to jump in to too many new things at once. L.

[Toby]

Thanks for all the info! If the two moisturisers I selected are too light for winter, I may stick with my current one -- I don't hate it, and it can be the last thing I sub in for my skincare routine. The treatment powder sounds HEAVENLY!

Still wondering about the AHA without sunscreen thing & the super serum lightening skin, if anybody has info on that I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

[packgal]

hi toby,
i use an AHA/BHA combo that is a little stronger than SN's and don't use a formal sunscreen, only MMU (i know, it's so bad, but i break out with regular sunscreens). i have had no problems with the AHA causing more problems with sun damage or sensitivity (i use it every 2-3 nights). i also do not live in a sunny place tho, so you would have to take that into consideration.

i can't help you with your skin lightening question, because i was sensitive to the super serum and couldn't use it long enough to see any effects. but someone else has asked your same question and rhys mentioned that she has not noticed any lightening of her skin (although she is very pale in the first place).

[fern]

Hi, I have been using the super serum for a few months and don't really notice any lightening effects (I have light-medium skin), meaning that my foundation shades still match. I do notice a brightening effect, if you know what I mean.

[JenW]

Toby,

I don't use a formal sunscreen, either, and I use AHA......not necessarily good. Do you live in a sunny climate? MMU and Ultra Sheer Zinc Finisher help. I am just guessing here, but part of the photosensitivity comes from the exfoliation that exposes newer skin......that does not go away overnight. In other words, I don't think it is the AHA sitting on your skin that makes it more prone to sunburn, it is the newer, more sensitive skin that is exposed.

As for the overall lightening of the Super Serum....I have not really noticed it, either. It has lightened some of my hyperpigmented spots, but not really overall. It is possible that it might have an overall lightening effect on you, though, as we are all different.

[Toby]

Thanks so much for answering my questions and addressing my concerns! I live in Vancouver, which is currenly very rainy and cloudy and gross, so the sun isn't a big concern -- though I may have to change things up during the summer, or add the zinc finishing powder. Hopefully I will find something from SN that will work for me!

[sewwies]

It's worth using the Zinc powder anyway - it makes a lovely primer. I live in the UK so no real sun worries there, but it is very lovely!