Toners

[sws2011]

Hi Jen,

I was wondering if you could tell me the difference between the 2% BHA toner and the 8% AHA toner?

Thank you
Sophia

[JenW]

AHA generally exfoliates the top layer. This is especially good for dull skin or ageing skin. I recommend starting this when a manual exfoliator just does not seem to be doing enough.

BHA acts more on the pores. This is usually best for acneic or oily skin, or skin with internal bumps.

This is the over simplified explanation, for sure, but it gives you an idea of when to use each one. I am in my early 40s, so I use AHA more often than BHA. But I do pull out the BHA for breakouts. My DD is 13...she does use BHA, but not AHA.

Please, please, please make sure you are using sunscreen if you are using either one of the topical exfoliators.

[sws2011]

Thank you Jen!.

also I purchased the Kiss cleanser, pore refining toner, vit C serum and firming moisterizer for night time and in the morning I use Kiss cleanser, pore refining toner, aloe serum and jojoba moisterizer.
I have oily skin and was hoping that these products would help and they have but only slightly, I still look quite oily.

What products and routine do you suggest to help keep the oil at bay?

Thanks Jen
ps You look amazing for early 40s - I would have said late 20s early 30s!!!

[JenW]

Thank you Jen!.

also I purchased the Kiss cleanser, pore refining toner, vit C serum and firming moisterizer for night time and in the morning I use Kiss cleanser, pore refining toner, aloe serum and jojoba moisterizer.
I have oily skin and was hoping that these products would help and they have but only slightly, I still look quite oily.

What products and routine do you suggest to help keep the oil at bay?

Thanks Jen
ps You look amazing for early 40s - I would have said late 20s early 30s!!!

Thank you for the complements! Oh the help I get from photo editing and genes! Well, I do have access to excellent skincare products, too!

I am wondering if it is the Pore Refining Toner. All of the other things you mention are pretty light as far as oils go. The only other thing I might try is to layer the Aloe Serum over the Vitamin C at night just to get a little more hydration into the skin. Sometimes the skin compensates for lack of moisture by overproducing oil to seal in the moisture it has.

Also, what is the weather like where you are? Sometimes that can be a contributing factor.

[sws2011]

Great thanks Jen. I will try the aloe vera ontop of the Vit C during the night. I do find the firming moisteriser is not moisterising enough for me so I have been mixing it with the jojoba but my face still feels a little tight and dry so hopefully the aloe vera might do the trick.

I have also ordered the AHA (which I will use at night ) and BHA for morning. I also ordered a sample of the intensive moisteriser to see if that is relieves the tight feeling I get from the firming one.

Thanks again for your help! it is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards
Sophia

[JenW]

Great thanks Jen. I will try the aloe vera ontop of the Vit C during the night. I do find the firming moisteriser is not moisterising enough for me so I have been mixing it with the jojoba but my face still feels a little tight and dry so hopefully the aloe vera might do the trick.

I have also ordered the AHA (which I will use at night ) and BHA for morning. I also ordered a sample of the intensive moisteriser to see if that is relieves the tight feeling I get from the firming one.

Thanks again for your help! it is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards
Sophia

Regarding the AHA and BHA.... I don't think it is a good idea to use them every day. You might be able to work up to every other day.

[sws2011]

Ok thanks Jen. So, if I shouldnt use them (does this apply to both toners or just the AHA) everyday is it ok to use the pore refining toner inbetween days I am not using the BHA and AHA if I am getting oily? Also, I use a mandelic acid peel once a week, so I am assuming I definitely do not use either of the toners on the day I am using the peel?!

In my previous email I mentioned I am still quite oily during the - and you suggested it may be the toner but your bit about skin overproducing due to lack of moisture got me thinking that it may not be the toner but the fact that the firming moisterizer it not giving me enough moisture?

Is this possible?

Thank you Jen
Sophia

[JenW]

Firming Moisturizer is more of a 'seal the moisture in' kind of product, even though it does have some great actives for treating the skin. I does make the skin tight as that is the actives working. The tightening feeling won't be remedied by using the Intensive Moisturizer. I don't thinkk a different moisturizer will fix the problem

Using just a moisturizer is rarely enough...most moisturizers have a lightly hydrating component, and a light oil component to help retain that light moisture in the skin. To add more hydration to the skin (using the word moisture makes it kind of confusing) the serums are your best bet. You have serums in your routine, and the Green Tea & Aloe Serum is the most hydrating of the two. I would defintely use it twice a day for a while. You can layer serums, so layering the Vitimin C before the Green Tea & Aloe Serum at night will work well.

It is going to be hard to determine exactly what product is making you oily. I would try adding the second application of serum for a week before changing anything else.

BHA can be used every day as long as it is not irritating your skin. AHA is best for about every other if you are not using other forms of topical exfoliation, or best at every third if you use more than one exfoliator (BHA acts more on the pores, so I would not count it in this). Definitely do not use AHA on the same day as the Mandelic Acid Peel, and I would wait until at least the next day. Really, it does sound like you might be overdoing the exfoliation if you are using AHA more than twice a week. The Mandelic Acid Peel kind of acts similarly to AHA. Two or three times a week using either AHA or the peel should be enough.

[sws2011]

Ok thanks Jen. I will try the layering of serums. and will only use the AHA 2 times a week at most.

Do you think your oil control serum might help?

Thank you
Sophia

[JenW]

Oil Control Serum is worth a try.