Blog with Dr. Irwin

Antioxidants

Which SkinCeuticals antioxidant should I get?

Posted in Skin Care Products, Skin Care, Antioxidants, 2012 on May 12, 2012 | Permalink

I just can't decide which SkinCeuticals C product to purchase. Is the CE Ferulic equally as good at the C Phloretin? I am 42 with neither oily or dry skin. I like the gel but am told i should use the ce ferulic because it is more of an antiager.

I think you might be over thinking this a little. They are both excellent! Why not try one until it's used up and the other one the next time. You'll probably be able to decide which... more

In what order should I use these products??? It's so confusing!

Posted in Skin Care Products, Skin Care, Renova Retinoids and Vitamin A Creams, Cell growth factors, Antioxidants, 2012 on Apr 12, 2012 | Permalink

New reader and I love your site. You have already answered a lot of questions except I am still a bit confused on order of product application. Currently, in the AM. Cleanse Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, wait 15 min Skinceuticals B5 gel Skinmedica TNS Essential Serum Journee bio restortative day cream w/ SPF 30 or Skinceuticals UV physical 50 tint PM. Cleanse Skinceuticals 1% Retinol Confused on the TNS Essential Serum and think I should apply in the evening, but would not know which order is most effective to use first. I thought Retin a should be applied to a clean dry face to be most effective with no other products. Please help, don't want to be using all these great products and not be using them properly.

Thank you! It's so confusing isn't it, but you have the basics down. So here's some fine tuning. Part of the problem is there really isn't much data on this so what I'm telling you is... more

Can I use Tazorac at night and retinol in the morning?

Posted in Skin Care Products, Skin Care, Renova Retinoids and Vitamin A Creams, Cosmeceuticals, Antioxidants, 2012 on Feb 27, 2012 | Permalink

I'm 47 years old and have been using Tazorac for years. I started using the cream and have now been using the gel for the past year. My skin is very tough, this product doesn't cause me any drying or redness. The question is, I use the Tazorac at night, can I use a retinol during the day such as Skin Ceuticals Retinol or would I just be wasting my money?

You'd be wasting your money since light tends to inactivate the retinoids (Renova, Tazorac, tretinoin, Retin A, retinol, etc.). You'd be far better off adding a good antioxidant Vitamin C... more

How can I continue to look great while I'm raising my children?

Posted in Skin Care Products, Skin Care, RenovaRetinoids, Renova Retinoids and Vitamin A Creams, Antioxidants, 2011 on Nov 20, 2011 | Permalink

I'm in my mid 30s. I just had my last baby. I want to start looking great again. You have many wonderful products and treatments listed. What are the best products that I should be using. My doctor recommends Obagi, but I'm open to anything that is the best (highest amounts of the good stuff, like a 20% vit. c). I just want to look good while I'm raising my kids. Also, what are the best lasers for wrinkles and general youthful appearance on the market today? Just found your site and love it!

Thank you! See the question right before this for the laser answer. Obagi has some good products my concerns with that line are that it's overly irritating for many and they tend to put... more

What's the best skin care at age 23?

Posted in Skin Care Products, Skin Care, Antioxidants, 2011 on Oct 14, 2011 | Permalink

Hi Dr Irwin! I am 23 years old and have good skin, but am wondering what products I should be using to keep it healthy. I have really fair skin and sunscreen is my best friend, so I already have that covered. I currently use Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer. Are there better quality products I should be using to prevent my skin from aging? Thanks!!!

I love that you're thinking about this because it's so much easier to prevent wrinkles, blotchiness, sagging etc. than it is to prevent it! And, I love that you are using sunscreen on your... more

A question about green tea based antioxidants.

Posted in Skin Care Products, Skin Care, Antioxidants, 2011 on Aug 22, 2011 | Permalink

Hi Dr. Irwin, I know that you like some of the Replenix products. I purchased the Replenix cream based on your recommendation and love it! I just also purchased the new Power of Three cream with resveratrol, caffeine, and green tea and am wondering what you think of it if you have tried it. Thanks!

I'm wondering if there is a high enough concentration of the resveratrol and green tea to really make any difference. I'm doing some research on this now. Also, I do think that the... more

If you are using the Skin Medica Essential Serum do you still need the Skin Medica Vitamin C and E product?

Posted in Skin Care Products, Skin Care, Antioxidants, 2011 on Jun 20, 2011 | Permalink

If you are using the Skin Medica Essential Serum do you still need the Skin Medica Vitamin C and E product?

Technically no because the Essential Serum has antioxidants in it but if you're outdoors a lot in summer or year around, it's not a bad idea to use a second, more concentrated form of... more

In what order should I use my products????

Posted in Skin Care Products, Skin Care, RenovaRetinoids, Renova Retinoids and Vitamin A Creams, Antioxidants, 2011 on Mar 20, 2011 | Permalink

ello Dr. If i use Renova at night, should i still use skinceuticals C E Ferulic? in day or night?.. In day put on skin medica Essential Serum then a suncreen after. Thanks :)

I answered something similar to this last week so I know this is confusing. In general, put your antioxidant (C E Ferulic) under your sunscreen because it helps to prevent the damage from... more

How can I put together an optimal product regimen?

Posted in Skin Care Products, Skin Care, RenovaRetinoids, Renova Retinoids and Vitamin A Creams, Antioxidants, 2011 on Mar 16, 2011 | Permalink

Hello Dr Irwin, I use renova at night ( luv it) and skin medica produts in the day> Can you help me put together a day routine from my produts with skin medica, so i dont repeat or over product my skin. TNS essnecial serum after i wash my face Should i use a toner? and what moisturiner from skin medica

Here's what I would do. It's hard to get all the categories in .... sunscreen, Renova/Retin A (Vit A cousin), antioxidants, cell growth factors and possibly some peptides or anti-glycation... more

When is it best to use Vitamin C serum?

Posted in Vitamins for Skin, Vitamin C, Antioxidants, 2011 on Feb 08, 2011 | Permalink

Hi Dr. Irwin, I am wondering about using a Vitamin C serum in the morning under my sunscreen. I have read on several places online (and had one aesthetician tell me) that Vitamin C breaks down in the sunlight. She said that your skin won't benefit from it if you wear it during the day under your sunscreen. I'm wondering if I should only use it at night? Thanks so much. I read your book and changed my skincare routine based on it, and I'm lovining your recommendations and the results! Wendy

Well, she's sort of half right on this but here's why you should still use in the morning. When you put in on it binds to your skin cells. When the UV rays hit the cells and create free... more

Should I use both Retin A and a glycolic?

Posted in Skin Care Products, Skin Care, RenovaRetinoids, Renova Retinoids and Vitamin A Creams, Antioxidants, 2011 on Jan 22, 2011 | Permalink

I would like to know if it is beneficial to use both Retin A and glycolic acid. I use the Cellex C serum in the morning and usually Retin A at night but I have heard that you should also use a glycolic product. If you should use both can I alternate nights and still get the benefit.

I'm glad you asked this. If you are using Retin A or one of the other Vitamin A category creams, you don't need to use a glycolic also. You would be better off with an antioxidant (like... more

A recommendation for a good Vitamin C serum?

Posted in Vitamins for Skin, Vitamin C, Skin Care Products, Skin Care, Antioxidants, 2010 on Oct 17, 2010 | Permalink

I was wondering if you could recommend a good Vitamin C serum that I could purchase in Canada. Can I use a moisturizer with the C serum. I use Retin A at night and was considering using a c serum and moisturizer in the morning. I am 54 years old. Thanks

The SkinCeuticals (try the Phloretin CF or the AOX 10 or AOX 20, the C&E Ferrulic is probably the best but a little more irritating) and Cellex-C serums are excellent. They can be a little... more

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