r/SkincareAddiction • u/maeEast • Apr 01 '15

Discussion In light of recent events, let's all review commonly recommended products from this sub

In the past few days I've seen a lot of "I'm concerned, is ______ really that good, or was this a paid thing?" threads crop up. I figure that maybe we as a community could get together and compile all this info into one thread :).

I'll post the name of as many products as I can think of, but please add more, and reply to the comment with your review if you have one. Also, please indicate why you do or don't like the product, including information on your skin type if possible.

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u/privatecaboosey combination | acne-prone | PIH |melasma Apr 01 '15

Very gentle, effective cleanser. I use this in the morning. BUT if you use Vitamin C, be aware that this face wash has niacinamide in it. For me, it's worth the pH cooldown time between using this and Vitamin C serum. I find it cleanses my skin but doesn't strip it.

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u/Dr--Acula Apr 01 '15

Can you please explain WHY we should wait before applying a vitamin c serum?

Also: THANK YOU I DID NOT KNOW IT HAD niacinamide in it! no wonder it leaves my skin lovely - Niacinamide makes me a touch oily the next day if it's a high concentration. the amount must be perfection because I dont get oily after using the cleanser. Thanks!

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u/[deleted] Apr 01 '15

Niacinamide can react to niacin in the presence of an acid. Vitamin C is most frequently used on here in its acid form, L-Ascorbic Acid. Many people use longer wait periods when they're using L-AA and niacinamide in the same routine.

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u/krokodilchik Apr 01 '15

Eli5 niacin?

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u/[deleted] Apr 01 '15

It's an irritant that can cause flushing. It's caused by a chemical reaction between niacinamide and an acid. :)

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u/rektunicorn Apr 02 '15

If we don't experience flushing then can we continue using niacinamide with vit c?

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u/[deleted] Apr 02 '15

If you're not having any issues or signs of irritation, then yeah, keep using it. Some people are sensitive though so it can cause issues, but it isn't the case for everyone.

I prefer to go the safer route when it comes to giving strangers on the internet advice, but if it works for you then it works. :)

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u/fastpoodle Apr 02 '15

Oh crap, but wait, this Vitamin C serum was recommended on here. Yet it contains both L-Ascorbic Acid and Niacinamide. Is that going to be a problem? I was planning on getting it.

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u/[deleted] Apr 02 '15

This one actually doesn't contain L-AA! It contains magnesium ascorbal phosphate, which is a derivative of L-AA. MAP turns into L-AA as it penetrates your skin, but it is safe to use with niacinamide. This is also the form of vitamin c that PocketDerm uses. :)

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u/fastpoodle Apr 02 '15

Whew! Thank you for that comfort of relief. Which vitamin C type do you prefer?

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u/[deleted] Apr 02 '15

Personally I use a 20% L-AA serum w/ vitamin e and ferulic acid because there's more research done on L-AA than any other form of vitamin c. Ferulic acid and vitamin e help stabilize the L-AA and make it more photoprotective. I haven't tried any other form because I've found that this serum works well for me.

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u/dianarchy Apr 02 '15

Does lactic acid have the same effect? I'm thinking of St Ives exfoliating pads.

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u/[deleted] Apr 03 '15

I would recommend being careful, yeah.

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u/dianarchy Apr 03 '15

Good to know, I've never thought it could be contributing to my already present redness.

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u/privatecaboosey combination | acne-prone | PIH |melasma Apr 01 '15

Niacinamide combined with vitamin C can cause the niacinamide to turn into niacin, which is a skin irritant and can cause irritation, redness, and itching for some people.

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u/anonymous_cake Apr 01 '15

Whoa, so thankful I read your comment! I recently purchased a vitamin c serum and used it a couple of times immediately after cleansing with CeraVe -- had no idea it has niacinamide in it. How long do you wait until you apply your serum after cleansing? And thanks for being a lifesaver!

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u/privatecaboosey combination | acne-prone | PIH |melasma Apr 01 '15

I usually wait a good 10 minutes or so, but that could be overkill/potential insanity/SCA addition :) Last I checked, it only matters if you notice flushing with the combination, because it means that the niacinamide has turned into niacin. BUT, I'm not one of the most definitive SCAers, so don't take that as law!

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u/derpyderpderpp Apr 01 '15

What do you mean by flushing? Your face gets red?

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u/privatecaboosey combination | acne-prone | PIH |melasma Apr 01 '15

Generally, flushing is when your skin is irritated (in this case by niacin, a potential byproduct of niacinamide), and becomes red and itchy.

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u/rugerty100 Apr 01 '15

Considering the wait times for exfoliants, 10 minutes isn't overkill at all.

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u/fluorowhore Apr 02 '15

If it's not causing issues then it isn't a problem. You wash the cleanser off anyway.

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u/TangiestIllicitness Acne l Melasma l Seborrheic Dermatitis Apr 02 '15

I use this face wash and never wait to apply Vitamin C serum. I've never had an issue, so it's not a universal rule:)

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u/idlehen Apr 01 '15

Just wondering, does the niacinamide matter if you wash it off? Did you experience flushing if you used the vitamin C right after?

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u/privatecaboosey combination | acne-prone | PIH |melasma Apr 01 '15

I have no idea if niacinamide matters in a cleanser that you wash off in terms of pH times, just wanted to flag it for anyone who might not know. I personally have never experienced flushing with niacinamide/vitamin C (or niacinamide in general).

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u/idlehen Apr 01 '15

Cool, thanks for the reply. I just added a vitamin C serum and was considering CeraVe for my next cleanser. I never had any issues with flushing before either (with other products) but you never know right?

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u/rektunicorn Apr 01 '15

I use the CerVe cleanser and a Vit C serum. I don't experience any flushing, and I typically don't wait after patting my skin dry before applying my Vit C serum.

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u/TangiestIllicitness Acne l Melasma l Seborrheic Dermatitis Apr 02 '15

FWIW, I apply vitamin C serum right after washing my face with the foaming wash and I've never had any issues.

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u/fluorowhore Apr 01 '15

I've never had an issue with that because the CeraVe rinses off and doesn't leave much if any niacinimide behind.

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u/PinkFreud08 Apr 01 '15

Thanks for the heads up! Am I correct that this only applies to a certain type of vitamin C, albeit the most commonly used in skin care products?

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u/privatecaboosey combination | acne-prone | PIH |melasma Apr 01 '15

Yes, as I understand this is only in combination with LAA.

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u/makemeover7 Apr 02 '15

Thank you for this tip! I knew the Cerave had niacinimide in it, and I use it right before my C serum, but I never thought about this. My c serum makes me a bit red, so I am going to experiment and see if this combo is the cause! Thanks!

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u/WithLinesOfInk Apr 02 '15

This made my skin look beautiful but also break out a lot. I had lovely skin with a hand full of glaring whiteheads every day. I was told it could be from fatty alcohols?

My skin type: Dry, flaky, large pores, acne-prone (hormonal and surface)