All Your Questions About De-Crease Answered
It’s time to debunk some of the facts, reasons, and hows we’ve been hearing about our brilliant new wrinkle-removing eye serum. It’s tricky! Adding new products to your routine. Especially active ingredients.
Since this is our first foray into the world of vitamin A, we thought you should really know the product as well as we do. Example: De-Crease Likes: All skin types. De-Crease Dislikes: Wilted spinach.
Why Retinaldehyde over Retinol?
We chose Retinaldehyde because it’s proven to work better, faster, and less irritating than Retinol, and is the gold standard for cell turnover and collagen production.
Retinaldehyde and Retinol must be converted to Retinoic Acid (which is produced naturally once Retinoic Acid is applied to the skin) to produce their skin-brightening, collagen-boosting, and acne-reducing effects. But Retinol is two steps away from converting to Retinoic Acid, while Retinal is only one step away. A direct precursor. So: better, faster, less irritating.
Can I use De-Crease if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Unfortunately, vitamin A and its derivatives (like the one in De-Crease) are contraindicated for anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding (congratulations, by the way!).
Excessive or continuous use of this ingredient could harm your unborn baby as it tries to grow and strain your bladder.
Can I use De-Crease if I have sensitive skin?
De-Crease has been dermatologically tested and is suitable for sensitive skin. But! We always recommend that you consult a dermatologist and do a patch test before use.
Otherwise, start slowly. Use only the retinoid of your choice (no other active ingredients) for the first week to see how your skin reacts to this ingredient. As your tolerance to vitamin A increases, increase the frequency of use from twice a week to more frequent.
What’s up with this whole sandwich thing?
You take two slices of ciabatta bread, take pesto, provolone cheese…
Who are we kidding! This is a super useful skincare tip, of course. Let me explain. If you have particularly dry or sensitive skin, or consider yourself a retinoid newbie, applying retinoids between two layers of moisturizer (moisturizer, retinoids, more moisturizer!) can help prevent potential skin irritation. The first layer of moisturizer acts as a cool buffer between the retinoid and the skin, which would otherwise come into direct contact and could cause discomfort upon first application.
How do I actually apply the serum?
Your face actually has an easy-to-use built-in guide – the orbital bone. You can feel this rounded, cup-shaped bone structure under the eye, on the outer edge, and below the brow. Gently tap your product along the edges (don’t rub! Applying too hastily can irritate the skin and may cause blood vessels to break) to reach all the key aging areas, avoiding the eyes themselves.
What if I already use a retinoid?
We recommend sticking to one retinoid per area of the face per routine.
De-Crease was developed specifically for the eye area and is gentle on the eye area. So only apply the serum there. If you regularly use a different retinoid on other parts of your face, make sure the two products don’t overlap after application. Too harsh. You can alternate between the two in your evening routine to avoid further irritation.
How does Vitamin A work with my other active ingredients?
Vitamin A loves certain active ingredients (think: Niacinamide! Hyaluronic Acid!), but should stay away from others (AHA! BHA! PHA! Vitamin C!). It all depends on the effectiveness of each ingredient and whether they work after application. This can affect the effectiveness of certain products and prevent them from working optimally.
Can De-Crease be used in the morning?
No! Put it away! Vitamin A should always be saved for the evening, as it increases sensitivity to the sun. (So wear sunscreen. Every day.) Zoë shows you her current nighttime routine here. Check it out!
Can I use De-Crease on other areas of my face?
We think you mean laugh lines, frown lines, lip lines, right? Well, the answer is (politely) no.
The skin under and around our eyes is many, many layers thinner than the rest of our face. De-Crease is designed to treat this sensitive area.
For the most effective results, use a product designed for that skin area. An eye for an eye. Face for face. Using de-crease elsewhere sounds expensive, too. Enjoy this serum!
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
