The problem is I use 3 very effective products (LacSal, SuperCop & Renova) and have only 2 time slots to use them in...;-). In the morning I use the SuperCop, and I understand I can't use the LacSal with it because of the pH difference. I really didn't want to wait 1/2 hour before I can apply the SuperCop. If I did wait, which goes on first? Both the Renova and LacSal are a bit greasy, and layering them in the summer can be a bit heavy at night. If I mix them together wouldn't that reduce the effectiveness of the Renova? Any ideas for the easiest way to use all these products effectively?

You might mix the Renova with Super Cop. This has worked for some people.

I mix my Retin-A with the Super CP Serum in the evening and it works very well. I love the "spreadability"!

Janice

Blondelle,

I don't see why LacSal can't be used with Super Cop in the morning even with the pH difference. However, since Dr. Pickart mentioned that he designed LacSal to be used with retinoids, then I would used it at least one hour after you applied Renova in the evening. Feel free to disregard any guidelines that follow as many retinoid users for some reasons either have not been instructed by their dermatologists or don't seem to be follow these guidelines I read repeatedly from different sources. Of all the papers and literature I've come by, retinoids are suppose to be applied on clean dry skin. You may have good reasons not to go by the books, but here are the relevant excerpts from a tutorial for U.S. pharmacists on dermatologic uses of retinoids. http://www.uspharmacist.com/index.asp?page=ce/10192/default.htm

Topical Retinoid Therapy for Photoaged Skin

[retinoids] should be be applied to clean, dry skin once daily in the evening. A pea-sized amount of cream should be sufficient to cover the entire face, including the eyelids if desired. Contact with the eyes, ears, nostrils, and mouth should be avoided. Facial moisturizers may be used as frequently as desired, either before or after the topical retinoid as long as the first product (retinoid or emollient) has been absorbed into the skin and dried completely before the second product is applied.33,34

Table 6, "Counseling Tips for Patients with Acne Using Topical Retinoids"

Avoid preparations that may dry or irritate your skin, such as astringents or certain medicated soaps (especially those that contain sulfur, resorcinol, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid), alpha-hydroxy or glycolic acids, and toiletries with high alcohol content.

Normal use of cosmetics is permissible, but wait at least one hour between applying your medicine and cosmetics.

If the Renova and LacSAl combination treatment is not moisturizing enough or is causing too much skin irritation for you to follow the treatment on a consistent basis with desired result, I would then apply a BHO before you apply LacSal to buffer the exfoliant. If you don't want to reduce the exfoliating effectiveness of LacSal, applying the same BHO after LacSal should offer some moisturization to reduce skin inflammation, but it will also intensify the treatment by sealing in and pushing both actives (A and LacSal) deeper into the skin. If you choose to apply the BHO after LacSal to get a more intensive treatment, your evening regimen have just become a two-hour ritual so you may want to plan ahead.

Renova (one hour)
LacSal (30-60 minutes)
[BHO before or after LacSal]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JW,