Reddit mentions: The best facial creams & moisturizers

Omg, currently living here! In general I'd recommend checking out the Cosme rankings. However I have a lot to say so I'm going to list my recommendations in descending order of importance haha.


The hada labo lotion (note: it's actually a thin liquid that westerners would call a toner) is quite good. (looks like this). However I have really really dry skin, and I personally prefer their "milky lotion". These products (and their equivalents in Hada Labo's "premium" line are popular enough that you can get a good price on them on amazon, but I'd really recommend taking this opportunity to go try them all on the back of your hand at a drugstore. Like, literally any decent-sized drugstore in Japan should have them all :)


There are a lot of really good japanese sunscreens that you should look into. Plus with your skintone, you probably won't have to worry a ton about whitecast. I think the Biore UV bright face milk would be a nice place to start, especially if you have oilier skin! It's also quite nice under makeup.



In my experience, Japanese mascaras tend to be lengthening and clump-proof, but often aren't too volumizing. If, like me, that isn't an issue for you, I highly, highly recommend the Heroine Long and Curl.
Japan also does really great false lashes, if that's your thing. Miche Bloomin makes some really natural looking ones, but I know people also like the ones Dollywink and Dup make.


I really love the CEZANNE UV Clear Face Powder. It takes the shine down without totally mattifying. Other people really like the Canmake Marshmallow finish powder.


The naturie hatomugi skin conditioning gel and/or lotion are really well-reviewed, and fairly cheap here. I see them in a lot of little cosmetics shops and some drugstores. I personally haven't tried them because it didn't seem like they'd be moisturizing enough for my dry skin, but it sounds like they might be a nice fit for you.


The classic DHC lip balm in the pink tube is kind of pricey but also my favorite lip balm, and the lipsticky shape makes me feel ~fancy~


All my japanese girls are currently into Excel's eyeshadow quads. They're great for getting that really shimmery japanese eye look, if you're into that. The Opera tint rouge is also really popular here.


DHC and Kose (the pink softymo, in particular) make good oil cleansers, but they'd be a nightmare in a suitcase so I don't recommend you buy them here.


A lot of japanese makeup shops also currently stock [the SAEM] Cover Perfection Tip Concealer, which I like a lot and is pretty popular.


Speaking of south korean brands, if you're in a big city (ie: Tokyo, Osaka) there will be some standalone South Korean stores (eg: Etude House, Innisfree, Skinfood). The Etude House store in Umeda is closed this week, but if you can find one, you should try the soon jung line! CREE`MARE by DHOLIC stores also stock a lot of south korean makeup, especially cushions.


Anyway, have fun! And feel free to message me with questions about confusing packaging/whatever while you're here :)

Edit: grammar haha

• Oil Cleanser (Nighttime Only): Innisfree Apple Juicy Cleansing Oil $17.99; oil cleanser helps to melt off makeup and sunscreen and emulsifies with water for a clean finish. Note: You don't have to use a special oil cleanser, you can also use grapeseed oil, additive-free mineral oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil, just be aware you will typically require a second cleanse to completely remove the oil from your face. I personally use neem oil which is antimicrobial and antifungal because of adult acne, but it is a drying face oil.
  
  
• Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser $11-17; has ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. Has the appropriate 4.5 pH necessary for cleansers.
  
  
• Serum: OST Pure Vitamin C Serum $18.49; will help with evening and brightening skin tone, complexion clarity, and anti-aging -- requires long-term consistent use to see max benefit.
  
  
• Hydrating Toner: Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (Moist) $17.54; contains hyaluronic acid and other hyaluronates, helps to lock liquid in skin, try to apply to slightly damp skin to max benefit. The HA needs moisture to grab onto and some people experience drying if they apply a product with high HA on dry skin.
  
  
• Hydrating Serum: Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence $17; contains snail secretion filtrate, aloe, glycerin, arbutin, naturally derived salicylic acid, and azelaic acid (review here for more info on ingredients}, helps with wound healing, redness, lightning PIH, and soothing inflammation.
  
  
• Face Oil: Pura d'or 100% Pure & USDA Organic Argan Oil $19.99; high in fatty acids which helps moisturize and soothe irritated and dry skin, optional vendor: Garden of Wisdom. Note: A good face oil is a trial and error thing, you may prefer: avocado oil, passionfruit seed oil, rosehip seed oil, etc. Certain oils are more drying, others are richer and more moisturizing. You may have to engage in some research and experimentation to find which is right for you and most can be found for under $20 if you look.
  
  
• Emulsion/Milk (Daytime Only): Hada-Labo Shirojyun Arbutin Milk $16.35; High hyaluronic acid and glycerin content, is slightly richer than the toner previously listed and can be used as a daytime moisturizer underneath your sunscreen. Arbutin is a skin-lightening ingredient that evens skin tone and fades PIH, but you can get Rohto Hada-Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Acid Milk $15.86; which is the same thing but without the arbutin.
  
  
• Sunscreen (Daytime Only): Up to you, one of the trickier products out there and I assume you have something you like already. Asian sunscreens tend to have a better cosmetic finish but rely on chemical sunscreen ingredients. I personally use EltaMD UV Lotion Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+ which is marketed for body but has the same ingredients as EltaMD's facial sunscreen.
  
  
• Moisturizing Cream (Nighttime Only): Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream $17.00; Contains snail secretion filtrate, peptides, fatty acid rich oils, and niacinamide to help moisturize, prevent water loss, and encourage wound-healing. One of the richest face creams I've personally tried with good ingredients for the price. For details on the ingredients, see here. Remember if your T-zone is oily, you don't have to apply it there!
  
  Option 2: EltaMD PM Therapy Moisturizer $22.13; high in niacinamide and linoleic acid to help restore skin's moisture. May need the aid of an occlusive like Vaseline or a sleeping pack (see below).
  
  
• Special - Sleeping Pack: Option 1 Mizon Multi Function Formula Snail Wrinkle Care Sleeping Pack $14.98; Option 2 Etude House Moistfull Collagen Sleeping Pack $15.96; Option 3 Laneige Water Sleeping Pack EX $33.99; Sleeping packs are extra rich creams which go on top of all your other skin care at night to give you an extra boost in moisture. Similar to people putting a thin layer of Vaseline on at night, you put a thin layer of the sleeping pack on and sleep with it over night 2-3 times a week as needed. They're more of an extra thing, not an every day thing, much like a face mask.
  
  That is an example of a moisturizing and non-irritating East Asian skincare routine using products that are all $20 or under each (barring a couple options), each with good hydrating and anti-inflammatory actives. Almost all are available through Amazon or through a singular vendor like W2Beauty which usually has coupon codes and can combine shipping. Target will carry the Laneige line in stores, but it is more a mid-price range. I can't personally guarantee they'll work for you, but the starting points are all there for you to do the research yourself if need be.
  
  

Oh gosh that routine sounds quite drying.. The tea tree oil could be burning your skin and I'm not sure about using vinegar straight in your skin... Water doesn't dilute the tea tree oil or the vinegar, it's just floating around it. You are basically putting household cleaner on your face. The excess oil your skin is producing could be because it's stressed and dehydrated and you've damaged your moisture barrier. I'd stop both of them immediately and start looking for some soothing healing products and try and baby your skin back to health. If you want to learn more about your moisture barrier and why it's important this is a super in depth and helpful article - http://skinandtonics.com/the-importance-of-fatty-acids-ph-moisture-barrier-how-i-eliminated-my-acne-decreased-my-skin-sensitivity/.

To address each of your concerns:
-blackheads and sebaceous filaments can be helped with BHA products BUT these will only damage your skin further, I'd get it back to good health before adding this in. Eventually you could try something like this routine (which I do once a week) - https://fiftyshadesofsnail.com/2015/03/28/how-to-shrink-pores-temporarily-plus-3-pore-myths/ but seriously it will make your skin worse for now, it's better to wait till its in a better condition.
-spots around your mouth I'm really not sure about sorry. Ingredients like niacinamide (sp?) or alpha arbutin could help but I'm really not sure.
-small bumps could be fungal acne, try googling a bunch of images and see whether any look familiar. If you think it is fungal acne here's two good resources on what ingredients/products to avoid - https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/6ohgsx/discussion_fungal_acne_my_experience_and_how_i/ and https://simpleskincarescience.com/pityrosporum-folliculitis-treatment-malassezia-cure/.
-sensitive skin - as you start trying new products keep track of what makes you more sensitive so you can pinpoint your triggers and learn to avoid. It'll be a painful process but you'll get there in the end I promise. I have a very basic spreadsheet to track what I buy, how long it lasts and how my skin reacts. If there's a few different things flaring up your skin you can cross check ingredients to work out exactly what sets you off and avoids products with that in it. It'll be a long process but you've got many more years to live in your skin & it'll be worth it.

Now in terms of what I suggest you should do here's my two cents... Stop everything you're currently doing and focus on gentle hydration, hydration, hydration. Take it all with a grain of salt though, I'm no expert, just a gal trying to get her skin looking good and staying healthy. As you've got sensitive skin you might find it quite hard to find your holy grail products so I'd recommend getting sample sizes and patch testing excessively to try and reduce the effects of products your skin disagrees with. I put a small dab on my neck, cheek & eyelid for at least a week, although two weeks is the gold standard.

Specific things:
Coconut oil has a reputation for breaking people out, but if it's working for you keep going. If you want to try something else mineral oil is supposedly pretty non reactive. I personally use the pricey shu uemura cleansing oil which is my to die for product if you can justify the $$ (££) - https://www.shuuemura-usa.com/Cleansing-oils/skincare-cleansing-oils,default,sc.html
I think a more hydrating moisturiser would make a big difference, the stratia liquid gold is known for helping repair damaged moisture barriers - https://www.stratiaskin.com/products/liquid gold. The Dr Jart+ ceramidin cream is also super hydrating, I'm working up to dropping the $s on that again - http://www.yesstyle.com/en/dr-jart-ceramidin-cream-50ml/info.html/pid.1035926021. The Cerave PM is very highly regarded as a gentle moisturiser too - http://www.cerave.com/our-products-moisturizers-pm-facial-moisturizing-lotion. I also tried this brand once when a friend had it and it was very gentle - https://helloskinshop.co.uk/products/zeroderm-ointment?variant=24620997383.
You could also consider adding in another hydrating product after oil cleansing before your moisturiser. Hyaluronic acid is super hydrating, it's molecules can hold like 6 times their weight in water. Hadalabo is a popular brand with a few variations on a HA "liquid" this is the most popular one - https://www.amazon.com/Rohto-Hadalabo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B000FQUGXA. There's a premium one that is more hydrating that I'm about to start using once I'm done with the regular one - https://fiftyshadesofsnail.com/2016/03/26/hail-hydra-hada-labo-gokujyun-premium-lotion-review-hada-labo-lotion-tips/.
Snail is a nice soothing product if your skin doesn't react to it (it might! Get a sample and patch test) this is a nice one I slather all over my skin - https://sokoglam.com/products/cosrx-advanced-snail-96-mucin-power-essence.
Honey is another nice soothing ingredient, there's lots of options you could try some regular ole honey on your face to see if it reacts. I'm using this product at the moment although I think it might be breaking me out so I'm taking a few weeks off in case - http://www.holysnails.com/2015/07/scinic-honey-all-in-one-ampoule.html. I don't have oily skin though, so it might be too much for you.
Facial oils could work for you, rosehip gets a generally good rap. You can use on its own or mix into a moisturiser to make it more hydrating. Google facial oil and try out ones that seem like they'll suit your skin.
I talked about niacinamide earlier, the ordinary has a nicanimade + zinc serum which is quite nice and VERY good value - http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-niacinamide-10pct-zinc-1pct-30ml.
Sunscreen is always critical in skin health, you might struggle to find one for your sensitive skin, but if you can find a moisturiser try a sunscreen in that range. And if in doubt try Japanese, they do the nicest. I use this one which is alcohol heavy but very light overall - http://www.refinery29.com/biore-uv-aqua-rich-watery-essence-review.

If I was you I'd stop everything but the oil cleanse and find a veeery gentle, very soothing moisturiser and just do the two of them for a few weeks and see how that goes and slowly add in other things. You only need to oil cleanse at night, in the morning a splash of water should be fine. If you're not wearing make up its still worth cleansing off your sunscreen and the general pollutants of the day, go for a low PH cleanser to be more gentle with your skin. I use this foaming one - https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Cleansing/dp/B0036MDUEM. I've seen other redditors with sensitive skin prefer milk cleansers eg https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/674uya/discussion_favourite_creammilk_cleansers/. Please no more tea tree!

As you can probably tell from the products I've suggested I use a more Asian skin care regime which really works for me. It focuses on hydration and being gentle with your skin. It can get very complex but doesn't have to be. I started with an oil cleanser and now two years later I have a hydrating toner, essence, serum and ampoule... not all necessary but all I enjoy! If you want to know more here's a good start: https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/wiki/new_user_guide.

Good luck with your skin! No quick fixes unfortunately just lots of trial and error and eventually you'll get there. I think without the stripping tea tree and vinegar & with a repairing moisturiser you should see some improvements pretty quickly. Stick with it even if it doesn't. Research other people's routines, learn about what different ingredients do, how your skin works etc. Definitely not wasted time, eventually you can help others on reddit :)

I'd recommend starting slow. Start with a mild foaming cleanser, a basic moisturizer, and a sunscreen. If you want to add more stuff on for your acne, check out /r/SkincareAddiction and /r/AsianBeauty. Their sidebars are seriously amazing.

But for a cleanser, you can't go wrong with CeraVe foaming cleanser. It's cheap, easily available, and gentle for any kind of skin. There's a bunch of theories on which kinds are best, but I've seen all sorts recommend this cleanser.

Moisturizer is really key as well. Dry skin can cause acne just because your skin is craving moisture! CeraVe and Aquaphor as well as natural stuff like Jojoba oil or Coconut oil have been talked about a lot as good options here. I'm still in search for a really good one I gel with. I do use as a light moisturizer Mizon's Snail Recovery Gel as it also clears up small cuts and inflammation as well. Be patient with this step, as some moisturizers can break you out.

Sunscreen is honestly like 100% of skincare, I'm convinced now, after plunging head first into the two mentioned subs. I use This Japanese one cuz it's cheap on Amazon and has one of the highest pH ratings out there. This Korean one is also highly praised online.

But the fun part I really like? MASKS! OMG MASKING! I love wash offs like Origins' Charcoal Mask (great for acne!) and Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask are both awesome choices! I'm also a big fan of sheet masks (they put the good-for-you goop on a piece of fabric so it's easy to apply). These are the ones I usually buy because it's a great value and they work amazing. You usually only mask for 15-20 minutes and it's like a mini me-time spa-time for me. Doing this like twice a week has done wonders for my skin!

Have some fun with your skincare journey! I'm having fun with finding my perfect self pampering routine. It's more a form of self care for me now, so I feel a little sad if I miss any steps at this point. Hope that helps some! :)

So, micellar water actually is a facial rinse that removes makeup as well. So, even thought I remove eye makeup before I wash my face, I like the micellar water for rinsing. Iam not great as getting all of my mascara off and so washing my face still means I get raccoon eyes. I generally like it as a "swoosh" of the face that gives a wash and gently grabs all the eye mess as well. The bonus is, for the nights when I am lazy, using a couple cotton pads of this gets enough of the job mostly done and I got to stop using those wipes that were aggravating my already angry skin.

Now, for also saving some $$$, here's a few suggestions for a starter routine. These are the things that made the most immediate difference for me. But, please search out reviews for these yourself so you can see if they are right for you.

Wash: CeraVe Foaming Cleanser (drugstore and amazon)

Micellar Water: Garnier or Simple (drugstore or amazon). Bottle is HUGE so should last for five or six months.

Toner: Witch Hazel (drugstore and amazon). I use Dickinsons. Again, huge bottle, lasts forever. Also, cheap.

Vitamin C: Timeless C+E+ Ferulic Acid (amazon) Other brands are far more popular, but this one was the least expensive I could find that had good reviews. I'm quite happy with it and don’t feel the need to check out the fancier stuff. . Vitamin C has made a HUGE difference for my fine lines and the brightness and "visual healthiness" of my total complexion.

Chemical exfoliant: I think this step is just as important as Vitamin C. What's tough here is that there are A LOT of options. I currently us CosRx products here (amazon), but I started with drugstore and they worked GREAT too. The Stridex and the Nip/Fab pads are great and you can even cut each pad in half to extend your purchase. I used them and I liked them. See this link:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/exfoliation_recs

After exfoliants is where you can start adding LOTS of things (and I rotate through a bunch) but for keeping it simple and keeping a budget in mind, I'd recommend a repairing cream and then a moisturizer that also has healing elements.

I use Mizon for a repairing get. It made a huge difference in the tone of my skin and helped fade a lot of my acne marks.
https://www.amazon.com/Mizon-Snail-Recovery-Gel-Cream/dp/B00BQM3S3C

I use CeraVe for healing moisturizer. CeraVe has a cult following but people are obsessed with it because it is a fantastic product. I use the Cerave PM in both the morning and evening since I put on sunscreen anyway. But, there's a lot to choose from here and this one is just as loved and is a little less expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizers/dp/B00UWID7VY/ref=pd_sim_194_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=51ZaZjhMUML&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=N4BH7JX0NB3Y5J1K6BJ5

This was probably too much information and if you add it all up, this may be beyond your budget. So, for the absolute musts, here's where I'd spend my first dollars:

Face Wash: Cerave Foaming or Cetaphil Gentle. You can even get the trial sizes to check them out.

Vitmin C or Exfoliant: Having both is ideal, but may not be practical. Choose one. If you choose the exfoliant, the Stridex and Nip/Fab pads are great depending on if you want a BHA or an AHA.

Moisturize: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. You can get a smaller size here as a tester too.

My advice is just start somewhere and add if you can or want to. I needed 1) daily/nightly care and 2) HEALING. You may think your skin is oily but it is likely dehydrated. I ditched my clarisonic too. I thought the clarisonic was giving me a deep clean, but it was really hurting my skin and making it angry and break out. Terrible.

IMO, pretty much assume your skin is dehydrated and give it some TLC. As you clean it and restore it's moisture barrier, you can look at what you want to do next.

Skincare can be comforting and relaxing and I hope it's also fun! I also enjoy flossing...but I only use one type of toothpaste. Am I missing out?

Here's a blog reading list for you: the venerable Fiddy Snails, Fanserviced, and Snow White and the Pear. These blogs have been INVALUABLE resources for me in learning about skincare and AB.

And here's a very, very, very, VERY loose shopping list, with one major caveat: PATCH. TEST. Don't just buy a new product and slap it on your face. Choose a spot on your face - somewhere where you break out easily, like next to your nose - and dab a little of that product there every day for 10-15 days. See what happens. This is how I learned that my beloved Hadalabo Gokujyun lotion doesn't break me out, but it does break out a lot of other people.

CLEANSERS:
You need two. An oil cleanser to use in the evening to thoroughly remove sunscreen and makeup, followed by a foaming or gel cleanser. I like Hada Labo Gokujyun foaming cleanser as a second cleanser (it's the only one I use in the morning). Kose Softymo is an affordable oil cleanser for the evening.

ACTIVES:
These are ingredients that Do Things to your face, such as exfoliants (BHA, AHA, vitamin C) and disinfectants (benzoyl peroxide). I am drastically simplifying. At the moment you're using two products that contain benzoyl peroxide, a disinfectant. It's time to round out your active diet, with the big caveat that irritation = redness. I'll say it again - ditch the astringent, it's only causing the redness you're trying to avoid. If you're going to add new actives to your routine, do it very gradually. Patch test, then start using it every other day.

Things you could try: I'm in love with C21.5 vitamin C serum. This is an affordable powerhouse of vitamin C, that promotes skin cell turnover and does a bang-up job of dealing with pigmentation. It does oxidise easily, though, so you need to keep it in the fridge and toss it when it starts to turn yellow. In terms of exfoliants, Cosrx BHA Power Liquid and AHA Power Liquid are fan favourites. They feel remarkably gentle on the skin, and do a great job of gently exfoliating. If I were you I'd start with the BHA, as BHAs are great at exfoliating within the pore, soothing redness and treating/preventing acne.

SUNSCREEN
I'm here to give you the greatest lesson you'll ever learn: the best anti-ageing treatment is sunscreen. You are 15. It's time to set up a lifelong sunscreen habit. And Asian sunscreens feel better than any western equivalent. RatzillaCosme is a goldmine of sunscreen reviews. The first Asian sunscreen most people try is the legendary Biore Watery Aqua, which is inexpensive and easy to snag on Amazon.

DA SNAILZ
Snail products are wonderful at reducing redness and inflammation. There are just... so many snail products out there. A great starting point is Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream, which is a great final moisturiser at night if you've got oilier skin. I'm also partial to the all-in-one repair cream, which is actually more of a 'whipped' essence than a cream, but feels wonderfully soothing on my oilier skin.

Hope this helps!

So I have a few suggestions, because my skin used to be exactly like yours. I realized that after getting my basic skincare routine down that my skin isn't actually oily, it was just the products I use (which may be a different scenario for you) but I do have to take a lot of measures to combat my dehydrated skin. I also have redness that once required full-coverage foundation and now I wear tinted moisturizer to just even out my super mild redness. This is my routine:

AM:

Mario Badescu Keratoplast Cream Soap. This is less of a true cleanser in the way that it won't really work at removing makeup, but it is really fantastic at soothing redness/any irritation and making my skin feel super soft.

I then use Etude House 10-in-1 House Wonder Pore Freshener. This is a new addition that I really like for sebum control and pores. Not a neccessity for you it seems like, but I figured I'd suggest it. It's a toner. I find it actually works for me, when in in the past I'd use a toner and be like ok..... this is doing nothing, lol.

Then I use Nature Republic New Soothing Moisture Aloe Vear GEL 92% moisturizer. LOVE this for soothing redness and providing some serious hydration! I was really worried about this being sticky, especially because I have an aversion to textures sometimes, but I actually really like this. I know a lot of people say you shouldn't use stuff from jars, but I find that as long as I continue to see results, the jar continues to work for me. I just switched to this from the Clinique gel moisturizer and not only is the price decrease amazing, but I saw/felt results so quickly!!

For days that I know I need extra hydration in the AM (i.e., winter), I use Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion prior to my moisturizer.

Last morning step is sunscreen - I just switched from a western sunscreen to Missha All-around Safe Block Aqua Sun Gel Spf30/pa++ and I really like it, and that'll help your redness, too.

PM:
Cleanse with First Aid Beauty cleanser. I really like this, but I find it to be on-par with most cleansers, although this is gentler for sensitive skin.

Every other day: Too Cool for School Egg Mouse Pack. LOVE THIS. Improves brightness/radiance and gives hydration.

After I get out of the shower, I use the toner I mentioned above.

Cosrx BHA. Some say it reduced their redness, but I found it just helped with sebum/blackheads. I like Stridex better as a BHA, honestly.

I use the Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion every night, and follow with my moisturizer I mentioned above. I'm currently searching for a good night cream, I used Eucerin anti-redness prior and I didn't like it very much.

Throughout the week, I'll use the First Aid Beauty
Skin Rescue Purifying Mask With Red Clay, which I really like, but since you're on a budget I'd say it could wait. I find it reduces redness but works best for blemish control. I also use Tony Moly sheet masks, particularly ones that combat redness/dehydration.

Overall, if you could only afford 1/2 products, I would most recommend the Mario Badescu and the moisturizer I mentioned - but I also would highly recommend the Hado Labo lotion regardless due to your severe dehydeation.

Awww, I know that feel completely.

I've never tried any Tatcha products, however... I have been in the market for an enzyme cleanser lately, and the one I'm looking at is often cited as a great dupe of the Tatcha Rice Enzyme Cleanser in the Amazon reviews- the SRB Stabilized Rice Bran Enzyme Cleanser, $25 on Amazon or Peach & Lily. I first saw this in a Liah Yoo video and I guess due to the kinda bland packaging it's not very popular, but the reviews on Amazon and Amabie are excellent. Apparently the product is extremely gentle and the ingredients list is pretty short, so it might be ideal for you. :)

https://www.amazon.com/Rice-Bran-Cleanses-Brightens-Exfoliates/dp/B01DZDIJSS

Honestly, I'm kind of an AB noob myself, because although I research many products, I don't really have that much $$ to spend on products and try them. Since you have sensitive skin, maybe try a balm cleanser? They're apparently very nourishing and the Banila Co Clean It Zero Sensitive formula has great reviews. Renee from Gothamista has also recommended the Heimish Cleansing Balm (it has donkey milk and she's butter, oh my gosh) and I believe her skin type is also dry-sensitive.

https://sokoglam.com/products/banila-co-clean-it-zero-sensitive-skin
https://www.amazon.com/Heimish-Clean-Balm-Cleansing-120ml/dp/B01CJ639SM

Looking at the ingredients in the serum and cream, they seem somewhat similar to the Nature Republic Royal Ginseng line, all the way from the rice, royal jelly, ginseng, sodium hyaluronate, and silk extracts to the 24k gold. This line is very expensive as well, but may be less problematic to you.

The top, likely active, ingredients in the Serum are Algae Extract and Rice Extract and in the cream the Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate is the number 1 ingredient, so I think you should start looking for serums and creams high in those actives, as those are the highest concentrated ingredients in the Tatcha moisturizing products.

I couldn't find much with Algae Extract that was a moisturizer, except one Nature Republic Eye Cream, the Collagen dream eye cream.

https://www.amazon.com/NATUREREPUBLIC-Collagen-Dream-Cream-Korean/dp/B00H4HD25W

The second ingredient, the Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, is very interesting because it actually used to be the active ingredient of the famous SK-II Essence, before it was replaced by the very similar Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate. This Ingredient is likely going to be much easier to find in an essence rather than a moisturizing cream. I know that the Missha First Treatment Essence has Saccharomyces but I'm also including a link/list of SK-II dupes that contain either Galactomyces or Saccharomyces as they are very similar, and because many of the other SK-II dupes are actually cheaper (the Missha is around $50), including the CosRx Galactomyces which is only $15.

http://musicalhouses.blogspot.com/2016/01/sk-ii-facial-treatment-essence-dupe.html?m=1

https://sokoglam.com/products/time-revolution-first-treatment-essence

https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Galactomyces-Whitening-Power-Essence/dp/B00OZE57XW

The last ingredient, Rice Extract, is present in an insane 65% potency in the CosRx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Mask, which is also a cult favorite on Reddit. And, it's less than $15.

https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Ultimate-Nourishing-Rice-Overnight/dp/B01518D84U

Lastly, I saw sodium hyaluronate, or hyaluronic acid, in both the serum and cream, so if I were you, I'd invest in the cult favorite, Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion. I have the Premium version, and it really is wonderful and leaves your skin firm and hydrated, and is a great way to get in extra moisture before your cream.
Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist, 5.7 fl. oz. (170ml) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BSNBO9O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_EZa8ybAC6S473

A final note: since your skin is sensitive, I would stay away from any artificial fragrance or irritants in any products. Hada Labo and Cosrx are both fragrance free companies that only use what they need to make the product effective. Again, check your ingredients at CosDna as well as reviews. Also many of these products are available cheaper on some other websites, I just chose who came up first. Generally, SokoGlam is a safer bet than Amazon because you won't get a fake product, but it's also slightly more expensive.

I know this is a long post but I also know how daunting the search for good, affordable skincare can be. Also, don't forget to wear sunscreen. There's no point in getting so many products just to negate their effects with UVA damage.

Best of Luck! <3

I know the impulse is to do a big order to save on shipping, but I think it's also ok to do several smaller shipments. You can't use everything at once anyway. Ideally, you should be introducing new products little-by-little. Maybe one new product a week, so you can test to see if your skin likes it. Also, you can order samples of a lot of the more popular products, so you can test that way too.

Since your skin is only sensitive sometimes, I guess you'll have to decide how much you want to baby your skin. For me, I would want to choose products that are more for sensitive skin when there's a choice. But you might know better how much you need to do this.

For cleansers, I like the Banila Co. I have sensitive skin, and I am ok with the regular one. The Purity version actually has some herbal ingredients that I wasn't sure would work for me. The BioDerma water looks good, and I think it could work as your step 1 to remove makeup. Cleansing oils are nice too. You could get a few samples of these. DHC is olive oil based and should work for sensitive skin unless olive oil happens to break you out. (You might not know until you try.) The Innisfree, Skin Food and Face Shop cleansing oils are all pretty popular, but scented.

For toners, the Mizon is the one I've heard of most. It might be good for acne, but not sure if it will work for dryer skin. For masks, the Skin Food one is popular. There's a black sugar strawberry one that people like. For eye cream, I would go for the Kiehl's or Mizon because of the snails.

For treatment, I have the C20 Vitamin C but haven't used it yet. I would try to buy some samples of the Innisfree. Missha ampoule and essence are popular as well.

You might want to hold off a little on the AHA/BHA's until you get a settled routine and your skin is more moisturized. The Mizon AIO is not a real moisturizer from what I understand. It's kind of a treatment and goes on before your other steps. A little different. You can order samples of the Starfish Cream pretty easily.

Too Cool for School has a pumpkin sleeping pack that people like. Also, people seem to like Mizon Good Night Sleeping Pack. But Laneige is said to be nice too.

You might want to add in Hada Labo lotion. It's popular around here and works a little like a serum. Not a lotion as we think of it. You may need an extra lotion or cream at some point, but those are usually easier to find in non AB if you need. Have fun!

Hi! Due to the recent drama around here, a lot of the sidebar links take us to nowhere right now. The sidebar is usually a lot more welcoming! I think the mods are working on finding alternative sources of info, but in the meantime, here's a really good breakdown of how to evaluate your current routine to see how you might want to go about changing it, and here's sort of a crowd-sourced list of things the members here recommend, separated by skin type.

Until the beginner guides routines get retooled and put up, the search function might be a good place to start looking for recommendations, as well as sister subs like /r/AsianBeauty, /r/skincareaddicts, and /r/skincareaddictionuk, and outside sites like MakeupAlley and Beautypedia (although be aware of the bias towards Paula's Choice products here).

Now, as for your specific routine, you have a few options: you could look for a new cleanser and/or moisturizer, or you could add a few steps to your routine to level up on moisturizing. Which of these you choose to do and why is completely up to you, but here are a few common considerations among those whose skin feels dry or irritated.

• 1: your cleanser might be drying you out. Generally, the closer your cleanser is to skin's natural pH (around 5.5), the less it will disrupt your skin's barrier function, which helps protect your skin from bacteria, irritation, etc. I'm not familiar with your cleanser, but if it's above 5.5, this might be what's happening. Off the top of my head, commonly recommended cleansers at pH ~5.5 include: CeraVe foaming cleanser (found in most drug stores), CeraVe hydrating cleanser (ditto), Hada Labo Foaming. You can find more if you search this sub and places like /r/AsianBeauty (who have a spreadsheet color-coded by pH) and other subs linked here on the sidebar.
  
• 2: you want a heavier-duty moisturizer. This is pretty self explanatory. You might need something with more emollients and occlusives in it; emollients make your skin softer, while occlusives form a barrier over your skin to prevent water loss. Look for things with mineral oil or petroleum jelly (occlusives) and things like fatty alcohols (cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl) and oils for emollients. A lot of people on the sub like to recommend CeraVe in the tub or CeraVe PM as a starting point, but be aware that some people have negative reactions to fatty alcohols. EltaMD's Melting moisturizer is usually a safe bet, since it includes so few ingredients, and my all-time favorite is DML Daily Facial Moisturizer. Again, these are the things I can think of off the top of my head since I've used them, but the sub search will bring up plenty more.
  
• 3: you might want to keep your current products and consider adding in more steps to your routine. Like they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? If you know your current products aren't breaking you out and feel like your skin just needs a little push over the edge to get to Happy Moisture Land, you could just add in a step or two to your existing routine. One of the easiest changes would be to slap on a thin coat of Vaseline or Aquaphor at night after cleansing and moisturizing; these both act as occlusives to prevent moisture loss overnight. If that's not enough, you could also add in a humectant between cleansing and moisturizing. Humectants help to retain moisture, and they pull up water from the dermis to the epidermis. Common humectants include glycerin and hyaluronic acid, so ideally look for products with those in the ingredient list--you often find them in things categorized as toners (although, as a side note, beware of any toners that contain alcohol, which can be drying). Some people have bought vegetable glycerin from the store and love it, while others prefer light serums with hyaluronic acid, such as this (also available at Ulta with different packaging), this, or this. Finally, you could also include a separate emollient step, like incorporating a facial oil before your moisturizer. You can get a great sample pack of oils from Garden of Wisdom, or you can pick up something from a Whole Foods, a vitamin store, or any kind of natural foods store. Popular oils include jojoba, sunflower, safflower, coconut (this breaks some people out in a major way, though), rosehip, and meadowfoam.
  
  Anyway, this has turned into a comment of gargantuan proportions, but I hope this helps you in some way, shape, or form. In general, I really recommend using the search function, as there are droves of information on products, on pH-related stuff, on emollients/occlusives/humectants and what products contain which, etc. Don't forget to patch test any new products before putting them on your entire face, just to make sure they play nicely with your skin. I'd also be remiss if I didn't suggest adding in a sunscreen, but that's a topic for a whole different novel-sized comment.
  
  *Edited to add in a missing link

Always recommend the cera ve SA renewal cleanser. It’s amazing and events your skin and brightens it. I actually use the SA renewal body wash, you get a lot and I can use it on my face as well. The Cera Ve SA body lotion is also love, sometimes I use it on my face. Makes body super smooth, these two are dream team.

I think the dream routine:

Am:

• cera ve SA acid cleanser
  
• Son&Parks Beauty Water Toner
  
• niod multi-molecular HA serum 15 types of HA.
  
• stratias liquid gold
  
• shishoedo mineral uv gel SPF50++++
  
  Pm:
  
• Sunday Riley Blue moon cleansing balm Blue Tansy for redness OR if you like oils, KOSE softymo SPEEDY cleansing oil
  
• cera ve SA cleanser with Clarisonic
  
• biologique Recherche pm400 or regular p50 toner or cheaper alternative tarte knockout tingle treatment
  
• niode HA serum
  -melazepam 20% important and alternate between this and Retin a, but not everyone can handle either of these. But it goes to say these are anti-aging power horses
  
• Holy Snails Sauce Di Mois in Hangbang/spooky shark or whatever works for you.
  
• an oil, Squalene, seabuckthorn, rosehip, jojoba, rotate what works.
  
• an occlusive, like embroliysse concentrated lait creme , cera ve healing ointment , skinfix 12 hour miracle ointment All of these are better than basic Vaseline or squalor.
  
  Great products:
  
  
• to 10% lactic acid in spheres
  
• skinceutics vitamin c in feurlic acid (super $, results worthy).
  
• timeless vit c serum (affordable)
  
• to 30% bha peel
  
• avene Blue Tansy Oil (knockoff of lapis Blue Tansy Oil for $12 vs $72) helps redness/moisturizes
  
• dr. Jart cicapair serum for redness
  
• Dr. Jart ceramidin serum plus the cream (use together for best results on rebuilding skin barrier if using actives).
  
• hada labo HA lotion/milky lotion or Hada Labo premium HA lotion (more moisture, not great for warmer months).
  Benton snail bee essence (the masks, steam pacts, everything..)
  
• peter Thomas Roth pumpkin enzyme mask (great chemical exfoliating and physical exfoliate mask that works)
  
• niod flavonne mud mask (super detoxing good for congested skin)
  
• kanebo soap powder (good ph, enzyme powered soap powder)
  
• aquaring ampoule mask (good ab face mask)
  
• Paula’s choice bha liquid
  
• cosrx bha blackhead liquid
  
• cosrx aha whitehead liquid
  
  Just a few products to think about. I am by no way saying jump and add any of these to your routine instantly. I’ve looked around and found a lot of, what I’d consider to be talked about products and decided to make it easier and list them for you.
  
  
  I think a basic SA cleanser like cera ve would be a good place to start, a good spf that is non-irritating. Find a moisturizing Oil thst your skin likes and then maybe start trying actives. Don’t go jumping in until you find a routine that calms your skin and that your skin really likes. Then start testing the waters with maybe azelic acid like melazepem (strongest you can get in us is on amazon) or vitamin c. Possible acid peel pads. We kind of have to know your skin type and current routine. Things that have worked and have not, and what you want out of a new skin routine— in order to give you better direction.

I have super dry skin that's also super sensitive. I have dry scalp and some scaly patches on my face that I've dealt with by being super gentle with my skin. First, I would recommend finding moisturizing products for sensitive skin. I highly suggest a hyaluronic acid based lotion, but you'll likely have to layer moisturizers to get what you want. It may also be helpful to use a hydrating cleanser or a good cleansing oil.

Basically, what i suggest is to try layering multiple simple products, based on what your skin needs.

What's worked for me when nothing else would:

Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Moist lotion Hyaluronic Acid Lotion. My skin requires this in the dry winter.

Ceracolla Super Moist Lotion This has ceramides that are super awesome for "unhealthy" skin.

Cremo Moisturizer This has Urea which is a mild exfoliant in small amounts... I love this stuff.

Burts Bees Sensitive Night Cream Generic night cream with ingredients that don't burn my face. It's not super moisturizing on it's own, but is great when layered.

Ceracolla Perfect Gel If your skin isn't super dry, this could work for hyaluronic acid and ceramides.

Boots Expert Sensitive hydrating serum This is super moisturizing, but breaks out my chin. It's actually the most moisturizing feeling of the bunch, but doesn't have a lot of "benefits"

Aquaphor: A thin layer overnight can make your skin feel great in the morning, and especially if you're not wearing makeup, it won't need to be washed off.

Bare minerals has a purely nourishing moisturizer which has great ingredients, except for lavender essential oil, which my skin does not like. It's in my skincare drawer for when my skin is healthy, but I'm nervous about considering using it.

Also: Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue tinted gel cream has been wonderful for my super dry skin. I apply it in the morning and do not apply powder (which never worked for me before) and it gives just enough coverage and leaves my skin looking nice. Also, I do find it quite moisturizing for a tinted moisturizer/foundation. The only issue is that it doesn't last on my chin so much, but I'm putting some in a bb cushion test out!

> I'm definitely fascinated by the Kikumasamune Sake High Moist Lotion and the Tosowoong ampuole, but also totally intimidated by r/asianbeautyexchange (baby steps).

Haha well the user I mentioned is super sweet and will walk you through the process should you decide to take the plunge, and I have a brand new bottle of the Kikumasamune I'd be happy to decant for you at any point. I also don't mind walking you through how the exchange works (it's pretty simple! c:) whenever you feel brave and adventurous.

Girl yes you will feel like the fanciest broad in town with that adorable Sulwhasoo ginseng trial bottle. I keep it on my nightstand instead of with my skincare basket just so I can look at it, haha.

> And yes, I have read most of Fifty Shades of Snail and have to be careful not to automatically buy whatever she likes at the time (which lately has been fancy Sulwhasoo stuff I can't afford so that's convenient).

This struggle is real. Thanks for having expensive tastes right now, u/Sharkus_Reincarnus. You're breaking hearts and saving wallets all at the same time. c;

Omg that's exactly how I feel about that Drunk Elephant serum. I love the packaging and the formulation seems nice, but I'm afraid to love it. This is one a lot of people love that I've been considering. Also, formulations with MAP (magnesium ascorbyl phosphate) instead of L-AA (l-ascorbic acid) tend to be more shelf stable and gentler on the skin. c:

Like many people in the sub, I don't like most things with fragrances in it and your current routine is full of it. (Also, St. Ives scrub??? Don't you know it's the devil around here?! Jk, but seriously, there are better options). I would personally overall your entire routine and recommend on below. I was on accutane as well so I completely understand the dryness problem even after the course is over.

AM

1. Wash with water
   
   
2. Hydrating toner like this one Note, this is very different from your typical astringent Western toner. You pat this into your skin and leave it on instead of wiping it off.
   
   
3. A good moisturizer like Cerave PM lotion
   
   
4. Highly recommend a good sunscreen especially once you start to expand your routine to include aha/bha in order to help improve your acne
   AM
   
   PM
   
   
5. Clean with a oil cleanser. Oil help remove the sunscreen and all the oil soluble impurities on your face. This includes the skin oil naturally produced by your face called sebum. The acne causing bacteria feed on sebum, so excess sebum will cause you to be prone to breakouts. I would recommend something like Kose Deep Cleansing Oil (rice bran + mineral oil) or DHC (olive oil). Using regular oil straight up is fine, you will just have a bitch of a time washing it off without an emulsifier.
   
   
6. pH Balanced Cleanser. Our skin is naturally acidic to prevent nasty microbes from getting into our mushy parts. Disrupting the pH of our skin will cause compromised moisture barrier and, you guessed it, acne. I really like the Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser (creamy ones because it is less stripping than foamy ones and does not contain fragrance) and the Cerave Hydrating cleanser.
   
   
7. Any actives like AHA/BHA (only include this step once your skin is hardy enough, and you have a good sunscreen to help prevent the increase photo-sensitivity). Depending on your progress you may not need to worry about it for a long time.
   
   
8. Hydrating toner as I mentioned before, it will do wonders for your dry patches.
   
   
   
9. A good moisturizer. Cerave is beloved here.
   
   
10. Occlusive. Vaseline does wonders for dry patches and calming down inflamed acne. Contrary to popular myths, it is completely safe (triple filtered) and do not clog pores (it's too big to do that). If you don't like the way it feels all over your face you can try using a thinner layer/just use it on the dry spots.
    
    Hope that was helpful! :)
    
    Edit: Debugging.
    

When I first heard of how well AB products work, I went on a binge and tried out so many, and while all are really great, I keep reaching for the Mizon Black Snail AIO the most. I don't like any perfume smelling lotions, no matter how great they are. The Mizon black snail has no smell to it, so perfect for me. I also felt it healed my acne, acne scabs, and dry patches, and just left me with healthier, softer skin.

I'm not sure if you would be up to trying all of these items, but here's my skin regimen (to heal acne and acne scabs/scars, dry patches, and aging skin and wrinkles) to compare. I have been doing this for about six months and am tweaking very little. I haven't had any acne break outs in the last three months now (well maybe one minor pimple that heals within a day or two) and my skin is the most normal it's been in my teenage/adult life.

Morning:
Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser. I love this cleanser and am not changing.

I use two Konjac half sphere shaped sponges when cleansing. I like to use two of these at the same time, one to lather up the soap (less soap is needed with these sponges) and one to rinse it off, and then I rinse both out and run under warm water and hold the two flat halves against my eyes. The warmth feels so wonderful.

I like the red or pink clay ones, but here's a sample pack. Also they usually come with a small string looped into the sponge. If they don't, you can just get a needle and thread and put one it. This is because they need to be hung up to dry out, so they don't get any mold in them. When they dry out, make sure to run under water to re-expand them fully before use, and don't squeeze until they are fully soft and expanded again, or otherwise you will begin to degrade the sponge and it will start to fall apart.

Then I use Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner. (If you buy from there, you get a Benton Bee Snail mask try too. That mask is one of my all time favorites.)

Then I use the Benton Snail Bee Essence. (If you buy from here, you get another mask and a few samples to try too.)

New York Laboratories Dark Circle Eye Cream. Not Korean, but uses some good ingredients.

MIZON Black Snail All In One Cream

You can also add another cream over this, like one with retinol or hyalouric acid or both. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I am happy with the above and it works for me.
___

Evening:
Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam Facial Foaming Cleanser. I love this cleanser and am not changing.

I use the cleanser with the Konjac sponges again. I find when you use the sponges, that you don't really need to use a separate exfoliator product daily, which can be harsh on your skin. So think gentle products (See at the bottom).

Then I use the same toner as above, and the same eye cream, but sometimes I also add on Cosrx Honey Ceramide Eye Cream.

I use the same Mizon snail cream as above and then a "sleeping pack cream". I have a few I am trying at the moment and can't say which I would recommend yet, but I keep going back mostly to the SKIN CERAMIC Donkey Milk Yogurt Sleeping Pack one. It is not too greasy like some of the others and my skin feels super moist from it.

I do a sheet mask at least once a week (more if I can - lately I have been doing about 3-4 a week). I subscribe to a monthly sheet mask bag at MissTutii.com, and they will send about 7-8 sheet masks each month. I love the snail masks best, the honey ones are my second favorite, and then the donkey milk ones. My Miss Tutii is ending next month, and I am thinking of switching over to Mask Maven subscription, which sends nine masks each month.

I use only mild forms of exfoliation (I am so, so, so done with the rough kinds!!!), like Neogen Dermalogy Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine, to help skin turn-over maybe 1-2 times a week. I keep the jar in the fridge and use after a shower in the morning, but you can also use in the evening after you cleanse and before you apply essence/cream. When I use these pads, I skip the toner part of the regimen and sometimes essence too.

I also have Seven Seconds Morning Sheet. That one has gentle dots on the pad that exfoliate. I tend to use this one when I am in a rush and can't spend the time to do a full skin regimen. This one you just cleanse and do the pad and then you are done.

I use Nooni AHA/BHA peel pad about once a week.

About two times a month I use Laura Mercier Face Polish.

And speaking of healthy skin regimen, don't forget about getting good, quality sleep. Get yourself a few boxes of these KAO heated eye masks. They are freaking amazing! They are so nice and light and comfortable and soothing, and they do block out the light too. I love the rose smelling ones.

Antioxidants:

• Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% ($7.90 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Andalou Naturals Blossom + Leaf Toner ($12.95 for 178ml) - resveratrol, CoQ10
    
    
  • Mad Hippie Face Cream ($26 for 30ml) - resveratrol, matrixyl synth'6, syn-tacks, CoQ10, niacinamide ($$)
    
    
  • Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient Mist ($20 for 120ml) - resveratrol, SAP, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid
    
    
• EUK 134 0.1%
  
  
• Alpha Lipoic Acid 5% ($6.80 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Derma E Firming DMAE Serum, Alpha Lipoic Acid and C-Ester ($18 for 60ml)
    
    
  • Derma E Firming DMAE Toner, Alpha Lipoic Acid and C-Ester ($12 for 175ml)
    
    Hydrators & Oils:
    
    
• Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($6.80 for 30ml) - several types of HA
  
  
  • Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion ($13 for 170ml) - five types of HA
    
    
  • Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion Moist ($13.84 for 170ml) - several types of HA
    
    
  • Timeless Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($8.95 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Trader Joe's Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum ($8.99 for 30ml)
    
    
• Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA ($7.70 for 100ml)
  
  
  • CeraVe Baby Lotion ($9.49 for 237ml) - I haven't used NMF but CeraVe Baby Lotion might be similar. It has ceramides,
    fatty alcohols, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, all the good stuff, and it dries down matte and very cosmetically elegant. review
    
    
  • CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($12.19 for 473ml) - "closely resembles the texture, finish, absorbability and LIGHT hydrating, mostly daytime-occlusive effects, without being very emollient." - /u/lgbtqbbq
    
    
• 100% Plant-Derived Squalane ($7.90 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Lotion Crafter Squalane Oil ($9.68 for 50.28ml) - plant-derived
    
    
  • Garden of Wisdom Squalane Oil ($10.05 for 60ml) - plant-derived
    
    
  • Lotion Crafter Squalane Oil ($9.68 for 50.28ml) - plant-derived
    
    
  • Lotion Crafter Neoassance Squalane Oil ($7.75 for 50.28ml) - sugar-derived
    
    
  • Timeless Squalane Oil ($13.95 for 60ml)
    
    
  • Skin Actives Squalane Oil ($28 for 120ml) (cheaper but bulk)
    
    
• 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil ($9.80 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Lotion Crafter Rose Hip Seed Oil ($5.25 for 30ml)
    
    
  • H&B Rosehip Seed Oil Unrefined ($6.19 for 30ml; bulk sizes available) & Refined ($6.99 for 60ml)
    
    
  • Life-Flo Rose Hip Seed Oil ($8.59 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Garden of Wisdom Rose Hip Seed Oil ($8.65 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Skin Actives Rose Hip Seed Oil ($31.50 for 120ml) (cheaper but bulk)
    
    
• 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil ($6.80 for 30ml)
  
  
  • H&B Unrefined Argan Oil ($6.99 for 60ml) & Refined ($6.49 for 60ml)
    
    
  • Trader Joe's 100% Organic Argan Oil ($6.99 for 50.28ml)
    
    
  • Timeless Argan Oil ($8.95 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Lotion Crafter Argan Oil ($9.20 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Garden of Wisdom Argan Oil ($9.65 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Making Cosmetics Virgin Cold-Pressed Argan Oil ($15.90 for 125ml) (cheaper but bulk)
    
    
  • Skin Actives Argan Oil ($25 for 120ml) (cheaper but bulk)
    
    
• 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil ($9.90 for 30ml)
  
  
  • The Herbarie Marula Oil ($6.50 for 30ml)
    
    
  • From Nature With Love Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil ($6.83 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Acure Marula Oil ($11 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Garden of Wisdom Marula Oil ($12.90 for 30ml)
    
    More Molecules:
    
    
• Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($5.90 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Skinlex 10% Niacinamide ($13.60 for 60ml) - also contains NAG, which works synergistically with niacinamide to give you the most bang for your buck; Minimalistic and Extended versions
    
    
  • COSRX Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence ($20 for 100ml) - 2% niacinamide
    
    
• "Buffet" ($14.80 for 30ml) (peptide serum)
  
  
  • Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Turbo Line Smoothing Toning Lotion ($38 for 200ml) - I was not expecting a PTR product to beat out TO, but here we are. Wish it came in smaller sizes, but if you're committed to peptides this is a way better deal (if scaled up, TO would cost ~$99) Comparison of first 20 ingredients, shared ingredients in blue, PTR extra peptides in salmon
    
    
  • Mizon Peptide 500 ($18 for 30ml)
    
    
  • GoW Nutritional Anti-Inflammatory Peptide Serum ($7.90 for .25oz) ($$)
    
    
• Matrixyl 10% + HA ($11.50 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Turbo Line Smoothing Toning Lotion ($38 for 200ml)
    
    
  • Timeless Matrixyl 3000 ($24 for 30ml) - 8% Matrixyl 3000 ($$)
    
    
  • Timeless CoQ10 ($25 for 30ml) - 8% Matrixyl 3000, Hylaronic Acid, Vitamin E and Ubiquinone
    
    
  • GoW Matrix Majik AntiAging Serum ($8.90 for 0.25oz) ($$)
    
    
• Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA ($8.90 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Skinlex Alpha Arbutin 2% ($13.60 for 60ml)
    
    
  • Hada Labo Shirojyun Arbutin Lotion ($12 for 170ml)
    
    
  • InstaNaturals Skin Brightening Serum ($18 for 30ml) - SAP + Niacinamide + Alpha Arbutin + Licorice root
    
    
• Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG ($6.70 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Alba Fast Fix for Puffy Eyes ($4 for 7ml)
    
    
  • GoW Eyes on Me Cooling Eye Serum ($9.65 for 0.5oz) ($$)
    
    
  • Splash your face with iced coffee while stuck in traffic on your way to work cuz nobody knows how to feckin MERGE HOLYSHIT ($2.79 for a Large at Dunkin Donuts)
    
    
• Argireline Solution 10% ($7.90 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Turbo Line Smoothing Toning Lotion ($38 for 200ml)
    
    
  • GoW Targeted Wrinkle Relaxer ($8.40 for 0.25oz) ($$)
    
    
  • IQ Naturals Argireline + Matrixyl 3000 Fine Line Serum ($18 for 30ml) (haven't heard of this brand, but found on FutureDerm and look at their heckin cute hyaluronic acid jug)

Well, there's a few ways of telling. Easiest way (for me) is to look at the veins on the inside of your wrist/forearm. If they are generally brown or green, you probably have golden undertones but you could have olive undertones (olive skin tends to be darker, though.) If they are generally blue or violet, you probably have pink undertones. If you honestly can't tell, you're probably neutral.

I am pretty pale with really strong golden undertones. The veins on the inside of my wrist are bluish green, but the veins going down the inside of my forearm are green. That same kind of green you see sometimes in healing bruises. The veins on the backs of my hands are also straight-up green.

You can also make a best guess by what kind of metal jewelry you think you look better with - folks with pink undertones tend to look better in silver, and folks with golden undertones tend to look better in gold. Neutral can wear both equally well. I never wear silver - gold always looks better on me.

The reason why this is important to figure out is because most BBs only come in a few colors, and they are usually all the same undertone. So for instance, while the Missha M perfect in shade 13 is the perfect paleness for me, it has pretty strong pink undertones...which looks awful on me. It's a total mismatch.

The best way to swatch colors is apply and blend a small amount to the side of your neck. I guess you can do this with the inside of your forearm also, but your neck is going to be closes to the tone your face should be. You should also give BBs about 10 minutes after you apply them before you gauge how well they match. Most BBs oxidize and turn a little darker as they set. The one that matches is the one that you really can't see (and look in natural light if you can!)

Skin79 also has a nice sample pack you can get here. It doesn't have all their lines (most notably missing are the Oriental Gold and Orange), but it's a good place to start. You can also easily get small 1-2 mL packet samples for brands like Holika Holika and Lioele on ebay.

There are a variety of ingredients, methods, and products that could potentially help you. The problem is everyone is different, so it will have to be a careful trial and error (and patience over a period of time) before you can pinpoint the right solution for you and what the original cause was.

If you're going to try products, I highly recommend you buy small sample sizes if possible and try them out one or two at a time. Be careful and start small, especially with active ingredients. They're quite potent, which means they give powerful positive results, but you can also risk overusing them or using them in a dangerous combination. So do your research about correct application and be careful.

• BHA (salicylic acid), such as Paula's Choice or Stridex. A very popular ingredient with a great track record in preventing/clearing acne, clearing acne scars, and generally improving texture, tone, and color. I would recommend getting sample sizes of these to start.
  
• Azelaic acid is another great way to tackle both acne and scars. Paula's Choice has a great azelaic acid + salicylic acid combo that I highly recommend.
  
• Vitamin C. Can help greatly with acne scars. Paula's Choice, The Ordinary.
  
• Sulphur is known to be antibacterial and a mask containing sulphur can help suppress breakouts. But most likely will not help with scarring. Sunday Riley Saturn mask helped a few people I know with cystic breakouts.
  
• Differin. Contains adapalene which is known to clear and prevent acne. Be really careful and don't use with exfoliants.
  
• Benzoyl peroxide. Pretty commonly used to clear and prevent acne, but it has the unfortunate affect of bleaching clothes/pillows/etc and can be pretty strong. Paula's Choice.
  
• Aquaphor/vaseline/hyaluronic acid. It's possible your moisture barrier is not doing so well right now. Counterintuitively, being too dry can exacerbate acne. Also, if you're using exfoliants or other active ingredients, you'll want to make sure to stay hydrated and moisturized. Aquaphor, HA. Also recommend this Hado Labo HA cleanser and oil cleanser for a very hydrating double cleanse.
  
• Sunscreen. You don't mention it but you should be wearing a daily sunscreen that's non-comedogenic, especially if you are trying any of the products above. La-Roche Posay, Elta MD, Neutrogena.
  
  The list goes on and on but you can start your research here.
  
  To eliminate causes, pay attention to when you have breakouts. Make sure the products you're currently using are a good pH and aren't breaking you out to begin with. Don't eat dairy for a long while until you know it doesn't cause the breakouts.
  
  Hormonal acne is most often clustered on chin and jawline, is often cystic, and often flares up once a month (aka period). If that describes you, you might want to talk to a doctor or dermatologist about whether it's hormonal or not, because there are treatments for that, such as birth control or spearmint tea.

It sounds like your moisturizer is not sinking into your skin because the whole point of a moisturizer is to lock in moisture.

When you told me your skin feels tight after a shower i automatically think dehydrated skin. SkincareAddiction has a good post on dehydration

What moisturizer do you use?

If I were you id use products with hyaluronic acid, like a serum or toner and then a gel based moisturizer and then at night a layer of moisturizer over that.

I also would take a break from harsh scrubs, cleansers and masks and only use the gentlest products.


Here is what I would recommend (Asian Beauty Skincare Exchange often has decants (aka small samples of products) so you can see and test out what works for you.

To get your skin back and hydrated :

AM:
Rinse skin with water -I don't know your skin type so if you're oily, use a very gentle cleanser (which i can recommend to you if needed)

Toner/Serum Hada Labo Hyaluronic Lotion Moist - many people on the skincare reddits I am active in rave about this product, because its super cheap for the amount you get and its soooo moisturizing. I personally think it is too light for me (I am veryyy dry and dehydrated, stupid midwestern weather lol) and I use the premium version of it. Some people complain about it breaking them out, but everyone's skin is so different. But I think doing a layer of this morning and night will really help.

Moisturizing Gel - this will add moisture and hydration to your skin. My favorites are Hada Labo Plumping Gel Cream and Mizon Snail Cream
You only need a little of these, but I find they are super hydrating and comforting. The Mizon Snail is an all in one miracle.

Sunscreen- pretty important step (in my opinion), some sunscreens have occlusives in it. Occlusives mean it is holding all the moisture in. Sunscreen choice really depends on your skin type (which I am happy to recommend you as well)

PM:

Double Cleanse but gently. First an oil cleanser (to remove makeup) and then a gentle water based one.

Same as morning

Then seal it all in with your moisturizer. I am so dry that I even put vaseline on my face at night and I wake up comfortable and hydrated.

As far as trying out products, if you're in the US, /u/Gothickornchic sells decants on Asian Skincare Exchange. She ships super fast and is so nice, and helpful. you can find her post here

If you don't want to do that, Amazon and most places have great exchange and return policies. Skin is very weird and its all trial and error :[ but i hope my recs help and if you need more recs let me know!

Sorry in advance for the length of my comment but speaking from personal experience, your acne could be caused by fungus/yeast, not bacteria. It's called Malassezia Yeast and we all have it on our skin, but it can cause issues when it becomes overgrown. This overgrowth is called Pityrosporum folliculitis and looks almost identical to other forms of acne.

Other evidence that points towards fungus is the fact that you're breaking out on other parts of your body. The fungus spreads easily, especially if you give it a nice environment to thrive, like sweaty workouts!

I had perfect skin until I was about 22, and suddenly developed acne on my face, chest, and back. It was so bizarre and none of the traditional acne treatments were helping because, as I later figured out, most products are geared towards bacterial breakouts, including benzoyl peroxide. In fact, overuse of these products can cause fungus/yeast to take over the balance and cause all sorts of issues!

So, after months of research I came to the conclusion that I did indeed have fungal acne, so I started a routine to combat it. I was desperate at first, so I bought an anti-dandruff shampoo (because dandruff is commonly caused by fungus). [This one is great because its SLS free!]
(https://www.amazon.com/Regenepure-Shampoo-Treatment-Supports-Growth/dp/B0032FSDOA/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1485317432&sr=8-1&keywords=dr.+regenepure) In the shower, I slathered it all all over my face and body, let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinsed it off. All of the breakouts started disappearing overnight, literally.

I felt strange using shampoo on my face so I decided to do more research and discovered that zinc is an amazing natural antifungal. So, I purchased this bar of soap, which contains 2% Pyrithione Zinc (an antimicrobial) and it was also very effective. I only use that about every three days now, and only on my body, because I have super sensitive skin and it is too drying for my face.

For my face, I now use Curology because they offer Zinc Pyrithione as an ingredient! My current formulation is .25% Zinc Pyrithione, 1% Clindamycin, and 4% Niacinamide and it is AMAZING. I'm now free of any and all breakouts.

I also use this mineral sunscreen because it uses zinc oxide - another form of zinc that is an antifungal!

For me, I have to maintain a routine or else the overgrowth returns, so I also take zinc picolinate supplements.
So, yeah, I hope this helps give some insight on your skincare journey!!

*EDIT!

I also want to point out the necessity of being super gentle on your skin, in general. I always think "kill it with kindness" when it comes to skin issues. You definitely don't want to make things worse by over-exfoliating (chemical and physical), using harsh cleansers that strip your natural oils, and above all you must keep your moisture barrier in tip top shape because it will protect you from excess fungus and bacteria!

I decided to give you my whole routine as an example, so here it is! I focus on moisture.

AM:

• Rinse face with water
  
  
• Apply Thayer's Witch Hazel Lavendar Toner on cotton ball and wipe face
  
  
• Apply Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum, pat dry
  
  
• Apply Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream, pat dry
  
  
• Apply Paula's Choice SKIN RECOVERY Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
  
  
  PM:
  
  
• Wash face with Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Cleanser - extremely moisturizing cleanser
  
  
• Apply Thayer's Witch Hazel Lavendar Toner on cotton ball and wipe face
  
  
• Apply Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum, pat dry
  
  
• Apply Curology, let dry for ~10 Min
  
  
• Apply Mizon Black Snail All In One Cream, pat dry
  
  
• Apply Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask, keep on overnight
  
  ONCE/TWICE WEEKLY:
  
  I loooove sheet masks. Especially the Benton Snail Bee Essence one. Head over to r/AsianBeauty for more recs on these and SO MANY MORE THINGS. warning: it's addicting.
  
  
  

I am very certain that you have dehydrated skin. Not the same as dry skin, though you may have that, too. Tight feeling skin, getting very oily very quickly, redness. Oily and dry at the same time. Your moisture barrier has been compromised. This will take time and patience to repair, but believe me, it is worth it. I once had very similar skin.

Fair warning, I myself use a mostly AB routine, and my product suggestions will reflect that.

Find a simple low pH cleanser. I like this one because it's cheap, easy to find, and lasts forever. Cleanse twice daily, with tepid water.

(I am a fan of the double cleansing method when wearing foundation and/or sunscreen. You can learn more about that here.)

Then I would work on finding light hydration that doesn't break you out. I have found that my skin absolutely loves multiple layers of light hydration. And that was key to restoring my barrier. Just putting one thick heavy layer didn't work because my skin couldn't/wouldn't do anything with it. But multiple light layers was something my skin could work with.

This, this, this, this, and this are all super suggestions. Pretty simple, basic, and gentle choices. No, you don't need to go buy all of them. Try one. See how your skin likes it after several weeks. Maybe add another. Or, some people like adding multiple layers of the same product.

Then find a humectant to layer on top, to seal moisture in. This is a very popular one. This, this, this, and this are all good choices.

Once you find a routine that your skin seems to like, stick with it for a few months. Like...3 to 6 months. It won't be an immediate fix. But over time you'll start to notice less of the tight feeling, less of the dry thin skin with an oil slick on top, less redness. Only then will you be able to see what your real skin type is. Maybe you start to see more dryness or flakiness, and the oil slick goes away. Then maybe you have drier skin. Or maybe the tight and dry feeling goes away but the oiliness stays. Then maybe you have oily skin. But until you heal your moisture barrier, nothing you throw at your skin will do any good.

1. How many times should one cleanse each day? twice
   
   
2. After washing your face and putting on moisturizer, is it normal for your skin to still feel slightly tight and dry? no
   
   
3. When moisturizing my face, if I use something more watery it just feels like it dries up and takes all the moisture from my skin leaving it dry. Is this supposed to be normal? no
   
   
4. If I put on more moisturizer afterwards, the oiliness gets too much and my face turns red. When that happens should I cleanse again and put more moisturizer on? Or should I use a cloth or something similar to wipe my face instead? keep blotting sheets on hand and blot at the oiliness (no rubbing)
   
   
5. What should I be doing if my skin turns red and irritated? this is a sign that your skin is damaged - find gentle products that restore balance
   
   
6. If I put on sunscreen my face gets oilier but still remains dry. What should I do during times like that? again, this should get better as your skin gets stronger
   
   
7. How many times should one be using 8~10% AHA per week? if I were you, I would stop using this, at least for several months
   
   
8. Would you agree that dry skin is generally darker and tougher and oily skin is reddish and blotchy? no, I think those are unrelated

i reccomend heading over to r/asianbeauty
a common thing glosses over in western skin care is the use of layers for moisturizing. The one and done technique works for some, but not everyone. Asian skin care focuses on layers of light hydration from different hydrating toners, essences, serums and a final heavier cream. Using serums or hydrating toners before your main moisturizer like cerave is a great option to boost moisture content in your skin.

Ingredients like Hyaluronic acid is something to look for- its a humecant that can hold 1000 times in it weight in water- as a result instead of just keeping existing moisture in your skin like many moisturizers- it brings more moisture into the skin from the lower part of the epidermis or the environment around your skin.

For you however- if you do not want to go that route- i strongly reccomend a 5% urea cream like Euricins
urea will do the best job at getting rid of those flakes and scalyness- as a it helps dissolve keratin overloads.

If you want the best of both worlds - you could combine that moisturizer with a hydrating toner or essense underneath- like this Hada Labo Lotion or this Hada Labo Gel
that could also layer nicely under your thicker moiosturizer

in asian skin care the word lotion is used instead of toner. Toners(aka lotions) in asian skin care are not like western astringent ones- they are slightly liquidy and offer a great calming boost of moisture under your main moisturizer.


Sorry for the wall of text!

tl;dr
Moisturizing doest just have to be one step- using layers helps alot through serums, essences and toners.

Invest in a good dry shampoo to keep oil at bay. I like Living Proof. It's pricey but well worth it. To look a it more "adult" and put together, I'll use a hair clip like this or this rather than a hair tie. Still out of the way but a bit more elegant. Also, a hair stylist can help you with a look that is elegant and "adult" but still easy to work with. Get trims so your hair can stay healthy.

What I do is put a wavy hair mousse in my hair when it's damp, blow dry my roots for volume and go eat breakfast/do makeup/fold laundry/whatever for about 10-15minutes, my hair dries fast. Then when it's all dry I have some nice waves and put in dry shampoo to soak any oil up, run a serum through the ends for some shine and to keep fly aways down and clip it back. Sounds like a lot but it takes me about 5-7 minutes of hands-on time. Also I find that the more I take care of my skin, the more rested and healthy I look. I use a good moisturizer at night and a hydrating eye cream. A little under eye concealer and mascara goes a loooooong way in helping my self confidence when going out in public.

Invest in yourself. It's not "high maintenance" to make sure you have clean, neat and healthy hair. Taking care of your skin is equally important in my opinion. I feel so much more productive and organized when I take just ten minutes to put myself together in the morning.

Products I like:
hair clips I haven't used these particular ones, just this style.
favorite dry shampoo
argan oil serum
mousse for volume
love this face moisturizer with spf
this eye cream works wonders for me

So I'll give some general skincare advice and some acne specific advice since many of the posters here are dealing with that. If the acne part isn't relevant, you can skip ahead.

Acne

Acne is caused by sebum (skin oil), the oil clogs pores and attracts bacteria, leading to inflammation, which causes pus formation and pimples. Tendency to develop acne is sometimes genetic, but you can still kill it.

Get the sebum under control first. Make sure you're washing your bedsheets and pillow cases regularly (at least once per week).

Wash you face twice daily with a gentle, non pope-clogging cleaner. You don't want to use harsh cleaner with fragrances because it makes inflammation worse. I used Cetaphil Daily when I had acne, it works great. Wash your face morning and night with the cleaner using your hands. Every few days or so, lightly use a washcloth to aid in using the cleaner. You want to exfoliate dead skin and gunk, but not inflame your skin. Do not use astringent products, EVER.

After washing your face, use Persa-Gel on your pimples. The stuff is no joke and it's been proven for decades.

General Skincare

For people that don't have acne or have it under control, you want exfoliating cleaner and moisturizer. I only use two products.

Body Merry Glycolic Acid Cleaner for the face and neck. I use it once per day about 4 times a week, but you might want to start out twice a week at first to build tolerance, it's a gentle acid. You want to scrub the product on gently with your hands. This shit will change your game, trust me.

For moisturizer, I use CeraVe Lotion. Rub a small amount onto your face and neck once per day morning or night after your face wash. If you'd rather use it at night or you don't need the sunscreen, I'd recommend getting the PM formulation at a drug store because it's super expensive on Amazon.

Nutrition

Not only are fruit and vegetables good for you and alleviate depressive feelings, but people that eat more fruits and veggies are objectively more attractive. The pigments from the veggies/fruits deposit in your skin and give you a glow that's similar, but more attractive than tanning. You don't have to go crazy, but try and implement sweet potatoes, berries, green leafy veggies and other produce into your diet. Ditch the soda period. Stay hydrated. Pick up a nice water bottle and use it like there's no tomorrow. Stay away from refined sugar and white bread as well, these things cause inflammation. Whole grain bread is your friend (and will also help you lose weight if needed).

Also you gotta control the heavy drinking. And if you smoke cigs, quit ASAP.

Hopefully this helps. I'm not a doctor but I have a science background and a degree in biological science from a well regarded school. Also I have a lot of Asian friends and a family who care about skincare. Good luck to you guys and keep me posted with any progress :)

I have been dealing with redness for a while too. I'm pretty sure it's primarily genetic, but being dehydrated does not do me any favors.

There are a couple of things I've tried or been told to try and some have helped a bit. My mom has rosacea and I'm pretty sure I have a mild case of it as well, but I haven't really target that as much as I have tried to create a soothing routine.

Anywho things I've been told/tried (Amazon links just for info, you may consider buying some of these else where, if you decide to buy them at all):

• Cosrx Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence: I personally didn't see any direct redness reducing effects, but I do really love this as a hydrating essence. I use it to mix oils into quite often.
  
  
• LRP Cicaplast Baume B5: This stuff is THICC. Very soothing for me. Immediate redness reducing with some last effects. It is not very cosmetically elegant so I don't use it during the day.
  
  
• Hada Labo Moist: This is a hydrating toner. This primarily helps with redness by plumping and hydrating my face. I find this to be an absolute workhorse in my routine, but kind of boring at the same time. I may switch to the premium version when I'm finished with my current bottle.
  
  
• Klairs Supple Preparation Toner: This is very soothing for me and I find it does help short term with redness relif. You may have some issues with the essential oils that are in this formula, but they have just a released one that is Unscented!
  
  
• Dr. Jart Color Correcting Treatment: This doesn't fix the problem for me, but it does cover the redness very nicely. I really like using this instead of foundation or a BB cream, it evens out my complexion very well. A little goes a long way!
  
  
• Niacinamide: There are several products that I have tested because they contained Niacinamide. If you'd like I would be happy to link them to you. I really like this ingredient and I find it to be very helpful in a lot of ways.
  
  
• SPF: I feel silly saying this, but honestly using SPF regularly cut my redness in half.
  
  
• Centella Asiatica: This is one of the main soothing ingredients in the LRP Baume & Dr. Jart Color Corrector I mentioned earlier. There are several products that feature it from multiple brands. I know a couple of weeks ago there was this thread about it on /r/AsianBeauty
  
  
• Rosehip Seed Oil: I only linked the Trilogy because that is the one I am testing right now. I really like this oil and may look for a different brand going forward. I'm not positive that it is helping my general redness, but it IS doing wonders for some of the PIE spots that I have on my chin.
  
  Wow, I have just realized I've written you a book. My bad! I hope this helps some. These are just my experiences and suggestions, ymmv. Let me know if you have any other questions!

I'm a little older than you; I also have combination skin on the dry side. Here's my usual routine right now:

AM:

• Wash face in shower with whatever bar soap I have on hand (usually an indie soap from a brand like Villainess or Arcana). This isn't really an ideal facial cleanser, but my skin is pretty compliant.
  
• Wipe any areas with pimples or clogged pores (usually just my T-zone) with a Stridex pad (I use the wipes in the red box and cut them into quarters to make them last longer; don't usually need more than 1/4 wipe for my oily areas). The BHA helps cut the oils and unclog pores.
  
• Wait a few mins, then pat a little water on my face to dampen it, and apply a few drops of Garden of Wisdom cranberry hyaluronic acid serum mixed with a few drops of maracuja oil or argan oil as a moisturizer. I used to just use the oil, but find that adding the serum helps keep my face hydrated and happy much longer. This particular HA serum smells really nice, which is the main reason I use it.
  
• Sunscreen, either Elta MD UV Clear (what I use most days, but the PPD rating isn't as good as some, so if I'm going to be out in the sun for a while, I might use the Shiseido instead; I do always use this on my eye area since it doesn't sting) or Shiseido Hada Senka UV Gel (all chemical, so it stings my eyes, but has a higher PPD; I think it may also be better for flash photos). Both sunscreens rub in quickly without leaving a white cast or shininess/greasiness/stickiness on my skin.
  
• Lip balm (currently using Nuxe Reve de Miel, which I bought after reading rave reviews but I think is really overhyped)
  
  PM:
  
  
• Cleanse with Kose Softymo deep cleansing oil. My HG cleanser--takes off all makeup without any rubbing, and since it's oil-based, it gives the benefits of oil cleansing, but rinses off clean without needing a washcloth.
  
• Stridex wipes as needed
  
• I alternate actives at night somewhat randomly: currently rotating between Garden of Wisdom Vitamin C, E, and White Tea serum as a vitamin C product (I like this, but I'm going to try their simpler Majik C serum next to see if it's something that can be used during the daytime--this one advises use only at night), Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream as a retinol product, and Alpha Hydrox AHA Gel as an AHA for exfoliation. Retinol and AHA make your skin more sensitive to the sun and/or break down in sunlight, so I only use these at night. The vitamin C serum suggests only using at night, so I only use that at night as well.
  
• I also spot treat hyperpigmentation at night with Garden of Wisdom Light 'n' Brite serum dabbed on just the areas that need it.
  
• Lip balm
  
• I rub rosehip seed oil on my eyes and lashes (combination lash conditioner, moisturizer, and gentle retinol product for my eye area, since I avoid using most active products around my eyes)
  
• Then I moisturize my whole face with the maracuja or argan oil and sometimes the HA serum. I have a drugstore knockoff of Cerave in the tub that I occasionally use, but I feel more moisturized if I use oils. The rosehip seed oil feels a bit heavier than the others, so I usually only use it on my eye area.
  
• Occasionally I use masks or spot treatments: Neutrogena salicylic acid gel or Clearasil BP cream for pimples, Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask if my pores are clogged (though it's drying, so usually just on my T-zone), Dr. Jeffrey Dover Skin Effects Glycolic Mask for extra exfoliation, or a honey/yogurt/turmeric mask; I also have a jar of C-Brighter maracuja eye cream that I got kind of by accident and use this sometimes on my eyes as well, but I wouldn't repurchase this because it seems overpriced/overhyped.

Nivea face cream or Pond's cold cream (my favorite!) are great affordable options.

Besides that,

• Weleda skin food is incredibly hydrating, full of essential oils, and smells amazing. It's a cult favorite.
  
  
• Neutrogena's gel cream is naturally formulated, has a great texture, and is great for being moisturizing without being oily.
  
  
• Aveeno Active Naturals is great for balancing out combination skin- it's really light.
  
  
• People might recommend Burt's Bees but I just want to add that personally, I didn't find the price worth it- it's good for keeping acne at bay, but it's not super moisturizing and doesn't help get rid of acne already present. Of course, it might work really well for you, especially if you've got sensitive skin!
  
  
• Bag Balm was used for cow udders until people co-opted it for their dry skin. Fuckin' weird, but who cares as long as it works?
  
  
• Aquaphor is a cult favorite here in the states.
  
  
• Kiss My Face is a great option for moisturizing on the go (although idk how you feel about spray moisturizers- they scare me).
  
  A random super cheap trick is to cleanse with coconut oil. It can be a great, moisturizing cleanser, but it's not for everyone. Not a moisturizer, but if you're acne-prone these are amazing, especially right after the gym. Really helps to prevent dirt and sweat from building up. I don't know what the water is like in Denmark, but I've heard of French models using this instead of tap water.
  
  Sucks about the CeraVe- they don't tell you how frustrating and costly taking good care of your skin will be. As always, don't hesitate to go to a dermatologist (I don't know how insurance works in Denmark)- they are fantastic with recommendations (and sometimes will give you free samples!) since it's their job. Anyway, whew! Good luck & hope this helps!
  
  
  

Hey all,

I've been a lurker of this sub for a few months and am finally beginning to incorporate AB products with my fairly extensive green beauty line up. I've been using several Dr. Jart products for the last few years and finally made more AB purchases in the last few days based on extensive research:

• Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
  
• Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream
  
  I also went a little sheet mask happy at the Honolulu Duty Free Beauty Store on my way home from Hawaii (whoops):
  
  
• SNP Birds Nest Aqua Ampoule Mask
  
• Dr. Jart Dermask Water Jet Soothing Hydra Solution
  
• MediHeal Collagen Impact Essential Mask
  
  
  Skin Type: Dry, Sensitive
  
  Country/Climate I'm in: NYC [typically humid AF, cold cold winters]
  
  Top Skin Concern: Anti-Aging (Hello early 30's), Hydration
  
  Current Routine/Products I'm Using:
  
  AM:
  
  
• Splash of Water
  
• [Moroccan Rose Water](https://www.amazon.com/Elma-Sana-Moroccan-Water-- Ounce/dp/B003XKW8RM/ref=sr_1_7_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1483909400&sr=8-7&keywords=rose+water)
  
• Pixi Glow by Petra - Every 2-3 days, HG product for me
  
• Pai Organics BioRegenerate Rosehip Oil
  
• Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (I want to replace this since the main ingredient is mineral oil.)
  
• Dr. Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++
  
  PM:
  
  
• Dr. Jart Dermaclear Micro Water - This is only usually used in the summer or when I have to take off a lot of eye make up
  
• One One Organics Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil - HG product for me, use it throughout the fall and winter
  
• Pixi Glow by Petra - Every 2-3 days, HG product for me
  
• My Own Face Oil Blend [Jojoba, Vitamin E, Seabuckthorn, Helichrysum, Frankincense, Geranium]
  
• Dr. Jart Ceremidian Cream - Fall/Winter mostly since $$$
  
  I also have a rotation of balms and masks that I use as necessary:
  
  
• One Love Organics Skin Savior
  
• Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Face Mask - Total HG product, saved my skin after a horrible sunburn from wakeboarding one day
  
• LATHER honey moisture mask
  with propolis extract - Discovered this brand during a long layover at the Atlanta airport. Really amazing products with great, natural ingredients
  
• Dr. Jart Water Fuse Water-Max Sleeping Mask
  
• Dr. Jart Premium Firming Sleeping Mask - I am just realizing this product is no longer available
  
  
  My biggest concern is anti-aging and the puffy bags under my eyes. My skin also responds beautifully to natural ingredients and has completely changed after incorporating an AHA and Ceramides. Any recommendations on what I can do to better my routine would be very helpful! Really curious what everyone here thinks about the addition of Retinol, Vitamin C or any other hydration steps. How can I best use each product? Am I going in the right order? Help! Thanks :)
  
  
  Edit: I can't figure out formatting. Sorry this may be difficult to read. NAILED IT.

Personally, I'm not using a vitamin C cream because it's expensive. But sunscreen is literally a MUST. I used to think sunscreen would just make things worse, but it turns out that sun damage makes acne scar spots darker.

Lots of people here have seen success from sunscreens and the one I'm personally using is EldaMD sunscreen, found here: http://www.amazon.com/Eltamd-Clear-SPF-48-Gram-1-7/dp/B002MSN3QQ/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451583461&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=eldamd+sunscreen

I also use Adapalene 0.3% (Differin) which is a prescription. It's been shown in scientific studies to promote cell turnover, which fades those spots. I've been using it so far and has been keeping my skin not only clear, but has been helping with the scarring as well.

I'm also about to use GOW's Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid Exfoliation Wipes. Found here: http://www.gardenofwisdom.com/catalog/item/7495831/3918195.htm

I have middle-eastern skin so I need to use lactic acid, as it works better for darker skins. But Glycolic Acid may work better for your skin. The recommendations in the post above are some of the best but make sure to read the ingredient labels. Paraben-free and minimal ingredients are always best for your skin. They also have a DIY Vitamin C found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/1lfm47/diy_vitamin_c_serum_a_really_full_explanation/

I'm going to add this to my regimen a little later, just trying to be as conservative with money as possible. Vitamin C is essential for collagen renewal and will help fade your spots faster. It also gives your skin a nice glow, so there's benefits!

That'd be my list of recommendations, make sure to read some of the posts around here that had the same problem as you - they can help you choose the best product for you. I'm confident though that given time and determination, your skin will be 100% clear.

Remember though, patience is the key for acne and even the scarring. Just stay persistent and you'll see good things!

Hi there! You might consider that your skin is a bit dehydrated (lacking water) as well as dry (lacking oil). Mine certainly was! I would consider adding a hydrating toner to your arsenal rather than jumping right in to large number of active products (you can always add them more slowly later once you've decided on what you want try first). Especially as you are quite young, it might be an easy fix rather than a long active journey waiting for results.

The idea will be to keep your skin plumped, reducing the appearance of fine lines. Hydrating toners are terribly useful in that they are light watery layers full of humectants which draw and hold water to your skin. Plus, you can do multiple layers one right after the other (sometimes called the '7-skin method') if your skin is feeling extra dull that day without risking the addition of more ingredients.

They are usual in the realm of Korean or Asian skincare, but lots are becoming super popular. Here are the classics: Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion - the OG!, Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion - contains fermented ingredients for brightening and is a HUGE bottle, Klairs Supple Preparation Toner - Recommend the unscented, has licorice for brightening, Benton Aloe/BHA Toner - BHA acts as a humectant here, no exfoliation, Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner - Super light, 6 ingredients for sensitive skin, Etude House SoonJung 5.5 Relief Toner - Just like water, very soothing, many others!!

(just ignore that in Japan toners are called 'lotion'. Yes it is confusing!)

Also, Gothamista has a great video on hydrating toners which goes over several of the ones I mentioned plus others.

One more easy thing to consider is a raw honey mask. If you can get real honey, just slather than on your face! It's a humectant and will help with water levels in your skin. Another point is to apply your routine onto damp skin after cleansing.

Hope this helps!

If you don't want to research I would recommend Curology. It's a 20USD a month prescription that comes with someone with some sort of medical-related degree to act as a dermatologist. Mine's a PA, and no where near qualified to be dermatologists, but for this purpose I find it's good enough. You upload photos of your skin and fill out a quick survey of your goals and you receive a 1 oz/30mL topical prescription with their recommended ingredients for you (e.g. mine's azelaic acid/clindamycin/niacinamide to target PIH and acne) that you apply once a day at night and usually follow up with a moisturiser. Because Curology is technically a prescription, you will also have access to tretinoin, which is one of the most studied retinoids for addressing anti-aging issues and can't be bought OTC in the US. If you want to add anything on top of your prescription, like a Vitamin C serum, you can also talk that over with your derm and they can recommend you products and talk about what to look for or tell you it's unnecessary. If 20USD a month is too expensive for you, then you can sign up for one month, receive the prescription topical treatment, and then cancel your subscription until you run out and then start the trial again when you need more product. The downside of this is that you won't have access to your dermatologist when your subscription isn't active.

If you're not interested in Curology, then to answer your questions

• Sunscreen: Yes, especially for anti-aging. I'm preferential to the asian beauty sunscreen recommendations. Just pick a random one--that's what I do. Biore Watery Essence is popular and available on Amazon.
  
• Moisturiser: CeraVe PM is a solid, no-fragarance no-nonsense moisturiser. I would apply twice a day.
  
• Retinoids: I don't know where you live but in the US most retinoid products by popular brands like Olay have very low concentrations. I would recommend Curology for this.
  
• Vitamin C: I recommend a 20% serum applied in the morning every 1, 2, or 3 days. This product is more effective if you apply it right after washing your face (your face should be dry though) and wait as long as possible, up to 30 minutes. Timeless is a generally effective one. Toss it it turns dark orange.
  
• Other Products: Some people like alpha hydroxy acids for anti-aging purposes. You could try out Alpha Hydrox lotion; it's got 10% glycolic. Nip+Fab is often recommended but it's like 2% and didn't do shit for me.
  
• Cleansers: I don't use a cleanser in the morning but I would wash your face with a washcloth/your hands in the shower. All you did was sleep so it's not like your face is that dirty. I would recommend washing your face at night though, so it's clean and the following products can work more effectively. CeraVe Foaming and CeraVe Hydrating are plain, effective cleansers.
  
• Other Products: If you have a slightly larger than drugstore budget I would check out Paula's Choice products. They make lotions/AHA's/Vitamin C/everything I listed above and people seem to find their products effective.

Ugh! These marks are so frustrating, aren't they? Acne is crappy enough, but then I get these red marks and they take forever to go away. It's totally unfair, and I empathize with you. Luckily, I actually do have some advice! Now, these products aren't miracle workers, and it didn't cure my spots overnight. However, I have found my recovery time has been shorter.

1. Mizon Snail Recovery Ge & Mizon All in One Snail Repair Cream: I attribute some of my success with conquering red marks to these other products below, but I think it's mostly the snail products. They've been super gentle on my skin and are pretty affordable. If you're going to go with just one of my suggestions, make it the Snail Recovery Gel. I like the Repair Cream, but I think the Recovery Gel is what's made the most progress with my spots. Bonus, I have a very pink skin tone, and it helps take a little of the redness out of my face as well. Also, keep in mind that the Recovery Gel is not a moisturizer, so you'll still need to use one with it.
   
   
2. Paula's Choice - Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol: Retinol is a good choice for long term minimizing marks, and I haven't had any trouble with this product burning my face or making it dry. (I have quite dry skin, and that's a real issue for me.)
   
   
3. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA & Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel: I'm sure you've probably already heard of these products. I know they're big on this sub, but I just wanted to throw it out there because I do think that chemical exfoliation has helped some with my marks.
   
   Good luck with your skin! I've been going through a bad breakout right now which is leaving new red marks on my skin, so I'd love to think that this sucky experience might help someone else even just a little.
   
   Edit: I was reading some of the other comments, and I just want to second the sunscreen comment. Super important!

I have erythematotelangiectatic rosacea with a papule or two every month. My cheeks are covered in permanent telangiectasias, but I don't mind them because I can cover it with makeup easily. I've had them since I was a kid. Occasionally I get a small papule or two

My nose has worsened over the last 5 years. I have no telangiectasias but my whole nose up to the bridge has diffuse erythema. Above the bridge of my nose has some redness too, leaving the bridge of my nose white... The redness goes away if I press on my nose (it blanches - not permanent). It is difficult to keep makeup on my nose throughout the day without it coming off. This is the most annoying thing about rosacea for me.

My forehead has patches of eczema either side that I've had success treating with elidel (pimecrolimus cream) and a better skincare routine. I have rosacea in the middle of my forehead. Easy to cover with makeup.

I've tried metrogel and finacea, both without effect. Finacea just hurts my skin. I'm taking 50mg doxycycline capsules and I thought they were working, but then I forgot for a while. It's difficult to tell. Rosacea is difficult to control, unfortunately.

___

I currently use the following of an evening:

• Mineral oil massage to remove makeup - emulsify and remove in the shower with water.
  
  
• Sulwhasoo Snowise Ex Cleansing Foam - low pH cleansing foam that leaves my skin lovely and clean without over-cleansing.
  
  
• Actives - Elidel for eczema if required.
  
  
• Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Toner - Not astrigent at all. Super slippery base makes the next steps more effective.
  
  
• Holy Snails Shark Sauce and Snowbang Essence - Small amount, mix together in hand and wipe across face. Contains ceramides to help replenish lipid barrier, niacinamide and n-acetyl glucosamine for anti-inflammatory effects, lots more lovely stuff.
  
  
• Mizon Snail Repair All In One cream - Small amount all over face. It's a very light cream, almost like a gel. It has a lovely texture.
  
  
• Shara Shara Honey Bomb Ampoule - niacinamide, so good. Small amount, all over face.
  
  
• La Roche Posay Lipikar Baume AP+ - One pump to cover whole face (400ml bottle has a pump). I love this stuff. Niacinamide (anti-inflammatory), glycerin (humectant), shea butter (emollient), mineral oil & silicone (occlusive emollients).
  
  
• CosRX Ultimate Moisturising Honey Overnight Mask OR Mizon Snail Repair Recovery Gel - Moisturising gel to "set" the layers of moisturiser beneath. I'm still testing out the snail recovery gel, not sure if I like it because it doesn't "set" as well.
  
  In the morning I gently wash the set slippery layers off with water and apply:
  
  
• Actives - Elidel for eczema if required.
  
  
• Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Toner
  
  
• Holy Snails Shark Sauce & Snowbang Essence
  
  
• Mizon Snail Repair All In One cream
  
  
• Lipikar Baume AP+ on bad skin days, or CosRX Ultimate Honey Overnight Mask on good days.
  
  
• Shiseido Hada Senka Mineral Water Gel SPF 50+ - I love the finish of this sunscreen. Sunscreen is super, super important, especially with the niacinamide use. Use a sunscreen every single day, even in winter, even if only inside. Every day!
  
  I take a resveratrol capsule every day to combat sirtuin inhibition caused by niacinamide.
  
  I've been following this routine for four months and my skin has improved a lot in terms of texture. The flaky patches went away and the eczema almost completely disappeared with occasional maintenance use of elidel and just generally looking after my skin. The rosacea erythema has stayed the same, but I have developed fewer papules. Hopefully, if I can remember to take the doxycycline, the redness of my nose may also improve.

Well, my face WAS super dry and sensitive, and here's what I've found...

 

Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel 1.7oz (3 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GMOTTYG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_DYmvxbKJXB9P8 this cleanser is a godsend. It has no smell, and is this clear gel that is so gentle. Afterwards, my face is much happier than before.

 

Leven Rose Organic 100% Pure Cold Pressed Unrefined Natural Jojoba Oil, 4 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GJX58PE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_QZmvxbKK9N3M6 I dont think it needs to be this brand, but this stuff is my absolute secret weapon. It mimics face oils and my skin can't be dry with this. In the morning, I put it on and then rinse it partway off with water, while in the evening I wait the 20min it takes to sink in. You can also use it for OCM. I use it before my cleanser as OCM, and after the simple cleanser as a moisturizer, but before anything else.

 

SCINIC Honey All In One Ampoule All Skin https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BO10SQ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Q2mvxbBC14QX4 this stuff is an asian beauty product, and heavily recommended on r/asianbeauty . It comes in a huge jar and lasts forever. the ingredients are crazy good, and I figured you may like it since you wanted to try honey. It's light and moisturizing, and the honey makes it antibacterial. Also, it has niacinimides, which are great for redness and staying young. I use it to prevent acne and make my skin happy, but it's the only part of my routine I could probably live without (but I wouldnt want to)

 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream, Extra Dry Skin, 1.7 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NR1YQK4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_z7mvxbK58XK4T this stuff has the best texture! It's like silk. Make sure you buy the 'gel cream' and not the 'watery gel'. It was the first moisturizer I found that I've ever liked. No fatty alcohol, not sticky, but not too light. It's a little more expensive than I would like, but I simply can't do without. It's my favorite part of my routine and it leaves my face with a great finish.

 

When my face was less hydrated in general, I found that the hydro boost and SCINIC honey AIO stung for a few seconds after application, but they dont anymore now that I dont have microcuts everywhere. Also, with all three moisturizers on at night, my face feels a little warm at first, but that's just because of the layers, and doesnt last long. It takes a long time for it all to sink in, so it's more of a night pack. In the morning, just one or two of the products is enough (must include the hydro boost). I cant promise that these will work for you, but I haven't seen anybody have problems with these yet. Good luck!

Great, you're ahead of the game then.

 

The Hada Labo Gokujyun Moist is the Hylauronic Acid one... "lotion" is just what the Japanese call hydrating toners. I'm talking about this one, is that what you have? I'd try applying it with a mist and some other hydrating layers and the right moisturizer to seal it in, but you could be sensitive to one if the ingredients too.

 

Is this the honey you have from Trader Joe's? That's mine, I love the texture of it but any raw honey will do. Someone else actually asked me below how I used it, go take a look there I explained in detail how I use it :)

 

Have you read Snow White and the Asian Pear's post on what I think she calls "the shell." It's what some dehydrated skin types have, it's this dead layer of skin that keeps products from absorbing. AHA and BHA are your best friend for that. In the meantime, I'd order a konjac sponge to use if you're just going to be using water for now. It'll provide some really gentle exfoliation and help cleanse your skin.

 

My current hydrating products for daytime are the Tosowoong Green Tea Facial Mist (it's awesome, like a essence in a spray bottle), Cosrx FTE (will be trying a different FTE next though), Goodal Waterest Lasting Water Oil,HL lotion, Tosowong Propolis ampoule, Scinic Aqua AIO, HL Shirojyun Milk, and Benton Snail Bee Steam Cream to seal it in. I was using the Enprani Moistfull Booskin but I didn't find it very hydrating and I may cut out the Goodal Water Oil due to fragrance.

 

I sheet mask at least once a day and I use sleeping packs during the day also if I'm just hanging out at home. I've just started sheet masking regularly but I've tried quite a few masks and have a ton more on the way too. So far the ones I would repurchase are the LJH Tea Tree Masks, the Enprani Pearl Masks, the MBD masks in Black Pearl and Imperial Bird's Nest, and the Lovemore masks in Pearl Barley & Milk and Rose Hybrida because they smell amazing and they're super sheer. I also would buy the Tony Moly Pureness 100 masks in Hylauronic Acid and Pearl again, they're good cheap masks to have around. I expect my sheet masks to be super hydrating or brightening otherwise I'm not interested.

The main thing you need to concentrate on is hydration, once that issue is tackled, you might find that your skin doesn’t need all those actives but that’s for the future. For now your routine (according to your skin state right now) would look like this:

Am:

• Water rinse: no need for a cleanser in this step
  
  
• Vitamin C: Start with a low dose since you are new to it. Here are some good options to chose from:
  
  
  • Rhoto Melano CC, it has around 5% Vitamin C.
    
    
  • L’Oreal 10%Pure Vitamin C Serum.
    
  • CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum 10%.
    
    
• Toner (optional): you don’t really need a toner but since you are dehydrated, a hydrating toner will make your skin supple and ready to absorb your moisturizer better. My favorites are Asian toner since they make the best toner hands down:
  
  
  • Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
    
    
  • I am From Rice Toner.
    
    
• Moisturizer: That’s going to be a trial and error until you find the right one for you. Try to find samples and use them. I like light creams like:
  
  
  • Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
    
    
  • Tatcha The Water Cream.
    
    
• Sunscreen
  
  Pm:
  
  
• Oil Cleanse: this is going to be a game changer for you. Oil cleanser dissolve makeup, sunscreen, dirt with little to no effort and don’t strip your skin. My favorites are :
  
  
  • The Face Shop Rice water Oil Cleanser
    
    
  • Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil
    
    
• Cleanser: it took years and lots of money to find a cleanser that doesn’t strip and leave the skin tight. These are the winners in my opinion:
  
  
  • Avène TriXera Nutrition Nutri-Fluid Cleanser
    
    
  • LaRoche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser
    
    
  • Algenist Gentle Rejuvenating Cleanser
    
    
• Retin A : you can keep using it once or twice a week. This is your gold ticket for anti-aging. You are experiencing added wrinkles because of the dryness that can result from using Retin A, not Retin A itself. So hydration will resolve that issue.
  
  
• Toner: again optional but a hydrating one is always good.
  
  
• Niacinamide: you can add this ingredient here but in my opinion you should wait a bit to see how your skin fare with the added hydration first and not overwhelm it.
  
  
• Moisturize: I like heavy moisturizers at night. My holy grail is:
  
  
  • Avène TriXera Nutrition Nutri-Fluid Lotion
    
    
  • Cerave Moisturizing Cream. Honorable mention.
    
    
• Occlusive: A thin layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor on top. This is an extra step that helped a lot of people to seal in all the goodies before and prevent TEWL or Transepidermal water loss.
  
  Hope this helps a little.

• Since it's your first time, i'd recommend a 0.5mm dermaroller. Anything lower than that would not be deep enough to stimulate collagen growth. Also, don't cheap out and get a low quality one.
  
  
• Well, you can but it's best that you just buy one size first, in case you find that microneedling isn't your thing. Some people can take up to 6 months or even a year to move from 0.5mm to 1mm. Your skin needs to get used to it first. One dermaroller can last you a couple of months btw. If the needles start looking dull and blunt, replace it with a new one or else you'll end up damaging your skin instead.
  
  
• A 0.5mm shouldn't hurt too much but anything higher than that would definitely hurt so in the future, once you move up to a longer needle size, you would probably need a numbing cream. Also, always wash your face first before you dermaroll!
  
  In terms of sanitizing the roller before and after, this is what I do. First, I clean it with water (you can also use soap if you like) then I put it in head first in a clean plastic cup and pour 70% Isopropyl Alcohol in the cup so it's just enough to cover the head (I prefer 70% because a higher alcohol content will make it evaporate faster and logic says it won't have enough time to sanitize!). Anyway, just let it sit in the cup for 10-15 minutes, take it out and then wait about 2 minutes or so. Once it's dry-ish, I run it under hot water and let it completely air dry before applying it to my skin.
  
  After you finish rolling, repeat the same procedure. Wash the roller, dunk it in alcohol for 10-15 minutes, run it under hot water, let air dry then put it somewhere clean (preferably in a box).
  
  
• It depends on the size. With a 0.5mm, you can use it once every 2-3 weeks. If you go higher, like 0.75mm or 1mm then you should use it sparingly like once every 4-6 weeks because it takes time for your skin to properly heal. Do not use it everyday.
  
  
• I noticed you said that you don't really have a routine? You should definitely have at least a moisturizer and a sunscreen (this is a given) before you start dermarolling. After you dermaroll, your skin will be a bit sensitive and tight and it will definitely feel like a bad sunburn so you should pamper it a bit. I find that sheet masks are also great to calm down the redness and irritation.
  
  The most important thing for me is using a Vitamin C serum. I use one with 20% L-ascorbic acid everyday (also right after I dermaroll) and it has significantly reduced some of my scars (it stings a little bit though). This is where sunscreen is important!!! Wearing sunscreen helps protect your skin (and scars) from getting darker. Those products you linked look great but you should definitely patch test them first to see if you have any bad reaction to them or not before you start microneedling.
  
  Here are some other Vitamin C serums which are well loved by many:
  
  http://www.amazon.com/NuFountain-L-Ascorbic-Hylaronic-Youthful-Complextion/dp/B0039LZW78
  
  http://www.amazon.com/20-Vitamin-Ferulic-Acid-Serum/dp/B0036BI56G
  
  Lastly, one important thing about microneedling is patience. You won't see improvements right away but you will if you keep on maintaining it. Hope that helps! :-)

Sooo the first thing that stood out to me was the Neutrogena toner and my only response to that is - stop that. I used to use it when I was younger and god it was horrible. It has a ton of alcohol, so it totally strips your face. If you have a "tight and dry" feeling, products with a lot of alcohol only make things worse and irritate your face.

If you want to use something to wipe down with after cleansing, I'd suggest a micellar water. Garnier makes a popular one (in the pink bottle) that's really reasonably priced and that I'd recommend.

If you're concerned with closed comedones, an AHA would serve you well. Paula's Choice makes a popular one, but I've also heard good things about Mizon's AHA (bonus: it's cheaper). Make sure you use a good sunscreen with AHA! It makes your skin photosensitive, so broad spectrum sunscreen is mandatory every day (otherwise it'll accelerate the aging of your skin).

To increase hydration, I'd recommend using a hydrating toner before applying moisturiser. Hydration should plump your skin a bit and reduce signs of aging. I love the Hada Labo toner and apply it after I've used my BHA/AHA (after a 20 minute wait) to a damp face (I typically spritz with plain water or aloe vera juice). I wait for it to dry a bit and then apply a moisturiser and it works super well.

Vitamin C serums are excellent for anti-aging. Unfortunately, they tend to be unstable - they're best kept in a dark area, away from heat and light and optimally, in the fridge. However, if you'd still like to give it a go, OST's vit C serum is popular. Wrap the bottle in aluminum foil and it should keep longer. Signs to tell if it's gone off is a change in colour (goes dark) and smell (sour, funky). You should use it right after cleansing and then wait about 15 - 20 minutes before continuing with the rest of your routine.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. (:

I have been lurking ScA for about three weeks now and I have learned so much!
Here is my current Skin Care Routine I have developed and I would love some input.

[AM]

>100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffiene Eye Cream

This product smells so great, just like coffee beans. It wakes me right up in the morning! It is a bit greasy though. I still like to use it because it feels like a little treat for me in the morning!

>CeraVe AM SPF 30 Moisturizer

This product is great. It is so light in the morning and does not leave my skin feeling greasy at all! When it is summer, I will be needing more protection and I plan on using Cetaphil's 50+ SPH moisturizer. Has anyone had luck with this?

>Sometimes I will use Nutrogena's Healthy Skin Enhancer SPH 20

I believe this is a tinted moisturizer? I use this when I want a bit more even looking skin-color. It also contains a retinol treatment it says.

This is all I use in the morning, I also do not put on any make-up.

[PM]
>Cleanse with Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp & Neem Oil

I really like this product since it has all natural and good ingredients! It doesn't leave my skin feeling tight at all, and I usually have that issue with cleansers. I usually only cleanse if I feel my like face is very dirty though.

> Exfoliate with Silk Natural's 8% AHA Toner

I did have some issues with my skin 'purging' to this product for the first few days, I got little bumps on my forehead, but after that I really noticed my skin getting clearer. I do want to switch to a product that helps with evening skin-tone.

I want 20 minutes before I put on other products.

>CeraVe Eye Cream

I just started using this last week and it really reduces puffiness! With that though more fine-lines are visible... and I am not sure what to do about that. Also i noticed that my undereyes feel kind of tense now.. is that normail
>Moisturizer with Silk Natural's Firming Moisturizer

THIS IS THE BEST MOISTURIZER! My skin looks so radiant the next day! It looks brighter and still feels soft and supple, yet my skin feels firmer. I was using a trial but noticed a difference after the first night! I am now purchasing the full size bottle.


[Products I will be introducing into my routine]

I ordered the following from Paula's Choice:
>RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% Alpha Hydroxy Acid


>Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Serum

>RESIST Pure Radiance Skin Brightening Treatment


I was hoping these products would help me with evening my skin-tone. Let me know if anyone has had luck with these PC products. I've heard great things!

I NEVER would have guessed your age - so never fear, you look much more mature than you think! :)

Pale girls of the world, unite! As far as foundation goes, I'm a huge fan of Skin79 Hot Pink BB cream; it goes on super easily and never looks cakey or foundationey (yes I made up that word). Since you have fairly clear skin, a BB cream could be a good thing to try. Skin79 also has a sampler pack available to find the one you like best. If you buy through Amazon, be careful to check seller reviews for someone near 100% - you don't want a fake.

For my undereye circles, I use the Maybelline Dark Circle Eraser in the Brightening shade (all the others are too orange for me, but this one is perfect).

I would also recommend getting a translucent powder to help control shine; I use Rimmel Stay Matte, but feel free to play around with this.

For bronzer, try NYX Taupe blush, it does a great job of contouring for pale folks. Others really like NYC Sunny bronzer, but I find it's a little too orange for me.

And my all-time favorite blushes are Milani's baked blushes - Luminoso is fab. NYX also makes great blushes, and ELF's are decent too.

I try to keep mine simple while still doing what I can to prevent further damage. I didn't take care of my skin at all in my 20s so I'm undoing damage now, but the vitamin C serum and sunscreen combo have helped a ton. I have fairly sensitive skin, and it gets easily dehydrated as well.

Morning

• Wash with Clean and Clear Relaxing facewash. If my skin feels clean I skip this step.
  
  
• Spray Thayer's Rose Petal alcohol free toner. I love this toner, it minimizes the craters I have for pores a good bit.
  
  
• Cerave moisturizing lotion I also like Clinique Dramatically different moisturizing lotion but the Cerave works just as well and I get soooo much more for my money.
  
  
• Apply SolScents Clear Face sunscreen I can't find this one in stores and it's pricey so I've ordered a [biore] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SM99KY8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) one from amazon to try out instead, a lot more affordable too.
  
  
  Evening
  
  
• Wash with Clean and Clear Relaxing facewash. It works just as well as the Clinique one for me.
  
  
• Spray the witch hazel toner again.
  
  
• Apply Vitamin C Serum.
  
  
• Followed by the Cerave moisturizing lotion again.
  
  Whenever my skin still gets dehydrated for whatever reason I apply Rosehip oil. Sometimes I do a chick pea flour + Turmeric mask which works great but is a bit drying so the oil helps a lot.

Your pictures aren’t loading for me, not why. Anyway, your skin sounds like it’s super dehydrated and desperately needs the help of a good moisturizer. The oiliness might be your skin reacting to being dehydrated by overproducing oil. I wouldn’t be surprised if the clogged pores and closed comedones you’re experiencing are because of the dry skin clogging you up.

Switch to a lotion type cleanser like CeraVe Hydrating cleanser. The SA CeraVe cleanser has salicylic acid in it which can further dry out your skin. If you wear makeup everyday, you might want to try double cleansing with an oil cleanser first to remove the makeup and then the gentle cleanser afterwards. If you’ve never used a lotion style cleanser before, be aware that they don’t foam up like most cleanser but that’s a good thing. They will remove oil and dirt without over-cleansing and stripping your already dry skin.

Next, you need a heavy moisturizer. Since you already use a CeraVe product you might be familiar with their cream. It’s a favorite among the users on this sub because it’s well formulated and well tolerated. You might also want to consider a facial oil. Squalane oil is a popular choice on this sub because it won’t clog pores. I’ve used Timeless Squalane oil for a while and I really like it. The Ordinary also sells inexpensive squalane oil.

To help dehydrated and dry skin, many people on this sub also put an occlusive layer on their face before going to bed. Basically, you take an occlusive like Vaseline, Aquaphor, CeraVe Healing Ointment, etc. and put a nice thick layer on before going to bed. It can feel a bit gross but the results are truly worth it. Personally, I’d also recommend investing in a humidifier to put in your bedroom. They are pretty inexpensive on Amazon.

I wouldn’t be surprised if your issues with clogged pores and undereye bags get much better after your skin is properly hydrated. If they don’t, those issues can be addressed later on since your skin really doesn’t seem like it can handle an acids or other actives at the moment. Hope this helps.

Hm, I don't know if I am the best person to answer this since I'm not nearly as experienced as some of the ladies here, but maybe that will give you a better "beginner's" perspective...

• Skin : I find starting with a prime canvas to be best! This means look at your skincare routine first before checking out makeup. I'd rather combat blemishes and other issues naturally instead of covering them up. Getting that under control is a big help!
  
  I've seen BB Cream described here as like a "gateway drug" to the world of makeup. Seriously, it's so easy to use. I'd suggest starting with some kind of sample set to test out what you like, but before that I suggest What the Heck is BB Cream, and Why Should I Care? as recommended reading.
  
  
• Lips If color is scary and you just want something to make your lips look shiny, I personally feel there's nothing better than good old vaseline; you can get a tube in Target for like a buck, and it's easy as pie.
  
  
• Eyes If "popping" eyes are something you're interested in, I personally would suggest (keep in mind I'm not some seasoned pro) learning to curl your eyelashes and apply mascara first. I think these two little things can make a world of difference. Eyeliner is great and all, but I personally feel it doesn't quite have the same impact!
  
  If you feel like you want to move on and check out eyeshadow and just want to start experimenting, I think Wet N' Wild's Walking on Eggshells is a great starter neutral palette. It's cheap, they're one of the more pigmented drugstore lines, and having a basic lid/crease/corner color to start is a fantastic way to learn what looks good and how to apply it.
  
  Since you're just getting started, I'd focus on the "how" rather than the "what"--makeup can get expensive, and I started out with really basic drugstore items first and worked my way up as I grew more comfortable.

Wall of text incoming, along with the products that work for me. YMMV with individual products, of course!


All of these are just what I use, and all have alternatives that may work better for you and/or be cheaper. This has evolved over the past two years, I didn't just pick all this up at once and start throwing it on my skin - start slow, and see how your skin adjusts to each step for a week or so before moving onto another product.

I do my "skin routine" morning and evening, with some variations depending on how much time I have and what time of day it is.

First, hydration. Looks like you've taken care of that one! Water, water, and more water is what helped the most. I go through roughly 3L of water at work if not more, plus more once I get home.

Second, I never use foaming cleansers. I cut out anything with foams, and went with a two step cleansing process: first, oil cleansing (I use Banila Clean It Zero) to get rid of the bulk of my makeup. Then I follow with a cream cleanser (Guerlain Lait de Beauty, but there are MANY more affordable options out there).

Then I use a toner. But not the stripping, Sea Breeze type toner, a moisturizing one. Currently using HadaLabo Hyaluronic Lotion. Don't let the "acid" fool you - hyaluronic acid is extremely moisturizing.

Every 3-4 days in the evenings, I use a chemical exfoliator (NEVER physical, my skin can't take it) in the form of a BHA and AHA. BHAs remove gunk from pores, AHAs strip dead skin. Both mine are from cosrx:

https://sokoglam.com/products/cosrx-bha-blackhead-power-liquid

https://sokoglam.com/products/cosrx-aha-7-whitehead-power-liquid

Some people leave them for 20 minutes, I don't have the patience, I just go right into the next step and add a sheet mask. If you're new to actives, this will be too often - do them once a week, max.

Then the fun part - sheet masks. I looove sheet masks. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Anything with Hyaluronic acid is my go to. My Beauty Diary Hyaluronic Acid is a staple. I let that sink in while doing whatever around the house. I do one of these a few times a week, every night if I can.

Then I go onto moisturizing. I have a variety of serums, essences, and oils that I use depending on how dry my skin feels, but my basic routine goes:

If my skin is extra dry, I add in an extra moisturizing step here. I use Miss Flower and Mr Honey in summer, Scinic All in One honey ampoule in winter. Or sometimes I use Guerlain Face Treatment Oil.

If my skin is red, I add in CosRX Snail 96 to help control it.

Separate eye cream, ALWAYS. Right now I'm loving Clarins Super Restorative eye cream.

Then the big moisturizers:

History of Whoo Jinyul Essence

History of Whoo Jinyul Cream

Final step for day, sunscreen - Biore Watery Essence SPF50 for daytime. Skipped at night for obvious reasons.

For the night routine, before bed I apply one of these masks:

CosRX Honey Mask

CosRX Rice Mask

Guerlain Abeille Royale Honey Mask

These give extra moisture at night while you're sleeping.

Again, this is not something that happened overnight - I can almost guarantee if someone takes this list and throws it all at their face at once, they'll end up a mess. I added things slowly.

If I was going to recommend an order, I'd go with this:

• If you're using a foaming cleanser, replace it with a cream cleanser the next time it runs out. No need to waste things.
  
  Wait a week.
  
  
• Add a GENTLE AHA. This will help remove dead skin and reduce dryness. Just once a week, no more.
  
• Add a Hyaluronic acid sheet mask, like the MBD one. It's affordable, and relaxing.
  
  You could swap the above two if you have a lot of cleanser left.
  
  Wait a week.
  
  Once you're used to those, add an essence. Something very moisturizing and rich.
  
  Wait a week.
  
  Look at adding in a sleeping pack.
  
  From there, pick what you'd like to address and add them in.
  
  I know it's a lot to take in, so if you have specific questions about any of this, just ask.

I LOVE AZELAIC ACID. So I pretty well thought I would live with a red face forever along with a severely damaged moisture barrier. The biggest thing that helped me was azelaic acid. I use Melazepam from Amazon. Cheap and works! It's thick at first but smoothes into my skin leaving it kinda matte. At first it itched like crazy and I wasn't using it consistently enough. Then after more research, I decided to use it up and give it a chance. Along with anything high in ceramide, my skin got used to the 20% AzA. Maybe around the 10th day of twice daily use, my skin finally started to look normal. I also switch my oil cleanser to an olive oil based one and saw even more improvement in my redness. I've just added in Vit C to my under eye area and continuing to use Melazepam around the rest of my face and neck and my ENTIRE COMPLEXION is EVEN NOW! Would never have believed that was possible. Melazepam has also minimized my SFs on my nose, has finally stopped this ingrown hair on my neck from forming (I've had it for years!!!), and has cleared all the CCs on my forehead. I repeat: I loooooove azelaic acid, specifically Melazepam!

Current routine:

AM

Garnier Micellar Water - pink cap or Cerave Foaming cleanser

Cosrx Aha/bha Clarifying Treatment Toner

BELITAE Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid to my under eye area and upper cheeks

Melazepam to the rest of my face and neck, especially my nose. Sometimes I wait after the Vit C but not usually since I don't use them in the same spots.

I do wait 15-20 minutes after my actives step.

SCINIC First Treatment Essence 3 skin method. My face loves this more than the Missha FTE.

SCINIC Snail All In One Ampoule or SCINIC Honey All In One Ampoule depending on the day.

CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion

A'PIEU PURE BLOCK Natural Sun Cream SPF45/PA+++ I don't see much sunlight at all but when I do, this one keeps me from turning beet red imediately upon application.

Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Derma Green-Cure Solution Recover Cream This is the best thing I've found for redness and skin barrier repair! My skin loves ceramides so much and this soothes like nothing I've found yet.

Medela Tender Care Lanolin Tube on my lips. Yes it's nip cream. I couldn't use it all up while nursing and it causes my skin to redden so it's perfect for a little lip color.

PM

ROHTO Hada Labo Gokujun Cleansing Oil My skin reacted to Holika Holika Soda Pore B.b Deep Cleansing Oil so this is my second one to try and I'm really enjoying it.

Cerave Foaming cleanser with a konjac sponge but waiting on
Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam in the mail.

Cosrx Aha/bha Clarifying Treatment Toner

BELITAE Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid to my under eye area and upper cheeks

Melazepam to the rest of my face and neck, especially my nose like the AM.

SCINIC First Treatment Essence 3 skin method.

All depending on how I'm feeling that evening:

LJH TeaTree 90 Essence

SCINIC Snail All In One Ampoule

SCINIC Honey All In One Ampoule

Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence

Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

MIZON Snail Repair Eye Cream

Petitfee Black Pearl and Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch Not sure if I like these or not honestly...

Some or all of these layers followed by CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion and

Guerisson 9 Complex Horse Oil Cream

Pretty sure my shower filter, Mermosis, has also helped my skin and hair.

I also use sometimes REVITABOOST PEEL Anti-Aging Peel Pads or Cosrx Bha Blackhead Power Liquid but I skip my AzA on those days and just go back to my regular routine the following day. These are rare for me though because they make me ridiculously red again.

Things I'm waiting on in the mail:

ROSETTE Aqua Ceramide Gel

Rumase BIFIDA Snail Toner

Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam

It's Skin Power 10 Formula - PO Effector

Hoping the all work well for me too!

So speaking as a woman, my skincare routine is, on average, going to be more involved than what guys usually do. But I do like all these products a lot and you should feel free to look into them individually. Also, many of them are going to be Korean skincare brands because Koreans really know their skincare shit. And since I have sensitive combination skin, the products I use are gentle enough for most skin types.

Step 1: Oil cleanser - I use Kose Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil. There's also another version of it that's the "Speedy Cleansing oil" that's similarly priced and just as effective. I put the oil on my dry face, rub in circles to encourage some exfoliation, then use a little water to sort of create a foam, and then rinse it off. There's also Cetaphil, which is of course a tried-and-true facial cleanser that's compatible with all skin types.

Step 2: Toner - I use Kikumasamune High Moisturizing toner, which is a Japanese toner that you use after cleansing/drying off your face. It smells like sake because that's one of the ingredients -- could cause breakouts, but I haven't had any problems with that. It's also a HUGE ASS bottle for a great price. Another option I've used is Aromatica Sea Daffodil toner. Also, when drying off your face, I recommend using Kleenex instead of a towel, because your towel can harbor all sorts of gross stuff and you wiping your newly-cleansed face on one can transfer said gross stuff onto your skin.

Step 3: Essence. I use a serum type thing but I'm going to skip over this because it's really not a super necessary step, basically like a thin pre-moisturizer to make my skin super hydrated.

Step 4 - Moisturizer. I've been using Mizon Black Snail All-In-One cream and it works great. It's also priced pretty well. Another option I've heard absolute raves about from /r/AsianBeauty is Stratia Liquid Gold which has worked phenomenally for many people. I'm definitely planning on purchasing this moisturizer soon. And also, using jojoba oil has also worked really well for my mom, so you could look into that.

Finally, sunscreen is a crucial addition to your skincare regimen that should never be treated as optional. I use Innisfree Eco Safety Daily Sunblock but here is also another helpful thread that gives feedback on sunscreen that has worked well for other people.

For spot treatments (like an occasional lone whitehead), I've been using Clean & Clear advantage acne spot treatment for like 10 years and it has not let me down.

Again, this regimen is much more involved than what most guys do (and if that's what works for them, great!), but there's also nothing wrong in investing in good skincare products!

BACKGROUND: I'm new to the world of skin care. I've never had a serious skin care routine before other than applying some acne creams a few years back when my acne was pretty bad. Now my skin is not terrible, but at age 20 I've had it with any sort of acne and want clear skin.

My skin is oily. I don't know if its very oily or fairly oily because I don't know what really oily skin is like or what a fairly oily skin is like. If I had to make a guess I'd say fairly or decently oily...sorry if that's vague.

This is what my skin looks like on an average day.

[This] (http://imgur.com/a/fGqbn) is what my skin looks like when it breaks out just a bit.

I'm showing you these because I read the FAQ and Wiki and I've narrowed my choices for cleansers, exfoliants, and moisturizers but I'm not sure which one to buy. For each category, this is what I've narrowed it down to.

CLEANSERS

• CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
  
  
• Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel
  
  
• Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser
  
  
• Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
  
  EXFOLIANTS
  
  
• Stridex Daily Care Acne Pads with Salicylic Acid, Maximum Strength
  
  
• Neutragena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Face Lotion
  
  
• Olay Age Defying Classic Night Face Cream
  
  MOISTURIZERS
  
  
• CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM SPF 30
  
  
• Olay Complete Defence Daily UV Moisturising Lotion SPF 30+
  
  
• Paula's Choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Fluid SPF 30+
  
  
• Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 30
  
  
  MY QUESTION: Are they all sort of the same? Based on what I told you about my skin, which product from each category should I get? Should I get something that's not on the list? This list is based on the Recommended Routine, so maybe there's something that's not on it that you think would work better. Any help would be really appreciated. I'm trying to avoid having to go through too much trial and error since as a college student I'm slightly broke, so I'm trying to make an informed purchase. Also, sunscreen is highly recommended if you exfoliate, but if the moisturizer has SPF does that mean I don't need to buy sunscreen? Thank you guys in advance.

This is great, I can make better recommendations now. Dove bar soap is great if it doesn't dehydrate your skin, you don't really need a expensive soap; I'd also compare Dove to Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash to see which is cheaper. You said your skin types "dehydrated" so I'd stick to using your CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser only on your face, but make sure this isn't the reason your skin is dehydrated (I don't know if your cleanser foams, but foaming cleansers can further dry out people with sensitive skin). Ultimately, your skin shouldn't feel tight or dry after showering.

If your skin is just dehydrated then you don't really need to add an exfoliant because, yeah they are priced way higher in Canada. Chemical exfoliants are more for evening skin tones and cleaning out pores, but you can check out SN AHA Toner, they should ship internationally. (Even in the US chemical exfoliants can be super pricey)

I personally don't really see a problem with deodorant with aluminum, but I know Lush carries aluminum free deodorant bars and powder that're reasonably priced in Canada, Arm & Hammer has their Essential Deo line, and a lot of vegan deodorants are aluminum free, I have no idea how well any of these products work though :(.

Applying lotion after showering can be really good, doing this seals in moisture. I don't know what CeraVe product your using as a moisturizer, but CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is really good at rehydrating skin due to it having ceramides. If you think that's too expensive/already using it, you can just use it to focus on areas that are really dehydrated; but I'd also check out this lotion. HadaLabo Lotion is a reasonably priced Hyaluronic acid thats great for dehydrated skin and if you use it for full body it should last awhile.

The cocoa butter is more of a cheap alt. for a deep thick moisturizer. Just a warning, I'd be careful with finding a high concentration glycolic acid; those are AHAs and over 15% they verge into chemical peel territory, constant use without having a tolerance can really mess up your moisture barrier. For reference I use Alpha 12% lotion a glycolic acid 2-3 times a week, but it's way more expensive in Canada and this is after using lower concentration acids for about 6 months^^super ^^good ^^for ^^my ^^scars ^^though . My skin types definitely not like yours though so if you can find something cheap I don't want to discourage you, I'd say go for it.

Last thing, I'd look up on humectants and occlusives, you said you use vaseline so I think you have that covered though. I use something akin to vaseline at night after everything else to seal all the moisture in.

I really tried to curate this to you so nothing would be too expensive, but if you use anything recommended it should help a lot. Focus on moisturizing, don't get discouraged we're our own worst critics, post to the sub if you have anymore questions-everyone heres pretty friendly, and good luck!

So I'm a beginner but I've been researching PIH a bit recently. If you have not look at this link from the sidebar yet, I highly recommend it. Basically besides AHA and a retinoid, sunscreen, niacinamide and vitamin c can help with PIH. Elta MD SPF 46 is both a sunscreen and have niacinamide (5% I think) which makes it popular against PIH. Cerave PM or elta MD PM (not the sunscreen, the moisturizer) are moisturizers with niacinamde. I'd say number 1 and I think you know it you need a sunscreen. I know you said that the EltaMD sunscreen is too expensive but it may be cheaper to get it versus buying another cheaper sunscreen and a separate product w niacinamid or vitamin C? Vitamin C worked great for me against PIH (I also wear sunscreen) but a good one is way more expensive than the sunscreen. I personally think that vitamin C would be in addition to sunscreen, not an alternative to it. My 2c but I hope it helps!

Edit: I haven't used Cerave in the tube so I can't compare but I really like cerave PM! it's a very nice texture, absorbs well and it's not too rich at least for me (which makes me wonder if it will be enough for the winter here (illinois)). Looks kind of like a gel, a bit translucent. Plus it has niacinamid you may help for the PIH as I mentioned earlier.

Congrats on quitting smoking! I don't smoke but I've seen so many relatives struggle to quit or fall off the wagon. Good for you!

As for your skin, retinoids are pretty great, as with vitamin c. Your routine is fine if you're liking it. I too have very dry skin and minor fine lines developing on my forehead (and I'm 22!), so this I can help you with.

Rhoto Hada-Labo has a pretty great hyaluronic product. I've been using it and liking it. You can tell when I haven't used it in a few days. It's a freaking huge bottle for less than $20.

If you're in the market for new exfoliants, AHAs are great for fine lines and PIH. St. Ives Exfoliating Pads and Silk Naturals AHA Toner are two well liked AHAs here, but don't put any chemical exfoliants in the same routine as a retinol. Use one in the morning and the other at night.

EDIT: added links

Hey, I’m a guy with “good skin”. What honestly surprised me was the quality of my skin after using sunscreen regularly — I didn’t realize how much sun affected things. I know you say you have normal skin, but some of the below should hopefully help getting started on a basic routine that’ll become evident in the quality of your complexion.

Pick up a gently cleanser like Cerave Hydrating cleanser or Vanicreams cleanser.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSSDEPK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_164sDbD3WQJP7

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QY1XZ4W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_U74sDbF98WZ87


Wash the face morning and night. It’s helpful to use a little bit of moisturizer since sunscreens are kind of hit and miss in this regard, so I’d suggest Cerave cream in the white tub to apply to your damp face as needed.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TTD9BRC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_P84sDb7M4J10J


Afterwards, ideally, slather on a bit of sunscreen on your face, neck, ears, and other sun exposed places. My personal favorite currently is the Jack Black sun guard since it’s not greasy and I use it on my arms and hands too, Otherwise, pick up Cerave’s AM moisturizer. It’s my favorite drug store type sunscreen. A nicer one too are the EltaMD sunscreens.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CR4KRM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_V94sDbQXPSZ8R

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F97FHAW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_b.4sDbR7T9R88


If your face is shiny after some of thing I’d suggest picking up something like Magical Moringa from Lush that’s mattefying. A shine control powder to dab lightly on can work good too — doesn’t look like you have anything on while still taking care of your skin.

https://www.lushusa.com/face/moisturizers/magical-moringa/07218.html

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Neutrogena-Shine-Control-Powder-Invisible-10-37-Oz/21009034?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1150&adid=22222222228015245274&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=40843087352&wl4=pla-78656555792&wl5=9014228&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112549851&wl11=online&wl12=21009034&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzIWmraTy4wIVhZ-fCh0RsQczEAUYASABEgJquPD_BwE


At night I really see a difference in the brightness and luminosity with my skin with this “overnight mask”.

COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask, 60ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N13W31F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Qf5sDbYFN01FC

That’s basically my suggestions at least. At night just use moisturizer and the mask after washing.


As far as the back acne, in the shower let some salicylic acid sit on the area for a minute or two and rinse it off. I use Zapzyt. The other thing I would recommend after the shower is to apply some Differin to the affected area — Differin used to be what a dermatologist prescribed me years ago and it now available over the counter fortunately. Should be cleared up in no time.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BG92E26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dn5sDbJDAXBTV

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L1PHSY9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ip5sDbBCQ71AW

My arms are absolutely fucked, even more than 6 years later. However, mine were way beyond regular tracks. If you’re a nurse in training a lot of what I’m going to say may be redundant but I’m going through basics in case some dude with no idea comes in here looking for ideas.

Skincare products that did the most:

Any sunscreen you like. Keep your scars out of the sun. A tan may seem to disguise them temporarily but if you want the actual pigmentation to fade you’re going to need to protect them from UV. I’m big on Asian products and love Biore’s Japanese Sunscreens. They feel great, no white cast, not smelly.

Second, keep that shit moisturized. Bio oil, cocoa butter, any basic moisturizer you like is going to be better than nothing. The idea is keep the skin healthy and prime so it can do it’s job breaking down that extra pigment and scar tissue. However, I saw the most results from Korean Snail products. They also don’t smell girly or feel thick. This is listed as a facial moisturizer but I rub this shit everywhere.

Other options:


That’s the basics of care. As for actual treatment? Lasers. I have seen the most astonishing results with scar reduction in laser resurfacing techniques. I have only seen it first hand on nontrack scars but it’s the most dramatic improvement in a short time.

There’s also microneedling which I’ve seen having amazing results on hyperpigmentation and lumpy scars. This is cheaper and more accessible.

I hope some of this rambling help, I have class and gotta run! College at 30, a chance I only got thanks to the ‘done :)

My routine isn't perfect right now, my skin still feels dehydrated and sensitive but it is definitely helping. It doesn't burn half as much as it used to, looks better, and I sometimes can notice a difference in it feeling dry and tight vs. the constant stinging feeling I used to get.

The hadalabo products i've added in very recently and are excellent and cheap

<br />
AM:<br />
Cleanser: LRP Toleriane Cleanser<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
Moisturizer:<br />
When face is still wet but not dripping use HadaLabo Gokujyn Lotion (NOT the light lotion)<br />
http://www.amazon.ca/Rohto-Hadalabo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B000FQUGXA<br />
<br />
~~~<br />
<br />
Followed by:<br />
Cera ve PM<br />
<br />
~~~<br />
<br />
Cera ve moisturizing cream in the tub<br />
<br />
~~~<br />
<br />
LRP Lipikar (this is technically a body cream but the derm gave me some samples and told me it would be good for my skin.  It is thick and a nice top later moisturizer)<br />
<br />
~~~<br />
<br />
Little bit of aquaphor on forehead and around cheek/brow bones (this is awkward as I have bangs but they are short bangs)<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
PM routine, the same, maybe no facewash, just water, with much more aquaphor.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
I also recently started using sheet masks, I can highly recommend the hadalabo gokujyn sheet masks as well.  If you use them after washing your face and applying the hadalabo lotion, they absorb very quickly and make your skin feel amazing afterwards.  Seriously, order some sheet masks.  You will not be disappointed.<br />
<br />
This routine isn't perfect and I plan on posting it for feedback soon.  Cera ve is great but I'm looking for something stronger that I can also afford (If you can afford it look into the cheryl lee cream,  Someone recently described it to me as Cera Ve on steroids).  I'm using the PM as well as the cream because it absorbs really easily (something my skin has issues with) and as a way to get Niacinamide into my skin as well.<br />
<br />
Aquaphor is great.  Initially I was using just cera ve and the LRP, after a few months I finally bought aquaphor.  After two weeks of aquaphor I noticed that my moisturizer began to absorb much much faster than it had before.  (My skin is very bad at absorbing moisture, no matter how dry and painful it feels)<br />
<br />
I would definitely consider looking at the LRP cleanser, aquaphor and the hadalabo products.  All are fairly inexpensive and accessible online.  The LRP cleanser is probably the most expensive (I bought mine for 23CAD$) but i use like half a pea size amount to wash my face so I feel like it will last me a very long time, probably past its expiration date :p.

Are you having any redness or inflammation? I don't get dry skin, so I use a lot of water gel creams. In the morning use just a warm washcloth or splash water on your face or use micellar water then I would apply hyaluronic acid serum to a lightly damp face, I am a huge fan of hyaluronic acid because it works well for everyone and it can hold 1,000 times of its own weight and it's a humectant and will pull in moisture and is kind of like a barrier. I like high molecular weight, but I rarely find products that list the weight of the HA. I make my own and it is easy, if you want to do it yourself I can point you in the right direction. I have used this one and it's a good one Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Skin-- 100% Pure-Highest Quality, Anti-Aging Serum-- Intense Hydration + Moisture, Non-greasy, Paraben-free-Best Hyaluronic Acid for Your Face (Pro Formula) 2 Fl. Oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0090UJFYI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ewNPDbHWGCTHA
I also have this vichy 89 serum which I love, but it does cost a little much. Vichy Mineral 89 Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Daily Skin Booster, For Stronger, Healthier Looking Skin, 1.01 Fl Oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BWHF8VQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_zINPDbS58YS3B
You want to apply a moisturizer on top the hyaluronic acid serum and I would recommend Neutrogena water gel cream, there is a water gel one, but use the water gel cream. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Moisturizer Gel-Cream to Hydrate and Smooth Extra-Dry Skin, 1.7 Oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NR1YQK4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OENPDbWW4YNDA
It has silicones in it so it doesn't dry down sticky IMO. I usually don't do well with silicones but I have no issues with this formula.
At night use a cleanser and wait 15-30 minutes before you apply the differin gel and then wait another 15-30 minutes and apply a moisturizer on top. I use cerave pm ultralight moisturizer, but that might be too light for you. I think Straita liquid gold might be a good fit for you, but I haven't used this moisturizer yet, but I plan to make it. The ingredients are good stuff and are meant to repair the skins moisture barrier. https://www.stratiaskin.com/products/liquid-gold
On the nights you aren't using the diffiren you can use the hyaluronic acid, with liquid gold or another moisturizer on top, and then an occlusive like Vaseline petroleum on top to give your skin a high dose of moisture.

I'm kind of in your boat. When I switched from the pill to a hormonal IUD (Mirena), I got this really weird neck breakout (I'd never had acne on my neck before). The breakout started in mid July, lasted around 1.5 months. It was never severe, just oddly placed for me and persistent. I love my IUD and super light periods that come maybe every 2-3 months, and, like you, I'm not good at taking the pill on time. So I figured I'd do my best to attack the acne, even when I kind of knew the cause.

Try out the beginner's routine linked in the sidebar. Don't go too crazy adding multiple products at once in case one breaks you out or is irritating. For example, CeraVe "in the tub" (cream) is a holy grail for many people on this sub, but it gives me horrendous acne.

If you stick with the BP/tret scrip, find a moisturizer and sunscreen that work well for you. Both of those ingredients are known to work quite well, but they can be pretty irritating, especially in the first ~4 weeks, and tret is photosensitizing (i.e. makes your skin burn and get damaged more readily). Also give them time to work. Retinoids like tretinoin can often take up to 12 weeks for a positive effect. BP tends to work much faster. Use a thin layer of the tret, and if it's too irritating scale back to every other day until you tolerate it better.

Regarding product recommendations: BP and tret will dry you out and irritate your skin at first. Stay with very gentle products. If you're interested in the oil cleansing mentioned in the sidebar (whether or not you follow it up with a foamy cleanser), that can be pretty gentle and non-drying. Otherwise, a gentle cleanser. Don't add any new topicals for now. Your skin will be kind of pissed off at you for a bit while it gets used to the BP and tret. Moisturize, a lot. I've had terrible luck finding moisturizers that don't break me out - cerave cream felt fantastic but broke me out like crazy. I now use (and adore) this Hada Labo "lotion" (more like a thin gel, but works fantastically) and, at night before bed, top it with a water-soaked compressed mask to give the hyaluronic acid in the lotion lots of moisture to pull in, since the air is super dry where I am right now. For sunscreens, I love love love Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence. Be sure and patch test that one if you try it out, since there's some alcohol in there that could be irritating on top of the tret. In terms of topicals, I have a niacinamide/azelaic acid/clindamycin combo from Curology that has worked wonders for me. I've used BP and retinoids in the past and my skin was just too sensitive for them.

My current routine (Curology topical + keep everything else gentle + finding a moisturizer that doesn't break me out) has really helped with the acne I suspected was from my switch to the IUD!

Usually with BB creams, they tend to oxidize after a couple of minutes after you put it on your skin, so that being said, I'd still say to swatch the colors to see which would match your skin tone. Sephora/Ulta carry a few BB creams, so you can always go in one day to swatch the different colors.

As for Asian BB creams, they tend to have more coverage and are higher in SPF (thus a bit more ~beneficial~). I personally own 2 Asian BB creams (the Skin 79 Hot Pink BB and thefaceshop BB emulsion (oil cut dual... i can't find a link for this) as well as "American/Western" BB creams like the L'oreal Youth Code and the Garnier.

From my personal experience, I've found the Asian BB creams to have too much of a grey-cast (despite being of asian skin tone myself) and sometimes, quite thick (especially the Skin79 one) while the American/Western BB creams to be too light. My current personal favorites are the Dr. Jart Water Fuse BB cream and the Mixa Expert Peau Sensible BB Crème Unifiante (which I bought in France). Both are not too dry on my face and give a good medium-ish coverage that doesn't feel too heavy. Additionally, both of them match my skin tone better as well.

Now, if you're looking for something light, I'd say definitely swatch/test out the Western brands one because most of them definitely have a lighter coverage in my opinions, but if you're looking for BB creams that have more "benefits," I've heard good things about the Etude House, and I personally know a lot of my friends like Missha (although imo it still gives too much of a grey cast...). You can also always order samples of diff Asian BB creams before making any purchase, and if you don't have any Asian cosmetics/beauty stores around your area too like these or these. I'm sure there are more selections online as well! Good luck finding your perfect BB cream!

**PS: these might help you out, asian bb creams vs americans also there are a lot of youtubers who do comparisons, so check those out as well!

I know everyone else already said this, but you look beautiful. Not just saying that.

Looks like your routine is pretty good so far. I would add more moisturizers though. I have combination skin which can get very oily in my T-zone, so a few years ago I didn't think I needed much moisture at all. Now I have added tons of different moisturizing steps and I love the results. I'm 28, so about the same age as you, and I've never been happier with my skin. I really do believe it makes you skin bounce back more easily and not hold wrinkles.

You generally want to layer lighter/liquid products, then lotion, then heavier creams. Some of my favorite products: Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion (syrup-like consistency, you add just a few drops. I mix it with a tiny bit of water or my PC toner. Lots of hyaluronic acid to plump the skin), PC skin recovery toner (meant for dry skin, but very light and refreshing. I use my hands to apply and the bottle lasts a long time, almost a year), Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Repairing Mask (I use this when my skin is feeling extra dry. Also, you can get a sample of this for $5 at Target), Aquaphor (use at night to seal all that moisture in). Cerave cream is pretty nice. I really do enjoy most of the cerave products, like the PM lotion, the regular lotion (more watery than the cream), and the Skin Renewing night cream (pricier than the others but really makes my skin look amazing). I would recommend trying some of these steps both morning and night.

As already mentioned, Botox might also be a good option for you. If you don't like the results, it does fade after a few months.

Hello~ I've been stalking the Korean beauty industry for years, but have never committed due to random reasons. I want to try my hand at it next year (need to use up my stupidly expensive Sephora products). Here's a routine I created - mostly from Snow White & The Pear's reviews. For the record, I have eczema (thanks god, no flares right now) and sensitive (contact allergies), oily skin. I know. How can I have eczema and oily skin? OTL

• Water Cleanser | GATSBY MANDOM Bifesta Cleansing Lotion | Daily AM
  
• Oil Cleanser | Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity | Daily PM
  
• Cleanser | Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser | Daily PM
  
• Cleansing Toner | XXX | Daily AM & PM
  
• Vitamin C Serum - Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum | 3x Weekly AM
  
• BHA | Cosrx Bha Blackhead Power Liquid | Daily AM
  
• AHA | Cosrx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid | 2x Weekly PM
  
• Essence | MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence | Daily AM PM
  
• Hydrating Toner | CLINIQUE Even Better Essence Lotion For Combination Oily To Oily Skins | Daily AM PM
  
• Acne & Inflammation Essence | LJH TeaTree 90 Essence | Daily AM PM
  
• Serum | Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence | Daily AM PM
  
• Moisturizer | Drunk Elephant B Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Gel | Daily AM PM
  
• Eye Cream | Andalou Naturals Luminous Eye Serum Brightening | Daily AM PM
  
• Mist | Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray | Daily AM PM
  
• Sunscreen | Eltamd UV Clear SPF 46 | Daily AM
  
• Clay Mask | Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask | 1x Weekly PM
  
• Acne Treatment | Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch | As Needed PM
  
• Acne Treatment II | Mizon Acence Blemish Out Pink Spot | As Needed PM
  
  I'm not sure if the order and frequency of use is correct, so please help me! And yes, these are a lot of products for a beginner, so I think I'll start with only one toner first then work my way up to using more essences. Suggestions for cleansers and toners would also be nice, since I'm not sure if the Clinique thing is intended as a cleansing toner. I also have a question about sebaceous filaments? Is it alright to get rid of them with nose masks? Would it make my pores bigger? I feel like my nose pores are huge and my buddies are EXTREMELY visible. Recommendations on peeling masks and other masks would be great too, as I'm not really sure what kind of masks I would need?

Hello,
First, I apologize for these english mistakes I will probably make in my post.
For the context I'm in my mid-twenties. And It didn't take me 5 years to cure from my acne but 8 years. (Because the oldest photos on my acne face have been taken 5 years ago.)
Album with B&A and products.
FAQ :
When did my acne appears ?
My acne appears during my last year of middle school. And it followed me until my master’s degree.
What's my skincare routine and what have I try before ?
I have tried many stuff.
1 - Roaccutane : Only few months, it was very difficult to stand this treatment.
Dry lips, random nose bleeding, tired etc. Very effective but as soon as I stopped the treatment my acne came back.
2 - Cutacnyl : Not very effective, at least for severe acne like mine.
3 - Honey mask : Not effective.
4 - Aloe vera : Not bad but I had to use it very consistently.
5 - Antibiotics : Acne came back after the treatment.
6 - Pills : pills like MSM, zinc, vitamin B, chromium picolinate. It worked quite well, to be honest they reduced my acne a lot but it came back when I stopped to take these pills so it wasn't the solution I was looking for.
My morning routine : I use a sulfur soap to clean my face and then I moisturize with a Cerave facial lotion. During the summer I use the Biore UV Aqua rich essence to moisturize and to use it as a sunscreen.
My afternoon routine (back from work) :
I wash my face with the same sulfur soap.
After the shower : Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
Before I sleep : Cerave lotion + tee trea.
Once a week : Green clay mask
What's my diet :
I completely stopped dairy stuff. I also stopped to drink soft drinks ( except when i'm eating something that have to be accompanied with a soft drink, like burgers, pastas ). So let's say a soft drink a week or a soft drink every two weeks at best.
I started to work out, bought a bench press bench, some weights and started to build a new body.
I started bodybuilding not only because I knew It could help me to reduce my acne but also because I had (and still today) some confidence issues. I'm proud to have made this decision (since i'm quite a lazy guy IRL).
And because I followed a meal plan, I ate more "green" stuff. Bunch of fruits everyday, like bananas, apples, tomatoes etc. Less sugar, more water.
I also drink green tea matcha and green tea with lemon on a daily basis.
Nothing new you can learn from me in this thread. Eat less dairy and sugar. More fruits, vegetables and tea. More sports.
I just wanted to let you know that even though you think it's impossible to get ride of your acne, because no matter what you do you don't see any improvements, all you need is consistency and having the desire to heal. Having the desire to heal is important because your psychology plays a big part in your healing. It will sound like some anime bullshit but you have to believe in yourself.
I had to deal with acne for 8 years, the first 3 years I thought It was just some temporary situation because every teenagers have that. But the years go by and I see no progress. I had no confidence in myself and It was very hard to go outside, even when I needed to buy groceries. Each day was difficult to live. In the subway, in the bus, when talking to people, to girls, all I wanted was to stay at home and cover my face with a green clay mask and tea tree and hoping that my acne would dissapear during the night. Everywhere outside of my home was a test that I had to face. Sometimes I asked a day off because I didn't want to go to work with my shitty face.
TL:DR : Green clay, Cerave lotion, Chromium picolinate, sulfur soap, working out, fruits, vegetables and tea and (trying) to enjoy life.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to ask me questions if needed.

Listen to LizzieDane. Chemical peels and Botox are invaluable tools and have their place in this world, read this guide Botox 101: What You Need to Know Before Getting Botox and know it's something to consider. But really, a prescribed retinoid is going to be your new best friend. Just a heads up that there is an online dermatology service that is getting very positive reviews from /skincareaddiction and other respectable beauty bloggers. It's called Pocketderm and for $20 per month, you and a board certified dermatologist will customize a topical medication that will address any acne/age-related issues. Informative review over at /skincareaddiction. If you decide to go for it, go here before signing-up and grab a referral link for a 1-month free trial. Seriously, get some retinoids, it is the only anti-ageing treatment in the U.S. that has been backed by the FDA. Secondly, please wear SUNSCREEN, and do so EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! Rain or shine, UV damage is the #1 cause of premature aging and protecting yourself from the sun is something you can do for yourself tomorrow. Good guide here about how to choose the right sunscreen. EltaMd is highly recommended with adequate UV protection. Now my personal favorite, the AHAs and the BHAs or 'acids', they'll help with the fine lines, brighten up the complexion and even out skintone. They are seriously great and will give you almost immediate results . Basic explanation of AHA/BHA exfoliates. My BHA product rec to you would be Paula's Choice BHA 2% products, $10 referral code here. Do it! Once you've got the retinoids, the sunscreen, and the acids, incorporating a well-formulated antioxidant serum will round out a solid, 'anti-ageing' skincare routine. Hope this helps and be good to yourself :)

In this case if you don't think it's milia, you should consult a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis - just in case!

To me though, it really does look like milia. Just speculating because I had the exact same thing in the exact same spot recently when I had neglected my skin for a few days. I had also tried a new eye cream (CeraVe eye cream) and I think that may have contributed to the area getting bumpy and clogged.

Now this isn't a for-sure, but it might help. I got a couple tubes of RoC brand retinol moisturizer to see if I could gently exfoliate the area. It definitely did help over a couple of weeks and the bumps are pretty much gone now. The only real side-effect for me was that my skin felt a tad bit sensitive a few days after I stopped using it.

Now I'm using Hada Labo brand moisturizers to keep the area moisturized.

Here's some links if you want to give any of them a shot, though I would suggest getting them from a local drugstore when they're on sale, especially someplace that has a good return policy in case they don't work for you. I got mine at CVS when they had a buy 1 get 1 for 50% sale.

RoC retinol correxion night cream

RoC retinol correxion eye cream

You will definitely need a sunscreen if you decide to try these, or they also make a day cream with SPF:

(the one with SPF in the combo pack) (I haven't tried this one so I can't attest to its effectiveness like the other two)

The moisturizers I'm using that don't clog my incredibly clog-prone skin:

Hada Labo clear "toner" lotion

Hada Labo "milky" lotion

I really like these since they only require about 3 drops each and keep my skin nicely moisturized. I tried the thicker creams from the brand but found they were more suited to super-dry skin. Also they dry to almost-matte and have no added scent.

Again, worth a try, but definitely try to get an appointment with a derm if you can, just to be sure it isn't anything serious.

No worries!

I'd first try Vanicream Moisturizing Cream. It looks like it's less than 10 euros on Amazon Prime. This moisturizer is pretty bland but effective. It really, really gets the job done without any extra ingredients (that you *could* be sensitive to). Nivea is not bad but it is pretty heavily fragranced.

For spot treatment, I'd try De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment. If you feel like you've been applying other types of spot treatments and nothing has been happening, it's worth it to try sulfur. (Which is not in the clean and clear spot treatment)

Echoing other posters, you do need a sunscreen while using differin. I know it seems crazy in the UK, but it creeps up on you for sure.

Check out r/asianbeauty's recommendations for a more light weight, less 'greasy feeling' sunscreen. I'm sensitive to chemical sunscreens unfortunately (give me eczema) so I embrace the dewy look, They've got some good recs on that subreddit though for really light, not-even-there feeling sunscreens. Off the top of my head, Biore Watery Essence comes highly recommended, as does Corsx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream. Haven't personally tried them because again, eczema.

Cleanser I'd consider going to a more gentle cleanser like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser, but honestly unless you start getting extra tight/irritated feeling in your skin after starting differin, you can just stick with the cetaphil!

I haven't heard of the BHA-claymask-Oil cleanse method. I actually don't have much need to oil cleanse, as I don't wear makeup or sunscreen (Bad girl! BAD!) and the Good Morning Cleanser works as both a 1st and 2nd cleanser (2 in 1 bonus! Score!). I am working to get better with the sunscreen, but only just got in my first 2 this week.

The blackhead liquid does kinda sit on my skin, but I feel like that's kinda what it's supposed to do - soften the oil plugs so my AHA can be more effective. That's also why I cleanse again after using it.

I do use (and love) kaolin clay and masks. The Body Shop Tea Tree 3-in-1 cleanse/scrub/mask I mentioned before is one of my HGs. I use it while in the shower about once a week: scrub it on, let it sit while I wash the rest of me (it does have a strong tea tree smell and gets tingly on your skin, but I like that) then scrub it a little more before washing it off. After getting out of the shower, I use the pH adjusting toner, then add my BHA liquid and let it sit. I will admit, I have no idea what the pH of this product is, and don't have a way to test it myself. I find that after this routine (Body Shop TT 3-in-1 or the GM cleanser, BHA, AHA, warm water scrub) my blackheads and SFs are drastically reduced. It was actually pretty shocking to me the first time I did it - I was looking in the mirror going, The pores on my nose are gone!!! lol

I can't really tell you what to get - Sorry! But getting the Green Tea samples is definitely worth it, as if you don't like it, you're not out very much $. Fortunately, both the Mizon Snail and TonyMoly Green Tea are pretty cheap. The Snail comes in a 2-pack on Amazon for $17, or one for $11. The Green Tea samples linked above are super cheap (<$2), and the full size is only $13 on YesStyle or RRS.
Like with most K-beauty products, a little goes a long way with both.

if you live in a dryer environment (or your skin is crazy dehydrated and thirsty like mine!), maybe go for both, or maybe try the Green Tea in the Skin or Essence. I can't choose between the two because they do different things - The Green Tea is plumping and hydrating, and the Snail is pigment-reducing and healing (and occlusive, but not greasy).

Sorry, I blabber on...

Products I love!

• Alterna Bamboo Brilliance Cream. I put about a 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of this in my hair before blowdrying it, and the results are stellar! Smooth, soft, shiny. I’ve been using this for years per the recommendation of the woman who cut my hair when I lived in a different state, and I continue to be so impressed with it. Also, I don’t know if it’s just my hair texture, but if I put this in my hair and then blowdry it straight, it straightens out very well. I don’t even own a flatiron because this stuff + a blowdryer gets the job done.
  
  
• Kenra Platinum Silkening Gloss. This is one of the most highly lauded products over on r/redpillwives, thanks to QB. I haven’t had men trailing me in stores because of the smell, but I’ve been really impressed with the product! If I use this to blowdry my hair straight, I can usually get two “down” days and an updo day out of it! Definitely recommend.
  
  
• Coochy from Pure Romance. I will never tidy up my lady zone with anything else. This stuff is so good, my friend’s gynecologist recommended it.
  
  
• Pretty much anything from CeraVe, but namely this moisturizer (also known as “CeraVe in the tub), this cleanser, and this sunscreen/moisturizer combo.
  
  
• Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. My skin is smoother when I’m using this regularly. Plus this is such a good brand.
  
  
• Snow River Wood Oil. OKAY HEAR ME OUT. When I’m regularly oil cleansing with this stuff, my face is baby soft. It’s non-comedogenic, so it won’t break you out, and it’s a very neutral oil, so most skin types do well with it (but ALWAYS patch test). It’s also crazy cheap!
  
  Products I didn’t love
  
  
• Burts Bees Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin. There was nothing wrong with this product, per se… it was just unremarkable. I didn’t really notice a difference.

you could try using a hydrating mist before applying Cerave PM, and then layering over your moisturizers with an occlusive like Vaseline or Cerave Healing Ointment.

Right now I'm using this 7 days vitamin mist and it has personally helped my dehydrated skin a lot. In the past I've used Clinique Moisture Surge Spray and loved it. There are tons of Asian hydrating mists, I've heard good things about the Secret Key Rose Edition Essence. I know it's labelled an essence, but it has a water like consistency and is similar to a hydrating toner.

Using a niacinamide serum will help your skin stay hydrated. Niacinamide helps the skin retain moisture, it helps prevent transepidermal water loss and boost the skin's ceramide production. I love Skinlex's 10% niacinamide serum, but Paula's Choice 10% & Stratia Rewind (5%) are great formulas too. Skinlex & Paula's Choice are typically well tolerated, and don't usually break people out. Niacinamide can also help with acne and oil production.

A couple moisturizers I find hydrating and don't clog my acne-prone skin is Olay's Sensitive Skin Moisturizer and Vanicream's Lite Lotion

You could potentially use a hydrating mist, a niacinamide serum, one of the moisturizers I linked, Cerave PM, and then an occlusive like Vaseline. Or just pick a couple of these extra steps

I'm a follower of Asian Beauty (AB) subreddit so most of the products I'm using are Asian brands. If you are open to Asian skin care products, I would personally recommend these 2 products that I've been using for years. I love them because they are so effective and cheap.

1. Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist
   This is Japanese product. The name says lotion but it is very thin and watery. It has Hyaluronic Acid which can help combat dryness.
   https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Hadalabo-Gokujun-Hyaluronic/dp/B00BSNBO9O/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1501340052&sr=8-1&keywords=hada+labo+gokujyun+lotion
   
   
2. Kikumasamune Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture
   This gem is another amazing product from Japan. I would bathe in it if I could. This is my holy water. It makes my skin so plump, hydrating, and glow. It contains rice ferment and ceramides which are very good for skin. The only downside is that it smells like sake or alcohol even thou it does NOT have alcohol in it. The smell comes from the rice ferment filtrate. Fermented products are believed to be very good for skin and very popular in Asian skincare. Some people are bothered by its scent, I don't.
   https://www.amazon.com/Kikumasamune-Sake-Skin-Lotion-Moisture/dp/B00ECQCVK0/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1501340278&sr=1-1&keywords=kikumasamune
   
   You can use either of them, or in combination like I do. And yes, toner goes before moisturizers.
   
   Hope this helps and good luck. Let me know if you have other questions.

For your melasma , I would use a sunblock, most of the time that is caused by sun exposure so you don't want to undo whatever treatment for them you are doing.

For sunblock I would explore the Asian brands which designed to be cosmetically elegant and even if you buy them online, they aren't usually too expensive. A really popular brand is Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence. It can be purchased on Amazon. Another brand , Canmake gets really good reviews here on Reddit for being moisturizing and working well under makeup. It is moisturizing as well so during the day you probably won't need a separate moisturizer .

I would skin the brightening face washes and invest in face washes which will be gentle and non-drying. Facewashes aren't on the skin long enough IMO to really help.

Just depending how bad your melasma is , it just may not be able to correct using OTC products. It may need laser treatment but a few things you can try which is known to help is hydroquinone and 20% glycolic acid ( you will want to build up tolerance to 20% ).

I would also add vitamin C serum for skin brightening .

For a moisturizer , I love La Roche-Posay double repair. It has Niacinamide which has anti-aging benefits and it's very moisturizing. If you DO use the glycolic acid peels you will want something like this that can help restore your moisture barrier.

BLECH!!!! I bet it was super cheap. If you spend a little more you'll get a better finish and less odor. I'm a natural redhead and obsessed with skin care.

I don't know how familiar you are with sunblocks but there are 2 classes of them. Physical blockers and chemical blockers. Physical blockers are superior as they offer instant protection and they won't degrade in sunlight. However they're often opaque and white. You can often find sunscreens that are a mix of the two to get the benefits of both.

This stuff Is pretty amazing and easy to find. It goes on clear and dries matte with no scent.

This shisheido suncreen is my personal favorite. It dries super matte and soft. But it can be hard to find.

The Neutrogena Ultrasheer Liquid is really popular too but I found it to be irritating.

Hello! Longtime lurker, first time poster (female, 27 years old). Since my early 20s, my routine has consisted of using sunscreen in the morning and washing it off with water at night, and overall I am happy with my skin. However, for the last couple years I've been wanting to add in some products for exfoliation and to fade some spots; in order to add an AHA/BHA/vitamin C/other similar products, I figured I needed to get a good skincare routine with a cleanser and moisturizer in place first before incorporating actives. After reading Skincare Addiction and Asian Beauty posts for years I finally started building a skincare routine a few months ago, but I am confused and I need some help!

Pics of skin: https://imgur.com/a/BIDre I think the lighting is more flattering in the first picture, but my skin was also in a better place. The redness and bumpiness in the second picture started a few days ago, and I stopped using the moisturizer that was causing it so hopefully it will get better soon.

Issues: old scar on my cheek (from a weird patch of dry skin that lingered for months), sunspots/freckles on cheeks, PIH, a few CCs, dry skin flakes (especially in winter), one stubborn milia on my cheek (a milium?), occasional acne around that time of the month

Skin type: dry, sensitive (reacts to many products, but overall fairly resilient as long as I stop using all products for a few days after a reaction)

Current routine:

Morning:

• splash with water
  
  
• Bobbi Brown SPF 50 Protective Face Base: link (no makeup after, even though I think this sunscreen is for use under foundation)
  
  Evening:
  
  
• rinse with room temperature or lukewarm water
  
  
• use La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ moisturizing cream; previously Nivea Creme
  
  How long/anything new: I just switched to the La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm last night. For 2-3 weeks I was using Nivea Crème every night, but I noticed new whiteheads, redness, and bumps around my mouth recently. I have been trying out new skincare products for around 2-3 months.
  
  Goals for skincare routine over next 3 months: find a moisturizer that I can use morning and night, ideally one that also heals skin; add a cleanser for nighttime
  
  Goals for skincare routine over next year: add an AHA for exfoliation and fading scar on cheek, sun damage, and PIH; possibly add a vitamin C or other product to fade spots more; possibly switch out expensive Bobbi Brown sunscreen for one of the AB sunscreens I have (the Bobbi Brown sunscreen sort of doubles as a moisturizer for me, and my skin felt dry when using the AB ones since I didn't have a real moisturizer underneath. Once I find a good moisturizer, I'm planning to try the AB ones again)
  
  My location: USA
  
  Need recommendations for:
  
  

1. Do I in fact need a cleanser and moisturizer before adding an AHA or vitamin C if I already have a sunscreen?
   
   
2. The order in which I should build my skincare routine. The newbie recommendation says to focus on finding a cleanser (Step 1) and a moisturizer (Step 4), but it doesn't say which to incorporate first. I have sensitive skin and have reacted badly to skincare products in the past, so I can only introduce one product at a time and I need to do a lot of patch testing. I have a sunscreen in my routine already. I tried adding a cleanser first (La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin, most gentle cleanser I have ever tried), but after a week my skin got somewhat dry and I developed some little red patches that went away when I stopped using the cleanser, which suggests that my skin needed a moisturizer after cleansing. I am currently trying different moisturizers (Cerave PM, Nivea Crème in blue tub, now La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+), but after a few weeks of each one I notice new whiteheads trapped under my skin on my cheeks, and now after the Nivea Crème I have some redness and bumpiness around my mouth (see pics above). When I got whiteheads after using the Cerave PM I thought I was reacting badly to fatty alcohols, but now I'm thinking it just means I need a cleanser because Nivea Crème doesn't have fatty alcohols. Do I continue my quest for a moisturizer first and then add a cleanser next? Arrrgh! I'm so confused and frustrated because I feel like my skin looked better when I was only using sunscreen. I also feel like my confidence has taken a hit because I obsess over little spots that I'm sure no one else notices.
   
   
3. Product haul from Amazon. I got $50 in giftcards for my birthday (woo!) and I am interested in buying hydrocolloid bandages and some moisturizers and/or essences to try out over the next few months, especially ones that are not available at CVS/Target/etc. Eventually I want to get actives, but I think I should wait until I have the basics under control. I have narrowed it down to the following options after reading HG recommendations here and on the AB subreddit for dry/sensitive skin, but I would appreciate any suggestions if I have gone wrong somewhere and guidance in narrowing the list to total around $50, or additional recommendations if I missed a good HG product:
   
   Hydrocolloid bandages:
   
   COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch, 24 Patches ($5) link
   
   Moisturizer:
   
   COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence ($20) link
   
   COSRX Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream ($20) link
   
   Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream ($15) link
   
   Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream ($9) link
   
   Sorry for the giant post! If I should ask this somewhere else in Skincare Addiction or post this in Asian Beauty instead, please let me know.
   
   (edited for formatting and clarity. new to reddit formatting)

OP:
I didn't mention my skincare routine but I thought I would share with y'all what I am currently using in case you are curious. I like to follow a 10 step (or close to) type of routine popular in Korea, so bear with me.

Wash #1: Anfora Rose Oil

INSTITUTO ESPANOL ANFORA ACEITE CORPORAL MASAJE MASSAGE BODY OIL INSTITUTO ESPAÑOL ESPANOL 8.5 OZ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004T4WT7K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8z7GybBJK77JP

Wash #2: Yes 2 Yes Daily Cream Facial Cleanser OR Yes 2 Yes Tomato Activated Charcoal Bar Soap

Yes To Carrots Daily Cream Facial Cleanser, 6 Fluid Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XUMQ7E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-y7GybGXDJPB0

Yes To Tomatoes Activated Charcoal Bar Soap https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RKZTL5I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Bz7GybXE9E3CC

Exfoliant (once per week): Washcloth with warm water. Scrub gently for 30 seconds clock wise and 30 seconds counter clock wise

Toner: Hado Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion. Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, 170ml

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FQUGXA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Xx7GybSN0GSQT

Essence: Mabox Anti Aging Wrinkle Firming Moisturizing Skin Face Cream 24k Gold Collagen Liquid
Mabox Anti Aging Wrinkle Firming Moisturizing Skin Face Cream 24K GOLD collagen Liquid

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N942Y5K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5C7GybDY7AKNA

Moisturizer: (morning) Atomy Lotion; (night) Petroleum Jelly... i know a lot of y'all don't like it but it works for me.

Atomy Lotion https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008Z18KJE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_XE7GybPGFTQDQ

Eye Cream: ROC Retinol Correction Eye Cream

Roc Retinol Correxion Eye Cream, 0.5 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009RFB76/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0G7GybYV6JCAK

My skin is very oily and I have hormonal acne and PIH due to the cysts. I've seen a derm and she prescribed me some things that I'm combining with others I've found and tried for the last months. So far, the things that aren't expensive and are improving the general look of my face and controlling oiliness are:

• Avene micellar water (as make up remover)
  
• Alepo soap. You can buy it in natural shops and it helps to keep the oil under control. I wash my face at night with it.
  
• Aztec healing clay mask with apple cider vinegar. This is so great. I use it once a week and add some drops of Tea Tree Oil and it leaves my skin very smooth and helps with the occasional pimple.
  
• Tea tree oil pure. I use this mixed with masks and moisturizer. Is strong so just one drop sometimes stings, but is worth it.
  
• Isdin Acniben repair. The only moisturizer that I find suits me and doesn't break me out. Is gel texture, very nice.
  
• Sr Skincare Vitamin C Serum 10%. I use it in the morning after washing my face. I feel my PIH is better but I've just bought The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% here if you want to check, the concentration is higher and the brand seem to be serious, I don't know how it will go though...
  
• Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Lotion. I bought it here It last forever and is waterish. I read in a redditor's blog, this one, that it had helped him a lot and I've been using it for a month, no break outs and really, my face is much better with my new routine. Btw that blog has a lot of good tips.
  
• I also use Cosrx BHA blackhead Power liquid as exfoliator and Klairs preparation supple toner to balance my skin ph, those are more expensive though. When I have a cyst or a pimple I use DUAC, it was prescribed by my derm and you need a prescription, I was using Epiduo before and it dried out my face, so the derm told me that is the most gentle BP formulation.
  
  Good luck, btw, I'm a girl not "sir" lol.
  
  

What made the biggest difference for me was a good hydrating toner and a hyaluronic acid. I'd recommend Kikumasamune sake lotion which is a lovely relief to use after cleansing and Hada Labo Gokujyn Moist Lotion, which is a huge help for dehydration because it has a good amount hyaluronic acid and does a great job of holding into the skin any further hydrating layers you use. I'd have a good look into and try some hydrating serums and/or toners as the thick moisturisers you are using on there own just will not be enough to hydrate. Lots of good info about this over on r/asianbeauty as they're very focused on hydrating layers to heal and improve the skin. A great fun method I've found for an instant flood of hydration is the [Korean 7 skin method] (https://youtu.be/-wTGzrBqsIk)

Hi! I suffered from oily sensitive skin problems too before! Here's the routine I followed and I noticed a big difference:

Face Wash (2 times a day): I used simple korean face washes and these worked wonders for me! You can find really cheap face washes at Marshalls/TJ Maxx or at Amazon. Here's a good brand: https://www.amazon.com/Etude-House-Baking-Powder-Cleansing/dp/B00819F4OO/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1520014584&sr=8-1&keywords=korean+baking+soda+face+wash

Toner (2 times a day): SUPER IMPORTANT! I used alcohol free which is super important if you have sensitive skin. I highly recommend this toner I still use it to this day and my skin has calmed a lot and become so soft. You can get this on amazon or any local stores really like Sprouts or even Marshalls TJ Maxx. Link: https://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-Free-Petal-Witch-Hazel/dp/B007HD570Q/ref=sr_1_3_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1520014674&sr=1-3&keywords=thayers

Moisturize (2 times a day): I know it seems weird to moisturize an oily face but trust me its needed. Sometimes your skin might be super oily since its not receiving enough moisture and thus overcompensates by producing a bunch of oil (I've heard this before I'm not a doctor though). You just can't use super creamy moisturizers. This is my go to really light moisturizer. I prefer gel moisturizers since they don't feel as heavy on my face and provide a good balance to my skin. Link: https://www.amazon.com/MIZON-Snail-Recovery-Cream-Count/dp/B00NTR9B6A/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1520014798&sr=1-6&keywords=mizon+snail

Face Mask (once or twice a week): Since you have sensitive skin I don't recommend using Charcoal as it might be too harsh. I instead use any exfoilating (or non exfoliating) masks with tumeric. It's a great anti inflammatory perfect for sensitive skin. I use this one personally: https://www.amazon.com/YLLO-Turmeric-Scrub-Chickpea-Exfoliant/dp/B0764M4MWT/ref=sr_1_13_sspa?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1520014932&sr=1-13-spons&keywords=tumeric+mask&psc=1

Again you just have to experiment with what works best for your skin. It's a difficult process but I'm sure you'll find a way. Sorry for the really long post but I hope this helps! :)

So I've been a long time lurker and reader and thought I'd introduce myself and my new routine to the community. Special thanks to /u/mynomdeplumeisplume for the amazing guide that finally got me to pull the trigger!

 

A quick breakdown with links (all from Amazon):


Type | Product
---|---
Oil Cleanser | Banila Co. Clean It Zero Purity
Water Cleanser | Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam
Moisturizer | Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream
Sunscreen | Biore Aqua Rich UV Watery Essence

 

(Sk)intro and review

I'm a 24 year old male in the UK with light olive/brown skin that is pretty resilient but can be prone to spots. I have some PIH on my upper cheeks and forehead and dark circles under my eyes. Generally speaking I've gone for products that are formulated for sensitive skin and pretty "mainstream" from what I've seen in AB circles so far. They've been working great and my skin has never looked so good.

 
Special shout out to the Biore UV for being the first sunscreen that I actually don't dread using. I've not used sun protection much in the past because of how greasy it feels but this has been a dream. I'm going to stick to it for another week before adding a toner and my first essence - any suggestions for brightening/hydrating/PIH tackling would be great and also where to buy the Biore that isn't amazon. That's all for me, thanks for reading any questions and critiques would be welcome.

OP, you should look more into hyaluronic acid. I know you said you did, but simply putting it on your skin isn't enough.

As someone else mentioned, HA can hold 1,000 times its weight in moisture. However, if your environment is dry, HA is so powerful it can actually pull moisture from your skin because there's nowhere else to pull it from.

So it's important to know if your environment is really cold, windy, or dry. Either way, one of the best ways to use HA is to mix it with another moisturizer.

I will highly, highly recommend you try Cerave lotions. There are a few different ones to try. Their new gel oil seems to be great for dry skin types.

At night, use heavier moisturizers, and put a thin layer of vaseline over your moisturizer.

Look into /r/asianbeauty, they know a lot about keeping your skin dewey, hydrated, and plump. As a matter of fact, one of the best products I see mentioned to moisturize skin that contains hyaluronic acid is Hada Labo's Gokujyun lotion

Sorry, what's TCA? A tca peel? If you're new to skincare please don't try a TCA peel to start with!! They are very strong and deep, I honestly don't recommend anyone do them at home ever. But especially not someone w/o extensive experience with peels. A gentle lactic acid peel is a great way to start out with them.

MUAC is a great choice for peels (I promise this is legit!) This is a good one to start with I recommend purchasing the sample kit, in my experience they last a super long time and you get to see if it'll work out for you.

And this is a good HA serum. You can check out the reviews on amazon too. Others might have more recommendations as well.

Hi! Okay let's see hereee. Gather 'round, friends. I imagine this is going to get quite long.

My Skin: Oily t-zone, dryish cheeks and one weird dry half of my chin. I also deal with eczema on random parts, depending on what my body decides with be most annoying that particular time. Random things will make me break out, and basically if I don't cleanse with mineral oil at night I break out. I rarely break out anymore, than goodness.

Morning routine!

• Cleanse with Cerave foaming if I feel I got greasy during the night, or Pond's Original Cold Cream if I still want to cleanse my face but feel dry, OR just splash with water and a wash cloth.
  
  
• Apply Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion as my serum. It's called a "lotion" in the Asian skincare routine, but it really acts like a serum in a typical US routine. This is a hyaluronic acid serum that helps your skin retain moisture, and it gives my skin the moisture it needs to not be so oily.
  
  
• Apply either Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel which is pretty much every day except the driest days of winter, OR Cerave in the tub. Sometimes I mix a dab of the two together when I'm feeling cRaZyYy. I sometimes add a few drops of Passion Fruit Seed Oil.
  
  
• Apply Murad Oil-Control Mattifier, this stuff is sstttuuuppidd expensive at $40, and it has about 8 million ingredients that could upset your skin and you would never know which one it is, so I am often hesitant to suggest it for that reason. HOWEVER, nothing works as well for my oilies than this, and I always, always come back. HG, unfortunately.
  
  
• Apply either Clinique City Block SPF 40, Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion Sunblock SPF 30 or Elta MD Clear SPF 46.
  
  Night Routine!
  
  
• Cleanse with baby oil and a washcloth. Sometimes use Pond's Cold Cream again, simply because it feels so nice. If I am planning on using an AHA, I will cleanse again with the Cerave Foaming Cleanser.
  
  
• Apply Alpha Hydrox Intensive Serum, 14% Glycolic Acid - AHA 1-3 times a week. Or use Stridex 2% Salicylic Acid Pads 2-4 times a week. Probably once a week, or every two weeks, I will use a Stridex pad and then the Alpha Hydrox. I wake up with the smoooooothest skin ever, but it makes me dry so I can only do it every now and then. Ever since I started using AHA and BHA, my blackheads and sebaceous filaments are almost completely gone.
  
  
• Use either the Hada Labo Serum again, or Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, which I LOVE. It's really expensive, but I really do love it.
  
  
• Moisturize with Cerave in the tub! I have a soft spot for Clinique Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer but it's expensive and I only buy it sometimes! Sometimes I slather my face in Passion Fruit Seed Oil just because.
  
  Body!
  
  
• Cleanse with the regular Dove bar, or sometimes I do a weird broke-ass body oil cleanse with whatever body lotion I am trying to get rid of. I rub it into my skin and then wipe it off with a washcloth. Feels good, man.
  
  
• Cerave in the tub everywhere, twice a day if my eczema is acting up. Top with baby oil if bad. My eczema is either going to be okay with Cerave, or I need 3 months of oral steroids. There is no middle ground for us.
  
  
• I obsessively sunscreen the backs of my hands with whatever sunscreen I am trying to use up at the moment.
  
  Things I do sometimes!
  
  
• Makeup Artist's choice 40% Lactic Acid Peel
  
  
• Mario Badescu Silver Powder Mask
  
  
• Neem Seed Oil for spots treatment if I get a spot
  
  
• Hydrocolloid bandages if I have a zit that needs....drained. I don't know how to say that in a less gross way. These only work if they have come to a head or you've popped it, but if you put them on overnight, you wake up and it is completely flat. They suck the liquid out without drying your skin out.
  
  
• I love raw shea butter for those really dry times, works anywhere! Use this during the driest times of winter.

So "exfoliation" literally just means removing dead skin cells.

There are two ways you can do this - physically (with some kind of scrub) and chemically.

Physical exfoliation can be okay as an occasional thing on the tougher skin of your body, but it's pretty harsh on the delicate skin of your face, and actually it really doesn't work all that well because the particles are too course to remove all of the dead skin.

So most (real) skincare experts recommend chemical exfoliation.

There are two primary kinds of chemical exfoliation (and a few secondary kinds that I won't go into - that's advanced skincare stuff lol!)

AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) are the first kind. When your skin dies, the skin cells are held to your face using a glue-like substance. AHAs chemically dissolve this substance, allowing the dead skin to fall away. They are really good for people who have sun damage, dry skin, and wrinkles to make the skin look fresh and plump again. They're not very good for people with oily or acne-prone skin, because they don't work in the presence of oil (they're water soluble). Here are some well-formulated AHA products:

• Alpha Hydrox AHA Enhanced Lotion
  
• Acne.org AHA+
  
• Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant
  
  You can read more about AHAs and how to use them here.
  
  BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) are the second kind of chemical exfoliant. BHAs work by dissolving the oil and gunk that gets clogged within your pores as well as building up on your face. Ever run your finger across your nose and feel that oily sebum? That's what BHAs dissolve. BHAs are also closely related to aspirin, so they have anti-inflammatory properties - they reduce swelling and redness. And, as a final added bonus, they are anti-microbial and can help kill bacteria that causes acne. BHAs are great for people who have blackheads, acne, oily skin, sensitive skin, and they also can help fight signs of aging and discoloration (e.g. brown spots). However, people who are allergic to aspirin should never use them. If your only issue is flakiness or dry skin on the surface, an AHA is probably better, but almost everyone can benefit from a BHA. Here are some well-formulated BHA products:
  
  
• Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray (for body acne)
  
• Paula's Choice PC4Men Soothe & Smooth (basic formula - gender doesn't matter lol)
  
• Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Anti-Redness blah blah blah (for acne)
  
  You'll notice they're all Paula's Choice. I prefer to offer other brands when I can, to avoid the appearance of bias (they're my favorite company), but all BHA products that are cheaper than Paula's Choice have irritating or problematic ingredients, or are just not formulated very well, so I can't in good faith recommend them.
  
  You can read more about BHAs and how to use them here.
  
  If anyone would like some more detailed or personalized skincare advice, please feel free to reply or PM me! I'm very happy to help. :)

Try a few drops of squalane oil in the AM. It's a "dry oil." I had the same situation as you a few months back. I would not use Aquaphor or anything like that in the AM unless you want to look like a greaseball.

The best I've tried (got a huge free sample, not sure if they're still doing it) is Bioessance's; I couldn't afford more, but the Timeless line (which is great for virtually all products: just good cheap and a focus on proven science) is good, too. It's on Amazon for $10.50 for 2 oz, which will last you forever here. Just a few drops. A natural occlusive that will sink right into your skin.

And have you thought about trying a SAP or MAP Vitamin C serum for the redness? I started using one and the results were instantaneous. I stress, don't use the regular "L-ascorbic acid" type--they really don't get at the redness and will irritate your skin. Deciem started a new line called The Ordinary, which is super cheap, (again) results-based, and they sell this. I haven't used that, but the one I do use (Dermapeutic's Sonoma MAP with DMAE) is being dc'd, I think, and I will jump on that as soon as I'm out. $9.60 a pop is freaking incredible.

Also, I started on the Asian beauty train about two months ago and found that FTE ("first treatment essences") like COSRX Galactomytes and (possibly Kiku-masamune--raves but I haven't tried it), which have niacinamide and, most importantly, yeast ferment, have been amazingly helpful in curing my constant redness. But big caution: YMMV. Some people have bad reactions to niacinamide (although if you're using CeraVe you're probably good) and even more so, ferments.

Lastly, you might want to layer on an Asian toner under squalane (keep in mind that a "toner" in Asia is not like the horrible alcohol-based crap we buy here: it's a very, very thin moisturizing solution). Something like the Hada Labo Gokyujun (which can cause problems for some because it actually has too much hyaluronic acid) or the Cezanne brand version (which is focused on ceramides, like CeraVe), topped off with a bit of squalane to seal it in, could be the ticket.

But no grease in the AM! (my two cents' worth, at least).

For flaking skin, I love to read /u/Sharkus_Reincarnus 's blog posts. She is on tretinoin too and talks a lot about hydrating skincare products. Here is her routine specifically for tretinoin, and another post about tretinoin skincare.

For me, I have heard great things about rosehip oil added into nighttime creams to boost moisturization(I made this word up). I use it sometimes but sometimes I think it is TOO heavy but YMMV.

I do think AHA is better for surface exfoliation, and is usually the best product for CC's. Especially good for a tretinoin face to consider yourself dry-skinned anyway.

For PIH, introducing more products with niacinamide would be great for skin, and hydrating! I use the Scinic AIO Honey Ampoule and Cerave PM, both are economical products that contain niacinamide at the same time!

Ooo and as for Hada Labo I use their Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion and like it a lot! I use it a hydrating toner after doing all my actives. I (like to) think it plumps my skin up and makes product absorption easier in the rest of my rotuine

I used a lot of acne face cleansers only to realize that they messed up my skin barrier (my face was really oily and prone to white heads)! My current AM face routine is Laneige White Plus Renew Bubble Cleanser followed by Missha FTE (currently testing this), Laneige White Plus Renew Emulsion + Essence. At night I cleanse first with DHC's Cleansing Oil, and then the same routine as AM but I seal in my moisturizers with Vaseline. After about three weeks of this routine, my face is no longer producing massive amounts of oil (although I still have residual hyperpigmentation and some white heads, hoping it'll be clearer in another week or two!)

If you're looking for cheaper moisturizers, Hada Labo makes a nice toner and lotion which I found to be quite useful (although it didn't agree with my skin in the long run. I've also had good results with Hadanomy Collagen line for cheap moisture! It seems a little counter-intuitive, but give yourself about a month trying out a new regime and see if that works better for you. Sunscreen is also very important, make sure you wear it every day even if it's overcast. I would also reiterate /u/herezy by focusing on skincare first before makeup! Good luck :)! It's frustrating at first but once you settle into a routine that works for you it's pretty amazing.

I'm a bit older than your average SCA subscriber, so I'll chime in a bit. I have dryer, more mature skin and this is the basics of what I do and what has really improved my skin.

IF I were to start from scratch with the things I now know, I'd probably start with these things, in order of use.

An oil cleanser, like Hado Labo I've used straight oil and multiple oil cleanser. The ones that emulsify are a bit easier to use, and I prefer them, but I think most well regarded ones are pretty similar.

Second cleanser maybe, a ph balanced foam cleanser. I usually just oil cleanse, but use the foaming cleanser in addition every few days. This one is well regarded.

A toner. This isn't so much of a cleansing step as a first step of moisturization. Klairs supple prep tone

Holy grail product for me, Snail Creme. I love the Mizon one. It goes on before serums.

A Hyaluronic Acid serum, such as Paula's Choice

A night cream. I'd maybe use the Cerave here or another layer of the Mizon AIO. The Mizon is super light, sinks in and never greasy. It's not really a "moisturizer", so cream is a bit of a misnomer, but with everything else, it may be enough.

If you got her nothing else, I'd get her the Mizon snail creme. Seriously miracle product, IMO. I'd start with stuff like this and then maybe consider a retinol or other acid, if needed. Maybe some others can chime in with a retinol recommendation.

Here is the Skincare Addiction sunscreen guide post, although it's a bit confusing. I found this Skinacea page to be much more helpful and to make much more sense when I was looking into sunscreens. Also look at the related links at the top of the page for more descriptions about what you need in a sunscreen. You should have something that's at least SPF 30.

I have skin that's really difficult to please with sunscreen. Sunscreen either clogs my pores or burns my sensitive skin. My skin is also combination/oily and acne prone. There are chemical sunscreens, physical sunscreens, and ones that use both chemical and physical blockers. Here's a helpful side-by-side comparison. The combination ones are generally suggested as the best for skin protection, but sometimes people react badly to various ingredients and the most important thing is the sunscreen provides broad spectrum, photostable protection. It's mostly about trial and error until you find something you like.

As far as the ones I've personally tried...

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen in SPF 55 felt really good going on. It only got a little greasy around my nose, but otherwise was dry. It seems like a number of people here like it for a drugstore sunscreen, but I broke out after a few days of using it.

I like MaryKay's SPF 30. It goes on dry and has a bit of a fragrant scent, so it doesn't smell like sunscreen. I've used this at the beach for many summers, though I'm going to try out some other sunscreens because I'm worried that it'll clog my pores if I use it daily. I think I may need an only physical sunscreen.

A lot of people here like the Elta MD sunscreens, which are a little pricier. People tend to recommend the UV Clear SPF 46 on this subreddit. I just ordered their UV Physical SPF 41, though I haven't tried it yet. It's important to note that the physical one is tinted, so it probably works best on more fair skin.

I'm no expert on sunscreens, but this is the info that I've researched and that's been provided by the subreddit. Thank goodness for /r/SkincareAddiction, amirite?

I find as the seasons change (it's getting warmer around where I am) my skin kinda freaks out and becomes very sensitive, especially the skin around my eyes.

Another commenter mentioned the Kikumasamune, but there's another one that's popular too called Cezanne. There are a lot of reviews on here about both. Hada Labo also makes a moisturizing toner. I think the key point it to layer moisture. So toner, essence, moisturizer.

Also, if you're not using a sunscreen you should get that as well (I can't remember off hand if the AM lotion you're using has SPF).

Also, one guide I like to link a lot is a beginner's guide by Snow White and the Asian Pear. She has a great graphic and examples of each type of product, just to give you a good overview and then you can go from there. I would say it's best to find a blogger that has similar skin concerns to you, because they're going to be your best bet on getting recommendations as they have been there, done that.

Edit: oops!! lol I didn't realize the comment had the same products listed, sorry!

I don't have much, but I thought of throw a couple things out there. A lot of people have success with pure squalane oil. It's well tolerated and you could mix a couple drops in with your moisturizer. There are other oils people use for moisturizing but I'm not very familiar with others. It would probably also be good to use your moisturizer in the morning as well. I've heard good things about Avene Tolerance, this one specifically is fungal safe and already contains squalane. Also, this blog post, while geared toward fungal acne, has a lot of product recommendations that might also be good for what you're dealing with. Wish I had more knowledge to help.

Edit: Also, I know you said your skin behaves the same either way, but it might be a good idea to lay off the differin until you get your hydration/moisture under control. It's likely doing more harm than good at this point.

I've had eczema for 24 years, and here are some products I swear by:

100% squalane oil - this is more expensive per ounce than hemp oil, but my god is it effective for flare-ups. Squalane is the hydrogenized form of squalene, an oil naturally found in your skin.

Cerave Moisturizing Cream - this is the holy grail for eczema lotion. It can sting when you put it on, if the flare-up is bad. It works really well when mixed with a few drops of squalane. Cerave's claim to fame is the ceramides. Skin with eczema is frequently lacking in these crucial lipids.

Colloidal Oatmeal Lotion - there are a few brands of these that are mostly the same, but this is the one I like. This is best for those really, really nasty flare-ups, especially the kind where you scratch yourself raw/bloody, because it's so gentle and thick.

Similarly, colloidal oatmeal for baths. If you've got a full-body flare-up going on, or a flare-up somewhere that lotion can't reach (like on your scalp), this can be incredibly soothing.

Dove Beauty Bar For Sensitive Skin - accept no substitutes. This is the only bar soap my skin can handle, and it is the only soap that every dermatologist I've ever seen has recommended for my eczema. That's because it's not technically soap, it's actually a gentle detergent mixed with moisturizer.

Sulfate-free shampoo - SLS, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, is a big trigger for me, and a common one. (I also have to use SLS-free toothpaste.) If you're prone to scalp flare-ups, this might be a good first line of defense. For a cheaper option, Johnson's Baby Shampoo is also sulfate-free.

If I sound like a brochure, I'm sorry. I've spent years dealing with this, and I'm kind of a skincare hobbyist (who also dabbles in hair care), so I've tried a lot of stuff.

Tbh I don't think it's the percentage of hyaluronic acid that makes the Gokujyun lotion so great, but the molecular weight of it. The lotion uses a low molecular weight of HA which is more bioavailable, i.e. it will sink deeper into your skin rather than just sitting on top. The Gokujyun lotion actually uses 5 different types of HA with different molecular weights which, in theory, can hang onto moisture in varying levels of your skin. HA is also only effective in skincare products up to a certain concentration, so trying to maximize the amount of HA you get per dollar spent is probably going to be a waste of time at a certain point.

As far as cost is concerned, I got mine on Amazon for about $10. I'm really pleased with it so far and don't think I am missing out on any HA goodness because it's only $10.

Well the hyaluronic acid toner that I like is Hada Labo Hyaluronic Lotion Moist.
It goes a really long way. The HA serum from The Ordinary is also an option, but the texture is a bit stickier and it's only 30ml.

As for cleansers, generally avoid products with Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfate, Alcohol Denat or fragrance in them. You can also check some reviews before buying a new product and see what other people have to say.
The CeraVe cleanser recommended in the other reply should be a good option. And to get the sunscreen and/or makeup off, you may like using an oil first. Just massage a bit of oil on your face to dissolve the products and then wash it off with the cleanser. You can just use some generic (unfragranced) mineral oil for that. It helps my skin not feel stripped after i wash it, and it takes everything off.

If you want to use an oil for moisturizing, make sure it's a cold pressed and unrefined vegetable oil. You can find tons of options on amazon or in Wholefoods-type grocey stores. Just mix a few drops in your moisturizer and that should help plump up your skin and give it a glow.
The Ordinary sells 4 oils. I use their rosehip oil and really like it. If your skin is on the dry side and not acne-prone, you may like their marula or argan oil. Depends very much on your skin type. Here's a thread about people's favorite oils:
https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/6fu4a4/product_question_what_are_your_favorite_3_oils/

Hope this helped.

>I recently stopped by the Grand Asian market (Cary NC)

Could you report back what other brands they carry when you go back? That store has been there since before I moved to Cary as a child ( pre 1995 omg). Only went in there once or twice but when I come back for a visit definitely making a shopping trip (also for the food) there.

As for Hada Labo,the Gokujun Lotion is super popular on the sub as well as in Japan. Also, the moisturizing perfect gel has started to get some love on this sub as well which I think would be good for you as a moisturizer.

Ok...Here we go! This is a very relevant topic to me so get ready for a long reply ha!

I have cystic acne that only came up after going off of birth control a year ago. I've tried SO MANY things, but nothing worked! It wasn't until we started TTC when I was taking more vitamins that it finally got better, but it was still not great.

I found a routine that keeps it in check though and it involves Manuka Oil! My skin is in the best shape it has ever been! So here is what I found that works for me:

AM: I wash my face with Era Organics Natural Face Wash. About 3x per week I use their scrub. Then mix a little bit of Manuka Oil with CeraVe AM Moisturizer then apply Bare Minerals powder concealer.

PM: I remove my make up as soon as I get home from work with Micellar Cleansing Water and wash with the Era Organics face wash. Then I put a little bit of organic sweet almond oil along with the manuka oil on a cotton round and apply that to my face to moisturize. Sometimes I'll swap out the almond oil for CeraVe PM moisturizer, but the almond oil seems to help a little better.

Along with this routine, I take 30 mg of zinc and the recommended dose of vegan DHA every day, 5000 IU of vitamin D M-F, along with my prenatal. But I swear by the zinc. Here is a little information on why zinc helps with acne.

As for my chest and back (I get pimples there too but not cystic) I've been putting witch hazel and manuka oil on a cotton round every morning/evening and it has really helped clear it up! Granted I just started this routine a week ago so I hope it continues!!!

For someone who has struggled with this to the point of tears, I finally feel like I have it under control!!

I see "crows feet" and I think "dehydrated". So.

1. Replace your exfoliant with CeraVe Hydrating facial cleanser. It's not going to feel like your face is clean for the first like week to two weeks because you're probably used to the very squeaky clean (stripped) feeling. But focus on how your skin feels about two minutes after you pat it dry - that clean-but-not-desert feeling is delightful.
   
   
2. Add a purely hydrating layer. Depending on what type of environment you're in, that might be Hada Labo lotion or a serum. If you're in a dryer area, you probably want a glycerine-based serum or lotion rather than a hyaluronic acid based one, as HA can actually draw water from your skin if there isn't enough in the air.
   
   
3. Consider a thicker night cream like CeraVe in the tub, Jason Gentle Basics night cream, or (again depending on your area) a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to help your skin keep the moisture in it. If you're in central California or the south - somewhere with humid air - putting your hydrating layer on, sitting for a minute or two, then finishing with Vaseline might be enough. If you're in Tucson, you're probably going to want something like the CeraVe in the tub or the Jason to add additional layers of hydration to your skin.
   
   
4. As /u/glittercrotch said, r/asianbeauty is a great resource. There are lots of skincare companies in various Asian countries that have affordable, high quality products that you can get on Amazon. The Hada Labo lotion is one, and you might check out something like the Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel-Cream for your thicker cream step.

Many brands have come out with a men's version, but I think the main difference is the scent & the price, but I don't know if the formulation is any different.

My boyfriend loves my skin79 BB cream in hot pink but it doesn't have much coverage though it is great at evening out skintone, hiding redness, and making skin soft. My boyfriend also has pitted scars from acne that seem to be neutralized with the BB cream; it doesn't hide it, but it definitely brings less attention to it. The scent isn't strong so it doesn't bother him. I should also note that it is amazing at adjusting to your skin tone! I'm southeast asian tan (~NC30) and he's caucasian and pale (~NW15) and it somehow magically works for both of us, but it does take longer to adjust to my skin than his.

You should also take into consideration what kind of skin your brother has (oily/dry/combination) and what kind of benefits he wants to gain. BB cream isn't really a miracle cream but I have noticed an improvement using certain brands. If all else fails, you can get him various samples from different brand or a sample pack like this. Also, make sure to read reviews from whichever seller or website you're buying it off to ensure that it's genuine.

Aloe is really great as a additive, but it is not moisturizing on it's own. Have you checked out the Korean Beauty subreddit? There are some fantastic recs on there that focus on dehydrated skin. It really does require special ingredients, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. I LOVED the toners from Hada Labo for this. There's one called a Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (which is just a toner) that is fantastic:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FQUGXA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Your skin might just be dehydrated honestly. I'm not going to say it's not fungal acne because it could be; if I were you.. I would just put together a routine that fights both.

This article is pretty popular on /r/skincareaddiction.. I assume you've read it but a quote from it: "if you have pityrosporum folliculitis you must avoid most oils and fatty acids". I don't have any oils in my routine because it always seemed like when I introduced any type of oil into my routine, I would break out (this is where I started becoming suspicious that I had fungal acne). As a result, I went ahead and removed all oils out of my routine.

Sebamed was a good choice to buy; I like that moisturizer but prefer Dr. Lin Skincare Daily Hydrating Gel because it felt more hydrating and less sticky (it's still sticky haha, but less). I use it in both my AM/PM routine right after I cleanse.

Also I'm a big fan of La Roche Posay because a lot of their products are oil free and help restore the moisture barrier.. they also don't contain the fatty alcohols I was talking about in my last comment. I use their cleanser and face moisturizer:

La Roche Posay - Toleraine Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

La Roche Posay - Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer

Here's some videos (Video 1, Video 2) that convinced me that I had dehydrated skin and kind of go along with your feelings of nothing working. They might resonate with you too if you haven't seen them before.

The issue(s) you need help with:

I have had chronic skin dryness/irritation/redness/flakiness in the areas around my nose and upper cheeks for a few months. I currently have a routine, but it is obvious to me that it isn't optimal.

Skin type:

When I wake up, there may be a few flakes on my skin, and it is usually oily. But it is never intensely red/irritated
A few hours after cleansing and moisturizing, my skin will become a little oily, but some areas on my nose or sides of my face my dry up.

I would say I have pretty sensitive skin.

Current routine with the full names of your products:

Here are photos of my skin: https://imgur.com/a/zeLGX

The first photos are when I wake up. There is no intense visible redness, but there is some flakiness.

I currently shower in the morning with lukewarm water and cleanse with Vanicream gentle cleanser link. I then use Vanicream Lite lotion link. As you can see at this point in the pictures above, my face is noticeably red. Occasionally, I will feel stinging irritation, but most of the time it feels fine. After a half hour the redness goes down, and my face feels smoother, but not 100 percent smooth in all areas.

This routine has only functioned as a temporary measure until I find something more ideal. I use it because it is effective in treating the flakiness. If I don't cleanse, the area around my nose especially will generate a lot of flakes, even if it isn't particularly irritated.

I do not have a routine for the evening or night time before I go to bed. Sometimes I may just cleanse or maybe just apply some lotion, but the results in the morning aren't drastically different.

How long you have been using your current routine, or product in question:

I tried getting suggestions from this sub in September last year about gentle products for sensitive skin. I have been using these products ever since that time, but they are not ideal.


I would really welcome any help regarding this. I have dealt with it for so long and it really affects my self-image. Please let me know what I can change or fix! Thanks

Hi guys! New to this whole skin care thing but i've been super excited to get started and get new products. And a happy nat'l pet day to my lil pumkin for encouraging me.

I have normal/combo skin with dry patches. Overall minimal acne, hyperpigmentation in cheeks and around scars.

AM

Splash of Water: I prefer to only cleanse at night due to my dry skin

Neutrogena Hydroboost gel-cream for extra dry skin: I was referred this in a previous comment thread and it has quickly become my HG moisturizer. It is a gel-cream so it isn't heavy and can be layered but it is so hydrating.

Skin Aqua Sunscreen: This isn't in this picture but let me tell you this is the best sunscreen I've ever used on my face. Its a gel consistency so again light on the skin SPF50 & PA ++++ so it protects against both UVA & UVB rays. I've seen this highly recommend on AB threads so I decided to give it a go and I'm never going back.

PM

Simple Micellar cleansing water: I use this to remove my makeup with a cotton pad. Not too drying nor oily and gets the job done.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser: This cleanser is very hydrating, I don't experience that tight feeling after washing. I would highly recommend this cleanser.

Neutrogena Hydroboost gel-cream for extra dry skin

RAVE Dermal Sheet Masks 24 pack

These sheet masks are so affordable, fun and soothing. I do notice that they all moisturize nicely and there is so much extra serum in each packet. I haven't had any issues with them at all as far as breakouts are concerned and love using these daily. They all smell decent and the sheet paper is quality for the price. I love these things.

RAVE Drunk Elephant Protini.
This is definitely a HOLY GRAIL product for me and I will continue to re-purchase. No issues with breakouts. It smells AMAZING. I get these weird little bursts of cinnamon in between the lily scent. It leaves my skin feeling like a very healthy sea creature. Like just so soft.

RANT Scinic Honey all-in-one ampoule.
Scinic Honey
I WANTED TO LOVE THIS STUFF. It smells AMAZING. But I literally noticed no difference in my skin after using for a month and even got closed comedones on my forehead after use. I just wish this was everything I wanted it to be.

I was just dealing with dry skin issues myself and found a lot of good suggestions on /r/skincareaddiction.

Things that helped me (and now my foundation sits soooo much better on my face):

1. light exfoliation with a wash cloth after I wash my face. Use a gentle, non foaming cleanser. I only exfoliate a couple times of week though.
   
   
2. hydrating toner or serum applied onto a wet face (after washing). The Trader Joe’s hyaluronic acid serum is good at about $8. And the Hada Labo is also a HG for a lot of people. I just started using it a week ago, and it’s helping improve my skin too. Be sure to follow it with a moisturizer.
   
   
3. I really love Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing lotion. The gel is good too but wasn’t hydrating enough for me.
   
   
4. I use a hydrating primer like Too Faced’s Hangover primer before applying foundation.
   
   
5. At night, I love the Cerave Healing Ointment for my lips. It’s better than any lip balm I’ve tried, and my liquid lipstick applies so much nicer the next day.
   
   Hope that helps!
   
   

Hey ScA! Found a few products that I wanted to add to my routine through reccs here and research so I thought I'd share them. I have combination skin, Fitzpatrick type IV, and my daily struggles are mainly with hyperpigmentation, a wonky texture on my forehead, and hydration. If you have any friendly advice, warnings, criticisms, I'm all ears. :)

-From Left to Right-

• Radha Beauty Rosehip Oil: Bought mainly for the linoleic acid. The bottle is huge, the dropper is nice, and it should last a while sitting in its nook in my fridge.
  
• Peach Slices Citrus-Honey Aqua Glow: a gel moisturizer with a light, citrus scent that absorbs like lightning and sits well under my sunscreen. I'm patch testing this right now but I'm very happy with it. Confession: shamelessly bought for the packaging.
  
• CVS samples! :)
  
• Timeless 100% Pure Squalane Oil: emollient, comes in a glass bottle and I'm probably going to mix a few drops in with my moisturizers or use it in its own step.
  
• AmLactin AHA Body Lotion: My boyfriend and I both suffer from keratosis pilaris, so we're giving this a shot in conjunction with a daily SPF on the arms.
  
• Biore Perfect UV Face Milk: This is a repurchase, it lasts surprisingly long for only being 30 ml (then again, I don't reapply, tsk tsk), is cosmetically elegant, and though there's a bit of a white cast, it goes away after a few minutes even on my darker skin. It is a bit drying, though, which makes sense since its supposed to be a matte sunscreen but I might replace it when I get around to it. Still highly recommend, especially for oily skin!
  
  Also picked up some cod liver oil. Will it do anything for my skin? Uh, maybe! Mom's been getting on me about my omega-3s so I humored her. :)

You might consider a vitamin C serum or a niacinamide lotion/cream. While they won't affect your pore size or your skin texture, both ingredients are helpful for evening skin color. Most of the time you hear about people using them for freckles or dark marks, but they help redness too. I see you like PC products, so you might want to consider these: Resist C15 Super Booster and Resist Pure Radiance Skin Brightening Treatment. I love them both, but they are a bit too pricey for me to use all the time. For more affordable products, you could consider the Timeless Vitamin C serum (I haven't tried it yet, but I am looking forward to it) and Pond's Clarant B3 (love this).

So as a disclaimer I'm pretty acne prone so normal primers don't typically work for me very well because they tend to clog my pores, so my primer choices are a little unconventional. That being said I have a similar skin type to you and live in similar weather conditions so this is what works for me:

Nivea Shaving Balm: I know this sub has a tendency to rave about this, but in my opinion there's good reason to. This keeps my face from getting too shiny, even when I'm sweating and holds everything in place for hours. At the very most I'll need to touch up my powder after about 7-8 hours, but that's usually only on very hot days when I'm doing more physical activity than normal. There is a more manly smell to it, but I find it fades after about 5-10 minutes of putting it on and no one has ever commented on being able to smell it after I finish my makeup (yes I've had my friends sniff my face to be sure).

Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Okay so this stuff is snail slime, which I realize might be a little bit of an ick factor, but bare with me. This stuff is amazing and is currently my every day primer. It's essentially designed to help lock in your moisturizer to keep your skin from becoming too dehydrated, but because of this it makes a great primer. My skin actually feels better after using this stuff and it locks in and performs equally as well as the shaving balm in my opinion.

Skin79 is a cheap and easy order on amazon, this kit samples their popular BBs and allows you try which one is best, for only $5! . I ordered it several months ago, and still have some leftover, even in the ones I have used a lot!

I recommend if you want to try US drugstore BB cream, go for Revlon Photoready. I've tried almost all of the ones on the market--L'Oreal was literally useless, and Garnier is on the same level. Maybelline Dream BB worked pretty well too. But honestly, the Skin79 is extremely reasonably priced and head and shoulders above the rest in both coverage and staying power!


Good luck trying them out! BB cream forever altered my beauty routine for the better!

Yay, dehydrated skin buddies! My faithful standby is Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, a hyaluronic acid packed liquid that you pat into your skin after cleansing, also my gateway drug to Asian beauty products. The moisturizer I've been liking the most for summer is Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer, which has a lighter texture than you'd think from the name. In winter when my skin is more dry I really like Clinique DDML because it's a bit more emollient. I also use a face mist of about 5% glycerin in 95% distilled water between skincare layers or during makeup application if my skin is feeling extra dehydrated. It helps everything to sink in nicely. Oh, and sheet masks! The other AB gateway drug. :) They're like a drink of water for your face.

If you're interested in more information about specific humectants, take a look at the dehydrated skin link under skin concerns in the sidebar.

I think it's worth a shot! I'm still trying to incorporate a sunscreen into my routine -- I've been so hesitant since my skin is not back to normal yet and I'm worried about causing another breakout. But I've been doing a lot of research on the matter and have heard good things about the Shiseido sunscreen. Another one that's recommended a lot for use under makeup is Eltamd. And finally, this one by Paula's Choice seems like a great option after reading this thread, especially since it adds a bit of coverage, too!

Also, if you're interested in a vitamin C serum, Paula's Choice products are pretty popular and well-liked. I wanted something a bit more affordable so I use Silk Naturals Super Serum and love it. I use it daily and I think it will last a few months. They also have fantastic customer service -- I received a handwritten note and a couple of free samples in my order!

Howdy, skin twin! This is what my skin looked like before I started taking care of it, and if I fall off the skincare wagon, that's what it goes back to.

The main issues here are that your skin needs some exfoliation, and you need both a source of moisture, and a way to keep it in.

With exfoliation, you have two options: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliation is stuff like facial scrubs, pore brushes, etc. It's a popular method, but it can be harsh to your skin. I like chemical exfoliation - specifically, and Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), which works by breaking down the bonds between dead skin and living skin, so the dead crusty bits can be gently washed off.

After that, you need to tackle the dehydration. Dehydrated skin gets that rough, uneven orange-peel appearance, and makes large pores more obvious. This is true even if your skin is oily - you can be oily and dehydrated at the same time, and dehydrated skin can actual trigger more oil production.

In addition to a moisturizer, you'd benefit from an occlusive to keep the moisture from evaporating, especially if you live in a dry climate or are exposed to air conditioning all day.

So here's a really basic routine you could try out. I use a lot of Asian products because they're cheap and work well, but you can find similar products local to you.

1. Oil cleanse

"Normal" face washes can be really drying, especially the ones marketed towards men, for some reason. If your face feels tight and plasticky after you wash it, your cleanser is to blame. I use an emulsifying oil cleanser.

You put it on your dry face, rub it around to get it to stick to the gunk in your pores, and then rinse with water, which makes it emulsify and become un-oily. Cool!

It doesn't actually have to be an oil cleanser - any hydrating, non-drying cleanser will work fine.

Some folks use a secondary cleanser after this, but unless you wear makeup, you probably don't need it, and it risks drying you out more.

2. Acid exfoliation

Now that you have a clean face, it's time to get rid of the dead stuff that makes your skin lumpy. For this, we'll use an AHA - I like this one from CosRX, even though it smells like dog piss on a mushroom.

This is a step you'll only do every other day, maximum. Start with every 2-3 days and go from there. Do this step at night, as AHA will make your skin less resistant to UV (more on that later).

Put a couple drops in your hands, massage it into your face, and then wait. It takes at least 15 minutes for the acid to fully break down that "glue" holding dead skin onto your face.

Rinse it off with water, dry, and move on to the next step.


3. Hydrating toner

The next thing you need is a thin moisturizer, something that can sink right into your skin to plump and de-leatherify it. These are typically going to based on hyaluronic acid, a "goo molecule" that your body uses in every squishy part of your body, from skin to eyeballs to bones. I like this one by Hada Labo, but there are good options from Klairs, Paula's Choice, etc.

Put a few drops on your hands and pat/squish into your face. Give it a minute to dry. If your face feels tight, you can repeat this step a couple times.

4. Ceramide lotion

Ceramides help to "waterproof" your skin from the inside, to prevent loss of all that moisture you just added. Cerave PM is pretty much the best bang for your buck - despite the "PM" in the label, you can use it day and night.

5 (Daytime). Sunblock

Before you go out for the day, you need sunblock. Damage from the sun is a huge contributor to crappy dehydrated skin, and now that you're exposing fresh new skin with the AHA, you're going to be even more sensitive to it.

Due to some weird laws surrounding what we can use in sunblock in the US and some other Western countries, it's likely that the only sunblock you can get in stores is that thick, oily, gross, white stuff.

The Japanese have the rest of the world pretty much beat when it comes to sunblock - Biore Aqua Rich is a solid choice, although you'll need something heavier for days when you're going to be sweating or swimming.

5 (Night). Occlusive

Now that you've done all this work to moisturizer your skin, you don't want it to just evaporate overnight. That's where an occlusive comes in - a thick outer layer that protects your skin and all the stuff you just put on it. Aquaphor is great for this.

So there you go - a solid starting routine! Try that out for a week and see if your skin doesn't start to look better - if you're not doing anything to your skin right now, you're bound to see some improvement with this.

Note that there is some risk of bad reactions whenever you're using new face stuff. The oil cleanser and lotion might give you a breakout of small white bumps, the AHA might feel to harsh and make your face red, you might be allergic to an ingredient in the toner, etc. If that happens, stop using everything, and start adding each item back into your routine slowly until you identify the culprit.

Good luck, and happy moisturizing!

Okay so, I've avoided using sunscreen for the longest because EVERYTHING breaks me out (plus whiteface is not cute in the slightest lol).

Just last week I ordered some samples of the Eltamd UV Clear SPF 46 which is "Ideal for sensitive or acne-prone complexions" and "skin types prone to acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation".

I've been trying it since last Thursday and no new breakouts or anything, I'm actually pretty ecstatic. Usually sunscreens or new products let me know it isn't going to work within the first few days. Also, this sunscreen is unlike any I've used before. Super smooth, a little smelly, but disappears fast, blends in beautifully with only the lightest hint of a white cast that does vanish.

If you're comfortable ordering online, this is the lot of samples I ordered. Each packet gives me 2 uses and I ordered 10, so even if you order only 5 that should be enough for you to decide whether or not you like it. :)

Hope you find something that works for you. Best of luck!

I made a comment earlier that is perfect for your question, I have quoted it below at the bottom.

When you wash your face with a cleanser, you wash away all the oil on the surface and this can be very detrimental to dehydrated skin, which is exactly what you have by the sound of it.

TLDR: Your skin is dehydrated, moisturize it very well day and night, it should be the last step in your routines. If you do not use a toner or treatment or anything else, then sure it will be right after your dry off your face from having washed it. I highly suggest you read the following entirely for better information and product recommendations.


>If you are stripping your face's natural moisture and irritating it like that, your oil production will rise in an attempt to moisturize the skin. This isn't what you want. So, you need to moisturize well day and night to keep your skin hydrated; basically, it keeps your skin hydrated and it does not need to produce much oil (sebum) to moisturize itself since it is already hydrated from your moisturizing habit. I know it may not make sense, adding moisturizer to oily skin, but that is what you need to do for oil production to slow down.

>Moisturizer should be the last step in your regimen. As you know, cleanse, apply treatment(s), moisturize. Apply more moisturizer and re-apply throughout the day if you notice your skin is drying out, even if it gets oily.

>I recommend you switch to CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser instead of their foaming cleanser. It did a lot for me when I had dry skin. Their Moisturizing Lotion is also a bit light, it is good for day use, but at night you want to moisturize your skin as best as possible... for this I recommend Cerave Moisturizing Cream. Lastly, you can add a few drops of Jojoba Oil to your moisturizer at night for a great hydration boost. I know how it may sound crazy to add oil with your oily skin.
If you decide to add Jojoba Oil (which I highly suggest), look for "100% pure" in the name. Like this, which is even better since it comes in a dropper bottle.

Hey everyone,

me again.. I decided that I'm going to wait with the retinoid/retinol a bit longer. Will do some more research in the coming weeks/months before deciding on a product.. maybe asking a dermatologist for some advice.

Anyway, I'm (male) still looking for 3 products which I'd like to purchase tonight/tomorrow.

-----------------------------

1. Japanese Cleanser (or those popular Face Wash Foams..). Which should I go for? Only one would be enough, right?
   
   
2. Japanese Lotion/Toner (which I'm also going to use for the popular "Lotion Mask" from time to time.. not daily though, of course).
   
   
3. Japanese Moisturizer
   
   The routine would look like this (morning+evening).
   
   Cleanser/Face Wash -> Lotion/Toner -> Moisturizer
   
   (You wash off the cleanser/face wash foam with water, correct? And leave the Lotion/Toner + Moisturizer on).
   
   Anyway...
   
   Lots of people recommended the popular Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion/Toner.
   
   Which would be this one here, correct?
   
   https://www.amazon.de/Rohto-Hadalabo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B00BSNBO9O/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511619521&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=hada+labo+moisturizer
   
   There's also a similar one on amazon.de which doesn't have "acid" in the name.. and one which says "(Moist) Light Type".
   
   Which one should I go for? Probably just the one I linked above?
   
   ------------------------------
   
   If all that is okay, then I still need a good cleanser/face wash foam and moisturizer.
   
   Maybe someone could help me? I'd really appreciate it. I waited long enough, but can't decide what to get.
   
   Apparently Hada Labo has good cleansers/face wash foam and mousturizers as well, but I can't seem to find a popular one.
   
   It'd be great if it's also available on amazon.de
   
   Sorry for bothering you folks. Appreciate all the help, I really do.

I’ve tried it all: minocycline, doxycycline, aczone, onexton, epiduo forte, radio-frequency microneedling, etc.

Switching your bedsheets + pillowcases regularly is a good tip, however I don’t recommend washing your face with only warm water. That’s a bad idea. Wash your face with a nice, gentle cleanser instead (I like LRP’s Gentle Cleanser ). At nights, you can just moisturize your face. This one by Neutrogena was recommended to me by my derma and is the one that I’ve had the best experience with. In the mornings, finish off that small routine by applying a sunscreen (here’s my favorite physical sunscreen, tinted too which helps with the look of my acne scars ). No need to do this at night.

If you have a decent skincare routine and eat low glycemic index foods (somewhat healthy diet) and still have acne, it’s likely due to genetic proclivity for acne. Personally, my acne issues stemmed from my hormones along w genetic proclivity.

Accutane is the best and only real fix for acne. Hit a cumulative dose of 140+ mg/kg and you’ll be good to go.

Generally, some sort of anti-inflammatory can help too. Try Turmeric w Bioperine (that has been lead tested). If you need more, talk to your derma about Prednisone in conjunction w Accutane.

Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to give a detailed response. It's sort of sad knowing that people here care more and will give details about things more than PAYING a dermatologist who just wants to give you harsh products and send you on your way.

I will definitely be taking a peak at r/AsianBeauty as I think you're very on track with how my skin is and acts. Heck, I'm with most Asians as well when it comes to alcohol, my face will become even more flushed instantly!

I'm really liking the routine you have suggested and well try this as I look around on the other sub. I think an issue I have to curb is my lack of motivation after so many years to do something. I try things, they fail, I get depressed and give up and just moisturize/clean once a day and that's it with products probably not helping me or even possibly causing issues with my skin (no doubt my cleanser as non-harsh as it is, still causes my skin to inflame and get little patches of red irritation).

May I ask if:

https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizing-Facial-Lotion-Ounce/dp/B00365DABC/ref=sr_1_1_s_f_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493512665&sr=1-1&ppw=fresh&keywords=Cerave%2BFacial%2BMoisturizing%2BLotion%2BPM&th=1

was the lotion you were talking about? I only could find this one with all 3 important compounds you mentioned and this one which as SPF with zinc (good for red skin I hear?)

https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizers-Moisturizing-Facial-Lotion/dp/B00F97FHAW/ref=sr_1_10_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493514062&sr=1-10&keywords=Cerave+Facial+Moisturizing+Lotion+PM

Lastly, if you don't mind answering:

1. Are you familiar with stuff like evening primrose oil, hemp seed oil ect.? High omega 6 fatty acid stuff, supposedly anti-inflammatory? I used primrose oil to no avail besides getting some moisturizing effects from it, and I think my heavy use of it over two months led to some blowback with more redness and odd patchy dry scaling occurring that lasted a few days, but I'm not sure that was the cause. If primrose didn't work, could hemp work, or most of those types of oils doing basically the same thing and isn't worth looking at any further if I already used one?
   
   
2. In addition to the routine, are you familiar with products like:
   
   http://www.ulta.com/travel-size-your-skin-but-better-cc-cream-with-spf-50?productId=xlsImpprod11001537
   
   It's categorized as a female product, but it seems like something that can perhaps help mask/tone down the redness a bit while providing some SPF. Seems to have things such as peptides, niacin, vitamins A, C, B, E, hyaluronic acid, and hydrolyzed collagen along with anti-oxidants and exotic natural botanicals. I've never worn this type of stuff before, and although it seems to be for girls maybe just a light bit that matches my skin tone and remove a few shades, while not being harsh on skin and giving SPF would be beneficial while helping me not feel so bad when my face flushes when I'm out and about from spicy foods, or heat ect.
   
   Anyways, thank you again, your help means a lot.
   

I was hoping to get some help for starting off a skin care routine -

I'm a 21 year old male, and the only type of skin care I've done up to this point is for acne, which I still do. I use 1% clindamycin phosphate gel, and it does seem to help.

I believe I have an oily skin type, so knowing that, I've chose the following products from the recommended section in the wiki -

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

Mandelic Acid Toner

CeraVe Moisturizing Facial Lotion AM, SPF 30, 3 Ounce

Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30+-8.75 oz ?

Does using the CeraVe Mositurizing Facial Lotion AM mean I do not need/shouldn't use a sunscreen? Or should I just use another along with it?

I have acne on my forehead, around my mouth, and on my neck. Is this because of my bangs/facial hair? If so, is there anything I can do about that?

I also have blackheads around my nose, and would appreciate any advice for that.

My final question is, when I get these products, should I really only start with one at a time, and waiting weeks before adding another product? It seems like it would be a really slow process to start.

Any help is appreciated, thanks :)

Hi! I have dry sensitive skin and I'm a face mask junkie lol. I love tonymoly masks, their my latest favorite. Moisturizing, brightening, and radiance are my favorites. I also love the rose stem cell bio repair gel mask by Peter Thomas Ross, its moisturizing and multifunctional but doesn't irritate my skin at all and feels great. Another thing I'd look into is hyaluronic lotion which is pretty popular in Korea. This is a product review about a popular hyaluronic lotion and it's very informative.

Sooo these are just suggestions 😁 you could pick one from each category...or just do it however you'd like lol

_


Cleanser:

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser 16 oz for Daily Face Washing, Dry to Normal Skin https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSSDEPK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TVQdBb4ADMMB7

__

"after shave":

this shit is AMAZZZZZING
seriously if you get NOTHING else, I'd say get this Paula's Choice toner. It feels like you're extinguishing a fire when you put it on (pour it into your palms and lightly pat on your face...then do it again).

Paula's Choice-SKIN RECOVERY Calming Toner-for Sensitive Facial Skin and Dry, Rosacea Prone Skin-Reduces Redness and Fine Lines-1-6.4 oz Bottle
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00949CII0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SCQdBbJEW9ERM

HADALABO Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074GX619Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ZGQdBb8FG4AHW

Bioderma Sensibio Moisturizing Toner for Normal to Dry Sensitive Skin
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I4OSYIS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yyQdBbMFZD2P2

_____

Moisturizer/hydration:

Hada Labo Rohto Goku-jun Hyaluronic Milky Lotion, 140ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BS3Q0XE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AKQdBbA8G3KB4

Skinfix Gentle Lotion - Fragrance Free - 12 oz
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RZN22ZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yAQdBb1CNHZ6T

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM 3 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F97FHAW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TTQdBbQZ6KK4S

Squalane Oil is terrific. Yes, it's oil, so you may be apprehensive, but it's an oil that your body produces naturally and it absorbs extremely well and quickly. Next to the PC toner above, this is probably my most useful product. (It's way cheaper on their website directly btw.)
Always apply any oil after everything else (except sunscreen, which must always go last).

The Ordinary 100% Plant-derived Squalane 30ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071HWGWST/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2LQdBb8XVFN70

__

POSSIBLE treatment:

I don't use any topical treatments for acne per se, but here is one you could certainly try (sparingly):

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution (30ml) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072FJBVZP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_FQQdBbT93GWQ8

___

Sunscreen (mandatory! 😁):

Cotz Spf 40 UVB/UVA Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, 3.5 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008U2Y5ME/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6SQdBbWB9V26G

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM 3 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F97FHAW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TTQdBbQZ6KK4S

__

Hope this helps!! :)

Ok, so firstly, do better than I have and remind yourself not to do this again! It's always worth just waiting for pimples to heal on their own, and if you absolutely cannot (like me), lance them with a sterile needle (insulin needles are cheap and sterile), and put a hydrocolloid bandage over until it gets everything out.

Ok, so with prevention out of the way, my #1 product in this situation is snail based products. Snail mucin is one of the few ingredients that's been clinically shown to help repair skin (admittedly not extensively, but in my personal experience, it does help). This is the one I get. In lieu of that, keep them clean, but not overdried. Moisture can help prevent and reduce scarring. I recommend a lotion with HA since it has the potential to help PIE clear up more quickly. I like CeraVe's HA+ceramides lotion.

Hang in there, we've all been there.

All the steps you're taking are in the right direction, but let's talk about product recommendations. You should start off with a basic skincare routine.

Cleanser: Cosrx Low Ph Morning Gel Cleanser - A good cult favorite, gentle cleanser.

Toner- Stri-dex Pads Maximum Strength - I have yet to find anything else that keeps my acne at bay as well as these do, holy grail status.

Moisturizer- [Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream] (https://www.amazon.com/MIZON-Snail-Recovery-Cream-fl-oz/dp/B00NTR9B6A/ref=pd_sbs_194_49?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00NTR9B6A&pd_rd_r=GQARJSYA37GYHK6DDA84&pd_rd_w=xTj7a&pd_rd_wg=Anz1Z&psc=1&refRID=GQARJSYA37GYHK6DDA84) - This will moisturize and take care of acne scars.

Additionally, what helps me is to exfoliate twice a week, and I use Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off Exfoliator.

I would suggest wearing sunscreen, though this step isn't specifically to help your acne, it's just good to protect the skin from premature aging and hyperpigmentation. Assuming you have combo to oily skin I would recommend Etude House Airy Finish Sun Milk.

Okay so let's break it down to possible causes.

1. Your routine
   
   As far as your cleanser and exfoliant goes, everything looks great. However, you may be washing with too-hot water and combined with dry indoor heat and dry outside chills, your skin may be moisturized but not really soaking it up. I really suggest a once or twice weekly face mask with hydrating properties to seal in your skin. Also a lot of people on this subreddit really love Vaseline to lock in moisture. It's your call how you want to approach adding moisture to your skin.
   
   One product that I love that you can find in any Japanese market is the Hada Labo Gokyujin moisturizer (http://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Hadalabo-Gokujun-Hyaluronic/dp/B00BSNBO9O). It's almost the texture of water but I splash that on THEN add a moisturizer on top if my skin is extra dry. But it soaks into your skin like a dream. I have really noticed a difference in adding this into my routine. I actually mix it with my serum and let it sit after my BHA exfoliant.
   
   
2. Diet
   
   There are two key things I can really suggest to combat dullness. The first is drink water. 9/10 you're probably dehydrated. Drink as much as you can, even when you feel fine. You should be drinking plenty. Also, and this is a really unpopular suggestion but it's what got my skin in shape: quit milk and dairy. Eggs are fine but any animal-milk based substances really wreak havoc on your skin. Same goes for meat. I love both products, but quitting milk-based products and reducing meat have really gone a long way in ensuring brighter skin. Obviously, treat yourself occasionally!

**Skin type and skin concerns:**

Main concerns: Dryness, acne (cystic and general acne all over chin and cheeks), and splotchy discoloration all over my face (my dermatologist said it was melasma). My skin is consistently congested and breaking out, yet my entire face is sensitive, dull, itchy and flakey. After years of reading tips here, I've finally gotten to the point where redness and the majority of flaking is gone and products don't burn when they touch me, but my skin remains dull and feels tight.

​

While the products I've selected are relatively affordable, they add up. Plus I'm worried I'm doing more damage than good by overwhelming my skin with all these product. Mostly though, I'm so jealous of all your minimalist routines I see on here, and I want to create one that would work for me. I don't know where to start. What are your thoughts?

​

**Skincare routine with full product names**

AM

1. Wipe face gently with Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes
   
2. Spritz face with rose water to re-moisten (currently using Leven Rose Rose Water)
   
3. Eva Naturals Vitamin B3 5% Niacinamide Serum(daily)
   
4. Spritz face with Kikumasamune Sake High Moisture Skin Lotion Tonerbefore skin dries completely
   
5. Moisturize with Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream
   
6. Spritz face again with Kiku to keep moist
   
7. Warm two drops of The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Hemi-Squalanein hands and pat all over face (I just added this to my routine and I have high hopes)
   
8. Australian Gold Botanical Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50
   
9. Coola Liplux Lip Balm Sunscreen SPF 30
   
10. 1-2 times per week, exfoliate face with Baiden Mitten Exfoliator Glove
    
11. 1-2 times per week exfoliate lips with Hanalei Sugar Lip Scrub
    
    PM
    
    
12. First cleanse with Illiyoon Total Aging Care Cleansing Oil (I'm finishing up this bottle and then I'm going back to using Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil).
    
13. Second cleanse with CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
    
14. Saturate cotton pad (White Rabbit organic cotton) with Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner and gently wipe face and neck
    
15. Spritz face with rose water to re-moisten
    
16. Elizavecca Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic acid Serum(nightly)
    
17. Spritz face with Kiku before skin dries completely
    
18. Moisturize with Elizavecca Milky Piggy Retinol Cream
    
19. Spritz face again with Kiku to keep moist
    
20. Additional moisturizer layer with Mizon Black Snail All in One Cream (I'm sure this is unnecessary, but I feel like the snail cream has done more for me than any other product and I'm emotionally attached to it now lol)
    
21. Warm two drops of TO squalane oil in hands and pat all over face (NEW)
    
22. Hanalei Lip Treatment
    
23. Cover any cystic acne with spot treatment patches
    
24. Once a week, spot treat dry problem areas with Origins drink up intensive overnight mask(it looks like they recently changed the formula for this, so I'm going to have to find something new when this runs out)
    
25. Once a week, spot treat acne problem areas with Proactiv Skin Purifying Mask
    
    ​
    
    **Daily behaviors possibly impacting skin:**
    
    My diet is crap. While I don't eat a lot of processed food, I eat too much sugar, too much oily and fatty foods, too much red meat and not enough vegetables. Because of my family, it's going to be difficult to make adjustments, and honestly I'm not sure where to start. Caffeine consumption is pretty high, while I only have the occasional coffee, I drink a TON of green tea and oolong tea. Water intake is fair, and I usually refill my 32oz water bottle 2 times a day (yes, I have to run to the bathroom at least every 30 minutes). I pretty much stopped wearing makeup a little over a year ago, now I only wear for special occasions and the occasional eye liner.

Do you use a primer?? I've used this one and the difference it makes in cakeyness is huuuge. That combined with following everything up with a setting spray made my foundation look pretty amazing on the special occasions I would put on makeup. I also believe I've come across a few posts touting the benefits of a beauty blender for the poreless look.

Now, onto your routine....

I have consulted with the skincare gods, (lol, read the ingredients) and concluded that that cleanser maaay be an issue as it contains fragrance which can definitely be irritating and as /u/firefox7275 mentioned, can contribute to flakes. An optimum cleanser for dry and sensitive skin would have no fragrance, SLS or be too high on the pH scale. This is the one I use and love because it ticks alll the boxes. Highly recommended. Maybe, since you have dry patches, you'll want to refrain from cleaning more than once a day. Complete and proper makeup removal is also a big deal for preventing skin irritation. Because most makeup is made for longwear, they can be difficult for a cleanser to entirely remove. A cold cream specifically for this purpose, followed by a gentle cleanser should make a thorough job of it. Whatever moisturizer you choose to follow up with would ideally not contain fragrance as well. Layering a serum with hyaluronic acid like this one underneath your moisturizer is a winning bet for extra hydration as hyaluronic acid is able to draw a crazy amount of moisture to the top layer of your skin (I like to apply it to moist skin). Don't be scared by the 'acid' part - it is not an exfoliant and will not induce shedding! Some more hardcore subscribers here sleep with a thin layer of vaseline on their face to prevent evaporation of their moisturizer over in the night (slug life!). I've never been able to manage it for very long, but a few nights of healing for your skin probably wouldn't hurt. And finally, to get rid of excess flakes in a completely gentle and non-abrasive manner, there is nothing more satisfying that will leave your skin more smooth and susceptible to optimum absorption of moisturizers than a konjac sponge. Mmmmmy word, the difference they make is just...it's just not right. They need to be replaced every three months and to be hung up to dry after each use (they come with a little string attached) to prevent mold growth inside but my god, I would give them to everybody I know for christmas if..i hadn't already ordered them in mass from china on ebay and already done exactly that months ago.... >.>. Anyways, hope this helps!

For sure. A lot of people have luck with the CeraVe moisturizing cream, this product works for me and I have dry sensitive skin. A lot of people also recommend Vanicream moisturizer (I personally have not used, but I see a lot of people on here recommending it). These are both supposedly basic and calming products to repair the moisture barrier. They are also not super expensive which is nice.

Right now I am using the Purito centella unscented sunscreen as my daily moisturizer. It is very very moisturizing and my sensitive skin likes it. During night I am using the Purito green cream. Both these products contain centella asiatica which is supposed to decrease redness.

EDIT: Another gentle moisturizer I've read that people recommend on here and r/SkincareAddiction is Cosx ceramide comfort cream.

EDIT2: If you are just starting out with a skincare routine, you should really go check out the bountiful resources at r/SkincareAddiction. For example go on the right hand panel and they have a lot of stuff. Check out the HG (holy grail) threads for moisturizers, etc. They have a whole wiki devoted to

• Rosacea too.
  
• Info on moisturizers
  
• Routine steps

HALP. Apologies for my unnecessarily long request for a regimen critique. Overwhelmed as I try to learn about pH balance, oleic/linoleic, ingredients, emollients, emulsifiers, and generally learning how to not have the shit skin of a 16 year old at 32.

Background: oily t-zone/flaky/scaly/dehydrated atm. Some cystic acne, but primarily papules/pustules for the last 20 years. Most recently, concentrated along my jaw, sides of my neck, either side of my chin, and behind my ears (WTF). This = hormonal, right?

AM:

• CLEANSE: OCM. Burts Bees Cleansing Oil starting in Sept, then Jojoba in early Nov (insanely drying), then Argan about two weeks ago (more moisturizing, but still a bit flaky). Breakouts doubled ever since starting Jojoba. Worth noting: I stupidly started CeraVe in the Tub + Argan on the same day, sprouted zits in areas I haven't had to deal with in 10 years (on my cheeks, on my forehead, temples) so stopped CeraVe/tub after 48 hours but currently keeping on with Argan. Wayward spots have cleared for the most part.
  
• EXFOLIATE: Homemade raw honey/oatmeal scrub (every 3 days or so)
  
• MOISTURE: Eve Hansen Rose Water Spray
  
• MOISTURE: Argan Oil again
  
• MOISTURE: Kiehls Creme D'elegance Repairateur
  
• SUNSCREEN: Kiehls Super Fluid UV Defense
  
  Missing: Thinking of adding this DIY Vitamin C serum and this Alpha Hydrox AHA Enhanced Lotion - good/bad idea? Use these in lieu of something I'm currently using?
  
  PM:
  
  
• MAKEUP REMOVER (if needed): Argan Oil (put oil directly on dry skin, rinse off with water... right?)
  
• CLEANSE: Raw honey
  
• TREAT (jaw/cheeks/chin): Tretinoin Gel Microsphere 0.04%. Has faded my acne scars, and I'll keep at it for anti-aging properties, but definitely drying if I use too much/too often
  *TREAT (forehead): Ketokonazole, keeps my forehead deliciously smooth, derm felt strongly my fine bumps there were yeast-based
  
• MOISTURE: Kiehls Creme D'elegance Repairateur
  
  So, um, your turn. Thanks in advance.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm a guy, so I'm really in unfamiliar territory here. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I started using minoxidil to stimulate facial hair growth, so I've wanted to start dermarolling as well to help with collagen production.

I've purchased a dermaroller and 70% alcohol, but I'm a bit lost on what moisturizing products I should use immediately after dermarolling.

My daily lotion right now is Lubriderm 3 in 1 but I imagine that's not something I want to use after dermarolling.

I've sort of browsed around on here and there's a lot of products and abbreviations that are lost on me, but it seems like vitamin C is a good option to use after dermarolling?

Something like CeraVe vitamin C Serum is something I've seen suggested. I've also seen others suggest Timeless vitamin C serum but I'm not quite sure what the differences are.

Do these seem like good options, or is there something better you'd suggest? I'll take any opinions/suggestions

hey, I use this for the face, neck, and back of the neck. its usually $3 cheaper on amazon (almost $13-14 at CVS) so i included a link.
http://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizing-Facial-Lotion-Ounce/dp/B003WN1ELQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1397065550&sr=8-4&keywords=cera+ve+moisturizer

This is a AM version, i pretty sure the only difference between the Am and PM version is that the AM version has SPF 30.

if you using a face wash in the morning and night, you might want to do that too. Anything by Nuetrigina or Cera Ve is usually good. I prefer Cerave just I have fairly sensitive skin and their products have really helped me.

Theres also other higher end specialty companies like SircuitSkin (I use their face wash now, and some serums) but they are fairly expensive. I was in your boat like 2 years ago where i wasn't really using anything for my skin. I would say start using the basics like face wash and moisturizer and as you get more comfortable and ready to spend more then look at serums or something (if you want). Good luck, if you have any other questions don't hesitate, give me a shout out.

Late to the party but I wanted to chime in cause I'm on the second month of my second round of Accutane, currently at 60mg.

Basically your skin profile will change to sensitive, dry and dehydrated and you have to treat it as such, which means a lot of pampering for the next couple of months. I took the general advice of nothing but CeraVe and Aquaphor for my first course and I think I did more damage that way. I switched over to r/AsianBeauty afterwards trying to fix the leftover scars and because of all I've learned over there, my second round is going quite smoothly.

Here's what I do:

• Rub a 1:4 mix of castor oil & mineral oil all over my face to dislodge all sunscreen and dirt. Mineral oil is just baby oil with no fragrance, which can be irritating (thought you might want to consider baby oil for the rest of your body cause it'll dry out too).
  
  
• Wash off all oil with a low-pH foaming cleanser
  
  
• Apply a hydrating toner. This one has hyaluronic acid in it which attracts moisture to your skin and helps other lotions/creams sink in.
  
  
• Apply Shark Sauce. It has 5% niacinamide which helps fade dark spots and even out your skin tone. It's made by a redditor from the Asian Beauty sub and it works so well and was so popular she ended up quitting her job to make it full time. I can honestly say that it's a godsend when you have the initial breakout because any remaining scars will fade very quickly. It was agonizing to deal with those the first time around.
  
  
• Apply Rosette Aqua Ceramide Gel to heal and protect your skin barrier.
  
  
• Apply Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream
  
  
• Apply sunscreen. This one has a little alcohol in it which dries your skin out but my other products work so well, I don't feel a difference.
  
  I only do the oil & foam cleanse at night, usually just water in the morning. With this routine I've actually been able to use a couple actives with no problems, mainly Stridex in the red box every other day at the beginning to calm my initial breakout.Another trick I use is I apply a thin layer of Prosacea to affected areas. You can get these two at a CVS or Walgreens. Also, I'm a picker and I found that if I pick and pop something, this routine plus a hydrocolloid bandage on top works miracles: the zit heals faster than it should on Accutane and the mark it leaves behind is gone/significantly faded within two weeks.
  
  Results: Two months into accutane and my skin shows no signs of dryness. It stays hydrated all day so all I have to worry about is my chapped lips. My scars are fading at a phenomenal rate and I even glow a little from all the moisture. You may find it daunting at first, so maybe start out with the foam cleanser, the toner, the ceramide gel and the sunscreen. I'd also suggest going over to r/AsianBeauty and doing a search for dry, sensitive skin if you want more options.
  
  I hope this helps and good luck! You'll look and feel amazing afterwards.
  
  Edit: Supplements! I take fish oil, evening primrose oil and vitamin D.

Hada Labo Rohto Goku-jun Hyaluronic Milky Lotion, 140ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BS3Q0XE/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_C50YxbYWK5767


Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist, 5.7 fl. oz. (170ml) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BSNBO9O/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_c60YxbZS0KXWA


I am in a similar boat to you where a lot of things left me dry and flaky and I used cerave for the longest time before realizing it was actually causing some issues. I found those two lotions which are great. They are light and you don't notice them on your face but they relieve dry feeling and visible dryness and don't break me out. Added benefit of them being cheaper than some other similar things. Also wanted to throw in some personal experience. For years I went to a derm who always made changes that would be harsh on my skin but might fight acne but being so harsh they cause my skin to be irritated and get acne. I finally had enough and stopped going after they added epiduo Forte to my routine when I complained my tretinoin prescription was too strong (it was 4 times the amount I saw anyone else on here had) and they agreed to lower it if I added that which was super strong as well and things got worse. I did end up switching to curology (although I'm in the process of weaning off of that which is actually going really well) and switching off of the harsh antibacterial bar they recommended. Now I just wash my face with a good cleanser and use a bha and aha a couple times a week (I had tried them before and found exfoliating much too harsh while doing the rest) and moisturizer and my skin is the least dry and clearest I've had in the last 8 or so years. Basically I found that less is more and to focus on using things that help my skin be healthy rather than specifically targeting acne which is often drying. Now I'm not saying to ditch your derm. I did go on Accutane, twice actually, and it did help but I think, especially while on it, to just focus on skin health stuff since Accutane will dry it out more. Obviously everyone's skin is different but I thought I'd share this in case it might be helpful to you. Good luck.

I use mainly Korean & Japanese products (I'm in the US). One of the most popular brands in Japan is Hada Labo which focuses on moisture with high amount of hyaluronic acid. I love the Perfect Gel by them & this lotion is the most popular item: http://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B000FQUGXA

The Hada Labo UV Creamy Gel SPF PA++++ is also an amazing sunscreen for the face and it acts as a primer as well. If she likes makeup, the Dollywink eyeliner is very popular. Sheet masks are also great to bring back!

I start with Hada Labo Hydrating Serum with hyaluronic acid– the American one you can get at Walgreens/Ulta.

I layer St. Ives Timeless Skin, which claims to be anti-aging but is really just a nice lightweight moisturizer (does have fragrance), with Cerave PM, underneath Elta MD UV Clear sunscreen. I used to use the St. Ives alone under sunscreen, but Retin-A means my skin is drier than usual.

The Cerave PM is not heavy at all, and almost feels like a primer. None of these products break me out, which is RARE for me. I have used the St. Ives for about 3-4 years now, and it's my HG. The UV Clear is the only sunscreen that doesn't piss of my face, too, which is a huge feat. No raves yet for the Cerave PM, since it's not that moisturizing IMO, but it's definitely a staple as of yet.

It's a lot of steps but I find that layering several products that don't bother my skin is way better for me than using one heavy moisturizer that may clog me. I would recommend layering any products you already have that work, but maybe aren't hydrating enough alone. If you don't have anything now, try one new product at a time to see what your skin likes.

Simple and cheap:

AM

• CeraVe cleanser from Target. Choose whichever you think is appropriate and use a $2.00 coupon.
  
  
• Vitamin C serum -- this probably won't do much to fade your marks. It wlll help protect your already blemished skin from further sun damage. Timeless is a safe, inexpensive choice. The Ordinary has some choices but some find the formulas too irritating.
  
• Sunscreen everyday, not just when you think you're going out. You might want to try something like CeraVe AM Moisturizing Lotion that that includes sun protection (print 2 coupons). Use it every morning then add an extra sunscreen after 2 hours of sun exposure.
  
  PM
  
  
• Same cleanser
  
• Olay Luminous Tone Perfecting Moisturizer. This moisturizer contains a fading combination (niacinamide + n-acetyl glucosamine) that has been proven to be highly effective.
  
  You can get everything but the Vitamin C serum from Target. The easiest thing to do is to write down the prices at Target.com and Amazon then ask for a price match to either one when you check out at the store. You can do that in the regular checkout line or at guest services desk. You can still use manufacturer's coupons when you price match.
  
  Extras you can think about:
  
  If you think you need a exfoliant, try Paula's Choice standard 2% BHA. You can get the trial (aka travel size) for less than $10 (no shipping this week). That should last for at least three weeks and you can get samples of other versions for little or nothing to see what suits you. There's a travel size of the AHA available too. You may end up using an exfoliant from somewhere else but the trial and sample sizes give you an inexpensive starting point.
  
  Serums: There are some other fading products you can experiment with such a Azeliac Acid or Alpha Arbutin from The Ordinary but quite frankly, if you're dealing with old acne marks, I'd recommend you go straight to niacinamide with glucosamine. If you want to supplement the Olay moisturizer, there are serums like Paula's Choice Niacinamide Booster (pricey) or Skinlex (inexpensve with not much of a track record) that you could use in the morning.

For moisturizers and the like, I definitely recommend going to /r/SkincareAddiction, they're very nice, lots of information and everyone is very helpful. They can help you find some good moisturizers to try.

As for other more makeup related things, I've had my eye on this eyeliner set for a while now, and I might get it from a different seller when I have the disposable income (I'm currently a mostly broke college student).

I live in a really humid place, so I've got my eye on this setting powder

I'm also a sucker for cute things, so this is on my wishlist too.

If you do want to try out some BB creams, this set isn't too expensive.

I really like the Maybelline color tattoo eyeshadows. I have two, one in Pomegranate punk, and another in electric blue. They're waterproof, so I use sweet almond oil to take it off.

My Amazon wishlist is about half skincare stuff, because I think the two go hand in hand. Also I wear makeup now that I feel more confident about my face and skin.

Yeah the ingredients for most cosmetics are horrifying when you go thru them.

MUFEs is so full of chemicals and irritants that it could be a number of things (talc, mica, alumina, aluminum and tin oxide, etc) that bothered you. But my guesses are the phenoxyethanol (preservative) and bismuth oxychloride (sometimes disguised as CI 77163 on ingredients lists. Why anyone still puts this in makeup is beyond me)

I’m also thinking there’s a possibility you’re not sensitive to natural ingredients necessarily, but chemical derivatives of them. The beauty and pharmaceutical industries are notorious for using those. Some are good and some are fucking terrible. You might be interested in this site if you’re not already familiar. Database of ingredients, concerns, regulations (or lack there of in the US lol), etc. in cosmetics. Pretty helpful when you have sensitive skin and allergies.

If you’re interested, frankincense oil has been a huge game changer for me. Seriously amazing, miraculous stuff. I’ve used it in a variety of ways, but currently mix it with jojoba oil for a night moisturizer. That and this rose water toner have totally transformed my skin. I used to be extremely oily, acne-prone, and oxidized everything. Drastically different story now. Back story: I was desperate last summer when allergies caused my psoriasis to be out of control and spread to my face and eyelids. A lot of natural remedy experiments and weeks of research later, and it was totally gone from my face. Repeat that process a few times over, and now everything’s gone or manageable. Also miraculous, witch hazel (alcohol free versions) TL;DR frankincense, jojoba, and rose water will save your skin from just about anything. Links to the kinds I currently use are also included.

Sorry if this got very off topic, but I hope at least some of it helps!

EDIT: wtf with the downvotes? sorry for trying to help someone i guess? sensitive skin is a struggle just like being olive - just sayin...

i really like /r/asianbeauty brands for this, they're cheap and effective. they do hydration way better! i'm currently using this one by hada labo and it's really helping. i just put some into the palm of my hand and use my other hand to pat it into my face. i can seriously do this process 3-4 times in a row and my skin soaks all of it up.

Kikumasamune high moist is another popular one. i'm going to be testing a sample of this one by cezanne soon because the ingredients are insanely good.

you can buy samples on /r/asianbeautyexchange :) i've bought from this seller a lot and have had a great experience.

whatever you get, apply it at night and seal it in with a thin layer of vaseline, aquaphor, or cerave healing ointment - otherwise your dry air will just undo all of the hydration you just put into your skin!

1. Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist
   
2. Tosowoong Propolis Sparkle Ampoule
   
3. Hada Labo Gokujun Perfect Gel
   
   
   All inspired by much research at /r/AsianBeauty!
   
   
   edit: oops, forgot my cleansers.
   
   PM:
   
   
4. Remove makeup with Boots No7 Beautiful Skin Melting Gel Cleanser
   
   
5. Cleanse again with Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash. This stuff is AMAZING. My experience is the same as Fifty Shades of Snail's so count her review as mine as well :)
   
   
6. Moisturize using all 3 steps above
   
   
   
   AM:
   
   
7. CosRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
   
8. Moisturizing using all 3 steps above
   
9. Sunscreen after moisturizers have sunk in a bit (10-15 minutes) - Biore UV Perfect Milk SPF50+ PA++++
   

Your sweat has antimicrobial properties to it. The main one is the gene Dermcidin which encodes an antimicrobial peptide that is excreted in human sweat.

It may be your hot showers and over-cleansing that are doing it. Try bringing the temperature down as far as you can stand it. I know how great a hot shower feels after a workout, but my skin just goes all to hell if I indulge myself. Does your gym have a hot tub? Heat does help with muscle recovery and I've found that sitting in the hot tub (as long as it is 101-105 F, any hotter is straight up awful) for 10 minutes gets me the relaxing heat I want from a hot shower but keeps my face out of danger. This may not work for you if your back has a tendency to breakout badly.

If you're going to hot tub often, I recommend a more gentle body wash like Eucerin's Skin Calming Body Wash and a light moisturizer like Hada Labo.

Since it sounds like you've been drying your skin out with all the washing and heat, I highly recommend using the Hada Labo linked above and/or their lighter lotion that's really more like a toner. This one is ultra light and watery. I use it like a toner before the milky Hada Labo.

I also remove my sunscreen and whatever buildup may have occurred during the day with micellar water before working out.

Haha yeah, it doesn't have a lot of slip, so it's hard to spread it out.

What moisturizer do you use? Try to find Vanicream. It comes in a large, inexpensive pump bottle and they sell it at most drug stores. That's what I use most of the time.

I wouldn't apply the oil yet, but that would be the first thing I would add on to your routine when it's time. The fewer things you apply at first the better.

You should always wear sunscreen. The sun damages and ages everyone's skin. The most effective thing you can do to improve your skin as you age is to wear sunscreen regularly.

Sunscreens in the USA are pretty terrible due to a classification issue that makes it difficult for new sunscreen ingredients to be approved by the FDA. I use Japanese sunscreens. They sell them on Amazon, but they ship from Japan. They are non-greasy and better at protecting skin from the sun. Many of them, even the inexpensive ones, include things like hyaluronic acid. They're awesome. Some examples: here, here, here.

Sensitive skin can be a nightmare right? Have you spoken to your prescriber? Cause they can give suggestions.

Your suggestion for putting on a barrier before you cleanse is not a crazy one. Go with your intuition. Before I added an emulsifier to my oil cleanser I would massage my face with hemp seed oil, rinse off with warm water, then use a little foaming cleanser. It helped my skin tolerate the foaming cleanser better. Ultimately I found my face doesn't like foaming cleansers, although a gentle sensitive skin micellar water on a cotton round then rinse works wonders with a rinse afterwards. (Garnier pink cap from the pharmacy but there are plenty of other brands).

..

Hydration, think fragrance free sensitive skin formulas, a good one to use after you've washed your face is Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic here. Let that dry for 20 - 30mins then apply your Tret. This is not the prescribed way, it is buffering that your face doesn't dry to a crisp before you put on your Tret or BP. Do a wait afterwards then apply a moisturiser and an occlusive after that. Layering in that moisture and buffering, yes reducing the potency of the medication until your skin tolerates it then you can go back to clean skin. It is just a suggestion. Ask over on /r/tretinoin and seach for peoples skincare routines, you might find a skin twin.

Good luck.

Step 1. Get a better cleanser that is gentle https://www.amazon.com/Sebamed-Fragrance-Gentle-Hydrating-Cleanser/dp/B015U3EG88

Step 2. Get a better moisturizer
http://www.sephora.com/dramatically-different-moisturizing-gel-P122900

Step 3. Get some sort of chemical exfoliator or topical treatment
https://www.target.com/p/differin-acne-treatment-gel-15-g/-/A-51346324?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Health+Beauty+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Health+Beauty_Top%20Performers&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9033307&gclid=Cj0KCQjwierMBRCHARIsAHl9i4FKYUWk5oYfNFis4XfE3txIOojCHBJ9j3fRv-0s0o6uX9CcjCPWAKYaAgc4EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

OR you can use:
https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/stridex-daily-care-acne-pads-with-salicylic-acid-maximum-strength/ID=prod6144818-product?dscmredirect=1
and
http://www.neutrogena.com/skin/skin-cleansers/rapid-clear-stubborn-acne-daily-leave-on-mask/6811067.html

Step 4. Get a sunscreen
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MSN3QQ/ref=cm_sw_su_dp

These products are all highly respected on this sub and recommended on the sidebar. I picked things that specifically seem like a good choice for your skin type. Don't worry that the cleanser says "for normal to dry skin" on it. You will really benefit from switching to a gentle cleanser. Trust me.

I would definitely check out /r/SkincareAddiction/! The lovely peeps in there give excellent advice. Specifically this side wiki. You can always post there, and they can help you, but I can try, too.

Things I need to know:

• Face only, or do you want something for your body?
  
• Are you acne prone?
  
• Are you sensitive to anything specific, that you know of?
  
• Do you wear makeup?
  
• How much are you in the sun?
  
• Do you plan on getting all sweaty?
  
• What's your budget?
  
  If you never answer me, just keep this in mind: The amount you need to get the SPF labeling on the bottle is about 1/4 teaspoon for just your face. Since SPF is on a logarithmic scale, 1/8 teaspoon of 100 SPF does not equal 50SPF, it measures like 10SPF. waa-waaa.
  
  For me, it depends on what I'm doing. My everyday under makeup is EltaMD Clear, SPF 46. Super light weight, soaks in fast, I really like it. Totally worth the price (for me). If I'm going outside in the sun for any length of time, I go with Neutrogena Age Shield Face Lotion, SPF 110. Basically, any SPF over 30 is what's important, the difference between 30SPF and 100 isn't that much. :/
  
  edit: du'oh, formatting.

Ah okay. I'll check all of them out because I feel like there's very little chance any of them could break me out, right? I mean, obviously there's some chance with everything, but it would surprise me.

So I think my routine is going to look something like this:

1. Cleanse with Hada Labo's cleansing foam
   
   
2. Moisturize with Hada Labo's [light HA lotion] (http://www.ratzillacosme.com/skin/gokujyun-hyaluronic-acid-lotion-light-up/) or the the richer one
   
   
3. Tone with Paula's Choice's RESIST weightless advanced repairing toner I'm really excited about this product. It's formulation looks amazing. So much niacinamide, lots of anti-irritants, and I don't see any problem ingredients at all!
   
   
4. Exfoliate every other day with Paula's Choice's RESIST 2% BHA
   
   
5. Treat with Epiduo at night and clindamycin during the day time to kill p.acnes bacteria

You got a bunch of great suggestions already, but if you really want to try a fancy serum, I'd recommend vitamin C. I use this one because vitamin C degrades as it ages, and these guys say they make it fresh when it's ordered. It's got decent scientific evidence for anti-aging, unlike most of the stuff out there that's trendy but lacking evidence and probably snake oil. It's an exfoliant, but it supposedly doesn't leave you more vulnerable to UV damage like most chemical exfoliants do. And something about free radicals, idk.

I use that after I rinse my face in the morning, just a couple of drops in your palm then spread it all over your face neck and chest. Then I top it off with CeraVe AM for a moisturizer + SPF. Exfoliate, moisturize and sunblock are the heavy hitters of skin care, as far as I can tell. Those two guys touch all three bases.

I can't even pretend to help with the other there, I suck at all those. But I think I got skincare pretty well figured out; I read a lot anyway. lol

i would say about 6 months really before i noticed smoother texture and smaller pores. have you thought about adding moisture in other forms? for example you can add a hyaluronic serum after you apply the RAM, let that soak in, and the apply your nivea/jelly. you can add layers or moisture, like the asian beauty method. if you have a minute you can check out the asianbeauty sub. But the whole method is basically adding moisture every step. so after cleansing, you could do a sheet mask to add moisture to your skin. then use the RAM, and that absorbs very quick. after that, use a hyaluronic serum for example. then the last layer of nivea to seal everything in. Asianbeauty tends to use a LOT of steps so don't get too overwhelmed, i'd just focus on adding one or 2 extra things because keep in mind, the more things you ass, the more likely a reaction. But sheet masks are a good easy simple way to try out if you like it. My Beauty Diary has a variety you can choose from, i like the yellow box birds nest one its very hydrating. And hyaluronic essence is also pretty popular. One of the most popular is the Hada Labo hyaluronic serum which you use like a toner. It's on amazon, tons of great reviews and can add moisture to your skin.

It's all a ymmv thing with skin unfortunately :(

My skin was super dehydrated a few months ago, and like others have recommended, I completely stopped using Stridex for a couple of weeks and focused on only using moisturizing products. After that, my dry patches almost completely went away! I started using it again, but only once or twice a week.

A hydrating toner like Hadalabo Hyaluronic Lotion could also help a lot.

OCM and cold creams are wonderful! I love using Albolene to take off my makeup and/or sunscreen. I have very sensitive, dry skin and it moisturizes very well and doesn't cause breakouts.

I decided to check out the COSDna on Chanel's Hydramax line of products. Seems the biggest part of them is glycerin, a lovely humectant that also makes the application feel smooth and wonderful, while being relatively lightweight (not greasy feeling.) It also has hyaluronic acid, some jojoba esters... I think if you keep looking for products that are higher in glycerin content (you can even get glycerin from your pharmacy) or perhaps use a hyaluronic acid lotion a la Hada Labo, you'll get that same feeling for a lot less.

Overall, I see why you loved that cream, but I can also see that the parts you loved about it are much less than $85 combined :) I'll let others chime in with ideas on what specifically you should buy, but I hope that gives you an idea of why you loved that product.

Hi, first off. I recommend checking out /r/SkincareAddiction. They know a lot about the ins and outs of products. But here's my little bit of wisdom; as someone (F23) who has been struggling with hormonal acne these past few months, I noticed the biggest increase in my skin appearance when I changed my diet. I started this elimination diet called Whole30 just over 2 weeks ago and have seen dramatic improvements in my skin this past week. You may not need to go on a 30 day cleanse, but I recommend cleaning up your diet as much as you can and then re-introducing certain foods to see if it triggers a breakout. Maybe try giving up things like dairy and sugar, and then bring them back after a few weeks to see if they may be throwing your hormones out of whack (because no doubt, your acne is a hormonal issue). Some bits about makeup and products; I stopped using a primer (Benefits POREfessional) and liquid foundation (Urban Decay Naked foundation). I don't know if these products were clogging my pores, but I feel better taking a break from them. I started to just use a set of Bare Minerals powders instead. I also use a micellar water to take my makeup off. Garnier SkinActive Micellar water (pink cap) works great, followed by a cleanser (CeraVe), toner (Thayers Witchhazel), and moisturizer (YesToCarrots Daily Moisturizer) -- this is my pm routine, as it involves makeup removal. In the morning, I use the cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and follow up with EltaMd SPF 46 sunscreen. This sunscreen is specifically made to reduce current redness from past/present acne and protect you from the sun. You need to wear it everyday. Hope this all helps! And good luck. Having bad skin can really take a toll on your self-esteem, but just remember that it's never permanent!

Edit: added links

Edit: Forgot to write that I haven't dried my face with a towel during these three weeks. Just soaked it up with soft napkins.


I took 750 mg Niacin supplements every day & ate a mostly vegan diet. Went from greenish, sickly pale to a healthy pink tone (the pics above were taken in the same room, same tone of lighting). Under eye line & forehead lines disappeared with BHA & hydration!


I don't tan, smoke or drink. My routine (I noticed a difference overnight with BHA & the snail gels):

AM:

• ACO Face Refreshing Cleansing Lotion
  
  
• L300 Fresh Hydration Cleansing Toner
  
  
• [Sporadically] TonyMoly The Fresh Phytoncide Pore Essence
  
  
• [Started 3rd week] Mizon All-in-one Snail Repair Cream
  
  
• [Started 3rd week] Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream
  
  
• L300 Fresh Hydration Face Cream+
  
  
• Kao Biore UV AQUA Rich Watery Essence (I need to switch this out for a physical as my eyes get red)
  
  
  PM:
  
  
• ACO Face Refreshing Cleansing Lotion
  
  
• L300 Fresh Hydration Cleansing Toner
  
  
• [First 2 weeks: every night, 3rd week and beyond: every other day] Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel
  
  Wait 20-30 minutes
  
  
• [Started 2nd week] ECO Modern Essentials Vitamin C Serum (not sure if this has any effect, will use it until I run out)
  
  
• [Started 3rd week] Mizon All-in-one Snail Repair Cream
  
  
• [Started 3rd week] Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream
  
  
• L300 Fresh Hydration Face Cream+
  
  
  I hopefully won't be needing Botox for years. And my brother is now also a believer. :)

Yes. I like their MIZON Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule, I was using it when I was actively trying to repair my moisture barrier and heal some acne dark spots. I think it helped.


The MIZON Black Snail All In One Cream is a good moisturizer, but isn’t necessarily any better or worse than the above product in this thread. Just different. I gave it to someone I know to help with their deeply set forehead wrinkles. This, a retinol product, and a sunscreen. Noticeable difference in fewer than two weeks.


I personally use and love the MIZON Collagen Power Firming Enriched Cream as a night cream and for when I’m using stronger peels. It’s very thick and luxurious. Not greasy but still far too heavy for a morning moisturizer under sunscreen or makeup because it takes forever to fully absorb. A little goes a very long way.


I haven’t tried snail products from other companies, save for the occasional sheet mask. But honestly, IMO, a sheet mask isn’t necessary if you’re using a serum or ampoule. As a mask is essentially just a serum/essence/ampoule delivery system.

Ahh good ol' accutane. Been on it twice, might need to go on it again but here's what I found.

-You pretty much won't need to wash your face with anything other than water. Anything more and your face will feel tight/dry.

-Yes to the aquaphor for the lips

-I like using this moisturizer (neutrogena hydro boost), it was recommended to me by my Curology provider. I really like it, super simple formula and it hasn't broken out my cystic-acne-prone face.

I've recently bought Mizon Snail Repair cream
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AF63QQE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1406442786&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40
And definitely can recommend this one! Even though It didn't help my acne, it vastly improved overall skin and appearance. I'm 29 old female with constant adult acne and all my life I have to buy Acne related products and Mizon was the first cream that I've tried for the "rest of my face" that doesn't have an active blemishes. I found it healing, firming, brightening, not very moisturizing.... , but the other huge bonus for me is that it acts supremely under makeup. It stays all day. So even though it's not an cure for acne the rest of your face will love it!

yeah lol.... your skin looks pretty damn good to me. I zoomed in, which no one does in real life, but maybe i'm seeing you have some dryness on the right side of your nose? Personally I have not liked the CeraVe moisturizers (this sub loves them tho). I found that it made my face feel kinda greasy so i thought i was moisturizing but it wasn't exactly sucking into my skin so i had dry flakes still. after hours on this sub i settled on this Hada Labo "lotion"- it's hyaluronic acid which you can read about further here but it's more like a serum than a 'western' lotion but it's incred for me. idk if you even have a dry skin issue but... imho

I'd say keep your lips, beard, and face moisturized and try maybe and under eye patch with collagen-- they are fun and idk if they work but i feel like a diva doing it and i think it's probably a placebo but i like it. below i saw recs for vitamin c and drinking water which are good suggestions too

Hello all! First off, I am so glad I found this sub. I am a 27 year old male, and I am a noob. All I used to do was just put on Neutrogena facial moisturizer, and wash my face in the shower with body scrub. Then I found this sub because I really realized that I need to take better care of my skin. I read the WIKI and FAQ and got my current routine from the helpful info on this sub.

The issue: Ever since I started this routine, I am breaking out in both my lower cheeks. I have maybe...9-10 pimples on my face. This is not normal as I usually only have 1-2 at most when breaking out, but normally I have none.

Skin type OILY!

Current routine:So I got all but 1 these product recommendations from this sub. Soo my routine is:

MORNING:
Wash face with Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, for normal to oily skin

Afterwards apply CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion, and do this every 2-3 hours during the day

NIGHT:
Wash face with Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, for normal to oily skin

Right before going to sleep, I put on Neutrogena® Men Age Fighter Face Moisturizer with Retinol. This is the only product that I did not get from this site. I used this product for months, and my skin never reacted bad to it. Here is a link in case you guys want to see what ingredients are in it:
>Ensulizole (1%), Octinoxate (6%). Inactive Ingredients: Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, BHT, Tocopherol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Titanium Dioxide, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Silica, Alumina, Methylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben.

How long:The age fighter with retinol I have used for almost a year. The rest of the products that I got from this subs HG thread, I have been using for about 9 days now

Anything new:Everything except the age fighter

Your location: Los Angeles

Other notes:I got this stuff from Amazon. The facial cleanser is supposed to be unscented.......however it defiantly has a sent. I got all my stuff from Amazon.com...is it possible I got fake/knock offs? I am looking at my Amazon history, here is the link to the one I got:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ET79H8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I just also noticed that the latest reviews are horrible..

Also:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F97FHAW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I kind of don't know what to do right now since both my cheeks are breaking out pretty bad. My face actually was a lot more clear prior to this routine. However because I never washed my face this much, IDK if this is "normal" or not.

• La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra-Light Facial Sunscreen is the BEST sunscreen to wear under makeup. It works as a great primer too. I've had issues with others being super oily and thick but you can't feel this at all...I won't leave the house without it.
  
  
• Timeless Vitamin C Serum has worked really well for me, I've noticed my skin is much brighter since I added it to my evening routine.
  
  
• MIZON Snail Extract for some slight acne scarring near my temples and redness. I've been using it for a few months and it has helped big time.
  
  
• Ponds Rejuveness Cream is my moisturizer of choice.
  
  
• Garnier Micellar Water is the best makeup remover and cleanser I've found yet. Put on cotton swabs and press on your lashes for 30 seconds and even the toughest mascara is removed.
  
  Stridex pads for a BHA.
  
  Once or twice a week I use a honey sheet mask...am always trying something new.
  
  I'm in the process of looking for a new OTC retinol, would love some suggestions if anyone has them!
  
  
  
  

Hello! I just got all my products in the mail but I want to be clear about the order I will use them in at night. Any suggestions are welcome.

• Oil Cleanser
  ---KOSE Softy Mo Facial Cleansing Oil Speedy
  
  
• Foam Cleanser
  ---CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
  
  
• Toner
  ---Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
  
  
• Essence/Serum/Ampoule (not sure which I got)
  ---Cosrx Bha Blackhead Power Liquid
  
  
• Emulsion
  ---Cosrx Advanced Snail 92 All in one cream
  
  
• Facial Mask (2-3 times/week)
  ---My Beauty Diary Facial Mask, Black Pearl
  
  
• Cream
  ---Benton Snail Bee High content Steam Cream
  
  
• Sleeping Packs (2-3times/week)
  ---Cosrx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
  
  Also I bought this facial oil Goodal Waterest Lasting Water Ad Oil but I'm not sure where to squeeze it into my routine?
  
  In the morning I was going to use:
  
  
• Foam Cleanser
  ---CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
  
  
• Toner
  ---Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
  
  
• Sunscreen
  ---Biore Sarasara UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen SPF50+ PA+++

Location: California, USA

Skin Type: Normal

Skin Concerns and goals Moisturize, glow, anti-aging

Allergies/irritants to avoid: High fragrance

Morning:

• Cleanse: Amore Pacific Illi cleansing oil and Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
  
  
• Treat:
  
  • If I have pimples: Shiseido Anti-Shine Refreshing Lotion
    
  • Normal day: Hadalabo Shirojyun Arbutin Lotion
    
  • If I'm going to use BHA: Cosrx ABA/BHA Clarifying Treatment toner
    
    
• Moisturise:
  
  • Mizon Snail Recovery Gel or Nutrogena Hydra Boost Water Gel or Shiseido Pureness moisturizing gel-cream
    
    
• SPF:
  
  • Kao Biore UV PERFECT Milk SPF50+ PA++++
    
  • Skin79 Super+ Beblesh Balm Bb Cream VIP Gold
    
    Evening:
    
    
• First Cleanse: Amore Pacific Illi cleansing oil
  
  
• Second Cleanse: Shiseido Fitit Perfect Whip Cleansing Foam
  
  
• Moisturise: Mizon Snail Recovery Gel or Nutrogena Hydra Boost Water Gel or Shiseido Pureness moisturizing gel-cream
  
  
• Treat:
  
  • If I have pimples: Shiseido Anti-Shine Refreshing Lotion
    
  • Normal day: Hadalabo Shirojyun Arbutin Lotion
    
  • If I'm going to use BHA: Cosrx ABA/BHA Clarifying Treatment toner
    
    Comments:
    This isn't really my core 4, it's just what I'm using right now... I have a backlog of products that I need to use. This also doesn't include my serums, sheet masks, exfoliants, etc either. I don't think I'm following the core 4 at all... LOL
    
    

Have you tried gel-based moistuirizers? I hate how heavy cream feels on my face cause I have oily skin so I only ever wear gel moisturizers. Garnier's Moisture for normal/combo skin was pretty good for me, but I've started using more AB products now, such as Mizon Snail Recovery Gel. Check out oily skin moisturizer recommendations over at /r/AsianBeauty. Also, YMMV but alcohol is actually my friend. Alcohol in my moisturizers help control oil productions. What works for me may not work for you though! Remember to patch test whenever you're trying something new.

Maybe your cleanser is too stripping and your skin is overcompensating by producing excess oil. Do you double cleanse? What cleanser do you use? I use a mild cleanser in the morning and double cleanse only in the evening.

Innisfree no sebum mineral powder is a really good oil-control powder btw! I love that stuff. My face feels so smooth after.

Hope this helps!

Thanks! I have also been more conscious of my skin's exposure to the sun after realizing that it is extremely harmful!

I have heard that organic (chemical) sunscreen usually burn the eyes, you might want to consider switching to an inorganic (physical) sunscreen. You can try the EltaMD UV PHysical SPF41. I personally use an inorganic sunscreen but still find that it is stinging to the eyes when I sweat and it enters the eyes. I think that the much better option would be a very water-resistant sunscreen that would not enter the eye.

There are some inorganic and organic sunscreen mixture that redditors have said that there are good under makeup!. Some of the recommended sunscreens are Biore UV Aqua Rich Smooth Watery Gel and EltaMD UV Clear.

All the best in finding your HG sunscreen!

Hey there! I haven't experienced breakouts in response to new products, but I am definitely acne prone in general. I really like this toner: Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Been using it for about a year and that's the product that has helped my skin the most so far. I used to get really oily - I think from my skin being dry. Since I've been using this my face never gets oily. Literally can't think of a time my face has felt oily, which I wouldn't have believed that was possible a year ago! I'm not a hardcore AB-er, so that's the only question I feel qualified to help with. Good luck with your routine! =)

Oh sweet, I'll definitely experimenting with wait times - I honestly hardly wait as it is but I was going to be a good girl with my new routine :P

Thanks, I'll go check some oils out. I did just order a variety of sheet masks, so I'm hoping they'll help as well. I'm not sure about the Hada Labo, the one I bought is this one
Thanks for your help :)

I'm currently working with my dermatologist to treat my seborrheic dermatitis. As such, my routine is VERY minimal and I'm trying to build it up to strengthen my skin while not exacerbating my problems.

I am currently not using anything but a small amount of Elidel (a non-steroid prescription) twice a day on my face after "washing" with water. I have some MCT oil and am in the process of ordering an emulsifier so I can start oil cleansing. I finally sucked it up and bought myself some fungal safe sunscreen today (UltaMD UV Clear SPF 46) and will begin patch testing tomorrow. I'm facing two problems at present: 1) I really need a moisturizer (my skin is easily dry, dehydrated, flakey, even without the seb derm) and 2) I am completely unclear as to how I should be ordering my products.

I've been eyeing Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel Cream as it's fungal safe and appears to be very moisturizing/get good reviews. My only concerns are (again) how to order things and the fact that I know hyaluronic acid works best on wet skin, which mine wouldn't be if I have to apply other products before it.

Any advice in terms of product recs and ordering my routine with the Elidel is GREATLY appreciated! Only other thing to note is that I do have a fatty alcohol sensitivity (breaks me out reallly badly).