(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best facial serums

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)

Hi there! I did a round of Retin-A for a few months and then Differin. It made my skin feel like sandpaper and look like a shedding snake. I feel you. My mom got me a gift certificate to get a facial and the esthetician actually made a gasping noise. She was soooo incredibly helpful though after her initial "holy shit what have you done to yourself moment." Here are the best things I took away from that:

• Shower or at the sink water temperature, NEVER HOT! Excessively hot water will strip your skin of its natural oils.
  
  
• Be careful of harsh srubs/exfoliaters. You'll want to sluff that skin off badly, but a simple washcloth is all you need. Anything harsher and it will aggravate your acne and hurt that delicate skin being already exfoliated by the differin.
  
  
• After washing, never let your face dry completely. Immediately, while still damp after you've patted slightly dry, apply either a toner or serum. Or both. Toners go on first and absolutely make sure it has ZERO alcohol. Many of the drugstore ones do so be very careful. I alternate between Thayers and Lush. The tea tree water also has the added benefit of tea tree, which is a natural antibiotic and helps acne. After spritzing away, again don't let it dry completely where you feel tightness, immediately apply a serum. You can cut out the toner step but I love to feel the cool spritz of hydration. Serum: getting one with hyaluronic acid is key! If you can find one with both Vitamin C and Hyaluronic, awesome, but they're generally pretty pricey and at Whole Foods. I found this one online and love it.
  
  
• Once those have soaked in, your skin should feel a little better. On to moisturizer. Definitely steer clear of Olay Night Creams because they generally have retinols in them, which will burn if you're already using another active. You want something with pure moisture, no actives, no fragrance, no alcohol. I'm a big fan of the Hydro Boost for extra dry skin and it hasn't made me break out.
  
  
• Onto my most favorite part: OIL! If you would have told me that I would ever put oil on my face, I'd tell you you're crazy. This sub really convinced me that I needed to try Jojoba oil and holy crapola. My skin sucked it up like nothing else. I'm in love. I would swim in it if I could. It has to be on my face at least once a day. It has helped tremendously and definitely does not make me break out like I was terrified it would. I use it like a mask once in a while too and make a paste of oil and moisturizer and glop it all over. I sleep on a towel and when I wake up in the morning, my skin is plump and feels amazing.
  
  Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any questions. :) Good luck!

Hi! I'm just getting into AB (maybe 2, 3 weeks in); would appreciate any comments on routine!

Skin Type: Normal | Country/Climate I'm in: San Francisco, CA | Top Skin Concern: Redness, pores, brightening (in that order)

Current Routine/Products I'm Using:

AM

Second cleaner: Skinfood Egg White Foam Cleanser (really loving it so far!) I don't double clean in the morning; would y'all recommend that?

Toner: I /was/ using Son & Park's Beauty Water followed by Missha's Revolution/Time FTE Essence, but the beauty water felt a bit grainy on my skin. Currently trying just the FTE essence. (Have heard good things about Klair's Facial Toner and Cosrx Galactomyce 95 Whitening Power Essence as well; how could I incorporate this? Should I?)

Vitamin C: Buena Skin Vitamin C Serum. So far, I like the fragrance and feel of this on my face.

Eye cream: Mizon snail repair eye cream. No noticable results yet.

Sunscreen: Biore Sarasara UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ feels amazing!

I hadn't been using a moisturizer since I used to use Tarte's tinted moisturizer on top as makeup. Now that my skin is getting brighter and clearer (thank you, AB!), I don't put that on as much. I'm waiting for Mizon's Snail Recovery Gel Cream to come in as my new moisturizer!



PM

First cleaner: Banila's Clean It Zero. This is great for removing makeup! I feel like I scoop too much out of the jar, though, since it feels so light and unnoticable on my skin.

[Same second cleaner, Missha FTE essence, vitamin C, eye cream as AM]

Sleep pack: Tony Moly intense care dual effect sleep pack. This was a gift from a friend; I might look into replacing this at some point.

Sometimes, I'll use Neogen Dermalogy Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling in wine as an exfoliator after cleaning. My skin feels so soft after letting it soak in!! I also bought these sheet masks off Amazon, and might look into Etude House's Therapy Air Masks after I run out.

Thanks in advance for any comments!

Hi! I don't have a lot of specific knowledge about Japan, but here's some things that will hopefully be helpful:

1. The definition and regulation of cosmetics, functional cosmetics, and medications are different in every country, and I'm honestly not sure where BP or SA fall in Japan or how they're regulated.
   
2. I would look for an essence, serum, lotion, or cream with a known concentration of Niacinamide (usually 4-10%); there should be some good recs if you search the sub. [A quick search yielded a serum from 2Sol, and this MASSIVE list from u/GinsengBear and a Niacinamide wiki on r/SkincareAddiction.] Niacinamide is good for both anti-acne and anti-aging, and it helps support a healthy skin barrier. Making sure your skin is nice and hydrated helps your skin barrier also. You could try a Japanese lotion like Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion Moist, which is loaded with humectants and has the consistency of a lightweight essence. Once you're confident you have a healthy skin barrier, you could add AHAs, BHAs, Vitamin C, and/or retinoids. I personally like Azelaic Acid for acne. Cos de Baha has a serum that a lot of people like on this sub (this might be Korean; I'm not aware of any specifically Japanese Azelaic Acid serums). Note: Before adding any ingredients that increase cell turnover (like acids or retinoids), you need to have your daily sunscreen sorted out; these types of ingredients increase photosensitivity and make you more prone to sun damage if used without sunscreen.
   
3. Are you asking about face or body products? I would say if you're acne-prone, then I would avoid applying pure coconut oil on any areas of your face or body that are acne-prone, as it is highly comedogenic (it rates a 4 for comedogenicity on a scale of 0-5, 5 being the worst), so it can worsen your acne. I believe Nivea is a Japanese brand, and they have an in-shower lotion that I like a lot because I'm lazy about moisturizing my body, and it seems to work really well. There's a few versions that are all basically the same, but I prefer the Cocoa Butter one because the scent is the least offensive to me. Vaseline is a solid product; it's not comedogenic, but it's an occlusive, so you'd want to put something under it that would hydrate and/or moisturize your skin first (like the Hada Labo referenced above) and then put the Vaseline on top to lock it in. Otherwise your skin will still be dry, it'll just have a layer of Vaseline on top.
   
4. Nivea also has a lip balm that's marketed for men. It's supposedly not shiny/glossy, has no fragrance, has SPF 15, and doesn't taste like butt. If it was available to me in a way that wasn't $8/stick on eBay, I would keep it in my purse at all times, because this is exactly what I want in a lip balm. To help keep my lips from drying out over night, I put a little water + Hada Labo on them, let that soak in a bit, and then seal it in with Vaseline or an overnight lip mask on top.
   
   Good luck!

Okay! Thank you for being patient with me. Crazy days. And thank you for sharing your routine with me - that helps.

First, remember that you didn't develop this permatan overnight - it's not going to go away overnight either. The principles of rolling back pigmentation are the same whether the pigmentation is long-standing or recent.

When you are fighting pigmentation you need to pay diligent, daily attention to multiple factors that control pigmentation. There are five, check out this post.

My grasp on the science of pigmentation is poor, but a word that comes up repeatedly is tyrosine or tyrosinase - that is essential to creating pigment. Suppressing that chemical or interrupting its effectiveness is key.

So. Of the five components needed, in your routine you have 2: an AHA to accelerate the turn over of skin, and niacinamide, which prevents pigment from migrating from lower layers of the skin to the surface.

You need more. Arbutin, licorice, and tranexamic acid. And a lot of it. I'm revamping my routine to make sure every step contains at least one ingredient that moves me toward my goals.

In your AM routine, you only have a moisturizer - you could add a toner, an essence, and a serum to get you toward your goal. Likewise in the evening, you could add a toner, a second serum.

Oh! and a vitamin C serum - an LAA vitamin C serum is key to countering pigmentation.

If it agrees with you, the Hada Labo Shirojyun lotion is beloved. It contains arbutin, and MAP - a form of Vitamin C, which your routine is missing.

To get some licorice, you could try something like the It's Skin Power 10 Formula Effector LI which is all licorice. Or even better, my favorite Shark Sauce - it contains licorice, and niacinamide, and green tea, and N-Acetyl Glucosamine. It's a real powerhouse.

I've been interested in this Taiwanese brand, UNT for their product line which contains heavy tranexamic acid. I'm planning on trying the toner - that's an ingredient I have a hard time getting into my routine outside of sheet masks.

Speaking of sheet masks - a daily sheet mask that has concentrated licorice, arbutin, tranexamic acid will only help. I'm using some from Dr. Morita that have all of those things plus niacinamide and MAP vitamin C. It has all of the good things in it.

I also want to try this range from Naruko which combines tranexamic acid with mandelic acid, an AHA.

Which brings me to my other point - turning over your skin through exfoliation. If your skin is not especially sensitive and is handling the Mizon serum well - bring it into your morning routine (note, technically as an active it should go immediately after cleansing). Then once you've done that for a month or six weeks, consider adding a stronger AHA in one step, and continue cautiously escalating that. My fellow ABers can be in my mind a little over cautious with chemical exfoliants. Cautiously used, and increased over time they provide a lot of benefit.

Finally, to come back to point one - this is gonna take a while. Remember, it takes 28 days for your skin to turn over, so you aren't going to start seeing any results from anything in less than a month. If you take my advice and seek out a toner, an essence, and a serum, you're gonna want to introduce them one at a time for a minimum of two weeks. So that's six weeks to ramp up to a routine that incorporates all the skin active ingredients needed to fight pigmentation and then I would honestly say a minimum of 3 months to see what they're doing.

Take your time with this. Pictures every week to see your progress. It will come, but it will be incremental. (You could make a very fine series of posts documenting your journey on /r/AsianBeauty, but that's an idle suggestion!)

Good luck. I'm not totally anti-hydroquinone, but I find it risky and I just think you should thoroughly try for a long period of time other options first.

Azelaic acid and tretinoin are the things that worked for me, with 0.1% A-Ret tretinoin gel being what cleared my skin entirely. Azelaic acid was freaking amazing, but I dropped it when I moved up tretinoin strength and... haven't needed it since.

Tretinoin is a big commitment to make for newbies though, so it's not for everyone. Azelaic acid is much more accessible and new user friendly. And on that note, I really, really love and recommend Cos De BAHA 10% azelaic acid serum, available on Amazon for less than $13 with free shipping and free returns in the US. I was one of the first people to ever find it and try it and it experienced a big surge in popularity, for good reason. 10% azelaic acid, no acne trigger ingredients, with a pleasant serum texture and first ingredient skin soothing aloe extract. Highlyyy recommend. It's amazing for skin redness and it's even more amazing for breakouts. I swear, azelaic acid is one of the few legitimate miracle ingredients out there as far as very rapid, visible results.

Going to mention an AB product as per sub rules and say that Cosrx's AHA 7% glycolic acid didn't do much for me. In general, AHAs aren't really that helpful for breakouts in my experience. BHAs are even less effectual. Tretinoin number one for me, but azelaic acid a close second that I think everyone should try if they haven't yet!

You seem to have done your own research which is good so you can have an understanding on what would work for you and what would not. For your oil cleanser if you're on a budget and don't wear super heavy water-proof makeup The Face Shop's cleansing oil will be enough, however if you do wear water-proof makeup or don't like the runny texture of cleansing oils then the Banila Co. CIZ would be the better option because it's a cleansing balm. I don't wear makeup however so all of that was from what I heard from reviews.

For your 2nd cleanser if you find that the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is doing everything you need it to do then stick with it. It's good to have a product that's readily available at a nearby store so you don't need to wait for shipping or deal with customs.

For your moisturizer the Recovery Gel might be enough for you since you have combo-oily skin, however some people say this might not provide enough moisture especially in the colder months. If your skin does get drier in the winter or in cold temperature you might want to add another moisturizer into your routine. But since it's the summer you probably don't need two moisturizers ATM.

If you're looking to lighten up scars here's a mini list of ingredients you should look out for:

Vitamin C: A popular vitamin C serum is the C20 or C21.5, the formulation of it however is very unstable so if you don't want to deal with that try the Melano CC intensive anti-spot essence.

Niacinamide: For niacinamide products check out this spreadsheet and this megathread for recommendations.

AHAs: This is very tricky to use since it's an active that can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. If you don't wear sunscreen on the days after you use it, it can actually be very bad for the skin. A few AHA products include Cosrx AHA 7 whitehead power liquid and Papa Recipe White Flower Clear Up 8% AHA Gel. AHAs can also help you out with your whiteheads but I wouldn't suggest you start using any actives or chemical exfoliants until you have your skincare routine down. If you do want to start getting rid of your whiteheads try using a konjac sponge with your 2nd cleanser. I personally like konjac sponges that are teardrop or heart shaped since the point end of them is really good for getting into the sides of the noses, which is where dirt and sebum collect the most for me.

Licorice: It's Skin Power 10 Formula Effector LI and Snowise EX Brightening Serum

Arbutin: This ingredient seems to be more common in sheet masks but every day products with arbutin in it include Hada Labo Shirojyun Arbutin Lotion (Hada labo has an entire line of products called the "Shirojyun" line with arbutin in it) and LadyKin Vanpir Dark Repair Cream

Tranexamic acid: This ingredient isn't very popular but the brand Naruko seems to use it a lot including their Apple Seed and Tranexamic Acid Black Spots and Lines Defying Lotion and Apple Seed and Tranexamic Acid Black Spots and Lines Defying Moisturizer

Fermented soy: The brand SANA is very popular for their use of fermented soy in their products, some of their most popular products include their Soy Milk Astaxanthin Lifting Gel, Isoflavone Lotion and isoflavone wrinkle eye cream

Once you have your basic routine down that's when you can start adding serums, ampoules, essences and exfoliators to your routine. You should also always wait in between introducing products into your routine. Many beginners start by adding everything all at once, the problem with this is that if you break out you don't know what product is doing it or if your skin is improving you don't know which products are helping with that. Add one new product every 2-4 weeks into your routine so you can get a good understanding on what that product's doing to your skin before you add another product in. It might seems like a long time to wait but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Also just to let you know, questions like these would be better to put into the daily help thread that's stickied to the top of main page everyday. Sorry if this is a bit long.

This was my first time ever buying from PinkSeoul, and I am really impressed with their Mystery Box and the quality and value! I will definitely be buying one of these Mystery Boxes from them again! I think for anyone wanting to try out some new AB items, they send FULL SIZE quality items in this box for about half the cost! Honestly, this was such an amazing deal, I just want to spread the word and show what sorts of items you might get inside the boxes.

Leaders sheet mask - Coconut Gel with Blueberry (~$2.50/$4)

Leaders sheet mask - Collagen Boosting Renewal (~$2.50/$4)

Tony Moly - Banana Hand Milk 45 ml (~$10) - I tried this when I first opened up the box, because it was just so adorable! I smells like Banana! The hand milk/cream is nice too, but my only issue is that it seems to take a lot of it to moisten my hands, and there's not very much in the little squeezable plastic banana. I might get maybe ten uses out of this. It seems like this would be a really cute/cool gift for a young girl or teenager though!

Skin&Lab - Red Cream 50 ml (~$30) - I tried this last night. The first thing I noticed was that the jar is about half full when you open it. I checked reviews on Amazon, and this seems to be normal, and something others noted/complained of. It has a very strong, natural scent of roses, like you are smelling a real rose right under your nose. It is very thick and sticky, and should likely be used as a sleeping mask, which is how I used it. I didn't notice much effect on my skin in the morning, but I have only used it once so far so I will have to see if it offers more effect with more use. The smell is really amazing though if you love roses. / Update: I tried this cream again, and figured out how to work it. You only need a really tiny amount, thin it in your hands, and then pat it on. It worked great when less was used and then it wasn't so sticky feeling.

RiRe - Essential Hydrogel Mask Pack 75ml (~12) - This is a Hydrogel Mask in a spray bottle. I used it after my toners this morning. I love that it is a spray, which makes applying it so easy. So far it seems really nice.

Elizavecca Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic acid Serum 50 ml (~$10) - No scent. I applied to my face after toner this morning, and it is light on the skin without any tackiness. My skin seems to have absorbed it well.

Total value ~67

This is my first time trying everything in this box, and I'm enjoying the experience of trying these all out, and so far I like all of them. I will try to report back on how they perform on my skin the more I use them.

I haven't done a strong glycolic peel yet so I'm not the most informed but that looks good to me. I do remember a post a while ago warning people about the stronger % AHA's and it scared me away. I think if you are going to try it, be very careful, follow the instructions as closely as possible and patch test it on a small area before applying to your entire face. I have read somewhere on the sub that lactic acid rather than glycolic is a good "starter" for someone. This was the thread.



The vitamin C serum looks good to me.


The products that will help with scarring are called AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy Acids). Those are Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Mandelic Acid, and Tartaric Acid. Another helpful ingredient is Niacinamide. It's available in serums and creams. I've ordered this product with Niacinamide in it but haven't added it into the routine yet.



Here's a list of products that would help with scarring (from Hoojoo):


Glycolic Acid:


Alpha H- Liquid Gold


Alpha Hydrox- 14% Glycolic Acid Swipes


Avene- Cleanance K


La Roche Posay- Mela-D Pigment Control


Makeup Artists Choice- Gly-luronic Serum


Paula's Choice- Skin Perfecting AHA gel


Peter Thomas Roth- Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads

Lactic Acid:


Arcona- Brightening Drops Serum


DHC- Renewing AHA Cream


Garden of Wisdom- Lactic Acid 8% Exfoliant Pads


Garden of Wisdom- LactiSen 2% Gentle Gel


St. Ives- Scrub-Free Exfoliating Pads

Malic Acid:


TonyMoly- Red Appletox Honey Cream

Mandelic Acid:


Garden of Wisdom- Mandelic Acid 10% Serum


Makeup Artists Choice- Mandelic Acid Serum


Makeup Artists Choice- Mandelic Acid Toner




I personally use the Alpha Hydrox 14% swipes (just started so it's too soon to give a review) but haven't tried anything else on the list. Regarding Niacinamide, you can find it in two over the counter face creams. Cerave PM and Cerave AM. I buy mine at Walmart for $13/bottle.


PSA: when you start incorporating the acid peels you'll need to wear sunscreen, they will make your skin very sensitive to light. The Cerave AM I mentioned is SPF 30 so it would be a double benefit to you.


I can try to answer any more questions you have. I know when I first started reading this sub I was really confused and had no idea what order I was supposed to do things in, so let me know if you need help.

I used to have fairly oily skin but I've had really good luck with managing it with a skin care routine of just:

1. a konjac sponge in the shower (run it under the water until it's soft, then scrub your face all over with that). My roommate uses his with facial soap, but I use mine just with the sponge on its own, so you can use it either way. I use the linked brand and buy it at my local natural foods store, but there are lots of options available on Amazon too. This is the part I would recommend the most--it does an amazing job at gently exfoliating the dead skin away and helping normalize the oily and dry parts. Just make sure to moisturize afterwards and you should be great.
   
   
2. witch hazel with a cotton ball as toner morning and night (try to get Thayer's brand if you can, but just try to find a brand that doesn't put alcohol in it because that will be very drying to your skin and will up the oil production).
   
   
3. Vitamin C serum morning and night (you only use a few drops at a time so this will last you forever)
   
   
4. whatever facial lotion you feel works best for you--I use this, but anything light will do the trick, and put that on morning and night
   
   
5. every so often, use a sheet mask to add in extra moisture and glow! All the ones I linked here are amazing at helping your skin.

I just looked them up, and have a few concerns based on the Amazon listing and some cursory googling.

1. the packaging (as seen here) is not ideal for stabilizing the retinol. An opaque pump bottle would be much better. This isn't the biggest issue, but if they're just using retinol they'll need to meet a few more basic requirements before you can be sure that the product will last and the retinol contained within wont decay.
   
   
2. they do not list the ingredients anywhere in the Amazon post, but I found a blog that listed them. The product name is the same, despite the packaging shown in the blog being different than in the Amazon post. The first ingredient was water, retinol needs to be stabilized (this is why encapsulated retinol is so popular) in order to hang out in water, and it doesn't look like this brand uses stabilizers to ensure the life of this product. Which doesn't surprise me, because stabilizing agents and preservatives are usually not the strong suit for brands that rely heavily on "natural" marketing.
   
   
3. Too be honest, this brand is so inexpensive that I doubt the efficacy of their ingredients. That, combined with the packaging and potential formulation issues make this a weak product that's unlikely to last, let alone work.
   
   I'd recommend investigating Curology (which is pretty popular on this subreddit), from whom you can get prescription retinoids. If you want to go to internet/drugstore route, Neutrogena makes a line of "wrinkle repair" retinol serums and creams that are inexpensive and probably formulated acceptably. They don't disclose their concentration of retinol, though, which is a problem imo. With Curology, you can start with a weaker prescription and move into higher strength concentrations so that you don't suffer as extreme side effects (drying, peeling, etc.)
   
   I've used Neutrogena, and saw some results. The serum and eye cream that I was using went bad before I finished them (additional edit: this was after having them for over 2 years and using them off and on, I definitely saw improvement in my skin texture, moisture levels, and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while using this product nightly), and I'm currently thinking about Curology. And, while this wasn't necessarily your original question, I've found that making my skin as moist as possible (through layers of humectants, like hyaluronic acid essences, propolis serums, moisturizing sheet masks, etc. sealed with occlusives) helps reduce my expression lines by a LOT. When I first got into AB (which was pretty recent, but I've always been into beauty science), I thought I was going to go with prescription retinoids, but proper hydration and occlusion has fixed a lot of the problems I had with expression lines. Edit: I forgot to add that Neutrogena packages their retinol products correctly, and I recommend the products in the tubes with the "metal" finish, this is the exact product I recommend.
   
   I really hope this helps. I'm going to finish with a truly scathing review of the Art Naturals 2.5% retinol serum left on the Amazon listing by a pharmaceutical dermatologist.
   
   Final edit (sorry): here's a reddit post about this product, a different Amazon-sourced retinol serum, that looks a little more legit! It occurred to me that you might need a product you can buy on Amazon, and wanted to add another option. Furthermore, this one is a little less expensive than the ~$26 Neutrogena one I mentioned earlier.

You definitely want to look into adding to your night routine. Oils, serums, and moisturizers at night are incredibly important as they have the time to soak into your skin without being exposed to the elements (namely the sun).


I think the best place for you to start are with a Retinol serum and a night moisturizer. Retinol promotes collagen production and is used for anti-aging and acne control. It's helped me with tone and the size of the pores on my cheeks and nose.


I use the Tree of Life 72% Organic which can be found on Amazon for $11 (this has lasted me months):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S2G7AUC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1


For a moisturizer I cannot recommend enough the Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion. Hyaluronic Acid is great for keeping skin moisturized and I've seen a huge difference in the dewy (not oily) nature of my skin since using it. The Hado Labo is perfect for dry, sensitive skin and will give you that added glow you're looking for. Can be found on Amazon for about $30 which is a little spendy but this is a gigantic bottle that will last forever:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KSS993I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1


The number one thing I recommend is checking out Renee a.k.a Gothamista on Youtube. She's incredibly intelligent and has a wide variety of videos available not only discussing the best products in each category, but why they're great for certain skin types and how exactly they affect the skin. She also reviews budget friendly products. Subscribing to her literally changed my life and I've had the best skin I've ever had since finding her and taking her product recommendations:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-X4BAoKxwGYIKrKfqk7yug

*Edit: I use the Retinol at night after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Thanks for your answer! I'm looking for an HA serum for the moisture. I'm currently using this one but not much thought was put into it, I just typed it into Amazon, picked a highly rated one, and purchased it. It's been working great though, my skin feels plump and hydrated the whole day so there's nothing wrong with it, I just want to make sure I'm not missing out on some better product, especially because not too much thought was put into this purchase.

I don't use any essence, toners, etc. I use this HA serum in the AM and PM after I cleanse my face and before I moisturize and I suppose this is the only type of serum I use (for the moment anyway). My routine is super barebones since I'm still new to this and have been very gradually adding products in. At this point, I'm very much comfortable with HA serum in my routine now (been using it consistently for just over a month now) so I think it's safe to continue using and purchasing them which I think now would be the time to actually put more effort into getting one haha.

I basically just had cystic acne, nodules, and some whiteheads. I tried so many things and finally tried oil cleansing and all my inflammatory acne disappeared but after a month I started noticing small little bumps. I thought it was the oil cleansing so I started back up on my regular acne treatments and then my inflammatory acne came back. But I was also using silicone based primers, and it wasn't until my friend said she got the same type of acne from silicones. So now I am trying to balance oil cleansing and regular cleansing. My bumps are finally starting to go away and I think its this exfoliating cleanser I received in my ipsy last month called Murad Aha/bha exfoliating cleanser Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser https://g.co/kgs/PtQm7n You are supposed to use it a few times a week and I have been following that and I am pretty sure this is what is getting rid of my closed comedones.

One of the other things I started using around the same time was Azelaic Acid 10% Serum 1oz with Niacinamide - Rosacea Skin Care Product + Reduce Cystic Acne Scar + Redness Relief Face + Pimple Pigmentation Blackhead + Vitamin B3 + B5, Gluten Free, 1oz (30ml) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QM5KGDK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bFmADbVH7RTZY
I had tried TO azelaic acid suspension and it made my skin worse, and I now think it was the silicones in it. I had also tried TO niacinamide and it just made my face really red. I have been really happy with this serum.

The other serum that I use regularly and love is Vichy idealia serum and I thinks its the CAPRYLOYL SALICYLIC ACID in it which is an LHA and goes down further than other exfoliating acids. The serum does have dimethicone in it and fragrance, two things that usually bother my skin but it hasn't at all. LHA's are amazing and I am hoping to find more products that use LHA as thier active. https://www.vichyusa.com/skin-care/skin-care-product-type/face-serum/idealia-radiance-serum-3337875605069.html

Hey guys! I'm reposting this from a thread I made last night :)

​

​

I've been lurking around here for quite a bit and today I decided to seek for help posting some pictures as I noticed that you guys helped with success so many people and I'm already grateful that you share your knowledge and personal experience.

​

Here I tried to take some pictures with different lighting:

​

https://ibb.co/jE7DeU

https://ibb.co/egh769

https://ibb.co/bRkMYp

https://ibb.co/hEWH69

https://ibb.co/fT2Pm9

​

I've already seen a dermatologist multiple times (she saw me first time one year ago but couldn't really solve the problem). So right now I'm taking **300mg of Lymecycline daily**. I don't eat any **dairy, grains, sugar** or any kind of carbohydrate.

​

My current routine is:

​

* [Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cetaphil-236-Gentle-Skin-Cleanser/dp/B0064O7W52)

* [Paula's choice C15 Super Booster](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00EYVSOKY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

* [Paula's choice BHA Extra Stength](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B078HHYXQS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

* [Paula's chioce AHA](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B017RY5XBC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

* [Benzoyl Peroxide 5%](https://www.boots.com/acnecide-gel-30g-10187571)

* [Cetaphil Moisturising Cream](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009AX3HLC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

* [Paula's choice Sunscreen](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01AYCA2MY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

​

I do the same routine usually AM and PM.

I also supplement with multivitamins daily, and I take 1500mg of Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B-5) and 24000iu of Vitamin A.

​

I workout about 5 days a week, change pillowcases weekly and use a dedicated towel for my face that I wash weekly too.

​

I'm open to suggestions to new products or anything in general that could help cure my acne asap. I decided to post here as acne is probably right now the thing that lowers my self-confidence the most and I can't find solutions to it (my skin all over my body looks very good, including all my back).

​

Thank you all for your help!!

I had a badass skincare routine going before pregnancy that is totally not pregnancy friendly; I’m talking BHA/AHAs, special face washes, and rags, everything...

I got some pretty bad acne when I had to stop my routine, probably just because my skin was oily and I hadn’t looked into how to handle it while gestating just yet. But I’m getting MUCH better in the 2nd trimester, and now it’s just healing the scars left from the hell trimester. Here we go:

Face:
• Garnier Clean+ Clarifying Cleansing Gel Sensitive Skin - Takes off my makeup easily. Mostly used in the shower because washing faces in sinks is brutal in the bad way.
• Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water for Oily Skin - Takes off eye makeup easily if your having trouble with your thick black eyeliner smearing down your face because you “insist on doing your makeup like a ‘vam-per’” according to your parents.
• MISSHA Time Revolution Clear Toner - Expensive as shit toner that I paid over $18 for and is now listed at $15, WTF Amazon. But it’s good stuff, pregnancy safe, toner is good stuff anyway, and it’s helping with evening my skin tone back out from the acne scars.
• Triple Vitamin C Serum L-Ascorbic Acid - Vit C oil to help you fake that “pregnant glow” that we were all promised...
• Bio-Oil Liquid Purcellin Oil - I use an off brand that I got on clearance but omg...like...I know this stuff is expensive but it’s a miracle. You just dab some on your scarred places, like the acne marks, or where your stupid fucking cat decided your hand was a snack and ripped a hole on your hand, or dark spots on your legs because you’re still bad at shaving leg hair and not leg skin, and I swear it fades SO FAST. Also rub it all over your boobs and belly. Like pretty much I would bathe in this from the neck down if it wouldn’t bankrupt my family.
• Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Dry/Sensitive Skin - Old faithful, the moisturizer. A tiny bit goes a long way. Also tends to make its way to my boobs when I’m tired and dont feel like using other lotions.

Body:
• NIVEA Q10 Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion - Bought pre-pregnancy. I used to use it every single morning and night on my thighs and it totally does reduce the appearance of cellulite. Now I use it lazily but it’s there and smells ok so it’s my go-to body lotion.
• Lansinoh Hpa Lanolin Nipple Soothing Cream - my nipples are pierced and those things get dry in the winter. Baby may not be here yet but I went ahead and decided to try this stuff out. Seems legit. It’s super thick, moreso than Vaseline but I dig it.

I also use special toothpaste (not because pregnant, because shit teeth), a special washcloth (because I developed keratosis pilaris (sp?) and I wasn’t having it. The special rag put a stop to it FAST), lady-bits wash (because I get self conscious about sweating and smelling funky), special “sensitive skin” lube, and well I guess that’s about it. I sound like an amazon ad for many products. I’m not. Just a researcher/lover of my husband describing me as “so soft” when he touches me. 🤗

That "cosdna" site is very useful thanks. I might just buy the aveeno cream. That said, I was wondering if you could help me out on this retinol thing. My face is currently absent of acne (the same can't entirely be said for my back), though I'm left with some redness, hyperpigmentation and scars on parts of my face. I was wondering which retinol would you recommend. Looking through Amazon (Uk) I'm greeted with numerous products. What product would you recommend there? What are your thoughts on "Artnaturals" as featured on that list? I'm only asking if what you'd recommend is available on Amazon, largely due to the ease and speed of purchase and delivery?

I very much appreciate you taking the time to provide such useful information, and hope I'm not interrupting or irritating you. Thanks.

My skin is a mess right now. I am not particularly acne-prone the majority of the year, but at the beginning of summer every year I get deep cystic acne. Like, one at a time. And I am waking up with little whiteheads almost every morning. I consider my skin to be combination as the upper part of my T zone and my forehead are like a desert, but the rest of my face is oily. With work, and going through a bout of depression, I can hardly invest a heavy amount of time, money, and energy into my skincare routine, but I do care about it. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to give suggestions and chat away here on what I could do.

Right now my skincare basics consist of:

• CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
  
• Mario Badescu Facial Cleanser (1-2 times a week)
  
• Dickinson's Pore Perfecting Toner and before that I used Etude House's Pore Freshner.
  
• Tony Moly Cherry Blossom Brightening Essence (but I stopped using it as I felt like it was breaking me out and I saw no benefits) Before that I used the Missha First Essence.
  
• Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Creme Complexe Hydratante (aka moisturizer) I used to use Etude House's Moistfull Collagen.
  
• CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion w/ SPF
  
• I Dew Care - Let's Get Sheet Faced (sheet masks).
  
  As you can tell, this is very much so suited for skin that is dry. I do live in NY, where it is dry and cold the vast majority of the year, and for that time, it's great. But when summer comes, I am oily AF.
  
  Skin concerns:
  
  
• Aging (I'm 29) - primarily around the eyes
  
• Dark circles
  
• Oily skin - dry forehead/T-zone
  
• Acne prone (during the summer)
  
  Looking for:
  
  
• Serums
  
• Eye cream for hooded lids/aging eyes (so far this has been recommended to me, but... that's kind of pricey).
  
• Products without alcohol in them
  
• SPF
  
• Exfoliant (I theorize the whiteheads might be because I need to exfoliate more).
  
• Anything else anyone recommends.

**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.

I use this body wash on my face and sometimes my body for dark marks. Then I use retinol serum on my arms and back after I shower, then follow with lotion. Not only does it lighten up my marks, but it pretty much stops acne from forming so I don’t even have anything to pick at right now. I’m not on any other prescriptions or birth control, and not to mention I have dark skin, so you can trust me when I say I’m getting results from these products.

For my face I use Clean and Clear Lemon face wash, toner, then I follow up with this serum with a really long name I can’t spell and a moisturizer with sunscreen. The dark marks and acne on my face are virtually gone accept a couple spots where I had hormonal acne and some cysts on my chin since they take longer.

I’m 20 and I’ve been compulsively picking my face since I was like 11 or 12. Then I began compulsively picking my body when I developed acne on my arms, back, and legs at like 14. People do say to speak to a dermatologist first, but mine didn’t do anything but offer me a stronger benzoyl peroxide prescription which didn’t help. So other the years is trial and error, this is what I found had helped my acne and spots. Which in turn has helped my picking.

Question: I'm hoping to add a niacinamide to my routine soon, but am having a difficult time deciding on the right one! I'd love to hear anyone's personal experiences with any/all of the below 4 products.

The Contenders:

• TO Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% - This is probably the frontrunner right now, but I've never used a product from TO. I know people here love them but I've always been a little skeptical of the super low prices I guess.
  
  
• PC RESIST 10% Niacinamide Booster - I've read a few comments on here which say this is "superior" to TO's product but I already have a few high cost products in my routine, not super thrilled about adding one more....
  
  
• Skin Daily 5% Niacinamide from Amazon - A bit skeptical of this brand but the product has 4.4 stars and 1400+ reviews which is impressive, plus free one-day shipping...can anyone vouch for it?
  
  
• Holy Snails Shark Sauce - The ingredients look really nice and I see a lot of raves about this product both here and on AB. I really like that this has just 5% niacinamide rather than 10% like TO & PC.
  
  Skin Issues: Oily, large pores, SFs, mild acne and redness

Yes, sunscreen will prevent any more darkening of the marks. You do need that. Vitamin c serum does really well for fading marks marks. A new mark usually goes away in 3-5 weeks with vitamin c as opposed to literally almost a year for me. here is the one I use http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HHR0SYW/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1418356414&sr=1&keywords=vitamin+c+serum. Im pretty sure it's more effective if used at night (breaks down in light). Hopefully you can get it off of Amazon because the only ones I've seen in stores are >45$. But yeah, you gotta wear and reapply sunscreen every day. The sun is what's keeping those marks alive on your face. good luck!

Sheet masks might help, especially the snail “flavored” ones like these from Tosowoong. I’m not sure if you’ve used sheet masks before but basically the mask “traps” the moisture and the magical essence close to your skin helping it absorb much better. If you know you are liking the cosrx snail I’d recommend sheet masks.

A hyaluronic acid serum would also be a good addition for dehydrated skin. The Ordinary has one, or if you like AB, I just ordered this serum from Elizavecca that claims to help with pores.

I mix mine with a Hyaluronic serum (either Cosrx hyaluronic essence or Hadalabo premium gokujyun "lotion") and It's Skin licorice booster. If I feel like jazzing things up I will put in some Scinic Honey AOI.

Ahah, personally I view my product's ingredient list with impunity and the skepticism of a grumpy old man. I'm not quite sold on the magic of "peptides" yet. Peptides are the featured ingredient in the Buffet, without it it's just a overpriced hydrating serum. It is 30mL for $15 CAD where as my Cosrx Hyaluronic Essence is 100mL for $18~ CAD. My Hada Labo Premium Gokyjuyn "Lotion" (really a serum) is $16.75 CAD for 170mL.

*Also cuz buffet have "urea" in it...you know, the thing that is in your urine...so yah.....I don't see myself personally using it anytime soon, lol

I would actually recommend you use a watery, hydrating toner (not western wipe-off toner) before your serum. Kikumasamune High Moist^hella^value and Hada Labo Gokujyun or Shirojyun "Lotion" are really popular here too.

(I'm linking Canadian amazon site cuz I have them saved. Feel free to search them on amazon.com if you are America; you'll probably get better pricing than me! lol)

The use of a light hydrating layer followed by a thicker serum will be more effective than use two equally thick serums. Top it off with a good emulsion/creamy lotion/moisturizing gel and you are set. :)

RAVE: This Vitamin C serum. It's 2 oz for $15, which I've never seen ever. I've tried so many different serums and this one also has felt the best on my skin. It doesn't smell, doesn't leave my skin sticky or shiny, and I'm still not done using it after over 2 months! Woo.

Also, the Skin Actives essential Kit. I'm always on the lookout for serums with niacinamide and some sort of antioxidant extract, but also wanted their antioxidant day cream after getting a sample of it and really liking it. The collagen serum is fantastic. I love everything in it. And the price of everything is a really good deal for everything included. Would buy again.

RANT: Ombrelle SPF 60 Kids Waterproof Lotion. I didn't know I was allergic to avobenzone, but it stings whenever I put it on. And what's worse, no matter what type of moisturizer I wear underneath it, it balls up throughout the day. It's like I need to make sure nothing touches my face at all, or else the sunscreen makes a huge mess and starts peeling off.

I love Viola Vitamin C serum, which also contains Hyaluronic Acid. You can buy it on Amazon for £14.97. I've been using it for about a year now and it's really helped brighten my skin. It's also helped with fading acne marks. I personally really like how the consistency is thin and sinks in super quick and easy.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PREMIUM-Vitamin-Serum-Face-Hyaluronic/dp/B00T35HR8Q

Agreed on double cleansing and toning and moisturizing! I use Hada Labo Cleansing Oil as my first cleanser, and micellar water is great too!

As u/beancass said above, Vitamin C serums would be great for your discoloration. Here are some popular ones:

• Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
  
• Melano CC Essence
  
• The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension

I'll add a link when my browser starts working, but hear me out, I want to introduce myself.

I was born in 1932. In 1965, I fought in Cold War III. Most posters here already know all about my history. After the war, I settled into the scientific community and became renown for my work. After I completed my work, I traveled to many countries and became the President in my native home of Pokloki. I am no longer in office, however, and I spend my time now playing for the NBA.

Edit: Link <3 I freaking love skin care! I take very good care of mine and I admirer those with flawless faces. My face is the window that leads to my butt. So I prefer it to be amazing.

This is the vitamin C serum I bought https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SFNCSWC/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1 but I may switch to this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GUCJBAQ/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I23J4SXPPN4TW3&colid=3LKTHCTKV5JJX because I read that the ones with L ascorbic acid is better.

For the retinol creme I just use this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B015ORL3B8/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I did research and basically you just need Vitamin C serum, retinol/retina, a moisturizer and sunblock for skin care as they're the only one's that have been scientifically proven while everything else might as well be snake oil.


You can also go to your doctor and tell them about the black head problem you have and ask to be prescribed Retina which is stronger than Retinol. Just say how you used to use it for your acne back in highschool and that's the only thing that got rid of your blackheads but stopped doing it after getting put on Accutane for your cystic acne but now need it again. I did that two weeks ago and they gave it without making me see a dermatologist, just have to make it sound like you know what you're doing.

I'm only using the Retina three times a week though at night as it can dry out your skin a lot. Everything else I use in the morning.

honestly the best are the purest. I keep getting Instanatural stuff for free through Amazon Review Trader and i will probably keep buying it when it runs out.

http://www.amazon.com/InstaNatural-Hyaluronic-Acid-Serum-Anti-Aging/dp/B00K2O3NV2

if you have aging skin, theres also a really amazing eye cream. it instantly plumps out all my wrinkles.

yeah, i've definitely noticed a difference in fine lines! the ones i'm using are:

• mizon original skin energy hyaluronic acid 100
  
• mizon original skin energy collagen 100
  
• mizon multi function formula snail repair intensive
  
  i'm interested in trying the mizon original sum skin energy peptide 500 (the green bottle) also.
  
  i pat the hyaluronic acid ampoule onto my forehead, my undereyes, and on the outside nooks of my nose (my driest areas). then, i repeat with the collagen and snail ampoules, but leave my nose alone.
  
  my skin is normally super dry, and i really think these have made a huge difference!
  
  i apply them at night for a few nights to a week in a row, then stop for a week or two. my skin is somewhat sensitive, so i need to apply the ampoules in smallish doses so my skin doesn't freak out.
  
  i hope this helps!
  
  
  

I have the InstaNatural stuff that you linked to and it's more of a lotion-y product, plus it BURNS my face like crazy when I use it. Maybe that's somewhat normal? I don't know. Some of the other serum/lotion things I have also burn for a few minutes.

I am, however, a big fan of Body Merry's Vitamin C serum ( http://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-Hyaluronic-Retinol-Anti-Aging-Benefits/dp/B00THEGVCG ). It's a bright orange liquid, doesn't burn my face, and does seem to help with the semi-permanent dark circles under my eyes.

In fairness, I suppose I should point out that I got free samples of both products a few months ago. But I don't like the InstaNatural stuff anywhere near as much as the Body Merry one.

Google, my friend. I myself wash my face with a very gentle squalane gel-to-milk cleanser that is absolutely perfect for me. And I’ve researched the living shit out of the internet which products may work for my skin. Start with just three things: cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Do that for a couple of weeks and then add in serums that contains ceramides, Hyaluronic acid, cholesterol etc that really build up your skin barrier. I’ll give you my routine as an example:

1. Squalan cleansing gel
   
2. CosRx Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner
   
3. CosRx Hyaluronic acid hydra power essense > apply to damp skin
   
4. CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin power essence
   
5. Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel > high dosage of aloe Vera which is really great for irritated skin
   
6. Eucerin Dry Skin Relief Face Cream 5% Urea > urea makes your skin hold moisture a lot better and the day cream also mildly exfoliates
   
7. CeraVe moisturizing cream - normal to dry skin > very good for barrier repair, contains ceramides, Hyaluronic acid and cholesterol. Make sure you have the normal to dry skin version. In the EU they have a different formula and is called dry to very dry.
   
8. CeraVe AM sunscreen for daytime
   
9. Squalane oil in the evening = unicorn tears <3
   
   As you see I do not have any acids in my routine because even AHA gives me veeeery painful and irritated skin.
   
   EDIT: snail mucin really helped my skin a lot, give it a try! AND do not take hot showers and keep your face damp when you come out of the shower.
   
   EDIT 2: buy a humidifier :) low humidity absolutely dries the living shit out of my face

Of course! I use Viola Skin Vitamin C serum and Compath Retinol serum. The serums also contains hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and green tea extract.

I've heard great things about rosehip oil! And I think you can get similar products from The Ordinary at very cheap!

Oh btw, if you intend on using both, have a look at this page. There are certain types of Vitamin C that should not be used with Retinol!

I want to add a vitamin C serum into my routine. I see no real information on the subreddit regarding this product: Body Merry's Super 6 Serum. I think it seems perfect. Thoughts, please?

https://smile.amazon.com/Hyaluronic-Anti-Aging-Benefits-Astaxanthin-Niacinamide/dp/B00THEGVCG/ref=sr_1_59_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1482806880&sr=1-59&keywords=vitamin+c+serum

I would love if skincare-addiction.com added them in to their list. They seem to be the #1 seller on Amazon and I'm wondering if this might be better than the PC Resist treatment. They also have that Vit C + Hyaluronic acid combo I'd like to know more about: http://www.amazon.com/OZ-Naturals-Hyaluronic-Satisfaction-GUARANTEED/dp/B00C7DYBX0/ref=sr_1_8?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1412787747&sr=1-8

Hey, I'm also using tretinoin and for about a month I've been using Mad Hippie Vitamin C serum. You can find it here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IXQLDE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_35sGxb0GG8XPH
It helps a lot with fading PIH and I love it. It's pricy in my opinion but I've had it for a month and you only use a few drops a day, and it hasn't oxidized yet.


I've seen great results with it, I actually just posted before & after pics.


edit: found it on your website https://backpackbang.com/item/B005IXQLDE

I'm not a doctor, so if you've been prescribed tret, I would talk with your doc before adding any additional products. That said, if your skin can handle it and your doctor doesn't tell you not to, you could try adding AmLactin. Retinoids and AHAs [are different chemicals] (https://phamix.com/2008/12/alpha-hydroxy-acids-or-retinol-which-is-best) so it's possible adding one would do something slightly different for your skin.

In terms of how many products you can use, it's entirely up to you. I use anywhere from 2 to 8 or 9 products at once layered /r/AsianBeauty style, including mixing (NON-prescription strength) retinoids with an AHA. On a normal day I just use glycolic acid + CeraVe (2 products). But on a weekend evening before bed, I'll take a bath using [zinc soap] (https://www.amazon.com/DermaHarmony-Pyrithione-Zinc-ZnP-Soap/dp/B00MWB0ZGE/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1493411293&sr=8-5&keywords=zinc+soap) and [physically exfoliate] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007IAE5WY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) in the tub, spray my skin with a [low-Ph toner] (https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Clarifying-Treatment-Toner-150ml/dp/B00OZ63ODA/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493411340&sr=1-2&keywords=mizon+aha+bha+toner), apply a [Vitamin C serum] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00THEGVCG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1), then an [AHA gel] (https://www.amazon.com/Paulas-Choice-Resurfacing-Treatment-Exfoliant/dp/B00DH21DBS/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493411427&sr=1-5&keywords=paula%27s+choice+aha+gel), then some [Retinol Cream] (https://www.amazon.com/Retinol-Surge-Moisturizer-Cream-2-5/dp/B00OQQLNG4/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493411480&sr=1-1&keywords=body+merry+retinol), then a [more moisturizing cream] (https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizing-Cream-Pump-Ounce/dp/B01CTRLLFE/ref=sr_1_3_s_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1493411504&sr=1-3&keywords=cerave+cream), then top it all off with an [occlusive] (https://www.amazon.com/Aquaphor-Advanced-Therapy-Ointment-Protectant/dp/B00IB0X5FS/ref=sr_1_1?srs=7301146011&ie=UTF8&qid=1493411531&sr=8-1&keywords=aquaphor) to seal in all that moisture. I might even throw an extra layer of or two of [moisturizing toner] (https://www.amazon.com/ORGANIC-ROSE-WATER-SPRAY-Uplifting/dp/B00YMMENPK/ref=sr_1_15_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1493411630&sr=8-15&keywords=rose+water+toner), [tea tree oil] (https://www.amazon.com/Pure-Tea-Tree-Essential-Oil/dp/B018J6KIBW/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1493411669&sr=8-5&keywords=tea+tree+serum), [snail gel] (https://www.amazon.com/Mizon-Snail-Recovery-Gel-Cream/dp/B00BQM3S3C/ref=sr_1_9_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1493411704&sr=8-9&keywords=snail+gel), or [honey ampoule] (https://www.amazon.com/SCINIC-Honey-Ampoule-Types-Whitening/dp/B00STAV016/ref=sr_1_9_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1493410839&sr=8-9&keywords=honey+cream) in there if I think my skin needs extra redness reduction. Is that excessive? Absolutely. But I put all that stuff on my face to make my skin happy, so I don't see why the rest of my body shouldn't be allowed to occasionally join the party.

Off Amazon! It was recommended to me as the best way to buy it. Just make sure it's the official seller. link here

I've just started getting into taking care of my skin (24yo male) and I started trying different products out and I purchased The Body Shop liquid peel + Vitamin E dry skin cream. I tried the liquid peel yesterday and it made my skin feel so sticky and it was really red, so I've returned that today.

My current products are:

• Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser (AM/PM)
  
• Vitamin E Moisture Cream (Dry skin) (AM/PM)
  
• BeBarefaced Dead Sea Mud Face Mask (twice per week PM)
  
  I have currently ordered the following two products as friends of mine have recommended them, however I am not sure whether I do actually need them and they are:
  
  
• This Vitamin C Serum
  
• The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
  
  
  My skin I would say is combination, my nose is very oily however I am starting to notice some dry skin peeling around my eyes/forehead and on the side of mouth and I am not sure if this is due to the liquid peel or what. Also this may be helpful: my skin feels tight and dry but its really shiny when I look in the mirror.
  
  Anyone that could point me to the right direction please?

Don't be so hard on yourself, your skin already looks pretty good.

However, I think you might benefit from using azelaic acid: https://www.amazon.com/Azelaic-Acid-10-Serum-Niacinamide/dp/B07QM5KGDK/ref=sr_1_5

Trail and error with moisturizers. I use this daily in the morning and it seems to keep my face in check. I just added The Ordinary Vitamin C twice a day and a vitamin E mineral oil at night and my face is pretty happy with it.

Great, thanks for the advice! Is the Paula's Choice serum this one and the AHA this one?

Check the SCA routine page! The vitamin C is a piece of the routine that helps with pores. I just ordered a lotion/gel-type suspension from The Ordinary off of Amazon :)

Edit: link

Edit 2: if you’re looking for a link to the routine page, check the ScA front page, there should be a side bar with a bunch of wiki links. On mobile I believe you tap the “Info” button to open the page description where the wiki links are.

Art Natural Retinol Serum

Art Natural Hyaluronic

EDIT: Do not select any other company, only Art Natural. They are single use codes and they go fast. Just report it and if you really want it just use the website I listed in my other post.

I'm pretty excited about Vitamin C right now. Maybe you could get the ingredients for a diy version or a Paula's Choice serum. You could also look into a product with retinol (or the PC vitC + retinol combo )

PRI Advanced Vitamin C Serum + Hyaluronic Acid - "Contains 20% Vitamin C, 0.5% Ferulic acid, and hyaluronic acid. Delivers 20% of L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) to the skin, the highest level effectively absorbed."

Okay so I used to have really bad hyperpigmentation from years of picking at my skin and not taking care of it. This serum was a game changer, not only did it clear all my scars, it also evened out my skin texture??? (I had a lot of little craters from healed pimples).

it’s truly an inexpensive option as well, if you end up giving it a try let me know how it goes!!

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Formula-Effector-Fluid-Ounce/dp/B0063SG3RM/ref=pd_sim_194_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0063SG3RM&pd_rd_r=NP2PYH4EE9BK0GQ74PKC&pd_rd_w=b808A&pd_rd_wg=ifpGD&psc=1&refRID=NP2PYH4EE9BK0GQ74PKC

I started the minipill, progesterone-only, in February 2016. My doctor didn't say anything about skin side effects, and I'd struggled with mild acne my whole life, so when my skin started developing deep, painful minivolcanos, I thought I just hadn't been washing my face enough or something.

Not the case. I didn't figure out it was the pill's fault until April. I quit it, and saw a dermatologist after the first May picture. She prescribed me differin. You can see the godawful purge in July - which she did not warn me about, and it lasted 3-5 weeks.

Differin and moisturizer became my routine for months. I thought my hyperpigmentation would fade by this point, but it hasn't, so in early March I jumped onto the serious SCA routine ball.

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

So far I've been using:

[Glycolic Acid Peel once every 1-3 weeks] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LYMJG72/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) depending on how my skin handles it and how long I left it on

And my daily routine, typically done at night:

A few drops of Vitamin C serum

And then some of that trusty Differin right on the scarring

And then Retinol Moisturizer Cream.

I also use sunscreen regularly when I go outside. I work from home and live in a dark basement so I don't use it indoors.

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

Thankfully I have minimal (though still some) textural scarring; my main problem is the discoloration.

I would love any suggestions about my routine or additional things I can do to help heal up those annoying spots. All I want is to get to a point where I can stop using foundation without people wondering if I have a skin condition.

And also - will the hyperpigmentation ever eventually fade on its own? How long do I have to wait? Or will this be with me for the rest of my life?

Okay, I'm looking up stuff on Amazon as well. There a serum on there with 1k reviews that seems to be pretty popular.

Typically they are watery/ gel like stuff that is high with good things like hydraulic acid, ceramides, etc.

Examples being:

http://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Hyaluronic-Hydra-Power-Essence/dp/B00OZ9MKDM

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Jart-Ceramidin-Liquid-Ounce/dp/B00AMANH58

I also have dry skin and acne. Depending what you are looking for, I like the Mad Hippie Vit C serum for my serum to help with skin tone, finel lines and PIH. Since you have dry skin, maybe adding Hada Labo Tokyo Replenishing Hydrator before your moisturizer for added hydration. It also doesn't look like you are using sunscreen, so maybe adding that to your routine? There are many to choose from, depending on if you like physical vs chemical.

not to hijack this thread or anything, but i figured since we're already talking about vitamin c i should go ahead and ask. i've been wanting to try some vitamin c for a while now but i've been put off by the price. i recently found this on amazon though and its got a higher concentration than the pc one and its twice as much product. is there any reason why this one wouldn't work as well as paula's?

I recommend a morning facial cleansing routine. Try washing with a product containing benzoyl peroxide followed by a pH balancing toner (Witch Hazel). Use a lotion after your shower. In the evenings, use the same toner as the morning followed by a retinol serum to clear up wrinkles and hyperpigmentations. Wear hats and a daily sunscreen designed for faces with an spf of 30 or more to prevent early aging from the sun, especially because benzoyl peroxide and retinol will greatly sensitize you to sunlight.

I found this would you recommend it? Or rather, do you know what I should look for when looking for the Hyaluronic Acid and/or vitamin e oil? Is there anything to be wary of if I try to find a cheaper option, etc? Which product (vitamin e or Hyaluronic Acid) do you suggest is worth the money/better to start with if I were only purchasing one?

Sorry for so much information and questions.

I began using The Ordinary's about 3 weeks ago and I've noticed a very visible reduction in the PIH on my chin. It's been great so far with very mild tingling in the beginning, which went away when I applied moisturizer on top.

A great breakdown of the ingredients in those serums can be found here and here. I do not believe either has copper peptides.

For copper from Deciem you would have to look to their Hylamide Sub Q Anti Age (Copper Lysinate/Prolinate) and/or their NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 1% (Copper Tripeptide-1 and Copper Lysinate/Prolinate). There is also a 5% CAIS, but I think it is only recoed for damaged skin.

Edited to add: Mizon has an inexpensive copper peptide serum too. Haven't tried this one myself, but the ingredients look pretty good.

I suggest adding this to your routine after cleansing and before moisturizer: https://www.amazon.com/MISSHA-Revolution-First-Treatment-Essence/dp/B00N1NXU46

I really like it and it helps my skin feel more hydrated!

Tree of life beauty retinol serum (2% strength), purchased through Amazon.

Not sure if the link will c/p right since I'm on mobile, but...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00S2G7AUC/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

definitely azelaic acid, niacinamide, sunscreen. I have papular rosacea which leaves much worse, yet similar small dots all over my face and they are drastically improving with these ingredients.
i have a prescription for azelaic acid called Finacea but you can get it OTC in many different forms.

Niacinamide can be taken orally or topically in many forms OTC as well. right now im using thishttp://www.amazon.com/Niacinamide-Vitamin-Cream-Serum-5%25-/dp/B00I80TBHM/ref=sr_1_3?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1454256177&sr=1-3&keywords=niacinamide+serum

as for sunscreen I'd recommendhttp://www.amazon.com/Sarasara-Waterly-Essence-Sunscreen-Bior%C3%A9/dp/B004LRO7DO/ref=sr_1_3?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1454256233&sr=1-3&keywords=biore+uv+aqua+rich+watery+essence

or


http://www.amazon.com/SKIN-AQUA-Sunscreen-Moisture-Whitening/dp/B00BJEAAHY/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1454256275&sr=1-2&keywords=uv+milk+sunscreen+aqua+skin

or the Elta md line

Am I doing this right?

Okay but for serious, this.


I would really love this oil dispenser because I suck at dispensing olive oil.

Vit c serum is my holy grail. I use this one as it’s safe for fungal acne and that’s what I suspect I have :)

Hi there! I did as a matter of fact! I can clean a dropper bottle out with isopropyl alcohol to disinfect it and decant 15-30 mls into it for you. It would be this exact bottle . I can do that for $5 for 15 ml and $6 for 30ml shipped!

I use the Mad Hippie Vitamin C serum every day and really love it. here's the seller I found

Which niacinamide do you recommend? I want to purchase one from amazon but the ones on the side bar dont have any:

1

2

3

4

They are completely different ingredients. Niacinamide has a proven track record of mitigating the irritation. HA just hydrates the skin. You can use the HA in the morning or night but it's not going to address this problem.

There are several inexpensive serums on Amazon. This is the one I used. Squeeze out the tretinoin then put a few drops on the same fingers and mix before you apply by patting all over your face then massaging it.

I have been using Oz Naturals Products for years, with nice results.

I use Oz Naturals Serum and really like it

its very expensive! your saying its worth it?? http://www.amazon.com/Paulas-Choice-Resist-Booster-Vitamin/dp/B00EYVSOKY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412712461&sr=8-1&keywords=paulas+choice+vitamin+c

Thank you so much for your response. I will have to look into this further. I also have the vitamin c serum below but didn't see many results with it.
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Vitamin-Serum-Poppy-Austin/dp/B00HHR0SYW

Is the Missha First Treatment Essence Rx PRO FERMENT the newer version of the Missha FTE Intensive Moist? I Google'd and "fourth generation" keeps popping up in the description of the Pro Ferment. I guess I'm just wondering if this is just a new iteration or it's replacing Intensive Moist or what.

Also, for those that have used the new Pro Ferment version, how'd you like it? I was gonna buy a replacement for my Intensive Moist, but this new one is intriguing especially it supposedly delivers twice the moisture in comparison to Intensive Moist.

The Missha FTE is only $28 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/MISSHA-Revolution-Treatment-Essence-Intensive/dp/B00N1NXU46

​

I don't think it's ever really been sold at $48, except for Target. Is Sokoglam selling it for $48?

What's the difference between Amazon ($25) and their website ($29)?

https://www.amazon.com/MISSHA-Revolution-Treatment-Essence-Intensive/dp/B00N1NXU46?th=1

i haven't found one that works for me just yet. but i've ordered this one to try: Elizavecca Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E6DHEH8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xeXrDbZGMW01N

i forgot to mention elizavecca in my recs! i did edit that post though because i forgot some stuff.

good luck!

I used this product:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H4YBHNS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is a Vitamin C product. I placed it on my sunspots day and night, but it did not seem to do anything.

> I'm looking for a product I can slather on at night so I wake up to a hydrated face

As /u/dianadorablee mentioned, vaseline works as a barrier to keep moisture in vs. creating it. I suggest trying a hyaluronic acid serum underneath a moisturizer. It saves my skin year round but especially in the winter months. Currently using this one.

I like this one , I have been using it for a month and on top of fading red marks, for the first time in my life my skin is goddamn dewy

is this the same serum from that list?

https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Hippie-Skin-Care-Products/dp/B005IXQLDE/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1491097450&sr=8-1&keywords=mad%2Bhippie&th=1

I bought [this] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I80TBHM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1) ...I have yet to try it though.

Not the person you replied to, but I also use their azelaic acid. Not sure where you're located, but I'm in the US and bought it on Amazon (sold by Cos De BAHA).

Here are some of mine:

Calvin Klein Cotton Bralettes

Retinol Serum

I also got some other boring stuff like a cheap Fire 8 tablet for my kids to use on roadtrips and some cleaning supplies.

Part IV

Moisturizers:

• HALF MOON EYES Milky Jelly Moisture Cream - $10.66
  was $16.40
  Amazon NOT AVAILABLE
  
  Serums:
  
  
• Elizavecca Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic acid 97% - $7.06
  was $10.86
  Amazon $9.62
  
  Ampoules:
  
  
• TOSOWOONG Propolis Sparkle Ampoule - $14.96
  was $23.01
  Amazon $17.50
  
  Spot Treatments:
  
  
• Ciracle Red Spot Cream - $12.66
  was $19.48
  Amazon $14.50

Vitamin C serum really helped me with this but you have to use it consistently for a few months. I used Mad Hippie (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005IXQLDE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_QFS9BbCJJRM53) but there’s other cheaper alternatives depending on your price range.

Also check r/skincareaddiction for more suggestions!

Weekly:

This face wash
Mon,
Tues,
and Wed morning and night.
Then normal,
mild soap Thurs,
Fri,
Sat. Then the saylic wash again Sun morning, followed by
this saylic acid peel for four minutes (and no more! You'll burn yourself!) Wash acid away with cold water. This made deep, dark acne scars disappear over the span of two years (but started in as little as a few weeks) and cured chronic hormonal adult acne where no medicine or soaps would otherwise. I swear by it now.

Daily:

Wash face, apply toner, let dry. Then apply hyaluronic acid serum on damp skin and pat thoroughly, let dry. Then apply retinol serum and let dry. Lastly, apply the best can't-go-wrong moisturizer to top it all off, let dry, and get on with your day.

 

Seems like a lot, but I had to embark on a "fix your fucked up skin" routine a few months ago, and I gotta say, this routine has done the trick. My pores are tiny, my color is even, my skin is soft, wrinkles have either lessened or disappeared completely, and I feel healthy, and in reality it doesn't take any longer than about five minutes to do.

 

Oh, and wear sunscreen. Sun isn't bad... but a lot of sun is bad. 15 minutes is good. 50, not so much.

I'm traveling abroad in December and bought a cheapo travel cosmetic set for me to fill with my products. I know some products go bad if they oxidize, but what about this niacinamide serum? Can I put it into one of those jars or will it go bad?

The problem with diet is that skin is the last organ that nutrients reach, that's why topicals can be quite effective. There are upper limits to how much nutrients a body can absorb per day, and they still may not get distributed efficiently. That said, if you suspect you aren't getting enough there's no harm in supplementing, vitamin C and vitamin D (D3 is what you want) don't cause issues when taken in excess, and a lot of people have a vitamin D deficiency.

I am a bit alarmed by using lemon juice on skin. It is effective in reversing hyperpigmentation but it's extremely acidic and a known irritant, it can really damage your skin's acid mantle. For undereye skin especially I would use something gentler. This reminds me, licorice root extract is another gentle ingredient that fights hyperpigmentation. It's Skin Power 10 LI Effector is cheap and you only need a drop.