(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best facial skin care products

REQUEST

I've been using Can Make Mermaid UV Skin Gel for a while now and ADORE IT. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. It's a hydrating SPF emulsion that hydrates, has no white cast, and is sooo lovely to use. I'm spoiled, and now that warm temperatures are on and ten thousand layers are off, I want a similarly luxurious SPF for my chest/arms/legs/feet for day to day wear. No white cast, no SPF smell, hopefully that's also hydrating. The Mermaid gel isn't expensive... but it will be if I use it everywhere (I want to use it everywhere.) I'm not trying to get spendy here.. but I can probably be convinced :) Also, if you haven't tried this sunscreen, what are you doing? I feel for you. It's the best. Especially if you are prone to breaking out!

REVIEWS

• Khiel's makes this mud mask that I feel confident is helping to deep cleanse my pores, decreasing their apparent size. It tingles just a bit, which I don't mind. This is my first clay mask, so I'm not sure what to compare it to, but it seems to do it's job! I'm open to trying other ones for sure. There's some Australian made clay mask that I keep seeing on Instagram which has caught my interest.
  
  
• Dr. Gross's universal peeling pads are not bad, oh, at, all. They leave my skin feeling really really clean and ready for the next steps without adding tightness. They do add about five minutes to my routine, since you're supposed to use the pads all over the face until the pads are dry. But I really think these, and my clay mask, are to thank for the drastic decrease in pore size.
  
  
• After patch testing, I've used The Ordinary peeling solution once so far but it's pretty great! It's a fun product to apply.. very viscous and bright raspberry in color. Doesn't tingle or burn at all, and I noticed a lot of dry skin coming up around my forehead and temples which is new for me so success!
  
  
• The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane made me peel the morning after use, and is SO GENTLE. No tingling or redness at all! I'm in love.
  
  
• The Ordinary Vitamin C in HA is definitely a tingly product, but it's amazing. My skin is looking so much more refined and even in tone, IMO. It's a gritty suspension so I only do this at night. But highly recommend it!
  
  
• The Ordinary Marine HA is another great one. It's a very watery essence step that instantly moisturizes... I feel like it hydrates deeply, and it also absorbs rather quickly as well! So in love. Love love love. It does smell like algae and sea organic matter, to be expected. It feels amazing but smells kinda gross.
  
  
• The Ordinary HA Moisturizing Factors is lovely. It's so lightweight and fluffy... it's a surprisingly luxurious experience for such a low cost. I notice I do value the Khiel's day oil in combination with this for some added festivity... but I can't go without this stuff!
  
  
• I got a sample of the Rosette ceramide gel and quite like it as a replacement for the Dr. Jardt gel moisturizer I'd been using. It's got a nice ingredient list, and that shows :) Macadamia nut oil seems to be a good thing for my skin.
  
  
• I bought the Dermaflash device when I went to Nordstrom and just tried it yesteray! I don't assume it is as effective as a professional dermaplaning service, but if you'd like something to tide you over between professional services, to test out the concept of dermaplaning, or if you're disinterested in actual dermaplaning! I didn't realize just how much dead skin was clinging to my face! My products really are absorbing sooo much better already, I love not using Nair to remove the peach fuzz on my face. It's awesome! I had to charge a few times during the process, which wasn't ideal, but all in all? I'd totally recommend this. I used it on my chest as well and love how soft all my skin is now :) I love this thing! Excited to try actual dermaplaning to determine the difference :)
  
  
• I've been using the Laura Mercier blemishless primer and think I love Laura Mercier primer like u/theartnomad always said I would... but I don't like this one. It says it prevents breakthrough shine, and it DOES, except I want my breakthrough shine as a bright spring with dry skin perpetually on the hunt for a dewy glowing complexion. It's even a bit too matte for when I want to be more professional in terms of skin finish. I'm not sure if I want the radiance primer (it adds a pearlescent finish... which I like, but I'm wary of white cast, which I think the bronze might help with) or the hydrating one? I'll get some samples at Sephora soon :)
  
  
• Christophe Robin makes a volumizing hair line and I am obsessed. The spray was lackluster for me, but I haven't experimented thoroughly with it. The scalp scrub feels AMAZING, dissolves completely, and the conditioner is so hydrating (makes detangling very easy) and my hair is visibly thicker and fluffier and shinier after use. I'd like to get the non-scrub shampoo as well to add in for my third weekly wash. Highly recommend.
  
  
• Christophe Robin's moisturizing kit is also nice, but I simply don't need that much moisture. Can't comment on the styling product as I'm allergic to the almond oil included. This is a great option for a deeper conditioning, or any one with breakage/damage I'd imagine, but it left my hair very sleek, if my goal weren't huge massive voluminous hair I'd be a happy camper!
  
  
• u/littlegoosegirl recommended the Bumble and Bumble Sunday Shampoo and it's AWESOME. Leaves my hair feeling totally perfectly squeaky clean! Not drying or damaging either, it wouldn't appear. I use this to remove the deep cleansing product I treat my hair with I've reviewed in the past, and it's a dream.
  
  
• I've long been in love with Khiel's Midnight Recovery Oil but am now entirely in love with the day version of this oil. Totally recommend. It's a drier, faster absorbing oil that lays fabulously under makeup. The warm citrusy scent is absolutely a plus.

I will repost what I posted in another thread not too long ago, making edits for what’s relevant to my current routine experiences:

I sheet mask most nights. I have a drawer of backups in addition to the sheet masks I have ready to go on my skincare bar cart.

These are my favourites so far:

Dr. Jart Hydration Lover Rubber Mask // product here

• The Ampoule pack that comes with it packs a ton of serum, and the jelly mask creates a great occlusive barrier to trap the serum in and prevent drying out. It says to leave it for 20-30 minutes, but no more than 40. I always go for the full 40 minutes. Your face is so hydrated and moisturized after that depending on your skin type, there is probably minimal products you need to follow up with after. Last night I used the Dr. Jart Bright Lover Rubber Mask and afterwards products sunk into my skin super quick.
  
  Update Feb 20, 2018: I tried another Dr. Jart Mask two nights ago, the V7 Toning Mask and it is another winner that I will be repurchasing. It had a creamier essence that left my face so moisturised that I considered ending my routine there. And there is so much essence. I had enough for three additional applications after sealing in a ziplock bag. I find that I generally am wowed by all Dr. Jart masks, but they are pricey.
  
  Mediheal N.M.F. Aquaring Hydro Nude Gel Mask // product here
  
• I prefer hydrogel masks, although I do not discriminate - I use all sheet masks :) The hydrogel again creates a great occlusive, trapping in the moisture.
  
  Dr. Jart Ceramidin Sheet Mask // product here
  
• This is a (cotton?) sheet mask and it has an abundance of creamy essence. I particularly like this one on days that I do an exfoliating peel, such as Drunk Elephant Babyfacial, so that I can be sure to pamper my skin barrier after a deep exfoliation. I find that with this mask I have enough essence after rubbing it on my body to still use the remaining juice again the next day, but the time I planned to do that I just ended up throwing it away out of laziness.
  
  Mediheal I.P.I Lightmax Ampoule Mask // product here
  
• This is a brightening regular sheet mask that has arbutin and sodium hyaluronate high up on the ingredient list, and some other brightening ingredients such as vitamin C and grape fruit extract further down on the list. I like this mask because it has a lot of essence and I like the fragrance (last item on the ingredient list). I can’t really describe what it smells like, but it’s really soft to me, so if you don’t like fragrance you should avoid this one. But for me, it’s a nice additive.
  
  My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Sheet Mask or My Beauty Diary Royal Pearl Sheet Mask // product here and here
  
• These two are my most recent mask pack purchases. They are regular cotton (?) masks. I noticed a very plumped visage after having used them, they have a lot of essence that can be spread over the body from the left over juice, and they have the most perfect fit of any sheet mask I have ever used. They have the most appropriate cuts(?) in them around the eye and nose areas making for a more customized fit. No joke, these fit like they were made for my face.
  
  Added Feb 20, 2018:
  SNP Bird’s Nest Aqua Ampoule Sheet Mask // Product here
  This is a favourite of this sub, and I can see why. It has so much essence, and although it is fragranced, I like the scent. It smells like a clean hand soap. This left my face plump and hydrated. I purchased it for $2.80 at a local AB store, and I think I will go back to repurchase the box.
  
  Whamisa Organic Seeds & Rice Fermented Hydrogel Facial Mask // Product Here
  First tested on Dec. 19. First impressions: very thin clear nude hydrogel mask. Very delicate. Smells very much like Chanel No. 5, with strong notes of jasmine and musk. As mask wears on the face, the scent remains and the mask starts to create a menthol-type cooling sensation on the face. The mask fits poorly in the eyes, but otherwise fits well. Will repurchase for scent and gel texture. This mask is definitely a favourite of mine for the senatorial experience versus the results, as I definitely felt bougie AF wearing it. I will monitor it closely as I Iuse it more in the future to see if it has any more benefits other than basic hydration.
  
  Regen Absolute Gold Foil Mask // Product here
  Out of all the foil masks I’ve tried and own, this one is my favourite. It fits surprisingly well for a foil mask, and is lined with a charcoal infused paper sheet mask. I got it for $12 for a box of 5 which seems to be really affordable for these foil type of masks, but it has since gone up in price on Amazon, I’m assuming due to it being a fairly nice mask. This one is great for skintertainment purposes (perfect sheet mask selfie!) but I also feel like due to the fit and lining that it is a generally good mask as well.
  
  SPECIAL MENTION
  
  My Scheming Masks
  
• All the My Scheming Masks I use have tons of essence and they are super cheap making them a win-win.
  
  SHEET MASK-ADJACENT PRODUCTS
  
  Silicone Sheet Mask Mask //. product here
  
• These are great to layer over your regular paper/cotton sheet masks as it traps the moisture in and prevents the cotton from drying out. It’s a mask for your sheet mask 😀 But if you have a Daiso near you, but it from there as it is only $1.50
  
  Sheet Mask Warmer // product here
  
• So someone shared this the other day on Reddit and I had to buy it. It is a warmer for your sheet masks. A lot of people love the chilly coolness of sheet masks, but I really don’t like the cold feeling. I like warm cups of tea and heated neck warmers and those sort of things so cold stuff on my face just kinda jolts me a bit in an unpleasant way. I notice if I take a hot shower prior to starting my routine I don’t mind the chill of a sheet mask, but on most nights when I’m just going straight into my routine without showering, I really can’t stand the chill. Especially since winter is coming. So I bought this product. If you love the chill, disregard this product suggestion.
  
  Compressed Sheet Masks // product here
  
• If you ever have a sheet mask that you really like and it comes with tons of extra essence, you could throw one of these compressed sheet masks into the package with the extra essence and ziploc it up and use it the next day as well. Just don’t keep it for more than a day or two. Alternatively, if you have any favourite essences or toners in a bottle, you could make a diy Sheet Mask with your bottled products with these compressed masks. Again, if you have a Daiso near you, purchase them from there as you get a bunch for only $1.50.
  
  Edit: typos

Aww thank you so much! It means a lot to me that my rants aren't solely in the realm of old man yells at sky (yet)!

Unfortunately I'm not in the EU and I'm pretty ignorant of what is easily accessible (without insane shipping costs), but I do believe lookfantastic carries a bunch of brands and it might have free shipping!

My price-point for everything is usually around or less than $20 - I won't spend much more than that on a product. So most of my recs do hover around that price, although it should be noted that some(most?) will last longer than TO's products either due to more product being purchased, or just the formula lends itself to easier spreadability allowing for thinner layers and less product used per application.

Advanced Retinoid 2% - I actually think this is a great product and a good introduction to retinoids. You'll find a lot of other gentle retinoids on the market - a lot of 'retinol creams' actually contain gentler retinoid derivatives similar to the ones used in TOs formula, so it's not ~groundbreaking~, but it is a good product at a good price and I believe it's kind of a dupe for Sunday Riley Luna and I support that. That being said, if you go to the store and pick up any 'anti-aging' serum or cream, it's bound to have some gentle retinoids in there, usually for ~$10

Retinol 1% - This is another product I really like. $5 for retinol is fantastic, and it dilutes easily into a moisturizer. I dilute it into a 0.2% concentration, and it has lasted a very very long time. Mixes well, great product. It's rather difficult finding a low-cost retinol product since you can charge more for the gold-standard ingredient, but they do exist. There are also some Amazon retinol products that are a very good deal price/oz, and at least from the review I linked, seem to be effective as heck. As of right now, I'm unsure of whether I'll be testing an Amazon retinol product or sticking with my retinol from TO after it runs out. Differin is also OTC here now, costs ~$10. So I'm sure it will be easier to find cheap retinol products soon.

Niacinamide - Another product I really like! That said, a lot of moisturizers contain niacinamide (like a bunch of CeraVe ones), any 'lightening' serum will have niacinamide, I swear that every AB product has niacinamide in there somewhere, Skinlex has a $10 serum, and there are good diy recipes as well

Vitamin C 23% - This product is awful. I don't mind the gritty texture, I don't mind the feeling of a thousand tiny bees stinging my face for 10 minutes after application, I don't mind having to apply it to damp skin, and I don't mind having to mist my face with water after application. I can work with a product like that. It's this thick, disgusting, lard layer that it leaves on your face. It pills under everything, and it pills aggressively. Since by it's very nature you need to apply it as a first-step in your routine (both due to the low pH required and because you have to apply it to a soaking wet face), you'd think it would be a formula that layers decently under other products. Doesn't have to be perfect, I don't mind a bit of pilling. But this layer is T H I C C, and it sloughs off from the mere sight of a hydrating serum or regular bland moisturizer. So what do you do? Well, you wipe it off, of course! BUT THIS ISH DOESN'T WIPE OFF. IT IS NOW A PART OF YOUR SKIN. Scrub all you want, you'll just be left with slimey, red, irritated skin. Your only hope is another oil cleanse, and why the heck am I going in circles in my routine when I just want to get to freakin bed???

I don't know if I can get behind anhydrous vitamin C serums - of course there's the risk of fast oxidation in water-based L-AA serums, but if you buy a well-formulated (with preservatives!) product from a well-known and well-reviewed company, and store the serum properly, it really shouldn't be that much of an issue. If they can create an anhydrous serum that doesn't feel like you're slathering your face in silicone lard, then yes I can totally get behind it. But there ain't nothing wrong with a bunch of water-based L-AA serums on the market - for ~$20, you don't have to keep your face soaking wet for application, no misting required, no little grits of L-AA that explode into a thousand hornets, no disgusting layer that melds itself to your skin like Viserys's gold crown and then sheds like a moldy snake.

Anyway, Timeless, NuFountain, and Skin Actives are all good vit c serums ~$20. Simple Skincare Science just did a good overview of some vit c serums here

Vit C derivatives (MAP, SAP, ascorbyl glucoside, etc.) - Honestly, I'm not sure of alternatives because these have never really interested me, but if you go to the store and look for a vitamin C serum, chances are it's got one of these derivatives in it. Silk Naturals also has affordable MAP serums (~$15).

Lactic Acid - Again, not an ingredient I've researched extensively, but Silk Naturals has an 8% lactic for $9, and Pond's Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream has 8% lactic for $12

Azelaic Acid - Skinoren/finacea for $12 are the ones I know of (but they may be prescription? unsure), but I think this is probably a good intro to pricier azelaic acid products!

Glycolic Acid - Nip & Fab Pads, 5% glycolic acid for $10. Alpha Skincare, huge bottles of varying concentrations for ~$15. Pixi by Petra Glow Tonic, 5% glycolic for ~$15. Avon Retexturizing Peel, 10% glycolic for ~$10.

Salicylic Acid - This is everywhere. Price/oz, TO is more expensive than gosh darn Paula's Choice (which I consider to be an expensive brand.) Silk Naturals has an affordable salicylic acid toner, but imo just pick up some Stridex or equivalent product.

AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution - This is a good price for a peel, I think - I don't know much about peels!

Hyaluronic Acid - Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion (~$12 for a lot of product), Mizon Hyaluronic Acid 100 (~$13), Elizavecca Hyaluronic Acid Serum (~$15 for an insane amount of product)

Various oils - these seem to be good deals, Garden of Wisdom is an alternative, NOW oils are an alternative. I used to buy my jojoba oil in bulk from H&B Oils Center on Amazon and never had an issue :)

Various primers - various drugstore primers ofc

Matrixyl - Timeless carries one for $22, I'm sure there are many others because matrixyl has been a good buzzword for a while

Alpha Arbutin & Argireline - these aren't products I've looked into tbh

Caffeine solution - I think you'd get the same effect from buying a cheap rollerball applicator, filling it with whatever serum you want, and storing it in the fridge

So there are a bunch of good products there - lactic, retinol, azelaic, probably the alpha arbutin etc. But there are definitely other brands to fill the ingredients needs out there. The brands I recommended were just the ones I have saved or found easily on the sidebar, so there's definitely way more out there!

I think there are a lot of ingredients that you can find if you go to the drugstore and look around a bit - I don't think everything needs to be vouched for by a bunch of people to make it worthwhile. Of course I love to have reviews backing my purchases, but if something is inaccessible or expensive, I can usually find something that fills that need at the drugstore. The only problem is how horribly products are named! If I'm looking for niacinamide, it helps to have niacinamide in the name, or at the very least in the product description, but you probably won't find out about it until you're knee deep in the ingredients list.

I'm seriously hoping for a stronger shift away from issue focused skincare descriptions to ingredients focused skincare descriptions, or at the very least clearer inclusion of the star ingredients (and not just like, ~organic cold pressed pea juice for lightening~ when really niacinamide is at the top of the list).

Your skin is very sensitive and you should never use scrubs or vinegar, they only act as irritants will make your skin irritated and flare up with more acne.

With combination skin this means you are both dry and dehydrated. Basically this means that you need to moisturize the fuck out of your skin.

Don't go anywhere near anything with alcohol in it as that is going to act as an irritant as well. Rehabilitating your skin needs to be handled gently and will take a bit of time but trust me, the patience is worth it.

You want to start out with a gentle cleanser and a gentle, hydrating moisturizer. Cetaphil products have alcohol in them and will only harm your skin.

Try the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, or Cosrx Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser (you can use it any time). My preference is for the Cosrx as it has some tea tree in it that is super soothing for the skin. Both can be found on Amazon and depending where you are, you may be able to find CeraVe in a drug or grocery store.

For a moisturizer I would definitely check out the Cosrx Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap for the mornings and the Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion for night. The Cosrx is going to keep you hydrated during the day without feeling heavy on the skin which is perfect if you're using makeup. The Hado Labo is basically the best thing on the planet for anyone. It's great for all skin types and the addition of the hyaluronic acid is great for trapping moisture in your skin overnight and it helps with anti-aging. Both can be found on Amazon.

If you're wearing makeup you need to find a good cleanser that isn't going to strip you of the natural oils you need or be too rough on your skin. Oil cleansing with Jojoba oil is good, but I really think you should look into using Rice Water. It's super gentle and takes the makeup off without stripping your skin and won't leave you feeling dry and tight. Some people like to cleanse with the oil and just wipe everything off, but I like to gently cleanse to make sure I'm getting all the oils, make up, and general dirt that accumulates on your skin throughout the day.

There are other steps and products you can add that will help but this is a good starting point.

Please check out Renee a.k.a. Gothamista on Youtube. She discusses products that are best in each category, and most importantly what's best for each skin type. My skin has been absolutely perfect ever since finding her:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-X4BAoKxwGYIKrKfqk7yug


PRODUCTS(pretty much everything in my skin care routine comes from Amazon but they can be found elsewhere):


CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser:
https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Hydrating-Facial-Cleanser-Washing/dp/B01MSSDEPK/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1522612169&sr=1-6&keywords=cerave&th=1

Cosrx Good Morning Cleanser:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016NRXO06/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cosrx Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CLTKI4A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Lotion:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KSS993I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1

The Face Shop Rice Water Cleanser:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00809ERAM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thx for the info. Here's my super long post but I wanted to give you useful information. I think you’re on the right track in terms of “active” ingredients (BHA, AHA, retinol, etc.) but I’d switch your routine up to ensure maximum product efficacy (the order you layer your products effects their absorption) and I'd switch your products to more tried-and-true ones like inthegloww suggested as well. Below are my suggestions with a little science behind them, courtesy of the bloggers “snow white and the Asian Pear” and “lab muffin”. As others have noted, unfortunately there’s no magic bullet formula for flawless skin, so you’ll just have to keep monitoring your skin daily and adjust your products accordingly.

Definitely ditch the following:

1. Burt’s Bee’s Brightening Face Wash: Unsure of the pH. Us acne-prone folks need to use a low pH cleanser.
   
2. the hyaluronic acid (HA): I know there’s a lot of hype around HA right now but it could be making your skin drier if there’s no moisture in the air since its humectant. You need to lock it in with an occlusive on top (sealant). I think a good moisturizer will be more than sufficient.
   
3. the moisturizer with the vitamin C:
   a.) I don’t think you need vitamin C at this stage of the game and;
   b.) It might not even be effective in the moisturizer since Vit C is a finicky active. (It comes in many forms, some are pH dependent; needs to be in a concentration of 20% to be effective; begins to oxidize if mixed w/water so stabilizers are needed [serums tend to be more stable then cream formulas for this reason]; air/photosensitive so it needs to be in dark air tight packaging like a pump. It’s a pain in the butt.)
   
   AM Routine
   1. Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser - $12
   —Acidic Cleanser: Clinical studies have shown that an alkaline cleanser, high pH (greater than 6.0 pH), contributes to the proliferation of acne bacteria on the skin. An acidic pH (less than 6.0 pH) is less bacteria-friendly. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser has a 5.5 pH, and contains ceramides which help protect the skin barrier.
   2. Active: Salicylic acid (BHA) - Humane Clarifying Toner. If you feel like switching, try [Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid] (https://smile.amazon.com/Paulas-Choice-SKIN-PERFECTING-Exfoliant-Facial-Blackheads/dp/B00949CTQQ/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1518761128&sr=1-1&keywords=paulas%2Bchoice%2Bbha&th=1) - $25 on Amazon // $30 on her site but she frequently runs 20% sales + you can use a rebate site too to save even more (Coupon Cabin is 8.5% back currently).
   —BHA: Salicylic acid is only effective at certain pHs 3-4pH and concentrations (1 – 2%). Paula’s Choice is pH range of 3.2–3.8
   3. Active: AHA - AHA Enhanced Renewal Cream. Apply AHA following BHA, but only 1-2x a week to start. If you feel like switching, try [Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum] (https://smile.amazon.com/Mizon-AHA-8-Peeling-Serum/dp/B00F35GT0W/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1518760920&sr=8-4&keywords=Mizon%27s+AHA+8%25+Peeling+Serum&dpID=41diUr7YN6L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch)
   —AHAs are not oil-soluble (difficulty penetrating oily areas of your face such as the T-zone) but BHAs are. So, apply the BHA first to clear out the sebum in your pores, then apply the AHA which can then penetrate your skin more effectively. Ideally, you’d wait 15-20 min. between applications for optimal results but who has time for that?
   4. Moisturizer: [CeraVe Facial Moisturizer PM] (https://smile.amazon.com/CeraVe-Facial-Moisturizing-Lotion-Lightweight/dp/B00365DABC/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1518763286&sr=1-4&keywords=CeraVe+Facial+Moisturizer+PM) - $9
   Contains ceramides and niacinamide which has been shown to reduce pore size.
   5. Sunscreen: Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++
   —Japanese sunscreen. Non gloopy physical/chemical combo, doesn’t leave a white cast, some folks like to use it as primer pre-makeup
   
   PM Routine:
   1. Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
   2. Active: Antioxidant - [Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant] (https://smile.amazon.com/Trilogy-Rosehip-Antioxidant-1-01-Ounce/dp/B0081JE0VM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1518761377&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=Trilogy+Rosehip+Oil+Antioxidant&psc=1) - $22
   —Rosehip Oil: A linoleic-rich oil (an omega-6 fatty acid). Acne-prone skin tends to have a low % of linoleic acid and high % of oleic acid in the sebum. It’s thought that these low levels could be one of the things causing acne. Oils with a high linoliec acid content typical go rancid w/in 3-6 months but the antioxidants in this brand keep it shelf stable for three 3 yrs.
   3. Active: Retinoid - I'd try azelaic acid, Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% - $8. If you want it stronger, it comes in Rx as well.
   —Azelaic Acid: "According to Wikipedia, it can treat mild to moderate acne, both comedonal acne and inflammatory acne. It works by killing acne bacteria that infect skin pores AND it decreases the production of keratin, which is a natural substance that promotes the growth of acne bacteria. So it tackles clogged pores like a BHA preventing future acne and kills bacteria to improve current acne. It also fades hyperpigmentation, like an AHA, but without photosensitivity and unlike some forms of AHA, it can be safely used by those with deeper skin tones." quoting snow white and the Asian Pear
   4. Moisturizer**: CeraVe Facial Moisturizer PM or [CeraVe Moisturizing Cream] (https://smile.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizing-Cream-Daily-Moisturizer/dp/B001V9SXXU/ref=sr_ph_1_s_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1518769817&sr=sr-1&keywords=cerave&th=1) if you need something heavier - $12

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! :)

I’ve just returned with a suitcase of products, I’m still working my way through them all!

Products I loved:

• Mediheal tea tree sheet masks (available at Don Quixote): calms down skin on the verge of a breakout. The packaging has changed slightly from that shown in the link.
  
  
• Acne Barrier Protect Spots (Cosme and other speciality beauty/skincare stores): seals pimples and turns them into a tiny speck overnight. Seems to work better once they’ve (TMI) popped unfortunately, but still an amazing product. I apply to a clean cotton bud so I don’t contaminate the dropper.
  
  
• SK-II Facial Treatment Cleanser (department stores): received this as a sample in a pack. It’s a nice gentle cleanser that visibly brightens afterwards.
  
  Things that didn’t set my world on fire, but YMMV:
  
  
• Kanebo Suisai Beauty Clear Powder Wash (any drug store): This was described as being coarser than the Tacha Polishing Powder (haven’t tried), but I could barely feel any of the exfoliant. I usually use the Aesop exfoliant which is very coarse so may just be me.
  
  
• Shiseido Macherie Perfect Shower (speciality beauty/skincare stores): Not /AusSkincare and think this really depends on your hair type. It’s described as a perfect cure for bed hair, I have naturally wavy hair and it made my waves partially drop out, so it was neither straight nor wavy - just flat and messy. I’d prefer something like the Bumble and Bumble spray.
  
  
• Canmake Perfect Multi Eye Pallet, Shade 02 (most beauty stores): nice formula, blends well and really lovely warm brown shades. However it’s very much that subtle Japanese eye make up look, I’ve been using Huda, UD and ABH for too long so prefer something a bit stronger.
  
  
• I bought a La Roche Posay sunscreen and BB cream at the same time they started flogging them throughout the Aus Open. There are plenty of threads on them.
  
  Things I bought and haven’t tried yet:
  
  
• SK-II Facial Treatment Essence and sheet masks (department stores): When in Rome...
  
  
• Shiseido Ultimune (department stores): As above.
  
  
• Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Milk (drug stores and speciality beauty/skincare stores): I saw lots of good reviews for this brand, but the Aqua Booster version. I could only find it in spray form rather than a bottle (perhaps wrong time of year) so bought this instead. There is a gel option too.
  
  
• Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel (drug stores): another sunscreen that was highly recommended.
  
  
• Melano CC Intensive Anti Spot Essence (drug stores): I had to have the concept of a vitamin C serum explained to me so probably not the greatest source. Apparently it’s “more stable”.
  
  
• Kose Softy Mo Deep Cleansing Oil (can’t remeber where I bought this, drug stores and beauty/skincare stores will have it): highly recommended, DHC seems to be well regarded too.
  
  
• Canmake Perfect Serum BB Cream (beauty/skincare stores).
  
  Other things on the must-have list but got to the end of the trip and was all “I’m not paying that”:
  
  
• Shu Uemura Ultime 8 Sublime Cleansing Oil.
  
• Hada Labo Shirojyun Lotion.
  
  I speak schoolgirl Japanese at best, but everyone there is only too happy to help. Screenshot as many products as you can so you can show people in shops.
  
  It probably goes without saying no matter where you are, but knowing what colours work for your skin is a must. I’m biracial but look completely western, so I found SAs would try and direct me to pink-based makeup by default. My skin is completely yellow-based so I always had to politely decline their recommendations.
  
  Happy shopping!

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, 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?

Hi, u/mihaelalala7! :)

I would suggest replacing the micellar water with a cleansing oil or a cleansing balm (even though your dermatologist suggested it), as it would do, in my opinion, a much better job at breaking down the gunk that's on your face that your regular water-based cleanser won't be able to dissolve. Even though it might seem strange to put oil on your already oily skin, the excess sebum that builds up on the skin and in our pores cannot dissolve in a water-based formula, and maybe even certain ingredients from your SPF and such. Micellar water does a similar job, but I don't find it as effective. Then I Met You has a nice, fragrance-free cleansing balm.

When building up a skin care routine, the most important things to look for are skin barrier support and sun protection. For your skin to be happy, you have to provide a good SPF, gentle cleansing and proper hydration through a good moisturizer. By looking at the ingredient list of your Isis Pharma moisturizer, I came to the conclusion that you should definitely replace it. It contains a lot of fragrance, which should definitely be avoided in skin care, and it also contains a really harsh surfactant, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, that is just terrible for the face. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is basically the stuff that makes up regular soap, which we all know we should not put on our faces. It really strips the skin, and can definitely lead to skin barrier damage that will worsen your skin concerns (breakouts, comedones, dullness etc.). A much, much better option would be the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, that is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, MUCH gentler and hydrating. It contains ceramides, compounds that are present in our skin's own moisturizing system. Your cleanser is by far the worst product in your routine and you should replace it in my opinion.

When it comes to the exfoliating acids, I think you'll do a much better job preventing breakouts and smoothing your skin texture by using your Salicylic Acid as a primary exfoliant, since it does basically the same job as the Lactic Acid, but it also has the property of being soluble in oil, thus unclogging your pores while also providing a gentle exfoliation. Salicylic Acid also can help with controlling excess sebum production and it also has antibacterial properties. Be aware that the overuse of chemical exfoliants can lead to irritation, dryness, redness and peeling, so maybe use them a few times a week, and don't apply them on areas where you don't experience congestion. You can switch to using the Salicylic Acid on your breakout-prone, textured areas, 2-3 days a week, and see if your skin tolerates it well. If not, you can go back to the Lactic Acid. Do not use your chemical exfoliants on the sensitive parts of the face, such as the under-eye area, as it's simply unnecessary, and the risk of getting irritated is much higher on the extremely thin skin under our eyes.

I'll have to mention fragrance again when talking about your moisturizer. It's definitely not as bad as your cleanser, but I'd look into other options that are fragrance-free, such as CeraVe's Moisturizing Cream, that is also non-comedogenic and contains ceramides.

The SPF you're using is most likely fine, and you should continue using it if you like the product. La Roche Posay, Eucerin, Cetaphil and CeraVe also provide good sunscreens that you can explore in the future.

The witch hazel may or may not help, you can keep using it if you like it. For sebum production control and anti-inflammatory properties you can also try incorporating Niacinamide into your routine, as it's a proven ingredient that can definitely help with the appearence of breakouts and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots) from acne scarring. The Ordinary has a great Niacinamide 10% + Zinc serum.

Also, the order in which you apply your products is of utmost importance. There are a lot of sources online where you can find more about this, but generally you should look to apply your products from the thinnest to thickest, starting with your cleansing oil and water-based cleanser, and ending with your sunscreen/moisturizer at PM.

So, to summarize: definitely look to replace your cleanser, you can improve your PM double-cleanse by replacing your micellar water with a cleansing oil/balm, be careful with your exfoliating acids, look to get rid of fragrance and harsh ingredients in your products by paying close attention to the ingredient list of the products that you're buying and doing research on that (Dr. Dray is board-certified dermatologist that has a YouTube channel, her advice is just pure gold, you can learn a lot from her). Our skin is a living, breathing organ, that is perfectly capable of self-sustaining and protecting itself. Our job is to enhance its mechanisms, and not overwhelm it by using too many products, harsh ingredients and fragrance.

Since you're not dealing with really bad skin concerns, having a really good, gentle double-cleanse, potent moisturizer, SPF 30+ sunscreen, using frangrance-free, non-comedogenic products and mildy exfoliating your skin with a gentle BHA (Salicylic Acid product) should really be all you need to get your skin to a good state. I'm glad you asked for advice, I'm extremely happy that you specificed the products you use, because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to identify some of the mistakes in your skin care (and potentially the biggest), and I hope you'll find my advice helpful.

All the best!

I’m 31 and have dealt with acne, at times severe, cystic, impacting both face and body, on and off since my early teens. I can certainly relate to the frustration of still having to deal with flares as I got older.

I would also highly recommend r/skincareaddiction if you are looking for a good resource for product and routine suggestions. Since it sounds like your skin is probably somewhat dehydrated, I would stay away from harsh, stripping products. Interestingly, this would probably include any drugstore face washes marketed towards acne. The objective of your face wash should be to cleanse your face of excess oil, dirt, and ideally makeup. I’ve always really enjoyed using:

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel

It didn’t dry me out and I liked that it had AHA - it seemed like just the right amount of an exfoliating ingredient to help unclog pores without being irritating. I liked it much better than standard recommendations for Cetaphil or Cerave. The former felt too drying and I seem to be sensitive to some ingredient in Cerave products because they invariably seem to make me break out more.

However, my face wash was not very good at removing makeup and it seems that most face washes suck at this task. I thought this might be causing problems for me so I started trying out the double cleanse method - first experimenting with micellar waters, cleansing oils, or cleansing balms and following up with my chosen cleanser in the second step to remove the oily residue. I admit I was scared to actively be applying oils to my face even if I was going to be removing them. But you know what? My face never felt so clean and happy! It dawned on me that my poor skin was probably screaming for hydration. So I read up on Korean beauty products and regimens and researched posts on r/AsianBeauty (which I would also highly recommend). At this point I’ve tried out a few different serums, hydrating toners, and sleeping packs. I layer these products in lieu of a typical lotion or cream moisturizer (I do top off with sunscreen in the morning). When I’m feeling lazy I just use this hydrating toner which feels like a runny serum:

KLAIRS Supple Preparation Facial Toner

This is my holy grail skin care product. I cherish it more than my scattered tubes of clindamycin, Differin, and tretinoin which have all been collecting dust. I apply after I wash to replenish moisture. It’s very high in sodium hyaluronate and beta-glucan which are great hydrating ingredients to look out for. Since incorporating this routine my skin has been transformed. It gradually stopped producing as much oil as it normally used to to the extent that I think I can’t even classify my skin as combination/oily anymore. It’s just... normal. I don’t soak through 5 sheets of blotting paper several times a day. I don’t even own blotting paper anymore.

So there you go. That’s my big shout out to the power of hydration, fixing your moisture barrier, and Korean skincare 🤣

I know this has already been a novel, but this issue is dear to my heart so I thought I’d share a few more parting thoughts and suggestions:

• Lithium induces the production of neutrophils in the body which can trigger inflammation in the skin. This is why a variety of inflammatory skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and follicultis can be lithium-induced. One strategy is to switch from lithium if you can. If lithium has been highly effective a dose reduction might be considered. I was maintained on a higher dose during a manic episode (1.2 mEq/L) and this triggered a cystic nightmare on my face, chest, back, and shoulders. My skin improved with the help of a derm but it did not return to its typical state until I got off lithium. Lithium was later reintroduced after my skin went through its apparent “transformation” when I switched to a more hydrating skin regimen. It was also reintroduced at a much lower dose than before as an add-on to my cocktail of meds as a precaution.
  
• I was on a course of doxycycline for a few months alongside tretinoin and topical clindamycin to no avail. Derm switched me to a high dose course of Bactrim DS which proved to be impressively helpful. I don’t often hear this antibiotic mentioned with respect to acne but it worked. I wasn’t completely clear by any stretch of the imagination but the cystic breakouts were finally under control. I was thankful given that one of the cysts on my back ended up having to be surgically removed and I couldn’t deal with this nonsense anymore. Typically my standard skin treatments had always been Differin and clindamycin gel for maintenance. If I needed something stronger I would swap in tretinoin/Retin-A. Since my skin has stopped being problematic, I’ve stopped using the retinoids and just use clindamycin as a spot treatment as needed. This has been good as it has been exposing my skin to much less irritation (at the expense of missing out on the anti-aging benefits... I may rotate it in occasionally).
  
• Lithium tends to exacerbate underlying conditions. This is really important. Were you dealing with any (maybe milder?) facial acne before you started the lithium? Was it sporadic? Did it maybe seem more hormonal? The answer may help to reveal which treatment approach may work best. If you already had an underlying case of common acne vulgaris that got worse, the derm will be a great resource and some of the meds I’ve already mentioned are likely to help. If your breakouts seem more hormonal, make sure to bring this up at your appointment. Throughout my years of suffering, I finally came to learn that my issues were exacerbated by PCOS thanks to my endocrinologist and gynecologist. I was prescribed spironolactone and also use hormonal birth control. Spiro reduces levels of androgenic hormones in the body that trigger symptoms such as acne. Lower doses can be very helpful to women with acne who don’t necessarily present with PCOS as well, as it acts to reduce sebaceous gland activity. Spiro has helped me (and a few of my friends) a lot and I’d discuss it with the derm. It can slightly increase lithium levels but I take a high dose and it hasn’t caused an issue.
  
• You mentioned you’re seeing a derm but if you’re not a fan or if it’s not cost effective - another option might be to look into a telemedicine service like Curology. I’ve used it before and it’s actually a really nice service. I’d recommend it more for when you know what your skin likes to streamline your routine.
  
  Good luck!
  
  
  
  

Raves:

Etude House Cat Headband- I got this as a freebie and I looove it. I feel so cute when I do my routine, it keeps my bangs out of my products, and my SO seems to like it too. It's funny that such a small thing can make me feel happy~

It's My Cushion(Black and Mint)- I am so upset with myself for waiting so long to get a cushion. I use the Black for BB Cream and the Mint for sunscreen.

I don't get gross BB Cream or sunscreen all over the back of my hand, I feel like it's more sanitary because I'm not touching all over my freshly cleaned face, and it gives a better finish to my application. I also use less product. And since I'm using my own BB cream, I can refill it easily(one bottle costs about the same as a good BB cushion, and lasts me around two years)

Rosette Ceramide Gel- The elusive "chok chok" feeling, just like CosRx Honey Ceramide Cream gave me, but without an allergic reaction from the honey. It dries a little more slowly, but is also more matte, which makes applying my sunscreen and makeup easier. To me, it also feels a lot lighter, but only a tiny bit less moisturizing than the CosRx.

Rave/Rant:

Beauty People Lip Tattoo(Tomato and Strawberry)- TL;DR Great product, but why does Korea only ever make lip products in four colors?!

First, the good: It doesn't dry my lips out horribly like most lip tints, and it lasts. Like, will not come off even with oil cleanser. And it doesn't highlight damaged parts of my lip like other tints. Full coverage!

It's very pigmented. If you look good in bright lipsticks, you will love this. The tomato is(well, like a tomato, facepalm) bright orange-red, not a true red, which was disappointing to me as I look horrible in orange. And the strawberry is like if you added cool undertones to hot pink. However, I favor a more natural look. I was hoping to do what I did with my old tint, and either only put on a thin layer, or apply it more thickly, then heavily blot to bring it close to my natural color.

You can't apply it thinly, it just doesn't work. But you can do the blotting method if you're very quick. If you leave the product sitting for more than about 7-10 seconds, it'll be there the rest of the day. Nothing you can do about it. Don't touch it with your fingers, and don't try and use your toothbrush to remove it either(stained hands and one ruined toothbrush later...)

Even a thin layer does last all day though. I think this would be a fantastic product for someone who loves bright lipstick. It's also great for people whose lips get dried out from other lip tints, or for people who tend to rub off their lip products.

I do like the lasting power and I can make it work for now, so I'm keeping the Tomato and getting rid of Strawberry. But I'll be trying other lip stains until I can find an HG that is long lasting and a good color, so I'll have more reviews for you later. Please let me know if you have any suggestions!

I've heard PeriPera Inks are nice too, but they have pretty much the same shades, so I'll probably try something else...

So it sounds like Melano isn't working that great for you if you're still concerned with PIH and increasing brightness? Have you ever tried a 20% Ascorbic acid serum? It really helps to decrease pigmentation issues and increases brightness for me. I used to use 15% Ascorbic acid serum but I really got effects when I switched to 20%. I would recommend a 20% Vitamin C serum especially if you can't use ferments.

Here are some 20% Vitamin C serums that seem to fit your needs with not having any aloe, carbomer, fatty alcohols, denatured alcohol, or ferments. (I don't think I missed anything if I did I apologize. The ingredients lists all look to be without the ingredients you mentioned). One of these is on Amazon and all are under $40:

-Nufountain 20% Vitamin C serum: https://www.amazon.com/NuFountain®-Ferulic-Vitamin-Ordered-Shipping/dp/B0039LZW78

-C21.5% serum but it's from Wishtrend: http://www.wishtrend.com/skin-care/1215-pure-vitamin-c215-advanced-serum-by-wishtrend.html

Then I would also recommend a 5% or higher Niacinimide product to help lighten PIH and increase brightness. Here is one of my favorites that seems to not have any of the ingredients you can't use: https://www.stratiaskin.com/products/rewind

Otherwise here is a good resource for high % niacinimide ab products:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/4gck4u/spreadsheet_of_commonly_suggested_high/

I would also recommend considering adding ginseng into your skin care regimen to increase brightness. I've found ginseng to help increase my skins brightness and glow, similar to ferments but more "lively" of an effect.

This is my new favorite ginseng product, also from Wishtrend and it's under $40 and doesn't appear to have any of the ingredients you mentioned: http://www.wishtrend.com/skin-care/1669-ginseng-serum-iam-from.html?search_query=Ginseng&results=14

They also have a ginseng mask: http://www.wishtrend.com/skin-care/1671-ginseng-mask-i-m-from.html?search_query=Ginseng&results=14

ETA: wait, can you use propylene glycol, caprylyl glycol or butylene glycol or are those also off limits? I'm not sensitive to fatty alcohols so idk if it's particular ones you're sensitive to or literally all of them. God they're in everything wtf?!

If you're sensitive to all then it looks like the C21.5 is your safest bet for high % Ascorbic acid serum? And you can also look at the ab products with Niacinimide resource link I gave as well. High % Ascorbic acid serum and high % Niacinimide should help to lighten PIH and increase brightness :)

Warning: long rambling comment ahead. My skin has recently been dry and acne-prone as well. I'm not as much of a skincare expert as some of the folks around here, but I'll tell you what's worked for me.

• Cleansing with an oil. This may sound silly if you get breakouts and YMMV, but I've found they clean my skin well without drying. I've used sunflower oil from Walmart in the past and a lot of people here swear by this mineral oil that is marketed for polishing wood.
  
  Alternately, you could try a Cleansing Oil type product, which are sold for the purpose of skincare and usually contain an emulsifier to make it easier to wash the oil off your face. A lot of Asian lines sell cleansing oils; I've used and liked this one. Currently, I am using a solid oil product from Clinique. It's marketed as a makeup remover but I find it cleanses my skin very well on its own. I sometimes follow it up with a cleanser but I don't seem to need to if I wash the oil off thoroughly. Oils are the gentlest way I've found to cleanse my skin, and I'd recommend them to anyone with dry skin. Just avoid the highly comedogenic ones (e.g. coconut oil) and know that you might have to test a few before you find one you love. I just saw that you've ordered hemp seed and argan oils; I have a feeling you'll like them. (Side note: argan oil is a wonder drug. I use it basically like a serum, rubbing it into my skin and just letting it on.)
  
  
• I ditched my benzoyl peroxide products after it became apparent to me that they dried my skin out without doing all that much to help my acne. Are you putting the BP on your whole face or just using it as a spot treatment?
  
  Most (helpful) acne products I've found are drying to some extent, so I weigh the benefits against the side effects, meaning that a drying product has to be pretty damn amazing at fighting zits if I'm going to use it. Benzoyl Peroxide was not that product for me, unfortunately, though it may be for you. I found that it sped up the healing process of spots only minimally compared to doing nothing to them, so I threw it out. I've replaced it with Stridex pads and Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion. Like I said, they are quite drying (the Buffering Lotion actually has alcohol in it) but they offer enough tangible benefits that I am willing to accept that.
  
  I use the Stridex pads 2-3 times a week, and only on areas where I have sebaceous filaments, blackheads, and breakouts. I know a lot of people here love them for SFs, but I've found they shrink cystic spots pretty quickly as well. They smell weird and sting, especially if you put on moisturizer too soon after using them, but they work really well.
  
  The Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion is a great spot treatment, and the only product that's ever helped me with cysts that are still under the skin. I've actually used it on deep cysts before and had them disappear before ever coming to a head; it's like magic!
  
  
• I've recently started using honey as a mask and it's one of the few things that has helped moisturize my skin while simultaneously shrinking zits. You may not be into using a mask and, if you try this, you will feel like a sticky lunatic until you wash it off. It's a very gentle treatment though and quite calming on days when my skin feels extra dry and irritated. Some people will use raw honey but I just bought a cheap generic bottle after checking that the only ingredient listed was honey. You literally just slather it on your face and let it sit for a bit; I usually read for about an hour before washing it off with water. The next day my skin is soft and my spots are smaller.
  
  I hope at least some of that giant comment was helpful to you! One last thing I would recommend is adding an additional moisturizer at night. You said that the AHA cream helps with your PIH so I wouldn't stop using that, but you could always layer another moisturizer with it to combat the dryness. As long as neither product breaks you out I don't see the harm in using two! I have no specific recommendations on a moisturizer as I've been looking for one myself (just bought this one though and it looks promising) but I'd look for something richer and non-comedogenic.
  
  Edit: Sorry for the wonky formatting, I do not know how to fix it!

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.

Skin

I'd recommend for skincare to start with the basics : cleanser, moisturizer, and spf.

Cleanser is to clean the dirt, sweat, and sebum off your skin.

Moisturizer is basically to put back into your skin what you took out when cleansing (cleansing removes some good stuff with the bad) and helps keep your skin healthy, a lot of moisturizers contain things that are important in your stratum corneum (the skin that we see) like lipids and ceramides (don't worry too much about this, it's just the sciency stuff, all you really need to know is that moisturizer restores good stuff to your skin).

SPF is to protect your skin from the sun, there are UVA and UVB rays. The SPF rating on a sunscreen is a rating on how well the product protects your skin from UVB rays (rays that cause a burn) and broad spectrum on american sunscreens means that it protects you from UVA rays as well (rays that age you and I believe can cause skin cancer). If you're looking at asian sunscreens, they rate protection from UVA rays with a PA+ rating, and I believe UK sunscreens use a PPD rating although I'm not sure how that works exactly. (basically you want broad spectrum, PA with 3 or 4+ signs, or a high PPD rating depending on where you're getting your sunscreen from).

For product recommendations, I'd say try cerave, they're a good brand and have quite a few options. I'd say try their hydrating or foaming cleanser, and either Cerave PM moisturizer or Cerave moisturizing cream (I'll leave links). Sunscreen is up to you, I prefer physical sunscreens (meaning they contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) but they can leave a whitecast. You can try some neutrogena sunscreens, I've heard good things about those too. So I'll put what your routine should be pretty much :

AM

• Cleanser (just rinse with water for the beginning, and if you really feel you need to cleanse in the mornings, go for it, but most of the time you really don't need it)
  
  
• Moisturizer (if you take my suggestions, either Cerave PM or Cerave moisturizing cream)
  
  
• Sunscreen
  
  PM
  
  
• Cleanser : Cerave Hydrating or Foaming cleanser
  
  
• Moisturizer : Cerave PM or Cerave moisturizing cream
  
  (don't use SPF at night lol)
  
  Once you've got this down and you feel comfortable with it and you're seeing some improvement, you can add a treatment for acne/blackheads (those black spots on your nose, although they could be sebaceous filaments, I can't tell you for sure without pictures). If you want to focus on your blackheads, I'd say try a salicylic acid treatment (look at the ingredients on the back of the products, they should say salicylic acid as the active ingredient, if you need a suggestion, there's always stridex, it's what I use and I like it a lot) Salicylic acid is also a good acne treatment so that may help you clear up your acne too. If you want to focus on your acne, I'd say either try curology (worked wonders for me), or get a 2% or 5% benzoyl peroxide gel, and put it on your acne spots at night.
  
  Hair
  
  Generally what you want is a shampoo and a conditioner. Shampoo cleans your hair, and conditioner helps put back the nutrients in your hair that you stripped out with your shampoo (basically a moisturizer for your hair, it makes your hair feel soft and look nice) I'm guessing the white stuff is dandruff, so for right now I'd go for a head and shoulders shampoo and conditioner, be sure it says anti dandruff, and see how that goes for you.
  
  Chapped Skin
  
  Get aquaphor, or vaseline, or petroleum jelly and slap it on those suckers. It works wonders on cracked knuckles, chapped lips, pretty much anything of the sort. I love it (I personally use aquaphor)
  
  Oily Skin
  
  Oily skin isn't necessarily bad, just a lot of people don't like feeling oily/greasy during the day and try to combat it. A lot of people like the "dewy" look, which is different from oily, it's more like wet skin/glowing from within kinda look. I think your oily skin should calm down once you get a skincare routine set in place tho.
  
  Harmful stuff
  
  From what I understand, there aren't a lot of products that are "toxic" to the skin. There are just things that can irritate your skin or dry it out, which can cause acne or redness and a whole buncha other not so fun stuff. One of the things to avoid is sodium lauryl sulfate in your cleansers bc it's super harsh on your skin and can dry it out. That's an example more along the lines of things you would avoid and why, its just because it's too harsh for you skin. I don't really know of anything toxic and most of it is just stuff made up by companies to get you to buy their products.
  
  I've helped with most of the stuff I can help with, but feel free to run anything by me if you need to, I'm always here to help! You can pm if you need to btw, especially if you plan on getting skincare products other than the ones I suggested bc I can look over the ingredients/reviews for ya and let you know what I think of them without having to teach you all the sciencey stuff lol which can get kinda boring
  
  Links
  
  
• Cerave Hydrating cleanser (https://www.cerave.com/our-products/cleansers/hydrating-facial-cleanser)
  
  
• Cerave Foaming cleanser (https://www.cerave.com/our-products/cleansers/foaming-facial-cleanser)
  
  
• Cerave PM (https://www.cerave.com/our-products/moisturizers/pm-facial-moisturizing-lotion)
  
  
• Cerave moisturizing cream (https://www.cerave.com/our-products/moisturizers/moisturizing-cream)
  
  
• Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Face Sunscreen (https://www.neutrogena.com/sun/sun-mineral/sheer-zinc-face-dry-touch-sunscreen-broad-spectrum-spf-50/6811081.html?cgid=sun-mineral#start=1)
  
  
• Neutrogena Benzoyl peroxide 2.5% treatment (https://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena-Spot-Treatment-Benzoyl-Peroxide/dp/B00UOLIOC6/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1527462887&sr=8-6&keywords=benzoyl+peroxide+gel+2.5)
  
  
• Acne.org 2.5% benzoyl peroxide treatment (https://www.amazon.com/Acne-org-Treatment-2-5-Benzoyl-Peroxide/dp/B00164FKWW/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1527462937&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=benzoyl+peroxide+gel+2.5&psc=1)
  
  
• Stridex Salicylic Acid Pads (https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/stridex-daily-care-acne-pads-with-salicylic-acid-maximum-strength/ID=prod4139-product)
  
  
• Etude House Mild Airy Finish Sunscreen aka the sunscreen I use and love (https://www.amazon.com/Etude-House-Sunprise-Finish-SPF50/dp/B00WE3XGAC/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1527463012&sr=8-1&keywords=etude+house+mild+airy)
  
  Side Notes
  
  Be careful when using the stridex pads if you do choose to use them, start with once a week and increase usage from there, as they can dry you out or cause irritation. Same with the benzoyl peroxide. Here is where you'd use either in your routine btw
  
  PM
  
  
• Cleanser
  
  
• Moisturizer
  
  
• Treatment (Salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide)
  
  Hope this helps!! :)

Okay, this is going to be way too much info but I love skincare dearly and I really wish women had more good, readily available information on vaginal hygiene. So soldier on if you want to learn something and also get product recommendations that I’ve personally vetted.

Not to imply anyone isn’t taking care of themselves, but besides ‘Here is how a tampon works’ in 6th grade what education did any of us really receive that was about us taking care of our bodies for OUR benefit? I can’t tell you the dozens of female clients I previously worked on who would be embarrassed of their natural odor or secretions and would ask my advice on how to taste/smell/look better. I have a whole other soapbox rant about that but this isn’t the time for it.

Back to recommendations. I’m going to include what I consider to be the highest quality facial soaps that will also pull double duty as a cleanser for the outside of your lady bits so you don’t have to hide the bottle in the shower from nosy roommates or have an awkward convo with your partner. And one that is specifically vaginal wash because it’s just a great prod

I personally use Eminence Organics Stone Crop Gel Wash and then chemically exfoliate -if needed- with Aveda’s Botanical Kinetics exfoliant. and moisturize with Eminence Bamboo Firming Fluid Yes, I have a skincare routine for my bits...and I am aware of how stupidly bougie that is.

That’s obviously not the route for most rational folks and I HIGHLY stress that you use unscented products until you’re familiar with your own ability to tolerate fragrance, natural or otherwise.

I use Stone Crop because I am prone to Bartholin Cysts and this does the trick to help prevent them/reduce PIH and smells divine. Eminence is an amazing Hungarian skincare brand that uses zero water in their formulary and is certified organic, cruelty free, and has their own organic farm to source most of their ingredients. Only downside is the cost.

The best truly low ph cleanser I’ve ever used thus far is SanDaWha Camellia Secret Zone Soothing Wash. It’s expensive, but lovely. It’s formulated as a vaginal cleanser, aka, technically okay to use on your inner labia, but I am a firm believer that you should never be using soap in your vagina, it cleans itself, just wash the outside well with warm water and a clean washcloth EVERY TIME. Well, maybe on your period do a bit of unscented, ph balanced soap. For that, there is nothing better than good old CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser - ph of 5 . As an aside, I much prefer the moisturizing cleanser to the gel cleanser for acneic skin. The gel is too acidic and strips the acid mantle which makes your skin produce more oil. Moisturizing your oily skin after cleansing gently will, in most scenarios, heal blemishes faster than swinging the hammer of spot treatments and harsh AHAs.

Now, regarding your lady parts chemistry, we run between a high 3 and just under a 5, IIRC. The SanDaWha clocks in there, and is also amazing on facial skin. I use about 5 different face washes/cleansing oils based on how I’m feeling, but it would be my choice if I wanted ONE product I could also use on my face and , because I hate overly niche products. Our skin sits at 5.5 ph, so your best bet is to always use a wash that’s at 4 and you’ll strike a happy medium.

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.

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!

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.

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

It's my birthday today and went on a purchasing splurge!

New Purchases:

Refillable Atomizer Bottles - Came in 6 pieces and a little soft bag! Originally I was gonna use this for my colognes and perfumes; easily fits in pockets so I can spray on the go (also bonus point quick air freshener for bathrooms cuz some men's rooms be rank af.....); but then I was on the hunt for misters for my toners and realized I could use these perfectly for them! It's color-coded too so I don't mistake one of my scents for a toner!

-I filled the pink one with Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion
-the red one with Thayer's Witch Hazel Toner w/ Rose
-the blue one with Secret Key Milk (new)
-and the gold one with Secret Key Aloe (new)
The secret key ones are new purchases im trying out B) giving them about 2 weeks trial runs each before I rotate them in my routine!

Benton Snail Bee Essence - I enjoyed using the sheet masks once a week beforehand, and figured I'll up it to a more frequent usage so I went ahead and got the essence bottle! \o/ Dipped my toes with sheet masks first cuz I wasn't too sure about the bee venom ingredient (especially considering I get a bad reaction from stings) but it's gentler than I thought and no allergic reaction!

Etude House Sunprise Airy Finish SPF 50+ PA+++ - Received this 2 days ago! Previously I used Cerave AM and disliked the pilling and white cast on just a beige skintone! This is my first time using a sunmilk and the consistency is really nice! Goes on smoothly and can layer easily, with no whitecast after absorbing! If I wanted to, I could layer a moisturizer underneath without worrying about it pilling as well! Since I'm oily enough I'm not as concerned with it's lack of moisturizing and I find just toning layers is enough for me underneath! Great for oil control so far!

Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Tinted Face SPF 50 - Got this about a week ago! Since summer is around the corner, and the etude house isn't a waterproof sunscreen, I went with this that I bought at ulta! This matched my skintone pretty well so there was pretty much no whitecast. If it's a really sweaty day or I'm gonna be somewhere where there happens to be water/rain, this waterproof sunscreen was perfect! (and reef-safe for ocean trips)

Rohto Melano CC - On the way in the mail but excited to try this out since I was looking for a vitamin C, but wanted to start out gently!

Kao Success Scalp Washing Brush (Normal Type) - Sort of skincare since it has to do with the scalp, this is also on it's way on the mail. I'm a fan of scalp brushes since my hair is pretty thick (and also dandruff woes). The tips of it has little bumps on them and there's 3 types of tips on a single brush for that jam packed scalp action, so gonna give it a whirl and see how different it is from the standard silicone scalp brush!

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

Repurchase:

Tony Moly Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream - I realized using stridex as my gentle BHA exfoliator and a Cerave SA cream on top of that meant I technically had 2 BHAs in a night routine, so I'm returning back to chok chok! Good point to change tbh since the cream is too heavy for summer. The tony moly one is pretty light and had good oil control!

Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Pads - Bringing back AHAs into my life for my PIH; I'm gonna rotate them with my BHAs. I prefer low %s so the 2.8% was perfect!

I usually recommend Biore Watery Essence as a starter SPF. It has bit of alcohol in it, but other than that, the application is so smooth and the coverage is great. Whenever you get here, head to any Don Quixote, Cosme Shop, or any other sort of drug store. They often have samples out of things (especially the Cosme shops), so you'll be able to try out different brands and types on your arms and see what leaves a cast, has a weird smell or texture you don't like, or my favorite - for some reason has some sneaky shiny highlighter powder bullshit in it.
On that note, some classics in Japan might not be for you. Best to avoid anything that promotes: tone up, brightening, color correcting, etc. (which is quite a lot of the market right now tbh), or strictly mineral based (zinc or titanium dioxide) ones because they will leave a whitecast on darker skin tones. Here's a ranking of current SPFs in Japan by popularity.
SPFs here are typically either oil based ('milk' type) or water based ('essence' type). Oil is best for body, sinks in easily, a lot runnier and easier to apply, can be a bit moisturizing. Water is best for face, usually more of a gel like texture, tends to clog pores less, but usually has more alcohol in it, so it can be drying. But YMMV, and I know people who use the milk types on their face with no issues (but uh, I am not one of them).
Another thing to note is that SPF, and skincare in general, is often reformulated every year or so, but still sold under the same brand/item. So if something was working well for you and suddenly isn't, that is likely the culprit. There are also some ingredients in sunscreen that may irritate your skin, such as fatty alcohols, higher alcohol content, fragrance, etc. so if one doesn't work or is causing dryness or clogged pores or blemishes, search for your item on cosdna for ingredients that may be triggering issues, and just keep trying ones that don't have suspected irritants in it.
A lot of nicer sunscreens retail for ¥1500-2000/30-50ml. But there are also a ton of great ones for way less! So don't feel pressure into getting the creme de la creme. Paying ¥600-800/50ml is a decent range to expect. There are waterproof ones for those super sweaty days, but honestly, nothing beats reapplication every two hours of sun exposure. Finding a sunscreen that is enjoyable to apply is really the key to consistent usage. And you should also look into getting an oil cleanser and a soap cleanser for the evening. The oil cleanser is rubbed into your skin, dry, and then emulsified away with water. It helps break down and remove a lot of the longer lasting ingredients in SPF. Follow it up with a foam cleanser and you'll be golden. (These are my two recs for cheap and great for that.)
Anyway. Gooooood lucccccck my dude. LMK if you need any more overwhelming amounts of info. Hahaha.

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'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 scars) 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 three months now 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:

I remove all make up with Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes

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. 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.

I just ordered this face mask cover to get the most out of the sheet masks, but I haven't gotten it in the mail yet.

I use a mild form of exfoliation, jar pads 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 and you can use this one daily. 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.

Typical skin regimen is cleanser, toner (or exfoliator pad above), when you use a sheet mask, it would go here, essence and/or serum (if you use both, use serum after essence, and if you use an exfoliator pad, you could choose to skip essence/serum as well), moisturizers (including eye creams), sleeping packs (heavy moisturizers/creams for PM only). You can layer items, but should still be in the same type of order. For example, you can use two essences, but use both before moisturizers, and allow layers to dry in between. In general you want to use lighter moisturizers in the day, to not look greasy, and the heavier products while you sleep, which also work better when you are sleeping.

Also get yourself a few boxes of these KAO heated eye masks. They are freaking amazing! I just got this week and use them twice already at night. I am not sure I would use every night, but these are so nice and light and comfortable and soothing, and they do block out the light too.

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.

Not a problem! I'm happy to help. :)


Warning: lots of info ahead


I'm into /r/asianbeauty and really like the Kikumasamune Moist Lotion (in Japan they refer to hydrating toners as lotions). I apply it right after washing my face with CeraVe foaming. It adds a light layer of moisture without making my skin greasy, and absorbs quickly. The smell is odd but it fades quickly. Then I will follow up with either Benton's Snail Bee Essence or Scinic Aqua all-in-one... I wait a good 5 minutes in between each step to make sure it all soaks in nicely and doesn't get sticky. But the Benton does tend to stay sticky unless I wait like twenty minutes haha. But it goes away if I put stuff on top anyways. Then very last is CeraVe PM at night or Cosrx 92 Snail cream in the AM. :) I find the CeraVe PM causes my skin to flush a bit due to the niacinamide so I only use it at night. and I've recently started using jojoba oil as my oil cleanser (some people mix it into their moisturizer or even put oil in their foundation) and it's really nice! Feels very luxurious 😍 I usually do it at night because that's when I remove all my makeup. It's much more moisturizing than mineral oil, in my opinion. And you can use it on your hair too!

I really like the NARS pressed powder because it has a velvety finish on my skin, so it feels nice to me. Some people might not enjoy it as much as I do 😂 but it seems to last all day on me. Occasionally I'll have to reapply to my chin if I ate some crazy greasy food, but it's very portable so I carry it in my purse anyways. And I haven't noticed any flashback at all either. Can't remember if I already said that haha.

AND FINALLY I will definitely PM you when I use the smashbox color corrector! Probably Tuesday since that's when I work. :)

Edit to add that I'm also testing out the Shara Shara berry bomb, which is another Asian beauty product. It's nice so far. And a lot of people really like the Cosrx 96 Snail essence (different than the cream) which I've heard is great for adding a layer of soothing moisture.

My skin isn't perfect and I still have a lot of work to do but I love the routine I have now.

So, here are the products and my review.

KOSE Softy Mo Deep Treatment Oil, 7.8oz

So, this is my first oil that I've been using for a double cleanse . I've really enjoyed it and I often feel like it can clean my skin on its own, it doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy either. This was also my first Asian skincare product , specifically from Japan. Love it !

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Acne Cleanser, 6.76 Fl. Oz.

I like this BHA SA wash because it doesn't completely strip my skin of its' oils but does leave it drier than usual. Personally, I think it's one of the better SA washes on the market but obviously YMMV.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Water Face Gel Moisturizer for Dry Skin, 1.7 fl. oz

This was a huge game changer in terms of moisturizers. Most moisturizers are way too occlusive to me to the point that I actually break out because my pores can't breath or so light, I remain dry and unaffected...and thus break out from dryness. This is the happy medium for me. My only issue is that the amount you get in the tub can make you run out quickly, luckily, a little goes a long way.

Village 11 Factory Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 50+, UVA/UVB Protection for Sensitive Skin, Moisturizing Hydra Sun Fluid

This is a Korean product. This is probably the only sunscreen I'll be using until something happens to the company LOL ! Its consistency is very close to the hydroboost so it just glides into the skin. It smells very similar too. One thing I noticed about this sunscreen is that it contains chemical ingredients as well as mineral ingredients. As someone who has only ever used American sunscreens before, I find this hybrid very unusual (and welcome). Perhaps it's a Korean skincare thing ? Let me know.

The other two are very well known products.

I use TO Niacinimide + Zinc . This was also a game changer for me and I'm just so glad I learned about it. It really helped regulate my oil production and helped the inflammation I get whenever my face get's too hot and sweaty or too dry. I've tried going without it for a month, just to see if perhaps it was just my imagination. Well, I think it's safe to say that it wasn't my imagination , this stuff really works.

I also use TO AHA + BHA chemical peel once or twice a week. I mostly use it for my hyperpigmentation . I know that the SA from my la roche posay is a BHA by itself but I like the extra "oomph" that the AHA does to my skin .

Looking at your above comments- I agree with the other poster, patch test a little area on your cheek or something with the squalane but honestly you should be fine. It's a great oil, I haven't met a face that doesn't like it! Fun (well sorta fun I guess) fact- the Squalane Oil from TO was the founder who recently passed away, Brandon Truaxe's favorite product. The company gave it away for free with purchases made in stores after he died because he was so passionate about the product.

Ahh hydrating toner recommendations-

Dear Klairs

Corsx essence

Missha essence

Those are the three I see recommend on here the most, like all the time. I use the STUPIDLY expensive SK-II would never recommend this it does nothing that every other hydrating toner/essence does- I have one or two more applications left in the bottle then it's going in the trash. I also use and love the Son & Park Beauty Water it's a huge bottle and it just feels wonderful on the skin!!

​

You'll know things are working trust me. Your skin will look and feel better, glowing and happier!! And yes in a month (??) once your face is plump and happily hydrated the routine you came up with looks good!

Hello! I've been following this subreddit for a while and I'm so excited to ask my first question! This is going to be a long one because I have so many questions and am curious as to what I can do for my face to be its best self :)


First, a little bit about me! I’m 22F living in US - I have PCOS so I’ve struggled with hormonal acne and I have acne prone and dull skin.
I got a lot of tiny whiteheads along my chin area and forehead (pretty much both T and U zones). I also get a bunch of blackheads on my nose, and the area on my cheeks near my nose.
I used to get 2-3 cystic pimples a month but that changed once I started going to my current dermatologist. (My routine started in August, and helped a bunch! The & in my routine mean I added them last month!) Unfortunately, while my face has cleared up, I’m still experiencing occasional breakouts (which I know are normal) and haven’t been able to get rid of those stubborn whiteheads. It seems that my skin also seems dull and lacking glow and I also get a bunch of dark spots from where i get pimples.


My dermatologist’s products are also a bit on the pricey end, so i’m looking to replace 1-2 of them//add to my routine to make it more effective and also restore my face.


For reference of some of the products I mention:
My dermatologist’s brand is called DermaNissé and her products are some that finally worked for my skin!


DermaNissé Clean Care Cleanser: https://store.lasersurgery.net/dermanisse-cleancare-cleanser-sarp.html


DermaNissé Purifying Hydrating Cream: https://store.lasersurgery.net/dermanisse-purifying-hydrating-cream.html


DermaNissé Hyaluronic Acid Serum: https://store.lasersurgery.net/dermanisse-hyaluronic-acid-serum-sarp.html


Solar Protection Sunscreen:
www.skinelite.com/tota-002.html


DermaNissé Glyco-C Acne Treatment gel:
https://store.lasersurgery.net/dermanisse-glyco-c-acne-treatment-gel.html


Anthelios Sunscreen: https://www.ulta.com/anthelios-60-clear-skin-dry-touch-sunscreen-spf-60?productId=xlsImpprod13791275&sku=2301523&_requestid=4502569



Potential Vitamin C Serum: https://www.amazon.com/TruSkin-Naturals-Vitamin-Anti-Aging-Hyaluronic/dp/B01M4MCUAF/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&keywords=vitamin%2Bc%2Bserum&linkCode=sl1&linkId=bdcc9ad2cd05ddb5b67d9cbbb81f074f&qid=1515545361&s=beauty&sr=1-1-spons&tag=mangolift08-20&th=1&ref_=nav_ya_signin&_encoding=UTF8


SKINCARE ROUTINE



AM

• DN Clean Care Cleanser
  
  
  
• Rx: Clindamycin Phosphate (1%) and Benzoyl Peroxide Gel (5%) - Mylar. I leave on my clean face for 15 minutes, then clean off with warm water
  
  
  
• Pixi Glow Tonic &
  
  
  
• Thayer’s Witch Hazel Rose Water Toner &
  
  
  
• DN Hyaluronic Acid Serum
  
  
  
• DN Purifying Hydrating Cream
  
  
  
• Solar Protection Sunscreen
  
  
  
  
  
  PM
  
  
  
• Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water &
  
  
  
• DN Clean Care Cleanser
  
  
  
• I switch between these two next
  
  
  
• 5x a week Rx: Azelex azelaic acid cream 20%. I leave on clean face for 15 minutes then clean off
  
  
  
• 2x a week, i use DermaNissé Glyco-C Acne Treatment Gel
  
  
  
• Thayer’s Witch Hazel Rose Water Toner &
  
  
  
• DN Hyaluronic Acid Serum
  
  
  
• DN Purifying Hydrating Cream
  
  
  
  
  Throughout the day
  

• If i can, throughout the day I use Rx. Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Solution (1%) Pledgets. They’re little pads with the solution to clean face.
  
  
  Questions
  Any suggestions for:
  
  
  

• An eye cream to fight against fine lines, under eye bags, and dark circles that I can add?
  
  
  
• Vitamin C Serum I can add? I was thinking of getting the TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C. I see this subreddit suggests Oz Naturals vitamin C, but according to this website, it’s to be avoided? https://myawesomebeauty.com/best-vitamin-c-serum/
  
  
  
• Another face moisturizer since I feel the hydrating cream my doctor gives me is just enough but doesn’t let me feel like my skin is thriving? I’m thinking of getting Trader Joe’s Argan Oil
  
  
  
• Do you recommend Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60? I’m thinking of switching from Solar Protection to this one?
  
  
  
• I’m trying to figure out if I can replace the DermaNissé Hyaluronic Acid Serum to the Trader Joe’s Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum. The only difference in ingredients is that the TJ brand has Propanediol.
  
  
  
• Should I switch out the order? Use some things less than others? http://www.snowwhiteandtheasianpear.com/2015/01/skincare-discovery-putting-your.html
  
  
  
• Should I add more AHA/BHA products? such as the BHA Blackhead power liquid?
  
  
  
• Any other gentle anti-aging treatments I can add? I get concerned that with all the acne treatments I’m getting, I’m aging my skin more :(
  
  
  
• Any Weekly treatments/masks I could add?
  
  
  
  Thank you a million in advance!
  
  
  
  edit: formatting, location

Hello!

I've been lurking on this subreddit for a few months, and while it's helped me put together a routine, I feel like there's more I can do to improve my skin!

To start, here are some pictures! https://imgur.com/a/0JLlV

I'm 31 (32 soon!), and I THINK I have normal/dry skin. Sometimes it feels tight or flaky in the morning, before I wash and moisturize. Overall my face is soft, but there's a tiny bit of roughness. I have the occasional breakout (around nose/chin), but it's never more than one or two whiteheads, and they usually go away after a few days.

My main concern is REDNESS, as well as whatever's going on with my forehead.

The pictures are after I've been up for a while, before I wash my face. This is about how my face looks normally, and I'd really like to reduce the blotches and have a more even skintone. My forehead is a little bumpy, with red spots.

Here's my routine!

AM

Splash some cold water

[MILK Makeup Matcha Toner
]
(https://www.milkmakeup.com/matcha-toner.html)

Mario Badescu Rosewater Spray

Cerave PM
(Brush teeth while it dries)

Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++

PM

Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser

MILK Makeup Matcha Toner

Stridex Red (Brush teeth while it dries)

Mario Badescu Rosewater Spray

LUSH Full of Grace serum


Cerave PM

Every once in a while I'll use the FOMO jelly mask from LUSH.
I also have this diy mask powder from WitchBaby that I haven't tried yet, but I was thinking about mixing it with Aloe.

I used the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion like, once. It didn't really do much for the pimple I had, but it could be because it rubbed off. Maybe I'd have better luck if I slapped a hydrocolloid bandage over it after it dries?

I WAS mixing Acure Seriously Soothing Blue Tansy Night Oil (new formula) with my moisturizer for a couple weeks, and it made my face feel GREAT, but I started getting more breakouts than usual, in spots that I don't normally break out.

I also tried using CosRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid every other day (alternating with Stridex Red) for about a month, and stopped because I didn't see much difference and I got tired of waiting 20mins to finish my routine.

I've been doing this since early January, and I haven't really seen much improvement. I really like to keep things simple (my PM routine is already on that border of being too much!), so I'd rather replace parts of my routine with things that could work out better, than add to it, unless it's super necessary.

I'm thinking about replacing the Matcha toner (which is kind of meh to me) and the MB spray with some Thayer's witch hazel (cucumber or rose?). I really like the MB spray because it makes it easier to apply moisturizer, but if I can do the same thing with Thayer's (in a spray bottle) then it'd be nice to combine the two steps into one product. And it'd be cheaper!

I'd like to add some sort of oil (rosehip seed? squalane?) that I can just mix with my moisturizer. I liked doing it with the Acure, but something about it broke me out.

I was also considering using Azelaic Acid instead of Stridex. If I did that, my choices would be either TO or Melazepam since I'm in the US.

I was also looking into the possibility of using Curology as a way to just mix all that good stuff into one product.

I'm very lazy.

Anyways, this ended up being REALLY long! I probably should have made this its own post, but I figured I'd try the daily help thread first!

Thanks for any advice!

• 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! :-)

I would definitely recommend an aha and /or a bha. Salicylic acid goes down into pores and helps remove dead skin cells. Glycolic and lactic acid help remove dead skin cells on the surface.
I really like corsx bha because it's gentle and effective. It has a thicker texture and it is moisturizing. I just pump it into my hands and tap on. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, 100ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073P6ZQ4V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4GYoDbG9RWHQ4 Corsx has other good toners as well. I am planning on buying the aha and bha toner.

Pixie glow tonic is another good one and it has glycolic acid which is an aha. Pixi Glow Tonic ~ 3.4 Fl Oz/100 ML https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014JOB038/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6LYoDbMN3399H

I just bought Bliss What a melon toner a few weeks ago and I really like it! It has willow bark which has salicylic properties, witch hazel which helps remove oil and dirt, and it has watermelon extract which is moisturizing, full of antioxidants, anti aging, and packed with vitamin C and E. It isn't full of chemicals either and is vegan. Bliss What a Melon Replenishing Watermelon Toner with Witch Hazel and Willow Bark, Replenishes, Refreshes and Energizes Tired Skin, Vegan, 7.0 ounces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SVH79WW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_j8YoDbR4CA30A

I really like rose hydrosol in a spray, I use this one and I use it from head to toe. I use it throughout the day when my skin needs a little pick me up. I use it on top of my hyaluronic acid serum. There are other hydrosols that are good for the skin and are gentle. Alteya Organic Rose Water Spray 240ml Glass bottle- 100% USDA Certified Organic Authentic Pure Natural Rosa Damascena Flower Water Steam-Distilled and Sold Directly by the Rose Grower Alteya Organics https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NY89K5J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_E75oDbV2375HS

Thayers witch hazel is fantastic and very affordable. I have the lavender aloe vera witch hazel and really like it. Thayers Natural Remedies Witch Hazel Lavendar - Alcohol Free 12 fl oz (355 ml) Liquid https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PP15L8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xb6oDbTCY35JN There are different varieties of this witch hazel.

For dark undereyes you need a good eye cream, but I don't have much experience with them except with using Murad and clinique pep start. But I didn't use them enough to notice a difference.

For dark spots and hyperpigmentation I would use a product with vitamin C, licorice root extract, niacinamide, lactic acid, turmeric, hydroquinone, papaya, or retinoids. Of course use spf to help prevent hyperpigmentation and use a good moisturizer and a hyaluronic acid serum or water cream. I have used this serum with good results TruSkin Vitamin C Serum for Face, Topical Facial Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, 1 fl oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4MCUAF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5m6oDbPQTTY64 I love this Sunday Riley vitamin c cream, it seems to be working, it's very moisturizing without making my skin oily and causing breakouts, and a little goes a long way. https://sundayriley.com/products/ceo-antioxidant-moisturizer?variant=4173381992479

I am getting into diy skincare products so I have been reading up on a lot of actives and everything else. So if you have any questions, feel free to send me a message. Good luck!

i have pores so large theyre visible from a decent distance away. Is there a way to decrease their size? I currently use Cetaphil Daily Cleanser twice a day. Once in the morning, once at night before bed. Both in the shower. I periodically wash my face throughout the day but if i miss once chance to get rid of grease i immediately break out within 12 hours. I've tried Proactiv a long time ago, I've tried Clean and Clear spot treatment, Clean and Clear oil absorbing sheets, which works pretty well, i just ran out. Sebamed clear face gel, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-touch Sunscreen, SPF 30, and even Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, For all skin types and theyve ALL made me breakout except the Cetaphil daily cleanser Normal to Oily skin...

Now i've used all these products at random times... not all on the same. I've really been actively trying to get this under control since late 2014. So each time something makes me breakout, i'll try a new product.. At one time I was using (per the suggestion of a beauty stylist) to use cetaphil daily cleanser, Sebamed face gel, and then Neutrogena Ultra sheer Sunscreen in the morning to get me ready for the day. Then use the absorbing sheets throughout the day to maintain a clean face. Not get any dirt in my pores.

So thats the story... if someone, ANYONE can help me, I would appreciate it so much. If i really need to see a dermatologist, i guess thats my last resort. I really like to try all options before seeing a doc. Please let me know if you can help out. It's greatly appreciated!!!

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 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!

Hello!! Oh my goodness I have SO MANY KB faves - Mizon, Tony Moly, Missha, Ladykin are all great for skin and makeup products. Hado Labo is a Japanese brand, but their lotion (what we think of as a toner here in the US) makes my skin happy as a bushel of clams.

Current fave makeup product: Tony Moly Cat's Wink Clear Pact helps me keep my skin in check during the day. I feel like this is a boring thing to have as a fave, I'm here to learn about/work up the courage to try new things.

Fave skin care product: The Face Shop Rice Water Cleansing Oil is a game changer. My skin routine is pretty extensive, but this is the starting point and gets alllllll my makeup and sunscreen off with a few second of very gentle rubbing. It makes washing your face at night so much easier and more enjoyable. =)

Is the redness just general redness in your skin, or is it redness leftover by acne? Either way:

I would start by finding a new cleanser, both AM and PM. Scrubs are very harsh and bar soaps are stripping and typically not the right pH for skin. Both off these things can compromise your skin barrier and make it look and feel worse, as well as inhibit it's ability to protect itself and heal. Your skin is your largest organ, don't think of it as something that needs to be dried out and stripped, it needs to be hydrated, moisturized, and healthy. I think this could definitely be contributing to your redness, at least in part. The most popular recommendations are listed in the holy grail cleanser thread, but CeraVe Hydrating, Neutrogena Hydrating, or Vanicream are good places to start.

I couldn't find your moisturizer, so I've got nothing in it specifically, but yet again, there's a holy grail thread for that. If you're concerned about redness, you could look for one that contains niacinamide, which helps a lot in reducing redness. CeraVe PM is a good drugstore moisturizer that contains ceramides, hylauronic acid, and niacinamide, all of which are very good for your skin.

The last thing you need for a good basic routine (and before you should start adding anything heavy duty like chemical exfoliation) is a good sunscreen. Wearing this everyday will help a lot with your redness. Oh look, a holy grail thread for that too!

Since you're relatively new at this, don't forget to patch test new products. And wait at least a week or two before adding the next new product. This can be time consuming but it makes it much easier if you start to break out to pinpoint which product is causing it.

Sorry, I realize this is very long, but getting a solid basic routine of cleanse, moisturize, and SPF is the most important and beneficial thing you can do. If you're getting into skincare and adding lots of things, you really need a baseline to fall back on if you need to. I'm glad you posted! Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions, this subreddit is very helpful and only wants you to succeed!

Edit: I totally neglected to mention the side bar in this sub. Not sure If you've checked it out yet, but it is full of fantastic information that is very helpful.

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.

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.

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!

Your questions aren't stupid! This is a lot of information to absorb.

Your skin could be sensitive to certain ingredients. You could search on skincare addiction for posts by others who are sensitive to Cetaphil cleanser for a starting point. I think patch testing would probably be your friend.

http://cosdna.com/ will also be very helpful in determining which ingredients don't agree with your skin.

I'll list my products for you, as well as my morning and evening routines. A good start for you, though, would probably to find a hydrating step and a moisturizer that you like, as well as an exfoliator to minimize the appearance of your pores. Many people find that Stridex in the red box is good for reducing the grayish color of sebaceous filaments. It's nice and cheap and seems to agree with most people's skin. I really would recommend reading the FAQ in both the Skincare Addiction and Asian Beauty subreddits.

Morning:

Cleanse with Cerave foaming or Yes to Cucumbers milk cleanser

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA spheres 2%

Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion as a hydrating toner

Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner

Cosrx Birch Sap Lotion or Belif Aqua Bomb for moisturizer

Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence sunscreen

Evening:

Botanic Farm Grain Ferment Cleansing Sherbet for oil cleansing

Second cleanse with Cerave Foaming or Yes to Cucumbers Milk cleanser

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution on a cotton pad

Pea sized glob of Differin

Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion

Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner

Cosrx Birch Sap Lotion or Belif Aqua Bomb

A tiny, tiny bit of Aquaphor as an occlusive. A little bit goes a long way for me.

Sometimes I'll use a sleeping pack for moisture or brightening. I have lots of them.

My routine evolves as I try new products. You may not like some of the things I use, or your skin may not agree with some of them. I also use sheet masks (my favorites are My Beauty Diary in various flavors haha) and a couple of peptide serums from The Ordinary for wrinkles.

I welcome any and all questions. I love talking about this stuff. :)

Welcome! :) Ceramide products are good at repairing your skin's moisture barrier and are good moisturizing products. If these sound like things you are looking for, I highly recommend getting some products with ceramide in them! A popular product is the Rosette Ceramide Gel.

Vitamin C is a good idea, just make sure you start slow, like once a week. Also, actives such as vitamin C are a form of chemical exfoliation. You want to make sure you have a few solid moisturizers at the ready to compensate for the drying nature of actives.

Snails are a great idea too, but they don't have the same mind-blowing affect for everyone who uses them. Its a very Your Milage May Vary (YMMV) sort of thing! A popular snail product is the Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. This product has 96% snail mucin, so it'd be a good way to see if snail is an effective ingredient for you. (because 10% snail in a good cream may give you good results, but it may not be because of the snail if you catch my drift!)

However! First and foremost, if hyperpigmentation is your problem and you have no routine, start with a sunscreen! If the word makes you cringe, don't worry, AB sunscreens don't tend to be as thick and sticky as Western suncreens.

Which brings me to two threads you should start with. The AB Beginner Guide is a good place for basic information. The Holy Grail Thread is a good place to see what products people with your same skintype swear by.

ALSO I wouldn't recommend using sheet masks meant for your face on the rest of your body. Sheet masks are usually a temporary fix for your skin issues and I would not rely on them to do any major skin whitening. I'd pick a product that you can use on the body and that will give you consistent results. Try products with niacinimide and arbutin, which are whitening ingredients.

That's what I have to contribute! Feel free to ask more questions and good luck!

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!

Morning routine:

• Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam and Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser as face wash as needed
  
• The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% one drop on each cheek
  
• Kikumasamune Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture before moisturizer
  
• OLE HENRIKSEN Sheer Transformation for moisturizer
  
• Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Mineral Lotion when going out
  
  ​
  
  Night routine:
  
  
• Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam and Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser as face wash as needed
  
• Stratia Soft Touch AHA 10% Mandelic Acid Gel everywhere on face except nose and forehead
  
• Stridex (red box) on nose and forehead
  
• Kikumasamune Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture before moisturizer
  
• OLE HENRIKSEN Sheer Transformation for moisturizer
  
• ArtNaturals Pure Morrocan Argan Oil when needed
  
• NOTE: Some nights I use Ecological Formulas Melazepam Cream (azelaic acid) all over the face
  
  ​
  
  Review:
  
  
• TO Niacinamide - Originally used this on its own for a week or so and didn't notice anything crazy, but it's also too short of a time to judge its impact. Then when I used it according to the routine above, it definitely showed some promising results. The overall texture of my skin is softer and smoother (ex: if I look at my skin with direct light hitting it to highlight "smoothness/not smoothness," the skin is smooth EVERYWHERE). I had some raised scarring, and those went down too. Not sure if this helped reduce the scarring color per say, but it didn't hurt. I replaced my Vitamin C in the mornings with this and saw more immediate results, comparatively.
  
• Stratia AHA - LOVE THIS STUFF. The combo of Stratia and Stridex has worked wonders for me like no other combo of acids (I have tried other combos/routines of AHAs and BHAs, like glycolic and other salicylic). I have to use the Stridex for my forehead because it's the only thing that keeps it clear, so that is simply a personal preference. However, nothing has healed my cheeks like mandelic acid. This one is super gentle (skin never feels taut), however it is slow working. It takes over a month to see positive results. I think it made me purge, which is why I say that. Also, if I don't use it for more than 1 day, I start to have breakouts immediately (experimented and noticed this 3-4 times). Even helps control my hormonal acne every month to where it comes and goes in a couple of days, and doesn't blow up into cystic-style bumps.
  
  Hit me up with questions if ya got any :)

Copying from my previous comment from earlier in the thread:

Face lotion alone is NOT providing nearly enough SPF coverage. Come over to r/skincareaddiction! :) There are many sunscreens out there that feel like lotion but are highly protective. I personally use an Asian brand that is SPF 50 and protects against both UVA and UVB rays, something most standard sunscreens don't do. It's only $12 on Amazon and lasts me a couple months. After it dries, I can't even tell I'm wearing sunscreen.

My typical morning routine for my face is:

1. Cleanser (then wash it off)
   
   
2. Toner
   
   
3. Moisturizer
   
   
4. Sunscreen
   
   I also add sunscreen to any exposed skin on the rest of my body. This sunscreen is cheap enough that I feel fine using it for my full body.
   
   I repeat this whole process at night (excluding the sunscreen). I also add Vitamin C serum after the toner, which also helps with anti-aging (promotes collagen growth).
   
   The whole thing takes less than 5 minutes, plus a couple minutes between each stage to let it dry. Wrinkles are SO hard to reverse... the best solution is prevention while you're still young! Plus, as someone whose parents have both gone through cancer, skin cancer is not something I take lightly.
   
   EDIT: I've had many requests for my exact products so I'm adding them here. Everyone's skin is a little different, so I would definitely advise doing your own research to find what works best for you. For reference, I have clear (little-to-no acne) skin, not too dry or oily.
   
   For each product, make sure you do a patch test to ensure you don't have a bad reaction. They're all pretty gentle so you should be okay, but always good to be safe.
   
   Cleanser: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
   
   Toner: KLAIRS Supple Preparation Facial Toner
   
   Moisturizer: Trader Joe's Nourish Oil-Free Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer (this is cheaper in store)
   
   Sunscreen: Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel pump (SPF50 + PA ++++) (takes like a month to deliver so I usually buy multiple at a time)
   
   Vitamin C serum: Dr. Brenner Vit C parent (small bottle but a little goes a long way)

This is what i posted on AsianBeauty, but i also really wanted to post on here because you guys helped me A LOT in understanding the way the skin works (pH, AHAs, BHAs, oil cleansing, etc... even my moisturizer!! i got it from your guys' recommendations!!❤ )

I work in an environment where there is a lot of bicarbonate in the air. Since bicarbonate is alkaline, im worried that im messing with my skin's pH. I was wondering if anyone knows a way to combat the alkalinity with maybe a toner, or lotion, or anything?!! something that would bring my skin's pH down to the slightly acidic level it should be at. I've also noticed my skin get a lot drier ever since starting work there. Has anyone tried ROSETTE Ceramide Gel?? How does it compare with the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion i currently use in my routine?
I'm asking AsianBeauty because your products & recommendations helped me a lot!!
PS, i think my skin is clog-prone, so keep that in mind when recommending products!! (i've read a lot that people got clogged skin from the CeraVe that i use, but to me, it doesn't clog my skin at all! just thought i'd mention it since even though it clogs a lot of people's skin, it doesn't clog mine, so still recommend whatever it is that came to mind!! even if it may clog skin!!)

Skin type: on the sensitive side || Country/Climate i'm in: Canada // colder weather approaching now :(((

Top Skin Concern: CCs and hyperpigmentation, and acne :(((

Current Routine / Products I'm Using:

AM

• splash face with water; pat dry; apply CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
  
  
• apply EltaMD UV Physical SPF 41 Sunscreen
  
  on Thursdays and Sundays, after splashing my face with water and patting dry, i apply ZOMEDICAL Glycogent and then follow up with the rest of the routine (Cerave and EltaMD)
  
  PM
  
  
• remove sunscreen with KOSE Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil
  
  
• wash face with Rohto HADA LABO Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam
  
  
• apply the same CeraVe lotion that i use in the morning
  
  on Thursdays and Sundays, instead of washing with the Hada Labo cleansing foam, i wash with CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser and then apply ZOMEDICAL Brightenex, and i DO NOT apply the CeraVe lotion over that
  
  I'm an 18-year old female, if that helps, who may or may not have hormonal issues (don't get a regular period :/) and i eat gluten- and dairy- free, and i limit the amount of sweets i have (mainly i eat protein and veggies, or protein and fruits throughout the day). Also, i drink only teas and water (no fruit juices, coffee, or pop!). I also don't eat artifical things/things with preservatives, etc. (i like to eat things that are minimally processed).
  Any help is appreciated
  Sorry for the lengthy post, i just want to make sure you have as much info so you can best recommend something for me!!
  
  TL;DR started working where the air is alkaline. worried about that fucking up my skin's pH and the horrible clogged skin, dry skin, reddness, etc, that results from that. wondering if there's anything i could add to my routine to combat the alkalinity -- perhaps a toner, lotion, etc, that will bring down my skin's pH to a more acidic level (as it naturally should be slightly acidic). ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED ❤❤
  
  *edited for formatting lol ❤

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.

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

Sunscreen: you have to use the full amount (quite a bit) for it to work at all reliably. Mineral still has to be touched up if you are out in the sun for more than 2 hours. It is more stable than some chemical sunscreens but doesn't mean it doesn't wear off. Makeup doesn't count as suncreen but is a nice extra boost of SPF.

​

All sunscreens are anti aging. Sun is one of the biggest agers and the most prevetable. I don't use mineral sunscreens so can't suggest one. There are mixes that might be more elegant. Look for SPF 50++++ if it's an Asian one (very nice sunscreens).

​

Toner could be anti aging but probably best to focus on hydration now. Hada Labo Premium lotion is popular and quite rich. Kikumasamune Hight Moist Conditioner is quite hdyrating and can be layered. Klairs supple prep is popular.

​

Don't use Dove soap. High PH.. Try an Asian low PH cleanser. Maybe Hada labo Foaming: https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Cleansing/dp/B01CE5P580/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=hada+labo+cleanser&qid=1551212774&s=gateway&sr=8-5

​

If foaming is too much for you, Neutrogena Ultra Gentle are supposed to be good. I use Cerave Hydrating Cleanser.

​

I also use an oil cleanser to remove makeup and sunscreen. I really like Muji Sensitive Oil Cleanser, but Hada Labo Oil Cleanser is fine. Cliniques Take the Day off Balm is great too.

​

I like Etude Soonjung Barrier Cream - medium weight and hypoallergenic.

​

​

​

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!

Hey everyone,

I suffer from Seborrheic dermatitis, so the only products I am using are from this helpful list. I am currently using the Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel mixed with The Ordinary's Squalane and the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser and for the first time I feel like I am having actual success.


So I wanted to make the next step and introduce sunscreen. I ordered the CōTZ FACE Natural Tinted
SPF 40, but unfortunately it breaks me out.


I definitely wanted a mattifying sunscreen, since regardless of which product I am using, I always get noticeably oily/greasy 1-2 hours after applying products. So to try other sunscreens from that list, I ordered the Biore Uv Perfect Face Milk Spf50 + / Pa ++++ and the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk (SPF50 PA ++++). It is going to take some time until they arrive, but I thought I could already ask some questions:


According to Fiftyshadesofsnail the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk dries down to a clear satin finish that can go more matte or more dewy depending on your skin condition and what skincare you have underneath. Considering my situation, it might end up too dewy for me. My inital idea was to simply apply it over my Benton Aloe Propolis Gel + Squalane mix and in case that this will end up too dewy, I wanted to test using this over the Benton Gel without the squalane. However if this still ends up being too dewy, would it be okay to use the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk without any actual moisturizer under it, or would I be missing out on some important skin benefits?


My next question would be if the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser will be enough to remove the Biore and the Skin Aqua sunscreens. I have read somewhere that I might need an oil cleanser for this. I currently have this Mystic Moments White Mineral Oil Carrier Oil 100% Pure, but I didn't like how it doesn't really get off when using water. I have read that if you mix it with 10-15% cromollient SCE it'll be better, but I live in Europe, Germany and I don't know where I can get that here.


Thank you for any kind of help!

I would recommend the following:

Avoid skin-clogging makeup as much as possible (bronzer, concealer, primer, etc.). I don't use any of this - no BB creams, no CC creams, no foundation, nothing. Keep the skin unclogged, is the goal. Use something that has salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to wash your face, 1-2 times a day (morning and night) because that will actually kill the acne-causing bacteria. Then use non-comedogenic face moisturizer - I like Clinique's Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief and use either Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+ or Banana Boat Kids spf 50 (it's a physical sunscreen not got a lot of oily sunblock ingredients). You have to moisturize and gotta make sure you protect your skin from wrinkles and cancer!

After showering, I put Thayer's Witch Hazel (the rose petal kind but I don't think it matters which "flavor" you choose) on. Just a thin layer applied with a cotton ball. It's essentially another cleaner. Then I wait for it to dry and add the same Clinique moisturizer and then, to get rid of pigmentation, you will need a cream with retinol to stimulate growth of new and fresher skin cells. I recommend using it at night, before you apply the moisturizer so it will penetrate the skin. I use Alpha SkinCare Deep Wrinkle Repair from Ulta.

Be gentle with your skin - don't wash it too hard and pat it dry and use warm water, not too cold or hot. Once a week, make a gelatin pore cleaning mask (recipe here but there's a billion out there you can use) and use a clay mask as well to drain your pores of oil after you've yanked any gross globs out.

This is going to take time, of course. And make sure that your pillows you sleep on are clean (wash pillowcase once a week) and that you don't let your hair brush against your face (oils can get on your skin and clog it).

I've done this for 12 years and that's how I've kept my skin essentially completely blemish free (occasional pimples, small, once every few months?)

The goal is to keep skin clean and moisturize it just enough. It's not very complex, to be honest. I don't ever listen to anecdotal crap about why some products work better than others. I look at the ingredients list and then read studies to see why it might work. Sure, if you're just looking for moisturizing, fine, rely on anecdotal stuff and weak evidence, but for things where you really want to see results like less wrinkles or fewer pimples, ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and retinol are very important.

*ETA: when applying ANYTHING to your face, make sure you wash your hands first!!! No point to use these wonderful products if the tool applying them is dirty. And then it gets the product as well as your face dirty. Clean hands, clean towels to dry your hands and face! Wash the towels a minimum of once a week. Don't have to use a lot of soap to launder the towels - bc that can be irritating - but needs to be clean.

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.

Hey there, sure I can let you know what worked for me. Just some set up- I've always had acne since a teen, now 30 years old (female), surface bumps, sure, but my the main bane of my existence was painful cystic acne. I'd always have a couple at various stages (since you know... you feel the big painful bumps coming in and it takes time to surface, then time to heal, so each one has a 2-4 week lifespan, ugh)

I've never used any prescription medication to address it, but I've tried any and all over the counter solutions. In the last year I found the following products that actually worked for me, hoping they might work for you but of course everyone is different:

• LUSH Dark Angels Scrub - this really seemed to reduce the number of breakouts, not completely, but I did feel like I noticed some improvement. I use this 1-2 a week in the shower
  
• Glossier Solution- I was always using toner, but this stuff changed my life. I noticed a flair up in small surface zits the first 2 weeks, almost like my skin was purging or something, but I hung in there and I have never had such clear skin in my life. I do get an occasional zit here or there, nothing like before though (usually around my period, not too uncommon). Again, not sure if this will work for everyone but it really changed the game for me. I use this every night before bed. Solution contains a particular 10% blend of three acid groups: Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), and Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) -> you can google search for a dupe of this product, there's probably something with similar ingredients for less.
  
• Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser - pretty cheap non-scented no frills cleaner. I use this with my Clairsonic after using the LUSH scrub in the shower
  
• Clairsonic Brush - I got one of those vibrating brush doo-dads, you can certainly find cheaper alternatives, but this really helped me get that deeper clean.
  
  I'm locked into this routine because it's the only one that's ever worked for me. I know the Scrub and Solution toner can be a lil' pricey- I think you can request a sample of the scrub from a LUSH store for free. As for toner, before the Glossier one I was using this Nutrogena toner daily that sorta helped, better than nothing :)
  
  I think a reduction in dairy products has helped (which sucks cause I love cheese), as well as the increase in water.
  
  Good luck!!!
  
  ​

LOOKING FOR NEW PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MY SKIN-TYPE (COMBINATION - OILY SENSITIVE).

Summer / humidity causes breakouts along U-zone.

.

.

Hi guys! This is my first post here so bare with me. I'm struggling with the seasons changing causing my skin to freak out (happens every winter to summer here in New England for me. It get's suuuuper humid.)

I think I have combination - oily sensitive skin (if that's a thing). My t-zone area holds oil in the summer, and my cheeks and jawline are prone to breakouts from my skin being so sensitive. I have hyper-pigmentation along my cheek bones and jawline due to breakouts. Honestly probably mostly hormonal... but my skin was doing really reeeeally well when it was cold + dry this winter.

​

My current routine (that worked in the winter, but isn't working in the summer) looks like this...

AM:

1. Pacifica Coconut Milk Cream Cleanser (I like this, but I feel like there's something better for me out there - super foamy)
   
2. Alcohol Free Witch Hazel (toner)
   
3. Sometimes I'll use the Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer for sensitive skin, but my skin doesn't like it. I've tried this Acure Day Cream before too, but my skin also hates it. I think both of these moisturizers are too heavy for what I need? I keep reading "water-based" everywhere for similar skin types as mine.
   
   PM:
   
   
4. The same as AM - but added in this TruSkin Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E - this stuff works sooo well for clearing up hyper-pigmentation and breakouts
   
5. Tea Tree Oil as a spot treatment
   
   Sometimes I'll add in a charcoal mask or exfoliant if my skin is really angry.
   
   ​
   
   ​
   
   For a new SUMMER routine, I want to try these products and would like some feedback / reccomendations....
   
   

• Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser by Corsx (I have hard water) or maybe this Gentle Face Cleanser by La Roche-Posay???
  
• BHA (would it be beneficial for me? I have hyper-pigmentation due to acne on my cheek bones, but I don't have any blackheads... or just stick to Vitamin C with hyaluronic acid since it WORKS?)
  
• A hydrating toner (Is alcohol-free witch hazel okay to continue using?)
  
• A light/water-based moisturizer
  
• SPF
  
  What are some product recommendations for my skin type?
  
  ​
  
  I also don't wear anything on my face as far as makeup goes other than concealer to hide the dark marks... BareMinerals Tinted Moisturizer is probably a better option for my summer skin though! I remember my skin liking that even though it's super moisturizing.

Okay, I realize I wrote a ton, so I'll keep this last part short!

HOW TO GET ALL OF IT OFF YOUR FACE

• Always take your makeup off before going to sleep. Just make it a habit. You take your makeup off and you brush your teeth. BAM! =D /u/feeling_pretty linked an article in chat where a 20-something wore makeup for 2 years without taking it off ever (just reapplying over) and her skin was ages older than she was! So, take your makeup off!
  
• Lazy method: If you're super lazy and like to pass out, keep some Neutrogena wipes near your bed or something. This is probably not a method you want to use on a regular basis but in a pinch or when you seriously are about to fall asleep it would be good!
  
• I use a cleansing oil (if you remember from chemistry, "like dissolves like" so oil dissolves oil... and everything else you put on your face!). I got a sample of Shu Uemura cleansing oil so right now I'm using that (and it's awesome) but it's not quite in my budget so I'm looking at Kose and DHC cleansing oils to use in the future.
  
• I use a method called double cleansing, so after washing my face with the cleansing oil I use a regular face wash. Anyone of them should do fine, so whatever you're using to clean your face right now would be great :)
  
  Okay, so I am posting this on the 26th, so I'm not sure if this counts towards the contest, but I wanted this information to be complete. Definitely feel free to ask me any questions you want! I still consider myself very new to makeup and this subreddit has helped me expand my knowledge base so much, so I love sharing what I've learned!

Hi there! I only have KP on my arms, but I have been using Pond's Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream (not AB, sorry). I originally bought it to use as an AHA step for my face, but I'm taking a break from actives on my face right now. So, not wanting to waste it, I started using it on my arms. It has actually really helped! Probably thanks to the AHA. You might also want to add a BHA if your pores are getting clogged.

Also, I haven't tried this on my arms, but I've recently started the Rosette Ceramide Gel on my face and HOLY WOW. In like 3 days it's drastically improved my skin. It is so much smoother and glowing! I might try using it on my arms soon, I feel like it would help the texture drastically.

I have a feeling that moisturizing helps my KP in general, so whatever I use I try to make sure my skin stays nice and moisturized. YMMV, though.

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)

What kind of acne scars? If it's left-over discoloration from acne, then the PIH guide from the sidebar is helpful. The same advice here holds true for dark skin, but you'll need to double check and make sure whatever sunscreen you use doesn't leave a whitecast. There are a lot of guide Asian sunscreens you can get from Amazon that don't leave a white cast, like Skin Aqua. An aha serum can help, there are suggestions on the PIH link.

An aha serum would help with acne too. You could also try something like Stridex, which is good for oily skin. If you do add in an aha or bha (stridex) definitely start slowly (once or twice a weeks at first) and increase usage gradually to prevent irritation.

There are moisturizer recs here. Gel moisturizers are lightweight, Sebamed Gel is a good one. Neutrogena has a good gel moisturizer too

When putting together your routine, definitely refer to the ScA routine guide and the acne guide is a good resource

Yes I did see noticeable improvement, however it's no miracle cure and I do still have dark circles, just not nearly as dark as they used to be. The SAP serum I'm currently using is TruSkin Vitamin C Serum which I got off Amazon, however I bought this serum before really getting into skincare and therefore bought it because it was convenient and had great reviews, not necessarily because it was the "best" as a result of extensive research :) I think next I will try the Mad Hippie vitamin C serum because that also uses SAP and has the vit C listed much higher on its ingredients.

I will say that I also bought Truskin's Eye Gel and, when used together with their SAP serum, I think gave me the strongest results (like stronger than the SAP serum alone). I'm not 100% on this because it's been awhile since I've used it and I might be mis-remembering, but I wanted to mention it just in case. I do feel like my circles have re-darkened a bit since I stopped use, but that might be due to it being winter or something. I noticed at the time I was using it that the Eye Gel alone without the SAP serum did not nearly give me the results as the Eye Gel with the SAP serum, hence why I repurchased the SAP serum and didn't bother with the Eye Gel (I thought all my results were from the serum... Which they might have been... Ah now I need to repurchase it and test again :P).

By the way, have you ever heard of laser treatments to lessen under eye circles? In my area you can get them for $400 per treatment and it takes 3ish treatments to fully treat. I haven't done it but was seriously considering for awhile. Might be worth it in the long run when you think of all the products you buy looking for the answer. I still might do them.

Also, the BEST cover up for super dark circles is Dermablend Leg and Body Cover. It is meant for covering up bruises and tattoos, so not only is it high-coverage, but is a little orange-y to counteract the bluey-purple of the dark circles. I usually apply a tiny amount just to take the dark out from under my eyes and then put another layer of a better-matching foundation on top. Since it's meant for body wear, it does not wear off throughout the day. I only use it for special events now because my dark circles have gotten better, but back in the day it was my HG for covering these suckers up. It makes it look like you don't even have dark circles.

Hopefully this helps!

It largely depends on where you live and how quickly you need the items. As a general rule, if you're willing to wait a bit, you can find items much cheaper from non-Prime sellers on Amazon and overseas sellers on eBay. Also, if you're just purchasing a few things and they are heavy items, I find it's usually cheaper to stay away from sites with high shipping charges by weight, like Testerkorea and RoseRoseShop.

I usually do a lot of research when I make a new product purchase to find the lowest price from a reputable seller that I can. Partly because I just like shopping online for AB stuff and partly because I make it into a sort of game to see how cheap I can find something. It's like a hobby for me.

I recommend the Honey browser extension for Amazon. If you're looking for something it will tell you if there's a cheaper price available from another seller. It also goes through available coupon codes on many other online sites to see if there's one in the database that works for your order.

Anyway, I'm not sure where you live, but I did a bit of looking (I'm in the U.S.), and this is what I came up with. I can't guarantee these are the best prices out there -- just what I found from a bit of quick looking at a few different places.

Hado Labo foam for $9.40 with free shipping on Amazon (not Prime) here

The Face Shop Cleansing Oil - $9.58 with free shipping from Jolse here or $10.20 on Amazon Prime here.

Shiseido Aging Care Sunscreen on Amazon for $8.20 with free shipping (non-Prime) here.

Rosette Aqua Ceramide Gel - $12.45 with free shipping (non-Prime) on Amazon here.

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.

1. Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+
   
2. A vitamin C serum. I just got this sort of generic one off Amazon and have been liking it so far, and I've previously liked another sort of generic one off of Amazon (OzNaturals). I've tried other vitamin C's (including ones recommended and highly recommended here), and despite the weaker form of Vitamin C used in my generic Amazon products, I genuinely like using them more and think they do more for my skin.
   
3. A moisturizer. I've been using Cerave PM and I like it, but I want to try something different when I run out, because new things are fun!
   
   I also have a benzoyl peroxide/antibiotic prescription that helped clear up my skin a lot, but I'm trying to wean myself off of it/go back to straight BP if my skin will let me. If prescriptions count against my three, I'd kill off the face-specific moisturizer and just use whatever other bottle of lotion I use on my body.
   
    
   
   If I could add two products to the list, the other ones I reach for every day are:
   
    
   
   

• Desert Essence Oil Blend. It has a few different oils that people here recommend by themselves, so I saw this and got it on a whim. If one is good, ALL OF THEM MUST BE GREAT, RIGHT? (Poking fun at myself here. But my bad logic worked out this time.) It does have orange peel oil in it, which might be irritating for people with sensitive skin, but I like it because it smells nice.
  
  
• A facial cleanser. My current favorite is probably Acure Radically Rejuvenating Cleansing Cream, but I also kind of love/hate the St. Ives Apricot & Manuka Honey Cleansing Stick (it's very trendy/buzzwordy -- Manuka honey! Cactus water! On a stick! -- it has some questionable ingredients like coconut oil, I'm not convinced that it wouldn't melt in a bag left in a hot car when travelling, and it seems unsanitary to rub the same piece of soap on my face every day [says the girl who uses bar soap], BUT I do actually think it cleanses well/leaves my skin soft/smells nice). I have Vanicream cleanser too, and it does a good job but is kind of a snoozefest.

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. :)

100% not happy haha, but I did have a look!

So far I've picked out a few items that I think would match pretty well with my skin type.

1. 
   CLEANSER - CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser 16 oz for Daily Face Washing, Dry to Normal Skin
   
   
2. EXFOLIANT - Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads, 4.0 Ounce
   
   
3. MOISTURIZER -
   Simple Kind to Skin Facial Moisturizer, Hydrating Moist Spf 15 4.2 oz
   
   
4. SUNSCREEN -
   Blue Lizard Face Sunscreen SPF 30+-5 oz
   
   I now know I should only introduce one new product at a time, and I don't want to spend all the products before hand then have some not work out. So my current dilemma is having now idea which product would be best to introduce now to help get my skin back to where to needs to be. My guess would be the cleanser but I think its pretty clear I don't know whats best lol

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).

Lol

Toners:

• Fresh- Rose Deep Hydration (the one I’m currently using)

• Klairs- Supple Preparation Facial Toner (great for layering, you can almost get a serum-y effect)

• Pyunkang Yul- Essence Toner (also layerable)

Out of the three toners, the fresh one is the most water-y feeling. However, you can’t use it as a serum-y or mask like product because of that. It doesn’t lend itself to layering if you want to do a quick super burst of hydration.

Moisturizers (specifically watery or gel-like feeling, not heavily occlusive; please bear in mind that these are over $50 and boogie af but I love them, if you’d like heavier recommendations please let me know):

• Tatcha- The Water Cream (the lightest and most watery out of all of them)

• Fresh- Rose Deep Hydration (~$40)

• Drunk Elephant- Protini (gel-like but still fairly water-y)

• Sunday Riley- Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream (also fairly watery, it comes in smaller ~$20 size if you want to make a smaller purchase before fully investing)

Again, sorry the moisturizers were expensive. The better water-y and gel-like moisturizers that I’ve found and liked for oily skin were always on the more expensive side. If you test them (you can get free samples from your local Sephora for almost any product) and find that you need something heavier, please let me know! Also, sorry if the formatting sucks. I’m trying to link and do this all on my phone.

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.

I wholly empathize with you. I had severe cystic acne for 12 years, and no one understood what it was like. It was a living hell, and no matter what I did, there never seemed to be an end in sight. It was overwhelming to say the least.

The first thing that stuck out to me was that you avoid moisturizers. Your routine should include a light moisturizer so that you don't dry out your skin. You want gentle but effective treatment, not collateral damage. I have oily skin, and someone gave me this moisturizer as a gift. It seems to work well, and I'm guessing it's water-based.

I completely understand your frustrating lack of funds. I have almost no income and have no health insurance at all, so I know first0hand how hard that is. Maybe you can save up for certain products or research cheaper options. Try researching moisturizers for oily skin and see what you can find. Just don't give up!

You do need to see a very knowledgeable dermatologist. If you look into it now, it may be worth the wait. I emphasize "knowledgeable," because the dermatologist you choose must know how to treat your acne as well as identify the underlying cause.

In your case, your cystic acne could be hormonal. If you have excess/unwanted hair growth, thinning scalp hair, irregular periods, weight gain, and the acne, you could have polycystic ovarian syndrome, and treatment includes a medication called Spironolactone. But, if I'm not mistaken, even if you don't have PCOS, your acne can still be hormonal.

There are other causes, too, of course, and a good dermatologist will know to dig deep and really search for good answers. Research the dermatologists in your area and look for ratings and reviews online.

Push forward. Keep going with this. And be nice to your skin! No baking soda cleansing (as this throws off the pH balance of your skin), no overly-gritty exfoliants (looking at you, St. Ives apricot scrub!), and try not to pick. Oil cleansing and micellar water cleansing can be good methods for removing every speck of makeup at bedtime.

You are in the UK, so I'm not sure what products you have available. But research, research, research! Another tip: With Google shopping, you can sort your search results from lowest to highest price.

Good luck!!

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.

Hello all! So excited to post here! Dehydrated/combination skin. I'm looking to add a vitamin C serum into my routine and am deciding between a few. I've been working on my routine for awhile now. Fairly minimal atm:

AM

• Simple Hydrating Micellar Water (this is the one with the blue cap; I like the green-cap regular formulation better because it has niacinamide)
  
  
• Lush's Breath of Fresh Air Toner
  
  
• Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
  
  
• Missha All Around Safe Block Sun Essence SPF 45+++
  
  
  PM
  
  
• Lush's 9 to 5 Cleansing Lotion
  
  
• Simple Hydrating Micellar Water (for any last traces of makeup)
  
  
• Lush's Breath of Fresh Air Toner
  
  
• Stridex (the red bottle; I only do this as needed, like 1x/day every other day, if my skin has a breakout - usually hormonal)
  
  
• Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, mixed with a drop of argan oil OR just argan oil if I'm using Stridex
  
  
  I've been using this routine for about four months now and am super pleased with it! Breakouts are reduced a ton and my skin feels generally happy. I am still noticing some excess oil production and old acne scarring/PIE on my t-zone, so I'd like to add an additional brightening and hydrating component by adding a Vitamin C serum into my routine.
  
  I'm deciding between Silk Naturals' Super Serum and Truskin Naturals' Vitamin C serum. Any thoughts from those who have used these serums? Any other recommendations?

Help with a full routine please? I've basically never had one before bar occasional moisturiser use. Male 38, very pale skin - mostly OK - I get a few odd spots but nothing like I was younger. Mainly I have some red marks on my cheeks, dark circles under my eyes and lots of blackheads around my nose. My skin is slightly dry and sensitive. I've just started using Differin from my doctor which is great so far. I need a daytime moisturiser with spf, a night cream, probably a facial cleanser, also I was wondering should I use an AHA or BHA? Can anyone advise please?

I've been looking at Cerave but happy to consider other If better value.

Here is what I'm thinking of buying:

• Cerave PM Moisturiser
  
  
• Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser
  
  
• Daytime moisturiser with spf - I need recommendations here - something good value for money?
  
  
• AHA/BHA - Can I use these with Differin?
  
  Any comments or suggestions welcome!

I don't think the beginner's skincare routine really has any age bracket, so it's still worth checking out.

If she's in her 70s, I don't know that a tretinoin will do too much on the level of deep wrinkles, but she can certainly ask her dermatologist about it!

Otherwise the best addition IMO would be a vitamin C and/or ferulic acid serum, and there are plenty available on the market:

• Paula's Choice C15 Serum
  
• SkinCeuticals Vitamin C E Ferulic Serum
  
• Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Serum
  
• NuFountain's Vitamin C Serum
  
• Or you can work together to DIY a Vitamin C serum! /u/SaraSays posted an awesome guide on how to make a DIY Vitamin C serum here. Family bonding ftw!

I have a very oily t-zone and this is the routine that I’ve been developing and building on for this past year:

(I don’t really do anything in the morning, which I know I probably should but I’m not perfect)

Night:
Wash face with Clean and Clear Deep Action Oil Free Cream Cleanser

Apply either Stridex in the red tub or Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner (switch off days)

Apply TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum

I moisturize with Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin.

Finally, I’ll do some spot treatment with Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment. This is a new addition to my routing but so far I’m liking it! It seems to help with the redness left over from old acne.

If anyone has any suggestions for products to add to this routine, I’m all ears! I do still have closed comedones on my forehead that I’m not exactly sure what to do with, so any advice is appreciated.

I know my routine is pretty basic but it’s worked really well for me and I’m really happy with it! This subreddit has helped me so much with my skin, Stridex was the first suggestion I got from here that really turned my skin around.

Wow, thank you for your long answer. I appreciate your effort!
I needed some time to understand all the stuff you mentioned.
But it cleared up many things :)

I am going to buy some of the things from your list (can you please look over the products I chose):

• Cleanser: Balea MED Ultra Sensitive Reinigungsmilch
  
  
• Toner: Balea MED Ultra Sensitive Gesichtswasser
  
  
• Moisturiser: I am not sure what moisturiser I should buy, maybe I buy several. I still don't know what skin type I have, I think I have either a combination skin (Mischhaut) or an oily skin. But I tend to combination skin.
  One question: What do you think about the Nivea moisturizer?
  So I try some products:
  Balea MED night moisturisers
  and sebamed Clear Face Care Gel
  
  
• Also I buy the Konjac sponge, but which one?: 1 or 2
  
  Things I buy maybe later, after I tried all the stuff above:
  
  
• Vitamin C serum
  
• The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%
  
• Sunscreen
  
• Which Vaseline should I buy?
  
• Maybe Facial Oil.
  
  I have some questions:
  
  

1. When should I use the sponge? Just for cleansing?
   
2. I only need sunscreen when I use chemical exfoliants, is that right? And when I use chemical exfoliants, do I really need sunscreen in the winter? I mean the sun is almost nonexistant and I am mostly in a building.
   
3. Every week I introduce 1 product. With which should I begin? I would say Cleanser. Or maybe Moisturiser?
   
4. Showering: Can I clean my face with some standard shampoo? Or should I clean my face just with water in the shower, because the Cleanser is enough?
   
5. After Cleansing, should I wash my face (between the steps Cleansing and Moisturising)?
   
6. How often should I use chemical exfoliants? Once a week?
   
7. Are that not too much products in the evening I apply? Shampoo + Cleanser + Exfoliant + Toner + Vitamin C serum + Facial Oil + Moisturiser + Vaseline = 8 products im Extremfall
   
8. Is my routine correct (especially the order)? I am not sure about doing Cleansing and Exfoliating in the shower. Also the order of toner, vitamin c serum and facial oil:
   
   PM:
   
   
9. I go into the shower
   
10. I wash my hair and face with shampoo
    
11. I cleanse my face (and then I wash my face with water)
    
12. (optional) I exfoliate my face (and then I wash my face with water)
    
13. I am finished with showering and dry myself
    
14. (optional) Apply Toner
    
15. (optional) Apply Vitamin C serum
    
16. (optional) Apply Facial Oil
    
17. Apply Moisturiser
    
18. (optional) Apply Vaseline
    
    AM:
    
    
19. I cleanse my face (and then I wash my face with water)
    
20. (optional) Apply Toner
    
21. (optional) Apply Vitamin C serum
    
22. (optional) Apply Facial Oil
    
23. Apply Moisturiser
    
24. (optional) Apply Sunscreen
    
    Sorry, that I have so many questions.
    
    Liebe Grüße zurück vom Niederrhein :)
    

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!!

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.

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

No problem, I am glad to help! Yeah, chemical sunscreens don't seem to bother me either, it's very weird lol. Yes, I see! It can be a challenge finding a sunscreen that works while also taking into consideration rosácea too. Hmmm, I have two ideas! I don't know if they will help, but here goes:

1. Have you tried a gel-based sunscreen? I know that gel moisturizers are specifically designed for oily skin, and can be cooling and soothing at the same time. I have never tried one, but I have used a gel moisturizer before and it was amazing and refreshing. The one I tried was Simple Ultra-Light Gel Moisturizer. Although it has no SPF, maybe the texture would be good to try. Also, Sebamed makes one called Clear Face Gel but I've never tried that one
   
   
2. Have you tried any Asian sunscreens? That's something I've been considering myself, because although the chemical sunscreens don't give me breakouts sometimes they look shiny with my makeup. I haven't ventured into that world so far but have heard great things about those being weightless and without a heavy, white cast. One example is Biore UV Watery Essence. I'm sure there are a ton more that probably /r/AsianBeauty knows about.
   
   Awww, I feel your pain :/ It can be really expensive trying and testing products until you find the right one!! Lol my bank account knows all about that XD
   
   Hope this helps somewhat!!

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

Yaaaaaas. This, so much! Oil cleansing + hydrating foaming/cream second cleanser have totally changed the game for me with my super dry skin. I personally love Kose Softymo. I use the Speedy version right now, but the Deep Cleansing version has my eye!

I'm also washing with Hada Labo Tokyo Hydrating Cleanser, which I like a lot! Super mild.

Lastly, as a facial oil, Goodal Wateriest Water Oil has been particularly popular lately, and for good reason! I have a different version from the same line and, while I just only tried it out yesterday, it has immediately left my skin feeling leagues better.

I hope this helps!

What are my next steps? I’ve read all over the FAQs and Wiki, but I'm not sure where to head next with my routine. I've been using the same routine for approx. 9 months now and I’m no longer seeing positive changes or results that I want.

The issues: I still have acne, though not as severe as it was a year ago. I have quite large pores and very sensitive skin when it comes to what I use. I’m allergic(eczema) to methylisothiazolinone or others like it. It’s found in many many liquid soaps, lotions, treatments etc.

Skin Type: I would say combination, as I am prone to acne, eczema, have somewhat oily skin, and flaking skin as well. Left profile Right Profile

Current routine: The routine I’ve been using for the past 9 months is as follows:
My mornings and evenings have been somewhat interchangeable, depending on if I shower in the morning or evenings, so I will combine it in to daily, with the exception of 1 product.

Daily:

• Cleanse: Rinse with water OR Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser (1-3x per week) OR Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask (1-2x per week)
  
  
• Moisturize: None if rinsed with water, unless feeling dry OR Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream on my cheeks, nose, and chin.
  
  Evening:
  
  
• Tretinoin Cream 0.025% every night.
  
  Occasionally Used:
  
  
• Neutrogena Rapid Clear(BP) for active large pimples.
  
  Anything New: I am currently reducing(eventually to zero) an antidepressant, so hormonal changes will probably cause acne to pick up. I exercise regularly, drink approx. 3 liters of water every day, and eat very healthy.
  
  Location: Southern Maine region.
  
  Thank you for your help SCA World!
  

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. :)

Thank you so much for correcting my formatting error! It seems adding the pound (octothorpe) sign before my numbers to answer OP's questions unintentionally bolded the text :)

However, your information seems extraordinarily basic. All vendors selling a Vitamin C variation (like SAP, MAP, Tetrahex, etc) will recommend using a "blanket" low % of the active (somewhere b/w 0-3) to achieve "added antioxidant benefits". These recommended %s then change to 10% and above in order to yield skin lightening effects (what everyone is traditionally searching for with Vit C usage). SOURCES: Vit C SAP https://www.makingcosmetics.com/Vitamin-C-sodium-ascorbyl-phosphate_p_1040.html ; Vit C MAP https://www.makingcosmetics.com/Vitamin-C-magnesium-ascorbyl-phosphate_p_323.html ; Vit C Tetrahex http://www.lotioncrafter.com/tetrahexyldecyl-ascorbate-BV-OSC.html ; L-Asc Acid http://www.lotioncrafter.com/ascorbic-acid-ultrafine.html .

Further, the recommended % for skin lightening effects of a specific Vit C are typically exceeded in commercially-made products (think 15% L-Asc. Acid in the award winning CE Ferulic). Here are some links to Vit C SAP serums that use a 20% concentration and are wildly successful: https://www.amazon.com/TruSkin-Naturals-Vitamin-Anti-Aging-Hyaluronic/dp/B01M4MCUAF/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1506303615&sr=1-4&keywords=vitamin%2Bc%2Bserum&th=1 ; https://www.amazon.com/Amara-Organics-Vitamin-Serum-Hyaluronic/dp/B00G2TQNZ4/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1506303638&sr=1-5&keywords=vitamin+c+serum I USED TO USE THIS ONE ; https://www.amazon.com/Radha-Beauty-Vitamin-Serum-Face/dp/B00VNXQE94/ref=sr_1_8_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1506303638&sr=1-8&keywords=vitamin+c+serum .

Plus any good formulator knows that manual pH adjusting (via Triethanomine or Citric Acid) of DIY skincare products is essential.

If you have any other credible resources that contradict my information provided, please feel free to share :) I'd be happy to take a look. But currently it seems all points of your argument have been invalidated.

Please stop your misguided fear mongering. xoxo

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!

Right now I’m on Curology’s 0.04% tret, 1% clindamycin, and 9% azelaic acid (I’ve increased the tret % over many months). First, I recommend you introduce Curology slowly - like every other (or third) day for two weeks, then every day. Also, the 2% BHA may be too harsh/drying in the beginning - I’d recommend getting used to Curology first (i’m just now introducing it every third day bc I get so flaky). I love the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser & PM lotion (the AM lotion stings my eyes but YMMV - so I use the PM in the AM if that makes sense), and I love EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 for sunscreen. I currently use NuFountain C20 + Ferulic serum bc of price and am happy with it, but if price isn’t an issue, the gold standard seems to be SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. Good luck! Be patient and consistent and you’ll see really good results!

they can be a bit of a pain in the ass to hunt down, but I exclusively use asian sunscreens for my face, as they have some of the most cosmetically elegant formulas (aka little to no white cast or greasy, sunscreen-y feeling), plus they have very high UVA and UVB protections that are better than the majority of western offerings. the biore blue tube sunscreen is a perennial favorite over in /r/AsianBeauty because of how good it feels on the skin and how relatively cheap and easy it is to find.

EDIT: also forgot to mention, if you start using sunscreen (which you should!!!!) then you might want to start double cleansing at night as well, because it's the best way to make sure that you get all the sunscreen off so it doesn't clog pores. again, asian skincare companies have western companies beat (at least IMO) when it comes to first/oil cleanser formulas. r/AB will have a ton of suggestions, but personally I like the kose softymo deep one.

Cleansers (Unless you're using a medicated cleanser most skincare products aren't really going to prevent acne.)

Mochitto Mochi Mochi Face Wash

Hada Labo Gokujun Oil Cleanser (200ml)

Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Cleansing Foam (160ml)

Medicated Deep Cleansing Oil L (200ml)

Cow Brand Additive-Free Foaming Facial Cleanser (200ml)

Rohto Hadalabo es cleansing foam type (160ML)

Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (170ml)

Spot Treatment

Since your acne is deep in the skin I would look for a dermatologist that also serves foreigners because unless I'm mistaken a lot of products with Benzoyl Peroxide etc are prescription only.

Hydrating Toners

Meishoku Cosmetics Meishoku Facial Water Medicated Skin Lotion 2.7 oz (80 ml) - Acne Prevention

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Solution (170ml)

Hada Labo Gokujyun "Hyaluronic-Eki" Large-Capacity Pump-Type 400ml

Matsuyama Skin Moisturizing Water, Light Type

Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion

Mebika Moist Lotion

Cezanne High Moist Lotion


Meishoku Cosmetics Ceracolla Super Moist Face Lotion 6 fl oz (180ml)


Gels

Hada Labo Shirojyun Cool Hyaluronic Jelly (200ml)

Naturie Skin Conditioning Gel

Rosette Ceramide Gel

Meishoku Cerracolla Perfect Gel

Moisturisers

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Eaude Muge Medicated Skin Cream - 40g - Acne Prevention


Lion Pair Acne Clean Lotion - Look for the cream as well!

Meishoku Cerracolla Perfect Cream

MUJI Sensitive Skin Moisturizing Milk - Moisture (200ml)

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Cream 50g

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Milky Lotion 140ml

Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Milky Emulsion (140ml)

Sunscreens

CANMAKE Mermaid Skin Gel UV

Nivea Protect Water Gel SPF35/PA+++ Pump 140g

Biore Sarasara UV Perfect Face Milk SPF50+/PA++++ 30ml

Biore Sarasara UV Perfect Milk SPF50+/PA++++ 40ml

Hada Labo Gokujun Perfect UV Gel (50g)

Me personally, I use cleansing oils. I used the hydrating makeup remover wipes from Neutrogena for years before I found cleansing oils. I tried micellular water and I’m not a fan. I don’t like the tugging feeling of cotton on my face and I didn’t feel like it removed all of my makeup.

Cleansing oils on dry skin followed by gentle cleanser has been amazing for me. I use the hydrating cleanser by La Roche Posay and it’s HG for me. Love love love it.

For cleansing oils, I’m still in the process of finding my HG. I have used the neutrogena one and wasn’t a big fan. I tried the one by Simple and also wasn’t a huge fan. So far Burts Bees oil has been my favorite. Trader Joe’s sells an exact dupe for $6. That one is nice too. Also, The Face Shop sells one that is really light. I got it on amazon and I’ve been using that for the last month or so. I actually just picked up a new one today made by Palmers. So I’m gonna try that out tonight. Links ;

The face shop;
https://www.amazon.com/Facial-Cleanser-Natural-Cleansing-Moisturizer/dp/B00809ERAM

Burts bees;
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0151RHR3E/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1523495135&sr=8-1&keywords=burts+bees+cleansing+oil&dpPl=1&dpID=41ygSRlXfhL&ref=plSrch

Trader Joe’s;

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06WP1W6FQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1523495277&sr=8-1&keywords=trader+joes+cleansing+oil&dpPl=1&dpID=314w%2Bv8HeEL&ref=plSrch

Simple:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01IR8W0UE/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1523495135&sr=8-2&keywords=burts+bees+cleansing+oil

Palmers:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00W2CTHT4/ref=mp_s_a_1_7_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1523495135&sr=8-7&keywords=burts+bees+cleansing+oil&dpPl=1&dpID=31u9ea3--FL&ref=plSrch

Neuteogena;
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00U2VQZC4/ref=mp_s_a_1_10_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1523495135&sr=8-10&keywords=burts+bees+cleansing+oil

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!

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.
   

Hi everyone! I'm very new to AB and after reading through many guides and articles, I created my first routine, and it's made up of the basics (since you guys said to limit your haul to 4-5 items), I have these items in my amazon cart ready to go, but I wanted to get a second opinion!

Skin Type: Dry/Acne-Prone | Country/Climate I'm in: Seattle - Rainy and Cold | Top Skin Concern: PIH/Acne


AM

• [Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam]
  (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CE5P580/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ALWX5VVJPZEDR&psc=1)
  
  
  
• Rohto Hadalabo Shirojyun Albutin Milk
  
  
  
• Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++
  
  
  
  PM
  
  
  
• Etude House Real Art Cleansing Oil Moisture Advanced
  
  
  
• Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam
  
  
  
• BENTON Snail Bee High Content Essence
  
  
  
• Rohto Hadalabo Shirojyun Albutin Milk
  
  
  I'm mostly curious about the BENTON serum. I've heard that it's best to only use it once (at night), but some blogs have you using them in the morning as well. Also, with the BENTON serum would I have to wait 20 minutes before moving on to emulsion? Any other comments/criticisms would be appreciated! Thank you AB!
  
  

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 :)

Well, everyone's skin reacts differently but I'll let you know what I've used and had success with.

The Face Shop Light Cleansing Oil - really great and affordable for starting out w/ a cleansing oil

Pond's Cold Cream - love but required me to use microfiber wash cloths and made too much laundry because it didn't emulsify and rinse easily

Fresh Seaberry Cleansing Oil - currently using but I bought some off eBay bc of the cost

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm - probably what I will try next; receives a lot of love around this sub

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!! :)

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.

• Skin Type: Oily & Dry | Country/Climate I'm in: Southern California Desert | Top Skin Concern: Filaments, Redness, Lightening/Whitening | Age/Sex: 28yo Male
  
• Current Routine/Products I'm Using:
  
  AM
  
  
• CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
  
• TruSkin Vitamin C Serum
  
• It's Skin Power 10 WH Effector Serum
  
• Aveeno Eczema Moisturizing Cream
  
• Neutrogena Men Eye Reviver (no longer avail..last tube)
  
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen SPF 100
  
  PM
  
  
• CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
  
• TruSkin Vitamin C Serum
  
• It's Skin Power 10 WH Effector Serum
  
• Aveeno Eczema Moisturizing Cream
  
• Shiseido Bio-Performance Eye Cream (was a gift.. too expensive for me to restock)
  
  Background: I used to have psoriasis and eczema all over my body and face, but thanks to biologics (Humira), my psoriasis patches have regressed into hyperpigmented spots. I live in a hot and dry desert, which not only dries out my skin, but I also sweat a lot. Combination of dryness + sweat causes my face to redden.
  
  Picture of Face:
  https://i.imgur.com/4rAEHSG.jpg (Ignore dry lips)
  
  I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying]...
  
  
• General routine advice
  
• Reduce those small dots on my face, especially nose (pores/filaments?)
  
• Products to help control oil/sweat/redness but also won't dry my skin
  
• Products to help lighten/whiten facial skintone
  
• Can my face handle BHA/AHA products?
  
• A less heavy moisturizer for AM, perhaps with sufficient daily SPF?
  
• I am willing to replace any of my current products (Tiam C20, Benton Snail Essence...)
  
  Thank you Thank you and Thank you! Can't believe it took me this long to find this site/community!

Helloooo everyone! So I've been using the Mad Hippie vitamin C serum for a couple months and I like it but after reading more about vitamin C I think I'd like to try a different kind with L-AA to see if I get better results.

So I'm considering:

• Cosmetic Skin Solutions https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049OLZ84/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Yc9SzbSRJNZ2G
  
  
• NuFountain https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039LZW78/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Sg9Szb804KPNT
  
  
• Timeless https://www.timelessha.com/products/20-vitamin-c-e-ferulic-acid-serum-1-oz
  
  I'm looking for experiences with any of these or recommendations of other vitamin c serums that you feel brought you results! I have sensitive skin that is dry/combination, and I'm mostly looking to fade one scar particularly and even out some small sun spots, as well as just reap the anti-aging benefits of a good vitamin c serum :)

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.

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.

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.

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.

if you're still on prednisone, well, there's your acne cause. 100%

whenever i go on bowel rest (i.e. stop eating food and just drink fluids), my skin clears up beautifully. i'm not sure if it's simply the extra hydration, or if i have dietary triggers. dairy and greasy foods have a reputation for causing acne, but i haven't read any science on that. (props on the vegan diet!) wash your face after you eat, if you get food stuffs or grease around your face. i use this, though there's also a foaming version that lots of people like.

wear sunscreen. hydrate by drinking lots of water and applying moisturizer. this stuff is good. with the pump so you don't get weird crap in your lotion. wear sunscreen.

these product recommendations are pretty reliably loved by r/skincareaddiction. good ingredients, unscented, work to rebuild your skin's protective barrier against infection and inflammation. but everyone is different, so ymmv of course.

also, i'm a huge fan of curology. it's 20 bucks a month. you send pictures of your face and problem areas, and a dermatologist is basically of at your beck and call to answer all your questions online. you get a prescription face cream to use every night, and recommendations for products, routines, etc. the prescription creams almost all use tretinoin, which treats acne and signs of aging. (wear suncreen!) but you'd probably get some other antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients as well.

Hi there. So I would start really simple - cleanser, toner, moisturizer in the AM and PM. I can recommend you some products since I also have oily acne-prone skin, but the unfortunate reality is that what works for some people doesn't work for others. You're probably going to have to experiment with it yourself. Also most of the products I use aren't available in the US (German brand).

A couple of pointers when it comes to ingredients in those products:

- avoid anything with silicones (they usually end in -cone on the ingredient list)
- avoid non-fatty alcohols (usually it just says alcohol or alcohol denat. or ethanol in the ingredient lists). They're gonna be really drying.
- fatty alcohols (like cetyl alcohol) are good though
- avoid perfum (can irritate skin - sometimes it's hard to avoid though and personally it's not high on my priority list)
- since you have some acne and oily skin I would avoid oils and comedogenic ingredients such as coconut derivatives and butters

Since you don't have a lot of experience with skincare yet, I would keep it simple at first - if your skin doesn't clear up you might want to use a product with salicylic acid or other acne-fighting ingredients at some point, but as I said I would ease into it by just using a simple routine first.

For cleanser I would recommend first only using it at night. Only use it in the morning if you feel overly greasy, you don't want to strip your skin too much. Some cleanser recommendations from the wiki (any of these should work fine for your skin):

• CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
  
• Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam
  
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser
  
• SebaMed Fragrance Free Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
  
• Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser - Foaming Formula
  
• Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin
  
  Some toner recommendations (apply with a cotton pad after cleansing):
  
  
• Eucerin DermatoCLEAN Clarifying Toner
  
• I personally just use straight up Rosewater
  
• a lot of people love the Thayer's Witch Hazel Toner, so you might want to start there
  
• any other ALCOHOL-FREE and OIL-FREE toner
  
  Moisturizer recommendations (important! Do not skip even if you have oily skin!) - I would try to avoid creams since those are more suitable for normal or dry skin):
  
  
• Sebamed Clear Face Gel (might not be moisturizing enough but you can give it a try)
  
• Bioderma Sensibio Light
  
• The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors
  
  You might also want to incorporate sunscreen at some point (apply after moisturizer or instead of moisturizer in the morning), but honestly I haven't found one that I'm 100% happy with yet, it can be tough when you have oily and acne-prone skin. This one from the wiki seems good though: CeraVe Ultra Light Moisturizer + SPF 30
  
  Hope this helps to start. The wiki and just lurking here can teach you a whole bunch. Just remember your skin type and what your skin problems are when looking for new products.

Just started Accutane (Claravis), 60mg/day yesterday, and have changed up my routine recently based on lurking around this sub and r/Accutane. Any general comments/feedback would be much appreciated!

Skin type: Oily for sure, but I am positive it's about to become dry with the Accutane. In changing up my routine a few weeks ago, I tried to pick products that seemed to work for people with both skin types generally (maybe just with different frequencies of use) so I could use them before and after I finish the course.

Current routine:

AM

Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser to cleanse

Klaris Supple Preparation Facial Toner for toner

Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Multi-Purpose Balm Cream for moisturizer

Sun Bum SPF 30 fPVNM Sunscreen, Original Face Stick -- I know it's not the best, but I live in Portland/Seattle so the need is not as dire as in other places

PM

Lush Ultrabland to remove makeup
Remove makeup

Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser to cleanse

Usually after cleansing I use a mask -- I had been using more acne-targeting masks, but since I am switching to sheet masks, which I used to only use occasionally. Right now, I have Benton Snail Bee High content Sheet Mask Pack and Dermal Korea Collagen Essence Full Face Facial Mask Sheet, but I also really like Origins Drink Up-Intensive and Cosrx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Mask. When I need spot treatment, I am obsessed with Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch

Then I go back and do -- Klaris Supple Preparation Facial Toner for toner

Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Multi-Purpose Balm Cream for moisturizer

Edit: I used to use (and still have left some) of Lush's Herbalism. I am not sure I should keep using it on Accutane, since it exfoliates, but any commentary on that would be appreciated!

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

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. :)

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.

There are two Kose Softymo cleansing oils that people love - the one you linked and the orange one: http://www.amazon.com/Kose-Softymo-Deep-Cleansing-Oil-230ml/dp/B000V2FB88

I use the orange one and it works great. It's up to you which one you think would work best!

Yes, the cleansing oil and the cleansing foam would be the two-step cleanse. Oil first, foam second.

As for the Kose foam ... I can't find any information about it's pH so I can't tell you for sure if it's good to use. You want something that is close to your skin's pH and the Hadalabo fits that. I use the orange Kose Softymo cleansing oil and the HL foaming cleanser and will continue to do so until I die :P

HOWEVER, what works for me might not work for you. There is a great cleanser list here that lists out the type of cleanser, it's pH, and brand.

Wow, thank you for the lengthy reply. I'll look into some products that you mentioned in the first few steps and see how they work out for me. I definitely agree it will be something to do with un-moisturized skin, I just need to find the right products that help my skin as opposed to creating another problem. Since making this post and reading your response, I have ordered this, [this]
(https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B074W8S1RN/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), [this] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003YMJJSK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and this.

As for the Lotrimin Ultra, would something like this work?
It contains Terbinafine Hydrochloride 1%, not sure if that's similar to Butenafin Hydrochloride by any chance? If not I have found the exact product you mentioned, although it is a bit more on the expensive side in comparison to what I'm used to. But I will definitely give it a try.

Thank you again for your response, I will hopefully report back soon with positive results!

Since you wear makeup, I think you should moisturize before spf. It gives the makeup a better base. Using a mattifying sunscreen really helps with oiliness. My favorite is Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish, though it is a mineral sunscreen so if you have darker skin it may leave a white cast.

You should use the witch hazel after cleansing at night to prep your skin's ph level for chemical exfoliation or vitamin c. I'd use the pixi glow and cosrx aha/bha separately. Although the Cosrx only contains .1% each of BHA + AHA, it also contains Willow Bark Water 10% (a natural AHA), Apple Water 10% (natural source of malic acid, an AHA). If you really like both you can switch nights. If you use any acids, always moisturize after acids to prevent over drying your skin.

Other than that I think you have the right products to target your skincare needs, just slightly in the wrong order haha. Hope this helps, if you have anymore questions feel free to reach out and I'll try to help if I can. I know when I first started I was super overwhelmed.

I would recommend less exfoliating with physical exfoliates and more chemical.

You probably have combination skin, right? Is your face wash drying? Do you feel like your skin is tight after you wash your face?
You want a more gentle face wash. Yes, I'm going to say it only because it works but CeraVe's cleanser is cheap and easy on skin. I doubt you're running around with much makeup on so this will be fine both during the day and night to wash with.

You can also use CeraVe's moisturizer both day and night to help kick start the repairing your skin needs to do.

I would suggest you start throwing in some glycolic acid to speed up the process of clearing everything up. Apply this before the cream.

With the acid though you're going to need sunscreen. They say that 5 minutes in the sun without sunscreen is just as bad as hours. Yes, CeraVe also offers a great sunscreen for a cheap price. This will be your last step. Apply it half an hour or so before you head out anywhere.

Don't do much more than this for a couple weeks. See how your skin reacts to it all. It'll need a bit of an adjustment period before you can start adding more products in. I suggest reading some of the stuff in the sidebar. The people here have great advice to give and have complied it pretty neatly.

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).

I have both aging concerns (I'm 39) and breakout prone skin and early this year I started implementing a skincare routine with mostly Korean products and it has helped tremendously (thanks r/asianbeauty!) Prior to this the ONLY moisturizer I'd ever found that did not break me out in cystic spots was the Clinique DDM gel moisturizer which isn't really very moisturizing.

With the k-beauty stuff I added BHA and AHA which helps with both acne and aging.

Another important thing to consider is PH. High PH cleansers like your Neutrogena scrub or Cetaphil are really not good for your skin. Some great low PH cleansers are Cerave foaming cleanser (not Korean/Asian), Su:m 37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EIMU3NU/ref=sxts2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482935590&sr=2 ) and Hado Labo Gokujyn Cleansing Foam ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036MDUEM/ref=sxts1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482935590&sr=1 )


My current routine is:

AM:

• Su:m 37 stick
  
• Alcohol-free rosewater toner (Thayer's or Secret Key)
  
• Clinique DDM gel or Mizon Snail Recovery Gel (a great light moisturizer and CHEAP!) https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NTR9B6A/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482935871&sr=8-3&keywords=mizon+snail
  
  PM:
  
  
• Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000V2FBAQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482935963&sr=8-1&keywords=kose+softymo
  
• Su:m 37 stick or Cerave cleanser
  
• rosewater toner
  
• CosRX BHA in t-zone and CosRX AHA on cheeks chin and forehead
  
  https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482936697&sr=8-1&keywords=cosrx+bha+blackhead+power+liquid
  
  https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OZ9WOD8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482936735&sr=8-1&keywords=cosrx+aha
  
  (Then wait 20 minutes)
  
  
• Hado Labo Gokujyn "lotion" (really more like a toner) https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000FQUGXA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482936200&sr=8-1&keywords=hada+labo+gokujyn
  
  
• Benton Snail Bee essence https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EC60MYW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482936253&sr=8-1&keywords=benton+snail+bee+high+content+essence
  
  
• Missha Time Revolution serum
  https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ATLVNIS/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482936487&sr=8-2&keywords=missha+time+revolution
  
  
• Beauty of Joseon Dynasty cream https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M4GQO8W/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482936552&sr=8-1&keywords=beauty+of+joseon+dynasty+cream
  
  
• Rosette Ceramide Gel https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000FQNIX0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1482936634&sr=8-1&keywords=rosette+ceramide
  
  None of these products has broken me out. Since you are younger you might not feel the need for the anti-aging products I use (but it's never too early to start!)
  
  As far as makeup: day-to-day I use powder foundation (Dermablend Intense Powder Camo) but for special occasions I use Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation, it's the only full coverage liquid foundation that I have found that doesn't give me cystic spots OR totally break up on my nose from oil. It's pricey but a little goes a long way.
  
  HTH! Good luck!

Hello! I am a beginner to all this routine stuff, so I'd like some input before I buy a bunch of stuff.

Usually oily, sometimes combo | SE United States/humid | Top Skin Concern: Blackheads, brightening, evening skin tone

Current Routine/Products I'm Using:

AM

• Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser
  
  
• CaraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
  
  PM
  
  
• Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser
  
  
• Stridex pads
  
  
  What I've come up with:
  
  Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
  
  Cosrx Galactomyces 95 White Power Essence
  
  Hada Labo Shirojyun Albutin Medicinal Whitening Lotion
  
  Biore UV Aqua Rich Smooth Watery Gel
  
  I'm not sure if I am missing any important steps, but please let me know if I should change anything.
  
  I have also seen many great things about Benton Snail Bee Essence. Would it be worth adding in?
  
  Thanks!
  
  

I highly recommend these 2 products, I use them daily and they are amazing.

Etude House Baking Powder B.B Deep Cleansing Foam-I also have acne prone super sensitive skin and I love this face wash. I use it at least 2 times a day and my skin have never been irritated once, it also helps cut oil and reduce acne.



Snail Repair Cleansing & Skin Care- This is magic in a bottle! I use this when I have extremely dry or irritated skin mostly because I want to save it for as long as I can. I can't express how well it works and it feels amazing on my skin.

Hope this helps a little! :3

Favorites are definitely the Leaders masks, particularly the AC-Dressing and the Tea Tree because I feel like they help calm my acne-prone skin. The Daiso mask is literally a silicone mask that you put over your sheet mask to prevent evaporation. It keeps in moisture so that your mask stays moist longer and it hooks behind your eye so you don't have to lie down while masking. It's great; I can watch my shows and mask without having it fall off or dry out. Look it up in the search bar--it's pretty popular :)

I use this one:

NuFountain® C20®+Ferulic Vitamin C Serum. Made Fresh When Ordered with Free Shipping https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039LZW78/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_XnGVzbDRKCNJG

It is a dupe for skincuticles, but without vitamin E. it is also formulated with the proper pH which is very important for vitamin c serums to work. I love mine, I've been using it for about a month and I've noticed an improvement. I keep it in the fridge and it's just as clear as the day I bought it. They are also made fresh to order

Thanks so much for the write up.

>Dupes are Clinique moisturizing gel and Nuetrogena oil-free lotion sensitive skin. Apply a little and rub in circular motions to damp skin so cells can soften and desquamate/shed.

I moisturize first thing after washing my face and I do wash my face in the shower quite often. Thanks for the recommendations/tips.

>If you have oily skin, other options are Cerave in a huge lotion bottle, NOT the pm one.

Do you know what the difference is between Cerave and Cetaphil? I'm having a hard time finding cerave AM without spf. Can I use a cream or face and body lotion without it feeling too heavy?

I don't think I'm stripping my skin, I don't use much on my face in regards to toners or exfoliating. I don't wear make up, only eye shadow primer and gel liner. The eye primer is so important bc without it, my eyeliner starts to smudge from oiliness (it is also from having monolids). I've been planning on getting back into make up this year but that's another thing I'm a noob at right now.

I go back and forth between 2 face cleansers, [Neutrogena Neutrogena Oil-Free] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ECVMWM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_wtoRDbEQVGMPT) and garnier Mercier water Foaming Face Wash - it says foaming on the bottle but it does not foam at all. I wash my face with either of these in morning and before bed. I even bought a silk pillowcase last year to protect my hair and skin bc cotton was drying my face out and messing with my baby hairs.

My main moisturizer is the Neutrogena hydro boost. Before this I used the plain oil free Neutrogena. I stopped using moisturizer with spf (Aveeno) bc it felt too heavy for me and made me oiler. My boyfriend uses aveeno with spf 15 and he's never oily. once in awhile I'll use Derma E Tea Tree and Vitamin E Relief Cream.


I've started using a small amount of Paula's Choice bha for blackheads on my nose, in between my brows, and inner cheek area (next to my nose) once or twice a week for blackheads.

I get a few sporadic pimples here and there. I get small bumps on my jawline that get really itchy but it never gets red. It happens so often I think it might be hormonal.

The main problem that I need help with is how oily my nose is. Like an hour after I wash my face, my nose will have small bumps of oil. I feel like it's never clean. By night time if I don't touch my face, you can see oil on my forehead, nose, and in between my brows. My forehead somehow looks dry and oily though.

I have oily skin, but the oiliness decreased DRAMATICALLY once I (a) stopped using strong, stripping cleansers and (b) addressed some underlying dehydration issues.

First, paradoxically, you've got to stop drying your face out. The second ingredient in that toning lotion is alcohol - as a start, I'd stop using that. The second ingredient in that cleanser is sodium laureth sulphate - I'd also replace that with something much gentler, like Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, or my favourite, Hada-Labo Cleansing Foam.

You've got to get some hyaluronic acid and ceramides into your skin to help repair your moisture barrier. For me, the key to repairing my oily/dehydrated skin has been using multiple light watery hydrating layers - this is where Asian products really are better. For hyaluronic acid, you could try Hadalabo Light Lotion. This is basically an extremely light hyaluronic acid serum that almost looks like water, that you pat into your face after cleansing. You could also try layering that with Cerave Lotion at night to get some ceramides into your poor skin.

For me, the best mattifying primer is my sunscreen, Biore Perfect Milk, but this does leave a slight white cast so is not suitable for deeper skin tones.

So, TL:DR, your drying cleanser and toner are doing you no favours. Invest in light, watery hydrating layers to repair your moisture barrier. And pls use sunscreen!

• The issue(s) Really no issue, just want to be proactive (22M). Occasional breakout but nothing consistent. Am outside studying for 3+ hours a day, I'm sure there is damage I can't see yet.
  
• Skin type. Normal skin type? Never had an issue with oil/dryness
  
• Current routine NOTHING. Shower every day or every other day
  
• Anything new No
  
• Your location USA
  
  ​
  
  Going through the subreddit I've more or less randomly picked the following:
  
  - Vanicream Lite Lotion Pump
  
  - Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
  
  - Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
  
  - Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Milk *PLEASE* if you have any other recommendations here it would be greatly appreciated.
  
  ​
  
  Thank you (:

Fellow Dutchie here! I know your struggle. I order many of the products I use from the German amazon. It's not ideal, as the prices vary every day and can get way higher than the original price. The shipping is usually cheap though.

It looks like they have the sebamed clear face care gel here for seven euros! They ship for free throughout Germany which usually means shipment is free in the Netherlands too :) good luck!

1. Might be a little harsh on sensitive skin. Maybe the hydrating cleanser would be better?
   
   
2. It may be moisturizing enough, just up to your skin.
   
   
3. It's not too potent, but don't use everyday until you've built up to it.
   
   
4. Yes, use before the cream. Use only 2 or 3 times a week at first to see how your skin reacts. In general you can use it everyday if desired. If you want to spend less money, check out Alpha Hydrox AHA Lotion which may be better for your dry skin. Apply a small amount, and use a separate moisturizer on top (like the Neutrogena).
   
   
5. Philosophy: totally fine if you like it!
   
   
6. It's pretty cheap, so why not? For my skin it's a bit drying, so I make sure to splash my face with water right after applying.

Skin Type: Normal/Dry | Country/Climate I'm in: NYC | Top Skin Concern: Keeping skin hydrated, keeping pores small, getting rid of acne scars

Current Routine/Products I'm Using:

AM

Splash water on face or use face wash (was using Skinfood Egg White Pore Foam, and just recently switched to Etude House Wonder Pore).

Klairs Supple Preparation Toner

Klairs Vitamin C Drop Serum

Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass 30+ SPF

PM

Innisfree Olive Cleansing Tissue

Face wash - same as morning, was using Skinfood Pore Foam, now using Etude House Wonder Pore

Klairs toner (same as above)

Klairs Vitamin C drop (same as above)

Innisfree Wine Jelly Sleeping Pack

I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying]... Wondering if my routine can be critiqued! I want to work more on fading acne scars, so I think I need a stronger vitamin C serum than the Klairs one, if anyone has a recommendation. Also, if I use a stronger one, should I not use it in the morning because then I get sun exposure? Also definitely looking for a good exfoliator to use a couple times a week - I do not have one. I also really want to work on getting plump, dewy, glowing skin. My skin right now feels kinda blah. I've recently starting using this propolis sheet mask which is working great.

I had this problem too!

​

It would burn in areas that are generally sensitive for me (that's under my nose and on the sides of my chin). I've never had this experience with another cleanser.

​

I recommend simply switching to another face wash (you probably have one laying around).

​

Right now, I am using the Acne.org Cleanser with no issues, but I think any gentle cleanser (with the proper PH) should be fine. From what I've read, the Vanicream cleanser is really gentle and soothing to the skin.

​

I hope this helped! Good luck!

​

Throughout highschool I had a couple bad pimples, but they would go away after a couple days and there would not be any scarring from it. I asked my local clinic for some acne cream medicine and they pescribed Acne Medication 5. This worked a bit but it really caused my skin to become dry so I stoped. About 6 months ago my acne really started to get worse. I start noticing more pimples along the the chin and started developing acne scars around the jaw area and along the side my head. I tried the Clean and Clear daily essential 3 pc but it did not show much help. My parents then bought a different regime shown in the pictures and it stopped my pimples a bit, but the main concern now is getting rid of the scarring. I also tried using another product from Vietnam called Cortibion after positive reviews from my relatives who suffered from acne, but I haven't seen any results yet. My skin is often very sensitive is often reacts negatively if I eat any dairy, greasy, or chocolate contain foods. I have been trying to drink plenty of water and eating more healthy and it slighly helps but I want to find a new product or regime that will help increase the recovering process to clear acne. I think but am not 100% sure if I have hyperpigmentation so the products I was looking at reflect that. These are the two products I was considering purchasing to help with my scarring but any other recommenations is welcomed.

https://www.amazon.com/TruSkin-Naturals-Vitamin-Anti-Aging-Hyaluronic/dp/B01M4MCUAF/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Hyperpigmentation-Advanced-Hyaluronic-Revitalize-Complexion/dp/B00K6NPKV0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

This is the link to the scarring on my face and the products I was using

https://imgur.com/gallery/RYK8f

The squalene from TO should essentially be the same thing.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003MJG19K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Its less expensive per oz than TO and I'm a little budget conscious.

The app "Hush" carries some of TO items and always has free shipping, no minimum purchase, items are the same price as TO website, in case you wanted to try a few of TO without meeting minimum free shipping requirements. :)

The micellar water I use is the "green" bottle formulated for oily skin from Garnier. The pink bottle would be suitable for you as well. Blue is only really good for removing waterproof makeup, and can leave an oily residue which I don't think you'll like. I only ever use that one when I have on mascara and don't want to tug at my eyes.

Your skin is already pretty clear, so try introducing one product at a time and see how it reacts. If I had one product to suggest above all others, it would be the lactic acid 5%. It consistently delivers without overdrying. While everyone says the best product is the acid peel, I really find it can be drying and cause issues if your skin isn't used to acids.

Good luck!

I use the L'oreal BB cream. It has less coverage than some, but I use other foundations and powders, so it works for what I need. It's only around $10 and has lasted me three months so far.

I've heard that Skin79 is by far the best brand. You can buy the sampler pack on Amazon for around $10 and find which kind works best for you. It's expensive for the big containers, but people say it's totally worth it.

If you're looking for everyday makeup advice, /r/MakeupAddiction is a great place to go. Just do a search for BB cream and you'll find tons of threads with advice.

I have skin that is probably more oil prone than yours, but with significant dry patches that flake off at the hint of a cool fall breeze.

A simple routine is probably a good bet, but you will want to patch test one product at a time. It appears you're already using a cleanser, so I would target the moisturizer issue first. For daily moisturizers, I like Cerave in the tub. For the coldest of winter months, I actually caved and bought the German formulation of Nivea creme (the kind in the blue tin). My skin is extremely sensitive to anything remotely comodogenic, and the American version has some mildly comodogenic stuff in it as I recall. If your skin is less sensitive than mine, the American version will likely suit you just fine. During cold winter months, I apply it at night after my regular moisturizer and I wake up without the flakes.

After moisturizers, I would probably test an AHA. I like the Alpha Hydrox swipes, but they can be too intense for someone who hasn't used a glycolic treatment before. You would probably want the Alpha Hydrox enhanced lotion which has a lower concentration. Start off sparingly, maybe once a week, and be sure to follow with the Cerave once it sinks in.

Finally, I prefer a mild cleanser that can de-slick my oil without drying out my skin. I've had very, very good luck with the Cerave foaming face wash.

The main problem right now seems that your skin is very dry. The flaking and peeling is a larger, worse symptom than the shiny, oily parts.

What moisturizer are you using?

I completely second a fragrance free shave cream/soap, as well as the hyaluronic acid moisturizer afterwards. Here are some products I've used and highly recommend:

Kiss My Face Moisture Shave (Unscented) - Lathers great, non drying, very slick
Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion - Wonderful after a shave; doesn't sting in the least. Non-greasy, liquidy gel-like. If you have more dry skin, a drop or two of your fave oil (I like sea buckthorn, argan, or rosehip) mixed in is great.

These are creamy/non-foaming face washes, but double wonderfully as a shave lotion. Both unscented:

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

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