Wonk Jr's Ultimate Skincare

Why was I appointed to the SOMC? Well, others will tell you it was CSS, but the TRUE reason the deep state saw my necessity was because when the inevitable neoliberal renaissance happens, y'all better be pretty for it. Our most beloved leaders are often the most prettiest, have you seen Macron, Trudeau, and Obama. Hot damn, but it's not as if their skin is good by itself.

Skincare is a long-term investment. Although the initial costs are high, a well-crafted routine can lead to high returns in life. Why? Better skin gives you a renewed sense of confidence, leads to better judgement from others, and generally allows you to look better.

Skincare does not care about your gender, anyone can use the tips in this post to improve their look.

The Stuff

Here, I'm using an American approach to skincare with high usage of acids and liquids, while a more Asian approach would be with heavy amounts of cream. Check out /r/SkincareAddiction for the former and /r/AsianBeauty (or maybe not? I heard there was some drama) for the latter.

I have dry skin that is relatively acne-free, so my requirements may differ from yours. I highly recommend you read the FAQs in your subreddit of choice, this post is intended to be a tl;dr.

Core

Moisturizer: Moisturizer is the fundamental pair of skincare. If there's only one thing you get out of this post, it's that one must Moisturize. Moisturizing gets your skin plump and nice, and is overall the best thing you can do for the lowest cost that is guaranteed for good returns. All skin is different and different moisturizers work for different people, but I recommend CeraVe Mousterizing Cream; it's generally regarded as one of the best choices you can make with a high success rate.

Cleanser: Cleanser cleans your skin, and is the other half of fundamental pair of skincare. Although cleansing can be down with just water, I highly recommend you use a specialized cleanser. There are multiple types of cleansers that work differently, but I'm just going to stick to the basics. I highly CeraVe Foaming Cleanser; however, it can be a bit rough on some skin, so some people may benefit from the Hydrating Cleanser.

Sunscreen: Sunscreen is very important for skincare. As Bill Wurtz said it, the sun is a deadly laser. Exposure to the sun, no matter how minimal, can leave permanent effects on the skin such as hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) and skin cancer. A good sunscreen is always in your best interests; I recommend Paula's Choice 50 SPF. Anything under 50SPF is worthless, and anything over ~80SPF is a scam. Even if you have brown skin like myself that doesn't burn, you should still use sunscreen; in an older age, your skin will remain fresh.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin on your face, which can lead to a renewed "glow". There are two times of exfoliation: physical and chemical. Physical is highly discouraged for two main reasons: physical exfoliation is rough on the skin and can cause more problems than they fix, and they often employ microbeads which is harmful to the environment. Chemical Exfoliation is the better by a large margin, although there are some outliers.

BHA: BHAs are used to tackle Acne. BHAs penetrate deep into the skin, dissolving all the gunk that lies under the pores. There are several forms of BHAs, but Salicylic Acid is the most common. I recommend Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA. Note that if you use a BHA, you must use Sunscreen; BHAs increase sensitivity to the Sun.

AHA: AHAs help repair hyperpigmentation on the surface of the skin by tackling the top layer of the skin. I recommend Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA, an universally loved option.

Note: AHAs and BHAs are not mutually exclusive, they can be used together. Some recommend you use a BHA in the morning followed by an AHA at night. Personally, I use a BHA followed by an AHA; the BHA loosens the skin, thus increasing the efficiency of the AHA.

Aztec Face Mask: This is a personal favorite, and a good example of why Physical Exfoliation can be beneficial. Aztec Clay has amazing properties, when it comes in contact with bacteria it literally rips it apart. To make the skin mask, you want to use a 1:1 Ratio of Apple Cider Vinegar and Aztec Healing Clay. I will explain how to use this later.

Extras

Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a so-called "miracle vitamin", it benefits the skin in so many ways that its quality cannot be overstated. I reccomend The Ordinary.

Caffeine: For all the students out there or people with persistent black bags under their eyes, topical caffeine can have huge benefits in reducing their appearance. I recommend The Ordinary.

Oil: An Oil can have crazy good effects on the skin (and elsewhere), but everyone has a different type of oil that works best. It can be used to cleanse, or to add a lot of good stuff to your skin. Personally, I use Almond Oil.

Toner: Toner is a catch-all term referring to a generic item applied to the skin with some property that is beneficial. There are many toners that do many different things, but I use Thayers Witch Hazel with great success; it "tightens" the skin and provides a fresh look (and smells amazing!)

The Routine

Ideally, skincare is done in both the AM and PM. The time commitment at first can be hard, but as you settle into your routine the time commitment will decrease.

Example Routine (mine)

Note: Most of the stuff detailed requires gradual buildup. If you try everything here at once, you'll push your skin into overtime and cause acne outbreaks. Ideally, just start with a moisturizer and cleanser and work your way up in the process of ~2 - 4 weeks.

AM:

1. Brush your teeth. If you invest in your skin, invest in your teeth too. In addition, toothpaste can actually cause pimples around your mouth, which is why I recommend you do it before you cleanse.
   
   
2. Cleanse. Apply your cleanser. Either you can just apply it and wash it off, but I just hop into the shower to wake me up as well.
   
   
3. Niacinamide. Apply a little bit on your face everywhere.
   
   
4. Caffeine. Close your an eye, and apply a drop directly under. Rub it in, and don't get it in your eyes (it hurts like a bitch).
   
   
5. Toner. I pour a bit of mine on a cotton pad, and dab liberally.
   
   
6. Moisturizer. I tend to apply my moisturizer very liberally, there isn't any harm in your skin looking plump and having a nice glow.
   
   
7. Sunscreen. If you're sitting in an office all day with no window and you have max 30 mins of sun exposure (without a BHA, if you are then it is a must!), then you're okay without applying sunscreen. Otherwise, apply your sunscreen liberally.
   
   

   PM:
   

   
   

8. Cleanser. Your second cleanse removes all the crap on your face you accumulated on your face throughout the day, as well as prepare your skin for new stuff.
   
   
9. Oil Cleanse. If wearing Sunscreen, an oil cleanse can remove the remnants of the sunscreen of the sunscreen. It's also well-loved in Asian Beauty circles, as oil can pull wonders.
   
   
10. BHA. Apply the BHA (different BHAs have different application methods, read the back) and wait 5 mins.
    
    
11. AHA. Apply the AHA and wait for 5 mins.
    
    
12. Moisturize. Before you go to bed, moisturizing just keeps your skin nice throughout the nice. This is not for beauty reasons; dry skin can be a mess to deal with (flaking).
    
    

    Subroutines
    

    
    These are some skin-care routines I do weekly.
    
    

    Weekly Clay Mask
    

    
    This process takes 30 minutes and can completely refresh your skin.
    
    

13. Apply BHA.
    
    
14. After BHA, apply the clay mask. I recommend you use a plastic (not steel) spoon to slather it over your face. You'll feel it start to harden, and you'll want to remove it when you feel a satisfying "pulsing effect". Overdoing it can damage your skin.
    
    
15. Remove the Mask. This can be done in two ways; either peel it off with your hands and throw it in the trash, or take a shower. Important if you're taking a shower; make sure the water is constantly running, the clay mask can clog the drains.
    
    
16. Perform an OCM (Oil Cleansing Massage). You want to apply oil on your face, let it set for a few minutes, and start to lightly rub your face in circles. If you do it for too long, you can damage your skin capillaries, so be very conservative about its use. Around your nose, if you feel like grains of sand in your fingers, you have done something impressive; you've gotten rid of grits. Grits are the little pieces of stuff on your nose that look like pimples but cannot be removed. Although this process removes grits, they will eventually fill in (they're dirt), but it removes it for now.
    
    Also, why this post came up late

HAIR:

• Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo. I get this at Target, where they have the jumbo bottle for $10. I really like that it's super gentle and doesn't have sulfates in it (I have a fairly dry, curly hair type). It also smells soft, almost like play dough, and I love that. I also use the matching conditioner.
  
  TEETH:
  
  
• Earth Paste Toothpaste. I get this at my local health food store and I have seen it at Whole Foods and New Seasons. This toothpaste makes my teeth feel the cleanest they've ever been, but you should know that the mouth feel is a little different from a traditional foaming toothpaste. Before this I used Tom's Of Maine.
  
  
• Modest Planet Natural Bamboo Toothbrush. Just got this recently but so far I like it just fine.
  
  BODY:
  
  
• I don't shave, so I don't have any current recommendations for this. HOWEVER I know that safety razors are a great option as far as finding cruelty free (plus they're more eco conscious) and I used to like using coconut oil to shave my legs.
  
  
• Wild Carrots Vanilla Bean Skin Cream. I just checked their website and this appears to have been discontinued. :(
  
  
• Tom's Of Maine Deodorant. I like the Wild Lavender and Maine Woodspice scents. I don't sweat much, so these do fine for me, but might not be great for someone who sweats a lot.
  
  SKINCARE:
  
  
• I just found out my cleanser isnt vegan, I need recs for this again.
  
  
• Thayer's Alcohol Free Rose Witch Hazel. It's gentle and calming. I used to wipe it on with a cotton round but I've discovered I actually like spritzing my toner on better.
  
  
• Derma E Hydrating Day Cream. This is very moisturizing but still light. It sinks in really well, which I love because I like to layer skin creams. It also smells delicious and light.
  
  
• Derma E Hydrating Night Cream. This is thick. This is rich. I want to marry it. I have pretty dry skin so I actually layer a dab of this over my day cream as well.
  
  
• Pure Maracuja Oil.This is the one I use right now, and before this I used the Tarte one. It's softening and helps my breakouts a little bit.
  
  
• Pure Neem Oil. I'm allergic to Tea Tree and my skin doesn't like Salicylic Acid very much so I use this instead. Sometimes I apply like a spot treatment, sometimes all over. I love what it does for me but it smells like burning peanuts so I only use it at night.
  
  
• Shea Moisture African Water Mint Lip Balm. This is really thick so I like it for lip prep before lipstick. My only complaint is the packaging. It's so hard to open.
  
  MAKEUP:
  
  
• Hard Candy Color Correcting Primer in Green. I just learned that this is LE. WHY the FUCK..... Before this I was using elf Hydrating Mineral Primer.
  
  
• I don't use foundation much anymore, but when I do I rotate between Wet N Wild Photofocus, Sonia Kashuk Perfecting Luminous Foundation and Urban Decay Naked Skin. All three are lightweight, thin formulas, and medium coverage.
  
  
• Kat Von D Lock It Concealer Creme. This is beautiful. And let me tell you, my skin is AWFUL but I can just use this instead of foundation and it looks awesome. Best makeup purchase of my life.
  
  
• Essence Stay Matt Powder. I use this to "bake" and set my face all over. It's very effective and has a great blurring effect. Sometimes if I have a bad foundation day, this actually fixes it.
  
  
• Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid in Moonstone. I like to put this on top of my base but under powder. It gives a nice subtle glow.
  
  
• Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer. This is beautiful and it smells delicious, and it's very easy to blend.
  
  
• Urban Decay Blush in Fetish. The formula on these is just so soft and beautiful, without being powdery at all. This is also a pretty similar color to Tarte's Exposed (not vegan) though slightly pinker.
  
  
• Still need an eye primer replacement and am working on the eye shadows.
  
  
• elf Mineral Infused Mascara. This makes my lashes so fluttery and curly. Perfect for everyday. For more dramatic lashes, I really like the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.
  
  
• My favorite lipsticks are the Kat Von D Liquid Lipsticks and the Milani Matte Lipsticks.
  
  NOW AFTER ALL OF THAT. Please make sure you check the HG Masterlist in the sidebar. I made it just for these situations! There's tons more products listed there!

Might be a little late but I had really bad acne for a kid and still would as an adult if I didn’t adopt a strict skincare routine and diet (it’s not that bad). Drinking water and changing your pillowcases frequently (every week to two weeks) also will help especially if you start putting all this product on your face. see note at the end*

For some, cutting out either, some, or all of the following helps alleviate acne: Dairy, Oil, Sugar, Gluten. But since you said you had no changes in diet I won’t go into that. Sorry in advance for formatting errors as I did all of this from mobile. Some products have instruction in Korean but I will tell you how to use them. Everything is used everyday/every night unless specified.

1. If I wear makeup, I use Jeju Deep Cleansing Balm. When used, it creates a layer of moisture but this can make rags feel congested, so I recommend wiping this with toss-able towels. It smells good and is good for getting the eyes especially. Just put a little on there towel/wipe and rub face until makeup is removed, then use another wipe to remove the excess balm.
   
2. I use African Black Soap after removing heavy full face make-up. For light/no make-up/mornings I use Senka Perfect Whip Foaming Cleanser. It takes about a month to come through Amazon, but if your local Asian market has a skincare store and most do, it can usually be found there. Works best if you have some kind of Spin Brush for face or a Whip Maker. It doesn’t work as well as it does with either of these products using just hand or rag. You can also use cheesecloth (examples on YouTube).
   
3. I use either of these masks if my skin feels dry or looks dull. Just rub on face and leave for 5-7 min then rinse off. This brand also has peeling masks as well that I use every other day in place of these. The peeling masks work similar to the nose strips people use to pull out nose blackheads and can be used to substitute them but can be used on whole face as well.
   
4. With my face cleaned and moisture somewhat restored, I soft exfoliate (I use everyday. If I wear makeup I use it same night and if I plan to wear makeup the next day, skip morning and use at night again. To use - rub soft side on face first to spread, then rub gently with textured side. Otherwise I use in morning. I hard exfoliate with this. I don’t scrub harder it’s just a sugar kind of scrub so it has the potential to cause inflammation if you’re rubbing to hard. I use every other day, this also works great on body and legs when shaving.
   
5. After exfoliating, I use Thayers Witch Hazel Toner. Remove with a cotton pad. I’ve found towelettes and pepper towels don’t work nearly as well as something cotton based. Toner helps to pull excess dirt from deep skin pores. On Sundays/Wednesday’s only I use Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask. Instructions say specifically to use after Toner.
   
6. Now that face is cleaned and restored, I use a squeeze Vitamin C serum only at night. I got this from my local Asian market but if you ask they’ll know what you are talking about. I dab it ONLY onto any dark spots/acne scars on my face. Vitamin C has lightening/brightening properties and using it on your whole face may lighten it. I let it sit for 5 minutes minimum to as long as I can before I need to sleep so it absorbs into my skin. I dab off any excess after with a paper towel.
   
7. After that, I use The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid. You can look up the full benefits but it can help with skin elasticity and smoothing wrinkles/scars from pimple popping. You can get this MUCH cheaper at Sephora - they’re $7 I believe and this company has a bunch of other serums I want to try. On Sundays and Wednesday’s, I use a Mask Sheet. Asian markets sell them but they usually sell them individual and I pay for the big back of 48 here. Helps restore tons of moisture in face and provide different benefits based on the mask you choose but most are the same. They also smell nice!
   
8. One I use the mask and rub it in, I use a mixture of three oils: Kukui, Rosehip, TeaTree Oil. All of them can be found on amazon and have different benefits that tie together. I mix them into a tiny container and do very small dabs into my skin and rub it in. Kukui oil also works as a massage oil as it’s very light and great natural sunscreen (though if you plan to go to the beach wearing regular sunscreen and using the Kukui to seal it in is best).
   
9. Finally, I finish with my Elizabeth Arden Moisture Cream. $55 seems expensive but a little goes a LONG way, I use about enough to cover the whole tip of my finger, a light dip like if you want to taste something for example. You don’t need a lot because at this point your face is already moisturized enough that it should just glide on.
   
10. To finish, since I have hyperpigmentation and get dark spots at the slightest raise on my skin, I use Ambi Dark Spot Corrector. Can be found at target I think, my mom usually buys it. Put light amounts on affected areas and sleep.
    
    *Note: you may need to slowly introduce these products. Most of them are geared toward moisturizing and preventing aging as well. If you do anything, I’m at least recommend exfoliating often, changing pillow cases and properly moisturizing your skin using the sheet masks as well as possibly vitamin E serums. I plan on getting some but have no money rn, but Belei sent me free samples and I loved it. I think The Ordinary also carries some. Also, properly washing your face will probably help as well, and I’d recommend getting at least a spin brush. Over rubbing your face can be harmful to the skin and skin brushes usually clean well enough without harm.
    
    I hope this helps! This is my whole routine but if anything jumps out feel free to not look at everything! I’m of course not a dermatologist but this helped me and I now only get pimples usually if I eat excess of the previously mentioned triggers :) my skin is now brighter and dark spots clear up in about 2-3 months but are usually lighter after about two weeks.

omg!! toners = life for me
I once was a dehydrated, overexfoliated mess. I started using every moisturizing product under the sun and my skin loved it. I repaired my moisture barrier and everything was great. Until it wasnt. Suddenly every cream or serum made my skin clogged and breakout. Even the same exact products my skin once loved. I was so sad. I loved my multi step routine and suddenly anything beyond just cleansing and toning (western toners) made me break out.

Then I came here and asked for help and ta-daa!! I was introduced to the world of AB toners. Yesssss my multi step routine has been back in full swing ever since and consists almost entirely of toners.

So without further ado (sorry, these are not all AB but I wanted to include everything)

Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence Watery texture. I love this product. At first, I was unsure it was doing anything. I was only using it once a day and didnt notice much. Until I stopped using it and noticed that not only did I lose a certain glow in my skin, but also my following products didnt absorb the same way. I now use it twice a day and love it.

Hada Labo Gokujun Moist Thin serum texture. Really good product. Its kinda thick for my skin (again, my skin will clog up really easily from too heavy of product) so I cant use it everyday, but if I am extra dry for some reason or accidentally overdo it with actives, this will resolve my issues literally overnight. Always good to have around. Considering trying the light version.

SAEM Urban Eco Harakeke Light gel texture. OMG my favorite toner. It has the most amazing herbal smell, makes my skin feel refreshed and plump but not sticky. Calms any redness or irritation. So nice, I use this twice a day.

Thayers Witch Hazel Cucumber Watery texture. I know this is a western toner and a lot of people have VERY mixed reviews on it. But for my oily skin, it is awesome. Keeps my oil in check, and the cucumber is so refreshing and calms redness and breakouts. I would not however recommend this for dry skinned folks.

Caudalie Vinoperfect concentrated brightening essence Watery texture. Another one of my all time faves. This is an "exfoliating" type, as it contains glycolic and lactic acids. But it is suuuper gentle. Keeps my skin texture balanced and bright. My skin responds very well to this product. I use it on off days of when I use my stridex, just in case (I dont want to go back to that over exfoliated life)

Pyunkang Yul Essence Thin serum texture. I see this one getting a lot of love here and Im so glad because this stuff is definitely awesome. Makes my skin feel hydrated, has a short list of ingredients and gives my skin a certain kind of bounce. Love this one.

Whamisa Green Tea Serum Toner Serum-ish consistency. OMG loooove this toner. It contains alcohol so I would probably not recommend it for dryer skin. But again, me and my oilyness love it. Its soothing, hydrating, feels great, dries well, and my skin was responding so well to it that I upped it from once a day to twice a day and have had great results.

Toners on my wish list:
Secret Key Milk
Want so badly to venture into the Sulwhasoo life but muh goodness they are expensive and The Balancing Water Ex that is highly recommended has a lot of the same ingredients I am getting elsewhere in my routine. Eh, someday.

Lastly, here is a thread I posted last week asking for thoughts on some of the more expensive toners. With my love of toners, I was curious to hear experiences as to whether the prices are worth it or not.

Happy toning!

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

AM:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

(PART 1) I couldn’t fix my painful dehydrated skin until i incorporated urea and lanolin, and regular use of petrolatum into my skin care. But idk how you feel about those... It took me a good year or year and a half to fix my dehydrated skin from overexfoliation.

Also, putting on occlusives right away after you wash and put on humectants is super important. Otherwise it can dry you out more.

So what I do is use a very gentle, non-foaming cleanser (I use LRP Gentle Hydrating) and while my face is still wet, put on all my hydrating toners and serums. Then go into lotions and creams RIGHT AWAY. You can watch Dr. Dray on YouTube who describes why this works.

When my skin was SO full of pain, from extremely dry, tight skin and irritated acne-like cysts everywhere, the only thing that didn’t hurt like a mf was Vanicream. It took me hundreds of dollars and tons of trial and error and babying my skin to get it back to normal. Now I can use AHA, azelaic acid, vitamin c, and even tretinoin and hydroquinone without a problem!!!

It took me hundreds of dollars and tons of trial and error and babying my skin to get it back to normal. Now I can use AHA, vitamin c, and even tretinoin and hydroquinone without a problem!!! 

No one or two products fixed my dehydrated skin. It took a TON of research over the years learning which ingredients were the most healing, moisturizing, how they work, etc.. And an entire routine around hydrating and moisturizing as much as possible. 

And i know everyone raves about the cosrx snail essence, but it didn’t do shit when my skin was that dehydrated. But there IS some evidence of snail healing damaged skin. The point is to put in as much healing and soothing ingredients into your routine as much as possible. 

I always make sure to include ingredients like: panthenol (derivative of vitamin b5), allantoin, urea, hualuronic acid, glycerin, aloe, colloidal oatmeal, ceramides (huge!!!), niacinamide (especially useful for brightening and healing your skin), petroleum (there is NOTHING out there that reduces transepidermal water loss like petroleum can. I tried to be all ~natural is better~ for a while, but realized it wasn't doing anything to help fix my skin), etc.

And not just adding these helped fix my skin, but leaving things out was a HUGE step in finally letting my skin heal. I avoid these like the plague: fragrance, natural (essential oils) or synthetic, alcohol anywhere other than sunscreen, sodium lauryl sulfate (sodium LAURETH sulfate is the gentler one, but I avoid that for my face too anyways. Any surfectants can be aided to be milder by adding cocamidopropyl betaine), all acids until my skin could handle them (interestingly enough, vitamin c serum actually helped my skin hold more water instead of hurting me), and things that I know irritate my skin.

Things that were/are biggest contributors of keeping my skin moist and hydrated, in no particular order:

Thayers Unscented Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel - the first thing that goes on my skin after washing. It's just water, aloe, glycerin and witch hazel. It's so simple but idk why my skin likes it so much, lol. It's HG for me.

Hadalabo Premium Lotion - HG, must have. ALWAYS put occlusives on top, do not wait for it to dry. Hyaluronic acids, urea, algae. This is my one non-negotiable skin care item.

Aveeno Eczema Therapy Cream - Super moisturizing. Colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, panthenol, petrolatum, a ceramide, dimethicone. (Also, people demonize silicones, but they are not bad ingredients. They are actually really helpful in keeping in moisture, providing slip, and smooth feel for skin and hair. And no, they don't prevent other things from reaching the skin.) And Aveeno Eczema Therapy Night Time Balm for something heavier but has same ingredients. You can use both.

And of course, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream - ceramides, cholesterol, must have skin-identical lipids that dehydrated skin lacks, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum, dimethicone. This by itself didn't help a whole lot, but with an army of all the different gentle, soothing things, it helped tremendously.

CeraVe PM- same as the cream, but much lighter and has 4% niacinamide I believe. Niacinamide has been key to helping my dry-ass skin. It does SO many things. I DIY 6% niacinamide and 5% n-acetyl glucosamine to boost the niacinamide even further. But you can find this ingredient in loads of AB things and Olay products. Make sure the Olay stuff is fragrance-free if you get them. I like the Olay Anti-Aging Face Cream a lot. You can use the CeraVe lotion if you for some reason can't tolerate niacinamide, but want something lighter than the cream.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment - SLUG LIFE is a MUST if you have dehydrated skin. You can use Cerave healing ointment too, but it's redundant if you use the cream or lotion. It's not as occlusive as aquaphor. Aquaphor isn't just a more pricier Vaseline as people suggest. It does have white petrolatum that is oh-so helpful, it also has healing ingredients like panthenol and bisobolol, and also lanolin alcohol and glycerin for humectants. I put on a THICK layer of this when I go to bed.

If you wanna go a step further and go super saiyan, and you aren't sensitive to lanolin, you can use Lasinoh Lanolin before or after Aquaphor. I can't stand the smell of lanolin, but this one is medical-grade and doesn't have a smell. Lanolin is SUPER helpful because of it's crazy humectant properties but it also acts as an occlusive.

For just uber Panthenol healing, you can get something that stars Panthenol as the main star ingredient, like DML Forte Cream or Timeless Skin Care Vitamin B5 Serum. I don't use the cream anymore, but I do still use the serum. It looks expensive, but if you get the refill sale, it's about $7/oz (idk what country you live in, but this is the price for me in the U.S.). I HIGHLY recommend their vitamin c, e, ferulic acid serum as well when your skin can handle it. It works out to about $8 an ounce if you get it during refill sale. It stays good for a while in the fridge. I wrap it in foil and transfer it to a 1 oz dropper bottle for using it in my bathroom. It gives glow to your skin like NOTHING ELSE, and boosts your sunscreen (the antioxidants slow the degradation of sunscreen ingredients, giving a huge boost to your sunscreen) and has helped me with water retention. If you can't get it on refill sale, use the HotandFlashy (I also recommend her Youtube channel) code hf5off to get $5 off. It's a forever coupon code.

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!
  
  
  
  

Hello again, SCA. About a month ago I posted my first B&A which showed the progress my skin made due to my routine.

Today I present you with an update on my routine and my skin's progress.

Routine

AM:

Simple Miceller Water

Thayer's Witch Hazel Toner

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% (replaced TruSkin Vitamin C Serum)

Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15

Blue Lizard Australian SPF 30+ Face Sunscreen

PM 1:

Simple Miceller Water

Thayer's Witch Hazel Toner

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer

Jack Black Lip Balm with Shae Butter & Vitamin E (on my lips, not my face)

PM 2:

Simple Miceller Water

Thayer's Witch Hazel Toner

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer

Jack Black Lip Balm with Shae Butter & Vitamin E (on my lips, not my face)

Things I've Tried

In my previous post I was using CereVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. To be completely honest with you I am way too lazy to use it. I feel that the Miceller Water + Witch Hazel Toner are sufficient. I also was using the Simple Skin Quench Sleeping Cream but now that spring/summer is here I do not feel the need to use such a heavy moisturizer.

Vitamins & Hydration

I really do feel that taking vitamins and making sure I get enough water helps my skin. I am currently taking Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails, NatureWise D3 5k IU, Nature Made Fish Oil and Nature Made Iron. I also use the Plant Nanny app on iOS to encourage me to drink more water.

Product Notes

In my previous post I said that I believed the TO Azelaic Acid was what made the biggest difference in my skin. While I still believe it is an important step in my skin care routine I now believe that Vitamin C has had the biggest impact. For a little bit I had run out of a Vit C serum and just went without. I noticed that my skin started getting red again and the texture was not improving anymore. So far I am liking the retinol and have noticed a difference in my hormonal acne since I started using it (a few weeks). I will probably discontinue the use of the TO Niacinamide because I believe the impact on my skin as a result of using this product is negligable. I like to keep my skincare routine as short as possible. Also I will mention that I don't think the Jack Black Lip Balm is worth it. I bought the product as a recommendation from this sub and I don't feel that it does any better of a job than Burt's Bee's lip balm.

Product Cost & How Long it Lasts

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water: $22.99 - Lasts me ~3 months

Thayer's Rose Petal Alcohol-Free Toner: $6.99 - Lasts me ~6 months

The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%: $12.90 - Lasts me ~4 months

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane: $6.70 - Lasts me ~4 months

Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15: $8.76 - Lasts me ~5 months

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%: $7.90

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen 30+ SPF Face: $16.87 - Lasts me ~6 months

You're looking at a total of about $110 for these 7 products which will last approx. 4-6 months. That boils down to less than $20 a month for 6 months.

Other Notes

I am still struggling with large pores on my forehead, nose and inner cheeks. If you have any recommendations to target pore size I'd love to hear it! My acne scars are doing great. Right after my first post I had a huge break out and then I ran out of my Vit C so my skin struggled a little bit. Now I'm starting to feel a little better about my skin again and I just have a few acne spots that are healing.

I do want to apologize for the photo quality of my last post. It was not my intention to fool anybody into thinking that my skin had become perfect. Looking at the photos on mobile seemed to show the imperfections better than viewing it on a computer. I hope that these photos are a better representation of my skin's status now. As you can see I definitely have had real success with my acne scars. I look forward to continuing to hone down my routine in order to have my dream skin. Until then I will continue to enjoy my skin's current state as it's the best it has been in years! Thanks again, SCA.

I feel you as another PIH sufferer.

With your sensitive skin (in terms of any skin trauma your left with extra melanin to protect the skin) I would approach evening out your tone with caution. I went a little too aggressive earlier this year and it didn't go well 😢.

Best thing I've done? Vigilant about SS use, in darker skin tones our dark patches pick up UV radiation a lot quicker than our lighter skinned friends (I've found dermalogical studies that state this). Therefore going outside just, well keeps the joy happening. SS on cloudy days, in a car, stuck indoors, every situation SS.

Finding a way to make sure I got the stuff off at night, gently but thoroughly, oil cleansing. Took an age for me to find my sweet spot, but it makes a huge difference in possible acne from the SS...grrr.

Working out what causes the PIH in the first place is a journey in itself. Acne and skin sensitivities do it for me, addressing those has been really hard and my journey is not over.

Help your skin repair from the inside, zinc is great for wound healing , best to take with copper. This will be in a good quality multi vit & mineral, a brand like Solgar. The usual anti inflammatory diet, avoid processed sugars, and anything else that might cause inflammation for you. I'm trying to build up to an alkaline heavy diet. Timing sucks though.... Omega 3's are so important to our diets and are anti inflammatory as well, so get some good quality ones on board. Helps the brain and eyes too so all good.

Onto products...

Azeliac Acid - good for taking down inflammation (which causes the marks in the first place!), acne and post acne pigmentation. I use 15% from Skinoren. PM only.

A new product I've added recently but I am loving is Katsuri Turmeric, anti inflammatory/bacterial , it also works on hyper pigmentation. I've had significant fading using a DIY mix every 3 days for 2 wks. I can PM you the recipe if you want.

I also use 5% BP on areas that is prone to break outs. AM only. When needed as it is really drying.

I have just started (read applied once) a low dose Vit a product, but it will take months to have an effect so I'm not counting that.

Other people have had success with Vitamin C products (I haven't found one that doesn't irritate my skin and cause more pigmentation issues. But L-acsorbic acid gives the best results, but oxidises quickly. MAP is next in line works slower but studies have shown it still works. SAP and others still work) Niacinamide - Vit B3 is really accessible, helps to even skintone and helps with calming irritations, however it causes redness for me which is annoying. AHA's help to turn over skin cells quicker than your natural cell shedding, and mandelic acid is meant to have larger molecules and therefore less irritating for darker skintones, it also works on hyper pigmentation better than glycolic acid. I haven't found a product with this ingredient that doesn't contain other irritating-for-me ingredients, so I can't say if it works.

You say hydroquinone is too irritating for you? Maybe Arbutin, a derivative of hydroquinone I think or is it konjac acid, might work for you? Will take longer but can still work over time. Hada labo whitening lotion (Japanese product that is why the 'whitening' line. Ahem) is a great place to start - https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Shirojyun-Medicinal-Whitening/dp/B00BS3Q58Y

I can't use it as it has HA in it, however I gave my huge bottle to my Mum who was having problems with her sleep apnoea mask causing dark irritation marks and they have lightened up significantly in the past 3months. You only use drops per application the bottle will last at least a year!

Talking about that the /r/AsianBeauty reddit has a lot of products and mega threads on Japanese / South Korean mainly products that can help.

This year has been the year of the even skintone mission for me and trial an error has meant I'm on a path that works for me. I have found out so much information that I coukd go on. However YMMV is soooo important but 'treating' your skin and not fighting it by respecting the products you use then you will have the skintone of your dreams. In the meantime colour correctors and foundation is our friend!

If it all looks too much and your at the end of your rope ans your able to go to a dermatologist, who understands your concerns, please go. It will take so much of the stress away. Unfortunately I am in the UK and Derm choices are not so great for darker skintones, but my GP has been great.

Good luck. Sorry for the wall of text, I got excited.

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.

My acne is not as severe as yours, so I don't know if what I do would help you but we can give it a shot, right?

• I use CeraVe Foaming Cleanser in both mornings and nights to wash my face
  
• I don't use a BHA anymore
  
• I do use AHA, Alpha Hydrox 10% Glycolic in both morning and night
  
• I use a Salicylic Acid Peel 20% once a week, so far it has helped, I've only used it for two weeks
  
• After the peel, I use a MBD Black Pearl mask, mainly because it's soothing and very moisturizing, which is perfect after a peel.
  
• I moisturize with Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. People here vastly recommend CeraVe Moisturizing Cream because it has ceramides and it's pretty good.
  
• For sunscreen, I tried Cetaphil Dermacontrol, it's too oily and I didn't like it because it stung my eyes. I tried L'Oreal Ideal Moisture with SPF, didn't like it because it was heavy. I tried both Biore Aqua Rich and Biore Perfect Face Milk I loved both thoroughly; they are light, milky, smooth, they feel great on the skin and stay matte like it's nobodies business.
  
• I use the Thayer Cucumber Witch Hazel toner. No reason in special for the cucumber aside from me loving how it smells. It has helped me some with redness and inflammation.
  
  My routine is as it follows:
  
  AM
  
  
• Cleanse with CeraVe
  
• Apply Witch Hazel toner
  
• After it dries, apply AHA, wait for it to absorb 20 min
  
• Apply Cetaphil Moisturizer
  
• Apply sunscreen
  
• Makeup if any
  
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  PM
  
  
• Remove makeup and sunscreen with Pond's Cold Cream cleanser
  
• Wash with CeraVe
  
• Apply witch hazel
  
• Apply AHA
  
• Moisturize
  
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  Every Friday night each week
  
  
• Wash with CeraVe
  
• Clean face with rubbing alcohol (my face is super oily)
  
• Apply Salicylic acid peel for 2:00 min
  
• Rinse acid
  
• Apply my beauty diary sheet mask for 20 min
  
• Moisturize with Cetaphil
  
• Apply thin layer of Aquaphor
  
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  And that's it, my skin has gotten way better and something that has also helped millions is that I went on the pill, since my acne is hormonal.
  
  Remember to patch test and to not abuse your skin, the gentler the better!!!! There are things that might or might not work for you, it takes a while to find what's best for your skin. If nothing works, you can always try PocketDerm or a dermatologist around your area, don't be afraid to ask for professional help. Good luck!
  
  

Antioxidants:

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

The Korean brand COSRX makes some great, sensitive products with AHA and BHA. Using products with tea tree oil might help, but be wary of anything that could potentially alter your hormone profile. The basics of Korean skin care are consistent, everyday use of a clear step-by-step process. I suggest this site for how-to.

You don't need every step necessarily, but I would start slowly with 3-4 and build up slowly as to not agitate your skin. The important ones for you are going to be the two part cleansing, toning, essence, spot treatments and ampules, and light moisturizer-- so about six of the steps or so.

Here are some things that I find help, and seem to be very popular for acne prone skin. I have used all these, as well as my sensitive, acne prone DH and had success:

1. Acne Patches
   
   
2. A good toner with BHA & AHA
   
   
3. A good essence/light moisturizer
   
   
4. Good oil free moisturizer
   
   
5. Good water-base face wash 1, and good face wash set with oil cleanser and water based cleanser, good oil based with added makeup removing
   
   
6. Good spot treatment
   
   
   
7. Some fun and cheap masks that sooth and treat your skin. I recommend one a week. Either Sephora or Tonymoly make some good ones.
   
   
   Finally, be very careful ordering similar "discount" products off amazon because it is rife with counterfeits from China. This can be dangerous as the contents of the product/ingredients are not necessarily listed correctly, which is a problem. Buying reputable brands from verified sellers or soko glam or Sephora is absolutely recommended. I get a lot of Amazon, but I always use Fakespot.com and also check the seller out carefully. If the well-known brand manufacturer is selling it direct to Amazon, that is a pretty safe bet.
   
   All of these thing start with the skin down, but also consider the bottom up. Look at your diet, look at your activity level, how often you clean your sheets, how stressed you are, and your general health. Have you been evaluated for gynecological or endocrine issues? It's a good idea to know that before you jump to conclusion. Make sure to consult a doctor, because sometimes our skin is a good indication of something off inside.
   
   Good luck and I am sorry you are suffering!

Welcome to SCA! Hopefully I can be of some help as you start building a routine.

Cleanser
Cleansers don't stay on your face like a moisturizer does, so especially if you don't wear makeup that needs to be washed off at the end of the day, you don't have to be too picky. I'd go with something inexpensive and gentle like the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser or the Simple one. (Avoid anything containing alcohol or any active ingredients, even if they advertise as fighting acne. They're often very harsh.) Once you're settled into a routine, cleanser is a good element to change up if your acne is healing but you're still oilier/drier/tighter than you'd like to be.

Exfoliant
The Stridex and Neutrogena products are both good BHA options, but the Stridex contains alcohol, which can dry out your skin and cause it to produce more oil, and the Neutrogena is a lotion formula, which isn't the best for oily skin. The big favorite here is from Paula's Choice (the BHA gel is especially user-friendly for a skincare beginner), and the Cosrx Blackhead Power Liquid is a less expensive alternative. I'm a student on a budget too - if you don't want to commit sight unseen, the Stridex is a good place to start.

Moisturizer
I would recommend investing in a moisturizer without SPF that you love. This is because you'll want to use moisturizer AM and PM, and it's better not to apply SPF if you're not going outside. You can pick up a separate sunscreen for daytime (or if the moisturizer that you love also comes in an SPF 30+ version, you can pick that one up for daytime and skip a step). If you can get your hands on a trial size of the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, I think it's one of the best moisturizers out there for difficult skin. I also really like CeraVe moisturizers - the PM version of the one you linked above is a great option.

Sunscreen
If you're using Stridex or any exfoliant (or even if you're not, for that matter), you need to wear sunscreen. I like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer, which comes in a million SPF levels. Anything over 30 is good. I live in southern California, and I prefer my SPF over 50, so use your judgement. If you end up loving the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion, use the AM version of that.

Often, skin produces oil because it lacks moisture, which is why I've recommended a flight of products that err more on the nourishing side than the oil-control side. BHA is a staple for fighting acne, so definitely use that, and once you settle into a skincare routine, you will get a better sense of if your skin is truly oily or if it has been overproducing oil due to lack of moisture. From there, you can go in and tweak things to get the skin you want.

Change comes slowly, so stick to a routine even if you don't see results right away. Drink lots of water. Wear sunscreen. We are always here if you need advice! I hope this helped!

As the title suggests, my brother (25) has struggled with acne for as long as I can remember. We both have oily, acne-prone skin.


In his teens he was put on Accutane, which helped slightly, but experienced severe depression while on it. His acne eventually returned a year or so after. 


Today he has no clue how to take care of his oily skin. I've given him so many suggestions, sent him links to products, and he never ended up buying them. I'm sure it all felt overwhelming. 


So I decided to give him a kit containing some of my favorite products to help him get started on his skin care journey. I wanted to make every item relatively affordable (besides the Aveda - I used to work there and had extra product that I no longer used). Here are the products listed:

• Aveda Botanical Kinetics Gel Cleanser, $21,. I've used this cleanser for about 5+ years. It's light, gentle and has a nice lather. Great for removing excess oil and impurities from the day.
  
  
  
• Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Toner, $6. I recently began incorporating this toner into my routine and have noticed amazing results - from taming breakouts to shrinking pores. I may buy him another toner to use on his retinol nights since this one is a little drying. There is also some controversy on the fact that this toner contains alcohol. However, I've read into wheat-derived alcohol and it is not harmful to the skin. This can be used in conjunction with another toner as more of a spot treatment as well.
  
  
• Yeouth Retinol 2.5% Serum, $20. This is a great retinol to get started with. It contains hylaronic acid, vitamin e and aloe vera for additional moisture. I've noticed tremendous results since incorporating this into my routine.
  
  
  
• Aveda Bontanical Kinetics Hydrating Lotion, $35. This lotion has a very thin texture, but it feels super calming and hydrating on the skin. Great for all skin types.
  
  
• The Ordinary Peeling Solution, $8. I've had this mask since Christmas and am still going through my first bottle. It's truly done wonders for controlling my breakouts. I had given him the Aztec Healing Clay but think it may have been too much effort to mix the mask. Hoping this one will be an easy commitment for him.
  
  
  
• Osmotics Blue Copper 5 Instant Exfoliating Facial, $45, not pictured. Ironically, he works at a warehouse that distributes Osmotics. This was the only thing he's been using on his skin.
  
  
  My logic behind the routine was to ease his skin into adjusting to the retinol for 2 weeks before moving on to a regular routine. I recently watched a video on a [dermatologitst's skincare routine] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-ABIXhhvRA), and she says it's not good to wash away your skin's natural oils in the morning with a cleanser. I've been following this advice recently and am noticing that my skin is producing less oil throughout the day when I don't strip it with a cleanser. 
  
  
  Anyway, hope this helps (him and you)! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.

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 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!

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.

You might wanna skip out on the Musgo at first. You don't really need it, and while it can help soften your beard and moisturize your face it is kinda a luxury. If you really want a pre-shave soap you can pick up a $2 bar of glycerine soap at CVS or Walmart that will work just as well. Something like THIS would work fine.

The Omega brush & Proraso are fine to start out with, but if you want to save a bit more money you could start out with a Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set. This will get you a decent soap, brush & bowl for $10 or less (Walmart sells these for $8). The VDH puck is also very easy to lather which makes starting out a bit easier. Once you use it up you can start ordering - samplers or switch to Proraso if you want.

The blade sampler pack & Merkur 180 looks good. Personally I have never gotten a good shave out of my Edwin Jagger DE89 which has the same head as the DE86, however the EJ DE8x series are pretty highly recommended here on WE. My Merkur razor on the other hand (1904) gives me very gentle shaves. I would actually recommend the Merkur Classic instead of the 180, just because you probably don't need a longer handle, and it is easier to pay attention to maintaining the proper shave angle with a shorter razor. But the choice is yours. :)

Alum can be useful, but personally I find Witch Hazel to be more soothing which is important when you are starting out. If you go with a Witch Hazel look for one with the lowest alcohol content you can find. I use a cheap dollar store brand (Swan) that is 86% Witch Hazel to 14% alcohol and it works really nice. Thayers Witch Hazel is well regarded but a bit more pricey.

As far as aftershave.. again this is personal preference. If you have an aftershave that you are currently using that you like I would recommend you keep that for a while. Personally I like Nivea for Men Post Shave Balm, as it is very soothing and lightly moisturizes my face (I use is all over my face).

In any case, good luck with DE shaving and keep in mind it is a skill that takes a little while to learn. Don't be discouraged if your first shave doesn't live up to the hype. :)

GUYS. People with eczema tend to overexfoliate just from scratching. It's usually extremely unhelpful to exfoliate when you have active eczema. Keep in mind that just using a washcloth is exfoliation, and you don't have to be harsh with it. Taking more skin off is only hurting your ability to heal, not only getting rid of flakes. Those will mostly come off with just regular washing. This overexfoliation is so bad that my dermatologist specifically told me not to use AHAs (a type of chemical exfoliant) or any kind of scrubs. They only take you steps back in your skin's ability to heal and retain moisture.

Things that I've found really help:

Immediately (if you're about to walk into class or work) - Put an ointment or a salve on it. I like Albolene, Vaseline (unscented), Aquaphor, and this stuff(it does smell a bit botanical, though). I find Aquaphor to be the best because it lasts the longest, has moisturizing ingredients, and you can get it in a travel-friendly tube. Reapply as necessary. Go to the restroom after a couple hours and pat some water from the faucet into your skin. Cover with more. You will be shiny, but you won't be shedding on people.

Eczema is characterized by transdermal water loss ([Wikipedia])http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atopic_dermatitis)). That means that your skin is always losing water. I find that putting a good, thick, unscented cream on over drenched skin is the best. While it's "setting in," I pat more water into it. Many heavy creams nowadays have humectants and an ingredient called hyaluronic acid. These bond with the water in the skin, keeping it there. Our skin is so incredibly dry that these ingredients bond to whatever water is in our skin, and keep it there. We need to introduce more and more to make sure that we can stay properly hydrated.

How to know if you are properly hydrated: pat your skin. If you feel like some skin is sticking to your fingers, you are hydrated. If you pat your skin and it stays where it is (even if it is as smooth as marble), it is dehydrated.

I've found a lot of success with this Hada Labo (extremely popular in Japan) hyaluronic acid product that I use as a toner to hold moisture in and this Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Mask as a rich cream (says "mask," but that's just because most people can't tolerate that many emollients in a leave-on product).

If you really want to exfoliate, I've found some good success with Gold Bond CoQ10/Men's Essentials (same product, different packaging). It has urea in it, which is moisture-bonding as well as dead skin sloughing. In this product, it is strong enough to provide a sloughing effect while still being acceptable to our kind of skin, as well as having some great moisturizing ingredients.

Another way to safely exfoliate would be to cover your damp skin in a thick coat of Vaseline or Albolene, and after about a half hour, use thick paper/cardstock or an old credit card to scrape off the excess. It should be cloudy -- that's dead skin. Don't go too hard, and don't do it more than once a day. Make sure to moisturize super hard afterwards (plugging patting in more water between layers again!!).

Good luck! I know how embarrassing shedding can be. I almost didn't share a bed with my SO for the first time because I was scared that I would wake up and have covered the bed in white flecks. Good luck! Let me know how it turns out.

Reading your comment about using powder foundation could be a contributor too! During the day when you wear makeup you skin essentially eats whatever is on it, so if you're completely matte in other areas (where it appears flaky) it could absorb more quickly in others (the shiny nose/forehead T-Zone.) I would recommend using Lush's Ocean Salt exfoliant twice a week- about $20 for product that will last you months- to remove dead skin cells and give your skin a very fresh feeling! Also a toner can work wonders and implementing a really simple moisturizer with SPF in it at night and in the morning. Then swapping to a hydrating foundation and setting it with a powder in ONLY the areas that get oily throughout the day will help immensely with the dry and cakey/flaky feeling. Below I'll list some products I suggest trying:

Toner:
Thayer's Witch Hazel
-The most important thing about toners is that they CANT have alcohol in them, it will dry out your skin even more! I like the rose one the best just because it smells nice, but the lemon grass one is great as well

Foundation:
Loreal Pro Glow
-This is a really great dewy foundation that isn't going to be drying or super matte and cling to your skin. It has a good shade range and great reviews! Also pretty affordable as far as quality foundations go.

Moisturizer:
Simple Skincare
-This is such a GREAT brand for amazing products and really inexpensive to try and see what your skin needs, this is a good general low-maintenance piece I recommend a lot, I've used it for quite a while and it makes my very dry skin happy when I don't have time for anything else

I hope this helps!!

Try using Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 2-3 times weekly (at first, then can increase if your skin isn't sensitive to it) after washing and toning. I used to have some serious blackheads, and this stuff helps get them under control. It wasn't irritating at all to my skin, and I'm typically very sensitive to strong products and irritants.

I also use Karuna's Clarifying Mask 2x weekly (effective but gentle and moisturizing). These sheets masks are a bit pricey, around $8 per mask, so adding that in depends on your budget. You can also check out the Tony Moly Aloe Masks which are inexpensive and good for calming sensitive, acne-prone skin. These masks are optional, but I love them and find them helpful in maintaining clear skin.

The biggest game changer for me was learning about the "double cleansing", which is apparently a common practice in the Korean skin care regime. This involves starting with an oil-based cleanser (trust me on this, promise) like Banila CO Clean Zero in Purity (this is the one for acne-prone, sensitive skin because it doesn't have any added fragrances or dyes). After that go straight into washing one more time with a calming, foaming cleanser (you can use your CeraVe here for that still). This is probably the biggest reason why my blackheads went away, as many times when we only wash with one of these we miss out on cleaning everything off the skin that might break it out.

Best of luck! I added links below to what I mentioned above. I hope this helps!!

Links:
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid: https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Bha-Blackhead-Power-Liquid/dp/B00OZEJ8R8

Banila CO Zero in Purity:
https://www.amazon.com/Banila-Co-Clean-Purity-100ml/dp/B00Q2BJZC0/ref=sr_1_3_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1485324382&sr=1-3&keywords=banila

Tony Moly Aloe Mask:
https://www.amazon.com/Tonymoly-Real-Facial-Sheet-Package/dp/B00NRIGPWE/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1485324409&sr=1-1&keywords=tony%2Bmoly%2Baloe&th=1

Karuna Clarifying Face Mask:
https://www.amazon.com/Karuna-Clarifying-Face-Mask-Pack/dp/B004MXQEFQ/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1485324448&sr=1-4&keywords=karuna&th=1

PS—Change out your clarisonic for a Foreo Luna for Combination Skin if you like. You can clean it with antibacterial soap instead of replacing those brushes all the time, and it didn't dry my skin out like the clarisonic one did when I used to have it. :)

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!

After using Philosophy and Proactiv facial products for a long time I suddenly began to break out regularly. As a teenager I never had pimples but mid-20s that changed. A friend recommended using Cetaphil as a moisturizer and it's really the best thing I've tried. (Her LA dermatologist referred her to it)

I have combination skin, mostly normal with some dry areas and live in an arid climate. Once daily face washing before bed with toner and make up remover, usually apply my moisturizer twice a day, and sunscreen once a day. A really easy, no fuss routine and my skin is much happier after I stopped messing with it and went the less is more route.

Here are my go to products

Cetaphil moisturizer
http://www.amazon.com/Cetaphil-Fragrance-Moisturizing-16-Ounce-Bottles/dp/B001ET76GW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1369894969&sr=8-4&keywords=cetaphil

Witch Hazel Toner - At first the smell bothered me but it works. My boyfiriend likes it too.
http://www.amazon.com/Dickinsons-Original-Witch-Hazel-Perfecting/dp/B000GCQ04C/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1369895306&sr=1-2&keywords=witch+hazel+toner

Sweet almond oil is the best eye make up remover and moisturizer. It also works great as a men's shaving oil.
http://www.amazon.com/Foods-Sweet-Almond-Moisturizing-ounce/dp/B0019LVFSU/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1369895423&sr=1-1&keywords=almond+oil

This is my favorite splurge item from Philosophy.
http://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-Micro-delivery-Triple-Acid-12-count/dp/B006GACVYQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1369895490&sr=1-4&keywords=philosophy+pads

I use an Aveeno facial sunscreen and sometimes those make up remover pads if I'm in a hurry, am feeling lazy or during traveling. Natural make up is my style, I don't use a foundation or anything because my skin is pretty great. Favorite make up brands are BareMinerals, MAC, Benefit and Too Faced.

Hope this helps you to simplify your regimen and make your skin happy in your new home. : )

As someone explained, ingrown hairs happen when the hair doesn't actually break the surface of the skin, the most common cause for them is shaving with poor gear or incorrectly. Basically you shave and instead of cutting the hair, the razor pulls it slightly out from the hair follicle before actually cutting it. So when the hair grows back, if it's even slightly off from it's previous position, there's a good chance it won't break through the skin and end up as an ingrown hair.

Some people also have naturally very curly hair which then ends up causing much more ingrown hairs than most others. If they just happen even without shaving then the issue is a bit more difficult to manage and there's actually very little you can do about it. However if they happen after shaving, then solution do exist.

I'm going to detail some things you can do about your shaving routine that should help with ingrown hairs.

First of all, get yourself a double edge razor. If you want something cheap you can get one for about 3$ from Amazon, for something a bit better and more expensive the Edwin jagger DE89 is an excellent razor. There are literally hundreds of other options out there, you can often find DE razors from antique shops, flea markets or just your parents/grandparents place. And vintage razors are often extremely good if they are in decent shape.

Next you'll need some blades, I recommend buying a sampler pack again this one is about 11$. The reason you want a sample pack is because certain blades work better for certain people, so you can try them out and find the blade that fits you.

Now why on earth would you spend the whopping 15$ on technology from 70's when you have the new gilette 20 blade razor that is supersharp technology masterpiece? Mostly because it's not supersharp, well..It kinda is but it won't stay that way. The problem is that blades go dull, and when blades go dull they don't cut well, when they don't cut well they tug the hair and you end up with ingrown hairs. The easy solution is to change the cartridge often, but the cartridges are really goddamn expensive so you don't want to do that. DE blades? You can get a years supply for 20-30$, change it every 1-3 shaves and you can ensure the blade stays sharp and cuts well.

Someone also suggested exfoliating the skin, but you can kill two birds with one stone. You can get yourself a shaving brussh, something simple like the Omega 10077 it's a good, cheap starter brush it's a bit on the harder side so you can easily use it to exfoliate your skin prior to shaving. With that you can get a tube of Proraso shaving cream which is leaps and bounds better than the stuff you get from a supermarket in a can. Then to top it off get yourself some nice aftershave to calm your skin after shaving.

Now you'll also need to change your entire routine a bit. Slap a blade on your new razor, fill your sink up with some hot water and let your brush soak in the water. While your brush soaks rinse the areas you want to shave with plenty of hot water, this helps to open up the pores and soften your hair prior to shaving. If you want you can use some pre-shave to try and keep the irritation to your skin to minimum. Now you'll need to prep some lather, you can use a bowl, your hand or just do it right where you want to shave Here's a good guide on what you can do. The basic idea is to make sure your brush isn't exactly dripping wet but still wet, get about an almond size drop of the shave cream, then just mix up the cream like you'd be mixing eggs, add drops of water if needed. Once you have some lather, apply it in the places you want. You should use rather brisk circular motions, these help to prop your hair up and makes them easier to shave. Applying cream with hands usually has the bad effect of pushing your hair flat on your skin which makes shaving harder.

Now you have some lather so you'll need to shave. There are two main things to keep in mind with a DE: Blade angle and pressure.

Basically there is an ideal blade angle and finding one will take some time. However there is an entire wiki page dedicated to this. The second one is pressure, with a cartridge razor you ten dto press it against your skin, because the blades are dull and you try to shave as well as possible. With a DE, you should not put any pressure on your skin. The blade is sharp enough to cleanly cut the hair with zero pressure. Getting a hang of it is gonna take a week or so, but once you do you will consistently get better shaves. And be sure to rinse your blade often with the water you have in your sink, you don't want too much cream clogging the blade up.

The basic three pass DE shave includes one pass with the grain of the hair, another across the grain and the final pass is done very carefully against the grain and only if needed or you absolutely want to do it. Shaving against the grain gives you the best shave, but also irritates your skin more and is much more likely to end up with reddish skin or small cuts. So you fist shave everything with the grain, then rinse, apply lather, shave across the grain, rinse, and shave against the grain if needed.

Finally rinse with cool water, dry yourself up and apply aftershave. For other post-shave products you can get yourself an Alum bloc. It's a natural astringent that closes up most small razor nicks. After your final pass and after rinsing your face, grab the block and just massage it on the areas where you shaved, then rinse your face again. Another excellent product is witch hazel. It's again an all natural skin care product, it helps to cool, refresh and revitalize your skin. You can also use it daily even if you don't shave. Personally I apply witch hazel after I rinse off the alum. Then wait a few minutes and apply after shave.

Doing all that should help to decrease skin irritation and reduce ingrown hairs. And those products are just a dip in he ocean, there are hundreds of soaps, aftershaves, creams and all manner of other things you can get cheap and easy. Check out /r/wicked_edge for more.

The Azzaro Chrome aftershave you're using is alcohol-based, and will likely dry your skin. Feel that burn? Yeah, it's nice, but I prefer the soothing and less-astringent Witch Hazel alternative.

Listed in order of recommended products:

• Nivea for Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm, Active Comfort System, 3.3-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 4) note: witch-hazel based, so good for your face
  
  
• Yes To Carrots Fragrance-Free Intense Hydration Night Cream, 1.7 Fluid Ounce
  
  
• Yes To Carrots Nourishing Exfoliating Cleanser, 3.38-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 2)
  
  
• Musgo Real Lime Glyce Oil (MR GLO) Soap (use for pre-shave beard and face conditioning)
  
  I have not personally used MR GLO but the glycerin in it is great for skin hydration, and I plan on picking some up to add to my pre-shave routine.
  
  Looks like a lot of money, I know that, but I'm just tossing you some options here. I would highly recommend the night cream if you can at all afford it, since my face in particular dries out overnight if I don't apply this stuff. YMMV, but I can definitely vouch for the night cream, which is also available at Target.
  
  My local Target has discontinued the exfoliator, but I get mine on Amazon now. Feels fantastic on dry skin, just massage in with fingers until your skin feels buffed out. Not necessary, since your razor will exfoliate you plenty (and all you really care about are your shaved areas), but I use it on my whole face.
  
  And of course, Nivea Sensitive Post-Shave Balm works amazingly well for an off-the-shelf solution, also found at Target.
  
  PS: A cheap easy way to really clean up before you apply your aftershave balm is to apply straight-up Witch Hazel to your face using Cotton Rounds. Wipe it on generously, fan it to feel a cooling sensation if you want, let it sit for about a minute, then rub in what hasn't dried off. Apply aftershave balm, and enjoy your well-maintained face. Witch hazel and rounds are easily available at your local Target/Wally World/Walgreens.

1. So that type of scrubbing wont be too effective in cleaning your face up and is more likely to cause damage to your skin. Apart from damage to your skin, doing that every shower likely isn't too much (in terms of drying out your skin or anything like that). But I'd generally suggest going with a more effective and less potentially damaging approach. Depending on the washcloth and how hard you're pressing/scrubbing it's probably better than, but there's some better options. I'd suggest an exfoliating scrub (i.e. something like this) to replace the scrubbing action. Basically there's very small "abrasives" that when you wash your face with it, it scrubs off the dead skin etc on the surface of your skin. I put abrasives in quotes just because of their size they aren't really abrasive to your skin in a bad way how one would typically think of it. A physical scrub is easy, quick, and works well. Recently there's been talk about moving away from physical & chemical exfoliators to only chemical. The "abrasives" used to mostly be plastic microbeads which are generally awful for the environment; they've mostly moved away from the microbeads now though. But there's also been recent studies that suggest that physical scrubs might cause microtears in your skin. Not a huge deal as there hasn't been a huge amount to back this up, but a chemical exfoliator would be preferable. I didn't go into it because people see chemical and think the process is involved and potentially dangerous. An AHA (i.e something like this) you put on your face just like you would a moisturizer and that's it.
   After exfoliating use a cleanser. You said your face is a bit oily, and I'm in the same boat there. Go with a foaming cleanser (i.e. something like this). This replaces the soap part of what you're doing now. Actually (physically) exfoliating will be better because of the size of the things actually doing the scrubbing compared to the looped fibers of the washcloth. Much smaller and will be much more effective without causing (significant) damage to your skin. Chemical exfoliation would be even better. I'll talk more about the cleanser here:
   
   
2. I've got the same issue and I use a foaming cleanser and then moisturize after. It's better to go with a foaming cleanser than a hydrating one because if your skin is already overly hydrating itself (the oil), and you use a hydrating cleanser, and you use a moisturizer it's just going to be too much. You'll feel like you're sweating. If you use a foaming cleanser, wash it off with water after using it, pat your face dry and let it air out a bit, your skin will be quite dry (borderline dried out). Put a relatively small amount of moisturizer on (one pump from the bottle, glob smaller than a fingernail). This will provide enough moisture that your skin hopefully doesn't feel the need to overly produce that oil, not too much that you're going to be even shinier than before. If even a small amount of moisturizer is too much and your skin is too shiny, maybe skip it and instead use the foaming cleaner periodically through the day. It will get your skin dryer (less shiny) and also keep it clean. It's worth pointing out that often the cause of overly oily skin is that your skin is in fact too dry by itself and your skin feels the need to put all this oil out there. I'd give the moisturizer an honest effort.
   
   
3. Absolutely. It's the reason I got into skincare in the first place. Exfoliate once a week, cleanser everyday and moisturizer after. Easiest and most generally effective approach to skincare. If you want to look into more specific issues, adding a BHA (i.e. something like this) into the mix can work well for people. Works well for blackheads, and shrinks pore size to prevent in the future - also can help with acne. General advice is to use after cleanser and before moisturizer, leave on for ~30 min, then moisturizer. r/skincareaddiction usually has some good advice for just about any specifics further than that.
   
   
4. Aftershave typically has an antiseptic like alcohol or something to avoid infection of post-shave cuts etc. and to clean out now-exposed pores. I use an electric shaver and don't use aftershave because there's never any cuts and I wash my face as described above after shaving to clean everything. And the alcohol will dry out and damage your skin.
   

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

Morning

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

There's a bunch of stuff going on here. I think that your problems mainly stem from misunderstanding and a need to improve technique. I do not believe you need to buy a new razor at this time.

There's a few things going on here, and I'm going to make some assumptions which you can correct me if I'm wrong. First of all, it doesn't matter how much hair you have, you need to use soap. Soap is the protective layer between your skin and a razor sharp piece of metal that you are dragging across it. Without it you will get a bad shave. It is a necessity.

So, why are you getting irritation with the soap? One possibility is that you are allergic to the soap you have. This is very rare, and it would not be my first choice in troubleshooting your problems, but I wanted to get it out there. What's most likely is that you are not building your lather correctly. Watch this video by /u/Cadinsor and make sure you are following his advice.

If you are building your lather properly, the next possibility is that your technique needs improvement. DE shaving is a skill. You should watch the complete wetshaving tutorial from /u/Cadinsor. This will help you a lot.

A few things that you need to be sure you're doing right is that you need to be grain mapping (making sure that you are shaving with the grain, then across the grain, then across the grain again, and only when you get good at it should you be going against the grain). This does not mean just down, across, up--in parts of your face you may find that your grain goes one way and in another part of your face the grain goes another way. The best way to figure this out is to let your hair grow for a few days and then feel your face, making notes about what way the hair goes in different parts of your face.

Additionally, you need to try out a bunch of different blades. For reasons we don't understand, some blades work better than others for some people in different razors. The best blade for me may be the worst blade for you. You've only been using Astras, and that may be the worst blade in the world for you. You should buy three Top Ten Samplers from TryABlade.com. You should try them each in turn. Ask yourself, is this blade better or worse than the one I used before? Then decide on one and buy in bulk.

I also think that, in point 3, when you say "razor" you really mean blade. I base this on the fact that you call them "Astra razors" in point 2. I would say most people get around 5 shaves out of their blades. Assuming you are shaving every day or every other day, they should not be rusting. Just make sure that everything is dry when you're done, no need to use alcohol. And by dry I don't mean that you have to dry everything off with a towel, just shake it all out and you'll be fine. There is literally no need for a stand for your brush or razor (in fact, some experimentation has shown that brushes dry faster not on a stand), but, hey, if you want one get one.

Finally you need to be doing post-shave care. The quickest and easiest is to use Thayer's Alcohol Free Witch Hazel. It's cheap and effective. I personally follow up my Thayer's splash with a splash of an aftershave. The best aftershave on the market right now in my opinion is Barrister's Reserve. It's amazing. While you're at the site, you may want to consider picking up some of Barrister & Mann's soap, it is considered to be one of the best in the business. The Latha line is a great choice for someone starting out.

I 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!

All right guys, so I'm constantly tweaking my skincare routine and would love some input. I'm currently 25 and only really started taking good care of my skin when I was about 21. For the most part I'm fairly happy with where my skin is at now. I have very fair, slightly sensitive skin (redhead) that tends to be mostly balanced, combination/oily with occasional dry patches. I rarely deal with blemishes these days other than a few blackheads and occasional cystic acne near my chin. The current issue I'm dealing with is how to properly use vitamins C and A in my routine so that I can reap the most benefits/use the best products while not overdoing it, or layering products unnecessarily. My current AM routine consists of (in order) a cleanser, typically Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash, toner, Amara Organics 20% Vitamin C Serum since the water here is very harsh, TruSkin Vitamin C Cream, and a higher SPF sunscreen, typically Elta MD SPF 45. My PM routine consists of a cleanser, normally something different than what I used in the morning as I find that overusing the same cleanser can strip my skin. I follow with toner, Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum again, Amara Organics Retinol Serum 2.5%, and [First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream] (http://www.sephora.com/ultra-repair-cream-intense-hydration-P248407?skuId=1217744&icid2=products%20grid:p248407). I occasionally use a physical exfoliator, and am not currently using any eye-specific products as I'm prone to developing milia if a product is too creamy and I don't like the tacky feeling of a lot of eye gels. I live in Florida, so with my fair complexion I'm constantly trying to be proactive about preventing sun damage, while also delaying the appearance of damage that has already been done. That's why I really want to make sure I'm using the best Vitamin C product during the day. I know that the active in both my day serum and cream is SAP, but I've read that MAP is more effective at boosting collagen production, yet I have a difficult time finding products that utilize this form of Vitamin C. Also, I've noticed recently that 2.5% retinol (the product lists retinol, not retinyl palimate) seems to be A LOT compared with other OTC products on the market, and I really don't want to be overdoing it with this one, especially since I don't have any wrinkles yet, just a few fine lines that seem to come and go. Also, the issue of increased photosensitivity makes me nervous. I recently read some literature that addressed the concern that too much topical vitamin A could lead to toxicity, and I already have a diet rich in A vitamin. It might be worth noting that I haven't changed my routine considerably in the last few years, other than switching out retinol products as they became available/unavailable. Occasionally I will change some product out for another, but normally for something very similar (i.e. one vitamin c cream for another).

So, very long story short (sorry, guys), if you could recommend a Vitamin C serum or moisturizer, and a night time retinol product appropriate for my age and skin (preferably something with a lower active concentration), I would me much appreciative. The lighter consistency the better, as I do layer several products every day and I don't like the feeling of heavy build up on my skin. If you happen to notice anything else that you think I'm doing wrong, please let me know.

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. :)

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)

First of all, I am an employee at a major western beauty retailer in none other than the field of skin care. I am very familiar with ingredients and quite savvy at building skin care routines to fit my clients' needs... and I'm proud of it. That being said, I've found that many of the products my employer offers are too harsh or contain ingredients I don't agree with; in addition, we don't sell a huge variety of AB, at least not enough to satisfy my liking.

SOOOO, this is kind of new territory for me. I know one thing for a fact: I LOVE love LOVE snail. Below, I have a tentative list of AB products I have researched and have added to my Amazon.com cart and would love to hear from this community about my choices. I would love to hear recommendations as well. Below, I'll list the products by AM or PM routine (as I've planned).

A little background:

• Normal to Oily Skin
  
  
• Major concerns are PIH, CCs (usually hormonal), and texture issues.
  
  
• Semi-sensitive but mostly to strong AHAs, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Vitamin C is the WORST for my skin
  
  
  Tentative PM Products:
  
  
• Heimish All Clean Balm
  
  
• Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam
  
  
• Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
  
  
• Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
  
  
• Benton Snail Bee High content Steam Cream
  
  
  Tentative AM Products:
  
  
• Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser
  
  
• MISSHA Super Aqua Pore-Kling Toner
  
  
• Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Serum
  
  
• MISSHA Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream
  
  I would also like recommendations for a twice a week exfoliator (preferably Lactic Acid or Enzyme) and sheet mask recommendations to go along with my tentative routines?
  
  THANKS, GUYS. I know this is long, but I'd really appreciate the feedback.
  

Sure! A moisturizer that I use to use A LOT was

https://www.cleanandclear.com/moisturizers/morning-burst-hydrating-gel-moisturizer

It's a gel moisturizer so it means there's less residue left behind. It helped my skin with the oil. It's not perfect don't get me wrong, but it did help. It does have fragrance so I'm not sure it will bother you. This is more budget friendly.

Another one I use a lot right now is

https://www.amazon.com/Andalou-Naturals-Roses-Beautiful-Cream/dp/B00JEMRDQY

I like this one SO much more. It's lightweight but makes my skin feel great! It's helps repair my skin it has good ingredients. It's vegan and cruelty free. It's a little pricey it's $18 on Amazon in the store it's $25. You don't need much which is good. It's definitely something I recommend you try.

https://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-Free-Witch-Formula-Unscented/dp/B001DJDP7C

The witch hazel that use. You can also buy the other brands too like Dickinson's they do have alcohol free ones too.

https://www.amazon.com/Dickinsons-Enhanced-Witch-Alcohol-Hydrating/dp/B00KX32J26

Maybe getting a sunscreen would be a good idea too. Or finding a makeup primer with spf or foundation.


These may or may not work for you. Everyone's skin is different. Good luck!

Hey! I have super sensitive, dry, breakout prone skin with some intense hair growth on my chin. Before I got to this routine people were asking me what was wrong and someone told me it looked like I must wear a chin strap (charming!), and now I have little to no breakouts or irritation.

I've found shaving to be the least irritating method (I'm prone to ingrowns so plucking, waxing and threading made for even bigger problems). I use a 5 blade razor that is ONLY for my face and gets switched out to be my pits/legs razor as soon as it starts getting dull at all. I'll also rinse it with alcohol after every couple of shaves, every time if I've been having skin problems (note: let it dry completely, the drying process is what kills everything).

My best tip is to shave with a super mild face wash. I really like the hada labo hydrating face wash, it's extremely mild and really thick and foamy so it makes a nice cushion for the razer (like a men's shaving soap does).

After shaving I pat my face dry and slap on some BHA - huge game changer right there. BHAs exfoliate and reduce redness and inflammation and I find them to be waaaaaay more effective and less irritating than any manual exfoliation. I really like The Ordinary's salicylic acid but it's pretty heavy duty, they recommend using it as a spot treatment (I slather my whole face with it, but my skin loves acids). If my skin has been feeling dry I'll do Cosrx's BHA power liquid, it's a milder form of BHA combined with niacinamide, a holy grail ingredient for many, it brightens skin and reduces acne (and I think it's anti-aging? I lurk on /r/asianbeauty but I don't have it all down!), though it can interact badly with some forms of vitamin c (causes flushing)

Next steps are all about hydrating and soothing. My skin breaks out from being sad and dry, and it makes any irritation or ingrowns a million times worse. I've found I get my best results from layering my products. I really like cosrx's snail serum, and right now I'm topping it with 2 moisturizers (again, very dry skin, plus it's a very dry winter where I am). First moisturizer is The Ordinary's Natural Moisturizing Factors, then Cerave in the tub.

I then top it with sunscreen, either clinique super city block, biore water essence, or cotz sensitive depending on how my skin is feeling.

Sometimes I'll wear makeup too, I've found bareminerals hydrating gel and any of dermablend's products go over my freshly shaved skin just fine (as long as I use a good makeup remover in the evening!)

Hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions :)

If he doesn't already have experience with shaving with a straight edge, you should go with a double-edge/saftey razor. They require far less upkeep and are easier to learn to use. The general recommendation is something like a Merkur razor.

If you're thinking of going with a badger brush and shave cream, you'll want to get him a nice brush. That will probably be the bulk of what you spend. I personally have a Saville Row brush from QED that I love but I'm sure others can chime in with their favorites.

As for hypo-allergenic shave cream, there's always Prorasso for sensitive skin. Although I don't have exema, I have sensitive skin and my absolute favorite cream is Taylor of Old Bonds Street Avocado. Contrary to the name, it doesn't smell like avocado, but something else incredible.

Lastly, I'm a big proponent of non-alcohol Witchhazel. I have my mom and my gf addicted to this stuff. It's a natural toner and antibacterial. It works great and and doesn't smell like much of anything. It's good enough that I barely use aftershave anymore. Though Nivea sensitive balm is widely accepted as a good aftershave balm.


That's about what I've been using for the last half-decade. The very last bit is razor blades. There are a number of manufacturers from Merkur, to Derby to Feather. Best bet is to buy him a trial pack (5 blades from a number of manufacterers) from a shaving site online and let him figure out his favorite.

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

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

To be honest, you've got a good head and face-shape for shaving your hair completely. Get it clippered as short as possible, I'm not sure if there's anything shorter than 0.5, because fully bald would be in the realm of shaving, and that's going to result in an awful prickly feeling and maintaining a full shave is much more laborious than just a simple full clippering; I have a friend who looks similar.

Hats definitely work in your favour, because you obviously need to protect your scalp and your appearance and demeanor suits the style as it is, but don't be afraid of not wearing hats while in doors.

I'd definitely recommend to switching to flat-brim hats exclusively, like these: http://imgur.com/a/bd2Zo

For skincare, I generally like using Phisohex (https://www.priceline.com.au/phisohex-anti-bacterial-wash-200-ml) on a recently clippered scalp, mainly at the back, it will reduce redness and prevent foliculitis from having it clippered so short. If you're not Australian, and you're probably not, any sort of anti-bacterial face wash will also help.

For your face, I'd definitely recommend using something like this daily: in the morning or at night, but only once a day: http://www.amazon.com/LOreal-Expert-Energetic-X-Treme-Charcoal/dp/B006SXDA7S

After this, tone your face if you're worried about even skintone, some witchhazel is good for this. It's also great for treating minor knicks and scraps from shaving your face: http://www.amazon.com/Dickinsons-Astringent-Natural-Witch-Hazel/dp/B00016WW8Q/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1457657115&sr=1-2&keywords=witchhazel

After toning, if you want to, use a moisturiser, again something from the Loreal Men range, either for anti-aging or for sensitive skin, depending on your goals.

As for the sideburns, if you're going to keep them, you'd need to go for a full beard if you decide to clipper your head, since obviously sideburns can be attached from above or below, but I'd really recommend you clipper the top as short as possible.

Here's what I would suggest:

Razor: either this one if you want to stay frugal or this one if you want to splurge a bit. I'd stay away from the QShave. It's a clone of a razor with a lot of design issues. One being that the head is so large it's hard to get under the nose, etc.; another issue is that it is extremely aggressive even at its lowest setting.

Brush: This synthetic brush. I think it's much better to start with a synthetic than a boar brush. Boar brushes are less comfortable on your face and actually make it more difficult to make lather until they break in. No reason to mess with those variables when you're just trying to get the hang of it. As for this specific synthetic brush, I have one and it is an amazing value for the money. It is one of about a dozen brushes I own, some of which were $200+, and this $12 brush holds its own with them.

Shaving soap: Lots of options here. Barrister & Mann's Latha line performs extremely well and is a great value. Several scents to choose from. Barrister &
Mann's Glissant line is a bit more expensive but has even better performance and more complex scents. Seville is a particularly good starting point with B&M, just an extremely clean, classic, masculine scent. Pre de Provence and Pre de Provence No. 63 are classic french soaps that smell great and perform very well.

Aftershave: Even more options here. You could go with Thayer's witch hazel with aloe, or if you want a traditional high alcohol aftershave, Fine Accoutrements is excellent. There are several scents, all based on popular and/or classic colognes. Or you could splurge and get the world's greatest aftershave product, L'Occitane Cade After Shave Balm.

Blades: Amazon has some good deals on blades in bulk but just sucks for sampler packs, and you want to start with a sampler pack because reasons. So head on over to TryABlade and order two of the "Top 10 Sampler." You can't use your Amazon credit there, but it's going to come to less than $10 including shipping.

So, if you go with the cheapest option in each category, you come out to fifty dollars or so if I'm adding right, which leaves you room to pick out one or more of those splurge options I mentioned.

Skin Type: Dry/Dehydrated | Country/Climate: Midwestern US (cold, dry, windy) | Top Skin Concerns: Anti-aging. I’m particularly concerned about wrinkles.

Misc Factors:
I don’t know if any of this is relevant, but just in case: I’ll turn 26 next month, AFAB. I’m on a low budget. I’m an omnivore (minimal dairy, minimal meat). My skintone is KGD 213 (biracial, American Indian and white). Two weeks ago I began taking a Daily Multi-Vitamin, Omega 3-6-9, and Vitamin C + Rosehip. I just started using skincare products of any kind 13 months ago, and I spent many years unprotected in the sun, so I likely have a great deal of sun damage (I’m guessing that’s where the static lines in my forehead came from, as well as the freckles that haven't faded after a year of no unprotected sun exposure). I’m unsure of my Fitzpatrick skin type - I’m light-skinned, very rarely burn, tan easily. Years ago, with moderate sun-exposure and no sun protection, I used to go from roughly NC15 to NC45.
I should mention that I don’t have a sunscreen in my daily routine because I only have sun exposure for approximately 30 minutes weekly, max. (I have a medical condition that is triggered/worsened by sun exposure). On days with any sun-exposure, I use CeraVe SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Lotion.

Current Routine/Products I’m Using:

AM:

• Water to cleanse
• Kiku-Masamune - Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture
• Dr. Jart+ - Ceramidin Liquid
• CosRx - Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
• Scinic - Honey All In One Ampoule
• Hada Labo (Tokyo) - Replenishing Hydrator
• Belif - Creamy Deep Moist Moisturizer
• CeraVe - Moisturizing Facial Lotion PM

PM:

• Water to cleanse
• Kiku-Masamune - Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture
• Dr. Jart+ - Ceramidin Liquid
• CosRx - Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
• Scinic - Honey All In One Ampoule
• Hada Labo (Tokyo) - Replenishing Hydrator
• Belif - Creamy Deep Moist Moisturizer
• CeraVe - Moisturizing Facial Lotion PM
• Belif - the True Cream Moisturizing Bomb
• Vaseline Jelly Cocoa Butter to seal it all in.

I specifically want help with routine order. I want to make sure my ^current routine is in order, and I’d also like help with the order I should introduce some new products (after patch testing each one separately). I’ve never used actives before - everything I’ve read has stressed the importance of patience, caution, and babying/nourishing and most importantly, listening to your skin when introducing and using actives to a skincare regimen.

I recently purchased [Deciem the Ordinary - Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5] (http://ordinaries.com/product/rdn-hyaluronic-acid-2pct-b5-30ml) to add to my list of essences/serums/ampoules, and [Nature Republic - Super Aqua Max Moisture Watery Cream] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HP1D1G6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1) to hopefully replace the Belif - True Cream Moisturizing Bomb.
I purchased [CosRx - AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner] (https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/asin/B00OZ63ODA/2/ref=ask_dp_iaw_ql_hza?isAnswered=true#question-Tx2CHHURICEV24D) to use as a prep-toner for actives.
I also acquired [Deciem the Ordinary - Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%] (http://ordinaries.com/product/rdn-vitamin-c-suspension-23pct-ha-spheres-2pct-30ml), [Deciem the Ordinary - Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%] (http://ordinaries.com/product/rdn-lactic-acid-10pct-ha-2pct-30ml), and [Deciem the Ordinary - Advanced Retinoid 2%] (http://ordinaries.com/product/rdn-advanced-retinoid-2pct-30ml), and [Deciem the Ordinary - Matrixyl 10% + HA] (http://ordinaries.com/product/rdn-matrixyl-10pct-ha-30ml).

Do y’all have any recommendations for which skincare products I should introduce first? What should my routine order look like?

Thanks so much.

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.

Okay, so I think you need to build a routine based on moisture. Some products I recommend that are easily available at Target/Walmart/Amazon/drugstores:

Cleansers:

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Cleansing Lotion *

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser

Toners:

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist *

Thayers Alcohol Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner

Moisturizers:

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream *

Cerave Moisturizing Cream (aka Cerave in the tub)

Actives for texture/acne improvement:

The Ordinary Azealic Acid Suspension

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

I provided two options for each product. Note that the products with a * next to them are products I personally use and really love. The others are ones that I've seen highly recommended on this subreddit (and I also really want to try that Azealic Acid lol). I honestly think that with a simple routine like this your skin will clear right up and look really lovely, because your acne is minimal. All of these are non-comedogenic and gentle. Make sure to add only one product a week to make sure they don't break you out, and patch test on your wrist to make sure you aren't allergic to them. I hope this is helpful!

Jealous you got to go to Japan! Tokyo is a travel goal.

Neogen's Bio-peel exfoliating pads are incredible, and I use them once to twice a week. I just finished my pack of the wine exfoliants, and purchased the green tea one as a replacement. The wine one contains antioxidants and seemed to be more of an anti-aging product, whereas the green tea one appears to be more of a cleanse and tone and neutralize type of effect. Both are great, although I've only used the green tea one twice thus far. The wine one really helped mitigate some acne scars I had on my cheek, and has the highest ratings on Amazon.

I follow the exfoliant with a quick wash (just normal Neutrogena face wash) and tone with Thayer's Rose Water Witch Hazel. It's a non-alcoholic toner that moisturizes while tightening up the pores and cleansing a little extra. Most drugstore toners contain alcohol, which serves the opposite purpose of drying your skin out, and accelerating oil production, thereby creating more acne. You can purchase Thayer's at CVS or most drugstores; there's several other witch hazel alternatives that seem to work fine as well. This one just smells extra nice.

After toning, I slather on some aloe vera gel. The one by Nature Republic is dirt cheap, gets the job done, and the tub lasted me like six months. Aloe Vera is a great moisturizer because it's all natural, contains little to no additives, and isn't oily so it won't clog up your pores. It also feels great on the skin, kind of a cool jelly feeling.

Once that's done, I put a small dab of Skinfood's Royal Honey Propolis Serum. This shit is pricey, but it's magic. This, paired with the Neogen exfoliator, really wiped out the acne scars. It doesn't have a smell, and the consistency is thick and syrupy, so just use a small drop and it goes a long way. Your skin will feel super glowy afterwards.

A few times a week, before bed I'll wrap up the above skincare routine with Etude House's Moistfull Collagen Sleeping Pack. Legit, the morning after wearing this, I won't put on makeup because my skin's so on healthy. If you exfoliate, do the whole aforementioned skincare shebang, and then sleep with this baby on your face, you will be RADIANT. The sleeping pack is a jelly-like cream that you slather over your face in a thin layer. I've had my pack of it for like two months and it's still more than half full. It dries up within about five minutes, and is barely visible. It rinses off easily the next morning, with a little soap and warm water.

​

Hope this helps!!! I freaking love skincare lmao, if you couldn't tell.

An electric one? I don't quite follow. None of the safety razors are electric in nature. In terms of difficulty, the rule of thumb seems to be, shaving the first week, you should spend about 30 minutes, and as time moves on, skill improves, you can cut it down to 5-10 minutes.

This hobby costs as much as you want it to cost. It'll be a high up front cost since you need to purchase the razor, but to participate in this hobby, all you really need is 1.The safety razor 2.The blades. The safety razor can range from a few dollars if you buy a vintage razor 70+ years old and clean it up yourself, a cheap $10-15 chinese razor, or a $20-40 Edwin Jaeger, Merkur, or Parkur razor. It's recommended to buy a MULTI-BLADE pack, because every razor blade brand will work differently for each individual. It is up to you to experiment with the dozen + brands available to find which blade is best suited for you. However, given that you'll suck at shaving starting off, that's also a bit hard to tell. My only recommendation should you choose to get a multi blade pack is to USE FEATHER BLADES LAST. They're the sharpest brand. If you want to get into the whole hobby, with the brush, the soaps, the after shave, etc, It'll run somewhere around $100. If you're cheap like me, a razor + multi blade pack would run you somewhere around $50. I haven't invested in a brush + bowl + etc yet, (again I'm pretty cheap), but I buy Coconut oil in this big tub to shave with. It's much cheaper than the tiny bottles of pre-shave oil you can buy, and works well as a hair/skin moisturizer/cooking oil as well. I also use witchhazel as an aftershave, I personally use the cheaper $5 Dickinson brand, but many seem to prefer $10 Thayer.

That said, It's more about preparation/skill to get a good shave than the money you throw at the hobby. It's a hobby meant to save money overtime while being healthier for your skin and being environmentally friendly. Many however, get sucked into starting a whole collection of razors, products, and the like and spend hundreds. Whereas others try to go cheap like me, or ULTRA cheap (Some people try to get 10+ shaves out of the same 5 cent razor blade, when they should be getting somewhere around 3-6 shaves). It is up to you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

For PP care (uncomplicated vaginal birth, 1st degree tear) I used Depends Adult Diapers (maybe 20? Had a few left over), Dermoplast (the blue can!!!), Tucks Pads, and made padsicles (20ish) before hand (extra large maxi pads, alo vera gel, alcohol free witch hazel, a spattering of tea tree oil, pop in freezer). Hands down would recommend. My hospital didn't send me home with any supplies so I'm glad I went ahead and got some "just in case" items before hand. The adult diapers were pretty much like wearing comfy granny panties, not at all "diaper feeling" like I thought they'd be, and I could pop a padsicle in every few hours easy peasy without worrying about ruining underpants or leaking everywhere. Once the Depends needed to be changed out I'd just trash the whole thing and start fresh. No clean up - 10/10.

Pricing everything out I've listed (lazily) on Amazon my "kit" would be around $80, but you can find these things for much cheaper in CVS or your local drug store. Looking at the quantities included in your kit I'm thinking you'd have to buy additional products anyway (more pads for sure, more briefs most likely, and I'm not sure how easy it is to clean the compresses but the padsicles are awesome and disposable, major plus in my book). I'm not sure it's as great a kit as it looks at first glance.

ETA - I didn't need these for PP care but I do love having chux for the kiddo. I have a few in the diaper bag and lay them on nasty public changing tables before I lay down his changing pad for an extra layer of protection (and so I don't drag a dirty pad back into the diaper bag).

Hello, three months ago I asked here for help and recieved some really good advice, so thanks for that.

The issue: Closed comedones, whiteheads (according to Google images), redness (on the temple) that stays for up to 2 weeks.

Skin type: I would say oily, however the products I've been using balanced my face quite a lot.

Current routine:

AM:
Cleanser: Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser

For the moisturizer and SPF I use: Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream.

PM:
Cleanser: Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser

Moisturizer: Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream but recently I swaped it for Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel.

I also use 5% Benzoyl Perioxide for spot treatment.

How long: 3 months

Anything new: -

Your location: EU, Poland. I don't mind ordering from other countries.

I'm satisfied with the cleanser and moisturizer/spf that you have recomended me. Now I think that I should buy something specific for closed comedones and whiteheads. It was the issue 3 months ago and it is now, but I wasn't expecting that the cleanser to help with that. I've looked up the web for some Cosrx Toners and I think I should get one to cleanse my face even more and this one should help according to the producer's info. I would like to deal with the cc/whiteheads first then with the hyperpigmentation (mine moisturizer/spf helps with that but still that lasts for like a week)

Thanks in advance for the help :)

just making sure! (i also felt like i was using a lot of cosrx products before i stopped using the cleanser, cause it was a bit drying for me)

This is actually the toner i was talking about. Not a mist.

it goes after your actives, as the first hydrating layer. you can do a few if you'd like. sometimes i'll do one layer of hydrating toner prior to acids, just as a gentle buffer (my skin gets overexfoliatied pretty easily)

and vaseline is definitely an option. i use aquaphor because i love the lanolin. but when i do I use like a pea sized amount (or less) and warm it between my fingers. it doesn't feel too greasy or heavy. the cerave is the most cosmetically elegant of the options & definitely feels lighter. it also has a nicer finish because of the silicones in it. it is definitely a heavy moisturizer feel though. i don't mind my face being a bit greasy at night.

sometimes i'll mix some in with my moisturizer to give it a bit more occlusive-ness. or to beef up my morning products. that helps lighten the thickness of it.

you might want to look at something like the rosette ceramide gel.

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!!

Sure thing! I wear very little makeup myself and like to think good skincare is a way to avoid "needing" makeup since the whole idea of makeup is just to enhance what you've already got going on.

Just for your consideration, I am 27 and white with normal to oily, fair/freckled skin. I am also about to sound like I am sponsored by CeraVe. Sadly I am not, but I fully enoucourage everyone to try them as they are a very gentle, high quality, and affordable line of skincare products.

Morning Routine

1. Cleanse with CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
   
   
2. Tone with Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera. This toner is soothing, hydrating and makes your pores appear smaller. I apply with a cottonball and swipe it all over my face. Doing this also helps remove any makeup/sleep-crust/day-grime from your face that didn't come off when cleansing. Lots of toners advertise that they are pH balancing but don't actually have a pH low enough to accomplish this. I.e., do not spend $18 on a toner.
   
   
3. One pump of the Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum I recommended to OP. Vitamin C has been absolutely amazing for my face and has really evened out my skin tone. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that can stabilize free radicals, which helps prevent skin damage (skin damage = wrinkles and sagging). This product also contains hyaluronic acid, which is very hydrating. Applying acids to your face sounds scary, but fear not. The ideal skin pH is relatively acidic at around 5.5.
   
   
4. CervaVe AM Moisturizer with SPF. Always wear SPF during the day, even if you're going to be inside all day or it's cloudy out or whatever. Makes sure you're applying this to your neck as well. I use four pumps.
   
   Night Routine
   
   
5. Cleanse with CervaVe Hydrating Cleanser above.
   
   
6. Just after cleansing and while my face is still moist, I exfoliate with crushed aspirin. I use Bayer Back & Body because it contains both aspirin and caffeine. Aspirin has salicylic acid, which prevents and treats acne, and caffeine is antinflammatory and reduces both redness and dark circles. I do not suffer from a lot of acne -- when I do it is hormonal or stress-related. Since I started using this method to exfoliate at night any pimple that I get is gone within two days and with none of the redness and irritation I experienced in the past. Anyway, I just finely crush two Bayer tablets in a small ziplock bag and add a few drops of water to make a thick paste. Apply to the face using gentle, circular scrubbing motions. I typically then get another pump of the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser and continue to gently scrub for a minute before rinsing this off.
   
   
7. Tone with Thayer's as mentioned above.
   
   
8. Vitamin C serum mentioned above. I apply more at night -- three to four pumps.
   
   
9. I sometimes use a retinol cream at this point, but that's overkill if you're just getting into skincare. If you do eventually start using one, apply after you cleanse, tone and add serum but before your moisturizer. Do not use retinol during the day as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
   
   
10. Four pumps CeraVe PM Moisturizer. I adore this shit; the consistency is amazing. I could be told it was made with aborted dolphin fetuses and I'd still use it.
    
    Sorry for the novel.
    TLDR: Cleaser, toner, vitamin C serum, moisturizer. Aspirin mask at night, always SPF in the day. Try CeraVe.
    
    Edit to say holy shit, gilded for nerding out over skincare? Thank you!!

If you don't wear sunscreen, start! Looks like scarring around the wound (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation - PIH). Firstly, I used Bio Oil for three months straight and it didn't do anything, not for stretch marks or scarring, but you're welcome to try it.

What I'd recommend is something to reduce melanin production/brighten skin + an exfoliant. You don't have your routine or location posted so I'll just recommend some:

• Spot treat with Alpha Arbutin on Amazon.
  
• Licorice root toner on Soko Glam or on Amazon.
  
• Hydroquinone treatment (requires a prescription).
  
• Azelaic acid (so many options).
  
  
• A chemical exfoliant like a BHA on Amazon or on PC's website.
  
• An AHA for texture on Amazon.
  
  So the idea would be cleanse (optional) > tone > moisturize > sunscreen in the AM and cleanse > exfoliate/treat > tone > moisturize in the PM. Go slow with the exfoliation - once a week and then increase. Also, HATS! If you can get away with wearing hats, that'll help with sun exposure as well. It'll take time, some of my most stubborn scars on my forehead took forever, but if you tackle it well, you should see some results.
  
  In the future, don't just smoosh your fingers against the pimple to get it out. This is a better way to pop a pimple if you absolutely must get rid of it. :)

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!

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!
  
  

Hi! I'm looking for routine suggestions and possibly product recs.

Skin type: combination but sensitive with seb derm around my nose and chin. I live in really humid and hot weather so I although I need moisturizing, I can't do anything greasy because I sweat. I also hardly have acne breakouts so although sebderm is considered fungal acne, I don't have typical acne so that's not a concern of mine.

Current Products: I cleanse with KOSE Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil. I use The Ordinary Squalane Oil along with Cerave (in the tub) moisturizer in the AM, and Cerave Night Cream at PM. I use extra squalane if I see flakes around my sebderm. I have Cosrx Bha Blackhead Power Liquid but I hardly use it and also don't know when or if I should (I get blackheads on my chin)

If I go to the beach, I use ROHTO Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk (SPF50 PA ++++) and I love it because it's the only sunscreen I have ever used that hasn't made my skin horrible. (I know I should be wearing sunscreen all the time but I don't and it's my bad habit). If I decide to wear makeup, I use the IT Cosmetics CC Cream.

I just recently purchased (but haven't used yet) Vanicream Gentle Skin Cleanser and Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence (have no idea how to use this, but I'm hoping it helps with my cheek redness?)

All of the products I use have been recommended somewhere (either this sub or r/sebderm) by someone with similar skin.

Skin Concerns: Redness on my cheeks & getting the sebderm spots to "lighten" so it's not as noticeable. I also have a handful of acne scars I would love to lighten/get rid of.

Help me! :)

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

Right now my skincare basics consist of:

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

• Skin Type: 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!

Skinlex 10% niacinamide

Pond's Clarant b3 cream. Percentage is not released, but since niacinamide is the 2nd ingredient, I like to think that it makes up at least 4-5%. I've seen cheaper prices at Walmart and Target.

Benton Snail Bee High Content Skin, this is a watery toner, it has a very watery consistency. I find it hydrating and seems to help inflammation and break outs.

Benton Snail Bee Essence. This is a bit more expensive, but still very nice. I haven't repurchased since finding Skinlex, Skinlex is definitely a favorite.

edit: This is my favorite mist that has niacinamide relatively high on the ingredient list. This is a very hydrating facial mist, I love it.

• cerave facial cleanser
  Foaming Facial Cleanser - Normal To Oily Skin by CeraVe for Unisex - 12 oz Cleanser https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003YMJJSK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_J0IPCb46RTP22
  
  
• thayers witch hazel toner
  Thayers Natural Remedies Witch Hazel Toner, Rose Petal, 12 fl. Oz. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B007HD570Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_g2IPCbDH2BAVP
  
  
  
  
• all natural advice 20% vitamin c serum
  20% Vitamin C Serum - 60 ml / 2 oz Made in Canada - Certified Organic + 11% Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin E Moisturizer + Collagen Boost - Reverse Skin Aging, Remove Sun Spots, Wrinkles and Dark Circles, Excellent for Sensitive Skin + Includes Pump & Dropper https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00PL3DK26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_c0IPCb5SGGMPX
  
  
• brickell eye restoring cream
  Brickell Men's Restoring Eye Cream for Men - Anti Aging Eye Balm To Reduce Puffiness, Wrinkles, Dark Circles, Under Eye Bags - .5 oz https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00QL67MY4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_m1IPCbD5SEVN4
  
  
• all natural advice daily moisturizer
  All Natural Advice Daily Moisturizer with Peptide and Hyaluronic Acid | Canadian Made | Organic | Age-Defying Skincare for Face and Neck | Anti-Aging Complex for Natural Skin Tone and Healthy Radiance | 120 ml | Double the Size https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B06XVZDGGR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8YIPCbGEHFHYF
  
  i also ordered elta md broad spectrum sun screen
  EltaMD UV Facial Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30+, 3 Ounces https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01MTJ02SX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_42IPCbABTWHS5
  
  .
  I've read some sunscreens have a matte finish so hoping this might.
  
  I'm a guy fwiw who just recently went down the skin care rabbit hole after getting an essential oil diffuser and reading they have skin benefits as well, so this is all new to me
  
  

• Do not use hot water on your face. It can dehydrate your skin and cause redness.
  
  
• Wash your face twice, once in the morning, once before you go to bed.
  
  
• Change your shaving cream into something with less irritants. Better yet, Shave using your face wash. I use (Hada Labo Tamagohada AHA/BHA Face Wash)[http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hadalabo-Japan-Tamagohada-AHA-BHA-Face-Wash-Foam-130g-Many-Types-/331114111629]. It has a mild exfoliating effect, doesn't leave my skin tight or overly dry, and it's gentle enough to use daily. It's also lathers up alright so it can help your shaving blades glide.
  
  
• This is not required, but while washing your face, you might want to use a gentle facial brush to encourage exfoliation. I recommend a (silicone cleansing pad)[http://www.ebay.com/itm/Silicone-Wash-Pad-Face-Exfoliating-Blackhead-Facial-Cleansing-Brush-Beauty-Tool-/252512084234] rather than a bristle brush. They're gentle on the skin and easy to clean and store.
  
  
• Skip the aftershave. A lot of them have denatured alcohol which can be bad for your skin. Try using A toner instead. I recommend using Thayers Rose water toner on a cotton pad.
  
  
• After washing your face, shaving, and toning, make sure you moisturize. Identify your skin type (sensitive skin, dry, oily, combination) and get the appropriate moisturizer for it. I have dry skin on my cheeks/oily skin on my T zones, so I use Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel I'm sure you can get some great recommendation on some threads here.
  
  
• Exfoliate twice a week. Exfoliation comes after washing your face and before toning. The product usually has some grit in it to help lift dead skin cells. If your skin is sensitive after you shave, try to exfoliate the day after the next. I'm currently using (Body Shop's Vitamin C Microdermabrasion)[https://www.amazon.com/Body-Shop-Vitamin-Microdermabrasion-2-5-Fluid/dp/B003UYP49K] While exfoliating, don't rub too hard or you'll risk irritating your skin.

• Panda's Dream So Cool Eye Stick by TonyMoly
  $7.98 on Jolse
  $12.00 on Ulta
  Not Available on Amazon
  
• Panda's Dream Brightening Eye Base by TonyMoly
  $7.98 on Jolse
  $12.00 on Ulta
  $12.00 on Amazon
  
• Strawberry Nose Pack by TonyMoly
  $4.26 on Jolse
  $3.50 on Ulta
  $19.99 on Amazon for a 5 pack
  
• Changing U Magic Foot Peeling Shoes by TonyMoly
  $6.39 on Jolse
  $6.50 on Ulta
  Not Available
  
• Peach Hand Cream by TonyMoly
  $5.58 on Jolse
  $12.00 on Ulta
  Not Available
  
• Kiss Kiss Lip Scrub by TonyMoly
  $5.98 by Jolse
  $9.99 on Ulta
  $10.00 on Amazon
  
• Kiss Kiss Lip Essence Balm by TonyMoly
  $5.98 on Jolse
  $9.99 on Ulta
  $10.00 on Amazon
  
• Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence by CosRX
  $15.20 on Jolse
  $21.00 on Ulta
  $14.07 on Amazon
  
• BHA Blackhead Power Liquid by CosRX
  $16.80 on Jolse
  $22.00 on Ulta
  $14.82 on Amazon
  
• AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner by CosRX
  $12.80 on Jolse
  $17.00 on Ulta
  $12.22 on Amazon
  
• Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream by CosRX
  $20.00 on Jolse
  $26.00 on Ulta
  $17.64 on Amazon
  
• One Step Pimple Clear Pads by CosRX
  $15.20 on Jolse
  $20.00 on Ulta
  $9.00 on Amazon
  
• Propolis Light Ampoule by CosRX
  $19.20 on Jolse
  $28.00 on Ulta
  $21.70 on Amazon
  
• Online Only Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser by CosRX
  $8.80 on Jolse
  $12.00 on Ulta
  $9.57 on Amazon
  
  Shipping is free on Jolse, however it is shipping from Korea so expect longer ship times.
  Shipping is free on Amazon, if you have Prime. Amazon prices fluctuate wildly.
  Shipping is free on Ulta with orders over $35.
  Shipping is free on Sephora with Flash, or on orders over $50.
  

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!

Hi! I just recovered from dehydrated skin recently and live in Germany too! I find that layering hydrating products and then sealing it with an occlusive cream works best. Perhaps you could try a similar routine to mine like this:

​

1. Wash with water only
   
   
2. Hydrating toner x2 layers (Asian brands are best at this since they are more like a light moisturizer! I use Innisfree Green Tea skin, but you could try Klairs which is available on German Amazon.
   
   
3. A humectant such as Hada Labo premium mixed with another layer of toner. This is also available on German Amazon.
   
   
4. Sebamed Clear Face Gel
   
   
5. Seal it with Vaseline. Once your moisture barrier is better, you could try switching to thick layer Cerave Moisturizing Cream (this is available some Apotheke. You can find online which stores have it. Don't buy it online because the stores sell for only around 12 euro).
   
   I also suggest installing a water filter if your area has hard water.
   
   ​
   
   Best of luck!

Hi there! I also struggle with sensitive skin, and as a result I have problems with dandruff, oily skin (especially on the face), acne, acne scars, and eczema. Sensitive skin runs in my family (I'm Irish). So, I will give you a personal remedy that I developed over the last year that significantly reduced these problems.

I got some good initial information from this thread in /r/malefashionadvice. I use most of the products that he mentions there, my personal favorites being the cetaphil dermacontrol foam wash and the cetaphil dermacontrol moisturizer SPF 30.

For starters, it is important to get in a good skincare routine. I was always busy in high school and told myself that I didn't have time to waste taking care of my face. It wasn't until college that I realized my lack of skincare was really inhibiting my ability to feel confident, so that's when I decided I needed to get into a good routine. I started out by washing my face three times a day, and making sure I drink at least half a gallon of water throughout the day. Skin becomes oily when it is dehydrated, and drinking water is a good initial step to keeping it from being dehydrated.

I didn't really solidify my routine until I stumbled upon the /r/malefashionadvice skincare thread. It all depends on what works for your skin type, but for my oily sensitive skin, this is what I found works best:

• I wash my face three times a day, once in the morning and afternoon each with cetaphil gentle skin cleanser, and before bed with the cetaphil dermacontrol foam wash.
  
  
• Each time after washing my face, I also apply the Dickinson's witch hazel pore perfecting toner. It's a lot harder to find than the cetaphil products (I just picked those up from walgreens), but it is definitely worth it. I've tried two or three other toners and all of them left my skin very oily and irritated. It smells a little off, but it's not really a lingering smell
  
  
• After the toner has set in, I apply cetaphil dermacontrol moisturizer SPF 30. I'll also apply this throughout the day if I'm outside a lot. It helps control the sheen of my skin by keeping it moisturized. Make sure you wash your hands with soap and water before putting this on because you do not want dirt getting into your pores!
  
  
• To get rid of the stubborn blackheads that won't go away, I use pore strips about once a week.
  
  
• I wash my pillowcase once a week and my bedsheets every two weeks. Every night sweat and dirt and dead skin comes off of your face and hair and goes into your pillowcase and bedsheets. Keep them clean so your face has a nice sanitary place to rest for 8 hours every night.
  
  
• I also wash my towels once a week. I have four that I cycle throughout the week (one every two days). Washing your towels is just as important as washing your pillowcase/bedsheets because they are supposed to wipe away the dirt in your face, so if you don't wash them regularly, that dirt just accumulates and goes back into your pores.
  
  After finally getting into a good facial skincare routine, I started having problems with excema and dandruff. I fortunately had a routine physical with my doctor where I asked him what I could do about these problems. This is where you may disagree with me, but he told me that I should not shower more than once a week. As I mentioned earlier, skin becomes oily/irritated when it is dehydrated, and one of the easiest ways to dehydrate your skin is excessive bathing. The doctor told me to shower once a week and more importantly to not use soap on areas besides the face, armpits, and genitals.
  
  I told my doctor that I shower everyday because I go to the gym and sweat furiously. He told me to just take a quick rinse after the gym to wipe the sweat off, and to apply lotion daily. I apply Jergen's Ultra Healing lotion once every night before bed.
  
  As for dandruff, this is where you may need to look elsewhere. While I do have dandruff, it's not much of a problem for me simply because it isn't very severe. I wash my hair three or four times a week with Dove Men + Care Sensitive Scalp. Since I don't shower, I usually just do this before bed by getting my hair wet in the shower, scrubbing the shampoo in vigorously with my fingers, then washing it out while also massaging my scalp. If that product doesn't work for you, you can't go wrong with some Head & Shoulders.
  
  I hope this helps you, let me know if you think there's anything I left out!
  
  EDIT: added towel-washing regimen

I literally was researching the Hada Labo Shirojyun line right this second!

The Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Lotion has tranexamic acid and it's in my Amazon cart as we speak.

The Hada Labo Shirojyun Toner has arbutin! Comparing the ingredients between this toner and The Ordinary's Alpha Arbutin 2%, I'm pretty convinced that the toner has a higher concentration of alpha arbutin. After all, it's first on the ingredient list while The Ordinary lists it second.

Kikumasamune actually has a big range of products, but the one people mean 90% of the time when they talk about that brand is the Kikumasamune High Moist. The ingredients of note in this one as for brightening are the rice ferment (which contains kojic acid), arbutin, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate (a licorice derivative).

I've spent the last hour reading up on arbutin results people have reported, especially with the shirojyun toner. It seems like it does have a brightening effect, but it requires four to six months of consistent usage. It's not immediately gratifying like vitamin C is.

So happy I could share all the things I read today with someone! :D

the ordinary is affordable. idk where you live but ulta sells it in store and online (https://www.ulta.com/glycolic-acid-7-toning-solution?productId=pimprod2007097&sku=2551155&_requestid=9742581) sephora sells it online. Or you can purchase directly from their website.

I’ve seen good reviews for this one: https://kravebeauty.com/collections/shop-all/products/kale-lalu-yaha mostly from skincare youtubers as the brand was created by one

cosrx is another affordable brand (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073P6BPF5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GgsHDbK30MSBK) i think the aha used are less intense compared to the other two. people tend to use this more as a ph balancing toner before using actives.

I suggest building up tolerance by using once a day. then twice a day? (I only use my aha/bha toner in the am since at night I have other products w active ingredients) and then maybe you can start using a higher % aha/bha peel type product once a week in the pm for more intense exfoliation. the ordinary’s 30% aha 2% bha or drunk elephant’s tlc babyfacial (25% aha 2% bha) just don’t go too concentrated at first if you’re not used to it! aha’s can cause tingling, which is normal. as long as it isn’t burning.

be consistent in use to see results. it’s not as obvious with first use like physical exfoliators. with those you see a difference since it’s taking off dead skin and but these are meant to resurface and even texture over time

aha’s cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun so use it at night or if you want to use the toner in both am and pm, use sunscreen in the am as a precaution!

btw the krave website has suggestion for beginners:
> AHA 5.25% is a great concentration to start if you're a AHA beginner. At first, you can mix Kale-Lalu-yAHA into your favorite moisturizer. This concoction would act as a buffer slightly interfering AHA with fully absorbing into your skin. Then move it up to your first step in your evening skincare routine. Try it once a week then build it up to the frequency that your skin is most comfortable with.

You can order AA off Amazon. Melazepam Cream and here's a really informational blog post about it. I have been doing 2 nights tret alternated with 1 night AA for a few years and now and have great results, but my skin is on the sensitive side so you might be able to do it more frequently. Just remember you're using a strong active and go slowly.

I've also found that using a gentle BHA like theCosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid really helps. It's like the tret brings everything to the surface and then the BHA clears it out.

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

Edit: added links

The playa poses a few challenges to taking care of your skin:

1 - Maintaining the pH balance of your acid mantle

Believe it or not, the skin on your face is slightly acidic (pH of about 5.5). This helps protect your skin from acne-causing bacteria. However, playa dust is alkali and can throw your pH off kilter. You know that "squeaky clean" feeling you get after washing with some soaps? Unfortunately that's your acid mantle being washed away by alkali detergents which leaves your skin more sensitive to all sorts of nasty stuff (bacteria, fungus, pollutants, etc). Thus all the stuff you hear about using a "gentle cleanser" for washing your face. This actually means a pH neutral cleanser.

2 - Keeping your skin from getting too dry

Another aspect of protecting your acid mantle is to make sure it isn't too dry (meaning too little oil or water). The structure of your skin's acid mantle contains fatty lipids which help form this protective barrier. Dry it out and your skin is again vulnerable. For those who say their skin clears up on the playa, I'm guessing these folks may have oily skin so the dry atmosphere may help them balance shit out. Since you are already on a topical solution, I think you'd be especially sensitive to dry skin issues.

3 - Protecting your skin from the sun

Sun damage is real, m'kay? The sun's rays slow down the production of new skins cells. Age also slows down this process. You know how little kids rarely get scars? That's because their skin "heals faster" vs. adults, meaning their skin cells regenerate faster. If you are trying to heal acne or some sort of scratch, use sunscreen! You'll be amazed how much faster your skin starts to look better.



So, what should you do on the playa? I recommend cleaning your face using a cotton pad and a mild organic toner twice a day. The toner removes the playa dust, adds some skin-loving vitamins, and helps the skin from getting dried out. You also need to use sunscreen (ideally a physical formula) so it stays on a good chunk of the day.


TL:DR -- clean your face with a cotton pad and a mild toner 2X a day and use sunscreen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

I've tried benozyl peroxide, salicylic acid, oral medication, etc. but what worked for me was a gentle face cleanser like Cetaphil and a toner like Thayers. Also make sure to wash your pillow cover often.

If your acne is genetically related like mine then exercising and diet won't really make your acne any better (but still have a healthy lifestyle).
Over-washing your face will make your acne even worse because it dries out your skin which makes your body create more oil leading to more acne.
I would only recommend Accutane as a last resort because of it's many side effects.

I would be very careful with using Vaseline as an occlusive. Definitely patch test it for a prolong period (like 2 weeks) before going all out. Better to have a small patch of blemishes than a face full of it. It does sound like your skin might benefit from something exfoliating like the C20 to help with dullness, but without some good hydrating & occlusive products, that will just land you in trouble.


My HG hydrating & moisturizing 'products':


DYI Witch Hazel, HA, & Glycerin toner (sometimes I add a few drops of high linoleic facial oil or tea tree oil to the mixture). This is my, 'I screwed up my face using too much acne medication/trying a new product that it hates' savior. I know for a fact my skin response very well to these 3 items mixed together & I can always turn to this DYI toner without risk of a reaction. It isn't hydrating enough for me just to use it without a cream of some sort, but it is the figurative lifejacket of skincare routine.



Carezone Doctor's Solution Dematology Hydra Toner, this the most hydrating toner I've ever come across that doesn't break me out.


Carezone Doctor's Solution Dematology H.A. Cream, this cream is on the heavier side, but damn if it doesn't hydrate & moisturize my skin without causing a bad reaction.


Mediheal Mediental Balhyo-Jinjeong Healing Mask is the best damned face mask I've ever used (thank you, Snow White & Asian Pear!) Comfortable to use, crazy moisturizing, & soothing as all get out. The blue, yellow, & purple versions are extremely nice, but the green one has my heart!

I tried to go with cheaper, more accessible Asian & Western products, & soooooo much regret, especially in regards to the toner & cream. As long as they make that those 2 Carezone products & that Mediheal mask, I will be a loyal customer! My only regret is they aren't the easiest to buy. I usually get all 3 off Koreadepart but I may try another vendor the next time I need to order them.


If you're not sensitive to snail, the COSRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence might be the way to go. It's got a pretty limited ingredient list & it's easy to get a hold of without breaking the bank.

I found three things really helped with my body acne, which I had on my chest and back. It was never terrible, I only had mild - moderate acne on my body, but it was definitely annoying.

1. Using a good face wash on my chest, back and shoulders really helped. I use Cerave foaming face wash on my upper body when I shower.
   
   
2. Showering more frequently helps. I used to shower every third or fourth day (dry shampoo and deodorant go a long way), but now I shower every second day.
   
   
3. Using a BHA on the more stubborn areas. I still occasionally get minor breakouts on my chest, but applying a BHA keeps my skin super clear. I use either the Paula's Choice Clear Body Spray or Cosrx BHA Liquid.
   
   Hope that helps!

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

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

Location: California, USA

Skin Type: Normal

Skin Concerns and goals Moisturize, glow, anti-aging

Allergies/irritants to avoid: High fragrance

Morning:

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

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!

Spearmint, berberine and omegas have been great for me. Look into supplements to lower testosterone/androgens. Sugar free and dairy free diets work extremely well. My acne has been so intense and painful that I've had days when I don't leave the house.
Supplements combined with a skincare routine developed from using r/skincareaddiction

My top products for topical use are:

Face wash - https://www.amazon.ca/Foaming-Facial-Cleanser-Normal-CeraVe/dp/B003YMJJSK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1542126993&sr=8-2&keywords=cerave+foaming+cleanser

Toner - https://www.amazon.ca/Cosrx-CLARIFYING-TREATMENT-Toner-150ml/dp/B073P6BPF5/ref=sr_1_7?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1542127029&sr=1-7&keywords=cosrx

Acid - https://www.amazon.ca/Pixi-Glow-Tonic-Ginseng-100ml/dp/B0156XE3RQ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1542127080&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=pixi+glow+tonic&psc=1

and moisturizer - https://www.stratiaskin.com/products/liquid-gold

I'm also a big fan of clay masks for clarifying the pores, sheet masks for moisturizing and night oils.
You can get a ton of affordable products from "The ordinary"
my favorite is: https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-100pct-organic-virgin-sea-buckthorn-fruit-oil-30ml?redir=1

​

Note! Topicals are great but fixing the hormones is the best cure for pcos acne. Topicals are best for management and prevention.
I'm glad that I started and consistently used a skincare routine with lots of moisture because it helped to reduce scaring and pigmentation associated with acne.

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!
  
  

Thank you for this. Funny thing is I bought some things already from amazon (I bought differin) so I’m gonna save up some money before getting other things.

Funny you said to ditch the hyaluronic acid because i just ordered this :/ it got good reviews and I wanted to try https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XTM1HMB/ref=mp_s_a_1_sc_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1518771665&sr=8-5-spell&keywords=hyaluronic+acid+moisturizer+collaen

I will soon buy whah you recommend me and tell you how it goes since it seems you know what you are talking about

I really fucked up my face using too much exfoliants and then ended it with a Kojic acid soap. My face got darker (which I don’t want, I just want to have my natural skin tone which I’m trying to accomplish, made some progress...I feel my actual skin tone without the influence of the sun looms the best) and super irritated and dry so I’m trying to heal it

Someone also recommended me this and it looks pretty good when it comes to soothing the skin

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007HD570Q

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.

You look fantastic! I really like vanicream cleanser as a gentle cleanser. I use Cerave PM lotion it is a nice light moisturizer and it has niacinamide which is great for skin discoloration, and it soothes the skin. Another product I like because it helps with clogged pores and is gentle, and it has a different form of salicylic acid in it is CosRx Blackhead power liquid

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VmPjT7XZLyyt8sdyjeWBJCqFYz3sFFlhzXKq3xqaMiY/pubhtml


Six month empties check in! The link to my spreadsheet where I maintain my collection is above. The first three sections are empty/ gone from the collection, and are labeled as such. Below the "COLLECTION" banner, is my entire makeup collection, including the products that have been emptied or destashed.

Some things to note before we dive in:

I failed to keep some items, so there are a couple of gaps from the spreadsheet to the photos. Specifically, the Smashbox eye primer, I failed to keep, so for the purpose of the photos, used my full bottle.
A couple of dates might look odd-- specifically, finishing two highlighters within a day of each other. I was using them both simultaneously, topping Opal with Pearl. If any other dates look odd, this is usually the case. I’ve only recently begun trying to use a product from start to finish, compared to flitting between products as I felt like doing so.

Photos are here

2017 Makeup empties (January - June)
Row 1
J’Adore

Kat Von D, Tattoo Liner - travel size

Benefit, Gimme Brow - travel size, previous packaging

Kat Von D, Tattoo Liner

Maybelline, Lash Stiletto x3

Mayeblline, Falsies


Row 2
Maybelline, Better Skin Foundation

Giorgio Armani, Luminous Silk Foundation

Rimmel, Lasting Finish Foundation

Clinique, Superbalanced Silk Foundation

Lioele, Triple Solution BB cream

Milk makeup, Sunshine Skin tint - samples

Tarte, Amazonian Clay Foundation - samples

Tarte, Rainforest of the Sea Concealer

Maybelline, Fit Me concealer


Row 3
Make Up Forever, Primer

Lorac, Porefection Primer
Hourglass, Veil Mineral Primer

Kat Von D, Lock It Primer

Smashbox, 24 Hour Shadow Primer

Urban Decay, Eyeshadow Primer Potion Original

Becca, Shimmering Skin perfector Opal

Becca, Shimmering Skin perfector, Pearl


Row 4
L’Oreal Infallible pressed powder
Urban Decay, Naked Skin powder

Cover FX, Perfect setting powder

Laura Mercier, Translucent Loose setting powder - 100 point size, and full size

e.l.f. HD setting powder

Maybelline, Fit Me pressed powder

e.l.f. HD setting powder


Row 5
Mac Fix+

L’Oreal, Infallible setting spray

Urban Decay, All Nighter Setting spray x2

Smashbox, Primer Water

Dior, Addict Lip Glow Balm x2

Fresh, Sugar Lip Treatment - travel size



2017 Skincare Empties (January-June)
Row 1
Drunk Elephant, T.L.C. Framboos Serum

Sephora, Sleeping Mask Pomegranate

Biossance, Rose Face Oil

Mizon, Multi Function Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule

Missha, Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule

aloepure, Time Repair Serum

First Aid Beauty, Ultra Repair Sleeping Cream

Mizon, Snail Recovery Gel


Row 2
Algenist, Power Night Serum

belief, moisturizing bomb

[Mizon, Starfish cream - discontinued]

Tony Moly, Avocado Rich Cream

Tony Moly, Appletox Honey Cream


Row 3
Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence x3


Row 4
Lancome, Genifique eye cream

Lancome, VIsionnaire eye balm

Skyn Iceland, Relief eye cream

Fresh, Lotus eye cream


Row 5
Glamglow, SUPERMUD clearing treatment mask

L’Oreal Pure-Clay Mask

The Soap & Paper Factory, Hand cream

Neutrogena, hand cream

Mini Bebe, hand cream

Corsx, BHA A-Sol

good for scars: https://www.amazon.com/Rohto-Melano-Intensive-Anti-Spot-Essence/dp/B0188CAZKQ

good for acne: https://www.amazon.ca/Cosrx-Blackhead-Power-Liquid-Remover/dp/B00OZEJ8R8

good for acne: https://www.amazon.ca/Cosrx-Acne-Pimple-Master-Patch/dp/B00PBX3TN6

2 toners that are generally good for everyone: https://www.amazon.ca/HADALABO-Gokujun-Hyaluronic-Lotion-Moist/dp/B074GX619Q/ref=dp_ob_title_hpc and https://www.amazon.com/Hadalabo-Skin-Institute-hyaluronic-solution/dp/B013HHJV0C/ref=pd_cp_194_1?pd_rd_w=xuxTj&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=PNCEQPAYJ01D5T4G188R&pd_rd_r=69c57dac-5630-11e9-9f4e-dfdbc4ec4f80&pd_rd_wg=cEyQ3&pd_rd_i=B013HHJV0C&psc=1&refRID=PNCEQPAYJ01D5T4G188R

any tonymoly handcream because theyre cute and fun and everyone likes hand cream: https://img.grouponcdn.com/deal/3oZiBVh4T96HJsd7rGaHJtkpXXZq/3o-1500x900/v1/c700x420.jpg

I recently purchased:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V9SXXU/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2QOXDNDKR686Q

http://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Foaming-Facial-Cleanser-Ounce/dp/B003YMJJSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415597239&sr=8-1&keywords=cerave+foaming

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00016XJ4M/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2TEADBMFV252D

I have combination skin: A dry forehead and chin, normal cheeks, and oily nose. My cheeks are nice, smooth with no blemishes, but I noticed that my forehead was becoming insanely dry, and was starting to look "aged". The texture was very bad, rough. Kinda like this, although to a lesser degree : http://www.ibt11.ch/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/skin-care-tips-for-guys.jpg . Soo, I bought all these products. I start with the foaming cleanser, then the witch hazel, and then the moisturizing cream. OMG. I have only been doing this routine for the past 5 days, and I see such an improvement. My forehead has much better tone, and is matching the rest of my skin now. It is really softening up, and all the creases have softened. I'm pretty amazed and happy :)

The blue pouch on the right is a refill of [Hada Labo Shirojyun Milky Lotion] (http://amzn.com/B0171FCX5Q)

I haven't used this particular product, but I've used the watery version called Hada Labo Shirojyun Albutin Medicinal Whitening Lotion, and the regular, much lauded Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion Moist. I love the regular Gokujyun.

It should be quite hydrating, and brightening. =) Use it directly after cleansing as a toner/first treatment essence unless you're using actives, and then use first after actives.

edit: formatting

I have long days and long nights so I usually go to the gym around 3pm while not doing my skincare routine till 11:30pm.

Here’s my gym routine:
Olay Daily Facials . Holy crap these things are amazing. They’ve been endorsed by a bunch of youtubers and I caved and bought them. They are great. They claim to remove makeup, cleanse, tone AND mask. I don’t think it does all of those things but they do remove makeup very well and do moisturize. I prefer this version b/c I have dry skin but there are other versions to fit a variety of skin types. I can’t recommend these enough. Mini review: 12/10.

Mario Badescu Rose Water

Klairs toner

And the Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream .

This is after the gym but if I’m wearing makeup, before the workout, i wash my face with a cleansing balm. then I follow up with mist and moisturizer.

::Deep breath::

AM & PM:

• Slap some o' this stuff all over my face: Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid. This shit is the shit. It makes everything else absorb better. Less slug life, more actual benefits.
  
  
• Snail Goo! Bee Goo! This is very calming, and helps with redness and itchiness from the tret irritation.
  
• Sometimes an ampoule but I haven't found an exceptional one yet.
  
• More magic: This Donkey-flavored cream. Sometimes, my face is so unhappy that even Cerave stings. This always helps. Plus, the name makes me giggle every time I open it. Don't buy it at this price, though. Memebox runs lots of sales, and I can stock up for more like $25. I'd like to find a cheaper dupe.
  
• Draw a goatee on myself with a thick cream (where my peeling and redness are worst). I don't think this is particularly special, any heavy cream does the same thing. I carry it around all day, though, and reapply said goatee. Makes my skin feel less tight, helps with the red some more, and hides the edges of the peeling for a while.
  

Here is my routine with items and products that work for me.

DAILY Morning:

1. Scrape tongue; rinse with water; brush teeth for 2 minutes; floss; rinse 1 minute with alcohol-free mouthwash and then gargle 30 seconds with a little more mouthwash; brush tongue with vegetable glycerin.
   
2. Shower with warm- not hot- water; shampoo (every other day) and condition (every day); wash pits, feet, in between toes, crotch and crack with antibacterial soap and washcloth; wash rest of body with loofah and body wash of choice.
   
3. Wash face with warm water and a gentle face cleanser; shave; apply witch hazel to face, neck, and forehead; apply moisturizer with SPF
   
4. Dry off completely, especially pits, in between toes, crotch, and crack; apply Fresh Balls , deodorant, foot cream or powder , and hand cream (as necessary).
   
   DAILY Night:
   
   
5. Step 1 of morning routine
   
6. Wash hands and clean under finger nails * with antibacterial soap
   
7. Wash face with warm water and face cleanser; apply moisturizer.
   
   WEEKLY Sat or Sun: (In addition to daily routines)
   
   
8. Use a face scrub in the shower, gently, especially to the areas you will be shaving; clean under toenails with a nail brush*
   
9. Soak feet, particularly in summer and/or you have to wear work boots;
   
10. While feet are soaking trim fingernails * and clean under them with pointed end of a nail file*, carefully; dry feet.
    
11. Trim toenails* and clean under them with nail file*.
    
12. Check nose, ears and eyebrows for any hairs that need to be trimmed or anything in between eyebrows that needs to be removed.
    
13. Shave back of neck and around ears
    
    * Use separate tools for hands and feet to avoid spreading any potential fungus to your hands
    
    BI-WEEKLY Sat or Sun:
    
    
14. Manscape after the morning routine.
    
    I have a few resources that have specific guides, I will post them later. I hope this is somewhat helpful and if you have any questions, let me know.

I think your skin may be reacting to over exfoliation, hence the new spots. You mentioned that your skin was clearer without the AHA. Try using Stridex once every 3 days, and see if new ones stop forming. I would be gentle with your skin. (I speak from experience--I was using too much Differin a few days ago and had two very large cystic spots form on my cheeks. Plus my face was burning whenever I put anything on it, like Cerave PM...after I stopped using Differin for 2 days, my face would no longer burn when I moisturized. I will only be using Differin once a week now.)

Since you're in a desert/dry climate, first and foremost focus on keeping your skin moisturized. Your moisture barrier needs to repair before you introduce actives to it. It could be breaking out because its so irritated. Here's a link on Reddit about the importance of maintaining a healthy moisture barrier!

If your skin is oily/dehydrated (my skin type), focus on layering light layers of hydration. After you wash your face, gently pat dry with a clean towel, and apply a hydrating toner like Thayer's Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel and following up with a hyaluronic acid moisturizing toner/lotion/serum. Hada Labo products are very popular amongst the /r/AsianBeauty community. The hyaluronic acid will help draw moisture to your skin. More on the science of HA here.


I do want to state that as always, your mileage may vary (YMMV) with these products. But since we have similar breakouts, I do think irritation and lack of proper hydration may be at the root of your breakouts. Patch test the products above to see if you react to them. Good luck!

I have very oily sensitive skin which can be hard to deal with since you need some pretty intense astringent to deal with my oil problems. I found this on amazon and it has changed my damn life. It's suuuper nice for sensitive skin and helpful for oily skin. I also use this from Lush, I know it's expensive but it is what helps me the best.

Good luck!

From what I see (and from CosDNA), your LRP does contain some acne triggers and irritants. Maybe your skin is not so happy with that and that's why it doesn't stop breaking out.

Your LRP already has salicylic acid, which is a chemical exfoliant and it should help with your acne. However, using salicylic acid as a spot treatment might be not enough. You would want to use salicylic acid all your face to also prevent further inflammations.

A couple products with BHA you might want to look at are:

• Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid: Relatively simple and fine ingredients. It has worked wonderfully for lots of people here on SCA including me. It's a bit pricey but you can get a trial or mini-size and see how it works out for you.
  
• Cosrx AHA/BHA treatment - Great ingredients and a lot gentler than the Paula's Choice one. This one also contains glycolic acid so that's gonna help with pigmentations.
  
• Cosrx Blackhead BHA - Decent and gentle ingredients
  
  

I'm sorry for your tragic loss. I am always available through reddit if you ever need an ear to vent to. The person was doing what they loved and you have to remember that!


Straw This is the highest item on my Keto list that I added today after hearing about it. I am currently trying my hardest to lose weight and I am sickened with the taste of the well water here in the house that I do NOT drink the water. This little device though kind of a commodity looking thing it seems to be legit and lasts for over 200 gallons of water!! I don't think I could drink that in my lifetime and would probably last me one. I am hurting my kidneys and body because I do not consume water and I eat my diet foods. If not the straw I wouldn't mind bottled water sent to me. Sort my priorities. My mother just bought me a Brita filtered water bottle out of no where!


Witch hazel While my face isn't to broken out, everyone around me keeps raving about how I should try witch hazel with rose water to clear up my chin and nose of blackheads. I really don't get out of the house much myself, so I thought I would kindly ask here.

-NSFW-

The last item I would enjoy and like is a NSFW one, but I don't know how you'd feel about sending something like that. If you are okay and I happen to be honored with your generosity disregard below.

-NSFW ends-

I would appreciate the following if you were unsure about NSFW items: Teeth whitening & micron pens!


EDIT: Had to edit due to an unexpected gift.

Morning
Simple Micellar Cleansing Water
CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
NuFountain C20+ Ferulic Serum
Paula's Choice Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
Paula's Choice Invisible Finish Moisture Gel
Paula's Choice Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 50

Evening
Julep Love Your Bare Face Cleansing Oil
CosRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Blue light therapy mask
Garden of Wisdom Mandelic Acid 10%
Paula's Choice Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
Paula's Choice Intensive Wrinkle Repair Retinol Serum
Scinic Honey AIO Ampoule
LJH Tea Tree 90 Essence
Garden of Wisdom Blemish Prone Serum
Customized mix of Prickly Pear, Marula, Passionfruit, Camelia Japonica, and Seabuckthorn Oils, all purchased from Garden of Wisdom
CeraVe Healing Ointment

It's fine for cleansing your face but if you want a BHA that will do something significant for your skin you should get a product you can leave on for long enough for the BHA to work. People seem to like Paula's Choice BHA Liquid since her products are properly formulated and work well for a lot of people. I personally use CosRx Blackhead Power Liquid BHA, which is Korean but the brand is trustworthy and fantastic, and it's only about $17 for about 6 ounces, whereas PC is $28 for 4 ounces. The Paula's choice is available as a liquid, gel, or lotion too so you get more options if you have a preference of consistency.


The CosRx is available on Amazon, (with Prime shipping too) here: https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Bha-Blackhead-Power-Liquid/dp/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1466037028&sr=8-1

And the Paula's Choice is available here: http://www.paulaschoice.com/shop/skin-care-categories/aha-and-bha-exfoliants/_/Skin-Perfecting-Two-Percent-BHA-Liquid-Exfoliant


If you haven't ordered from PC before, you can go to the referral thread and use someone's referral code and you'll get $10 off your order so there won't be as much of a price difference.

I haven't been to Japan, but from what I understand, it is a great place for amazing and inexpensive skincare. There's a whole sub dedicated to Asian products here: /r/AsianBeauty

I'll also link you the SCA routine page. The /r/asianbeauty subreddit also has tons and tons of info in the sidebar. Start with the basics in the SCA routine if you feel overwhelmed.

Here's some of my thoughts of the products you're using:

• Nivea Soft: contains denatured alcohol, which can be drying, irritating and cause that burning sensation. The may not be the reason for your issue, but do keep it in mind
  
• Clinique toner: I don't think this is intended to be a makeup remover. Also, does this one contain a lot of denatured alcohol too? If so, that will contribute to your issues. Instead, try using an oil cleanser to remover your makeup. This one for example should be in drugstores in Japan.
  
• Jason Apricot Scrubbie exfoliator: this is going to be very rough and irritate your skin. Chemical exfoliants are considered better than physical ones. There is a section about chemical exfoliants in the SCA routine link I provided.
  
• Acure Organics Seriously Glowing Facial Serum: this is an oil blend, which is fine, but I find that oils don't moisturize my skin very well. I need a mix of other emollient and humectant ingredients. This serum is also not going to do much for acne.
  
  You didn't mention how you wash your face; do you currently use some kind of cleanser or soap?
  
  So to redo your routine, I would add in an oil cleanser and/or foaming cleanser, a chemical exfoliant like this if you can find it, a new moisturizer (I'm really only familiar with Hada Labo, so maybe this, and preferably a sunscreen (Biore, Hada Labo and Nivea should sell cheap drugstore ones). The Hada Labo ingredient lists can be found here.

Oct 8, 2019

Pre: Proraso Pre-Shave Cream
Lather: Barrister and Mann Leviathan - Soap
Brush: Parker Safety Razor Handmade Deluxe "Long Loft" 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush 22mm
Blade: Lord Platinum Class (1)
Razor: Merkur 38C
Post: Thayers Alcohol-free Unscented Witch Hazel Toner & Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
Fragrance: Barrister and Mann Leviathan - AS Splash

Sweet baby jesus! I can smell again after a 2 week cold I can finally smell. And what smells to come back to. I love the scent of Leviathan. I'm hoping it lasts a good portion of the day.

Also, I reaffirmed what I already knew today: slow shaves are the best shaves. Taking your time makes them more enjoyable and creates less irritation.

I’m a newbie but this is what I use. My skin is very dry and reddish. Any products that made it not dry left it feeling greasy my whole life.

First I wash with this KOSE oil cleanser which is different than just using oil! When I first put it on my face I thought I was making a huge mistake because of the texture but it just took some getting used to. It feels very slick and oily, but not greasy in a bad way. This stuff gets off any makeup or buildup from lotion and other products.

Then I wash again with Secret Key and believe me I was skeptical because I thought washing my face twice in a row would ruin my skin/life but this exfoliates and gets the oil off perfectly and leaves my skin feeling great.

I use Klairs Toner which is so different than every other toner I've used that made my skin feel dry and tight. This is about balancing your pH and getting your skin ready to absorb moisturizer and a little goes a long way.

Then I use this Benton Aloe Gel to moisturize and it feels great and leaves my face so soft!

If I'm not sitting around the house all day I use Biore sunscreen which is so light and doesn't clog my pores.

At night I use some standard ponds cream as a moisturizer.

Witch Hazel is the ingredient: it's a natural plant extract. You can get it at the drugstore, but unscented witch hazel smells a bit funky to some, so I would recommend one of the Thayer's varieties which smells quite pleasant, and also includes aloe vera and vitamin E for extra moisturizing.

If I sound like an infomercial for W_E, it's only because of how pleased I am with DE shaving since making the switch. It's transformed a painful chore into a hobby I enjoy. And if nothing else, you can save a ton of money: the blades I use are currently selling for 11 cents apiece on Amazon and they last about a week (4-5 shaves each). I spent $11 on two years worth of blades - how much did you spend on cartridges?

It's actually not very different (in terms of consistency) than any other serum/emulsion! A lot of people like Benton's Snail Bee essence, I haven't tried it myself though. /r/asianbeauty has a very informative sidebar with product recs if you're interested in trying them out!

As far as what I use, I (sadly) am still on the hunt for an AHA and vitamin C Serum that I like. Next on my list to try are the Mizon 8% AHA and OST Vitamin C Serum. I tried sample sizes of the Paula's Choice 8% AHA gel and liked it well enough but I didn't like how sticky it made my skin feel.

A lot of folks here really like the C-15 Super Booster from Paula's Choice. I tried a sample size and didn't notice a difference but perhaps that's because I didn't use it long enough. I am trying the OST vitamin C serum next, mostly because it is much cheaper, but if it doesn't work for me I will be switching to the Paula's Choice.

Hey guys,

Although it is not that noticeable from the pictures in realty they appear worse. I have been trying on this routine for around two and a half weeks now but I am see insufficient improvement. Here is my schedule that I got from the awesome user of /u/skunkpaw who helped me get started.

My daily routine:

CosRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

Stridex Maximum Strength pads

Gold Bond Ultimate Restoring Lotion

These are pics after a shower and after putting on moisturizer and taking a nap the marks appear to be more subtle but I have an shinier/oily face.

What is it you are looking for in a toner? Do you want one that is moisturizing? Do you want it to help with a specific problem or contain specific ingredients?

I use Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner and I really like it. I use it between my cleanser and AHA to help moisturize my skin

Which Roc moisturizer do you use? Do you want it to have retinol or any other type of specific ingredients?

I use CeraVe in the tub and CeraVe PM moisturizers, but I also hear great things about Paula's Choice moisturizers. They also have a great toner which has niacinamide in it.

Paula's Choice moisturizer with Retinol

Paula's Choice Niacinamide toner

Make sure to check out the Paula's Choice Referral Thread to get $10 off your first order. I believe they are also having sales going on, so check those out.

Seconding all the comments about incorporating acids into your routine. Just try out one at a time and don't nuke your face - start with a daily, gentle aha or bha. Also, many people with acne are over producing oil because their skin is dry, so drink lots of water and learn about the difference between moisturizers and occlusives over at r/skincareaddiction.

I love this acid


I'm not usually one to take a ton of supplements, but I also developed sudden hormonal acne in my late twenties, and it nearly broke me. I went into whole foods crying one evening because nothing was making a difference. The girl gave me this to try. You take it twice a day therapeutically for a month or so and then once or twice a year after that. My skin began to clear up within a week of starting it, and then all the new skin care tips I'd learned kept my skin looking amazing. I'm actually kind of grateful I had that experience now, because I take much better care of my skin.

I need trouble shooting help with my new benton products.

I got samples of both the Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence and Benton Snail Bee High Content Toner and found that they both worked great on my skin. So after about two weeks of good results, I purchase full size bottle.

Another week in I start breaking out like crazy! My skin is pretty clear as long as I keep it moisturized, so when I got three giant white heads I freaked!

So now I am just using The Face Shop Arsainte Eco-Therapy Moisturizer only on my face and have seen a great improvement. No more pimples, the new ones emerging have done down. Even the discoloration is going away.

Now I have really dry skin, so was it a fluke that the samples worked well but the full bottle didn't? How do I go about figuring out which product might be bad? Should I get the Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Lotion to go with the rest of the set to make it work out well?

Please help r/asianbeauty! You're my only hope!!

I possess extremely long, extremely thick, extremely coarse, extremely curly hair. Think somewhere between Claudio Sanchez of Coheed & Cambria and the fat guy from Lost except halfway down by back.

Every day, I shower. When I do so, I wet my hair then rub it down with a cedarwood/rosemary shampoo bar (solid-form shampoo composed mostly of saponified shea butter and jojoba oil without any natural-oil-stripping sulfates) and lather it up. I let it sit for awhile, then rinse. After that, I apply a thick coat of dandruff-defense conditioner (liquid form) and let that stand while I wash my body (with a fancy loofa and a really nice bar of cold-pressed, natural soap called "Desert Sands"). I rinse the conditioner out, wring most of the water out of my hair, and then step out of the tub.

I apply a mist of leave-in spray condtioner and let it stand while I shave (using a variety of natural shaving soaps and/or creams with a badger hair brush, a German safety razor, and a number of facial care products including an alum block, witch hazel splash, and moisturizer) and brush my teeth. I finally run a large brush (with scalp-protecting beads on the bristles and a malleable backing to allow it to shape itself to the contours of my head as I brush) through my hair until there are no more knots or tuggy spots..

On work days, I'll throw on my shirt, pull my hair back, then brush it back into a ponytail that I'll hold up with a hairtie. Otherwise I let it airdry into a gloriously fluffy, unbelievably soft, and delicious-smelling mane that encircles my entire head and neck and draws the eye of every woman I pass.

-------

What else would we use indeed!

https://www.amazon.com/Merano-Medicinal-Intensive-Measures-Essence/dp/B00ITAP8P0/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1524967163&sr=8-1&keywords=melano+cc

https://www.amazon.com/Missha-Time-Revolution-Treatment-Essence/dp/B00E4YYIY2/ref=sr_ph_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1524967202&sr=sr-1&keywords=missha+first+treatment+essence

https://www.amazon.com/COSRX-Whitehead-Power-Liquid-100ml/dp/B00OZ9WOD8/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1524967215&sr=1-1&keywords=cosrx+aha

https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Bha-Blackhead-Power-Liquid/dp/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1524967215&sr=1-6&keywords=cosrx+aha

https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Advanced-Snail-Mucin-Essence/dp/B00PBX3L7K/ref=sr_ph_1_s_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1524967246&sr=sr-1&keywords=cosrx+snail+96+mucin+power+essence

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dbeauty&field-keywords=honey+scinic

https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Shirojyun-Medicinal-Whitening/dp/B00BS3Q58Y/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1524967303&sr=1-1&keywords=shirojyun

https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Hydrating-Facial-Cleanser-Washing/dp/B01MSSDEPK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1524967355&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=cerave+cleanser&psc=1

These are some of my holy grail skincare products!

Night time:

1. Cleanse with cerave cleanser
   
2. I typically do Melano CC or BHA/AHA every few days or so. AHA/BHA are chemical exfoliators and Melano CC is vitamin C that helps renew your skin. These are both applied right after cleansing the skin, you have to wait 20-25 minutes after applying BHA/AHA (10 minutes for the vit CC) before you apply other stuff.
   ** these products dry out your skin so I put on many layers of moisture after, and also don't do them everyday. AHA (and BHA too, I believe) makes your skin more sensitive to the sun so I also wear SPF 50 everyday underneath my makeup.
   
3. then the Missha FTE mist
   
4. the snail mucin gel
   
5. scinic honey thing
   
   day time:
   
6. either missha fte or snail mucin gel
   
7. shirojyun toner
   
8. shirojyun lotion (just cuz I have it, probably wouldn't repurchase although I do really like it!)
   
9. sunscreen
   
   
   hope this helps! :)
   
   these products all contain brightening properties. If you want to learn more about other people's experiences with these products you should search r/asianbeauty. If you search top posts there as well you should see lots of hg lists/reviews!

If you'd like to see less redness and overall more even skin tone I recommend this toner. I've only been using it two days and it has already slightly reduced my redness. It's also alcohol free so it shouldn't be a problem for your dry skin. I got this toner off a recommendation from my best friend who also struggles with pretty intense redness and has been using Thayer's Witch Hazel for a few months now and has seen fantastic results at reducing redness and evening out skin tone.

It looks like it's a good recipe overall, although I'm not crazy about adding alcohol, perfume or colorants to shaved skin. I still recommend pure aloe gel or witch hazel over this, but if it doesn't cause any irritation (using it vs using nothing), then it's probably fine.

I found this on Amazon, which looks like it would be awesome for any kind of irritated skin. No fillers, alcohol free, and each of those ingredients is known to be either an astringent, anti-inflammatory, or have moisturizing properties. This would be great as a female "aftershave".

Does your skin flake or feel dry/tight? Rather than layering moisturizers, you could try adding in a moisturizing toner. A few that I like are

• the one's for dry skin from Paula's Choice
  
  
• the "Kikumasamune Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture" which you can buy from amazon or ebay. It smells kinda weird, but really does wonders for most people who use it.
  
  
• Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner is also great and you can find it on amazon or ebay
  
  I personally think exfoliating and using retin a and maybe even niacinimide is what's going to make the difference in your skin rather than layering on moisturizers. But if you are really dry, you should try playing around with moisturizing toner under your creams and maybe adding a face oil (or Vaseline) at the end of your routine. You can find a better way to get beneficial ingredients into your skincare rather than moisturizers and personally think you should cut back on using so many.
  

Yeah, definitely look for a new cleanser, you don't really need a "oil control" cleanser, they tend to be pretty drying for most people, and as you've noticed, don't do much to actually control oil.

As far as a toner goes, if you like using one, go ahead, but try to find one that doesn't contain alcohol. Thayers is usually a pretty popular brand because it's alcohol free.

Otherwise you can check out the beginner's routine for more recommendations.

This is my carefully crafted list according to friends/reddit and other sources. enjoy

Skin Care (in order of application)

Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam, 160ml

https://www.amazon.com/Hadalabo-Hyaluronic-Moisture-Foaming-Cleanser/dp/B01CE5P580/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_194_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=8BPEN2920DV06DVRDHW1&th=1

Klairs Unscented Toner

https://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Unscented-lightweight-essential-oil-free/dp/B07B65NJLV/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=Klairs+Unscented+Toner&qid=1563824014&s=beauty&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1

Time Revolution MISHA Essence

https://www.amazon.com/MISSHA-Revolution-Intensive-Treatment-Essence/dp/B01M0XSD38/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=MISHA+Time+Revolution+Night+Repair+AMPOULE&qid=1563824002&s=beauty&sr=1-7

MISHA Time Revolution Night Repair AMPOULE

https://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Science-Activator-Ampoule-MS04-Ampoule/dp/B01GVD228M/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=MISHA+Time+Revolution+Night+Repair+AMPOULE&qid=1563823988&s=beauty&sr=1-6

CNP Laboratory 50 SPF sunscreen (since it doesnt burn like others)- i bought in korea,

Also seems promising is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Cooling Water Lotion Sunscreen

https://www.amazon.com/Roche-Posay-Anthelios-Cooling-Lotion-Sunscreen/dp/B00TBJWP9K/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=CNP%2BLaboratory%2B50%2BSPF%2Bsunscreen&qid=1563824026&s=beauty&sr=1-2-spons&th=1

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb MOISTURIZER

https://www.amazon.com/belif-True-Cream-Aqua-Korean/dp/B00H4GOAZO/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=belief+aqua+bomb&qid=1563824165&s=beauty&sr=1-2

​

Maintenance skincare masks:

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask Original (I only use twice a week)

https://www.amazon.com/Innisfree-Volcanic-Mousse-Original-100Ml/dp/B013K9METC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_194_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1ZWR6ZCQ7GFJK6TKKWSH

Innisfree skin clinic mask-Madecassoside(10 sheets)- Use like every other day

\^ hands down the best face mask

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EDU19E8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

This serum has been working great for my acne scars and frown lines, or if you don't trust it, just straight up Vitamin E oil is good for my skin as well. I also use the Biore Aqua Riche sunscreen which is perfect for my oily skin. I also found this toner to work much better with my skin than the Kate Somerville one. I now only use the KS one when I have a breakout.

I personally use Nivea Double action Q10 Balm after shaving and haven't had an issue with dry skin afterward.

On days I don't shave, I use Cerave Moisturizing lotion. It has ceramides and hyaluronic acid, super lightweight, absorbs fast, and won't leave you feeling greasy at all. PH balanced and non-comedogenic (so it won't break you out).

Before I apply my balm/lotion, I apply some Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel as it'll help your skin better absorb the lotion/balm.

If neither of those looks like good options, I'd suggest heading over to /r/SkincareAddiction and hopefully they can help you out!

If you want to try some things before visiting a dr/getting a prescription/maybe save some $$$.

What worked for me:

Switching to sensitive skin cleanser like Cetaphil. Be sure not to over-cleanse your face, and be gentle.

Rubbing Aloe gel all over your face - to moisturize and heal.

Staying hydrated.

Taking a multivitamin - could be lacking certain vitamins- causing an imbalance.

Consider changing your pillowcase out more often/ replacing them if they are old.

If you’re down for a few more skincare items, you can try Aztec Secret Clay Mask - Amazon mix with Apple Cider Vinegar &/or water. Try once a week.

And last but not least Rose toner- Amazon

Hope it helps :)

What is the rest of your skincare routine? Exfoliating alone won't help retain moisture.

• Check your ingredient lists. Stop using products with "bad" alcohols and keep/look for fatty alcohols—especially in your moisturizer. Fatty alcohols help your skin retain moisture. I found this article informative on types of alcohols: http://www.justaboutskin.com/2015/01/alcohol-in-skincare/
  
  
• Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize should be your minimal routine. Here's what I use:
  
  Cleanser: Neutrogena Oil-Free Grapefruit cleanser http://www.neutrogena.com/product/mobile/cleansers/daily+cleansers/oil-free+acne+wash+pink+grapefruit+facial+cleanser.do
  
  Toner: Dr. Thayer's Alcohol Free Witch Hazel - Rose Petal. My friends and I, all with different skin types and sensitivities, love it. We buy in bulk and distribute to each other. Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera ~ 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VMJuyb6Z4TN06
  
  Moisturizer: A friend of mine gave me a spa gift pack from their trip to Iceland a few years ago. It mostly sat in my cabinet untouched until recently, when I started using the moisturizer on a whim. It has, by far, been the most effective product I have used on my skin that has retained moisture and reduced my acne. I will continue to use it until I find something comparable and more cost effective. http://shop-usa.bluelagoon.com/products/moisturizing-cream
  
  The effect that moisturizer had on my skin has completely changed the way I take care of my skin and what I look for in product ingredients.
  
  Ultimately, your skincare routine should be catered to you and your skin. Keep an eye on ingredients and introduce new products slowly—giving yourself 1-2 weeks between introing or removing products from your routine before moving on to the next one. Give your skin time.

I'm also in the Seattle area and this winter has been really hard on my skin. It's a lot colder and dryer than our winters usually are. I recently added the Klairs Supple Preparation Toner and it seems like my skin really likes it.

My humidity sensor in my bedroom has been telling me that our humidity has been around 20% for a lot of this winter. That might not be enough to use products heavy in HA, from what I understand. The Klairs has HA, but it's one of several humectant ingredients. I have no way of verifying this, but I've read that in dryer conditions glycerine might be a better option than HA. So you may want to pause on your HA toners for a bit, or follow them up with a mist before moving onto your next step.

Have you considered trading your CosRX cleanser for CeraVe Hydrating for a bit? Target carries a travel size that would let you test it if you haven't to see if it works for you.

Toners are used to minimize the appearance of pores, and are usually of made from super harsh ingredients like alcohol. The witch hazel tightens the pores and smooths the skin without being harsh and drying. It is a natural toner. The rose petal ingredient moisturizes, and the aloe soothes/decreases redness. This is what I use, if you're interested in it. It is my favorite part of my routine! :) It smells great too

Maybe this is a silly question, but do you wear makeup at all? Many bb/cc-creams or foundations/concealers will minimize redness (depending on coverage goals) -- I've heard good things about IT Cosmetics "Bye Bye Redness" line, though it's not super cheap -- but I imagine there are drugstore alternatives.

Skincare wise, I find aloe to be soothing -- I use this toner after shaving, and also really like this moisturizer (if you end up saving for laser, I find it to be really soothing after that too, or sunburns in the summer!).

So when it comes to acne & whatnot, looking up the pH levels of your cleansers & toners would be great. I'm reading this right now and it's super helpful.

Basically most cleansers (even water is 7 & traditional/regular soap is 9-10 pH) are over 5.5, the target pH of your skin (which is acidic, as it's less than 7). Searching for a lower-pH cleanser is a great way to go, but also toners are acidic to balance your skin back to the pH it needs to be after cleansing so it can ward off bacteria & whatnot (since bacteria doesn't thrive in acidic -pH 5.5-ish- environments).

I haven't looked at alcoholic vs. non-alcoholic properties in my stuff so I'm not sure what your situation warrants, but yeah I use Thayer's Cucumber Witch Hazel with Aloe Formula Alcoholic-Free Toner :)

Edit: here are some great resources. pH levels of toners & pH levels of cleansers.

I had the same issue with drying when it comes to BHA's, but I find one that actually leaves my skin feeling hydrated! It's the Cosrx BHA. It's kind of expensive, but I've see a lot of people say it lasted them well over a year, which I think makes it worth it.

Anyway, it might be worth it to give BHA another shot, because they really do help minimize pores and not all of the products are drying. I did find Stridex too drying for me, and that scared me away from salicylic acid for a long time, but I'm really glad I gave it another try. :)

Hi there. New to AB and trying to put together a regimen. Can you please critique it/make changes/suggest?! Thank you so much.

Issues: Redness, very moderate acne, uneven pigmentation, preparing for wrinkles (I'm about to hit 35).

To know: I'm in Canada (so we have two extremes in weather: cold and hot/humid.

My current regimen is a mix of Niod, Jouviance, Shiseido...

I will put the products in order that I would use them so if something is out of order, please do let me know.

AM:
Pre-Wash: Banilla co. Clean it Zero (pre-wash in am to ensure sweat, any pillow bacteria, etc... is gone)

Wash: RE:CIPE Slowganic cleanser- Lemon

Toner: Naruko La Creme Face Renewal miracle essence
Serum: Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence + Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% from TO or TO's alpha Arbutin with 1% Zinc

Moisturizer: Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel

Eyes: TO caffeine solution 5% + EGCG (Realize it's not AB. Open to suggestions)


PM:
Pre-wash: Banilla co. Clean it Zero

Wash: Nature Republic The first bubble cleanser (yes, another facewash. The bubble idea seemed fun lol)

Toner: Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence
Serum: Niod ELAN (Vitamin C) and SCINIC Aqua All in One Ampoule

Moisturizer: pm: MIZON Black Snail All-In-One Cream or Canada's Premium Retinol Moisturizer for Face Organic-Face Lift in a Jar By Maritime Naturals (yes, the latter is not AB but it has AHA's and BHA's). I think that I could remove the AM Aloe one and put the Canadian one there instead and the snail one as PM. Opinions? I'm trying to insert those aha's/bha's in here...


Exfoliant: Skinfood Rice mask washoff (is it enough on its own?)

Eyes: TO caffeine one (same as AM)

Sunscreen: Already have one by Shiseido (for am as well)

Would like to work this AHA/BHA toner maybe? in https://www.amazon.ca/Cosrx-CLARIFYING-TREATMENT-Toner-150ml/dp/B073P6BPF5/ref=pd_sbs_194_8?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=AAEPGG9DXQYQVKSCXM5Q&th=1

Treatments not for every day:

Exfoliation: Skinfood Rice mask washoff

Face masks: Open to suggestions. Sheet or not.
Via Cosmetics Exfoliating and clarifying UltraMUD: https://www.amazon.ca/Exfoliating-Clarifying-Treatment-Salicylic-Professional/dp/B00Q5SL74O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1525176321&sr=8-2&keywords=Azelaic+acid (not AB)

Any suggestion for lips/lip mask? To hydrate, plump ...but mainly hydrate or to exfoliate them.

제가 나아질 수 있게 인내심을 갖고 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Jega naajil su itge innaesimeul gatgo dowajusyeoseo gamsahamnida.

28M, scandinavia, combo skin(oily T). Over the last 6 months, I've gotten a lot of weird, vertical creases on the forehead.

Some of them seem to be naturally occurring others I have no idea where come from. I've tried taking a few pictures, but my camera's quality isn't that great: https://imgur.com/a/K9Xaifa

The things I've noticed, which you might also see in the pictures:

• All the way near my hairline, I have a number of small vertical creases. If I run my finger firmly over that area, it feels like my skin is a bit like a sinus curve. From what I can tell, I do not wrinkle this area naturally with facial expressions.
  
• I have a big vertical crease on the right side of my forehead(think it's visible in the last picture). I do not wrinkly my skin here either with facial expressions.
  
• Two vertical creases have begun around the center of my forehead. I think these can be partially attributed to facial expressions. The thing is that I rarely make facial expressions on day-to-day basis. However, I'm worried that I wrinkle my forehead while sleeping. I work at a screen all day. My doctor has recommended getting an eyesight test.
  
• I seem to be getting a horizontal furrow. Possibly as a results of my eyes being furrowed/protruding somehow.
  
  A redditor here kindly helped me out with some recommendations for products, and I read about over-exfoliating and transepidermal waterloss. I stopped using all actives for a while, because my skin on the forehead felt really, really tight. I ended up buying a CeraVe cleanser and moisturizer, which helped my skin feel more comfortable again. Afterwards I've gone back to my normal routine, although I've made a change by adding retinol in the evening:
  
  AM
  
  
• Foaming Cerave cleanser for normal to oily skin
  
• COSRX AHA BHA CLARIFYING TREATMENT TONER
  
• Benton - Snail High Content Essence
  
• C-Vitamin Serum
  
• Tatcha - The Water Cream(probably will buy something cheaper next time)
  
• COSRX Aloe Soothing Cream SPF50
  
  PM
  
  
• Foaming Cerave cleanser for normal to oily skin
  
• Indeed Labs Retinol Reface Resurface
  
• Tatcha - The Water Cream

It'll be back... trust me.

I've dealt with it for nearly 10 years on my hands.

You may have moments of relief, it can disappear for a year or two at a time. However it'll come back.

After years of searching the thing I found that works the best at keeping it at bay is witch hazel and I've provided a link for the stuff I use.

I rub it into my hands as well as I can before bed, and if I get an outbreak I'll do it when I wake up too.

Good luck.

SKin type: It is a parched desert on my face, except recently I've been noticing that my forehead gets oily. This place is where I get the most closed comedones; but I have pigmentation scarring on the sides of my face from past acne battles. I'm not sure whether my skin may be changing to combination on my face, or if it's just because I need a better routine that's not so harsh on my skin.

I am considering abandoning ship on my old routine completely and adopting this new one. I understand the implications that completely changing my routine may cause. My skin, however, has felt incredibly taut and dry the past few weeks regardless of how much I moisturize with my Aveeno knock-off or my Maracuja oil.

I'm considering this new routine.

Morning:

• Baby wipes
  
• Thayer's Alcohol-Free Cucumber Witch Hazel Toner
  
• Stridex 2% pads and Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer; maybe a benzoyl spot treatment if necessary
  
• Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizer
  
• Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50 thing
  
• Let set, then use Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel as primer before makeup routine.
  
  Night:
  
  
• Vaseline or jojoba oil to remove makeup
  
• Cleanse with Garnier Cleansing Oil
  
• Thayer's Toner
  
• Stridex and C&C routine
  
• Use AHA 10% Lotion
  
• Moisturize with CeraVe PM Lotion, also doubles as eye cream
  
  This is where I am considering different options. I'd like to also implement Alpha Hydrox's Retinol ResQ into my night routine, but I'm not exactly sure where I can put it. Also, I have Tarte's Pure Maracuja Oil and am considering putting a few drops that as an extra moisturizer after my night lotion. Would this go prior to my retinol? I am not going to purchase this Tarte product when I run out, though (this was a present) and will probably use the jojoba oil as a replacement. I don't think there's much difference between the two? Am I right?
  
  Also, in what part of my routine can I incorporate a scar gel? I currently have Mederma, but am considering the Alpha Hydrox spot lightening cream when I run out. Would it be better to forego the retinol since I intend to use the AHA lotion and simply use the spot lightening cream instead?
  
  

Do you use a toner? An extremely popular vegan, cruelty-free, soy-free and alcohol-free toner is [Thayer’s Witch-Hazel Rose Toner](Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LfM3AbAWMQ4HZ).

I use this stuff everyday... it’s amazing and gentle. It has a PH of 5.5-6. You can use this after cleansing and before creams/serums. Target sells this toner with the spray nozzle which is also nice as a mid-day refresher or make-up primer. You can find the travel-sized toners on Amazon as well.

I also second trying Pacifica. My faves: seafoam cleanser, kale micellar water, coconut body butter, passionfruit/guava perfume! But seriously, everything is amazing!

My go-to post-shave routine is this:

OSMA Alum - rub on wet face, leave it on while cleaning up (brush/bowl/razor/etc), then splash with cool water.

Thayer's Witch Hazel - splash on after the Alum, let it dry.

CeraVe in the tub - The folks at /r/SkinCareAddiction turned me onto this stuff. It's like a balm, but unscented and way thicker. Super good for your skin.

I'll occasionally use an aftershave splash like Clubman, in place of the Alum and Witch Hazel, but not very often due to the fragrances. If I want to smell pretty, I'll just wear cologne, ya know?

Here are a few things that work for me:

Alpha Hydroxy Oil-Free

Aloe gel, straight from the leaf

Oil-free moisturizer with spf. I find spf every morning helps immensely.

Witch Hazel toner

These are all things that help me even my skin tone, clear up blemishes/reduce blackheads, improve elasticity, smooth out my skin, reduce breakouts, etc. All this makes my makeup stay on better and look better on my skin. None of it is very expensive.

Hello folks! I was hoping for some help on my routine. My skin is okay, but I struggle with hormonal acne, am 28 years old, and generally feel greasy at the end of the day. I don't wear makeup because it makes my acne worse, so I don't have to worry about that. I have combination skin (chin and jawline dry, oily everywhere else).

​

Morning:

Cleanser: Trader Joe's All-In-One

Toner: Witch Hazel

Serum: Birch Juice Hydro Essence Skin

Vitamin C Serum

Moisturizer: Trader Joe's Nourish Oil-Free

Sunscreen: Neutrogena Clear Face

​

Evening:

Cleanser: Trader Joe's All-In-One

Mask (2x per week): Aztec Secret (used with ACV)

Toner: Witch Hazel

Serum: Birch Juice Hydro Essence Skin

Retinal: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane

Sheet mask (2x week when I use a mask): Whatever is hydrating at CVS

Moisturizer: Trader Joe's Nourish Oil-Free

​

I have done my absolute best to try to figure out if this is an okay group of products, but skincare is as incomprehensible as finances to me so some help would be appreciated!

Once or twice a week, exfoliate your head/face/neck with St Ives Apricot Scrub (2% salicylic acid) in the shower and finish by toning with witch hazel. I use Thayer's, but you can get plain generic witch hazel just about anywhere, like Target. Just be sure it is alcohol free, and a little goes a long way. Exfoliating will clean out the pores, and toning will close them back up so that dirt can't easily get back in, as well as moisturize.

Other than that, just wash with soap and water 2-3 times per day, including shower. You may want to get a daily face soap, like Cetaphil.

I use this brand. It works great for me and sensitive skin, there are several scents that all smell great, and its vegan. They usually have it at Target too for about the same price.

Also works good on my legs and underarms to keep then smooth, cool the burn, and help prevent bumps.

Hi, I'm new to all of this. I'm going to purchase these items - probably tomorrow. I'm aware that I have to start with baby steps. I've read that I should start using only the moisturizer then slowly add the others so I see which product responds well with my skin and to make sure to patch test.

I'm just not sure how to put these in a AM and PM format, mind helping me out so when it's time to use all of this in a routine, I'm more confident in what I'm doing, please?

Skin Type: Oily / Combination / Occasional Breakouts| Country/Climate I'm in: USA/Spring|

Top Skin Concern: My skin isn't really smooth or clear. I have blackheads and maybe tiny whiteheads, but there around my whole face like super tiny pimple rocks. It doesn't like bad, only when I'm close up the mirror. I also break out around my check and mouth area.

Oil-based cleanser: KOSE Softy Mo Facial Cleansing Oil Speedy

Low pH Cleanser: Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

Moisturizer: COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion


Ance/BHA: Cosrx Bha Blackhead Power Liquid 100 Ml

Sunscreen: Biore Aqua Rich

Spot treatment -[Cosrx] Acne Pimple Master Patch 24EA

How I go about it.

lather up on shaving foam you want it to be sensitive aswell.

Shave slightly across the way a bikini would fit on you, Then go from bottom to top, Then go down.

Its long.. its tedious af but its hairless after.

id recommend something like this aswell. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000GCQ04C/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2VQDMXGRSN30O&psc=1

It helps if you get serious itching.

I would also put coco butter on after.

I hope this helps!

I know, I felt so betrayed when I realized it was the cause of my recent skin troubles. I had big dreams for that sunblock ; n ;

At night I use Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Combination Watery Cream as a moisturizer, and although it does the trick, it's a bit heavy for me so it doesn't completely sink in. When I wake up, I wash my hands thoroughly and splash my face with water a few times. The first couple of splashes I really feel the residue of the moisturizer on my face, but it rinses off pretty well with another go or two. My face still feels moisturized after this step, which it never did after morning cleansing with any product. I'm new to the world of vitamin C, so when I remember to do so, I squeeze a pump or two on my face while it's still wet from washing and let it dry. Then I go over my face with witch hazel on a cotton round. It may not be an AB product, but anything I may have missed with my hands gets picked up on the pad, plus the witch hazel helps calm any inflammation around my breakouts, so I'd say it's helped me! Just make sure you choose an alcohol-free brand like Thayers.

I hope I can recommend multiple things?

Skincare = Cerave Moisturizer, Thayer's Witch Hazel (rose petal smells sooo good!)

Eyes= Sigma Paris Palette - Limited Edition

Lashes = Too Faced Lashgasam

Lips = Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour Lipstick - Rouge Byzantin

Bronzer = Too Faced Chocolate Soleil

Hand Cream - Ahava Dermud Intensive Hand Cream

Foot Repair - Foot Repair by Earth Therapeutics I love how this feels! It's minty and refreshing! You can find it at Target.

I use the klairs unscented supple preparation and I really love it. When I first bought it, i just kind of thought it’d be an extra thing in my routine that i wouldn’t care about, but after using it for the last couple of months, I really love it! It makes my face feel so hydrated without being crazy sticky or heavy. It works well with many products too. I’ve never taken accutane but I know the side effects can include severely dry skin, so I think this toner would be a good addition with accutane.

I'm assuming that you're looking for a LAA Vitamin C, instead of SAP/MAP/etc? For Vitamin C serums, personally I like SkinActives', which comes in a 15% and 20% formula. I've also been trying the Timeless Vitamin C for the past few weeks and have liked it - it's theoretically a dupe for the ultra expensive SkinCeuticals Vitamin C that is most people's HG.

For AHA and BHA, my HGs are from an Asian brand, CosRx. Both the AHA and the BHA are readily found on amazon and other websites. I think they are both amazingly formulated products - effective without ripping your face off. I use both on a daily basis, after building up my tolerance to the acids, and have no issues with overexfoliation.

I got my husband on a simple skincare routine. He is also on the oily side of normal. Right now he's using:

• Face wash: Purpose Wash
  
  
• Toner: Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel
  
  
• SPF: Supergoop <- Not drugstore but the only thing I could actually get him to use since it doesn't smell like sunscreen, you only need a tiny amount
  
  I put the toner in one of these glass bottles because I thought he'd be more likely to use it than putting the toner on cotton pads. I recently got the Clarisonic Mia brush for Christmas and it's wonderful but the brush heads are expensive so I bought [these] (https://www.amazon.com/Greeninsync-Compatible-Replacement-1Sensitive-Cleansing/dp/B00PEJAWCI/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1484517812&sr=1-5&keywords=clarisonic%2Bface%2Bbrush&th=1). Although the Clarisonic is expensive, if you could buy it for him for Christmas or his birthday the link I listed has a year's worth of replacement brush heads for $15. I'm going to have my husband use my Clarisonic with his own brush head twice a week to prevent his pores from becoming clogged up. I feel like he'll use the brush more than something like a face mask.
  
  At this point I'd say the most important thing to get your boyfriend on is a strong daily SPF to prevent premature aging and further sun damage to his skin.

Everything I'm recommending can be bought on Amazon fairly cheaply:

1st Cleanser (PM only to get rid of sunscreen or makeup): The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Rich Oil Dry Skin

2nd Cleanser: Cerave hydrating Cleanser

Hydrating Toner: [Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner] (https://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Alcohol-Paraben-Cruelty-Eco-friendly/dp/B00PGOFYG0) or
Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist

Medium Moisturizer: Cerve PM Moisturizing Lotion

Heavy Moisturizer: Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream

Sleeping Pack: Cosrx Ultimate Rice Overnight Mask

Sheet Mask: Benton Snail Bee High Content Sheet Mask, illi masks, MBD masks (these might be out of your price range as they are between $1-3 per use).

Sunscreen: [Biore Kids Sunscreen] (https://www.amazon.com/Japan-Health-Personal-Care-carefree/dp/B019IDQ57G)

Lips: Lanolin

Makeup
BB: Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream #13 (RP), Mizon Snail Repair Blemish Balm
Cushion: Innisfree
Concealer: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

Hi /r/AB!

I'm a guy with almost no experience with skincare. My mother recommended me a routine with mostly non-AB products to help with my acne, but I want your guys' input on how I can improve it considering I have no idea what the stuff actually does.

• Skin Type: probably dehydrated/ sensitive/ acne-prone| Country/Climate I'm in: Texas (very hot and humid) | Top Skin Concern: face + chest + back acne / itchy skin
  
• Current Routine/Products I'm Using:
  AM and PM routine is the same
  
• Shower with Cosrx low ph good morning cleanser
  
• Thayers Rose Petal Toner
  
• Timeless Vitamin C + E serum
  
• Cosrx Snail 96 Essence
  
• Clinique cream moisturizer on face and Lubriderm lotion for body
  
  I have a few questions. First, I know the word toner can mean many different things. How does the one I use compare to something like the Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion?
  
  Next, what should I add/change to my routine? It isn't quite giving the results I want and I don't know where to start. I'm thinking about trying the previously mentioned Gokujyun Lotion or a different moisturizer as the one I'm using doesn't feel hydrating enough. Thanks!

Rant: Ok, I know that this is probably going to be surprising to some, but I just bought Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence, and it made my skin break out in tiny pimples. Not over a large area, but isolated pimples all over my face. I used it for about a week and a half, and thought maybe my break out was just hormonal. I stopped using it for a couple of days because I was out of town, and just forgot to bring it. My skin cleared up almost immediately. I just thought, ok, my period is over, that must have caused this. So, I started it back and within 2 days the tiny pimples returned. I have since stopped using this product and my skin is much clearer. I have NEVER had a problem with pimples. I know this works wonders for many people, so this is likely a me thing, but I still want people to know that this is a possibility, and may not be the miracle working product you want it to be.

Rave: Cailyn Dizzolv'it Makeup Melt Cleansing Balm. I got a sample of this in my Birchbox a while ago and really loved it. So I bought a gigantic tub of it the other day. It's a solid balm that turns into oil as you massage your makeup off. It works SO well. My waterproof mascara doesn't stand a chance. And, it makes my skin very soft after rinsing it off. Well worth it.

MARIO BADESCU! Seriously. They have a consultant service and they can recommend products via email. They have a buffering lotion that is for spot treatment of cystic pimples. For other kinds of pimples, they have the drying lotion. Honestly, I think washing your face with some gentle cleansers and moisturizing! Which sounds ridiculous. Olive oil or jojoba oil at night. The more you moisturize your skin, the less your skin will need to produce it. As for your pores, I think using a toner like alcohol free witch hazel amazon it and doing bi weekly acid peels amazon again will help clear up and reduce the appearance of your pores. Just start researching products. Try a regimen and stick with it for a while.

OP, your skin sounds similar to mine and for the longest time I couldn't figure out what to use/do to hydrate my skin. I've been tying out Asian skincare brands/methods and have found a huge success in using a hydrating toner with the Korean 7 skin method. It's basically taken a toner and layering it on your face as many layers (or skins) as you need after cleansing.

I haven't had any issues with these two:
Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion 
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

The Hadalabo lotion has a thicker consistency so it takes a bit longer for the skin to absorb vs the Pyunkang Essence is of a thinner consistency. If you end up doing this method in the future, I would suggest choosing toners that do not have water listed as the first ingredient.

Doing the 7 Skin method has basically changed my skin where now it's not dehydrated, less oily and not flake-y. I hope that's a bit helpful and unfortunately I don't have any advice or suggestions on rough skin texture. Best of luck!

The Paula's Choice Vitamin C Serum has really helped even my skin tone. I added this product to help with some spots on my face, but wasn't expecting the complexion evening that I got. My cheeks have always been prone to redness, but this really helped calm them down. I also recently added the Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence to my routine which has evened out my skin tone a little bit, as well, but I'd probably be the only to notice as it's subtle and the Vitamin C has been doing such a good job of that already.

Awesome. Thanks so much. So I'd be set to if I get a kit like this?

Amazon has this brush, this razor, and this soap on package deal.

This toner

and this alum block

Does that look like a good start, and am I missing anything?

Skin Type: combination/dehydrated maybe??/acne-prone | Country/Climate I'm in: hot/humid/sometimes dry | Top Skin Concern: large pores, oil control in T-zone, pit-like scars on temples

Current Routine/Products I'm Using (as of two days ago):

AM

Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash

Thayer's Witch Hazel - Alcohol-free in Cucumber

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner

Care Zone Doctor Solution A-cure Clarifying Emulsion

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++


PM

Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash

Thayer's Witch Hazel - Alcohol-free in Cucumber

Aura Cacia Organic Skin Care Oil - Restoring Rosehip Oil with Vitamin E (For spot treatment and thickening my eyebrows lmao)

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner

Care Zone Doctor Solution A-cure Clarifying Emulsion

Recently bought the Thayer's Witch Hazel to replace my previous toner (which was from the same Carezone Doctor's solution line) thinking it would be good since I like using watery toners with a cotton pad to wipe off oil after washing my face (dunno if that actually does anything). However, today I noticed my face was in a thin layer of oil, basically the same post-wash oily feeling as when I used to not use toner or anything and just suffered with a dry cracking face after washing. Not sure if this is what people who "broke out from Thayer's" also experienced except my skin just didn't break out?? Any speculation/experience with Thayer's will help!

Also, my Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence Rose Edition finally came in from Yesstyle! It looks really watery and you apply it with a cotton pad, so hopefully it can replace my Thayer's!

• Skin Type: Combination + Redness | Country/Climate I'm in: Dry Southern California | Top Skin Concern: Redness/Whitening/Filaments
  
• Current Routine/Products I'm Using:
  
  AM
  
  
• CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
  
• Klairs Supple Toner
  
• PC 2% BHA Liquid
  
• Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Essence
  
• OST C20 Serum
  
• It's Skin WH Effector w/Arbutin Serum
  
• CeraVe PM Lotion
  
• Nivea SPF50/PA++++
  
  PM
  
  
• Have yet to do, but am thinking same as AM minus sunblock, and maybe minus BHA liquid also
  
  I'm new to skincare and did a bulk buy of the above products based on what I've read in this sub. I'd appreciate advice on...
  
  
• Are the products in the correct order of usage?
  
• How much time should I wait between using each step? (cleanser --> toner --> essence --> serums --> lotion)
  
• During my first run through the above products, I experienced redness and a bit of a burning sensation. I will start the process of elimination with PC BHA liquid.
  
• Am looking to replace WH Effector serum with Benton SnailBee Essence. Yay/Nay/KeepBoth?
  
• Thanks! :)
  

Maggard Razors is a good place to start, you can create a budget starter kit from there. I use the Maggard MR1 double edge razor, definitely can't beat it at that price, and since it's the same head, any Maggard razor is going to come down to preference in handle. I have fairly sensitive skin aswell, I'd definitely recommend an unscented witch hazel aftershave, it leaves my skin feeling fantastic after a shave.

I wash with Neutrogena oil free acne wash

Then I use Dickinson's original beotch hazel toner

Then I use Neutrogena oil free acelne moisturizer

And then bio oil latley because I heard it could help with the dark spots.


So yeah I kinda don't what I'm doing.

How do you like the Sana cleansing foam? I've been curious about that line.

And if you do decide to go with the Hadalabo Shirojyun lotion, it comes in 2 types: the regular version and the shittori/rich version. If you're looking for more hydration, I'd recommend the rich version. And FYI, the prices listed in these links are a bit high. If you look around, you can usually find Shirojyun for ~$16.