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Hi and welcome! I tried answering earlier, but Reddit wasn't connecting for me. I know you already got some good advice from teddy, but in case you want more information or someone else it reading, here is what i wrote:

There are many things to help you on your quest for brightness! I got completely carried away here as this is the first comment I haven't address acne/dehydration in a looooooong time. Got a bit too excited looking at a different subject. So hopefully you find it helpful still!

First thing is that you definitely do NOT need to be washing your face 4 times per day plus the 1-2 extra times per week, which is what you would be doing with the two aveeno cleansers and Nip+Fab. In general, the best cleansers for your skin are pH-balanced (maintains your skin's acid mantle and general skin health) and are as gentle as possible. In basic routines, washing the skin is actually the most irritating step. For most people, washing their face as little as possible is best (barring things like getting physically covered in dirt). For example, with my drier skin I only wash my face with a cleanser about 3 times per week...I rinse with water in the mornings, and when I shower in the evening I do the oil cleanse method.

Second, if you are starting chemical exfoliation, you should be wearing sunscreen every day. UV still travels through the clouds and the sun still shines in winter! Glycolic and lactic acids make you sun sensitive so wearing a daily sunscreen is a necessity! (also I would take a look at EltaMD UV 46Spf. It has niacinamide which is good for evening skin tone...but it is a separate product rather than incorporated in your moisturizer).

So! What to do!

1. The Aveeno cleanser isn't bad...I am slightly wary as it has added fragrance and sodium lauryl sulfate (and a bit of mica to make you sparkle. Just a bit! it's not glitter, but that's where the 'radiance' comes from I think), but it can definitely work for you. Alternatives: CosRx Good Morning Gel Cleanser (here), or the Innisfree Blueberry Cleanser (here). Or even just a basic CeraVe Foaming Cleanser. The CosRx has tea tree oil, so it might end up being too drying if you skin is sensitive to the tea tree.
   
   
2. For your exfoliation, I would definitely go with a leave on product (either swipe pad-style or a serum). Washes tend to not be effective as they don't spend a long time on the skin. But if you are worried about the strength of a leave on product, do short-contact therapy and just rinse your face with water after 5-10min of applying your chemical exfoliant. Using a gentle chemical exfoliant will actually provide a more even exfoliation and is more gentle than physical scrubs, which are dependent on things like how hard you push on the skin and how wet your skin is while scrubbing. One very popular product to consider is the Neogen Gauze Peeling Pads (here). It's a very gentle chemical exfoliant on a double sided pad which gives you a bit of chemical, a bit of physical. It also comes in three 'flavors'. Other options: Nip + Fab 5% glycolic pads (here). Or for serum style, the is the 5 or 10% lactic acid serums from The Ordinary. Or it you want to spend A LOT of money...Sunday Riley Good Genes is a raved about product with lactic acid. Lactic acid is larger molecule size than glycolic, so it is more gentle...I would say the 10% would be on par with a 5-8% glycolic. For a gentle physical only exfoliant, I would look at the Skinfood Rice Wash Off here. The grains of the scrub are quite large and rice is supposedly a brightening ingredient! But you can also just use a cloth in the shower to physically exfoliate (remember! No more than 1-2 times per week!). When watching over over-exfoliation keep an eye out for lingering redness, stinging when you apply products, excess dryness and a general feeling of your skin being like 'plastic wrap'. Redness and irritation start first, so if that starts to linger, just stop exfoliating for a while and focus on moisturizing!
   
   
3. The Kiehl's Vit C is a good starter Vit C. Just remember to put it on bare skin directly after cleansing and even before your chemical exfoliants if you happen to use them in the same day. Vit C. was my favorite powerhouse ingredient in terms of evening skin tone. I now use the Drunk Elephant Day-Firma, but it's a bit expensive for a first jump in.
   
   
4. A good moisturizer in general will make your skin look healthier/brighter, so I do recommend moisturizing in the PM as well as the AM. A good moisturizer will also help you handle any irritation that might arise from exfoliation, cleanser, dry weather, etc.... Also, something with niacinamide specifically might provide more benefit. Options with niacinamide: CeraVe PM (oldie, but goodie!), Beaty of Joseon Dynasty Cream, CosRx Overnight Rice Spa Mask, Mizon black snail all in one cream, Ponds Clarant B3 (2 versions here I think, one for dry, one for oily skin).
   
   
   Absolutely optional things (getting deep into skincare addiction here)
   
   Niacinamide is another great product for evening out skin tone and helps with the appearance of wrinkles! It also improves ceramide production in the skin which strengthens your moisture barrier and can make your skin look more bouncy/healthy. I would consider a niacinamide serum...Something like Stratia Rewind (only available here on their website) or the Holy Snails Shark Sauce. They both have licorice root extract which helps with skintone as well.
   
   If you want another hit of licorice brightening, you can take a look at the Acwell 5.5 Licorice toner. This would be applied after your actives (chemical exfoliants/vitamin c), before serums and moisturizers. Some people do a '7-skin' method of layering on this type of hydrating toner to really give your skin a big drink of water! Of course you don't have to do a full seven layers, but even 2-3 might give you that extra little sumthin' sumthim' of bouncy, bright skin!
   
   Also First Treatment Essences...they are essentially very watery layers applied just after your actives, before toners. They contain a yeast extract that some absolutely people swear by to get dat glow! The classic here is the SK-II FTE, but it costs like a million bucks. The Missha FTE or the Secret Key Rose Edition are dupes. The CosRx Galatomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence is also similar (in asian brands they often use the word whitening in place of brightening..don't be alarmed, it is not a skin bleach!).
   
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   Anyways, I'm rambling on now. I hope you find something useful in there! Remember, you know your skin best, so please ignore advice that won't work for you. Good luck!
   
   
   Edit: fixed link formatting!
   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Definitely ditch the following:

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

Oh youre welcome!! Something about your post I really related to.
Rosehip oil is life. Omg. I looooove it and so does my skin. I mix it with my snail cream and it makes this magical goo that my skin literally drinks up so fast its crazy. Its kind of a think oil by itself but mixed with a moisturizer its like magic haha
Yeah its crazy, I lurked r/compulsiveskinpicking for like.. ever before I actually subscribed. It was as if the day I subscribed was the day I had to admit to myself that I was indeed a skin picker. Almost like joining AA or something "hi my name is krissy and Im a skin picker." haha but it was actually empowering, and so helpful knowing I wasnt alone.
For cleansers I have recently been doing Ole Henriksen's Balancing cleanser in the morning, and then I use Kose speedy Oil Cleanser at night. The kose rinses cleanly so I do not double cleanse, I only use that. Its part of my efforts to moisturize like mad at night. Oil cleansing also helped me curb my picking because I do the full process of letting it sit for a few mins then massaging it for a few minutes and I feel like I can feel my pores being cleaned and that is somehow super satisfying.
I just got my bottle (today! woo!) of CosrX low pH morning cleanser to replace the OleHenriksen in the morning. I decided to switch because of how much Ive come to love Cosrx and their products seem to really agree with my skin. Sometimes I feel like Ole's can be drying (because its part of their acne/oily skin line, in fact its basically the last product in my routine aimed at acne and its getting replaced). I can report back later with the findings but it comes highly recommended on this sub as a gentle cleanser.
The snail cream omg. I became a believer almost instantly on the slug life. I have both the snail power essence and the snail all in one cream from cosrx. I love love love them. I use the essence in the morning before my moisturizer and I use the cream at night mixed with my rosehip as my second to last step before my overnight mask. Sometimes just for fun Ill use the essence at night before my other serums too. I honestly cant get enough. I think its because its so healing that I feel like I see improvement in any blemishes and scars every time I use it. Of course, YMMV but seriously Id take my snail to a deserted island with me.
My overnight mask also comes from Cosrx, the honey overnight mask, I may try their rice one after I finish this just for fun, but I am completely happy with the honey one. Its a good occlusive on its own, but sometimes I will even spot treat over top of it with vaseline on blemishes and areas where I deal with scarring.
And definitely dont worry about the questions. You shouldve seen me firing off questions to everyone on this sub when I first got into it!! Im glad to help :)

Sure!!! In my opinion, the differin makes the most significant difference in my overall skin appearance and texture and the rest of the products are there for "support" so to say, but are no less important to my routine! I'll also try to include some mini reviews when possible so this might get long. I'd get a snack, lol.

AM Routine (note: this also depends on time in the AM, and whether or not I plan on leaving the house and/or apply makeup) --

1. If I did not apply the CeraVe Healing Ointment the night before, I cleanse only with micellar water. I like the Simple brand, L'Oreal for dry skin, and the CVS beauty 360 brand a lot. If I DID apply the CeraVe Healing Ointment the night before, I cleanse with the Neutrogena Hydro Gel hydrating cleanser. I like this one and my skin feels really soft but really clean after, not dry.
   
   
2. Hylamide SubQ anti-aging serum -- Very thin and watery, but I like it. My skin feels less dry and since fine lines are an issue under my eyes due to eczema under them, I'm getting more into anti-aging at age 23.
   
   
3. Hyalmide SubQ Under Eye serum -- Bottle is only 15 ml but you really only need one drop for both eyes. Genetic dark circles and fine lines are major concerns for me. Both Hylamide serums are still very new to me, so I can't comment on results yet.
   
   
4. TO Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA -- My acne scars fade quickly and the product has HA that helps with hydration. I can't single out this product as something that single handedly cleared up my scarring because I use so much, but I genuinely believe it helps. If I'm short on time though, this is something I might skip. This doesn't happen often though.
   
   
5. TO Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% -- If I'm feeling really, really, really dry, at this point I'll also incorporate a drop or two of facial oil when applying this product. I like this product a lot, but it wasn't hydrating enough for me on its own regardless. If I'm super pressed for time in the AM, I might skip this one as well, but again not often.
   
   
6. Avene Skin Recovery Cream -- This product is a ride or die, holy grail, will never, ever, ever be without it again kind of moisturizer for me. It's a bit pricey at $20-$30 USD on Amazon, but if I ever heard it was getting discontinued I would still buy a 2 year supply in backups. I have to buy mine on Amazon due to lack of retailers near me and I have gotten duds/fakes before, so be careful. Read reviews!!
   
   
7. Sunscreen -- If I'm not planning on wearing makeup, I wear the Elta MD UV Clear physical sunscreen with Niacinamide (also note: If I plan on wearing this, I'm also gonna be skipping the Vit C from step 5). If I am planning on wearing makeup, I LOOOOVE the Nivea Sun Protect Plus UV Milky Essence, but it's hard for me to get on Amazon with prime shipping so I usually settle for the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence. The Biore has a higher alcohol content and is therefore more drying, but it does the job.
   
   
   PM Routine --
   
   
8. If I were wearing makeup, I would used to always go for plain ol' mineral oil to remove my makeup/oil cleanse and follow again with the Neutrogena Cleanser from the AM. Now I'm trying a cleansing oil that actually emulsifies and rinses away and I'm liking it a lot. I usually follow with a quick swipe of micellar water and continue with my routine. If no makeup, I go straight in with the micellar water to cleanse.
   
   
9. MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence -- I like this a lot. I've only been using it for a month or so texture wise I don't notice a huge difference in my skin from this product alone. But it is very moisturizing and I think it helps my skin hold onto moisture for longer in conjunction with the other products. I kinda pat this on with bare hands after putting a few drops in my palm.
   
   
10. Differin, every other night. I use a pea sized amount all over my cheeks (worst prone for clogs), chin, forehead, and then the remainder on my nose. Holy grail status, will never be without again.
    
    
11. Same Hylamide serums from AM.
    
    
12. TO Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum -- I love this. It is pretty thick/goopy/gooey and kinda sticky when it dries down but this texture doesn't bother me too much because the residue feeling goes away when I apply other products on top.
    
    
13. TO Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% -- On nights I don't use the differin, I will use this with a few drops of face oil mixed in. This has a more slippy/silicone-y feeling that isn't very moisturizing despite it looking very creamy. I mix the oil into the product on my fingertips before applying to my face because I found if I applied a few drops of oil on top of the skin after apply the suspension, the product would pill up and move around. I didn't love this product at first, but after cutting it out for a while I really missed it because it's definitely subtly effective. I read somewhere to pair it with TO's Niacinamide serum and I like them back to back.
    
    
14. Avene Skin Recovery Cream -- See AM routine.
    
    
15. Random Sample Eye Cream OR Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream if I have it on hand. That's the only eye cream I've ever repurchased the full size for after using a sample.
    
    
16. CeraVe Healing Ointment -- I use this shit for everything. Seriously, I will put a thin layer all over my face at night to lock in moisture, heavily applied under/around the eyes if my eyes are feeling irritated from eye makeup or my eczema, lip balm, cut balm, burn balm, elbow/callous balm... So good. It's quite a bit more moisturizing than Aquaphor and has ceramides.
    
    OTHER RANDOM BITS:
    I will also layer the CeraVe Creamy Oil onto my skin under the Avene Skin Recovery Cream in the PM if I'm feeling extra dry/irritated and skip the acids. I like the My Beauty Diary Hyaluronic Acid Sheet masks. I'll usually take a bubble bath once or twice a week and use those on my face during that time.
    
    Feel free to ask me any questions! :)

-pixi nourshing balm oil cleanser Take off with warm baby wash cloth (microfiber, 10 pk $5 walmart)

• botanical all bright 3-in-1 micellar cleansing solution$6.99 Walgreens. Works better than Garnier pink cap, gets everything off in one swipe, it’s amazing. Seriously. And moisturizing.
  
• la Roche posay toleraine purifying foaming face wash helps clear out the gunk, great ph neutral and helps dehydrated skin. Both my SO and I used this and were amazed what it did to our skin in 2 weeks time.
  
• cosrx 96 snail mucin (hydrating HA type serum)
  
• dr. jart ceramedin liquid a very moisturizing “toner” in a sense, it helps repair the moisture barrier and i love how my skin looks when i use this stuff. I also use it on wounds to help them heal faster.
  
• hada labo premium solution and hada labo premium milky lotion 2 step system. Use this for very dry days.
  
• drunk elephant frambroos serum will wake up with brand new skin everyday
  
• dr jart ceramidin cream As an all over layer once your done with these.
  -dr Dennis gross alpha beta exfoliating moisturizer a wonderful emollient moisturizer that wakes you up with brand new skin, think of it as a more moisturizer DE frambroos, that you can use on the days you don’t use DE frambroos to get moisture and exfoliating and plumping properties. It’s wonderful.
  
• ole Hendrickson banana bright eye cream wonderfully hydrating and also brightening under makeup as well, but can still be used at night. Plumps fine lines.
  
• organic jojoba oil dab over face and around eyes, over eyelashes, eyebrows. Jojoba oil soaks into the epidermis bc it is the same size if not smaller than our pore size (compared to all these other oils like rose hip, squalene, Marula, etc)
  
• organic grapeseed oil, one of the highest in oleic and linoleic acid, resveratol, omega 3, omega 6, vitamin E. Don’t use too much. jojoba, grapeseed, emu oil are my favorite. Emu helps anything put over or under cross the phosopholipid barrier and cross deeper into the epidermis.
  
• lock everything in with Cera ve ointment.
  
• la Roche posay double repair moisturizer UV SPF 30 Use this as a daily spf, it helps dehydrated skin.
  
  
  things to have in your arsenol
  
• stratia liquid gold a combo of niacin amide, cholesterol, other important ingredients in the right combo that can be added to your routine without going through the ordinary mindfuck.
  
• Niod flavonne mud mask a detox, purifying, protective, and responsive face mask. One of the few masks to actually have.
  
• sand & sky Australian pink sand mask Just do it. Have this in your kit because it Detoxes your skin and makes it look like brand new baby skin with small pores.
  
• biologique recherche mask Viviant You won’t be able to get this, but eventually hopefully down the road in your skincare journey you will understand why I am recommending this. One of the best in the world.
  
• Aztec secret healing clay a good clay mask that is multi-purpose. Can sprinkle in your bath with some epsom salt with a very, very detoxing bath. Or with a packet of aveeno (or off brand) colloidal oatmeal packs for calming, soothing yet detoxing bath.
  
• taste knockout tingling treatment You want to see your pores disappear and your skin stay nice and balanced? Use this the night before. It’s pure magic. I’ve never used biologique recherche pm1970 but I can only imagine this is the closest it comes.
  
• biologique recherche p50 pigm400 regulates melanin productions, evens and brightens skin.
  
• melazepam 20% I personally am eventually going to try this, it’s iffy to recommend this because I haven’t tried it.... but it’s definitely on my list.... for an even and brighter complexion. I’ve tried The Ordinary 7% azelic acid and that was cool but not much of a difference. This seems like you would actually see a significant difference. I personally use retin A and have for 16 years now, nothing would work as good (none of these products) without my retin a. Pore size would not be what it is today without it. Melazepam=Azaelic acid or whatever. It prevents re-keratinization, is an anti microbial, anti-inflammatory, and some other shit. This plus retin A are like a golden combo. Def on my amazon wish list.
  
• the ordinary 30% aha bha acid peel or whatever. One of the only TO products actually worth owning in my opinion. The rest are a clusterfuck that crowd up your sink and look cool. But only serve one individual purpose. Usually a mild one at that. By that way, watch that caffeine solution bc that can be very very drying. It can help with mild puffiness but lymphatic massage helps more to drain the fluid and all together help the cause, versus a solution that is going to dry out your skin in the end all.
  
  
  That’s all I’ve got. Obviously this is not a go out and buy all these products at once, but I do believe that every single product on this list would help your skin. The major ones being tarte knockout treatment, sand and sky mask, la Roche posay toleraine purifying foaming face wash, pixi nourshing cleansing balm, botanicals 3-1 micellar water, cosrx snail mucin, dr jart ceramidin serum, and the dr Dennis gross exfoliating lotion. Frambroos is magical too. Gosh. Just everything here. But those specifically are my hard hitters. If I had to go buy something right now to try and see results, it’d be tarte knockout tingling treatment. The results on resurfacing are amazing. Buy that and jojoba oil, it’s moisturizing, just pat it in. Cera Ve makes a big difference in occluding your products and really making them soak the fuck in,.
  
  

  I say this because I had skin just like yours about 3 months ago and I wasted my money on all these “HG” products everyone talked about, and they were pure shit. Find what YOUR skin likes girl,. And don’t go balls out all at once. Try one thing and see how your skin reacts, then start introducing like products. Don’t be afraid to return products to CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Sephora, Ulta. EVERYWHERE. Keep your receipts. Every. Single. One.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!
  
  

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

AM

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

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)

Firstly, ditch both the Apricot scrub and the Garnier. You're better off using nothing at all rather than those. It's like saying, "I'm trying to start drinking more water, but I'm going to get through this bottle of vodka first to save money." It's counterproductive.

1. Leave your breakouts alone. Don't touch them. Consider putting hydrocolloid bandages on them.
   
   
2. Yes. After you've switched to your new cleanser, use it for two weeks and make sure you're don't have any negative reactions to it. Then add in an exfoliant. I suggest starting with Paula's Choice 1% BHA Lotion. Use it at night between cleansing and moisturizing for two weeks. Monitor your skin carefully for signs of irritation, redness, or flakiness. If all is well, up it to twice a day. Try this for two weeks. If you notice any irritation, cut back to once a day. This is the lower strength formula, so if you use it twice a day and you're seeing some improvement but not as much as you want, you can consider purchasing the 2% next time. Because of your eczema and skin sensitivities, I'd like to start you on the lower strength first though.
   
   
3. Yes, you need to wear sunscreen. It's not just being outside, it's any time you're exposed to daylight (coming in the windows, driving a car, etc.) Even if it were just 30 minutes a day of exposure, yes, you need sunscreen. Eczema can be tricky - you never know what will set it off. That said, try Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30. I would introduce this before the you start using an exfoliant because proper suncare is the number one thing you can do to protect your skin. So switch cleansers -> two week test period -> replace morning moisturizer with this SPF -> two week test period -> BHA once a day -> two week test period -> BHA twice a day. Got it? :)
   
   
4. No. Vitamin pills don't do anything and are actually contraindicated for some disorders. We're not allowed to give dietary advice on here, but the best I can say is that if you want vitamins to be effective in your body, you need to consume them in whole foods.
   
   
5. By blackheads, do you mean sebaceous filaments? The BHA I suggested will help.
   
   
6. A lot of dark circles is just genetics. Eye cream is a waste of money. There's nothing special about eye creams that you can't get from a moisturizer. The number one thing you can do is...wait for it...wear sunscreen every day. Seriously. Always wear sunscreen and sunglasses when you're outdoors. After you finish testing all your other products, consider adding the Paula's Choice Resist Skin Brightener under your eyes after your exfoliant and before your moisturizer twice a day (again, work up to it with two-week test periods). I've been using this for a while and have seen a very slight improvement. The best piece of advice for getting rid of dark circles is to invest in a good concealer to hide them! If you're willing to fork over the cash, the Q-switched ruby laser is an effective treatment.
   
   
7. "toner" has no real meaning other than a liquid you put on your face. There are a TON of awful toners, and some quite good ones as well. The best toners will help replenish ingredients stripped by cleansing as well as introduce other beneficial chemicals to your skin. For you, I might try the Paula's Choice Clinical Redness Relief. This is what I use for my toner as well. It comes after cleansing and before exfoliating. Remember that if you introduce new products, you need to do them one at a time with a two week test period in between.
   
   I hope this has helped! Let me know if you need clarification or if you have any other questions! <3

Went through the same thing recently. It was actually what brought me to this sub. At first it was just damage control but eventually I started an actual routine and saw a major improvement.

For now invest in hydrocolloid bandages they were and still are my saving grace.http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BRGUNV2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I actually have these set up to auto deliver every other week. These are basically blister bandages, search this sub for them and you will see they are a little plastic miracle. Basically they suck the gunk out of zits, I use them on deep under the skin hormonally charged beasties and they REALLY make a difference, in severity, duration, and healing. I am very pale so any and every spot or bump sticks out like a spotlight. I put these zit stickers on every single spot that even looks like it may even think about being a zit someday.

I also snagged a 2.5% bp to spot treat, I have dry skin so I can't go slathering this stuff just anywhere.http://www.paulaschoice.com/shop/skin-care-categories/targeted-treatments/_/Clear-Regular-Strength-Daily-Skin-Clearing-Treatment/ I got the trial size in June and I still have oodles left. I put a dab on a qtip and apply only to the zit itself.

Stay moisturized, this may seem counter intuitive but slather yourself in lotion. The better the hydration the quicker the healing. I don't have any oily skin suggestions as I am SUPER dry, but if you search this subreddit there are plenty of solid suggestions for oily skin.

Definitely check out OCM(oil cleansing method) there is a link to this in the side bar, it can feel overwhelming when you first read about it but this stuff really helped my skin. I use evening primrose oil mixed with other moisturizing oils. Evening primrose sounds like witchy hoodoo but it has made such a huge difference in my skin. I am super, super fair skinned. The girls in sephora run away when they see me coming and this has helped with redness and scarring SOOOO much. Give this a search as well.

Try adding a BHA and AHA, BHA is great for acne as it exfoliates inside the pore. AHA exfoliates closer to the surface of the skin, great for surface issues such as discoloration and scarring. My trick for remembering this in the beginning was BHA is Beneath the skin and AHA is Above. Personally I use both. Check out paulaschoice.com they have a cult following for good reason, they offer sample sizes of everything they offer so go sample crazy before investing in the big sizes. I use their 2% BHA liquid and 10%AHA liquid and love them both. I started with BHA to tackle my acne and a few weeks later I added paulas choice 8% AHA gel to help with scarring and dry skin issues. I loved it so much I eventually moved up to their 10% option.

You will want to add the oil cleansing, BHA, AHA and even your moisturizer one at a time. Make sure to test each on a small patch of skin first, nothing worse then jumping head first and having a bad reaction because then you have no idea which item caused it.

Feel free to message me with questions and what not :]

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

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

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

It'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!

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

AM:

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

Sure!

Step 1: steam your face or a hot steamy shower. Open the pores up! Refrain from any harsh cleansers or scrubbing other than gentle gentle gentle.


Step 2: swipe a stridex pad or any other salicylic acid based toner over the spot. Wait 15 min. It gently dissolves the dead skin layer that is clogging the pore, and begins to break down the layer of oil and crud that is keeping all of the fluid and pus inside.


Step 3: spot treat with Aztec clay mask, mixed with apple cider vinegar. You must mix the betonite clay mask with the Apple cider vinegar, to balance the pH and avoid burning your skin. It smells funky as hell but it is an acne killer, every single person on this thread will agree that it’s amazing for acne. It will draw it to a head quicker. This is great as a full face mask, be aware that it will pulse and tingle intensely as it dries! Your skin will be bright red for 30 min to an hour after removing it.


Step 4: wait 10 min until it dries and carefully peel it off the zit. It may even take the clogged pore top with it, opening it up for extraction — use an extractor tool or pore vacuum and do NOT just go squeeze it. If it does not come to a head repeat this again tomorrow! Do not do the full mask every day, the spot treatment is ok daily only on blemishes. As a full mask it’s best to use it once or maybe twice a week at most, or you risk compromising your lipid/moisture barrier and going through some seriously not fun times. Always follow up with a good oil free moisturizer.

This is the best way to completely drain this blemish, without forcing the pus further into your skin and creating even more breakouts down the line.


All of these products are easily obtained on Amazon, or any major grocer that has a health food section or oriented towards health. I know for a fact that Gelsons, Whole Foods, Erewhon, sprouts all carry the Aztec betonite clay mask and apple cider vinegar. Any chemist or pharmacy will have stridex wipes and benzoyl peroxide & maybe even the extractor tool as well. If they do not have the extractor, pick up some Hydrocollegial bandages as well as small diabetic lancets (Tiny needles used for blood sugar testing) if you don’t have anything you can use at home to poke it with.


Now steam your face for 5 to 10 minutes to open your pores then see if you can gently lance the pimple with a lancet or sterilized small needle. (It must be sterilized and rubbing alcohol for a few minutes first, or you will get an infection.)

Gently pierce it, then allow it to drain and very carefully apply pressure straight down to the sides of the blemish. Do not squeeze directly into it, again super bad. Once you’ve gotten as much out as you can, slap a hydro colloidal bandage on it and sleep with it on. The bandage will suck all of the fluid and pus out, leaving you with a flattened bump in the morning that you can apply a little dab of benzoyl peroxide on. Benzoyl Peroxide is an anaerobic substance, it penetrates all the way to the base of the skin through multiple layers to target acne bacteria. It’s best used as a spot treatment and will fry the crap out of your face. Always use sunscreen after using these medicines!


Products mentioned:

Stridex, Single-Step Acne Control, Maximum, Alcohol Free, 90 Soft Touch Pads https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074GF1PNL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uGWFDb3Z0AY3M

Aztec Secret - Indian Healing Clay - 1 lb. | Deep Pore Cleansing Facial & Body Mask | The Original 100% Natural Calcium Bentonite Clay - New! Version 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014P8L9W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8GWFDbDHXR0ZP

Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, 16 oz (1 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E3B30WW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xHWFDbXYZFBTS

CHIMOCEE Professional Surgical Blackhead Remover Tools, Blemish and Splinter Acne Pimple Removal Kit, Come Done Extractor Tool for Whitehead, Pimples and Zit Popper Leather Case with Mirror, Pack of 6 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072KK5J8K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VHWFDbRHCCA6C


Nexcare Acne Cover, Hydrocolloid Technology, Invisible, 36 count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BRGUNV2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-KWFDbZBFA91H


Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Treatment Gel with Maximum Strength Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Medicine, Pimple Cream for Acne Prone Skin with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, 1 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NR1YVYU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xLWFDbMR0TMZ0

About your age here!

I have pretty difficult skin... it's sensitive and gets rashes in response to all sorts of things, I have PIH (every time I get a pimple, after it heals, a dark mark stays on my skin for weeks and weeks), it gets oily and dry, the works. I ended up on this subreddit seeking help, and though I'm still experimenting with some things, it's DEFINITELY getting better.

I usually shower twice a day just because gym time works out in the middle of my schedule. I do my face washing in the shower, and I have the generic Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle body wash. It's actually pretty good on your face. I also have the Cerave hydrating face wash, but I'm not sure lately if it adds anything. Maybe. For now the Tea Tree Tingle seems to be doing just fine.

Every few days I use the St. Ives Pads. I know a lot of people on here recommend the Stridex, but my hyper-sensitive skin had a conniption about those.

By day, my moisturizer is the Cerave in the tub and they are NOT KIDDING. Of all the products I've tried courtesy of this sub, this is the #1 most helpful thing I've discovered yet.

At night, in hopes of treating my PIH, I've been experimenting with Retinol. They say it takes a long time to notice any difference. They're right. I've noticed no difference. BUT thus far, my skin hasn't broken out, gotten blotchy or rashy, or otherwise freaked out over this stuff, so... I'll hang in there.

Oh, and Sunscreen. I use Neutrogena Sensitive Skin. I recommend starting with VERY LITTLE and working it in one section at a time. It's easy to go overboard and end up with caked-on white face.

PROTIP WITH SUNSCREEN: you guessed it: there have been cases of melanoma in my family and I freckle out a lot and have a high risk (I told you my skin was difficult). ALWAYS remember to put sunscreen all over your ears (front and back) and on the tops of your feet/toes. People don't think to cover these areas and don't check for melanoma there in time, usually.


Oh, and last: I've tried the Aztec Healing Clay twice now as I've needed to get rid of blackheads or calm things down a bit. Definitely use Apple Cider Vinegar, that stuff is the best.




ORDER OF OPERATIONS

1. in shower, Tea Tree Tingle or Cerave hydrating face wash
   
   
2. (only 2-3x/week) St. Ives Pads
   
   
3. Moisturizer Cerave in the tub or Retinol
   
   
4. By day: Neutrogena Sensitive Skin sunscreen
   
   
5. Randomly on a Saturday afternoon if my skin's been having freak-outs, Aztec Healing Clay
   
   
   
   
   
   
   I'm pretty new at this myself, but so far it's working out pretty well. I started with the Beginner's Skincare Routine as a rough guide and otherwise lurked around figuring things out (which is still pretty much how I'm handling it). So far, awesome sub, and found a lot of this has been really helpful!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hello!

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

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

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

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

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

Here's my routine!

AM

Splash some cold water

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

Mario Badescu Rosewater Spray

Cerave PM
(Brush teeth while it dries)

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

PM

Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser

MILK Makeup Matcha Toner

Stridex Red (Brush teeth while it dries)

Mario Badescu Rosewater Spray

LUSH Full of Grace serum


Cerave PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm very lazy.

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

Thanks for any advice!

What are you currently doing for your skin? Tell me about your showering routine, especially.

Here are a few things that might help you feel better/look better:

1. Try to take cooler showers. If this means changing your typical water temp from hot to warm, it will definitely help. I'm not advocating ice cold showers, but cooler is definitely better for your skin. Especially during the winter months.
   
   
2. Use a mild soap/body wash. You may be doing this already, but it's a good place to start. Something that isn't loaded with fragrance is really helpful. Using really harsh body wash can really strip your skin and make it irritated.
   
   
3. Exfoliate once or twice a week. This will really help with any bumps and discoloration you may have. I personally use a salux towel loaded with a moisturizing, fragrance free body wash once or twice a week. This towel in particular is great at getting areas like your back and posterior that are hard to get thoroughly.
   
   You could also try chemical exfoliation on any breakouts or scarring you might have. Stridex in the red box is great for treating active breakouts (pimples, whiteheads, whatnot). For scarring or pigmentation, something with an AHA in it (Lactic or Glycolic Acid, for example) will really help. AmLactin is really excellent for this. When using an AHA, however, please apply sunscreen to any areas that your clothing doesn't cover during the day. It has been known to sensitize you to UV light.
   
   
4. Moisturize immediately after a shower. I don't know what your skin is like, or how much moisture it might need, but this step is really helpful with keeping your skin healthy and healthy looking. It heals faster when it retains moisture, and the texture will also improve. This could be applying baby oil while you're still damp in the shower, and then toweling off. It could involve a nourishing body butter (try to avoid too much fragrance though) after you've dried off. It could even include using a really thin, light moisturizer all over after you've dried off, if that's all you need.
   
   With all new products, try to buy the smallest size you can and introduce things one at a time. This will keep you from wasting too much money on products you don't like, and will alert you to any allergies or sensitivities when you introduce a new product.
   
   Sorry this is so incredibly long. Let me know what you think, and if you have any questions!

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

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

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

5 Sunscreen Swatches on Dark Skin

SWATCHES HERE

About my skin:

• My skin complexion: Fenty Beauty foundation in 430
  
• Skin type: Normal (but in very low humidity it can pull dry)
  
• Skin concerns: hyperpigmentation
  
• Weather: Sunny and dry; located in Southern California
  
  Featured sunscreens:
  
  

1. Shisheido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++
   
   
2. Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun SPF 45 PA+++
   
   
3. Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ P++++
   
   
4. Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 with Sunboost ATB
   
   
5. Elta MD UV Clear Broad Spectrum 46
   
   Mini Reviews
   
   Shisheido Senka Aging Care
   
   

• My first AB sunscreen
  
  
• A chemical sunscreen
  
  
• Leaves a moisturizing finish without being greasy
  
  
• Sheer serum-like consistency
  
  
• Zero white-cast
  
  
• I’m at the end of my second bottle
  
  
• Although I quite like this on my skin, I have sensitive eyes and this makes them water like crazy if I apply it around the perimeter of my orbital bone.
  
  
• Purchased a pack of 2 on US Amazon for $16.99 (so ~$8.50 each)
  
  
• Cosdna analysis here
  
  
• Rating: 3/5 - will not repurchase
  
  Missha All Around Safe Block
  
  
• chemical sunscreen
  
  
• purchased this because it is formulated to be water resistant for outdoor activity, sweat and the humidity
  
  
• Has a light floral fragrance
  
  
• Lightly moisturizing and the consistency is the most similar to a basic lotion.
  
  
• Zero white-cast
  
  
• This is my first tube, and I don’t use it often as I am rarely outdoors. I will keep it for now and will decide whether to repurchase based on how much outdoor activity I do this summer
  
  
• Purchased on US Amazon for about $9.89 (it’s currently listed for $13)
  
  
• Cosdna analysis here
  
  
• Rating: 4/5 (points deducted for floral scent and slightly lower protection rating)
  
  Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence
  
  
• chemical sunscreen
  
  
• I’m at the end of my second tube
  
  
• This is one of my top two out of the five sunscreens I own
  
  
• Love the finish, particularly under makeup. This also has a sheer serum-like consistency, even more than the Senka.
  
  
• Does slightly make my eyes water, but nothing like the Senka Aging Care
  
  
• Zero white-cast
  
  
• Purchased a pack of 2 on US Amazon for $19.99 (so ~$10 each) but noticed that it is sold at one of my local AB stores for $12 as well
  
  
• Cosdna analysis here
  
  
• Rating: 4/5 - will repurchase (already have a back-up in my drawer)
  
  Josie Maran Daily Moisturizer SPF 47
  
  
• My only completely physical sunscreen
  
  
• This is my second bottle
  
  
• Very moisturizing, leaves a very radiant, glowy finish
  
  
• I love that I can apply this all over my eyes with zero irritation or sensitivity
  
  
• No white-cast
  
  
• Purchased at my local Sephora for $32
  
  
• Notes on usage: I would only recommend this to people that like a dewy finish or have normal to dry skin. You also must rub it in completely or it may leave a very minimal white-cast.
  
  
• Cosdna analysis here
  
  
• Rating: 5/5 - Wish this was cheaper but I will definitely repurchase
  
  Elta MD UV Clear
  
  
• This is my first bottle
  
  
• A hybrid physical and chemical sunscreen
  
  
• I bought this to apply after my microdermabrasion appointments since it seems to be a staple in many medi-spas
  
  
• I love that it has niacinamide in the formula and that it is formulated especially for skin with acne, rosacea or hyperpigmentation.
  
  
• I really like the consistency of this sunscreen; it glides on nicely and doesn’t take long to rub in
  
  
• Re: White-cast - out of all of my sunscreens, this leaves a very minimal white-cast. It is not an offensive white-cast and to most people it probably isn’t noticeable (my husband doesn’t notice it). But it does not settle in totally clear. This is probably because I have a deep complexion and I doubt this would show up on anyone lighter than me. As you can see in the image, the white-cast is not perceptible. But on my face (which is a little darker) I can notice it ever so slightly. However, it blends enough for me to feel comfortable walking out the house with it on.
  
  
• Purchased at a local medi-spa for $32, but it’s also available on US Amazon for $26.40
  
  
• Cosdna analysis here
  
  
• Rating: 4/5 - will repurchase
  
  Edits: formatting and added links
  
  
  2nd edit: Thanks for the gold, kind stranger!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I had PIH too! I tried not to focus on those too much and simply let time heal them because they DO go away eventually! I've found that my vitamin C serum helped speed up the progress for this.

Ahhhh coconut oil happens to break a lot of people out but theres a few lucky ones who can tolerate that. I think the best choice would be baby oil (mineral oil) and see how it works for you from there since its a cheap option. I rub the oil on my face, splash hot water to heat up the oil, massage it into my face, then wipe it off with a towel. Oil cleansing is a great for oily skin because "like dissolves like" so oil would be the best thing to clean your face.

To make the step simple, I prefer to use a sunscreen with a high spf (30 or above) that is also moisturizing. I use this Japanese brand and althought I have a fairly oily t-zone, this sunscreen does not make it oiler during the day. I am sure there are cheaper options but I have tan skin so its hard for me to find a chemical sunscreen because physical sunscreens leave a white cast on my skin (so your options are expanded). As for the RoC cream, spf 15 is pretty low but it sounds like it would be a great night-time moisterizer for preventing fine lines and wrinkles! If it makes your eyes water, I would avoid the eye area.

For the benzoyl peroxide cream I use a Rite Aid store brand! It was very cheap and because BP can be drying, I dab a tiny amount of it on the specific acne spots instead of rubbing it all over my face. I've been using this for years so I never bothered to explore other options.

If you love the Simple Moisterizer, you can definitely use it in during the day AND at night but just make sure to use something with spf during the day. Sun damage can make PIH worst/longer to heal.

So your routine can be:


AM:

• Oil cleansing
  
• Sunscreen
  
• Moisterizer (or a sunscreen that acts as a moisterizer)
  
  
  PM:
  
  
• Oil cleansing
  
• Spot treating benzoyl peroxide
  
• Simple Moisterizer
  

I have VERY oily skin as well. I don't want to tell you what to do with your routine... With that being said, I think for your skin type, your morning routine might be too focused on moisturization. I used to be the same way and would try and do the most morning and night, but then I felt like I could not even wear makeup because even the most matte finished products would leave my makeup falling off my face.

I recently changed things up for my skin type and have seen awesome results in how my makeup wears.
I now start by washing my face with a light gel cleanser (drunk elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser ), then toning with a rose water witch hazel (I only do this step when I think it will be a particularly hot day), then I use a Vitamin C Serum ( Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C Plus E Ferulic Acid Serum ). This serum is NOT oily or tacky, and is not meant to moisturize. I only use it to help brighten my acne scars, which has been a life-changing product for me. Lastly, I do an SPF with hyaluronic acid (CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM SPF 30) which adds hydration without being moisturizing! It is super light and has a whipped texture.

I have not found a primer that I love for mattifying my super oily skin but would love to hear anyone else's suggestions. Or a sunscreen that acts as a primer? I am definitely a fan of lessening the products used in the AM so any dual-use products are a plus for my oily skin type!

Morning routine:

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

Oh! Do check out the SCA Routine then!

I definitely would get a dedicated fash wash, body washes are usually kinda harsh and drying. I always recommend CeraVe Foaming cleanser because it's gentle and great for all skin types!

Since you wear makeup, an oil cleanser or makeup remover at the end of the day is necessary to clear out gunk from your face! I like Ponds Cold Cream because it's non-drying but removes makeup well!

The Moisture Recs from the sidebar are also all amazing. CeraVe AM and PM are my faves to start people on, because CeraVe AM has sunscreen it helps people start using a sunscreen. CeraVe PM has niacinamide in it, which is a natural skin lightening ingredient (read: not bleaching!). It can help natural fade dark spots!

I'm not super familiar with melasma... but its dark spots so honestly a dedicated sunscreen is probably better than a moisturizer with sunscreen. Biore UV Aqua Rich is my #1 recommended sunscreen, and it is awesome under makeup.

A routine for you might look something like this:

AM:

• Wash face (either with cleanser or just water)
  
  
• Cerave PM (can be used in the day, don't be fooled by the name!)
  
  
• Biore Sunscreen
  
  
• (makeup etc)
  
  PM:
  
  
• Cold Cream
  
• CeraVe Foaming
  
• CeraVe PM
  
  
  Real simple! You can get fancy with exfoliants and eye creams and serums sometime down the road. But honestly it's good to start simple and build from there.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hi everyone, I'm new here, and new to skincare in general. Hoping to get some help with my acne and blemishes.

For background, I am male, turning 22 in the fall, and I've never really had a standard skincare routine. I hate putting stuff on my face in general. I tend to avoid moisturizers and creams and lotions and all that. I don't like the oily feeling, but I'll try putting up with it to help my acne. Always thought it would start naturally clearing up around this time in my life and never worried about it too much or looked it up. It's gotten a bit better recently, but I still get a lot of breakouts and this chronic big one on my left cheek too.

Thanks for any help in advance!

Issues: Acne and acne-related blemishes. Occasional, but minor, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. (Just learned that's what that is from reading through the sidebar stuff!)

Skin Type: I have no idea. I read through the link provided and still not sure how to classify. Combination I guess? I think my skin is slightly dry in general, but I tend to sweat a lot (especially with the hot Californian summer sun), so it gets oily sometimes.

Current Routine/How Long: I usually just wash my face with water pretty regularly. For most of my life (since I was about 15) I would use these two St. Ives acne-face washes (Apricot Scrub and Green Tea Scrub) anytime I showered. In the past couple months I've switched to this Neutrogena Daily Scrub and this Clean & Clear moisturizer, but I still use them pretty much just after showers. For about the last week or so, I've been trying to get into the habit of using them both daily. Was going to start trying twice a day for the scrub.

Anything New: Definitely a big increase in the frequency I use my cleaners. Using moisturizer more in this last week than ever before in my life too. Not a lot has changed so far though. My skin has just become a little softer I think.

Location: California Bay Area


I feel like it should also be known that I teach martial arts so I spend a lot of time running around getting sweaty and dirty and also a lot of time on the ground, sometimes facedown on the mat or getting other peoples' hands across my face. I've also been a terrible picker for a lot of my life, but I've been pretty good about it lately.

Here's some stuff I've been looking at trying from my research recently, including looking through this sub's awesome sidebar info.

1. Stri-Dex Maximum Strength Medicated Pads OR
   
   
2. Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Night Cleansing Pads
   
   
3. Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel OR
   
   
4. Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Daily Leave-On Mask
   
   
5. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
   
   
6. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
   
   I also haven't looked into sunscreen at all because I have fairly dark skin and am pretty sun-resistant already. Other than Pokemon Go recently, I don't spend a lot of time exposed in the sun anyway. And when I do, it's usually early morning when it's not too strong, or around sunset when I go out after work. I hear it's kinda important though, so I would appreciate recommendations for that too.
   
   Please and thank you to anyone who can help me! Sorry for the long post.

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

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

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

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

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

CLEANSERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EDIT: added links

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

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

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

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


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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

ok here's what's worked for me and my dry/dehydrated/sensitive/acneprone skin! i broke out in closed comedones and small whiteheads mostly around my chin/mouth area mostly, had constant redness and flakiness was common. my skin isn't perfect but much more clear, moisturized, and healthy. little to no scarring and any spots that come up leave quickly.pretty normal skin after years of experimenting, 1 year of experimenting on SCA. hope this helps anyone!

cleanser: cerave foaming cleanser at night, sometimes in morning. i use cool water when using the sink. 12 oz bottle lasts forever, i use it for body in shower too.

moisturizers: alternate between Avene trixera emollient Cream & Balm. can do reviews on these if anyone would like since they are not well known. both contain several oils, but cream is more oily/dewy while the balm is thicker and seems to dry/set more. enormous ~13 oz bottles can be purchased through amazon so these will each last me a year at least.

sunscreen: hada labo uv creamy gel. contains alcohol but not as high up as other comparable sunscreens. also contains hyaluronic acid. similar alternative for those wanting to avoid alcohol is Hada labo uv whitening gel- contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin c. small bottles but relatively affordable.

exfoliants: paula's choice 2% bha liquid and 8% aha gel. i use the AHA most nights and 1-2x a week use the bha instead. i no longer use exfoliants in the morning (used to do bha in AM and aha in PM but found it was too much for my skin type, and reducing frequency helped without sacrificing results). may seem expensive upfront but i'm still using the 2 original bottles- the bha i bought around august and will still last me another couple months so between the size & referral codes it's a bargain.

makeup remover: Almay oil-free makeup remover pads. been using these for a decade. use them to remove eye makeup so that when i cleanse my face, my mascara isn't running over my skin. very gentle on eyes.

makeup- NARS radiant creamy concealer and more recently purchased the new Bare Minerals complexion rescue gel. NARS- does a great job at concealing without causing any skin issues. BM- pretty sheer coverage that does not break me out, and i do believe it helps keep skin moisturized and calm.

so essentially AM: avene trixera emollient balm/cream, hada labo sunscreen, Bare minerals complexion gel

PM: almay makeup remover pads over eyes, cerave foaming cleanser, nightly 8% AHA or 1-2x week bha liquid, avene balm/cream.

extras: nexcare acne patches to help heal any spots and try not to pick!

edit: added links

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

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

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

For me what really, really helps is using a BHA product, every day. I use a Korean one but Paula's Choice BHA is also very good. You also should use a very light moisturizer as well as a non drying cleanser.

Here's what I do in the evening:

• Wash face with KOSE COSMEPORT softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil or CLINIQUE
  Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. Both are really good to remove makeup.
  
• Apply AHA exfoliant like COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid or PC's RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment With 5% AHA. Wait 30 minutes before the next step.
  
• Apply light moisturizer like Mizon Intensive Skin Barrier Emulsion or PC's RESIST Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator
  
  My morning routine is a bit different:
  
  
• Wash face with KOSE COSMEPORT softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil or CLINIQUE
  Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm.
  
• Apply BHA exfoliant COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid or PC's SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and wait for 15-30 minutes depending if I'm in a hurry or not.
  
• Apply moisturizer with SPF protection like 3W CLINIC Intensive UV Sunblock Cream or PC's SKIN BALANCING Ultra-Sheer Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30
  
  I keep my routine really simple. I have serums and oils that I use during winter when my skin gets dryer. The fun thing about combination skin is that you have to use 2 different products. Some are tailored towards your oily zones and the other to help the dryer ones. I find that I use a light moisturizer daily and keep a more moisturizing one for the evening during colder months.
  
  Oily skin can be dehydrated. This will make it even more oily.
  
  Also, if you are open to it, I find that using a setting powder really helps to control the shine. It doesn't look like you have makeup on if you use it on it's own (not sure if you are comfortable with makeup or not). I suggest:
  
  
• Innisfree No sebum mineral powder
  
• Urban DecayDe-Slick Mattifying Powder
  
• Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
  
  I hope this helps!
  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I know this is an old thread, but you should definitely use a new treatment consistently for at least 6 weeks before deciding that it doesn't work for you. The skin cycle takes about 30 days to turn over, and you may also experience a purge phase, so I tend to try to stick to a regimen for at least that long before I give up.

I landed in this thread looking for options for my boyfriend. Even if I'm late to the game, I've struggled with acne for nearly 20 years (mostly localized to my face), but let me share some advice.

1. Do you use a loofa or a shower puff? If so, trash it. They harbor bacteria and aren't helping you. Order something like a salux cloth, and get a new one every month or so.
   
   
2. Be gentle. You want to treat your acne, not slay it. Personally, I'm careful not to introduce new treatments or medications until I'm sure my skin is accustomed to whatever I'm currently using. Reducing irritation is really important to ACTUALLY clearing your acne.
   
   
3. Order, timing, and duration of these products are important!!! This cannot be understated. With medications such as benzoyl peroxide or Differin, studies have shown that applying moisturizer before or after help to reduce irritation. Similarly, both of those specific medications can cause increased irritation by interacting with any water still in your pores after cleansing. So this is what I do: cleanse with a gentle cleanser. Moisturize with something oil-free like CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion (which can also be used on your face, FYI). Wait 10-15 minutes. Apply medication like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide. Another thing to consider is if you are relying on a medication in a wash form, you need to leave the cleanser on your skin for a couple minutes before rinsing it off!
   
   
4. Change your sheets. I change my sheets once a week. You could even change them more frequently than that. Change to a free and clear detergent for all of your laundry. Skip using a fabric softener.
   
   If you gave it a good shot, and benzoyl peroxide wasn't that effective for you, another option to consider is sulfur. Yes, sulfur. There are body washes that contain sulfur or alternatively, there are creams or gels (like this gel that supposedly doesn't smell).
   
   I saw that you mentioned that your dermatologist recommended Accutane, but you're worried about side effects. I did a round of Accutane in high school (I'm in my 30s now). Personally, aside from dry skin and maybe some minor depressive swings, I didn't experience any of the other side effects that you might have been warned about. Discuss your concerns with your doctor further, particularly if you are more inclined to experience these side effects or how common they actually are, because I will say- it kept me clear for about 7 years, and I'm convinced my acne now is hormonal.
   
   Lastly, this blog is my favorite resource. It's well-researched and offers lots of product options. Highly recommend.

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

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

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

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

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

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

RoC retinol correxion night cream

RoC retinol correxion eye cream

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

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

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

Hada Labo clear "toner" lotion

Hada Labo "milky" lotion

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

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

It would probably help, but you may want to look into getting something that won't risk cutting your skin. If it's anything like mine even the skin on your legs might be too sensitive for a scrub like that. I personally love my Salux (this is the one I bought: http://www.amazon.com/Salux-Nylon-Japanese-Beauty-Cloth/dp/B000CSDDDG) and found it very affordable if you want to go that direction, but a loofah or scrub mitt you can pick up just about anywhere would probably work well too!

Make sure you're using a good shave gel as well and aren't just shaving with bar soap or body wash which aren't going to protect your skin much. Conditioner works really well, and lately I've been using Alba's Very Emolient cream and it's my favorite shaving product so far (and cheaper than my conditioner lol). Below me someone responded with options for using a new razor daily that won't break the bank and I would recommend giving those a gander as well :)

Ooo, I'm addicted to both Amazon and skincare so this thread is my jam.

• Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream! My skin is dry and very prone to dehydration so I can't use a lot of the popular AB sunscreens that have high amounts of alcohol. But most of the alcohol-free sunscreens I've tried never seen to dry down so they're hard to wear under makeup. This one is happily in the middle ground, it does have some alcohol in it but it's halfway down the ingredient list instead of at the top so it doesn't dry me out, and it manages to actually dry down enough to wear makeup over it.
  
  
• Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion is another favorite of mine. The "premium" version is a major upgrade from the regular version IMO. I've used them both extensively and the thicker texture of the premium version is so much nicer. Fifty Shades of Snail's review convinced me to upgrade and I've never looked back.
  
  
• Elta MD UV Pure is a really nice physical only sunscreen - good for when your skin is overly sensitive or recovering from a peel or overzealous use of actives.
  
  
• Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers are excellent for putting over whiteheads and/or zits you couldn't restrain yourself from popping.
  
  
• Packs of microfiber cloths are excellent if you like using a washcloth in your skincare routine but want something softer than terrycloth. I bought two 12-packs, I have a big pile of them next to my sink, I use a new one each night and then toss it right into the laundry to keep things super sanitary. Just learn from my mistakes don't put them in the wash with new terry cloth towels because the new towels will shed all the fuck over them and you will be picking fuzz off of them for weeks.
  
  
• Less skincare related than the rest but still sort of: this unscented Alaffia Shea Butter Bubble Bath is excellent if you have sensitive skin.
  

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

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

• Your skin shouldn’t feel tight after cleansing, that means your cleanser is too drying. Switch out to more gentle one. My favorites are The Avène and LaRoche Posay. Even though they are both geared towards dry skin but they work for my combo skin much better than the foaming ones. You don’t want to dry out your skin.
  
  
• Try a hydrating toner like The Hada Labo. It will add a hydrating layer (or many layers) to your skin without adding heavy products.
  
  
• Once or Twice a week, use Glycolic Acid like The Ordinary 7% Solution. It helps with exfoliation and brightening of the complexion.
  
  
• A good moisturizer like The Vanicream lotion,Olay, Cerave.
  
  
• A good suncreen.
  
  Good luck!

Sure thing! I recommend just cleansing and applying SPF in the AM, and cleansing and moisturizing in the PM. Here are some recs based on personal experience and this sub:

Cleansers

• CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
  
• Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
  
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser
  
  Sunscreen <-- Asian sunscreens are really popular on this sub, and for good reason! You probably won't be able to find them at Target, but I'll give you some Amazon links in case that's an option for you.
  
  
• CeraVe AM
  
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 60
  
• https://www.amazon.com/ROHTO-Skin-Super-Moisture-SPF50/dp/B01MRBST6H/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1549290874&sr=8-1&keywords=rohto+moisture+milk
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Biore-Sarasara-Watery-Essence-Sunscreen/dp/B0791WCWHX/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1549290918&sr=8-3&keywords=biore+watery+essence
  
  Moisturizers
  
  
• CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
  
• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
  
• Vanicream Lite Lotion
  
  The best advice I can give you is to keep your routine simple and consistent. And if you feel your acne warrants it, definitely visit a derm and see what they have to say!
  
  Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any q's. And good luck starting your new meds, that's very exciting :)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Morning routine!

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

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

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

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

tl;dr Wear sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.... If you can only afford drug store brand broad spectrum spf sunscreen, then that’s what you should use.


This will be long :)


First, SPF is a broad spectrum (primarily UVB) rating. For most activities, SPF 30 is more than enough.


It’s impossible to know what the UVA protection of a sunscreen is, if it’s not listed on the product as a PA rating. PA ++++ is the highest rating given.


PA rating refers to UVA and SPF rating is mostly for UVB. UVA rays are the ones that age you. The penetrate into the deepest levels of skin and mutate your genes. They’re the ones that cause toughness and wrinkles. UVB rays attack and burn the surface of the skin. They’re the primary ones that cause skin cancer. It’s hard to say that one is more important than the other. But I suppose I’d rather be ugly and look older than I am than have skin cancer. .. maybe lol


The FDA does not require a PA rating. You’ll find this most often on European products, Asian products, and products marketed to skin care enthusiasts.


My personal HG (holy grail) sunscreen is ROHTO Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk SPF 50 PA ++++ which is relatively inexpensive but ships from Japan. It’s incredibly moisturizing, doesn’t leave a white cast, works very well under a primer or foundation, and I’ve even been complemented on the smell of my skin. Love it.


That withstanding, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen at all. Using Banana Boat (or almost any brand) on your face is fine.


Also, I use the e.l.f. Studio Mineral Infused Face Primer in Brightening Lavender. It comes in other shades that would probably work just as well.


Keep in mind: Your hands and chest / décolleté are the next most telling of your age, after face. You should be moisturizing your hands and décolleté almost as religiously as you do your face. Same with sunscreen in those areas, although I limit my face sunscreen to my face and use a Walgreens brand broad spectrum SPF on my hands and chest / décolleté.



As for where it goes in your routine, sunscreen is the final step in your skincare routine. My personal looks like this:


• Cleanse
• Exfoliate
• Tone
• Actives
• Serums + Ampoules
• Moisturizer
• Sunscreen
• Foundation Primer
• Make-up
• Setting spray


Putting make-up on over sunscreen, mineral or otherwise, won’t reduce the effect of the sunscreen, as long as you’re sure to let the sunscreen set first and that you’re not wiping it off as you apply something else. That is, be gentle. Smearing is okay; wiping is not.


Additional note: If you’re using a moisturizer with SPF you might not be getting enough coverage - make sure you’re using enough, consider layering. If you’re using a foundation or powder or setting spray with SPF, you’re almost definitely not. This is because of the sheer volume of product that would be required. SPF is measured with the idea that you’re using 2.0 mg/cm2 of skin. That’s about 1/4 tsp that should be used to cover your face and neck (assuming average size). If you haven’t, take a look at 1/4 tsp of powder or setting spray or anything else. It’s a lot. It’s too much. I’m not using that much; you probably aren’t either.

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

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

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

My skin: Relatively pale, normal to slightly oily skin.

Biore Watery Gel (2019) or EltaMD UV Clear 46? Or possibly even Biore Watery Essence (2019)? I was also looking at the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk Pink, but I’m slightly worried about the brightening effect as I’m a guy and don’t want people to ask me if I’m wearing something on my face. I don’t want anything noticeably “brightening.” That may sound dumb but I’ve never worn something with a brightening effect so I don’t know what it entails. As well, I looked into Biore Milk, but I’ve heard the new formulation has ruined them, or at least there is a couple threads about it on r/AsianBeauty. Apparently they don’t dry down matte like they used to.

I don’t wear makeup and have normal to slightly oily skin. Use tretinoin at night. Currently use Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ but it’s got a bit too oily/dewy finish for me. If I apply an 1/8th of a teaspoon, wait five minutes, and then apply an 1/8th more it’s not so bad though. Plus I don’t like that it’s not water, sweat, or sebum resistant.

I would prefer for the sunscreen to give at most a slight glow, but generally more in the neutral/invisible look or matte.

I’m leaning towards the EltaMD but I’m unsure if it will be good in the summer, or if I’ll need something lighter. As well, the EltaMD is $33 for like 47ml. I can get the Biore Watery Gel for $27 for 155ml. As well I can get the Biore Watery Essence for about $22 I believe for 85ml.

Currently I’m pretty limited to Amazon Prime as I’m nearly out of sunscreen and don’t want to wait for shipment. So I’m trying to only get sunscreens fulfilled by amazon so that they get to my house in a few days and not a few weeks.

I’ve had good results azelaic acid. When I first started using it, it really burned at itched. I have super sensitive skin was sure I was gonna wake up with a rash after using it the night before but instead I woke up with the smoothest, redness-free skin I’ve ever had. I’ve been using it everyday since and it no longer stings or burns. The results have been great. It’s definitely the active I’ve had the least irritation from. I use Melzapam.

I’ve also had good luck with Alpha Skincare renewal cream. It has 12% glycolic acid which is kind of strong if your skin isn’t used to it. To get my skin used to it, I mixed a little bit of it and my regular CeraVe moisturizer together in my hand before putting it on my face. Then I mixed progressively more in each following night until I could comfortable use it on its own.

Both of these products have emollients so they shouldn’t further dry out your skin.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's ok. We all make mistakes! We are here to help. I recomment you use an AHA or BHA for your spots. A lot of people recommend this BHA and this AHA.


Stridex can be found at most drug stores like CVS and Rite Aid. St. Ives pads are trickier to find but Target has them online and they have free shipping for the holidays.


Also your oily skin can be caused by dehydration. Drink a lot of water and moisturize! This moisturizer is the most recommended and super easy to find. Any drug store or store like Target will have it. If you want a moisturizer that might help your spots try this one. It has niacinamide (i think that's how you spell it) which helps lighten spots left behind from acne.

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

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

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

Hope this helped.

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

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

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

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

Salux wash cloths are great, they’ve got a fine-but-scratchy texture:
SALUX Nylon Japanese Beauty Skin Bath Wash Cloth/Towel - Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CSDDDG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ZaeXCbQH3VAJ9

If you’ve got a bathtub, doing an acidic vinegar bath will help loosen up all the skin gunk:
https://wellnessmama.com/60094/vinegar-baths/

Separately, baking soda baths are also effective:
https://helloglow.co/baking-soda-bath-soak/

For body washes, try using one formulated for body acne — there will usually be a couple in most drugstores or Target. You will want something with salicylic acid in it.

Try moisturizing with something that has an AHA like glycolic acid in it, that way you will be gently exfoliating skin buildup even when not in the shower:
Alpha Skin Care - Renewal Body Lotion, 12% Glycolic AHA, Supports Healthy Radiant Skin| Fragrance-Free and Paraben-Free| 12-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FX1FAH8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MfeXCb2BJQMGH

Also consider booking yourself a spa day — most cheap Korean massage/spa places will give you a full body exfoliation-scrub-down option, and they’re THOROUGH.

Good job pulling out of a rough month. I’ve been there (lack of bathing and all) and it isn’t easy.

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

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

>do you think any of the positive benefits you achieved would be bad

Absolutely--making distinguished wrinkles disappear and brightening your complexion is TOTALLY not masculine, blech!

Kidding, kidding. I can't see any downsides to focusing on the care and keeping of your skin...except maybe becoming a bit obsessive over it and enjoying it too much (hence this subreddit).

Lurk around and check out some of the discussion threads in this sub, and read the sidebar links. You'll learn a lot. There's a very large focus on understanding the why and how things work (particularly in regards to ingredients) and the science behind them. It's really hard to get into that mindset in the beginning because it's so easy to be swayed by sexy advertising, attractive packaging, and tempting claims, but if the ingredient list doesn't back it up, none of that matters.

The products I currently use:

• Cleanser: I bounce between a Gentle Cleansing Gel($3-4 per ounce--a little goes a long way and it has lasted me ages) or the Cerave Foaming Cleanser($0.94 per ounce)
  
  
• Exfoliators I use an 8% AHA toner($2.23 per ounce) for gentle daily exfoliation.
  
  
• Oils Changes depending on the season. I got a sample pack of three different oils from GoW for $9.25 back in December, and I'm still working on them. A teeny bit goes a long way.
  
  
• Moisturizer/Hydrator Changes based on my whims. Sometimes I just use an oil, sometimes a simple moisturizer ($5-6 per ounce) with a drop of oil mixed in. Again, these can last me a long time.
  
  
• Masks The Aztec Healing Clay($0.50 per ounce) mask is a huge favorite here. I'll also sometimes make a turmeric mask using ingredients from my kitchen that I'm already using in my food anyways, so I don't calculate that cost.
  
  
• Sunscreen My biggest splurge item, I spent $20 on the Elta MD sunscreen. I like it because it's a physical blocker and doesn't irritate my skin.
  
  Since the products I buy last me a long time, the cost doesn't seem very large to me. Some products, like the healing clay mask or certain oils, are only used in small quantities, so they'll last a long, long time.
  
  When I first got started in revamping my routine, I very slowly introduced new products (started with a new cleanser, then after a few weeks tried a moisturizer, etc). This is good because it's easy on your wallet AND it allows you to get an accurate feel for what works and what doesn't.
  
  

The issue(s) you need help with:

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

Skin type:

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

I would say I have pretty sensitive skin.

Current routine with the full names of your products:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

It looks like you have some acne and blackheads. BHA (salicylic acid) usually helps with that.

The SCA routine explains the steps in an effective skincare routine.

For the "exfoliate" step, I would recommend a BHA that you use once a week, and slowly up the frequency as needed. There are a variety of products you can use to help acne, but salicylic acid/BHA is usually effective.

For the "spot treatment (optional)" step, hydrocolloid bandages (pimple patches) are amazing. I use the nexcare ones and they work great. If the pimple hasn't popped yet I'll lance it carefully with a sterilized needle before putting the patch on. Always put the patch on clean skin.

Try to find a sunscreen that won't break you out that you can use every morning. Anything labeled noncomedogenic and fragrence-free is usually less likely to cause break outs, but everyone's skin is different. The sidebar has great information on everything I've mentioned.

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

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

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

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

Daily:

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

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

I'm in the market for a new sunscreen. I've recently come to the discovery that chemical sunscreens aren't supposed to burn and sting my face, so I'd like a physical sunscreen for my sensitive skin. I used Neutrogena Dry Touch before, and now their Sensitive Skin sunscreen, but even on my paper-white face I can see a white cast.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a sunscreen that absorbs quickly, dries to a satin or matte finish, and is purely physical and/or caters specifically to people with sensitive skin and possibly rosacea? I know this narrows the field significantly, but I'm open to any sunscreen recs SCA has (Asian, EU, etc).

So far, the sunscreens I've been able to compile that SCA loves that seem to fit my needs but I'm still not entirely sure are good for me are:

1. Missha All Around Safe Block Soft Finish Sun Milk Spf50 Pa+++ 70ml Sunscreen
   
2. Biore sarasara UV Perfect Face Milk Sunscreen 30ml. SPF50 + PA++++ for Face
   
3. Biore SARASARA UV Bright Face Milk BIHADA Sunscreen 30ml SPF50+ PA++++ for Face
   
4. Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++ 60ml
   
5. Shiseido SENKA | Sunscreen | Mineral Water UV Gel SPF50 PA+++ 40ml
   
6. Paula's Choice HYDRALIGHT SHINE-FREE MINERAL COMPLEX SPF 30
   
   Thanks in advance!

Haha thanks so much :) glad I could give you hope!

I'll just tell you my whole routine:

AM:

• Splash with water
  
  
• Sometimes moisturize with PC gel if skin feels dry
  
  
• Elta MD Clear sunscreen all over the face, and I put a little extra on my PIH spots after applying it to my whole face and neck. Don't know if it helps but hey, why not?
  
  
• Everyday minerals matte base .. this stuff is awesome at counteracting the slight greasy look that any sunscreen gives my face.
  
  PM:
  
  
• Clease with CeraVe foaming
  
  
• Exfoliate with St. Ives pads OR Stridex in the red box, I alternate nights between these. I wipe them all over my face and neck. Stridex helps prevent new pimples.
  
  
• Wait 20 - 30 min for exfoliant to do it's thing
  
  
• Moisturize with PC gel & let it absorb for like 2 min
  
  
• Apply vaseline all over my face
  
  Weekly: I do the Aztec Clay Mask w/ Bragg's apple cider vinegar. I don't think this helps with PIH but it does make my pores look so small! It really dries out the skin though so I moisturize extra and I do not use a chemical exfoliant on the 1 night per week when I do this mask.
  
  Also I totally get wanting to overhaul your whole routine all at once, but seriously only introduce one thing at a time and patch test! It sounds like you have similar skin to mine, and all these products are pretty gentle, but everyone reacts differently to different products.
  
  P.S. You can get $10 off your first Paula's Choice order with a referral code!

Hey, I am looking to start a skin care regime but i have little to no knowledge on pretty much everything. so i have a lot of questions, i apologize if this isnt the right place but hopefully im not breaking any rules. as some background I am a 23 year old guy, tend to have pretty oily skin, and i have some issues with acne and back acne. I was hoping for some feedback about what i plan on starting.

first off I am thinking of using a combination of these things:
facial cleanser and body cleanser while showering,

than i would also suppliment with:

a facial cleanser, exfoliator, and moisturizer at night.
I got most of these items from beginner guide on this sub, but what i was wondering is if any of these products are redundant or unneeded if my goal is for a simple and relatively cheap routine? Additionally i was wondering if anyone could roughly predict how long these volumes would last?
Any help would be really appreciated!! Thank you!!

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hey everyone,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May I ask if:

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

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

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

Lastly, if you don't mind answering:

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

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

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

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

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

Mandelic Acid Toner

CeraVe Moisturizing Facial Lotion AM, SPF 30, 3 Ounce

Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30+-8.75 oz ?

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

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

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

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

Any help is appreciated, thanks :)

ROHTO Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk SPF50 PA ++++ but I gave up on it because it's not cruelty free. I bought it while in Japan based on a recommendation I saw on this subreddit and it's incredible. Absorbs so quickly and certainly makes a small difference in my dry skin. It's not oily at all, and it just feels great to apply evenly, nothing difficult about it.

I've switched to PC Hydralight Shine-Free daily mineral complex. It's working out great. It's not a chemical sunscreen as you can tell based on the name (I'm not sure what the difference is or why it matters) but it certainly doesn't leave a white cast on my face. It's only 30SPF though so maybe I'll be trying another one of theirs next time I order. It's also very moisturizing so I'm really enjoying it. I watched a youtube review of all the suncreens and this one just sounded like it would mesh the most with my skin type.

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! :)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Okay so I dont think that my skin is kinda dehydrated that much but still sensitive. Was thinking to just start with this for now:
Cleanser: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000YJ2SKM/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A19497B1AUMQOH&psc=1
Moisturizer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00365DABC/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A19497B1AUMQOH&psc=1
And maybe add Vaseline on top of moisturizer before sleep
Both of these were recommended with bunch of other products so im not sure I picked good lol anyways I would still like to add supplements (at least Zinc and Fish oil cuz I cant remember when I ate fish last time and I barely eat any meat) btw I really appreciate your help a lot :) I need someone to save me haha

**Skin type and skin concerns:**

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

​

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

​

**Skincare routine with full product names**

AM

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

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

Now, onto your routine....

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

• 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
  
  

I use sheisedo SENKA mineral water sunscreen

Moisturizer i use Avene products but they are pretty pricey. You can look into pure oils - i love love love sunflower seed oil - absorbs quickly and, to me, is extremely luxeroius and moisturizing.

The sheisedo also is an extremely matte-fying sunscreen which is a bonus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's what I do:

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

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


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


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

I've been alternating between Hada Labo UV Creamy Gel and Biore Perfect Face Milk depending on if my skin feels dry that day and if I need a sweatproof/waterproof sunscreen or not. Perfect Face Milk can be drying (especially on my dry-ish skin) so I need to use tons of moisturizer underneath, but it is also sweat and water-resistant which is handy when I'm going to be walking around and sweating a lot. UV Creamy Gel is very moisturizing and doesn't require extra moisturizer underneath, but is not resistant to anything.

I also own Rohto Mentholatum Sunplay Super Block and Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen but I don't use them nearly as often. Sunplay is a bit too moisturizing for my liking and Aging Care smells like baby powder and makes my pores look larger after wearing it all day. I have Biore Bright Face Milk coming in the mail right now as well so once I get that I will probably do a comprehensive review of all 5 of those sunscreens.

And no, I am not Asian. I'm Russian (Russian-American? That sounds kinda weird haha) but just really into Asian skincare products.

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

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

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

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

Simple and cheap:

AM

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

For my body, I like using pre-soaked exfoliant pads, 'cause I'm lazy and cheap. Right now I'm using these Nip+Fab ones and they're pretty decent, but I'm planning on picking up these lactic acid ones next. If you're looking to dip your toes into the waters of AHA for facial use that you can also use on your body, then I'd recommend the CosRx AHA, which is great, but much gentler. (obligatory mention that if you begin using an AHA on your face, then daily sunscreen use becomes mandatory)

Undereye circles are genetic, so there's not much you can do topically to get rid of them. I know there's some people who anecdotally believe that products with caffeine in them can help with their appearance, but I've never tried any, so I can't really offer any specific advice there.

And yep! I alternate between the CeraVe foaming and the CosRx Good Morning cleanser, both of which are great low pH options.

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

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

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

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

Hi!

Totally new to this skincare stuff :~). Love the wiki, but I'm still confused about selecting products. I have dry (a bit sensitive) light olive skin...sometimes I get acne when my skin dries out too much, but never had much of an issue (no makeup and have sensitive-skin soaps). Unfortunately I can't do fragrances either, since I have a really sensitive nose.

According to the wiki, there's basically 4 things I need to get for a routine: cleanser, moisturizer, exfoliant, and sunscreen. So far I've come up with:

• Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, Creamy, or https://www.amazon.com/Avene-Extremely-cleaner-hypersensitive-irritable/dp/B002D48QWA
  
• Exfoliant: ???
  
• Moisturizer: Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Dry/Sensitive Skin, or/and Vaseline
  
• Sunscreen: Blue Lizard Face Sunscreen SPF 30+ or Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++???
  
  Could anyone maybe help me me choose an exfoliant & sunscreen? Don't understand the different types of acids for the exfoliants, and just want a simple sunscreen that doesn't have fragrance or alcohol. Advice on everything else would be appreciated too. Thanks! :)
  
  EDIT: I'm in Switzerland too, which limits products to the international ones suggested on the wiki. If anyone knows a good product in Europe, I'd be all ears!

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.

Hi :)

It sounds like you either have combination skin (when you have an oily forehead/nose and the rest is dry) or your skin is dehydrated (when your skin is dry but can overproduce oil to compensate).

To be on the safe side, I'd try a very gentle cleanser first, like Cerave Hydrating Cleanser or Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser; they're both very affordable. Be sure to patch test first.

A chemical exfoliant can help with clogged pores and acne, but I'd make sure you've got the basics down first: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen.

What moisturizer are you currently using?

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

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

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

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

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

Sorry, but I'm really new to skincare, what do you mean by counter intuitive? I'm also not familiar with niacinamide (or pretty much any other term for that matter) but I saw that https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Foaming-Facial-Cleanser-Ounce/dp/B003YMJJSK/?th=1 was one of the recommended facial cleanser and it also had niacinamide.

Also, forgive me if this is a dumb question but I'm starting to get confused because I'm noticing that some cleansers and moisturizers both have those ingredients that are supposed to be good for acne. (Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxcide?)

Basically, does it matter if which of the two (between moisturizer and cleaner) actually has the incredients that are good for acne? Or should I try to limit it to one? I want to try and buy a new cleanser and moisturizer today but it's really starting to overwhelm me.

Also thanks for the help as well, much appreciated.

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!

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

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

..

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

Good luck.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Based on the Beginner's FAQ, I started using the Cerave foaming wash and moisturizing cream and my skin is doing MUCH better. I have oily, somewhat acne-prone skin. I was also using the apricot scrub but I don't miss it AT ALL. The Stridex pads and occasional use of AHA pads pads a couple times a week have served to exfoliate and treat breakouts better than St Ives scrub. I feel like a bit of a success story so I recommend trying out some new products if you feel like your skin condition could improve.

Id appreciate some advice on what, if anything, I should do for my skin. About me: 25 yr old male, fortunate to have had minimal skin problems on my face. My skin is slightly oily from the definitions I've read here.

I currently wash my face 1-2x / day with simple refreshing facial wash, and use cerave facial moisturizer after.

What I would like to improve are these things:

1. scar spots - some small scattered dark spots from previous pimples (Im one of those people who pick at scabs rather than leaving them alone...a thing Im working on), and a slightly larger texture kind of scar from a cold sore that spread really far off my lip. The pimple scars are small and not that noticeable, but I see and get focused on the room for improvement.
   
   
2. I sleep on my side and sometimes even slightly face down, so I think Ive noticed more wrinkles around my eyes
   
   
3. there is a good size vein that is very visible under my left eye, that I'd prefer if it were not so noticeable.
   
   After lurking this sub for some time, I tried a recommended weak retinoid product for the last while but I recently ran out of it. Hard to say if I noticed a difference. I ran all this by a girl friend who claims to be a skin care encyclopedia, and she told me a retinoid isn't the right idea, and suggested "The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2& + ha".
   
   So I was wondering: do I take it a step stronger with retinoids...or if I should be using a different product altogether...or what?
   
   Thanks in advance

Hi /r/SkincareAddiction! I've been reading through everything available and trying to craft a skincare routine for myself. I always thought I had oily or combination skin, but after reading through http://www.skincare-addiction.com/ I think I have normal skin, but it is currently being over dried and as a result producing excess oil.

Although I normally have pretty clear skin, I have had a chin-acne breakout for the past weeks. Usually my breakouts clear up within a week, so the fact that these zits are staying around longer than normal is driving me mad. In addition, I've noticed lots of open comedones on my nose and chin. I have some photos of my skin here: http://m.imgur.com/a/rpkB5

Before exploring this subreddit, my routine consisted of:
Wash face when taking a shower alternating between the St. Ives Scrub and Clean and Clear's Essentials foaming facial cleansear. Afterwards I would mousterize with Neutrogena's Oil-Free Moisture - Combination Skin. In the evenings I would use Kirkland Signuatre Daily Facial Wipes Towelettes and/or Clean and Clear's Deep Cleaning Astringent.

Based on reading the sidebar and searching past threads, my old routine has quite a lot wrong with it. So I've started on making a better routine. After reading everything this seems to be a good starting routine for me and the products I plan to use. Rest-assured, I know to patch test and start applying 1 product at a time!

AM: Rinse face with water, pat dry, apply sunscreen, occasionally (5-7 times a month) apply make up.

PM: Remove Sunscreen / Makeup, Cleanse (Cetaphil or OCM), Apply BHA / AHA exfoliant, Moisturize.

Now for my questions:

1. please let me know if there is any feedback you may have regarding my routine. Am I missing any steps or have anything out of order?
   
   
2. For cleanser I am torn between using a pH balance cleanser like Cetaphil or starting OCM. Also would using OCM vs Cetaphil require altering my routine, such as excluding the sunscreen removing step before cleansing? Any suggestions or recommendations on which I should chose would be greatly appreciated.
   
   
3. For BHA / AHA treatment I planned to alternate using BHA or AHA every other night. Will this application be too much or too little?
   
   Thanks in advance for any feedback you can give. I really am excited about changing my ways and treating my skin right. I really want to make sure I don't overlook anything and end up causing more harm than good.

Hey there!

I use a whole bunch! I believe the first I tried was olive oil, because I read that it was used by Sofia Loren (and because it was in my kitchen).

I do use specific cleansing oils; this speedy oil cleanser is delightful and I also use this one from Trader Joe's (even though it has coconut oil, which SCA often shuns due to its reputation for being comedogenic for some people.)

I occasionally layer Marula oil from TO under an occlusive at night. And my favorite thing is massaging in mineral oil (and then rinsing it off) after a clay mask. It is so wonderful.

Anyway. I have not yet tried hemp oil but after a quick Google I am intrigued and will be putting in on my list to try. So thanks!

Side note, if your face is dry and stinging products with ceramides and hyaluronic acid are often recommended to restore the moisture barrier. Using oils can be YMMV but can also definitely be a game changer. Best of luck!

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

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

Oh, okay! I would recommend a sheet mask with hyaluronic acid in it. My favorite is Drink Up, Skin by The Creme Shop. After I wear one a few times a week, I get compliments about how dewy and healthy my skin looks.
I also get that compliment after I apply Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen.
I hope that helps and you find your Dewy skin! :)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All the best in finding your HG sunscreen!

Please keep in mind that my face was a tiny bit angry in the pictures from last night as I had just finished OCM. The morning pictures are from right after I woke up, before doing any of my morning routine. :)

My skin type: Pretty dry, acne-prone (obviously), prone to redness. I also have dermatillomania (compulsive skin picking) which creates a lot of scabs/scars.

PM Routine:

• Makeup/sunscreen removal with my concoction of ~3 parts Johnson's Aloe and Vit E Baby Oil + 1 part NOW Foods Sweet Almond Oil + Tea Tree Oil (There are ~15 drops total in my 3 oz bottle of oil concoction)
  
  
• Quick cleanse with CeraVe Foaming Cleanser to remove the makeup-infused oil
  
  
• Heavy-duty OCM for 5-10 minutes with my oil concoction (I really need to make up a better name for that haha)
  
  
• Thorough cleanse with Cerave Foaming
  
  
• Apply Paula's Choice Clear Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid (NOTE: This is actually listed as Clear Extra Strength Acne Exfoliant on the PC website, but it's called Anti-Redness on the product's page)
  
• Wait for the BHA to dry, then apply Silk Naturals 8% AHA Toner
  
• Immediately before turning off the lights to go to sleep (at LEAST 20 minutes after applying the AHA), apply Pond's Clarant B3 Dark Spot Correcting Cream
  
  
  And done!
  
  Seriously guys, I feel like a superhero with amazing healing powers! Thank you all so much for the advice and guidance. <3

If it's working for you then don't change it. I would suggest adding:

• an oil-based cleanser like this to help remove makeup, they have the added bonus of doing a good job to clean pores. You would still use your regular cleanser after
  
• a spot treatment and hydrocolloid bandages for active acne
  
• a honey product like this Propolis is a great product for acne prone skin
  
  I've found that, for me, adding in these sorts of products has made a huge difference and cleared up my skin.
  
  
  
  

wow your skin is so glowy!! i'm jelly! A starter kit I would recommend:

-oil cleanser: Kose Speedy Oil Cleanser (washes away clean, non-stripping, takes errrthang off)

-regular cleanser: Cerave Hydrating Cleanser (non-stripping, no frills)

-exfoliating toner: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid toner (can help with your issues described, sounds like closed comedones)

-essence: Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence Rose Edition (plumping, even skin tone over time)

-anti-aging specific: The Ordinary Buffet (or buffet+peptides wow good stuff!)

-moisturizer: Peach Slices Honey Aqua Glow (lightweight gel moisturizer that packs a punch!) or The Ordinary NMF (no frills, does the job)

-SPF: CosRX Aloe Soothing Sunscreen(no white caste, dries to a natural finish, non-drying)

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

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

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

Ah I made a post but perhaps it is better to just comment here instead

I'm a guy in his mid 20s and my current routine is REALLY simple but has some problems and I would also like to expand it a bit...

Current routine:

AM - Wash face, Apply lotion, Put on tinted sunblock (need it cus of darker skin)

PM - Same as AM sans the sunblock and using St Ives exfloiating pad (AHA) before applying lotion.

So off the bat there are two problems with my routine. First is that there are days when I go to the gym mid-day which requires a shower. Problem with this is that I must wash my face 3 times on certain days (how else would I remove the sunblock?). Second is that I shave using a double-edge razor which actually serves to exfoliate the parts of my face that I shave so what ends up happening is that my entire face is not being exfoliated equally (my cheek look so much better than my forehead), I have no idea how I would go about solving this... It should be noted that I do not use the St Ives pads on night when I shave (I shave every other day).

I want to change my routine to account for these two issues while also expanding it a bit to lessen stuff like wrinkles and dark spots (my complexion sucks, esp my forehead).

I was looking at some products and found some that looks promising? interesting? but honestly, I'm not too experienced in this area...

For the eyes

For the wrinkles

Possible regular moisturizers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

You can see that I prefer gel moisturizers because I don't like that feeling of putting on lotion and my face being sticky even after like an hour (Aveeno does this).

Face wash - my current face wash isn't sustainable (kinda niche) and it doesn't wash away my sunblock all that well either... I had the same problem with SCA's favorite Cerave hydrating cleanser.

I can't say I've noticed real improvement from using St Ives's pads? Not sure if I want to try anything stronger though because I am bad with sunblock reapplication.

Even the sunblock is not the best because it has such a strong flowery smell. But I need a lightly tinted one to not look like a ghost... Hmm maybe this one?

Thats me! I fucking love my 414 PD. I never have really had any problems with purging, it seems this stuff (for me) just kills any existing acne I have and flattens it out within days. I had a lot of PIH though when I started PD because I had a ton of active acne at the time. My active acne was really calming down after the first 6 weeks or so but I still had a lot of PIH- around December I finally decided to start using a daily sunscreen. Seriously use a daily sunscreen, its worth it. I'm not sure if its the UV protection or all the niacinamide (aka vitamin b3) I constantly am slathering on my face now but my skin loves me for it, and it shows!

EltaMD Clear 46 SPF, PA++++ (as of yesterday this was confirmed(?) via an email from the company someone posted here) and 5% niacinamide. Its light, doesn't leave much of a white cast at all and is full of niacinamide for helping heal PIH. Also just using a daily sunscreen will really help fade PIH as UV tends to darken these spots.

Routine:

AM

• Burts bee facial wash
  
• Konjac sponge in shower every other day
  
• PD 414 formula
  
• Sebamed clear face gel
  
• EltaMd Clear

I had this problem too!

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

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

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

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I hope this helped! Good luck!

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It really looks to me that you just have closed comedones, blackheads, and some minor papules. Millia are bumps that form due to keratin under the skin and based on my amateur five minute internet research, they apparently should have defined very obvious white heads, which yours don't seem to have to my eyes. But I'd err on the side of a dermatologist's opinion rather than random internet strangers.

For what it's worth, my skin looked like yours once. I did embark on a tretinoin journey, going from 0.05% cream to 0.04% microsphere gel to 0.05% cream to now 0.1% A-Ret gel. I think I've been using tretinoin... a bit over a year now? And my skin is smooth and glowing and just totally different from how it used to be.

I'd warmly encourage you to stick to tretinoin, but the way to use it right as many of us on /r/tretinoin preach is: cleanse your skin, apply your moisturizer, apply Vaseline to where you don't want tretinoin to touch (e.g. around the nose, around the mouth), wait 20 minutes, apply tretinoin, apply Vaseline all over your face.

This is the best way to acclimate your skin to tretinoin, and it takes a full 3 months for most people for their skin to get used to tretinoin and get past the irritation, dryness, flaking, peeling, and potential purging. After that point, benefits from tretinoin are cumulative, such as increased type I and type III collagen production in the dermis.

But no worries if tretinoin isn't for you. You can always stick to a basic skincare routine of cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen and try less irritating acne remedies such as azelaic acid. I adore this 10% azelaic acid serum from Amazon, 10/10 would recommend. Of all the things I tried for my acne before tretinoin, azelaic acid was the best. AHA, BHA, benzoyl peroxide, nada, not working for me. Tretinoin was the one that got my skin freaking amazing though and would recommend it to everyone who can push past the transition period.

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

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

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

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

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

What moisturizer are you using?

For AM moisturizers, Hada Labo Moist as a toner with Sebamed Clear Face Gel (or other gel moisturizer! I personally really like Benton Aloe + Propolis Soothing Gel) is usually recommended for oily, acne prone skin.

For water-resistant sunscreen:

• Thinksport SPF50 - Limited ingredients list, fragrance free, physical filters, decent price.
  
• Elta MD Sport SPF 50 - Rave reviews, fragrance free, combined filters, somewhat expensive.
  
• Cotz Sensitive SPF 40 - Oil free, fragrance free, physical filters, mid-range.
  
• Alba Botanica Sensitive SPF 30 - Drugstore fave, physical filters, dirt cheap.
  
  Try to purchase from somewhere with a great return policy - trial and error are part of skincare, and sunscreens even more so.

This is great! I think we have really similar skin, and seeing your process helped me understand my order of operations.

• I really recommend trying out micellar water for an AM cleanse and to remove makeup at night before your PM cleanse; it made a huge difference for me.
  
• Right now I'm experimenting with azaleic acid to deal with rosacea. TO's 10% did nothing for me and was pretty meh, which I've heard a lot of other people say, so I'm trying out a 15% cream link and I'm waiting to see if it makes a difference. I haven't tried out my bottle of TO Niacinamide 10% + Zinc so I'm excited to hear how much you love it!
  
• I'm also starting to explore serums and stuff for hydration. I picked up a number of small travel size options at Sephora and I'm currently trying out Biossance's squalane oil. So far I haven't had a reaction and my hydration is definitely, visibly improved.

Thanks for the feedback!!

I've heard a lot of people recommend Cerave here before. Apparently, its something worth looking into. I've heard some things about Bioderma making people's faces dryer than Southern California. So I'm a little afraid to try them out. Avene and La Roche Posay I would have to look more into, but they look like really good cleansers.

I knew I had to switch out my moisturizer soon because it not only provides zero protection but its generic brand... so I don't expect it to be "oil-free". But I love the recommendations you provided! I'll definitely be trying them out.

hi!

I have considered it, but I just haven't made the purchase yet. I'm currently using quite a few products and I definitely think that I'm seeing results. It's really important to keep up a good routine

Right now, I use the mint julep mask once a week, and the REN micro polish cleanser every few days. Both of this help keep my skin incredibly smooth and refreshed looking.

For daily use, I apply aczone, sephora instant moisturizer and a bit of argan oil. I apply Elta MD sunscreen over that.

I have the same routine at night, with the aczone, moisturizer, and argan oil, but with no sunscreen and every other night I use a vitamin c + e serum, which was in my post, and which I LOVE.

The sunscreen and vitamin c serum, as well as the REN exfoliator, are all supposed to help with scarring, hyperpigmentation, etc. I'm breaking out way less, and my scars are definitely going away.

As for the other products I had listed here...

The tea tree oil broke me out terribly, it was awful. So I can't recommend that, but it seems to work well for most people!

I did buy the hyaluronic acid, but it was meh. It kept moisture in, but I always felt a little bit oily. You're supposed to add a drop or two of water to it when you apply, but for some reason, that mixture always made me break out. I used consistently for a while, but I haven't been using it for a few weeks now, and haven't noticed a difference without it.

I bought the dermaroller, but then I read on here that it can actually be terrible for your skin, as it can causes micro tears. That freaked me out, so I haven't really ever used it.

I also got the aztec healing clay! I really do like it, but I use the mint julep mask more because it's easier to use. The healing clay needs to be mixed with apple cider vinegar, and most of the time I'm too lazy to actually do that.

I would have to say that my favorite products so far are the vitamin c serum and the argan oil. Hope this helped!

1. Is PocketDerm available in your region? This looks like something an oral antibiotic and some gentler treatments could help resolve.
   
   
2. You're using a lot of really harsh treatments. Does your skin ever feel tight and dry in areas, and oily in other areas? If so, your face is oily because your skin is trying to re-hydrate itself. It's important to be kind to your skin.
   
   
3. Over-hydrating skin isn't a thing I've ever heard of, and if it does exist then you are definitely not in danger of doing it. Not even close.
   
   I would get rid of everything you're doing and start fresh, with much gentler products.
   
   
   

• Try Vanicream Free and Clear. It's gentler, and doesn't have fatty alcohols. CeraVe Foaming can dry out skin, and dry skin is bad.
  
  
• You can use a konjac sponge a few times per week for gentle physical exfoliation. Don't over use it though, we don't want to irritate your skin!
  
  
• I love Sebamed Clear Face Gel as a moisturizer. It helps repair your acid mantle and rebalance your skin's pH.
  
  
• Where's your sunscreen, man?! EltaMD makes a good one.
  
  
• If you decide to try OCM, consider using Neem Oil. Tons of people here have had success with it.
  
  
• CHECK YOUR SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER. If you have bacne you might be further irritating it with ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner.
  
  A couple of the items listed are a bit pricey, but they're so great, in my opinion. The Sebamed, especially. And the PocketDerm. If you try these and your skin improves, you can try slowly reintroducing your harsh treatments. Try to love your skin, not beat it into submission.