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

REQUEST

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

REVIEWS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

Definitely ditch the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy toning!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Products I loved:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hope this helps!

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

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

Wash: CeraVe Foaming Cleanser (drugstore and amazon)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hi, u/mihaelalala7! :)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All the best!

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

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

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel

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

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

KLAIRS Supple Preparation Facial Toner

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

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

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

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

Raves:

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

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

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

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

Rave/Rant:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Skin

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

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

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

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

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

AM

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

What's your total routine look like?

If your skin is sensitive, AVOID LUSH AT ALL COSTS. Essential oils and fragrances are terrible irritants - just because it's 'natural' doesn't mean it's gentle.

A basic routine is a cleanser, moisturiser and SUNSCREEN (not negotiable, yes even in the UK), with an optional exfoliant in the evening. You should probably try a double cleanse in the evening, using an oil cleanser first to break down the sunscreen, followed by a water based or foaming cleanser.

There are two kinds of exfoliation: chemical and physical. Chemical sounds scary, but is actually much much gentler on your skin than physical, which is the traditional scruffy, scrubby exfoliant that can super irritate your skin.

Here's what you could try:

AM:

• Cerave is now available in the UK, and it's packed with moisture barrier repairing ceramides. You could try their cleanser. You could try using a konjac sponge - Superdrug has them now - for some extremely gentle physical exfoliation. Basically, you soak this sponge in water and it puffs up into this deliciously squishy, jelly-like sponge. I've recently rediscovered cleansing with konjac sponges and have been loving it.
  
• I'm smitten with Hadalabo Gokujyun lotion, which is basically a giant bottle of pure hyaluronic acid serum. It' s a light, watery lotion that you pat into your skin. It works beautifully under sunscreen.
  
• Go ahead and lock the moisture in with this Cerave moisturising sunscreen. You need a quarter teaspoon to cover your whole face - that's more than you're used to doing. An easy way to make sure you're using enough is to draw a line of product up your index and middle finger, two strips total.
  
  PM:
  
  
• Double cleanse with an oil cleanser - this one by Simple is very very gentle and easy to find. To oil cleanse, pour a good tablespoon of oil into the palm of your hand, then massage over DRY skin. Add a splash of water to emulsify (oil cleansers have added ingredients that allow then to emulsify with water and rinse clean) and rinse with tepid water. Follow with your Cerave cleanser.
  
• Go in with another layer of Hadalabo lotion (I've actually been experimenting with the heavier Premium lotion, which is much thicker and feels like a traditional serum, so you could try that at night), and follow with Cerave in the pot to really lock in the moisture.
  
• OPTIONAL: you could try exfoliating at night. AHAs are good for surface exfoliation/getting rid of flakes; BHAs exfoliate within the pore and are great for preventing breakouts. The very gentlest AHA I have ever used is CosRX, but with your very sensitive skin you should definitely patch test. Just take a tiny bit of the product and dab it on one part of your face - for sensitivity I use my neck - every day for a week. You'll soon know if you have any issues.
  
  If you do choose to exfoliate, pat the product on AFTER you've cleansed but BEFORE you've used serums or lotions. Start using once or twice a week, then build up gradually as your skin gets more tolerant.
  
  Bonus: CosRX's Snail Mucin Essence is absolutely heavenly on irritated skin, so you might want to try that. If you do try it, patch test first, then pat the liquid on after your Hadalabo lotion but before any creams.
  
  Good luck!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

> Can I ask, does this process take a lot of time for you?

Nah, not at all! I guess the thing that takes the most time is cleansing, since I apply moisturizer & sunscreen while watching stuff, multitasking, whatever. Takes under 30 seconds to apply those anyway!

> And with moisturizer and sunscreen, does it not feel sticky or thick on the face?

Depends on the kind you get! There are tons of cosmetically elegant options if you're looking for a thin moisturizer or matte drying sunscreens.

Using light layers for your moisturizer also helps, and you don't have to use products that you don't enjoy using, y'know? If you only like applying moisturizer in the PM, go for it! Whatever works for you and your skin.

If you're looking for lighter, matte drying things, you might want to check out:

Moisturizers

• CeraVe Baby Lotion: personal favorite, it's a thicker lotion that dries totally matte and feels lightweight on the skin. (review 1, review 2)
  
  
• Vanicream Lite Lotion: haven't tried it, but I've heard excellent things about this being a nice, lightweight yet still moisturizing lotion! Probably some reviews if you do a sub search
  
  
• CosRx All In One 92 Hundred Thousand Snail Cream Gel: not the real name, but it should be. This is a lightweight gel-cream (exactly what it sounds like, somewhere between a gel and a cream), dries matte, nicely moisturizing, great choice
  
  
• Sebamed Gel: I honestly can't remember too much about this one, but it's recommended it the sidebar and it sounds nice!
  
  Sunscreen:
  
  This is a mixture of Western sunscreens and Asian sunscreens. A lot of the common Western sunscreens are kinda shitty, at least if you're looking for one that dries matte, has sufficient protection, and doesn't feel heavy. They usually hit one or two of those factors but completely bungle the third. That means that a lot of these recs will be Asian sunscreens. Don't write them off because of that (or because the names are a bit extra) - they're easy to get a hold of, typically hit most of the "perfect sunscreen" factors, and they're a whole different ballgame from your mum's Coppertone. If you want a lightweight, matte sunscreen, go for one of these.
  
  There's some Western ones thrown in here too - not all Western sunscreens are bad! - it's just typically easier to find a cosmetically elegant sunscreen from Korea or Japan.
  
  
  
• CeraVe Ultra Light Moisturizer + SPF 30
  
  
  • [REVIEW] Cerave Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 - u/katasaurusk
    
    
  • Musings of a Muse
    
    
  • the Oily Skin HG Thread (2018)
    
    
  • [Review] Empty - CeraVe Ultra Light Moisturizer + SPF 30 - u/scumteam14
    
    
    
    
• Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF 50+
  
  
  • the Oily Skin HG Thread (2018)
    
    
  • This comment chain from the Sunscreen HG Thread (2017)
    
    
    
    
• Eucerin Sun Protection Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream SPF 50+
  
  
  • This comment
    
    
  • aobmblog
    
    
    
    
• Missha All Around Safe Block Soft Finish Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++
  
  
  • This comment from the Oily Skin HG Thread (2018)
    
    
    
    
    
    
• Nivea Sun Protect Super Water Gel SPF 50/PA+++
  
  
  • fanserviced-b
    
    
  • vanity rex
    
    
    
    
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid SPF 60
  
  
  • the Oily Skin HG Thread (2017)
    
    
  • This comment chain from the Sunscreen HG Thread (2017)
    
    
    
    
    
• Paula's Choice Super Light Wrinkle Defense
  
  
  • This comment
    
    
    
    
• Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Milk SPF 50+ PA++++
  
  
  • Fifty Shades of Snail
    
    
    
    
• Biore UV Face Milk SPF 50+/PA++++
  
  
  • Note: the whole line (white, blue, and pink bottles) seem to be pretty matte
    
    
  • REVIEW: Biore UV Perfect and UV Bright Face Milk SPF 50 PA++++ - u/Sharkus_Reincarnus
    
    
  • Fifty Shades of Snail (mini reviews)
    
    
  • the Oily Skin HG Thread (2017)
    
    
  • the Oily Skin HG Thread (2018)
    
    
  • This comment chain from the Sunscreen HG Thread (2017)

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

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

What moisturizer do you use?

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

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


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

To get your skin back and hydrated :

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

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

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

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

PM:

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

Same as morning

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

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

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

I'm no professional, but I've spent some time researching this subject, and lurking in the skincaretalk forums lightening community. There's a lot of noise to filter through, but I managed to find a few things that worked for me in getting rid of my own perma farmer's tan.

The first, and most important step of getting rid of a perma tan is SAP (Sun Avoidance and Protection). This literally cannot be emphasized enough, and aside from getting rid of a perma tan it's good for your skin's overall health. It looks like you've taken steps toward this, so snaps for you. Though it tends to leave a white cast, physical sunscreens (containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) are the best choice if you want to protect your progress, and prevent yourself from tanning again. Unless you're sitting directly in a sunbeam while you're inside, or in the path of direct reflections of sun, I wouldn't worry about sunscreen while inside. I personally wear long sleeves and sunscreen to combat against incidental sun exposure on the daily. If I know I'm going to be outside for more than a few minutes I have a UV umbrella that I use to protect against the sun. Do I look silly? Probably, but at least my skin won't look like an antique football when I'm older

As for actually getting rid of the tan, the first phase should be exfoliation, which it seems you've already started on. Look for products with AHAs like glycolic or lactic acid. Some readily available options you can buy at walgreens/CVS are Alpha Skincare Body lotion (12% glycolic) or Amlactin (12% lactic). The sidebar has recommendations on products more suitable for facial use if you'd prefer a gel or liquid option for this purpose. Do this for 6-8 weeks, and if your tan doesn't budge then add in active lightening ingredients into your routine.

Another user already mentioned some lightening ingredients to look for, and all these serve the purpose of inhibiting your melanin production and shouldn't make you lighter than whatever your lightest natural skin tone is. I personally used Kojie-San soap (containing Kojic acid) with a Salux cloth to great success on my body. I haven't used it, but I've heard Marie France soap has a higher concentration of acid and thus works more quickly than kojie-san. I used a combination of dermatologist prescribed Retin A and 4% hydroquinone on my face and neck, as the soap was too drying to use on my face. I have friends and relatives who have used Maxipeel #3 (which contains both Retin A and hydroquinone) successfully to get rid of their own face/neck tan, as well as acne scars as a bonus. Kojie-San, Marie France and Maxipeel are Filipino products, but in general, lightening products from Asian countries tend to be more trustworthy than products you may find from sub-Saharan African countries, which in my experience and research, stand a larger chance of having steroids in them. Wherever they are from, if you go for foreign products be sure to do your due diligence on the product itself and wherever you're getting it from. Amazon is usually a safe bet, but check the reviews.

There are some American creams available at the drugstore containing hydroquinone Ambi, with 2% hydroquinone, and Nadinola with 3% hydroquinone, the highest you can get commercially without a prescription in America), though without Retin A, these percentages will be largely ineffective for your purposes.

Getting rid of a perma tan will be a commitment, and progress will be slow, but as long as you are consistent and practice SAP, you'll get there.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*EDIT!

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

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

AM:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Purchases:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Repurchase:

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

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

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

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.

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!

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

So, here are the products and my review.

KOSE Softy Mo Deep Treatment Oil, 7.8oz

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The other two are very well known products.

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

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

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

Ahh hydrating toner recommendations-

Dear Klairs

Corsx essence

Missha essence

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

​

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

Hello!

I've been 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!

Okay! I've got some stuff going.

For now, I'd say stop the noxema cleansing cream, and just wash your face with water. I'd also stop the ponds cream for now, as it again may be causing you more harm than good. It's cheap, but I also had a similar burning issue with it when I used it.

I managed to find a Canadian dupe to my moisturizer by scouring the crap out of canadian walmart, canadian amazon, and the drugstore you mentioned.

For your face, I'm gonna recommend Glaxal Base Moisturizing Cream, 100g for $10.42 on Amazon, or 450g for $24.99 on Amazon. This is a very bland (low ingredient, less likely to give you a reaction --- good idea for you) moisturizer that will get the job done hopefully without any sensitivity on your end. It is perfect for your face, and relatively reasonably priced. (I aimed for much cheaper, but I was looking for a really specific, basic moisturizer that was less likely to make you itchy)

A good hyaluronic acid may also help you, so I am recommending a hyaluronic Acid toner. It may seem a little much, but using a hyaluronic acid toner like this can help you get the moisture INTO your face, and then a protective/basic moisturizer like the one I recommend will help KEEP it in. The one I am recommending is amazingly cheap per mL and works really well. I am only just running out of this container exactly one year later (bought it in last May) even with daily, gratuitous use.

I recommend Hada Labo Goku Jyun Moist. Since you'll want to introduce this gradually, you could buy it from amazon here. Shipping takes a while from Amazon, but it's free and it's only $16 for the same thing on this site. Here is the same product at Ebay. The same product is also available at Yes Style with slightly faster shipping, but it's not free shipping.

They have several versions of the product, but I specifically recommend this one, because some of the other VERY similar serums from the line have more irritating ingredient lists.

If you feel like you need a cleanser, I'd recommend Spectro Fragrance Free Facial Cleanser for Dry Skin, 500mL for $11.58 at Walmart.

Since body cream covers a lot more real estate than the face, I looked for a much more reasonably priced body moisturizer.

I'd go with NIVEA Repair & Care Fragrance-Free 72H Body Lotion for Sensitive Skin, 625 mL, $5.98 at Amazon.

For the SPF ideas, honestly, unless you spend a lot of time in the sun, there is no need to start your skincare routine with a SPF. You're not using any topical retinoids or anything that makes you more sun sensitive. There is no rush to find this skincare ingredient.

Oftentime the skin is more sensitive when it's dry and inflamed like your'e describing, so you might have the worst time EVER trying to find an SPF that doesn't leave you itchy and unhappy. I'd say start with the moisturizers and/or the cleanser, and when you get some relief from your dry skin you can try to find a daily sunscreen.

​

Your routine will look like this:

AM

• Wash with water
  
• Hado Labo Goku Jyun Moist (Don't add into routine until 3 weeks after adding the glaxal base moisturizer, so you can make sure you aren't getting a reaction from the glaxal base moisturizer)
  
• Glaxal Base Moisturizing Cream
  
  ​
  
  PM
  
  
• Wash with water (If you get the Spectro Cleanser, only use it at night here)
  
• Hado Labo Goku Jyun Moist (Don't add into routine until 3 weeks after adding the glaxal base moisturizer, so you can make sure you aren't getting a reaction from the glaxal base moisturizer)
  
• Glaxal Base Moisturizing Cream
  
• Nivea Repair & Care Fragrance-Free 72H Body Lotion for Sensitive Skin, all over body.

Hey all,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

___

I currently use the following of an evening:

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

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

Am:

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

I've had KP since I was a kid and am finally getting handle on it in my 30s. My current routine is glycolic lotion twice a day, creams on the affected areas 3-4 times a day, and then physical exfoliation and using zinc or sulfur soap a couple times a week to keep the bumps at bay. But since skincare is YMMV, here's the exhaustive list of almost two decades of treatment, in case some of these other things will work for you!

100% of the items can be purchased via Amazon in the US - it's pretty much the only way I shop.

Beginner Level

If your KP has just appeared, focus on physical+chemical exfoliation and moisturizing. Look for lotions with the following ingredients:

• Glycolic Acid [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/GLYTONE-Exfoliating-Body-Lotion-8-4/dp/B002D48QRK/ref=sr_1_7_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493069563&sr=1-7&keywords=glycolic+acid+lotion)
  
• Lactic Acid [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/AmLactin-12-Moisturizing-Lotion/dp/B000TTPZQ6/ref=pd_sim_194_9?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000TTPZQ6&pd_rd_r=VMNB4G7XKMTDC8FCCPPW&pd_rd_w=3Hg0d&pd_rd_wg=6JKTf&psc=1&refRID=VMNB4G7XKMTDC8FCCPPW)
  
• Mandelic Acid [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Wu-4712052501942-Intensive-Renewal/dp/B00KQYJ9TI/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493069480&sr=1-4&keywords=mandelic+acid+serum)
  
• Azelaic Acid [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MSSJP9Y/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
• Salicylic Acid [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/Paulas-Choice-Weightless-Treatment-Antioxidants/dp/B00CS5U172/ref=sr_1_7_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493069348&sr=1-7&keywords=paulas+choice+bha) (Or just use [Stridex Pads] (https://www.amazon.com/Stri-dex-Pads-Maximum-Strength-Pack/dp/B004WP0S74/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493069393&sr=1-1&keywords=stridex&th=1))
  
• Retinol [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/Retinol-Surge-Moisturizer-Cream-2-5/dp/B00OQQLNG4/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1493070177&sr=8-1&keywords=body+merry+retinol)
  
• Urea [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/Eucerin-Skin-Intensive-Treatment-Lotion/dp/B0098YQH2O/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493069275&sr=1-1&keywords=eucerin+urea)
  
  Paula's Choice and Derma Doctor's KP duty both work well because they combine a few of these, but you can also get Amlactin, Eucerin and Glytone which are more focused on a single ingredient. Nearly all of the Eucering, Gold Bond, Cetaphil, etc. creams that work have one of the above ingredients, so take a look at the back of the bottle or on CosDna to figure out what works best for you. Prescription creams include Carmol 40 and Ammonium Lactate in higher concentrations.
  
  Physical exfoliation includes:
  
  
• Salux cloths [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/Salux-Nylon-Japanese-Beauty-Yellow/dp/B007IAE5WY/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493068965&sr=1-2&keywords=italy+towels)
  
• Italy towels [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004C8DR1U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
• Hammam or Kessa mitts [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/Zakias-Morocco-Kessa-Hammam-Exfoliating/dp/B0076YIPZU/ref=pd_sim_194_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0076YIPZU&pd_rd_r=XC3PKNKFAM2Z88K10WDT&pd_rd_w=M6c0H&pd_rd_wg=fsKqw&psc=1&refRID=XC3PKNKFAM2Z88K10WDT)
  
• Dry brushing [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DHHJ9S6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
• Sugar scrubs [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/Tree-Hut-Sugar-Scrub-Moroccan/dp/B01EXDOQZY/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493069250&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=sugar+scrub&psc=1)
  
• Salt scrubs [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F7WA2X0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
• St. Ives wash [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J4YY4DM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
• Lush Buffy Scrub [[Link]] (http://www.lushusa.com/body/body-butters/buffy/02127.html)
  
  My dermatologist also recommended moisturizing CONSTANTLY, which really helped smoothe my arms. According to his instructions, "constantly" meant that I needed to be able to feel the lotion on my skin 24/7 for at least 3 weeks, which for me meant a new layer of cream every hour or two. Pretty much any moisturizing lotion or cream will do. I'm partial to [CeraVe Moisturizing Cream] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013GDK3SQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) (creams are less watered down than lotions, and this one drys down wonderfully, leaveing my skin feeling buttery but not sticky). Lush dream cream and Aveeno are also faves.
  
  Intermediate Level
  
  If a bit of exfoliation and moisture aren't working, you might want to consider if there are other skin conditions making your KP worse. For example, it turned out for me I had some fungal skin issues that made my KP bumps more inflamed. Topical steroids can help, but use with care as they can cause skin thinning. Try adding something with the following ingredients in to see if any of the following work. Also talk with your derm about getting a mild prescription treatment that might include an antibacterial or steroid component.
  
  
• Sulfur (typically sulfur soap, although you can also buy some creams) [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00685KUGA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
• 2% Pyrithione Zinc (ZnP) (In [soap] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MWB0ZGE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1) or [cream] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N434AWO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) form)
  
• Tea tree oil [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017L8ZUJE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
• Clotrimazole [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/Family-Care-Clotrimazole-Anti-Fungal-Cream/dp/B01K51YPCC/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493069707&sr=1-1&keywords=clotrimazole)
  
• Hydrocortisone [[Link]] (https://www.amazon.com/Cortizone-Cream-Maximum-Strength-Anti-Itch/dp/B001AZTD52/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493069776&sr=1-1&keywords=hydrocortisone)
  
  As others have mentioned, sunlight also helps. Either give yourself 15 minutes of sun a day or look into UV treatments.
  
  Finally, consider dietary factors – for me cutting out dairy, sugar, and gluten when I really want crystal clear skin makes a big difference. Adding healthy oils and fats to your diet can also improve skin quality.
  
  Advanced Level
  
  I not only have KP, but years of scarring and redness (Post Inflammatory Erythema, or PIE) from picking at the bumps when I was younger. Laser treatments have almost 100% gotten rid of this and made my arms the smoothest and clearest they've been in almost two decades. However, these are pricey (for me, ~$200 a treatment and it took 4) and a serious time commitment. But if nothing else works, consider it.
  
  Other Tips
  
  
• If you pick, use a hydrocolloid bandage right away to make things heal faster.
  
• Vitamin C, niacinamide, honey/propolis, rosehip oil/rosewater, and all those other things this sub and /r/AsianBeauty love can really help reduce redness.
  
• Avoid overly hot showers, as this can be dehydrating. On the other hand, drink lots of water to hydrate internally.
  
• There are a ton of home/natural remedies out there, including using apple cider vinegar and coconut oil, none of which worked for me. These are seriously YMMV. Apple cider vinegar is low Ph, so if that helps, try using a [low Ph cleanser] (https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Foaming-Facial-Cleanser-Ounce/dp/B01N1LL62W/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493070492&sr=1-2&keywords=cerave+foaming+facial+cleanser) or [Ph adjusting toner] (https://www.amazon.com/MIZON-Daily-Clean-Toner-Fluid/dp/B00LUU42NU/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1493070538&sr=1-1&keywords=ph+adjusting+toner), which might be less harsh. Similarly, coconut oil is antimicrobial and moisturizing, so give it a try and if it works, investigate whether you need more moisture or antibacterial/antifungal ingredients in your other products.
  
• Last but not least, don't sweat it! KP is incredibly common and nothing to worry about. I spent years being super paranoid about my arms and keeping them covered up, only to discover none of my friends even noticed my skin or cared at all.
  

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

i 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!!!

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

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

[AM]

>100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffiene Eye Cream

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

>CeraVe AM SPF 30 Moisturizer

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

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

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

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

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

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

> Exfoliate with Silk Natural's 8% AHA Toner

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

I want 20 minutes before I put on other products.

>CeraVe Eye Cream

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

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


[Products I will be introducing into my routine]

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


>Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Serum

>RESIST Pure Radiance Skin Brightening Treatment


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

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

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

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

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

Morning

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Current routine:

AM

Garnier Micellar Water - pink cap or Cerave Foaming cleanser

Cosrx Aha/bha Clarifying Treatment Toner

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

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

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

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

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

CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion

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

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

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

PM

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

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

Cosrx Aha/bha Clarifying Treatment Toner

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

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

SCINIC First Treatment Essence 3 skin method.

All depending on how I'm feeling that evening:

LJH TeaTree 90 Essence

SCINIC Snail All In One Ampoule

SCINIC Honey All In One Ampoule

Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence

Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

MIZON Snail Repair Eye Cream

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

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

Guerisson 9 Complex Horse Oil Cream

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

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

Things I'm waiting on in the mail:

ROSETTE Aqua Ceramide Gel

Rumase BIFIDA Snail Toner

Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam

It's Skin Power 10 Formula - PO Effector

Hoping the all work well for me too!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Morning:

Cleanse with Cerave foaming or Yes to Cucumbers milk cleanser

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

Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion as a hydrating toner

Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner

Cosrx Birch Sap Lotion or Belif Aqua Bomb for moisturizer

Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence sunscreen

Evening:

Botanic Farm Grain Ferment Cleansing Sherbet for oil cleansing

Second cleanse with Cerave Foaming or Yes to Cucumbers Milk cleanser

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

Pea sized glob of Differin

Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion

Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner

Cosrx Birch Sap Lotion or Belif Aqua Bomb

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copying from my previous comment from earlier in the thread:

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

My typical morning routine for my face is:

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

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 :)

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

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

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

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

Current Routine / Products I'm Using:

AM

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

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

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

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

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

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

CLEANSERS

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

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!

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

Bio-oil has mineral oil, mineral oil isn't harmful at all. A lot of people even use it to oil cleanse their face.

A lot of people here think bio-oil is overpriced, the main ingredient, mineral oil, is actually pretty cheap. I personally love bio-oil though. I haven't used Mederma, but they have an excellent reputation.

I've used neosporin to help fade scars, I noticed some improvement, but it took MONTHS. Like half a year. My advice is to use glycolic acid (a toner, serum, or lotion) wait 20 minutes then apply either neosporin, bio oil, or mederma. Really the choice is up to you, all would help. I'm recommending glycolic acid because it works by exfoliating the top layer of skin, it breaks the "glue" that holds the cells together. I think it would really help to kind of dissolve or wear down the top layer of the scar. Alpha Hydrox is great brand, I've used Mederma Glycolic Acid products and really like it.

I think your best bet is to get into a habit of using whatever products you choose everyday, and don't expect instant results. In a few months the appearance should be reduced.

edit: Applying sunscreen in the morning would also help discoloration. UV light will darken the scars.

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

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

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

​

​

​

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

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

Hey everyone,

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


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


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


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


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


Thank you for any kind of help!

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

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

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

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

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

Sorry, I blabber on...

I would recommend the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cleansers:

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Cleansing Lotion *

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser

Toners:

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist *

Thayers Alcohol Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner

Moisturizers:

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream *

Cerave Moisturizing Cream (aka Cerave in the tub)

Actives for texture/acne improvement:

The Ordinary Azealic Acid Suspension

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

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

Products I love!

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

Try COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid since you have closed comedones. AHA helps with closed ones (whiteheads) and BHA helps with open ones (blackheads). This stuff is awesome, but start with 2x weekly and increase as sensitivity allows (or decrease to once a week if you have irritation).

It will take time (2 weeks to maybe notice a difference and up to 6 to see significant clearing) but that plus the prior recommendations of using moisturizer daily (one that doesn't cause clogging of the pores). You also could benefit from weekly or biweekly exfoliation using something like Neogen Dermatology Bio-Peel Wine Peeling Gauze. That product is pretty gentle but really clarifies congested skin (which keeps those comedones stuck in there for what seems like forever!)

I've tried every cream (Rx and OTC) and numerous meds including doxy and Accutane (twice), and honestly the only thing that changed my skin and cleared ALL of it up was when I began to use solely Korean beauty products. For me, they worked better on clearing my acne while keeping it soft and not irritated.

It took me 15 years to find these products that actually, for the first time since puberty at age 28, cleared up my skin, especially those pesky, stubborn whiteheads. Hope that helps!

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

HOW TO GET ALL OF IT OFF YOUR FACE

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

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

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

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

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

I would also add vitamin C serum for skin brightening .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Current routine:

Morning:

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

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

I have been in Korea for the past 6 weeks (normally live in Scotland) and I have been really trying to take advantage of Asian products and improve my skincare routine, with a major focus on hydration as I have very dry & dehydrated skin.

My skin hasn't really gotten any better or worse appearance-wise since I've been in Korea, but my hydration levels have improved somewhat.

I recently have been testing different products such as the COSRX Low-pH good morning cleanser and the Hanskin PHA cleansing oil, and have since gotten crazy amounts of whiteheads which won't go away no matter what I do :(


About me: 19M, Fair skin, started seriously trying to improve my skincare routine a year and a half ago, although I have had a skincare routine for maybe 4/5 years since I started getting acne.

Skin type: Dry; dehydrated; acne-prone (still have current whitehead breakouts every day on the lower 3rd of my face, mostly around my mouth, chin and nose area)

Climate: Currently hot & humid, but I normally live in Scotland which is cold, wet and windy most of the year.

Main skin concerns: Acne, dryness & PIE/PIH/acne scars

​

Current skincare routine

AM:

• Simple Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash
  
• HADALABO Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion
  
• COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
  
• The Simple Daily Lotion (Scinic)
  
• Etude House Sunprise Must Daily SPF50+ PA+++
  
  ​
  
  PM:
  
  
• Simple Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash
  
• HADALABO Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion
  
• COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
  
• The Simple Daily Lotion (Scinic)
  
• TactuPump (0.1% adapalene / 2.5% benzoyl peroxide) <<NO LONGER USING>>
  
  ​
  
  I also use:
  
  
• SLS-free toothpaste
  
• Vaseline lip balm
  
• Nexcare acne-patches
  
  ​
  
  I have been using TactuPump since November 2018, and it has mostly cleared my skin, however I still get several new whiteheads around my mouth/nose/chin area (occasionally other random places too e.g. jawline, neck forehead) every day and I use the acne-patches to help with those, but that is an adaptive method, not a preventative one.
  
  Although I really like this routine, my skin still feels a bit dry after everything is layered on in the morning. A lot of my dryness is of course due to the TactuPump, but I can't stop using it because I break out like crazy if I don't use it.
  
  I also find that the moisturser that I use is a little bit greasy and takes ages to sink in to my skin.
  
  IMPORTANT NOTE I stopped using TactuPump a few weeks ago and my skin initially improved, probably due to less drying effects of the tactupump, so maybe my current breakouts are due to not using TactuPump, but whenever I use it I always have loads of nasty whiteheads all over the lower third of my face.
  
  
  ​
  
  I'm broke too so pls give me affordable recommendations that I can buy in the UK/Korea lol
  
  ​
  
  Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post, I hope you have a lovely day, I would really appreciate if you could help me out, acne is ruining my self-esteem, I just want to get rid of it, it has tormented me enough for the past 4.5 years, I just want to be normal :(

I have redness from drying out my skin/ destroying my moisture barrier (used Differin without moisturizing properly omfg why). I think your routine is simple, but could do with more hydration layers!

I got rid of all actives for 2 months. I simply washed my face with Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, Hada Lobo Hydrating Lotion, CosRX 97% Snail Mucin Essence, The Face Shop Rice Ceramide Cream, and then Etude House Soonjun Recovery Barrier Cream.

I think the red marks are there as inflammation and irritation. I would add some sort of Hyaluronic Acid (Hada Lobo Hada Lobo Gokujun Hylaronic Acid Moist) to help attract water and promote hydration instead of drying out the skin. Put this in the morning and night after cleansing, and then layer your serums, essences, and moisturizer on top of it.

In addition, maybe changing Cetaphil to Cerave Hydrating Cleanser (if you are interested- I personally found Cetaphil way too drying and exacerbating my redness).

Finally, I would also look into Innisfree Green Tea Serum to reduce redness. Many MANY people have said great things about Rosehip Oil. For me, Rosehip Oil was the game changer- it reduced redness dramatically (it's still there, but I don't look like I'm wearing red pain on my cheeks- and I'm a brown-skinned girl, so redness just stands out). I'm thriving off a sample of Pai Rosehip Oil. It's $40, so once my sample runs out, I think I'm going to hop on the Radha Rosehip Oil train.

Finally, you should add some sort of sleep mask to help with restoring your skin barrier. I just got Laneige Sleep Mask to help with hydration.

The Etude House Soonjung Line is really good for calming redness- I'm personally thinking about adding the Pathenoside Cica Balm to help with redness.

In addition, I've heard great thing about Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream.

P.S.: Don't add all of these products at once. I'm on month two of restoring my moisture barrier after eliminating all actives. When I added in a new product, I focused on adding one product per week. If I saw after the week my face got worse, I eliminated it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

A quick breakdown with links (all from Amazon):


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

 

(Sk)intro and review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So most (real) skincare experts recommend chemical exfoliation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lol

Toners:

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

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

• Pyunkang Yul- Essence Toner (also layerable)

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

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

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

• Fresh- Rose Deep Hydration (~$40)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Hyaluronic Acid serum, such as Paula's Choice

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

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

Hydrating Face Wash in pump bottle: Just started using this and I really like it so far. I keep meaning to see if it can take off sunscreen but I keep forgetting not to do a 1st cleanse. LRP Toleriane Gentle Hydrating Cleanser was my HG, but this might be better. Will repurchase unless it runs out fast. Only $9, but my $14 ($9 on sale) LRP has lasted forever.

Gokujyun Lotion Moist: Love it, use it every AM. Much thinner than premium, sets quickly. Plays well under sunscreen. Might repurchase, but my try a different gokujyun lotion in its place.

Gokujyun Premium Lotion: Love it, use it every PM. Sometimes apply a lesser amount with wet hands to help the small amount spread better and find that it sets well (same with Kiku High Moist). Have already repurchased, will continue to do so.

Has anyone used the green ones? The Blemish & Oil control lotion or face wash? I'm tempted. idk why.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here is what I'm thinking of buying:

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

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

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

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

Seriously, /r/AsianBeauty saved my skin.

I wash my face with Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Foam Cleanser in conjuction with something called a Konjac sponge and then I follow up with the Cosrx AHA after. Then as a moisturizer -particularly under makeup- I use their Snail Mucen product. Also, sunscreen is super critical, it helps prevent your hyperpigmentation spots from getting darker. I'm not a fan of the western sunscreens, so I use Shiseido brand. The smell is different than the regular stuff we're used to but it's not unpleasant. And there's no need to buy the more expensive stuff, this works out really well.

The facewash I use has a slightly high pH level, and it's okay for me because I immediately put on the AHA after because it somehow cuts down the pH level. This lower pH face wash is what my daughter uses, and it does a good job, she started using it and the breakouts pretty much stopped, although she's apparently prone to blackheads on her nose so I got some BHA product for her, and I also got her a konjac sponge as well, so hopefully it provides her with some results. The sponge is super soft, but it does a surprisingly good job of exfoliating; without that feeling of scrubbing your skin with sandpaper. Heads up, with the konjac sponge there's lots of different ones out there and they pretty much work all the same; even the cheaper ones.

If you're gonna try exploring and experimenting with other products, be sure to try one product at a time, to make sure you don't have a reaction to it! Of course you probably already knew that, but I figured I'd throw that out there in case you didn't.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 :)
    

Your shampoo could be the cause. I would definitely start using an aha and or bha product. I would use a gentle cleanser like vanicream Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser with Pump Dispenser | Fragrance, Gluten and Sulfate Free | For Sensitive Skin | 8 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QY1XZ4W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_dq1CDbWX75558 then a good toner like MIZON Aha & Bha Daily Clean Toner, 5.07 Fluid Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LUU42NU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bo1CDb3KXNJ4A there is also a different selection on this mizon toner for a aha serum. I haven't tried it but I am planning on buying it. I really love Cosrx products. I use the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, 100ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073P6ZQ4V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Vw1CDb8W7WA27 a lot because it uses a different form of salicylic acid which great for sensitive skin, plus this is moisturizing.

Edit I would also recommend Jason dandruff shampoo Jason Dandruff Relief Treatment Shampoo 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FGDIAS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WB1CDbSVRBM37 it has the bha salicylic acid and sulfer which help exfolites your scalp. If you do have fungal acne or are having a reaction to your shampoo this is a good choice. I have been dealing with a dry scalp and then it turns into dandruff, after 4 uses my scalp looks so much better

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.

The issue(s) you need help with:

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

Skin type:

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

I would say I have pretty sensitive skin.

Current routine with the full names of your products:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

AM

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

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

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

PM

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

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

Neutrogena Hydroboost gel-cream for extra dry skin

Hada labo premium is my HG! The moist version is good too, but the premium is just amazing. It's cheap, effective, and I will repurchase it forever. I do the asian beauty thing of layering humectant products up when my skin is really dry, and the moist version is better for that since the premium can get sticky if you apply more than 2 layers and takes longer to absorb. I also like sheet masks (I'm not fussy about which, and I've had good experiences with making my own with a mix of hada labo moist and thayers toner) to get hydration quickly when I've overdone it with exfoliation or slacked on skincare for a few days :)

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!
  

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

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

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

I hope this helps!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mochitto Mochi Mochi Face Wash

Hada Labo Gokujun Oil Cleanser (200ml)

Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Cleansing Foam (160ml)

Medicated Deep Cleansing Oil L (200ml)

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

Rohto Hadalabo es cleansing foam type (160ML)

Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (170ml)

Spot Treatment

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

Hydrating Toners

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

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Solution (170ml)

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

Matsuyama Skin Moisturizing Water, Light Type

Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion

Mebika Moist Lotion

Cezanne High Moist Lotion


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


Gels

Hada Labo Shirojyun Cool Hyaluronic Jelly (200ml)

Naturie Skin Conditioning Gel

Rosette Ceramide Gel

Meishoku Cerracolla Perfect Gel

Moisturisers

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


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

Meishoku Cerracolla Perfect Cream

MUJI Sensitive Skin Moisturizing Milk - Moisture (200ml)

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Cream 50g

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Milky Lotion 140ml

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

Sunscreens

CANMAKE Mermaid Skin Gel UV

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

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

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

Hada Labo Gokujun Perfect UV Gel (50g)

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

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

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

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

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

Trader Joe’s;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Oil cleanse

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

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

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

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

2. Acid exfoliation

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

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

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

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


3. Hydrating toner

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

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

4. Ceramide lotion

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

5 (Daytime). Sunblock

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

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

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

5 (Night). Occlusive

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

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

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

Good luck, and happy moisturizing!

There's a pretty easy way to avoid this:

1. Take a warm bath with some bath salts. After about 10 minutes of soaking or so, exfoliate your skin, try this: (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001POYT16/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) That's just an example, you can get some epsom salt (same stuff) at Walmart for half the price.
   
   
2. Exfoliating the skin first prevents ingrown hairs. Super important. The first time I did this, I did not know how to shave my body properly and I ended up being way too vigorous and getting lots of nasty razor bumps. To exfoliate I used:
   
   
3. Loofah or Pouf (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CTQMIC/ref=oh_details_o02_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) again check Walmart, it'll be cheaper. The main idea here is that you want to exfoliate dead skin and loosen up any hairs that are growing.
   
   
4. St. Ives Exfoliating Body Wash (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JLGC12/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) This is a really great natural exfoliant that you can put on the loofah/poof while you scrub
   
   
5. After exfoliation, you shave. I shave against the grain with a good Gillette razor using this shaving cream: Cremo Cream (http://www.amazon.com/Cremo-Astonishingly-Superior-Shaving-Creams/dp/B003FVWRCK/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=191FPDNMEKJB5PRZXF94) Which does a really tremendous job. You only need to spread a little bit of it around and it helps to give a really great shave without any irritation (great for both men and women). Plus it last a long time.
   
   
6. Moisturize with your favorite skincare lotion, brand doesn't really matter. You just want to keep that area moist and healthy.
   
   
7. LAST STEP. Most important, DO NOT DO THIS THE SAME DAY YOU SHAVE. DO IT EITHER A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER. Use an acid-based lotion like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TTPZQ6/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 or http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002D48QRK/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   The basic idea here is that through chemical exfoliation they'll smooth the red bumps and give you a very smooth look.
   
   
   This is my skincare routine and I don't get any of those ingrown hairs or razor bumps. I used too, though. That's why I do this.

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

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

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

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

Mandelic Acid Toner

CeraVe Moisturizing Facial Lotion AM, SPF 30, 3 Ounce

Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30+-8.75 oz ?

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

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

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

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

Any help is appreciated, thanks :)

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

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


AM

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

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

_


Cleanser:

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

__

"after shave":

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

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

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

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

_____

Moisturizer/hydration:

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

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

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

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

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

__

POSSIBLE treatment:

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

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

___

Sunscreen (mandatory! 😁):

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

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

__

Hope this helps!! :)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hang in there, we've all been there.

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

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

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

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

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

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

You mentioned wanting hydration, but aside from a bit of water and hyalauronic acid in the products that are intended to be used sparingingly (your AM actives) you only have a dedicated moisturizer. Additionally, your evening routine only has moisturizers and no hydrators, and tret can be pretty drying. I’d recommend adding a dedicated hydrator that you can really layer on before your moisturizer. I usually pat in 3-4 layers of hada labo moist and perhaps a spiritz of water before my moisturizer. Other thank that your vit c and the tret are good for dark spots/wrinkles respectively as long as you are giving them time to absorb/work before the next steps of your routine. Maybe consider getting a script for a higher percent tret from your dr if your skin can handle it. A humidifier in your bedroom if you live in a dry climate is also a good idea and will complement the hydrophilic nature of the hyalauronic acid.

I haven't looked into it myself, but this is what a review on amazon said for merano CC...

>I use this daily in the morning for care of dark spots and whitening. It can cause facial flushing if used back to back with products containing niacinamide so watch out for that. It also contains a chemical that can clog pores so if you are prone to blackheads, test what usage amount is best for you. I go easy on my nose area and find it works just great. Great product!

https://www.amazon.ca/Merano-medicinal-intensive-measures-Essence/dp/B00ITAP8P0/ref=sr_1_2?crid=YSV5HCXEB3H4&keywords=melano+cc&qid=1568679079&s=gateway&sprefix=melano+cc%2Caps%2C352&sr=8-2

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

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

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

AM:

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

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

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

Here's what I do:

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, the 10% lactic acid would exfoliate your skin, but if you can find a glycolic acid product at that concentration with proper pH, the glycolic would be more effective. The ability of the AHA to penetrate your skin is determined by the size of the acid molecule, among other things. Glycolic is smaller than lactic acid, so it will penetrate deeper into your skin and be more effective at exfoliating.

Another potential thing to think about is product size. The 30 mL bottle of lactic acid won't last very long at all. Since your body has so much more area than your face, generally you would want to get a larger bottle, like at least 4 ounces (body products are typically 8-16 oz. in size).

The glycolic acid 7% toner might work better for your needs. (240 mL)

http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-glycolic-acid-7pct-toning-solution-240ml?redir=1

Edit: also, just wanted to say that Alpha skincare 12% glycolic is a popular product for body PIH on this sub. Is this out of your price range?

https://www.amazon.ca/Alpha-Skin-Care-Renewal-Glycolic/dp/B01FX1FAH8/ref=sr_1_1/140-0849304-6381167?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1518750897&sr=1-1

I didn't do any price comparisons, so there might be more affordable options for you.

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!

I have mild KP on the backs of my arms and serious KP on my legs. I have found a few products that have helped considerably.

Products

KP Duty Body Scrub by DermaDoctor ($50 USD): This is a body scrub containing Glycolic and Lactid Acid. Since it is rinsed off, I'm not sure how important those ingredients are. It is expensive and there may be less expensive dupes out there, but it has been the most effective and least irritating scrub I have ever used. I only use it once per week, so one jar will last for 6 months.

Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion ($17 USD): This is a 12% Glycolic acid lotion. It is very thick, so I only apply it at night, before bed. When I wake up in the morning, my skin is so hydrated and smooth. It is truly an amazing product. I love this stuff!

Routine

I typically use the body scrub on my arms and legs once per week. It should be applied on dry skin, and then rinsed off in the shower.

I typically use the body lotion on my arms and legs every night after I shower. Whenever I shave my legs, I use the body lotion immediately after. This helps prevent ingrown hairs by removing dead skin cells before they have chance to cover the hair follicle.

When I follow this routine consistently, my KP is barely there, but if I slack off, it will reappear.

Using my beauty account for this-

I've had bacne problems since highschool and recently decided to stop being shitty and really tackle it. General washing helped but here are two products that I think you should try out:

AmLactin "12% lactic acid neutralized with ammonium hydrox". I bought this exact bottle from Amazon. Here's what you do- shower with soap and warm water (using water that's too hot for too long will actually strip the good oils and make your breakouts worse) then get out, pat your back/shoulders dry, and rub a thin layer of AmLactin lotion all over until it's absorbed. Then put on a clean cotton T-shirt and go to bed.

So that's the lactic acid route, which has had quite good results for me. It went from 7/10 severity to 3/10.

The other thing I recommend, which I am waiting for in the mail currently, is Neutrogena Body Clear Body Spray, which is the Salicylic acid route and as far as I know can be used in conjunction with the AmLactin or by itself, though with this one you want to start with only a little bit and gradually increase the dosage to 1-3 times per day to see if it dries out your skin too much. I've only heard good things about this.

Other than medications, what you can do is use "gentle" everything that touches your back. For me, it had a lot to do with general sensitivity to the harsh stuff. When I use dryer sheets or heavily scented soap or laundry detergent, my body acne is worse. Using this "natural" laundry soap and "scent-free" stuff helped out on the clothing front. Even if you don't think you're allergic to anything, I've found that hypoallergenic bathing and laundry products help a lot, actually.

Good luck, bacne really hurts the ego sometimes.

It would depend on where you're using the exfoliant. On the body, I recommend a glycolic acid lotion (there are plenty available on Amazon or you can get one through Makeup Artist's Choice). For the face, you should get something that's formulated for that area - body lotion with acids are far too strong and you'll like irritate the skin through over-exfoliation. Paula's Choice sells a popular AHA that would likely work well for you. Personally, I use the Cosrx AHA and really like it, although some people don't find it strong enough.

The loofah may work for your body (although I personally find them way too rough), but for your face it'll be too harsh. If you're looking for a physical exfoliant, I love using a Konjac sponge. It's gentle and I find that it gets my skin super smooth.

Hope that helps!

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


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


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

AM:

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

It could be a variety of things causing the breakout. Hormones, a body wash/lotion, unclean sheets, or even an old loofa/sponge can be your downfall. Clean your bed spread with sensitive detergent and then start on your skin.



Get yourself a new loofa/sponge. Get in the shower and gently cleanse with a body wash that doesn't have a lot of irritants. I recommend VaniCream personally, but if you think something else will work better for you, well you know your skin best.



After your shower I would put on an AHA based lotion. I like Alpha Skincare. You'll have to remember to put on sunscreen when going outside. The AHA will make your skin sensitive to the sun.



If doing this for 3 weeks doesn't help any I would make an appointment with a dermatologist.



Good luck!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Location: California, USA

Skin Type: Normal

Skin Concerns and goals Moisturize, glow, anti-aging

Allergies/irritants to avoid: High fragrance

Morning:

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

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

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

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

Hope this helps!

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.

There are a lot of really good options for KP as well - some ridiculously high % of the population has it in some way or another so you are not alone! I would suggest U Lactin or AM Lactin from the drugstore (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Etc), or Makeup Artist's Choice has a glycolic acid body lotion.

Something like this or some people prefer this one a little more. Or from Makeup Artist's Choice they have this one is a nice pH and they are offering 25% off right now with the code 'peek' in all lowercase letters. Your skin will let you know if it likes lactic or glycolic acid better! Try a few things.

You're welcome, glad to help :)

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

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

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


My current routine is:

AM:

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

I have pretty typical eczema all over, but it is profoundly itchy on my upper calves, breasts, and nipples. While steroidal ointments and creams help, the fastest relief has been a lactic acid lotion. It burns like crazy on broken/irritated skin, but really helped a lot. This is what I use daily - http://www.amazon.com/AmLactin-12-Moisturizing-Lotion/dp/B000TTPZQ6

Good luck! I hope you find relief soon.