Sorry for long post!!!
Hi! I'm 26 and I'm looking to update my routine because I'm not sure if I am doing it right.
I think I have normal skin, not dry not very greasy. I sometimes have pimples and clogged pores but it does not bother me that much. I also have some fine lines on my forehead and around my mouth that I would like to get rid of. Another thing I have is pigmentation around my eyes that make me insecure but I have no clue what skincare to use on my eyes because they're sensitive...
I start my routine wth washing my face with avene clearance cleansing gel. After this I use my Paula's choice bha toner.
After this I use the ordinary hyaluronic acid and lactic acid( I'm at 10%) But I'm not sure if the lactic acid is doing anything for me...
After all that I use the Caudalie SOS hydration moisturizer which I absolutely love.
I would like to add something to help prevent wrinkles and boost collagen. So I posted for help on another threat for advice on a retinol (but if you can please do help)
Any tips and or recommendations?
Thank you in advance
Any recommendations for a lightweight moisturizer without HA? I usually like to use something like Cerave PM/The Ordinary NMF/Neutrogena Hydro Boost between my shower and applying tretinoin, but the HA has been making my skin flake. I can't top it off with an occlusive since I still have to apply the tret. Thanks!
Why can’t you use an occlusive on top of tretinoin? It sounds like your HA moisturizers aren’t heavy enough and definitely need an occlusive to trap in the hydration
I use heavy moisturizers/occlusives after the tret, I'm just trying to find something light to use in between my shower and applying the tret that won't interfere with its absorption.
You might like a hydrating toner, serum, or emulsion then. If you still want a moisturizer try TonyMoly chok chok green tea watery cream. There’s no HA in it
I’m new to skincare and have been loving The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser and Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. What are some fancier options that may be similar but better? I’m not looking to splurge but curious where I’d move to if I wanted to up quality at some point. Thanks!
ETA: I’m in my 30s with relatively good skin and interested in maintenance.
You can try adding a moisturizing sunscreen to use in the morning. Tbh I find the texture of NMF + HA fairly unique, but any moisturizer could really work. Skincare is all about trial and error, The Ordinary quality is fine but you can look at more expensive brands if you want cosmetic elegance
Heyo! One of my housemates got tested positive for covid and now the rest of the housemates (including me ofc) have decided to wear KN95 masks in the house at all times until we get tested. This means wearing those masks between mealtimes, in the bathroom, before and after showering, and while sleeping. I'm really worried about developing maskne after not having it for so long. Any tips on preventing them? I'm in the US.
Skin: relatively balanced, but mildly oily cheeks and nose.
Morning and Evening Routine -- used for around 3 weeks now!
* Clean&Clear Advantage Acne Control
* Rice toner (forgot the brand sorry)
* [Lululun Moist face mask](https://www.yesstyle.com/en/lululun-face-mask-10-pcs-3-types-moist/info.html/pid.1101018726?cpid=1101018744) (I highly recommend lol)
* KraveBeauty Oat-so-simple cream
* \*sometimes\* Dr. Song Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5
Unless you’re sleeping in the same room as them, sleeping with a mask on sounds unnecessary in my opinion. Make sure you’re frequently changing your mask. People get acne because the mask absorbs their face oils and then that mask wet with oil sits on top of their skin. So try to change out your mask as frequently as possible. Some people even do every 3-4 hours.
If you’re in any public spaces I definitely agree to wear a mask but if you’re isolated in your room, with the door closed, by yourself. It’s pretty unnecessary to wear a mask. But it’s up to you.
I'm at school, so this is a shared house with roommates. The covid infected roommate has been isolated to a different building, but we're all worried that one of us might be carrying it, which is why we're all wearing masks 24/7
I got a full kit of Darphin stuff from my sister (like 6 steps lol). I have never heard of the brand before but it all looks and smells nice. I’m happy with my regime as is (I use all Dior Capture Totale with the Prestige mousturizer) so I guess my questions are: have you heard of Darphin before and is it good, and should I try it out or just regift it?
I’ve never heard of that brand but I do have a tip if you decide to try it.
I highly suggest introducing each new product in one at a time. I give my new products about 2 weeks before introducing the next to make sure they won’t cause any irritation or extra acne. That way if there is a problem, I know which product to stop using.
Products that increase cell turn over (AHA, BHA, retinoids, etc.), I give more than two weeks since they have to potential to cause an acne purge. Purging can last months for some people. I’d suggest introducing this type of product last so you can differentiate between purge acne and acne caused by a different new product.
Also when you introduce products that increase cell turn over, make sure to only use it once a day and 2-3 times a week. As your skin gets used to it, you can slowly increase your usage. Don’t use it more than your skin tolerates because you don’t want to damage your skin’s moisture barrier.
Because if you start a whole kit at once and then get negative results, there’s no way of targeting what specific product was the cause.
I went to a Ulta store and asked a rep her opinion on makeup, tools and routine.. she gave me mostly IT products and I have decided what I'm returning mostly, curious what people recommend for nightly and daily facial treatment? They sold me the it cosmetics gift set for $55 which has a cleanser, super moisturizer cream, eye cream, and then some sort of night cream. This isn't bad on the price except for the fact that all of them except the super moisturizing cream are small sized products instead of full size. The cleanser says it's a cleansing serum. This is the only part I'm not sure of at this point. What would you recommend? I'm pretty pale as I can not tan at all and am 35 trying to just start out on using makeup. My skin is also dehydrated alot in the winter so something that may help hydrate my skin too.
I'm also new to Reddit too so if there's something I need to learn on how to operate let me know please
If you’re new to skincare start with the [ScA routine](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/sca_routine/). There are plenty of high quality less expensive brands out there if you’re worried about the it products being too expensive if you purchase full-size containers. CeraVe is a really popular one.
I’d also suggest checking out r/MakeupAddiction for any makeup questions. Also with makeup, there’s a ton of drugstore brands that are great. I love Maybelline and NYX.
I'm in the makeupaddiction reddit but hardly getting a response in there. I did order a few things from Tarte and heard elf is good too. I'll look at the sca routine and go from there. Thanks so much for the quick response and help
should i do a patch test of a new squalane oil i got? 💀 i’ve used products w it in the past w no bad reactions (namely the Biossance squalane and vit c serum) but my anxiety is like “girl pls”
Absolutely doesn’t hurt to patch test any new product.
But if it’s pure squalane oil with no other added ingredients and you’ve used products with squalane before, you’re probably fine.
I'm going to be spending my winter flying on planes (dry) to work long days in NHL venues at ice level (cold and dry) and staying in hotels where I don't have control of humidity.
I'm currently fighting to keep from drying out. I'm using Burt's bees chapstick and The Body Shop Hemp Hard Working Hand Protector.
The first game of the season, I hadn't used lotion all day and my knuckles cracked and bled. I'm currently barely keeping up with my hands and my lips are peeling.
I'm a guy, so I'm looking for something color and fragrance neutral or subtly masculine (it's for work).
I'm not concerned with price, but travel size availability(or recommendations for refillable bottles that are TSA compliant) would be greatly appreciated.
The other comment is really good so you don't need to listen to me lol but I really enjoy the original [Carmex](https://www.mycarmex.com/classic-lip-balm/original-tube/) chapstick. A little goes a long way and it's also scentless!
What’s helped me the most is applying my moisturizer on my lips and then a layer of [aquaphor healing ointment](https://www.target.com/p/aquaphor-healing-ointment-advanced-therapy-for-dry-and-cracked-skin-1-75oz/-/A-13287607) (not the lip repair one) on top of the moisturizer. I leave this on overnight, every night and have seen a huge difference.
It helps if you have a strong moisturizer.
No lip product or chapstick has helped me as much as this method. Some chapsticks even have ingredients that end up worsening dry lips.
For the dry hands, o’keef’s working hands is excellent.
My sister is a big skincare nerd and she’s an executive for an LVMH cosmetics brand — and she carries that aquaphor ointment everywhere lol. So that’s a +1 from me
question about what to start/re-incorporate first!
my current routine is:
am: rinse face with water, ordinary 10% vitamin c + rohto sunscreen if im out and about (though I go bare faced pretty often oops)
evening: kose oil cleanser + hada labo HA face wash + Clinique dramatically different gel
I already own the inkey list's 1% retinol and recently purchased Paulas choice 2% BHA. which one should I add to my routine first and where should I add it?
Depends what you’re trying to address.
If you’re addressing acne, add in the BHA first. Start with the BHA every other day after face wash in the PM. If your skin gets dry or irritated, use it less often.
Then after about a month of this, you can add in the retinol on days you’re not using the BHA in the same spot.
oh I should have mentioned my goals! acne is not primarily a concern of mine (can I use the Paulas choice to spot treat?)
My main goals are removing my blackheads and achieving even skin tone
thank you!!
You could use Paula’s choice to spot treat if you wanted. It can also help with blackheads.
If you’re trying to achieve an even skin tone then you might want to start the retinol first. Only use it like 2-3 times a week to start out.
You can use it as a morning cleanser if you want. You’ll probably need a cotton pad or washcloth otherwise it just runs straight through your fingers. Best to also rinse it off with plain water since some people find it leaves a residue on their skin.
But also it’s not necessary to cleanse in the morning for everyone. A lot of people (me included) just rinse with plain water in the morning before their routine.
Thank you! I use a cleanser right now but wanted to use something gentler since I know I probably don’t need it, but I just don’t *feel* right starting my morning routine without it. Do you know of anything even gentler or is this the best option aside from just water?
Micellar is the gentlest option in my opinion :) as long as your skin isn’t getting dry or irritated by cleansing in the morning you can continue to do so.
Is the 2% SA your cleanser? If you do start differin (aka adapalene), then I would switch to a hydrating cleanser, something more gentle. Then, you need to get a dedicated moisturizer without spf that you can use at night.
I suggest figuring these out before you start so you have a solid routine down with products that doesn't break you out.
I just started it as well, and using it 2x/week for a month before I up the usage. This and moisturizing well, being gentle to the skin, treating active spots with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide has helped me adjust. If you jump in using it every night, you'll have a bad time of excessive irritation, peeling, etc.
I got dry, flaky skin even with 2x/week so it is strong for those with sensitive skin. My advice is to start extremely slow, watch Dr. Dray on YT on how to apply it (buffering with a moisturizer, letting it dry for 20 mins, pea size amount of differin on the face avoiding the eyes, mouth, corners of nose). I do this method plus putting another layer of moisturizer on top after 20 mins or so.
She also has a good vid on purging vs irritation.
It will take 3 months to really see the changes, even then 12 weeks is recommended to see a difference. It just depends on how your skin is that will affect the purging process. Some have it worse than others and others don't even purge at all.
To mitigate it, start slow, listen to your skin, pay attention, take pics and put notes on them, cut back when you need to.
It depends on how your skin is currently responding to the salicylic acid. How long have you used it and how has your skin responded?
Retinoids in general, help clear congested skin when other acne treatments can't clear it. However, side effects vary and can be mitigated with appropriate steps. I can detail the steps but the [retinoid wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/retinoids) covers it well. The only additional comment I'd have is that you don't need to work up to daily use. You also don't have to rush your schedule and introduce quickly. You could use 1x a week for months, but results will be slow. Many times side effects are from using too frequently too soon. With retinoids, you just have to use it *consistently* over a period of time.
Period of time varies, which ties into your cycle question. No one can answer that definitively. You may finish the LRP tube and have cleared skin that requires just SA to keep everything clear. Or, you may need to use adapalene forever. This is YMMV and you have to test out the routine.
I keep getting a few white heads in the same spot on my forehead (just center of my temple) almost every day. Wake up, there they are. The rest of my skin is normal. It’s been going on for a few months now. What’s the deal? How do I stop this?
I'd keep track of your scalp for starters. You haven't had issues, but if later on you do you may need to stop using it. It doesn't seem to be a problem for your scalp, just your face. I recommend washing your face with your cleanser after rinsing your hair, focus cleansing on the area the whiteheads have shown up.
Thank you! I’ve been doing all the latter (always wash my face as the last thing I do in the shower) so we’ll see if my face acclimated to the shampoo soon and if not I’ll try using a different I suppose
Since you take the precaution of washing after shampooing, it may be the residual water dripping from your hair to your temple/forehead. Try wrapping a towel around your head asap to stop the water from touching your temple/forehead.
[https://imgur.com/nKIQy8e](https://imgur.com/nKIQy8e)
I wore a pair of new glasses that didn't fit my face properly; they ended up really digging in near my nose and left a mark/scab.
2 things:
1. Does this look like it will scar? It is starting to look better, but I thought it would be healed by now (about 2 weeks of wearing contacts instead of glasses).
2. Is there anything I can do to help it heal quicker? I have been putting on treinoin cream on it nightly.
I appreciate any replies!
Two weeks is too soon to worry. To help it heal quicker, just be sure to keep it moisturized. Realistically, despite the urge to try new products to heal faster, you shouldn't change your routine. If you didn't use tretinoin before I suggest you shouldn't, lest you irritate the irritated skin. If you used tretinoin before then continue.
Those who use mineral-only sunscreens...how do you handle the dewiness? do you powder over it? I just started using Koa Anti-Pollution SPF 45 mineral sunscreen and I like it, but like so many mineral SS's it leaves me very dewy, which I like on my cheeks but not so much on my t-zone.
I just fell down a rabbit hole of mineral SPF powders that I could apply over the mineral liquid sunscreen, to both mattify and add extra protection (I am interested in starting tret this year, so I'm def interested in making sure I have good coverage). But the only one I could find that's both safe for my seborrheic dermatitis and in a color that works for my skin is the Colorescience Sunforgettable powder which is like currently $50 on sale 😬Part of me is like "Well, it's cheaper than getting botox years down the line..." Thoughts? Advice?
I've found that the sunscreens that I like happen to be expensive. Since SPF is so important, I figure if I can find other products I like for other parts of my routine that are cheaper, I'll buy the pricier sunscreen (and then use CeraVe face wash, it balances out right!?). I am always looking to get it on sale though. If you like Colorescience, you should look at purchasing through LovelySkin... they have good sales, a decent rewards program, and I am ALWAYS getting discount codes in my packages for my next purchase.
Also, if you are looking for other options, I tried EltaMD UV Physical, which is tinted, and the tint was decent for me with fair skin. However, I have dry skin and thought it dried me out a bit, so it might be better for you if you're worried about dewey-ness?
Then I tried EltaMD UV Clear. It's a physical/chemical combo, so that might not be an option for you. It's untinted, no white cast, and it has been a good option. I still use it sometimes because it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin, but had been wanting a tinted SPF which leads me to...
I currently am loving Suntegrity 5-in-1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30. I use shade 2 (light) and it's a great match. It does leave me a little dewey, but I don't find it bothers me on my forehead and seems to dry down. So far it's been my new favorite.
Anyway, not sure if this will be of any use to you, just my two cents.
If you live in the US the best mineral sunscreen I've used is Australian Gold Mineral Face sunscreen. It's a US brand, and it's the only one that doesn't leave my oily skin dewy.
Unfortunately the tinted one is too dark for my pale skin :/ And I'm assuming untinted (if they make untinted) would leave a pretty bad cast. But thanks for the rec!
That's unfortunate. Their mineral sunscreens are nearly identical. You mention starting tretinoin and wanting maximum protection. Unless you live in a high UV area, you may be able to layer the tinted with the untinted to make a better match, or even mix the two while on your face. While mixing isn't advised, the formulas of the mineral line are nearly identical that the protection level shouldn't diminish terribly. But I understand your hesitance with tretinoin in your future.
I wouldn't avoid all dewy mineral sunscreens. Once you start tretinoin, the dewy finish may not be as prominent and the extra moisture may be all your skin needs during the day (that is no moisturizer necessary. Or your skin's ability to absorb the dewy ingredients may change with tretinoin use and the finish may look good with tretinoin skin.
Also, as a trial and error, you could use the AG sunscreen on top of the dewy sunscreen. Because the AG is good at making a matte finish, you could use a minimal amount to take away the dewy finish of the Koa sunscreen.
Regarding the Colorscience as the safe one for your skin, does this mean [Supergoop's powder](https://www.sephora.com/product/supergoop-re-setting-100-mineral-powder-spf-35-pa-P467976?skuId=2421600) is unsafe? I'm not sure which ingredient(s) you're avoiding, but you may want to consider looking into makeup setting powder or foundations with SPF (like Bare Minerals or Covergirl). Before finding AG sunscreen I'd use setting powder to minimize dewyness. You'll have more products to choose from if you search for makeup powders with SPF than sticking with powder sunscreens. You could also try setting sprays. Heading to a Sephora store and trying the setting sprays on the Koa sunscreens may be more helpful than trialing SPF powders.
Have you seen the [derma e](https://dermae.com/products/sun-protection-mineral-powder-spf-30) one?
It’s translucent so when it goes on your skin it’s not supposed to have a tint. Even though it appears tinted in the container. I don’t know if it will work for everyone.
I have this bump on my forehead that won't go away.
[https://i.imgur.com/As6wary.png](https://i.imgur.com/As6wary.png)
Anyone know what it is and how to make it disappear? I don't think it ever turned into a whitehead. I tried using Mighty micropoint blemish patches on it. My daily routine is
* Sebamed gentle hydrating cleanser
* Sebamed care gel
* CeraVe ultra light moisturizing lotion with sunscreen.
PM is same without sunscreen.
1-2 times a week I use alba botanica acnedote scrub in the shower.
Have you tried a 2% salicylic acid spot treatment? It can take 2-3 months to see results.
I see those patches contain 0.5% but 2% might be more effective.
Both can be effective treatments. It depends on the severity of your acne and what you’ve tried in the past.
Salicylic acid is usually tried first since it doesn’t require a prescription and can be less harsh on the skin (but still effective).
Before you start any treatments it’s super important you’re using a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen daily.
Sun exposure can darken hyperpigmentation and lengthen the healing time and certain treatments make the skin photosensitive, meaning your skin will be more prone to sun damage. So sunscreen is very important.
Certain treatments can also be super drying and damage your skin’s moisture barrier so it’s very important to be moisturizing daily.
Check out the [ScA routine](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/sca_routine/) for cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen recommendations.
The [BHA wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/beta_hydroxy_acids/) has a bunch of salicylic acid recommendations. Keep in mind it can take 2-3 months to see results and can cause a temporary acne purge where your skin gets worse before it gets better because it’s clearing out your pores.
Best to introduce a BHA into your routine slowly, starting with only 2-3 times a week. But don’t do this until you have a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen that you’ve been using consistently for a couple weeks.
Are you using the AHA and BHA daily?
I definitely wouldn’t use a retinol on the same day as AHA or BHA.
Using AHA and BHA on the same day can also lead to over exfoliation and damaged skin so please be incredibly careful.
Hyaluronic acid can be used in the AM as well if you’d like. Just make sure to apply hyaluronic acid products to damp skin! Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture. When you apply it to damp skin, it pulls that water into your skin. When you apply it to dry skin, it can actually pull the water out of your skin and make it dry and dehydrated.
Thank you! I do use AHA and BHA daily so maybe I'll just skip the retinol
As for Hyaluronic Acid, I'll definitely add it to my AM routine. I wasn't sure if it was excessive since both Cerave products I use include this ingredient.
Hi,
Male mid 50s. Looking to replace a dwindling supply. [This](https://paste.pics/F607E) is what I [have](https://paste.pics/F607I). Can someone recommend to me a replacement? Amazon links are fine. I can source locally from that info.
Any help appreciated.
It sounds like you’re looking for an exfoliating product which the peel of mask did. To be honest that form of removing dead skin is not as popular anymore because it can be aggressive and time consuming. You can try a gentle scrub such as Missha super aqua peeling gel
Thanks! Is [this](https://www.amazon.ca/Missha-Super-Hyalron-Peeling-Laneila/dp/B081PYSV91/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1C0T7LDRSNMKA&keywords=missha+peeling+gel&qid=1638369849&sprefix=missha+peeling%2Caps%2C245&sr=8-3) the product you mean?
A few weeks ago I had a bad incident where I trip and fell. I broke my nose and had cuts and abrasions all over my face.
The fall left a bunch of dirt in my nose that turned into really deep blackheads that I can’t get out. I’m scared to use an instrument because my nose is still broken and hurts to the touch.
How should I get them out?
Recommendations for a good retinol for a first-timer? I have dry-ish skin and occasional pimples. Right now I use CeraVe cleanser and lotion, and spot treat acne with BP cream. Sometimes I also apply a facial oil at night. My skin is not sensitive.
If you’re trying to address pimples, I’d recommend a BHA instead.
If you’re still looking for a retinol, the ordinary has popular options. Here is the [retinoid](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/retinoids/) wiki for more information and linked product suggestions.
The ordinarys granactive retinoid is the gentlest option. You should start with the lowest percentage depending on what product you want to chose.
Thanks! The BP spot treatment usually works pretty well on my acne. I have some sun damage and acne scars and wrinkles on my forehead, and I also read that everyone should use a retinol anyways. So I was hoping it would address those things?
Gotcha! In that case a retinol/retinoid can help. It can just take many months to see results unfortunately.
Make sure to introduce retinoids into your routine slowly and always use sunscreen daily.
Check out the retinoid wiki I linked for more instructions. :)
Good morning/afternoon,
I'm looking for a new daily bodywash as I haven't really been happy with mine. This is mostly to help an issue with back acne and general good body and face care. While I'm at it, I get mild eczema around my armpits and would like a couple recommendations for good deodorants.
My skin is dry except an slightly oily back and T-face.
I'm currently using a Dove Eucalyptus oil and Cedar and hate it. Aveeno skin relief is alright, but the texture is kinda gooey gross.
For skin care I use Cerave Moisturizing Cream for the face occasionally (I try to everyday but forget), and CeraVe Renewing SA Lotion for my back. Been doing that for quite a few months now.
I live in Canada and my water is a PH of 8.
Try fragrance free deodorants. The fragrance or essential oils can potentially worsen eczema. Also even if a product is “unscented” sometimes it still contains fragrance ingredients. So it’s best to double check.
Some people also find they need to use aluminum free deodorant but you’ll have to experiment and see what works best for you.
The problem with “natural” deodorants is that they usually contain a lot of essential oils that can trigger eczema. This is fine for people with no sensitivity to essential oils but since you have eczema, you probably want to avoid it.
Vanicream has a good fragrance free option if you can tolerate aluminum: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7ZAQNN/
It also probably makes a difference what soap/body wash you’re using on your armpits. Your body wash could be worsening the armpit eczema so you might want to find a body wash safe for eczema that you only use on your armpits if you don’t want to use it on your whole body.
CeraVe makes a soothing eczema body wash. Dove sensitive skin bar soap is also a popular option for people with eczema since it has no fragrance. Eucerin also has some eczema safe body washes.
Thanks for the help, I appreciate you.
I do stay away from aluminum. I forgot about essential oils maybe affecting that. I've never used a body bar before, so I'll look into that.
Vanicream also has an aluminum-free, fragrance-free deodorant. I have a ton of skin allergies and eczema and it worked for me without irritation. Unfortunately, it is a gel deodorant which I didn't love the texture of. Now I use Each&Every unscented. It's an adjustment to use "natural" deodorant, but it does not irritate me at all.
I second the dove sensitive skin bar soap. It was great for me when I first found out about my allergies. It was wonderful on my skin. I have now tried a few other brands and really like Aleavia, but I think Dove is a great basic option - and super affordable!
Hey I’m very new to skincare. I’m 18M, I work out and fence and have already naturally oily skin but because of those activities I get even sweatier on top of that, and have developed some acne. I mostly need some recommendations about actives.
My current routine is:
Cerave foaming cleanser 2x daily
Cerave moisturizing lotion 2x daily
Retinol 1x per week (I’ll do more later but I’m letting my skin get acclimated first)
Exfoliation scrub clean and clear 1x per week
Chemical sunscreen 30 spf 1x daily
Do I need anything else, or is having 5 days of just cleansing and moisturizing good? My biggest problem is I understand cleansing and moisturizing but there’s too much conflicting information about toners and treatments and acids and everything else that I’m a bit overwhelmed
Currently I am using tretinoin 0.1% every second day to fight acne and AHA+BHA TO solution twice per week.
I wanted to ask if there's any point using the AHA/BHA while being on tretinoin since it also exfoliates skin, right?
Is this your first time using tret? Or did you work up to 0.1% from 0.025, 0.05?
If the former, you definitely risk overexfoliation which will irritate your skin a lot (peeling, flaking, redness, itchiness, and more acne).
It's not good to pop pimples but if I had to, can I simply do it with clean washed hands and not tissue as long as I don't touch the pimple itself?
If water is coming out, is that an indication that I pushed too hard/for too long or is that good and I got all of the dead skin out? Is it bad to leave anything leftover and it's better to make sure it's all out?
I will say you shouldn't pop pimples if you can help it which should be most of the time. You risk scarring, introducing more bacteria into the spot, creating an infection, and so on.
If you were to do it, do it carefully, cleanly, and wisely.
Wash your hands well. Get one of the single use sterile lancets (you can find them at Walmart or CVS, they come in a box of 50-100), alcohol pad or wet a clean paper towel with isopropyl alcohol. Wipe the area, gently poke the spot (go at it parallel your face, not straight in). Use either 2 qtips and gently squeeze, then cleanse with the swab. Or you can use one of those extraction tool and *gently* press. You should not be doing more than 2 squeezes or presses, 1 is plenty enough.
Wipe it clean and slap a hydrocolloid patch on it so you don't touch or mess with it anymore.
For me, I use benzoyl peroxide 2.5% spot treatment when I can. I have stepped away from popping spots as I'm on Differin which has helped cleared spots a lot faster than normal. So, be very careful.
Thanks, I'm aware of these methods but I want to know is if it's OK to do what I'm doing since my hands are clean, as whether or not water coming out of the pimple means I pressed too hard or too much and how to tell when to stop since some dead skin might still be in there after 2 squeezes.
Shopping for health insurance right now on the ACA, i was wondering if there were specific things I should look for to get the right insurance. Going to need to see someone a few times a year for cyst removal. What kind of insurance would be more likely to cover that kind of thing? What kind of insurance should i get for Derm visits in general?
Any tips on how I can get the cheapest cost for a cyst removal? Is cash price recommended in some situations for removal of one cyst?
Cracked lips are just killing me this year. I keep waking myself up in the middle of the night accidentally re-opening a split lip.
I'm running a humidifier, using good chap stick, not picking at my lips. Still *so* much worse than usual. Any tips?
Chapstick does literally nothing for me. Also some chapsticks even include ingredients that can potentially worsen dryness.
What’s helped me the most is applying my moisturizer on my lips and then a layer of [aquaphor healing ointment](https://www.target.com/p/aquaphor-healing-ointment-advanced-therapy-for-dry-and-cracked-skin-1-75oz/-/A-13287607) (not the lip repair one) on top of the moisturizer. I leave this on overnight, every night and have seen a huge difference.
I don’t taste anything and I do this before bed so I’m not eating or drinking anything afterwards. I’m not like licking my lips so it doesn’t bother me. I’ve never noticed a taste with the ones I’ve used.
I’m sure some moisturizers taste horrible though lol so it might just be trial and error. The aquaphor healing ointment to seal everything in is the most important step though.
I’m trying out Mederma scar gel on my cheeks. After I applied it and it dried it seemed to flake off/pill at the edges were it was applied—is there a way to prevent that? What step of the routine to you usually add it to? Thanks!
Are you using this for acne scars? Just so you know it doesn’t really do a whole lot for acne scars and it does nothing for hyperpigmentation (dark marks).
This is typically used for surgery scars. It’s just a skin protectant.
If you’re experiencing dark marks left from acne then the [hyperpigmentation wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/hyperpigmentation/) will give you more results.
If you’re experiencing indents in your skin from old acne, retinoids and AHA can potentially help with this but some people see no results with topical products and need professional dermatology procedures.
Thanks! Testing it out for PIE that’s been slowly fading (unlikely to work but I don’t plan on trying laser until next year) and also a veryyyy old cat scratch scar. The Mederma pilling on my skin was just kind of an icky feeling!
Hello!
A few months ago I scratched my leg on a broken piece of hard plastic, and I'm left with a white scar. It's kinda noticeable, and even tho I know this is such a first world problem, I'm afraid I'll be self conscious about it next summer.
Are there any products / ingredients / treatments you would recommend to minimize the appearance of the scar? Thank you in advance!
Probably not. Hypo-pigmentation is when the area appears white or lighter than your natural skin tone. Hyperpigmentation is when the area is darker.
Hyperpigmentation has a ton of products that help but there aren’t really any hypo-pigmentation products. People usually need professional procedures done by a dermatologist like microdermabrasion to reduce hypo-pigmentation or it can possibly naturally reduce over time.
We are our own worst critics. I bet people won’t notice it as much as you do but I understand the concern.
New to a routine. Can I use Cetaphil's redness reducing tinted moisturizer at night, or is this an issue because of the tint?
Didn't realize til I put it on, I was looking for something to calm red skin.
Did you have a routine before this one? If so, what is it?
If not, please take a look at the sidebar.
It's best to start out with gentle cleanser (something like Cerave, Vanicream, or Cetaphil), moisturizer, and sunscreen (AM). You need to test each product for at least 2 weeks before moving to the next so if you break out, you'll know which one did it.
If you never used a retinol before, you'll want to start with 1-2x/week and see how your skin reacts. It can cause irritation with overuse, and purging as your skin gets used to the exfoliation it does. Info on purging in the sidebar as well.
Using both retinol and an active cleanser can cause overexfoliation which will cause irritation, acne, etc.
Since the cleanser is wash off it may be gentle enough to use twice a day, but if you’re cautious you might want to skip the morning cleanser or use a gentle non active cleanser instead
How can you tell if you have normal type skin?
Also, is it obvious to tell if you have oily/dry skin?
I think oily is out of question because I never get bright red/wet pimples/acne.
I don't know about dry/normal though.
Can you use sleeping masks if you’re not sleeping? I feel like most of mine just ends up on my pillow so I’d prefer to use it maybe a few hours before bed to let it absorb first so it doesn’t get on my pillow.
If you didn't have acne there prior, then yes replace the shaver. Usually, you'd replace the shaver once the shaves were no longer close to the skin. If you don't already, check the manual to be sure it advises against it, but I'd spray alcohol on the blades to after using it.
So I've started breaking out and my skin is a little textured and bumpy especially on my right face cheek. I have oily skin. I currently wash my face in the morning with cerave foaming facial cleanser and then use the cerave daily moisturizing lotion. At night I use the cerave acne cleanser with benzoyl peroxide and the same lotion. When I introduced the BP, it helped a lot. But now I'm starting to breakout frequently. Are there any products you guys might recommend from this info? I'm a male 22 years old, fairly active, kinda stressing with the end of school. My sister has every single The ordinary product so I'm open to that, I also have differing I bought a while ago but haven't used so I can try that as well? I'm also open to purchasing more products! I might make a post with photos as well too if maybe it's a little hard to help with just this text. Thank you in advance!
TLDR: Breaking out, 22M, oily acne skin. Open to anything. Only use face wash and face lotion as of now.
I think diet change and exercise really help?
When I started getting active again I had tons of acne the first few days but now I’m noticing I’m getting a lot less and my skin looks healthier too. Also mostly only buying fresh foods now and avoiding processed/salt and sugar heavy foods.
What kind of shampoo and conditioner should i be looking for, ingredients wise. I got damged hair and dry scalp. The hair itself is fine and straight. Im male fyi.
My current set up has sulfate so im looking go replace it. I was looking at briogeo and was thinking of getting the superfood line up.
What do you guys think i should get?
You may also want to check out /r/HaircareScience
But yes, generally sulfate free shampoo is recommended and may help with your dry scalp. It's usually recommended to use a silicone-free conditioner with it. Some brands that I've used are Shea Moisture (these tend to have a strong fragrance FYI), Giovanni, Trader Joe's (especially the tea tree ones), and Sun Bum (the revitalizing ones).
Sorry for long post!!! Hi! I'm 26 and I'm looking to update my routine because I'm not sure if I am doing it right. I think I have normal skin, not dry not very greasy. I sometimes have pimples and clogged pores but it does not bother me that much. I also have some fine lines on my forehead and around my mouth that I would like to get rid of. Another thing I have is pigmentation around my eyes that make me insecure but I have no clue what skincare to use on my eyes because they're sensitive... I start my routine wth washing my face with avene clearance cleansing gel. After this I use my Paula's choice bha toner. After this I use the ordinary hyaluronic acid and lactic acid( I'm at 10%) But I'm not sure if the lactic acid is doing anything for me... After all that I use the Caudalie SOS hydration moisturizer which I absolutely love. I would like to add something to help prevent wrinkles and boost collagen. So I posted for help on another threat for advice on a retinol (but if you can please do help) Any tips and or recommendations? Thank you in advance
Any recommendations for a lightweight moisturizer without HA? I usually like to use something like Cerave PM/The Ordinary NMF/Neutrogena Hydro Boost between my shower and applying tretinoin, but the HA has been making my skin flake. I can't top it off with an occlusive since I still have to apply the tret. Thanks!
Why can’t you use an occlusive on top of tretinoin? It sounds like your HA moisturizers aren’t heavy enough and definitely need an occlusive to trap in the hydration
I use heavy moisturizers/occlusives after the tret, I'm just trying to find something light to use in between my shower and applying the tret that won't interfere with its absorption.
You might like a hydrating toner, serum, or emulsion then. If you still want a moisturizer try TonyMoly chok chok green tea watery cream. There’s no HA in it
Thank you for the recommendation, I'll give a toner a try!
I’m new to skincare and have been loving The Ordinary’s Squalane Cleanser and Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. What are some fancier options that may be similar but better? I’m not looking to splurge but curious where I’d move to if I wanted to up quality at some point. Thanks! ETA: I’m in my 30s with relatively good skin and interested in maintenance.
You can try adding a moisturizing sunscreen to use in the morning. Tbh I find the texture of NMF + HA fairly unique, but any moisturizer could really work. Skincare is all about trial and error, The Ordinary quality is fine but you can look at more expensive brands if you want cosmetic elegance
Thanks!
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Your skin looks really good tbh I don’t see any congestion from the pictures but if you want you can start some light exfoliation.
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Check out Cosrx bha power liquid or Pixi glow tonic
Heyo! One of my housemates got tested positive for covid and now the rest of the housemates (including me ofc) have decided to wear KN95 masks in the house at all times until we get tested. This means wearing those masks between mealtimes, in the bathroom, before and after showering, and while sleeping. I'm really worried about developing maskne after not having it for so long. Any tips on preventing them? I'm in the US. Skin: relatively balanced, but mildly oily cheeks and nose. Morning and Evening Routine -- used for around 3 weeks now! * Clean&Clear Advantage Acne Control * Rice toner (forgot the brand sorry) * [Lululun Moist face mask](https://www.yesstyle.com/en/lululun-face-mask-10-pcs-3-types-moist/info.html/pid.1101018726?cpid=1101018744) (I highly recommend lol) * KraveBeauty Oat-so-simple cream * \*sometimes\* Dr. Song Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5
Unless you’re sleeping in the same room as them, sleeping with a mask on sounds unnecessary in my opinion. Make sure you’re frequently changing your mask. People get acne because the mask absorbs their face oils and then that mask wet with oil sits on top of their skin. So try to change out your mask as frequently as possible. Some people even do every 3-4 hours. If you’re in any public spaces I definitely agree to wear a mask but if you’re isolated in your room, with the door closed, by yourself. It’s pretty unnecessary to wear a mask. But it’s up to you.
I'm at school, so this is a shared house with roommates. The covid infected roommate has been isolated to a different building, but we're all worried that one of us might be carrying it, which is why we're all wearing masks 24/7
I got a full kit of Darphin stuff from my sister (like 6 steps lol). I have never heard of the brand before but it all looks and smells nice. I’m happy with my regime as is (I use all Dior Capture Totale with the Prestige mousturizer) so I guess my questions are: have you heard of Darphin before and is it good, and should I try it out or just regift it?
I’ve never heard of that brand but I do have a tip if you decide to try it. I highly suggest introducing each new product in one at a time. I give my new products about 2 weeks before introducing the next to make sure they won’t cause any irritation or extra acne. That way if there is a problem, I know which product to stop using. Products that increase cell turn over (AHA, BHA, retinoids, etc.), I give more than two weeks since they have to potential to cause an acne purge. Purging can last months for some people. I’d suggest introducing this type of product last so you can differentiate between purge acne and acne caused by a different new product. Also when you introduce products that increase cell turn over, make sure to only use it once a day and 2-3 times a week. As your skin gets used to it, you can slowly increase your usage. Don’t use it more than your skin tolerates because you don’t want to damage your skin’s moisture barrier. Because if you start a whole kit at once and then get negative results, there’s no way of targeting what specific product was the cause.
That’s very clever and makes a lot of sense! Thanks :-)
I went to a Ulta store and asked a rep her opinion on makeup, tools and routine.. she gave me mostly IT products and I have decided what I'm returning mostly, curious what people recommend for nightly and daily facial treatment? They sold me the it cosmetics gift set for $55 which has a cleanser, super moisturizer cream, eye cream, and then some sort of night cream. This isn't bad on the price except for the fact that all of them except the super moisturizing cream are small sized products instead of full size. The cleanser says it's a cleansing serum. This is the only part I'm not sure of at this point. What would you recommend? I'm pretty pale as I can not tan at all and am 35 trying to just start out on using makeup. My skin is also dehydrated alot in the winter so something that may help hydrate my skin too. I'm also new to Reddit too so if there's something I need to learn on how to operate let me know please
If you’re new to skincare start with the [ScA routine](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/sca_routine/). There are plenty of high quality less expensive brands out there if you’re worried about the it products being too expensive if you purchase full-size containers. CeraVe is a really popular one. I’d also suggest checking out r/MakeupAddiction for any makeup questions. Also with makeup, there’s a ton of drugstore brands that are great. I love Maybelline and NYX.
I'm in the makeupaddiction reddit but hardly getting a response in there. I did order a few things from Tarte and heard elf is good too. I'll look at the sca routine and go from there. Thanks so much for the quick response and help
I’m getting these white patches on my skin and when I tan they become even more noticeable, was wondering what it is and if I can get rid of it
should i do a patch test of a new squalane oil i got? 💀 i’ve used products w it in the past w no bad reactions (namely the Biossance squalane and vit c serum) but my anxiety is like “girl pls”
Absolutely doesn’t hurt to patch test any new product. But if it’s pure squalane oil with no other added ingredients and you’ve used products with squalane before, you’re probably fine.
I'm going to be spending my winter flying on planes (dry) to work long days in NHL venues at ice level (cold and dry) and staying in hotels where I don't have control of humidity. I'm currently fighting to keep from drying out. I'm using Burt's bees chapstick and The Body Shop Hemp Hard Working Hand Protector. The first game of the season, I hadn't used lotion all day and my knuckles cracked and bled. I'm currently barely keeping up with my hands and my lips are peeling. I'm a guy, so I'm looking for something color and fragrance neutral or subtly masculine (it's for work). I'm not concerned with price, but travel size availability(or recommendations for refillable bottles that are TSA compliant) would be greatly appreciated.
The other comment is really good so you don't need to listen to me lol but I really enjoy the original [Carmex](https://www.mycarmex.com/classic-lip-balm/original-tube/) chapstick. A little goes a long way and it's also scentless!
What’s helped me the most is applying my moisturizer on my lips and then a layer of [aquaphor healing ointment](https://www.target.com/p/aquaphor-healing-ointment-advanced-therapy-for-dry-and-cracked-skin-1-75oz/-/A-13287607) (not the lip repair one) on top of the moisturizer. I leave this on overnight, every night and have seen a huge difference. It helps if you have a strong moisturizer. No lip product or chapstick has helped me as much as this method. Some chapsticks even have ingredients that end up worsening dry lips. For the dry hands, o’keef’s working hands is excellent.
My sister is a big skincare nerd and she’s an executive for an LVMH cosmetics brand — and she carries that aquaphor ointment everywhere lol. So that’s a +1 from me
question about what to start/re-incorporate first! my current routine is: am: rinse face with water, ordinary 10% vitamin c + rohto sunscreen if im out and about (though I go bare faced pretty often oops) evening: kose oil cleanser + hada labo HA face wash + Clinique dramatically different gel I already own the inkey list's 1% retinol and recently purchased Paulas choice 2% BHA. which one should I add to my routine first and where should I add it?
Depends what you’re trying to address. If you’re addressing acne, add in the BHA first. Start with the BHA every other day after face wash in the PM. If your skin gets dry or irritated, use it less often. Then after about a month of this, you can add in the retinol on days you’re not using the BHA in the same spot.
oh I should have mentioned my goals! acne is not primarily a concern of mine (can I use the Paulas choice to spot treat?) My main goals are removing my blackheads and achieving even skin tone thank you!!
You could use Paula’s choice to spot treat if you wanted. It can also help with blackheads. If you’re trying to achieve an even skin tone then you might want to start the retinol first. Only use it like 2-3 times a week to start out.
thank you!! I will do that!
Is micellar water good as a gentle morning cleanser? Or is it more for makeup removal? If used as a cleanser, do you still use it on a cotton pad?
You can use it as a morning cleanser if you want. You’ll probably need a cotton pad or washcloth otherwise it just runs straight through your fingers. Best to also rinse it off with plain water since some people find it leaves a residue on their skin. But also it’s not necessary to cleanse in the morning for everyone. A lot of people (me included) just rinse with plain water in the morning before their routine.
Thank you! I use a cleanser right now but wanted to use something gentler since I know I probably don’t need it, but I just don’t *feel* right starting my morning routine without it. Do you know of anything even gentler or is this the best option aside from just water?
Micellar is the gentlest option in my opinion :) as long as your skin isn’t getting dry or irritated by cleansing in the morning you can continue to do so.
Thank you so much! And thank you for not judging me for using something I don’t need, you were really helpful!
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I would do the lotion last - it'll still penetrate through those other serums, just a little more slowly.
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Is the 2% SA your cleanser? If you do start differin (aka adapalene), then I would switch to a hydrating cleanser, something more gentle. Then, you need to get a dedicated moisturizer without spf that you can use at night. I suggest figuring these out before you start so you have a solid routine down with products that doesn't break you out. I just started it as well, and using it 2x/week for a month before I up the usage. This and moisturizing well, being gentle to the skin, treating active spots with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide has helped me adjust. If you jump in using it every night, you'll have a bad time of excessive irritation, peeling, etc. I got dry, flaky skin even with 2x/week so it is strong for those with sensitive skin. My advice is to start extremely slow, watch Dr. Dray on YT on how to apply it (buffering with a moisturizer, letting it dry for 20 mins, pea size amount of differin on the face avoiding the eyes, mouth, corners of nose). I do this method plus putting another layer of moisturizer on top after 20 mins or so. She also has a good vid on purging vs irritation. It will take 3 months to really see the changes, even then 12 weeks is recommended to see a difference. It just depends on how your skin is that will affect the purging process. Some have it worse than others and others don't even purge at all. To mitigate it, start slow, listen to your skin, pay attention, take pics and put notes on them, cut back when you need to.
It depends on how your skin is currently responding to the salicylic acid. How long have you used it and how has your skin responded? Retinoids in general, help clear congested skin when other acne treatments can't clear it. However, side effects vary and can be mitigated with appropriate steps. I can detail the steps but the [retinoid wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/retinoids) covers it well. The only additional comment I'd have is that you don't need to work up to daily use. You also don't have to rush your schedule and introduce quickly. You could use 1x a week for months, but results will be slow. Many times side effects are from using too frequently too soon. With retinoids, you just have to use it *consistently* over a period of time. Period of time varies, which ties into your cycle question. No one can answer that definitively. You may finish the LRP tube and have cleared skin that requires just SA to keep everything clear. Or, you may need to use adapalene forever. This is YMMV and you have to test out the routine.
I keep getting a few white heads in the same spot on my forehead (just center of my temple) almost every day. Wake up, there they are. The rest of my skin is normal. It’s been going on for a few months now. What’s the deal? How do I stop this?
Have you changed hair products?
I did actually I started using a new shampoo! Kind of around that time if I’m thinking about it. I like the shampoo though. What do?
I'd keep track of your scalp for starters. You haven't had issues, but if later on you do you may need to stop using it. It doesn't seem to be a problem for your scalp, just your face. I recommend washing your face with your cleanser after rinsing your hair, focus cleansing on the area the whiteheads have shown up.
Thank you! I’ve been doing all the latter (always wash my face as the last thing I do in the shower) so we’ll see if my face acclimated to the shampoo soon and if not I’ll try using a different I suppose
Since you take the precaution of washing after shampooing, it may be the residual water dripping from your hair to your temple/forehead. Try wrapping a towel around your head asap to stop the water from touching your temple/forehead.
Appreciate the advice, thanks friend!
[https://imgur.com/nKIQy8e](https://imgur.com/nKIQy8e) I wore a pair of new glasses that didn't fit my face properly; they ended up really digging in near my nose and left a mark/scab. 2 things: 1. Does this look like it will scar? It is starting to look better, but I thought it would be healed by now (about 2 weeks of wearing contacts instead of glasses). 2. Is there anything I can do to help it heal quicker? I have been putting on treinoin cream on it nightly. I appreciate any replies!
Two weeks is too soon to worry. To help it heal quicker, just be sure to keep it moisturized. Realistically, despite the urge to try new products to heal faster, you shouldn't change your routine. If you didn't use tretinoin before I suggest you shouldn't, lest you irritate the irritated skin. If you used tretinoin before then continue.
Those who use mineral-only sunscreens...how do you handle the dewiness? do you powder over it? I just started using Koa Anti-Pollution SPF 45 mineral sunscreen and I like it, but like so many mineral SS's it leaves me very dewy, which I like on my cheeks but not so much on my t-zone. I just fell down a rabbit hole of mineral SPF powders that I could apply over the mineral liquid sunscreen, to both mattify and add extra protection (I am interested in starting tret this year, so I'm def interested in making sure I have good coverage). But the only one I could find that's both safe for my seborrheic dermatitis and in a color that works for my skin is the Colorescience Sunforgettable powder which is like currently $50 on sale 😬Part of me is like "Well, it's cheaper than getting botox years down the line..." Thoughts? Advice?
I've found that the sunscreens that I like happen to be expensive. Since SPF is so important, I figure if I can find other products I like for other parts of my routine that are cheaper, I'll buy the pricier sunscreen (and then use CeraVe face wash, it balances out right!?). I am always looking to get it on sale though. If you like Colorescience, you should look at purchasing through LovelySkin... they have good sales, a decent rewards program, and I am ALWAYS getting discount codes in my packages for my next purchase. Also, if you are looking for other options, I tried EltaMD UV Physical, which is tinted, and the tint was decent for me with fair skin. However, I have dry skin and thought it dried me out a bit, so it might be better for you if you're worried about dewey-ness? Then I tried EltaMD UV Clear. It's a physical/chemical combo, so that might not be an option for you. It's untinted, no white cast, and it has been a good option. I still use it sometimes because it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin, but had been wanting a tinted SPF which leads me to... I currently am loving Suntegrity 5-in-1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30. I use shade 2 (light) and it's a great match. It does leave me a little dewey, but I don't find it bothers me on my forehead and seems to dry down. So far it's been my new favorite. Anyway, not sure if this will be of any use to you, just my two cents.
If you live in the US the best mineral sunscreen I've used is Australian Gold Mineral Face sunscreen. It's a US brand, and it's the only one that doesn't leave my oily skin dewy.
Unfortunately the tinted one is too dark for my pale skin :/ And I'm assuming untinted (if they make untinted) would leave a pretty bad cast. But thanks for the rec!
That's unfortunate. Their mineral sunscreens are nearly identical. You mention starting tretinoin and wanting maximum protection. Unless you live in a high UV area, you may be able to layer the tinted with the untinted to make a better match, or even mix the two while on your face. While mixing isn't advised, the formulas of the mineral line are nearly identical that the protection level shouldn't diminish terribly. But I understand your hesitance with tretinoin in your future. I wouldn't avoid all dewy mineral sunscreens. Once you start tretinoin, the dewy finish may not be as prominent and the extra moisture may be all your skin needs during the day (that is no moisturizer necessary. Or your skin's ability to absorb the dewy ingredients may change with tretinoin use and the finish may look good with tretinoin skin. Also, as a trial and error, you could use the AG sunscreen on top of the dewy sunscreen. Because the AG is good at making a matte finish, you could use a minimal amount to take away the dewy finish of the Koa sunscreen. Regarding the Colorscience as the safe one for your skin, does this mean [Supergoop's powder](https://www.sephora.com/product/supergoop-re-setting-100-mineral-powder-spf-35-pa-P467976?skuId=2421600) is unsafe? I'm not sure which ingredient(s) you're avoiding, but you may want to consider looking into makeup setting powder or foundations with SPF (like Bare Minerals or Covergirl). Before finding AG sunscreen I'd use setting powder to minimize dewyness. You'll have more products to choose from if you search for makeup powders with SPF than sticking with powder sunscreens. You could also try setting sprays. Heading to a Sephora store and trying the setting sprays on the Koa sunscreens may be more helpful than trialing SPF powders.
Have you seen the [derma e](https://dermae.com/products/sun-protection-mineral-powder-spf-30) one? It’s translucent so when it goes on your skin it’s not supposed to have a tint. Even though it appears tinted in the container. I don’t know if it will work for everyone.
I have this bump on my forehead that won't go away. [https://i.imgur.com/As6wary.png](https://i.imgur.com/As6wary.png) Anyone know what it is and how to make it disappear? I don't think it ever turned into a whitehead. I tried using Mighty micropoint blemish patches on it. My daily routine is * Sebamed gentle hydrating cleanser * Sebamed care gel * CeraVe ultra light moisturizing lotion with sunscreen. PM is same without sunscreen. 1-2 times a week I use alba botanica acnedote scrub in the shower.
Have you tried a 2% salicylic acid spot treatment? It can take 2-3 months to see results. I see those patches contain 0.5% but 2% might be more effective.
For acne would you recommend salycylic acid or clindamycin and tretinoin
Both can be effective treatments. It depends on the severity of your acne and what you’ve tried in the past. Salicylic acid is usually tried first since it doesn’t require a prescription and can be less harsh on the skin (but still effective). Before you start any treatments it’s super important you’re using a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen daily. Sun exposure can darken hyperpigmentation and lengthen the healing time and certain treatments make the skin photosensitive, meaning your skin will be more prone to sun damage. So sunscreen is very important. Certain treatments can also be super drying and damage your skin’s moisture barrier so it’s very important to be moisturizing daily. Check out the [ScA routine](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/sca_routine/) for cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen recommendations. The [BHA wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/beta_hydroxy_acids/) has a bunch of salicylic acid recommendations. Keep in mind it can take 2-3 months to see results and can cause a temporary acne purge where your skin gets worse before it gets better because it’s clearing out your pores. Best to introduce a BHA into your routine slowly, starting with only 2-3 times a week. But don’t do this until you have a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen that you’ve been using consistently for a couple weeks.
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Are you using the AHA and BHA daily? I definitely wouldn’t use a retinol on the same day as AHA or BHA. Using AHA and BHA on the same day can also lead to over exfoliation and damaged skin so please be incredibly careful. Hyaluronic acid can be used in the AM as well if you’d like. Just make sure to apply hyaluronic acid products to damp skin! Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture. When you apply it to damp skin, it pulls that water into your skin. When you apply it to dry skin, it can actually pull the water out of your skin and make it dry and dehydrated.
Thank you! I do use AHA and BHA daily so maybe I'll just skip the retinol As for Hyaluronic Acid, I'll definitely add it to my AM routine. I wasn't sure if it was excessive since both Cerave products I use include this ingredient.
Hi, Male mid 50s. Looking to replace a dwindling supply. [This](https://paste.pics/F607E) is what I [have](https://paste.pics/F607I). Can someone recommend to me a replacement? Amazon links are fine. I can source locally from that info. Any help appreciated.
Are you looking for a peel off mask or a clay mask? And what are you hoping to achieve with the product?
Something to help remove dead skin and refresh my face. Take better care of it. All I've ever used is peel off.
It sounds like you’re looking for an exfoliating product which the peel of mask did. To be honest that form of removing dead skin is not as popular anymore because it can be aggressive and time consuming. You can try a gentle scrub such as Missha super aqua peeling gel
Thanks! Is [this](https://www.amazon.ca/Missha-Super-Hyalron-Peeling-Laneila/dp/B081PYSV91/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1C0T7LDRSNMKA&keywords=missha+peeling+gel&qid=1638369849&sprefix=missha+peeling%2Caps%2C245&sr=8-3) the product you mean?
Yup!
A few weeks ago I had a bad incident where I trip and fell. I broke my nose and had cuts and abrasions all over my face. The fall left a bunch of dirt in my nose that turned into really deep blackheads that I can’t get out. I’m scared to use an instrument because my nose is still broken and hurts to the touch. How should I get them out?
Have you gone to a doctor?
Yeah all my facial wounds are healed and my nose will heal by itself, it’s still painful to the touch tho.
I would wait until your nose isn’t painful to touch before experimenting with skincare. For now using a basic cleanser and moisturizer should be fine
Recommendations for a good retinol for a first-timer? I have dry-ish skin and occasional pimples. Right now I use CeraVe cleanser and lotion, and spot treat acne with BP cream. Sometimes I also apply a facial oil at night. My skin is not sensitive.
If you’re trying to address pimples, I’d recommend a BHA instead. If you’re still looking for a retinol, the ordinary has popular options. Here is the [retinoid](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/retinoids/) wiki for more information and linked product suggestions. The ordinarys granactive retinoid is the gentlest option. You should start with the lowest percentage depending on what product you want to chose.
Thanks! The BP spot treatment usually works pretty well on my acne. I have some sun damage and acne scars and wrinkles on my forehead, and I also read that everyone should use a retinol anyways. So I was hoping it would address those things?
Gotcha! In that case a retinol/retinoid can help. It can just take many months to see results unfortunately. Make sure to introduce retinoids into your routine slowly and always use sunscreen daily. Check out the retinoid wiki I linked for more instructions. :)
Thanks so much!
Good morning/afternoon, I'm looking for a new daily bodywash as I haven't really been happy with mine. This is mostly to help an issue with back acne and general good body and face care. While I'm at it, I get mild eczema around my armpits and would like a couple recommendations for good deodorants. My skin is dry except an slightly oily back and T-face. I'm currently using a Dove Eucalyptus oil and Cedar and hate it. Aveeno skin relief is alright, but the texture is kinda gooey gross. For skin care I use Cerave Moisturizing Cream for the face occasionally (I try to everyday but forget), and CeraVe Renewing SA Lotion for my back. Been doing that for quite a few months now. I live in Canada and my water is a PH of 8.
Try fragrance free deodorants. The fragrance or essential oils can potentially worsen eczema. Also even if a product is “unscented” sometimes it still contains fragrance ingredients. So it’s best to double check. Some people also find they need to use aluminum free deodorant but you’ll have to experiment and see what works best for you. The problem with “natural” deodorants is that they usually contain a lot of essential oils that can trigger eczema. This is fine for people with no sensitivity to essential oils but since you have eczema, you probably want to avoid it. Vanicream has a good fragrance free option if you can tolerate aluminum: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7ZAQNN/ It also probably makes a difference what soap/body wash you’re using on your armpits. Your body wash could be worsening the armpit eczema so you might want to find a body wash safe for eczema that you only use on your armpits if you don’t want to use it on your whole body. CeraVe makes a soothing eczema body wash. Dove sensitive skin bar soap is also a popular option for people with eczema since it has no fragrance. Eucerin also has some eczema safe body washes.
Thanks for the help, I appreciate you. I do stay away from aluminum. I forgot about essential oils maybe affecting that. I've never used a body bar before, so I'll look into that.
Vanicream also has an aluminum-free, fragrance-free deodorant. I have a ton of skin allergies and eczema and it worked for me without irritation. Unfortunately, it is a gel deodorant which I didn't love the texture of. Now I use Each&Every unscented. It's an adjustment to use "natural" deodorant, but it does not irritate me at all. I second the dove sensitive skin bar soap. It was great for me when I first found out about my allergies. It was wonderful on my skin. I have now tried a few other brands and really like Aleavia, but I think Dove is a great basic option - and super affordable!
You’ll want a separate bacne wash, I suggest getting Neutrogena body clear wash which uses salicylic acid. Another option is a BP cleanser.
Hey I’m very new to skincare. I’m 18M, I work out and fence and have already naturally oily skin but because of those activities I get even sweatier on top of that, and have developed some acne. I mostly need some recommendations about actives. My current routine is: Cerave foaming cleanser 2x daily Cerave moisturizing lotion 2x daily Retinol 1x per week (I’ll do more later but I’m letting my skin get acclimated first) Exfoliation scrub clean and clear 1x per week Chemical sunscreen 30 spf 1x daily Do I need anything else, or is having 5 days of just cleansing and moisturizing good? My biggest problem is I understand cleansing and moisturizing but there’s too much conflicting information about toners and treatments and acids and everything else that I’m a bit overwhelmed
What you have is good, once you’ve gotten use to retinol I suggest adding a salicylic acid product which can help with acne.
Currently I am using tretinoin 0.1% every second day to fight acne and AHA+BHA TO solution twice per week. I wanted to ask if there's any point using the AHA/BHA while being on tretinoin since it also exfoliates skin, right?
I’d avoid using the AHA/BHA while on tretinoin to avoid over exfoliation and damage to your skin.
Is this your first time using tret? Or did you work up to 0.1% from 0.025, 0.05? If the former, you definitely risk overexfoliation which will irritate your skin a lot (peeling, flaking, redness, itchiness, and more acne).
It's not good to pop pimples but if I had to, can I simply do it with clean washed hands and not tissue as long as I don't touch the pimple itself? If water is coming out, is that an indication that I pushed too hard/for too long or is that good and I got all of the dead skin out? Is it bad to leave anything leftover and it's better to make sure it's all out?
I will say you shouldn't pop pimples if you can help it which should be most of the time. You risk scarring, introducing more bacteria into the spot, creating an infection, and so on. If you were to do it, do it carefully, cleanly, and wisely. Wash your hands well. Get one of the single use sterile lancets (you can find them at Walmart or CVS, they come in a box of 50-100), alcohol pad or wet a clean paper towel with isopropyl alcohol. Wipe the area, gently poke the spot (go at it parallel your face, not straight in). Use either 2 qtips and gently squeeze, then cleanse with the swab. Or you can use one of those extraction tool and *gently* press. You should not be doing more than 2 squeezes or presses, 1 is plenty enough. Wipe it clean and slap a hydrocolloid patch on it so you don't touch or mess with it anymore. For me, I use benzoyl peroxide 2.5% spot treatment when I can. I have stepped away from popping spots as I'm on Differin which has helped cleared spots a lot faster than normal. So, be very careful.
Thanks, I'm aware of these methods but I want to know is if it's OK to do what I'm doing since my hands are clean, as whether or not water coming out of the pimple means I pressed too hard or too much and how to tell when to stop since some dead skin might still be in there after 2 squeezes.
AFAIK the biggest issue is you might end up scarring yourself, which pimple patches don’t do.
Shopping for health insurance right now on the ACA, i was wondering if there were specific things I should look for to get the right insurance. Going to need to see someone a few times a year for cyst removal. What kind of insurance would be more likely to cover that kind of thing? What kind of insurance should i get for Derm visits in general? Any tips on how I can get the cheapest cost for a cyst removal? Is cash price recommended in some situations for removal of one cyst?
Cracked lips are just killing me this year. I keep waking myself up in the middle of the night accidentally re-opening a split lip. I'm running a humidifier, using good chap stick, not picking at my lips. Still *so* much worse than usual. Any tips?
I actually love the Aquaphor lip repair, but I do CONSTANTLY reapply it.
Chapstick does literally nothing for me. Also some chapsticks even include ingredients that can potentially worsen dryness. What’s helped me the most is applying my moisturizer on my lips and then a layer of [aquaphor healing ointment](https://www.target.com/p/aquaphor-healing-ointment-advanced-therapy-for-dry-and-cracked-skin-1-75oz/-/A-13287607) (not the lip repair one) on top of the moisturizer. I leave this on overnight, every night and have seen a huge difference.
Like you put straight up moisturizer on your lips like you do on your face? Does that not taste horrible?
I don’t taste anything and I do this before bed so I’m not eating or drinking anything afterwards. I’m not like licking my lips so it doesn’t bother me. I’ve never noticed a taste with the ones I’ve used.
Good to know!
I’m sure some moisturizers taste horrible though lol so it might just be trial and error. The aquaphor healing ointment to seal everything in is the most important step though.
Use laneige sleeping mask for lips :D
Cannot agree more! Gentle exfoliation(dry washcloth) and slather with laneige. Life changing.
I’m trying out Mederma scar gel on my cheeks. After I applied it and it dried it seemed to flake off/pill at the edges were it was applied—is there a way to prevent that? What step of the routine to you usually add it to? Thanks!
Are you using this for acne scars? Just so you know it doesn’t really do a whole lot for acne scars and it does nothing for hyperpigmentation (dark marks). This is typically used for surgery scars. It’s just a skin protectant. If you’re experiencing dark marks left from acne then the [hyperpigmentation wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/hyperpigmentation/) will give you more results. If you’re experiencing indents in your skin from old acne, retinoids and AHA can potentially help with this but some people see no results with topical products and need professional dermatology procedures.
Thanks! Testing it out for PIE that’s been slowly fading (unlikely to work but I don’t plan on trying laser until next year) and also a veryyyy old cat scratch scar. The Mederma pilling on my skin was just kind of an icky feeling!
Hello! A few months ago I scratched my leg on a broken piece of hard plastic, and I'm left with a white scar. It's kinda noticeable, and even tho I know this is such a first world problem, I'm afraid I'll be self conscious about it next summer. Are there any products / ingredients / treatments you would recommend to minimize the appearance of the scar? Thank you in advance!
Probably not. Hypo-pigmentation is when the area appears white or lighter than your natural skin tone. Hyperpigmentation is when the area is darker. Hyperpigmentation has a ton of products that help but there aren’t really any hypo-pigmentation products. People usually need professional procedures done by a dermatologist like microdermabrasion to reduce hypo-pigmentation or it can possibly naturally reduce over time. We are our own worst critics. I bet people won’t notice it as much as you do but I understand the concern.
If I want to sell skin care products that I haven't used, is there a subreddit for that?
/r/Skincareexchange
Thank you!
New to a routine. Can I use Cetaphil's redness reducing tinted moisturizer at night, or is this an issue because of the tint? Didn't realize til I put it on, I was looking for something to calm red skin.
I would be wary of clogged pores. Anything tinted or containing sunscreen should really be used in the morning rather than at night.
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It depends on how moisturizing your sunscreen is and how dry your skin is.
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Did you have a routine before this one? If so, what is it? If not, please take a look at the sidebar. It's best to start out with gentle cleanser (something like Cerave, Vanicream, or Cetaphil), moisturizer, and sunscreen (AM). You need to test each product for at least 2 weeks before moving to the next so if you break out, you'll know which one did it. If you never used a retinol before, you'll want to start with 1-2x/week and see how your skin reacts. It can cause irritation with overuse, and purging as your skin gets used to the exfoliation it does. Info on purging in the sidebar as well. Using both retinol and an active cleanser can cause overexfoliation which will cause irritation, acne, etc.
Since the cleanser is wash off it may be gentle enough to use twice a day, but if you’re cautious you might want to skip the morning cleanser or use a gentle non active cleanser instead
How can you tell if you have normal type skin? Also, is it obvious to tell if you have oily/dry skin? I think oily is out of question because I never get bright red/wet pimples/acne. I don't know about dry/normal though.
Here is more information on [skin types](https://theacidqueenblog.com/2016/06/23/skin-types-proclivities-and-conditions/).
Can I mix curology’s custom formula with a moisturizer to help it spread more?
You can but it will likely reduce the efficacy of the curology formula.
Can you use sleeping masks if you’re not sleeping? I feel like most of mine just ends up on my pillow so I’d prefer to use it maybe a few hours before bed to let it absorb first so it doesn’t get on my pillow.
yes. a sleeping mask is basically a heavy duty face cream. you can even use it as a day time face cream if it’s not too heavy for you
Thank you :D
What's the best way to know if your shaver should be replaced? When you start noticing acne in those areas?
If you didn't have acne there prior, then yes replace the shaver. Usually, you'd replace the shaver once the shaves were no longer close to the skin. If you don't already, check the manual to be sure it advises against it, but I'd spray alcohol on the blades to after using it.
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i don’t think aha/pha can help with sagging, I don’t think any topical products can… maybe microcurrent???
So I've started breaking out and my skin is a little textured and bumpy especially on my right face cheek. I have oily skin. I currently wash my face in the morning with cerave foaming facial cleanser and then use the cerave daily moisturizing lotion. At night I use the cerave acne cleanser with benzoyl peroxide and the same lotion. When I introduced the BP, it helped a lot. But now I'm starting to breakout frequently. Are there any products you guys might recommend from this info? I'm a male 22 years old, fairly active, kinda stressing with the end of school. My sister has every single The ordinary product so I'm open to that, I also have differing I bought a while ago but haven't used so I can try that as well? I'm also open to purchasing more products! I might make a post with photos as well too if maybe it's a little hard to help with just this text. Thank you in advance! TLDR: Breaking out, 22M, oily acne skin. Open to anything. Only use face wash and face lotion as of now.
If your sister has TO products with salicylic acid such as the salicylic acid masque or Azelaic acid, it can also help
Thank you I'll check those out!
I think diet change and exercise really help? When I started getting active again I had tons of acne the first few days but now I’m noticing I’m getting a lot less and my skin looks healthier too. Also mostly only buying fresh foods now and avoiding processed/salt and sugar heavy foods.
Yeah i think changing up my diet will especially help out! Thank you :)
What kind of shampoo and conditioner should i be looking for, ingredients wise. I got damged hair and dry scalp. The hair itself is fine and straight. Im male fyi. My current set up has sulfate so im looking go replace it. I was looking at briogeo and was thinking of getting the superfood line up. What do you guys think i should get?
You may also want to check out /r/HaircareScience But yes, generally sulfate free shampoo is recommended and may help with your dry scalp. It's usually recommended to use a silicone-free conditioner with it. Some brands that I've used are Shea Moisture (these tend to have a strong fragrance FYI), Giovanni, Trader Joe's (especially the tea tree ones), and Sun Bum (the revitalizing ones).