I (F26) have had hormonal acne for about a decade now. I've done two rounds of accutane, which helped but my acne returned when I stopped. Same for antibiotics. I've tried clindamycin, niacinimide, azelaic acid, adapaline + benzoyl peroxide, adapaline alone, minocylcine, doxycline, accutane, and that list isn't even including the routines, changing pillow cases every night, etc.

I can't take oral birth control because I have an IUD. I can't take spironolactone because I already have a low blood pressure disorder.

Right now I'm using ItCosmedics Bye Bye Breakouts SA 2% + LA 3% in the morning and 0.1% adapaline at night, and it's barely keeping my acne in check.

What other options are there? I feel like I've tried everything.

Is anyone aware of sales that happen on the Omnilux led masks? Wondering if I should buy it now or wait for a possible sale?

When would be the best time of year to redeem PC points at Shoppers? I have accumulated quite a lot of points and want to get the most out of them when I redeem. Looking to stock up on some skincare and beauty products.

Does anyone know of anywhere in Vancouver / Lower mainland that sells derma stamps? I know I can order off Amazon, but I'd prefer to just buy locally from a business if there is anyone that stocks and sells them.

I am going on an international trip this winter and I’m trying to make my skincare routine more travel friendly by reducing my liquids. I have replaced cleansing oil with cleansing balm. I want to replace my current gel facial cleanser with a bar soap or other non liquid option that won’t get confiscated at the airport or break the liquid rules for carry on or checked baggage.

I have sensitive/acne prone/combination skin. My current moisturizer is Cetaphil daily moisturizer but I believe it makes me skin even more oily by the end of the day. I sometimes use Vichy double-action 2% salicylic acid moisturizer but I think it's too strong to use everyday. Especially since my cleanser is also Vichy salicylic acid.

I'm going on vacation soon and wanted to get a good waterproof sunscreen for me and my kids that doesn't leave an unsightly white cast and is lightweight/ easy to rub in, and protects well.

I've heard good things about la Roche posay sunscreen but there are so many different ones, it's confusing.

Open to any suggestions for adult and/or kids sunscreen that fit this criteria.

First off, let me just say first of all that I am an idiot and I know nothing about this thing, but I vowed to not let that stop me, and that even if I tried the wrong thing, at least I was trying SOMETHING. Literally no one I know has a skin routine, so I'm trying something that is completely foreign to me.

Ok so I tried Lumin in Feb(charcoal scrub, charcoal cleanser, moisturizer), and Lumin's charcoal scrub is amazing, I love that- the cleanser was good as well, but the moisturizer was oily and not great for me

Then I got the Geologie trial a month later(SA cleaner, dark circle cream, PM retinol solution, AM cream(sunblock Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid) and I noticed an improvement in the quality of my skin- the color, the glow, but no change in oil level- the eye cream also worked a bit, although it did cause hard pimples around my eyes. Stayed on it for 2 months but Geologie is bloody expensive, and I read that CeraVe is basically the same thing so I switched.

On CeraVe(SA cleanser, Am Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30, PM retinol serum, eye cream), that glow improvement is gone, the eye cream seems useless, and I'm just about out of product, so I'd like to hear some suggestions for what I can try next.

I have really oily skin- you could wax a car with my face an hour after I've showered. I've got acne on my face, back, chest, arms, legs, etc. the pores on my nose are always fully clogged, I get facial pimples on my forehead and cheek and little cysts around my eyes. By the end of the day, my eyes are stinging because of the oil and salt building up around them. I've never found anything that will solve this- only the Lumin scrub has helped because if I use it in the morning, it cuts down on the amount of oil already present on my skin that even a hot shower won't clear away.

Please help- I'm here to learn and I'm absolutely willing to go back to the brands I've already tried if there's a product I missed. Thank you so much for making it this far 💜

Hey folks!

I don't use a lot of lotion type products, as my skin has always been pretty good. I've also always had sensory issues with how lotion feels, whether it's sunscreen, hand cream, or anything else. The best I've found for me, sensory-wise, is L'Occitan 20% Shea Butter, which I use on the rare occasion that I feel like I need something.

Up until now, that's been great. Despite it having a scent, it smells like "lotion" to me, so it doesn't really bother me. Unfortunately, now I've started wanting to moisturize my face, and my partner is not happy with how it smells. It's also not my favorite to have a relatively strong scent so close to my nose.

I would love some suggestions for brands of face lotion that are, ideally, as fast to soak in, and similar in texture as possible to L'Occitan's hand creams, in hopes that I can find something that works for me sensorily. Additionally, the lotion/cream needs to be unscented, containing zero perfumes/fragrances. Ideally, it should be marketed as free and clear. As I don't use much of this, any price point is fine. The more organic/sustainable/good-vibesey, the better.

Thanks!

31F, I have oily, acne prone skin with lots of pores. I’ve been using the timeless 20% for awhile and s when I use it in the morning, within a few hours I have a couple whiteheads on my nose or chin 😔.

Just wanna start off by saying, this sub is amazing and exactly what I've been looking for! Thank you to all the active community members.

I'm a 27 year old South Asian male finally looking to get serious about my skincare routine. Specifically, I'm looking for a facial moisturizer or cream. I've had acne since I was a teenager and although it's reduced now it still shows up occasionally on the bridge of my nose. Right where my glasses sit. I typically have dry and porous skin as well. For years I've been using the same product: nivea creme (the blue tin). And it's given me average results? But I'd love to find something that works for my skin. Ideally, I'd like to use as few products as possible (although I know all in one products aren't really a thing). I'm also open to Korean skincare products and really anything you think might be useful for me to check out.

Thank you!

I wonder what happened. I love their products. They closed their stores and it seemed like they were slowing down, but I still find this surprising and sad. Love their products!

Hi Everyone,

I suffer from severe acne and my dermatologist has recommended me to use Benzoyl Peroxide 5% / Clindamycin 1% at night and in the morning after I had a severe allergic reaction to Arazlo.

I have been using it only at night for the last few months and I absolutely hate it. I am using it only because it seems to work. Acne goes down to almost zero while I am using it with occasional breakouts. But my face always looks red almost like a permanent sunburn. As soon as I stop using it, acne goes back to 1000 times worse. It irritates my skin a lot and causes extremely dry flaky skin.

My dermatologist recommended me to use CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion (in picture). This moisturizer doesn’t seem to work on my skin I think. It leaves white marks and it doesn’t get absorbed. Also, the skin feels dryer after applying it with a slight burning sensation. Does anyone using this moisturizer have the same experience?

I watched a few videos on youtube and also read a lot of good reviews about this product, and from the videos and the reviews, it seems to be almost invisible after application.

Can someone please help me out with an alternative product?

Hi all!

My area has entered into the deep freeze already, and I want to get prepared for the incoming super cold, dry weather coming up. What are your favourite hydrating essences, serums, or toners? Hoping to prevent the feeling of my face instantly becoming a dried out husk as soon as I step outside.

I find that anything with HA is somehow more drying, so if you have any tips for that, I’d appreciate that too!

Current routine:

AM:

Rinse with water Bliss vitamin C serum I’m From Rice toner Aveeno oat calming serum Cerave PM mixed with a couple drops of jojoba/squalene oil

PM:

Oil cleanse with green lid Pond’s Wash with Cerave cream to foam cleanser Alternate between Indeed retinol reface and BHA I’m From Rice toner Aveeno oat calming serum 5-6 drops of jojoba/squalene patted in Cerave in the tub Sometimes I slug with Vaseline

Thanks for your help!

What is your favorite website to buy Korean sunscreen or Korean skincare? Stylevena? YesStyle? Others?

What’s a good benzoyl peroxide wash?

I used to have a prescription for one that was 10% BP that my dermatologist gave me - specifically because it’s safe to use while pregnant/breastfeeding, but the prescription has run out and it’ll take months before I can get an appointment.

I’m open to drug store brands or something from Sephora or whatever - whatever you recommend. (And yes I realize non prescription ones are only like 5%.)

Ever since I discovered Sweetspot labs last year, their products have been in rotation in my bathroom. I used to buy their products at Shoppers or Amazon, but for the past few months, I haven't seen them at Shoppers. They're also always out of stock on Amazon. Two days ago, I went to Marshalls in Ottawa and, surprisingly, found two of their intimate cleansers and some wipes. I'm pretty sure it was cheaper than usual, too. They also seem to have shut down their Canadian website. Does anyone know if they are leaving Canada? Are there any recommendations for other brands? My skin is so sensitive down there and I'm so disappointed to have to start looking for another brand that would work for me.

I have a cart ready to purchase, but I don’t see many recent reviews of the website. And some of the reviews that Ive seen mention how they charge the customer without sending them anything. Looking for a second opinion!

my laneige lip mask is about to finish, i really like it and it’s helped my dry lips but i don’t want to spend $32.50 on a new one (i got the one i have as a gift).

i’ve seen them at marshalls/winners and was wondering if they’re the real thing? has anyone bought it from there and how does it compare to the ones from sephora?

also, i’m open to cheaper alternatives!

I've had terrible acne since coming of birth control. Bit mine is hormonal as I suffer from PCOS.

In a little situation, where the pill will clear it up however I am currently ttc. Been offered accutane and all the tablets however I do not want to stop trying espically with my PCOS

I have different cream 1%. Some says its OK during pregnancy or trying, what is everyone's opinion if they have been on the cream while pregnant?

I was also prescribed erythromycin tablets but im not sure if I want to take them when I get pregnant. Very hard decision.

Anyone been on these while pregnant? Please let me know as I am at my breaking point with my acne and it's only getting worse.

i was using the cetaphil spf 50 daily moisturizer but i noticed it made my skin have a lot of red patches and broke me out!! and then other sunscreens pill under my makeup. What do you guys use! TIA

Which set of sheet masks are better for hyperpigmentation? Medicube deep vitamin c mask or Some by mi retinol intense daily mask?

Hi everyone, I'm looking to get any ideas here. I apologize if this is a simple question, but being a typical man I never really purchased anything for my skin until about a year ago, so I have a severe lack of experience in the skincare world.

I've tried a few different retinol containing products, and have had different feelings toward each. First I tried The Ordinary as it was the cheapest. It has the lowest percentage of retinol, and despite being affordable I hated the oily nature of the product. I have already oily skin, and so I didn't want or need more oil before bed.

Second I tried The Inkey List. This was fine, despite having an odd smell. I liked the cream nature of the product, but I was looking for something with more retinol in it.

Third I tried, of course a "man" focused retinol product, Ocean Retinol. Despite being a serum I didn't feel it was too oily, and it was 1% retinol. I like this product a lot, and if I don't get a good response here I may go with that again. My main issue is wanting to go to a 2% retinol (which I believe is the legal limit in Canada) without breaking the bank. There are a few 2% retinol serums and creams but they can hit like $70+ for a tiny thing I'll go through in a month or two which is a no-go for me.

Does anyone have suggestions for a 2% retinol product that isn't oily and is not insanely expensive. I don't mind going to a store to pick up or order online assuming shipping costs don't blow up the price. Greatly appreciate any suggestions.

Hi guys!

I'm planning on getting masseter botox for the first time finally for my TMJ. Can you share with me where you get yours done and how much you pay?

Any tips & advice are appreciated. Thank you!!

So I’ve been on biacna gel for 8 months now and just started increasing to apply 5 times a week. But now whenever I try and put foundation on or a bb cream (which isn’t even often I avoid makeup most days now because of this), it looks gross because there’s dry patches underneath making it look flakey and gross 😭😭 If I don’t put makeup on, the dry flakes/patches aren’t as noticeable, but some days I need some more coverage. How can I counteract this? I’ve tried layering toner on before and spf and waiting for everything to dry before applying, but no luck. Also not a fan of glycolic acid, because I don’t want to irritate my skin more just yet since it’s already flakey.

I just moved to CA from the US and am in need of a good skincare routine (face was, acne treatment, moisturizer). I’m a uni student so preferably affordable products that I can get at Shoppers, Walmart, etc.

I’m currently 20 and I’ve struggled with acne since I was probably around 10. I’ve been on Accutane twice and my acne came back both times. Benzoyl is a bit too harsh on my skin as I have very dry skin almost year round. SA works occasionally as a spot treatment. Otherwise my skin isn’t super sensitive. Before moving I used Curology which worked for a bit, I know my serum had azelaic acid, clindamycin, and tret. Unfortunately for me Curology is only offered in the states and I don’t have medicare here in Canada yet so no tretinoin for me! I’m pretty sure my acne is hormonal, not bacterial but can’t go get hormonal testing quite yet.

Right now I’m using a natural cleanser that isn’t targeted for acne, Neutrogena’s salicylic acid spot treatmen, and a rice-based moisturizer from Winners (I know not the best).

I’d love some recommendations for a good cleanser, treatment, and moisturizer that can keep my acne at bay for now without drying out my skin. Any tips on what I’m doing wrong would be great too!

So figured out my face loves rice cleansers (seriously like my cystic acne has cleared up)

I used to use the tatcha one, but ya girl is too broke for that.

Right now I have the bonnyhill one that I picked up at winners but it smells HEAVILY like floor cleaner or something. (It does work mostly but sometimes it’s just a litttleee too much for my skin)

So does anyone have any rice cleanser recommendations???

I currently use a moisturizer both a.m and p.m. that contains peptides (ELF Holy Hydration).

Is it ok to layer this over Paula's Choice Mandelic-Lactic Acid at night?

I've read some suggestions that peptides and acids shouldn't be mixed, while others say that's a myth.

Will it cause irritation to layer these two?

Can anyone recommend a good one that won't break the bank? TIA!

EDIT: I think the product may be fake. Packaging looks legit, but the product is more watery and smells soapy.

So sorry for getting anyones hopes up!

This may already be known, but being in Canada, I order my Beauty of Joseon sunblock usually through Stylevana or YesStyle. The price seems you have increased and to get 2 tubes to Canada was going to be about $50 Canadian.

However, though I avoid them in general, Walmart.ca carries it and it was $20 cheaper! Still took awhile to get, but that's the same for the others. Just thought I'd share.