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I got rid of my acne (well I think it’s gone HOPEFULLY), but now I have acne scars to deal with. I don’t know what to buy. I’ve been looking through a bunch of different products on TikTok, and I don’t know what to buy. I’m trying to avoid vitamin c just to be safe because apparently I heard that it can trigger acne. Please recommend some products that can help with acne scars (I have dry and I think mildly sensitive skin). Thank you.

So, I have been using Neutrogena Terminator for almost 2 years and recently when I applied again, the skin area got hyperpigmented (not a lot and it became normal after a few days). I still have pimples and Neutrogena was very helpful for my skin but after that incident I am scared of applying it again. I wanted to know if there are any skincare products similar to Neutrogena Terminator or is there some way I could use it and avoid hyperpigmentation.

any recommendations?

I’ve been prescribed 20 mg twice daily for maintenance of an inflammatory skin condition post diamond glow facial. It doesn’t actually clear my skin, but if I up it to 40 mg twice/day, I have perfect skin-no bumps or flakes. Before I got the diamond glow for flakiness and clogged pores, the esthetician suggested I did not have acne, but lack of moisture. 3 days later, my skin purged badly with cystic acne. Initially the derm gave 50 mg twice daily and after 3 weeks of that, my skin was perfect. They biopsied a spot and no bacteria came back, so doxycycline must be working on inflammation rather than killing bacteria. But if I go down to 20 mg twice a day, I have the congestion and flakiness. Any idea of something else I can take that has the same mechanism of action for inflammation?

I had my first allergic reaction to the Tower 28 hypochlourus spray over the summer (burning, itching, redness, swelling). My skin felt really rough and dry after that. I thought I’d be working to repair my barrier since then but I had another reaction to Vanicream daily facial moisturizer last week.

Before the Vanicream incident, I had bought the Ilia foundation stick - did a patch test with no issue. Now, yesterday and today, I feel like I’m having a reaction to the foundation but only in certain spots of my face. Slight itching and burning after applying with a brush - there is slight redness once I remove it but I can’t see any redness once it’s on.

I really like the foundation so might be in denial - but what is the difference between an allergic reaction and a terrible skin barrier?

At this point I feel like I can’t put anything on my skin.

i’ve been using finacea twice a week to help with red marks and cystic acne, is it okay if i only cleanse, use finacea and then bepanthenol?

i’ve had oily skin my whole life and always used gel like moisturisers but now it’s extremely dry around the eyebrows, forehead and nose

I don’t know if this is acne or what, but was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for treating these marks on my back? Thank you so much in advance.

I recently began (1y ago) waxing my bikini area and I've noticed a lot of KP bumps forming. I had KP from shaving in the past but nowhere near as bad as this.

I have since stopped waxing but I still have a lot of scarring. I don't know whether to continue hair removal down there. Is there something I should use to fix my KP? Is there anything that helps speed up the scar healing?

I would appreciate OTC products and other recommendations! Thank you!

I’ve got a few stubborn dark spots on my cheeks left over from acne that I had about two months ago. below is my current skincare routine, would appreciate any tips on what to add to help with the dark spots! I have dry skin + eczema as well.

morning:

• la Roche posay foaming moisturizing wash with niacinamide
• good molecules niacinamide brightening toner
• good molecules vitamin c serum
• Trader Joe’s Manuka honey lotion with hyaluronic acid
• La Roche posay anthelios sunscreen

night:

• same face wash
• good molecules gentle retinol cream
• rose hip oil
• eucerin original healing cream

I got a lot of skincare products recently and am trying to make a routine out of them. The first 4 items are my current routine, and the other serums are what I want to add to my routine. I'm not sure if I can mix them together hence why I need help figuring out where to use them.

I have never really dont any skin care, only washing my face in the shower and then using lotion when my skin is dry. I am getting married in 8 months and would like to start a skin care routine so that I can look my best on my wedding day. I just really have no idea where to start or what products to use. I don't even use a specialized face cleanser when I wash my face. I just use my body wash. I don't really have bad acne, but I do always seem to have 1 or 2 blind pimples on my face at any given time and I have the bad habit of constantly touching my face, which causes the pimples to become an open wound. I also have black heads on my nose and chin. I live in Minnesota, so in the winter my skin gets pretty dry, I just use a regular fragrance free lotion that I use on all my dry skin, mainly my legs, hands, and face. Also I never wear any make up. Does anyone have any recommendations on products or a skin care routine that could help reduce the black heads and blind pimples, and just give me the over all glow that every bride is looking for.

Hi guys, i need your help (F19). So, most of my life I've had clear skin, except for the blackheads on my nose which i've never been able to get rid of. But all of the sudden once i've start hitting my twenties, i've started getting these breakouts and i can't pinpoint the problem. I've been using korean skin care, the Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser, Pyunkang yul moister cream followed with the Clinique Super Defence sunscreen. When i put on makeup, i use Nivea cream. Am i doing something wrong? Is it just hormones? I really try to take care of myself in all aspects, but my skin has been like this for 2 months now. Reddit, do your magic please.

Hi everyone!

So I’m 20 years old and have recently noticed my smile lines becoming very noticeable. I am not sure whether or not they are crow’s feet, though. They are not directly under my eyes, but sort of to the side under my eyes, if that makes sense?

I have used suncream every day for years, eat healthily, exercise regularly, etc.

I am only 20 but look much younger (I get mistaken for being about 14 lol), so my very noticeable smile lines just look very odd with my younger appearance.

I am a little worried that this isn’t normal, or if there is something wrong with my skin... Is there anything I can do to reverse these lines without botox?

Thank you in advance! :)

In my routine I use the glow recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner, b pure Glow Up Serum Watermelon Extract + Niacinamide, and b pure Glow Up Night Moisturizer With Watermelon Extract and Niacinamide. I just bought the glossier super glow vitamin c and magnesium serum I want to use in my routine, but I hear mixed opinions on mixing niacinamide, BHA, and vitamin c together. Will it be okay if I add it to my routine?

Hey everyone. I was just gifted a ton of The Ordinary products, but am very overwhelmed about which ones to use, when, and in what order. I have combination skin that is fairly clear except for hormonal acne on and around my chin.

Current routine is just cerave cleanser in morning and cerave night moisturizer.

Products gifted are Granactive Retinoid, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Vitamin C Suspension, Natural Moisturizing Factors, Squalane cleanser

Thanks so much!

For the past 2 weeks, I noticed my skin is completely sucking up all my skincare to the point where its dry, itchy and burning within a few hours. My morning skincare is abiliene cleansing balm, the ordinary hyaluronic acid > the ordinary barrier repair serum > ordinary squalane oil and ponds moisturizing cream. This has been my routine for about a year now. My night is the same except I add 0.2% retinol in squalane, vitamin e and aquaphor. I also use good molecules overnight resurfacing mask 1-2 times a week, and salicylic acid 2 days a week but never in the same day as retinol. My skin is EXTREMELY sensitive to products so when I get some that work, I stick with it. Im 24F and Ive always had problems with enlarged pores, texture and sebaceous filaments so thats also a problem Ive been having trouble with, but I'm not sure whats causing my skin to be like this. I've even tried oil cleansing, but it doesn't work. If you have any product recommendations or see any flaws in my routine please let me know!! Having tight, itchy skin is so uncomfortable!!

Hello! For years, I’ve been struggling with a vertical wrinkle between my eyebrow that has made me insecure for a long time.

I am only 18, and I don’t think it’s normal to have a deep wrinkle like that at my age. Either way, I felt insecure because of it because I looked pissed all the time… I hate it. Honestly it isn’t that bad, but it is more noticeable when that area gets oily. You can definitely see it more from the side, because it looks like there’s a dent between my eyebrows.

Please help me out! What can I do to get rid of this? I’m quite desperate :(

So for context, I’m 31 and was on accutane twice years ago (last one was in my early to mid 20’s).

I was one of the lucky ones who has lasting dryness to the point where if I get wet (shower, swimming etc) I HAVE to moisturize in minutes otherwise my skin is to tight and painful I can’t stand it.

Anywho, things have been stable for years until this past August when I got 1-2 little whiteheads on my upper lip. I didn’t think much of it and used a small amount of a neutrogena benzoyl peroxide spot treatment.

A few weeks later (it built slowly and I’m pretty sure it’s connected because it’s localized to the exact areas I applied it) I went on vacation and during the flight my whole upper lip and chin area got insanely dry and painful, and I broke out with little whiteheads all over my upper lip. The dryness persisted for months until about 2 months ago when I started using a Estée Lauder advanced night repair product that has almost eliminated the dryness and pain.

All that’s left is lots of redness on my upper lip and every few days it breaks out in little whiteheads (5-8).

I’m thinking it was a reaction or my skin barrier was so damaged it needed to rebuild given how bad it started after accutane.

I’m thinking of trying an over the counter hydrocortisone cream for the last bit of redness since it’s feeling almost better but the redness is the part that’s not going away.

Anyone have thoughts or similar experiences?

feel like my face isn’t improving at all

so i’ve been going to the dermatologist for awhile (almost a year) and i don’t feel like my face has improved much. but my dermatologist says that the texture is better on my skin than last time. right now i am on spironolactone 75 mg and minocycline (forgot the dosage) i feel like i only really get pimples/acne during or close to my period and then it takes forever to go away

Anyone used it? Looks cheap and hard to navigate.👎

Hello there!

I would love to get some advice to update my skincare routine. I'm 32, and have dry-ish skin with a little mild rosacea (not diagnosed). I also have under eye dark circles, crepiness around my eyes, and fine lines on my forehead and around my eyes. I don't think my skin is particularly sensitive.

My current routine is Morning:

1. Wash face with water and dry
2. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
3. BioEffect serum (added recently)
4. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer
5. Sun lotion SPF50 (local brand)
6. Foundation and concealer (local brands)

Evening:

1. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser
2. BioEffect serum (added recently)
3. 2 % vitamin A (local brand) - granactive retinoid
4. A drop of Volufiline on each dark circle followed by Abib Collagen Eye Patches (added recently - an "experiment")
5. Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
6. X-lash Eyelash Serum

I'm seeing a bit of improvement on my dark circles on one eye with daily use of Volufiline and eye patches. I also just had my first IPL laser treatment this week to remove the red blood vessels and YAG laser under my eyes to remove blue vessels. I need one or two more treatments to have them removed but I would like some better skincare to prevent the redness from coming back.

I take vitamins daily. I also have some collagen supplement that I can start taking.

I have read about azelaic acid and resveratrol but don't have any clue when to include it. I tried The Ordinary Niacinamide and Vitamin C suspension with HA spheres, but it didn't do anything or was too stingy. TO hyalorunic acid also didn't do much. I'm also not very happy with my retinol, I want to replace it. Same goes for the facial moisturizer, it seems a bit thin.

I don't have a particular budget, so suggestions can be budget or expensive ;-) I'm in Europe but I am open to any suggestions, maybe I'll be able to find them (we do have Sephora and internet)

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance for your suggestions. <3

Hey yall. My almost 15 year old wants to use Tallow moisturizer for her skin. She likes the "Primaly Pure" brand. Is it safe for her? She has very sensitive skin. She currently is trying to clear up breakouts.

Hi guys, I’m a female who is also on birth control pills. For context my acne started when getting on the pills, and I’ve had moderate acne for the last 5 ish years. I recently moved to college and just have become so much more insecure in my skin. I’ve been using differin gel for at least 2 years with little to no results. My skin type has also changed dramatically in the last few years. Now, my skin is dry and almost flaky instead of oily like it was when I was 14-16 yrs old. I’m wondering if I should just do an experiment and not use differin for a week and see how my skin is. I feel like the differin is almost making my acne and skin type worse. It’s not purging, I already purged from differin twice. Also, my routine is super simple and very gentle, so I don’t think my skin barrier is damaged. I have also tried using differin a couple times a week versus every day. Neither of them help, and when I use it more often, my skin seems worse as well as the dryness and acne scars.

Also if anyone is on birth control w acne, did you get off birth control and notice a change in your skin? My bc isn’t for acne, it’s for hormonal issues, so I’m wondering if somehow it’s causing my acne and that’s why topical treatments don’t do much.

Hi, I'm 19yo and I bought some serums so I'll change my current routine but I need help. The routine that I want to do:

Morning: Cleanser-Arbutin-Niacinamide-Retinol- rice toner- dehydrating cream-Sun screen

Night: Cleanser-BHA(salicylic acid) toner- rice toner- arbutin- niacinamide- Cream

Is this routine good for daily usage? I'd be glad if you help me 💗

I recently bought these products to help my acne prone VERY sensitive skin, but since using them I've found my skin has been getting worse/breaking out more and red acne marks that were once fading started appearing again and filling up with pus? And now I have embarrassing little red marks on my face and it looks like I have chicken pox or a pepperoni face and it's ruining my self confidence 😭. Here's my routine:

Morning: I alternate between face wash or just water, and then moisturizer

Night: Face wash, snail mucin, moisturizer

I only use sunscreen when I go out

What should I be doing better? Is this purging or a negative reaction to my skin? Should I stop using these products altogether or wait it out? What should I incorporate or remove from my routine? Thank you, any help at all is appreciated please 🙏🏻 <3

Hi everyone, I was hoping to get some advice on my daily skincare routine and how to incorporate some products I have lying around. I've read that you shouldn't combine certain things and get overwhelmed trying to figure out what pairs best with each other.

My skin type leans more towards dry and I've noticed some fine lines forming on my forehead and under my eyes. My skin is always a very pink/red tone, which I think is because I'm naturally blonde (like invisible brows and lashes) so I'm not sure if that's something I can change but it would be nice to have a more even skin tone.

Products I own but don't use and would like to know what time of day to use, how often, and what to avoid combining with:

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10%, The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum, Provence Beauty Retinol serum, and Glow Serum Propolis + Niacinamide

Is there anything else I should have that I'm missing? Recommendations for an affordable weekly clay or hydrating mask to do in the shower would be great too.

This is my current routine-

AM: wash face with just water, Thayer's facial toner, Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Vitamin C + LHA sunscreen moisturizer (SPF30), then makeup

Is there a better daily SPF moisturizer I could be using? I've heard that mineral sunscreen is superior, but I really need a moisturizer + SPF combo because I tend to skip sunscreen if I have to do it as a separate step. It also needs to let makeup be applied smoothly on top of it.

PM: Clean It Zero cleansing balm, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser, Thayer's facial toner, Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, and either Cerave Skin Renewing Night cream or Derma-E Advanced Peptides & Flora-Collagen Night Moisturizer.

I'm open to a different nightly moisturizer too, those two work fine but not amazing.

Thanks for your help!

The Inkeylist alternatives

Hello, I am looking for an alternative to these products from The Inkeylist :

• Peptide moisturizer, I love how hydrating it is without being too much
• PHA exfoliating ans hydrating body water cream, I loooove using this especially during colder months

Ideally I want these products to be on the lower end.

I am also open to Korean skincare.

I do not want any USA made products or American brands. Unfortunately the reason I am even looking for alternatives is because I am Canadian and there will be tariffs imposed on Canadian products, I am worried I won't be able to buy they products at reasonable prices anymore if Canada retaliates with their own tariffs. Not trying to be political here 😭 I just want good, cheap products.