Reddit reviews CeraVe Day & Night Face Lotion Skin Care Set | Contains CeraVe AM Face Moisturizer with SPF 30 and CeraVe PM Face Moisturizer | Fragrance Free

I was about to start a thread for skin care recs!!! Thanks OP.

More specifically, I was hoping for some tips/recs because I'm interested in building a "skincare routine." My skin has been pretty bleh lately. I'm going through some big changes right now so I imagine it's partially the stress and frequent crying (lol) but also partially because I'm getting older and not doing much for my skin. Right now all I do is cleanse and moisturize because I honestly don't know what else to do. I currently use Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Facial Cleanser (what a mouthful) which I like. Then I moisturize with CeraVe AM/PM - these are fine I guess but I don't love them, I only keep using them because a lot of moisturizers make my eyes burn and these do not (I've tried figuring out the cause for years now with no luck, it's not like I'm putting things IN my eyes lol).

Some other notes:
- Combination skin, but leaning more towards oily.
- Acne-prone, but not overwhelmingly so.
- Uneven skin tone from lots of bad breakouts as a teenager.
- Not sure if age matters when picking products, but I'm 27!
- Sorry if this is too picky, but I really don't like using products you have to scoop out of jars/tubs. I have long nails and products just get stuck under them hahah.

Sorry for the entire novel on my skin. I know it's asking a lot but if anyone could recommend some things I'd really appreciate it!

AM:

• Cleanse with room temperature water, then cool water
  
  
• Spot-treat hyperpigmentation with [Melano CC essence] (https://www.amazon.ca/Rohto-medicinal-intensive-measures-Essence/dp/B00ITAP8P0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527212110&sr=8-1&keywords=melano+cc+essence)
  
  
• [CeraVe AM lotion] (https://www.amazon.ca/CeraVe-Facial-Moisturizing-Lotion-Bundle/dp/B004TS06HG/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1527212133&sr=1-1&keywords=cerave+am+pm) + a drop of The Ordinary's cold pressed rosehip seed oil
  
  PM
  
  
• [Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser] (https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/pond-39-s-reg-6-1-oz-cold-cream-cleanser/1012536763?skuId=12536763&ioid=HH000120&mcid=PS_google_nonbrand_dsa_&adpos=1t3&creative=227047046630&device=c&matchtype=b&network=g&mrkgadid=474285022&mrkgcl=609&rkg_id=h-38a16442efb72565362e80840b014b75_t-1527215623&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo9-fwemf2wIVVbXACh1wrQ2gEAAYAyAAEgLN3vD_BwE) only for heavy makeup
  
  
• [Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash] (https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/neutrogena-oil-free-acne-wash/6000016939545?cmpid=sem_pla_google_en_none_600001)
  
  
• Alternate daily between [TO's Glycolic Toner] (https://www.beautylish.com/s/the-ordinary-glycolic-acid-7-toning-solution) for closed comedones and texture & [off-brand salicylic acid pads] (https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/6b934d9e-bf49-4036-a44a-4f9bcb661a01_1.d4c70ba000112fd7f6d1b3d368a94ff0.jpeg)
  
  
• [Wait 30 min]
  
  
• [CeraVe PM] (https://www.amazon.ca/CeraVe-Facial-Moisturizing-Lotion-Bundle/dp/B004TS06HG/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1527212133&sr=1-1&keywords=cerave+am+pm) + a few drops of [TO's cold-pressed rosehip seed oil] (https://well.ca/products/the-ordinary-100-organic_123674.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9aGk1N2f2wIVV57ACh0FgwILEAYYASABEgLrdPD_BwE)
  
  
• [Laneige Water Sleeping Mask] (https://www.sephora.com/product/water-sleeping-mask-P420651?country_switch=ca&skuId=1966241&lsft=om_mmc:ppc-GG_1344218866_53103934479_294680686006_1966241_262294133193_9000903_c,country_switch:ca,lang:en&gclid=CLDk3oHdn9sCFWWvZQoda1YNZw) once a week
  
  
• [Laneige overnight lip mask] (https://www.sephora.com/product/lip-sleeping-mask-P420652?country_switch=ca&skuId=1966258&lsft=om_mmc:ppc-GG_1344218866_53103934479_294680686006_1966258_262294133193_9000903_c,country_switch:ca,lang:en&gclid=CIH6mpfdn9sCFTWPxQId2ZUOWw) once a week
  
  If anybody wants a brief review of any of these, please hit me up in the comments and I'll do my best!
  
  _
  
  
  Skin type and skin concerns:
  
  I have pretty normal skin, although occasionally my cheeks become a little dry in the winter months. I'm prone to closed comedones, and while I don't consider myself very acne prone, I'm scared enough of acne to identify as such, and so I largely evaluate products based on their tendency to give people acne.
  
  My skin concerns included horrible cystic acne, which occured during a 3-week long trip over the winter in a very different country. I'm very afraid to travel again and am unsure of how I will tackle my skincare challenges while abroad.
  
  When I returned, I first tackled my acne problem. Beneath the surface of my skin, I could feel a lot of little acne bumps in gross clusters. They hid beneath the surface, so while up front everything would look fine, I could always anticipate a pimple. I used [Aztec Healing Clay] (https://ca.iherb.com/pr/Aztec-Secret-Indian-Healing-Clay-1-lb-454-g/29363?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn-zU1emf2wIVy8DACh3cwgkHEAYYASABEgI7nvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) to bring them to the surface. I'm sure you are aware that there is little evidence that the clay causes purging. Nonetheless, there's tons of anecdotal evidence of this, including my own. In my experience, the clay initiated an onslaught of acne directly where I could feel them beneath my skin. This lasted about a week - and what a horrible week it was. It doesn't help that I have pretty severe trypophobia and my face became my own worst nightmare.
  
  I then began to tackle the acne itself. My Neutrogena acne wash and my off-brand Stridex pads contain salicylic acid. This, in conjunction with a lot more fruit, vegetables, water, and regulation in my diet, made a difference in my acne.
  
  Now, I'm dealing with hyperpigmentation. My whole routine is designed and constantly modified and evolved according to what I believe will help lessen the pigmentation and even out my general skin texture/colour.
  
  
  
  
  

> Sorry, I guess I am asking what I can do with my appearance to get to a point where I can analyze myself and see if I want to continue?

experiment with clothes. if you're brave, get something like skinny jeans, some neutral flats (shoes), and a fitted t-shirt or a women's t-shirt and go out somewhere. even if it's just a walk around the block or a drive somewhere. see how you feel. this might be a lot at the beginning, but it's a good way to analyze how you feel about the whole thing. but be careful when looking at yourself in the mirror as it can set off massive dysphoria.

> Or what can I edit about myself to appear more womanly?

good clothes, light makeup and HRT. HRT will make you look like a woman. the rest is just signaling. with clothes and makeup, you might pass if you have feminine features and are young. with HRT, sometimes even i pass with jeans, t-shirt, shave but no makeup. clothes + makeup + hrt + voice and i pass a lot more often. fyi, things like v neck shirts, or shirts that show some chest, are good to down play your shoulders. that is a big trigger for a lot of trans women.

try getting some women's underwear and a sports bra, wear them under your clothes and try them out.

shaving will help tremendously. i have been on HRT for a year now, basically, and shaving is very different that even 6 months ago. i used to need to shave daily, now i can go 2 weeks before needing it. hrt slows down hair growth, lightens it, softens the hair too. plus i already had very light blonde body hair. but, shave, moisturize, then try on some clothes. trust me, before you look at yourself in the mirror with women's clothes on, shave where ever is visible. no one will notice your arms and legs have been shaved.

> Thank you for the suggestions, buying cloths sounds like a good idea. Do you have any recommendations when it comes to make-up brands?

i generally found going to sephoras and getting a makeover there to be the best. if you spend $50 (easy to do), you'll get to test a lot of products and they will teach you how to do things. Most importantly, they will match your foundation for you. you basically need:

1. a moisturizer (CeraVe AM + PM is great, cheapest at wal-mart). do this AM and PM - CeraVe AM + PM - Amazon. These were $9 each at my local wal-mart
   
2. A cleanser. I use a foaming cleanser
   
3. A primer. Not necessary, but I use it to help smooth out my face. I use No Poreblem
   
4. A color corrector. I use Sephora Brand Color Corrector. This is used to hide beard shadow
   
5. a foundation. I use Too Faced Born This Way Foundation. This really is helpful and I absolutely love this foundation. a little bit goes a loooong way with this.
   
6. a setting spray. I use Urban Decay All Nighter. This will keep your makeup set as well as give you a more radiant, dewey look. it really helps.
   
7. You might want mascara, eye liner, etc.
   
8. A beauty blender sponge. I user Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge because it makes putting on makeup a breeze, as well as being cheap. you totally can use your fingers. i started with fingers, but moved to a beauty blender because i wanted a more matte appearance and wanted to apply the makeup faster.
   
9. to remove makeup, just buy some cheap micellar water and the little cotton pads. you can buy wipes, but micellar water is cheap and 100% effective. it's also really gentle for your face and can be used to clean or freshen up things.
   
   you don't have to get these. you can easily get by with ELF at target or something. Checkout /r/MakeupAddiction for information, hit up youtube for tutorials. makeup is hard, especially eye stuff, so you'll need plenty of practice. i'm not a makeup guru, but these are the basics. i prefer to have a more natural appearance and will basically just do foundation + mascara + gold eye liner on the bottom lid (adds brightness, my eyes are dark due to poor sleep).
   
   feel free to ask as many questions as you need too btw.

I would buy this 2% BHA product for your blackheads. You can put it on your face, then brush your teeth and do a couple chores while it dries (20 minutes) - I would do this once per day, at night. If you can't afford it, buy Stridex Maximum pads at Walmart instead.

You will also need to buy this - a regular moisturizer (for night time, after your BHA) and an SPF moisturizer (for daily sun protection; apply in the morning).

A cleanser would be really helpful too. At night, before your BHA treatment, do a quick cleanse with CeraVe Foaming. You can buy CeraVe products at Walmart, and get a coupon here as well. If the foaming one makes your skin too dry, they also have a Hydrating one.

So your routine would be:

AM: Wash with water, apple CeraVe AM.

PM: Wash with CeraVe cleanser, apply BHA (wait 20 minutes), apply CeraVe PM.

That is a simple basic routine that will actually be effective. You can't really skip any steps because then it could make your skin worse. Obviously those products I listed are just suggestions, and you may need to try other ones if they don't work for your skin.

So about two months ago (March 10th) I used this black head removal mask and I accidentally pulled it off too quick/forcefully and ripped off some skin on the tip of my nose and I got this little red patch on the tip of my nose

Picture

At first I thought nothing of it and thought it would eventually heal but after 2-3 weeks the initial bright redness faded and now it's this faint red and becomes very noticeable when I drink or am really hot (flushed face), or when you look closely. Ive been applying this moisturizer and this aloe vera gel daily.

Is this a permanent scar? Is there something else I should be applying to it to help it fade? Any other advice?

Thanks

For body I've been using Nivea body lotion with almond oil.

For face I have been using Cerave AM & PM.

Link here: https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Facial-Moisturizing-Lotion-Packaging/dp/B004TS06HG/ref=sr_1_10_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1499955084&sr=1-10&keywords=cerave

Someone has said you can buy them separately for cheaper... so look around before you get that bundle.

I also use Cerave hydrating cleanser every morning and night before I go to bed.

Hope these helps... but also the first month was the worst for side effects for me and they have died down since then. I know it's not this way for everyone, but just sharing my experience as I'm almost through month 3!

Building a daily routine. I am told I have good skin by friends and when I go to sephora??? Problem areas are oily nose, dark undereyes, and some minor texture including under the eye.

Skin type: Combination. Normal all over except for really oily nose with large pores.

Current routine don't really have a routine since I have good skin. But I'm trying to change because I know it will catch up to me. Please help me! Routine sporadically used Murad AHA/BHA as a cleanser (link ), thayer's witch hazel as toner, and Cerave AM/PM duo as moisturizer (link ). clinique all about eyes eye cream (link ) at night. I tried philosophy pure cleanser for a few weeks but that seemed to lead to texture on my skin (including under my eyes) but that could also be due to summer heating up? so decided to switch back to Murad. However, I've read some threads on here that say that the Murad AHA/BHA may be too harsh for daily use.

Your location Houston, TX. I know sunscreen is essential. Any tips on how to reapply sunscreen throughout the day? I need it most in the morning and right after work when I'm walking to the bus since my day is spent inside M-F. And on the weekend I know I should be applying more but I don't want to be too oily.

Clean&Clear Cleanser (http://www.amazon.com/Clean-Clear-Essentials-Cleanser-Sensitive/dp/B002B4K8J6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411492326&sr=8-2&keywords=clean+and+clear+cleanser)

Clean&Clear Toner (http://www.amazon.com/Clean-Clear-Essentials-Cleaning-Sensitive/dp/B0009RFAPE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411492344&sr=8-1&keywords=clean+and+clear+toner)

Paula's Choice BHA (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00949CTQQ/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1411492367&sr=1&keywords=paula%27s+choice+bha)

CeraVe AM Moisturizer (http://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Facial-Moisturizing-Lotion-Packaging/dp/B004TS06HG/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1411492390&sr=1-2&keywords=cerave+moisturizer)

The red comes before the moisturizer -- my face feels really dry and hot after putting the AHA on so I usually put a fair amount on, which makes my face shiny the rest of the day, annoying. But the red face problem was before I added the AHA to this routine.

I remove my makeup if I have it on, take a shower, wash my face in the shower, and put moisturizer on at night.

I use this and it's awesome. Your AM/PM moisturizers are different. You want to make sure your AM moisturizer has an SPF in it.