(Part 3) Best beauty according to redditors

Wear sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience...


Edited to add sunscreen info/advice. TL;DR Using Banana Boat on your face is fine.

——————————-


SPF is a broad spectrum (primarily UVB) rating. For most activities, SPF 30 is more than enough.


It’s impossible to know what the UVA protection of a sunscreen is, if it’s not listed on the product as a PA rating. PA ++++ is the highest rating given.


PA rating refers to UVA and SPF rating is mostly for UVB. UVA rays are the ones that age you. The penetrate into the deepest levels of skin and mutate your genes. They’re the ones that cause toughness and wrinkles. UVB rays attack and burn the surface of the skin. They’re the primary ones that cause skin cancer. It’s hard to say that one is more important than the other. But I suppose I’d rather be ugly and look older than I am than have skin cancer. .. maybe lol


The FDA does not require a PA rating. You’ll find this most often on European products, Asian products, and products marketed to skin care enthusiasts.


My personal HG (holy grail) sunscreens are Supergoop! SPF 30 PA++++ Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum which you can pick up in any Sephora store in the States and works for pretty much everyone and ROHTO Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk SPF 50 PA ++++ which is about 1/4 of the price but ships from Japan and is excellent for sensitive/dry skin. Neither leave a white cast, for those curious.


That withstanding, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen at all. Using Banana Boat (or almost any brand) on your face is fine.


Final note: Your hands and chest / décolleté are the next most telling of your age, after face. You should be moisturizing your hands and décolleté almost as religiously as you do your face. Same with sunscreen in those areas.

/r/wicked_edge has lots of great advice. I'll boil a lot of it down for you though..

1. Stop using the 17-bladed nuclear-powered vibrating cartridge monsters with extra lubricating strip and kung-fu grip. Similarly, no electric shavers. They're really electric hair-ripper-outers. Not kidding. Kick it old school, like your grandfather. Look at a double-edge safety razor, or if you're really looking to go all-in, consider a straight razor.
   
   
2. Think about your shaving cream. Does it come out of a can using aerosol? Maybe rethink that too then. Plenty of options out there that don't involve chemical-laden aerosol-propelled goo. You can even really turn the clock back with a cup/bowl/mug and brush setup to whip up a nice lather. I'm a fan of Taylor of Old Bond Street. But, I've also used DR Harris products, and they're quite nice as well. One of the side benefits of my former job was all the trips to London, so I could just stop into the ToBS shop on Jermyn Street. Sadly, those days are past, so I rely on the kindness of co-workers that still go over. :) It's easy enough to get their products in the US, it just costs a bit more.
   
   
3. If you go the DE route, get a sample pack of different blades. Different blades work differently on different guys. For me, Derby blades are death. For others, they're amazing. For me, I work well with Astra, or can manage Feathers if I'm really careful (they're super sharp). My best blade though, has been a Personna medical prep blade.
   
   
4. Shave in passes. Do a with-the-grain pass, followed by an across-the-grain pass. If you're really not there yet, you can add an against-the-grain pass, but that's a pretty advanced move. Remember - you're doing multiple passes. You don't need to remove every bit of hair the first pass. You don't press the razor into your face (as you're probably used to!). This razor has heft, and a blade that's really sharp. You're accustomed to a lightweight razor that has blades that are as dull as a hunk of cardboard compared to your garden variety DE blade.
   
   
5. Use a quality aftershave. Try to avoid ones that contain alcohol, as it dries out the skin. I love the Nivea sensitive skin stuff. I can get it for way cheaper than that link shows at Walgreens, Target or Wegmans though.
   
   Many folks will try to sell you on the economics here, and how much money you'll save by shaving this way. While possible, it's not necessarily so. One can go bonkers and spend hundreds on the best gear if they wish. BUT, you don't have to.
   
   For me, I use a $30 brush from whippeddog.com with a $5 mug from Target. My cream (ToBS Jermyn St) runs about $15 a tub, which lasts me probably 6-9 months. My daily shaver is a $30 Edwin Jagger, and my blades run about $30 for a 100-pack. I get 2-3 shaves from each blade.
   
   If you run the numbers, you'll likely come out ahead by going to DE, get better shaves, and have better skin as well. It sure was cheaper for me. I used to go through a cartridge a week. So, that's 4 carts a month. I was spending $30-ish every other month on 8-packs of cartridges, or about $3.75 per week. Nowadays, that's 2 blades a week, at ~$0.30/blade, that's $0.60/week in blades. That's a massive savings alone.
   
   You can do the ROI analysis for yourself. Take into account what you'd spend on shaving supplies, and calculate at which points the cost lines cross (ie break-even).

Something that's important to keep in mind with this safety razor stuff is there is very little (arguably no) difference in quality between something like a $30 Merkur from Amazon and a $100 razor from The Art of Shaving or any other boutique store. Similarly, a $30 Parker badger hair brush does the exact same thing as a $200 brush.

Historically, safety razors started out as a cheap shaving solution to save money from getting shaves from barbers and save time from doing it yourself via straight razors. Like anything vintage/retro, this sort of thing has been fetishized by the internet and there are loads of guides out there singing the praises of all sorts of "premium" safety razor gear which seriously just epitomizes the mindset of "Well I paid more for this so of course it's better."

You don't even really need to go nuts on shave soaps, I've been using this for a decade now- http://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Eucalyptus-Menthol-Formulation/dp/B00837YY18/

The only thing I really recommend if you're getting started with this is getting a variety pack of blades before deciding on what you want to buy in bulk- http://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-NACET-BLUEBIRD-Blade-Sampler/dp/B002Z85VJK/ Allegedly, certain blades are better for certain beard or skin types. I just buy Feather blades as they're supposed to be the sharpest.

Seriously though, if anyone is looking to get involved in this, don't over-spend. It's real easy to get up-sold on this junk for no reason other than more money = better than. It's a design from the late 1800's built from the ground up to be cheap. Don't get suckered by boutiques and men's blogs.

or your tongue. tongue cleaner baby.

Highly recommend Dr Tungs Tongue Cleaner

Dear lord it's disgusting how much stuff comes off my tongue. And if you smell the stuff you just scraped, you will know forever that you never want that stuff in your mouth. Same with smelling your floss after using it.

Tongue scraper. I tried several before landing on this one. It's stainless steel, it'll last virtually forever.

First couple of times you use it will gross you out realizing how much bacteria you had growing on your tongue.

Then, I always rinse with Smart Mouth mouthwash after flossing, tongue scraping and brushing. You can buy it anywhere, grocery store, WalMart, Target, etc. This is the best mouthwash I've found, I never have morning breath since I started using it. I wish it still came in two bottles that you mix, because their new "all-in-one" bottle sucks. But it is what it is.

Product name: Stridex Maximum Strength (red box)

Price (range): ~$5 for 55 or 90 count; can purchase in any drugstore or grocery store in the U.S.; amazon

Country of purchase: U.S.

Skin info: Normal-dry; mild but persistent acne; Fitzpatrick Type II

Ingredient list: (cosdna); Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid (2%)
Inactive Ingredients: Amino Methyl Propanol, Ammonium Xylene Sulfonate, Citric Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance, Menthol, PPG 5 Ceteth 20, Water (Purified), Simethicone, Sodium Borate, Tetrasodium EDTA

Special info: Alcohol-free; has menthol; pH 3-4; 2% salicylic acid

Experience & opinion: Cult-fave for a reason - simple, cheap, effective. Dries down fast, alcohol-free, incredibly convenient to use. Even with my normal-dry skin, I find that the drying effects of this product are easily mitigated with moisturizer (obviously ymmv.) This has seriously helped manage whiteheads, sebaceous filaments, and those lil red inflammed buggers.

When you shave against the grain the razor tugs at the hair in addition to slicing through it, pulling it a bit farther out of the follicle. This makes it much easier to get ingrown hairs and irritation on the skin.

Edit to elaborate on everyone else's experiences by adding my own: Using Mach 3s and all that newer stuff I always broke out on my neck. Switching to a safety razor(a big part of this is also finding the right blade brand for you skin, Feather was way too sharp for me and caused razor burn, I ended up going with Derby), using a badger hair brush and shaving soap and making my own lather, shaving while showering and your hair is moist and skin is warm from the steam, and rinsing with ice cold water after the shave are what I found work the best. Hard to nail down exactly what helped the most cause I switched to doing all that at the same time.

Safety Razor

Blades

Soap

Fogless Shower Mirror

Mug to make lather in

Brush

After Shave

Cold Water ;P (I honestly think rinsing with cold water for at least 15 seconds before putting on after shave is the most important part in avoiding irritation and ingrown hairs.)

The internet can teach you!

You don't need to drop $54 on an Urban Decay palette to figure out how to put on eyeshadow. Drugstore mascara is often touted as some of the best. Most people who are just starting out only need a couple things - get some Real Techniques brushes and a couple different drugstore options and you can be off to see the wizard before you know it.

Try /r/makeupaddiction, /r/beautydiagrams, /r/indiemakeupandmore, and especially /r/howdoibeauty (which is a closed sub, but you just have to message the mods for permission).

You can do it!

Hi, I see some people have given you some advice but I thought I would give you some links and maybe a little more explanation. Firstly here are links to the Maggard and the Stirling starter kits. People like to recommend these because they're very reasonably priced and you can't go wrong with pretty much anything they come with. You can make a nice shaving kit on amazon but overall you're probably going to pay more and you're going to have to be much more careful because it's really easy to get something fairly cheap that is just totally awful.

Just for fun I'll toss up some decent stuff from amazon too if you really want to use up your gift cards. This razor is a good starting razor for a pretty good price, this soap is pretty good and cheap, this brush is solid although it doesn't have amazon prime. After that all you need is a blade sampler and you'd be good to go. So after all that you're looking at about 43.74 for the stuff that comes in the starter kits at the top with minor differences. The brush isn't quite as nice as the ones in the starter kits and most people here would say proraso soap isn't nearly as good as the stirling or maggard's soaps but you would have five ounces of soap instead of two or three.

I know some people who get nice shaves with a cartridge style razor, but I don't know anyone who gets nice shaves with an electric razor. I would pretty much guarantee you'll have a better time with double edge once you get technique down and you figure out what blades you like to use. Just be aware that there is going to be a learning curve, you're working with a single very sharp blade and you have to get used to using it.

https://www.amazon.com/Merano-Medicinal-Intensive-Measures-Essence/dp/B00ITAP8P0/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1524967163&sr=8-1&keywords=melano+cc

https://www.amazon.com/Missha-Time-Revolution-Treatment-Essence/dp/B00E4YYIY2/ref=sr_ph_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1524967202&sr=sr-1&keywords=missha+first+treatment+essence

https://www.amazon.com/COSRX-Whitehead-Power-Liquid-100ml/dp/B00OZ9WOD8/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1524967215&sr=1-1&keywords=cosrx+aha

https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Bha-Blackhead-Power-Liquid/dp/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=sr_1_6_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1524967215&sr=1-6&keywords=cosrx+aha

https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Advanced-Snail-Mucin-Essence/dp/B00PBX3L7K/ref=sr_ph_1_s_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1524967246&sr=sr-1&keywords=cosrx+snail+96+mucin+power+essence

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dbeauty&field-keywords=honey+scinic

https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Shirojyun-Medicinal-Whitening/dp/B00BS3Q58Y/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1524967303&sr=1-1&keywords=shirojyun

https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Hydrating-Facial-Cleanser-Washing/dp/B01MSSDEPK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1524967355&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=cerave+cleanser&psc=1

These are some of my holy grail skincare products!

Night time:

1. Cleanse with cerave cleanser
   
2. I typically do Melano CC or BHA/AHA every few days or so. AHA/BHA are chemical exfoliators and Melano CC is vitamin C that helps renew your skin. These are both applied right after cleansing the skin, you have to wait 20-25 minutes after applying BHA/AHA (10 minutes for the vit CC) before you apply other stuff.
   ** these products dry out your skin so I put on many layers of moisture after, and also don't do them everyday. AHA (and BHA too, I believe) makes your skin more sensitive to the sun so I also wear SPF 50 everyday underneath my makeup.
   
3. then the Missha FTE mist
   
4. the snail mucin gel
   
5. scinic honey thing
   
   day time:
   
6. either missha fte or snail mucin gel
   
7. shirojyun toner
   
8. shirojyun lotion (just cuz I have it, probably wouldn't repurchase although I do really like it!)
   
9. sunscreen
   
   
   hope this helps! :)
   
   these products all contain brightening properties. If you want to learn more about other people's experiences with these products you should search r/asianbeauty. If you search top posts there as well you should see lots of hg lists/reviews!

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

​

Current skincare routine

AM:

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

Great starter set -- Real Techniques Starter Set. Only $15

http://www.amazon.com/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-real-Starter/dp/B004TSFE28

Just like you, my first foray into sheet masks from Amazon was the tonymoly I'm Real 11 pack. They were enjoyable but I found some of them to irritate my skin slightly and others to be a little disappointing efficacy-wise. I initially got them because they were paraben free but I've since stopped worrying so much about parabens.

Then I found the Freeset Donkey Milk Aqua 10 pack for $18.62 being sold directly by Amazon (about $2 more than other Prime eligible sellers but this was worth it to me to not have to worry about potentially old products/bad seller experience). These are <$2 a pop even when buying directly from Amazon. *Note: I didn't spring for the $30 "newer" version and I am perfectly happy with whatever "old" version I got.

Holy moly these are the real effing deal. I accidentally dozed off during my first one and will admit I got one tiny zit that went away in <24 hours but otherwise my skin was so plump, so bright, so smooth and my pores were GONE. I had to rub my eyes after waking up to verify how small my pores had gotten because I thought my eyes were still adjusting or something. NOPE. Pores gone. Skin so plump I couldn't believe it.

Honorable mention: Dermal Korea Collagen Essence White mask. Found in a Prime eligible 10 pack here for $9.99, or included in a $9.88 16 combo pack add-on item. I have only ever used the White version (and it was in a heated salt room) but it did wonders for my skin from a plumpness, even tone/texture perspective. Highly recommended! Full disclosure: the white one I used at the spa had a Snowflake logo (found in the 16 pack) and the 10 pack has a slightly different snowflake logo. As far as I can tell, these are the same mask and one has slightly updated packaging.

Skin

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

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

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

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

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

AM

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

I’m guessing you’re using this to avoid aluminum (and other nasty evil chemicals). I don’t know why, because we’re likely exposed to more naturally-occurring aluminum in the environment every day than you’d rub on your pits. And no, not from manufacturing. Aluminum makes up about 8% of the Earth’s crust and is the most abundant metal in the crust. It’s the 3rd most abundant element following oxygen and silicone.

That said, the ingredient for this thing is potassium alum, aka potassium aluminum sulfate
(which is a chemical compound despite their claims that it’s “completely free of chemicals.” Because literally everything is a chemical.) so: aluminum. Screenshot of their Amazon page.

Btw, that “chemical-free” hunk of potassium aluminum sulfate you’ve been using is also used as an organic fertilizer. I figure you probably buy only organic, so there you go.

So while you’ve pointlessly tried to avoid rubbing it on, you’ve likely been eating it.

In other words: you and everyone else who bought into the fear-mongering got played. As usual. For something that almost certainly does not work. Which they actually admit on the above product page.


Edit: note that I said “I’m guessing,” because there may be other reasons people have for rubbing a rock on their pits. But the vast majority of users are in fact scared of the eeeevul aluminumz chemikillz. Sadly, they just believe whatever garbage scam these companies push and throw money at them.

Unfortunately, for most people who have sensitive skins, there is rarely a single product that solves all. Here are several habits I develop to cope with my troubled skin.

​

In Camp care

1. Applying sunscreen - Yes, at first some of your friends/bunkmates will be laughing at you, but after awhile they will not care about it. I recommending purchasing matt/ non-shine sunscreen, as is the least obvious in appearance. Avoid applying too close to your eye area, it hurts like hell when it mix with your sweat and get into your eyes.
   
2. Put a clean towel on your pillow before you sleep. Try to change/wash that towel as often as possible. This will protect your face from built-up skin cells, oil, dirt and bacteria on your pillowcases.
   
3. Eat more fruits and limit your intake of sweet drinks/oily/fried food. (Some skin types are more sensitive to dietary changes.)
   
4. Always practise good hygiene and wash your face twice a day. (Morning & before you sleep)
   
5. Sleep early if possible...
   
6. Avoid touching your face. If you want to touch, wash your hands first.
   
7. Vitamins and supplement - My friends recommend purchasing grape seed extract, zinc & vitamin c supplements, it said help them manage their acne problem. (Case by case basis)
   
8. Wash your helmet after use, especially the chin strap and forehead area.
   
9. Build your skincare routine, like others have mention you can look in the following subreddits (skincareaddicts/ Asianbeauty/Skincareaddiction) for tips on how to take care of your skin.
   
10. Shower properly, most people just rub soap on their body, don't be afraid to bring a shower sponge to scrub your body.
    
11. Avoid laying in your bed if you have not showered or feeling sweaty.
    
12. Moisturiser might help if you have eczema.
    
13. Use a separate towel when for dying of face.
    
14. Wash your jockey cup too.
    
15. This product might help with your back and chest acne, can be applied on the face too. Do not apply too often, it can cause skin dryness.
    
16. Sleeping on your sides might reduce chest and back acne.
    
17. Clean your phone screen every now and then. Because throughout the day, your phone is gonna collect a lot of nasty and the last thing you want to do is to transfer it to your face when you call your loved ones.
    
    ​
    
    Outfield care
    
    
18. Clean your face with Aloe Vera/baby wet wipes before you sleep. Avoid sleeping with camo if possible.
    
19. Spam camo cream... Camo cream can act as an effective sunscreen. (Do note some skin types might have a reaction to camo cream, if you have such a condition, try to get a letter from the MO.)
    
20. You can use wet wipes to clean camo off your helmet.
    
21. Bring an antiseptic cream, sometimes even exhaust all your means and your skin continue to rebel, is better to prevent it from getting worst. I use this for my eczema and groin rash, it will help to control the inflammation for awhile.
    
    ​
    
    Route March Care
    
    Friction rash
    
    
22. I recommend wearing tights or swimming trunks and if your commanders forbid it, just apply a layer of Vaseline on areas that are prone to friction rash. (Thighs, groin, nipples, underarms etc)
    
23. Wear double layer socks and pour a gentle amount of SAF powder in them. The socks have to be brand new, in the event, your commander prohibits you to wear double layer socks, I suggest purchase professional hiking socks beforehand. I brought mine here. They used to carry in green.
    
24. If your field-pack/ILBVs is also giving you issues, I suggest purchasing cushion/padding for them or just place 2 layers of socks underneath them. Furthermore, make sure the weight is evenly distributed on both sides of your shoulder.
    
25. For extended marches, you can consider changing your walking style similar to a cow-boy to avoid your thighs from touching.
    
    Source: History of oily skin, cystic acne & eczema.

This is gonna sound like some hippy shit but Kdot is part of black hippy so hang on a sec: most deodorant+antiperspirant contains metals which are bad for clothes and more importantly may or may not play a factor in various cancers, though the jury is very much still out on this.

Regardless, for 2 years I have used a combination of salt-based antiperspirant (link) and using cologne as my deodorant. I am consistently complimented on my scent, I feel clean and great, and none of my shirts have even remote staining. I don't like to wear undershirts under button-downs so it is very important to me that I not be staining them. Oh, and the antiperspirant I linked lasts 1.5 years easy, mine is going on 2 years now for like $4.

Fuck Old Spice and their marketing, you don't need that shit and it smells horrible. I don't have proof but knowing large mutinational corporations, you can make a decently educated guess that they purposefully developed a product that sorta works but only for a short time, because then how would they sell more of it? It's like planned obsolescence but more so planned rapid depletion.

FTFY

I got the travel size of this. You wet it and also wet your clean armpits (can't be put on without cleaning your pits wth soap first) and rub it all around each pit for 30 seconds. It neutralizes the zone, making all the smelly bacteria not smelly anymore. People say you still sweat with it, I say I sweat even less than what I was with regular deodorant, and now I smell like literally nothing in there. Also, the rock lasts forever. That is, unless you drop it in your sink and it breaks, which is why I went with a travel size. I know someone who has the kind where it's a whole rock in a dish like this and she's on year 5 and the darn thing is not done yet.

Also, it was explained to me that one of the reasons aluminum in regular deodorant is bad for you is because since it's a large metal particle, it literally clogs your sweat glands. So in doing that, your telling your body it's basically not doing a good job of sweating (because you're blocking the sweat) so your body is like "omg we need to work harder!" so it produces more and more sweat. After a few years of that, your body is like on hyperdrive of making you sweat, rendering your deodorant useless. So when I switched to the crystal and quit blocking the sweat glands from doing its natural thing, my body was like "hell yeah we're doing a kickass job we don't need to work as hard to push this crap out anymore" and now I don't even sweat almost at all anymore.

for spf to be effective you need to apply 1/4 tsp of sunscreen product.

this amount of sunscreen is ok for most but that amount of a moisturizer with spf can feel too greasy or heavy especially if you have oily skin. most people using moisturiser with spf won't end up using enough so won't get enough protection.

I recommend using a lightweight gel moisturiser and a separate sunscreen like la Roche posay Shaka fluid, etude House sunproof, or biore watery essence

Double edge razor, seriously. /r/wicked_edge will have some info, but they can also be a little pretentious.

I read info from that subreddit, then bought this http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Safety-Razor-Model-LP1822L/dp/B004N77JVY

You don't need all the fancy stuff wicked edge suggests, though it would be nice. Ever since I started shaving with a DE razor, I haven't had any razor bumps or ingrown hairs.

If you have Amazon Prime, you can get a 16 variety pack of Dermal sheet masks for ~$8.50 each here and here. I find these to be the cheapest decent quality masks I've tried so far! Cheaper ones I've tried tend to be irritating for my skin or just useless.

You can also get "free" sheet masks at Skin18, you just have to pay for shipping (by weight) so if you buy a lot of them at once it is more worth it.
(UPDATE: turns out you can only get one freebie at a time on Skin18, so maybe not so great for bulk sheet mask buys.)

If you're looking for straight up just hella bulk and inexpensive sheet masks for daily usage, KOSE sells them in a giant pack of 1/2 lb but I haven't actually used any of them myself since I have my own stash of 200+ sheet masks LOL. They have Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen.

Innisfree also really often has BOGO free deals for their sheet masks. They're more expensive than the other options I've listed but if you buy a lot at once it'll be cheaper per mask.

LASTLY, (sorry long post) there's also Korean buying services where companies will locate the items you want to buy at a lower price in Korea and ship it to you for a fee. This service is super worth it if you're planning on a HUGE haul. However it's also more complicated than just adding stuff to your cart and checking out like you would on other online stores. There's a guide on how to use the big buying services in the sidebar here if you're interested!

Honestly, there's tons of resources to buy bulk sheet masks, and if you buy a crap ton at once, they're even cheaper :P

i worship at the altar of skin aqua uv moisture milk. cosmetically elegant with a non-greasy texture that absorbs fully into my skin. asian sunscreens offer the broadest protection against uva light. ulta md and la roche posay are not asian beauty brands, but they carry excellent chemical and physical sunscreens i see recced here often due to their non comedogenic formulations.

I'm more combo / normal and oily.. mainly my nose. It can turn into an oil slick in the summer quicker than I can finish my face. This Etude House 'sunprise' is the best one I've found! It doesn't make the perimeter of my face too dry and actually helps my nose / cheek area control themselves.

The gospel from /r/skincareaddiction is that chemical exfoliation will help. A good place to start is BHA (beta hydroxy acid) - a popular drugstore product that contains this exfoliant is the Stridex medicated pads in the red box. At night, you would wash your face, pat dry, swipe a Stridex pad over it, wait for it to dry, moisturize if necessary, then go to bed.

Warning that BHA and other chemical exfoliants can make your face more sensitive to sunlight; SPF is a must. I use Cerave "AM" moisturizer that contains SPF 30.

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

Am:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy toning!

I've been ordering from this amazon seller and haven't had any problems... but if anyone has any reputable non-amazon sources, I'd be interested in hearing them.

One result of my poor hygiene was a really persistent case of bad breath. All through grammar school, all through high school and college, even when I was brushing twice a day the problem remained.

It made it tough to be around me. Brave (or pissed) people would tell me about it, but I had no idea what to do. Mouth washes didn’t work. Brushing longer didn’t work.

The solution? Simple… a tongue scraper. Twice a day, ten strokes after brushing. The first time you do this, try not to look :-).

https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Tungs-Tongue-Cleaner-Stainless/dp/B00064JGBO/?th=1

$6.50

My life would have been so different if I had known this.

$4.89+Free Shipping on Amazon

I will be that person for you, lol. For reference, I have normal to oily combination skin and am prone to occasional breakouts.

AM routine:

1. Cleanse with Amorepacific Treatment Cleansing Foam (Note: This isn’t an actual foam but more of a cream cleanser, so it’s poorly named, but that’s its only flaw.)
   
   
2. Tone with Son & Park Beauty Water
   
   
3. Moisturize with Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Moisturizer
   
   
4. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. I like the Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF, but only because I work from home and seldom have to go outside during the week. Otherwise, it’d be too expensive for daily use, and I’d recommend something more affordable like Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV, Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence or Perfect Face Milk, or Skin Aqua Moisture Milk.
   
   PM routine:
   
   
5. Cleanse with Amorepacific
   
   
6. Tone with Beauty Water
   
   
7. Moisturize with Cloud Cream
   
   
8. Treat eye area with Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
   
   
9. Treat lips with Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
   
   Once per week:
   
   
10. Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Babyfacial followed by Drunk Elephant Marula Oil
    
    Also once per week:
    
    
11. Herbivore Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask , also followed by the marula oil
    
    Three things to note:
    
    
12. Many people double cleanse at night in order to more effectively wash off the impurities of the day. Personally, I’ve found that the Beauty Water does a pretty good job of picking up what my cleanser has missed, but if you do decide to go the double cleansing route, you’ll probably want a cleansing oil or balm to start with, so that it’s not too drying. I’ve heard that Farmacy and Tata Harper have some good options.
    
    
13. I’ve heard that retinols are the key to anti-aging, but I haven’t found one yet that I’d recommend (other than the eye serum). I tried the Kate Somerville RetAsphere Night Cream but didn’t love it. So if anyone has any suggestions, I’m all ears!
    
    
14. The Drunk Elephant items are really pricey, so if you’re looking for a dupe, you can try products from The Ordinary. I haven’t personally tried either of these yet (going to finish up my DE products and then give them a whirl), but I’ve heard great things about the brand, and it’s so cheap that even if you don’t like it, you’re not out too much money.
    
    Dupe for the Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial:
    
    http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-aha-30pct-bha-2pct-peeling-solution-30ml?redir=1
    
    Dupe for the Marula Oil:
    
    http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-100pct-cold-pressed-virgin-marula-oil-30ml?redir=1
    
    There are also minis of some of these products at Sephora or on the brands’ own websites — that way, you don’t have to invest too much money off the bat if you’re not yet sure. Sephora also has a great return policy (which I will be utilizing for that retinol) and will give you samples of any of their products if you just go into a store and ask! (Somehow I did not know this until just recently.)
    
    Hope that helps!

I'd sound like a broken record but I would also recommend [Melano CC] (https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%A1%E3%83%A9%E3%83%8ECC-%E8%96%AC%E7%94%A8%E3%81%97%E3%81%BF-%E9%9B%86%E4%B8%AD%E5%AF%BE%E7%AD%96-%E7%BE%8E%E5%AE%B9%E6%B6%B2-20mL%E3%80%90%E5%8C%BB%E8%96%AC%E9%83%A8%E5%A4%96%E5%93%81%E3%80%91/dp/B00ITAP8P0) especially if you're specifically looking for a vit C serum. It worked really well for brightening and fading my PIH.

Shark Sauce and Stratia Rewind are also very nice ones.

If you haven't already, please go see an ENT for an evaluation of the abnormal size and shape of your palatine tonsil. There could be something serious going on here. Is the other one like that too? Go ahead and buy a tongue scraper, it may not be the main cause of your halitosis, but it is surely a contributing factor. I recommend this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Tungs-Tongue-Cleaner-Stainless/dp/B00064JGBO/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1407297494&sr=1-1&keywords=tongue+scraper

EDIT: Hey OP, Send me your addy and I'll send you one

This can be dealt with.

Here are a few options to consider. First, Zinc will help with the stink. You can take a Zinc supplement AND use a topical ointment on your feet. If you decide to take a Zinc supplement, don't take it everyday and be mindful of your copper levels. OptiZinc has copper included although you want to supplement even a little more. The ideal zinc-to-copper ratio is 10:1.

• Boudreaux's Butt Paste Maximum Strength Diaper Cream
  
  This works very well because it contains 40% Zinc. One of the highest you can find. I've used this on my feet with success and I've even used it on my face before to help with complexion issues and it never dried me out. I think using daily on your feet would be fine although I wouldn't recommend putting it on your face every day. You can find this in Walmart in the baby isle (where the Pedialyte is located). Start with a small amount and rub it in. A little goes a long way with this stuff, you don't want your feet feeling greasy all day.
  
  
• Crystal Body Deodorant Stick Deodorant
  
  I bought this because I was looking for safer deodorant options. I was amazed at how well it worked on my armpits (much better than traditional deodorants containing aluminum) and the upside for you is, it even specifically mentions being used on feet to treat foot odor. I haven't done that but I imagine it would working swimmingly.
  
  
• Nature's Way Chlorofresh
  
  
  This product is along the same lines as BodyMint, but much cheaper. It is typically used to deal with bad breath that originates from odor created in the gut, but it has also been used to treat general body odor as well. I recommend starting with the top 2 recommendations first but considering this can be tried for only ~$7, it may be worth just adding it to your odor fighting stack.
  
  
• 10-Seconds Deodorant & Disinfectant
  
  I was told this is the product that bowling alleys use to disinfect the bowling shoes. I bought a can sometime ago when I was running and wanted to keep my running shoes from getting rank. I can't find it right now but I seem to recall a warning about harmful/caustic chemicals coming into contact with skin so use this one carefully if you decide to try it. You should be disinfecting your shoes anyway since it sounds like your issue could be bacterial or fungal, seeing as it spreads so rapidly to new shoes.
  
  
• Drymax Run Hyper Thin No Show Socks
  
  I got these for running and I love them. They are super light and are made from a breathable mesh. The thicker your socks are, the more likely your feet are to get hot and begin sweating. These are a bit expensive but you can think of them as an investment that pays dividends.
  
  
• Mini Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag, Charcoal
  
  These are designed to naturally remove odor. I keep them in my shoes when they're just sitting in my closet. I assume they are working because my shoes don't stink. They are cheap and got good reviews on Amazon. Check 'em out.
  
  
  In conclusion
  
  I believe if you are washing your feet thoroughly, making sure your socks are clean and your feet have some Zinc ointment rubbed into them (or the crystal deodorant applied) and your shoes are properly disinfected and dry, I think you will see an appreciable reduction in foot funk if not a complete eradication.
  
  Good luck.
  
  

First, you've got a good head of hair my man! You've got the foundation for a barber to do their thing!

My suggestion is a typical one found here, but you could rock pretty much any cut where its short on the sides & longer and styled on top. Here are a few photos for inspiration:

Side Part Comb Over

Fade with Sweep Back

Relaxed Brushed Over

It might just be the pictures you posted, but it doesn't look like you use any product in your hair. I would buy some product and test out different styles.

Here are a couple products (low to medium price range):

American Crew Forming Cream

Bed Head Matte Separation Wax

My personal favourite Fatboy


Hope this helps! You can always try /r/malehairadvice as well! Good luck!

Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C Plus E Ferulic Acid Serum, 1 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036BI56G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_PRGDAbRS12ZX6


Claire-ity 25% Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E, Best Organic Anti-Aging Moisturizer Serum for Face, Neck & Décolleté and Eye Treatment (1 fl. oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OKY87OS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_3SGDAbDW006V9

Vitamin C 1 oz Serum with Organic Hyaluronic Acid - Lighten Sun Spots, Anti Aging, Anti Wrinkle - Light and Oxygen Stable MAP Vitamin C - ASTERWOOD NATURALS - Classic Formula Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GVUZODA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_8TGDAbJ419E6C

I also get my B3 through [MIZON] Good Night White Sleeping Mask 50ml (1.69 fl.oz.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GB1E940/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4UGDAb45GG14N

This is my go to:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NTR9B6A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_q6KODb7Y119EM

Agree with the suggestion to try an Asian sunscreen. I use Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+ / PA+++.

Ok! Well I am a 24 yr old female with combination skin. I am normal on my cheeks but oily in my T zone. I've dealt with severe cystic acne my entire life but after seeing a dermatologist and getting chemical peels and changing my diet, it went down drastically. Now I am just left with hormonal acne on my chin and some discoloration on my skin. So here is my brand new routine I started a week ago! Many of these products have made people break out but it's just about finding what's right for you :)

Morning

Use [low ph Cleanser] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016NRXO06/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[Toner] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LUU42NU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[vitamin C serum] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G2TQNZ4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[Moisturize] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AF63QQE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1)

[sunscreen] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SM99KWU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Nighttime

Oil cleanse with [this] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V2FBAQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

same cleanser

same toner

A [random sheet mask] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BAM7F8C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

same vitamin C serum (under eyes only)

[collagen cream] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016AEC63I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[overnight moisturizer] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018IX7N2S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

I've also been taking [primrose oil supplements] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NH5AK2S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) but it's only been a week and I'm not sure if it's doing anything yet. I bought some other stuff too but since this worked for me, I am sticking with it and might change it up next week and add more things in.

I stumbled upon this subreddit, and am so excited to discover Asian beauty. I live outside the U.S. and had someone coming to visit, so everything I purchased was from Amazon Prime so that I could get it in time. Also, being such a newbie here, shopping on other sites is a bit intimidating for me. I thought this would be helpful to others that are just starting out with Asian beauty.

[Etude House Tint My Brows Gel #3 Gray Brown] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B732GT6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MWI2IS0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[Skinfood Dark Circle Concealer Cream no.1 salmon] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KR392E0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[Dermal Korea Collagen Essence Full Face Facial Mask Sheet, 16 Combo Pack] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BAM7F8C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[SCINIC Honey All In One Ampoule] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00STAV016/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQM3S3C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[C 20 Original Pure Vitamin C20 Serum] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WWLIN9U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WE3XGAC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun SPF 45 PA+++] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENTM3FY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[MIZON Snail Repair Eye Cream] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ILUH7E8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Mask 10 pcs] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WASFDOI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[INNISFREE GREEN TEA SLEEPING PACK] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JJGI0VW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[KOSE Softy Mo Deep Cleansing Oil] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V2FB88/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[TONYMOLY Shiny Foot Super Peeling Liquid] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BCHME3G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[Hadalabo Japan goku jyun Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Bubble Foaming Cleanser] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EWNK83U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[Etude House I Need You Mask Sheet 15pcs set] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NPNUTNW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

My SCINIC Honey All In One Ampoule is in plastic because the lid came loose in transit and spilled everywhere, but there is still half of it in there. So far I have tried a few face masks, and I am in love. I am so excited to try it all! :)

[MIZON] Snail Recovery Gel Cream 45ml (1.52 fl.oz.) Pack of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NTR9B6A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4N.pyb8NCAE44

This was the price I paid for one tube in October =/ BUT.. at least now I get two for the same price! Happy Shopping everyone!

This is hands down best extremely cheap sunscreen I’ve ever tried. It’s great for oily skin - slightly matte finish, dries slightly powdery, it’s super light and NO sunscreen scent.

Etude house sunprise mild airy finish

I’m not sure if the amazon product is old, here it is from the etude house website


From YesStyle:
https://www.yesstyle.com/en/etude-house-sunprise-airy-finish-spf50-pa-55ml-55ml/info.html/pid.1039258908?rco=D8KHKA

I personally hate the tatcha sunscreen, it is very pricey and smells so strongly of sunscreen.

I also have ones I love from Hada Labo, missha, and skin aqua, but they are more moisturizing.

I think you make some fair points regarding time.

However, for less than the cost of a decent electric or one of those silly quad blade handles and a few replacements you can have a shaving setup that will last you, literally, your entire life.

Is it for everyone? No. Is it dangerous? Hell no. Hard to use? Only if you don't know how to shave. Can it be expensive? Yes, I have a $100 brush because it feels like angel wings on my face. But my $100 brush does the same thing a $5 brush does. But let's go down the price list of my initial setup.

Merkur Long Handle Safety Razor $18.99

[Proraso Shaving soap] (https://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Soap-Refreshing-Toning/dp/B00837YY18/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1473962086&sr=1-5&keywords=shaving+soap) $10

[Shaving Brush] (https://www.amazon.com/Bassion-Crafted-Shaving-Professional-Engineered/dp/B016I77CJA/ref=sr_1_10_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1473962140&sr=1-10&keywords=shaving+brush) $8.99

[Proraso Aftershave Cream for Sensitive Skin] (https://www.amazon.com/Proraso-After-Shave-Balm-Sensitive/dp/B008654MNM/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1473962214&sr=1-1&keywords=proraso+aftershave+cream) $16.00

[100 Feather Razor Blades] (https://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-HI-STAINLESS-DOUBLE-BLADES-REMOVE/dp/B00BDM0XZG/ref=sr_1_3_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1473962281&sr=1-3&keywords=feather+razor+blades) $24.00

That's enough blades to last you years(and those are very nice, very sharp blades, you can get cheaper ones), the aftershave goes a long way, so does the soap. The handle will outlive me, and the brush will be good for a long, long time.

Timeless C serum with E and ferulic is a good one. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036BI56G

What's your total routine look like?

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

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

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

Here's what you could try:

AM:

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

Skin Profile: Combination to Oily | Acne (Hormonal), Texture and Pigmentation (PIE and PIH) | MAC Studio Fix Powder in C3.5

First Cleanser/Makeup Remover: Hada Labo Gokujun Cleansing Oil (HG)

Cleanser: COSRX Low pH Good Morning Cleanser – second cleanse only in the PM after Hada Labo.

Toner: Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion (RP), Hada Labo Premium Lotion (RP)

Exfoliant: Biologique Recherche Lotion P50, The Ordinary Peeling Solution

Serum: Iunik Tea Tree Relief Serum, Skinlex Extended 10% Niacinimide, DMK Beta Gel

Moisturiser: Hada Labo Perfect Gel (RP), COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask (RP)

Facial Oil: Grapeseed Oil

SPF: Rohto Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk SPF50+ PA++++, Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF50+ PA++++ (HG), Neutrogena Beach Defence Water + Sun Barrier [Body] Lotion SPF50, Aus Version? (HG)

Masks: Innisfree Super Volcanic Mask (RP), Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant, Lululun Precious Green (RP)

Actives: Finacea Azelaic Acid 15% (HG), The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalene

Lip Care: Lanolips 101 Ointment (HG), Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (HG)

*

Reflections**:
I’m happy with my routine but will be making some changes in the future. I plan to use up my HL Premium and replace it with Cezanne. I may keep Kiku depending or go back to HL Premium with Cezanne replacing Kiku. I’m hoping to speed up to the 1% Retinol by The Ordinary and see what effects that has with end goals being 0.25% Tret mixed with moisturiser by whenever it takes me to get there.
I’m mostly wanting to tackle minimal pigmentation issues on my right (driving side) temple but I think that may have to be pushed more with a proper laser treatment. I’d also like to shout out DMK Enzyme Therapy which I think has genuinely helped the health and bounceback of my skin from breakouts!

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

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

What moisturizer do you use?

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

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


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

To get your skin back and hydrated :

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

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

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

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

PM:

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

Same as morning

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

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

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

I swear by stridex in the red box (a long time favorite over at /r/skincareaddiction, as well). Nothing really ever worked for me until I started using these daily.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VmPjT7XZLyyt8sdyjeWBJCqFYz3sFFlhzXKq3xqaMiY/pubhtml


Six month empties check in! The link to my spreadsheet where I maintain my collection is above. The first three sections are empty/ gone from the collection, and are labeled as such. Below the "COLLECTION" banner, is my entire makeup collection, including the products that have been emptied or destashed.

Some things to note before we dive in:

I failed to keep some items, so there are a couple of gaps from the spreadsheet to the photos. Specifically, the Smashbox eye primer, I failed to keep, so for the purpose of the photos, used my full bottle.
A couple of dates might look odd-- specifically, finishing two highlighters within a day of each other. I was using them both simultaneously, topping Opal with Pearl. If any other dates look odd, this is usually the case. I’ve only recently begun trying to use a product from start to finish, compared to flitting between products as I felt like doing so.

Photos are here

2017 Makeup empties (January - June)
Row 1
J’Adore

Kat Von D, Tattoo Liner - travel size

Benefit, Gimme Brow - travel size, previous packaging

Kat Von D, Tattoo Liner

Maybelline, Lash Stiletto x3

Mayeblline, Falsies


Row 2
Maybelline, Better Skin Foundation

Giorgio Armani, Luminous Silk Foundation

Rimmel, Lasting Finish Foundation

Clinique, Superbalanced Silk Foundation

Lioele, Triple Solution BB cream

Milk makeup, Sunshine Skin tint - samples

Tarte, Amazonian Clay Foundation - samples

Tarte, Rainforest of the Sea Concealer

Maybelline, Fit Me concealer


Row 3
Make Up Forever, Primer

Lorac, Porefection Primer
Hourglass, Veil Mineral Primer

Kat Von D, Lock It Primer

Smashbox, 24 Hour Shadow Primer

Urban Decay, Eyeshadow Primer Potion Original

Becca, Shimmering Skin perfector Opal

Becca, Shimmering Skin perfector, Pearl


Row 4
L’Oreal Infallible pressed powder
Urban Decay, Naked Skin powder

Cover FX, Perfect setting powder

Laura Mercier, Translucent Loose setting powder - 100 point size, and full size

e.l.f. HD setting powder

Maybelline, Fit Me pressed powder

e.l.f. HD setting powder


Row 5
Mac Fix+

L’Oreal, Infallible setting spray

Urban Decay, All Nighter Setting spray x2

Smashbox, Primer Water

Dior, Addict Lip Glow Balm x2

Fresh, Sugar Lip Treatment - travel size



2017 Skincare Empties (January-June)
Row 1
Drunk Elephant, T.L.C. Framboos Serum

Sephora, Sleeping Mask Pomegranate

Biossance, Rose Face Oil

Mizon, Multi Function Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule

Missha, Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule

aloepure, Time Repair Serum

First Aid Beauty, Ultra Repair Sleeping Cream

Mizon, Snail Recovery Gel


Row 2
Algenist, Power Night Serum

belief, moisturizing bomb

[Mizon, Starfish cream - discontinued]

Tony Moly, Avocado Rich Cream

Tony Moly, Appletox Honey Cream


Row 3
Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence x3


Row 4
Lancome, Genifique eye cream

Lancome, VIsionnaire eye balm

Skyn Iceland, Relief eye cream

Fresh, Lotus eye cream


Row 5
Glamglow, SUPERMUD clearing treatment mask

L’Oreal Pure-Clay Mask

The Soap & Paper Factory, Hand cream

Neutrogena, hand cream

Mini Bebe, hand cream

Corsx, BHA A-Sol

$30 shipped is about the best price I've seen.

Check out a Merkur safety razor (https://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Long-Handled-Safety-Razor/dp/B000NL0T1G) and a sample blade pack from amazon.

Get an inexpensive shaving brush to start with to see how you like it, but eventually drop more money on a nice brush. Spend $10-$15 to start then expect to drop $50+ on a nice pure badger hair brush in a few months. The badger brush that I bought for like $70 I still have with me 4-5 years later (although admittedly I don't shave terribly often). Once you get that pricey brush, get a cheap plastic holder for it as well - keep the bristles pointing down instead of up - after using it leaving them facing upwards allows the water to settle around the base and weaken the glue holding in the bristles, ultimately destroying your expensive brush. Not good.

Check out Proraso soaps in a bowl - more convenient than paste or anything else, I've found. They have multiple types, here's my favorite as it makes my face a little tingly: https://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Soap-Refreshing-Toning/dp/B00837YY18

If you prefer your own bowl, Proraso makes a paste and you can get a mug or bowl to mix it in - I found I preferred the ready-to-go stuff as it's faster and makes it more likely I'll shave regularly. :)

Then, after you've done all that and realized it's the best shave you've ever done and it's actually way more fun to shave than you ever thought it'd be, go for a straight razor. Don't do an actual blade, strop, and all that stuff right away. Instead, just go get a disposable straight razor blade holder and some blades: https://www.amazon.com/Equinox-Professional-Straight-Single-Blades/dp/B0118BJ0PA and learn how to use that thing. Then if you're like me and shave once every week or two (super lazy!) you can literally take weeks of beard off in a single pass with a straight razor and a fresh blade. I stopped here, personally, didn't go on to a full straight razor as they're pricey and you need to maintain it (oil, strop, etc) - likely something I'd let slide and ultimately wish I hadn't spent the money on...

Also, get a styptic pencil: https://www.amazon.com/Woltra-Styptic-Pencil-Small-0-25/dp/B000EGIEOE - it stings a bit when you cut yourself but almost immediately stops the bleeding. Unlike cuts/nicks with a multiblade razor, cuts with a safety razor or straight razor are actual "cuts" - and they bleed like cuts. Like, "blood trickling down your face" type cuts. They look worse than they are because you have water on your face and it thins the blood and it runs more, but it bleeds. This will stop that bleeding really fast at the expense of a little more pain right up front. I keep one handy.

I've turned several friends on to at least the safety razor. It's way more fun to shave that way, less expensive, and is better for your skin to boot. If you like a really close shave, too, you can get a better shave overall with a 3-pass technique (I don't do that, personally) as you get better. All sorts of options...

edit: mentioned the brush holder
edit2: styptic pencil

I think Astras are the cheapest at $11 for 100 on Amazon. Feathers are $26 for 100. I think those are the most extreme cases for popular brands, but I could be wrong. You can always buy a sampler from TryABlade to find out what brand you like the best.

Weeks 1-100

EcoTools has an excellent beginner eye makeup brush set: http://www.amazon.com/EcoTools-Piece-Essential-Eye-Brush/dp/B0030HMQTS/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1449440195&sr=1-2&keywords=ecotools

So does Real Techniques: http://www.amazon.com/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-real-Starter/dp/B004TSFE28/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1449440221&sr=1-2&keywords=real+techniques+brushes

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Tungs-Products-Stainless-Cleaner/dp/B00064JGBO

I use this one. The same company also sells this gel you can use with the scraper,

It just looks like some blocked pores/small whiteheads. Id start a really simple routine. Just absolute basics in case you're a newbie:

Morning

1. Wash hands first. Wash face with Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser or Cerave Foaming wash (or another gentle wash - gentle and not harsh is important, normal soap or even "acne washes" can make skin worse, annoyingly) Wash off, pat dry with CLEAN towel
   
2. Put a small amount of SPF moisturiser (Cerave AM is good, or Cetaphil moisturiser) on skin, rub in gently.
   Don't skip moisturiser! When skin dries out after being cleansed it can feel all tight, then starts to actually produce more oil day to day to compensate (and more whiteheads!) But moisturiser stops that from happening.
   
   Night
   
3. Wash hands. Wash face gently with the Cleanser. Pat dry
   
4. Wipe a Stridex pad (or another Salicylic acid exfoliant) all over face.
   
5. Moisturise (Cerave PM or Cetaphil, don't use the SPF one from morning at night)
   
   Never pick or pop the whiteheads, it's tempting but they will hang around longer. The stridex pads will help release them, as Salicylic acid essentially dissolves the glue in between the dead skin cells holding the plug there.
   If your skin feels tight or itchy/dry on this routine try stridex only every second day. You'll still get results. Don't skip the Cleanser or moisturiser if you're using a BHA (that means something like Stridex with Salicylic acid)
   Change your towels and pillowcases often, don't touch your face too much, and be patient, it'll take a couple of weeks to see results
   
   TL;DR - try buying these 4 and using them:
   
   http://www.cerave.com/our-products-cleansers-foaming-facial-cleanser
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Stridex-Daily-Care-Maximum-Strength/dp/B000NUN8BK
   
   http://www.cerave.com/our-products-moisturizers-am-facial-moisturizing-lotion
   
   http://www.cerave.com/our-products-moisturizers-pm-facial-moisturizing-lotion

I was actually going through their product line the other night trying to figure out where "Lotion Moist" and "Milky Lotion" fit in. They must be last year's products? Neither are in the current Hydrating line. Here's what I've come up with:

• They now have a Rich Lotion version. Packaging has a red block on it like the Light Lotion has a green block.
  
  
• Light Lotion and Rich Lotion both have 4 types of HA.
  
  
• Lotion Moist has 3 types of HA (at least mine says did).
  
  
• Milky Lotion is not in the product line but still on Amazon.

sheet masks are TRANSFORMATIVE. i'm sure CC only has the super-expensive ones, but i order cheap K-beauty combo packs from amazon and they're amazing :) legit give you instantly glowier skin!

I mean this in the nicest way possible, but you have so much to learn! That's a really good thing, because it means there are probably easy benefits available to you! And it can be overwhelming, but it's sooo worth it to learn this stuff. =)

For example, that cleanser contains glycolic acid (exfoliant) and tea tree/rosehip oil (potential irritants). These ingredients are fine for lots of people, maybe you're one of them.

But best practice, especially while "learning your skin", is to use a cleanser to just cleanse, then use other stuff for treatments. This is so you can learn what the different ingredients do to your skin.

A cleanser with an exfoliant like glycolic acid makes it a little riskier to use other acne treatments, because most of them ALSO contain acid and you really run a risk of "over-exfoliation" (google it, worth knowing about). "Over-exfoliation" and "regular" breakouts are hard to tell apart, so this creates a real problem for a lot of people! Not to mention, what if you're sensitive to those oils?

Also, you need to stop the new breakouts before worrying about texture and discoloration. Your skin looks REALLY dehydrated to me. That will CAUSE breakouts.

Read up on dehydration and the skin's "moisture barrier." Just getting that in order MIGHT help a lot.

If you were my IRL friend, my goal would be to get to hydrating your skin using Asian-style "watery" moisturizers - check out /r/asianbeauty!

These sheet masks are a cheap, great way to start. I'd use one a few times a week. I'd also consider getting some watery toner or essences.

Switching to an non-stripping, oil-based cleanser saved my life. Stripping your skin also damages that moisture barrier.

The DIY oil cleansers broke me out. Go to a Sephora and get a sample of the Shiseido Perfect Oil.

Accutane is generally considered a last resort, it has really serious, potentially life-long side effects, including crohn's disease. Just search this sub for accutane and you'll see people sharing. Your acne doesn't even look that bad to be - widespread, but shallow, not the deep, cystic stuff I normally think of for accutane.

Anyway, this turned into a bit of a novel, but Accutane is really heavy stuff, and you just seemed a little overwhelmed!

I promise you can make a lot of progress just learning more about products and skin - but you do have to learn!

Can't just try stuff randomly and expect it to work! =)

Not OP, but I can recommend a few things:

• Do NOT towel dry your hair, get a decent blowdryer with changeable tips.
  
• While blow drying your hair, run your fingers or a comb through it repeatedly to keep it up while drying. You should notice after it is pretty much dry that it should stay up pretty decently without any product (but you will need some for it to stay like that all day).
  
• Don't cheap out on hair product! You don't need to go insanely crazy on hair product, but paying a bit more for a product from a salon vs. a drug store is well worth it. You typically have to use less (so it lasts longer) and doesn't leave residue or such things. I personally use TIGI Bed Head Men Matte Seperation and love it.
  
• Don't use shampoo everyday (Depending on your hair, this could be one of the most important things). I personally use Shampoo every fourth day, after about two to three weeks, your hair doesn't look greasy/oily anymore at all and it gives your hair a ton of volume and styling capabilities. The day I have to use shampoo is actually the day my hair looks the worst.

I'm a wimpy baby-man that would probably kill myself with one of these, how does the razor you linked rate in terms of nicking yourself? Pretty easy to pick up and use?


I'll even nick myself every once in awhile with Gillette's no-more-tears razors, so I'm curious... would like to look into something better if there is an option because yeah... the blades aren't cheap.

Hey, thanks!

That would be the Feather Artist Club DX

Originally got hooked up with them because their blades are the best I've ever used.

Used those blades in a cheapy Parker SR1 (which is an awesome product too, btw, esp for beginners!)

Mine involves some leg-work, but I think it's quite do-able.

$9 "Shea Moisture Shave" Brush from Target - No link to the actual thing, but most regional Targets stock it. It's Pure Badger, generally has a relatively light funk, and is quite soft. Lathers decent.

$1.50 - Plain witch hazel from Walmart. About 15% alcohol, not too much sting, and noticeably cheaper than an alum block from online

$1.50 - Styptic pencil from Walmart or a drugstore.

$5.50 - Nivea Soothing Aftershave Balm for Sensitive Skin from Walmart; cool and refreshing on the skin; moisturizes well.

$10 - C.O. Bigelow's Eucalpytus and Menthol Shave Cream from Bath & Bodyworks - Lathers well with a little work, feels cool and tingly, provides good lubrication for an entry-level product.

$13 - Lord L6 Safety Razor from Amazon - Cheap, decent Merkur-alike that's supposed to be relatively mild and a good introduction to double edged razors in general.

$8 - 18-blade sampler from Amazon - 9 different styles with two apiece, wrapped up nice and safe and sold cheap. Missing Feathers, but it's still a good 2 months' worth of daily shaves for 8 bucks, ya know?

-------

$48.50 - Grand total, assuming you're willing to hit Target, Bath & Bodyworks and Walmart along with your online shopping. Heck, if you want to get Free Super Saver Shipping on it, skip the B&BW Bigelows cream and get Proraso on Amazon instead for $11. You'll bring your total up to $49.50, but the Amazon portion will account for $32, which is more than enough to pass the $25 barrier; still leaves about $17.50 worth of "in-town" shopping to do.

Don't brush it, all your doing is moving gunk around but not out. Instead use a Tongue Scraper or something similar to this. Awesome product and you will see all the crap it removes.

Like the other user said, I use this one from
Etude House https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WE3XGAC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ClhCDbTH6S16M

I apply it to my upper eyelids and there’s no white residue or eye burning at all

How is he with putting thicker creams on his face? My husband is really sensitive to the feeling of a thicker cream, so I got him a moisturizing sun block that's more liquidy-feeling and sinks in faster. It's this one - [Amazon Link](http://www.ROHTO.com/ Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk (SPF50 PA ++++) 40mL https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRBST6H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hXY2AbSVGX0RD) - it's an asian brand called Rohto. He also likes mine, which is from Shesiedo [Amazon Link](http://www.Shiseido.com/ SENKA | Sunscreen | Mineral Water UV Gel SPF50 PA+++ 40ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Q1WT58/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MYY2AbN2A4XXV).

We both use Cerave lotion, the basic blue topped pump bottle. My husband has dehydrated combo skin, and even when it's swampy outz none of this breaks him out!

sunscreen

most of the bad breath smell actually comes from the tongue! do you ever notice a white/grey film on the back of his tongue? I would recommend getting a tongue scraper and recommending both of you try it at the same time (it can have a kind of unpleasant gag reflex when you first try it) so maybe having both of you do it together won't make it seem like its just his problem. I have noticed a huge difference in my breath because I was self conscious of it. You can do a test by licking a spoon and smelling the spoon, if its bad your tongue probably needs some TLC. I recommend this one http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Tungs-Tongue-Cleaner-Stainless/dp/B00064JGBO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1454031984&sr=8-3&keywords=tongue+scraper

As skeptical as I was, I found the crystal deodorant to work just fine. It is colorless, odorless and just plain works.

You have a textbook bowl cut. Looking young we can't do anything about. You'll grow out of that (sooner than you think). Looking weird? Now that's where we can help.

You need some style. Style is going to require product. Not gel though. This isn't 1998.

Look through this link from the sidebar: http://www.menshairstyletrends.com/

Look through the shorter cuts, get something short on top with a fade on the side. Check it

You're going to need some product. I personally like using clay or wax. Just depends on that you can afford/get your hands on. The shorter your hair the less "hold" you'll need, for the most part. One of the big things is get the hair off your forehead. That's a big part of looking younger.

Try this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002N5MI2S/?th=1

It's what I'm currently using, though I try something new every few months. It has good hold, little goes a long way, and it's pretty cheap.

TLDR: Get a shorter haircut, preferably a fade and a bit longer on top, use a clay or wax product and keep your hair off your forehead.

EXPERIMENT! Your tastes and style will change and that's fine. Just gotta start somewhere.

This is more fun.

Even better than a safety razor:

$18, one time

Followed by:

[$18, every TWO YEARS] (http://www.amazon.com/Shark-Stainless-Straight-Barber-Professional/dp/B002OND3LO/ref=pd_sim_hpc_6)

And that's if you change the blade more often than you need to. In two years, you'll spend $144. This will cost you $36, including the initial investment.

It looks and seems scary. And yes, you'll cut yourself the first week a few times. But, really, it takes a few days to learn, and you're good to go forever. Well worth the effort and a little blood, IMHO.

You'll save hundreds.

I was going to come in here and rave about Timeless so yes it is the best and not ungodly expensive!

Amazon link

The Power Defense is an antioxidant serum with retinol. Paula's Choice SKIN BALANCING Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum does the same thing. Or, you might want to consider the CALM Redness Relief Repairing Serum.

For a cleanser, you could try the CALM Redness Relief Cleanser as an alternative to the ZO cleanser.

You might want to think about using a chemical exfoliant instead of a scrub. Apply it a very thin layer a few times a week and leave it on. In the long run, your skin will be smoother and more radiant that with weekly "polishing" sessions.

As far as a Vitamin C serum is concerned, there so many formulations that entire posts have been written (see the wiki entry in the sidebar) here and elsewhere. The primary research on Vitamin C was conducted with L-Ascorbic Acid. Subsequent work showed that including Vitamin E and Ferrulic Acid increases the effectivity dramatically. L-Ascorbic Acid can be irritating though so a lot of other forms have been developed.

For an affordable LAA formula, you might want to look at Cosmetic Skin Solutions (15%) or Timeless (20%).

L-Ascorbic Acid is more irritating than the form you've been using. If you find that you can't tolerate it or that the formula doesn't work well with your other skin care products, you can experiment with other forms such as the MAP (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate) version from The Ordinary or the Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution (a form that's getting a lot of attention these days). Note: since you are using an antioxidant serum in the evening, think about applying your Vitamin C in the morning before your sunscreen, to amp up the photo-protection during the day.

Proraso is a pretty damn good place to start. Not that much of a "craft" soap, just plain good soap, easy to lather:
https://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Soap-Refreshing-Toning/dp/B00837YY18/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=shaving+soap+proraso&qid=1569385074&sr=8-5

You don't need much soap per shave, so it should last a lot longer than a can of foam/cream

If you want something more artisanal, Stirling Soap has all sorts of aromas and "flavors":
https://www.stirlingsoap.com/collections/shave-soap

Sure. I will offer up this as a super cheap example of a decent way to start. It will provide a decent shave at a very reasonable price and you can always upgrade later if you decide that you want to.

Razor. It is cheap as hell, but works surprisingly well.

Blades. Buying a sample pack is a great way to decide on a blade that suits you. Every blade is different for everyone. A blade that works wonders for me may leave you with razorburn or stubble and vice versa. Unlike most things cost is not indicitive of how good a blade is.

Brush. Some people prefer badger hair brushes, some people prefer boar bristle. I like both and I use both. This is a decent boar bristle brush for someone starting out. The more that boar is used, the softer it gets.

Soap. Believe it or not you can easily spend hundreds a year on soaps and creams alone if you decide you want to try everything out there. Proraso soap is a great one for a beginner though, easy to lather, slick, and protective. It gives a nice tingle to your face due to the menthol so that is something to be aware of though.

For under $45 you can get started with a full kit. For under $25 if you just want the razor and some blades.

Now here is my favorite setup

Razor. The Merkur 39c has a head that holds the blade at a slant, enabling it to cut more like a guillotine. This is good for someone like me that has very tough and wiry beard hair.

Blades. Astra Superior Platinum razor blades are my favorite. Each one will last me for 3-4 days of shaving. Remember, a blade that works for me may not work for you. Blades are a trial and error thing.

Brush. I have more expensive brushes, but this brush is my favorite. Very soft, yet has enough stiffness to easily whip up a lather and it holds tons of water.

Soap. This is a shave stick. You rub the soap on your face and then use your brush to build a lather. This listing is for 15 shave sticks. A single stick can easily last 6-9 months.

For about 130 bucks you can make a big jump in quality. The majority of costs involved are in the razor itself and a more expensive brush. If I wanted I could spend upwards of 200 dollars on a stainless steel razor and over 500 dollars on high end silvertip badger hair brush. As I have mentioned before, this hobby is as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be.

I hope this helps.

What's your skintype? And is this the one? https://www.amazon.com/ROHTO-Skin-Super-Moisture-SPF50/dp/B01MRBST6H

This Hado Labo serum is really wonderful. I'm in a hot dry climate so I have to make my own humidity (ex: apply it right after a shower) but someone in humidity won't have that problem. ~The water in your air is your friend~ lol

​

That, and Benton Aloe Propolis Gel is my HG AM moisturizer. I layer it with the Hado Labo underneath my sunscreen on days I'm feeling particularly dry.

The biore uv milk works well under makeup for me, it’s almost like a primer. The skin aqua milk works okay under makeup but if I don’t wait long enough for it to dry down (which happens often because of the longer dry down time😅), my base makeup doesn’t go on smoothly

Edit: forgot to reply to your second question - I got the biore sunscreens in my local drugstore and the skin aqua tone up essence from a friend who went to Japan! I get my skin aqua milk on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRBST6H?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Sorry, but I still absolutely would recommend Japanese one, but from Amazon Prime

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

Cleansers:

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Cleansing Lotion *

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser

Toners:

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist *

Thayers Alcohol Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner

Moisturizers:

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream *

Cerave Moisturizing Cream (aka Cerave in the tub)

Actives for texture/acne improvement:

The Ordinary Azealic Acid Suspension

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

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

I love hada labo goku jyun (sp?). It's so cheap and you get so much!!

My PM routine is:

Wash with either clinique take the day off cleansing oil or the fancl mild cleansing oil (I use clinique as the dupe because the fancl is hard to get hold of in the UK).

Hado Labo hyaluronic acid

TO niacinamide and zinc

This moisturiser

Vaseline

​

AM:

wash with a little bit of TTDO cleansing oil to get rid of the vaseline, then hada labo HA, followed by the moisturiser and then erborian cc cream (i've added it as skincare because it's mildly hydrating/supposed to be a skincare-makeup hybrid and i live for it).

​

I'm pretty sure my most recent CC outbreak was because I used the cosrx good morning cleanser and it's SO drying. I was also skiing and spending time in hot tubs which, combined with such a drying cleanser and a less-than-robust moisturier (only the Simple one), caused the worst outbreak ever.

I tried differin, and through SCA I was told to use vaseline over it to prevent drying. It still caused quite a lot of redness after 2 uses, so I stopped, but kept using the vaseline to combat the dryness. I also only used the differin on one side of my chin, so I can 100% confirm that the vaseline, not the two uses of differin, that cleared the CCs.

Shavette is great for shaping up, DE didn't get it that close edge for me either, now I use both. This one is all stainless steal I've had it for 2.5 years and still in mint condition, it holds the blade a lot more sturdier than those plastic ones...

http://www.amazon.com/Parker-SR1-Stainless-Straight-Razor/dp/B002PQZEHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416058017&sr=8-1&keywords=parker+shavette

So do you shower?

Jk~ if your back has sensitive skin I would recommend you to not use regular body wash as most contain sodium lauryl sulfate. This is an ingredient that is known to cause skin problems, but it is so disturbingly ubiquitous in body washes that people may never realize that its the culprit. Dove sensitive skin bar (unscented one) is a good replacement.

A gentle cleanser is one that is of 5-5.5pH, not scrubs, simple ingredient list, no fragrance to list a free. The Cerave Hydrating Cleanser is a good example along with the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Face Cleanser (gel, not foam formula).

If you are worried in scarring, invest in some vitamin C serums, and products and ingredients with "whitening effects" (niacinamide, arbutin, kojic acid, etc.). A lot of Asian products focus heavily on "whitening" - it doesn't mean to bleach the skin white, but to remove/prevent hyper pigmentation like acne scarring, sun spots, etc. For something close you home you can try this low cost but effective brand.

A basic skincare low-cost starter pack for you can look like this:

A.M.

1. Cleanser
   
   
2. Timeless Vitamin C serum (wait 20 mins)
   
   
3. Moisturizer
   
   
4. Sunscreen <-very important since you are using accutane which increases your skin's photosensitivity. The deadly lazer in the sky can and will fuck your skin up. American sunscreen is shit, European and Japanese one are way better. But if you don't have the patience then pick something from this list.
   
   P.M.
   
   
5. Cleanser
   
   
6. The Ordinary niacinamide serum
   
   
7. Moisturizer
   
   
8. Vaseline - skin and lips. Honestly, no $200+ moisturizer even comes close to beating vaseline in terms of transepidermal water loss prevention - ie. keeping the skin hydrated. I assume accutane is drying your skin and lips out huh? Not cosmetically elegant and you will probably have to change pillow case more often, but it gets the job done.
   
   
   
   
   

Despite not typically being greasy/oily, what's your skin type generally? I'm very oily especially during the summer, and what's helped me immensely since adding it to my routine is Etude House's Sunprise mild airy finish sunscreen. It's SPF 50, absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a white mask, and leaves me matte all day! I'd apply early morning on a hot day, and I'll go at least until late afternoon without too much of an oily shine if any. Without it I can clear a blotting sheet after a couple of hours easily, but with it on I'd be damned if I clear at least half of one. And it's $10 on Amazon :)

I'd also keep a pack of blotting sheets on hand, preferably something paper (not the waxy Clean & Clear ones, but that's just me). A bottle of toning lotion that specifically targets shine and oiliness to spray on throughout the day also helps (I use Lush's Tea Tree Water).

It's a Japanese pharmacy brand, Rohto. I got mine on Amazon, not sure if Canadian Amazon would have it but it's worth looking.

My dentist gives me a fantastic tongue scraper that looks kind of like this. I love it:

http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Tungs-Products-Stainless-Cleaner/dp/B00064JGBO

Alternative LPT: Switch to one of those salt stone deodorants.


I threw out all of my old white undershirts (I keep around 30 on hand. I'm pretty serious about white t's), and made the switch from antiperspirant at the same time. No more pit stains! Haven't looked back. It's amazing!

For the most part, the salicylic acid in a cleanser doesn't stay long enough on the skin to help with blemishes. It takes 4-6 weeks for the skin on your face to renew itself, so you should have seen some improvement by now.

I would try a leave-on salicylic acid product, like Stridex pads and switch to a more gentle cleanser. If Aveeno products didn't make your face worse, I would stick with them until you were sure that Stridex or whatever BHA product you chose didn't break you out.

I love that y'all are okay with asking about budget friendly options! I've been buying what are basically Dermal masks from stores here and there and then i search for cheap masks

AND BAM, I get this awesome deal, 9 dollars for 16 masks :O

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BAM7F8C/ref=cm_sw_su_dp#customerReviews

Y'all the best \^_^

^ formatting that was fucking hard .-.

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

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

Hang in there, we've all been there.

Get yourself some Feather blades if you want to make it even harder. DE razor blades are much thinner than box cutter blades, and Feathers are the sharpest that I know of.

And as a side note, DE razors are the shit. If you're tired of paying twenty bucks for 6 blades, grab yourself a DE and enjoy the savings and the cleaner shave. And pick up a badger hair brush and a puck of shaving soap if you want to treat yo'self.

Hi, I have pretty similar coloring to you (very fair skin with strawberry blonde hair) to you so here's stuff I like to use:

• Urban Decay Naked Basics palette - I love this palette as the shades look beautiful on anyone. I use the Real Techniques Eye Brush set, I do a layer of Foxy all over my lid first (makes blending super easy), then Faint on my outer socket, then blend it in with Naked 2 over the rest of the lid. I finish it up with Venus under my eyebrow arch. Personally I love the Real Techniques brushes, I think the eye set is great as it makes smokey eye really easy.
  
• For primer I use Benefit Porefessional, however I'm pretty sure this L'Oreal one is a dupe for it and is half the price. However if your skin is oily I'd recommend No7 Beautifully Matte, my mum has super oily skin and this is the only one that works for her, it's almost chalky in consistency and really sticks to the skin. Primer makes the world of difference, I even wear it when I can't be bothered to do actual makeup as it smooths my skin out.
  
• I just bought some L'Oreal BB Powder and am loving it, it works with or without makeup. Everyday I use it over primer and it also makes foundation look natural over the top.
  
• I shape my eyebrows myself (it's turned into an obsession) and when I fill them in I use Benefit Brow Zings in light. It works amazingly well for my hair colour, however yours is a bit darker so you might want to look for a specific redhead brow product. If you are using a powder product I love the brow brush in the above mentioned Real Techniques Eye set.
  
• For blush I use Benetint, if you have reddish hair I think it looks amazing.
  
• Have you ever tried contouring? It's something that has changed my life. I use the contouring brush from the Real techniques core collection with Hoola. A lot of bronzer has shimmer in it which isn't great for contouring. I learn't how to do it via youtube videos, Pixiwoo and Lisa Elridge are the ones I seem to remember being good.
  
• I agree with the other comments about the lower lid liner, I think just the flick on top looks better. I say this as a former kohl addict. But if you want to continue wearing it i'd thicken the line a tiny bit so it's not just on your waterline.
  
• Lips wise there's a Nide range by L'Oreal, the Julianne Moore one is for redheads and is the only nude I've found that works with my hair.
  
  Hope all or some of these are helpful and i'm sure the other addicts here will have some great advice. Also I love your piercings, especially your septum, it's one i've always wanted but i'm not sure that my nose is a good shape for it. Yours looks rad.

/u/turboturban was asking about the Feather blades. Here is a 100 pack for $27.20.

The razor blades are definitely cheaper 1 pack of these lasted me the whole time until very recently. The shave doesn't last longer as I still need to shave every other day to not look like a mess.

The Real Techniques Core Collection and Starter Set are really nice, soft brushes and they're affordable. Both sets come with a travel case.

Long time lurker, first time poster here. I have to admit a blasphemy. I am allergic to most perfumery, and have to sniff my soap/shampoo/aftershave first, to ensure that they do not contain the chemical that makes me react as if a legion of Romeos and Juliets has just committed suicide in front of my eyes. I came across this lowly piece of Proraso soap years ago and I have not even tried to experiment with anything else. It lathers easily, it smells nice, and it does not contain the stuff I am allergic to. Am I a lost cause?

If you're looking into skincare, then definitely start a basic routine and get a good cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen if you don't already have them. Here's a few recs I have: cleanser moisturizer sunscreen. If you're really serious about treating pimples, then look into AHAs, BHAs or maybe even trying Differin. Only thing is that you have to be committed to wearing sunscreen every day if you go that route, and your skin WILL purge (get worse before it gets better).

Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Milk is supposed to be moisturizing. I haven't personally tried it, but you can read the reviews on Amazon.

Yep, /r/skincareexchange!

Would you rec purchasing this from Amazon? It looks like it retails for $10ish https://www.amazon.com/ROHTO-Skin-Super-Moisture-SPF50/dp/B01MRBST6H

this Japanese sunscreen is amazing. Doesn’t leave a white cast and doubles as a daily moisturizer. It leaves my skin looking very glowy and healthy.

here you go - prime eligible and in the new packaging. Otherwise I would recommend a Japanese grocery near you. If you live in the Bay Area, PM me for recommendations on where to shop around here.

Why do you hate your face?

I would shave with my old Mach 3 for like 2-3 months per blade (shaving 2-3 times a week usually) /w some cream and that worked well, but wasnt as close of a shave as I would like.

But the straight blade feels good man. I just got a cheap one to see if i would like it This one. I figure Ill run through all of the disposable blades I got and if I still like it, Ill upgrade to a regular one that needs to be sharpened and such.

you can buy manliness

http://www.amazon.com/Parker-SR1-Stainless-Straight-Razor/dp/B002PQZEHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1279441953&sr=8-1

I don't know anything about the products you mentioned, but these are possibilities for you:

• NuFountain is a great product and price! You can also buy 3 bottles at a time for the price of 2.
  
  
• Timeless is also another brand I've heard good things about!

http://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Eucalyptus-Menthol-Formulation/dp/B00837YY18/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1369274646&sr=1-1&keywords=shave+soap

Best thing on the market. Buy a cheap badger brush. I promise you wont regret it. I actually look forward to shaving now.

Certainly, it is the spot treatment essence. Also welcome to the sub 🌻🌻🌻

The [treatment essence] (https://www.amazon.com/Merano-Medicinal-Intensive-Measures-Essence/dp/B00ITAP8P0) is the most popular. A lot of people use this as their Vit C serum

they're all pretty much the same thing-- it comes in a rectangular package, for reference, but I'll give you a few links I can certify to be legit from experience for you to pick from (or see the picture, and identify for yourself, in the future!)

Here's one on Amazon that I have personally purchased from, so I KNOW it's legitimate, and use it all the time-- if you click on the blue words '40 New' under 'other sellers on amazon', it's also avaliable with Prime shipping for $15.59.

I've purchased from this eBay seller many times, and they are speedy, established, and reliable. This one is good, too (note the 'over 1,494 sold!' sign lol)

Hope that helps! Sometimes the translations make it confusing-- I see a lot of questions on these threads asking about 'Merano CC' too-- that's just a common mistranslation stemming from Japanese pronunciation, FYI

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

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

I use the crystal deodorant, and it's a little odd to get used to at first, but it works great! You have to reaaaaallllly get it all over your underarm area though, not just in the pit...I rub mine a little bit on the sides of my armpit and then a lot farther up and down (like a bit down onto my sideboob area and on my arm where it touches my side boob area). I definitely had a few days where my body was sort of getting used to not having traditional deodorant on, so I was a bit stinky, but it didn't last long. Now the only time I get stinky is if I'm doing really heavy physical activity in the heat, but that would have happened even when I wore normal deodorant. This is the kind that I buy because I hate the dispenser on the stick version, but the stick version works just the same. My favorite thing about it is that it's cheap and it lasts a super long time. The only time I've had to buy new deodorant since I've started using it wasn't because I ran out (I wasn't even close), but it was because I dropped the crystal chunk and it fell awkwardly and shattered.

This is what I use. It works great and lasts a long time. It isn't an antiperspirant, but it's a great deodorant. If you get smelly feet, you can also use it on them and it will kill the odor.

I usually get a couple Brazilians during the summer, and I actually find the pain to be way less jarring than getting my eyebrows threaded. I'm super hairy with incredibly sensitive skin and very thick, coarse hair.

Pop a couple Tylenol before you go to reduce your sensitivity to the pain. And make sure you remember to breathe. It's easy to just get into this weird rhythm of holding your breath, but the mechanism of breathing is a great pain and stress reliever.

Easier said than done, but try to forget that a stranger is looking at your labia. It's like going to the gynecologist. This is what they do for a living, they've seen a million labia that look a million different ways. You're just another labia in her salon.

And no one told me this, but if you do a Brazilian she'll have you flip over to wax the hairs aaaall the way up your crack. You're warned!

I'm supppppeeeerrrr prone to ingrown hairs. Always have been. I get them even when I do absolutely no hair removal.
I do a combo of physical and chemical exfoliation. I have a Turkish scrubby mitt, and I use that pretty much every time I shower with a really thick shower gel. I usually use Moroccan black soap, but it's really expensive in the States (it's cheap as shit in Morocco and way better).

A few times a week I use Stridex pads in the red box over the area.

Make sure you give your skin a couple days off to recover after waxing. I usually start exfoliating a week afterward.

If you get itchy, taking a Benadryl or spraying on some topical antihistamine and some vitamin E oil can be helpful. Just try to avoid scratching!


Good luck! You'll be A-OK.

There are nice cheap eye primer options if you really want primer: nyx and elf also nyx jumbo eye pencil in milk

Tongue scraper;
https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Tungs-Tongue-Cleaner-Stainless/dp/B00064JGBO?th=1

May I recommend...
http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Tungs-Products-Stainless-Cleaner/dp/B00064JGBO

Assuming you don't have a medical issue (you probably don't), do these two simple things along with the obvious brushing:

1. Use a waterpik daily on your gum line and between your teeth. I like to pour in a capful of mouthwash with the water. 1 or 2 tanks of water per session. A classic waterpik is about $40.
   
   
2. Use a tongue scraper daily. After you do this once and see the filth that gets scraped off you will wonder why everyone doesn't do this. Get one of the metal ones with rubberized handles. (E.g. Dr. Tung). They're about $6. http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Tungs-Products-Stainless-Cleaner/dp/B00064JGBO
   
   It will take about a week or two before things really start to get better, but when they do they will be dramatically better.

Dr. Tung's is the best one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00064JGBO

I use Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser. Twice a day, seems to work pretty well for me.

As for post-acne, look into mild chemical exfoliators. I don't have acne but I use Stridex Pads every other day.

The reason it works is because it contains salicylic acid. I'd recommend just getting a skincare product with salicylic acid instead, since as /u/Lykkekat says, it is made for skin and not ingestion. The red Stridex is a favorite over at /r/SkincareAddiction since it's cheap, alcohol free, and effective.

Generally scrubs are not 'good' to use every day. And you can't scrub away black heads or any blemishes. It simply doesn't work that way. Scrubs = physical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliation (like Stridex in the red box) is the preferred method here.

I'd recommend getting a gentle cleanser like CeraVe foaming.

Also I'd recommend reading the Beginner's Routine and this post on sebaceous filaments. Your blackheads are probably sebaceous filaments, Stridex (which I linked above) could be beneficial for you if you want to minimize the appearance of these.

If you decide to buy multiple products, only buy ONE at a time! & use it for 2 weeks before buying the next thing.

Read my original comment, CeraVe and Stridex products are available from Amazon.DE for 15€ and 17€ each, so it's certainly cheaper than to order from the US considering cheaper shipping and no taxes, that's what I meant.

Stridex for example:

http://www.amazon.de/Stridex-Single-Step-Control-Maximum-Alcohol/dp/B000O1KP1O/ref=pd_sim_194_8?ie=UTF8&dpID=515af7Lh%2BLL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0JAFP3G301297N00Q5ER

Cerave cleanser:

http://www.amazon.de/CeraVe-Foaming-Cleanser-sch%C3%A4umender-Gesichtsreiniger/dp/B003YMJJSK/ref=pd_bxgy_194_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0JAFP3G301297N00Q5ER

ROHTO Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk (SPF50 PA ++++) 40mL https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRBST6H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_M8U9BbFWMNKBN

yeah i was just about to recommend the skin aqua super moisture sunscreen. it's silky, not oily, doesn't leave a white cast, and my bf loves it.

the reformulated Skin Aqua Super Moisture in the gold tube is a sleeper hit. I've been using it all summer and haven't tanned, it sinks in quickly, it has no alcohol so it isn't drying, and it is waterproof. It's so good that even though I started using a pretty heavy duty retinoid for anti-aging purposes, and thus my skin is now way more sun sensitive, I haven't had any issues with burning or peeling or sensitivity. Ratzillacosme recently added it to her Best Pick list. She's right that it isn't mattifying, it leaves a sort of dewy finish, but it isn't oily, sticky, shiny or greasy on me. I have no qualms about wearing it with no makeup, but it looks great under makeup too.

I've tried the watery essence, it's quite heavy with the alcohol so
I'm personally not a fan. It is quite popular though. this is my holy grail alcohol free. It's a milk but it goes on so well and leaves no white cast.

I have tried 3:

• Gokujyun Moist: a bit thicker than water, quite hydrating, not tacky. It was hydrating enough for me on its own; I probably didn't need a moisturizer over it but I used one anyway, and it layered fine.
  
• Gokujyun Premium: Significantly thicker than the moist version; too heavy for daytime use for me so I use it at night between watery layers. I think this isn't suitable for my skin type (normal-oily) so I won't be repurchasing.
  
• Shirojyun Premium: Very watery. I got this mostly to help fade a tan and, in conjunction with Melano CC, it does seem to be working, albeit slowly. This is the least hydrating of the 3; I initially bought the other two because everyone gave them rave reviews, but this one is probably the moist suitable level of hydration for my skin.
  
  If I weren't working on fading a tan, I'd probably try for the Gokujyun Light or Blemish & Oil Control versions as those seem most suitable for my skin type, though I do wonder if an entire step dedicated to hyaluronic acid is necessary when it's a fairly common ingredient in many skincare products.

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

Edit: Ahhh, YES, use sunscreen! This def shouldn't be skipped

Hey there! I'm on Epiduo Forte (Adapalene 0.3% & 2.5% BP) so I understand where you're coming from.

I'd recommend taking it slow with applications. Have you used it every single night for 5 days straight? Don't do that!! You will damage your moisture barrier. I actually was put on Epiduo 5 days ago as well and I have only done 3 applications. The first week should be 2-3 applications to build your tolerance.

Use a bit of moisturizer before your Epiduo application. I personally use Cerave PM because my skin is dry and this is a nice lightweight "prep" for me. I also use a hydrating toner (there is a difference between hydrated and dry skin) immediately after washing my face and before the Cerave PM which helps immensely.

After I apply the Epiduo, I wait a little bit and use Vanicream - which is most likely similar to the La Roche creams you mentioned. You want something thick. Then I finish everything off with a pea sized amount of Cerave balm (basically like Vaseline/Aquaphor) and run my humidifier at night.

Despite ALL of that, I still woke up with dry patches. I think it's inevitable. Give your skin a 2 or 3 day break and focus on moisture. I do not have oily skin so that is out of my wheelhouse, but your skin could possibly be oily because it's dry and/or dehydrated. Here is the hydrating toner I use if you're interested. This will definitely help your skin.

The best budget beginner razor

Some good soap

A good brush

Total: about $25

This is what i started with and it works like a charm... would recommend feather blades over lord but that's just my opinion.

This Lord one is basic and great. For me I haven't noticed big differences among the razors themselves at a low price point (can't speak for the more expensive ones) but the blades themselves make a difference. Good sample pack for blades that I worked through over the course of like 2 years (mama don't shave that often..)

I have to say my favorites were the Feather, BUT I just resumed DE shaving this month and got a big pack of the Feather blades alone and they were incredibly aggressive- I think I'm not used to the angle of shave anymore, so I should've started with a sample pack again. The Derby ones were what I "learned" on and then graduated to Feather and liked those, but I think it was with the experience points I'd gathered ;)

I use a double edge safety razor like THIS. Most store bought razors can maintain their sharpness for one or two shaves, but this has cheap and changeable blades you buy by the dozens for the same price. It's easy to throw in a new blade and shave away each time. I stress that it is a skill that is learned and you will most likely cut yourself the first few times, but once you get the hang of it, it will outperform any mainstream razors (schick, gillete..etc) you can buy. I get 100 blades for about $24 US and that lasts me all year. I use THESE blades specifically.

Dude ... wet shaving. 23.5cents a blade.
http://www.amazon.com/Feather-Razor-Blades-Hi-stainless-Double/dp/B004RWTQTS

You get yourself a safety razor for ~30$.

Then you spend another 20$ on 100 Feather brand blades.

There you go. Best shaving experience of your life, for the rest of your life, for the price of a few stupid Gillette thingies.

(Get a brush and soap too, if you don't already have them.)

I keep hearing good things about Real Techniques brushes, I actually have their Starter Set coming in the mail as we speak so I can't personally recommend them yet. But the price is right, and most of the reviews claim that the blending brush is on the small side so that's a plus.

I made a shopping list. Pick one substitute instead of a splurge and you come in under $250. The splurges I picked are well worth the cost, though. Note also that the chocolate bar palette is the only one I listed because it's pretty much the be-all-end-all of palettes for its simultaneous pops of flattering colors and neutrality. I also believe everyone should have a gorgeous red lippie. Enjoy!

Brushes:

• Real Techniques Starter Set - $13.49 on Amazon, normally $17.99
  
• Real Techniques Core Collection - $13.49 on Amazon, normally $17.99
  
  Foundations:
  
  
• Maybelline New York Baby Skin Primer, $5.99 on Amazon
  
• Pond's Luminous Finish BB Cream, $8.95 on Amazon, normally $10.00
  
• Splurge item: Too Faced Cocoa Powder Foundation, $34 at toofaced.com
  
• Strong Substitute: ULTA Mineral Powder Foundation, $14 at ULTA
  
  Face & Contouring:
  
  
• ULTA Baked Bronzer, $10 at ULTA
  
• theBalm Bahama Mama $14 at Amazon
  
• Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush Pink Plum, $5.59 at Amazon
  
• If you don't like cream blush, NYX Powder Blush in Desert Rose, $6 on Amazon
  
• e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip LILAC PETAL, $5-6 on Amazon, but I think it's like $3 at Target
  
  Eyes:
  
  
• Splurge item: Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette, $49 at toofaced.com
  
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $12 sample size at urbandecay.com (the sample size has lasted me forever)
  
• Splurge item: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, $23 at toofaced.com
  
• Substitute: Rimmel Scandal Eyes Mascara, $6.99 on Amazon
  
• NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil set with Black Bean,Milk, and Yogurt, $13 on Amazon
  
• Splurge item: stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner, $20 on Amazon
  
• Substitute: NYX Felt Tip Liner, $8 on Amazon
  
• NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder, $6 on Amazon
  
  Lippies:
  
  
• Splurge: MAC Russian Red, $16 at MACcosmetics.com
  
• Substitute: Revlon Really Red - I couldn't find this on Amazon reliably, but check drug stores.
  
• Basically any NYX lippie is great to start out and they range from about $4-8. Find one in your fave color at target or ULTA.
  
  
  Edit: Forgot eyebrows. Darn. Still can come under $250 with the right substitutions.

Ohmygosh, I think you might be talking about my nails!

I really like the glitter base you chose, as well as taking the extra time to make the hearts 3D (darker polish color for shadow + outlining them in black + white accents). The lettering could use a little work, but practice makes perfect! I'd recommend investing in some smaller detail brushes like these because they will make it A LOT easier. But seriously, your nails look amazing! It's especially impressive you did both hands. Great job!

Fair enough but I would price what amazon gives you against one of those sites. I would suggest getting an Edwin Jagger DE89, really good starter razor, or a parker though you will need someone else to tell you which one to get.

You will need a brush so look for omega brushes, these are boar brush that are cheap and once broken in can become as soft as a silvertip badger brush. As for shaving soap there is a vast array to choose from but I have been using proraso which is easy to get a nice lather from. Though if you are on a tight budget get arko, though be warned that some people hate the smell of it (it does die down after a few weeks).

As for aftershave you can pick up nivea aftershave balm from your local drugstore or supermarket. You will also need an alum block and styptic pencil, just get the cheapest ones you can find. Though you could use a healing cut gel instead of a styptic pencil, which would avoid the milky white marks the styptic pencil leaves behind.

edit: forgot to say about sample blades. Most sample blade packs on amazon are ridiculously priced so use try a blade to get a selection of sample blades. Start of with 5 different types of blades

The blades I would suggest are:

• 1.Astra SP
  
• 2.Gillette Silver Blue
  
• 3.Derby, a lot of people dislike these blades but I think they offer a good starting point.
  
• 4.Feather, I would leave this blade to try after you have developed your technique for a month or 2, as they are unforgiving to a beginner.
  
• 5.BIC

I really, really recommend you consider buying an old-fashion double-edge safety razor like this one along with a blade sample pack. Once you find the right blade and adjust to the new type of razor, you'll wonder how disposable razors ever became a thing. Even my wife couldn't believe how awesome they are and it took me forever to even get her to try my razor.

• I have sensitive skin and would constantly get razor burn, my skin would turn bright red, and I'd get bumps after each shave. It took a week or two for my skin to adjust and for me to find the right blades but once that happened, I haven't had skin issues since. The first few shaves did suck but it got a lot better.
  
• The blades are absurdly cheap. You can get Feather blades which are among the most expensive for about $0.10 a blade.
  
• Since the blades are so much cheaper, you're more likely to switch them out properly and get a much cleaner shave.
  
• The razor itself will last for a lifetime and then some
  
• All of those cartridges and packaging are no longer headed to the landfill
  
  If you want an even better shave while saving even more money, consider getting shaving soap + a brush. I've had one of those for like 2 years now.. it's insane how long they last.
  
  There are plenty of sites, forums, and even a subreddit that you can find out much more about DE shaving. Some people really, really get into it so you kind of have to wade through a lot of fanboyism but it's well worth it, I promise.

I forgot to mention that Mizon and Shiseido Senka were 2-packs!
Mizon is actually selling for that price ($8/2) right now for anyone interested! Senka is also now cheaper. You can also use camelcamelcamel or the honey chrome extension to monitor prices.

Etude House Sunprise Sun Milk; matte, pretty sure it's mineral only and relatively cheap, with no white cast. You can get it on Amazon.

I don't know I'd 100% trust this as a sunscreen, but also The Inkey List's Zinc moisturiser. It's got zinc in for a mineral block, but I think it also contains Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate) which is a chemical sunscreen and banned in Hawaii for environmental reasons. It's matte, pretty cheap and no white cast. However, The Inkey List don't advertise it as a sunscreen, they advertise it as a moisturiser and kind of talk around the sunscreen properties - likely to get around any extra testing that sunscreen has to go through.

I love Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy. SPF 50, very silky, extremely low white cast (but like all physical sunscreen, some), love it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WE3XGAC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I use this sunscreen, and I absolutely love it. It goes on really easily, doesn't bead up, rubs in well (and doesn't leave a white tint/film like some do), and it even smells like lemons. It also doesn't break me out and convenient for carrying around.

Thirding. Here's a US Amazon link, OP, if you're in the US

This stuff is the only product I've found thus far that I consider HG. I wouldn't recommend it for people with dry skin (it has alcohol high in the ingredient list, and it's like highlighter for dry skin flakes), I wouldn't recommend it for people with sensitive skin (it has fragrance as well as a bajillion plant extracts fairly high in the ingredient list), and I'd only cautiously recommend it for people with darker skin tones, since it's mineral-based and could leave a more noticeable whitecast on darker skin. (I mean, it's remarkably whitecast-free for a mineral sunscreen, but it's still a mineral sunscreen).

If you don't fall into one of those three categories, I'd recommend it. It goes on easily, blends well, is cosmetically elegant, smells nice (the best sunscreen is the one you wear, and fragrances be damned, I like how it smells), dries down quickly, stays matte, and is not horrifically expensive.

Ingredients, per their website: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dipropylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Carex Humillis Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Malpighia Emarginata (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Methicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Butylene Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cellulose Gum

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00WE3XGAC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1525621867&sr=8-1&keywords=etude+house+mild+airy+finish&dpPl=1&dpID=415tlCbrA-L&ref=plSrch

This is the one I use!

Product name: Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser (Amazon [CAN] (https://www.amazon.ca/Cosrx-Good-Morning-Cleanser-150ml/dp/B016NRXO06/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473115500&sr=8-1&keywords=low+ph+good+morning) | [USA] (https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Good-Morning-Cleanser-150ml/dp/B016NRXO06/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1473115559&sr=8-1&keywords=cosrx+low+ph))
Price (range): $8 - $15
Country: Canada
Skin type: Oil-y, acne-prone, hormonal
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Special info: pH is about 3.5, smells like tea tree, a much loved skin cleanser in the [AB Community] (https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/)
Experience & opinion: I like the smell, I love that it makes my skin feel so clean and is non-drying (for me), I love that the pH is appropriately low, I've had no negative/adverse reactions

Not sure about RRS, but you can find it on Amazon Prime for only $10.90

http://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Good-Morning-Cleanser-150ml/dp/B016NRXO06

The double cleanse, I just read all about that on /r/AsianBeauty! I got this low pH cleanser to use after this oil cleanser.

I can't say if it'll work either, I'm on day two. But that sub can, and does.

A lot of people steer towards /r/wicked_edge but personally they over complicate it and make it 'a thing'. I was using £10 equipment at one point but found a low-mid range kit to be fine.

Assuming you're American go for -
Handle (holds the blade)
https://www.amazon.com/WEISHI-Nostalgic-Handle-Butterfly-Double/dp/B00PKHIDRA/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=DE+RAZOR&qid=1556123865&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Blades -
https://www.amazon.com/Derby-Extra-Double-Razor-Blades/dp/B004SGKMA0/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=derby+blades&qid=1556124313&s=gateway&sr=8-4
One of these lasted me 4 years and I have thick hair

Optional -
Soap -
https://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Soap-Refreshing-Toning/dp/B00837YY18/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=proraso&qid=1556124397&s=gateway&sr=8-3

lasts 9-12 months+ works best with single blade

Brush -
https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Shaving-Handmade-Professional-Engineered/dp/B07F71PXX2/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=shaving+brush&qid=1556124451&s=gateway&sr=8-4

To lather the soap and apply to face.
Basically the only difference between the can of shaving foam and a soap dish + brush is the latter being cheaper, less aggressive on the face (with time investment of a month tops) and quality of shave.

Any questions ping them across.

Ranked from most favorite to least favorite

Garnier SkinActive

Website & Ingredients

• Surprisingly my most favorite of the bunch. Never tried any Garnier skincare but heard good things so I gave it a shot.
  
• Super saturated, which felt amazing.
  
• Use for up to 20 minutes. I usually always do 15
  
• Doesn't leave any weird residues on your skin
  
• Goes on after your very last serum and before moisturizer.
  
• Skin felt amazing afterward
  
• $2.50 at Target
  
  Avatara
  
  Website & Ingredients
  
  
• Also very saturated
  
• Has an extra film that is pulled off the mask after placing it on your face. I find that it makes it more difficult to place the mask on my face.
  
• Very thin material, and it does rip if you aren't careful
  
• Also leaves skin feeling refreshed.
  
• The second time I used it my skin felt itchy and I couldn't figure out why. Skin felt better once I put moisturizer on. I personally think I might have waited too long after taking it off my face before putting on my moisturizer. I'd have to try it again to know for sure.
  
• $3.99 at Target
  
  Neutrogena Hydro Boost
  
  Website & Ingredients
  
  
• I tried the hyaluronic acid from this line after hearing really good things about this specific line and loved it.
  
• Decided to try this mask and it's awesome.
  
• Hydrogel so it's not paper.
  
• Can stay on your skin for up to 30 minutes without drying
  
• Put in on your skin after washing and before your serums.
  
• Doesn't leave a strange film which makes applying serums on your skin afterward easier
  
• I have the Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid and I put it on before the mask before realizing it should go on second, but I don't think it made a difference. Stronger serums should go on after.
  
• $2.59 at Target
  
  Masque Bar Pretty Animalz
  
  Website & Ingredients
  
  
• Another surprising favorite.
  
• The eyes aren't covered, which I personally love. I hate the extra flaps because I'm not going to sit with my eyes closed for 15 minutes with a mask on.
  
• Can be used 10-20 minutes
  
• Dogs, Cats, Sheep, Bunnies, Penguins, Reindeer. Most are holiday focused. Dogs, Tigers, Pandas and cats are always on the shelves.
  
• Also saturated and fits the face almost perfectly. I have a small round face and most are a bit too large for me.
  
• They make cute selfies if you're into that!
  
• $4.99 at Target. Would buy again.
  
  Slice Mask Sheet
  
  Website
  
  
• Not a full face mask
  
• Small circles that are supposed to be spot focused. I read online that they do it this way to better fit your face and so you can hit spots that need it more.
  
• I had no idea it wasn't a sheet mask when I bought it so I thought I ripped it at first.
  
• Smells exactly like the fruit it represents. The smell is strong if you are sensitive to that.
  
• Skin did feel amazing after.
  
• Stays on for up to 20 minutes
  
• Although this is a different mask, I would buy it again.
  
• $4.99 at Target. Price was a turn-off, would buy again, but not likely because it's a little too pricey.
  
  SpaLife
  
  Couldn't find any ingredients
  
  
• My least favorite sheet mask.
  
• Thick material which made it feel less saturated
  
• Eye shapes are small and make it almost impossible to see through. They have the small flaps and they don't like to stay down.
  
• Stays on for up to 20 minutes
  
• $2.50 at Target. Will not purchase again.
  
  Avatara Lip Mask
  
  Website & Ingredients
  
  
• Gel-like material
  
• Ripped before it even made it to my lips
  
• Doesn't feel like anything special
  
• I think it's just sold because it's trending online
  
• Stays on lips for 10 minutes
  
• $3.99 at Target. Will not purchase again.
  
  
  Shea Moisture Mud Mask
  
  Website & Ingredients
  
  
• This isn't the least favorite, I just didn't feel like it belonged in this set of reviews because it wasn't a sheet mask.
  
• Not drying at all.
  
• Says to only put on your skin for 10 minutes, so I'm not sure if it wasn't drying because it wasn't given time to dry or if it's just not drying like most mud masks.
  
• Didn't notice a huge difference. I don't use mud masks normally so it's hard to speak on this.
  
• $2.50 at Target
  
  Other Sheet masks that I've used
  
  
  Dermal Sheet Mask
  
  Amazon
  
  
• I buy these in bulk off amazon. Usually making each mask $2.00 a piece
  
• Each mask is different, but I honestly can't tell. I've been buying these masks for a year and they all seem the same. I don't mind it, others might.
  
• Pack of 16 for $8.50
  
  Yes To Sheet Masks
  
  Website & Ingredients
  
  
• We had a bunch of these for my sisters Bachelorette party. There were 8 girls and 5 of them complained of this mask burning their face. The reviews online also have a bunch of people stating the same. We had every single type at the party so I'm not sure what the deal was.
  
• I recently did the Coconut one because it was sitting in a drawer.
  
• It felt weird the whole time it was on my face and left a very strange residue afterward.
  
• Didn't burn my face, but I tend to have a bit tougher skin.
  
• $2.50 at Target. Will not purchase again.
  
  That's it. Let me know if you've got more questions.
  
  For reference, I have normal skin. Somewhere in the middle. Not extremely dry and not oily. I don't have severe acne but get occasional hormonal breakouts.
  
  I usually use a face mask every other night, sometimes every night. It mostly depends on how tired I am or how gross my face feels.
  
  

Oh man, I have so many ideas. Just ideas though, you can take them or leave them.


First, your skin looks fairly irritated to me, dryness is a part of that. It can make your skin vulnerable and inflamed like you're seeing - mine was similar. A really easy, idiot-proof way to test this is to use some sheet masks nightly for a few days and look for improvement. I love these. And it feels nice. =)


Another super nourishing ingredient is niacinamide, which I'm completely obsessed with and bought for all my friends. I prefer the Paula's Choice ($40), but the Ordinary stuff ($7?) is also well received (made me break out though). I feel pretty hopeful about the sheet masks and niacinamide for you!


Glycolic acid is typically considered a stronger acid, and might be irritating. I'd maybe leave that out for a while and experiment with some mild 2% salicylic acid, just make sure it's not loaded with alcohol. I use Paula's Choice for that as well, I think the sample size is like $9.


I also learned to start giving myself gentle at-home acid peels through MUAC (amazing customer support). My oily/combo skin got a lot less oily after I switched to an oil cleanser (Banila or Shiseido are great). I just started using azelaic acid for redness (Melazepam), with good results so far, but I'd get the moisture thing figured out first.


Also, FYI, Sephora (and I think Ulta) will give you samples AND have a super generous return policy (check your local store), and I'm pretty shameless about trying new stuff out/returning it. Shit's expensive. =)


Let the hivemind know if anything works!


Edit: I learned so much from https://simpleskincarescience.com/, I can't recommend it strongly enough!

Dermal Korea Collagen Essence Full Face Facial Mask Sheet, 16 Combo Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BAM7F8C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_akXMAbFDYJ5D8

This is what I got!! Such a good deal cause each one comes out to less than $2 a piece!!

Two products I can confirm significantly helped my rosacea in a short amount of time are The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum and Sunday Riley's Good Genes (literally changed my entire face in 2 weeks!) If the pricetag is too high on GG, apparently The Ordinary's 10% lactic acid serum is a dupe - which I've been using the past few days and loving!

If you're looking for more of a routine to use moving forward, I've found Clinique's redness solutions collection has been AMAZING and also great to have (I specifically use the cleanser and moisturizer and will vouch for those two - they have a number of other products but haven't used them).

Another thing someone mentioned is that winter/cold weather is always the worst for rosacea, so definitely pile on the moisturizer (unless you have very oily skin). I highly recommend these moisturizing sheet masks to everyone: https://www.amazon.com/Dermal-Korea-Collagen-Essence-Facial/dp/B00BAM7F8C?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

Cheap and moisturizing! They also smell nice. Great to use at night before putting on your moisturizer.

Hope this helps!

Look into the Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence.

I use it and I love it (more than the OST but that's another story). It comes in a small silver tube so it's super convenient for travel and you don't have to worry about it oxidizing. It uses a different kind of Vitamin C than OST so it's more stable. I can't remember the exact details off the top of my head, but if you're interested, I could go look up what type exactly it is.

You can get it on Amazon Prime too, last I checked! With all things, the results will be "YMMV" but it is certainly stable enough for travel and doesn't need to be popped into the fridge.

EDIT: Yep, it's on Amazon Prime.
https://www.amazon.com/CC-medicinal-intensive-measures-Essence/dp/B00ITAP8P0

If you're looking to lighten up scars here's a mini list of ingredients you should look out for:

Vitamin C: A popular vitamin C serum is the C20 or C21.5, the formulation of it however is very unstable so if you don't want to deal with that try the Melano CC intensive anti-spot essence.

Niacinamide: For niacinamide products check out this spreadsheet and this megathread for recommendations.

AHAs: This is very tricky to use since it's an active that can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. If you don't wear sunscreen on the days after you use it, it can actually be very bad for the skin. A few AHA products include Cosrx AHA 7 whitehead power liquid and Papa Recipe White Flower Clear Up 8% AHA Gel.

Licorice: It's Skin Power 10 Formula Effector LI and Snowise EX Brightening Serum

Arbutin: This ingredient seems to be more common in sheet masks but every day products with arbutin in it include Hada Labo Shirojyun Arbutin Lotion (Hada labo has an entire line of products called the "Shirojyun" line with arbutin in it) and LadyKin Vanpir Dark Repair Cream

Tranexamic acid: This ingredient isn't very popular but the brand Naruko seems to use it a lot including their Apple Seed and Tranexamic Acid Black Spots and Lines Defying Lotion and Apple Seed and Tranexamic Acid Black Spots and Lines Defying Moisturizer

Fermented soy: The brand SANA is very popular for their use of fermented soy in their products, some of their most popular products include their Soy Milk Astaxanthin Lifting Gel, Isoflavone Lotion and isoflavone wrinkle eye cream

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.
  
  
  
  
  

TIGI bed head



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002N5MI2S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


amazing high/medium hold with a super matte finish. im not a fan of pomades with shine

Yeah man definitely go to some actual salons if you want a good haircut. But I don't think most of them are really "for women" at all anyway. Basically with one exception, every hair place I've been to clearly catered to male customers as well as female. I used to feel a little self conscious when I first stopped going to crap cheap places, but it's never been an issue so I just stopped feeling weird about it.

Also if you are looking for hair styling suggestions, bed head matte separation wax is the best I've every found, and I've tried a LOT of different ones. Like it says though it's a matte finish, won't work if you want a shine.

I got myself 240 razor blades for under $20, to fit my stainless steel barber's straight razor, which was also under $20.

Damn, I've never felt so much like a spammer.

This Timeless vitamin c serum ($15-$24, price fluctuates) is an almost exact dupe for more expensive ones (Paula's Choice is $48, etc.).

https://www.amazon.com/20-Vitamin-Ferulic-Acid-Serum/dp/B0036BI56G

Essential oils can always be bought cheap as fuck in bulk. On Amazon there are a few brands of argan oil for around $3.25/oz, as opposed to Josie Maran which is literally the exact same thing for $28.25/oz.

Always stay on the lookout. If something is expensive as fuck, chances are there is something with the same or similar ingredients for cheaper, especially things with very few ingredients like vitamin C serums or oils. Personally all of my skincare products (makeup remover, daily AHA, weekly AHA, vitamin C, serum, moisturizer, oil) are all under $25. I don't think I would spend more than $50 on a skincare product. That shit would either have to last forever or be liquid skin perfection in a bottle.

This would be great because my eyeshadow would look so vibrant :) please!

This hair styling technique is good for guys with thicker, medium length hair as the picture shows.
I use TIGI Bed Head Matte Separation Clay Wax and it has a strong hold with relatively minimal use. I do essentially this same hairstyle but with shorter sides(@ me okay).

1. Wet hair, usually conditioned VERY well in the shower as a wax product may make your hair look dry.
   
2. Lean over and blow-dry your hair downward so that gravity works with you and gives you the volume you want, make sure to blow-dry in the general same direction.
   
3. Once mostly dry take only a fingertip full at most(this product really works), and rub it all over your fingers and palm, then run your hand through your scalp and generally the base of your hair.
   
   EDIT: Actually I should have mentioned I always style my hair before bed and then in the morning I use a little bit more product for the perfect look.

I had my stylist give me an asymmetric cut where I buzzed down my hair at the area where it naturally parts... to make the curl come out, I dry my hair out of the shower and use a round bristle brush to tease it out. I notice the more I try to "flatten" the curl with the brush, it ends up bouncing back even more after it dries. The movement of the curl is great, but product is needed to keep it in place (relatively speaking, not rock-solid-can't-move) so...

I used to use TIGI separation wax (https://www.amazon.com/TIGI-Matte-Separation-Workable-Ounces/dp/B002N5MI2S/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=hair+clay&link_code=qs&qid=1556744251&s=gateway&sr=8-6) to keep it in place but I made this post because I just discovered Kevin Murphy's Killer Curls today randomly (http://kevinmurphy.com.au/product/killer-curls/) and the anti-frizz property of the product works great! Very much prefer the asymmetric wave look when the end curl isn't frizzing so this was a big deal for me.

Tigi bedhead matte wax. Very matte and way better hold.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002N5MI2S/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1451511931&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=tigi+bed+head&dpPl=1&dpID=51e82VFFx%2BL&ref=plSrch

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

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

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

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

I would also add vitamin C serum for skin brightening .

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

I'm using the Timeless serum. It's a watery consistency, I just dab it all over in the AM before my sunscreen.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036BI56G/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1452439021&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=timeless+vitamin+c+serum&dpPl=1&dpID=41sYJAEDXHL&ref=plSrch

I use a [Lord safety razor] (http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Safety-Razor-Model-LP1822L/dp/B004N77JVY) and it works pretty well.

You need a Razor $12,75.

A Brush $2,45

Shaving Cream $2,49

Blades: I'd recommend you try Astra SP $1,04, Derby $1, Shark SS $0,85 and Perma Sharp $1,15.

That's $21,73 including shipping from Turkey, don't know about shipping costs on the Lord though.

Optional extra's:

Alum $2,50, highly recommended!

Shaving Soap $1,95

They also have Bowls but you can just use a big cappucino mug or soup bowl.

I'm assuming you already have Aftershave. I'd recommend a balm when starting out to sooth rough shaves. Nivea Sensitive Balm is locally available around $5.

The lowest cost option is the Lord L6 at $12.75 but I have to disclose that this is a razor that will require replacement eventually as it's known to break over time.

Then there's the Edwin Jagger DE8x series. They all have the same head, but the differences in prices reflect the difference in the handles. I bought mine at the link I provided, and it was ~$36 and took 6 days to be shipped from England to California. This razor is high enough quality, it will last a lifetime.

The next bump up in both quality and price would have to go to either the Weber ARC, or the Weber DLC. both are $70, and solid stainless steel. Razors of similar quality and materials normally sell for twice that much. Great value. and... great razors! Our resident expert Leisureguy says his ARC gives him his best shave of any of his razors.

Tulihan se sieltä osa 2 sieltä, tosin vähän myöhemmin kuin lupasin. Tarkoituksena oli toimittaa tämä joululahjana mutta motivaatio oli alhaalla minkä lisäksi sairastuin jouluaattona mikä vei viimeisetkin kirjoitusfiilikset. Vuodenvaihde kuitenkin lähenee uhkaavasti joten otin itsestäni niskalenkin ja sain kuin sainkin jotain aikaiseksi. Jotkin osiot jäivät aika lyhyiksi ja ehkä hivenen vajavaisiksi. Ajotekniikassa on jotain mitä on vaikea selittää ja kuvailla yksityiskohtaisesti mutta tämä saattaa olla helpompaa kuvamateriaalin avulla Wikikirjastossa. Wikikirjastoon laittaminen ja sen tarvitsemat muotoilut ja muutokset saavat kuitenkin jäädä ensi vuoteen. ärSuomen wikiin nämä saa kuitenkin minun puolestani laittaa vaikka heti.

___

Kokeilin ennen joulua ensimmäisen kerran Arko-saippuatikkua ja on muuten hyvää tavaraa. Vaahtoaa todella helposti, toimii hyvin ja on erittäin halpaa. En voi kuin suositella. Ja jos tuoksu ei miellytä niin voi käyttää käsi- ja suihkusaippuana (hyvä vinkki muillekin koville saippuoille). Tuulettaminen huoneilmassa ilman paperipakkausta kuulemma auttaa tuoksun haihtumisessa mutta koska tuoksu on mielestäni ihan ok niin jätän tämän niksin kokeilematta.

Vietin joulun Turkkusessa ja kas kummaa, paikallisen Deli Market -nimisen etnokaupan hyllyltä löytyi egyptiläistä Lord-partavoidetta. Tämä on ensimmäinen kokemukseni partavoiteesta ja vaahtoavuudeltaan ja toimivuudeltaan se on kyllä ihan hyvä. Mentoolin viilennysvaikutus on tosin näin Prorason vihreään tottuneelle aika olematon eikä tuoksukaan ole mitenkään erikoinen (mitä nyt tukkoisella nenällä olen pystynyt nuuhkimaan). Hintaa tuolle 55 gramman tuubille kertyi muistaakseni yli kolme euroa (tarkkaa hintaa en muista) mikä lienee suomalaiselle kaupalle ihan ok.

Kassan vieressä roikkui myös Lord-merkkisiä partahöyliä mutta en nähnyt hintaa tai tarkempaa merkkiä. Oletan että kyseessä on Lord L6 joka on Amazon-arvostelujen perusteella hyväksi haukuttu. Joten jos täällä on Turkulaisia tai muuten siellä päin liikkuvia niin Deli Marketista voi saada sutia lukuun ottamatta ihan kohtalaisen aloituspakkauksen. Höylien vieressä oli muistaakseni myös partateriä, merkkiä en nähnyt, mutta Lord lienee hyvä veikkaus tämän suhteen.

Yllätyin iloisesti että perinteistä parranajotavaraa saa Suomessa edes jostain kivijalkaliikkeestä. Veikkaisin että Helsingistä ja muistakin isommista kaupungeista saattaisi löytyä jotain vastaavaa. Jos teette löytöjä niin ilmoittakaa niistä ihmeessä täällä.

Just commenting to add prices -- these may not be accurate for very long, since some were listed with limited quantites, but it may help some:

$29.98 - Feather: www.amazon.com/dp/B004RWTQTS[1]
$9.77 - Astra Green: www.amazon.com/dp/B001QY8QXM[2]
$12.77 - Astra Blue: www.amazon.com/dp/B002G2VENC[3]
$8.93 - Derby Extra: www.amazon.com/dp/B004SGKMA0[4]
$12.00 - Shark: www.amazon.com/dp/B004RWZ1RE[5]
$6.99 - Dorco: www.amazon.com/dp/B003OY14EK[6]
$16.95 - Big Ben: www.amazon.com/dp/B0047M51WE[7]
$15.05 - Lord Platinum: www.amazon.com/dp/B001VTRGGK[8]
$15.95 - Lord Classic: www.amazon.com/dp/B002VT94K0[9]
$29.85 - Gillette Silver Blue: www.amazon.com/dp/B0059QF5RS[10]
$20.00 - Gillette 7 O'Clock: www.amazon.com/dp/B00875XSIQ[11]
$17.95 - Blue Bird: www.amazon.com/dp/B002YIO56Q[12]
$19.99 - BIC: www.amazon.com/dp/B0022RB080[13]
$24.98 - Personna Super 200CT: www.amazon.com/dp/B00AA1AEEG[14]
$24.00 - Wilkinson Sword: www.amazon.com/dp/B003RXP1UQ[15]
$18.88 - Crystal (Israeli Personna) 120CT: www.amazon.com/dp/B002CE3518[16]

I don't think I've seen them cheaper than on Amazon. Amazon sells 100 pack directly for $25 (https://www.amazon.com/Feather-Razor-Blades-Hi-stainless-Double/dp/B004RWTQTS/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1486572354&sr=8-2&keywords=feather+blades)

Feathers - 22.38

Astra SP - 7.35

Personna Platinum - 24.49

Voshkod Teflon - 10.99

All prices USD. These were just the ones I checked. You may wish to check Italian Barber, He has decent bulk prices and ships from Canada but it looks like long international shipping times (3-4 weeks)

I use Feather. They are more expensive than that, but still cheap compared to the "regular" multi-blade razor.

real Techniques Starter Set
I've had these for about a year now and not one hair has fallen out. They are really good quality for the price. I have a few drugstore ones and they all have fallen apart or are not as soft. (Except for elf)
On the higher end brushes would be mac or morphe brushes. Morphe is still more affordable though might want to check out there gunmetal line

No pics since I'm not at home.. but here's what I've gotten recently with reviews!!

• ELF Cream Eyliner in Black - This liner is AMAZING!! So pigmented, creamy, easy to use, and lasted all day. I was actually able to make a decent wing with this..which is a big deal for me!
  
  
• bareMinerals Eyeshadow in Nude Beach - This. Is. The. Most. BEAUTIFUL. Eyeshadow. Ever. Seriously amazing..wear it every day now!! IN LOVE GO GET IT NOW!
  
  
• real Techniques Starter Set - These brushes, like everyone says, are amazing. Great quality, super soft, no complaints at all!!
  
  
• NYX Makeup Setting Spray Dewy Finish - I used an Urban Decay MSS before this, but this one seems just as good as sooo much cheaper! I have dry skin, so this is great to keep my skin moisturized and not have dry, patchy areas.
  
  
• Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - Since everyone and their mom has raved about this I thought I'd try it, and it is really great! The color is gorgeous and you can get so many looks from it. It looks really natural on me and not like I'm wearing anything on my lips at all, more of a stained look. I'm not a fan of the scent though..
  
  
• MUFE Aqua Eyes in Champagne 23L - This was a dud for me..not a fan of the color (very, very light..doesn't show up on my eyes at all), not very creamy, so I really have no use for it. Will be returned unfortunately!!
  
  
• Maybelline Great Lash BIG - I know people are 50/50 on this but I've always loved the regular Great Lash for bottom lashes or for very natural lashes! I really love this one..for me it works like Bad Gal Lash but about 1/5 of the price! Will keep wearing this! I also got Clump Crusher but haven't opened it yet :)

Maybe we're not talking about the same one haha I bought this one.

I would scrape it with a metal tongue scraper. This one is really popular: https://www.amazon.ca/Dr-Tungs-Tongue-Cleaner-Stainless/dp/B00064JGBO

I used to use the regular ones like Oral-B, but this one really worked. I had oral surgery and couldn't brush for the first bit, then wasn't allowed to brush the teeth the surgery was on, couldn't floss, only ate soft foods and tldr, it was dank -- I grew 'hair' on my tongue! Anyway, this helped.

Part of it also is diet -- lots of water, but also fresh foods (like raw fruits and veggies) helps.

This deoderant works the same way. Just put it on after you shower and you're good for 24 hours+ It's literally a stick of salt that kills bacteria.

If you have never tried using the crystal-type deodorant, give it a go. BO comes from certain bacteria digesting the sebum secreted from certain parts of your body (the smelly ones: pits and crack to crotch). Deodorants typically only provide some fragrance to cover the stanky build-up, but the crystal works by killing those bacteria. It takes a few days (one week at most) for its effect to build up, but it does work.

Years ago, as a starving college student, I worked construction ~30 hours a week to pay for tuition, etc. Working in the hot, humid central Alabama summertime and scrambling to clean up for classes resulted in the desperate fetid stench that can only be described in relation to the swamps of Dagobah. Repeated showers didn't work. Antiperspirants didn't work. Industrial strength scents designed for pubescent boys didn't work. As someone who had always prided himself on his personal hygiene, I was really deeply traumatized; suddenly, for reasons beyond my control, I had become the stinky guy that everyone avoids. The only think that worked was that crystal.

Finally, as an added bonus, it is remarkably cheap since one stick will last for years if you ignore the directions and apply the dry stick to a wet armpit immediately after showering instead of wetting the stick under the faucet.

Not sure what a Paleo deodorant would be, but you could try mineral salts like this.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000L978FU/

Where is the odor coming from? Remember because she is female she could have a yeast infection or vaginitis. I'm someone who has to wear particular deodorant or I smell. The Crystal works best for me. ( https://www.amazon.com/CRYSTAL-BODY-DEODORANT-Stick-Unscented/dp/B000L978FU/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1502582706&sr=1-4&keywords=crystal+deodorant ). Keeping things shaved also helps but that may not be an option. Also remember you are her dad. Not some pedophile so don't be afraid to help if needed. Is there a female she trust that could have a heart to heart with her? Or maybe make it fun and present like a makeover/spa day. Could be a way to teach her some tricks without making her feel targeted. I also work with a lot of Young adults with autism and one thing we do is make checklist. That way steps are at forgotten and there is a routine and pattern which could be helpful for people with autism.

Finally, if the odor is coming from her clothes you can spray the hotspots like under the arms with Listerine. I do this to my gym clothes before washing them. The alcohol kills bacteria.

Not OC but I use a Crystal deodorant and it works. You just have to use it on your clean and damp underarms. It really helped in lightening my armpits tbh.

u/Munashii The green Italy towels for physical exfoliation are the friggin shit. Get them at your local asian/korean store though. Amazon is expensive. The "large" size barely fits my tiny hands. I also use Stridex Red Box and Kiku. All this has almost eliminated my KP completely. KP isn't going to go away forever so you'll have to keep up with this routine to keep them at bay.

What??? I live in England, and got 110 for £8.99? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000NUN8BK/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_rcJJub1BGFND4

Are you in the UK? from that comment it sounds like you are.

I second adding a BHA product like Stridex Maximum Strength Pads. The BHA here is salicylic acid, which is like roto-rooter for your pores (an aesthetician told me that once and I liked it).

The biggest game changing secret though is an oil cleanser. You can't go wrong with this one. Video here. It's an extra step, but it transformed washing my face into a relaxing experience I look forward to.

I see Stridex in the red box for $3.59!

Edit: Also GlamGlow Bright Mud

Mint Julep Masque

Alpha Hydrox Souffle

Alpha Hydrox Intensive Serum

Aura Cacia Argan Oil

Alpha Hydrox Night Replenishing Cream

Alpha Hydrox Sheer Silk Moisturizer

Clinique Dramatically Different Gel

You might want to consider a BHA chemical exfoliant. It's helped my black heads and evened my skin tone. The two popular ones are Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid or Stridex Red. Both can be a little drying, so start with using it once a day, maybe every two to three days, and then slowly increase usage.

Rohto Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk is an FA-safe chemical sunscreen. (I also use it and haven't had any issues.) And this post on r/AsianBeauty includes a list of FA-safe sunscreens.

if you dislike the greasy one asian sunscreen might be a better choice. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRBST6H

I am so pleased for you with the progress you have had! Keep in mind that there are different formulas of the Biore watery essence sunscreen based on the year of release with some being very impressive and others less so. If you are wanting to keep with an asian beauty sunscreen that is less expensive I would recommend either A'PIEU PURE BLOCK Natural Sun Cream SPF45/PA+++ or ROHTO Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk (SPF50 PA ++++) 40mL.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRBST6H/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2YIRF40Q2TAPK&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J2Q5MSS/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3CSJO25HB80UV

Some people don't like the premium version of the Hada Labo lotion because they are sensitive to urea. I've used the Hada Labo Gokujyun HA Moist version for a long time and really like it. It may not be the hyaluronic acid that is bothering you in the formula! I would give the regular version a shot.

I've had that exact pack on my wishlist for a few weeks and keep hesitating to buy them... maybe it's time. The price is so unbeatable.

For some reason it accidentally translates as "merano" on amazon. But it's still legit.

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00ITAP8P0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1452408356&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=merano+cc&dpPl=1&dpID=41aIoNxmqUL&ref=plSrch

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

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

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

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

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

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

How much are you paying for Mizon? That brand is pretty cheap in my experience. CosRX has a similar snail cream, but I'd expect both to be around the same price point.

If you want the cheapest of the cheap you could go for the snail repair gel in the pink tube. Mizon's black snail AIO tends to be a little cheaper than the regular AIO; it has kind of an old lady smell, but I find it to be extremely soothing and still use it because I haven't found another product that works quite as well for immediately calming irritated skin.

If you're willing to move away from snail products, I've heard good things about the Rosette Aqua Ceramide gel and the Hatomugi Skin Conditioning Gel.

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

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

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


My current routine is:

AM:

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

Happy to help! But yeah the sunprise is honestly holy grail for me. I was using Bioré Perfect Bright Milk before, and it contains alcohol so it was drying me out way more than I realized. The sunprise is alcohol free, and it has a nice citrusy scent. Here's the link: Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+ / PA+++

Edit: The EH sunscreen is NOT alcohol free apparently. But I've found it's still not as drying as the Bioré for my skin.

I'm 39 too, with sensitive skin, and have had similar struggles with chemical sunscreens my whole life. I finally wound up picking up a physical suncreen from Korea before my last vacation (this one) and it made a world of difference. No sunburn, no reaction!

If you want more in depth advice, I highly recommend checking out r/AsianBeauty/.

Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+ / PA+++

It's only $9 on Amazon!

I am about to start month 2 on Tuesday. I experience moderate peeling lips as some dry skin, but I’m very good at keeping both in check. (EDIT: When I skip any part of my skin routine, the full force of my dry skin comes to surface. But with diligence, you can moderate it!) Neither have become a real problem for me since my skincare routine is so meticulous.

One sunscreen I really love and recommend is Skin Aqua because it is mineral oil- and alcohol-free, plays very well with makeup, and is moisturizing. It dries with a clear, satin finish— no white cast. I’m a huge proponent of sunscreen and have been wearing it daily for a few years, but I’m going EXTRA hard given how sensitive my skin is on Accutane.

You should take a look at r/asianbeautyexchange and r/makeupexchange for sample sizes on sunscreen so you can test ones for super cheap without committing to something you may end up hating!

DOUBLE EDIT: Back and joint pain is VERY real for me. My job is physically demanding and this just compounds the issue for me, but I am now taking joint supplements which do help some. Also I noticed my bruising is off the charts! Emotionally, I’ve been all over the place but now that month 1 is coming to a close, it has been better. I also started therapy when I started Accutane to keep myself in check and this has been a huge help to me.

Actually no, the most common one people use is less than $10 on Amazon :)

edit: the link in my comment is actually for a pack of 2, if you only want 1 it's even cheaper.

The Mizon Snail Recovery Gel is the ultimate gateway snail product. It's a gel moisturizer so it's not too heavy for oily skin either

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NTR9B6A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_AgPzybW9HN778

This is the one that I ordered, which I think I originally saw linked in a random text thread here on MUA as well, lol. I hope you see results with it! :)

I have Hashimoto's and really dry skin (my scalp is horrible, too). The digestive issues could be a factor, if you're not really absorbing nutrients properly. Paleo is good for you, in-general, but I think it moreso works with "clearing up" skin, like with acne, rosacea, and so-on. I recently started getting into Asian skincare, as they focus on lots of light layers of hydration. My skin used to scale and flake, but now it's nice and soft!

I use a low PH face wash only once a day. Too much cleansing can rid your skin of it's natural oils. I swap between this Cerave cleanser and this Hada Labo one. Then I use this lotion (which is more of like a serum) and this gel moisturizer.

I'd suggest reading into the science behind humectants, occlusives, and emollients. Example, you can use a lotion, but if it doesn't have any type of occlusive ingredients, the product and all the moisture will just evaporate/dissipate; it needs something to seal it in. And as much as Asian skincare seems like a million steps, you can really work with just 3 or so products.

Hello everyone! I was in the market for a lightweight gel type moisturizer as summer approaches. Heard lots of good things about the Mizon Snail Gel Recovery Gel Cream in the pink tube. Peach & Lily is sold out of it at the moment - does anyone know if this seller on Amazon is legitimate or has had experience with them? Their store is called "Mod My Beauty". Their price for a two pack is so reasonable it makes me raise an eyebrow but I am new to the AB game.

Thank you all for any insight!

I hope this helps - here is a link to Hellocos's listing for Mizon Snail Gel Cream. Scroll down a ways and the discounts are listed under "special offer" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NTR9B6A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1PDWBZRML2LBW

Well hey there, fellow Southerner. ;)

Isn't mineral sunscreen the same as physical sunscreen? That was my impression, but I'm no expert so someone correct me if I'm wrong.

If they are the same: I personally prefer physical sunscreens too. My favorite AB one is Missha's All Around Safe Block Sun Milk. I believe that Etude House's Sunprise line: All Proof ~US$10 and Airy Finish ~US$12 are also physical sunscreens, although I haven't tried either.

I've heard good things about the mineral options from CeraVe and Neutrogena.

Also, you might consider DIYing your own sunscreen, in your situation. I know of a lot of people who have done it quite successfully, usually in order to avoid all of the chemicals and additional ingredients in most sunscreen products. And it's pretty easy to get zinc oxide affordably. I've considered it myself!

Do you think the red spots are PIE? https://simpleskincarescience.com/pie-pih-acne-scar-treatment/

If your skin is causing emotional distress, schedule a doctor's appointment. If that's not an option right now, check out Curology, it's an online dermatology service that's very popular on this subreddit.

Right now, I think you should just focus on putting together a base routine of cleanser/moisturizer/sunscreen. Here are my recs for each category:

-Cleanser: Check out Vanicream. Almost nobody reacts to this, and it's very affordable.

-Moisturizer: Check out Cerave PM or Vanicream Lite. They're often recommended for oily-skinned folks. Cerave PM also has 4% niacinamide, which helps with oil control and reducing redness.

Sunscreen: Check out Cerave Ultra-Light SPF 30, Biore Watery Essence SPF 50, or Etude House Sunprise SPF 50.

I have so many! LA Girl Pro Conceal HD, Essence Shine shine shine clear gloss(I've been using the ELF clear gloss but I like this one more and you get more product for the price), Maybelline Dream BB Fresh, Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer, ELF Baked Highlighter - Moonlight Pearls, and Peripera Velvet Cheek #6. These are all essentials in my "no makeup" look.

This one's not make up but on Amazon the Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+ / PA+++ is super cheap for a mineral sunscreen and doesn't break my skin out.

And my one and only HG status liquid eyeliner that I'll ever buy for my oily ass lids, HEROINE MAKE Smooth Liquid Eyeliner. I've seen it in Japanese specialty stores in my area for $20, on amazon it's only $10.49. All other eyeliners get crusty and flake off within a minute of application. This eyeliner has been a game changer.

Oh and the peripera ink velvet and tint water gels for lips, just wish they had more shades besides red and mauve.

I also have oily skin! I love Cosrx low ph good morning cleanser. It does contain tea tree oil, so if you are sensitive to that, I would skip it. It is light on my skin and removes grime from the day really well without stripping my natural oils/moisture. I highly recommend it

For Tokyo ABers:

Does anyone know if any stores in Tokyo have these Korean products? I tried a few stores in Shin Okubo and none had them.

Sunscreen - Innisfree Triple Care
https://www.amazon.com/Innisfree-Perfect-Protection-Triple-RESISTANT/dp/B01GHO4I00

Moisturizer 1 - MIZON Black Snail All In One Cream
https://www.amazon.com/MIZON-Black-Snail-Cream-Ounce/dp/B00B4PWEJU

Cleanser 1 - Banila co Clean It Zero Purity
https://www.amazon.com/Banila-Clean-Zero-Purity-Ounce/dp/B00FOTIV8U?th=1

Cleanser 2 - Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser
https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Good-Morning-Cleanser-150ml/dp/B016NRXO06

Sheet Mask - Tosowoong masksheet Propolis
https://www.amazon.com/Tosowoong-masksheet-Essence-Blueberry-Propolis/dp/B00K6XVYLK?th=1

Sleep Mask - Corsx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight
https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Ultimate-Nourishing-Rice-Overnight/dp/B01518D84U

Patches - Corsx Patch
https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Acne-Pimple-Master-Patch/dp/B00PBX3TN6

I've found r/asianbeauty to be life changing. Basically, you need a SUPER gentle face wash and tons of moisturizer. I can tell that my skin is a lot oilier now, but because I know how to manage it and my hormonal acne, I haven't had many breakouts. When you use too harsh of a face wash, your skin freaks out and over produces oil (simplified explanation).

My super simple AB routine:

• [coxrx low PH face wash]
  (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016NRXO06/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
  
  
• Laneige bright renew emulsion (I used to buy at target but they've stopped carrying it so I'll need to find another. An emulsion is just a super liquidy light moisturizer you use in addition to a full moisturizer and has extra benefits. This one in particular is "lightening" which I find helpful for those stubborn red spots that are leftover after zits)
  
• Belief The True Cream Aqua Bomb
  
  These are somewhat on the expensive side, but r/asianbeauty can point you to more options that are dupes for these products. I have hormonal acne normally and somewhat normal to oily skin.

For my body, I like using pre-soaked exfoliant pads, 'cause I'm lazy and cheap. Right now I'm using these Nip+Fab ones and they're pretty decent, but I'm planning on picking up these lactic acid ones next. If you're looking to dip your toes into the waters of AHA for facial use that you can also use on your body, then I'd recommend the CosRx AHA, which is great, but much gentler. (obligatory mention that if you begin using an AHA on your face, then daily sunscreen use becomes mandatory)

Undereye circles are genetic, so there's not much you can do topically to get rid of them. I know there's some people who anecdotally believe that products with caffeine in them can help with their appearance, but I've never tried any, so I can't really offer any specific advice there.

And yep! I alternate between the CeraVe foaming and the CosRx Good Morning cleanser, both of which are great low pH options.

When I was dealing with damaged skin the biore sunscreen started to kill my face and burn. I switched to ROHTO Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk (SPF50 PA ++++) 40mL https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRBST6H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_I0UHAbFRM0S93 and it’s been great

ROHTO Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk SPF50 PA ++++ but I gave up on it because it's not cruelty free. I bought it while in Japan based on a recommendation I saw on this subreddit and it's incredible. Absorbs so quickly and certainly makes a small difference in my dry skin. It's not oily at all, and it just feels great to apply evenly, nothing difficult about it.

I've switched to PC Hydralight Shine-Free daily mineral complex. It's working out great. It's not a chemical sunscreen as you can tell based on the name (I'm not sure what the difference is or why it matters) but it certainly doesn't leave a white cast on my face. It's only 30SPF though so maybe I'll be trying another one of theirs next time I order. It's also very moisturizing so I'm really enjoying it. I watched a youtube review of all the suncreens and this one just sounded like it would mesh the most with my skin type.

im gagging just reading about this. i'll stick with my tongue cleaner.

Use a tongue cleaner/scraper. Leaves you feeling a lot cleaner too.

noone ever knows how much shit is on their tongue, and youre right, dentists dont know either. if you are using a plastic one, think again. 7$ will change your life https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Tungs-Tongue-Cleaner-Stainless/dp/B00064JGBO?th=1

get a metal one.

Haha, I feel you. Super smelling morning breath has got to be the worst! The super smell is not a superpower I wanted either. I can smell my husband's sweaty gym clothes in the next room over.

For your husband, maybe he can try using a tongue scraper? It has really helped with my bad breath (and I can taste things better too!) I have this one.

6 week faster here. The hunger I don't know what to tell you. I would get a little hunger when around food. I still have to cook and prepare food for my wife and kid. I already scrape my tongue as part of my dental hygiene. There was definetly more need while I fasted due to the tongue buildup.

https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Tungs-Tongue-Cleaner-Stainless/dp/B00064JGBO

/r/fasting/comments/5wc0cn/log_6_week_fast/

I found some on Amazon.

I dunno. My rock looked like this, but less pink and more white, irregularly shaped, and scratchy-lookin'. Apparently it's salt.

As long as I put it on right after the shower, it's miraculous.

I use Crystal brand natural deodorant (this stuff). No gross baby powder/flowery scent & it lasts forever.

Crystal deodarant

Edit: Oh this won't prevent sweating. Lo siento.

There is rock deodorant. While it has a higher melting point than gel or the white stuff, it also doesn't work.

How about old school roll-on, powder, or undershirt combination?

That's fair. It is pretty overwhelming and there are a lot of good products out there, but they won't necessarily all work for you.

If you bought one of everything in the actives list, you'd probably a) end up spending way too much money and b) end up with really unhappy skin.

So, with that in mind, here's my personal recommendations from where I'd start if I was in your shoes (i.e. decent skin, no routine to speak of, but looking to make some anti-aging protection moves).

AM:

• Splash with water
  
  
• Moisturise with CeraVe Day SPF 30 (I use this one sometimes, or I use Bioré watery essence + Clinique Moisture Surge) http://www.ulta.com/facial-moisturizing-lotion-am-with-spf-30?productId=xlsImpprod4190253
  
  PM:
  
  
• Cleanse with CeraVe Foaming Cleanser http://www.ulta.com/foaming-facial-cleanser?productId=xlsImpprod5140065 (I don't personally do this, I use pond's cold cream to do OCM, but this is a good basic cleanser that a lot of folks on here use!)
  
  
• Moisturise with either the same thing you used in the morning, or you can go with something a bit heavier if you think you're on the drier side, such as https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizers-Moisturizing-Cream-Ounce/dp/B001V9SXXU
  
  If you want to add some actives (which it sounds like you do!) you need to add them one at a time once you're sure the cleanse/spf/moisture routine is working for you (i.e. you're not breaking out or anything, and your skin feels happy). Even if you think your skin is good and tolerant, it can still not like something, and it's easiest to know what's what if you add them one at a time.
  
  For actives, good options would be:
  
  
• St Ives AHA pads (in the evening, after cleansing, because AHA makes you more sun sensitive) https://www.amazon.com/Ives-Face-Care-Exfoliating-Count/dp/B00CHJU06G
  
  
• Stridex Red Box for BHA (probably in the morning) https://www.amazon.com/Stridex-Daily-Care-Maximum-Strength/dp/B000NUN8BK
  
  Vit C is a bit more on the expensive side. I just bought the Paula's Choice C15 serum - which RRPs at $49 (I managed to get it at $39 with a referral code and discount when I was making an ordeR) - but it's a popular, good forumulation serum that is recommended for anti-ageing / blemish reduction etc. http://www.paulaschoice.com/shop/skin-care-categories/targeted-solutions/_/Resist-C15-Super-Booster/
  
  I still haven't found a retinol product that I like, but I have been using the Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Night which isn't too expensive and is at least moisturising (for me, at least, some find products like this drying).
  
  OK. So, you've now actually roughly got my routine as my own personal recommendations. :) I have dry, pretty tolerant skin, no acne, but also working on anti-aging (I'm about to turn 34).
  
  edit: fixing some stupid reddit formatting. :D

You can buy the red box Stridex on Amazon!

A lot of people here love the Sridex pads: https://www.amazon.com/Stridex-Med-Pads-Size-90ct/dp/B000NUN8BK

Don't use a BHA yet myself, but this brand gets a lot of love.

Hello and welcome! I just want to tell you that I'm pretty sure every single person in this sub is freaking adorable so I'm sure you will meet all sorts of entertaining and awesome people here. :) I'm so psyched for you!

In terms of exfoliation, speaking very broadly (i.e. there are always exceptions to what I'm about to say), AHAs are generally recommended for dry skin, while BHA is recommended for oilier skin types. I think things will work better for you if you attempt to tackle one problem at a time. For instance, for pimples, Paula's Choice BHA 2% liquid is my absolute holy grail product, but a drugstore BHA such as Stridex may work equally as well, and perhaps would be something to try first since it's more easily accessible. Speaking of Stridex, try to make everything you use as gentle (checkmark on the Cetaphil) and as alcohol-free as possible - your skin is dry and we don't want it to get even more dry. :( My skin gets dry in the winter and the itchiness can just drive me up the wall.

And yes, start moisturizing every day, morning and night - just a pea-sized amount, I promise it won't be greasy. And if it is, we'll figure something out. If you're still feeling dry after that, we can think about changing or supplementing your moisturizer. :)

Welcome again!

Edit: I just saw a pattern in your description of pimples! Scalp, forehead, shoulders and upper back? Check your shampoo/conditioner/other hair products for clogging ingredients!

Any hydrocolloid bandage will work. Hydrocolloid is a type of bandage not a brand. I've bought some from Shoppers, sometimes they even have the ones specifically for acne. Look in the skincare section.

For stridex I think amazon is the only place. Link Here

Using a 2% salicylic acid topical would help diminish the appearance of your pores. Personally, I've been using these - they're extremely cheap whether you buy them online or in drug stores

>As stated below look into /r/SkincareAddiction[1] . They'll probably you using an AHA exfoliant to get clear out the darker pigmentation.

This guy is right, and as a browser of SCA, you are most likely going to be recommended Stridex Red Box You can get a smaller box for about $3.55 at the store. Don't expect to see results right away, probably a few months before you notice anything.

Might be a minor form of ingrown hairs. Official derm name: Pseudofolliculitis Barbae - "Razor bumps are a common skin condition that occurs as a result of shaving. The condition is more common in men and usually occurs on the face."

BHA (beta hydroxy acid or salicylic) can help clear out and prevent them and reduce redness. Paula's Choice BHA 2% liquid is a popular choice here.
But a much cheaper option is Stridex pads, you can pick them up at your local Walgreens or CVS


Also here is a old thread with people discussing how stridex helped people get rid of their ingrown hairs

Good luck!

Hey! I'm just an SCA lurker so I hope someone with a wealth of experience comes in to give you some more specific recommendations. For now I'll just give a comment to get you looking in the right direction until someone comes along to give more specific help.

First off, for acne, most people here recommend using Stridex in the red box. There it is on amazon but you can usually find it cheaper in drug stores. It's good because of the 2% salicylic acid which helps dissolve dirt & dead skin in your pores without damaging the healthy skin.

What is your current routine? Do you use a cleanser? If you can share that information it will help everyone understand how to help much more.

I do not live in Australia, I didn't mean to make it sound that way, my bad! I just know Cetaphil is easier to get and im pretty sure it's sold in your guy's stores too.

After reading around this sub for a few days, I realized that using those neutroegna scrubbing exfoliants may have been adding to my dryness, so I switched over to just exfoliating with stridex pads instead. (rubbing my face enough to get the dead skin and stuff off).

So basically my routine is just

• Wash with cetaphil
  
  
• Rub down my face with Stridex pad
  
  
  
  
• Put on some lotion
  
  
  I'm still pretty new to this stuff, so apologies if this routine is really bad! The people here are usually pretty good about weighing in and correcting bad info.

I don't have pics to show, but I just thought I'd share my skincare routine that has worked perfectly for me over the past year or so.

Mornings:

Clean & Clear Continuous Control

[Cerave Foaming Face Wash] (https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Foaming-Facial-Cleanser-Ounce/dp/B003YMJJSK/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1484241816&sr=1-2&keywords=cerave)

[Some sort of gentle anti-fatigue/illuminating moisturizer] (https://www.amazon.com/Garnier-SkinActive-Anti-Fatigue-Hydra-Gel-Moisturizer/dp/B016855X98/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1484241883&sr=1-1&keywords=anti+fatigue+moisturizer) (I use this one now, but have used others in the past)

Evening:

Stridex in the Red Box

Bio Oil

Cerave Moisturizing Cream

On Occasion:

Something with Retinol

Aztec Clay Mask

And when it's sunny/if you are spending a lot of time outside, make sure to use a morning moisturizer with SPF in it.

This product has worked wonders for me. You can read more reviews for it here.

Also, I highly recommend visiting /r/SkincareAddiction if you haven't already.

Why don't you suggest a BHA or AHA? These chemical exfoliants accomplish the work of physical exfoliants without harming your moisture barrier and skin in general. A common, inexpensive BHA is Stridex in the red box (maximum strength, alcohol free). One AHA is glycolic acid, I've seen nip and fab pads that contain this.

Warning: long rambling comment ahead. My skin has recently been dry and acne-prone as well. I'm not as much of a skincare expert as some of the folks around here, but I'll tell you what's worked for me.

• Cleansing with an oil. This may sound silly if you get breakouts and YMMV, but I've found they clean my skin well without drying. I've used sunflower oil from Walmart in the past and a lot of people here swear by this mineral oil that is marketed for polishing wood.
  
  Alternately, you could try a Cleansing Oil type product, which are sold for the purpose of skincare and usually contain an emulsifier to make it easier to wash the oil off your face. A lot of Asian lines sell cleansing oils; I've used and liked this one. Currently, I am using a solid oil product from Clinique. It's marketed as a makeup remover but I find it cleanses my skin very well on its own. I sometimes follow it up with a cleanser but I don't seem to need to if I wash the oil off thoroughly. Oils are the gentlest way I've found to cleanse my skin, and I'd recommend them to anyone with dry skin. Just avoid the highly comedogenic ones (e.g. coconut oil) and know that you might have to test a few before you find one you love. I just saw that you've ordered hemp seed and argan oils; I have a feeling you'll like them. (Side note: argan oil is a wonder drug. I use it basically like a serum, rubbing it into my skin and just letting it on.)
  
  
• I ditched my benzoyl peroxide products after it became apparent to me that they dried my skin out without doing all that much to help my acne. Are you putting the BP on your whole face or just using it as a spot treatment?
  
  Most (helpful) acne products I've found are drying to some extent, so I weigh the benefits against the side effects, meaning that a drying product has to be pretty damn amazing at fighting zits if I'm going to use it. Benzoyl Peroxide was not that product for me, unfortunately, though it may be for you. I found that it sped up the healing process of spots only minimally compared to doing nothing to them, so I threw it out. I've replaced it with Stridex pads and Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion. Like I said, they are quite drying (the Buffering Lotion actually has alcohol in it) but they offer enough tangible benefits that I am willing to accept that.
  
  I use the Stridex pads 2-3 times a week, and only on areas where I have sebaceous filaments, blackheads, and breakouts. I know a lot of people here love them for SFs, but I've found they shrink cystic spots pretty quickly as well. They smell weird and sting, especially if you put on moisturizer too soon after using them, but they work really well.
  
  The Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion is a great spot treatment, and the only product that's ever helped me with cysts that are still under the skin. I've actually used it on deep cysts before and had them disappear before ever coming to a head; it's like magic!
  
  
• I've recently started using honey as a mask and it's one of the few things that has helped moisturize my skin while simultaneously shrinking zits. You may not be into using a mask and, if you try this, you will feel like a sticky lunatic until you wash it off. It's a very gentle treatment though and quite calming on days when my skin feels extra dry and irritated. Some people will use raw honey but I just bought a cheap generic bottle after checking that the only ingredient listed was honey. You literally just slather it on your face and let it sit for a bit; I usually read for about an hour before washing it off with water. The next day my skin is soft and my spots are smaller.
  
  I hope at least some of that giant comment was helpful to you! One last thing I would recommend is adding an additional moisturizer at night. You said that the AHA cream helps with your PIH so I wouldn't stop using that, but you could always layer another moisturizer with it to combat the dryness. As long as neither product breaks you out I don't see the harm in using two! I have no specific recommendations on a moisturizer as I've been looking for one myself (just bought this one though and it looks promising) but I'd look for something richer and non-comedogenic.
  
  Edit: Sorry for the wonky formatting, I do not know how to fix it!

All of my products are cheap!

I use the following:

CeraVe Foaming Cleanser $8.92

Benton Snail Bee High Content Lotion $11.78

Benton Snail Bee High Content Mask Pack Sheets - 8pcs $9.43

Holika Holika Soda Pore Cleansing B.B Deep Cleansing Oil $8.87

Secret Key Angel Moist Wrap Steam Cream $10.78

Stridex BHA Pads $4.39

St Ives AHA Pads $3.99

Biore Sarasara Uv Aqua Rich Waterly Essence Sunscreen $9.49

I have a whole slew of skincare products (mostly South Korean), but these are the ones I use most consistently.

So just got into skincare. I'm a male and I train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (lots of sweat, chafing, mat burns, other people's sweat) and go to the gym, 6-7 times a week combined.

Skin type: normal to dry, have dermatitis on my head (red spots) and face (left and right, 1cm from my nose). My skin has a reddish color after I've used Roaccutane for 6 months to battle back acne.

Routine: Cerave hydration facial cleanser and moisturizing lotion (the cream is a bit too thick/sticky).

Also, I've bought the cetaphil soap bar for my face, and stridex 2% pads to use after training.

Issue: Specifically, after BJJ I've noticed that my skin is damaged. Just using moisturizer for now. Also, maybe something to restore my natural color (white) instead of the reddish hue?

Location: Ukraine (Slavic skin)

Hope you find something that's right for you!

Besides The Ordinary's line of chemical exfoliants, Paula's Choice, COSRX and Stridex are examples of some other well-known brands that make AHAs and BHAs that a lot of users here seem to like.

However when it came to AHAs, one that I personally preferred using over the other more popular recommended ones was the Glycolic Acid Facial Toner by Reviva Labs since it's only 3% glycolic acid as opposed to 7%. The 3% was just right for my skin, while the 7% would irritate it.

Some things that might help:

Anything that goes near your chin (hands, chinstraps, jacket collars, pillows, etc) needs to be washed regularly and thoroughly. Try to touch your face as little as possible!

A good cleanser and chemical exfoliant can help you out. Some commonly recommended products here on SCA are CeraVe's foaming cleanser and Stridex pads (the red box, not green box). Both will help keep your skin clean and remove any bacteria that are causing you problems. It is important when using an exfoliant that you use a lotion afterwards so your skin doesn't get too dry, moisturized skin feels and looks better! Another common product here is CeraVe's lotion (there's a pump kind that's thinner, and a jar kind that's thicker and creamier).

Hydrocolloid bandages are a godsend if you have any active acne! If the blemish is 'open', cut off a small portion of the bandage and put that on the offending zit after you wash and moisturize your face for the night. By the time you wake up, most (if not all) of the fluid from the acne will be absorbed into the bandage, leaving the blemish flat and less red.

I hope this information is helpful to you! Acne can be so painful and embarrassing, but it can be managed and fixed. Best of luck! :)

Hello,

Thank you for the great thread. I am just building my kit at the moment so wanted to get some suggestions. My background:

I am a 24 year old male who has had acne since I was a teenager. I used to have Moderate acne but it has reduced to a mild case of acne mainly on cheeks and forehead. I believe I have oily skin as well. I have been using Proactiv most recently and found that it was working. I typically use it once a day with the three step process. I am considering moving to the following set up based on the post:

1. Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser
   
2. Stridex Medicated Pads for Exfoliating
   
3. Cerave Moisturizing Cream
   
4. Eltamd UV Clear SPF 46
   
   I am planning on following the AM/PM routine mentioned by OP. My question is that is this a good place to start? This kit will be costing me close to $50 so just wanted to get some suggestions before i purchase. Thanks for the help!

“Never tell me the odds!”

Ewok :)

Edit: I've been wanting to try this Jumbo Milk Pencil!

good reviews

yep. Don't use gel. Use a wax.
http://www.amazon.com/TIGI-Head-Matte-Separation-Ounce/dp/B002N5MI2S
This stuff is miles away better than Crew Fiber product.

I've tried lots of things like what you're looking for and a lot can come down to genetics. I like a low shine, medium hold and matte finish. I've been using TIGI Bed Head for the last few weeks and I like the texture and hold I get from it and it doesn't break the bank

I use this stuff which has a strong hold and no shine. It is cheap and available on Amazon Prime which I dig. Not sure about the UK, but check it out.

http://amzn.com/B002N5MI2S

A disposable blade SR is called a shavette. Most barber shops in the US are now required by law to use these rather than traditional straight razors, due to health & safety concerns (blood-borne illnesses and whatnot.)

The two most common brands are Dovo and Parker

I've picked up a Dovo one myself but not had a chance to use it yet.

They accept regular DE blades broken in half, or special longer single-edge blades

I use a Parker SR1, with either Feather or Shark blades.

Shavettes are much less forgiving than a traditional straight razor in regards to technique, but still provide a nice shave.

I'll be sure to! You're making me feel so special.. "your unique face"

Although I know it will go better than the week or two where I thought using this would be better than cartridge shaving

My bad! DE is short for double edge, as in a double edged safety razor (like this). It uses a disposable blade. A straight razor is like this and has a blade that requires care and maintenance to keep it sharp. A shavette is like a straight razor, but it uses a disposable blade.

I got my straight razor from WhippedDog.com. Larry Andreassen, who runs the sight, offers good deals on restored vintage straight razors. There are a few brick-and-mortar stores that will sell them, but new razors are fairly expensive and aren't necessarily better than old ones that have been properly cared for. You can get safety razors and straight razors from online stores, Amazon, or even garage sales and such (but it's best to know what to look for).

Bought my own straight razor not so long ago for less than $40 with 120 blades. They no longer have that specific set, but I can recommend this razor, this soap set and some extra blades.

Not sure if it shows for everyone else, but under the blades it has all three of these items for $46.85. That's enough to shave for a year if you shave about once every three days and change a blade every time. This also keeps you from having to strope the razor and possibly mess it up, which is something that can ruin your shaving experience.

That said, your first few times with a straight razor is going to suck. Pure and simple. You're going to nick yourself and feel awkward. After a few months at it, I will never go back because of the money saved and how naturally it feels now.

Here you go!

I do it but I'm just starting out. I mainly started because I was tired of paying out the ass for replacement blades, but also because it gives you a better shave and you can get to a lot more areas of your face than with a regular razor.

If you just want to try it out and see how it is, you can get something like this which uses razor blades instead and it will basically do the same thing. If you want to buy a regular straight razor it's going to get a bit costly at first. Unless you buy a "shave ready" razor, you will have to sharpen it yourself.

Also be prepared for razor burn. After the first time shaving with this I had the worst razor burn since I first started shaving, but it only takes 1-2 shaves before you stop getting it. It's also not as difficult as people may think. You don't really need all that much force to shave with one so if you do cut yourself it won't be that bad.

My solution:

• Stainless Steel Straight Edge ($18)
  
  
• Shaving soap + bowl ($8)
  
  
• Badger hair Brush ($27)
  
  
• Cutting the shit out of my face the first 10 times (priceless)

Sorry for the late response. I'm actually using a Parker Straight Razor handle with Derby blades. I'm not sure how this compares to an actual straight edge razor.

Edit: I should mention that this was my second shave with this blade. I'm not familiar with the feeling of a dull blade. Should I be using a fresh blade every shave, considering the blades are disposable?

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

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

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

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

I started using vitamin c serum to reduce redness on healed blemishes after reading about it here. I have seen a reduction in their noticeability over the past few months. This is the one I use.

I've heard good things about this vitamin C serum.

That's a Lord L6. It's my first and only DE razor. No complaints but I'm thinking of picking up a slant or adjustable next as I'd like something a bit more aggressive. It's a light razor because the handle is Aluminum so check your pressure when you use it.

In that price range, you could pick up a Lord L6 online, if you don't already have one. It's a surprisingly good razor, especially at that price point.

I bought a cheap kit to get started about a year and a half ago and it's still working well. I want to upgrade to a straight razor which costs more upfront but you never need to buy blades again (just sharpen before use)

I'd say this is a good starter kit though, it's what I bought:
http://www.amazon.com/Van-Hagen-Mens-Luxury-Shave/dp/B004L4EING/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415040428&sr=8-1&keywords=safety+razor+kit

http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Safety-Razor-Model-LP1822L/dp/B004N77JVY/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1415040506&sr=1-1&keywords=lord+safety+razor

http://www.amazon.com/Double-Safety-Razor-Blades-Platinum/dp/B001VTRGGK/ref=pd_sim_hpc_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1D844MJWW2C4S8HXCGTZ

You can spend less on the soap kit, and get one for $9 or so to start off.

Yeah, I would say anything you've got there would be good except the Edwin Jagger's that you have listed. There is a ladies version of the Edwin Jagger model DE89bl on Amazon that might be a little better because of the handle length for shaving legs (3.8" mens vs. 4.1" women's - not much of a difference, but may be more comfortable to hold). And if you want to go super budget, the Lord razors are supposed to be pretty decent for the price point.

$36 for a 100 pack from amazon, which will last you a good long while.

A buck? The highest-end double-edged blades you can buy are about 30 cents apiece. The ones I use are platinum treated and only about 10 cents.

I use a Mach 3 on my face and either a straight or safety razor on the rest of me. Safety razor blades are cheeeeeap.

As a side note, the safety razor blades I linked are sharp as hell. Seriously. You do not screw around with these blades, you pay attention when using or handling them. They're also platinum coated so they don't rust. See /r/wicked_edge for more info.

Link for Canadians

I'm 20k from the border, yet the goddamn price is 50% more here in Canada.

You definitely don't have to go for a full face everyday. As stated below, most people here love makeup, so they tend to go all out for their FOTD. I, on the other hand, never wear any foundation/blush/bronzer/etc and only stick with concealer, eye makeup, and the occasional lip.

I find brushes make a huge difference for me in terms of makeup application, Real Techniques is a great affordable brand that you can easily find on Amazon. Their [core set] (http://www.amazon.com/real-Techniques-Core-Collection-Set/dp/B004TSFBNK/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1416153636&sr=1-1&keywords=real+techniques+brushes&pebp=1416153637537) has some good face brushes, and then the [Starter set] (http://www.amazon.com/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-real-Starter/dp/B004TSFE28/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1416153636&sr=1-2&keywords=real+techniques+brushes) has a good variety of eye brushes.

For lips, Nyx is great, as are products from Revlon (particularly their lip butters and super lustrous lipsticks). I haven't found a good drug store product that doesn't need to be touched up every 3 or 4 hours though. I personally rarely wear lipliner unless its with a bright shade or a liquid lipstick, so I think if you're starting out with easy to use colors you can probably skip it for now. I haven't found a great drug store lip liner, but my holy grail is the [Sephora Brand clear liner] (http://www.sephora.com/universal-lip-liner-P379324) which is only $10.

For mascara, it is definitely up to personal preference, but some of the most popular drug store items are probably [Maybelline's the Rocket] (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4950087) or [Cover Girl's Clump Crusher] (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4690213).

As far as eyeliner, it depends on what kind of formula you want. The only drug store eyeliner I really use is [Revlon's ColorStay] (http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=VP10744) which is a basic twist up pencil liner.

As someone else mentioned, we can't really suggest any color products without seeing a picture or at least knowing you skin tone.

[Here is a starter set of the Real Techniques brushes] (http://www.amazon.com/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-real-Starter/dp/B004TSFE28/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417781916&sr=1-2&keywords=real+techniques+brushes)

[Here is a nice set too, with good reviews] (http://www.amazon.com/Coastal-Scents-Piece-Brush-Set/dp/B005UBN5AQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417782384&sr=1-6&keywords=sigma+brushes#customerReviews)

Both sets are selling for incredibly good prices too :)

Face Kit: http://www.amazon.com/real-Techniques-Core-Collection-Set/dp/B004TSFBNK/ref=pd_cart_rp_1_p?ie=UTF8&refRID=0SMWEKQY24VEQNQYR303

Eye Kit: http://www.amazon.com/Real-Techniques-RLT-1406-real-Starter/dp/B004TSFE28/ref=pd_cart_rp_2_p?ie=UTF8&refRID=0SMWEKQY24VEQNQYR303

Pretty good price, too! Definitely cheaper than Ulta. I've been using them almost every day since I got them about a week ago and I love them; they feel so nice, and my makeup looks SO much better. I've been using the bareMinerals brushes I got with my startup kit and I don't think my mineral powder foundation EVER looked this good.

These would probably be best! I have yet to get them myself but many MUAs and others say they are really good for the price and one the best sets to start out with.

Real Techniques Starter Set


Real Techniques Core Collection

Oh! I've been drooling over that color forever. Good choice! ;) Are you a big red fan?

If you have patience, Amazon is seriously a steal for building an arsenal! And if the answer to the patience question is yes... may I suggest...

• Guides for basic designs!
  
  
• If you want to organize your collection! These are super helpful when it starts growing and you want to be able to catalogue and match colors for manis. :)
  
  
  
• Striping tape, for all the lines!
  
  
  
• In case you want to up your cuticle care game :) or maybe this set instead?!
  
  
  
• Dotting tools are you best friend! And if you're into cleaning up your nails, this is a fantastic bundle!
  
  
  
• Gotta keep the nails healthy! and a different option if you'd like
  
  
  
  
• Makes removal so much faster!
  
  
  
  
• A trusty quick dry top coat
  
  
  
• Pair your top with a trust bottom coat!
  
  
  
• Maybe you want to try your hand at nail art?
  
  
  
  That's what I've got for now... Hmm.. What did I miss?

I can't win both?! LAME ;)

El cheapo BRUSHES. I've decided that you can't have too many of the skinny ones :)

I just realized you specifically said POLISH. Lol. Here's the cheapest polish...though I feel like the prices change every time I click on my WL

Llama face. Llamas are pretty, right?

Thank you! :)

I actually use some nail art brushes that I got from Amazon for like $3 for almost all of my detail designs. I'd totally recommend them if you're getting into more detail manis :)

Edit: here are the two sets I have...1 & 2...and they're crazy cheap right now! :)

1. Safety Razor or Straight Edge barber's blade
   
   -I got mine on Amazon for only ~5 bucks. One person in that subreddit linked it though and I don't think I'd be able to find it. It was so cheap because the shipper was from China and it took 15 days to get here but it has lasted me quite some time. But I would recommend looking at the reviews and getting one in the 15-20 dollar range. With replacement blades (which are cheap...I bought a sample pack which came with like 50 total and I'm probably not even half way through them yet). you can just pop one right in and go...they also will last you about 5 shaves each.
   
   
2. Shaving Soap
   Look into Poraso. I have the green kind. I was sensitive to the menthols in other Shaving Creams but this shaving soap does everything I need it to and doesn't irritate my skin or eyes.
   http://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Eucalyptus-Menthol-Formulation/dp/B00837YY18/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1413959827&sr=1-2&keywords=poraso
   
   -It says I actually purchased this item on Jan 7 2014. I will need a new one in prob 2 months but still!
   
   
3. Boar/Badger shave brush
   You can get these for cheap some places, but since I showed you stuff on amazon here's what you'd be looking at:
   http://www.amazon.com/Perfecto-100%25-Badger-Shaving-Brush/dp/B00LDYFGFQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1413959958&sr=1-4&keywords=shaving+brush
   
   
4. If you want to get pre shave lotion go ahead. I don't use pre shave lotion so i can't recommend anything. wicked_edge would know though.
   
   
5. For after shave I just use Cetaphil moisturizer and it works perfect for me, but look at wicked_edge again for after shaves.
   
   That covers pretty much all of the basics I think. Some of the stuff seems expensive but it's a very worthwhile investment and will save you money in the long run. I remember going through 3-5 blade gillette razors every month which at 10 bucks a pop adds up, plus they irritated my skin and the shaving cream sucked. So i definitely recommend making an investment in these certain products, they've helped me quite a bit.
   
   In the preview my numbering is screwed up, so idk what to do about that, but yeah.

I really like their soap, I would say it's as great as their cream, absolutely. They sell them most places, but I know for sure West Coast Shaving and Amazon have them.

Before I stopped shaving i used Proraso.

It's hard for me to not mention 4 important items that every man should have in their shaving kit:

merkur 180 long handled razor

feather blades, the sharpest you can buy

For sensitive skin and a close shave, this combo is hard to beat. Bonus items if you really want to shave well:

proraso, numbs the pain

boar bristle brush, really makes the lather

Wet shaving FTW!

I really don't know why people are shitting on Amazon. I like supporting artisans and small companies as much as anyone else, but if OP wants to go with Amazon because it's cheaper (and it is cheaper), then let them do it.

To answer your question, the Edwin Jagger DE89bl is a great razor, Proraso Green is a great soap, and the Omega 48 is a good brush. You can also pick up all sorts of blades in bulk.

If you get the Astra blades, the kit is about $60 on Amazon and about $75 on a small site that is popular in this sub.

Let me just reiterate. I like artisans and small vendors, especially for the wider variety of scents and razors. There are better options for less at small vendors, but those are on items that only those vendors sell. for mass-produced products Amazon is often the cheaper option

Bingo. I'll take this one step further by suggesting that you start shaving with a safety razor, and using a really good, mild shave soap applied with a badger hair brush. The people over at /r/wicked_edge got you covered.

I always had whiteheads and irritation on my chin the day after I shaved. I was using the gilette mach 3, grocery store-bought shaving gel, etc. Every time I shaved, my face would break out the next day where I had shaved. I tried switching to a norelco dry electric shaver, and that helped a bit, but shaving with those things sucks because they don't give you as close a shave, and they are terrible at shaving the neck.

So I read up on /r/wicked_edge, spent a few bucks on amazon on a handle, box of blades (these are RIDICULOUSLY cheap), a badger hair brush, and a mild shave soap and aftershave. Now I'm basically whitehead and irritation-free after every shave. Not to mention I love shaving now, and it's the smoothest, closest shave I've ever had. One really nice bonus is that you won't be dropping $4 per cartridge anymore. Using these old-school blades costs about $0.10 per blade, depending on what brand you get! Be sure to only use the blades once, maybe twice before throwing it out and replacing it. This is key for you specifically, since your face seems really sensitive to dirty / used razors. And at ten cents a pop, you can afford to replace them every other time you shave.

So if you have a few bucks to spend and don't mind trying it out, switch to your grandpa's safety razor-style shaving. I'll include some links (no referral codes, just straight amazon), and some youtube videos that show you how to shave.

One last note: If you do switch to safety razors, watch the youtube videos on how to do it first. You can (and at first, will) cut yourself very easily with these things. You'll learn how to use them, but if you just jump right in and try to shave the same way you did with your mach 3, you'll slice your face up like Edward scissor hands. You have to re-learn how to shave properly.

• Handle: http://amzn.com/B000NL0T1G
  
• Razors: http://amzn.com/B001QY8QXM
  
• Shave Brush:http://amzn.com/B000G647Y8
  
• Shave Soap: http://amzn.com/B00837YY18
  
• After shave: http://amzn.com/B0085UECY2
  
  How-to video: http://youtu.be/HHNHRpWDPvY?list=PL7C10D6F1C8524002
  
  
  

I have the Dermal set in my cart right now - looks like a pretty good value.

These are cheap af and I like them so far

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BAM7F8C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_Dkb0AbR8E06BR

I’ve been downvoted for this before but I really enjoy Sephora brand sheet masks. They’re constantly running a promo if you add 4 to your cart one is free so they’re only $4.50 each. I love the algae one the most. Green tea and rose are also nice.

I also bought this pack from amazon and really liked them Dermal Korea Collagen Essence Full Face Facial Mask Sheet, 16 Combo Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BAM7F8C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bRG1CbN3MS6HM

I’ve tried both, but I’ve been applying before and after the past week or so and have cut down to using it 2x a week. Dermal face masks also seem to be helping a bit. I’m just concerned Differin may be a bit too drying for me during the winter.

You can try out the basically the whole lot on Amazon for ~20$. ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073W43QGZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_doFMzbRNF8SAG) However, there are much better much less expensive masks. I remember buying my tonymoly bundle for ~12$, before they were in ulta or sephora. Try innisfree, my personal favorite, ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LSEEA4E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_RrFMzbKZ4GFFQ ) or even dermal ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BAM7F8C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_GsFMzbAZ59XNB ) Both give the same type of results. Or if you're still set on Tonymoly, go to r/asianbeauty to find places that sell them cheaper than 3$ a mask.

My first sheet mask purchase was a Dermal Korea combo pack. While none of these are my HG masks, they're decent and inexpensive and trying the different types helped me to figure out which ingredient masks I tend to prefer.

I didn't see them mentioned but definitely check out Kose, Kracie Hadabisei and MJ Care!

Kose and Kracie are the types with multiple sheets in one pack, you get 30 masks for about $15. And MJ Care has a bunch of variety bundles at a little less than a dollar each mask. But my two favorites are Vanedo and Dermal, mentioned by runlizzyrun. You can get a pack of 25 Vanedo sheet masks for $15!

My favorites:

Kose

Kracie Hadabisei

One of the MJ Care bundles

Vanedo

Dermal

And that's the story of how I bought over 300 masks in one week.

Edit: the link prices are a little higher than what I've bought them for about a month ago, but they dip sometimes.

Hi--I've taken some interest in this for the teens in my household who are having the PIE issues. I've hunted on Amazon US and there seems to be all sorts of naming conventions and prices--is this the one you ordered? Thanks!

https://www.amazon.ca/Rohto-medicinal-intensive-measures-Essence/dp/B00ITAP8P0/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&dpID=41aIoNxmqUL&dpPl=1&keywords=merano%20cc&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1452408356&ref=plSrch&ref_=mp_s_a_1_1&sr=8-1 ?

I like the Melano CC essence. It's got a slightly oily texture but my skin absorbs it really quickly and it helped a lot with my skin's overall brightness and acne pigmentation. It's Japanese but I order it on Amazon when it comes with prime. It's usually between £10-12.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ITAP8P0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_G7Q9Ab1NC8KGT

Skincare is such a varied thing that you need to experiment with to find the right solution, but I really like the multi layered /r/AsianBeauty method of skincare! Go down the rabbit hole and read their side bar. They have good resources there.

One thing you could look into is the pH of your cleanser. You could be irritating your skin if your cleanser is too high of a pH. I use a foaming japanese cleanser, but I know Cerave has a foaming one that's a good pH that the folks at AB use.

Also look into using a Vitamin C serum every morning for reducing your PIH. I use Melano CC that I found through AB. Vitamin C serums are pretty easy to find stateside, too.

Also, AB allows you to layer up things, so you can moisturize through several layers - serum, emulsion, sleeping pack - for example. Sleeping packs are usually the most moisturizing for overnight. I'm sure you can easily find one to even mix with a facial oil for overnight moisturizing!

I hope that helps - but the /r/AsianBeauty folks have a daily "ask here for help" thread that honestly has helped me tons! They're a lot easier to ask than the people over at SCA!

This is the one I got! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ITAP8P0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A3VB74EWP1LXTO

I was about to recommend Clinique Dramatically Different Gel when I saw the title.
You can stop by Clinique counter at any major mall and ask for a sample, I think they'll be more than happy to give you. I asked for a sample before I bought the whole bottle, which btw lasts for a reaaaally long time. I got mine August last year and I still have 1/3 of the bottle left.
Anyways, your best bet would be gel moisturizers since they absorb better and tend to less greasy. A couple recommendations I have in mind:

• Mizon Snail Gel Cream - it says "cream" but it's actually clear gel.
  
• Mizon Water Cream - personally I don't use this one, but I received a sample and it's a lot like the Clinique Gel.
  
• Benton Aloe gel - it's not thick, just a bit sticky, but it's not that visible.
  I don't know if you're familiar with sleeping pack (like this one) or not. If you're not, you should give it a try. One perk of it is that you only need to use it once at night (before you go to bed and leave it on all night) and it's supposed to moisture your skin for the following day.

$9.49 on Amazon with Prime. :)

[MIZON] Snail Recovery Gel Cream 45ml (1.52 fl.oz.) Pack of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NTR9B6A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xb3XxbHJX918Y

I'm so tempted by the Mizon Black Snail AIO Cream because I can't stop seeing recommendations for it! But I've also been looking at the Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream because it's even more affordable. Thoughts?

Is this gold bottle the one you use: https://www.amazon.com/ROHTO-Skin-Super-Moisture-SPF50/dp/B01MRBST6H/ref=cm_wl_huc_item

Or do you use the gel one in the pump bottle?

(I also like Canmake Mermaid so I think we may have similar criteria. Alcohol-Free and Relatively Unscented are must-haves for me.)

for some people yeah, it does cause more acne, depending on what ingredients are in it; but take it from someone who has learned the hard way: use sunscreen, especially if you're using actives/acids. if one breaks you out, try another one until you find one that works for you. american sunscreens are for the most part inferior compared to european and asian sunscreens. i'd recommend you go over to r/asianbeauty and search 'sunscreens' to see the highly recommended/holy grail sunscreens. a lot of people here and over in the asian beauty subreddit like biore watery essence because of it's cosmetic elegance. i tried it, but it stung upon application/is too drying. if you're sensitive to alcohol/fragrance, there's a few others you could try, like skin aqua uv moisture milk.
[here's]
(https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/5iltlr/what_are_your_favorite_alcoholfree_sunscreens/) some more recs for sunscreens w/o alcohol. here's an entire page of reviews just for asian sunscreens, what they do, etc. here's a thread for european sunscreens (hard to get unless you live in europe).

Hey thanks for the recommendation! I found the skin aqua uv super moisture milk which is water resistant. https://www.amazon.com/ROHTO-Skin-Super-Moisture-SPF50/dp/B01MRBST6H/ref=dp_ob_title_hpc#customerReviews
The only problem is these sunscreens leave more of a shiny finish but I guess that's what you sacrifice for not having alcohol...

I've been having sunscreen woes since getting into AB (fungal acne makes life hard, man) and finallyfinallyfinally found an HG in Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk SPF 50 PA++++. :)

I know it sounds heavy, but it's honestly the most lightweight, pleasant sunscreen I've tried, and that's coming from someone who's oily AND living in a sub-tropical climate. There's no white cast. No greasy sheen. It just looks like my skin and ba da ba ba ba, I'm loving it. lol :P

Here it is on Amazon. :)

Skin Aqua super moisture milk. It’s alcohol and fragrance free, has anti-aging ingredients and hyaluronic acid, AND it’s water/sweat proof. Also it’s great for my dry skin, and I use it as my daytime moisturizer. I always order 2-3 bottles at a time bc they’re small (40ml), and shipping takes forever.
I also use Suncut super waterproof sunscreen but only for my body since it has a lot of alcohol in it, and it seems to work great too.

https://www.amazon.com/ROHTO-Skin-Super-Moisture-SPF50/dp/B01MRBST6H

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MZIMHPL/ref=pd_aw_fbt_194_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WKB5Y5SBBHD2X9JJD94A

Nah it doesn't have alcohol in it thank goodness. I get mine on amazon:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRBST6H/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Takes about 1 month to ship (lol) but I repurchase when my current bottle has 1/4 product remaining, I always have a backup.

I got it from Amazon! This was the listing. It's a new product (this year) so not surprised there aren't many reviews.

My fav seller is Toy Shop Japan Hobbyone. Super fast shipping. I get other things from them as well.

You can get it off Amazon (in the US at least) https://smile.amazon.com/HADALABO-Gokujun-Hyaluronic-Lotion-Moist/dp/B074GX619Q/ref=dp_ob_title_hpc?th=1

Is there an chance wrinkles are from aging and not just dry skin? If they are medium-sized, I would think it might be aging related. This may not be tolerable by him, but you can google short contact therapy for retinoids which allow for some of the anti-aging benefits without the irritation and give it a try.

I had super sensitive rosacea and psoriasis prone skin for awhile. Every single lotion I've ever tried irritated my skin, but for non irritating moisture, HADALABO Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist is unbeatable. It's not a lotion, it's a clear serum that is super mild but very moisturizing.

​

On top of that I use vaseline for extra moisture and it helps with psoriasis somewhat.

​

Hope some of this helps.

I am an African American guy new to skincare and AB in general. I built a plan and I wanted to get some opinions and suggestions on what I have before I follow through with buying everything. I have really oily skin, and I live in Southern California. I'm focused on wrinkles and tightening my pores and skin as a whole.

First cleanser: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

Second cleanser: Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser

Toner: Hada Labo Alpha Lotion

Moisturizer: Hada Labo Hyaluronic Lotion

HADALABO Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074GX619Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6o10Db85RV1P1

It's this one!! Hope you like it more than I do 😁

https://www.amazon.com/HADALABO-Gokujun-Hyaluronic-Lotion-Moist/dp/B074GX619Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?keywords=hada%2Blabo%2Btoner&qid=1572551694&sr=8-9&th=1&psc=1 heres the basic one that is talked about the most on this sub

I'm looking for a sunscreen that doesn't contribute to my oily skin but also doesn't dry me out (do sunscreens that meet both criteria exist??) I have narrowed it down to two options after reading through a lot of reviews/threads on this. Has anyone tried either or both and can help me make a decision? I am debating between:

Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Milk SPF50

and

Nivea Perfect Water Gel SPF 35 P+++ (I wanted to find the Sun Super Water Gel SPF 50 but this is the only one available)

Skin type: quite oily and dehydrated (sometimes flaky around the eyes)

Country: Canada - currently cold harsh winters

Top skin concern: finding sunscreen that is not greasy but also not drying

Current routine: Neutrogena Hydroboost Gel Cream as day moisturizer; great for oil control but not moisturizing enough. I don't wear foundation/face makeup either so no whitecast would be ideal.

Thank you!

I use this and it’s solid, don’t think it has much of a white cast + very spreadable and high protection.

https://www.amazon.com/Shiseido-Senka-Aging-Sunscreen-SPF50/dp/B00IG12XLO

I’ve also heard great things about this one!

https://www.amazon.com/ROHTO-Skin-Super-Moisture-SPF50/dp/B01MRBST6H

Sure, PA+++ offers good UVA protection, definitely enough to prevent skin aging. I'm not sure how the PA rating compares to La Roche Posay. If you wanted the most UVA protection possible then I would look for Asian Sunscreens with PA++++, Skin Aqua has a somewhat similar formula to Biore UV Aqua Milk with PA+++ --but PA+++ is still really good for UVA protection

Thanks for that! I am using the same cleanser I think? Avene extremely gentle cleanser

For toner/essence, someone recommended this holy snails product but I've yet to try because of the price. It does contain ceramides.

For sunscreen, you should definitely check out skin aqua moisture milk, it's very light and bonus, it has no alcohol!

I am currently using the 10% urederm however the hamilton skin nourishing cream was confirmed through email by the company to be 5% urea, it actually has identical ingredients. I really like urederm and control my blackheads with stridex red pads; I feel like urea is our solution to HA.

Hey everyone,

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


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


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


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


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


Thank you for any kind of help!

I've been doing my sunscreen research and I'm down to 2, but I can't try them in person because I have to order them online.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence - What's with the year versions?

or

Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk - this seems different than the one in the recommended lists, is it different?

In my experience, my sunscreen has balled up with other products and I hate that. Is one of these better than another at not doing that?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MRBST6H/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A2JS72SDDVMAN1&psc=1

Is it this one?

I have been using Rohto UV Skin Aqua Milk (spf 50 pa++++) and it's extremely gentle plus has a lot of moisturizing ingredients. The only sucky thing is it takes several weeks to get to me (in California) since it's shipped from Japan. But it's my holy grail sunscreen where it gives a ton of protection and it's the first sunscreen that doesn't aggravate my face.

Hi! I'm looking for routine suggestions and possibly product recs.

Skin type: combination but sensitive with seb derm around my nose and chin. I live in really humid and hot weather so I although I need moisturizing, I can't do anything greasy because I sweat. I also hardly have acne breakouts so although sebderm is considered fungal acne, I don't have typical acne so that's not a concern of mine.

Current Products: I cleanse with KOSE Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil. I use The Ordinary Squalane Oil along with Cerave (in the tub) moisturizer in the AM, and Cerave Night Cream at PM. I use extra squalane if I see flakes around my sebderm. I have Cosrx Bha Blackhead Power Liquid but I hardly use it and also don't know when or if I should (I get blackheads on my chin)

If I go to the beach, I use ROHTO Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk (SPF50 PA ++++) and I love it because it's the only sunscreen I have ever used that hasn't made my skin horrible. (I know I should be wearing sunscreen all the time but I don't and it's my bad habit). If I decide to wear makeup, I use the IT Cosmetics CC Cream.

I just recently purchased (but haven't used yet) Vanicream Gentle Skin Cleanser and Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence (have no idea how to use this, but I'm hoping it helps with my cheek redness?)

All of the products I use have been recommended somewhere (either this sub or r/sebderm) by someone with similar skin.

Skin Concerns: Redness on my cheeks & getting the sebderm spots to "lighten" so it's not as noticeable. I also have a handful of acne scars I would love to lighten/get rid of.

Help me! :)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MRBST6H/ref=dp_ob_neva_mobile

https://simpleskincarescience.com/pityrosporum-folliculitis-treatment-malassezia-cure/

This blog is everything if you're trying to combat seb derm. I had crazy eyebrow itchiness/flakes until I started following what this blog said religiously. In summary, there are many ingredients you should avoid and some that will help combat it and this blog gives you the run down.

Also a personal suggestion for you would be this product

https://www.amazon.com/HADALABO-Gokujun-Hyaluronic-Lotion-Moist/dp/B074GX619Q/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1524926619&sr=1-4&keywords=hada+labo+lotion

You seem to have dehydrated skin and this would help a lot.

Sorry me again, is this the hydrating toner? https://www.amazon.ca/HADALABO-Gokujun-Hyaluronic-Lotion-Moist/dp/B074GX619Q

Isn't it more a moisturizer than toner?

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

I completely second a fragrance free shave cream/soap, as well as the hyaluronic acid moisturizer afterwards. Here are some products I've used and highly recommend:

Kiss My Face Moisture Shave (Unscented) - Lathers great, non drying, very slick
Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion - Wonderful after a shave; doesn't sting in the least. Non-greasy, liquidy gel-like. If you have more dry skin, a drop or two of your fave oil (I like sea buckthorn, argan, or rosehip) mixed in is great.

These are creamy/non-foaming face washes, but double wonderfully as a shave lotion. Both unscented:

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

​

​

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I have the exact same problem. I’ve been lurking r/skincareaddiction for years and war fairly overwhelmed by the mountains of products to try on a limited budget and sensitive skin. The few products that I tried were expensive and gave me allergic reactions. I started following r/asianbeauty, and I’ve had a but more luck. im only about a week into my new regimen, but i picked up Hadalabo moisturizing toner and COSRX snail cream that have seemed to help a lot.

Basically, i wash my face at night with my usual gentle wash, apply toner, let dry, apply snail cream, let dry, then apply regular moisturizer.

The last couple of days, ive had some flakes coming back, so tonight i put paulas choice AHA (exfoliating acid) on top of everything.

In the morning, I’ll either splash my face with water, or use micellar water and nothing else. Maybe a touch of my moisturizer with spf if i need it. i know i should use the spf every morning but im still figuring things out so im taking it slow.

I dont think im quite ready for foundation, but my face feels so much better so far. hope this helps!

note: on mobile and phone stopped autocorrecting so sorry for mistakes. amazon links below

COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LEJ5MSK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

HADALABO Gokujun Hyaluronic... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074GX619Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

TONYMOLY I'm Real Avocado... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HN8P3JU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share — i didnt mention this but i really love this korean sheet mask

I'll pick up the SPF today and order this recommendation. I'm happy with the ingredients list and reviews, and your personal cosign. I'm being told by Amazon UK that this is the "newer" version of your recommendation. Is this the case, or should I stick to this? I'm afraid I do not read the language. Is this an aesthetic or ingredient difference?

Most people like the Premium in the Gold bottle (serum like texture).

The original classic Gokujyun Moist is very good too and viscous but less heavy.

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

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

If you’re looking for hydration, I would wholeheartedly recommend Hada Labo’s Gokujyun Lotion , which has an impressive amount of Hyaluronic Acid. If you want to use a toner with an AHA, then Mario Badescu’s Glycolic Acid Tomer has a low percentage (2%) that shouldn’t interfere with the LHA cleanser.

• Hada Labo Moist is one of the cheapest and most effective hydrating toners.
  
  
• A good starting AHA is lactic acid, which is gentle and moisturizing (but still effective!). TO's Lactic Acid 5%/10% + HA is your best bet for affordability.
  
  Not sure what you want in a night serum? And I'd ditch the clay cleanser, simply because you already have an effective BHA product (Stridex) and you don't want to over-exfoliate your skin long-term.
  
  You also need a stronger, separate sunscreen!

I've heard such great things about this and I've been dying to try it! Of course, please :P

If your instinct is saying red, then I'd stay red! I also say you might as well go for it. I think your complexion can handle a fun coppery red, like Sarah's at Bring More Yarn. Go big or go home, I say. Rainbow!

Also, I vote for a 60's style bob, like Z Berg of the amazing band The Like was rocking for a while. A few more pics of her haircut. I always wanted this haircut.

I am extremely frustrated by elf and its quality, sorry! The following is what i do when lazy but gotta head to work.

Suck it, redness and under eye circles and various discolored skin!

I get this at whole foods for like 14 usually. i know its not like the drugstore but i find this is great bang for buck

and the invisible powder to set here. I hear elf is making their brushes vegan soon so grab their kubuki brush, its like 4 bucks.

Sorry your gear got jacked, this should help keep you from being asked if you are tired all day;) My makeup tacklebox is more high end pro stuff thats vegan like Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics but the cheap shit gets you through the day fine:D

I'd be a leaf devil whirlwind, especially right now! A small localised whirlwind of chaos that’s more interesting than actually causing trouble or damage.


I think it sums up my recent holiday attempt too - lots of bad stuff happened (pickpocketed, lost, stuck on trains, lost baggage, missed coach) but it was an interesting holiday and looked pretty like leaves swirling in the sky.

Also we actually get leaf devil whirlwinds over here and most other extreme weather kinda avoids Britain... its more cold, wet and mild... but thats no fun to be!


----
If it's okay I'd like 3 things? All comes up to under $20 with shipping to UK but I've been dying to test the NYX Milk and the matte lip creams!

NYX COSMETICS JUMBO EYESHADOW EYE PENCIL in 604 Milk & 617 Iced Mocha - $2.25 each

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TJZO1Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2VCS958RXK9VZ

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TK4LM8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2VCS958RXK9VZ

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo - £3.46 - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LXKVPQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2VCS958RXK9VZ

Shipping is $9.99 to UK
So total $17.95

My skincare is routine is this: every morning before makeup, I moisturize with Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. It's so light and makes my skin feel so perfect. Then every night I cleanse with Origins Checks and Balances frothy cream cleanse, which is AMAZING for combination skin. It's evened me out so much! Then every other day or every two days I use Origins rice exfoliater (blanking on the name right now) and it's pretty good at getting away all the dead skin and evening out my skin's texture.

Thank you for hosting! I'll edit in wishlist item later! Ilovethedaisypup :)

Wishlist item!

[This] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006GQSS7O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1V6GDVKAVMC0F) Lipstick!

[This] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OHQR1Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2YUWVZ0U5K5TO) set of nail dotting tools!

[This] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TK4LM8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1FUEAR3GWX2OL) Jumbo eye pencil!

[This] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765341581/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AFJSFHKSHU1G7) book!

*Total as Estimated by Amazon (including shipping): $19.67

gifting is fun!

Thanks for hosting! Five below!
http://amzn.com/B001TK4LM8

I've found the Tigi Bed Head Matte Seperation Wax works really well for me, siginicantly better than American Crew Fiber.

I'm using some hair wax. I think it's this one.

Axe doesn't usually have the best styling products. If you're willing to pay a little more for really good quality products then Layrite will last a long time since it doesn't really take a lot for the hold of their products to kick in. I've used their clay in the past before switching to their pomades and it held very well and finished with a matte look.

If it's out of the budget then I recommend an inexpensive wax such as bedhead although the finish won't be as clean as Layrite, it will still have a matte-ish look and you most likely will have to use a blowdryer to get your hair up using the wax due to its low hold. Best of luck to you.

BedHead Matte Separation is made for exactly that

First picture is me, if that wasn't clear.

Here are a few more pictures of my hair at different lengths/angles. I feel like the main reason I haven't been able to achieve something like the other pictures is because my hair's fairly fine.

I've tried a variety of products, including bedhead wax, american crew fiber, mousse, hair spray, and sea salt spray. The wax and fiber leave my hair feeling like a sticky and greasy mess so I don't use them often, and the hair spray makes it look really dry and stringy.

I've had the most success with a mixture of mousse and sea salt spray, but I still haven't been able to replicate the looks of the pictures I posted.

My hair always tends to end up in more or less the same shape (as you can see from the pictures) after blowdrying.

I've tried parting it the other way, but it usually ends up looking really messy and uncontrollable, although I haven't experimented with it much.

Going nopoo has helped, but I'm still a ways away from my "perfect hair". I feel like I've tried everything and am wondering if it's even possible.

Mousse(tresume 24 hour body) and heat protectant. Blow it dry and up with a vented brush.

Tigi Bed Head Matte Workable Wax and then light hairspray. link to wax

The wax is the main thing where the specific product matters most.

I personally use this. Much better hold than American Crew and lets you mold very well.

Get something matte. In other words, no where on the package should it say "shine".

I like this one, there are many others:

http://www.amazon.com/TIGI-Head-Matte-Separation-Ounce/dp/B002N5MI2S/ref=zg_tr_11057931_2

I have the same problem. This stuff changed my life.

it's been thick all my life but i put this in it sometimes https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002N5MI2S/

I'm using this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002N5MI2S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Took a while to find one that works for me, but this one is great. Has a great hold while not being too firm. I only put it in a couple of days a week. The rest, I simply shower, then put a brush through it and it still holds pretty well.

I use this stuff

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002N5MI2S/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1526335912&sr=8-1&keywords=bedhead+for+men+matte&dpPl=1&dpID=51dcaGYgkPL&ref=plSrch

Firefly and Serentiy
Jedi bathrobe or Sith
Tardis bowtie
Straight razor kit and Razor

I am willing to spend up to 60 bucks.

I have seen a couple of cheap ones on Amazon though.

http://www.amazon.com/Parker-SR1-Stainless-Straight-Razor/dp/B002PQZEHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404958813&sr=8-1&keywords=straight+razor

http://www.amazon.com/Parker-SRW-Stainless-Straight-Razor/dp/B002ONHBBW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1404958813&sr=8-3&keywords=straight+razor

Used to have this problem also, maybe just not as severe. I would always get itchy rash type things and ingrown hairs on my neck. The following worked for me, but it may not for anyone else considering everyone is different.

First, I only shave after I get out of a nice hot shower. Really opens up the pores and gets the hair soft. Then, instead of using typical canned commercial shaving cream, I switched to hair conditioner, and it works well, with the added bonus of adding a little moisture to your skin in the process. To actually shave, I switched to using one of these instead of one of the "five-blade-40-dollar-high-tec" razors. I know it's not technically a true straight razor but I'm in college ballin' on a budget so it's what I can afford. It will take some time to get good at, and you will cut yourself in the process, but once you get the hang of it, it is a much closer shave. Then, rinse your face, dry it off, and throw on some mild scented aftershave.

As suggested, /r/wicked_edge is an incredibly helpful community for things like this.

TL;DR stopped using commercial shaving cream, bought a "straight razor," shaved with the grain, fixed all my problems. /r/wicked_edge plug

> a SE for £10 which includes 100 blades

The SE's that have replaceable blades are referred to as Shavettes. You can buy blades for them or buy DE blades and snap them in half. I have a shavette and I just use my DE blades. I have This One. When you see people suggest blade sampler packs for DE shavers who are starting, that same advise applies to the shavette. I dont use my shavette very much because my beard hair on my neck grows from my chin out which makes going against the grain very difficult. Any cheap "true" SE that is cheap is not going to be able to be honed properly and/or be able to hold an edge. Honing service from maggard razors is only $20 but if you buy a vintage SE it may need restoration as well which is more expensive.

> I swear they put some addictive drug in it

Thats called caffine! But I wouldn't be surprised if there was some cocaine in there as well!

i had the same one (my barber sold one as well), but i didnt like the slide that holds the blade. eventually, it got loose and would slide when i dipped it in water. i bought the parker SR1 recently, and i love it. the parker holds the blade differently, more securely.

http://www.amazon.com/Parker-SR1-Stainless-Straight-Razor/dp/tags-on-product/B002PQZEHQ

No, there are straight razors with a disposable blades like this one called shavettes http://www.amazon.com/Parker-SR1-Stainless-Straight-Razor/dp/B002PQZEHQ

and this one http://shavenation.com/images/PARKER%20BLACK%20SHAVETTE%20w%20LOGO.png

The original video showed this at 4:22. See how clunky the blade looks when he's shaving the guys neck? It's a disposable cartridge. It doesn't look like Hawley is using one like that in the shaving video

I have the same thing, and also one with a plastic handle. It's the Parker SR1. I have the Parker SRW

You use disposable blades in it. I use the shark blades that come with it.

Frankly, their build quality is pretty crappy, but with a disposable blade you really can't beat the sharpness and low maintenance aspects. And they're super cheap.

Edit: on the SR1 page, there is a customer photo/comment from me detailing why I say they're built crappy.

there are straight razors that use the disposable blades, you just need to bend them and break them in half. so when you buy 100 blades, you're really getting 200.

I use a Parker SR1 not sure if it counts as a DE or a straight razor since it's a little of both

I have hated shaving for quite some time. But, a few months back, I bought this razor on a lark: http://www.amazon.com/Parker-SR1-Stainless-Straight-Razor/dp/B002PQZEHQ/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt

I'm in love. I really enjoy the hell out of shaving now that I'm shaving with a straight edge. Shaving has become something of a soothing ritual... take the brush and lather the soap up, hot steamy water to the face, shave face with a straight edge, repeat (closer shave when you do it twice), cleanup and replace blade for next shave.

I find myself shaving more often than I need to. Maybe it's just an excuse to play with a knife. I always have loved playing with them. Perhaps it's the challenge of getting the hand/eye/pressure coordination just right that I enjoy so much. Regardless, I like shaving now. I'm getting a very close shave, and as an added perk, it's hella cheap.

Items I use:

The razor. I would suggest getting a razor with a replacable blade unless you really enjoy sharpening your razor and stropping it every time you're going to shave.
http://www.amazon.com/Parker-SR1-Stainless-Straight-Razor/dp/B002PQZEHQ/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt

The brush and soap. I can see myself upgrading these, but regardless, I'm really rather happy with them.
http://www.amazon.com/Van-Hagen-Premium-Shave-Brush/dp/B001A3HPT0/ref=pd_bxgy_hpc_img_b

You'll inevitably nick yourself. A small dab of styptic pencil, and it stops the bleeding and cleans the wound. Stings just a bit, though.
http://www.amazon.com/Clubman-Styptic-Pencil-1-Pack/dp/B000WB02J6

After my first shave, I liked it so much, I straight away bought another 120 replacable blades. Nothing like a virgin blade every time you shave.
http://www.amazon.com/Shark-Stainless-Straight-Barber-Professional/dp/B002OND3LO/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_0

To piggy back on other comments, consider a replaceable-blade straight razor. It has the lack of honing of a DE, the affordability of disposable blades, and the badass feeling of a straight. I just got a Parker SR1 (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002PQZEHQ) and I love it so far!

1. Single Malt Scotch

2. Good Watch

3. Straight Razor Shavette + Kit

4. Decent Pocket Knife

5. Shoe Shine kit

6. Fountain Pen

7. Leather Wallet

8. EDC flashlight

9. Men's manicure set

10. Bottle Opener

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VXMMZW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Love it. Amazon says I bought mine in Apr 2012. So we're going on 4 years and haven't regretted it a bit. Never even thought to replace it with a different one. I shave ~3 times a week and have a shaped beard (less shaving surface) so I'm slow to go through blades. Amazon says I bought Feather Hi-Stainless Platinum Double Edge Razor Blades 30 Ct on Apr 2012 when I bought the handle. Then I switched to Astra Superior Platinum Double Edge Razor Blades - 30 Ct on August 2014. Plus a $12 Tweezerman shaving brush.. That's $77.59 (mostly upfront) but only $1.73/mo since I gave up cartridges (not including shaving soap)... The brush is just starting to get to the point where I am looking at replacing it / switching it to my travel brush. Financially, it's so worth it to give up cartridges. In regards to the blades, I may switch back to Feather.

I started with this (Nov 2011) and I have never cut/bled so much in my life haha. Holy crap did this take some practice. Eventually, I gave up.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PQZEHQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

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

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

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

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

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

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

you'll be surprised by how far it goes tbh. i use this one on my hands, face, and chest everyday and the bottle usually last 2-3 months. it's the 1 product i've seen fast, real results with. so i think it's a money well spent type of situation. and Timeless is well regarded on this sub.

i forgot, as a general moisturizer i use Olay Total Effects Body Lotion too. it's fragrant but really good & niacinamide is the third ingredient. i like it year round, it's not too heavy or light.

so my AM routine is basically Total Effects body wash followed by vit c, then the aha, then my sunscreen. for PM, the Neutrogena cream followed by the Total Effects lotion. some people might prefer the aha at night but i've had no issues. i hope this helps!

Let me preface this by saying that I'm a guy, so I'm really in unfamiliar territory here. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I started using minoxidil to stimulate facial hair growth, so I've wanted to start dermarolling as well to help with collagen production.

I've purchased a dermaroller and 70% alcohol, but I'm a bit lost on what moisturizing products I should use immediately after dermarolling.

My daily lotion right now is Lubriderm 3 in 1 but I imagine that's not something I want to use after dermarolling.

I've sort of browsed around on here and there's a lot of products and abbreviations that are lost on me, but it seems like vitamin C is a good option to use after dermarolling?

Something like CeraVe vitamin C Serum is something I've seen suggested. I've also seen others suggest Timeless vitamin C serum but I'm not quite sure what the differences are.

Do these seem like good options, or is there something better you'd suggest? I'll take any opinions/suggestions

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

This one, which I think is the 20% LAA you're referring to.

I'm not a fan of the texture, and there's a huge amount of confusion after they changed formulas about whether it can look pale yellow without being oxidized, but my skin likes it. Admittedly, there are much better vitamin c products out there, but this one does a decent job and hurts my wallet the least. As much as I would love to spend $30 to $50 per ounce, it's just not feasible for me.

Here you go! I’ve enjoyed it so far. I had some PIE from a facial injury that happened 14 months ago that left my skin slightly pink. It was hardly noticeable but of course I could always see it. Even after two days the PIE is less noticeable. I’m not sure if the Vit c is lightening these spots or maybe renewing the rest of my skin to match. Either way. I’m very happy!!!!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036BI56G?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I personally have found great success with Melano CC. (https://www.amazon.com/Rohto-Melano-Intensive-Anti-Spot-Essence/dp/B0188CAZKQ) It's drug store price.

Another one that is also quite good is the timeless c e ferulic, also at an affordable price. (https://www.amazon.com/Timeless-Skin-Care-20-Vitamin/dp/B0036BI56G)

It was a couple of years ago, I think it was a link on FutureDerm (before she had her own line).

http://www.amazon.com/20%25-Vitamin-Ferulic-Acid-Serum/dp/B0036BI56G/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1427331877&sr=8-6&keywords=ce+ferulic

I use a double sided safety razor. A pack of 100 blades is like $10 on Amazon (these). The actual razor was $10 (this one). My husband and I use a pack of blades in about 10 months with each of us getting one shave out of each side of the blade. There is a learning curve to using it but I get zero razor burn, I never cut myself shaving anymore, and it's a smoother shave. I use Cremo for shaving cream and that size lasts about 6 months for me.

I spend about $15 a year for shaving stuff and I get a better shave than multi-bladed razors.

edits to include links

Solve your problem with one of these.

Here is a starter kit that I highly recommend and am currently enjoying:

• VDH Premium Shave Set
  
  
• Lord Razor
  
  
• Blade Sampler
  
  Cost me a total of $37.53 shipped to me. I also picked up a bottle of witch hazel from my local CVS for a few bucks.

Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream

Great price if you like Korean snail products and friends with oily skin love it too

It's $10 for two bottles on Amazon right now with free one day shipping if you have prime. Hoping I'll have more luck by cutting back on the acids and trying this out!

I HIGHLY recommend [Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream]([MIZON] Snail Recovery Gel Cream 45ml (1.52 fl.oz.) Pack of 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NTR9B6A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_B5ksybXT6G127) I use it on scars and pre scars all the time. It's amazing.

Skin Type: dehydrated and oily t zone
Country/Climate: East Coast, USA

Current Routine/Products I'm Using:

AM

• water
  
  PM
  
  
• face wash -- Cerave Hydrating Cleanser for dry skin Works alright
  
  
• toner -- Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist This feels like it doesn't do much
  
  
• moisturizer -- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion This is too thick and oily for my skin, I'm looking for something lighter
  
  
  I specifically want help with choosing a BHA and new moisturizer. Top Skin Concern:
  
  
• Find a moisturizer that doesn't break me out on my nose and forehead.
  
  moisturizer -- Mizon Snail Recovery Cream Do you think this will be a good replacement for Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion?
  
  
• Reduce the appearance of the sebaceous filaments on my nose.
  
  BHA -- BHA Blackhead Power Liquid I want to get a BHA for my sebaceous filaments, do you think this is a good one to try?
  
  

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

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

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

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

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

Sorry, I blabber on...

Looks like Amazon.com itself is out of stock and only third-party sellers have it available. You can set a price alert here to be notified when the price goes below a given threshold.

This! Two tubes of Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream for 9.99~

I use biore watery gel, but my friend uses this: https://www.amazon.com/Etude-House-Sunprise-Finish-SPF50/dp/B00WE3XGAC and says it's matte.

OH, This is body sunscreen. As far as FACE sunscreen, la roche posay anthelios for face here. I also use some Korean/kbeauty face sunscreens. But I don’t put them around my eyes too close to the lids but pretty much everywhere I use this one with no problem. Edit: however my eczema is worst on my hands and body and sporadically on my face/eyelids (used to be worse) so YRMV.

I feel your pain. Never expected to worry about acne and wrinkles at the same time. Earlier this year I found a great one that doesn't break me out. I've used several made specifically for the face that say non-comedogenic, and they still fucked with my skin. I've been using Sunprise Mild Airy Finish for several months and it's fantastic - can't feel or see it. It's SPF 50 and $10 on Amazon. South Korea makes fantastic sunscreen. https://www.amazon.com/Etude-House-Sunprise-Finish-SPF50/dp/B00WE3XGAC

I'm sure by posting this suggestion I will now find 100+ things wrong with my sunscreen, but I just picked this up since it's supposed to be mattifying: Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+ / PA+++ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WE3XGAC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_CxI5Ab9JY7DAP

Wore it yesterday since I had to be outside a lot and it seemed very nice. Gotta let it really dry for a few minutes before you put on anything primer or make up wise. You'll know when it's dry.

I really like the Etude House Sunprise Sunmilk!. It spreads nicely and dries naturally matte! No white cast on my NC40ish skin either :) Be sure to check it's ingredients list though since it's a long one.

I have actually since switched over to this bad guy and I am totally freaking obsessed. It's cheaper than the Pigeon ($6 on the Etude House website right now!!!) and it dries down super matte and i swear i slather it on so thick every day and it doesn't leave a white cast on me. It smells really good too.

I wish the PA protection was a bit higher but this is much better for every day use, the Pigeon started clogging my pores really bad. I'll probably still use it occasionally for days in the sun since it's waterproof.

I use sunprise mild airy finish. /r/skincareaddition and /r/asianbeauty will have all the recommendations you need!

I just bought this one recently, and so far so good! https://www.amazon.com/Etude-House-Sunprise-Finish-SPF50/dp/B00WE3XGAC#customerReviews

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

New Purchases:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Repurchase:

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

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

+1 For Etude House Sun Milk! This is my main sunscreen right now and is normally around $8-$10 on Amazon.

uhh..I think you got the wrong one.

Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+ / PA+++ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WE3XGAC/

it does have fragrance and alcohol though, and only PA+++. You can get Biore range, I think all of them are PA++++.

This sunscreen is just as matte as the Perfect Milk but less protection:

https://www.amazon.com/Etude-House-Sunprise-Finish-SPF50/dp/B00WE3XGAC/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1520367296&sr=8-1&keywords=sunprise+mild+airy+finish

I recommend getting the Airy Finish and using that while you wait for the Perfect Milk to arrive :)

I have oily skin, and I'm kind of in love with this sunscreen. I've kind of been hoping someone more adventurous would try it as a primer; it's mineral-based, so I have high hopes.

Face please!

I use this for my body and love it

Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++ (1. Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WE3XGAC/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_mGxOCbD9ZRBDY

Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish - All physical, very milky, runny consistency. I don't get a white cast when I wear it, but I am rather pale.

I use this one and like it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00WE3XGAC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1518911128&sr=8-1&keywords=sunprise+sunscreen&dpPl=1&dpID=41rlt8AIP5L&ref=plSrch the price has gone up since I last ordered it so I might try something new when I run out.

Skin Type: Combo, NW15 (Ginger with freckles)

Colorado, US / Climate Type: Steppe (semi-arid)

Top Skin Concern: Dullness/aging/tired looking skin

Current Routine/Products I'm Using:

AM

• Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser
  
• Cezanne Skin Conditioner
  
• It's Skin Power 10 Formula VC Effector
  
• MIZON Black Snail All In One Cream
  
• Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+ / PA+++
  
  PM
  
  
• Etude House Real Art Cleansing Oil Moisture Advanced
  
• Cezanne Skin Conditioner
  
• It's Skin Power 10 Formula VC Effector
  
• MIZON Black Snail All In One Cream
  
  MASK Once/Week
  
  
• Skinfood Black Sugar Strawberry Mask Wash Off
  
  My face get's super oily about 2 hours after my morning routine. I don't wear any concealer/foundation. I will sometimes powder my face if I'm going anywhere other than work. Powder only helps for an hour or so then I'm right back to super oily. I use blotting paper, which lasts for an hour or so as well.
  
  1st question: Is the blotting paper compromising any of these products? In other words, does blotting paper exclusively absorb just facial oil, or does it also remove any of the product?
  
  2nd question: What can I do about all the oil? I'm super shiny! :(

I have two options for you. They both work the same in my opinion

1. Etude House Sunprise https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00WE3XGAC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1522285506&sr=8-1&keywords=sunprise+sunscreen&dpPl=1&dpID=41rlt8AIP5L&ref=plSrch
   
   
2. Biore 50 Sun Milk
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00SM99KY8/ref=pd_aw_sim_194_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5NCPJ5H4NNC8QJVTT32E&dpPl=1&dpID=61hI1CX6a7L (Japanese product, but you get me)
   
   They're both awesome. I have crazy oily skin and I loved both of 'em. Very mattifying and no white cast left on my NC42 skin. The Biore takes forever to arrive, unfortunately. But worth the wait.

This Etude House sunscreen is my favorite! Really light and smells like lemon bars 🍋

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00WE3XGAC/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But you can’t go wrong with AB for sunscreen.

Amazon!

First of all, I am an employee at a major western beauty retailer in none other than the field of skin care. I am very familiar with ingredients and quite savvy at building skin care routines to fit my clients' needs... and I'm proud of it. That being said, I've found that many of the products my employer offers are too harsh or contain ingredients I don't agree with; in addition, we don't sell a huge variety of AB, at least not enough to satisfy my liking.

SOOOO, this is kind of new territory for me. I know one thing for a fact: I LOVE love LOVE snail. Below, I have a tentative list of AB products I have researched and have added to my Amazon.com cart and would love to hear from this community about my choices. I would love to hear recommendations as well. Below, I'll list the products by AM or PM routine (as I've planned).

A little background:

• Normal to Oily Skin
  
  
• Major concerns are PIH, CCs (usually hormonal), and texture issues.
  
  
• Semi-sensitive but mostly to strong AHAs, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Vitamin C is the WORST for my skin
  
  
  Tentative PM Products:
  
  
• Heimish All Clean Balm
  
  
• Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam
  
  
• Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
  
  
• Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
  
  
• Benton Snail Bee High content Steam Cream
  
  
  Tentative AM Products:
  
  
• Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser
  
  
• MISSHA Super Aqua Pore-Kling Toner
  
  
• Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Serum
  
  
• MISSHA Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream
  
  I would also like recommendations for a twice a week exfoliator (preferably Lactic Acid or Enzyme) and sheet mask recommendations to go along with my tentative routines?
  
  THANKS, GUYS. I know this is long, but I'd really appreciate the feedback.
  

Seriously, /r/AsianBeauty saved my skin.

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

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

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

AHA!

How long is a purge period? Is my patch test even working?

I ordered Stratia Soft Touch 10% mandelic acid AHA. I've been using it once a week for the past month on the left side of my face.
Since it has tret and I don't want to destroy my moisture barrier, I stop using my Curology script the day before, of, and after on the left side of my face. I wonder if this is excessive?


My skin looks much better the day(s) after the AHA, but overall that side has more blemishes going on. I don't know if this is a reaction to the AHA (good or bad : purging or just disagreement) or a consequence of skipping the Curology? I've continued on the right side like normal (so, yeah, applying curology to just the right half my face like a weirdo.) I also don't know if I should be using the AHA more often? I'm not dried out or flaking.

I also added a cleanser CosRX Low pH Good Morning - patch testing on just the right side (I need a sunscreen, and to have a sunscreen I need a cleanser.) I'm using it (most) every night for about 20 days. The right side looks more or less the same...hard to really say, as I've always had closed comedones and some breakouts naturally. I don't think it's any worse off as a result of the cleanser? I will say my face feels a little "squeaky" when rinsing it off, but I wasn't using any cleanser before and I think that might just be what happens when I use a cleanser. I've never not had "squeaky." Anyway, during the rest of the day it isn't dry or flakey.

Is the cleanser maybe helping the right side to look better? Or is it the continual application of Curology?
Should I apply cleanser all over, and then also AHA on still just left side maybe twice a week for a couple more weeks to see how that goes?


edit : lol, patch test for 20 days, not 20 weeks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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