Best facial toners & astringents according to redditors
We found 821 Reddit comments discussing the best facial toners & astringents. We ranked the 179 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 821 Reddit comments discussing the best facial toners & astringents. We ranked the 179 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
![[KLAIRS] Supple Preparation Facial Toner, with Hyaluronic Acid, moisturizer, without paraben and alcohol, 180ml, 6.08oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31eS6O+2TyL.jpg)
![[KLAIRS] Supple Preparation Unscented Toner 6.08 fl oz, Lightweight, Essential Oil-Free, Alcohol Free, Packaging Changed](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31qHKzr651L.jpg)
Antioxidants:
Hydrators & Oils:
fatty alcohols, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, all the good stuff, and it dries down matte and very cosmetically elegant. review
More Molecules:
Same, even on cloudy days.
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I am 40 and no one believes me. Very little wrinkles. I have been taking care of my skin for years and always wear sunscreen.
In fact, I see women sunbathing with their face exposed, and I cringe.
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Edit for routine:
Look, I take extra precautions to take care of my face from the sun. When I drive in the evenings/golden hour and the sun is hitting the lower part of my face, I always wear this to protect my nose, chin, and cheeks. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HLFHX8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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But always with zinc!
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Here is my routine:
Morning:
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Nighttime:
https://www.samsclub.com/p/genes-vitamin-e-creme-16oz/157674
then I go to bed.
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Lifestyle is also has a huge effect on your face and how well you age. Sleeping well, exercise, drinking water, eating healthy are all factors to that help maintain a youthful appearance. If you smoke, well, your skin is going to look like shit.
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And please for the love of god, stop tanning/baking in the sun. My mother-in-law used to sunbath and tan all the time to get tanned and now she is in her 60's and her skin looks like shit. Her legs are all wrinkled af, her arms, and her back, her chest... wrinkles, so many wrinkles!
Even if you are wearing sunscreen when you sit in the sun, your skin is going to look like shit in the long run. Just stop doing it.
My mom is in her 70's and never sunbathed and took care of her skin, she looks like she is in her 60's. Sure her body looks older but not as bad as my mother in law that baked in the sun.
Howdy, skin twin! This is what my skin looked like before I started taking care of it, and if I fall off the skincare wagon, that's what it goes back to.
The main issues here are that your skin needs some exfoliation, and you need both a source of moisture, and a way to keep it in.
With exfoliation, you have two options: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliation is stuff like facial scrubs, pore brushes, etc. It's a popular method, but it can be harsh to your skin. I like chemical exfoliation - specifically, and Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), which works by breaking down the bonds between dead skin and living skin, so the dead crusty bits can be gently washed off.
After that, you need to tackle the dehydration. Dehydrated skin gets that rough, uneven orange-peel appearance, and makes large pores more obvious. This is true even if your skin is oily - you can be oily and dehydrated at the same time, and dehydrated skin can actual trigger more oil production.
In addition to a moisturizer, you'd benefit from an occlusive to keep the moisture from evaporating, especially if you live in a dry climate or are exposed to air conditioning all day.
So here's a really basic routine you could try out. I use a lot of Asian products because they're cheap and work well, but you can find similar products local to you.
1. Oil cleanse
"Normal" face washes can be really drying, especially the ones marketed towards men, for some reason. If your face feels tight and plasticky after you wash it, your cleanser is to blame. I use an emulsifying oil cleanser.
You put it on your dry face, rub it around to get it to stick to the gunk in your pores, and then rinse with water, which makes it emulsify and become un-oily. Cool!
It doesn't actually have to be an oil cleanser - any hydrating, non-drying cleanser will work fine.
Some folks use a secondary cleanser after this, but unless you wear makeup, you probably don't need it, and it risks drying you out more.
2. Acid exfoliation
Now that you have a clean face, it's time to get rid of the dead stuff that makes your skin lumpy. For this, we'll use an AHA - I like this one from CosRX, even though it smells like dog piss on a mushroom.
This is a step you'll only do every other day, maximum. Start with every 2-3 days and go from there. Do this step at night, as AHA will make your skin less resistant to UV (more on that later).
Put a couple drops in your hands, massage it into your face, and then wait. It takes at least 15 minutes for the acid to fully break down that "glue" holding dead skin onto your face.
Rinse it off with water, dry, and move on to the next step.
3. Hydrating toner
The next thing you need is a thin moisturizer, something that can sink right into your skin to plump and de-leatherify it. These are typically going to based on hyaluronic acid, a "goo molecule" that your body uses in every squishy part of your body, from skin to eyeballs to bones. I like this one by Hada Labo, but there are good options from Klairs, Paula's Choice, etc.
Put a few drops on your hands and pat/squish into your face. Give it a minute to dry. If your face feels tight, you can repeat this step a couple times.
4. Ceramide lotion
Ceramides help to "waterproof" your skin from the inside, to prevent loss of all that moisture you just added. Cerave PM is pretty much the best bang for your buck - despite the "PM" in the label, you can use it day and night.
5 (Daytime). Sunblock
Before you go out for the day, you need sunblock. Damage from the sun is a huge contributor to crappy dehydrated skin, and now that you're exposing fresh new skin with the AHA, you're going to be even more sensitive to it.
Due to some weird laws surrounding what we can use in sunblock in the US and some other Western countries, it's likely that the only sunblock you can get in stores is that thick, oily, gross, white stuff.
The Japanese have the rest of the world pretty much beat when it comes to sunblock - Biore Aqua Rich is a solid choice, although you'll need something heavier for days when you're going to be sweating or swimming.
5 (Night). Occlusive
Now that you've done all this work to moisturizer your skin, you don't want it to just evaporate overnight. That's where an occlusive comes in - a thick outer layer that protects your skin and all the stuff you just put on it. Aquaphor is great for this.
So there you go - a solid starting routine! Try that out for a week and see if your skin doesn't start to look better - if you're not doing anything to your skin right now, you're bound to see some improvement with this.
Note that there is some risk of bad reactions whenever you're using new face stuff. The oil cleanser and lotion might give you a breakout of small white bumps, the AHA might feel to harsh and make your face red, you might be allergic to an ingredient in the toner, etc. If that happens, stop using everything, and start adding each item back into your routine slowly until you identify the culprit.
Good luck, and happy moisturizing!
Simple Micellar Cleansing Water: $22.99 - Lasts me ~3 months
Cereve Hydrating Cleanser $12.39
Thayer's Rose Petal Alcohol-Free Toner: $6.99 - Lasts me ~4 months
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum: $19.99 - Lasts me ~4 months
Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15: $8.11 - Lasts me ~5 months
Simple Quench Sleeping Cream: $9.96
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%: $7.90
Jack Black Lip Balm: $7.50
I'm sure there's variations in price based on where you get it and if amazon is having sales/add ons etc. Total is about $110 if you went out and bought all the products at once or roughly $20 a month. Totally reasonable imo!
EDIT: Bad math, sorry, I needed to count the Micellar water twice since it doesn't last me as long as the other products. Totals are estimates.
EDIT #2: Forgot the CereVe cleanser so I added that in as well. Some of the items don't have estimated time frames of how long it takes me to use up because I've never used them up.
As someone explained, ingrown hairs happen when the hair doesn't actually break the surface of the skin, the most common cause for them is shaving with poor gear or incorrectly. Basically you shave and instead of cutting the hair, the razor pulls it slightly out from the hair follicle before actually cutting it. So when the hair grows back, if it's even slightly off from it's previous position, there's a good chance it won't break through the skin and end up as an ingrown hair.
Some people also have naturally very curly hair which then ends up causing much more ingrown hairs than most others. If they just happen even without shaving then the issue is a bit more difficult to manage and there's actually very little you can do about it. However if they happen after shaving, then solution do exist.
I'm going to detail some things you can do about your shaving routine that should help with ingrown hairs.
First of all, get yourself a double edge razor. If you want something cheap you can get one for about 3$ from Amazon, for something a bit better and more expensive the Edwin jagger DE89 is an excellent razor. There are literally hundreds of other options out there, you can often find DE razors from antique shops, flea markets or just your parents/grandparents place. And vintage razors are often extremely good if they are in decent shape.
Next you'll need some blades, I recommend buying a sampler pack again this one is about 11$. The reason you want a sample pack is because certain blades work better for certain people, so you can try them out and find the blade that fits you.
Now why on earth would you spend the whopping 15$ on technology from 70's when you have the new gilette 20 blade razor that is supersharp technology masterpiece? Mostly because it's not supersharp, well..It kinda is but it won't stay that way. The problem is that blades go dull, and when blades go dull they don't cut well, when they don't cut well they tug the hair and you end up with ingrown hairs. The easy solution is to change the cartridge often, but the cartridges are really goddamn expensive so you don't want to do that. DE blades? You can get a years supply for 20-30$, change it every 1-3 shaves and you can ensure the blade stays sharp and cuts well.
Someone also suggested exfoliating the skin, but you can kill two birds with one stone. You can get yourself a shaving brussh, something simple like the Omega 10077 it's a good, cheap starter brush it's a bit on the harder side so you can easily use it to exfoliate your skin prior to shaving. With that you can get a tube of Proraso shaving cream which is leaps and bounds better than the stuff you get from a supermarket in a can. Then to top it off get yourself some nice aftershave to calm your skin after shaving.
Now you'll also need to change your entire routine a bit. Slap a blade on your new razor, fill your sink up with some hot water and let your brush soak in the water. While your brush soaks rinse the areas you want to shave with plenty of hot water, this helps to open up the pores and soften your hair prior to shaving. If you want you can use some pre-shave to try and keep the irritation to your skin to minimum. Now you'll need to prep some lather, you can use a bowl, your hand or just do it right where you want to shave Here's a good guide on what you can do. The basic idea is to make sure your brush isn't exactly dripping wet but still wet, get about an almond size drop of the shave cream, then just mix up the cream like you'd be mixing eggs, add drops of water if needed. Once you have some lather, apply it in the places you want. You should use rather brisk circular motions, these help to prop your hair up and makes them easier to shave. Applying cream with hands usually has the bad effect of pushing your hair flat on your skin which makes shaving harder.
Now you have some lather so you'll need to shave. There are two main things to keep in mind with a DE: Blade angle and pressure.
Basically there is an ideal blade angle and finding one will take some time. However there is an entire wiki page dedicated to this. The second one is pressure, with a cartridge razor you ten dto press it against your skin, because the blades are dull and you try to shave as well as possible. With a DE, you should not put any pressure on your skin. The blade is sharp enough to cleanly cut the hair with zero pressure. Getting a hang of it is gonna take a week or so, but once you do you will consistently get better shaves. And be sure to rinse your blade often with the water you have in your sink, you don't want too much cream clogging the blade up.
The basic three pass DE shave includes one pass with the grain of the hair, another across the grain and the final pass is done very carefully against the grain and only if needed or you absolutely want to do it. Shaving against the grain gives you the best shave, but also irritates your skin more and is much more likely to end up with reddish skin or small cuts. So you fist shave everything with the grain, then rinse, apply lather, shave across the grain, rinse, and shave against the grain if needed.
Finally rinse with cool water, dry yourself up and apply aftershave. For other post-shave products you can get yourself an Alum bloc. It's a natural astringent that closes up most small razor nicks. After your final pass and after rinsing your face, grab the block and just massage it on the areas where you shaved, then rinse your face again. Another excellent product is witch hazel. It's again an all natural skin care product, it helps to cool, refresh and revitalize your skin. You can also use it daily even if you don't shave. Personally I apply witch hazel after I rinse off the alum. Then wait a few minutes and apply after shave.
Doing all that should help to decrease skin irritation and reduce ingrown hairs. And those products are just a dip in he ocean, there are hundreds of soaps, aftershaves, creams and all manner of other things you can get cheap and easy. Check out /r/wicked_edge for more.
Copying from my previous comment from earlier in the thread:
Face lotion alone is NOT providing nearly enough SPF coverage. Come over to r/skincareaddiction! :) There are many sunscreens out there that feel like lotion but are highly protective. I personally use an Asian brand that is SPF 50 and protects against both UVA and UVB rays, something most standard sunscreens don't do. It's only $12 on Amazon and lasts me a couple months. After it dries, I can't even tell I'm wearing sunscreen.
My typical morning routine for my face is:
I also add sunscreen to any exposed skin on the rest of my body. This sunscreen is cheap enough that I feel fine using it for my full body.
I repeat this whole process at night (excluding the sunscreen). I also add Vitamin C serum after the toner, which also helps with anti-aging (promotes collagen growth).
The whole thing takes less than 5 minutes, plus a couple minutes between each stage to let it dry. Wrinkles are SO hard to reverse... the best solution is prevention while you're still young! Plus, as someone whose parents have both gone through cancer, skin cancer is not something I take lightly.
EDIT: I've had many requests for my exact products so I'm adding them here. Everyone's skin is a little different, so I would definitely advise doing your own research to find what works best for you. For reference, I have clear (little-to-no acne) skin, not too dry or oily.
For each product, make sure you do a patch test to ensure you don't have a bad reaction. They're all pretty gentle so you should be okay, but always good to be safe.
Cleanser: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Toner: KLAIRS Supple Preparation Facial Toner
Moisturizer: Trader Joe's Nourish Oil-Free Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer (this is cheaper in store)
Sunscreen: Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel pump (SPF50 + PA ++++) (takes like a month to deliver so I usually buy multiple at a time)
Vitamin C serum: Dr. Brenner Vit C parent (small bottle but a little goes a long way)
It looks like dishydrotic eczema, which I've had for years.
For me, if I eat a lot of bread/gluten or potatoes I can break out or it aggregates it.
I found the rubbing witch hazel into my hands before bed and about halfway through my day helps considerably.
I provided a link to the stuff I use.
I failed to keep the mascaras I went through this year... my bad... But I always use Maybelline Lash Stiletto.
What have I learned? I should really tone down my purchases of products like eyeshadow palettes and blush palettes. It takes FOREVER to get through one. And yet I have so maaany.
Left row - Powders!
E.l.f. HD setting powder
Skinfood Peach Sake Powder x2
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
L’oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Powder x5
Urban Decay Ultra Definition Pressed Powder x2
Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Powder
Top row, left to right
SETTING SPRAYS
Urban Decay All-Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
L’Oreal Infallible Makeup Setting Spray
Smashbox Primer Water x2
SUNSCREEN
Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence x3
Second row, left to right
FOUNDATIONS
L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte x2
Rimmel London, Lasting Finish Foundation x2
Giorgio Armani Luminous SIlk Foundation
Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation
Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer Creme - sample
BROW
L’Oreal Brow Stylist Plumper Brow Gel Mascara
Third row, left to right
PRIMERS
Kat Von D Lock-It Hydrating Primer
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, Jumbo size
Too Faced, Primed & Poreless
Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Primer, Apricot
Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Primer, Green
Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer
Coola, Daydream Mineral Primer
Benefit, Porefessional
Murad Invisible Perfecting Shield
Fourth row, left to right
EYE SHADOW PRIMER
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish
Becca, Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone
Becca, Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop
Maybelline master Hi-Light in Nude, discontinued, but still available on amazon
Fifth Row, left to right
SKINCARE
Vitamin C serum x3
Vitamin C serum
Mizon Black Snail All-in-One Cream
Mizon Snail Eye Cream
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream
Mizon Collagen Power Firming Eye Cream
Corsx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Corsx AHA Whitehead Power Liquid
Corsx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Caudaline Organic Grape Water - Guys I can’t find this shit anywhere. Did it get discontinued/ replaced?
Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner
Bottom row, left to right
LIPS
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, Stockholm
L’Oreal Colour Riche Lip Balm, Nourishing Nude
Buxom FUll-On Lip Cream, Mudslide
Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm
Buxom Full-On Lip Cream, Rose Julep
Sorry it took me a while. I had some research to do for you. This is what I've found:
So I took a look at the ingredients of your face wash. The ingredients are fine, but one in particular makes me uncomfortable. Take a look here.
The moisturizer is okay, but has alcohol in it, which is recommended to avoid for dry skin. It also has isocetyl stearate, which flags as an irritant. I'm not sure exactly what it does, but I like to stay away from things that are flagged that highly. See here.
I've done some more research on dry skin and improving your type of skin texture, which is called 'orange peel skin', and here are some products I think may work for you. Remember, if you decide to go with any of them, introduce them one at a time, and give at least two weeks between each introduction to make sure they don't break you out or irritate you.
That's it! After about 3/4 months you should see an improvement. Make sure you're not exfoliating, scrubbing your face, or rubbing it really hard with a towel.
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:
** 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.
day time:
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!
This is another concept more over than a product: Hydration
Now I know okay - you can just be oily and no amount of hydration, technique... whatever, is going to solve that.
However, considering that a lot of the time over production of oil is a sign of dehydration, it definitely can't help to at least try.
My top recommendations so far would be the: Hada Labo Light Lotion, Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion and the range from Secret Key
The other thing that helped for me is just embracing that oiliness especially in the evening. I put so much facial oil on night you could fry chips on my face. During the day I also try not to get too concerned if the oils come through.
if you're trying to maximize bang for buck washing off your actives is probably not the way to go. I'd switch to a gentle cleanser like cerave or an oil cleanser and follow with an exfoliant that I leave on-- maybe Corsrx AHA/BHA?
> CORSRXs BHA power liquid
Is that this?
I've been dealing with this for I don't even know how long. I do the worst thing and take a needle and push it out because it annoys me that much and I don't notice any scaring and whatnot (after a few days), but I'll gladly use an alternative to putting a needle right next to my eye.
Here's what I would suggest:
Razor: either this one if you want to stay frugal or this one if you want to splurge a bit. I'd stay away from the QShave. It's a clone of a razor with a lot of design issues. One being that the head is so large it's hard to get under the nose, etc.; another issue is that it is extremely aggressive even at its lowest setting.
Brush: This synthetic brush. I think it's much better to start with a synthetic than a boar brush. Boar brushes are less comfortable on your face and actually make it more difficult to make lather until they break in. No reason to mess with those variables when you're just trying to get the hang of it. As for this specific synthetic brush, I have one and it is an amazing value for the money. It is one of about a dozen brushes I own, some of which were $200+, and this $12 brush holds its own with them.
Shaving soap: Lots of options here. Barrister & Mann's Latha line performs extremely well and is a great value. Several scents to choose from. Barrister &
Mann's Glissant line is a bit more expensive but has even better performance and more complex scents. Seville is a particularly good starting point with B&M, just an extremely clean, classic, masculine scent. Pre de Provence and Pre de Provence No. 63 are classic french soaps that smell great and perform very well.
Aftershave: Even more options here. You could go with Thayer's witch hazel with aloe, or if you want a traditional high alcohol aftershave, Fine Accoutrements is excellent. There are several scents, all based on popular and/or classic colognes. Or you could splurge and get the world's greatest aftershave product, L'Occitane Cade After Shave Balm.
Blades: Amazon has some good deals on blades in bulk but just sucks for sampler packs, and you want to start with a sampler pack because reasons. So head on over to TryABlade and order two of the "Top 10 Sampler." You can't use your Amazon credit there, but it's going to come to less than $10 including shipping.
So, if you go with the cheapest option in each category, you come out to fifty dollars or so if I'm adding right, which leaves you room to pick out one or more of those splurge options I mentioned.
Sure thing! I wear very little makeup myself and like to think good skincare is a way to avoid "needing" makeup since the whole idea of makeup is just to enhance what you've already got going on.
Just for your consideration, I am 27 and white with normal to oily, fair/freckled skin. I am also about to sound like I am sponsored by CeraVe. Sadly I am not, but I fully enoucourage everyone to try them as they are a very gentle, high quality, and affordable line of skincare products.
Morning Routine
Night Routine
Sorry for the novel.
TLDR: Cleaser, toner, vitamin C serum, moisturizer. Aspirin mask at night, always SPF in the day. Try CeraVe.
Edit to say holy shit, gilded for nerding out over skincare? Thank you!!
I have combination skin.
I wash my face with Cetaphil Cleanser in the morning and then I put Shiseido Matifying Moisturizer, after that I put Biore Sunscreen (I'm still new to this product, I've been trying out alot of sunscreen products because my skin has been overly sensitive and for some reason I might be allergic to sunscreen lotion T_T), before this I just use Skin79 BB Cream and an umbrella whenever I go out, after the bb cream I put on shiseido foundation and then mascara and lip gloss.
For night: I use Neutrogena make up remover wipes, and then Pond's Cleanser, Thayer's Witch Hazel Toner and then Neutrogena Moisturizer And then Shiseido Eye Cream.
I also use Pierre Cardin Peeling Gel maybe 3 times a week after cleansing my face and then I put on Neutrogena Moisturizer, Shiseido Eyecream and then finish it with a Collagen Essense Mask.
Edit:words
You can try using a BHA. Paula's Choice has some good options. An SCA/AB favorite is Cosrx Blackhead Power Liquid. I'm no expert on this, but this is just what I've learned from lurking here and r/AsianBeauty
Wonk Jr's Ultimate Skincare
Why was I appointed to the SOMC? Well, others will tell you it was CSS, but the TRUE reason the deep state saw my necessity was because when the inevitable neoliberal renaissance happens, y'all better be pretty for it. Our most beloved leaders are often the most prettiest, have you seen Macron, Trudeau, and Obama. Hot damn, but it's not as if their skin is good by itself.
Skincare is a long-term investment. Although the initial costs are high, a well-crafted routine can lead to high returns in life. Why? Better skin gives you a renewed sense of confidence, leads to better judgement from others, and generally allows you to look better.
Skincare does not care about your gender, anyone can use the tips in this post to improve their look.
The Stuff
Here, I'm using an American approach to skincare with high usage of acids and liquids, while a more Asian approach would be with heavy amounts of cream. Check out /r/SkincareAddiction for the former and /r/AsianBeauty (or maybe not? I heard there was some drama) for the latter.
I have dry skin that is relatively acne-free, so my requirements may differ from yours. I highly recommend you read the FAQs in your subreddit of choice, this post is intended to be a tl;dr.
Core
Moisturizer: Moisturizer is the fundamental pair of skincare. If there's only one thing you get out of this post, it's that one must Moisturize. Moisturizing gets your skin plump and nice, and is overall the best thing you can do for the lowest cost that is guaranteed for good returns. All skin is different and different moisturizers work for different people, but I recommend CeraVe Mousterizing Cream; it's generally regarded as one of the best choices you can make with a high success rate.
Cleanser: Cleanser cleans your skin, and is the other half of fundamental pair of skincare. Although cleansing can be down with just water, I highly recommend you use a specialized cleanser. There are multiple types of cleansers that work differently, but I'm just going to stick to the basics. I highly CeraVe Foaming Cleanser; however, it can be a bit rough on some skin, so some people may benefit from the Hydrating Cleanser.
Sunscreen: Sunscreen is very important for skincare. As Bill Wurtz said it, the sun is a deadly laser. Exposure to the sun, no matter how minimal, can leave permanent effects on the skin such as hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) and skin cancer. A good sunscreen is always in your best interests; I recommend Paula's Choice 50 SPF. Anything under 50SPF is worthless, and anything over ~80SPF is a scam. Even if you have brown skin like myself that doesn't burn, you should still use sunscreen; in an older age, your skin will remain fresh.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin on your face, which can lead to a renewed "glow". There are two times of exfoliation: physical and chemical. Physical is highly discouraged for two main reasons: physical exfoliation is rough on the skin and can cause more problems than they fix, and they often employ microbeads which is harmful to the environment. Chemical Exfoliation is the better by a large margin, although there are some outliers.
BHA: BHAs are used to tackle Acne. BHAs penetrate deep into the skin, dissolving all the gunk that lies under the pores. There are several forms of BHAs, but Salicylic Acid is the most common. I recommend Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA. Note that if you use a BHA, you must use Sunscreen; BHAs increase sensitivity to the Sun.
AHA: AHAs help repair hyperpigmentation on the surface of the skin by tackling the top layer of the skin. I recommend Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA, an universally loved option.
Note: AHAs and BHAs are not mutually exclusive, they can be used together. Some recommend you use a BHA in the morning followed by an AHA at night. Personally, I use a BHA followed by an AHA; the BHA loosens the skin, thus increasing the efficiency of the AHA.
Aztec Face Mask: This is a personal favorite, and a good example of why Physical Exfoliation can be beneficial. Aztec Clay has amazing properties, when it comes in contact with bacteria it literally rips it apart. To make the skin mask, you want to use a 1:1 Ratio of Apple Cider Vinegar and Aztec Healing Clay. I will explain how to use this later.
Extras
Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a so-called "miracle vitamin", it benefits the skin in so many ways that its quality cannot be overstated. I reccomend The Ordinary.
Caffeine: For all the students out there or people with persistent black bags under their eyes, topical caffeine can have huge benefits in reducing their appearance. I recommend The Ordinary.
Oil: An Oil can have crazy good effects on the skin (and elsewhere), but everyone has a different type of oil that works best. It can be used to cleanse, or to add a lot of good stuff to your skin. Personally, I use Almond Oil.
Toner: Toner is a catch-all term referring to a generic item applied to the skin with some property that is beneficial. There are many toners that do many different things, but I use Thayers Witch Hazel with great success; it "tightens" the skin and provides a fresh look (and smells amazing!)
The Routine
Ideally, skincare is done in both the AM and PM. The time commitment at first can be hard, but as you settle into your routine the time commitment will decrease.
Example Routine (mine)
Note: Most of the stuff detailed requires gradual buildup. If you try everything here at once, you'll push your skin into overtime and cause acne outbreaks. Ideally, just start with a moisturizer and cleanser and work your way up in the process of ~2 - 4 weeks.
AM:
PM:
Subroutines
These are some skin-care routines I do weekly.
Weekly Clay Mask
This process takes 30 minutes and can completely refresh your skin.
Also, why this post came up late
I'm using about 70% grapeseed oil and 30% castor oil, with about 15 or so drops of tea tree oil (this is about a 6-7 oz. bottle.) I don't wash my face or get it wet before, I just use about a quarter-sized glob of oil and rub it all over my face, working especially on my cheeks and nose where the blackheads are, and on my eyes, to get rid of my eye makeup. I don't have a good supply of hot water, so I don't put the hot washcloth over my face, but I use a warm (wet) one to wipe off the oil/makeup. I've also mixed a bit of the grapeseed oil into my regular moisturizer- about 2 tsp into the jar, and use that after washing. If I need a little extra moisture, I'll just use a dab of the grapeseed oil itself and rub it on my face. Seriously though, it's been a freakin miracle for my skin. I'm still experimenting with the amount of castor oil I'm using though, since it can dry out your skin. I also use witch hazel as my toner, after washing but before moisturizer.
edit: a word.
Hada Labo Gokujun Lotion is my latest obsession. It's a toner that is fragrance-free and super hydrating. http://www.amazon.com/Rohto-HADALABO-Gokujun-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B000FQ4ZSM
It's approximately 50% Witch Hazel, 25% Hyaluronic Acid (1% serum), 20% Glycerin, & the remaining 5% is a dropper full of Argan Oil & 2-3 drops of Tea Tree Oil. I stick it in a little dark blue glass bottle & give it a shake before use. The percentages work well for me, but you can change it up to suit your skin. The more Glycerin you add, the more sticky it gets, so keep that in mind. Also, keep the Tea Tree oil to a bare minimum, too much it it can definitely irritate your skin. You can try adding other stuff, but this combo work well for me; hydrating & a bit anti-inflammatory. All the ingredients are finished products that can be used on their own as well.
http://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-free-Petal-Witch-Hazel/dp/B00016XJ4M
http://www.amazon.com/Solutions-Glycerine-Vegetable-16-Fluid-Ounces/dp/B0019LWU2K
http://www.amazon.com/Original-Hyaluronic-Acid-Serum-100/dp/B003MJ7Z0O
http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Argan-Pressed-Virgin-Golden/dp/B00397SNMS
http://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Tea-Tree-Oil/dp/B000ELP5KA
I feel you as another PIH sufferer.
With your sensitive skin (in terms of any skin trauma your left with extra melanin to protect the skin) I would approach evening out your tone with caution. I went a little too aggressive earlier this year and it didn't go well 😢.
Best thing I've done? Vigilant about SS use, in darker skin tones our dark patches pick up UV radiation a lot quicker than our lighter skinned friends (I've found dermalogical studies that state this). Therefore going outside just, well keeps the joy happening. SS on cloudy days, in a car, stuck indoors, every situation SS.
Finding a way to make sure I got the stuff off at night, gently but thoroughly, oil cleansing. Took an age for me to find my sweet spot, but it makes a huge difference in possible acne from the SS...grrr.
Working out what causes the PIH in the first place is a journey in itself. Acne and skin sensitivities do it for me, addressing those has been really hard and my journey is not over.
Help your skin repair from the inside, zinc is great for wound healing , best to take with copper. This will be in a good quality multi vit & mineral, a brand like Solgar. The usual anti inflammatory diet, avoid processed sugars, and anything else that might cause inflammation for you. I'm trying to build up to an alkaline heavy diet. Timing sucks though.... Omega 3's are so important to our diets and are anti inflammatory as well, so get some good quality ones on board. Helps the brain and eyes too so all good.
Onto products...
Azeliac Acid - good for taking down inflammation (which causes the marks in the first place!), acne and post acne pigmentation. I use 15% from Skinoren. PM only.
A new product I've added recently but I am loving is Katsuri Turmeric, anti inflammatory/bacterial , it also works on hyper pigmentation. I've had significant fading using a DIY mix every 3 days for 2 wks. I can PM you the recipe if you want.
I also use 5% BP on areas that is prone to break outs. AM only. When needed as it is really drying.
I have just started (read applied once) a low dose Vit a product, but it will take months to have an effect so I'm not counting that.
Other people have had success with Vitamin C products (I haven't found one that doesn't irritate my skin and cause more pigmentation issues. But L-acsorbic acid gives the best results, but oxidises quickly. MAP is next in line works slower but studies have shown it still works. SAP and others still work) Niacinamide - Vit B3 is really accessible, helps to even skintone and helps with calming irritations, however it causes redness for me which is annoying. AHA's help to turn over skin cells quicker than your natural cell shedding, and mandelic acid is meant to have larger molecules and therefore less irritating for darker skintones, it also works on hyper pigmentation better than glycolic acid. I haven't found a product with this ingredient that doesn't contain other irritating-for-me ingredients, so I can't say if it works.
You say hydroquinone is too irritating for you? Maybe Arbutin, a derivative of hydroquinone I think or is it konjac acid, might work for you? Will take longer but can still work over time. Hada labo whitening lotion (Japanese product that is why the 'whitening' line. Ahem) is a great place to start - https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Shirojyun-Medicinal-Whitening/dp/B00BS3Q58Y
I can't use it as it has HA in it, however I gave my huge bottle to my Mum who was having problems with her sleep apnoea mask causing dark irritation marks and they have lightened up significantly in the past 3months. You only use drops per application the bottle will last at least a year!
Talking about that the /r/AsianBeauty reddit has a lot of products and mega threads on Japanese / South Korean mainly products that can help.
This year has been the year of the even skintone mission for me and trial an error has meant I'm on a path that works for me. I have found out so much information that I coukd go on. However YMMV is soooo important but 'treating' your skin and not fighting it by respecting the products you use then you will have the skintone of your dreams. In the meantime colour correctors and foundation is our friend!
If it all looks too much and your at the end of your rope ans your able to go to a dermatologist, who understands your concerns, please go. It will take so much of the stress away. Unfortunately I am in the UK and Derm choices are not so great for darker skintones, but my GP has been great.
Good luck. Sorry for the wall of text, I got excited.
Rose petal witch hazel as a post-facewash toner. I have sworn by witch hazel for years and will never buy the 'regular' stuff again after having used the rose petal kind.
Not a problem. I use Thayers alcohol-free rose petal witch hazel toner with aloe vera formula. My girlfriend recommended it after I saw her put it on after getting her eyebrows done. It helps with redness. They also have an unscented version but I've grown to like the rose petal smell
 
I got mine from iHerb but it's also on Amazon
Sep 17, 2019
Pre: Proraso Pre Shave
Lather: Tallow + Steel West Coast IPA
Brush: Parker Safety Razor Handmade Deluxe "Long Loft" 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush 22mm
Blade: Lord Super Stainless (3)
Razor: Merkur 38C
Post: Shea Moisture Honey and Black Seed After Shave Healing Elixir
Fragrance: Tallow + Steel West Coast IPA AS
This shit right here is the bomb: Thayer's Rose Witch Hazel
I grow roses and make my own, just buy witch hazel in bulk and add tons of rose petals to it.
::Deep breath::
AM & PM:
I found three things really helped with my body acne, which I had on my chest and back. It was never terrible, I only had mild - moderate acne on my body, but it was definitely annoying.
Hope that helps!
I wholly empathize with you. I had severe cystic acne for 12 years, and no one understood what it was like. It was a living hell, and no matter what I did, there never seemed to be an end in sight. It was overwhelming to say the least.
The first thing that stuck out to me was that you avoid moisturizers. Your routine should include a light moisturizer so that you don't dry out your skin. You want gentle but effective treatment, not collateral damage. I have oily skin, and someone gave me this moisturizer as a gift. It seems to work well, and I'm guessing it's water-based.
I completely understand your frustrating lack of funds. I have almost no income and have no health insurance at all, so I know first0hand how hard that is. Maybe you can save up for certain products or research cheaper options. Try researching moisturizers for oily skin and see what you can find. Just don't give up!
You do need to see a very knowledgeable dermatologist. If you look into it now, it may be worth the wait. I emphasize "knowledgeable," because the dermatologist you choose must know how to treat your acne as well as identify the underlying cause.
In your case, your cystic acne could be hormonal. If you have excess/unwanted hair growth, thinning scalp hair, irregular periods, weight gain, and the acne, you could have polycystic ovarian syndrome, and treatment includes a medication called Spironolactone. But, if I'm not mistaken, even if you don't have PCOS, your acne can still be hormonal.
There are other causes, too, of course, and a good dermatologist will know to dig deep and really search for good answers. Research the dermatologists in your area and look for ratings and reviews online.
Push forward. Keep going with this. And be nice to your skin! No baking soda cleansing (as this throws off the pH balance of your skin), no overly-gritty exfoliants (looking at you, St. Ives apricot scrub!), and try not to pick. Oil cleansing and micellar water cleansing can be good methods for removing every speck of makeup at bedtime.
You are in the UK, so I'm not sure what products you have available. But research, research, research! Another tip: With Google shopping, you can sort your search results from lowest to highest price.
Good luck!!
$7.98 on Jolse
$12.00 on Ulta
Not Available on Amazon
$7.98 on Jolse
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$12.00 on Amazon
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$3.50 on Ulta
$19.99 on Amazon for a 5 pack
$6.39 on Jolse
$6.50 on Ulta
Not Available
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$12.00 on Ulta
Not Available
$5.98 by Jolse
$9.99 on Ulta
$10.00 on Amazon
$5.98 on Jolse
$9.99 on Ulta
$10.00 on Amazon
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$21.00 on Ulta
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$16.80 on Jolse
$22.00 on Ulta
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$26.00 on Ulta
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Shipping is free on Jolse, however it is shipping from Korea so expect longer ship times.
Shipping is free on Amazon, if you have Prime. Amazon prices fluctuate wildly.
Shipping is free on Ulta with orders over $35.
Shipping is free on Sephora with Flash, or on orders over $50.
Since OP didn't post it, this is the link on Amazon. And for those who are Prime members, it's 3 days to ship.
It's cheaper than eBay by $0.99 :D
I don’t have one that’s $40 but my total hydration routine is a bit over $50! I’m a broke uni student so being able to replace things at a low cost yet high effect is pretty important to me haha.
My holy grail is the Klairs toner though. I’ve used it as my primary moisturizer before and it works well in that role if you’re willing to layer it 3+ times.
Klairs Unscented Supple Prep Toner for $20.
Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence for $30.
CeraVe PM Cream for $12/ea (I use as my daily moisturizer, not a fan of the day spf version).
I'm a bit older than your average SCA subscriber, so I'll chime in a bit. I have dryer, more mature skin and this is the basics of what I do and what has really improved my skin.
IF I were to start from scratch with the things I now know, I'd probably start with these things, in order of use.
An oil cleanser, like Hado Labo I've used straight oil and multiple oil cleanser. The ones that emulsify are a bit easier to use, and I prefer them, but I think most well regarded ones are pretty similar.
Second cleanser maybe, a ph balanced foam cleanser. I usually just oil cleanse, but use the foaming cleanser in addition every few days. This one is well regarded.
A toner. This isn't so much of a cleansing step as a first step of moisturization. Klairs supple prep tone
Holy grail product for me, Snail Creme. I love the Mizon one. It goes on before serums.
A Hyaluronic Acid serum, such as Paula's Choice
A night cream. I'd maybe use the Cerave here or another layer of the Mizon AIO. The Mizon is super light, sinks in and never greasy. It's not really a "moisturizer", so cream is a bit of a misnomer, but with everything else, it may be enough.
If you got her nothing else, I'd get her the Mizon snail creme. Seriously miracle product, IMO. I'd start with stuff like this and then maybe consider a retinol or other acid, if needed. Maybe some others can chime in with a retinol recommendation.
Of course!
I mix 1/4 food grade glycerin with 3/4 thayer's toner. I mix up the bottle, and mist it over my face after makeup is done. I use these bottles which have a pretty soft mist for the face, but since the sale happened I figured I would move the operation to a Fix + bottle once it's emptied :)
Hada Labo Shirojyun! I broke out from Kikumasamune so I use it on my neck, but I use this on my face in the morning before moisturizer and sunscreen. It's very light, more watery than the gokujyun, great as a first step.
The blue pouch on the right is a refill of [Hada Labo Shirojyun Milky Lotion] (http://amzn.com/B0171FCX5Q)
I haven't used this particular product, but I've used the watery version called Hada Labo Shirojyun Albutin Medicinal Whitening Lotion, and the regular, much lauded Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion Moist. I love the regular Gokujyun.
It should be quite hydrating, and brightening. =) Use it directly after cleansing as a toner/first treatment essence unless you're using actives, and then use first after actives.
edit: formatting
No, micellar water is good for lightly cleansing and refreshing the skin. If you don't wear much makeup, then maybe look into something like the Thayers toner to help clear your pores a little each night. If you've got milia and blackheads but don't wear makeup, then your skin is getting clogged with general sweat and oil.
But the product you linked is witch hazel scented alcohol. You can get alcohol free witch hazel which would probably be safer to put around your vulva. I wouldn't want to accidentally kill all the bacteria I need up in there and give myself a yeast infection.
http://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-Free-Witch-Formula-Unscented/dp/B001DJDP7C
Same here. It has made a lot of difference for me.
Witch Hazel
Moisturizer
Face wash
That’s all 3 things I use. The last 2 have lasted me 5 months and I use them both morning and night. The toner lasts about 2-3 months.
There are definitely cheaper options! Cosrx snail mucin is highly concentrated and highly recommended, they sell it on amazon, on any of the AB sites, and also now available at Ulta
Cosrx also has a snail cream which is thicker and more cream based lotion also available at ulta here
Mizon also has one called Mizon Black Snail All in one Cream
And Benton has one called Benton Snail Bee Essence this also contains honey
I prefer a little less intense BHA to use daily, so I like the Cosrx BHA Power Liquid and the Clinique Mild Lotion (the new formulation took out the alcohol).
Both are lower concentrations of BHA, but when used consistently you'll see results. I've been using the Cosrx for a few weeks now and haven't even been all that diligent-- but I'm already noticing a difference in my enlarged pores around my nose!
Hope that helped!
Does anyone have recommendations for a toner that's good for oily skin and <$30? I'm currently using the last of my Thayer's rose petal but would like to branch out
I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to toners so I haven't used many outside of the Thayer's and Proactiv's when I was a teen ^shudders
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!
This is nice and doesn't break the bank...
Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_FrYHzbW05WWRM
This is my carefully crafted list according to friends/reddit and other sources. enjoy
Skin Care (in order of application)
Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam, 160ml
https://www.amazon.com/Hadalabo-Hyaluronic-Moisture-Foaming-Cleanser/dp/B01CE5P580/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_194_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=8BPEN2920DV06DVRDHW1&th=1
Klairs Unscented Toner
https://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Unscented-lightweight-essential-oil-free/dp/B07B65NJLV/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=Klairs+Unscented+Toner&qid=1563824014&s=beauty&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1
Time Revolution MISHA Essence
https://www.amazon.com/MISSHA-Revolution-Intensive-Treatment-Essence/dp/B01M0XSD38/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=MISHA+Time+Revolution+Night+Repair+AMPOULE&qid=1563824002&s=beauty&sr=1-7
MISHA Time Revolution Night Repair AMPOULE
https://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Science-Activator-Ampoule-MS04-Ampoule/dp/B01GVD228M/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=MISHA+Time+Revolution+Night+Repair+AMPOULE&qid=1563823988&s=beauty&sr=1-6
CNP Laboratory 50 SPF sunscreen (since it doesnt burn like others)- i bought in korea,
Also seems promising is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Cooling Water Lotion Sunscreen
https://www.amazon.com/Roche-Posay-Anthelios-Cooling-Lotion-Sunscreen/dp/B00TBJWP9K/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=CNP%2BLaboratory%2B50%2BSPF%2Bsunscreen&qid=1563824026&s=beauty&sr=1-2-spons&th=1
Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb MOISTURIZER
https://www.amazon.com/belif-True-Cream-Aqua-Korean/dp/B00H4GOAZO/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=belief+aqua+bomb&qid=1563824165&s=beauty&sr=1-2
&#x200B;
Maintenance skincare masks:
Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask Original (I only use twice a week)
https://www.amazon.com/Innisfree-Volcanic-Mousse-Original-100Ml/dp/B013K9METC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_194_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1ZWR6ZCQ7GFJK6TKKWSH
Innisfree skin clinic mask-Madecassoside(10 sheets)- Use like every other day
\^ hands down the best face mask
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EDU19E8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
As other's said it can itch and burn at first. Melazepam is stronger than others like GOW's or The Ordinary's 10%.
I started with one of those mixed with my moisturizer. I use either Hydro boost gel cream or meishoku ceracolla perfect gel and squalane. After a good time of that i now use it right after washing before toner.
With face redness it seems to be mostly about being soothing and gentle. I'm to the point now where i don't use soap to wash my face because the gentlest stuff was adding irritation redness.
I have also seen redness reduction using KLAIRS Supple Preparation Unscented Toner or Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner , Cosrx Snail 96, and SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica 100 Ampoule.
The redness battle is real. Of course sunlight is a major factor. If you do have rosacea some sunlight helps but then there's a "rebound" effect.
Still thinking about it myself but urea and sulfur are usually recommended too.
I have this issue, too! I usually shave because I'm lazy. For your face, you want to use less strong products (the skin on your legs is thicker) and more or less treat it like acne and keep the dead skin off it and moisturize the shit out of the area so the hair can do its thing without being trapped.
Use an exfoliator once a week and before shaving/plucking. Right now I'm obsessed with L'Oreal Paris' Pure-Clay Cleanser.
I also use the following products but just one should work:
They deliver a ton of moisture to your skin helping sooth it and keep it pliant so hair doesn't get trapped. I also like neutrogena's pore refining toner. It has a ton of alcohol and isn't great for your skin but it's the only stripping product I use and is amazing at cleaning out and reducing the appearance of pores and the only thing I've used that's worked for that.
Skinlex 10% niacinamide
Pond's Clarant b3 cream. Percentage is not released, but since niacinamide is the 2nd ingredient, I like to think that it makes up at least 4-5%. I've seen cheaper prices at Walmart and Target.
Benton Snail Bee High Content Skin, this is a watery toner, it has a very watery consistency. I find it hydrating and seems to help inflammation and break outs.
Benton Snail Bee Essence. This is a bit more expensive, but still very nice. I haven't repurchased since finding Skinlex, Skinlex is definitely a favorite.
edit: This is my favorite mist that has niacinamide relatively high on the ingredient list. This is a very hydrating facial mist, I love it.
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).
There's a bunch of stuff going on here. I think that your problems mainly stem from misunderstanding and a need to improve technique. I do not believe you need to buy a new razor at this time.
There's a few things going on here, and I'm going to make some assumptions which you can correct me if I'm wrong. First of all, it doesn't matter how much hair you have, you need to use soap. Soap is the protective layer between your skin and a razor sharp piece of metal that you are dragging across it. Without it you will get a bad shave. It is a necessity.
So, why are you getting irritation with the soap? One possibility is that you are allergic to the soap you have. This is very rare, and it would not be my first choice in troubleshooting your problems, but I wanted to get it out there. What's most likely is that you are not building your lather correctly. Watch this video by /u/Cadinsor and make sure you are following his advice.
If you are building your lather properly, the next possibility is that your technique needs improvement. DE shaving is a skill. You should watch the complete wetshaving tutorial from /u/Cadinsor. This will help you a lot.
A few things that you need to be sure you're doing right is that you need to be grain mapping (making sure that you are shaving with the grain, then across the grain, then across the grain again, and only when you get good at it should you be going against the grain). This does not mean just down, across, up--in parts of your face you may find that your grain goes one way and in another part of your face the grain goes another way. The best way to figure this out is to let your hair grow for a few days and then feel your face, making notes about what way the hair goes in different parts of your face.
Additionally, you need to try out a bunch of different blades. For reasons we don't understand, some blades work better than others for some people in different razors. The best blade for me may be the worst blade for you. You've only been using Astras, and that may be the worst blade in the world for you. You should buy three Top Ten Samplers from TryABlade.com. You should try them each in turn. Ask yourself, is this blade better or worse than the one I used before? Then decide on one and buy in bulk.
I also think that, in point 3, when you say "razor" you really mean blade. I base this on the fact that you call them "Astra razors" in point 2. I would say most people get around 5 shaves out of their blades. Assuming you are shaving every day or every other day, they should not be rusting. Just make sure that everything is dry when you're done, no need to use alcohol. And by dry I don't mean that you have to dry everything off with a towel, just shake it all out and you'll be fine. There is literally no need for a stand for your brush or razor (in fact, some experimentation has shown that brushes dry faster not on a stand), but, hey, if you want one get one.
Finally you need to be doing post-shave care. The quickest and easiest is to use Thayer's Alcohol Free Witch Hazel. It's cheap and effective. I personally follow up my Thayer's splash with a splash of an aftershave. The best aftershave on the market right now in my opinion is Barrister's Reserve. It's amazing. While you're at the site, you may want to consider picking up some of Barrister & Mann's soap, it is considered to be one of the best in the business. The Latha line is a great choice for someone starting out.
I hope this helps!
For PP care (uncomplicated vaginal birth, 1st degree tear) I used Depends Adult Diapers (maybe 20? Had a few left over), Dermoplast (the blue can!!!), Tucks Pads, and made padsicles (20ish) before hand (extra large maxi pads, alo vera gel, alcohol free witch hazel, a spattering of tea tree oil, pop in freezer). Hands down would recommend. My hospital didn't send me home with any supplies so I'm glad I went ahead and got some "just in case" items before hand. The adult diapers were pretty much like wearing comfy granny panties, not at all "diaper feeling" like I thought they'd be, and I could pop a padsicle in every few hours easy peasy without worrying about ruining underpants or leaking everywhere. Once the Depends needed to be changed out I'd just trash the whole thing and start fresh. No clean up - 10/10.
Pricing everything out I've listed (lazily) on Amazon my "kit" would be around $80, but you can find these things for much cheaper in CVS or your local drug store. Looking at the quantities included in your kit I'm thinking you'd have to buy additional products anyway (more pads for sure, more briefs most likely, and I'm not sure how easy it is to clean the compresses but the padsicles are awesome and disposable, major plus in my book). I'm not sure it's as great a kit as it looks at first glance.
ETA - I didn't need these for PP care but I do love having chux for the kiddo. I have a few in the diaper bag and lay them on nasty public changing tables before I lay down his changing pad for an extra layer of protection (and so I don't drag a dirty pad back into the diaper bag).
If you want to try some things before visiting a dr/getting a prescription/maybe save some $$$.
What worked for me:
Switching to sensitive skin cleanser like Cetaphil. Be sure not to over-cleanse your face, and be gentle.
Rubbing Aloe gel all over your face - to moisturize and heal.
Staying hydrated.
Taking a multivitamin - could be lacking certain vitamins- causing an imbalance.
Consider changing your pillowcase out more often/ replacing them if they are old.
If you’re down for a few more skincare items, you can try Aztec Secret Clay Mask - Amazon mix with Apple Cider Vinegar &/or water. Try once a week.
And last but not least Rose toner- Amazon
Hope it helps :)
I have very oily sensitive skin which can be hard to deal with since you need some pretty intense astringent to deal with my oil problems. I found this on amazon and it has changed my damn life. It's suuuper nice for sensitive skin and helpful for oily skin. I also use this from Lush, I know it's expensive but it is what helps me the best.
Good luck!
Do you use a toner? An extremely popular vegan, cruelty-free, soy-free and alcohol-free toner is [Thayer’s Witch-Hazel Rose Toner](Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LfM3AbAWMQ4HZ).
I use this stuff everyday... it’s amazing and gentle. It has a PH of 5.5-6. You can use this after cleansing and before creams/serums. Target sells this toner with the spray nozzle which is also nice as a mid-day refresher or make-up primer. You can find the travel-sized toners on Amazon as well.
I also second trying Pacifica. My faves: seafoam cleanser, kale micellar water, coconut body butter, passionfruit/guava perfume! But seriously, everything is amazing!
I highly recommend that subreddit, it has helped tremendously in dealing with my sensitive skin and irritations due to bad shaving techniques/products. As for shaving soaps I would recommend trying Mystic Water Soap's Sensitive Skin and Proraso White, I have very sensitive skin and those soaps have worked very well for me. Also for aftershaves try using Thayer's witch hazel. Hope this helps!
I'm pre-HRT, but here's my skincare routine, with links to the exact products I use. I tried my best to define any skincare terminology. I recommend doing this before bed. Make sure to do the steps in the order listed.
Night time skincare routine
1) Exfoliate. This removes dead skin and other crud. Without exfoliating, you'd be applying skincare products on top of your layer of dead skin, which wouldn't be as effective. I use a Salux brand exfoliating cloth in the shower, lathered with Dove brand bar soap. You should only exfoliate and shave 2 to 3 times a week because it's abrasive. Other steps can be done every night. Side note: if you've never exfoliated before, I highly recommend trying it once. You will feel cleaner than you've ever felt after showering.
2) Shave. If you need to shave, now is the time to do it. If you've had laser hair removal, or simply don't have much body hair, move on to the next step. I don't have specific recommendations for shaving products. The most important thing is to use a clean razor. If you are reusing a razor, wash it with soap and hot water, and use rubbing alcohol to kill any leftover bacteria. Exfoliating before shaving can reduce razor burn because you're cleaner, and therefore less likely to get dead skin and bacteria into the "micro cuts" caused by shaving. Even if you don't cut yourself deeply enough to bleed, dragging a metal blade across your face is always slightly irritating. (Side note: I can't effing wait to get laser.) If you cut yourself shaving, you may apply some 70% rubbing alcohol, only to the cut. I've seen sources that recommend applying rubbing alcohol everywhere after shaving, to kill bacteria and therefore reduce irritation. I don't recommend this because rubbing alcohol is harsh and will dry your skin.
3) Toner. This step cleans your skin further. Similar to exfoliating, the idea is to remove as much dirt and dead skin as possible, so that the skincare products can actually absorb into your skin. I pour some Thayers brand alcohol-free, rose scented witch hazel on a cotton ball and apply to my face and neck. Another reason why the order of the steps is important: This toner contains witch hazel, which is an astringent. This means it tightens your skin. Using witch hazel after shaving may reduce irritation by causing any micro cuts to contract. Let your skin air-dry before moving on.
4) Serum. Now that you're clean, it's time for products that will actually be absorbed by your skin. There are many types of serum available. I typically use retinol, which tightens your skin and prevents wrinkles. I apply a few drops of retinol serum to my face and neck and rub it in. I wait a few moments to let the serum dry before the next step.
5) Moisturizer. Last step. This hydrates your skin and keeps you looking young. I use CeraVe moisturizing cream. It comes in a white tub with a blue label. Most nights I just apply to my face and neck. On the nights that I exfoliate, I use moisturizer on my whole body. The main reason is that it can be time consuming, so I only moisturize my whole body after exfoliating, when my skin will better absorb the moisturizer. Additionally, I use this moisturizer on my hands several times throughout the day (especially after washing my hands because soap can be drying.) This makes a significant difference in reducing dry skin, especially noticeable in the winter. If you only get one skincare product, I recommend this one.
Other important things
That's my nightly skincare routine, but wait, there's more! Any day there's a chance you'll spend time in the sun, wear sunscreen!! This is probably more important than all the other steps put together. You can apply sunscreen on top of your moisturizer, or use a moisturizer that includes SPF. Recently I've been experimenting with using this SPF moisturizer on my face every morning.
Last thing: some people think skincare is all about applying products to your skin, so they'll buy fancier and more expensive products. This is like pulling harder on one lever without realizing there are many other levers available. Diet, exercise, hydration, sleep, having fun, and avoiding stress are all important too. Drink water!! Like, drink a little more water than you think you need.
Edit: Can't believe I forgot this. Don't smoke, and don't use hard drugs. Please don't drink alcohol at your age because it can cause brain damage. When you're older, if you choose to drink, do so in moderation. I don't want to come across as "no fun allowed," but please learn from my experience. Binge drinking is not only bad for your skin, it will make you feel like complete poop the next day. Not worth it.
Edit 2: Fixed formatting, and added details.
Good luck, sis!
Items bought:
Edwin Jagger De89bl,
Blade sampler,
Toner,
Alum Block,
Shave Set,
Soap
Edit: links
The Paula's Choice Vitamin C Serum has really helped even my skin tone. I added this product to help with some spots on my face, but wasn't expecting the complexion evening that I got. My cheeks have always been prone to redness, but this really helped calm them down. I also recently added the Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence to my routine which has evened out my skin tone a little bit, as well, but I'd probably be the only to notice as it's subtle and the Vitamin C has been doing such a good job of that already.
Yes. I've had psoriasis since I was 17, I'm 25 now and it's been spreading that entire time. It's a bummer but I've learned not to let it get me down as much as I used to.
Unfortunately, /u/blackmarketbeagle is correct - because psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder, anything you do from the outside is only addressing flakiness and plaques. There are shots you can get from the dermatologist (enbrel, etc) that work wonders for some people but I've never tried them personally.
That being said, my current routine is working really well to keep the flakiness and plaques at bay on my face! I'm actually really impressed with the difference. I believe it is the Hada Lobo Gokyujyun Lotion, Benton Snail Bee Toner, Snail bee essence, and Steam Cream are making the biggest difference. I use the first three twice a day (in that order) and the steam cream only at night. My face has no more flakiness from the plaques and the redness is greatly reduced.
Other things that have helped are sunlight. Direct sun exposure works wonders. Also, salt water. It sounds super weird but swimming in the ocean cleared things up for a while too. I use this salt bar to cleanse in the shower. Also, coconut oil. :)
Hey! I have super sensitive, dry, breakout prone skin with some intense hair growth on my chin. Before I got to this routine people were asking me what was wrong and someone told me it looked like I must wear a chin strap (charming!), and now I have little to no breakouts or irritation.
I've found shaving to be the least irritating method (I'm prone to ingrowns so plucking, waxing and threading made for even bigger problems). I use a 5 blade razor that is ONLY for my face and gets switched out to be my pits/legs razor as soon as it starts getting dull at all. I'll also rinse it with alcohol after every couple of shaves, every time if I've been having skin problems (note: let it dry completely, the drying process is what kills everything).
My best tip is to shave with a super mild face wash. I really like the hada labo hydrating face wash, it's extremely mild and really thick and foamy so it makes a nice cushion for the razer (like a men's shaving soap does).
After shaving I pat my face dry and slap on some BHA - huge game changer right there. BHAs exfoliate and reduce redness and inflammation and I find them to be waaaaaay more effective and less irritating than any manual exfoliation. I really like The Ordinary's salicylic acid but it's pretty heavy duty, they recommend using it as a spot treatment (I slather my whole face with it, but my skin loves acids). If my skin has been feeling dry I'll do Cosrx's BHA power liquid, it's a milder form of BHA combined with niacinamide, a holy grail ingredient for many, it brightens skin and reduces acne (and I think it's anti-aging? I lurk on /r/asianbeauty but I don't have it all down!), though it can interact badly with some forms of vitamin c (causes flushing)
Next steps are all about hydrating and soothing. My skin breaks out from being sad and dry, and it makes any irritation or ingrowns a million times worse. I've found I get my best results from layering my products. I really like cosrx's snail serum, and right now I'm topping it with 2 moisturizers (again, very dry skin, plus it's a very dry winter where I am). First moisturizer is The Ordinary's Natural Moisturizing Factors, then Cerave in the tub.
I then top it with sunscreen, either clinique super city block, biore water essence, or cotz sensitive depending on how my skin is feeling.
Sometimes I'll wear makeup too, I've found bareminerals hydrating gel and any of dermablend's products go over my freshly shaved skin just fine (as long as I use a good makeup remover in the evening!)
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions :)
I wouldn't use Stridex ever because it's a LOT harsher on the skin due to the other ingredients in there (mostly menthol).
4)Do it, but be very cautious. Don't immediately do once a day. I would stop BHA when starting a retinoid, then after your skin has become accustomed to a retinoid (~a week or two) add in your BHA, going once every 2-3 days for a while then going back to once a day if your skin can tolerate it. You can also do BHA in the morning (with lots of sunscreen after) and retinoid at night, but I'd still not immediately do both every single day just because both can be a little intense if you're new to them.
This is my understanding+experience anyway! And smearing aquaphor on my face at night alleviated some of the dryness I experienced when I did bha+retinoid together for a while
Your questions aren't stupid! This is a lot of information to absorb.
Your skin could be sensitive to certain ingredients. You could search on skincare addiction for posts by others who are sensitive to Cetaphil cleanser for a starting point. I think patch testing would probably be your friend.
http://cosdna.com/ will also be very helpful in determining which ingredients don't agree with your skin.
I'll list my products for you, as well as my morning and evening routines. A good start for you, though, would probably to find a hydrating step and a moisturizer that you like, as well as an exfoliator to minimize the appearance of your pores. Many people find that Stridex in the red box is good for reducing the grayish color of sebaceous filaments. It's nice and cheap and seems to agree with most people's skin. I really would recommend reading the FAQ in both the Skincare Addiction and Asian Beauty subreddits.
Morning:
Cleanse with Cerave foaming or Yes to Cucumbers milk cleanser
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA spheres 2%
Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion as a hydrating toner
Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
Cosrx Birch Sap Lotion or Belif Aqua Bomb for moisturizer
Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence sunscreen
Evening:
Botanic Farm Grain Ferment Cleansing Sherbet for oil cleansing
Second cleanse with Cerave Foaming or Yes to Cucumbers Milk cleanser
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution on a cotton pad
Pea sized glob of Differin
Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion
Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
Cosrx Birch Sap Lotion or Belif Aqua Bomb
A tiny, tiny bit of Aquaphor as an occlusive. A little bit goes a long way for me.
Sometimes I'll use a sleeping pack for moisture or brightening. I have lots of them.
My routine evolves as I try new products. You may not like some of the things I use, or your skin may not agree with some of them. I also use sheet masks (my favorites are My Beauty Diary in various flavors haha) and a couple of peptide serums from The Ordinary for wrinkles.
I welcome any and all questions. I love talking about this stuff. :)
Spearmint, berberine and omegas have been great for me. Look into supplements to lower testosterone/androgens. Sugar free and dairy free diets work extremely well. My acne has been so intense and painful that I've had days when I don't leave the house.
Supplements combined with a skincare routine developed from using r/skincareaddiction
My top products for topical use are:
Face wash - https://www.amazon.ca/Foaming-Facial-Cleanser-Normal-CeraVe/dp/B003YMJJSK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1542126993&sr=8-2&keywords=cerave+foaming+cleanser
Toner - https://www.amazon.ca/Cosrx-CLARIFYING-TREATMENT-Toner-150ml/dp/B073P6BPF5/ref=sr_1_7?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1542127029&sr=1-7&keywords=cosrx
Acid - https://www.amazon.ca/Pixi-Glow-Tonic-Ginseng-100ml/dp/B0156XE3RQ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1542127080&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=pixi+glow+tonic&psc=1
and moisturizer - https://www.stratiaskin.com/products/liquid-gold
I'm also a big fan of clay masks for clarifying the pores, sheet masks for moisturizing and night oils.
You can get a ton of affordable products from "The ordinary"
my favorite is: https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-100pct-organic-virgin-sea-buckthorn-fruit-oil-30ml?redir=1
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Note! Topicals are great but fixing the hormones is the best cure for pcos acne. Topicals are best for management and prevention.
I'm glad that I started and consistently used a skincare routine with lots of moisture because it helped to reduce scaring and pigmentation associated with acne.
I've been using La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser for a little while now, and haven't had any adverse reaction so far. It seems to calm my skin better than any cleanser has as of yet. All of Cerave's products have broken me out, and I believe the tub is giving me some texture issues.
I'm doing a bare bones routine at the moment while I try to build a better one, so I just use the LRP and then Klairs Supple Preparation Toner, followed by Neutrogena Hydroboost Gel Cream and Biore UV Watery Essence Sunscreen.
I know the LRP doesn't have any fatty alcohols, I don't know about the Klairs or sunscreen but I know the Neutrogena does have fatty alcohols.
Not exactly drugstore, but I felt that the LRP cost $15 for a pretty big bottle, and seemed worth it to me.
Everything I'm recommending can be bought on Amazon fairly cheaply:
1st Cleanser (PM only to get rid of sunscreen or makeup): The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Rich Oil Dry Skin
2nd Cleanser: Cerave hydrating Cleanser
Hydrating Toner: [Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner] (https://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Alcohol-Paraben-Cruelty-Eco-friendly/dp/B00PGOFYG0) or
Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist
Medium Moisturizer: Cerve PM Moisturizing Lotion
Heavy Moisturizer: Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream
Sleeping Pack: Cosrx Ultimate Rice Overnight Mask
Sheet Mask: Benton Snail Bee High Content Sheet Mask, illi masks, MBD masks (these might be out of your price range as they are between $1-3 per use).
Sunscreen: [Biore Kids Sunscreen] (https://www.amazon.com/Japan-Health-Personal-Care-carefree/dp/B019IDQ57G)
Lips: Lanolin
Makeup
BB: Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream #13 (RP), Mizon Snail Repair Blemish Balm
Cushion: Innisfree
Concealer: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Their toner is definitely their most popular product by far. It's considered HG for many in this sub! You can read many reviews of it with a quick search of Klairs toner in this sub.
I use this after clean it zero- Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash 70g Pore Deep Cleansing Trouble Care https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FFCEVM6?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
I follow it with this [KLAIRS] Supple Preparation Facial Toner, toner, moisturizer, without paraben and alcohol, 180ml, 6.08oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PGOFYG0?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
If there’s no health store in your city try online- there are alcohol free brands ✌️
https://www.amazon.ca/Thayers-Natural-Remedies-Alcohol-Free-Unscented/dp/B001DJDP7C/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=58574516782&amp;hvadid=310045626670&amp;hvdev=m&amp;hvlocphy=9001011&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvpos=1t1&amp;hvqmt=b&amp;hvrand=10865128782393268273&amp;hvtargid=kwd-302334145368&amp;keywords=alcohol+free+witch+hazel+unscented&amp;qid=1549883002&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-1&amp;tag=h0a61-20
For the past few days, I've been trying out the double-cleansing method with jojoba oil as make-up remover and then going in with Garnier Clean+ Smoothing Cleanser for Dry Skin on my spin brush. I'm loving it so far! My face feels very smooth and cleansed afterwards.
Since I don't have toner in my routine yet, I went ahead and ordered Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera I'm super excited to receive it in a couple days and try it!
Maggard Razors is a good place to start, you can create a budget starter kit from there. I use the Maggard MR1 double edge razor, definitely can't beat it at that price, and since it's the same head, any Maggard razor is going to come down to preference in handle. I have fairly sensitive skin aswell, I'd definitely recommend an unscented witch hazel aftershave, it leaves my skin feeling fantastic after a shave.
http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/paulas-choice-product-tips/_/why-you-need-a-toner
That article lists what a toner should and shouldn't have.
https://www.google.com/amp/www.today.com/amp/style/6-reasons-why-you-should-use-facial-toner-t73941
I disagree with the other poster. Toners can be beneficial if you get the right ones. Getting an alcohol free toner is essential and there are a few good ones.
https://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-Free-Witch-Formula-Unscented/dp/B001DJDP7C
This is a good toner, I use it personally. I tone each time after I was my face so twice a day. There's other good alcohol free toners out there you can find. Good luck!
Would something like Thayer's No Alcohol Rose Toner work for you? It's cheap, widely available and calming/moisturizing.
Sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen, and in case you missed it, sunscreen. If you’re like me at this age we’ve had plenty of sun exposure without sunscreen on, and the sun absolutely can and will wreck our skin if we don’t put some damn sunscreen on.
As for my daily routine there isn’t much to it, so it should be a pinch for you to copy and adapt to your own needs.
That’s it. I do the first two steps in the shower every morning and then at night I just wash my face with the soap and reapply a little bit of the moisturizer. There are other things I do now to help my skin out like changing my bed sheets every few days, pillow cover every 4 (flip and rotate the pillow every night to use the 4 sides), and again put on some damn sunscreen and wear a hat if I’m going to be outside for a good while even in the winter. I’m bald and shave my head completely clean so the hat and sunscreen are extra important for me.
Rant: Ok, I know that this is probably going to be surprising to some, but I just bought Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence, and it made my skin break out in tiny pimples. Not over a large area, but isolated pimples all over my face. I used it for about a week and a half, and thought maybe my break out was just hormonal. I stopped using it for a couple of days because I was out of town, and just forgot to bring it. My skin cleared up almost immediately. I just thought, ok, my period is over, that must have caused this. So, I started it back and within 2 days the tiny pimples returned. I have since stopped using this product and my skin is much clearer. I have NEVER had a problem with pimples. I know this works wonders for many people, so this is likely a me thing, but I still want people to know that this is a possibility, and may not be the miracle working product you want it to be.
Rave: Cailyn Dizzolv'it Makeup Melt Cleansing Balm. I got a sample of this in my Birchbox a while ago and really loved it. So I bought a gigantic tub of it the other day. It's a solid balm that turns into oil as you massage your makeup off. It works SO well. My waterproof mascara doesn't stand a chance. And, it makes my skin very soft after rinsing it off. Well worth it.
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&amp;qid=1482935590&amp;sr=2 ) and Hado Labo Gokujyn Cleansing Foam ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036MDUEM/ref=sxts1_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482935590&amp;sr=1 )
My current routine is:
AM:
PM:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482936697&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=cosrx+bha+blackhead+power+liquid
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OZ9WOD8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482936735&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=cosrx+aha
(Then wait 20 minutes)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ATLVNIS/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482936487&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=missha+time+revolution
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!
Rant: Despite me having gone through almost 3 bottles and already having a backup on hand, I think I've come to the conclusion that The Ordinary's Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA clogs my pores. :(
Also, now that I've received both The Ordinary Serum foundation and the Coverage foundation (my intention was to mix/compare them), I do not like and do not recommend either. I love high end and drugstore foundations and Wet n' Wild's $4.99 Photofocus foundation is worlds better. Save yourself some money.
Rave: I love AB products and for some reason really haven't tried any Benton. However I received this full-sized Benton Aloe BHA toner in an AB subscription box and I'm head over heels in love. I always dismissed .5% BHAs as ineffective for my stubborn skin but this product is quickly becoming a holy grail.
I'm not a doctor, so if you've been prescribed tret, I would talk with your doc before adding any additional products. That said, if your skin can handle it and your doctor doesn't tell you not to, you could try adding AmLactin. Retinoids and AHAs [are different chemicals] (https://phamix.com/2008/12/alpha-hydroxy-acids-or-retinol-which-is-best) so it's possible adding one would do something slightly different for your skin.
In terms of how many products you can use, it's entirely up to you. I use anywhere from 2 to 8 or 9 products at once layered /r/AsianBeauty style, including mixing (NON-prescription strength) retinoids with an AHA. On a normal day I just use glycolic acid + CeraVe (2 products). But on a weekend evening before bed, I'll take a bath using [zinc soap] (https://www.amazon.com/DermaHarmony-Pyrithione-Zinc-ZnP-Soap/dp/B00MWB0ZGE/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1493411293&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=zinc+soap) and [physically exfoliate] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007IAE5WY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1) in the tub, spray my skin with a [low-Ph toner] (https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Clarifying-Treatment-Toner-150ml/dp/B00OZ63ODA/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1493411340&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=mizon+aha+bha+toner), apply a [Vitamin C serum] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00THEGVCG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1), then an [AHA gel] (https://www.amazon.com/Paulas-Choice-Resurfacing-Treatment-Exfoliant/dp/B00DH21DBS/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1493411427&amp;sr=1-5&amp;keywords=paula%27s+choice+aha+gel), then some [Retinol Cream] (https://www.amazon.com/Retinol-Surge-Moisturizer-Cream-2-5/dp/B00OQQLNG4/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1493411480&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=body+merry+retinol), then a [more moisturizing cream] (https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizing-Cream-Pump-Ounce/dp/B01CTRLLFE/ref=sr_1_3_s_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1493411504&amp;sr=1-3&amp;keywords=cerave+cream), then top it all off with an [occlusive] (https://www.amazon.com/Aquaphor-Advanced-Therapy-Ointment-Protectant/dp/B00IB0X5FS/ref=sr_1_1?srs=7301146011&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1493411531&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=aquaphor) to seal in all that moisture. I might even throw an extra layer of or two of [moisturizing toner] (https://www.amazon.com/ORGANIC-ROSE-WATER-SPRAY-Uplifting/dp/B00YMMENPK/ref=sr_1_15_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1493411630&amp;sr=8-15&amp;keywords=rose+water+toner), [tea tree oil] (https://www.amazon.com/Pure-Tea-Tree-Essential-Oil/dp/B018J6KIBW/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1493411669&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=tea+tree+serum), [snail gel] (https://www.amazon.com/Mizon-Snail-Recovery-Gel-Cream/dp/B00BQM3S3C/ref=sr_1_9_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1493411704&amp;sr=8-9&amp;keywords=snail+gel), or [honey ampoule] (https://www.amazon.com/SCINIC-Honey-Ampoule-Types-Whitening/dp/B00STAV016/ref=sr_1_9_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1493410839&amp;sr=8-9&amp;keywords=honey+cream) in there if I think my skin needs extra redness reduction. Is that excessive? Absolutely. But I put all that stuff on my face to make my skin happy, so I don't see why the rest of my body shouldn't be allowed to occasionally join the party.
Hey,
I'm pretty new to AB (and skincare in general), and I've doing the generic 1st 2nd cleanser into toner + moisturizer for a month or two now, and I'm thinking of adding BHAs and AHAs into my routine.
I just wanted to ask how often should I use BHA and AHA.
Can I use them together?
I was thinking I should alternate days between them.
After toning and putting on the AHA/BHA, I read that I should wait 20-30 minutes before putting on moisturizer. Is that true?
This is my current routine.
I just purchased the Corsx BHA Blackhead Powder Liquid.
Does anyone have a good recommendation for an AHA product? Is the Mizon 8% Peeling Serum any good?
Oh, and I have this lying around the house. Is this a BHA product?
edit: Also, I also read that the Corsx BHA Blackhead Powder Liquid had higher than expected pH levels. Do I need to be worried about that, or has it been fixed?
I just ordered a bunch of stuff!
I've always had an issue with acne. Early on I developed CSP (r/compulsiveskinpicking). Of course I didn't know this until recently and am working on it with my therapist. It's a small part of a larger issue.
However, my battle recently has been with my sebaceous filaments and blackheads. So I am going to follow this. I ordered the following:
So my current plan is this:
Daily evenings:
Daily mornings:
Every second morning:
I only wash my face in the evening otherwise it gets too dry. The less I touch (and pick) my face the clearer it is. It's a work in progress, but I'm excited to try my new supplies!
You can order AA off Amazon. Melazepam Cream and here's a really informational blog post about it. I have been doing 2 nights tret alternated with 1 night AA for a few years and now and have great results, but my skin is on the sensitive side so you might be able to do it more frequently. Just remember you're using a strong active and go slowly.
I've also found that using a gentle BHA like theCosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid really helps. It's like the tret brings everything to the surface and then the BHA clears it out.
Disclaimer: Am a chick so I don't know shit about shaving the face/dryness from shaving/not shaving/whatevs.. However, the pimples with the whisker hairs man. I used to get this terrible ingrown hair pimple on my eyebrow. I think because I shaved those suckers off when I was a kid. ANYWAYS, a nice BHA cleared that right up. Also takes care of.. more delicate areas that are prone to those. I use the Cosrx BHA liquid once a day. You could try that and see if that helps. You def need to use a moisturizer every day if you use the BHA liquid. It's a little drying and can cause a brief period of purging where your skin breaks out.
Every single neutrogena product I've used has dried the hell out of my face/burned like the a thousand fiery suns. I switched to an Asian cleanser that is super gentle. It's about the only thing I can use without wanting to peel my skin off.
I also use a Japanese SPF because their SPF is so much better than American SPF. It doesn't have that funky sunscreen smell and feels like a lotion.
I don't use toner so I can't help with that one.
And my general go to recs for moisturizer involve snail slime and idk how you feel about that.
Skincare is a lot of trial and error in my experience. You kinda have to search for things that work for you.
You're doing well to moisturise after cleansing - keep doing that - but if your acne got worse after you started your routine, you might not be using the right products for your skin. Unfortunately it's a process of trial and error to find out what your skin likes, but cosdna.com is a good place to check if you think your products might be breaking you out.
I don't know what pore cleanser you're using, but you might want to try exfoliating with a product containing BHA/salicylic acid like CosRX Blackhead Power Liquid - you put it on after cleansing a couple of nights a week, and leave it for 20 minutes before putting moisturiser on top. It gets rid of dead skin and helps to unclog your pores. Check the sidebar of this subreddit as well for product recs and tips.
I possess extremely long, extremely thick, extremely coarse, extremely curly hair. Think somewhere between Claudio Sanchez of Coheed & Cambria and the fat guy from Lost except halfway down by back.
Every day, I shower. When I do so, I wet my hair then rub it down with a cedarwood/rosemary shampoo bar (solid-form shampoo composed mostly of saponified shea butter and jojoba oil without any natural-oil-stripping sulfates) and lather it up. I let it sit for awhile, then rinse. After that, I apply a thick coat of dandruff-defense conditioner (liquid form) and let that stand while I wash my body (with a fancy loofa and a really nice bar of cold-pressed, natural soap called "Desert Sands"). I rinse the conditioner out, wring most of the water out of my hair, and then step out of the tub.
I apply a mist of leave-in spray condtioner and let it stand while I shave (using a variety of natural shaving soaps and/or creams with a badger hair brush, a German safety razor, and a number of facial care products including an alum block, witch hazel splash, and moisturizer) and brush my teeth. I finally run a large brush (with scalp-protecting beads on the bristles and a malleable backing to allow it to shape itself to the contours of my head as I brush) through my hair until there are no more knots or tuggy spots..
On work days, I'll throw on my shirt, pull my hair back, then brush it back into a ponytail that I'll hold up with a hairtie. Otherwise I let it airdry into a gloriously fluffy, unbelievably soft, and delicious-smelling mane that encircles my entire head and neck and draws the eye of every woman I pass.
-------
What else would we use indeed!
Thayer's Witch Hazel toner (https://www.amazon.ca/Thayers-Alcohol-Free-Petal-Witch-Hazel/dp/B00016XJ4M). I've been using this for a couple months and it's helped a lot with my oiliness and acne. Plus it's alcohol free so it feels great on the skin. I'm not super good with ingredients so I can't speak to whether they're all natural or not, but there's a list pictured on the site.
My husband uses this immediately after shaving and swears by it. It also comes with an unscented version.
I don't personally use it, but I think a lot of people here like [Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner] (http://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-free-Petal-Witch-Hazel/dp/B00016XJ4M).
Also, I noticed that you're using an AHA so you may want to think about adding a sunscreen to your routine since AHAs make you photosensitive :)
Here are a few things that work for me:
Alpha Hydroxy Oil-Free
Aloe gel, straight from the leaf
Oil-free moisturizer with spf. I find spf every morning helps immensely.
Witch Hazel toner
These are all things that help me even my skin tone, clear up blemishes/reduce blackheads, improve elasticity, smooth out my skin, reduce breakouts, etc. All this makes my makeup stay on better and look better on my skin. None of it is very expensive.
The Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner is currently a lightning deal for $16.90.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PGOFYG0
I use a layering method and start with The Body Shop Tea Tree toner personally, non AB product that I found myself going back to again and again while I ventured through finding my routine. Tea tree oil is one of my favorite ingredients that helps keep my skin feeling fresh and aid in any hormonal breakout. I follow it up with Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist. A cult fave for AB is Klairs Supple Toner, Kikumasamune sake high moist lotion, and Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid.
Word from the old and practiced though? BUY SAMPLES before you spring for a full sized. u/gothickornchic sells a plethora of decants to sample before you commit to a full sized. It takes 2-3 weeks to see if your skin is going to respond well to a product, and it's awful to buy a full sized and find out that it's a dud, or worse, breaks you out.
It's super fun to buy new stuff but it eventually bites you in the ass. I used to just slather stuff on my face and wish myself luck. It back fired horribly on me back in May and I'm JUST now coming around to clear skin again. Now I test half my face for a week for a break out then another week to really see results.
I’m a newbie but this is what I use. My skin is very dry and reddish. Any products that made it not dry left it feeling greasy my whole life.
First I wash with this KOSE oil cleanser which is different than just using oil! When I first put it on my face I thought I was making a huge mistake because of the texture but it just took some getting used to. It feels very slick and oily, but not greasy in a bad way. This stuff gets off any makeup or buildup from lotion and other products.
Then I wash again with Secret Key and believe me I was skeptical because I thought washing my face twice in a row would ruin my skin/life but this exfoliates and gets the oil off perfectly and leaves my skin feeling great.
I use Klairs Toner which is so different than every other toner I've used that made my skin feel dry and tight. This is about balancing your pH and getting your skin ready to absorb moisturizer and a little goes a long way.
Then I use this Benton Aloe Gel to moisturize and it feels great and leaves my face so soft!
If I'm not sitting around the house all day I use Biore sunscreen which is so light and doesn't clog my pores.
At night I use some standard ponds cream as a moisturizer.
If you don't wear sunscreen, start! Looks like scarring around the wound (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation - PIH). Firstly, I used Bio Oil for three months straight and it didn't do anything, not for stretch marks or scarring, but you're welcome to try it.
What I'd recommend is something to reduce melanin production/brighten skin + an exfoliant. You don't have your routine or location posted so I'll just recommend some:
So the idea would be cleanse (optional) > tone > moisturize > sunscreen in the AM and cleanse > exfoliate/treat > tone > moisturize in the PM. Go slow with the exfoliation - once a week and then increase. Also, HATS! If you can get away with wearing hats, that'll help with sun exposure as well. It'll take time, some of my most stubborn scars on my forehead took forever, but if you tackle it well, you should see some results.
In the future, don't just smoosh your fingers against the pimple to get it out. This is a better way to pop a pimple if you absolutely must get rid of it. :)
I can definitely relate. My first pregnancy I broke out and nothing made it better (except waiting--it was gone by about week 18 for whatever miraculous reason). But this time around, I didn't break out--I have terrible dry skin. I actually posted about it in here and I got some the advice to try the Korean skin care route. And let me tell you, what I found that really made a difference for me was moisturizing toner. I bought this stuff based on some recommendations in /r/AsianBeauty and it's great. My skin is less dry, and it even cleared up some KP I had on my upper arms.
You definitely need to start using sunscreen daily if you can. Some of your redness might be your genetic blood flow to your face, but, if you feel irritation as well, it's probably from the sun.
Some products that help calm my redness:
Purito centella sunscreen
Haven't actually been able to try the unscented one yet, but I'm sure it's even less irritating
Klairs Unscented Toner
Bellamonster stress out solution serum
Products with centella asiatica or niacinamide are good for evening out the complection and reducing redness. Just avoid alcohol and essential oils if you can.
amazon has a $5 off coupon at checkout if you add
Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner from "wishtrend" store .. so final price is $18 + free shipping ..
https://imgur.com/UJZH6cp (screenshot)
https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Klairs-Supple-Preparation-Facial/dp/B00PGOFYG0/ref=sr_1_3?m=A2ITVQXVLEC8P&amp;s=merchant-items&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1541947061&amp;sr=1-3&amp;dpID=41rezpS9BjL&amp;preST=_SY300_QL70_&amp;dpSrc=srch
Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
It's a huge bottle. I've been using a generous amount twice a day for two months and I think I can go another two months.
I like this one, which is available next day delivery from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Preparation-Alcohol-Paraben-Cruelty-Eco-friendly/dp/B00PGOFYG0/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;ref_=yo_ii_img
Hi there. New to AB and trying to put together a regimen. Can you please critique it/make changes/suggest?! Thank you so much.
Issues: Redness, very moderate acne, uneven pigmentation, preparing for wrinkles (I'm about to hit 35).
To know: I'm in Canada (so we have two extremes in weather: cold and hot/humid.
My current regimen is a mix of Niod, Jouviance, Shiseido...
I will put the products in order that I would use them so if something is out of order, please do let me know.
AM:
Pre-Wash: Banilla co. Clean it Zero (pre-wash in am to ensure sweat, any pillow bacteria, etc... is gone)
Wash: RE:CIPE Slowganic cleanser- Lemon
Toner: Naruko La Creme Face Renewal miracle essence
Serum: Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence + Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% from TO or TO's alpha Arbutin with 1% Zinc
Moisturizer: Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
Eyes: TO caffeine solution 5% + EGCG (Realize it's not AB. Open to suggestions)
PM:
Pre-wash: Banilla co. Clean it Zero
Wash: Nature Republic The first bubble cleanser (yes, another facewash. The bubble idea seemed fun lol)
Toner: Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence
Serum: Niod ELAN (Vitamin C) and SCINIC Aqua All in One Ampoule
Moisturizer: pm: MIZON Black Snail All-In-One Cream or Canada's Premium Retinol Moisturizer for Face Organic-Face Lift in a Jar By Maritime Naturals (yes, the latter is not AB but it has AHA's and BHA's). I think that I could remove the AM Aloe one and put the Canadian one there instead and the snail one as PM. Opinions? I'm trying to insert those aha's/bha's in here...
Exfoliant: Skinfood Rice mask washoff (is it enough on its own?)
Eyes: TO caffeine one (same as AM)
Sunscreen: Already have one by Shiseido (for am as well)
Would like to work this AHA/BHA toner maybe? in https://www.amazon.ca/Cosrx-CLARIFYING-TREATMENT-Toner-150ml/dp/B073P6BPF5/ref=pd_sbs_194_8?_encoding=UTF8&amp;refRID=AAEPGG9DXQYQVKSCXM5Q&amp;th=1
Treatments not for every day:
Exfoliation: Skinfood Rice mask washoff
Face masks: Open to suggestions. Sheet or not.
Via Cosmetics Exfoliating and clarifying UltraMUD: https://www.amazon.ca/Exfoliating-Clarifying-Treatment-Salicylic-Professional/dp/B00Q5SL74O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1525176321&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=Azelaic+acid (not AB)
Any suggestion for lips/lip mask? To hydrate, plump ...but mainly hydrate or to exfoliate them.
제가 나아질 수 있게 인내심을 갖고 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Jega naajil su itge innaesimeul gatgo dowajusyeoseo gamsahamnida.
Lol
Toners:
• Fresh- Rose Deep Hydration (the one I’m currently using)
• Klairs- Supple Preparation Facial Toner (great for layering, you can almost get a serum-y effect)
• Pyunkang Yul- Essence Toner (also layerable)
Out of the three toners, the fresh one is the most water-y feeling. However, you can’t use it as a serum-y or mask like product because of that. It doesn’t lend itself to layering if you want to do a quick super burst of hydration.
Moisturizers (specifically watery or gel-like feeling, not heavily occlusive; please bear in mind that these are over $50 and boogie af but I love them, if you’d like heavier recommendations please let me know):
• Tatcha- The Water Cream (the lightest and most watery out of all of them)
• Fresh- Rose Deep Hydration (~$40)
• Drunk Elephant- Protini (gel-like but still fairly water-y)
• Sunday Riley- Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream (also fairly watery, it comes in smaller ~$20 size if you want to make a smaller purchase before fully investing)
Again, sorry the moisturizers were expensive. The better water-y and gel-like moisturizers that I’ve found and liked for oily skin were always on the more expensive side. If you test them (you can get free samples from your local Sephora for almost any product) and find that you need something heavier, please let me know! Also, sorry if the formatting sucks. I’m trying to link and do this all on my phone.
I know what you're getting at, but I was thinking of a product like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Unscented-lightweight-essential-oil-free/dp/B07B65NJLV/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=klairs+toner&amp;qid=1561947849&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-4
And it's hard to read tone on the internet, but you were coming across as a bit condescending and rude.
Good luck with your skincare routine, I hope you can either get the Curology to work for you or remove it from your routine.
Amazon prime!! Not sure if I’m allowed to link to that but here ya go: Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence 2 02 fl oz 60 ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EC60MYW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RwFWBbTHG61ES
I LOVE AZELAIC ACID. So I pretty well thought I would live with a red face forever along with a severely damaged moisture barrier. The biggest thing that helped me was azelaic acid. I use Melazepam from Amazon. Cheap and works! It's thick at first but smoothes into my skin leaving it kinda matte. At first it itched like crazy and I wasn't using it consistently enough. Then after more research, I decided to use it up and give it a chance. Along with anything high in ceramide, my skin got used to the 20% AzA. Maybe around the 10th day of twice daily use, my skin finally started to look normal. I also switch my oil cleanser to an olive oil based one and saw even more improvement in my redness. I've just added in Vit C to my under eye area and continuing to use Melazepam around the rest of my face and neck and my ENTIRE COMPLEXION is EVEN NOW! Would never have believed that was possible. Melazepam has also minimized my SFs on my nose, has finally stopped this ingrown hair on my neck from forming (I've had it for years!!!), and has cleared all the CCs on my forehead. I repeat: I loooooove azelaic acid, specifically Melazepam!
Current routine:
AM
Garnier Micellar Water - pink cap or Cerave Foaming cleanser
Cosrx Aha/bha Clarifying Treatment Toner
BELITAE Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid to my under eye area and upper cheeks
Melazepam to the rest of my face and neck, especially my nose. Sometimes I wait after the Vit C but not usually since I don't use them in the same spots.
I do wait 15-20 minutes after my actives step.
SCINIC First Treatment Essence 3 skin method. My face loves this more than the Missha FTE.
SCINIC Snail All In One Ampoule or SCINIC Honey All In One Ampoule depending on the day.
CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
A'PIEU PURE BLOCK Natural Sun Cream SPF45/PA+++ I don't see much sunlight at all but when I do, this one keeps me from turning beet red imediately upon application.
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Derma Green-Cure Solution Recover Cream This is the best thing I've found for redness and skin barrier repair! My skin loves ceramides so much and this soothes like nothing I've found yet.
Medela Tender Care Lanolin Tube on my lips. Yes it's nip cream. I couldn't use it all up while nursing and it causes my skin to redden so it's perfect for a little lip color.
PM
ROHTO Hada Labo Gokujun Cleansing Oil My skin reacted to Holika Holika Soda Pore B.b Deep Cleansing Oil so this is my second one to try and I'm really enjoying it.
Cerave Foaming cleanser with a konjac sponge but waiting on
Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam in the mail.
Cosrx Aha/bha Clarifying Treatment Toner
BELITAE Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid to my under eye area and upper cheeks
Melazepam to the rest of my face and neck, especially my nose like the AM.
SCINIC First Treatment Essence 3 skin method.
All depending on how I'm feeling that evening:
LJH TeaTree 90 Essence
SCINIC Snail All In One Ampoule
SCINIC Honey All In One Ampoule
Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence
Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
MIZON Snail Repair Eye Cream
Petitfee Black Pearl and Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch Not sure if I like these or not honestly...
Some or all of these layers followed by CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion and
Guerisson 9 Complex Horse Oil Cream
Pretty sure my shower filter, Mermosis, has also helped my skin and hair.
I also use sometimes REVITABOOST PEEL Anti-Aging Peel Pads or Cosrx Bha Blackhead Power Liquid but I skip my AzA on those days and just go back to my regular routine the following day. These are rare for me though because they make me ridiculously red again.
Things I'm waiting on in the mail:
ROSETTE Aqua Ceramide Gel
Rumase BIFIDA Snail Toner
Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam
It's Skin Power 10 Formula - PO Effector
Hoping the all work well for me too!
https://www.amazon.ca/Cosrx-Blackhead-Power-Liquid-100ml/dp/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1485629273&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=cosrx+bha+blackhead+power+liquid
It is gentler than the PC one, but still works well for many people.
I like Clean and Clear spot treatment. Since the concern is for the majority of your face, I'd recommend the CosRX BHA Power Liquid
I haven't been to Japan, but from what I understand, it is a great place for amazing and inexpensive skincare. There's a whole sub dedicated to Asian products here: /r/AsianBeauty
I'll also link you the SCA routine page. The /r/asianbeauty subreddit also has tons and tons of info in the sidebar. Start with the basics in the SCA routine if you feel overwhelmed.
Here's some of my thoughts of the products you're using:
You didn't mention how you wash your face; do you currently use some kind of cleanser or soap?
So to redo your routine, I would add in an oil cleanser and/or foaming cleanser, a chemical exfoliant like this if you can find it, a new moisturizer (I'm really only familiar with Hada Labo, so maybe this, and preferably a sunscreen (Biore, Hada Labo and Nivea should sell cheap drugstore ones). The Hada Labo ingredient lists can be found here.
Hey everyone... I have decided I'm going to try the CORSX Blackhead Power Liquid as my BHA, and I am wondering where to purchase CORSX products online (preferably with free shipping)
...Ulta seems to be sold out of them online. Can I purchase them on Amazon? I've seen it here but just wondering if it is legit. Or is Sokoglam the best place to purchase them?
Here's a blog reading list for you: the venerable Fiddy Snails, Fanserviced, and Snow White and the Pear. These blogs have been INVALUABLE resources for me in learning about skincare and AB.
And here's a very, very, very, VERY loose shopping list, with one major caveat: PATCH. TEST. Don't just buy a new product and slap it on your face. Choose a spot on your face - somewhere where you break out easily, like next to your nose - and dab a little of that product there every day for 10-15 days. See what happens. This is how I learned that my beloved Hadalabo Gokujyun lotion doesn't break me out, but it does break out a lot of other people.
CLEANSERS:
You need two. An oil cleanser to use in the evening to thoroughly remove sunscreen and makeup, followed by a foaming or gel cleanser. I like Hada Labo Gokujyun foaming cleanser as a second cleanser (it's the only one I use in the morning). Kose Softymo is an affordable oil cleanser for the evening.
ACTIVES:
These are ingredients that Do Things to your face, such as exfoliants (BHA, AHA, vitamin C) and disinfectants (benzoyl peroxide). I am drastically simplifying. At the moment you're using two products that contain benzoyl peroxide, a disinfectant. It's time to round out your active diet, with the big caveat that irritation = redness. I'll say it again - ditch the astringent, it's only causing the redness you're trying to avoid. If you're going to add new actives to your routine, do it very gradually. Patch test, then start using it every other day.
Things you could try: I'm in love with C21.5 vitamin C serum. This is an affordable powerhouse of vitamin C, that promotes skin cell turnover and does a bang-up job of dealing with pigmentation. It does oxidise easily, though, so you need to keep it in the fridge and toss it when it starts to turn yellow. In terms of exfoliants, Cosrx BHA Power Liquid and AHA Power Liquid are fan favourites. They feel remarkably gentle on the skin, and do a great job of gently exfoliating. If I were you I'd start with the BHA, as BHAs are great at exfoliating within the pore, soothing redness and treating/preventing acne.
SUNSCREEN
I'm here to give you the greatest lesson you'll ever learn: the best anti-ageing treatment is sunscreen. You are 15. It's time to set up a lifelong sunscreen habit. And Asian sunscreens feel better than any western equivalent. RatzillaCosme is a goldmine of sunscreen reviews. The first Asian sunscreen most people try is the legendary Biore Watery Aqua, which is inexpensive and easy to snag on Amazon.
DA SNAILZ
Snail products are wonderful at reducing redness and inflammation. There are just... so many snail products out there. A great starting point is Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream, which is a great final moisturiser at night if you've got oilier skin. I'm also partial to the all-in-one repair cream, which is actually more of a 'whipped' essence than a cream, but feels wonderfully soothing on my oilier skin.
Hope this helps!
Here's a link to the BHA. It's not actually Prime but the delivery is free and took maybe a week. https://www.amazon.de/gp/aw/d/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&amp;qid=1483966717&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&amp;keywords=cosrx+bha+blackhead+power+liquid&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=31bX%2BCFCZeL&amp;ref=plSrch
If you look at the related articles, there's actually a whole bunch of stuff available.
If he doesn't already have experience with shaving with a straight edge, you should go with a double-edge/saftey razor. They require far less upkeep and are easier to learn to use. The general recommendation is something like a Merkur razor.
If you're thinking of going with a badger brush and shave cream, you'll want to get him a nice brush. That will probably be the bulk of what you spend. I personally have a Saville Row brush from QED that I love but I'm sure others can chime in with their favorites.
As for hypo-allergenic shave cream, there's always Prorasso for sensitive skin. Although I don't have exema, I have sensitive skin and my absolute favorite cream is Taylor of Old Bonds Street Avocado. Contrary to the name, it doesn't smell like avocado, but something else incredible.
Lastly, I'm a big proponent of non-alcohol Witchhazel. I have my mom and my gf addicted to this stuff. It's a natural toner and antibacterial. It works great and and doesn't smell like much of anything. It's good enough that I barely use aftershave anymore. Though Nivea sensitive balm is widely accepted as a good aftershave balm.
That's about what I've been using for the last half-decade. The very last bit is razor blades. There are a number of manufacturers from Merkur, to Derby to Feather. Best bet is to buy him a trial pack (5 blades from a number of manufacterers) from a shaving site online and let him figure out his favorite.
I have been using thayers cucumber witch hazel w/aloe...love it! It's refreshing and slightly moisturizing and has no alcohol.
My acne is not as severe as yours, so I don't know if what I do would help you but we can give it a shot, right?
My routine is as it follows:
AM
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PM
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Every Friday night each week
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And that's it, my skin has gotten way better and something that has also helped millions is that I went on the pill, since my acne is hormonal.
Remember to patch test and to not abuse your skin, the gentler the better!!!! There are things that might or might not work for you, it takes a while to find what's best for your skin. If nothing works, you can always try PocketDerm or a dermatologist around your area, don't be afraid to ask for professional help. Good luck!
What kind, did you try? Although it's the best smell in the world, it doesn't bother me too much but I use this one that smells like as you guessed it cucumber Thayer Cucumber Witch Hazel
I love Thayer's Witch Hazel as a toner, and recently picked up Cerave in the tub for a moisturizer, and am wondering why I waited so long to get it because it's been amazing on my skin.
It looks like it's a good recipe overall, although I'm not crazy about adding alcohol, perfume or colorants to shaved skin. I still recommend pure aloe gel or witch hazel over this, but if it doesn't cause any irritation (using it vs using nothing), then it's probably fine.
I found this on Amazon, which looks like it would be awesome for any kind of irritated skin. No fillers, alcohol free, and each of those ingredients is known to be either an astringent, anti-inflammatory, or have moisturizing properties. This would be great as a female "aftershave".
Personally, I like the Thayer's alcohol-free witch hazel, because, well, its alcohol-free. Witch hazel is already drying, and an astingent, so I personally don't see the added benefit of also having alcohol in the mix. I also like Thayer's because when I'm feeling fancy, they also make witch hazel with aloe, rosewater, cucumber,...
There are a ton of options for witch hazel, though, and I've found versions of it at CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens, grocery stores, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, etc....
Afaik, that brand of witch hazel has 14% alcohol in it. This might be contributing to the oily tzone. Instead I would try Thayer's brand.
I used this Thayer's witch hazel without issue! It's alcohol free.
https://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-free-Unscented-Witch-12-oz/dp/B0045PCAI6/ref=sr_1_cc_1_a_it?s=aps&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1510601632&amp;sr=1-1-catcorr&amp;keywords=thayers%2Bwitch%2Bhazel%2Bunscented&amp;th=1
I just use Thayers brand Witch Hazel, unscented, I have very sensitive, oily, acne prone skin and very hard water.
The playa poses a few challenges to taking care of your skin:
1 - Maintaining the pH balance of your acid mantle
Believe it or not, the skin on your face is slightly acidic (pH of about 5.5). This helps protect your skin from acne-causing bacteria. However, playa dust is alkali and can throw your pH off kilter. You know that "squeaky clean" feeling you get after washing with some soaps? Unfortunately that's your acid mantle being washed away by alkali detergents which leaves your skin more sensitive to all sorts of nasty stuff (bacteria, fungus, pollutants, etc). Thus all the stuff you hear about using a "gentle cleanser" for washing your face. This actually means a pH neutral cleanser.
2 - Keeping your skin from getting too dry
Another aspect of protecting your acid mantle is to make sure it isn't too dry (meaning too little oil or water). The structure of your skin's acid mantle contains fatty lipids which help form this protective barrier. Dry it out and your skin is again vulnerable. For those who say their skin clears up on the playa, I'm guessing these folks may have oily skin so the dry atmosphere may help them balance shit out. Since you are already on a topical solution, I think you'd be especially sensitive to dry skin issues.
3 - Protecting your skin from the sun
Sun damage is real, m'kay? The sun's rays slow down the production of new skins cells. Age also slows down this process. You know how little kids rarely get scars? That's because their skin "heals faster" vs. adults, meaning their skin cells regenerate faster. If you are trying to heal acne or some sort of scratch, use sunscreen! You'll be amazed how much faster your skin starts to look better.
So, what should you do on the playa? I recommend cleaning your face using a cotton pad and a mild organic toner twice a day. The toner removes the playa dust, adds some skin-loving vitamins, and helps the skin from getting dried out. You also need to use sunscreen (ideally a physical formula) so it stays on a good chunk of the day.
TL:DR -- clean your face with a cotton pad and a mild toner 2X a day and use sunscreen.
I’ve been struggling with blackheads/redness/combo for awhile now and the biggest miracle worker I’ve found is Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner w/ Rose Petals. I use it right after I wash my face in the morning, let it dry and then apply a light moisturizer.
They have a selection of toners (rose, cucumber, etc.) and I swear it’s been magical- no, I haven’t been paid lol. Hope this helps!!
https://smile.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-Free-Petal-Formula-12-Facial/dp/B007HD570Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=thayers+rose+petal+witch+hazel+alcohol-free+toner&amp;qid=1569137801&amp;sprefix=thayers&amp;sr=8-3
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&amp;qid=1520014584&amp;sr=8-1&amp;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&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1520014674&amp;sr=1-3&amp;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&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1520014798&amp;sr=1-6&amp;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&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1520014932&amp;sr=1-13-spons&amp;keywords=tumeric+mask&amp;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! :)
HAIR:
TEETH:
BODY:
SKINCARE:
MAKEUP:
NOW AFTER ALL OF THAT. Please make sure you check the HG Masterlist in the sidebar. I made it just for these situations! There's tons more products listed there!
Jealous you got to go to Japan! Tokyo is a travel goal.
Neogen's Bio-peel exfoliating pads are incredible, and I use them once to twice a week. I just finished my pack of the wine exfoliants, and purchased the green tea one as a replacement. The wine one contains antioxidants and seemed to be more of an anti-aging product, whereas the green tea one appears to be more of a cleanse and tone and neutralize type of effect. Both are great, although I've only used the green tea one twice thus far. The wine one really helped mitigate some acne scars I had on my cheek, and has the highest ratings on Amazon.
I follow the exfoliant with a quick wash (just normal Neutrogena face wash) and tone with Thayer's Rose Water Witch Hazel. It's a non-alcoholic toner that moisturizes while tightening up the pores and cleansing a little extra. Most drugstore toners contain alcohol, which serves the opposite purpose of drying your skin out, and accelerating oil production, thereby creating more acne. You can purchase Thayer's at CVS or most drugstores; there's several other witch hazel alternatives that seem to work fine as well. This one just smells extra nice.
After toning, I slather on some aloe vera gel. The one by Nature Republic is dirt cheap, gets the job done, and the tub lasted me like six months. Aloe Vera is a great moisturizer because it's all natural, contains little to no additives, and isn't oily so it won't clog up your pores. It also feels great on the skin, kind of a cool jelly feeling.
Once that's done, I put a small dab of Skinfood's Royal Honey Propolis Serum. This shit is pricey, but it's magic. This, paired with the Neogen exfoliator, really wiped out the acne scars. It doesn't have a smell, and the consistency is thick and syrupy, so just use a small drop and it goes a long way. Your skin will feel super glowy afterwards.
A few times a week, before bed I'll wrap up the above skincare routine with Etude House's Moistfull Collagen Sleeping Pack. Legit, the morning after wearing this, I won't put on makeup because my skin's so on healthy. If you exfoliate, do the whole aforementioned skincare shebang, and then sleep with this baby on your face, you will be RADIANT. The sleeping pack is a jelly-like cream that you slather over your face in a thin layer. I've had my pack of it for like two months and it's still more than half full. It dries up within about five minutes, and is barely visible. It rinses off easily the next morning, with a little soap and warm water.
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Hope this helps!!! I freaking love skincare lmao, if you couldn't tell.
I literally was researching the Hada Labo Shirojyun line right this second!
The Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Lotion has tranexamic acid and it's in my Amazon cart as we speak.
The Hada Labo Shirojyun Toner has arbutin! Comparing the ingredients between this toner and The Ordinary's Alpha Arbutin 2%, I'm pretty convinced that the toner has a higher concentration of alpha arbutin. After all, it's first on the ingredient list while The Ordinary lists it second.
Kikumasamune actually has a big range of products, but the one people mean 90% of the time when they talk about that brand is the Kikumasamune High Moist. The ingredients of note in this one as for brightening are the rice ferment (which contains kojic acid), arbutin, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate (a licorice derivative).
I've spent the last hour reading up on arbutin results people have reported, especially with the shirojyun toner. It seems like it does have a brightening effect, but it requires four to six months of consistent usage. It's not immediately gratifying like vitamin C is.
So happy I could share all the things I read today with someone! :D
I've be nice using this for the last few months and it's been working well for me
I also recommend Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel.
I think your skin may be reacting to over exfoliation, hence the new spots. You mentioned that your skin was clearer without the AHA. Try using Stridex once every 3 days, and see if new ones stop forming. I would be gentle with your skin. (I speak from experience--I was using too much Differin a few days ago and had two very large cystic spots form on my cheeks. Plus my face was burning whenever I put anything on it, like Cerave PM...after I stopped using Differin for 2 days, my face would no longer burn when I moisturized. I will only be using Differin once a week now.)
Since you're in a desert/dry climate, first and foremost focus on keeping your skin moisturized. Your moisture barrier needs to repair before you introduce actives to it. It could be breaking out because its so irritated. Here's a link on Reddit about the importance of maintaining a healthy moisture barrier!
If your skin is oily/dehydrated (my skin type), focus on layering light layers of hydration. After you wash your face, gently pat dry with a clean towel, and apply a hydrating toner like Thayer's Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel and following up with a hyaluronic acid moisturizing toner/lotion/serum. Hada Labo products are very popular amongst the /r/AsianBeauty community. The hyaluronic acid will help draw moisture to your skin. More on the science of HA here.
I do want to state that as always, your mileage may vary (YMMV) with these products. But since we have similar breakouts, I do think irritation and lack of proper hydration may be at the root of your breakouts. Patch test the products above to see if you react to them. Good luck!
I've been using Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel quite recently as a pre-makeup application toner and it's been doing a great job with keeping my skin more balanced, which then keeps my foundation in place. I'm obsessed with this stuff.
P.S. Keeping an eye out for future answers in this particular thread. I've had the worst luck with primers and setting sprays, so I'm curious to see what others have to recommend.
Thayer's is what I use. I think you can get it at health stores, too! I also use it occasionally throughout the day if I am feeling greasy when I am not wearing makeup around the house but don't want to dry out my face by washing.
Thayers witch hazel with rose water love this stuff
Hi, first off. I recommend checking out /r/SkincareAddiction. They know a lot about the ins and outs of products. But here's my little bit of wisdom; as someone (F23) who has been struggling with hormonal acne these past few months, I noticed the biggest increase in my skin appearance when I changed my diet. I started this elimination diet called Whole30 just over 2 weeks ago and have seen dramatic improvements in my skin this past week. You may not need to go on a 30 day cleanse, but I recommend cleaning up your diet as much as you can and then re-introducing certain foods to see if it triggers a breakout. Maybe try giving up things like dairy and sugar, and then bring them back after a few weeks to see if they may be throwing your hormones out of whack (because no doubt, your acne is a hormonal issue). Some bits about makeup and products; I stopped using a primer (Benefits POREfessional) and liquid foundation (Urban Decay Naked foundation). I don't know if these products were clogging my pores, but I feel better taking a break from them. I started to just use a set of Bare Minerals powders instead. I also use a micellar water to take my makeup off. Garnier SkinActive Micellar water (pink cap) works great, followed by a cleanser (CeraVe), toner (Thayers Witchhazel), and moisturizer (YesToCarrots Daily Moisturizer) -- this is my pm routine, as it involves makeup removal. In the morning, I use the cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and follow up with EltaMd SPF 46 sunscreen. This sunscreen is specifically made to reduce current redness from past/present acne and protect you from the sun. You need to wear it everyday. Hope this all helps! And good luck. Having bad skin can really take a toll on your self-esteem, but just remember that it's never permanent!
Edit: added links
Yes! Stick to non-alcohol witch hazel. I've recently added it to my routine and am very happy with it. I use Dr. Thayer's: Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera ~ 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cBJuybE62AG3Q
You can also try Tend Skin or Thayer's Witch Hazel.
I tend to use some leftover ProActiv Revitalizing Toner because it has witch hazel, aloe vera, and glycolic acid (for exfoliation).
It's more like a slightly thicker water. I'm on mobile so excuse the ugly link
http://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-free-Petal-Witch-Hazel/dp/B00016XJ4M
You can definitely try that. This is a good starting toner if you want to try the method I'm using now. You can get cotton pads in any drug stores, but I personally prefer the Japan muji cotton pads (available on amazon) - they feel a lot nicer/softer than the typical western pads (which always feel too scratchy).
I've always liked this toner
My skin would react to benzoyl by burning and turning bright red at first. And then a few hours or after waking up in the morning after using it, the area I applied the BP too would be super dried out and cracking almost. And then it would take forever to heal it back up. Witch Hazel is not the brand, it's just an all-natural toner. This is what I use: http://www.amazon.com/Dickinson-Original-Witch-Hazel-Perfecting/dp/B000GCQ04C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1408473930&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=witch+hazel I first cleanse my face, then swipe the witch hazel all over my face with a cotton round, then follow with whatever treatments I use that time, and then end it all with my moisturizer. Hope that helps. :)
Hi there! I also struggle with sensitive skin, and as a result I have problems with dandruff, oily skin (especially on the face), acne, acne scars, and eczema. Sensitive skin runs in my family (I'm Irish). So, I will give you a personal remedy that I developed over the last year that significantly reduced these problems.
I got some good initial information from this thread in /r/malefashionadvice. I use most of the products that he mentions there, my personal favorites being the cetaphil dermacontrol foam wash and the cetaphil dermacontrol moisturizer SPF 30.
For starters, it is important to get in a good skincare routine. I was always busy in high school and told myself that I didn't have time to waste taking care of my face. It wasn't until college that I realized my lack of skincare was really inhibiting my ability to feel confident, so that's when I decided I needed to get into a good routine. I started out by washing my face three times a day, and making sure I drink at least half a gallon of water throughout the day. Skin becomes oily when it is dehydrated, and drinking water is a good initial step to keeping it from being dehydrated.
I didn't really solidify my routine until I stumbled upon the /r/malefashionadvice skincare thread. It all depends on what works for your skin type, but for my oily sensitive skin, this is what I found works best:
After finally getting into a good facial skincare routine, I started having problems with excema and dandruff. I fortunately had a routine physical with my doctor where I asked him what I could do about these problems. This is where you may disagree with me, but he told me that I should not shower more than once a week. As I mentioned earlier, skin becomes oily/irritated when it is dehydrated, and one of the easiest ways to dehydrate your skin is excessive bathing. The doctor told me to shower once a week and more importantly to not use soap on areas besides the face, armpits, and genitals.
I told my doctor that I shower everyday because I go to the gym and sweat furiously. He told me to just take a quick rinse after the gym to wipe the sweat off, and to apply lotion daily. I apply Jergen's Ultra Healing lotion once every night before bed.
As for dandruff, this is where you may need to look elsewhere. While I do have dandruff, it's not much of a problem for me simply because it isn't very severe. I wash my hair three or four times a week with Dove Men + Care Sensitive Scalp. Since I don't shower, I usually just do this before bed by getting my hair wet in the shower, scrubbing the shampoo in vigorously with my fingers, then washing it out while also massaging my scalp. If that product doesn't work for you, you can't go wrong with some Head & Shoulders.
I hope this helps you, let me know if you think there's anything I left out!
EDIT: added towel-washing regimen
Preparation and post skin care is key. The day before epilation I take a long bath with some bath oil, and I exfoliate the heck out of my skin. Your bathwater should look as nasty as possible after this. Then I take a warm (not hot) shower to remove excess oils. I put Ammonium Lactate lotion on. Wait 12-24 hours. Before epliation, take some Aleeve. I generally do my epilation while in the shower or in another bath. rinse well, do a light exfoliation with an antibacterial wash. Dry off gently. I usually add a little skin care tonic on such as Thayers Witch Hazel Toner. after you're dry, use your lotion. There may still be some red bumps here and there, but it clears up very quickly after this treatment.
Brush
Razor
Razor Sampler
Cream Or Soap puck
That's all you need to start, I prefer the puck soaps, but many guys love the Proraso.
You could also get
Witch Hazel, toner for after shaving
And any aftershave you like, I prefer a splash like classic oldspice but some people like a balm.
Total: about $80. I have Amazon Prime Student and I don't have a car, so it was really convenient.
I think this is the serum she was talking about.
I'm an Amazon junkie so I'll be more than happy to point you to the Witch Hazel.
Here is the moisturizer.
And the sunblock.
You can probably find that sunblock at Walgreens, CVS, etc. I have no clue where you might find Silk Naturals products out in the wild. I think they're an indie company?
butt hair gone with HRT for me. i guess it's unusual, but its nice. generally, keeping a good post-shave routine is important. like, using aloe or witch hazel can significantly reduce issues with bumps and irritation. i use Thayer's. also good for post-electrolysis.
I looked on Amazon - as much as I hate buying from there, it looks like that's the place to go. (I'm happy to see a change from what I found last year though - finally, some sellers have realized that people outside the US would like this stuff too.)
http://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Hydrox-Enhanced-percent-Glycolic/dp/B000052YM7/ref=sr_1_1?m=A3DZSPY3WMXJ88&amp;s=merchant-items&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1371005157&amp;sr=1-1 doesn't look too bad (they also have a cream but it's in a much smaller jar)
http://www.amazon.com/AKTA-10%25-Alpha-Hydroxy-Treatment/dp/B000X90I9G/ref=sr_1_10?m=A2Z6B6EEF7TZ6V&amp;s=merchant-items&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1371005301&amp;sr=1-10 is a smaller jar and more expensive but it looks like it's got a different formulation to the lotion.
http://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena-Refining-Toner-Hydroxy-Formula/dp/B0000535RA/ref=sr_1_2?m=A2UILHLLDUMCAM&amp;s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1371005458&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=neutrogena+pore+refining I also looked at this one; it's cheaper than both of the others and I've bought from the seller before.
I 2nd this.
I'm in my 30s had acne until I started getting serious about washing my face. Now my skin is almost perfect.
The regimen that finally worked for me is
http://www.amazon.com/Clean-Clear-Continuous-Control-Cleanser/dp/B001E96LRM/ref=sr_1_10?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1310265172&amp;sr=1-10
http://www.clarisonic.com/shop/sonic_skin_cleansing_systems/sonic_skin_cleansing_system_mia/index.php (This little device is a godsend)
http://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena-Refining-Toner-Hydroxy-Formula/dp/B0000535RA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1310265108&amp;sr=8-1
http://www.danielkern.com/product-p/treatment-8.htm
And I've also cut breads and dairy out of my diet. I seem to break out when eating lots of bread.
He takes a cotton ball and dabs it over the t-zone, or on active breakouts. I would suggest use at night (it smells kind of funny) and see how it goes. Sometimes he uses it morning and night. Glad to help! You can find everything on Amazon! :) Remember to always patch test too. BTW this is the one he uses
https://www.amazon.com/Dickinsons-Astringent-Natural-Witch-Hazel/dp/B00016WW8Q/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1474566537&amp;sr=1-4&amp;keywords=witch+hazel
I'm looking to change my cleanser, so I don't have a good suggestion for that. For the other cheap things in my routine that have made my skin happy lately:
I also do OCM. So far I've tried pure mineral oil and EVOO (both pretty cheap), and I prefer the olive oil. I'm looking to try castor oil soon.
I understand sufficient water intake and adequate sleep are large contributing factors as well, but I am still super crap at those x(
Sidenote on Garnier: I don't know if it's an issue for you, but I have used 4 different Garnier moisturizers in the past and found that all of them irritated my skin...possibly due to their fragrance? I used to have an oily T-zone plus oily spots on my cheeks under my eyes and I also got the occasional cystic acne, but those problems have lessened dramatically after I stopped using the washes/scrubs and started using the items I listed above. It sounds like we might have somewhat similar skin types, so I hope this helps!
Going to try this stuff Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera ~ 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_7QWAybG52RFW3
Toners are used to minimize the appearance of pores, and are usually of made from super harsh ingredients like alcohol. The witch hazel tightens the pores and smooths the skin without being harsh and drying. It is a natural toner. The rose petal ingredient moisturizes, and the aloe soothes/decreases redness. This is what I use, if you're interested in it. It is my favorite part of my routine! :) It smells great too
I'd suspect the toner first since it has denatured alcohol in it - especially if you're using it twice a day. You might be drying out your skin pretty badly with that toner, causing the opposite thing you want to happen - increased oil production to compensate because you stripped your skin of all its natural oils.
Might I suggest something like Thayer's Witch Hazel Toner without Alcohol? http://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Petal-Witch-Hazel-Alcohol-Free/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1396807629&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thayers+witch+hazel
I would strongly concur on your idea to get some witch hazel. Get some Thayer's, one of the alcohol-free versions. I would personally recommend either Lavender or Rose petal. Also get a quality alum block such as Bloc Osma. It's made with potassium alum which is higher quality and doesn't sting hardly at all. I had an alum block from one of the wetshaving websites that was advertised as "100% larger for the same price!" and it was made with something other than potassium, I forget what, but it's cheaper and stings more.
So after you shave, rinse off with cool water, run the alum block over your face, allow it to work its magic for about a minute while you clean up around the sink, then rinse off again, apply witch hazel (I rub it on with my hands but I think most people recommend using a cotton ball), then apply any balm you like, Nivea aftershave balm is a good starter plus it's cheap and widely available. With using a quality alum block and witch hazel post-shave, I went from shaving every three days at most to every other day with absolutely no razor burn or irritation. I could probably do every day but I don't really need to for my work so I don't.
MARIO BADESCU! Seriously. They have a consultant service and they can recommend products via email. They have a buffering lotion that is for spot treatment of cystic pimples. For other kinds of pimples, they have the drying lotion. Honestly, I think washing your face with some gentle cleansers and moisturizing! Which sounds ridiculous. Olive oil or jojoba oil at night. The more you moisturize your skin, the less your skin will need to produce it. As for your pores, I think using a toner like alcohol free witch hazel amazon it and doing bi weekly acid peels amazon again will help clear up and reduce the appearance of your pores. Just start researching products. Try a regimen and stick with it for a while.
Awesome. Thanks so much. So I'd be set to if I get a kit like this?
Amazon has this brush, this razor, and this soap on package deal.
This toner
and this alum block
Does that look like a good start, and am I missing anything?
So my skin is very dry and acne generally appears on my chin and edges of my cheeks and chin it also appears on my shoulders. My diet is non existent as I pretty much don’t eat but when I do it’s generally something I can make quick in my dorm like oatmeal or a meat and cheese sandwich. I really ought to change my pillowcase more as I do it every few months. I’m 17 and I am currently using theyers facial toner for treating my face. I use it after I shower which is twice a day (right when I wake up and after I finish running) and I occasionally use this cucumber face moisturizer probably about once a week.
I have pale, easily enflamed, combo-leaning-oily skin. I am a fan of Thayer's Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera!: https://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-free-Petal-Witch-Hazel/dp/B00016XJ4M
I would switch the witch hazel to Thayer's Alcohol-Free. It's lovely and very gentle!
The witch hazel you got has a high alcohol content. I would be weary about using it in general, but especially in conjunction with a tea tree oil product, which can also be very drying. Just some things to consider as you move along on this skincare journey :)
This is the one I use. I just put it into a spray bottle and spray my face in the mornings.
Here are my suggestions:
AM Cleanse: [La Roche Posay Toleriane DermoCleanse](https://www.amazon.com/Roche-Posay-Toleriane-Cleanser-Sensitive-Glycerin/dp/B000IOBEG20 or, my favorite Glossier Milky Jelly
Hydrating Toner: Thayer's Rose Petal
serum: The Ordinary makes awesome serums and explain a lot in the description boxes
moisturizer: Neutrogena HydroBoost Gel Cream
SPF Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid
Oil/Balm Jojoba Oil, this one's currently unavailable, but any will do.
Micellar Water Garnier Micellar Water
Tougher Cleanser I prefer Cerave SA Wash because I always feel like I need a bit more oomph. Avoid foamy stuff, they'll dry out too much.
chemical exfoliant I like The Ordinary Glycolic Toner but I'm dry. The Generic of these Salicylic Acid (BHA) pads work better if you're oily.
I would recommend to talk to your doctor about prescription accutane and to look into possibly going on a carb free/low carb diet for a while just to see what it does.
I've done both and for the first time I have amazing skin since I was 18 (I'm 36F). Also try this to treat breakouts overnight: Smile's PRID Drawing Salve, Natural Homeopathic Topical Pain and Irritation Reliever... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GKN36W/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_lq9szb9MSSMV1
And this after you wash your face every day: Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_nr9szbZZWSJGK
Lastly, DO NOT dry your face with the same towel you use for the rest of your body!
This serum has been working great for my acne scars and frown lines, or if you don't trust it, just straight up Vitamin E oil is good for my skin as well. I also use the Biore Aqua Riche sunscreen which is perfect for my oily skin. I also found this toner to work much better with my skin than the Kate Somerville one. I now only use the KS one when I have a breakout.
I like a lighter moisturizer in the morning and I'll use Thayer's Witch Hazel Toner after I splash my face with water.
You might want to pick up Aztec Healing Clay. Maybe stop by Sally's Beauty Supply for Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque.
I've got dehydrated oily skin prone to acne, FYI.
I'm barely stepping into Asian Beauty, and I'm trying to make a wishlist. I was hoping I could get some general recommendations.
Currently, I wash with Cetaphil (non-foaming), tone with Rosewater Witch Hazel, and moisturize with Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Lotion.
I do the same routine every morning and night.
In addition to the stuff in my flair, I have a few problem areas that break out (around mouth, hairline, T-zone, around nose) and stubborn blackheads on my nose. I get really bad dry patches on the apples of my cheeks.
EDIT: it might also be worthwhile to note that I am a teenager with a small budget because I am in school still. My AM and PM routine are the same with the above products in the order in which I listed them.
You might wanna skip out on the Musgo at first. You don't really need it, and while it can help soften your beard and moisturize your face it is kinda a luxury. If you really want a pre-shave soap you can pick up a $2 bar of glycerine soap at CVS or Walmart that will work just as well. Something like THIS would work fine.
The Omega brush & Proraso are fine to start out with, but if you want to save a bit more money you could start out with a Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set. This will get you a decent soap, brush & bowl for $10 or less (Walmart sells these for $8). The VDH puck is also very easy to lather which makes starting out a bit easier. Once you use it up you can start ordering - samplers or switch to Proraso if you want.
The blade sampler pack & Merkur 180 looks good. Personally I have never gotten a good shave out of my Edwin Jagger DE89 which has the same head as the DE86, however the EJ DE8x series are pretty highly recommended here on WE. My Merkur razor on the other hand (1904) gives me very gentle shaves. I would actually recommend the Merkur Classic instead of the 180, just because you probably don't need a longer handle, and it is easier to pay attention to maintaining the proper shave angle with a shorter razor. But the choice is yours. :)
Alum can be useful, but personally I find Witch Hazel to be more soothing which is important when you are starting out. If you go with a Witch Hazel look for one with the lowest alcohol content you can find. I use a cheap dollar store brand (Swan) that is 86% Witch Hazel to 14% alcohol and it works really nice. Thayers Witch Hazel is well regarded but a bit more pricey.
As far as aftershave.. again this is personal preference. If you have an aftershave that you are currently using that you like I would recommend you keep that for a while. Personally I like Nivea for Men Post Shave Balm, as it is very soothing and lightly moisturizes my face (I use is all over my face).
In any case, good luck with DE shaving and keep in mind it is a skill that takes a little while to learn. Don't be discouraged if your first shave doesn't live up to the hype. :)
Buy mine off Amazon if that helps
witch hazel
Yeah, definitely look for a new cleanser, you don't really need a "oil control" cleanser, they tend to be pretty drying for most people, and as you've noticed, don't do much to actually control oil.
As far as a toner goes, if you like using one, go ahead, but try to find one that doesn't contain alcohol. Thayers is usually a pretty popular brand because it's alcohol free.
Otherwise you can check out the beginner's routine for more recommendations.
Have you tried using witch hazel for in-grown hairs? I'm a male and I use it for my face and other places and it is incredible and helping stop in-growns. I've already told a lot of people about it and they all swear by it and thank me profusely.
I recommend using a non-alcohol one like Thayer's. It's easy to use, just put it on a cotton ball/round and apply it after shaving.
All right guys, so I'm constantly tweaking my skincare routine and would love some input. I'm currently 25 and only really started taking good care of my skin when I was about 21. For the most part I'm fairly happy with where my skin is at now. I have very fair, slightly sensitive skin (redhead) that tends to be mostly balanced, combination/oily with occasional dry patches. I rarely deal with blemishes these days other than a few blackheads and occasional cystic acne near my chin. The current issue I'm dealing with is how to properly use vitamins C and A in my routine so that I can reap the most benefits/use the best products while not overdoing it, or layering products unnecessarily. My current AM routine consists of (in order) a cleanser, typically Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash, toner, Amara Organics 20% Vitamin C Serum since the water here is very harsh, TruSkin Vitamin C Cream, and a higher SPF sunscreen, typically Elta MD SPF 45. My PM routine consists of a cleanser, normally something different than what I used in the morning as I find that overusing the same cleanser can strip my skin. I follow with toner, Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum again, Amara Organics Retinol Serum 2.5%, and [First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream] (http://www.sephora.com/ultra-repair-cream-intense-hydration-P248407?skuId=1217744&amp;icid2=products%20grid:p248407). I occasionally use a physical exfoliator, and am not currently using any eye-specific products as I'm prone to developing milia if a product is too creamy and I don't like the tacky feeling of a lot of eye gels. I live in Florida, so with my fair complexion I'm constantly trying to be proactive about preventing sun damage, while also delaying the appearance of damage that has already been done. That's why I really want to make sure I'm using the best Vitamin C product during the day. I know that the active in both my day serum and cream is SAP, but I've read that MAP is more effective at boosting collagen production, yet I have a difficult time finding products that utilize this form of Vitamin C. Also, I've noticed recently that 2.5% retinol (the product lists retinol, not retinyl palimate) seems to be A LOT compared with other OTC products on the market, and I really don't want to be overdoing it with this one, especially since I don't have any wrinkles yet, just a few fine lines that seem to come and go. Also, the issue of increased photosensitivity makes me nervous. I recently read some literature that addressed the concern that too much topical vitamin A could lead to toxicity, and I already have a diet rich in A vitamin. It might be worth noting that I haven't changed my routine considerably in the last few years, other than switching out retinol products as they became available/unavailable. Occasionally I will change some product out for another, but normally for something very similar (i.e. one vitamin c cream for another).
So, very long story short (sorry, guys), if you could recommend a Vitamin C serum or moisturizer, and a night time retinol product appropriate for my age and skin (preferably something with a lower active concentration), I would me much appreciative. The lighter consistency the better, as I do layer several products every day and I don't like the feeling of heavy build up on my skin. If you happen to notice anything else that you think I'm doing wrong, please let me know.
I recently started using The Thayer's witch hazel toner and I'm about to get another one (also because the price went down on Amazon). It really has made a huge difference for me.
This is the one I use.
GUYS. People with eczema tend to overexfoliate just from scratching. It's usually extremely unhelpful to exfoliate when you have active eczema. Keep in mind that just using a washcloth is exfoliation, and you don't have to be harsh with it. Taking more skin off is only hurting your ability to heal, not only getting rid of flakes. Those will mostly come off with just regular washing. This overexfoliation is so bad that my dermatologist specifically told me not to use AHAs (a type of chemical exfoliant) or any kind of scrubs. They only take you steps back in your skin's ability to heal and retain moisture.
Things that I've found really help:
Immediately (if you're about to walk into class or work) - Put an ointment or a salve on it. I like Albolene, Vaseline (unscented), Aquaphor, and this stuff(it does smell a bit botanical, though). I find Aquaphor to be the best because it lasts the longest, has moisturizing ingredients, and you can get it in a travel-friendly tube. Reapply as necessary. Go to the restroom after a couple hours and pat some water from the faucet into your skin. Cover with more. You will be shiny, but you won't be shedding on people.
Eczema is characterized by transdermal water loss ([Wikipedia])http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atopic_dermatitis)). That means that your skin is always losing water. I find that putting a good, thick, unscented cream on over drenched skin is the best. While it's "setting in," I pat more water into it. Many heavy creams nowadays have humectants and an ingredient called hyaluronic acid. These bond with the water in the skin, keeping it there. Our skin is so incredibly dry that these ingredients bond to whatever water is in our skin, and keep it there. We need to introduce more and more to make sure that we can stay properly hydrated.
How to know if you are properly hydrated: pat your skin. If you feel like some skin is sticking to your fingers, you are hydrated. If you pat your skin and it stays where it is (even if it is as smooth as marble), it is dehydrated.
I've found a lot of success with this Hada Labo (extremely popular in Japan) hyaluronic acid product that I use as a toner to hold moisture in and this Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Mask as a rich cream (says "mask," but that's just because most people can't tolerate that many emollients in a leave-on product).
If you really want to exfoliate, I've found some good success with Gold Bond CoQ10/Men's Essentials (same product, different packaging). It has urea in it, which is moisture-bonding as well as dead skin sloughing. In this product, it is strong enough to provide a sloughing effect while still being acceptable to our kind of skin, as well as having some great moisturizing ingredients.
Another way to safely exfoliate would be to cover your damp skin in a thick coat of Vaseline or Albolene, and after about a half hour, use thick paper/cardstock or an old credit card to scrape off the excess. It should be cloudy -- that's dead skin. Don't go too hard, and don't do it more than once a day. Make sure to moisturize super hard afterwards (plugging patting in more water between layers again!!).
Good luck! I know how embarrassing shedding can be. I almost didn't share a bed with my SO for the first time because I was scared that I would wake up and have covered the bed in white flecks. Good luck! Let me know how it turns out.
I wash with Neutrogena oil free acne wash
Then I use Dickinson's original beotch hazel toner
Then I use Neutrogena oil free acelne moisturizer
And then bio oil latley because I heard it could help with the dark spots.
So yeah I kinda don't what I'm doing.
Hello folks! I was hoping for some help on my routine. My skin is okay, but I struggle with hormonal acne, am 28 years old, and generally feel greasy at the end of the day. I don't wear makeup because it makes my acne worse, so I don't have to worry about that. I have combination skin (chin and jawline dry, oily everywhere else).
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Morning:
Cleanser: Trader Joe's All-In-One
Toner: Witch Hazel
Serum: Birch Juice Hydro Essence Skin
Vitamin C Serum
Moisturizer: Trader Joe's Nourish Oil-Free
Sunscreen: Neutrogena Clear Face
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Evening:
Cleanser: Trader Joe's All-In-One
Mask (2x per week): Aztec Secret (used with ACV)
Toner: Witch Hazel
Serum: Birch Juice Hydro Essence Skin
Retinal: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Sheet mask (2x week when I use a mask): Whatever is hydrating at CVS
Moisturizer: Trader Joe's Nourish Oil-Free
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I have done my absolute best to try to figure out if this is an okay group of products, but skincare is as incomprehensible as finances to me so some help would be appreciated!
Here's a few that come to mind:
Ach Brito - Lavanda
Czech & Speake - Oxford and Cambridge
Castle Forbes - Lavender EO Aftershave Balm
Thayer's Lavender Witch Hazel
B&M - Lavanille
I would definitely recommend an aha and /or a bha. Salicylic acid goes down into pores and helps remove dead skin cells. Glycolic and lactic acid help remove dead skin cells on the surface.
I really like corsx bha because it's gentle and effective. It has a thicker texture and it is moisturizing. I just pump it into my hands and tap on. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, 100ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073P6ZQ4V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4GYoDbG9RWHQ4 Corsx has other good toners as well. I am planning on buying the aha and bha toner.
Pixie glow tonic is another good one and it has glycolic acid which is an aha. Pixi Glow Tonic ~ 3.4 Fl Oz/100 ML https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014JOB038/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6LYoDbMN3399H
I just bought Bliss What a melon toner a few weeks ago and I really like it! It has willow bark which has salicylic properties, witch hazel which helps remove oil and dirt, and it has watermelon extract which is moisturizing, full of antioxidants, anti aging, and packed with vitamin C and E. It isn't full of chemicals either and is vegan. Bliss What a Melon Replenishing Watermelon Toner with Witch Hazel and Willow Bark, Replenishes, Refreshes and Energizes Tired Skin, Vegan, 7.0 ounces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SVH79WW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_j8YoDbR4CA30A
I really like rose hydrosol in a spray, I use this one and I use it from head to toe. I use it throughout the day when my skin needs a little pick me up. I use it on top of my hyaluronic acid serum. There are other hydrosols that are good for the skin and are gentle. Alteya Organic Rose Water Spray 240ml Glass bottle- 100% USDA Certified Organic Authentic Pure Natural Rosa Damascena Flower Water Steam-Distilled and Sold Directly by the Rose Grower Alteya Organics https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NY89K5J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_E75oDbV2375HS
Thayers witch hazel is fantastic and very affordable. I have the lavender aloe vera witch hazel and really like it. Thayers Natural Remedies Witch Hazel Lavendar - Alcohol Free 12 fl oz (355 ml) Liquid https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PP15L8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xb6oDbTCY35JN There are different varieties of this witch hazel.
For dark undereyes you need a good eye cream, but I don't have much experience with them except with using Murad and clinique pep start. But I didn't use them enough to notice a difference.
For dark spots and hyperpigmentation I would use a product with vitamin C, licorice root extract, niacinamide, lactic acid, turmeric, hydroquinone, papaya, or retinoids. Of course use spf to help prevent hyperpigmentation and use a good moisturizer and a hyaluronic acid serum or water cream. I have used this serum with good results TruSkin Vitamin C Serum for Face, Topical Facial Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, 1 fl oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4MCUAF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5m6oDbPQTTY64 I love this Sunday Riley vitamin c cream, it seems to be working, it's very moisturizing without making my skin oily and causing breakouts, and a little goes a long way. https://sundayriley.com/products/ceo-antioxidant-moisturizer?variant=4173381992479
I am getting into diy skincare products so I have been reading up on a lot of actives and everything else. So if you have any questions, feel free to send me a message. Good luck!
Hey, you're probably not going to get many hits at that price for the benton essence. It's ~14 shipped brand new on amazon.
You may have better luck selling off decants of what's left for a couple bucks if you really don't want to use it.
AM
PM
I'm new to skincare and did a bulk buy of the above products based on what I've read in this sub. I'd appreciate advice on...
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!
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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!
Not a problem! I'm happy to help. :)
Warning: lots of info ahead
I'm into /r/asianbeauty and really like the Kikumasamune Moist Lotion (in Japan they refer to hydrating toners as lotions). I apply it right after washing my face with CeraVe foaming. It adds a light layer of moisture without making my skin greasy, and absorbs quickly. The smell is odd but it fades quickly. Then I will follow up with either Benton's Snail Bee Essence or Scinic Aqua all-in-one... I wait a good 5 minutes in between each step to make sure it all soaks in nicely and doesn't get sticky. But the Benton does tend to stay sticky unless I wait like twenty minutes haha. But it goes away if I put stuff on top anyways. Then very last is CeraVe PM at night or Cosrx 92 Snail cream in the AM. :) I find the CeraVe PM causes my skin to flush a bit due to the niacinamide so I only use it at night. and I've recently started using jojoba oil as my oil cleanser (some people mix it into their moisturizer or even put oil in their foundation) and it's really nice! Feels very luxurious 😍 I usually do it at night because that's when I remove all my makeup. It's much more moisturizing than mineral oil, in my opinion. And you can use it on your hair too!
I really like the NARS pressed powder because it has a velvety finish on my skin, so it feels nice to me. Some people might not enjoy it as much as I do 😂 but it seems to last all day on me. Occasionally I'll have to reapply to my chin if I ate some crazy greasy food, but it's very portable so I carry it in my purse anyways. And I haven't noticed any flashback at all either. Can't remember if I already said that haha.
AND FINALLY I will definitely PM you when I use the smashbox color corrector! Probably Tuesday since that's when I work. :)
Edit to add that I'm also testing out the Shara Shara berry bomb, which is another Asian beauty product. It's nice so far. And a lot of people really like the Cosrx 96 Snail essence (different than the cream) which I've heard is great for adding a layer of soothing moisture.
Always recommend the cera ve SA renewal cleanser. It’s amazing and events your skin and brightens it. I actually use the SA renewal body wash, you get a lot and I can use it on my face as well. The Cera Ve SA body lotion is also love, sometimes I use it on my face. Makes body super smooth, these two are dream team.
I think the dream routine:
Am:
Pm:
-melazepam 20% important and alternate between this and Retin a, but not everyone can handle either of these. But it goes to say these are anti-aging power horses
Great products:
Benton snail bee essence (the masks, steam pacts, everything..)
Just a few products to think about. I am by no way saying jump and add any of these to your routine instantly. I’ve looked around and found a lot of, what I’d consider to be talked about products and decided to make it easier and list them for you.
I think a basic SA cleanser like cera ve would be a good place to start, a good spf that is non-irritating. Find a moisturizing Oil thst your skin likes and then maybe start trying actives. Don’t go jumping in until you find a routine that calms your skin and that your skin really likes. Then start testing the waters with maybe azelic acid like melazepem (strongest you can get in us is on amazon) or vitamin c. Possible acid peel pads. We kind of have to know your skin type and current routine. Things that have worked and have not, and what you want out of a new skin routine— in order to give you better direction.
Where does a "Essence Toner" go into a routine? I'm so confused. Is it the "hydrating toner" step? In that case, is it after the "First Essence" and before the essence? What's the difference between a first essence and essence? @ _ @ What if the product just says essence?
Is the Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence a "First Essence"? And would the Corsx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence, and BENTON Snail Bee High Content Essence just be normal essences that go after the first essence and hydrating toner?
And what would this be classified as?
o w o; Sorry for all the questions. I've read dozens of product order posts but they're always slightly different, and it's hard to keep track of what products go where since they all kind of seem different.
edit: added links and changed formatting.
I'm in scandinavia, my skin is dehydrated and acne prone, so I'm looking for products that don't brake me out and helps my skin stay hydrated.
I'm currently using Epiduo 2-3 nights a week for my acne (which has finally disappeared - yay!) so my skin needs all the moisture it can get.
I buy almost all mu stuff online :)
I'm super satisfied with the HadaLabo lotion and Benton Snail Bee Essence, but I'm thinking about trying this HadaLabo cleanser and Suncreen and the Benton Snail Bee Steam Cream :)
Hi everyone! I'm very new to AB and after reading through many guides and articles, I created my first routine, and it's made up of the basics (since you guys said to limit your haul to 4-5 items), I have these items in my amazon cart ready to go, but I wanted to get a second opinion!
Skin Type: Dry/Acne-Prone | Country/Climate I'm in: Seattle - Rainy and Cold | Top Skin Concern: PIH/Acne
AM
(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CE5P580/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ALWX5VVJPZEDR&amp;psc=1)
PM
I'm mostly curious about the BENTON serum. I've heard that it's best to only use it once (at night), but some blogs have you using them in the morning as well. Also, with the BENTON serum would I have to wait 20 minutes before moving on to emulsion? Any other comments/criticisms would be appreciated! Thank you AB!
Heard good things about the Some By Mi AHA/BHA/PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner. There's also COSRX, and the Benton Aloe BHA Toner. Another option is to use an oil cleanser like the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil.
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:
Tentative PM Products:
Tentative AM Products:
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.
Location: California, USA
Skin Type: Normal
Skin Concerns and goals Moisturize, glow, anti-aging
Allergies/irritants to avoid: High fragrance
Morning:
Evening:
Comments:
This isn't really my core 4, it's just what I'm using right now... I have a backlog of products that I need to use. This also doesn't include my serums, sheet masks, exfoliants, etc either. I don't think I'm following the core 4 at all... LOL
Hi I'm trying to introduce a [niacinamide serum] (http://ordinaries.com/product/rdn-niacinamide-10pct-zinc-1pct-30ml) and [Aha/Bha toner] (https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Clarifying-Treatment-Toner-150ml/dp/B00OZ63ODA/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482207705&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=toner+wishtrend) into my AM/PM routine. Can i get some advice on where I can squeeze the new products into my current routine? Thank you!
AM: OCM, Cetaphil Cleanser, Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%, Hado Lab Whitening Lotion, Sunscreen.
PM: OCM, Cetaphil Cleanser, Retin A 0.05, Pharma Brightening Serum
I use a sulfate and paraben free shampoo and wash my back after my hair. Huge change!
I did do a 2 month cycle of doxy (oral antibiotics)
I use this soap on my back:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01E6DZXVC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1492443714&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=argon+oil+zinc soap on my back
This is spray I use after shower:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OZ63ODA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1492443790&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=cosrx+aha+bha+clarifying+treatment+toner
Feel free to ask any questions.
Take a look at your shampoos/conditioners
I use briogeo as I'm a curly girl but it's good stuff either way
Welcome to SCA! Hopefully I can be of some help as you start building a routine.
Cleanser
Cleansers don't stay on your face like a moisturizer does, so especially if you don't wear makeup that needs to be washed off at the end of the day, you don't have to be too picky. I'd go with something inexpensive and gentle like the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser or the Simple one. (Avoid anything containing alcohol or any active ingredients, even if they advertise as fighting acne. They're often very harsh.) Once you're settled into a routine, cleanser is a good element to change up if your acne is healing but you're still oilier/drier/tighter than you'd like to be.
Exfoliant
The Stridex and Neutrogena products are both good BHA options, but the Stridex contains alcohol, which can dry out your skin and cause it to produce more oil, and the Neutrogena is a lotion formula, which isn't the best for oily skin. The big favorite here is from Paula's Choice (the BHA gel is especially user-friendly for a skincare beginner), and the Cosrx Blackhead Power Liquid is a less expensive alternative. I'm a student on a budget too - if you don't want to commit sight unseen, the Stridex is a good place to start.
Moisturizer
I would recommend investing in a moisturizer without SPF that you love. This is because you'll want to use moisturizer AM and PM, and it's better not to apply SPF if you're not going outside. You can pick up a separate sunscreen for daytime (or if the moisturizer that you love also comes in an SPF 30+ version, you can pick that one up for daytime and skip a step). If you can get your hands on a trial size of the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, I think it's one of the best moisturizers out there for difficult skin. I also really like CeraVe moisturizers - the PM version of the one you linked above is a great option.
Sunscreen
If you're using Stridex or any exfoliant (or even if you're not, for that matter), you need to wear sunscreen. I like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer, which comes in a million SPF levels. Anything over 30 is good. I live in southern California, and I prefer my SPF over 50, so use your judgement. If you end up loving the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion, use the AM version of that.
Often, skin produces oil because it lacks moisture, which is why I've recommended a flight of products that err more on the nourishing side than the oil-control side. BHA is a staple for fighting acne, so definitely use that, and once you settle into a skincare routine, you will get a better sense of if your skin is truly oily or if it has been overproducing oil due to lack of moisture. From there, you can go in and tweak things to get the skin you want.
Change comes slowly, so stick to a routine even if you don't see results right away. Drink lots of water. Wear sunscreen. We are always here if you need advice! I hope this helped!
i'd also recomend getting into skincare! this BHA helped with acne and acne marks. similar to the top comment, i recommend at LEAST cleansing and moisturizing morning and night. Add chemical exfoliants carefully, for some they can cause acne to get worse before getting better (which is ultimately a good thing, but you should research a bit more) I strongly recommend /r/AsianBeauty for skincare!
Try using Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 2-3 times weekly (at first, then can increase if your skin isn't sensitive to it) after washing and toning. I used to have some serious blackheads, and this stuff helps get them under control. It wasn't irritating at all to my skin, and I'm typically very sensitive to strong products and irritants.
I also use Karuna's Clarifying Mask 2x weekly (effective but gentle and moisturizing). These sheets masks are a bit pricey, around $8 per mask, so adding that in depends on your budget. You can also check out the Tony Moly Aloe Masks which are inexpensive and good for calming sensitive, acne-prone skin. These masks are optional, but I love them and find them helpful in maintaining clear skin.
The biggest game changer for me was learning about the "double cleansing", which is apparently a common practice in the Korean skin care regime. This involves starting with an oil-based cleanser (trust me on this, promise) like Banila CO Clean Zero in Purity (this is the one for acne-prone, sensitive skin because it doesn't have any added fragrances or dyes). After that go straight into washing one more time with a calming, foaming cleanser (you can use your CeraVe here for that still). This is probably the biggest reason why my blackheads went away, as many times when we only wash with one of these we miss out on cleaning everything off the skin that might break it out.
Best of luck! I added links below to what I mentioned above. I hope this helps!!
Links:
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid: https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Bha-Blackhead-Power-Liquid/dp/B00OZEJ8R8
Banila CO Zero in Purity:
https://www.amazon.com/Banila-Co-Clean-Purity-100ml/dp/B00Q2BJZC0/ref=sr_1_3_s_it?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1485324382&amp;sr=1-3&amp;keywords=banila
Tony Moly Aloe Mask:
https://www.amazon.com/Tonymoly-Real-Facial-Sheet-Package/dp/B00NRIGPWE/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1485324409&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=tony%2Bmoly%2Baloe&amp;th=1
Karuna Clarifying Face Mask:
https://www.amazon.com/Karuna-Clarifying-Face-Mask-Pack/dp/B004MXQEFQ/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1485324448&amp;sr=1-4&amp;keywords=karuna&amp;th=1
PS—Change out your clarisonic for a Foreo Luna for Combination Skin if you like. You can clean it with antibacterial soap instead of replacing those brushes all the time, and it didn't dry my skin out like the clarisonic one did when I used to have it. :)
It's not Amazon that can't ship it to you, it's the seller. I'm also a Canadian who shops on Amazon.com so I also get that a lot. Try your luck and buy it from another seller. Look at "More options available" and click on "other sellers". BHA and AHA on Amazon.com.
However, considering the current position of the CAD, ordering from Amazon.ca is actually a better deal right now. Jolse also sells on Amazon.ca! AHA. Sadly, Jolse doesn't currently have the BHA Blachead but they do have the BHA A-sol if that's what you're looking for. Here's the BHA from another seller.
After exfoliating use a cleanser. You said your face is a bit oily, and I'm in the same boat there. Go with a foaming cleanser (i.e. something like this). This replaces the soap part of what you're doing now. Actually (physically) exfoliating will be better because of the size of the things actually doing the scrubbing compared to the looped fibers of the washcloth. Much smaller and will be much more effective without causing (significant) damage to your skin. Chemical exfoliation would be even better. I'll talk more about the cleanser here:
So I have a few suggestions, because my skin used to be exactly like yours. I realized that after getting my basic skincare routine down that my skin isn't actually oily, it was just the products I use (which may be a different scenario for you) but I do have to take a lot of measures to combat my dehydrated skin. I also have redness that once required full-coverage foundation and now I wear tinted moisturizer to just even out my super mild redness. This is my routine:
AM:
Mario Badescu Keratoplast Cream Soap. This is less of a true cleanser in the way that it won't really work at removing makeup, but it is really fantastic at soothing redness/any irritation and making my skin feel super soft.
I then use Etude House 10-in-1 House Wonder Pore Freshener. This is a new addition that I really like for sebum control and pores. Not a neccessity for you it seems like, but I figured I'd suggest it. It's a toner. I find it actually works for me, when in in the past I'd use a toner and be like ok..... this is doing nothing, lol.
Then I use Nature Republic New Soothing Moisture Aloe Vear GEL 92% moisturizer. LOVE this for soothing redness and providing some serious hydration! I was really worried about this being sticky, especially because I have an aversion to textures sometimes, but I actually really like this. I know a lot of people say you shouldn't use stuff from jars, but I find that as long as I continue to see results, the jar continues to work for me. I just switched to this from the Clinique gel moisturizer and not only is the price decrease amazing, but I saw/felt results so quickly!!
For days that I know I need extra hydration in the AM (i.e., winter), I use Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion prior to my moisturizer.
Last morning step is sunscreen - I just switched from a western sunscreen to Missha All-around Safe Block Aqua Sun Gel Spf30/pa++ and I really like it, and that'll help your redness, too.
PM:
Cleanse with First Aid Beauty cleanser. I really like this, but I find it to be on-par with most cleansers, although this is gentler for sensitive skin.
Every other day: Too Cool for School Egg Mouse Pack. LOVE THIS. Improves brightness/radiance and gives hydration.
After I get out of the shower, I use the toner I mentioned above.
Cosrx BHA. Some say it reduced their redness, but I found it just helped with sebum/blackheads. I like Stridex better as a BHA, honestly.
I use the Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion every night, and follow with my moisturizer I mentioned above. I'm currently searching for a good night cream, I used Eucerin anti-redness prior and I didn't like it very much.
Throughout the week, I'll use the First Aid Beauty
Skin Rescue Purifying Mask With Red Clay, which I really like, but since you're on a budget I'd say it could wait. I find it reduces redness but works best for blemish control. I also use Tony Moly sheet masks, particularly ones that combat redness/dehydration.
Overall, if you could only afford 1/2 products, I would most recommend the Mario Badescu and the moisturizer I mentioned - but I also would highly recommend the Hado Labo lotion regardless due to your severe dehydeation.
Both Amazon and oo35mm have it. Tad more expensive, but you'll get it quickly.
For the cosrx products, I can only get them online on (Canadian) amazon. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a physical store that actually carries it. The exact link is right here :)
This one?! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awd_qlCNwb51175T5
stridex dried me out and the menthol in it was extremely irritating -so while many can use stridex and it's tried and true it's not the end-all be-all of BHAs. I personally like Cosrx - it's a bit pricier but it didn't dry me out, didn't irritate me, and worked very well - so i justified it. Although i can justify any purchase .....oh ya THESE black boots have a SILVER buckle .....
Skin Type: dehydrated and oily t zone
Country/Climate: East Coast, USA
Current Routine/Products I'm Using:
AM
PM
I specifically want help with choosing a BHA and new moisturizer. Top Skin Concern:
moisturizer -- Mizon Snail Recovery Cream Do you think this will be a good replacement for Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion?
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?
good for scars: https://www.amazon.com/Rohto-Melano-Intensive-Anti-Spot-Essence/dp/B0188CAZKQ
good for acne: https://www.amazon.ca/Cosrx-Blackhead-Power-Liquid-Remover/dp/B00OZEJ8R8
good for acne: https://www.amazon.ca/Cosrx-Acne-Pimple-Master-Patch/dp/B00PBX3TN6
2 toners that are generally good for everyone: https://www.amazon.ca/HADALABO-Gokujun-Hyaluronic-Lotion-Moist/dp/B074GX619Q/ref=dp_ob_title_hpc and https://www.amazon.com/Hadalabo-Skin-Institute-hyaluronic-solution/dp/B013HHJV0C/ref=pd_cp_194_1?pd_rd_w=xuxTj&amp;pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&amp;pf_rd_r=PNCEQPAYJ01D5T4G188R&amp;pd_rd_r=69c57dac-5630-11e9-9f4e-dfdbc4ec4f80&amp;pd_rd_wg=cEyQ3&amp;pd_rd_i=B013HHJV0C&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=PNCEQPAYJ01D5T4G188R
any tonymoly handcream because theyre cute and fun and everyone likes hand cream: https://img.grouponcdn.com/deal/3oZiBVh4T96HJsd7rGaHJtkpXXZq/3o-1500x900/v1/c700x420.jpg
I got them off Amazon Prime!
I did this, and found that I liked the Cosrx better so I ordered a bottle of that instead. It's a little cheaper for about the same amount: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3GG2EBV70K5YK&amp;psc=1
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! :)
this is so incredibly helpful :D I actually have this COSRX toner but stopped using it cause it didn't seem to be working -- seems like my problem is over exfoliation and not using the right cleanser. definitely sticking with my COSRX lotion!
Yup. Or aha or bha. Can’t decide which is better. https://smile.amazon.com/COSRX-Clarifying-Treatment-Toner-150ml/dp/B073P6BPF5/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Aha+spray&amp;qid=1571883720&amp;sr=8-5 that’s the latest one I got.
the ordinary is affordable. idk where you live but ulta sells it in store and online (https://www.ulta.com/glycolic-acid-7-toning-solution?productId=pimprod2007097&amp;sku=2551155&amp;_requestid=9742581) sephora sells it online. Or you can purchase directly from their website.
I’ve seen good reviews for this one: https://kravebeauty.com/collections/shop-all/products/kale-lalu-yaha mostly from skincare youtubers as the brand was created by one
cosrx is another affordable brand (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073P6BPF5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GgsHDbK30MSBK) i think the aha used are less intense compared to the other two. people tend to use this more as a ph balancing toner before using actives.
I suggest building up tolerance by using once a day. then twice a day? (I only use my aha/bha toner in the am since at night I have other products w active ingredients) and then maybe you can start using a higher % aha/bha peel type product once a week in the pm for more intense exfoliation. the ordinary’s 30% aha 2% bha or drunk elephant’s tlc babyfacial (25% aha 2% bha) just don’t go too concentrated at first if you’re not used to it! aha’s can cause tingling, which is normal. as long as it isn’t burning.
be consistent in use to see results. it’s not as obvious with first use like physical exfoliators. with those you see a difference since it’s taking off dead skin and but these are meant to resurface and even texture over time
aha’s cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun so use it at night or if you want to use the toner in both am and pm, use sunscreen in the am as a precaution!
btw the krave website has suggestion for beginners:
> AHA 5.25% is a great concentration to start if you're a AHA beginner. At first, you can mix Kale-Lalu-yAHA into your favorite moisturizer. This concoction would act as a buffer slightly interfering AHA with fully absorbing into your skin. Then move it up to your first step in your evening skincare routine. Try it once a week then build it up to the frequency that your skin is most comfortable with.
I have been dealing with redness for a while too. I'm pretty sure it's primarily genetic, but being dehydrated does not do me any favors.
There are a couple of things I've tried or been told to try and some have helped a bit. My mom has rosacea and I'm pretty sure I have a mild case of it as well, but I haven't really target that as much as I have tried to create a soothing routine.
Anywho things I've been told/tried (Amazon links just for info, you may consider buying some of these else where, if you decide to buy them at all):
Wow, I have just realized I've written you a book. My bad! I hope this helps some. These are just my experiences and suggestions, ymmv. Let me know if you have any other questions!
I think it already is: here
this is probably a very dumb question, but is toner a "one size fits all?" whenever i see a toner i see it says "suitable for all skin types."
edit: i should also point out i'm considering these two ( 1 and 2 )
Hi! I just recovered from dehydrated skin recently and live in Germany too! I find that layering hydrating products and then sealing it with an occlusive cream works best. Perhaps you could try a similar routine to mine like this:
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I also suggest installing a water filter if your area has hard water.
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Best of luck!
Looking to add TO Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% to my routine to help with PIE/PIH. Where in my routine would I incorporate it?
Current routine for the last few months:
26F, dry skin, main concerns are dry skin from tret, closed comedones, PIE/PIH. Located in Canada/pacific northwest. No new shampoo, toothpaste, changes in diet/lifestyle, or medication recently. I drink plenty of water, exercise, etc.
Thanks!
I like it ok but don’t think it really does much. I want to try
Sake High Moisture Skin Lotion Toner By Kikumasamune for Women 16.9 Oz Lotion, 16.9 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ECQCVK0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_k9WUCbC155FGD
Or
[KLAIRS] Supple Preparation Unscented Toner 180ml lightweight, essential oil-free, alcohol free https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B65NJLV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_daXUCbQ7JTJK7
And it took about two months to start seeing results from the retinol maybe. My forehead is smoothing out and my cc and blackheads on nose/chin are going away (had some purging)
So my first haul should be coming today and I have what I feel is a really really dumb question..
First off, I ordered a first and second cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and BHA active. I'm wondering if between each product you wash the product off with water before applying the next or if there are any products you layer without rinsing the previous off first. Could someone explain this process to me?
I know that seems like a really dumb question... but I'm new to this. Thank you for any help!!
Also, I know ph adjusting and hydrating toners are applied at different times. Would this Klair's unscented toner be considered ph adjusting or hydrating? It seems to be marketed as both. Thank you so much!
Looking at your above comments- I agree with the other poster, patch test a little area on your cheek or something with the squalane but honestly you should be fine. It's a great oil, I haven't met a face that doesn't like it! Fun (well sorta fun I guess) fact- the Squalane Oil from TO was the founder who recently passed away, Brandon Truaxe's favorite product. The company gave it away for free with purchases made in stores after he died because he was so passionate about the product.
Ahh hydrating toner recommendations-
Dear Klairs
Corsx essence
Missha essence
Those are the three I see recommend on here the most, like all the time. I use the STUPIDLY expensive SK-II would never recommend this it does nothing that every other hydrating toner/essence does- I have one or two more applications left in the bottle then it's going in the trash. I also use and love the Son & Park Beauty Water it's a huge bottle and it just feels wonderful on the skin!!
&#x200B;
You'll know things are working trust me. Your skin will look and feel better, glowing and happier!! And yes in a month (??) once your face is plump and happily hydrated the routine you came up with looks good!
Hydrating toners really helped me out, you can find a ton of suggestions on the /r/asianbeauty sub, some you can get on Amazon like hada labo gokyugin , or klairs supple preparation
Also it may sound counter intuitive, but putting straight water on your face and letting it air dry can be more drying to your skin, dry your face well after you wash it!
Hydrating toners we're a game changer for me, I won't be without one anymore!
I have long days and long nights so I usually go to the gym around 3pm while not doing my skincare routine till 11:30pm.
Here’s my gym routine:
Olay Daily Facials . Holy crap these things are amazing. They’ve been endorsed by a bunch of youtubers and I caved and bought them. They are great. They claim to remove makeup, cleanse, tone AND mask. I don’t think it does all of those things but they do remove makeup very well and do moisturize. I prefer this version b/c I have dry skin but there are other versions to fit a variety of skin types. I can’t recommend these enough. Mini review: 12/10.
Mario Badescu Rose Water
Klairs toner
And the Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream .
This is after the gym but if I’m wearing makeup, before the workout, i wash my face with a cleansing balm. then I follow up with mist and moisturizer.
Does your skin flake or feel dry/tight? Rather than layering moisturizers, you could try adding in a moisturizing toner. A few that I like are
I personally think exfoliating and using retin a and maybe even niacinimide is what's going to make the difference in your skin rather than layering on moisturizers. But if you are really dry, you should try playing around with moisturizing toner under your creams and maybe adding a face oil (or Vaseline) at the end of your routine. You can find a better way to get beneficial ingredients into your skincare rather than moisturizers and personally think you should cut back on using so many.
I'm also in the Seattle area and this winter has been really hard on my skin. It's a lot colder and dryer than our winters usually are. I recently added the Klairs Supple Preparation Toner and it seems like my skin really likes it.
My humidity sensor in my bedroom has been telling me that our humidity has been around 20% for a lot of this winter. That might not be enough to use products heavy in HA, from what I understand. The Klairs has HA, but it's one of several humectant ingredients. I have no way of verifying this, but I've read that in dryer conditions glycerine might be a better option than HA. So you may want to pause on your HA toners for a bit, or follow them up with a mist before moving onto your next step.
Have you considered trading your CosRX cleanser for CeraVe Hydrating for a bit? Target carries a travel size that would let you test it if you haven't to see if it works for you.
It was Thayer's and I think I got it from well.ca originally, but they also have in on amazon (not sure if well only ships in Canada). My old grocery store used to carry it in the crunchy beauty/cleaning products section too - so they might have it in other health food stores.
Here's it is on amazon
A whole new you
Congrats!
For skin
Witch hazel can also be a nightmare for others. If you want to try some products that have been given good reviews based on skin sensitivities check out Pacific Shaving Company's Shave Cream - $9.99 Prime and Pacific Shaving Company's Moisturizer(aftershave) - $9.99 Prime. For another natural alternative, though $$$, check out Aveda's Shaving Cream - $18.00 and Aveda's Aftershave - $35.00. When my skin is irritated I use Aveda with confidence. I blame my father-in-law for getting me hooked on their stuff.
If you haven't tried witch hazel it's worth a shot. You can pick up the highly regarded Thayers witch hazel for around $10.00.
I personally use Nivea Double action Q10 Balm after shaving and haven't had an issue with dry skin afterward.
On days I don't shave, I use Cerave Moisturizing lotion. It has ceramides and hyaluronic acid, super lightweight, absorbs fast, and won't leave you feeling greasy at all. PH balanced and non-comedogenic (so it won't break you out).
Before I apply my balm/lotion, I apply some Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel as it'll help your skin better absorb the lotion/balm.
If neither of those looks like good options, I'd suggest heading over to /r/SkincareAddiction and hopefully they can help you out!
Thayer's Unscented Witch Hazel
CeraVe SPF50 Face Lotion
Noble Formula 2% Pyrithione Zinc Bar Soap, recommended to me by my PocketDerm doc!
I am hoping I will have good luck with the CeraVe sunscreen. I have been using the Shiseido SENKA Mineral Water UV Gel SPF50 PA+++, which I love, but I think it's giving me a weird rash/dry skin where my glasses sit on my nose. Possibly from the alcohol content?
witch hazel before bed and when you wake up. Niacinamide/zinc at night.
The black pores on your nose are full of sebum and dead skin- it’ll never be gone forever. Witch hazel is a toner which removes excess dirt and dead skin. Niacinamide and zinc balances sebum production so your skin looks clearer.
Pore strips remove the surface issues but do not deep clean. If you want a quick fix, go with pore strips. If you want long term relief, consider a multi step cleansing process.
I use pore strips before weddings and social events if my nose is looking gnarly but I have a multi step skin cleansing routine that cut down my acne significantly. I’ve got a few nose strips hidden away that are probably over a year old.
I had the same concerns about shaving and skincare, and I asked basically the same question you're asking. I recommend you to check out r/wicked_edge. It's an entire sub dedicated to shaving, and after a year of heading their advice I can vouch for the benefits of wet-shaving with a double-edge safety razor over cartridge razors (and its waaaay cheaper).
But I can list a few basic things that'll help:
And there ya go. This ended up being much longer than I was expecting.
I always hear good things about this one
Bare minimum:
Heimish All Clean Balm
Cerave Foaming Cleanser
Thayers Rose Petal Toner
Tony Moly Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream
I got it from Amazon! https://www.amazon.ca/Thayers-Alcohol-Free-Petal-Witch-Hazel/dp/B007HD570Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1523933572&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thayer&amp;dpID=4186rx-UsfL&amp;preST=_SY300_QL70_&amp;dpSrc=srch :-)
I'm not great at skincare stuff, but make sure to look for a witch hazel that doesn't contain alcohol. The one I see most mentioned here is Thayers (alcohol free) rose petal witch hazel toner. Not sure about cheap moisturisers but someone else here will probably have some cheap recs!
I shave in the shower. After lathering up and making sure my skin is softer, i'll shave with a razor (DollarShaveClub FTW) and afterward use witch hazel to calm down any redness or bumps.
Biore sunscreens typically get a lot of love. I think the most common/popular one is Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence. You'll need to invest in a cleanser to properly remove it though. Biore sunscreens also tend to have alcohol in them, which I'm not sure if you're trying to avoid.
Not mrs_muffin and this isn't AB but I used to use Thayers Rose Petal Toner which is alcohol-free.
Foaming Facial Cleanser - Normal To Oily Skin by CeraVe for Unisex - 12 oz Cleanser https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003YMJJSK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_J0IPCb46RTP22
Thayers Natural Remedies Witch Hazel Toner, Rose Petal, 12 fl. Oz. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B007HD570Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_g2IPCbDH2BAVP
20% Vitamin C Serum - 60 ml / 2 oz Made in Canada - Certified Organic + 11% Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin E Moisturizer + Collagen Boost - Reverse Skin Aging, Remove Sun Spots, Wrinkles and Dark Circles, Excellent for Sensitive Skin + Includes Pump & Dropper https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00PL3DK26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_c0IPCb5SGGMPX
Brickell Men's Restoring Eye Cream for Men - Anti Aging Eye Balm To Reduce Puffiness, Wrinkles, Dark Circles, Under Eye Bags - .5 oz https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00QL67MY4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_m1IPCbD5SEVN4
All Natural Advice Daily Moisturizer with Peptide and Hyaluronic Acid | Canadian Made | Organic | Age-Defying Skincare for Face and Neck | Anti-Aging Complex for Natural Skin Tone and Healthy Radiance | 120 ml | Double the Size https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B06XVZDGGR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8YIPCbGEHFHYF
i also ordered elta md broad spectrum sun screen
EltaMD UV Facial Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30+, 3 Ounces https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01MTJ02SX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_42IPCbABTWHS5
.
I've read some sunscreens have a matte finish so hoping this might.
I'm a guy fwiw who just recently went down the skin care rabbit hole after getting an essential oil diffuser and reading they have skin benefits as well, so this is all new to me
May I recommend a little Thayer Witch Hazel. Very soothing.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HD570Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;th=1
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GDFYDE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Note: I just bought these on the recommendation of others. Personal experience in a week or so.
My HRT (2 months) hasn't gone on long enough to expect body hair changes. Also, no clue on back or ass wax. I'm going to have to look into a professional soon, as I don't have a patient significant other.
How do you like the Sana cleansing foam? I've been curious about that line.
And if you do decide to go with the Hadalabo Shirojyun lotion, it comes in 2 types: the regular version and the shittori/rich version. If you're looking for more hydration, I'd recommend the rich version. And FYI, the prices listed in these links are a bit high. If you look around, you can usually find Shirojyun for ~$16.
>Hada Labo Shirojyun Arbutrin Toner
https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Shirojyun-Medicinal-Whitening/dp/B00BS3Q58Y/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=hada+labo+shirojyun+arbutin+toner&qid=1562186315&s=gateway&sr=8-3
&#x200B;
I switched to this one now: https://www.amazon.com/ROHTO-Hadalabo-Shirojun-Premium-Lotion/dp/B06WP7GBV3/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=hada+labo+shirojyun+toner&qid=1562186390&s=gateway&sr=8-4
&#x200B;
The first one contains Arbutrin, and the second one contains tranexamic acid, both popular whitening and brightening ingredients in Asia. I liked the first one a lot, and am now trying the second one just because I read different reviews! Keep in mind it's not the original hyaluronic acid serum (that's the Gokujun, I also use that), so you'll need some additional moisture on top!
My personal opinion aside ( you are beautiful no matter what color you are!) , a lightening soap will do more harm than good. And it doesn’t stay on the skin long enough to do much.
You can try creams with Hydroquinone, it will be pricy for the whole body since they come in little jars. Or some kind of toner with kojic acid or alpha arbutin like this one and follow up with a cream like this one.
And don’t forget sunscreen!
What was he doing before your current routine?
Has the new routine made it better/worse?
Almost everything in the current routine would break me out so he might also have skin sensitive to ingredients in them.
Have you tried Cerave SA Cleanser - sa doesn't do much but the rest of the ingredients are gentle, slightly different ingredient list compared to foaming one
Getting rid of the coconut oil - can be highly comedogenic - level 4
Benzoyl Peroxide gel 4-10% - Put a layer on face for 5 minutes and then wash it off - does it's job of killing bacteria and doesn't dry out skin much since it gets washed off.
https://smile.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Shirojyun-Medicinal-Whitening/dp/B00BS3Q58Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&amp;th=1 This is the brightening line of hadolabo instead of the moist line, but some people turn to this because it's almost as moisturizing the and regular moist line breaks them out.
The Nivea and Skin Doctors can be pore clogging for some people (I can't use anything that's thick and creamy) and I don't like how the skin doctors doesn't state percentages. You're probably better off switching that around with the PC BHA though, the skin Doctors has AHA in it which makes skin sun sensitive so it's better used at night.
If they form on his chin can it possibly be related to follicular irritation/ingrown hairs?
I just have some comments on your PM routine.
Speaking from my experience, Cetaphil Cleanser is not that good at removing makeup. Your sunscreen is a physical one, which is even harder to remove, and I highly doubt that Cetaphil is enough. Also, coconut oil can clog pores, which leads to closed comedones (the tiny white bumps in your pic 02 look a lot like closed comedones). I definitely think you should replace it with some other non-comedogenic oil. (But that's only if you still want to include oil in your cleansing routine.)
Another thing is that microfiber cloth is a great physical exfoliant, but using it everyday can be a very bad thing, especially when you're already using BHA and retinol.
> What nighttime moisturizer do you guys use?
My skin is on the oily side (and a bit on the crazy side) as well. Silicones, fatty alcohols, fragrance will very likely break me out, so I avoid all those things. I've settled with this babe (Benton Snail Bee Essence) for years now and I'm still very happy with it.
Hey! No I have not.
Is this the product you think might be good for me?
[Snail Bee Essence] (https://www.amazon.com/BENTON-Snail-High-Content-Essence/dp/B00EC60MYW/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1510160263&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=Benton+Snail+Bee+essence)
Where would this fit into my routine btw
I'm adding AB products to my current routine, slowly. I added https://www.amazon.com/Benton-Snail-High-Content-Essence/dp/B00EC60MYW to my routine and the difference was so noticable two weeks later. My skin is glowing~.
HOWEVER.
How does everyone afford daily sheet masks? I'm not being a smartass, but $30/mo for one "product" doesn't really sit well with me. That $20 of essence has lasted me about two months already, and it's not even halfway through.
I know of the option of buying blank masks and using my essence, but I can only see a lot of potential product being wasted there.
Am I missing something?
It burned the most where I am more normal/somewhat dry like on my cheeks, but it felt like it radiated through my whole face (and my cheeks still vaguely burn now in the morning which scares me). I think I will definitely try something like witch hazel before going back to that.
Which products containing witch hazel would you reccomend? I was looking around and found this at Walgreen's. I was wondering if I should try something more diluted first so my skin can become used to it? Or dilute it myself (how would I do that)? Learning still!!
Edit: I also found this alcohol-free Thayer one but I would wish for something fragrance-free and no rosewater. It seems weird that they have original then an unscented kind?
If you like /u/Sirefly's suggestion, you may also find you get some calming relief from a witch hazel product with aloe vera as well. Thayer's makes lots of scents.
Once or twice a week, exfoliate your head/face/neck with St Ives Apricot Scrub (2% salicylic acid) in the shower and finish by toning with witch hazel. I use Thayer's, but you can get plain generic witch hazel just about anywhere, like Target. Just be sure it is alcohol free, and a little goes a long way. Exfoliating will clean out the pores, and toning will close them back up so that dirt can't easily get back in, as well as moisturize.
Other than that, just wash with soap and water 2-3 times per day, including shower. You may want to get a daily face soap, like Cetaphil.
Thayers witch hazel toner with Cucumber has worked miracles for me. http://www.amazon.com/Thayer-Cucumber-Witch-Hazel-Formula/dp/B001BR97A0
Skin Type: combination/dehydrated maybe??/acne-prone | Country/Climate I'm in: hot/humid/sometimes dry | Top Skin Concern: large pores, oil control in T-zone, pit-like scars on temples
Current Routine/Products I'm Using (as of two days ago):
AM
Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash
Thayer's Witch Hazel - Alcohol-free in Cucumber
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner
Care Zone Doctor Solution A-cure Clarifying Emulsion
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++
PM
Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash
Thayer's Witch Hazel - Alcohol-free in Cucumber
Aura Cacia Organic Skin Care Oil - Restoring Rosehip Oil with Vitamin E (For spot treatment and thickening my eyebrows lmao)
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner
Care Zone Doctor Solution A-cure Clarifying Emulsion
Recently bought the Thayer's Witch Hazel to replace my previous toner (which was from the same Carezone Doctor's solution line) thinking it would be good since I like using watery toners with a cotton pad to wipe off oil after washing my face (dunno if that actually does anything). However, today I noticed my face was in a thin layer of oil, basically the same post-wash oily feeling as when I used to not use toner or anything and just suffered with a dry cracking face after washing. Not sure if this is what people who "broke out from Thayer's" also experienced except my skin just didn't break out?? Any speculation/experience with Thayer's will help!
Also, my Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence Rose Edition finally came in from Yesstyle! It looks really watery and you apply it with a cotton pad, so hopefully it can replace my Thayer's!
So when it comes to acne & whatnot, looking up the pH levels of your cleansers & toners would be great. I'm reading this right now and it's super helpful.
Basically most cleansers (even water is 7 & traditional/regular soap is 9-10 pH) are over 5.5, the target pH of your skin (which is acidic, as it's less than 7). Searching for a lower-pH cleanser is a great way to go, but also toners are acidic to balance your skin back to the pH it needs to be after cleansing so it can ward off bacteria & whatnot (since bacteria doesn't thrive in acidic -pH 5.5-ish- environments).
I haven't looked at alcoholic vs. non-alcoholic properties in my stuff so I'm not sure what your situation warrants, but yeah I use Thayer's Cucumber Witch Hazel with Aloe Formula Alcoholic-Free Toner :)
Edit: here are some great resources. pH levels of toners & pH levels of cleansers.
Can I get some feedback on my routine?
Skin type: Normal to dry
Acne: Minimal
Day
Night
SKin type: It is a parched desert on my face, except recently I've been noticing that my forehead gets oily. This place is where I get the most closed comedones; but I have pigmentation scarring on the sides of my face from past acne battles. I'm not sure whether my skin may be changing to combination on my face, or if it's just because I need a better routine that's not so harsh on my skin.
I am considering abandoning ship on my old routine completely and adopting this new one. I understand the implications that completely changing my routine may cause. My skin, however, has felt incredibly taut and dry the past few weeks regardless of how much I moisturize with my Aveeno knock-off or my Maracuja oil.
I'm considering this new routine.
Morning:
Night:
This is where I am considering different options. I'd like to also implement Alpha Hydrox's Retinol ResQ into my night routine, but I'm not exactly sure where I can put it. Also, I have Tarte's Pure Maracuja Oil and am considering putting a few drops that as an extra moisturizer after my night lotion. Would this go prior to my retinol? I am not going to purchase this Tarte product when I run out, though (this was a present) and will probably use the jojoba oil as a replacement. I don't think there's much difference between the two? Am I right?
Also, in what part of my routine can I incorporate a scar gel? I currently have Mederma, but am considering the Alpha Hydrox spot lightening cream when I run out. Would it be better to forego the retinol since I intend to use the AHA lotion and simply use the spot lightening cream instead?
I just got it in the mail yesterday. I haven't tried it yet, since I started using a new cleanser and don't want to start more than one new product at a time.
I like that the cucumber one doesn't have any added fragrance, which is the reason I chose it over the other Thayers toners. It smells just like cucumbers, and it's not a strong scent either. It's only $7 on Amazon if you want to give it a try.
Soften the water I guess. Help wash of debris. It had aloe vera and witch hazel in it.
I just like my baby to smell awesome!
By water based, you mean not alcohol based? So like this would work?
My go-to post-shave routine is this:
OSMA Alum - rub on wet face, leave it on while cleaning up (brush/bowl/razor/etc), then splash with cool water.
Thayer's Witch Hazel - splash on after the Alum, let it dry.
CeraVe in the tub - The folks at /r/SkinCareAddiction turned me onto this stuff. It's like a balm, but unscented and way thicker. Super good for your skin.
I'll occasionally use an aftershave splash like Clubman, in place of the Alum and Witch Hazel, but not very often due to the fragrances. If I want to smell pretty, I'll just wear cologne, ya know?
I just tested my Thayer's alcohol free toner and it's a pH of 5 so if you're looking for something inexpensive, that's an economical option:
http://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-Free-Witch-Formula-Unscented/dp/B001DJDP7C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1449301858&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=thayers+alcohol+free
The Azzaro Chrome aftershave you're using is alcohol-based, and will likely dry your skin. Feel that burn? Yeah, it's nice, but I prefer the soothing and less-astringent Witch Hazel alternative.
Listed in order of recommended products:
I have not personally used MR GLO but the glycerin in it is great for skin hydration, and I plan on picking some up to add to my pre-shave routine.
Looks like a lot of money, I know that, but I'm just tossing you some options here. I would highly recommend the night cream if you can at all afford it, since my face in particular dries out overnight if I don't apply this stuff. YMMV, but I can definitely vouch for the night cream, which is also available at Target.
My local Target has discontinued the exfoliator, but I get mine on Amazon now. Feels fantastic on dry skin, just massage in with fingers until your skin feels buffed out. Not necessary, since your razor will exfoliate you plenty (and all you really care about are your shaved areas), but I use it on my whole face.
And of course, Nivea Sensitive Post-Shave Balm works amazingly well for an off-the-shelf solution, also found at Target.
PS: A cheap easy way to really clean up before you apply your aftershave balm is to apply straight-up Witch Hazel to your face using Cotton Rounds. Wipe it on generously, fan it to feel a cooling sensation if you want, let it sit for about a minute, then rub in what hasn't dried off. Apply aftershave balm, and enjoy your well-maintained face. Witch hazel and rounds are easily available at your local Target/Wally World/Walgreens.
Try some witch hazel. Thayer's makes some of the best ones.
Here is my routine with items and products that work for me.
DAILY Morning:
DAILY Night:
WEEKLY Sat or Sun: (In addition to daily routines)
* Use separate tools for hands and feet to avoid spreading any potential fungus to your hands
BI-WEEKLY Sat or Sun:
I have a few resources that have specific guides, I will post them later. I hope this is somewhat helpful and if you have any questions, let me know.
For a drugstore toner I would recommend Dickinson or Thayer's Witch Hazel. I personally really like the rose petal witch hazel, but if fragrance bothers you then just use plain witch hazel.
(PART 1) I couldn’t fix my painful dehydrated skin until i incorporated urea and lanolin, and regular use of petrolatum into my skin care. But idk how you feel about those... It took me a good year or year and a half to fix my dehydrated skin from overexfoliation.
Also, putting on occlusives right away after you wash and put on humectants is super important. Otherwise it can dry you out more.
So what I do is use a very gentle, non-foaming cleanser (I use LRP Gentle Hydrating) and while my face is still wet, put on all my hydrating toners and serums. Then go into lotions and creams RIGHT AWAY. You can watch Dr. Dray on YouTube who describes why this works.
When my skin was SO full of pain, from extremely dry, tight skin and irritated acne-like cysts everywhere, the only thing that didn’t hurt like a mf was Vanicream. It took me hundreds of dollars and tons of trial and error and babying my skin to get it back to normal. Now I can use AHA, azelaic acid, vitamin c, and even tretinoin and hydroquinone without a problem!!!
It took me hundreds of dollars and tons of trial and error and babying my skin to get it back to normal. Now I can use AHA, vitamin c, and even tretinoin and hydroquinone without a problem!!!
No one or two products fixed my dehydrated skin. It took a TON of research over the years learning which ingredients were the most healing, moisturizing, how they work, etc.. And an entire routine around hydrating and moisturizing as much as possible.
And i know everyone raves about the cosrx snail essence, but it didn’t do shit when my skin was that dehydrated. But there IS some evidence of snail healing damaged skin. The point is to put in as much healing and soothing ingredients into your routine as much as possible.
I always make sure to include ingredients like: panthenol (derivative of vitamin b5), allantoin, urea, hualuronic acid, glycerin, aloe, colloidal oatmeal, ceramides (huge!!!), niacinamide (especially useful for brightening and healing your skin), petroleum (there is NOTHING out there that reduces transepidermal water loss like petroleum can. I tried to be all ~natural is better~ for a while, but realized it wasn't doing anything to help fix my skin), etc.
And not just adding these helped fix my skin, but leaving things out was a HUGE step in finally letting my skin heal. I avoid these like the plague: fragrance, natural (essential oils) or synthetic, alcohol anywhere other than sunscreen, sodium lauryl sulfate (sodium LAURETH sulfate is the gentler one, but I avoid that for my face too anyways. Any surfectants can be aided to be milder by adding cocamidopropyl betaine), all acids until my skin could handle them (interestingly enough, vitamin c serum actually helped my skin hold more water instead of hurting me), and things that I know irritate my skin.
Things that were/are biggest contributors of keeping my skin moist and hydrated, in no particular order:
Thayers Unscented Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel - the first thing that goes on my skin after washing. It's just water, aloe, glycerin and witch hazel. It's so simple but idk why my skin likes it so much, lol. It's HG for me.
Hadalabo Premium Lotion - HG, must have. ALWAYS put occlusives on top, do not wait for it to dry. Hyaluronic acids, urea, algae. This is my one non-negotiable skin care item.
Aveeno Eczema Therapy Cream - Super moisturizing. Colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, panthenol, petrolatum, a ceramide, dimethicone. (Also, people demonize silicones, but they are not bad ingredients. They are actually really helpful in keeping in moisture, providing slip, and smooth feel for skin and hair. And no, they don't prevent other things from reaching the skin.) And Aveeno Eczema Therapy Night Time Balm for something heavier but has same ingredients. You can use both.
And of course, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream - ceramides, cholesterol, must have skin-identical lipids that dehydrated skin lacks, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum, dimethicone. This by itself didn't help a whole lot, but with an army of all the different gentle, soothing things, it helped tremendously.
CeraVe PM- same as the cream, but much lighter and has 4% niacinamide I believe. Niacinamide has been key to helping my dry-ass skin. It does SO many things. I DIY 6% niacinamide and 5% n-acetyl glucosamine to boost the niacinamide even further. But you can find this ingredient in loads of AB things and Olay products. Make sure the Olay stuff is fragrance-free if you get them. I like the Olay Anti-Aging Face Cream a lot. You can use the CeraVe lotion if you for some reason can't tolerate niacinamide, but want something lighter than the cream.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment - SLUG LIFE is a MUST if you have dehydrated skin. You can use Cerave healing ointment too, but it's redundant if you use the cream or lotion. It's not as occlusive as aquaphor. Aquaphor isn't just a more pricier Vaseline as people suggest. It does have white petrolatum that is oh-so helpful, it also has healing ingredients like panthenol and bisobolol, and also lanolin alcohol and glycerin for humectants. I put on a THICK layer of this when I go to bed.
If you wanna go a step further and go super saiyan, and you aren't sensitive to lanolin, you can use Lasinoh Lanolin before or after Aquaphor. I can't stand the smell of lanolin, but this one is medical-grade and doesn't have a smell. Lanolin is SUPER helpful because of it's crazy humectant properties but it also acts as an occlusive.
For just uber Panthenol healing, you can get something that stars Panthenol as the main star ingredient, like DML Forte Cream or Timeless Skin Care Vitamin B5 Serum. I don't use the cream anymore, but I do still use the serum. It looks expensive, but if you get the refill sale, it's about $7/oz (idk what country you live in, but this is the price for me in the U.S.). I HIGHLY recommend their vitamin c, e, ferulic acid serum as well when your skin can handle it. It works out to about $8 an ounce if you get it during refill sale. It stays good for a while in the fridge. I wrap it in foil and transfer it to a 1 oz dropper bottle for using it in my bathroom. It gives glow to your skin like NOTHING ELSE, and boosts your sunscreen (the antioxidants slow the degradation of sunscreen ingredients, giving a huge boost to your sunscreen) and has helped me with water retention. If you can't get it on refill sale, use the HotandFlashy (I also recommend her Youtube channel) code hf5off to get $5 off. It's a forever coupon code.
I really like Thayers Witch Hazel. I find that it's not as drying as other toners I've used, and is inexpensive. It feels really nice putting on. Just make sure you follow up with a moisturizer.
Honestly, I like the MR11 for new(er) folks to start off with. It isn't ridiculously short, it isn't ridiculously long. It has a good neutral feel even though it is fully stainless (the handle).
Ummm, besides that.... the kit will come with an Alum bloc.
Back to the Amazon purchase, one thing that I'd recommend always having on hand from there that has been my favorite for the past few months or so are going to be:
Thayers
and
Tea Tree Oil
I can't really think of anything else off the bat right now.... I'd say that I am selling my Merkur Futur, but I don't think that I'd recommend that as a beginner razor at all. Maybe once you want to try something more aggressive and adjustable that is affordable down the road.
Thayer's Toner
Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream
I've bought some different oils and made my own beard oil but it's fantastic for your face as well. I use even after I shaved my beard.
I'm not entering my own contest but here's my routine:
Then I prime and apply makeup as normal.
At the end of the day I:
Repeat 2-5 and go to bed.
Sometimes I do sheet masks and Indian Clay masks with ACV.
I wanna start going to the sauna at my gym once a week too for happy skin.
Thanks for your comments! I thought that rubbing balm into my eyes sounded a little dangerous. If I already have a toner is that substitutable for micellar water, or is there something about micellar water that's good for removing makeup? (I've never used it before.)
Might be a little late but I had really bad acne for a kid and still would as an adult if I didn’t adopt a strict skincare routine and diet (it’s not that bad). Drinking water and changing your pillowcases frequently (every week to two weeks) also will help especially if you start putting all this product on your face. see note at the end*
For some, cutting out either, some, or all of the following helps alleviate acne: Dairy, Oil, Sugar, Gluten. But since you said you had no changes in diet I won’t go into that. Sorry in advance for formatting errors as I did all of this from mobile. Some products have instruction in Korean but I will tell you how to use them. Everything is used everyday/every night unless specified.
*Note: you may need to slowly introduce these products. Most of them are geared toward moisturizing and preventing aging as well. If you do anything, I’m at least recommend exfoliating often, changing pillow cases and properly moisturizing your skin using the sheet masks as well as possibly vitamin E serums. I plan on getting some but have no money rn, but Belei sent me free samples and I loved it. I think The Ordinary also carries some. Also, properly washing your face will probably help as well, and I’d recommend getting at least a spin brush. Over rubbing your face can be harmful to the skin and skin brushes usually clean well enough without harm.
I hope this helps! This is my whole routine but if anything jumps out feel free to not look at everything! I’m of course not a dermatologist but this helped me and I now only get pimples usually if I eat excess of the previously mentioned triggers :) my skin is now brighter and dark spots clear up in about 2-3 months but are usually lighter after about two weeks.
My only suggestion would be to use an astringent. I use a witch hazel toner
I try to keep mine simple while still doing what I can to prevent further damage. I didn't take care of my skin at all in my 20s so I'm undoing damage now, but the vitamin C serum and sunscreen combo have helped a ton. I have fairly sensitive skin, and it gets easily dehydrated as well.
Morning
Evening
Whenever my skin still gets dehydrated for whatever reason I apply Rosehip oil. Sometimes I do a chick pea flour + Turmeric mask which works great but is a bit drying so the oil helps a lot.
Thank you for this. Funny thing is I bought some things already from amazon (I bought differin) so I’m gonna save up some money before getting other things.
Funny you said to ditch the hyaluronic acid because i just ordered this :/ it got good reviews and I wanted to try https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XTM1HMB/ref=mp_s_a_1_sc_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1518771665&amp;sr=8-5-spell&amp;keywords=hyaluronic+acid+moisturizer+collaen
I will soon buy whah you recommend me and tell you how it goes since it seems you know what you are talking about
I really fucked up my face using too much exfoliants and then ended it with a Kojic acid soap. My face got darker (which I don’t want, I just want to have my natural skin tone which I’m trying to accomplish, made some progress...I feel my actual skin tone without the influence of the sun looms the best) and super irritated and dry so I’m trying to heal it
Someone also recommended me this and it looks pretty good when it comes to soothing the skin
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007HD570Q
I'm using Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera which seems to say it is pH balacing, to 5.5.
Thanks for the L-AA news. I was using it before the lactic acid until recently and will now switch back.
I'm definitely not mixing the mizon with sunscreen. I put on mizon, wait 5-10, then put on cerave AM, which has sunscreen plus other good stuff. Sorry I didn't type that clearly.
Reading your comment about using powder foundation could be a contributor too! During the day when you wear makeup you skin essentially eats whatever is on it, so if you're completely matte in other areas (where it appears flaky) it could absorb more quickly in others (the shiny nose/forehead T-Zone.) I would recommend using Lush's Ocean Salt exfoliant twice a week- about $20 for product that will last you months- to remove dead skin cells and give your skin a very fresh feeling! Also a toner can work wonders and implementing a really simple moisturizer with SPF in it at night and in the morning. Then swapping to a hydrating foundation and setting it with a powder in ONLY the areas that get oily throughout the day will help immensely with the dry and cakey/flaky feeling. Below I'll list some products I suggest trying:
Toner:
Thayer's Witch Hazel
-The most important thing about toners is that they CANT have alcohol in them, it will dry out your skin even more! I like the rose one the best just because it smells nice, but the lemon grass one is great as well
Foundation:
Loreal Pro Glow
-This is a really great dewy foundation that isn't going to be drying or super matte and cling to your skin. It has a good shade range and great reviews! Also pretty affordable as far as quality foundations go.
Moisturizer:
Simple Skincare
-This is such a GREAT brand for amazing products and really inexpensive to try and see what your skin needs, this is a good general low-maintenance piece I recommend a lot, I've used it for quite a while and it makes my very dry skin happy when I don't have time for anything else
I hope this helps!!
I haven't have pimples latelly, I think I have a combination of both, because my cheeks are dry while my nose and forefront are oily...
My routine now is:
AM:
I'm brand new here. Previously used Cetaphil's facial cleanser as my only face product, but it was too harsh. I have relatively gentle skin. In the past, it has fluctuated between dry and oily.
Anyway, I bought the following products recently:
I've been using all of them, in order, for both AM and PM routines. Is this a good start / should I add anything? Should I be doing something different for AM vs PM?
My skin seems a little clearer already, although it gets worse whenever I shave (working on that).
I mix mine with a Hyaluronic serum (either Cosrx hyaluronic essence or Hadalabo premium gokujyun "lotion") and It's Skin licorice booster. If I feel like jazzing things up I will put in some Scinic Honey AOI.
Ahah, personally I view my product's ingredient list with impunity and the skepticism of a grumpy old man. I'm not quite sold on the magic of "peptides" yet. Peptides are the featured ingredient in the Buffet, without it it's just a overpriced hydrating serum. It is 30mL for $15 CAD where as my Cosrx Hyaluronic Essence is 100mL for $18~ CAD. My Hada Labo Premium Gokyjuyn "Lotion" (really a serum) is $16.75 CAD for 170mL.
*Also cuz buffet have "urea" in it...you know, the thing that is in your urine...so yah.....I don't see myself personally using it anytime soon, lol
I would actually recommend you use a watery, hydrating toner (not western wipe-off toner) before your serum. Kikumasamune High Moist^hella^value and Hada Labo Gokujyun or Shirojyun "Lotion" are really popular here too.
(I'm linking Canadian amazon site cuz I have them saved. Feel free to search them on amazon.com if you are America; you'll probably get better pricing than me! lol)
The use of a light hydrating layer followed by a thicker serum will be more effective than use two equally thick serums. Top it off with a good emulsion/creamy lotion/moisturizing gel and you are set. :)
Hello! I am a beginner to all this routine stuff, so I'd like some input before I buy a bunch of stuff.
Usually oily, sometimes combo | SE United States/humid | Top Skin Concern: Blackheads, brightening, evening skin tone
Current Routine/Products I'm Using:
AM
PM
What I've come up with:
Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Cosrx Galactomyces 95 White Power Essence
Hada Labo Shirojyun Albutin Medicinal Whitening Lotion
Biore UV Aqua Rich Smooth Watery Gel
I'm not sure if I am missing any important steps, but please let me know if I should change anything.
I have also seen many great things about Benton Snail Bee Essence. Would it be worth adding in?
Thanks!
This one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BS3Q58Y/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=mala04-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00BS3Q58Y&linkId=1723fbbc12125b11948f11113384df7e
It's the lotion with the yellow on the bottle as opposed to the red. I think the red is the "moist" or "thick" version but it is not FA safe.
The milky lotion is not a toner, it's a "milk" or an emulsion. It is very confusing haha!
Amazon is probably the easiest: BENTON Snail Bee High Content Essence https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EC60MYW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_cooJyb8SM2737
This is the one I purchased.
Hello again!
I am absolutely thrilled with the results from my new skincare routine, but I recently found out that I am allergic to something in a new product I bought. It is the Snail Bee serum ( https://www.amazon.com/Benton-Snail-High-Content-Essence/dp/B00EC60MYW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3OIWIW18IKYUS&keywords=snail+bee+high+content+essence&qid=1564062821&s=gateway&sprefix=snail+bee%2Caps%2C357&sr=8-3 ) and I did patch test it with no bad results. However, when I use it on my face it gets very red and irritated and itchy. I obviously stopped using it immediately but what I need to know is what do you think I am allergic to? I am not allergic to bees, and I have used snail serum in facemasks and other things before with no problem. I am allergic to denatured alcohol, but they do not list it on the product ingredients. I would love to understand this problem before I go waste more money on new skincare that I am allergic to.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!
I have actually! The thing is it's been really good on the rest of my face so far, so I'm unsure if that's it.
28M, scandinavia, combo skin(oily T). Over the last 6 months, I've gotten a lot of weird, vertical creases on the forehead.
Some of them seem to be naturally occurring others I have no idea where come from. I've tried taking a few pictures, but my camera's quality isn't that great: https://imgur.com/a/K9Xaifa
The things I've noticed, which you might also see in the pictures:
A redditor here kindly helped me out with some recommendations for products, and I read about over-exfoliating and transepidermal waterloss. I stopped using all actives for a while, because my skin on the forehead felt really, really tight. I ended up buying a CeraVe cleanser and moisturizer, which helped my skin feel more comfortable again. Afterwards I've gone back to my normal routine, although I've made a change by adding retinol in the evening:
AM
PM
I'm slow to reply (I went away for the weekend and had this tab open before I left), however I think it's important to note that in some cases the snails could be stressed from the procedure. However, animal testing is illegal in Korea, and animal abuse is highly frowned upon. I personally trust and recommend COSRX and Benton.
&#x200B;
Here is a great article about snail mucin, and it highlights COSRX's procedure:
>How is snail mucin collected?
>
>For Cosrx products, snails are placed over a mesh net in a dark and quiet room. As nocturnal creatures, the snails prefer this environment. For about 30 minutes, the snails are left alone to freely roam the net, leaving mucin in their trails.
>
>Throughout the process, there is no external stress applied to the snails or the mesh net to force mucin production. This is due to two reasons. First, animal testing is illegal in Korea, and animal abuse is a huge topic that has sparked many controversies. Second, optimal mucin production occurs when snails are well-rested and comfortable in their habitat, which is why Cosrx’s manufacturer tries their best to make sure that the snails are healthy and comfortable.
>
>After 30 minutes, the snails are transferred back to their homes to rest and regain energy while the mucin is collected and processed for cosmetic use. The collected mucin is then processed to properly stabilize the product and make it suitable for cosmetic use before being sent over to Cosrx.
>
>https://theklog.co/beauty-products-with-snail-mucin/
I'd recommend reading the whole article.
AM
PM
Background: I used to have psoriasis and eczema all over my body and face, but thanks to biologics (Humira), my psoriasis patches have regressed into hyperpigmented spots. I live in a hot and dry desert, which not only dries out my skin, but I also sweat a lot. Combination of dryness + sweat causes my face to redden.
Picture of Face:
https://i.imgur.com/4rAEHSG.jpg (Ignore dry lips)
I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying]...
Thank you Thank you and Thank you! Can't believe it took me this long to find this site/community!
Routine:
I only use the AHA at night, and only do it every few days. I feel like that is the cause for when my face gets more red (we're talking the very next night still) and stays warm.
How is my routine looking though? I know I have mostly western products I apologize.
I need trouble shooting help with my new benton products.
I got samples of both the Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence and Benton Snail Bee High Content Toner and found that they both worked great on my skin. So after about two weeks of good results, I purchase full size bottle.
Another week in I start breaking out like crazy! My skin is pretty clear as long as I keep it moisturized, so when I got three giant white heads I freaked!
So now I am just using The Face Shop Arsainte Eco-Therapy Moisturizer only on my face and have seen a great improvement. No more pimples, the new ones emerging have done down. Even the discoloration is going away.
Now I have really dry skin, so was it a fluke that the samples worked well but the full bottle didn't? How do I go about figuring out which product might be bad? Should I get the Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Lotion to go with the rest of the set to make it work out well?
Please help r/asianbeauty! You're my only hope!!
Here
I'm also testing this one now to see which does a better job for me. Currently it looks like the other one is better suited, I have another week or so trial before I make my decision.
Maybe this is a silly question, but do you wear makeup at all? Many bb/cc-creams or foundations/concealers will minimize redness (depending on coverage goals) -- I've heard good things about IT Cosmetics "Bye Bye Redness" line, though it's not super cheap -- but I imagine there are drugstore alternatives.
Skincare wise, I find aloe to be soothing -- I use this toner after shaving, and also really like this moisturizer (if you end up saving for laser, I find it to be really soothing after that too, or sunburns in the summer!).
I need help with my routine! I'm getting married in less than 4 months and I want my skin to be the best it can be. I have combination/oily/acne skin. Here's my current routine:
&#x200B;
AM:
-Cleanser ( 30% Castor oil, 70% sunflower oil )
- Toner Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Moisturizer SKEDERM EXHYDRO
&#x200B;
PM
-Cleanser ( 30% Castor oil, 70% sunflower oil )
- Toner Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Curology ( .018% Tretinoin, 1% Clindamycin, 8% Azelaic Acid)
-Rosehip oil
- Moisturizer Medicine Mama's Apothecary Sweet Bee Magic
&#x200B;
I still break out occasionally and get the occasional cyst zit. My skin texture isn't as soft as I'd like. I'm thinking about adding some sort of vitamin c in there but I don't know what kind or where I should put it into my routine. Let me know if there's anything I can improve!
The Korean brand COSRX makes some great, sensitive products with AHA and BHA. Using products with tea tree oil might help, but be wary of anything that could potentially alter your hormone profile. The basics of Korean skin care are consistent, everyday use of a clear step-by-step process. I suggest this site for how-to.
You don't need every step necessarily, but I would start slowly with 3-4 and build up slowly as to not agitate your skin. The important ones for you are going to be the two part cleansing, toning, essence, spot treatments and ampules, and light moisturizer-- so about six of the steps or so.
Here are some things that I find help, and seem to be very popular for acne prone skin. I have used all these, as well as my sensitive, acne prone DH and had success:
Finally, be very careful ordering similar "discount" products off amazon because it is rife with counterfeits from China. This can be dangerous as the contents of the product/ingredients are not necessarily listed correctly, which is a problem. Buying reputable brands from verified sellers or soko glam or Sephora is absolutely recommended. I get a lot of Amazon, but I always use Fakespot.com and also check the seller out carefully. If the well-known brand manufacturer is selling it direct to Amazon, that is a pretty safe bet.
All of these thing start with the skin down, but also consider the bottom up. Look at your diet, look at your activity level, how often you clean your sheets, how stressed you are, and your general health. Have you been evaluated for gynecological or endocrine issues? It's a good idea to know that before you jump to conclusion. Make sure to consult a doctor, because sometimes our skin is a good indication of something off inside.
Good luck and I am sorry you are suffering!
Hello, three months ago I asked here for help and recieved some really good advice, so thanks for that.
The issue: Closed comedones, whiteheads (according to Google images), redness (on the temple) that stays for up to 2 weeks.
Skin type: I would say oily, however the products I've been using balanced my face quite a lot.
Current routine:
AM:
Cleanser: Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
For the moisturizer and SPF I use: Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream.
PM:
Cleanser: Cosrx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
Moisturizer: Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream but recently I swaped it for Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel.
I also use 5% Benzoyl Perioxide for spot treatment.
How long: 3 months
Anything new: -
Your location: EU, Poland. I don't mind ordering from other countries.
I'm satisfied with the cleanser and moisturizer/spf that you have recomended me. Now I think that I should buy something specific for closed comedones and whiteheads. It was the issue 3 months ago and it is now, but I wasn't expecting that the cleanser to help with that. I've looked up the web for some Cosrx Toners and I think I should get one to cleanse my face even more and this one should help according to the producer's info. I would like to deal with the cc/whiteheads first then with the hyperpigmentation (mine moisturizer/spf helps with that but still that lasts for like a week)
Thanks in advance for the help :)
Is this milia? I am talking specifically about the little bumps below my eye.
I think I have finally found peace and harmony with my current routine, which is a blend of Asian beauty products and my long-standing "American" (I guess?) method.
My skin type is fairly balanced and my usual AM routine is
At night I do the same thing, but I skip the AHA / BHA toner and I use CeraVe in the tub.
I do get milia on my cheeks occasionally, though the AHA / BHA seems to have drastically cut down on that. Perhaps I should start toning just below my eyes, but I always thought that area to ber very sensitive!
Also, any tips on getting rid of these blackheads without popping? I have considered working a regular second cleanser into my routine, but my skin has mostly behaved so I wasn't sure it was necessary. That said, I used cetaphil for years and found it slightly drying, but not too irritating.
So, to recap: how do I get rid of the bumps below my eye, and my blackheads on my cheeks? Thank you!
This and this.
https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Clarifying-Treatment-Toner-150ml/dp/B00OZ63ODA
This is not an exfoliator, but a toner with slight exfoliating effects. Please understand it is difficult to suggest products without knowing the full skincare routine, so this is a rather safe recommendation.
My skin type is sensitive/acne prone, with some redness. My skin is generally combination. My general evening routine is:
For the sponge, you would recommend this:
https://www.amazon.com/pureSOL-Konjac-Facial-Sponge-Activated/dp/B00JL2TURM/ref=sr_1_7_s_it?s=beauty&amp;rps=1&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1502503168&amp;sr=1-7&amp;keywords=konjac+sponge&amp;refinements=p_85%3A2470955011
And the link below would be used after my cleanser?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZ63ODA/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_7_w
Do you think it would be ok to use this product after splashing water in the am before my Vit c? And also be able to use my pixi aha at night? Or would that be too much?
This NYTimes article about going without soap is mainly an ad for a probiotic skin spray, but it's kind of interesting to think about how there could be good skin bacteria that protect us from stink that we're washing away. I've switched to body wash and toner that have the same slightly acidic pH as skin is supposed to have. My tap water is hard and slightly alkaline, so I've been spritzing my pits with a slightly acidic toner after the shower and it's made a huge difference in preventing stink.
Skin Type: Dry/Dehydrated | Country/Climate: Midwestern US (cold, dry, windy) | Top Skin Concerns: Anti-aging. I’m particularly concerned about wrinkles.
Misc Factors:
I don’t know if any of this is relevant, but just in case: I’ll turn 26 next month, AFAB. I’m on a low budget. I’m an omnivore (minimal dairy, minimal meat). My skintone is KGD 213 (biracial, American Indian and white). Two weeks ago I began taking a Daily Multi-Vitamin, Omega 3-6-9, and Vitamin C + Rosehip. I just started using skincare products of any kind 13 months ago, and I spent many years unprotected in the sun, so I likely have a great deal of sun damage (I’m guessing that’s where the static lines in my forehead came from, as well as the freckles that haven't faded after a year of no unprotected sun exposure). I’m unsure of my Fitzpatrick skin type - I’m light-skinned, very rarely burn, tan easily. Years ago, with moderate sun-exposure and no sun protection, I used to go from roughly NC15 to NC45.
I should mention that I don’t have a sunscreen in my daily routine because I only have sun exposure for approximately 30 minutes weekly, max. (I have a medical condition that is triggered/worsened by sun exposure). On days with any sun-exposure, I use CeraVe SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Lotion.
Current Routine/Products I’m Using:
AM:
• Water to cleanse
• Kiku-Masamune - Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture
• Dr. Jart+ - Ceramidin Liquid
• CosRx - Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
• Scinic - Honey All In One Ampoule
• Hada Labo (Tokyo) - Replenishing Hydrator
• Belif - Creamy Deep Moist Moisturizer
• CeraVe - Moisturizing Facial Lotion PM
PM:
• Water to cleanse
• Kiku-Masamune - Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture
• Dr. Jart+ - Ceramidin Liquid
• CosRx - Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
• Scinic - Honey All In One Ampoule
• Hada Labo (Tokyo) - Replenishing Hydrator
• Belif - Creamy Deep Moist Moisturizer
• CeraVe - Moisturizing Facial Lotion PM
• Belif - the True Cream Moisturizing Bomb
• Vaseline Jelly Cocoa Butter to seal it all in.
I specifically want help with routine order. I want to make sure my ^current routine is in order, and I’d also like help with the order I should introduce some new products (after patch testing each one separately). I’ve never used actives before - everything I’ve read has stressed the importance of patience, caution, and babying/nourishing and most importantly, listening to your skin when introducing and using actives to a skincare regimen.
I recently purchased [Deciem the Ordinary - Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5] (http://ordinaries.com/product/rdn-hyaluronic-acid-2pct-b5-30ml) to add to my list of essences/serums/ampoules, and [Nature Republic - Super Aqua Max Moisture Watery Cream] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HP1D1G6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;th=1) to hopefully replace the Belif - True Cream Moisturizing Bomb.
I purchased [CosRx - AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner] (https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/asin/B00OZ63ODA/2/ref=ask_dp_iaw_ql_hza?isAnswered=true#question-Tx2CHHURICEV24D) to use as a prep-toner for actives.
I also acquired [Deciem the Ordinary - Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%] (http://ordinaries.com/product/rdn-vitamin-c-suspension-23pct-ha-spheres-2pct-30ml), [Deciem the Ordinary - Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%] (http://ordinaries.com/product/rdn-lactic-acid-10pct-ha-2pct-30ml), and [Deciem the Ordinary - Advanced Retinoid 2%] (http://ordinaries.com/product/rdn-advanced-retinoid-2pct-30ml), and [Deciem the Ordinary - Matrixyl 10% + HA] (http://ordinaries.com/product/rdn-matrixyl-10pct-ha-30ml).
Do y’all have any recommendations for which skincare products I should introduce first? What should my routine order look like?
Thanks so much.
I do. I thought about it, compared the prices and felt you might get more mileage with my recs. Patch test!!
Yeah, that's one of them
The other one I mentioned is : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZ63ODA/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_7_w
Thank you for reply! I actually have a product from CosRx! The snail 96? Or something like that. I totally forgot it had a Bha choice. I will look at them now! I have oily skin and I want to get rid of CC, white heads, and wrinkles. Also rough skin. I don't get much acne though. Thanks!
edit: sorry but is it this one
https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Bha-Blackhead-Power-Liquid/dp/B00OZEJ8R8
Another alternate product is CosRX's BHA Blackhead Power Liquid.
MUCH cheaper than Paula's Choice and, for me at least, delivers better results. From my understanding it uses a different type of BHA than most other products (Betaine Salicylate instead of Salicylic Acid). Its gentler, which might be helpful if you're already using a BHA product in your routine
https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Bha-Blackhead-Power-Liquid/dp/B00OZEJ8R8
It's fine for cleansing your face but if you want a BHA that will do something significant for your skin you should get a product you can leave on for long enough for the BHA to work. People seem to like Paula's Choice BHA Liquid since her products are properly formulated and work well for a lot of people. I personally use CosRx Blackhead Power Liquid BHA, which is Korean but the brand is trustworthy and fantastic, and it's only about $17 for about 6 ounces, whereas PC is $28 for 4 ounces. The Paula's choice is available as a liquid, gel, or lotion too so you get more options if you have a preference of consistency.
The CosRx is available on Amazon, (with Prime shipping too) here: https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Bha-Blackhead-Power-Liquid/dp/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1466037028&amp;sr=8-1
And the Paula's Choice is available here: http://www.paulaschoice.com/shop/skin-care-categories/aha-and-bha-exfoliants/_/Skin-Perfecting-Two-Percent-BHA-Liquid-Exfoliant
If you haven't ordered from PC before, you can go to the referral thread and use someone's referral code and you'll get $10 off your order so there won't be as much of a price difference.
This and this one?
(I tried looking on Soko Glam but it looks like they didn't have it, so I looked it up on amazon.)
I've been on tret for about 2 1/2 years now and luckily i think i have the answer. I experienced the same as you, where i would get very deep cysts (not small) and the tret seemingly wasn't working.
Those tiny pimples are actually blackheads, which due to the changes on your skin caused by tret (dry skin for example) are being turned into whiteheads. You need to tackle your blackheads more. Get a BHA/AHA into your routine. try switching between them every other night and after 2 or so months you should see results. I recomend CORSX blackhead power liquid, it's very light on irritation and will work wonders (it did for me).
Seconding the OCM and BHA tip. I use this oil cleanser and this BHA and they've done wonders to shrink the pores on my nose. FWIW I have combo skin with large pores. I've recently switched to a mostly Asian skincare product routine and my skin has never looked better!
I'm not sure if links are allowed here/if it counts as marketing or something, but do these two links look legit to you?
https://www.amazon.ca/Cosrx-Blackhead-Power-Liquid-Remover/dp/B00OZEJ8R8
https://www.amazon.ca/Merano-medicinal-intensive-measures-Essence/dp/B00ITAP8P0
The COSRX one is pretty pricy :( and the Melano CC seems like it's coming from Hong Kong or something and on Amazon it says it'll come between Dec 3-31. Perks of living in Canada?
Alternatively I could buy off Yesstyle? Nvm, found this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/7vqw46/discussion_for_those_in_canada_what_sites_do_you/
I'm assuming that you're looking for a LAA Vitamin C, instead of SAP/MAP/etc? For Vitamin C serums, personally I like SkinActives', which comes in a 15% and 20% formula. I've also been trying the Timeless Vitamin C for the past few weeks and have liked it - it's theoretically a dupe for the ultra expensive SkinCeuticals Vitamin C that is most people's HG.
For AHA and BHA, my HGs are from an Asian brand, CosRx. Both the AHA and the BHA are readily found on amazon and other websites. I think they are both amazingly formulated products - effective without ripping your face off. I use both on a daily basis, after building up my tolerance to the acids, and have no issues with overexfoliation.
Thoughts on this and how often should i use this https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Bha-Blackhead-Power-Liquid/dp/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1492187264&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=cosex
Seconding all the comments about incorporating acids into your routine. Just try out one at a time and don't nuke your face - start with a daily, gentle aha or bha. Also, many people with acne are over producing oil because their skin is dry, so drink lots of water and learn about the difference between moisturizers and occlusives over at r/skincareaddiction.
I love this acid
I'm not usually one to take a ton of supplements, but I also developed sudden hormonal acne in my late twenties, and it nearly broke me. I went into whole foods crying one evening because nothing was making a difference. The girl gave me this to try. You take it twice a day therapeutically for a month or so and then once or twice a year after that. My skin began to clear up within a week of starting it, and then all the new skin care tips I'd learned kept my skin looking amazing. I'm actually kind of grateful I had that experience now, because I take much better care of my skin.
I have/had a similar issue! Our routine also shares some similarities (Clarisonic twice a week and retinol). fight a constant battle with my SFs- I'm not kidding when I say each oil cleanse comes up with SO MANY grits, every time. Satisfying, until I'm left with visible/large pores. You are right that unfortunately, nothing can be done to shrink them :( But what I've found that helped the most was adding in hydraulic acid (HA) and BHA(salicylic acid).
After my oil cleanse and second cleanse with or without the clarisonic, I apply my BHA because I feel like it can work effectively at cleaning out everything else my cleansing did not. I let it sit for a bit (I have no specific time because I'm lazy and inconsistent lol), then apply my serums. Before moisturizing, I'll splash either a bit of water on my face or my rose-water face spray, and then pat in my hyaluronic acid. I immediately follow it with either a thin layer of oil, such as rosehip seed, and/or my moisturizer.
I've found that the HA helps my skin to retain moisture, thus appearing plumper and diminishing the size of my pores. When I was sticking to my routine I was so happy, because I figured I'd have to just accept my large pores. Unfortunately, I let things get away from me and stopped being so consistent, so I'm starting again from square 1. But I hope you are able to find something that works for you!
I had the same issue with drying when it comes to BHA's, but I find one that actually leaves my skin feeling hydrated! It's the Cosrx BHA. It's kind of expensive, but I've see a lot of people say it lasted them well over a year, which I think makes it worth it.
Anyway, it might be worth it to give BHA another shot, because they really do help minimize pores and not all of the products are drying. I did find Stridex too drying for me, and that scared me away from salicylic acid for a long time, but I'm really glad I gave it another try. :)
The problem with Stridex Maximum Strength is the large amount of alcohol it has. Your dryness with the product might actually be because of the alcohol.
You might want to try Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant as it has no alcohol.
For a gentler alternative, there's also CosRx Blackhead Power Liquid.
AHA might help, but remember that it makes your skin more prone to sensitivity to the sunlight. Be sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen if you're using it during the day.
There's nothing wrong with your routine, in my opinion.
I'm a huge fan of Cosrx's BHA!
Are you referring to this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?qid=1462978917&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=cosrx+bha&amp;pi=SY200_QL40 (im sorry about the formatting mess!)
That product definitely doesn't look like an every-day product. I avoid all products with alcohol in them, and my skin has been better for it.
I highly recommend this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Hi, I'm new to all of this. I'm going to purchase these items - probably tomorrow. I'm aware that I have to start with baby steps. I've read that I should start using only the moisturizer then slowly add the others so I see which product responds well with my skin and to make sure to patch test.
I'm just not sure how to put these in a AM and PM format, mind helping me out so when it's time to use all of this in a routine, I'm more confident in what I'm doing, please?
Skin Type: Oily / Combination / Occasional Breakouts| Country/Climate I'm in: USA/Spring|
Top Skin Concern: My skin isn't really smooth or clear. I have blackheads and maybe tiny whiteheads, but there around my whole face like super tiny pimple rocks. It doesn't like bad, only when I'm close up the mirror. I also break out around my check and mouth area.
Oil-based cleanser: KOSE Softy Mo Facial Cleansing Oil Speedy
Low pH Cleanser: Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Moisturizer: COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion
Ance/BHA: Cosrx Bha Blackhead Power Liquid 100 Ml
Sunscreen: Biore Aqua Rich
Spot treatment -[Cosrx] Acne Pimple Master Patch 24EA
yes just got it on Amazon from this vendor.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1.
It also worked fine. I have used CosRX for well over a year. I replaced my bottle because it was almost empty but also bought July 2015. So that stuff lasts well. That is why I wonder if it was the test strips.
Hello! I just got all my products in the mail but I want to be clear about the order I will use them in at night. Any suggestions are welcome.
---KOSE Softy Mo Facial Cleansing Oil Speedy
---CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
---Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
---Cosrx Bha Blackhead Power Liquid
---Cosrx Advanced Snail 92 All in one cream
---My Beauty Diary Facial Mask, Black Pearl
---Benton Snail Bee High content Steam Cream
---Cosrx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
Also I bought this facial oil Goodal Waterest Lasting Water Ad Oil but I'm not sure where to squeeze it into my routine?
In the morning I was going to use:
---CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
---Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
---Biore Sarasara UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen SPF50+ PA+++
I might give that a shot, haven't really had any issues using it twice a day yet. I also have Corsx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid ( https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00OZEJ8R8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) I'll try using that at night and stridex in the morning.
How often should I be using toner and exfoliating gel? Is every day too much? I find the toner helps clear my black heads but it sometimes makes my nose look shiny.
I'm using Neutrogena pore refining toner, http://www.amazon.ca/Neutrogena-Refining-Toner-Hydroxy-Formula/dp/B0000535RA
I use 2 different Neutrogena Deep Clean products. This exfoliating scrub every few mornings, when I feel like I need a good clean. This every night. Then after that I apply this toner with a cotton ball. The final step, moisturizer!
Sometimes it helps to start by shaving with the direction of hair growth, at least the first few times. Although it doesn't cut quite as close, this will give you less ingrown hairs and allow your legs to become accustomed to being shaved. After you do this the first few times, you can start going against the grain if you feel the need. Follow up with lotion. You might also want to buy a bottle of witch hazel (here's an Amazon link but it's available at any pharmacy, usually next to the rubbing alcohol and peroxide) and wipe your legs with it right after you shave: this can help prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs, although I'd be lying if I said it didn't burn like hell sometimes (it's quick though.)
Buy a good razor. It doesn't necessarily have to be expensive, but the cheap disposable ones always nick and cut the everloving shit out of my legs, so I use some Schick thing instead (and change the blades fairly regularly!) Replacement blades aren't exactly cheap, but you won't need to replace them nearly as often as you would a facial razor.
Lastly, one of my favorite tricks is to use conditioner instead of shaving cream. It glides much more smoothly and just seems to work better for me (a lot of people use this trick though.) You can just get a bottle of the cheapest Suave or VO5 conditioner, it doesn't really matter. It really works great though and you don't have to worry about a metal can of shaving cream getting rusty in the shower.
EDIT: one more thing. Don't shave over the same spot over and over again. Every time you shave over the same spot, you're scraping off more of your skin and that equals razor burn. Just give it one or two passes and if you miss a hair then just leave it and move on. After a couple-few weeks your legs will have adjusted and you can get a little more aggressive.
I use a combination of witch hazel and Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix. I use witch hazel for my neck after shaving and Murad for the odd pimple. Haven't met a blemish either couldn't handle.
To be honest, you've got a good head and face-shape for shaving your hair completely. Get it clippered as short as possible, I'm not sure if there's anything shorter than 0.5, because fully bald would be in the realm of shaving, and that's going to result in an awful prickly feeling and maintaining a full shave is much more laborious than just a simple full clippering; I have a friend who looks similar.
Hats definitely work in your favour, because you obviously need to protect your scalp and your appearance and demeanor suits the style as it is, but don't be afraid of not wearing hats while in doors.
I'd definitely recommend to switching to flat-brim hats exclusively, like these: http://imgur.com/a/bd2Zo
For skincare, I generally like using Phisohex (https://www.priceline.com.au/phisohex-anti-bacterial-wash-200-ml) on a recently clippered scalp, mainly at the back, it will reduce redness and prevent foliculitis from having it clippered so short. If you're not Australian, and you're probably not, any sort of anti-bacterial face wash will also help.
For your face, I'd definitely recommend using something like this daily: in the morning or at night, but only once a day: http://www.amazon.com/LOreal-Expert-Energetic-X-Treme-Charcoal/dp/B006SXDA7S
After this, tone your face if you're worried about even skintone, some witchhazel is good for this. It's also great for treating minor knicks and scraps from shaving your face: http://www.amazon.com/Dickinsons-Astringent-Natural-Witch-Hazel/dp/B00016WW8Q/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1457657115&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=witchhazel
After toning, if you want to, use a moisturiser, again something from the Loreal Men range, either for anti-aging or for sensitive skin, depending on your goals.
As for the sideburns, if you're going to keep them, you'd need to go for a full beard if you decide to clipper your head, since obviously sideburns can be attached from above or below, but I'd really recommend you clipper the top as short as possible.
I use the same cleansing conditioner, that I use on my beard, on my scalp to soften up any hairs for shaving.
Once I shave, I wash my face & scalp with Cetaphil daily facial cleanser
Then I use cold water, followed by Witch Hazel astringent. The proper item for what you're attempting to do with rubbing alcohol.
Lastly, I moisturize with Cremo SPF 20 face lotion
I don't know if there are any products that prevent it, but one product I use for getting rid of irritated red skin is this, and it's worked great for me.
This would probably work too, and maybe better, but I haven't ever used it.
You can shave in the AM or PM, I do either depending on when I want to do it. Every couple to few days I shave.
If you have product on your face, rinse it off before shaving. Ideally you'd cleanse first, but you can get away with rinsing your face with your hands and water.
After that, put on your shaving cream and let it stay on for a minute or two to soften your beard.
Then shave with the grain or cross grain. You probably know best how to do it by now, but usually if you shave against the grain, the hair will be cut to below the skin and will cause ingrown hairs, bumps, or acne when it grows back up and out.
Then rinse everything off with cold water to close your pores and shaven areas.
Now you use your cleanser and continue with your routine. I'd suggest not putting exfoliants after shaving since it may irritate your freshly shaven skin, but you should apply moisturizer to shaven areas too.
If you happen to have problems with ingrown hairs, razor burn, etc. from shaving, apply witch hazel on shaven areas immediately after shaving. Seriously, it really does keep razor burn, redness, irritation, everything like that from happening.
E: forgot you included showering. I would put showering at the very beginning before your routine. I also would cleanse in the shower, which I do. On days I shave, I shave right before showering, some shave in the shower, it's up to you. But definitely shower before anything when organizing your routine, and again, you can cleanse in the shower to make life easier, just keep it as the last thing when showering.
Try this
https://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Alcohol-free-Petal-Witch-Hazel/dp/B00016XJ4M
edit* but i would think any alcohol-free, glycerin toner would serve the same function
I've gotten bottles from Walgreens & Target before. I've been using it a LONG time, even before seeing this subreddit. I know you can also order it on Amazon
Yep! I'm not sure if it's an essence or more of just the smell though (because we all know how horrible the best things for your skin smell). I personally like the lemon one.
I usually like mixing it a little with honey and using it as a mask. I find that the more natural the product, the better the results.
After years and year and years of struggling with my skin, I have FINALLY found the perfect routine for me.
In the morning:
At night:
I also try to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Cleanser: http://m.sephora.com/checks-balances-frothy-face-wash-P297516?skuId=1375682
Exfoliant: http://m.sephora.com/exfoliating-scrub-P122718?skuId=579490
Serum: http://www.amazon.com/AVALON-ORGANICS-CoQ10-Wrinkle-Defense/dp/B00005LBRX
Toner: http://www.amazon.com/Thayer-Witch-Toner-Rose-Alc-Fr-liquid/dp/B00016XJ4M
Mask (to use with true ACV): http://www.amazon.com/Aztec-Secret-Indian-Healing-Cleansing/dp/B0014P8L9W
Hope this helps!
• Fresh Rose Floral Toner
• Fresh Sugar Lychee Rollerball
• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
I'm going to return the toner for this and the rollerball because the scent doesn't last at all, but it smells SO good.
Do you have a local co-op/whole foods grocery? If so, try checking there. Also, is this the listing you saw on Amazon? The VitaminShoppe has it for sale for $8.26 + $0.99 shipping. Pretty much what I spend on it at my local co-op.
I know, I felt so betrayed when I realized it was the cause of my recent skin troubles. I had big dreams for that sunblock ; n ;
At night I use Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Combination Watery Cream as a moisturizer, and although it does the trick, it's a bit heavy for me so it doesn't completely sink in. When I wake up, I wash my hands thoroughly and splash my face with water a few times. The first couple of splashes I really feel the residue of the moisturizer on my face, but it rinses off pretty well with another go or two. My face still feels moisturized after this step, which it never did after morning cleansing with any product. I'm new to the world of vitamin C, so when I remember to do so, I squeeze a pump or two on my face while it's still wet from washing and let it dry. Then I go over my face with witch hazel on a cotton round. It may not be an AB product, but anything I may have missed with my hands gets picked up on the pad, plus the witch hazel helps calm any inflammation around my breakouts, so I'd say it's helped me! Just make sure you choose an alcohol-free brand like Thayers.
Yeah I think that's the same one I have, I use this one I got on Amazon.
Codename Duchess I approve!
What a wonderful contest!
I don't have a straight add-on list anymore but I do have add-on's on various lists. Will this still count?
One
Two
Three
Four
$29.01
Hi there. So I would start really simple - cleanser, toner, moisturizer in the AM and PM. I can recommend you some products since I also have oily acne-prone skin, but the unfortunate reality is that what works for some people doesn't work for others. You're probably going to have to experiment with it yourself. Also most of the products I use aren't available in the US (German brand).
A couple of pointers when it comes to ingredients in those products:
- avoid anything with silicones (they usually end in -cone on the ingredient list)
- avoid non-fatty alcohols (usually it just says alcohol or alcohol denat. or ethanol in the ingredient lists). They're gonna be really drying.
- fatty alcohols (like cetyl alcohol) are good though
- avoid perfum (can irritate skin - sometimes it's hard to avoid though and personally it's not high on my priority list)
- since you have some acne and oily skin I would avoid oils and comedogenic ingredients such as coconut derivatives and butters
Since you don't have a lot of experience with skincare yet, I would keep it simple at first - if your skin doesn't clear up you might want to use a product with salicylic acid or other acne-fighting ingredients at some point, but as I said I would ease into it by just using a simple routine first.
For cleanser I would recommend first only using it at night. Only use it in the morning if you feel overly greasy, you don't want to strip your skin too much. Some cleanser recommendations from the wiki (any of these should work fine for your skin):
Some toner recommendations (apply with a cotton pad after cleansing):
Moisturizer recommendations (important! Do not skip even if you have oily skin!) - I would try to avoid creams since those are more suitable for normal or dry skin):
You might also want to incorporate sunscreen at some point (apply after moisturizer or instead of moisturizer in the morning), but honestly I haven't found one that I'm 100% happy with yet, it can be tough when you have oily and acne-prone skin. This one from the wiki seems good though: CeraVe Ultra Light Moisturizer + SPF 30
Hope this helps to start. The wiki and just lurking here can teach you a whole bunch. Just remember your skin type and what your skin problems are when looking for new products.
I'm not too sure about that, you'd need to search that up cause I use premade products (Thayer Rose Water Witch Hazel)
Well everything is all up to how you feel about your skin. If everything is working for you, stick to your guns, if you notice sebum and break outs get a BHA, if you notice hyper pigmentation pick up an AHA.
You should do some more searching through the sub and studying your skin in the mirror before making any purchases.
I use this brand. It works great for me and sensitive skin, there are several scents that all smell great, and its vegan. They usually have it at Target too for about the same price.
Also works good on my legs and underarms to keep then smooth, cool the burn, and help prevent bumps.
I know it's not a Lush product but this is great. They also have it at Target.
Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_SI-gzbA3HT6B3
I recently purchased:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V9SXXU/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;smid=A2QOXDNDKR686Q
http://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Foaming-Facial-Cleanser-Ounce/dp/B003YMJJSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1415597239&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=cerave+foaming
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00016XJ4M/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;smid=A2TEADBMFV252D
I have combination skin: A dry forehead and chin, normal cheeks, and oily nose. My cheeks are nice, smooth with no blemishes, but I noticed that my forehead was becoming insanely dry, and was starting to look "aged". The texture was very bad, rough. Kinda like this, although to a lesser degree : http://www.ibt11.ch/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/skin-care-tips-for-guys.jpg . Soo, I bought all these products. I start with the foaming cleanser, then the witch hazel, and then the moisturizing cream. OMG. I have only been doing this routine for the past 5 days, and I see such an improvement. My forehead has much better tone, and is matching the rest of my skin now. It is really softening up, and all the creases have softened. I'm pretty amazed and happy :)
If you want to do a test run of the Toner below without having to invest in $60 worth of supplies I recommend you try This product which is where I made the recipe from:
S.W. Basics Toner - 4 oz: https://www.target.com/p/s-w-basics-toner-4-oz/-/A-16542536
Below is the Recipe for the S.W. Basics Toner I created using Organic ingredients: The Oils will last years, and so will the Vinegar, the only thing that will run out slightly faster but not by much is the Thayers witch hazel. These will last years, so a good investment to make IMO.
Oooo after getting engaged, I was finally motivated to "treat" myself to a skincare routine. Honestly the two biggest things have been lotion (CeraVe) and sunscreen (Watery Essence). The routine starts at "night" in my mind:
Then in the morning ...
If I wore makeup that day I remove it with Garnier Micellar Water. After that a quick face wash with CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser and swipe on some Thayers Witch Hazel Toner (I use the rose one). Then a small amount of CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion (at night) or Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer (SPF 15 for the day) and I'm done!
What is it you are looking for in a toner? Do you want one that is moisturizing? Do you want it to help with a specific problem or contain specific ingredients?
I use Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner and I really like it. I use it between my cleanser and AHA to help moisturize my skin
Which Roc moisturizer do you use? Do you want it to have retinol or any other type of specific ingredients?
I use CeraVe in the tub and CeraVe PM moisturizers, but I also hear great things about Paula's Choice moisturizers. They also have a great toner which has niacinamide in it.
Paula's Choice moisturizer with Retinol
Paula's Choice Niacinamide toner
Make sure to check out the Paula's Choice Referral Thread to get $10 off your first order. I believe they are also having sales going on, so check those out.
If you'd like to see less redness and overall more even skin tone I recommend this toner. I've only been using it two days and it has already slightly reduced my redness. It's also alcohol free so it shouldn't be a problem for your dry skin. I got this toner off a recommendation from my best friend who also struggles with pretty intense redness and has been using Thayer's Witch Hazel for a few months now and has seen fantastic results at reducing redness and evening out skin tone.
Hey bro, coming from someone with a similar complexion as yours.
How many months are you in? Can you avoid the sun as much as possible? Apply sunscreen day/night. Moisturize often.
I've been using [this aloe Vera toner](Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_FdoBzb31HG2G7) it's been so clutch for redness.
Don't pick, despite any urges. Drink water.
Hope this helps.
I want to add these ( 1 2 ) to my routine and I was just wondering where in my routine would be best.
AM:
PM:
Thanks!
Amazon has it :)
They have different fragrances and a fragrance-free one too.
I've tried benozyl peroxide, salicylic acid, oral medication, etc. but what worked for me was a gentle face cleanser like Cetaphil and a toner like Thayers. Also make sure to wash your pillow cover often.
If your acne is genetically related like mine then exercising and diet won't really make your acne any better (but still have a healthy lifestyle).
Over-washing your face will make your acne even worse because it dries out your skin which makes your body create more oil leading to more acne.
I would only recommend Accutane as a last resort because of it's many side effects.
Potentially! It’s pretty similar to a facial toner. I get this stuff from Amazon: Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6qiQAbJ6E8KGD. Also works great on the face.
Awww man! I've been using one (this one to be exact) for several months now, and I haven't noticed that much of a difference in pores and only a slight difference in redness. :/
I get this kind, which smells really nice and has the added bonus of no alcohol (less harsh to skin): http://www.amazon.com/Thayer-Witch-Hazel-Vitamin-Pental/dp/B00016XJ4M/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1346375535&amp;sr=1-1
There are other kinds of scented witch hazel you can get, if by chance you don't want to smell like roses...
Hi /r/AB!
I'm a guy with almost no experience with skincare. My mother recommended me a routine with mostly non-AB products to help with my acne, but I want your guys' input on how I can improve it considering I have no idea what the stuff actually does.
AM and PM routine is the same
I have a few questions. First, I know the word toner can mean many different things. How does the one I use compare to something like the Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion?
Next, what should I add/change to my routine? It isn't quite giving the results I want and I don't know where to start. I'm thinking about trying the previously mentioned Gokujyun Lotion or a different moisturizer as the one I'm using doesn't feel hydrating enough. Thanks!
Thayers has a nice selection of scented witch hazels that work great post-shave, although it's on the aftershave side and not really a strong enough to compare to a cologne or EDT. I'm quite fond of the rose petal.
I hope I can recommend multiple things?
Skincare = Cerave Moisturizer, Thayer's Witch Hazel (rose petal smells sooo good!)
Eyes= Sigma Paris Palette - Limited Edition
Lashes = Too Faced Lashgasam
Lips = Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour Lipstick - Rouge Byzantin
Bronzer = Too Faced Chocolate Soleil
Hand Cream - Ahava Dermud Intensive Hand Cream
Foot Repair - Foot Repair by Earth Therapeutics I love how this feels! It's minty and refreshing! You can find it at Target.
Witch Hazel is the ingredient: it's a natural plant extract. You can get it at the drugstore, but unscented witch hazel smells a bit funky to some, so I would recommend one of the Thayer's varieties which smells quite pleasant, and also includes aloe vera and vitamin E for extra moisturizing.
If I sound like an infomercial for W_E, it's only because of how pleased I am with DE shaving since making the switch. It's transformed a painful chore into a hobby I enjoy. And if nothing else, you can save a ton of money: the blades I use are currently selling for 11 cents apiece on Amazon and they last about a week (4-5 shaves each). I spent $11 on two years worth of blades - how much did you spend on cartridges?
I have lots of acne scars on my face, my routine:
-Desert Essence Face Wash (I use this to shave my face after taking a shower) + General cleanser, first thing I use on my face of course.
-Thayers, after cleanser.
-CeraVe Moisturizer
-Jojoba Oil Golden Organic 100% Pure
-Coppertone UltraGuard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, if it's sunny obviously.
Thoughts?
I don't think medical advice from reddit is always the best idea, it sounds like retinization which is a common thing when people start using retinoids on skin that isn't used to harsher chemicals. Stop using retinoids on your junk and it should go away. In the meantime keep washing everything away in the shower(no soap) and moisturizing morning and evening.
Next time you shave badly I would recommend a witch hazel toner which will help with irritation.
example
I just found out about this potential miracle toner stuff that is alcohol free and natural. My skin is garbage and I'm still breaking out in my 30s and sacylic acid (the standard treatment) just makes it worse. I really want to try it. Plus I'm guessing it smells awesome. :)
Skin type: combo/cystic acne, blackheads, sensitive to parabens & talc
Country: UK
Top skin concern: acne, then ageing skin (hyperpigmentation, dull and wrinkled skin)
My current routine:
AM:
PM:
I've noticed that since introducing Aquaphor I've had a breakout of blackheads and cystic acne, overall I specifically want to get rid of the acne and balance my skin properly, reducing inflammation. I think bringing in more moisture might achieve this, but I don't want to cause further breakouts.
I'm considering introducing a Niacinamide toner and Rohto Hadarabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Smooth Light but I'm having troubles with sunscreen too.
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In all honesty I'm a little lost, but trying to approach this in a methodical manner and have heard nothing but great things about AB! Any help, please?
Yeah, I'm using the toner. This one to be precise. Are you sure I can't just spray it on? D:
this one is the moist formula, which is the original.
there's a light formula which looks slightly different, for oily or acne-prone skin.
I think they might be whiteheads. I get them sometimes too. It's not really an allergic reaction, just a kind of acne.
To help get rid of them, exfoliate and use a really good facial toner/astringent. I stopped getting them when I started using Witch Hazel as an astringent.
eHow has a guide on how to get rid of them too.
I'm not an expert or anything, I just got them a LOT in the past. Good luck!
As the title suggests, my brother (25) has struggled with acne for as long as I can remember. We both have oily, acne-prone skin.
In his teens he was put on Accutane, which helped slightly, but experienced severe depression while on it. His acne eventually returned a year or so after.
Today he has no clue how to take care of his oily skin. I've given him so many suggestions, sent him links to products, and he never ended up buying them. I'm sure it all felt overwhelming.
So I decided to give him a kit containing some of my favorite products to help him get started on his skin care journey. I wanted to make every item relatively affordable (besides the Aveda - I used to work there and had extra product that I no longer used). Here are the products listed:
My logic behind the routine was to ease his skin into adjusting to the retinol for 2 weeks before moving on to a regular routine. I recently watched a video on a [dermatologitst's skincare routine] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-ABIXhhvRA), and she says it's not good to wash away your skin's natural oils in the morning with a cleanser. I've been following this advice recently and am noticing that my skin is producing less oil throughout the day when I don't strip it with a cleanser.
Anyway, hope this helps (him and you)! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.
My skin is a mess right now. I am not particularly acne-prone the majority of the year, but at the beginning of summer every year I get deep cystic acne. Like, one at a time. And I am waking up with little whiteheads almost every morning. I consider my skin to be combination as the upper part of my T zone and my forehead are like a desert, but the rest of my face is oily. With work, and going through a bout of depression, I can hardly invest a heavy amount of time, money, and energy into my skincare routine, but I do care about it. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to give suggestions and chat away here on what I could do.
Right now my skincare basics consist of:
As you can tell, this is very much so suited for skin that is dry. I do live in NY, where it is dry and cold the vast majority of the year, and for that time, it's great. But when summer comes, I am oily AF.
Skin concerns:
Looking for:
How I go about it.
lather up on shaving foam you want it to be sensitive aswell.
Shave slightly across the way a bikini would fit on you, Then go from bottom to top, Then go down.
Its long.. its tedious af but its hairless after.
id recommend something like this aswell. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000GCQ04C/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2VQDMXGRSN30O&amp;psc=1
It helps if you get serious itching.
I would also put coco butter on after.
I hope this helps!
Sorry in advance for the length of my comment but speaking from personal experience, your acne could be caused by fungus/yeast, not bacteria. It's called Malassezia Yeast and we all have it on our skin, but it can cause issues when it becomes overgrown. This overgrowth is called Pityrosporum folliculitis and looks almost identical to other forms of acne.
Other evidence that points towards fungus is the fact that you're breaking out on other parts of your body. The fungus spreads easily, especially if you give it a nice environment to thrive, like sweaty workouts!
I had perfect skin until I was about 22, and suddenly developed acne on my face, chest, and back. It was so bizarre and none of the traditional acne treatments were helping because, as I later figured out, most products are geared towards bacterial breakouts, including benzoyl peroxide. In fact, overuse of these products can cause fungus/yeast to take over the balance and cause all sorts of issues!
So, after months of research I came to the conclusion that I did indeed have fungal acne, so I started a routine to combat it. I was desperate at first, so I bought an anti-dandruff shampoo (because dandruff is commonly caused by fungus). [This one is great because its SLS free!]
(https://www.amazon.com/Regenepure-Shampoo-Treatment-Supports-Growth/dp/B0032FSDOA/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1485317432&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=dr.+regenepure) In the shower, I slathered it all all over my face and body, let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinsed it off. All of the breakouts started disappearing overnight, literally.
I felt strange using shampoo on my face so I decided to do more research and discovered that zinc is an amazing natural antifungal. So, I purchased this bar of soap, which contains 2% Pyrithione Zinc (an antimicrobial) and it was also very effective. I only use that about every three days now, and only on my body, because I have super sensitive skin and it is too drying for my face.
For my face, I now use Curology because they offer Zinc Pyrithione as an ingredient! My current formulation is .25% Zinc Pyrithione, 1% Clindamycin, and 4% Niacinamide and it is AMAZING. I'm now free of any and all breakouts.
I also use this mineral sunscreen because it uses zinc oxide - another form of zinc that is an antifungal!
For me, I have to maintain a routine or else the overgrowth returns, so I also take zinc picolinate supplements.
So, yeah, I hope this helps give some insight on your skincare journey!!
*EDIT!
I also want to point out the necessity of being super gentle on your skin, in general. I always think "kill it with kindness" when it comes to skin issues. You definitely don't want to make things worse by over-exfoliating (chemical and physical), using harsh cleansers that strip your natural oils, and above all you must keep your moisture barrier in tip top shape because it will protect you from excess fungus and bacteria!
I decided to give you my whole routine as an example, so here it is! I focus on moisture.
AM:
PM:
ONCE/TWICE WEEKLY:
I loooove sheet masks. Especially the Benton Snail Bee Essence one. Head over to r/AsianBeauty for more recs on these and SO MANY MORE THINGS. warning: it's addicting.
I always got cystic acne basically from age 13ish? I’m 29 now. About two years ago I discovered thayers witch hazel and let me tell you this stuff was life changing for me. This was before I knew I had pcos. I use the exfoliating cotton facial pads and use it on my face right out of the shower and in the morning and before bed. 99% clear skin now and if I get a rare pimple it’s gone so much quicker.
I only recently had a flare up of cystic acne when my
Gyno put me on birth control.
Hi! Welcome!
Re: Your skin - My hormonal acne has been driving me nuts, too! This routine below (plus my body getting used the hormones - I think) - has helped my combination (but generally smooth) skin. Hopefully that pregnancy glow that everyone speaks of comes later and rids the acne??
My routine:
Evenings:
Mornings:
Twice a week I alternate with a charcoal mask and a natural scrub.
Wow. I think I'm a product whore. I'd say the main thing that my dermatologist really recommended was NOT to over wash your face, and to use Cetaphil because then it doesn't strip your skin of its natural oils.
You can probably jump over to /r/skincareaddiction with more questions! (Or your doctor.)
Thayer’s witch hazel I like this one, with aloe & lavender. Just make sure it says “alcohol-free”
[Product Help] Which witch hazel: scented lavender, scented rose petal, original, or unscented? I love lavender and it's $3 cheaper, but I also love the rose scent. Should I be concerned about the fragrance? Which one do you prefer?
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000PIMUR8
I used to have moderate rosacea that made me very self conscious, deep red and well defined patches on my cheeks and a rudolf nose. I've been using two aloe products for a few years that have brought them to a faint pink at their worst.
The first is an aloe witch hazel toner (Thayers) that I apply after washing my face, the second an aloe cream (body shop) I apply at night since it's a little shiny. Would strongly recommend.
Maybe use some aloe vera at night as a face mask for a few hours when you're home just hanging out and wash it off before bed/the next morning (because if I remember correctly aloe vera peels on the skin after some time). Or, look into tea tree oil treatments. Some people will just buy a bottle of tea tree oil and dilute it with some water and wipe their face with a cotton pad. Vitamin C serums are also great. I also suggest this Thayer's product.
I recently ordered their rose scented one and I love it.
http://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Facial-Toner-Original-Witch/dp/B000S823S6
Just started Accutane (Claravis), 60mg/day yesterday, and have changed up my routine recently based on lurking around this sub and r/Accutane. Any general comments/feedback would be much appreciated!
Skin type: Oily for sure, but I am positive it's about to become dry with the Accutane. In changing up my routine a few weeks ago, I tried to pick products that seemed to work for people with both skin types generally (maybe just with different frequencies of use) so I could use them before and after I finish the course.
Current routine:
AM
Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser to cleanse
Klaris Supple Preparation Facial Toner for toner
Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Multi-Purpose Balm Cream for moisturizer
Sun Bum SPF 30 fPVNM Sunscreen, Original Face Stick -- I know it's not the best, but I live in Portland/Seattle so the need is not as dire as in other places
PM
Lush Ultrabland to remove makeup
Remove makeup
Cosrx Low Ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser to cleanse
Usually after cleansing I use a mask -- I had been using more acne-targeting masks, but since I am switching to sheet masks, which I used to only use occasionally. Right now, I have Benton Snail Bee High content Sheet Mask Pack and Dermal Korea Collagen Essence Full Face Facial Mask Sheet, but I also really like Origins Drink Up-Intensive and Cosrx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Mask. When I need spot treatment, I am obsessed with Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch
Then I go back and do -- Klaris Supple Preparation Facial Toner for toner
Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Multi-Purpose Balm Cream for moisturizer
Edit: I used to use (and still have left some) of Lush's Herbalism. I am not sure I should keep using it on Accutane, since it exfoliates, but any commentary on that would be appreciated!
Skin Type: Normal/Dry | Country/Climate I'm in: NYC | Top Skin Concern: Keeping skin hydrated, keeping pores small, getting rid of acne scars
Current Routine/Products I'm Using:
AM
Splash water on face or use face wash (was using Skinfood Egg White Pore Foam, and just recently switched to Etude House Wonder Pore).
Klairs Supple Preparation Toner
Klairs Vitamin C Drop Serum
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass 30+ SPF
PM
Innisfree Olive Cleansing Tissue
Face wash - same as morning, was using Skinfood Pore Foam, now using Etude House Wonder Pore
Klairs toner (same as above)
Klairs Vitamin C drop (same as above)
Innisfree Wine Jelly Sleeping Pack
I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying]... Wondering if my routine can be critiqued! I want to work more on fading acne scars, so I think I need a stronger vitamin C serum than the Klairs one, if anyone has a recommendation. Also, if I use a stronger one, should I not use it in the morning because then I get sun exposure? Also definitely looking for a good exfoliator to use a couple times a week - I do not have one. I also really want to work on getting plump, dewy, glowing skin. My skin right now feels kinda blah. I've recently starting using this propolis sheet mask which is working great.
I’d use the wash at night and just rinse with water in the morning then use the toner and moisturizer. I personally find Asian toners to be really good for hydration, two good ones are the hada labo gokujyun lotion and the klairs supple preparation toner (I’d go with the klairs one tho bc some people have issues w the hada labo one giving them CCs)
Order
AM
PM
https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Hadalabo-Gokujun-Hyaluronic/dp/B00BSNBO9O/
https://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Unscented-lightweight-essential-oil-free/dp/B07B65NJLV/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=klairs+unscented&amp;qid=1554869650&amp;s=gateway&amp;sr=8-1
Can a toner iritate my skin? Im using Perfect Whip which is getting replaced soon for the pH problem but I feel like the my Klairs hydrating toner is much worse. Like when I used my BHA and used the toner on it it would sting me but in the meantime I stopped using the BHA and it didnt sting. Is it the Perfect Whip or is it the Klairs?
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This is the toner: https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Klairs-Supple-Preparation-Facial/dp/B00PGOFYG0
asian skincare saved my ass last year lol nowadays i only get a one or two pimples a month
edit:
super basic stuff: cleanser, toner, moisturizer. that should probably be enough to at least save your skin.
cleanser: your og product. can make or break your skin.
https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Good-Morning-Cleanser-Ounce/dp/B016NRXO06/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2TQOIB6N9ZQ3X&amp;keywords=cosrx+good+morning+low+ph+cleanser&amp;qid=1550461559&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=cosrx+good&amp;sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/Innisfree-Blueberry-Rebalancing-Cleanser-100ml/dp/B019IHFR62/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=330Y130ZBB6FW&amp;keywords=soonjung+cleanser&amp;qid=1550461748&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=soon+jung+clea&amp;sr=8-1
toner: this is it kiddos.
https://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Unscented-lightweight-essential-oil-free/dp/B07B65NJLV/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=LLIVWVM4DEIB&amp;keywords=klairs+supple+preparation+facial+toner&amp;qid=1550461458&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=klairs+&amp;sr=8-2
https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Goku-jun-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B00BS3Q0XE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3EN90P8W1S2AT&amp;keywords=hada+labo+gokujyun+lotion&amp;qid=1550461601&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=hada+labo+&amp;sr=8-3
moisturizer: goddamn important. just because you have oily skin doesn't mean you don't need a good moisturizing fix.
https://www.amazon.com/COSRX-Cosrx-Oil-Free-Ultra-Moisturizing-Lotion/dp/B073P6ZPQ2/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1986BK07O07ZR&amp;keywords=cosrx+oil+free+ultra+moisturizing+lotion&amp;qid=1550461194&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=cosrx+oil&amp;sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.com/Innisfree-Green-Balancing-Cream-Product/dp/B07BDGBKGW/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?crid=22706IGV0JMMU&amp;keywords=innisfree+green+tea&amp;qid=1550461327&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=innis&amp;sr=8-7
you only need one of these products from each step. i'm not the best at this stuff but i gave some links to help you guys. you just kind of slather the stuff on. sorry that the prices are kinda high but 'tis the price of skincare.
bonus: put this on after the toner and before the moisturizer.
https://www.amazon.com/COSRX-Whitehead-Power-Liquid-100ml/dp/B00OZ9WOD8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=209JKXEVNL03V&amp;keywords=cosrx+whitehead+power+liquid&amp;qid=1550461861&amp;s=gateway&amp;sprefix=cosrx+w&amp;sr=8-1
I’m 31 and have dealt with acne, at times severe, cystic, impacting both face and body, on and off since my early teens. I can certainly relate to the frustration of still having to deal with flares as I got older.
I would also highly recommend r/skincareaddiction if you are looking for a good resource for product and routine suggestions. Since it sounds like your skin is probably somewhat dehydrated, I would stay away from harsh, stripping products. Interestingly, this would probably include any drugstore face washes marketed towards acne. The objective of your face wash should be to cleanse your face of excess oil, dirt, and ideally makeup. I’ve always really enjoyed using:
Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
It didn’t dry me out and I liked that it had AHA - it seemed like just the right amount of an exfoliating ingredient to help unclog pores without being irritating. I liked it much better than standard recommendations for Cetaphil or Cerave. The former felt too drying and I seem to be sensitive to some ingredient in Cerave products because they invariably seem to make me break out more.
However, my face wash was not very good at removing makeup and it seems that most face washes suck at this task. I thought this might be causing problems for me so I started trying out the double cleanse method - first experimenting with micellar waters, cleansing oils, or cleansing balms and following up with my chosen cleanser in the second step to remove the oily residue. I admit I was scared to actively be applying oils to my face even if I was going to be removing them. But you know what? My face never felt so clean and happy! It dawned on me that my poor skin was probably screaming for hydration. So I read up on Korean beauty products and regimens and researched posts on r/AsianBeauty (which I would also highly recommend). At this point I’ve tried out a few different serums, hydrating toners, and sleeping packs. I layer these products in lieu of a typical lotion or cream moisturizer (I do top off with sunscreen in the morning). When I’m feeling lazy I just use this hydrating toner which feels like a runny serum:
KLAIRS Supple Preparation Facial Toner
This is my holy grail skin care product. I cherish it more than my scattered tubes of clindamycin, Differin, and tretinoin which have all been collecting dust. I apply after I wash to replenish moisture. It’s very high in sodium hyaluronate and beta-glucan which are great hydrating ingredients to look out for. Since incorporating this routine my skin has been transformed. It gradually stopped producing as much oil as it normally used to to the extent that I think I can’t even classify my skin as combination/oily anymore. It’s just... normal. I don’t soak through 5 sheets of blotting paper several times a day. I don’t even own blotting paper anymore.
So there you go. That’s my big shout out to the power of hydration, fixing your moisture barrier, and Korean skincare 🤣
I know this has already been a novel, but this issue is dear to my heart so I thought I’d share a few more parting thoughts and suggestions:
Good luck!
I use the klairs unscented supple preparation and I really love it. When I first bought it, i just kind of thought it’d be an extra thing in my routine that i wouldn’t care about, but after using it for the last couple of months, I really love it! It makes my face feel so hydrated without being crazy sticky or heavy. It works well with many products too. I’ve never taken accutane but I know the side effects can include severely dry skin, so I think this toner would be a good addition with accutane.
Yes! Two actually! The one I’m actually using rn is sold out but should be back in stock next week for sure! It’s from acwell! I’ve been looooving it! The reason I know it will be back in stock is because i contacted sokoglam who is the only people to sell other than Korea itself. I’m trying to stock up. It’s always sold out and youll go through it really quickly!
https://sokoglam.com/products/acwell-licorice-ph-balancing-cleansing-toner
The other recommendation would be Kklairs hydrating toner that is ph balancing as well. Only thing is it has essential oils in it which many people are sensitive to. I heard they are in the process of reformulating it. But it’s a HG item for many in Korea.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PGOFYG0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_IpoDAbSJA66C8
Do you know if you're skin is sensitive to fragrance, alcohol, or any ingredients that make your skin irritated (red, burning, itching) or break out with acne?
AM
-Rinse with water
-Get hydrating toner (Try Klairs)
-Use TO Hyaluronic Acid Serum here.
-Try LRP Double Repair Face Moisturizer with SPF 30
Try Lancome foundation
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PM
Double cleanse - if you wear make up or SPF you have to double cleanse. Watch this.
Oil base - Yes To Coconut cleansing balm $10 or Faceshop Rice Water Light Cleansing oil $12.
Cleanser - Cerave Hydrating Cleanser.
Hydrating toner
You can use the TO Hyaluronic Acid Serum again
Cerave cream
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Without knowing more about your skin aversions I don't want to suggest anything to make it worse. See if this will help. The redditors on here give good advice when they are given the most information.
Basic skin care's original recommendations (CerVe cleanser, Neutrogena toner, Cerve moisturizing cream) and still waiting on sunscreen. That's about all for now :)
Try this one
This one from Thayer’s is really great! It does have witch hazel, but the formula is mild enough that it still works really well for me.
You're going to want an alum block to rub over your wet face right after the shave. It tightens your pores, disinfects, and controls any bleeding if you have cut yourself or scraped your skin. If you want one purpose-made for shaving, you can get the one by RazoRock, but you should save a few bucks and instead use a Crystal Body Deodorant; it's chemically identical and comes in a plastic applicator that is easier to hold.
After rinsing off the alum, I would use a toner splash, like Thayers witch hazel and lavender or Ogalalla bay rum, followed by a balm, like Nivea Aftershave for Sensitive Skin.
Sure!
https://www.amazon.ca/Thayers-Natural-Remedies-Alcohol-Free-Unscented/dp/B001DJDP7C/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1538734394&amp;sr=8-6&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&amp;keywords=tea+tree+toner&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41cUAS7e5GL&amp;ref=plSrch
https://www.amazon.ca/Face-Shop-Cleansing-sensitive-Exfoliators/dp/B01NAWT4V4/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1538734775&amp;sr=8-2&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&amp;keywords=scrub+face+korea&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41VpZZw3bbL&amp;ref=plSrch
https://www.amazon.ca/INNISFREE-GREEN-BALANCING-LOTION-UPGRADE/dp/B00JJFNT0A/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1538735211&amp;sr=8-2&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&amp;keywords=green+tea+moisturizer+innisfree&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=31tVmTW-ObL&amp;ref=plSrch
I would recommend the following:
Avoid skin-clogging makeup as much as possible (bronzer, concealer, primer, etc.). I don't use any of this - no BB creams, no CC creams, no foundation, nothing. Keep the skin unclogged, is the goal. Use something that has salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to wash your face, 1-2 times a day (morning and night) because that will actually kill the acne-causing bacteria. Then use non-comedogenic face moisturizer - I like Clinique's Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief and use either Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+ or Banana Boat Kids spf 50 (it's a physical sunscreen not got a lot of oily sunblock ingredients). You have to moisturize and gotta make sure you protect your skin from wrinkles and cancer!
After showering, I put Thayer's Witch Hazel (the rose petal kind but I don't think it matters which "flavor" you choose) on. Just a thin layer applied with a cotton ball. It's essentially another cleaner. Then I wait for it to dry and add the same Clinique moisturizer and then, to get rid of pigmentation, you will need a cream with retinol to stimulate growth of new and fresher skin cells. I recommend using it at night, before you apply the moisturizer so it will penetrate the skin. I use Alpha SkinCare Deep Wrinkle Repair from Ulta.
Be gentle with your skin - don't wash it too hard and pat it dry and use warm water, not too cold or hot. Once a week, make a gelatin pore cleaning mask (recipe here but there's a billion out there you can use) and use a clay mask as well to drain your pores of oil after you've yanked any gross globs out.
This is going to take time, of course. And make sure that your pillows you sleep on are clean (wash pillowcase once a week) and that you don't let your hair brush against your face (oils can get on your skin and clog it).
I've done this for 12 years and that's how I've kept my skin essentially completely blemish free (occasional pimples, small, once every few months?)
The goal is to keep skin clean and moisturize it just enough. It's not very complex, to be honest. I don't ever listen to anecdotal crap about why some products work better than others. I look at the ingredients list and then read studies to see why it might work. Sure, if you're just looking for moisturizing, fine, rely on anecdotal stuff and weak evidence, but for things where you really want to see results like less wrinkles or fewer pimples, ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and retinol are very important.
*ETA: when applying ANYTHING to your face, make sure you wash your hands first!!! No point to use these wonderful products if the tool applying them is dirty. And then it gets the product as well as your face dirty. Clean hands, clean towels to dry your hands and face! Wash the towels a minimum of once a week. Don't have to use a lot of soap to launder the towels - bc that can be irritating - but needs to be clean.