Antioxidants:

• Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% ($7.90 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Andalou Naturals Blossom + Leaf Toner ($12.95 for 178ml) - resveratrol, CoQ10
    
    
  • Mad Hippie Face Cream ($26 for 30ml) - resveratrol, matrixyl synth'6, syn-tacks, CoQ10, niacinamide ($$)
    
    
  • Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient Mist ($20 for 120ml) - resveratrol, SAP, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid
    
    
• EUK 134 0.1%
  
  
• Alpha Lipoic Acid 5% ($6.80 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Derma E Firming DMAE Serum, Alpha Lipoic Acid and C-Ester ($18 for 60ml)
    
    
  • Derma E Firming DMAE Toner, Alpha Lipoic Acid and C-Ester ($12 for 175ml)
    
    Hydrators & Oils:
    
    
• Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($6.80 for 30ml) - several types of HA
  
  
  • Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion ($13 for 170ml) - five types of HA
    
    
  • Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion Moist ($13.84 for 170ml) - several types of HA
    
    
  • Timeless Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($8.95 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Trader Joe's Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum ($8.99 for 30ml)
    
    
• Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA ($7.70 for 100ml)
  
  
  • CeraVe Baby Lotion ($9.49 for 237ml) - I haven't used NMF but CeraVe Baby Lotion might be similar. It has ceramides,
    fatty alcohols, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, all the good stuff, and it dries down matte and very cosmetically elegant. review
    
    
  • CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($12.19 for 473ml) - "closely resembles the texture, finish, absorbability and LIGHT hydrating, mostly daytime-occlusive effects, without being very emollient." - /u/lgbtqbbq
    
    
• 100% Plant-Derived Squalane ($7.90 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Lotion Crafter Squalane Oil ($9.68 for 50.28ml) - plant-derived
    
    
  • Garden of Wisdom Squalane Oil ($10.05 for 60ml) - plant-derived
    
    
  • Lotion Crafter Squalane Oil ($9.68 for 50.28ml) - plant-derived
    
    
  • Lotion Crafter Neoassance Squalane Oil ($7.75 for 50.28ml) - sugar-derived
    
    
  • Timeless Squalane Oil ($13.95 for 60ml)
    
    
  • Skin Actives Squalane Oil ($28 for 120ml) (cheaper but bulk)
    
    
• 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil ($9.80 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Lotion Crafter Rose Hip Seed Oil ($5.25 for 30ml)
    
    
  • H&B Rosehip Seed Oil Unrefined ($6.19 for 30ml; bulk sizes available) & Refined ($6.99 for 60ml)
    
    
  • Life-Flo Rose Hip Seed Oil ($8.59 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Garden of Wisdom Rose Hip Seed Oil ($8.65 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Skin Actives Rose Hip Seed Oil ($31.50 for 120ml) (cheaper but bulk)
    
    
• 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil ($6.80 for 30ml)
  
  
  • H&B Unrefined Argan Oil ($6.99 for 60ml) & Refined ($6.49 for 60ml)
    
    
  • Trader Joe's 100% Organic Argan Oil ($6.99 for 50.28ml)
    
    
  • Timeless Argan Oil ($8.95 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Lotion Crafter Argan Oil ($9.20 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Garden of Wisdom Argan Oil ($9.65 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Making Cosmetics Virgin Cold-Pressed Argan Oil ($15.90 for 125ml) (cheaper but bulk)
    
    
  • Skin Actives Argan Oil ($25 for 120ml) (cheaper but bulk)
    
    
• 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil ($9.90 for 30ml)
  
  
  • The Herbarie Marula Oil ($6.50 for 30ml)
    
    
  • From Nature With Love Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil ($6.83 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Acure Marula Oil ($11 for 30ml)
    
    
  • Garden of Wisdom Marula Oil ($12.90 for 30ml)
    
    More Molecules:
    
    
• Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($5.90 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Skinlex 10% Niacinamide ($13.60 for 60ml) - also contains NAG, which works synergistically with niacinamide to give you the most bang for your buck; Minimalistic and Extended versions
    
    
  • COSRX Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence ($20 for 100ml) - 2% niacinamide
    
    
• "Buffet" ($14.80 for 30ml) (peptide serum)
  
  
  • Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Turbo Line Smoothing Toning Lotion ($38 for 200ml) - I was not expecting a PTR product to beat out TO, but here we are. Wish it came in smaller sizes, but if you're committed to peptides this is a way better deal (if scaled up, TO would cost ~$99) Comparison of first 20 ingredients, shared ingredients in blue, PTR extra peptides in salmon
    
    
  • Mizon Peptide 500 ($18 for 30ml)
    
    
  • GoW Nutritional Anti-Inflammatory Peptide Serum ($7.90 for .25oz) ($$)
    
    
• Matrixyl 10% + HA ($11.50 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Turbo Line Smoothing Toning Lotion ($38 for 200ml)
    
    
  • Timeless Matrixyl 3000 ($24 for 30ml) - 8% Matrixyl 3000 ($$)
    
    
  • Timeless CoQ10 ($25 for 30ml) - 8% Matrixyl 3000, Hylaronic Acid, Vitamin E and Ubiquinone
    
    
  • GoW Matrix Majik AntiAging Serum ($8.90 for 0.25oz) ($$)
    
    
• Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA ($8.90 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Skinlex Alpha Arbutin 2% ($13.60 for 60ml)
    
    
  • Hada Labo Shirojyun Arbutin Lotion ($12 for 170ml)
    
    
  • InstaNaturals Skin Brightening Serum ($18 for 30ml) - SAP + Niacinamide + Alpha Arbutin + Licorice root
    
    
• Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG ($6.70 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Alba Fast Fix for Puffy Eyes ($4 for 7ml)
    
    
  • GoW Eyes on Me Cooling Eye Serum ($9.65 for 0.5oz) ($$)
    
    
  • Splash your face with iced coffee while stuck in traffic on your way to work cuz nobody knows how to feckin MERGE HOLYSHIT ($2.79 for a Large at Dunkin Donuts)
    
    
• Argireline Solution 10% ($7.90 for 30ml)
  
  
  • Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Turbo Line Smoothing Toning Lotion ($38 for 200ml)
    
    
  • GoW Targeted Wrinkle Relaxer ($8.40 for 0.25oz) ($$)
    
    
  • IQ Naturals Argireline + Matrixyl 3000 Fine Line Serum ($18 for 30ml) (haven't heard of this brand, but found on FutureDerm and look at their heckin cute hyaluronic acid jug)

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


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

——————————-


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

Same, even on cloudy days.

​

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.

​

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

​

• I use sunscreen with zinc. https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Lizard-Australian-Sunscreen-Protection/dp/B00007FCPX?th=1 or this one https://www.neutrogena.com/sun/sheer-zinc-dry-touch-sunscreen-broad-spectrum-spf-50/6811080.html
  
  But always with zinc!
  
  
• If you have sun damage/spots already, I highly recommend going to a dermatologist and getting a spot lightener. Something to remove sun spots.
  
  ​
  
  Here is my routine:
  
  Morning:
  
  
• Wash skin with this https://www.ulta.com/special-cleansing-gel?productId=VP12697
  
• Then I use a toner: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00016XJ4M/ref=as_li_tl?imprToken=glJJQhPDbHcr66KkQw7Mgw&slotNum=1&ie=UTF8&tag=bustle11957-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=w61&creativeASIN=B00016XJ4M&linkId=5bf01f335a90cf1e5d860068ba05a9fb&th=1
  
• Then I use a serum: https://www.lancome-usa.com/skin-care/collections/genifique/advanced-genifique-youth-activating-serum/1000302.html
  
• Immediately after applying the serum I use a roller on my face: https://www.sephora.com/product/jade-facial-roller-P436891
  
• Then I apply an eye cream: https://www.kiehls.com/skincare/eye-creams-and-eye-serums/creamy-eye-treatment-with-avocado/258.html
  
• And after that a good moisturizer, I just finished using La Prairie and about to start using this one: https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/chanel-hydra-beauty-creme-riche-hydration-protection-radiance/3690250
  
• After that I wear my sunscreen.
  
  ​
  
  Nighttime:
  
  
• Wash skin with this https://www.ulta.com/special-cleansing-gel?productId=VP12697
  
• and then I moisturize with this thick cream I have which is this one:
  
  https://www.samsclub.com/p/genes-vitamin-e-creme-16oz/157674
  
  
• Then I apply an eye cream: https://www.kiehls.com/skincare/eye-creams-and-eye-serums/creamy-eye-treatment-with-avocado/258.html
  
  then I go to bed.
  
  ​
  
  ​
  
  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.
  
  ​
  
  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!

Hello,
First, I apologize for these english mistakes I will probably make in my post.
For the context I'm in my mid-twenties. And It didn't take me 5 years to cure from my acne but 8 years. (Because the oldest photos on my acne face have been taken 5 years ago.)
Album with B&A and products.
FAQ :
When did my acne appears ?
My acne appears during my last year of middle school. And it followed me until my master’s degree.
What's my skincare routine and what have I try before ?
I have tried many stuff.
1 - Roaccutane : Only few months, it was very difficult to stand this treatment.
Dry lips, random nose bleeding, tired etc. Very effective but as soon as I stopped the treatment my acne came back.
2 - Cutacnyl : Not very effective, at least for severe acne like mine.
3 - Honey mask : Not effective.
4 - Aloe vera : Not bad but I had to use it very consistently.
5 - Antibiotics : Acne came back after the treatment.
6 - Pills : pills like MSM, zinc, vitamin B, chromium picolinate. It worked quite well, to be honest they reduced my acne a lot but it came back when I stopped to take these pills so it wasn't the solution I was looking for.
My morning routine : I use a sulfur soap to clean my face and then I moisturize with a Cerave facial lotion. During the summer I use the Biore UV Aqua rich essence to moisturize and to use it as a sunscreen.
My afternoon routine (back from work) :
I wash my face with the same sulfur soap.
After the shower : Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
Before I sleep : Cerave lotion + tee trea.
Once a week : Green clay mask
What's my diet :
I completely stopped dairy stuff. I also stopped to drink soft drinks ( except when i'm eating something that have to be accompanied with a soft drink, like burgers, pastas ). So let's say a soft drink a week or a soft drink every two weeks at best.
I started to work out, bought a bench press bench, some weights and started to build a new body.
I started bodybuilding not only because I knew It could help me to reduce my acne but also because I had (and still today) some confidence issues. I'm proud to have made this decision (since i'm quite a lazy guy IRL).
And because I followed a meal plan, I ate more "green" stuff. Bunch of fruits everyday, like bananas, apples, tomatoes etc. Less sugar, more water.
I also drink green tea matcha and green tea with lemon on a daily basis.
Nothing new you can learn from me in this thread. Eat less dairy and sugar. More fruits, vegetables and tea. More sports.
I just wanted to let you know that even though you think it's impossible to get ride of your acne, because no matter what you do you don't see any improvements, all you need is consistency and having the desire to heal. Having the desire to heal is important because your psychology plays a big part in your healing. It will sound like some anime bullshit but you have to believe in yourself.
I had to deal with acne for 8 years, the first 3 years I thought It was just some temporary situation because every teenagers have that. But the years go by and I see no progress. I had no confidence in myself and It was very hard to go outside, even when I needed to buy groceries. Each day was difficult to live. In the subway, in the bus, when talking to people, to girls, all I wanted was to stay at home and cover my face with a green clay mask and tea tree and hoping that my acne would dissapear during the night. Everywhere outside of my home was a test that I had to face. Sometimes I asked a day off because I didn't want to go to work with my shitty face.
TL:DR : Green clay, Cerave lotion, Chromium picolinate, sulfur soap, working out, fruits, vegetables and tea and (trying) to enjoy life.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to ask me questions if needed.

I know everyone’s joking about r/popping but seriously some zits need to be lanced.

1. Pierce top with a lancet.
   
   
2. Squeeze junk out (preferably with the looped wire extractor).
   
   
3. Apply salicylic acid (wipe with a Stridex pad).
   
   
4. Apply a hydrocolloid bandage (Nexcare Acne Cover, or cut to size Dynarex Dressing).

5 Sunscreen Swatches on Dark Skin

SWATCHES HERE

About my skin:

• My skin complexion: Fenty Beauty foundation in 430
  
• Skin type: Normal (but in very low humidity it can pull dry)
  
• Skin concerns: hyperpigmentation
  
• Weather: Sunny and dry; located in Southern California
  
  Featured sunscreens:
  
  

1. Shisheido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++
   
   
2. Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun SPF 45 PA+++
   
   
3. Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ P++++
   
   
4. Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47 with Sunboost ATB
   
   
5. Elta MD UV Clear Broad Spectrum 46
   
   Mini Reviews
   
   Shisheido Senka Aging Care
   
   

• My first AB sunscreen
  
  
• A chemical sunscreen
  
  
• Leaves a moisturizing finish without being greasy
  
  
• Sheer serum-like consistency
  
  
• Zero white-cast
  
  
• I’m at the end of my second bottle
  
  
• Although I quite like this on my skin, I have sensitive eyes and this makes them water like crazy if I apply it around the perimeter of my orbital bone.
  
  
• Purchased a pack of 2 on US Amazon for $16.99 (so ~$8.50 each)
  
  
• Cosdna analysis here
  
  
• Rating: 3/5 - will not repurchase
  
  Missha All Around Safe Block
  
  
• chemical sunscreen
  
  
• purchased this because it is formulated to be water resistant for outdoor activity, sweat and the humidity
  
  
• Has a light floral fragrance
  
  
• Lightly moisturizing and the consistency is the most similar to a basic lotion.
  
  
• Zero white-cast
  
  
• This is my first tube, and I don’t use it often as I am rarely outdoors. I will keep it for now and will decide whether to repurchase based on how much outdoor activity I do this summer
  
  
• Purchased on US Amazon for about $9.89 (it’s currently listed for $13)
  
  
• Cosdna analysis here
  
  
• Rating: 4/5 (points deducted for floral scent and slightly lower protection rating)
  
  Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence
  
  
• chemical sunscreen
  
  
• I’m at the end of my second tube
  
  
• This is one of my top two out of the five sunscreens I own
  
  
• Love the finish, particularly under makeup. This also has a sheer serum-like consistency, even more than the Senka.
  
  
• Does slightly make my eyes water, but nothing like the Senka Aging Care
  
  
• Zero white-cast
  
  
• Purchased a pack of 2 on US Amazon for $19.99 (so ~$10 each) but noticed that it is sold at one of my local AB stores for $12 as well
  
  
• Cosdna analysis here
  
  
• Rating: 4/5 - will repurchase (already have a back-up in my drawer)
  
  Josie Maran Daily Moisturizer SPF 47
  
  
• My only completely physical sunscreen
  
  
• This is my second bottle
  
  
• Very moisturizing, leaves a very radiant, glowy finish
  
  
• I love that I can apply this all over my eyes with zero irritation or sensitivity
  
  
• No white-cast
  
  
• Purchased at my local Sephora for $32
  
  
• Notes on usage: I would only recommend this to people that like a dewy finish or have normal to dry skin. You also must rub it in completely or it may leave a very minimal white-cast.
  
  
• Cosdna analysis here
  
  
• Rating: 5/5 - Wish this was cheaper but I will definitely repurchase
  
  Elta MD UV Clear
  
  
• This is my first bottle
  
  
• A hybrid physical and chemical sunscreen
  
  
• I bought this to apply after my microdermabrasion appointments since it seems to be a staple in many medi-spas
  
  
• I love that it has niacinamide in the formula and that it is formulated especially for skin with acne, rosacea or hyperpigmentation.
  
  
• I really like the consistency of this sunscreen; it glides on nicely and doesn’t take long to rub in
  
  
• Re: White-cast - out of all of my sunscreens, this leaves a very minimal white-cast. It is not an offensive white-cast and to most people it probably isn’t noticeable (my husband doesn’t notice it). But it does not settle in totally clear. This is probably because I have a deep complexion and I doubt this would show up on anyone lighter than me. As you can see in the image, the white-cast is not perceptible. But on my face (which is a little darker) I can notice it ever so slightly. However, it blends enough for me to feel comfortable walking out the house with it on.
  
  
• Purchased at a local medi-spa for $32, but it’s also available on US Amazon for $26.40
  
  
• Cosdna analysis here
  
  
• Rating: 4/5 - will repurchase
  
  Edits: formatting and added links
  
  
  2nd edit: Thanks for the gold, kind stranger!

HYDROCOLLOID BANDAIDS. Trust me, I get these suckers all the time. Stick one on and it will suck the white head out. I buy these acne bandaids, but since you need something ASAP -- just go to Target (or CVS, etc.) and buy Hydrocolloid Blister Bandaids. Cut it up into whatever size you need (I cut it so it's a bit bigger than the pimple so I can peel it off afterwards). Stick that bad boy on and wait. If I'm in a rush, I wait an hour. If I'm not in a rush, I stick that on all day. Peel it off before I take off makeup/jump in the shower. It'll either suck the puss out or make it so you just need to push out the puss a bit. Trust me on this. They're a godsend.

*EDIT: You don't need to poke a hole in it. I'd say 90% of the time it just sucks it out for you. Some times it takes an extra day. Someone else said Mario Badescu Drying Lotion -- it does work, but not all the time like Hydrocolloid Bandaids work. I get huge cyst acne. The most I've had is 5 whiteheads on one cyst acne. I've pretty much controlled my skin.. for now.

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

I've finally resisted the temptation to spend money and change my routine that works. I am 22 y/o guy with very oily skin & I sweat a lot - which is usually what causes my breakouts. I also love these products because they're (mostly) readily available from stores in Australia.

Derma Sukin Daily Hydrating Wash - AM & PM. This stuff is so cheap, and very gentle. It has an almost identical texture to Cetaphil, only makes me feel less dry.

Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil - PM, before Sukin cleanser. My holy grail oil cleanser. This stuff is liquid gold, it's excellent for blackheads and a really deep clean. I feel like wake up with noticeably softer skin.

Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum - AM/PM after cleansing. It's a very hydrating serum that I feel has reduced a lot of the redness from my acne scars. It's kind of expensive-ish so if you guys have any alternatives hmu!

The Ordinary, The Buffet - AM, after serum. This is stuff of miracles. This stuff has really helped the texture of my skin, and I only use a drop each morning.

Neutrogena Water Gel - AM/PM, mixed with TO Hyaluronic Acid. Cheap, doesn't break me out, good for Australian heat, and my sweaty face. I don't think I need much more until it gets dry and cold eventually.

The Ordinary, Hyaluronic Acid + B5 - AM/PM mixed with Neutrogena moisturiser. Cheap, hydrating, effective & mixes really well with my moisturer. I tried the Marine Hyaluronics one and thought it did nothing. The Hada Labo one was also good but harder to pick up in stores.

[The Ordinary, 30% AHA + BHA 2%](https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-aha-30pct-bha-2pct-peeling-solution-30ml) - PM, once a week. I prefer this stuff over the stridex pads or any other AHA/BHA I've used as it's less irritating on my skin. Really helped with acne scarring and prevents cystic acne breakouts. Kind of annoyed you can't get it in stores in Australia anymore though.

[La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF50*](https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/78816/-la-roche-posay-anthelios-xl-ultra-light-fluid-facial-sunscreen-spf50-50ml?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAjwtYXmBRAOEiwAYsyl3PLG911c4JVNh4t-jo8k4XUHcs72rWstFPR8y-HsDsd_lnJ4OUn3FhoCLXwQAvD_BwE) - AM, final step. I feel like I'm yet to find a sunscreen my skin LOVES, but this one does the job and doesn't break me out. It's kinda expensive but it lasts for a while.

Wall of text incoming, along with the products that work for me. YMMV with individual products, of course!


All of these are just what I use, and all have alternatives that may work better for you and/or be cheaper. This has evolved over the past two years, I didn't just pick all this up at once and start throwing it on my skin - start slow, and see how your skin adjusts to each step for a week or so before moving onto another product.

I do my "skin routine" morning and evening, with some variations depending on how much time I have and what time of day it is.

First, hydration. Looks like you've taken care of that one! Water, water, and more water is what helped the most. I go through roughly 3L of water at work if not more, plus more once I get home.

Second, I never use foaming cleansers. I cut out anything with foams, and went with a two step cleansing process: first, oil cleansing (I use Banila Clean It Zero) to get rid of the bulk of my makeup. Then I follow with a cream cleanser (Guerlain Lait de Beauty, but there are MANY more affordable options out there).

Then I use a toner. But not the stripping, Sea Breeze type toner, a moisturizing one. Currently using HadaLabo Hyaluronic Lotion. Don't let the "acid" fool you - hyaluronic acid is extremely moisturizing.

Every 3-4 days in the evenings, I use a chemical exfoliator (NEVER physical, my skin can't take it) in the form of a BHA and AHA. BHAs remove gunk from pores, AHAs strip dead skin. Both mine are from cosrx:

https://sokoglam.com/products/cosrx-bha-blackhead-power-liquid

https://sokoglam.com/products/cosrx-aha-7-whitehead-power-liquid

Some people leave them for 20 minutes, I don't have the patience, I just go right into the next step and add a sheet mask. If you're new to actives, this will be too often - do them once a week, max.

Then the fun part - sheet masks. I looove sheet masks. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Anything with Hyaluronic acid is my go to. My Beauty Diary Hyaluronic Acid is a staple. I let that sink in while doing whatever around the house. I do one of these a few times a week, every night if I can.

Then I go onto moisturizing. I have a variety of serums, essences, and oils that I use depending on how dry my skin feels, but my basic routine goes:

If my skin is extra dry, I add in an extra moisturizing step here. I use Miss Flower and Mr Honey in summer, Scinic All in One honey ampoule in winter. Or sometimes I use Guerlain Face Treatment Oil.

If my skin is red, I add in CosRX Snail 96 to help control it.

Separate eye cream, ALWAYS. Right now I'm loving Clarins Super Restorative eye cream.

Then the big moisturizers:

History of Whoo Jinyul Essence

History of Whoo Jinyul Cream

Final step for day, sunscreen - Biore Watery Essence SPF50 for daytime. Skipped at night for obvious reasons.

For the night routine, before bed I apply one of these masks:

CosRX Honey Mask

CosRX Rice Mask

Guerlain Abeille Royale Honey Mask

These give extra moisture at night while you're sleeping.

Again, this is not something that happened overnight - I can almost guarantee if someone takes this list and throws it all at their face at once, they'll end up a mess. I added things slowly.

If I was going to recommend an order, I'd go with this:

• If you're using a foaming cleanser, replace it with a cream cleanser the next time it runs out. No need to waste things.
  
  Wait a week.
  
  
• Add a GENTLE AHA. This will help remove dead skin and reduce dryness. Just once a week, no more.
  
• Add a Hyaluronic acid sheet mask, like the MBD one. It's affordable, and relaxing.
  
  You could swap the above two if you have a lot of cleanser left.
  
  Wait a week.
  
  Once you're used to those, add an essence. Something very moisturizing and rich.
  
  Wait a week.
  
  Look at adding in a sleeping pack.
  
  From there, pick what you'd like to address and add them in.
  
  I know it's a lot to take in, so if you have specific questions about any of this, just ask.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These are some of my holy grail skincare products!

Night time:

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

Assuming you were using 'CeraVe in the tub' (I had awful clogged pores with it too), their PM moisturizer is actually wonderful!

Yes! I second hyaluronic acid. I've been using Hada Labo in the mornings after cleansing and before moisturizing. It makes a world of difference!

My everyday products are

Clean It Zero

Cerave Hydrating Cleanser

Also sometimes Su:m 37 Miracle Rose Stick Cleanser

Hada Labo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion

.05 Tretinoin Gel

Mizon Black Snail All In One Cream

My Beauty Diary Sheet Mask - (Or something similar)

Too Cool for School Pumpkin Sleeping Pack

MISSHA All-Around Safe Block Soft Finish Sun Milk SPF50+ PA+++

Other popular products that I sometimes use:

Benton Snail Bee High Content Lotion

Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream

Product name: Cerave Facial Moisturising Lotion PM

Price (range): AUD23.22 | $7.87 |
USD15.49

Country of purchase: Australia

Skin info: Combination, acne prone

Ingredient list: COSDNA ingredient list analysis

Special info: Contains Ceramides which are great for skin health and barrier repair, also contains niacinimide

Experience & opinion: Like all acne prone combo to oily folk I was suspicious of moisturisers. After flirting around here and r/asianbeauty I finally asked my mum to pick me up a bottle while she was in the states and I haven't looked back since

The product is very light, almost more gel like than creamy. It moisturises well for my combination skin and sinks in very fast as well. I also find it makes a killer base for my makeup in the evening as it really preps the face without adding extra slick. It doesn't break me out and really helped to get rid of flakey patches on my face as well as helping my skin bounce back from some minor exfoliation. I fond with regular daily use, my skin just looked happier. It's hard to get more detailed than that

So I've been a long time lurker and reader and thought I'd introduce myself and my new routine to the community. Special thanks to /u/mynomdeplumeisplume for the amazing guide that finally got me to pull the trigger!

 

A quick breakdown with links (all from Amazon):


Type | Product
---|---
Oil Cleanser | Banila Co. Clean It Zero Purity
Water Cleanser | Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam
Moisturizer | Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream
Sunscreen | Biore Aqua Rich UV Watery Essence

 

(Sk)intro and review

I'm a 24 year old male in the UK with light olive/brown skin that is pretty resilient but can be prone to spots. I have some PIH on my upper cheeks and forehead and dark circles under my eyes. Generally speaking I've gone for products that are formulated for sensitive skin and pretty "mainstream" from what I've seen in AB circles so far. They've been working great and my skin has never looked so good.

 
Special shout out to the Biore UV for being the first sunscreen that I actually don't dread using. I've not used sun protection much in the past because of how greasy it feels but this has been a dream. I'm going to stick to it for another week before adding a toner and my first essence - any suggestions for brightening/hydrating/PIH tackling would be great and also where to buy the Biore that isn't amazon. That's all for me, thanks for reading any questions and critiques would be welcome.

Skin

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

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

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

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

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

AM

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

have you checked out /r/AsianBeauty much yet? their philosophy might be a good fit for you as AB routines often involve layering of several moisturizing/hydrating products, many of which are not necessarily cream or lotion but more gel-like. so i'd poke around there as well! for instance, the Hada labo gokujun lotion is a popular product for holding in moisture due to the hyaluronic acid. although if you definitely can't use butylene glycol without issue, that specific product may not be good for you. unfortunately its a very common ingredient in skincare products :( i'm sure there's some good options without it though!

in the meantime, if you're really that flaky, i'd personally cut back on the aha/bha/retinol/tretinoin and get back to applying your oils after cleansing more often to give your skin a break. you could even add something like vaseline over the oil to act as an occlusive.

Here is the Skincare Addiction sunscreen guide post, although it's a bit confusing. I found this Skinacea page to be much more helpful and to make much more sense when I was looking into sunscreens. Also look at the related links at the top of the page for more descriptions about what you need in a sunscreen. You should have something that's at least SPF 30.

I have skin that's really difficult to please with sunscreen. Sunscreen either clogs my pores or burns my sensitive skin. My skin is also combination/oily and acne prone. There are chemical sunscreens, physical sunscreens, and ones that use both chemical and physical blockers. Here's a helpful side-by-side comparison. The combination ones are generally suggested as the best for skin protection, but sometimes people react badly to various ingredients and the most important thing is the sunscreen provides broad spectrum, photostable protection. It's mostly about trial and error until you find something you like.

As far as the ones I've personally tried...

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen in SPF 55 felt really good going on. It only got a little greasy around my nose, but otherwise was dry. It seems like a number of people here like it for a drugstore sunscreen, but I broke out after a few days of using it.

I like MaryKay's SPF 30. It goes on dry and has a bit of a fragrant scent, so it doesn't smell like sunscreen. I've used this at the beach for many summers, though I'm going to try out some other sunscreens because I'm worried that it'll clog my pores if I use it daily. I think I may need an only physical sunscreen.

A lot of people here like the Elta MD sunscreens, which are a little pricier. People tend to recommend the UV Clear SPF 46 on this subreddit. I just ordered their UV Physical SPF 41, though I haven't tried it yet. It's important to note that the physical one is tinted, so it probably works best on more fair skin.

I'm no expert on sunscreens, but this is the info that I've researched and that's been provided by the subreddit. Thank goodness for /r/SkincareAddiction, amirite?

If you don't want to apply new products without testing, you could use sterile lancets and then pop a hydrpcolloid bandage over it. /r/skincareaddiction may have some feedback too. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Based on the Beginner's FAQ, I started using the Cerave foaming wash and moisturizing cream and my skin is doing MUCH better. I have oily, somewhat acne-prone skin. I was also using the apricot scrub but I don't miss it AT ALL. The Stridex pads and occasional use of AHA pads pads a couple times a week have served to exfoliate and treat breakouts better than St Ives scrub. I feel like a bit of a success story so I recommend trying out some new products if you feel like your skin condition could improve.

Not OP but I have my eyebrows microbladed as well. I use SPF 50 on them, and it's definitely recommended. They're probably more susceptible to fading than normal tattoos even because the ink is only deposited in the epidermis, whereas tattoos are in the dermis (or that's my understanding at least). Here's the sunscreen I use, it's super light and not creamy or streaky, https://www.amazon.ca/Shiseido-SENKA-Sunscreen-Mineral-Water/dp/B004Q1WT58, so you don't have to worry about it looking white on your face.

Oh gosh that routine sounds quite drying.. The tea tree oil could be burning your skin and I'm not sure about using vinegar straight in your skin... Water doesn't dilute the tea tree oil or the vinegar, it's just floating around it. You are basically putting household cleaner on your face. The excess oil your skin is producing could be because it's stressed and dehydrated and you've damaged your moisture barrier. I'd stop both of them immediately and start looking for some soothing healing products and try and baby your skin back to health. If you want to learn more about your moisture barrier and why it's important this is a super in depth and helpful article - http://skinandtonics.com/the-importance-of-fatty-acids-ph-moisture-barrier-how-i-eliminated-my-acne-decreased-my-skin-sensitivity/.

To address each of your concerns:
-blackheads and sebaceous filaments can be helped with BHA products BUT these will only damage your skin further, I'd get it back to good health before adding this in. Eventually you could try something like this routine (which I do once a week) - https://fiftyshadesofsnail.com/2015/03/28/how-to-shrink-pores-temporarily-plus-3-pore-myths/ but seriously it will make your skin worse for now, it's better to wait till its in a better condition.
-spots around your mouth I'm really not sure about sorry. Ingredients like niacinamide (sp?) or alpha arbutin could help but I'm really not sure.
-small bumps could be fungal acne, try googling a bunch of images and see whether any look familiar. If you think it is fungal acne here's two good resources on what ingredients/products to avoid - https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/6ohgsx/discussion_fungal_acne_my_experience_and_how_i/ and https://simpleskincarescience.com/pityrosporum-folliculitis-treatment-malassezia-cure/.
-sensitive skin - as you start trying new products keep track of what makes you more sensitive so you can pinpoint your triggers and learn to avoid. It'll be a painful process but you'll get there in the end I promise. I have a very basic spreadsheet to track what I buy, how long it lasts and how my skin reacts. If there's a few different things flaring up your skin you can cross check ingredients to work out exactly what sets you off and avoids products with that in it. It'll be a long process but you've got many more years to live in your skin & it'll be worth it.

Now in terms of what I suggest you should do here's my two cents... Stop everything you're currently doing and focus on gentle hydration, hydration, hydration. Take it all with a grain of salt though, I'm no expert, just a gal trying to get her skin looking good and staying healthy. As you've got sensitive skin you might find it quite hard to find your holy grail products so I'd recommend getting sample sizes and patch testing excessively to try and reduce the effects of products your skin disagrees with. I put a small dab on my neck, cheek & eyelid for at least a week, although two weeks is the gold standard.

Specific things:
Coconut oil has a reputation for breaking people out, but if it's working for you keep going. If you want to try something else mineral oil is supposedly pretty non reactive. I personally use the pricey shu uemura cleansing oil which is my to die for product if you can justify the $$ (££) - https://www.shuuemura-usa.com/Cleansing-oils/skincare-cleansing-oils,default,sc.html
I think a more hydrating moisturiser would make a big difference, the stratia liquid gold is known for helping repair damaged moisture barriers - https://www.stratiaskin.com/products/liquid gold. The Dr Jart+ ceramidin cream is also super hydrating, I'm working up to dropping the $s on that again - http://www.yesstyle.com/en/dr-jart-ceramidin-cream-50ml/info.html/pid.1035926021. The Cerave PM is very highly regarded as a gentle moisturiser too - http://www.cerave.com/our-products-moisturizers-pm-facial-moisturizing-lotion. I also tried this brand once when a friend had it and it was very gentle - https://helloskinshop.co.uk/products/zeroderm-ointment?variant=24620997383.
You could also consider adding in another hydrating product after oil cleansing before your moisturiser. Hyaluronic acid is super hydrating, it's molecules can hold like 6 times their weight in water. Hadalabo is a popular brand with a few variations on a HA "liquid" this is the most popular one - https://www.amazon.com/Rohto-Hadalabo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B000FQUGXA. There's a premium one that is more hydrating that I'm about to start using once I'm done with the regular one - https://fiftyshadesofsnail.com/2016/03/26/hail-hydra-hada-labo-gokujyun-premium-lotion-review-hada-labo-lotion-tips/.
Snail is a nice soothing product if your skin doesn't react to it (it might! Get a sample and patch test) this is a nice one I slather all over my skin - https://sokoglam.com/products/cosrx-advanced-snail-96-mucin-power-essence.
Honey is another nice soothing ingredient, there's lots of options you could try some regular ole honey on your face to see if it reacts. I'm using this product at the moment although I think it might be breaking me out so I'm taking a few weeks off in case - http://www.holysnails.com/2015/07/scinic-honey-all-in-one-ampoule.html. I don't have oily skin though, so it might be too much for you.
Facial oils could work for you, rosehip gets a generally good rap. You can use on its own or mix into a moisturiser to make it more hydrating. Google facial oil and try out ones that seem like they'll suit your skin.
I talked about niacinamide earlier, the ordinary has a nicanimade + zinc serum which is quite nice and VERY good value - http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-niacinamide-10pct-zinc-1pct-30ml.
Sunscreen is always critical in skin health, you might struggle to find one for your sensitive skin, but if you can find a moisturiser try a sunscreen in that range. And if in doubt try Japanese, they do the nicest. I use this one which is alcohol heavy but very light overall - http://www.refinery29.com/biore-uv-aqua-rich-watery-essence-review.

If I was you I'd stop everything but the oil cleanse and find a veeery gentle, very soothing moisturiser and just do the two of them for a few weeks and see how that goes and slowly add in other things. You only need to oil cleanse at night, in the morning a splash of water should be fine. If you're not wearing make up its still worth cleansing off your sunscreen and the general pollutants of the day, go for a low PH cleanser to be more gentle with your skin. I use this foaming one - https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Cleansing/dp/B0036MDUEM. I've seen other redditors with sensitive skin prefer milk cleansers eg https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/674uya/discussion_favourite_creammilk_cleansers/. Please no more tea tree!

As you can probably tell from the products I've suggested I use a more Asian skin care regime which really works for me. It focuses on hydration and being gentle with your skin. It can get very complex but doesn't have to be. I started with an oil cleanser and now two years later I have a hydrating toner, essence, serum and ampoule... not all necessary but all I enjoy! If you want to know more here's a good start: https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/wiki/new_user_guide.

Good luck with your skin! No quick fixes unfortunately just lots of trial and error and eventually you'll get there. I think without the stripping tea tree and vinegar & with a repairing moisturiser you should see some improvements pretty quickly. Stick with it even if it doesn't. Research other people's routines, learn about what different ingredients do, how your skin works etc. Definitely not wasted time, eventually you can help others on reddit :)

Yay, dehydrated skin buddies! My faithful standby is Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, a hyaluronic acid packed liquid that you pat into your skin after cleansing, also my gateway drug to Asian beauty products. The moisturizer I've been liking the most for summer is Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer, which has a lighter texture than you'd think from the name. In winter when my skin is more dry I really like Clinique DDML because it's a bit more emollient. I also use a face mist of about 5% glycerin in 95% distilled water between skincare layers or during makeup application if my skin is feeling extra dehydrated. It helps everything to sink in nicely. Oh, and sheet masks! The other AB gateway drug. :) They're like a drink of water for your face.

If you're interested in more information about specific humectants, take a look at the dehydrated skin link under skin concerns in the sidebar.

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.

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

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

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

Make a dermatologist appointment, but in the meantime try these: https://www.amazon.com/Nexcare-Cover-Drug-Free-Gentle-Breathable/dp/B00BRGUNV2

Sorry, what's TCA? A tca peel? If you're new to skincare please don't try a TCA peel to start with!! They are very strong and deep, I honestly don't recommend anyone do them at home ever. But especially not someone w/o extensive experience with peels. A gentle lactic acid peel is a great way to start out with them.

MUAC is a great choice for peels (I promise this is legit!) This is a good one to start with I recommend purchasing the sample kit, in my experience they last a super long time and you get to see if it'll work out for you.

And this is a good HA serum. You can check out the reviews on amazon too. Others might have more recommendations as well.

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

1. Cleanse with CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
   
   
2. Tone with Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera. This toner is soothing, hydrating and makes your pores appear smaller. I apply with a cottonball and swipe it all over my face. Doing this also helps remove any makeup/sleep-crust/day-grime from your face that didn't come off when cleansing. Lots of toners advertise that they are pH balancing but don't actually have a pH low enough to accomplish this. I.e., do not spend $18 on a toner.
   
   
3. One pump of the Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum I recommended to OP. Vitamin C has been absolutely amazing for my face and has really evened out my skin tone. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that can stabilize free radicals, which helps prevent skin damage (skin damage = wrinkles and sagging). This product also contains hyaluronic acid, which is very hydrating. Applying acids to your face sounds scary, but fear not. The ideal skin pH is relatively acidic at around 5.5.
   
   
4. CervaVe AM Moisturizer with SPF. Always wear SPF during the day, even if you're going to be inside all day or it's cloudy out or whatever. Makes sure you're applying this to your neck as well. I use four pumps.
   
   Night Routine
   
   
5. Cleanse with CervaVe Hydrating Cleanser above.
   
   
6. Just after cleansing and while my face is still moist, I exfoliate with crushed aspirin. I use Bayer Back & Body because it contains both aspirin and caffeine. Aspirin has salicylic acid, which prevents and treats acne, and caffeine is antinflammatory and reduces both redness and dark circles. I do not suffer from a lot of acne -- when I do it is hormonal or stress-related. Since I started using this method to exfoliate at night any pimple that I get is gone within two days and with none of the redness and irritation I experienced in the past. Anyway, I just finely crush two Bayer tablets in a small ziplock bag and add a few drops of water to make a thick paste. Apply to the face using gentle, circular scrubbing motions. I typically then get another pump of the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser and continue to gently scrub for a minute before rinsing this off.
   
   
7. Tone with Thayer's as mentioned above.
   
   
8. Vitamin C serum mentioned above. I apply more at night -- three to four pumps.
   
   
9. I sometimes use a retinol cream at this point, but that's overkill if you're just getting into skincare. If you do eventually start using one, apply after you cleanse, tone and add serum but before your moisturizer. Do not use retinol during the day as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
   
   
10. Four pumps CeraVe PM Moisturizer. I adore this shit; the consistency is amazing. I could be told it was made with aborted dolphin fetuses and I'd still use it.
    
    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'm more combo / normal and oily.. mainly my nose. It can turn into an oil slick in the summer quicker than I can finish my face. This Etude House 'sunprise' is the best one I've found! It doesn't make the perimeter of my face too dry and actually helps my nose / cheek area control themselves.

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

I 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

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

Am:

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

I like Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 for everyday use.
> Active ingredients: Zinc Oxide 9.0%, Octinoxate 7.5%.

For exercise I like La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen because its waterproof. My old sunscreen (CeraVe) used to burn my eyes, and the skin around my eyes, especially if I was sweating so I switched to this I have been loving it. I wouldn't like it for everyday wear though because it does leave more of a white cast and is difficult to wash off.
>Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 11%

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

Here is a post on hyperpigmentation and how to fade it. For all the things I'm about to recommend, wear sunscreen with them! Other than niacinamide, everything here will make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

For over the counter products my favorites are:

St. Ives Exfoliating Pads - a very gentle lactic acid wipe

MUAC 40% lactic acid peel - a really good starter peel. If you've never done chemical peels before, you should start with something more gentle (like the St. Ives pads) to get your skin used to AHAs

Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 Sunscreen - prevents dark spots from getting darker, and has 5% niacinamide to help fade them

Garden of Wisdom Niacinamide Powder - I bought this but haven't used it yet, actually. It needs to be dissolved in distilled water, and you can mix it with glycerin or aloe to make a DIY niacinamide serum.

If a doctor's visit isn't a huge financial burden for you, prescription retinoids like Retin-A (called tretinoin in generic form) or Tazorac are the gold standard for fading hyperpigmentation. They cause your skin to turn over really quickly, so dryness, redness and irritation are frequent side effects. Skinacea has great info on how to minimize the side effects by starting to use them gradually.

Edit:

Here's a before and after (separated by a couple of months) after using said products - Tazorac/St. Ives Pads/sunscreen daily and chemical peel weekly.

You must be new to AB :) Snail mucin is simply Snail Secretion

[This] (https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Advanced-Snail-Mucin-Essence/dp/B00PBX3L7K) is the specific product I am referring to

My routine:

MUAC Green Tea and Pomegranate Cleanser


Hyaluronic Acid mixed with Snail essence


100% Argan oil


Avene Recovery Cream

[Enzyme Protect 30SPF] (https://www.makeupartistschoice.com/MUAC-Enzyme-Protect--SPF-30_p_350.html)



In the morning, I'll use Vitamin C and in the evening I'll switch between using Tretinoin 0.05% and Niacinamide.

Once a week, I will do a 15% SA peel. I alternate between doing a weekly 55% Lactic Acid peel or a Fade peel. Then I'll give my skin a 2 week break where I straight up moisturize and then do a TCA peel (these are not for the faint of heart)

[Edit: formatting]

This is pretty much it.

It's one of the original holy grail low pH cleansers on r/skincareaddiction and have been using it for a few years now. I just buy it from large asian stores like T&T or Ocean's (Toronto area), but sometimes amazon is cheaper. I stocked up on a few bottles when I was in Japan because it's only like $4 there or something 😭

Their hyaluronic liquid is also amazing if you have dry/dehydrated skin! You just pat a small amount over your face before applying moisturizer and your face just sucks up all the moisture.

Hi! Okay let's see hereee. Gather 'round, friends. I imagine this is going to get quite long.

My Skin: Oily t-zone, dryish cheeks and one weird dry half of my chin. I also deal with eczema on random parts, depending on what my body decides with be most annoying that particular time. Random things will make me break out, and basically if I don't cleanse with mineral oil at night I break out. I rarely break out anymore, than goodness.

Morning routine!

• Cleanse with Cerave foaming if I feel I got greasy during the night, or Pond's Original Cold Cream if I still want to cleanse my face but feel dry, OR just splash with water and a wash cloth.
  
  
• Apply Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion as my serum. It's called a "lotion" in the Asian skincare routine, but it really acts like a serum in a typical US routine. This is a hyaluronic acid serum that helps your skin retain moisture, and it gives my skin the moisture it needs to not be so oily.
  
  
• Apply either Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel which is pretty much every day except the driest days of winter, OR Cerave in the tub. Sometimes I mix a dab of the two together when I'm feeling cRaZyYy. I sometimes add a few drops of Passion Fruit Seed Oil.
  
  
• Apply Murad Oil-Control Mattifier, this stuff is sstttuuuppidd expensive at $40, and it has about 8 million ingredients that could upset your skin and you would never know which one it is, so I am often hesitant to suggest it for that reason. HOWEVER, nothing works as well for my oilies than this, and I always, always come back. HG, unfortunately.
  
  
• Apply either Clinique City Block SPF 40, Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion Sunblock SPF 30 or Elta MD Clear SPF 46.
  
  Night Routine!
  
  
• Cleanse with baby oil and a washcloth. Sometimes use Pond's Cold Cream again, simply because it feels so nice. If I am planning on using an AHA, I will cleanse again with the Cerave Foaming Cleanser.
  
  
• Apply Alpha Hydrox Intensive Serum, 14% Glycolic Acid - AHA 1-3 times a week. Or use Stridex 2% Salicylic Acid Pads 2-4 times a week. Probably once a week, or every two weeks, I will use a Stridex pad and then the Alpha Hydrox. I wake up with the smoooooothest skin ever, but it makes me dry so I can only do it every now and then. Ever since I started using AHA and BHA, my blackheads and sebaceous filaments are almost completely gone.
  
  
• Use either the Hada Labo Serum again, or Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, which I LOVE. It's really expensive, but I really do love it.
  
  
• Moisturize with Cerave in the tub! I have a soft spot for Clinique Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer but it's expensive and I only buy it sometimes! Sometimes I slather my face in Passion Fruit Seed Oil just because.
  
  Body!
  
  
• Cleanse with the regular Dove bar, or sometimes I do a weird broke-ass body oil cleanse with whatever body lotion I am trying to get rid of. I rub it into my skin and then wipe it off with a washcloth. Feels good, man.
  
  
• Cerave in the tub everywhere, twice a day if my eczema is acting up. Top with baby oil if bad. My eczema is either going to be okay with Cerave, or I need 3 months of oral steroids. There is no middle ground for us.
  
  
• I obsessively sunscreen the backs of my hands with whatever sunscreen I am trying to use up at the moment.
  
  Things I do sometimes!
  
  
• Makeup Artist's choice 40% Lactic Acid Peel
  
  
• Mario Badescu Silver Powder Mask
  
  
• Neem Seed Oil for spots treatment if I get a spot
  
  
• Hydrocolloid bandages if I have a zit that needs....drained. I don't know how to say that in a less gross way. These only work if they have come to a head or you've popped it, but if you put them on overnight, you wake up and it is completely flat. They suck the liquid out without drying your skin out.
  
  
• I love raw shea butter for those really dry times, works anywhere! Use this during the driest times of winter.

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

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

AM routine:

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

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:

1. Brush your teeth. If you invest in your skin, invest in your teeth too. In addition, toothpaste can actually cause pimples around your mouth, which is why I recommend you do it before you cleanse.
   
   
2. Cleanse. Apply your cleanser. Either you can just apply it and wash it off, but I just hop into the shower to wake me up as well.
   
   
3. Niacinamide. Apply a little bit on your face everywhere.
   
   
4. Caffeine. Close your an eye, and apply a drop directly under. Rub it in, and don't get it in your eyes (it hurts like a bitch).
   
   
5. Toner. I pour a bit of mine on a cotton pad, and dab liberally.
   
   
6. Moisturizer. I tend to apply my moisturizer very liberally, there isn't any harm in your skin looking plump and having a nice glow.
   
   
7. Sunscreen. If you're sitting in an office all day with no window and you have max 30 mins of sun exposure (without a BHA, if you are then it is a must!), then you're okay without applying sunscreen. Otherwise, apply your sunscreen liberally.
   
   

   PM:
   

   
   

8. Cleanser. Your second cleanse removes all the crap on your face you accumulated on your face throughout the day, as well as prepare your skin for new stuff.
   
   
9. Oil Cleanse. If wearing Sunscreen, an oil cleanse can remove the remnants of the sunscreen of the sunscreen. It's also well-loved in Asian Beauty circles, as oil can pull wonders.
   
   
10. BHA. Apply the BHA (different BHAs have different application methods, read the back) and wait 5 mins.
    
    
11. AHA. Apply the AHA and wait for 5 mins.
    
    
12. Moisturize. Before you go to bed, moisturizing just keeps your skin nice throughout the nice. This is not for beauty reasons; dry skin can be a mess to deal with (flaking).
    
    

    Subroutines
    

    
    These are some skin-care routines I do weekly.
    
    

    Weekly Clay Mask
    

    
    This process takes 30 minutes and can completely refresh your skin.
    
    

13. Apply BHA.
    
    
14. After BHA, apply the clay mask. I recommend you use a plastic (not steel) spoon to slather it over your face. You'll feel it start to harden, and you'll want to remove it when you feel a satisfying "pulsing effect". Overdoing it can damage your skin.
    
    
15. Remove the Mask. This can be done in two ways; either peel it off with your hands and throw it in the trash, or take a shower. Important if you're taking a shower; make sure the water is constantly running, the clay mask can clog the drains.
    
    
16. Perform an OCM (Oil Cleansing Massage). You want to apply oil on your face, let it set for a few minutes, and start to lightly rub your face in circles. If you do it for too long, you can damage your skin capillaries, so be very conservative about its use. Around your nose, if you feel like grains of sand in your fingers, you have done something impressive; you've gotten rid of grits. Grits are the little pieces of stuff on your nose that look like pimples but cannot be removed. Although this process removes grits, they will eventually fill in (they're dirt), but it removes it for now.
    
    Also, why this post came up late

If you're new to HA, I would try another (cheaper) product first to see whether or not you react negatively to it. I'd recommend Hada Labo HA lotion which is very popular and loved by many over at r/AsianBeauty.

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

Shark Sauce and Stratia Rewind are also very nice ones.

There's something exciting about seeing improvement!

I have combination skin that gets oil through the day but also has dry patches, especially on my forehead.

My skincare routine is cleansing every night with [Paula's Choice Cleanser] (http://www.paulaschoice.com/shop/skin-care-categories/cleansers/_/Skin-Balancing-Oil-Reducing-Cleanser/), afterward once I week I use the Paula's Choice 4% BHA foam as a chemical exfoliator, and the last step is Cerave Moisturizing Cream. I also use Elta MD Sunscreen under my makeup on days where I'm going to be outside for more than a few minutes.

My skin's not perfect but it's a lot better and using /r/skincareaddiction helped me tremendously in getting a basic understanding of skincare and finding a routine that I feel works well for me.

It didn't break me out but made my face beat red the next day. The niacinamide is at a high percentage in TO niacinamide. I got into diy and niacinamide was on my list of things to make and read a good study about niacinamide showing great results at 4% when its formulated with 2% NAG. It's suggested use is between 2-5%. I didn't use any vitamin C when using it either, because it can turn niacinamide into niacin (I think). My skin handled the serum I made just fine and it actually helped with inflammation.

If you decide to try it from TO, it's cheap. But there are a lot of other niacinamide products out there with a lower percentage. Cerave has a moisturizer with niacinamide and ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. It's in my cart, I definitely want to try it. CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM | 3 Ounce | Ultra Lightweight, Night Face Moisturizer | Fragrance Free https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00365DABC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HoWIDb8ZF0QSC

A month ago I was reading about niacinamide and azelaic acid because people seem to have good results with one or the other, or both. I have cystic acne and have been looking for something to help. I have read that niacinamide increases keratinocytes, and azelaic acid decreases the production of keratin. I made a post about it, but nobody ever had an answer. I get nodules and cysts on my jawline and neck, so I don't put as much niacinamide in that area. But I wish I knew more about this because so many people do use niacinamide and if it makes acne worse, that's not good.

Eltamd is really nice and wears well under makeup. /r/SkincareAddiction has a ton of threads on sunscreen, too -- just run a search! And the order of application is moisturizer, sunscreen, primer, foundation.

Thanks!

I was using Shiseido SENKA Mineral Water UV Gel SPF50 PA+++

For days when I was just running outside for a short time I used Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 45

Probably the Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion (bear in mind lotion refers to a hyrating toner here). People also use Kikumasamune toner for similar purposes.

Not OP but this is my holy grail facial sunscreen. Not greasy at all, absorbs super fast, no weird chalky cast, no scent, affordable, and my makeup sits on it beautifully!

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

There are so many points that need to be addressed...

• the best advice on reddit (and probably the internet) regarding acne is right over at /r/skincareaddiction
  
  
• drying out your skin is bad for acne... but not for the reasons listed in the post and article. Dry, cracked skin lets bacteria and grime get into your skin much easier than non-dry, plump skin. Plus, dry flakey skin can look nearly as bad as acne.
  
  
• Sebum is not what protects your skin from bacteria and the elements... your acid mantle does that. What destroys your acid mantle is using products with an extreme pH... the most common of which is lemon and baking soda, which people should NEVER put on their face.
  
  
• If you have oily skin, drying out your skin can make your skin produce even more oil. This is why the oil-cleansing method is so popular for people with oily skin - it helps your skin normalize and stop overproducing oil for dried out skin. Another method that people use to restore their acid mantle and thus their natural protection against bacteria and acne is the caveman method. This is extreme, and some go full steam ahead while others just simplify their routine. The caveman method is simple: don't touch your face. with anything. That means no makeup, no products, no washing, nothing. Some people won't even let their face get wet in the shower. Don't touch your face, don't scrub at it, nothing. Some people will moderate this and just use a really simple and safe sunscreen, and let it wash off in the shower. It will take about two weeks for your acid mantle to restore.
  
  
• It is important to distinguish between physical exfoliation and chemical exfoliation. Overwashing your face (physical) can dry out your face (bad). However, this isn't going to remove the top layer of your skin. That's what chemical exfoliants (specifically AHAs) do. And this is not a bad thing - nor is it drying, or encourage more sebum production. Any physical exfoliation should be gentle (read: do NOT use St. Ives apricot scrub or similar products), a microfiber washcloth is a great option. Any chemical exfoliation should not exceed your tolerance (start at a lower percentage and work your way up, don't use it every day if your skin reacts badly, patch tests, etc).
  
  
• Diet can effect your skin. When you consume an irritant, your skin can reflect that. So if you're lactose intolerant (or just sensitive), dairy may be causing some of your acne. The health of your gut bacteria can also have an effect on your skin bacteria. Believe it or not, not all bacteria (even on your skin) is bad. MOST of it is actually good. So eating probiotic foods or taking a probiotic pill can actually help your skin. Cut back on things you know are bad for you (sugar, gluten in some cases, dairy in some cases, etc) and introduce more of what is good for you (probiotics, vitamins, fruits/veggies). Furthermore, acne caused by stress can be helped by regular exercise. So you can lose weight and get better skin at the same time.
  
  In sum:
  
  
• DO use a moisturizer... but make sure it has no irritants or ingredients you're allergic to. That means if it has parfum (if its scented), don't use it.
  
  
• DO use chemical exfoliants like BHAs and AHAs. DON'T use harsh physical exfoliants, like scrubs.
  
  
• DO subscribe and read /r/skincareaddiction, which will help you...
  
  
• DO simplify your skincare routine down to the basics, and introduce new products slowly.
  
  
• DO lead a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthy, exercise often, and get enough sleep.
  
  And one last trick for dealing with acne: hydrocolloid bandages. By the non-acne geared kind or the acne geared kind. But if you pop and pick at your acne, this will help more than anything else. Stick it on, leave it on overnight, and have all the gunk and goop sucked out by morning.

it's actually $12 here :D my HG toner.

Speedy oil $10 :D

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 realized a while ago that I have to apply my moisture in layers. So yes I do use a ton of moisture products, but my skin has proper hydration and a consistent moisture barrier that no active has ever been able to penetrate.

OP I would stop washing your face unless maybe once at night, and only oil cleansing. Oil cleanses oil. Your face doesn’t need extreme cleansing or other cleansing products.

I would spray with a moisturizing toner (there are a million, choose one that you like) then layer 1-2 layers of a hyaluronic Acid over your face when it’s wet with Toner. I like Korean brands, like this one and this one. Then layer that with a snail mucus which sounds awful but it’s crazy hydrating, like this one. Layer that with a gel, like this. Then a cream like this one and finally a sleeping mask like this one. Bonus points for applying a wet sheet mask over it for 30 minutes.

It seems absolutely extra and I personally wish I could slap on a moisturizer and call it a night but it’s the only way to truly hydrate and nourish the moisture barrier.

The best bet would be to go with Japanese or Korean sunscreens. If you're in the US, you can find good quality ones for cheap on Amazon (or through Amazon global on the AmazonJP site). The Biore UV Watery Essence is really popular on /r/AsianBeauty. Personally I've tried the Nivea Sun Protect Watery Gel (this is my absolute favorite sunscreen, but definitely leaves a shiny look on your face that is easily covered by makeup), and the Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen which both are great. For me personally, I've found the Shiseido Senka one irritates my eyes, but I haven't ever heard of anyone else for whom that happens. But I have very sensitive eyes and skin (well, kind of). For a Korean brand, the Missha All Around Safe Block Sun Milk is also a huge favorite of many on /r/AsianBeauty. This is the one I personally want to try next, as it's also sweat-resistant and I burn like no other, so it's a good combo for this summer. :)

Also, these all have SPF 50 and at least PA +++. I hope you find one you like! From my experience, the two I've tried sit well under makeup, and I've heard the other two also sit well under makeup. I hope this helps!

E: words

In this case if you don't think it's milia, you should consult a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis - just in case!

To me though, it really does look like milia. Just speculating because I had the exact same thing in the exact same spot recently when I had neglected my skin for a few days. I had also tried a new eye cream (CeraVe eye cream) and I think that may have contributed to the area getting bumpy and clogged.

Now this isn't a for-sure, but it might help. I got a couple tubes of RoC brand retinol moisturizer to see if I could gently exfoliate the area. It definitely did help over a couple of weeks and the bumps are pretty much gone now. The only real side-effect for me was that my skin felt a tad bit sensitive a few days after I stopped using it.

Now I'm using Hada Labo brand moisturizers to keep the area moisturized.

Here's some links if you want to give any of them a shot, though I would suggest getting them from a local drugstore when they're on sale, especially someplace that has a good return policy in case they don't work for you. I got mine at CVS when they had a buy 1 get 1 for 50% sale.

RoC retinol correxion night cream

RoC retinol correxion eye cream

You will definitely need a sunscreen if you decide to try these, or they also make a day cream with SPF:

(the one with SPF in the combo pack) (I haven't tried this one so I can't attest to its effectiveness like the other two)

The moisturizers I'm using that don't clog my incredibly clog-prone skin:

Hada Labo clear "toner" lotion

Hada Labo "milky" lotion

I really like these since they only require about 3 drops each and keep my skin nicely moisturized. I tried the thicker creams from the brand but found they were more suited to super-dry skin. Also they dry to almost-matte and have no added scent.

Again, worth a try, but definitely try to get an appointment with a derm if you can, just to be sure it isn't anything serious.

You should check out r/AsianBeauty. It is a skincare subreddit and it has changed my life! I also recommend an oil cleanser (one without coconut obviously) I love this stuff: https://www.amazon.com/Softy-Facial-Cleansing-Speedy-Pound/dp/B000V2FBAQ

It's cheap and comes in a huge bottle. I also have sensitive skin and this has really helped. It has mineral oil as the main oil so it might work for you! Good luck!

What helps me is covering them up with hydrocolloid bandages - you can either use those blister band-aids they sell at the store, or they make some specifically for acne. Not only does it help heal stuff I've picked at, it keeps me from picking anymore, because I don't want to peel off the band-aid and disrupt all the pus-sucking it's doing.

I didn't realize they made blister bandages, I've been using these and love them!

Ooo, I'm addicted to both Amazon and skincare so this thread is my jam.

• Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream! My skin is dry and very prone to dehydration so I can't use a lot of the popular AB sunscreens that have high amounts of alcohol. But most of the alcohol-free sunscreens I've tried never seen to dry down so they're hard to wear under makeup. This one is happily in the middle ground, it does have some alcohol in it but it's halfway down the ingredient list instead of at the top so it doesn't dry me out, and it manages to actually dry down enough to wear makeup over it.
  
  
• Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion is another favorite of mine. The "premium" version is a major upgrade from the regular version IMO. I've used them both extensively and the thicker texture of the premium version is so much nicer. Fifty Shades of Snail's review convinced me to upgrade and I've never looked back.
  
  
• Elta MD UV Pure is a really nice physical only sunscreen - good for when your skin is overly sensitive or recovering from a peel or overzealous use of actives.
  
  
• Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers are excellent for putting over whiteheads and/or zits you couldn't restrain yourself from popping.
  
  
• Packs of microfiber cloths are excellent if you like using a washcloth in your skincare routine but want something softer than terrycloth. I bought two 12-packs, I have a big pile of them next to my sink, I use a new one each night and then toss it right into the laundry to keep things super sanitary. Just learn from my mistakes don't put them in the wash with new terry cloth towels because the new towels will shed all the fuck over them and you will be picking fuzz off of them for weeks.
  
  
• Less skincare related than the rest but still sort of: this unscented Alaffia Shea Butter Bubble Bath is excellent if you have sensitive skin.
  

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

Etude house sunprise mild airy finish

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Neutrogena Dry Touch sunscreen or Shiseido Hada Senka UV Gel (also under $15 but you get much less)--sunscreen is one of the best things you can do for your skin.

I’ve heard caffeine is great for underneye puffiness and bags. Also people don’t realize but it is caused by fluids and if you massage, you tube facial lymphatic massage, you can literally drain that fluid and massage it down into the rest of your circulatory system.

You will see better results with massage from removing that built up fluid (allergies, poor sleeping positions, etc.) than creams... though creams help. Caffeine creams help with puffiness but can be drying, thus you’d need a good moisturizing undereye cream.

Some recs:

• am & pm facial lymphatic massage 5-15 minutes. Seriously you will see your bags and dark circles instantly decrease. That fluid has to go somewhere... I learned these in school and I give them to my bf when he looks tired or during allergy season. Always massage DOWNWARD TOWARD HEART & CHEST. Put some oil on your face (non-comegenic) for some slip.
  
• the ordinary caffeine solution cheap
  
• drunk elephant frambroos to help with resurfacing and making pores smaller/smoother skin. This product is the shit. Ask Sephora for samples bc it’s $90 and you prob are like f$&k no until you wake up the next morning. Then you will find a way to save that 90 I tell ya.
  
• the ordinary Argenine liquid Botox in a bottle. Good for those forehead wrinkles/cheap/extremely effective and hard to get your paws on. A sleeper product nobody talks about.
  
• Cera ve pm a good all around moisturizer with a load of niacinamide which just gives your skin some oomph. A lightweight moisturizer. Get it at Walmart and print yourself a $2 off coupon at cera ve website. It will be like $6
  
• find yourself a good mineral spf. no coconut derivatives
  
• melazepam one of the best things you can do for your skin. Scientifically proven to be as effective as Retin a when used in conjunction with glycolic acid treatments. It lightens sun spots and just brightens your complexion overall. It’s $12 on amazon and it’s the highest concentration you can possibly get! It blows the ordinary azelic acid 10% out of the water and any cureology formulation :) (its 20%) it reduces inflammation, redness, and decreases keratinization which prevents the build up of skin.
  
  That’s all I’ve got for now, some detox masks and maybe a good basic toner like thayers alcohol free witch hazel (rose, aloe, or cucumber are your only alcohol free options and you find them at target for $10-12).
  
  I wish I could give you a facial and let you see just how big of a difference getting that fluid out of there can make. !!

So just three things?

Konjac Sponge

Eye Moisturizer (what brand?)

Hadarabo Gokujyun Lotion

hey, so a few questions -

i popped on over to the FAQ -which parts did you find most helpful? i didn't find it very helpful. could you point me in the right direction?

for choices in these products, what made you go with CeraVe? i hear it recommended a lot. what's the hype about it?

also, there's so many cerave moisturizers. do you mean [this one?] (https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizing-Lotion-12-oz/dp/B000YJ2SLG?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0)

Edit: Thanks for help guys! I'm a rare lurker but I saw this on my front page and had to ask some questions! OP -ya face look good!

I would like to preface this by saying this is what I would do for me personally knowing what I know now about my own skin. If I were making suggestions for someone else I think this list would be very very different.

Under $50:

Heimish All Clean Balm [$17]

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion [$11]

CeraVe Healing Ointment [$9]

Australian Gold Tinted Sunscreen [$13]

This particular budget was actually a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I prioritized Sunscreen first, because that is an important product to me and it is a product that was difficult to find something I was happy using every day. I picked the cleanser next because I knew it was going to be pricey at this budget. I really think oil cleansing has done wonders for my skin. I especially like balms. I find them much easier to use. I occasionally like to use a straight oil, but on a daily basis using something with an emulsifier is just more practical. In reality if I had to stick to this budget all the time, I would probably sub out the Heimish for an emulsifying cleansing oil like Kose or the Simple one. I just haven't used either of those yet, I wasn't comfortable substituting that for the sake of this exercise.

I don't think I would be totally happy with this routine long term. It's not as hydrating as I tend towards and it doesn't have any actives. The CeraVe lotion is nice, but I wouldn't LOVE using it. I picked this over the CeraVe cream because I find that the cream does not actually sink into my skin. It's nice over other thinner formulas, but it tugs at my skin uncomfortably if used on its own.

Under $100

Heimish All Clean Balm [$17]

Stridex Maximum Acne Medication Pads [$4]

Dear, Klairs Supple Proparation Facial Toner [$22]

Hada Labo Gokujun Premium Hyaluronic Solution [$15]

Holika Holika Skin and Good Cera Super Cream [$17] (this is discontinued, but as long as it's $17 at Amazon or CVS where I bought it I will probably keep using it)

Jojoba Oil [$8 @ Trader Joe's]

CeraVe Healing Ointment [$3] [Travel Size]

Australian Gold Tinted Sunscreen [$13]

TBH this is making me realize how much money I actually spend on my routine. GEEZ I DIDN'T NEED THIS TODAY. Essentially I just took out the CeraVe lotion and added my HG Hydrating/Moisturizing Layers. The Klairs seems like so much of a splurge here, but it really truly is one of my favorite products to use. It is very hydrating and soothing to me. I also added the Stridex because it's cheap, effective, easy to use and this is one active I know I can tolerate if I keep up my hydration/moisturization.

I think the CeraVe Healing Ointment is a true workhorse and I would never be with out it, BUT I don't actually use very much of it. I mean I bought my first 3 oz. tube 9 months ago and I don't think I've even used half of it. With the smaller budget it makes more sense to get a bigger tube because it can be SUCH a multitasker, but since I have a few more items in the way of "moisturizing" here, I would probably purchase a very small tube of the ointment (mostly for my lips and the corners of my nose) and also incorporate Jojoba Oil. I love Jojoba for cleansing and for mixing into other products. My very chapped lips also DRINK UP oils like no one's business.

I am ashamed to say this routine is still short of some things I use pretty frequently, but I would still be happy with it. It has everything I actually need.

Under $200:

Heimish All Clean Balm [$17]

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser [$15]

Stridex Maximum Acne Medication Pads [$4]

Stratia Soft Touch AHA [$14]

Dear, Klairs Supple Proparation Facial Toner [$22]

Hada Labo Gokujun Premium Hyaluronic Solution [$15]

Stratia Rewind [$16]

Stratia Liquid Gold [$24]

Holika Holika Skin and Good Cera Super Cream [$17]

Jojoba Oil [$8 @ Trader Joe's]

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repairing Balm [$15]

CeraVe Healing Ointment [$3] [Travel Size]

Raw Honey [$7ish]

Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask [$5]

Australian Gold Tinted Sunscreen [$13]

Again these all the same products as before. The three additions I use frequently are the LRP B5, Stratia Liquid Gold, and Stratia Rewind. The Raw Honey and the Queen Helene are masks that I know work for me and are fun to use. I very rarely use the honey buy itself, but it is lovely as a mask mixed with the Klairs (thanks to u/LGBTQBBQ for that tip). I've also included the Stratia Soft Touch here because it is on my list to try. I'm pretty sensitive to actives and I think a 10% Mandelic is something I could handle.

I actually really enjoyed having to think about my routine like this. I really thought I had paired down my routine quite a bit and I suppose I have, but even the $200 budget would not be enough to repurchase everything I use on a monthly basis. This (mostly) doesn't even include things I want to try or things I have around just in case or just because. Realistically I would have a couple more wash off masks, and eye cream (even though it is not at all necessary imo), at least one other kind of sunscreen, and maybe one or two other moisturizers.

But I guess I'm that kind of extra bitch.

...and like its a hobby right? It's ok to spend money on a hobby.

At least that is what I'll tell myself.

Eltamd UV Clear SPF 46 This is the shit! My skin finally cleared up, used this for a week straight when I went to Florida and absolutely no breakouts! A little pricey, but a bottle seems to have more than I originally thought because I slather this on multiple times a day.

Apparently it's $5.80 for subscribe and save

CeraVe Moisturizing Facial Lotion PM, 3 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00365DABC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-QcGyb6PSD4EM

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

The best thing for you to do is take the three products ingredients and put them in an excel spreadsheet and highlight the duplicate values. When I did that, there were two ingredients that were in all three: Phenoxyethanol and Sodium Hyaluronate. You can compare at least to see if Sodium Hyaluronate is in any products that you use. This sunmilk from The Face Shop and also This Shiseido Mineral Water UV seem to be free of both of those.

Not sure what your skin is like, but I have oily skin and the Shiseido SENKA Mineral Water UV Gel SPF50 PA+++ is the best (and only at $9.49)! It is a light sunscreen, perfect for those with oily skin or even just for the summer. The finish is matte and feels a little powdery but it won't affect the texture of your skin.

Looking for a gentle physical exfoliator? Boy, do I have the thing for you! Dew Puff Konjac sponges, especially in charcoal! Only $8.71! WOW!!! ( ꒪Д꒪)ノ

Amazon Prime! Amazon Prime! Amazon Prime! Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!

ᕙ( •̀ ᗜ •́ )ᕗ

^^Sorry, ^^it ^^is ^^almost ^^2am ^^for ^^me ^^and ^^I ^^am ^^on ^^the ^^brink ^^of ^^delirium ^^because ^^I ^^haven't ^^finished ^^my ^^PM ^^routine ^^yet.

I love it. I don't know if it's HG worthy though, This elf product is an HG. It's also cheaper and I'm kinda trying to find the best stuff that also happens to be cheap. Snail products, if done correctly and not stressing the animal out, will be more expensive and at this point, I want the best at college student prices. Even when I graduate I want the best and sometimes spending less you get more.

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

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.

To add on to this, I added Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion to my routine as a hydrating toner under my regular moisturizer and it really helped with my dehydrated skin.

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

Morning

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

If you have oily skin, the Biore Milks are great.

Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen would work well for oily or dry skin types.

Nivea Super Water Gel is lovely too. This one is pretty hydrating.

Sure!!! In my opinion, the differin makes the most significant difference in my overall skin appearance and texture and the rest of the products are there for "support" so to say, but are no less important to my routine! I'll also try to include some mini reviews when possible so this might get long. I'd get a snack, lol.

AM Routine (note: this also depends on time in the AM, and whether or not I plan on leaving the house and/or apply makeup) --

1. If I did not apply the CeraVe Healing Ointment the night before, I cleanse only with micellar water. I like the Simple brand, L'Oreal for dry skin, and the CVS beauty 360 brand a lot. If I DID apply the CeraVe Healing Ointment the night before, I cleanse with the Neutrogena Hydro Gel hydrating cleanser. I like this one and my skin feels really soft but really clean after, not dry.
   
   
2. Hylamide SubQ anti-aging serum -- Very thin and watery, but I like it. My skin feels less dry and since fine lines are an issue under my eyes due to eczema under them, I'm getting more into anti-aging at age 23.
   
   
3. Hyalmide SubQ Under Eye serum -- Bottle is only 15 ml but you really only need one drop for both eyes. Genetic dark circles and fine lines are major concerns for me. Both Hylamide serums are still very new to me, so I can't comment on results yet.
   
   
4. TO Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA -- My acne scars fade quickly and the product has HA that helps with hydration. I can't single out this product as something that single handedly cleared up my scarring because I use so much, but I genuinely believe it helps. If I'm short on time though, this is something I might skip. This doesn't happen often though.
   
   
5. TO Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% -- If I'm feeling really, really, really dry, at this point I'll also incorporate a drop or two of facial oil when applying this product. I like this product a lot, but it wasn't hydrating enough for me on its own regardless. If I'm super pressed for time in the AM, I might skip this one as well, but again not often.
   
   
6. Avene Skin Recovery Cream -- This product is a ride or die, holy grail, will never, ever, ever be without it again kind of moisturizer for me. It's a bit pricey at $20-$30 USD on Amazon, but if I ever heard it was getting discontinued I would still buy a 2 year supply in backups. I have to buy mine on Amazon due to lack of retailers near me and I have gotten duds/fakes before, so be careful. Read reviews!!
   
   
7. Sunscreen -- If I'm not planning on wearing makeup, I wear the Elta MD UV Clear physical sunscreen with Niacinamide (also note: If I plan on wearing this, I'm also gonna be skipping the Vit C from step 5). If I am planning on wearing makeup, I LOOOOVE the Nivea Sun Protect Plus UV Milky Essence, but it's hard for me to get on Amazon with prime shipping so I usually settle for the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence. The Biore has a higher alcohol content and is therefore more drying, but it does the job.
   
   
   PM Routine --
   
   
8. If I were wearing makeup, I would used to always go for plain ol' mineral oil to remove my makeup/oil cleanse and follow again with the Neutrogena Cleanser from the AM. Now I'm trying a cleansing oil that actually emulsifies and rinses away and I'm liking it a lot. I usually follow with a quick swipe of micellar water and continue with my routine. If no makeup, I go straight in with the micellar water to cleanse.
   
   
9. MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence -- I like this a lot. I've only been using it for a month or so texture wise I don't notice a huge difference in my skin from this product alone. But it is very moisturizing and I think it helps my skin hold onto moisture for longer in conjunction with the other products. I kinda pat this on with bare hands after putting a few drops in my palm.
   
   
10. Differin, every other night. I use a pea sized amount all over my cheeks (worst prone for clogs), chin, forehead, and then the remainder on my nose. Holy grail status, will never be without again.
    
    
11. Same Hylamide serums from AM.
    
    
12. TO Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum -- I love this. It is pretty thick/goopy/gooey and kinda sticky when it dries down but this texture doesn't bother me too much because the residue feeling goes away when I apply other products on top.
    
    
13. TO Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% -- On nights I don't use the differin, I will use this with a few drops of face oil mixed in. This has a more slippy/silicone-y feeling that isn't very moisturizing despite it looking very creamy. I mix the oil into the product on my fingertips before applying to my face because I found if I applied a few drops of oil on top of the skin after apply the suspension, the product would pill up and move around. I didn't love this product at first, but after cutting it out for a while I really missed it because it's definitely subtly effective. I read somewhere to pair it with TO's Niacinamide serum and I like them back to back.
    
    
14. Avene Skin Recovery Cream -- See AM routine.
    
    
15. Random Sample Eye Cream OR Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream if I have it on hand. That's the only eye cream I've ever repurchased the full size for after using a sample.
    
    
16. CeraVe Healing Ointment -- I use this shit for everything. Seriously, I will put a thin layer all over my face at night to lock in moisture, heavily applied under/around the eyes if my eyes are feeling irritated from eye makeup or my eczema, lip balm, cut balm, burn balm, elbow/callous balm... So good. It's quite a bit more moisturizing than Aquaphor and has ceramides.
    
    OTHER RANDOM BITS:
    I will also layer the CeraVe Creamy Oil onto my skin under the Avene Skin Recovery Cream in the PM if I'm feeling extra dry/irritated and skip the acids. I like the My Beauty Diary Hyaluronic Acid Sheet masks. I'll usually take a bubble bath once or twice a week and use those on my face during that time.
    
    Feel free to ask me any questions! :)

Shiseido Hada Senka UV mineral gel SPF 50, PA+++

• sasa link
  
• amazon link
  
  Oily, acne prone, sensitive skin
  
  I love this product. It goes on pretty greasy but dries up perfectly matte and looks fabulous on my skin. I don't wear foundation or powder, so I don't know how it acts under makeup, but alone it looks wonderful. There's no real discernible scent and it feel very light once it dries. Of all the sunscreens I've ever tried, it's absolutely at the top.

Everything was Prime at my time of purchase and when I posted this so hopefully they will stay that way!


All the Cerave!!

Cereve in a Tub-new product for me...mostly use when skin is dry from night usage of prescription trentinol cream

Cereva SA Lotion-really helped with my acne

Cereva Foaming Face Cleanser-loving this face wash but might have to switch to the hydrating face cleanser come the dryer winter months


Other than Cerave:

Hada Labo Moist Lotion-great for quick-drying non-sticky moisture on the go, especially under make up or when I am rushing out the door

Biore UV Watery Essence SPF 50-love everything about this sunscreen except how quickly I go through it!

Mizon BHA/AHA -every other day exfoliation toner applied with cotton pad

REN Glycol Renewal Mask - weekly exfoliation, always makes my skin glow

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.

1. Using a good face wash on my chest, back and shoulders really helped. I use Cerave foaming face wash on my upper body when I shower.
   
   
2. Showering more frequently helps. I used to shower every third or fourth day (dry shampoo and deodorant go a long way), but now I shower every second day.
   
   
3. Using a BHA on the more stubborn areas. I still occasionally get minor breakouts on my chest, but applying a BHA keeps my skin super clear. I use either the Paula's Choice Clear Body Spray or Cosrx BHA Liquid.
   
   Hope that helps!

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

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

I have some suggestions. None of these have been moisturizing enough for me in the past though- I'm currently using products with both that irritate/break out my skin minimally. Please double check!

Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist

Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel

Cremo creme

Ceracolla Perfect Gel

Ceracolla lotion

Have not tried:

Oilatum natural repair cream

Asian beauty is where it's at mostly:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/3d18iq/cream_without_any_alcohol_fatty_alcohols_or/

They are, but I've found that the American retailers of Hada Labo charge a lot more than it costs to get the Japanese version from, well, basically anywhere.

Case in point, Ulta's Hada Labo Hydrator is $9 when it's half off for 1.7 fluid ounces of product.

Amazon Prime has the Hada Labo Gokujyun Moist for a little under $12 for 5.7 ounces of product.

I have super dry skin that's also super sensitive. I have dry scalp and some scaly patches on my face that I've dealt with by being super gentle with my skin. First, I would recommend finding moisturizing products for sensitive skin. I highly suggest a hyaluronic acid based lotion, but you'll likely have to layer moisturizers to get what you want. It may also be helpful to use a hydrating cleanser or a good cleansing oil.

Basically, what i suggest is to try layering multiple simple products, based on what your skin needs.

What's worked for me when nothing else would:

Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Moist lotion Hyaluronic Acid Lotion. My skin requires this in the dry winter.

Ceracolla Super Moist Lotion This has ceramides that are super awesome for "unhealthy" skin.

Cremo Moisturizer This has Urea which is a mild exfoliant in small amounts... I love this stuff.

Burts Bees Sensitive Night Cream Generic night cream with ingredients that don't burn my face. It's not super moisturizing on it's own, but is great when layered.

Ceracolla Perfect Gel If your skin isn't super dry, this could work for hyaluronic acid and ceramides.

Boots Expert Sensitive hydrating serum This is super moisturizing, but breaks out my chin. It's actually the most moisturizing feeling of the bunch, but doesn't have a lot of "benefits"

Aquaphor: A thin layer overnight can make your skin feel great in the morning, and especially if you're not wearing makeup, it won't need to be washed off.

Bare minerals has a purely nourishing moisturizer which has great ingredients, except for lavender essential oil, which my skin does not like. It's in my skincare drawer for when my skin is healthy, but I'm nervous about considering using it.

Also: Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue tinted gel cream has been wonderful for my super dry skin. I apply it in the morning and do not apply powder (which never worked for me before) and it gives just enough coverage and leaves my skin looking nice. Also, I do find it quite moisturizing for a tinted moisturizer/foundation. The only issue is that it doesn't last on my chin so much, but I'm putting some in a bb cushion test out!

I get mine on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036MDUEM/ref=sxts1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1474337581&sr=1


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BSNBO9O/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1474337581&sr=8-1&keywords=hada+labo+hyaluronic+acid&pi=SY200_QL40

It honestly sounds like you could have dehydrated skin and you should check out /r/skincareaddiction and /r/asianbeauty

Asian beauty was extremely helpful to me as I have almost completely restored my skin and it is so much better, plumper and brighter. I find that there are great, drugstore friendly priced products that you can use with an AB skincare routine, although the sometimes it might be harder to get products as quick, as most ship from Asian countries. One thing that has helped me is using a hyaluronic serum before I use a hyaluronic face mask. I use these twice a day (when I have the time, which is almost daily). I also use the hyaluronic serum before my mask, let it sink in for a couple minutes, put the face mask on and keep it on until it starts drying out (about 45 min, which seems long but I prioritize it). I then take the mask off and let it all soak into my skin for a couple mins, use the hyaluronic serum again, let it soak in and then out my moisturizer on. I've only been doing this for the past month and the intense change in my skin is absolutely ridiculous. These are the two products I use. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FQUGXA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_ and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IK8E6CC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_1Pq3wbJQ8VPVV

If you're worried about the price, you can buy bundles of sheet masks on Amazon for low prices.

::Deep breath::

AM & PM:

• Slap some o' this stuff all over my face: Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid. This shit is the shit. It makes everything else absorb better. Less slug life, more actual benefits.
  
  
• Snail Goo! Bee Goo! This is very calming, and helps with redness and itchiness from the tret irritation.
  
• Sometimes an ampoule but I haven't found an exceptional one yet.
  
• More magic: This Donkey-flavored cream. Sometimes, my face is so unhappy that even Cerave stings. This always helps. Plus, the name makes me giggle every time I open it. Don't buy it at this price, though. Memebox runs lots of sales, and I can stock up for more like $25. I'd like to find a cheaper dupe.
  
• Draw a goatee on myself with a thick cream (where my peeling and redness are worst). I don't think this is particularly special, any heavy cream does the same thing. I carry it around all day, though, and reapply said goatee. Makes my skin feel less tight, helps with the red some more, and hides the edges of the peeling for a while.
  

Most products do not list the niacinamide content and those with a high percentage are likely not the cheapest ones, I suspect most cheaper products contain 1-2% - effective for some goals but not what you asked for. Check out the /r/skincareaddictionUK/ ingredients Wiki and niacinamide mega review thread (sidebar).

Off the top of my head the cheapest is SR Skincare Lumineux Blemish Reduction Cream (inexpensive shipping to Europe). Do clarify with the company that it is 4% niacinamide with 2% glucosamine, the 'details' tab intimates that it does and the order of the ingredients list is consistent with that. If you find out for sure please message me and I will edit the SCA UK ingredients Wiki.

http://www.sr-skincare.co.uk/lumineux-blemish-reduction-cream-538-p.asp

If you want a well formulated DIY serum check out Skin Essential Actives KinNiaNAG kit (does three serums) which is 5% niacinamide. You also need a scale accurate to 0.01g. They ship worldwide from China (run by US citizen).

http://stores.skinessentialactives.com/kinetin-diy-kit-seakinnianag-serum-with-sea-lsilk/

There is CeraVe PM lotion on UK Amazon which the company say is 4% niacinamide. It is not the cheapest but it is a 90g pack size, whereas a lot of moisturisers are 50g and serums 30g.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CeraVe-Facial-Moisturizing-Lotion-PM/dp/B00365DABC/

Olay use a lot of niacinamide but the higher percentages are in the pricier lines.

THIS MY MOTHERFUCKING SHIT

I live in Canada too, but I actually order them online because I have yet to find them in a store. I don't know if you have a target where you live in Canada but as someone said below, this is also the same thing just a different brand and you cut them up yourself.

My face reacts badly to every sunscreen I've tried besides this: EltaMD. I believe what I'm reacting to is Avobenzone, a common "chemical" sunscreen ingredient. This stuff is "physical" sunscreen.

CVS ran a similar 30% deal a week ago. I got excited and stocked up on things, then realized Amazon had the same items for much less than the CVS sale price. Example below.

Cerave PM at CVS (before 30% discount)

same product on Amazon

Yeah, it can be hard to track down, I think because different vendors' translations of the name vary? Here is the one I buy.

Also too lazy for pics, but here's mine!

Skin: Combination/normal, oily t-zone and normal elsewhere (somewhat dry/flaky if I don't use a BHA), hormonal acne on forehead and chin just before my period

AM & PM (One added step in PM: remove eye makeup before cleanser using store-brand oil-free makeup remover):

• Wash hands!
  
• Rinse face
  
• Cerave Hydrating Cleanser
  
• Paula's Choice Clear Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution (After this, I brush my teeth while it sets. If I feel like it still hasn't set after this, I might brush my hair)
  
• Cerave Moisturizing Cream
  
• Chapstick Dual-Ended Hydration Lock: Moisturize and Renew
  
  After the moisturizing cream and chapstick, I'll do my hair or put together an outfit while the moisturizer sets in before I move on to makeup.
  
  Still looking for solutions to tame down oily skin besides powdering all the time, and also for how to keep out hormonal acne (probably not possible), so if anyone has suggestions I'd be grateful!
  
  Edit: Added in waiting time

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

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

The right one appears to be the Milky Lotion and the left one appears to be the Lotion. Maybe you can double check to make sure you ordered the right one? I've occasionally had Amazon product photos that do not match the product description.

Omg, currently living here! In general I'd recommend checking out the Cosme rankings. However I have a lot to say so I'm going to list my recommendations in descending order of importance haha.


The hada labo lotion (note: it's actually a thin liquid that westerners would call a toner) is quite good. (looks like this). However I have really really dry skin, and I personally prefer their "milky lotion". These products (and their equivalents in Hada Labo's "premium" line are popular enough that you can get a good price on them on amazon, but I'd really recommend taking this opportunity to go try them all on the back of your hand at a drugstore. Like, literally any decent-sized drugstore in Japan should have them all :)


There are a lot of really good japanese sunscreens that you should look into. Plus with your skintone, you probably won't have to worry a ton about whitecast. I think the Biore UV bright face milk would be a nice place to start, especially if you have oilier skin! It's also quite nice under makeup.



In my experience, Japanese mascaras tend to be lengthening and clump-proof, but often aren't too volumizing. If, like me, that isn't an issue for you, I highly, highly recommend the Heroine Long and Curl.
Japan also does really great false lashes, if that's your thing. Miche Bloomin makes some really natural looking ones, but I know people also like the ones Dollywink and Dup make.


I really love the CEZANNE UV Clear Face Powder. It takes the shine down without totally mattifying. Other people really like the Canmake Marshmallow finish powder.


The naturie hatomugi skin conditioning gel and/or lotion are really well-reviewed, and fairly cheap here. I see them in a lot of little cosmetics shops and some drugstores. I personally haven't tried them because it didn't seem like they'd be moisturizing enough for my dry skin, but it sounds like they might be a nice fit for you.


The classic DHC lip balm in the pink tube is kind of pricey but also my favorite lip balm, and the lipsticky shape makes me feel ~fancy~


All my japanese girls are currently into Excel's eyeshadow quads. They're great for getting that really shimmery japanese eye look, if you're into that. The Opera tint rouge is also really popular here.


DHC and Kose (the pink softymo, in particular) make good oil cleansers, but they'd be a nightmare in a suitcase so I don't recommend you buy them here.


A lot of japanese makeup shops also currently stock [the SAEM] Cover Perfection Tip Concealer, which I like a lot and is pretty popular.


Speaking of south korean brands, if you're in a big city (ie: Tokyo, Osaka) there will be some standalone South Korean stores (eg: Etude House, Innisfree, Skinfood). The Etude House store in Umeda is closed this week, but if you can find one, you should try the soon jung line! CREE`MARE by DHOLIC stores also stock a lot of south korean makeup, especially cushions.


Anyway, have fun! And feel free to message me with questions about confusing packaging/whatever while you're here :)

Edit: grammar haha

I've fallen into an Asian Skincare hole lately, and absolutely LOVE Hada Labo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Lotion Moist as a moisturizer for oily skin. It's super lightweight, makes my skin so bouncy and hydrated, is cheap and you can get it with fast shipping from Amazon.

I think it is. :) If you don't find it hydrating enough, try something with hyaluronic acid; like this.

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

Hi! Due to the recent drama around here, a lot of the sidebar links take us to nowhere right now. The sidebar is usually a lot more welcoming! I think the mods are working on finding alternative sources of info, but in the meantime, here's a really good breakdown of how to evaluate your current routine to see how you might want to go about changing it, and here's sort of a crowd-sourced list of things the members here recommend, separated by skin type.

Until the beginner guides routines get retooled and put up, the search function might be a good place to start looking for recommendations, as well as sister subs like /r/AsianBeauty, /r/skincareaddicts, and /r/skincareaddictionuk, and outside sites like MakeupAlley and Beautypedia (although be aware of the bias towards Paula's Choice products here).

Now, as for your specific routine, you have a few options: you could look for a new cleanser and/or moisturizer, or you could add a few steps to your routine to level up on moisturizing. Which of these you choose to do and why is completely up to you, but here are a few common considerations among those whose skin feels dry or irritated.

• 1: your cleanser might be drying you out. Generally, the closer your cleanser is to skin's natural pH (around 5.5), the less it will disrupt your skin's barrier function, which helps protect your skin from bacteria, irritation, etc. I'm not familiar with your cleanser, but if it's above 5.5, this might be what's happening. Off the top of my head, commonly recommended cleansers at pH ~5.5 include: CeraVe foaming cleanser (found in most drug stores), CeraVe hydrating cleanser (ditto), Hada Labo Foaming. You can find more if you search this sub and places like /r/AsianBeauty (who have a spreadsheet color-coded by pH) and other subs linked here on the sidebar.
  
• 2: you want a heavier-duty moisturizer. This is pretty self explanatory. You might need something with more emollients and occlusives in it; emollients make your skin softer, while occlusives form a barrier over your skin to prevent water loss. Look for things with mineral oil or petroleum jelly (occlusives) and things like fatty alcohols (cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl) and oils for emollients. A lot of people on the sub like to recommend CeraVe in the tub or CeraVe PM as a starting point, but be aware that some people have negative reactions to fatty alcohols. EltaMD's Melting moisturizer is usually a safe bet, since it includes so few ingredients, and my all-time favorite is DML Daily Facial Moisturizer. Again, these are the things I can think of off the top of my head since I've used them, but the sub search will bring up plenty more.
  
• 3: you might want to keep your current products and consider adding in more steps to your routine. Like they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? If you know your current products aren't breaking you out and feel like your skin just needs a little push over the edge to get to Happy Moisture Land, you could just add in a step or two to your existing routine. One of the easiest changes would be to slap on a thin coat of Vaseline or Aquaphor at night after cleansing and moisturizing; these both act as occlusives to prevent moisture loss overnight. If that's not enough, you could also add in a humectant between cleansing and moisturizing. Humectants help to retain moisture, and they pull up water from the dermis to the epidermis. Common humectants include glycerin and hyaluronic acid, so ideally look for products with those in the ingredient list--you often find them in things categorized as toners (although, as a side note, beware of any toners that contain alcohol, which can be drying). Some people have bought vegetable glycerin from the store and love it, while others prefer light serums with hyaluronic acid, such as this (also available at Ulta with different packaging), this, or this. Finally, you could also include a separate emollient step, like incorporating a facial oil before your moisturizer. You can get a great sample pack of oils from Garden of Wisdom, or you can pick up something from a Whole Foods, a vitamin store, or any kind of natural foods store. Popular oils include jojoba, sunflower, safflower, coconut (this breaks some people out in a major way, though), rosehip, and meadowfoam.
  
  Anyway, this has turned into a comment of gargantuan proportions, but I hope this helps you in some way, shape, or form. In general, I really recommend using the search function, as there are droves of information on products, on pH-related stuff, on emollients/occlusives/humectants and what products contain which, etc. Don't forget to patch test any new products before putting them on your entire face, just to make sure they play nicely with your skin. I'd also be remiss if I didn't suggest adding in a sunscreen, but that's a topic for a whole different novel-sized comment.
  
  *Edited to add in a missing link

Second the Hadalabo Cleansing Foam pH of 5.5 too I believe.

This is my favorite brand of hydrocolloid bandages! I started out with the Nexcare Acne Patches, which were WAY too small to stick to anything (they ended up falling off within an hour or two).

Picked these up at Safeway and was blown away by their performance! They stick amazingly well, and pull out a ton more garbage than the Nexcare HCBs. I cut each bandage in half to maximize usages.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BRGUNV2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480284349&sr=8-1&keywords=hydrocolloid+bandages&pi=SY200_QL40

I finally have my acne under control after 20 years. Here's what worked for me:

• Wear makeup as infrequently as possible
  
  
• Use an oil based cleanser to remove makeup and don't wash with anything but warm water if I haven't worn makeup (I use the tried and true Ponds cleanser -- green top). Spend at least 30 seconds massaging the cleanser into your skin, particularly in your problem areas. Wipe off with a warm washcloth. Do not scrub.
  
  
• Moisturize religiously with a mild facial lotion twice a day (again, I use Ponds -- blue top -- but Cerave is the most popular option on the skincare subs)
  
  
• Use a water based sunscreen when not wearing makeup (I use Biore Watery Essence https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LA6QEOE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1). Note that the trick to these is to NOT RUB THEM IN. Just glide it over your skin and let it dry. No one tells you this on the skincare subs, so it took me a while to figure it out.
  
  
• Use a makeup primer when wearing makeup (I use Rimmel Fix and Perfect). Again, glide it over your skin -- do not rub it in.
  
  
• Use a good quality foundation for sensitive skin. I use Clinique.
  
  
• STRIDEX RED BOX. This is seriously my gold star product. Use one wipe across your whole face before bed. Let it dry completely then apply your moisturizer. Research if it's safe while breastfeeding because I know you're not supposed to use it while pregnant (although as a topical, it is most likely still safe -- just one of those over cautious things).
  
  
• Change your pillow case regularly
  
  
• Use a fresh washcloth every time
  
  
• Avoid touching your face as much as possible. This was a HARD habit for me to break. I'm a "lean my head on my hand" kind of girl.
  
  
• Keep your hair off your face and make sure you're using products in your hair that don't irritate your skin. It's one thing people forget to think about because it isn't a face care product, but it is so close to your face that it can cause breakouts particularly if you don't wash the product out of your hair before going to bed since it can get on your pillowcase and then on your skin.
  
  
• Get a good mask and use it 1-2 times a week when your skin breaks out or feels super oily. I use a mud mask. Cleanse with an oil based cleanser after using the mask.
  
  
• Disinfect anything that touches your face regularly (sunglasses, cell phone, hats, etc.)
  
  
• Use hydrocolloid bandages on actual breakouts overnight (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BRGUNV2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1) and keep them covered as much as possible particularly at night. However, I also find that spending 10 minutes a day in the sun with my acne uncovered helps too.

They absorb moisture, oil, pus, from trouble spots without chemicals. I wear mine overnight, many people will wear all day, depending on your preference. They seem to work better on surface acne than cystic but still reduce the timeline of my cystic acne a lot. I buy mine from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BRGUNV2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

sunscreen

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

• Panda's Dream So Cool Eye Stick by TonyMoly
  $7.98 on Jolse
  $12.00 on Ulta
  Not Available on Amazon
  
• Panda's Dream Brightening Eye Base by TonyMoly
  $7.98 on Jolse
  $12.00 on Ulta
  $12.00 on Amazon
  
• Strawberry Nose Pack by TonyMoly
  $4.26 on Jolse
  $3.50 on Ulta
  $19.99 on Amazon for a 5 pack
  
• Changing U Magic Foot Peeling Shoes by TonyMoly
  $6.39 on Jolse
  $6.50 on Ulta
  Not Available
  
• Peach Hand Cream by TonyMoly
  $5.58 on Jolse
  $12.00 on Ulta
  Not Available
  
• Kiss Kiss Lip Scrub by TonyMoly
  $5.98 by Jolse
  $9.99 on Ulta
  $10.00 on Amazon
  
• Kiss Kiss Lip Essence Balm by TonyMoly
  $5.98 on Jolse
  $9.99 on Ulta
  $10.00 on Amazon
  
• Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence by CosRX
  $15.20 on Jolse
  $21.00 on Ulta
  $14.07 on Amazon
  
• BHA Blackhead Power Liquid by CosRX
  $16.80 on Jolse
  $22.00 on Ulta
  $14.82 on Amazon
  
• AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner by CosRX
  $12.80 on Jolse
  $17.00 on Ulta
  $12.22 on Amazon
  
• Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream by CosRX
  $20.00 on Jolse
  $26.00 on Ulta
  $17.64 on Amazon
  
• One Step Pimple Clear Pads by CosRX
  $15.20 on Jolse
  $20.00 on Ulta
  $9.00 on Amazon
  
• Propolis Light Ampoule by CosRX
  $19.20 on Jolse
  $28.00 on Ulta
  $21.70 on Amazon
  
• Online Only Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser by CosRX
  $8.80 on Jolse
  $12.00 on Ulta
  $9.57 on Amazon
  
  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've been using CeraVe PM lotion, and that works well for me. It's not like, OMG AMAZING, but it keeps me moisturized without being greasy/oily, and it doesn't break me out. (PSA: this stuff is apparently like 80% off the normal price right now on Amazon if you get it in a Prime Pantry box.)

I tried the Hada Labo gel cream before the CeraVe. I liked it too, but it left me feeling a little bit ... stickier? So now I've just been using it for my hands and neck.

Also, if you haven't already, you should definitely check out r/skincareaddiction. There's tons of great product recommendations and helpful people over there!

Cerave PM is usually just around ~ 7/8 usd on Amazon per bottle (3 oz). You can check on:
https://camelcamelcamel.com/CeraVe-Moisturizing-Facial-Lotion-Ounce/product/B00365DABC?context=search

Anyway, cerave in the tub has no niacinamide.

It largely depends on where you live and how quickly you need the items. As a general rule, if you're willing to wait a bit, you can find items much cheaper from non-Prime sellers on Amazon and overseas sellers on eBay. Also, if you're just purchasing a few things and they are heavy items, I find it's usually cheaper to stay away from sites with high shipping charges by weight, like Testerkorea and RoseRoseShop.

I usually do a lot of research when I make a new product purchase to find the lowest price from a reputable seller that I can. Partly because I just like shopping online for AB stuff and partly because I make it into a sort of game to see how cheap I can find something. It's like a hobby for me.

I recommend the Honey browser extension for Amazon. If you're looking for something it will tell you if there's a cheaper price available from another seller. It also goes through available coupon codes on many other online sites to see if there's one in the database that works for your order.

Anyway, I'm not sure where you live, but I did a bit of looking (I'm in the U.S.), and this is what I came up with. I can't guarantee these are the best prices out there -- just what I found from a bit of quick looking at a few different places.

Hado Labo foam for $9.40 with free shipping on Amazon (not Prime) here

The Face Shop Cleansing Oil - $9.58 with free shipping from Jolse here or $10.20 on Amazon Prime here.

Shiseido Aging Care Sunscreen on Amazon for $8.20 with free shipping (non-Prime) here.

Rosette Aqua Ceramide Gel - $12.45 with free shipping (non-Prime) on Amazon here.

If you want something low pH that isn't drying, I'd go with this, it's such a good all around cleanser, very gentle, and it's cheap:

https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Cleansing/dp/B0036MDUEM

Hada Labo Gokujyun Foam

It makes my skin feel clean but chokchok

Basically everything has been a skincare fail for me lately.

• Fresh Black Tea Essence. Fail. I didn't see any results at all.
  
• Stridex green box. Major fail. I broke out all over and got an actual cyst, which has never happened before. This is at the 0.5% concentration so I can only imagine how bad red box would be.
  
• Konjac sponge. Not so much a fail, just had to stop using it after I wrecked my face with Stridex.
  
• Garnier Micellar Foaming Face Wash. Too drying.
  
  Some wins:
  
  
• CosRX 96 Snail Mucin. SUPER WIN. It's so hydrating!
  
• Radha Beauty rosehip oil. My friend let me try this and it's amazing! I have learned after 27 years I have combo skin, not oily, not (strictly speaking) dehydrated, so I'm quadrupling down on moisturizing.
  
  My goal is to go 30 days without introducing anything new into my routine, which is hard as I still have lots of little closed comedones and the occasional hormonal zit I want to zap with something harsh. But literally every acid I've ever tried (outside of glycolic, which I stupidly didn't think was working well enough so I quit using it, and azelaic, which I've yet to try) has devastated my face. After 30 days I may try glycolic again or order a low concentration azelaic. I quit r/skincareaddiction. It was too much.

For a few months I've been functioning on a lean routine:

Skin Type: sensitive | Country/Climate I'm in: UK | Top Skin Concern: dehydration

Current Routine/Products I'm Using:

AM

• Su:m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick
  
• Kohaku Hada Lotion Extra Moisturising
  
• Goodal's Mild Protect Natural Filter Sun Cream
  
  PM
  
  
• Kose Cosmeport Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil
  
• Su:m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick
  
• Kohaku Hada Lotion Extra Moisturising
  
  I decided it was time to flesh it up in preparation for getting started on actives in the near future, so I decided to keep focusing on hydration. I have never tried any snail-based products, so I picked Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence as an essence/serum to incorporate after my Kohaku Hada lotion. This is the first product I will be trialling.
  
  In about a month, I'm hoping to integrate the Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream which has had mixed reviews, but that I really wanted to try and that I hope will suit my needs and my skin.
  
  After that, the second-to-last step will be to add the Too Cool For School Pumpkin Sleeping Pack which also has mixed reviews, but I've read a couple of glowing ones by people with similar skin types, so I'm hoping it'll work for me!
  
  The last step, which isn't pictured here, will be to incorporate sheet masks. I'm waiting for a batch of My Beauty Diary Black Pearl sheet masks, and will be trying those out as soon as I'm happy (or unhappy!) with the Cosrx essence.
  
  This a UK haul, and I've managed to find all three items on Amazon Prime (links included). Thanks for reading! :)

It may have also been due to SLS or SLES! I recently switched over to Vanicream cleanser, $7 and 10% sulfur ointment, $8 as recommended as my curology provider and a lot of the irritation and texture is slowly beginning to fade from my face. Also, I read that snail mucin is excellent for hydration; Cosrx snail 96 mucin is only 15 bucks on Amazon. No fragrance or SLS for me anymore...

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

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

Oil Cleanser: Holika Holika Soda Pore cleansing B.B Deep Cleansing Oil

This stuff takes off ALL my makeup with a gentle massage. Every ounce of waterproof eyeliner and mascara comes off in under 10 seconds. When it comes in contact with water it emulsifies, leaving your face clean and soft with no oily residue. Magical stuff.

Cleanser: CeraVe Foaming Cleanser

My skin has improved leaps and bounds after introducing CeraVe to my routine. Both the cleanser and moisturizer are gentle and have improved my skin texture greatly.

BB Cream: Lioele Triple Solution BB Cream

Amazing coverage, great tone-matching and leaves my skin looking fresh and flawless. With skin brightening ingredients and SPF30, this is my go-to skin product.

Mascara: Clump Crusher

'Nuff said.

Eyeliner: Cailyn Gel Liner

A great find from Ipsy! This stuff is totally smudge-proof and with the applicator brush (included in the packaging), it goes on smooth and crisp. Perfect cat-eye every time.

Everyday Lip Colour: TONYMOLY Petite Bunny Gloss Bar in Juicy Apple

Even not including the beyond adorable packaging, I adore this lip balm. It gives a gorgeous sheer pinky hue to my lips. The formula is SUPER moisturizing and creamy. It goes on like butter, no stickiness at all. And less than 4 bucks a pop? Amazing.

I love Shiseido's senka mineral water uv gel. It fluctuates between $6-8 for 40 mL on amazon. It's very thin/watery, doesn't leave a whitecast as far as I can tell, isn't greasy on my combo/oily skin.

I also like Nivea's sun protect water gel (not super protect), which I can't find on amazon anymore for some reason. It has the texture/finish of Clinique's dramatically different moisturizing gel for oily/combo skin.

It is and it's on sale at the moment. It was $18 yesterday and today it's ~$19, usually $23. Not exactly $15 but I've heard great things about it. :)

Ah i see. This is the one I refer to as standard

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rohto-Hadalabo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B000FQUGXA/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_364_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BMKHX23T4R6X1MRBVZ1F

I didn't mean to do it a disservice, only used the word 'standard' as I thought it is the more widely used HA. It's awesome, but the premium one is better in my opinion.

Funny you should ask. Recently started really getting into products to take care of my tired, old, wrinkly face. This endeavor was directly related to getting into /r/wicked_edge and pampering myself with great products.

I live in Florida and need to moisturize and protect. I've added the following to my regimen:

CeraVe Cleanser - use it when I shower. This has replaced the facial scrub I would use pre-shave.

A Vitamin C serum - again...I'm an old man and trying to slow down some aging.

A hyaluronic acid lotion - hoping it does what it says and keeps my skin moisturized.

Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturizer - This is my final layer at the start of the day. SPF could probably stand to be higher, but I'll rock a hat and sunglasses if I think my sun exposure is going to last longer than the typical in and out of my car.

I use a different moisturizer at night that doesn't have an SPF component.

It's funny to me...the older I get the more regimens I have. Probably should have started taking better care of things a little earlier in my life, but was too busy thinking in the now.

been looking through r/asianbeauty as that region has great skincare products. from what i’ve gathered Kracie Ichikami is a great sulfate free shampoo. this is a great face cleanser and this is a great face toner/moisturizer.

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

Hada labo hyaludronic acid moist toner.

http://www.amazon.com/Rohto-Hadalabo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B000FQUGXA/

Not a mist, but chock full of humectants and fragrance free.

I've used the niacinamide + zinc serum, buffet peptide serum, and the matrixyl + HA, which are all like improving skin texture/anti-aging serums. I think they have a concentrated H Acid serum that would be good in conjunction with moisturizer for hydration, but have heard that [this one] (http://deciem.com/product/multi-molecular-hyaluronic-complex-15ml) from another of the deciem brands is a better H acid serum.

edit: I feel like you could also use the really popular [hado labo h acid lotion too] (https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B000FQUGXA). I personally feel like for my skin, the peptide serums and moisturizer, after a long continued use, built up my skin well enough that I don't have my usual winter dryness, but skincare is really YMMV

Oil cleanser --> Foaming cleanser --> hydrating toner in the moist or light version --> emulsion --> cream

The Gokujyun range gets translated in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways, so it can get a little confusing. The name 'Gokujyun' simply means 'super hydrating', all of the products contain hyaluronic acid, and the range consists of the clear, hydrating 'lotion' (what is known in Western countries as a 'toner'), an emulsion/milk, which looks and feels like a thin Western moisturizer (it's white, and comes in a smaller bottle than the lotion) and then the gel-cream hybrid 'cream'.

Edited to add: you don't have to use every step from the range. You can use them in conjunction with products from other brands/ranges.

I use the Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist. I find that if I apply it before a sheet mask the hyaluronic acid really helps my skin absorb the sheet mask essence. You can also use the Hada Labo lotion to make your own sheet mask with puffs like these. There are step-by-step directions in the first review on the Amazon page.

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!

http://www.amazon.com/Nexcare-Absorbing-Cover-Sizes-Count/dp/B00BRGUNV2 Looks like there's some moderately priced patches available now that are already shaped for acne. When I cut down the sheet the edges are too blunt and can be rubbed off easier. The precut ones have edges that thin out to allow a better bond. They also talked about the white stuff in the product info. "Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers visibly indicate that they're working by turning from translucent to white. This means they've absorbed pus and oily secretions.
"

Sure!

Step 1: steam your face or a hot steamy shower. Open the pores up! Refrain from any harsh cleansers or scrubbing other than gentle gentle gentle.


Step 2: swipe a stridex pad or any other salicylic acid based toner over the spot. Wait 15 min. It gently dissolves the dead skin layer that is clogging the pore, and begins to break down the layer of oil and crud that is keeping all of the fluid and pus inside.


Step 3: spot treat with Aztec clay mask, mixed with apple cider vinegar. You must mix the betonite clay mask with the Apple cider vinegar, to balance the pH and avoid burning your skin. It smells funky as hell but it is an acne killer, every single person on this thread will agree that it’s amazing for acne. It will draw it to a head quicker. This is great as a full face mask, be aware that it will pulse and tingle intensely as it dries! Your skin will be bright red for 30 min to an hour after removing it.


Step 4: wait 10 min until it dries and carefully peel it off the zit. It may even take the clogged pore top with it, opening it up for extraction — use an extractor tool or pore vacuum and do NOT just go squeeze it. If it does not come to a head repeat this again tomorrow! Do not do the full mask every day, the spot treatment is ok daily only on blemishes. As a full mask it’s best to use it once or maybe twice a week at most, or you risk compromising your lipid/moisture barrier and going through some seriously not fun times. Always follow up with a good oil free moisturizer.

This is the best way to completely drain this blemish, without forcing the pus further into your skin and creating even more breakouts down the line.


All of these products are easily obtained on Amazon, or any major grocer that has a health food section or oriented towards health. I know for a fact that Gelsons, Whole Foods, Erewhon, sprouts all carry the Aztec betonite clay mask and apple cider vinegar. Any chemist or pharmacy will have stridex wipes and benzoyl peroxide & maybe even the extractor tool as well. If they do not have the extractor, pick up some Hydrocollegial bandages as well as small diabetic lancets (Tiny needles used for blood sugar testing) if you don’t have anything you can use at home to poke it with.


Now steam your face for 5 to 10 minutes to open your pores then see if you can gently lance the pimple with a lancet or sterilized small needle. (It must be sterilized and rubbing alcohol for a few minutes first, or you will get an infection.)

Gently pierce it, then allow it to drain and very carefully apply pressure straight down to the sides of the blemish. Do not squeeze directly into it, again super bad. Once you’ve gotten as much out as you can, slap a hydro colloidal bandage on it and sleep with it on. The bandage will suck all of the fluid and pus out, leaving you with a flattened bump in the morning that you can apply a little dab of benzoyl peroxide on. Benzoyl Peroxide is an anaerobic substance, it penetrates all the way to the base of the skin through multiple layers to target acne bacteria. It’s best used as a spot treatment and will fry the crap out of your face. Always use sunscreen after using these medicines!


Products mentioned:

Stridex, Single-Step Acne Control, Maximum, Alcohol Free, 90 Soft Touch Pads https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074GF1PNL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uGWFDb3Z0AY3M

Aztec Secret - Indian Healing Clay - 1 lb. | Deep Pore Cleansing Facial & Body Mask | The Original 100% Natural Calcium Bentonite Clay - New! Version 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014P8L9W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8GWFDbDHXR0ZP

Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, 16 oz (1 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E3B30WW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xHWFDbXYZFBTS

CHIMOCEE Professional Surgical Blackhead Remover Tools, Blemish and Splinter Acne Pimple Removal Kit, Come Done Extractor Tool for Whitehead, Pimples and Zit Popper Leather Case with Mirror, Pack of 6 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072KK5J8K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VHWFDbRHCCA6C


Nexcare Acne Cover, Hydrocolloid Technology, Invisible, 36 count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BRGUNV2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-KWFDbZBFA91H


Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Treatment Gel with Maximum Strength Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Medicine, Pimple Cream for Acne Prone Skin with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, 1 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NR1YVYU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xLWFDbMR0TMZ0

Clean whatever you use to apply your makeup. With hibiclens. It’s on Amazon if your local CVS/Walgreens doesn’t have it.

These hydrocolloid bandages are what I was referring to. Wear them overnight (no epiduo underneath, you risk chemical burns if you do that). Check the reviews and pictures.

Edit: sun/saltwater combo used to work for me was a teenager. Once I hit my early 20’s, it made me break out, like you. I got on a good retinoid, paired with Cetaphil cleanser, and finally have my skin more or less under control.

Are these hydrocolliod bandages?

http://www.amazon.com/Nexcare-Absorbing-Cover-Sizes-Count/dp/B00BRGUNV2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hpc_3

Cleanser

• Tom's of Maine Sensitive Body Wash ^CosDNA - Probably a no go for you, since it has sunflower oil, but it's a gentle and effective cream cleanser. When I don't want to bother with 2-step oil cleansing, I put it on my dry face a minute before I get in the shower.
  
• Tom's of Maine Baby Body Wash + Shampoo ^CosDNA - My 2nd cleanser for oil cleansing.
  
  Toners
  
  
• Kikumasamune Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture ^CosDNA - All the Ceramides of Cerave, none of the silicones or fatty alcohols.
  
• Straight Up Rose or Lavender Hydrosol
  
  Moisturizers
  
  
• Scinic Honey All-In-One Ampoule ^CosDNA - It's 90% honey extract, which has 50% stronger humectant activity than glycerine.
  
• Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist ^CosDNA - Cheapest + most effective HA serum I've tried. Nice, simple ingredient list.
  
  Sunscreen
  
  
• Cerave Baby SPF 45 ^CosDNA - The ONLY water-resistant physical sunscreen that doesn't make my skin freak out. No dimethicone and <1% Cetyl Alcohol (after the preservatives on the ingredients label); still has the ceramides and niacinimide of the adult formula.

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

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

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

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

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

Yep, /r/skincareexchange!

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

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

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!

Hello:3

You really need to add more hydrating steps[Hydrating Toners(US)/Lotions(Japan)/Skins(Korea)] to your routine. You can not change the size of your pores, but if you add enough hydration and moisture then you can make them look less noticeable.

I would look around this sub and search for watery layer/Hydrating steps. Some popular ones around here are Kikumasamune High Moist, Cezanne Skin Conditioner High Moist and Hada Labo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion.

Hope this helps!:3

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).

Issue: I need a good sunscreen, preferably one that dries matte (or as close as I can reasonably get).

Skin type: Dry and sensitive

Current Routine:

AM:

• Splash of water
  
  
• Sunscreen - I've tried Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer With Sunscreen (15 SPF) and La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Body and Face Melt-In Milk, but neither is quite what I'm looking for.
  
  PM:
  
  
• Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser
  
  
• Paula's Choice Daily Smoothing Treatment - 5% AHA
  
  
• Cerave Moisturizing Cream
  
  
  How Long: 1-2 years
  
  Location: Northeastern USA
  

>do you think any of the positive benefits you achieved would be bad

Absolutely--making distinguished wrinkles disappear and brightening your complexion is TOTALLY not masculine, blech!

Kidding, kidding. I can't see any downsides to focusing on the care and keeping of your skin...except maybe becoming a bit obsessive over it and enjoying it too much (hence this subreddit).

Lurk around and check out some of the discussion threads in this sub, and read the sidebar links. You'll learn a lot. There's a very large focus on understanding the why and how things work (particularly in regards to ingredients) and the science behind them. It's really hard to get into that mindset in the beginning because it's so easy to be swayed by sexy advertising, attractive packaging, and tempting claims, but if the ingredient list doesn't back it up, none of that matters.

The products I currently use:

• Cleanser: I bounce between a Gentle Cleansing Gel($3-4 per ounce--a little goes a long way and it has lasted me ages) or the Cerave Foaming Cleanser($0.94 per ounce)
  
  
• Exfoliators I use an 8% AHA toner($2.23 per ounce) for gentle daily exfoliation.
  
  
• Oils Changes depending on the season. I got a sample pack of three different oils from GoW for $9.25 back in December, and I'm still working on them. A teeny bit goes a long way.
  
  
• Moisturizer/Hydrator Changes based on my whims. Sometimes I just use an oil, sometimes a simple moisturizer ($5-6 per ounce) with a drop of oil mixed in. Again, these can last me a long time.
  
  
• Masks The Aztec Healing Clay($0.50 per ounce) mask is a huge favorite here. I'll also sometimes make a turmeric mask using ingredients from my kitchen that I'm already using in my food anyways, so I don't calculate that cost.
  
  
• Sunscreen My biggest splurge item, I spent $20 on the Elta MD sunscreen. I like it because it's a physical blocker and doesn't irritate my skin.
  
  Since the products I buy last me a long time, the cost doesn't seem very large to me. Some products, like the healing clay mask or certain oils, are only used in small quantities, so they'll last a long, long time.
  
  When I first got started in revamping my routine, I very slowly introduced new products (started with a new cleanser, then after a few weeks tried a moisturizer, etc). This is good because it's easy on your wallet AND it allows you to get an accurate feel for what works and what doesn't.
  
  

Ok bro, I got you

• 1- cleanser (face washing )
  https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Hydrating-Facial-Cleanser-Washing/dp/B01MSSDEPK
  
• 2- moisturizer (lotion)
  https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizing-Lotion-Hyaluronic-Ceramides/dp/B000YJ2SLG/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_194_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=7F0NPVR5P9YHMBR8Y051&dpID=41NF6eg1QIL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail
  
  
• 3- exfoliator (chemical type, helps break dead skin from new skin ) Dont do this too often, start 2x a week.
  https://www.amazon.com/Stri-dex-Pads-Maximum-Strength-Pack/dp/B004WP0S74/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1523304611&sr=1-1&keywords=stridex
  
• 4 wash your face 2x a stay and moisturize 2x a day. On Monday and wedns , wash your face with hot water (always hot water to wash your face btw ), use your cleanser, wash it off, then apply the stridex, LET THAT BITCH DRY FOR 30MN, apply lotion. nothing is more unforgiving than a skincare routine, you have to be consistent daily. You miss one here and there , its not a big deal.
  
  Also, I am no expert, I dont know shit about shit, I got a lot of my help from /r/SkincareAddiction , those motherfuckers are great!
  

I have the same requisites as you and I love using Elta MD over my CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion. The sunscreen is great by itself but I use rather drying ointments from my dermatologist so I've gotta use both. Hope this helps!

This is what I use: http://www.amazon.com/Rohto-Hadalabo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B000FQUGXA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417529201&sr=8-2&keywords=hada+lobo

I see "crows feet" and I think "dehydrated". So.

1. Replace your exfoliant with CeraVe Hydrating facial cleanser. It's not going to feel like your face is clean for the first like week to two weeks because you're probably used to the very squeaky clean (stripped) feeling. But focus on how your skin feels about two minutes after you pat it dry - that clean-but-not-desert feeling is delightful.
   
   
2. Add a purely hydrating layer. Depending on what type of environment you're in, that might be Hada Labo lotion or a serum. If you're in a dryer area, you probably want a glycerine-based serum or lotion rather than a hyaluronic acid based one, as HA can actually draw water from your skin if there isn't enough in the air.
   
   
3. Consider a thicker night cream like CeraVe in the tub, Jason Gentle Basics night cream, or (again depending on your area) a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to help your skin keep the moisture in it. If you're in central California or the south - somewhere with humid air - putting your hydrating layer on, sitting for a minute or two, then finishing with Vaseline might be enough. If you're in Tucson, you're probably going to want something like the CeraVe in the tub or the Jason to add additional layers of hydration to your skin.
   
   
4. As /u/glittercrotch said, r/asianbeauty is a great resource. There are lots of skincare companies in various Asian countries that have affordable, high quality products that you can get on Amazon. The Hada Labo lotion is one, and you might check out something like the Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel-Cream for your thicker cream step.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Good luck! You'll be A-OK.

It's available on Amazon.de:

http://www.amazon.de/CeraVe-Foaming-Cleanser-sch%C3%A4umender-Gesichtsreiniger/dp/B003YMJJSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419265357&sr=8-1&keywords=cerave+foaming

Bought 5 bottles right away.

There's a message on their website saying that they plan to soon stock their products in Australia, but I emailed them about it and they said it's not true (wtf?).

However, if you are open to buying online, I was recently linked to an Amazon seller where the CeraVe products are reasonably priced, and the shipping was affordable.

You can find it here.

I am now the proud owner of the Foaming Cleanser, Hydrating Cleanser, and moisturiser in the tub. I can't speak for the cleansers yet, but the moisturiser is quite good but the texture takes some getting used to.

What sunscreen do you use? It might be easier/cheaper to just swap out sunscreens for one that goes nicer under makeup rather than changing around your whole foundation routine. The Shiseido Hada Senka sunscreen is quite affordable and leaves my skin matte and touchable once it's sunk in (after about 10 minutes or so - I usually put it on, eat breakfast, then come back and do my makeup).

Okay YOU appear to be somewhat factually incorrect. Why does no one share sources?

https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/uva-and-uvb

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA is the dominant tanning ray/aging ray and UVB is the dominant burning ray.

So the best question is, what sunscreen protects against both? Broad-spectrum protection sunscreen. I searched Amazon and this one seemed the cheapest and most highly rated.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MSN3QQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_M7bCCb9FMHCP8

I use Elta MD and love it, no plans to switch :) It is expensive though.

If I can offer my holy grail sunscreen Elta MD

It’s not greasy, dries very quickly and evenly, doesn’t have a strong smell, and doesn’t leave a white cast on typical Caucasian skin. However it is a tad pricey.

you are welcome :)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q1WT58/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I somehow chose free shipping option, I don't even know how.

These have helped me so much!

The less you touch your face, the better! I use these at night, even on blemishes that haven't fully erupted but feel coming on. Seriously a miracle product.

It is SO SATISFYING to see the patch in the morning, it turns white with the absorbed oils, and honestly, pulling it off my skin, seeing the contained puffy white goo, and knowing I haven't destroyed a larger area of skin trying to extract a zit, feels even better than popping. (And to be gross, yeah, I'll poke the patch with my nail in awe.)

Couple other tips that are helping me stop the break-out cycle-

1. Change your pillowcase everyday. I put 3-4 pillowcases on my pillow, and when I go to bed, I take the last one off, and boom, fresh clean surface. This has made a noticeable difference in my skin! Amazon has endless options for inexpensive pillowcase sets, and is cheaper than Bed Bath & Beyond.
   
   
2. Be religious about washing your face before bedtime. I'm not always perfect at this, but I'm working at making it habit. The ritual of caring for my skin helps me stop picking. After I've washed (Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser) and used my products, it is a big motivator to not touch my face.
   
   
3. I also have a ridiculous stash of washcloths. I keep these in a basket in my bedroom, and use a fresh one each morning in the shower, and a fresh one to dry my face at night.
   
   When you have a pimple that has fully come to a head and you just have to pop it, wash your hands first, and better yet, use one of these tools, and make sure it is sanitized (I use rubbing alcohol) before you use it, and after!
   
   
   
   
   

Went through the same thing recently. It was actually what brought me to this sub. At first it was just damage control but eventually I started an actual routine and saw a major improvement.

For now invest in hydrocolloid bandages they were and still are my saving grace.http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BRGUNV2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I actually have these set up to auto deliver every other week. These are basically blister bandages, search this sub for them and you will see they are a little plastic miracle. Basically they suck the gunk out of zits, I use them on deep under the skin hormonally charged beasties and they REALLY make a difference, in severity, duration, and healing. I am very pale so any and every spot or bump sticks out like a spotlight. I put these zit stickers on every single spot that even looks like it may even think about being a zit someday.

I also snagged a 2.5% bp to spot treat, I have dry skin so I can't go slathering this stuff just anywhere.http://www.paulaschoice.com/shop/skin-care-categories/targeted-treatments/_/Clear-Regular-Strength-Daily-Skin-Clearing-Treatment/ I got the trial size in June and I still have oodles left. I put a dab on a qtip and apply only to the zit itself.

Stay moisturized, this may seem counter intuitive but slather yourself in lotion. The better the hydration the quicker the healing. I don't have any oily skin suggestions as I am SUPER dry, but if you search this subreddit there are plenty of solid suggestions for oily skin.

Definitely check out OCM(oil cleansing method) there is a link to this in the side bar, it can feel overwhelming when you first read about it but this stuff really helped my skin. I use evening primrose oil mixed with other moisturizing oils. Evening primrose sounds like witchy hoodoo but it has made such a huge difference in my skin. I am super, super fair skinned. The girls in sephora run away when they see me coming and this has helped with redness and scarring SOOOO much. Give this a search as well.

Try adding a BHA and AHA, BHA is great for acne as it exfoliates inside the pore. AHA exfoliates closer to the surface of the skin, great for surface issues such as discoloration and scarring. My trick for remembering this in the beginning was BHA is Beneath the skin and AHA is Above. Personally I use both. Check out paulaschoice.com they have a cult following for good reason, they offer sample sizes of everything they offer so go sample crazy before investing in the big sizes. I use their 2% BHA liquid and 10%AHA liquid and love them both. I started with BHA to tackle my acne and a few weeks later I added paulas choice 8% AHA gel to help with scarring and dry skin issues. I loved it so much I eventually moved up to their 10% option.

You will want to add the oil cleansing, BHA, AHA and even your moisturizer one at a time. Make sure to test each on a small patch of skin first, nothing worse then jumping head first and having a bad reaction because then you have no idea which item caused it.

Feel free to message me with questions and what not :]

[Here you go] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BRGUNV2/ref=rcxsubs_mys2_product_title)

Amazon usually has good sellers.

Hada Labo Lotion: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BSNBO9O/

Sunscreens: https://www.amazon.com/Biore-Sarasara-Watery-Essence-Sunscreen/dp/B00LA6QEOE/

I've bought both and as far as I can tell, they're legit!

Awww, I know that feel completely.

I've never tried any Tatcha products, however... I have been in the market for an enzyme cleanser lately, and the one I'm looking at is often cited as a great dupe of the Tatcha Rice Enzyme Cleanser in the Amazon reviews- the SRB Stabilized Rice Bran Enzyme Cleanser, $25 on Amazon or Peach & Lily. I first saw this in a Liah Yoo video and I guess due to the kinda bland packaging it's not very popular, but the reviews on Amazon and Amabie are excellent. Apparently the product is extremely gentle and the ingredients list is pretty short, so it might be ideal for you. :)

https://www.amazon.com/Rice-Bran-Cleanses-Brightens-Exfoliates/dp/B01DZDIJSS

Honestly, I'm kind of an AB noob myself, because although I research many products, I don't really have that much $$ to spend on products and try them. Since you have sensitive skin, maybe try a balm cleanser? They're apparently very nourishing and the Banila Co Clean It Zero Sensitive formula has great reviews. Renee from Gothamista has also recommended the Heimish Cleansing Balm (it has donkey milk and she's butter, oh my gosh) and I believe her skin type is also dry-sensitive.

https://sokoglam.com/products/banila-co-clean-it-zero-sensitive-skin
https://www.amazon.com/Heimish-Clean-Balm-Cleansing-120ml/dp/B01CJ639SM

Looking at the ingredients in the serum and cream, they seem somewhat similar to the Nature Republic Royal Ginseng line, all the way from the rice, royal jelly, ginseng, sodium hyaluronate, and silk extracts to the 24k gold. This line is very expensive as well, but may be less problematic to you.

The top, likely active, ingredients in the Serum are Algae Extract and Rice Extract and in the cream the Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate is the number 1 ingredient, so I think you should start looking for serums and creams high in those actives, as those are the highest concentrated ingredients in the Tatcha moisturizing products.

I couldn't find much with Algae Extract that was a moisturizer, except one Nature Republic Eye Cream, the Collagen dream eye cream.

https://www.amazon.com/NATUREREPUBLIC-Collagen-Dream-Cream-Korean/dp/B00H4HD25W

The second ingredient, the Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, is very interesting because it actually used to be the active ingredient of the famous SK-II Essence, before it was replaced by the very similar Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate. This Ingredient is likely going to be much easier to find in an essence rather than a moisturizing cream. I know that the Missha First Treatment Essence has Saccharomyces but I'm also including a link/list of SK-II dupes that contain either Galactomyces or Saccharomyces as they are very similar, and because many of the other SK-II dupes are actually cheaper (the Missha is around $50), including the CosRx Galactomyces which is only $15.

http://musicalhouses.blogspot.com/2016/01/sk-ii-facial-treatment-essence-dupe.html?m=1

https://sokoglam.com/products/time-revolution-first-treatment-essence

https://www.amazon.com/Cosrx-Galactomyces-Whitening-Power-Essence/dp/B00OZE57XW

The last ingredient, Rice Extract, is present in an insane 65% potency in the CosRx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Mask, which is also a cult favorite on Reddit. And, it's less than $15.

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

Lastly, I saw sodium hyaluronate, or hyaluronic acid, in both the serum and cream, so if I were you, I'd invest in the cult favorite, Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion. I have the Premium version, and it really is wonderful and leaves your skin firm and hydrated, and is a great way to get in extra moisture before your cream.
Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist, 5.7 fl. oz. (170ml) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BSNBO9O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_EZa8ybAC6S473

A final note: since your skin is sensitive, I would stay away from any artificial fragrance or irritants in any products. Hada Labo and Cosrx are both fragrance free companies that only use what they need to make the product effective. Again, check your ingredients at CosDna as well as reviews. Also many of these products are available cheaper on some other websites, I just chose who came up first. Generally, SokoGlam is a safer bet than Amazon because you won't get a fake product, but it's also slightly more expensive.

I know this is a long post but I also know how daunting the search for good, affordable skincare can be. Also, don't forget to wear sunscreen. There's no point in getting so many products just to negate their effects with UVA damage.

Best of Luck! <3

1. Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist
   
2. Tosowoong Propolis Sparkle Ampoule
   
3. Hada Labo Gokujun Perfect Gel
   
   
   All inspired by much research at /r/AsianBeauty!
   
   
   edit: oops, forgot my cleansers.
   
   PM:
   
   
4. Remove makeup with Boots No7 Beautiful Skin Melting Gel Cleanser
   
   
5. Cleanse again with Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash. This stuff is AMAZING. My experience is the same as Fifty Shades of Snail's so count her review as mine as well :)
   
   
6. Moisturize using all 3 steps above
   
   
   
   AM:
   
   
7. CosRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
   
8. Moisturizing using all 3 steps above
   
9. Sunscreen after moisturizers have sunk in a bit (10-15 minutes) - Biore UV Perfect Milk SPF50+ PA++++
   

Morning

• Wash face with water
  
• COSRX Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
  
• Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++
  
  Night
  
  Saturday
  
  
• Konjac sponge with water
  
• Stridex Maximum Strength Pads
  
• Acne.org Benzoyl Peroxide – 2.5%
  
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream on eye area
  
• COSRX Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
  
  Monday, Wednesday, Friday
  
  
• Konjac sponge with water
  
• Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid
  
• Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel
  
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream on eye area
  
• COSRX Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
  
  Rest of the week
  
  
• Konjac sponge with water
  
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream on eye area
  
• COSRX Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
  
  I cheated though. The Neutrogena has cetyl and cetearyl alcohol, so I might try out MUAC Retinol 0.30% after I finish it.

Seconding Biore, it's one of my favorites!

Another great, affordable option via Amazon is Shiseido Senka Anti-Aging.

Here's a mega-thread on /r/AsianBeauty with a plethora of information.

I've been using this one for years:
https://www.amazon.com/Shiseido-Senka-Aging-Sunscreen-SPF50/dp/B00IG12XLO/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Shiseido+PA%2B%2B%2B%2B&qid=1557794610&s=beauty&sr=1-2

It should only cost about 7-8 bucks each. Not sure why there's a price increase right now.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Look into the Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AM:

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

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 :)

2. this is a very popular BHA over at ABReddit (one of the few cult classics I actually can agree with on there) that uses a higher strength (4% iirc) of a different BHA (Betaine Salicylate instead of Salicylic Acid) for a much lower price, and in my experience 2 pumps (which is a very small amount) covers my entire face and lasts even longer than Paula's Choice, which I used, lasted for a really long time, and gave me decent results.
   
   I wouldn't use Stridex ever because it's a LOT harsher on the skin due to the other ingredients in there (mostly menthol).
   
   
3. BHA requires a specific pH to exfoliate properly. Apply moisturizer immediately after can raise the pH (or lower? I'm not good at science) to a level that no longer makes the BHA effective for exfoliating skin. Waiting lets your skin get the goodies of BHA going before you cover it with a moisturizer. I don't do 20 minutes, just 15, but sometimes I also forget/am lazy and "wait" upwards of 30 loool
   
   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

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

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

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

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

You will have to find out what products are best for you! Cetaphil (very drying) broke me out horribly, but I recently found Cerave Foaming Face Wash and it is amazing! Moisturizer is also very important. I use Nivea Creme but a lot of people like Cerave in the tub. It breaks some people out (me) but a lot of people love it.

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

​

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.

Please keep in mind that my face was a tiny bit angry in the pictures from last night as I had just finished OCM. The morning pictures are from right after I woke up, before doing any of my morning routine. :)

My skin type: Pretty dry, acne-prone (obviously), prone to redness. I also have dermatillomania (compulsive skin picking) which creates a lot of scabs/scars.

PM Routine:

• Makeup/sunscreen removal with my concoction of ~3 parts Johnson's Aloe and Vit E Baby Oil + 1 part NOW Foods Sweet Almond Oil + Tea Tree Oil (There are ~15 drops total in my 3 oz bottle of oil concoction)
  
  
• Quick cleanse with CeraVe Foaming Cleanser to remove the makeup-infused oil
  
  
• Heavy-duty OCM for 5-10 minutes with my oil concoction (I really need to make up a better name for that haha)
  
  
• Thorough cleanse with Cerave Foaming
  
  
• Apply Paula's Choice Clear Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution With 2% Salicylic Acid (NOTE: This is actually listed as Clear Extra Strength Acne Exfoliant on the PC website, but it's called Anti-Redness on the product's page)
  
• Wait for the BHA to dry, then apply Silk Naturals 8% AHA Toner
  
• Immediately before turning off the lights to go to sleep (at LEAST 20 minutes after applying the AHA), apply Pond's Clarant B3 Dark Spot Correcting Cream
  
  
  And done!
  
  Seriously guys, I feel like a superhero with amazing healing powers! Thank you all so much for the advice and guidance. <3

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

Stridex for example:

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

Cerave cleanser:

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

Hey! Intermediate ABer here, and I've tried about 5 Asian sunscreens. I also have moderate rosacea (erythema and papules) as well as eczema. Fun times! :P

/r/asianbeauty doesn't really have a good grasp of the needs of rosaceans (haha?), unfortunately. Gotta use info from here and there to figure out what's good for your skin.

• Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50 PA+++: Totally disappears into your skin. Product looks almost glittery before application, which is cool. The alcohol content is far too astringent for my skin and the fumes hurt my eyes.
  
  
• Shiseido Hada Senka Mineral Water Gel SPF 50+ PA+++: White gel that goes on clear and dries without a film. This product is very slippery, I guess because its no 1 ingredient is silicone. This is my HG sunscreen. When I have an eczema flare-up I use a full mineral sunscreen (PC Calm Redness Relief SPF 15+), but for everyday use this product is perfectly fine on my rosacea.
  
  
• Shiseido Hada Senka Ageing Care SPF 50+ PA+++: I originally tried this product prior to trying the Senka above, and discarded it due to its powdery finish (I didn't like it on my hands... Just wash your damned hands!). It doesn't have an alcohol smell, but alcohol is fifth on the list of ingredients. However, you'll note that the third and fourth ingredients are silicones which might mitigate this. I'll try it again when I get home and will update.
  
  
• Yojiya Sports SPF 50+ PA+++: Oh my gosh, this product is luxurious. It cost me 1800JPY when I was there last September, and to be honest I have been avoiding using it because I have no way of getting any more in the near future. Does include zinc oxide (no visible white cast on me) but no alcohol!
  
  
• Biore Perfect Face Milk SPF 50+ PA+++: Alcohol is third on the list of ingredients, so this was a no-go for me. Much too strong.
  
  That's all I can think of. I'll try out the Ageing Care again tonight and will report back.

Mineral Veil Primer has both titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide. I suggest you find a primer without those ingredients.

Sunscreen is a very important part of skincare! In a few decades, your skin will thank you! I actually did some sunscreen research a few days ago and found 2 that I liked: Shiseido Senka Mineral Water and Shiseido Senka Anti Aging.

The Anti Aging sunscreen offers better protection but the first is almost as good and has no parabens. I haven't tried either but have placed an order. From what I've researched, both sunscreens don't seem to cause flashback issues.

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!

• Do not use hot water on your face. It can dehydrate your skin and cause redness.
  
  
• Wash your face twice, once in the morning, once before you go to bed.
  
  
• Change your shaving cream into something with less irritants. Better yet, Shave using your face wash. I use (Hada Labo Tamagohada AHA/BHA Face Wash)[http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hadalabo-Japan-Tamagohada-AHA-BHA-Face-Wash-Foam-130g-Many-Types-/331114111629]. It has a mild exfoliating effect, doesn't leave my skin tight or overly dry, and it's gentle enough to use daily. It's also lathers up alright so it can help your shaving blades glide.
  
  
• This is not required, but while washing your face, you might want to use a gentle facial brush to encourage exfoliation. I recommend a (silicone cleansing pad)[http://www.ebay.com/itm/Silicone-Wash-Pad-Face-Exfoliating-Blackhead-Facial-Cleansing-Brush-Beauty-Tool-/252512084234] rather than a bristle brush. They're gentle on the skin and easy to clean and store.
  
  
• Skip the aftershave. A lot of them have denatured alcohol which can be bad for your skin. Try using A toner instead. I recommend using Thayers Rose water toner on a cotton pad.
  
  
• After washing your face, shaving, and toning, make sure you moisturize. Identify your skin type (sensitive skin, dry, oily, combination) and get the appropriate moisturizer for it. I have dry skin on my cheeks/oily skin on my T zones, so I use Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel I'm sure you can get some great recommendation on some threads here.
  
  
• Exfoliate twice a week. Exfoliation comes after washing your face and before toning. The product usually has some grit in it to help lift dead skin cells. If your skin is sensitive after you shave, try to exfoliate the day after the next. I'm currently using (Body Shop's Vitamin C Microdermabrasion)[https://www.amazon.com/Body-Shop-Vitamin-Microdermabrasion-2-5-Fluid/dp/B003UYP49K] While exfoliating, don't rub too hard or you'll risk irritating your skin.

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

I decided to check out the COSDna on Chanel's Hydramax line of products. Seems the biggest part of them is glycerin, a lovely humectant that also makes the application feel smooth and wonderful, while being relatively lightweight (not greasy feeling.) It also has hyaluronic acid, some jojoba esters... I think if you keep looking for products that are higher in glycerin content (you can even get glycerin from your pharmacy) or perhaps use a hyaluronic acid lotion a la Hada Labo, you'll get that same feeling for a lot less.

Overall, I see why you loved that cream, but I can also see that the parts you loved about it are much less than $85 combined :) I'll let others chime in with ideas on what specifically you should buy, but I hope that gives you an idea of why you loved that product.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hi! I have very dry, often dehydrated, extremely sensitive/reactive skin. Pardon the following infodump :)

I have had really great results with some Asian skincare! I have used the following products with great success:

Banila Co Nourishing Cleansing Balm for Dry Skin - Double cleansing has changed my life, no hyperbole. I don't get tiny blackheads any more. I use this first, and the idea is that it washes away any oil soluble stuff, like sebum, sunscreen, makeup, etc.

Hada Labo Tokyo Gentle Hydrating Cleanser - Even if you only want to use one cleanser, I recommend this over Cetaphil any day. It is super gentle and does not dry out my skin AT ALL, even when I was using it alone before I started double cleansing. You only need the tiniest amount and it foams up into a rich, satisfying lather, so the bottle lasts forever.

Pyungkang Yul Essence Toner - I use this after cleansing and allow it to soak in entirely before any next step. If my skin is particularly dehydrated I do it a couple few times.

Hada Labo Japan Gokujun Premium - This is a serum type product that has 4 molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid AND urea, both of which dry skin is severely lacking. Helps me get my glow on. (tip: HA works by attaching to water molecules, so if you live in a dry climate you will need to spritz your face with water after this soaks in and allow the HA to do its thing)

CeraVe PM - This is pricier than CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, but I have found that my face likes it so much more. It soaks right in.

I love Asian skincare because for the most part you can find reasonably priced products that are formulated to let the active ingredients truly shine with no excess nonsense. I never used anything but Cetaphil until this year because my skin is SO sensitive, I can't even use regular laundry detergent. Discovering Asian skincare has been wonderful and I am truly excited about my results! If you are interested in learning more r/AsianBeauty is an amazing resource.

I'm actually thinking of narrowing down the number of products I use, though this list doesn't seem to indicate that. I love my Benton + MISSHA lineup but I'm getting older and thinking I need a little more oomph. In any case, things I'm looking at that I will probably not buy for a long time:

>Daytime Serums

• MyFawnie Oil-Free Stable Double C - With AA2G and EAA or
  
  
• SkinActives Collagen Serum or
  
  
• SkinActives Vitamin C Serum with LAA or
  
  
• Silk Naturals Awesome Sauce Anti-Oxidant Serum
  
  >Sunscreens
  
  
• Pratima Neem Rose Sunscreen or
  
  
• Uriage Bariesun SPF 50 Children Sunscreen or
  
  
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios 45 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid for Face with SPF 45 or
  
  
• Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ or
  
  
• Eltamd UV Clear SPF 46
  
  >Nighttime Cleansers
  
  
• derma e Anti-Wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Cleanser or
  
  
• Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam or
  
  
• MISSHA Super Aqua Fresh Cleansing Milk
  
  
• GoW Cleansing Oil (Blemish Prone) or
  
  
• GoW Cleansing Oil (Sensitive Skin) or
  
  
• Ayoko's Nourishing Rose Hip Seed Oil Facial Cleanser or
  
  
• Su:m 37 Skin Saver Melting Cleansing Balm
  
  >Nighttime Serums
  
  
• MyFawnie's Kin-Nia-Nag Serum
  
  >Nighttime Creams
  
  
• MyFawnie's Geisha Antioxidant and Fading Cream - I detest the "geisha" name/theme of this cream, btw. or
  
  
• Whamisa Organic Flowers Water Cream or
  
  
• Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Cream
  
  >Special Treatments
  
  
• GoW Get Your Glow Back Turmeric Mask
  
  
• Whamisa Organic Seeds & Rice Fermented Hydrogel Facial Mask - Pretty much all their hydrogel masks.
  
  
• Microneedle Treatment Serum Face MASK
  
  
• Soyedodam Organic Hydrogel Facial Mask
  
  
• Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask

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

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

You can try Hada labo. I think their lotion feels like a toner but it's pretty moisturizing.

It looks like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Gokujyn-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B000FQUGXA

Are you talking about this? http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000FQUGXA?pc_redir=1395345202&robot_redir=1

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

No problem! If you like it and want more, it’s Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil. I’m interested in trying it out myself, so let me know how it’s working for you!

The Neutrogena cleansing oil is one of the least expensive cleansing oils I've seen on the US market. I use a mineral-oil-based Japanese cleansing oil that I can get off Amazon for a bit less per ounce. It's the Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing oil, which is fragrance-free and mostly mineral oil. If you're sensitive to jojoba oil, though, be aware that it does contain jojoba a bit further down the ingredients list. It's about $8-9 if you wait for it to ship from Japan or $11 with Prime shipping, but it's almost twice the size as the Neutrogena bottle, and you can get refill pouches for even less: https://www.amazon.com/Softy-Facial-Cleansing-Speedy-Pound/dp/B000V2FBAQ

Clinique's products are fine, but you may just be using the wrong ones for your skin type, or maybe Clinique's fomulas just don't agree with your skin. It happens. Either way, I'm close to a teenager (22) and also had dry, dull skin full of blackheads and acne. So I'm going to post what helped me and I hope it helps you too.

But remember that taking care of your mental health may be half the battle won on its own! Stress and insomnia is a big underlying factor for troubled skin.

My basic routine for dry skin (plug for r/AsianBeauty which is a great resource):

1. Oil cleanse and then low-ph gentle wash thoroughly but with your hands, not anything rough/scrubby. I use iunik Calendula Cleansing Oil and Cerave Foaming Facial Wash.
   
   
2. Hydrating toners! You'll never go back to putting straight cream on your face. I use Hadalabo Gokujyun Premium and then isntree Aloe Vera Toner.
   
   
3. Serums. Not strictly necessary but here you can add thicker more moisturising stuff to boost the hydration you've just gotten from your toners, and when you get more into skincare there are all sorts of cool ingredients and products out there that target specific issues. I use Cosrx Snail 96.
   
   
4. Moisturiser. In the PM I use Cerave SA cream. In the AM I use Murad Nutrient-charged Water Gel.
   
   
5. Occlusive. This is what's going to seal in all the goodness from those previous steps and prevent TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss, what makes your skin dry out again). In the PM, many SCA's like to use Vaseline or Aquaphor because we extra. #sluglyfe. In the AM, I use 100% squalane oil.
   
   Don't forget to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily too.
   
   If you really can't drink more water, which is understandable as after a few gulps plain water takes a real nosedive flavour-wise, trick yourself by making the water delicious. Put honey in it. Some tea. Make jello! Eat fruit. Anything reasonably healthy that's high in water content. Or my personal favourite: Eat something so spicy you HAVE to drink fuckin gallons. Water tastes like the dew of the gods when you're dying of capsaicin overdose.
   
   Dark circles wise, pretty much everyone has them and everyone conceals them. There's not much you can do about it but keep patting on the concealer. Primers don't work much for me either. Pixi Brightening Peach concealer followed by powder followed by Skindinavia's Bridal Makeup Setting Spray does!
   
   Not sure if makeup advice is allowed here but while I'm at it, dull yellowy-white skin is called sallow skin, and can be colour corrected with some nifty purple primer! E.L.F makes a good one.

Welcome! :) Ceramide products are good at repairing your skin's moisture barrier and are good moisturizing products. If these sound like things you are looking for, I highly recommend getting some products with ceramide in them! A popular product is the Rosette Ceramide Gel.

Vitamin C is a good idea, just make sure you start slow, like once a week. Also, actives such as vitamin C are a form of chemical exfoliation. You want to make sure you have a few solid moisturizers at the ready to compensate for the drying nature of actives.

Snails are a great idea too, but they don't have the same mind-blowing affect for everyone who uses them. Its a very Your Milage May Vary (YMMV) sort of thing! A popular snail product is the Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. This product has 96% snail mucin, so it'd be a good way to see if snail is an effective ingredient for you. (because 10% snail in a good cream may give you good results, but it may not be because of the snail if you catch my drift!)

However! First and foremost, if hyperpigmentation is your problem and you have no routine, start with a sunscreen! If the word makes you cringe, don't worry, AB sunscreens don't tend to be as thick and sticky as Western suncreens.

Which brings me to two threads you should start with. The AB Beginner Guide is a good place for basic information. The Holy Grail Thread is a good place to see what products people with your same skintype swear by.

ALSO I wouldn't recommend using sheet masks meant for your face on the rest of your body. Sheet masks are usually a temporary fix for your skin issues and I would not rely on them to do any major skin whitening. I'd pick a product that you can use on the body and that will give you consistent results. Try products with niacinimide and arbutin, which are whitening ingredients.

That's what I have to contribute! Feel free to ask more questions and good luck!

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

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

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

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

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

This is the one I use!

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

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

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

TBH the S.W. Toner is too expensive for the quantity
Here's the custom recipe I've created for it.

1. Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, 12 oz ($10)
   
2. Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (With the Mother), 16 Ounce - 1 Pack ($10)
   
3. Miracle Botanicals Premium Bulgarian Clary Sage Essential Oil - 100% Pure Salvia Sclarea - 10ml ($10)
   
4. Miracle Botanicals Organic Australian Sandalwood Essential Oil - 100% Pure Santalum Spicatum - 5ml ($30)
   Total= $60
   
   

• 1/3 cup Filtered Water (free)
  
• 1/3 cup Thayer's Witch Hazel (4.5 uses)
  
• 1/3 cup Bragg Organic Apple Cider (6 uses)
  
• 5 drops Clary Sage Essential Oil (60 uses)
  
• 5 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil (20 uses)
  
• Uses equal amount used per 12 ounces of toner created
  
  S.W. Basics contains 4 ounces of this mixture and cost $25
  
  With the I ingredients listed you can make
  36 ounces for $60 and that's only limited by witch hazel running out first
  This comes out to 9 times the amount of the S.W. basics toner. To equal 36 ounces would cost $225 vs $60 for homeade stuff just as good and all organic.
  
  Organic Grape seed Oil I Recommend: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I46BBE0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ($10)
  
  Deciem Hylamide Primer:
  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FQR9A3Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ($22)
  
  Oil Cleanser:
  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V2FBAQ/ref=ox_sc_act_image_7?smid=A2MHJA5QAEGGNV&psc=1 ($10)
  

Cerave

I’ve found it to be especially good for private areas too if your bits ever get dry or chafed from...activities

I recommend using a hydrating toner. This stuff helps the moisturizer sink in better. A popular recommendation is Hada Labo gokujyun lotion. I'm on my second bottle and I will keep repurchasing it. It's also fragrance-free.

Another recommendation would be using an occlusive after moisturizer. It locks in the moisture so it doesn't evaporate from your skin. There's good ol' Vaseline, Aquaphor, and CeraVe healing ointment (which is my personal favorite). They're all fragrance-free. You only need a small amount to cover the face. I use like... a dime size amount.

How big/ where are the patches? I have pretty severe facial eczema I keep under control with Hado Labo Moist Lotion. That stuff doesn't burn broken skin when it goes on (even on eyelids!). I comes out like a liquid and isn't greasy in the least, but it works very very well for me.

Hi there! You might consider that your skin is a bit dehydrated (lacking water) as well as dry (lacking oil). Mine certainly was! I would consider adding a hydrating toner to your arsenal rather than jumping right in to large number of active products (you can always add them more slowly later once you've decided on what you want try first). Especially as you are quite young, it might be an easy fix rather than a long active journey waiting for results.

The idea will be to keep your skin plumped, reducing the appearance of fine lines. Hydrating toners are terribly useful in that they are light watery layers full of humectants which draw and hold water to your skin. Plus, you can do multiple layers one right after the other (sometimes called the '7-skin method') if your skin is feeling extra dull that day without risking the addition of more ingredients.

They are usual in the realm of Korean or Asian skincare, but lots are becoming super popular. Here are the classics: Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion - the OG!, Kikumasamune High Moist Lotion - contains fermented ingredients for brightening and is a HUGE bottle, Klairs Supple Preparation Toner - Recommend the unscented, has licorice for brightening, Benton Aloe/BHA Toner - BHA acts as a humectant here, no exfoliation, Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner - Super light, 6 ingredients for sensitive skin, Etude House SoonJung 5.5 Relief Toner - Just like water, very soothing, many others!!

(just ignore that in Japan toners are called 'lotion'. Yes it is confusing!)

Also, Gothamista has a great video on hydrating toners which goes over several of the ones I mentioned plus others.

One more easy thing to consider is a raw honey mask. If you can get real honey, just slather than on your face! It's a humectant and will help with water levels in your skin. Another point is to apply your routine onto damp skin after cleansing.

Hope this helps!

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion in rich/moist? It's super hydrating and marketed as slightly-acidic, good for sensitive skin, fragrance free, oil free, and alcohol free (although it contains butylene glycol). They also make an emulsion/milk as well.

OP, your skin sounds similar to mine and for the longest time I couldn't figure out what to use/do to hydrate my skin. I've been tying out Asian skincare brands/methods and have found a huge success in using a hydrating toner with the Korean 7 skin method. It's basically taken a toner and layering it on your face as many layers (or skins) as you need after cleansing.

I haven't had any issues with these two:
Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion 
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

The Hadalabo lotion has a thicker consistency so it takes a bit longer for the skin to absorb vs the Pyunkang Essence is of a thinner consistency. If you end up doing this method in the future, I would suggest choosing toners that do not have water listed as the first ingredient.

Doing the 7 Skin method has basically changed my skin where now it's not dehydrated, less oily and not flake-y. I hope that's a bit helpful and unfortunately I don't have any advice or suggestions on rough skin texture. Best of luck!

I did. I got the moist.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BSNBO9O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Seconding /u/maplebee92 suggestion regarding the Innisfree no sebum powder - both the compact and the loose form. I have also tried Mamonde Cotton Veil and Tony Moly Cats Wink and none perform as good as Innisfree, plus the Mamonde pact desintegrated after a few weeks and became loose instead.

With sunscreens for oily skin in particular I use Nivea Waterproof Milk or Nivea Milky Essence with great results and staying power. None give me irritation around the eyes unlike the Shiseido Senka Q10 which made my eyes sting quite a bit.

YMMV of course.

rave: i've started patch-testing the shiseido senka uv sunscreen and i think i've perhaps found my HG pa++++ sunscreen?! currently use biore aqua rich which is only pa+++, and the hada labo uv creamy traveled on my face into my eyes which made the burn :(

my only rant right now is that i had been going too crazy on my skin with different actives (tretinoin, azelaic and clindamycin from pocketderm, vitamin C, niacinamide, arbutin, BHA, AHA, etc. etc.) and i've had to scale back to the basics. hada labo, benton snail bee essencee, and pocketderm. less is always more for me, which is kinda sad :(

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Milk - It doesn't make my skin feel tight and I haven't experienced any build-up yet, which is a huge problem with my skin and using some cleansers without exfoliation. I use micellar water after this if I'm using foundation because it doesn't get everything by itself, but for morning and non-makeup use, it's perfect. I rinse it off with water but it says you can also just wipe it off.

Heritage Store Rosewater - THIS SHIT RIGHT HERE. I don't care if it's a placebo effect, it feels wonderful on my skin, it smells magnificent, and it doesn't make me break out. I use it under Cerave Daily Moisturizing Lotion, which has hyaluronic acid, and together they moisturize my skin much better than with the lotion alone. (Pretty sure I've been drying my skin out by not moistening my skin first XD)

Cosmetic cornstarch - Brah. If your sunscreen and/or makeup leaves you looking like an oil slick, get this. It's super cheap ($1.50!!!) and is the main ingredient in a lot of makeup setter powders anyway. (I also tried the rice powder but it made my foundation weirdly patchy.)

Listen to LizzieDane. Chemical peels and Botox are invaluable tools and have their place in this world, read this guide Botox 101: What You Need to Know Before Getting Botox and know it's something to consider. But really, a prescribed retinoid is going to be your new best friend. Just a heads up that there is an online dermatology service that is getting very positive reviews from /skincareaddiction and other respectable beauty bloggers. It's called Pocketderm and for $20 per month, you and a board certified dermatologist will customize a topical medication that will address any acne/age-related issues. Informative review over at /skincareaddiction. If you decide to go for it, go here before signing-up and grab a referral link for a 1-month free trial. Seriously, get some retinoids, it is the only anti-ageing treatment in the U.S. that has been backed by the FDA. Secondly, please wear SUNSCREEN, and do so EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! Rain or shine, UV damage is the #1 cause of premature aging and protecting yourself from the sun is something you can do for yourself tomorrow. Good guide here about how to choose the right sunscreen. EltaMd is highly recommended with adequate UV protection. Now my personal favorite, the AHAs and the BHAs or 'acids', they'll help with the fine lines, brighten up the complexion and even out skintone. They are seriously great and will give you almost immediate results . Basic explanation of AHA/BHA exfoliates. My BHA product rec to you would be Paula's Choice BHA 2% products, $10 referral code here. Do it! Once you've got the retinoids, the sunscreen, and the acids, incorporating a well-formulated antioxidant serum will round out a solid, 'anti-ageing' skincare routine. Hope this helps and be good to yourself :)

Me too, and this stuff is the best. :)

I've gone through several containers of this one. That's the "Clear" line, which just means it blends in the easiest. The regular line actually blends in fine too, and lastly I've also used up a "Tinted" which is decent coverage actually but if you're paler than say (in MAC terms), N20, I think it'd be too dark for you.

What are the exact features that attracted you to the Glossier sunscreen? If you're looking for something "clear" I know EltaMD have a clear sunscreen too.

http://www.amazon.com/Eltamd-Clear-SPF-48-Gram-1-7/dp/B002MSN3QQ/ref=pd_bxgy_bt_img_y

Excellent sunscreen for under makeup. Let it set onto your skin for a while (20+ mins) before applying your makeup for the best protection.

I really like Cerave Moisturizer PM It was around $8 on Amazon.

I feel you so hard on this. I actually just got this Shiseido sunscreen because it's supposed to go well under makeup, and I shit you not it controls my oil better than anything else I come across.

Usually I'm an oil slick by the three or four hour mark (no joke, like I touch my finger to my cheek and it just slides around). I'm currently at the thirteen hour mark of my makeup and I've only gathered a little sheen. The only unfortunate part is that I can't use it for special occasions where pictures are being taken because of the flashback :/

Talk to your OB about azelaic acid. I didn’t use it, but it’s the only thing I’ve seen other posts talk about using that was deemed okay for them by their OB.

My OB is super cautious and I keep getting shot down whenever i ask what I can use, so I just did a simple routine (Neutrogena foaming cleanser) and sometimes I will oil cleanse with Argan oil and a drop or two or tea tree oil. I haven’t asked her about the tea tree oil, but I haven’t seen anything related to it being a problem and I’ve probably only used it twice and I’m 20 weeks now.

Keep your sheets and pillow cases clean, make sure to wash your face morning and night, moisturize and try not to pick. You can use hydrocolloid bandages to help overnight (I like the nexcare ones you can find on amazon, also called acne patches or blister bandages). nexcare on amazon

Head over to r/skincareaddiction too for more posts about pregnancy/hormonal acne and the side bar include info on oil cleansing. There isn’t much we can do about it overall, but mine did ease up a lot throughout the 1st trimester and now I hardly get any. Hopefully you’re able to find something that works!

Try a hydrocolloid bandage on the pimple. Nexcare makes some specifically for pimples

Pus filled pimples will eventually go away on their own without being popped, it just takes a little while. Hot compresses also help. And putting a little benzoyl peroxide on it can help as well (do not put BP on under a hydrocolloid bandage... Put it on for a half hour or so, wash off, then use the bandage)

Google the "Danger Triangle of the Face" to understand why you shouldn't pop pimples on your nose.

So if I have a massive whitehead that I don't feel like walking around with for the world to see I go ahead and pop it. Yes picking is bad BUT it makes zits disappear a lot faster. I generally do it at night after my face is clean. Then before I put in my moisturizer I put a hydro colloid acne patch over it.

Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BRGUNV2/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_Vs.EzbT5A23G9

Ever pop a zit and then wake up to find it has filled up and gotten even more gross over night? Well these patches absorb the crap oozing out of the popped zit. And when you wake up the zit substantially less swollen and has not "refilled" itself again. Seriously it's the best 8$ you'll ever spend.

Is it these?:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BRGUNV2/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_oiARub0T42V8W

Just about anywhere that sells regular bandaids. They are often marketed as blister bandages, because they are designed to manage wound fluid.

Here's an example from Target, and if you want little rounds ones just for acne, you can order them online.

Hydrocolloid bandage for the pimple. It will make it go down overnight.

Like this.

Even these don't say that word on them, so I wasn't 100% sure I was buying the right thing:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BRGUNV2

Everybody gotta be all scientific up in here using fancy words.

I picked up some Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid lotion when I was in Asia and I love it! I pat three drops' worth all over my face and neck before I apply my daily moisturizer. It's done wonders for my dry patches.

Starting with the sunscreens on the right.

1.)http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007408QD2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2.)http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q1WT58/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

3.)http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007408PIS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

4.)http://www.amazon.com/Cure-Natural-Aqua-Gel-250ml/dp/B001ABLKK2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425251492&sr=8-1&keywords=cure+natural+aqua+gel

5.)http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BSNBO9O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

6.)http://www.amazon.com/Rohto-CP-Hadalabo-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B000VSYBDI/ref=pd_sbs_bt_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=0JJEE4XYH7P2Z5QBB82C

7.) PD

8.)http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BS3Q372/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

9.)http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036MDUEM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

10.)http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BN4BT0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

11.)http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036MDUE2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have combination acne prone skin. I see decent results. I don't much care for aha+bha cleanser, #10, because it leaves my skin feeling dry, and because it seems a bit gimmicky. I also don't care much for #6 because it makes my skin feel too greasy for the day, and not greasy enough for night.

All Products, Closer Left, Closer Right.

AM:

I recently got a Mary Kay set for my birthday so I've started using it a few times a week. I like it except for the freaking microbeads in the cleanser.

• Cerave Foaming Cleanser
  
• Snail Bees Essence
  
• Vitamin C
  
• Sephora Restore Cream
  
• SPF 50
  
  PM:
  
  
• Cranberry Toner to remove makeup
  
• Panoxyl
  
• Toner once a week
  
• Vitamin C
  
• CeraVe or Vaseline

For a sunscreen people from here usually recommend Shiseido SPF 50 UV Gel and it's fairly cheap. What people have also said in the past, (and I have yet to try this but I will) is putting on sunscreen then moisturizer at the same time THEN your make up (if I got that order right), and apparently the Shiseido sunscreen is good for things like that.

Saying apparently because I ordered it and I'm waiting for it to come, lol. And for my oil cleansing method, I use argon oil. I've tried olive oil, jojoba oil and maracula (sp?) oil and found argon left my skin the softest. Just my two cents!

I think you are confusing the terms hydrocolloid and occlusive. Petroleum jelly is an occlusive, which is explained in "Classes of moisturizers" in the side bar, while hydrocolloids are a completely different thing. Hydrocolloids are bandages that absorb wound exudate, or in other words the icky stuff that comes from a wound like the pus from a pimple. You can buy fancy ones like these that are already in a circle shape or most drug stores will carry hydrocolloid bandages like this that you can cut into smaller sizes. I'm suffering from a bout of hormonal chin acne too and I find that hydrocolloids stop me from touching my chin as well. I don't find my chin acne to be "itchy" though since mine just feel sore and painful. Do you think the itchiness is from dryness?

That image on the box doesn't look like a plain hydrocolloid bandage. They don't have that "netting" material part.

I order the 3M Nexcare ones from Korea. Nothing else works as well for me. 3M knows what they're doing.

Why not try a hydrocolloid bandage? I had one that was sitting on my cheek for the longest time and it flattened that sucker out.

You can get them at your local Walgreens/CVS (if you're in the US) or possibly Shoppers if you're in Canada. Alternatively, I use these and I can't get enough. It comes in two sizes - one that's about 1 cm and one that's about 2.5-3 cm (just guesstimating).

Checkout this thread where another user who was tight on cash used an online derm and the $20 fee went towards the RX.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/ctoim2/acne_just_had_a_great_experience_using_an_online/

Not sure if you're limited to spending the Amazon gift card or if it could be fungible.

Edit:
You may want hydrocolloid acne patches to help speed up healing the spots you have. This is one option:

Nexcare Acne Cover, Hydrocolloid Technology, Invisible, 36 count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BRGUNV2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uFtODbYTY7H38

hi! warning: long post ahead, but i understand its always frustrating when you're used to your skin being one way then changing so just wanted to share what's helped me. i personally went through cystic acne hell and back.

also just wondering what face wash do you use, is it the micellar cleansing water?


anyway, here's some products that were all under $20 each, but were really effective in getting my acne under control:

number 1 recommendation is retinol. i use differin and it's made a world of difference. it's about $12 at the drugstore in the states and you don't need a prescription!

another thing that's worked for me is the oil cleansing method and just incorporating oils in my skincare (after some troubleshooting and learning more about oils). here's a good article:
http://www.minimalistbeauty.com/oils-specifically-for-acne-prone-skin/

another thing that's helped is making my own toner with ACV + water. super simple, but it's one of the most potent things that's worked with making my acne less inflamed and skin less oily. here's an article about that:
http://coconutsandkettlebells.com/diy-apple-cider-vinegar-facial-toner/

a clay mask once a week also does wonders for calming any redness and inflamed acne. or as spot treatment. i recommend the aztec clay mask + a bit of ACV / water:
https://www.amazon.com/Aztec-Secret-Indian-Healing-Cleansing/dp/B0014P8L9W/ref=sr_ph_1_s_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1505341329&sr=sr-1&keywords=aztec+clay

lastly, this acne patch has magically helped suck up the puss (gross, but satisfying) and helped me pick my acne less:
https://www.amazon.com/Nexcare-Absorbing-Cover-Sizes-Count/dp/B00BRGUNV2/?th=1

overall, sounds like you're experiencing some hormonal changes (being a woman is great!) and that your skin's needing some more TLC, exfoliation, and moisture.

Blister bandages(hydrocolloids) or other acne patches (there are 2 kinds, tiny hydrocolloids, and little patches with acne medication on them) really help me with not picking. I use sterile lancets to gently poke a small hole in any whiteheads that I have, then I put the hydrocolloids on them and leave it on overnight or longer if I can. The hydrocolloids draw out and absorb fluid, so normally by morning they've absorbed most or all of what was in there.


For acne that isn't a whitehead I tend to use the other kind of acne patch to help keep from messing with it, the medicated acne patches are not good for absorbing fluid from whiteheads though. Also links are just for examples so you know what I'm talking about, I'm not recommending any specific product.

https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Hadalabo-Gokujun-Hyaluronic/dp/B00BSNBO9O

I had the same issue and added the Hada Labo Hyaluronic lotion ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BSNBO9O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ztmgAbHNM2K9Z ) to my routine and they’ve disappeared. Maybe your skin just needs more hydration :)

You might be dehydrated. Have you tried more humectant hydrators, like a hyaluronic acid serum?

Thin one is kinda the gold standard:

https://www.amazon.com/Hada-Labo-Hadalabo-Gokujun-Hyaluronic/dp/B00BSNBO9O

Hada Labo Rohto Goku-jun Hyaluronic Milky Lotion, 140ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BS3Q0XE/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_C50YxbYWK5767


Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist, 5.7 fl. oz. (170ml) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BSNBO9O/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_c60YxbZS0KXWA


I am in a similar boat to you where a lot of things left me dry and flaky and I used cerave for the longest time before realizing it was actually causing some issues. I found those two lotions which are great. They are light and you don't notice them on your face but they relieve dry feeling and visible dryness and don't break me out. Added benefit of them being cheaper than some other similar things. Also wanted to throw in some personal experience. For years I went to a derm who always made changes that would be harsh on my skin but might fight acne but being so harsh they cause my skin to be irritated and get acne. I finally had enough and stopped going after they added epiduo Forte to my routine when I complained my tretinoin prescription was too strong (it was 4 times the amount I saw anyone else on here had) and they agreed to lower it if I added that which was super strong as well and things got worse. I did end up switching to curology (although I'm in the process of weaning off of that which is actually going really well) and switching off of the harsh antibacterial bar they recommended. Now I just wash my face with a good cleanser and use a bha and aha a couple times a week (I had tried them before and found exfoliating much too harsh while doing the rest) and moisturizer and my skin is the least dry and clearest I've had in the last 8 or so years. Basically I found that less is more and to focus on using things that help my skin be healthy rather than specifically targeting acne which is often drying. Now I'm not saying to ditch your derm. I did go on Accutane, twice actually, and it did help but I think, especially while on it, to just focus on skin health stuff since Accutane will dry it out more. Obviously everyone's skin is different but I thought I'd share this in case it might be helpful to you. Good luck.

I used to be very inconsistent with my tret when I was first prescribed it in high school and I got okay results, when I started using it regularly (after building resistance due to using it sporadically for that first year), that's when the really good results kicked in. I second what the above comment stated and pick one day of the week that you give it a break and use it consistently the other 6 days of the week!

My tips to reduce irritation:

• Use a good moisturizer or even two with tret each night either before or after but whichever you choose (moisturizer or tret first), let it dry first before applying the other (I love Aveeno and the Cerave PM, but a lot of people have good things to say about the Hado Labo premium lotion and the Cerave in the tub or the Neutrogena fragrance-free Hydroboost, see the popular post from today with its many comments and diverse recommendations: https://www.reddit.com/r/tretinoin/comments/d7ak5k/can_i_please_have_your_best_moisturizer/)
  
• I've recently heard that mixing tret with a niacinamide serum helps with irritation like the one from The Ordinary
  
• Be RELIGIOUS about sunscreen every freaking day no matter the weather to reduce irritation
  
• I use a hydrating toner (this one: https://www.amazon.ca/Rohto-Hadalabo-Gokujun-Hyaluronic-Lotion/dp/B00BSNBO9O) after using a cleanser just to calm and prep my skin, I wait to let it dry and then put on my tret. I don't know if this actually does anything since I feel like it's a placebo but whatever, it doesn't hurt

There is always the Snail Recovery Gel that is a huge hit among many users here and for a very good reason. I would recommend using it as a spot treatment because of how thick it is unless your face likes that sort of thing.

A thinner alternative is the COSRX Snail Essence which is cheaper than the Mizon Ampoule that I use. I actually have my father using the essence because of it's cost and thinness.

I would however say to stay away from the Mizon eye cream as it did absolutely nothing for me and my other friends who used it. But we also haven't had much luck with eye creams in general.

I love Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Power Essence! My skin also has a tendency to be a little dry too. I want to add that this in place of moisturizer may not be enough, especially if your SPF contains any drying ingredients.

Have you tried any gel moisturizers? They are much lighter and may work better in a hot and humid climate. On days where I am not doing all my normal steps, I will layer my products like so (after cleansing): Toner > Essence > Gel Moisturizer > SPF. Hope this helps!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 :)

Be very, very, very patient. Improvements will probably not be seen until after 6 weeks. Also take it slow.

I use Cetaphil Gentle Facewash in the morning, followed by a couple of layers of Hada Labo Lotion/Toner, then a gel moisturizer, then SPF. I don't wear anything less than SPF 50.

In the PM, I use an oil cleanser, then Cetaphil, then tret. Then I use a few layers of the same Hada Labo toner before sealing in with my evening moisturizer mixed with a few drops of rosehip. I also usually apply a layer of Papaw ointment (basically fruity vaseline) which helps a lot

i reccomend heading over to r/asianbeauty
a common thing glosses over in western skin care is the use of layers for moisturizing. The one and done technique works for some, but not everyone. Asian skin care focuses on layers of light hydration from different hydrating toners, essences, serums and a final heavier cream. Using serums or hydrating toners before your main moisturizer like cerave is a great option to boost moisture content in your skin.

Ingredients like Hyaluronic acid is something to look for- its a humecant that can hold 1000 times in it weight in water- as a result instead of just keeping existing moisture in your skin like many moisturizers- it brings more moisture into the skin from the lower part of the epidermis or the environment around your skin.

For you however- if you do not want to go that route- i strongly reccomend a 5% urea cream like Euricins
urea will do the best job at getting rid of those flakes and scalyness- as a it helps dissolve keratin overloads.

If you want the best of both worlds - you could combine that moisturizer with a hydrating toner or essense underneath- like this Hada Labo Lotion or this Hada Labo Gel
that could also layer nicely under your thicker moiosturizer

in asian skin care the word lotion is used instead of toner. Toners(aka lotions) in asian skin care are not like western astringent ones- they are slightly liquidy and offer a great calming boost of moisture under your main moisturizer.


Sorry for the wall of text!

tl;dr
Moisturizing doest just have to be one step- using layers helps alot through serums, essences and toners.

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

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

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:

• Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask
  
• The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Light Oil 150ml
  
• Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 100ml
  
  So my current plan is this:
  
  Daily evenings:
  
  
• Remove make up with wipes.
  
• Wash face. With this
  
• Apply lotion (I have easily clogged pores so any recommendation on lotions would be appreciated)
  
  Daily mornings:
  
  
• Splash of water
  
• Sunscreen/lotion
  
  Every second morning:
  
  
• This
  
  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 have both aging concerns (I'm 39) and breakout prone skin and early this year I started implementing a skincare routine with mostly Korean products and it has helped tremendously (thanks r/asianbeauty!) Prior to this the ONLY moisturizer I'd ever found that did not break me out in cystic spots was the Clinique DDM gel moisturizer which isn't really very moisturizing.

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

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


My current routine is:

AM:

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

Hello.

I'm trying to surprise my wife for her birthday with some AB products. My only reference point is that she has sensitive to breakout oily/combination skin and has pinned some items on Pinterest.

Here's what I have so far:

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, 12 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YMJJSK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_2OMmraOvVHpYA

belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb [Korean Import] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H4GOAZO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_E8213xrgbYSfV

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, 1 fl. oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017SWIU4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_TBxTTig7H3qSs

Elizavecca 24K Gold Waterdrop 2hsam Cream Mask https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZDKOVE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.5mNzb3QFYZMG

Also some Stridex pads (she loves to use mine)

Is this enough to create a routine? If so what would the routine be? If not what am I missing?

Any and all help would be appreciated.

My picks are a rotation of Japanese sunscreens, because when it comes to skincare I just can't stick to one thing!

Some in my rotation:

Disclosure: These are all Amazon non-affiliate links so people here can easily find prices and other reviews (even though I personally shop these on Ebay and Rakuten and not Amazon).

• Biore Perfect Face Milk - Says it's water resistant, I personally like the finish and can use it under makeup with no issues.
  
  
• Biore Perfect Milk - This is great for going out in my opinion, an actual going outside face sunscreen!
  
  
• Hada Labo Creamy UV Gel - Very light and friendly, I reserve it for interior use.
  
  
• Shiseido SENKA Mineral Water - I really like this one and on me this has a matte powdery finish. Some people complain it goes on greasy. I find that whole it's greasier than others during application, it dries out non-greasy. YMMV.
  
  
• Forgot to add: I use Privacy's UV Face Powder for retouching. It's Zinc Oxide based. There are other sunscreen powders on the market. My mom uses Colorescience's and it can be found on Amazon too, and Peter Thomas Roth also has one. I just use this one because it's cheaper. It's very whitish though so not the best option for darker skintones.
  
  Finally, the cult favorite is Biore Watery Essence so I'm linking it. I personally did not like how drying this was and its citrus smell, but the vast majority of people swear by it because it's really light and easy to use everyday in interiors.
  
  Japanese sunscreens generally contain alcohol and all the ones I listed do contain alcohol, so if you're against alcohol in sunscreen you might not like the ones I list, however there are some well liked alcohol-free Japanese sunscreens that you can find searching online, /r/AsianBeauty can be a good resource for these.
  
  The reason I personally like Japanese sunscreens in particular is their texture and their ingredients. Most of them contain Titanium Dioxide (a physical UV blocker) and/or Zinc Oxide (the broadest spectrum UVA blocker approved for sunscreen use at the moment). UVA are the rays you need to look out for when preventing sings of aging. This is what PA and the plus signs after it stand for in Japanese sun products, while the SPF we are all familiar with only refers to UVB protection. Four plus signs after PA denote the highest level of protection currently in place.
  
  The downside of physical sunscreen it that it tends to leave a white cast behind so darker-skinned people might have issues with this aesthetically.
  
  There might be western sunscreens that are physical but most mainstream brands (like Neutrogena) rely on their chemical patented formula (or a mix of physical and chemical like some of La Roche Posay), which is also good, but can be sensitizing to some people. They also do have a greasier formula that remains tacky at least in my experience, and some people really hate this about sunscreen.
  
  I don't personally use Korean sunscreens at the moment because their regulations only allow PA+++ to be the highest, but many people enjoy their variety, so again you can look in the AsianBeauty subreddit or on youtube/blogs if you want to read reviews of those.
  
  **
  
  
  
  If you for personal reasons would like to get a Western brand physical non-greasy sunscreen, Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 Tinted Matte Moisturizer contains Zinc Oxide protection and has a matte finish!
  
  Her line is overall well liked by people because of their choice of ingredients due to a philosophy of extensive research. I have this sunscreen and while I found it too drying for my normalish-to-combo skin, it could be a godsend for oilier people. Ideal for daily use, and it has some tint. I haven't tried any other of her sunscreens but her line is worth looking into, if you're new to building a routine! Unfortunately I'm just noticing that since my introduction to this brand in 2014 the prices have raised, most likely due to her online following growing.
  
  Final note: All of which I just wrote is stuff I learned from the Internet and also my personal experiences with the products I've tried and liked, I'm not a sun protection expert!*
  

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

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

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

If you like mineral oil as an oil cleanser I would also suggest Kose Speedy Cleansing Oil! It's a mineral oil based cleanser but washes off totally clean. I loved it and then tried to use plain mineral oil (aka from the laxative aisle) but hated how it wouldn't wash off clean even sometimes with a second cleanser.

Is it a good idea to reuse the packaging of the KOSE SOFTYMO Speedy Cleansing Oil? I bought it some time ago and realized it contains some ingredients that are bad for me, so ever since then it has just been lying around.


Right now I want to make my own Mineral & Cromollient SCE mix and I am currently looking for a decent pump dispenser. It's only that everyone I come across seems to have one or another issue, like leakage, rust and so on.


Since I had the Kose Softymo lying around I gave it a try and it is perfect. No leakage, it uses the stuff up all the way to the bottom and I especially like the white plastic thingy that prevents it from accidentally pumping. That way I can simply put it in my backpack and don't have to worry about anything.


The only thing is, is this really a good idea to reuse it over and over? From what I know people are pretty careful when it comes to plastic, since from what I know it sort of degrades and some of it could end up in the product you are using, which is why reusable packaging is often advertised as being BPA free and so on. I couldn't find anything on the Kose Softymo packaging.


Alternatively, I am also open to suggestions about other pump dispensers!

It's only $9 on Amazon!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I am looking for a new routine. I have ACNE prone skin and OILY skin. I am going to get CeraVe Foaming Wash and someone recommended to use the CeraVe pm moisturizer which is this http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00365DABC/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_a_it?qid=1465227509&sr=8-2&keywords=cerave+moisturizer&pi=SY200_QL40
But what about a moisturizer for the day? The CeraVe Moisturizer for the day has spf15 and I feel like that's too weak so is it ok to apply a stronger moisturizer after it such as the Eltamd UV Clear spf 46 or is there a better sunscreen that isn't oily and has spf as high as that? And I have acne prone skin so I was thinking of getting Keeva Tea Tree Oil Acne Treatment Cream, 30gm since it has good reviews and it's a natural. And lastly I was planning to get Stridex Daily Care Acne Pads. Thank you for reading and for your time.

Non-mobile: Here

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

On my grimey days:

AM

-Cleanse with Oil mix (Sunflower/Neem/TeaTree)

-Wipe and wash that off with CeraVe Foaming (Just trying to finish it)

-Few drops of oil mix on damp face

-MUAC Oil free sunscreen

PM

-Oil cleanse again, wipe off with microfiber cloth

-Paula's Choice 2% BHA Gel

-Nivea Creme

-Aquaphor

Most days I only cleanse at night, but I have been really inconsistent with my routine.

Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence (specifically the 2015 version)! It is a Japanese sunscreen, but it's available on Amazon Prime. It's a fantastic sunscreen that dries very matte with no greasy feel and no white cast. It does have alcohol in it, although I have very dry skin and still have had zero problems with it. A definite holy grail for me =)

I also liked EltaMD UV Clear, but it's much pricier, pills a ton, and in general doesn't feel as nice on my skin. The niacinamide is great though.

Edit: Will add though that the Biore is meant for daily non-sports use. So if you're planning on using this for physical activity, it probably won't be the best choice. The same company also sells versions of that sunscreen that's more sweat/water resistant that I've heard good things about (this and this) , but I've never actually used any of them. I have heard that these tend to be a bit more drying than the Watery Essence though.

Here's my assessment and suggestions - you're basically OD'ing on oils. My guess is to combat dryness? But using lots of oils won't = hydration. It can caused congested skin.

Current routine AM - Potential Issues:
--Kiehl's ultra face cleanser = basic creamy cleanser. In theory, based on what I've researched, this should be fine for you to use. I believe it has has a pH of 5.5 (acidic) and looking at the first five ingredients, nothing offensive jumps out at me (I think a poster here said it was drying and had a high pH but that's not what I found on here). The marketing touts apricot and avocado oils which could be acne-causing but those are way down the ingredient list (apricot and avocado oil are high in "oleic" acid which acne-prone skin should stay clear from). I don't think this cleanser is anything special though so if it were me, I'd save my $ and put it towards effective actives (see below).

--lush scrub "Let the good times roll on" = corn, glycerin, corn oil. I’d stop using this manual scrub b/c it's full of corn oil and there more effective exfoliators out there, which is what you need right now to. Corn oil is moderate on the acne-causing scale. Too harsh, too much fragrance and there are more effective exfoliants out there.
--kiehl's reviving concentrate = oils. I’d stop using this b/c again, it's more oil.
--la roche posay tinted sunscreen = titanium dioxide, silicone, chemical sunscreens. Fine to use. Shouldn’t cause you issues.

Current Routine PM - Potential Issues = Oil OD!:
--Kiehl's cleansing oil = oils. I'd stop using this b/c I don’t think you need to double cleanse since you don't wear a lot of makeup. Double cleansing is helpful if you need to break down a lot makeup since cosmetics are primarily silicone/oil-based, oil breaks down oil. Just use a makeup remover where you where makeup.

--Kiehl's midnight recovery concentrate = a ton of oils. Some are good, some are iffy.
Too many in there. Definitely stop using this until you figure out what product is causing the comedones.

--Kiehl's ultra cream = emollient. Fine to use. It’s a great basic moisturizer.

--Paula's choice 2% BHA liquid = BHA. Definitely keep using this to keep your pore lining clean. This is an effective BHA. Won’t fix currently acne but will help prevent future.

 

Suggested AM Routine + Products:
--Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser - $11. Save some $ and try this tried and true cleanser that I recommend to everyone. It's creamy, non-drying and has a pH of 5.5 pH. Any skin type can us it and you can find it anywhere.

--Active: BHA: Keep using the PC BHA.

--Moisturizer: Kiehl's ultra cream. Fine to keep using. If you want a cheaper alternative, [CeraVe Facial Moisturizer PM - $10] (https://smile.amazon.com/CeraVe-Facial-Moisturizing-Lotion-Lightweight/dp/B00365DABC/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1519077120&sr=1-4&keywords=CeraVe+Facial+Moisturizer+PM). You can use this day or night - ignore the PM marketing. This has a thinner consistency b/c it’s a lotion. If you like a thicker cream consistency, try [CeraVe Moisturizing Cream - $12] (https://smile.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizing-Cream-Daily-Moisturizer/dp/B001V9SXXU/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1519077377&sr=1-4&keywords=CeraVe+Moisturizing+Cream) in the tub (fine for face and body).

--Sunscreen

Suggested PM Routine + Products:
--Cleanser: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
--Actives: BHA then AHA: 1. BHA: Paula's choice 2% BHA then 2. AHA: [Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum - $19] (https://smile.amazon.com/Mizon-AHA-8-Peeling-Serum/dp/B00F35GT0W/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1519076979&sr=1-4&keywords=Mizon+AHA+8%25+Peeling+Serum)
AHA can better penetrate your skin more effectively after a BHA is applied (AHA isn’t oil-soluble). They work synergistically together. Lots of folks will use an AHA immediately washing their face particularly in their oily T-zone and not see results. AHAs are non oil-soluble so they're not going to get results! Ideally, wait 15-20 min. between applications but no one has time for that!
--Moisturizer: Kiehl's ultra cream or CeraVe Facial Moisturizer PM.

Is the redness just general redness in your skin, or is it redness leftover by acne? Either way:

I would start by finding a new cleanser, both AM and PM. Scrubs are very harsh and bar soaps are stripping and typically not the right pH for skin. Both off these things can compromise your skin barrier and make it look and feel worse, as well as inhibit it's ability to protect itself and heal. Your skin is your largest organ, don't think of it as something that needs to be dried out and stripped, it needs to be hydrated, moisturized, and healthy. I think this could definitely be contributing to your redness, at least in part. The most popular recommendations are listed in the holy grail cleanser thread, but CeraVe Hydrating, Neutrogena Hydrating, or Vanicream are good places to start.

I couldn't find your moisturizer, so I've got nothing in it specifically, but yet again, there's a holy grail thread for that. If you're concerned about redness, you could look for one that contains niacinamide, which helps a lot in reducing redness. CeraVe PM is a good drugstore moisturizer that contains ceramides, hylauronic acid, and niacinamide, all of which are very good for your skin.

The last thing you need for a good basic routine (and before you should start adding anything heavy duty like chemical exfoliation) is a good sunscreen. Wearing this everyday will help a lot with your redness. Oh look, a holy grail thread for that too!

Since you're relatively new at this, don't forget to patch test new products. And wait at least a week or two before adding the next new product. This can be time consuming but it makes it much easier if you start to break out to pinpoint which product is causing it.

Sorry, I realize this is very long, but getting a solid basic routine of cleanse, moisturize, and SPF is the most important and beneficial thing you can do. If you're getting into skincare and adding lots of things, you really need a baseline to fall back on if you need to. I'm glad you posted! Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions, this subreddit is very helpful and only wants you to succeed!

Edit: I totally neglected to mention the side bar in this sub. Not sure If you've checked it out yet, but it is full of fantastic information that is very helpful.

I have oily/combo skin, acne, sensitive/rosacea prone (getting the picture?) and I love using [Cerave's hydrating cleanser] (https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Hydrating-Cleanser-12-Ounce/dp/B000YJ2SKM). It's 8.38 on Amazon (great way to get it if you have prime). I don't like spending lots of money on a cleanser especially since you wash it right off. This cleans my skin, leaves it feeling hydrated (doesn't strip the moisture barrier) without making me more oily. Let me know if you have more questions, I love talking about skin care.

Also you can usually print off a $2 coupon from cerave's website. The cerave cleanser has last me over 3 months and I don't think I'm half way through yet.

UK based? Asos and BeautyBay.com sell The Ordinary. Useful if you have Premier with Asos.

I suffer from redness and a few scars too, out of their range I love the Advanced Retinoid & Rose Hip Seed Oil (Used both for 6+ Months). Just trying out VitC Suspension by them (for 2 weeks) and I do see slight improvements - was using their Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate.

(I'm also using a BHA Toner from CosRX - using my hands not a cotton pad, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF55 Sunscreen, and cleanser by Aesop or CeraVe)

Back to The Ordinary, I have tried their Niacinamide, Azelic Acid and Arbutin, they didn't play nice with my skin, and became really irritable...more than likely they reacted with the CosRX - which is my wonder product for AM I haven't broke out since using it (Retinoid is my PM godsend)...and I didn't think they worked well on alternating days - Also CosRX has some Niacinamide already so didn't want to overdo it.

For what it's worth, I'm male, with light brown skin (I guess in between 3 and 4 on Fitzpatrick scale)...and I have waffled on too much, I apologise.

Tiny Bumps and Redness on Forehead, as well as Puffy, Reddish Skin (and large-ish pores) Around the Nose

I've been dealing with tiny bumps on my forehead (along with redness in the middle of the forehead) and puffy, red skin around my nose (between the nose and the cheekbone). Plus, the pores around my nose seem larger than on the rest of my face. It's not terribly severe, but it's enough to knock down my confidence a peg and it's a touch uncomfortable. I've taken three pictures, though they aren't great due to the camera.

Here are two after a morning workout and before a shower;
1.
2.

Here's one about a half hour after my shower;
1.

The redness and bumpiness is worse than the pictures show. Not by too much, but by a bit. Enough to where that section of my face looks noticeably redder than the rest.

I've dealt with this issue for years. Longer than I can remember. I've never had terrible acne and what I did have stopped after 21. So, it's just mostly this. Here are some other details;

• I'm 25 and a dude.
  
• I eat fairly healthy (though I have a weak spot for coffee and sweets)
  
• I work out daily
  
• My skin type is hard to pin down. It's definitely combination, as I experience pretty much no problems outside of the T-Zone (mostly in the areas already mentioned). After a shower (or even rinsing my face), that area feels fairly dry. If I haven't had enough fats, it flakes or gets slightly ashy. But, it does get a little oily as my day goes on. Not terribly so, but enough that I can put a finger up there and it comes away with more oil than it would on other parts of my face.
  
• My old routine, which I've had for several years, went as such; I'd use either Nivea Men Moisturizing Face Wash or St Ives Apricot Scrub during my daily shower, alternating between them each day (never using them in the same day. Then, after my shower, I would use [Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001459IEE/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3F1P4IHXJFOEV&colid=27R5W41VRL2U6). That's about it.
  
• I ditched my old routine a couple months back and started doing nothing. I actually noticed slight improvement in the redness, if anything, but not much else. But, my skin was noticeably dryer.
  About a month ago, I started using Cerave Moisturizing Cleanser during my daily shower. I think* I noticed a small improvement in the quality of my skin. To deal with dryness, I tried using a St. Ives Moisturizer but it wound up making my skin burn and causing other problems, so I ditched it.
  
  Whew, that brings me to now. I don't know what's causing this problem. It's not terribly severe, but I want to fix it. And I figure asking you guys would be the best way to do that. My main questions are: What is causing these two issues? And how can I fix them?
  
  I hope to hear something good.

Is there anything particularly wrong with the regular bottle?

Tbh I don't think it's the percentage of hyaluronic acid that makes the Gokujyun lotion so great, but the molecular weight of it. The lotion uses a low molecular weight of HA which is more bioavailable, i.e. it will sink deeper into your skin rather than just sitting on top. The Gokujyun lotion actually uses 5 different types of HA with different molecular weights which, in theory, can hang onto moisture in varying levels of your skin. HA is also only effective in skincare products up to a certain concentration, so trying to maximize the amount of HA you get per dollar spent is probably going to be a waste of time at a certain point.

As far as cost is concerned, I got mine on Amazon for about $10. I'm really pleased with it so far and don't think I am missing out on any HA goodness because it's only $10.

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.

> have also heard 'CeraVe Moisturizing Facial Lotion PM' might be good?

YES. It has niacinamide in it. I usually use this (lasts forever) before using CeraVe PM because of how harsh the weather has been here lately.

Just be cautious because some people are sensitive to ceteareth-20 and cetearyl alcohol, which can cause breakouts.

[Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist] (https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00BSNBO9O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zWGMzbKC9PY6M)
Loads of companies make hyaluronic acid. This one is my favourite.

I believe it would be this one - the Hada Labo Gokujyun (or Gokujun) lotion.

My skin has greatly improved on Nature Throid (the T3 does it, I'm sure).

I use Yes To Carrots fragrance free daily cream cleanser in the shower and Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ after.

I oil cleanse at night with jojoba oil and baby oil. The cream cleanser is the first one ever that doesn't make my skin feel tight or stingy after I rinse it off and the sunscreen is super moisturizing by itself. I used to use night cream and moisturize in the morning too but I haven't needed to do that in months now.

*Edit to add: I don't wear makeup except for mascara and lip gloss. My goal has been to make my skin as nice as possible so that I don't need foundation. If I really needed/wanted I've got some eyeshadows I sort of like but it is the foundation that I have always had problems with. I've tried L'Oreal, Cover Girl, Boots, Physician's Formula, and a couple other drugstore brands, but nothing ever lasts or sits right on my skin. So I just avoid it all. :/

This one definitely doesn't have zinc oxide: http://www.amazon.com/Shiseido-Senka-Aging-Sunscreen-SPF50/dp/B00IG12XLO

I use Shinseido Senka Aging Care

Asian sunscreens, like Japanese or Korean. American sunscreens are greasy as fuck.

These are pretty popular among my friends:

1
2
3

I am sure you can find them cheaper in Japanese or Korean online shops.

If you have an invasive skincare routine (AKA more than moisturizer and maybe a micellar water, you're inevitably making your skin more sensitive, and it needs SPF.

Even when it’s cloudy, up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV radiation reaches the earth, and it's SPF's job to prevent sun damage, not just to prevent sunburns, but the long term effects sun exposure on your skin. Aging, sun spots, rashes, discoloration, and exposure damage (sun and possibly blue screen light, though it's yet to be entirely proven it's something to be concerned about, better safe than sorry!), and if you weaken your skin from skincare things like acids, serums, and essences. It's important to sunscreen all exposed skin, especially if you work in front of a window, drive a lot, go for a ten minute walk, ect. I always put on sunscreen, personally, regardless of what I'm doing, and i do it on my hands, chest, neck, and face, minimally. Your moisturizer and foundation aren't going to be an enough of a concentrated even layer to properly protect you, nor the rest of your body. I highly recommend AT LEAST 30 SPF. SPF 30 keeps out 97 percent and SPF 50 keeps out 98 percent of UVB rays.

I use asian sunscreens on my face, and right now i'm using this on my face, and this on the rest of my body. The facial sunscreen has been working well, not even my nose has gotten sun touched this summer, and I find it isn't really dewy or matte, so it doesn't effect my base layer. (I have dry skin for reference). Whatever you decide to use I recommend avoiding non-facial sunscreens, and ones with high zinc levels (since they are typically prone to making makeup break up and causing break outs). Coola also might be worth looking into, since they make a variety of sunscreens for various skin types, though it is a wee bit more expensive. Both last a really long time, so it's not a seriously heavy cost investment, but so worth it. I hope you come around to appreciate a good sunscreen!

Your face sounds like mine, and I had been messing with my moisture barrier for too long. These two moisturizers have been a godsend for me:

(1) Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion This isn't really a "moisturizer" per se, but it helps bring and keep moisture to the surface of the skin.

(2) Rohto Hada-Labo Shirojyun Arbutin Milk This is an emulsifier, technically, but on top of the hyaluronic lotion, it works as an amazing moisturizer.