I am a lifelong picker (I know, ugh) and I've been fortunate in that I've had pretty clear skin for most of my life. Unfortunately, perimenopause has come for me with a vengeance, and in the past year I've had much worse skin without anything else changing in my routine.

Currently, when I see a pimple (or feel one coming on), I succumb to the urge to squeeze it and get the gunk out. I then absently (compulsively) pick at the scabs and (surprise!) am left with scarring and hyperpigmentation.

Obviously I would like to kick this habit, but I'm genuinely stumped how one is supposed to treat a pimple without popping it. Any advice?

So, I recently finally got a dermatologist appointment after years of my mom making me use "natural things" for my acne and only having it worsen. I've been taking tretinoin for about a week, and specifically told not to use anything else. My mom wants to me to use pure tea tree oil, and reasoning does not help. She says the medicine hasn't worked, even though I've only been using it a week. I have very sensitive skin and I know this will irritate it, but it looks like there's no going around it. Does anyone know what I can do to help calm the effects, or counteract it?

Be aware of any of the unknown skincare brands you see at malls. They come in different names but I have seen orogold in my city’s mall before. They are all run by the Mazal Group based in LA. They target the elderly and scam them out of thousands.

Do NOT give them any financial info or buy from them. The link is a reel from NPR’s investigation team.

SORRY I literally don’t know what tag to use for this

It’s way more red then it looks in the first pic.

I’ve had this red, scaly patch under my nose on ONE side for weeks now and it’s driving me insane. It’s dry, rough, and constantly red. It doesn’t seem to go away and occasionally it feels a little irritated, but most of the time I don’t even notice it unless I look in the mirror or take pictures.

I tried looking it up and seborrheic dermatitis seems like the closest match, but mine doesn’t really flake that much (at least not that I’ve noticed).

Has anyone experienced something similar? What ended up helping you? I’m planning to get it checked out if it doesn’t improve, but I’d love to hear if anyone has dealt with something like this!

Bonus question: Does anyone have advice for getting rid of smile lines at 24? 🫠 I feel like mine have become more noticeable since losing weight in my face.

For some reason when I use the tallow cream my mom bought and claims works great as a lotion and face moisturizer it heavily doesn’t work. I forgot the name but I hve something that cause red bumps (kinda like pimples) on my arms and thighs, but when I put lotion on it overtime it goes away and when I stop they come back. I’ve been using this tallow cream for about 2 years now and it’s never helped with those at all and the bigger issue I’ve been seeing is that, when I use it as a face moisturizer it basically sits on top of my face and just makes my skin hella oily. I then proceed to get really bad painful acne like in the photos shown. I thought why not try the new lotion I bought instead since rn I don’t have money for face moisturizer and they can be high in price. I’ve noticed a few things with the lotion, it’s gotten ride of the bumps in 2 days but where the bumps are my skin is acting like it’s been in a drought since 1980, it seems to be the same thing with my face. I put a little on my face and it literally sucked it up like a vampire so I put a little more (I was unsure of how much to add) I’ve already noticed a difference in my face my skin doesn’t look oily kind of shiny but look more hydrated kind of shiny if that makes sense (the selfies where taken just now after I had put the lotion on) I’m confused as to why the lotion work better then the cream? (I’m autistic so if this is a simple or stupid question please let me know)

My (18m) family suffers from skin issues, so I had to take care of my skin since I was 12 to fight off acne. After a long time, I think I’ve nearly got the perfect skincare routine. However, my biggest issue has been the sebaceous filaments present on my nose and chin. Though I use many actives, they tend to be very persistent, except for days when I use my exfoliating cleanser. I’m also struggling to get truly radiant and glowy skin, though I know that goal is more unrealistic? Is there anything I should be doing to solve my two issues? Below is my type of skin and my skincare routine:

Skin Type: Combination
1. Cerave Renewing SA Cleanser
(Replaced by Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser every 3 days)
2. Medicube Zero Pore Pads
3. Cerave Acne Control Gel (on nose, chin, and pimples)
4. Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid
5. Good Molecules Niacinamide
6. La Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer + UV

Acne’s been a consistent part of my life since i was 13. In the past few years i’ve realized there’s definitely a hormonal element, though i breakout consistently throughout the month, it gets worse right before my period. I feel like i’ve tried everything—benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, benzomycin, spironolactone, azaleic acid, clindamycin, doxycycline, tretinoin. I think spiro helps somewhat, but i still didn’t have “clear skin”. My acne is worse than ever (at the worst time in my cycle) and im thinking of starting a low-dose of accutane. Would this help? Any advice welcome :,)

I used to work in a research lab and we used tin foil to protect photosensitive reagents, so I figured why not add another layer of light protection to my vitamin C?

Not sure if this will do much to extend the shelf life beyond being in an amber vial and stored in a dark cabinet, but it reminds me of all the time spent doing cool science so at least there's that.

Maybe someday I will order duplicate vit C serums and treat them the exact same way except with one in foil, and then observe any visual differences in oxidation over time. I'll have to report back since I'd need to repeat the experiment at least 3 times to have useful data.

I know that with retinoids, there is a purge period but at this point I think it’s just giving me dermatitis. I specifically chose to start with adapalene to treat my acne and I’ve been using it once a week but I’m consistently getting inflamed pustules about a day after I use the differin at night. I use moisturizer that has barrier support and make sure to keep well moisturized. I occasionally use other actives like a mild salicylic acid/ mandelic acid toner or a vitamin c and I don’t break out after use them. Do we think that my face is just too sensitive for retinoids or should I switch products? I have a 0.05% retinal that I was thinking of switching to but I am just not confident it’s the right choice.

my skin has never been like this, i always had clear skin but all of the sudden my skin ended up like this, my cheek area has so much of these bumps and red bumps, redness that wont go away.

My routine:
AM:
la roche posay gentle cleanser toleraine (not foam)
la roche posay uv spf 30 moisturizer toleraine (not foam)
i use makeup after; but for makeup i only use a concealer to cover my face. i dont use a expired concealer too faced ethereal light, but i am using some old blush, maybe 2 years old at max. But it shouldn’t cause this right? I do not prep or layer my skin before makeup, I just use the cleanser, moisturize.. and then i think i’m good. No primer, nothing, And i use a little bit older setting powder maybe like 8 months old, with a cotton pad. Sometimes my makeup ends up looking flaky, or feels rough to spread the concealer under my eyes.
*Anyways.. 8 hours later*

PM:
Madagascar skin1004 cleansing oil
gentle toleraine cleanser la roche posay (it kind of stings after this part)

then adapalene (Brand: differin) IDK IF THIS IS THE ROOT CAUSE

i’m putting on moisturizer before adapalene is this supposed to happen because its never been this bad. Even when i stopped the adapalene for a week it still also stings when i put gentle cleanser, Should i switch products ? what should i do instead,
PLEASE HELP

i cannot afford to see a dermatologist and wait for an appointment :(
everyday, then i apply makeup. i use two faced concealer, i absolutely use no makeup brushes. I wash my hands and do my makeup with only my hands. i’m never out in the sun as well, or “sweat”. I also do wash my bedsheets every 2 weeks, I don’t think my hair is causing this because i don’t have forehead bumps. The right side of my cheek is very bad. My left is starting to show up looking similar , if i don’t fix this i’m afraid it’s going to get worse for my left and ill end up looking very bad before my birthday. :( I WANT MY CLEAR SKIN AGAIN.
When i use the gentle la roche cleanser it just stings.
No matter what it just seems like the red bumps, even the flat ones dont go away. Its so stubborn and Do i have a destroyed barrier? Please help me i never had this in my entire life. I need my clear skin back. :( It makes me feel so insecure and caused me to cry. What can fix this asap?? please help :(

Been dealing with this for a good amount of my life and have been so self-conscious of myself cause of it.

I use cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Any advice on what I should actually do to clear it up :/ I am just so lost at this point.

Hello! I have stubborn hyperpigmentation (PIH and PIE) on my back and would love to know what helped clear your hyperpigmentation. I have used Tretinoin and azelaic acid, but wonder if there is a serum or other OTC product that people swear by?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi all! I have the same problem every year of my skin getting sooo upset with me after I finally nailed down a great routine just because it's gotten a little colder. My skin is generally combo and loves products like Byoma's balancing mist and milky toner, the IUNIK betaglucan serum, and I've been through at least 5 bottles of Cocokind's electrolyte moisturizer. However, this moisturizer just isn't cutting it - I'm looking for something more moisturizing without breaking me out. Some products I found hydrating but broke me out (I think my skin hates rich products): LRP Cicaplast, Aestura Atobarrier cream, Naturium Barrier Bounce serum. I've tried the Cetaphil daily moisturizing lotion but it was too lightweight and dried out my skin. I'm currently using the Naturium peptide moisturizer - it's good and I can tolerate it, but I still feel a bit dry. I was thinking of trying Dieux's Instant Angel or Rhode's barrier bounce but worried about the richness. I'm flexible on budget and brand, but am in Canada so may be slightly limited. Thanks in advance! <3

Products/methods/recommendations for prominent under eye wrinkles. They’re so bad and I’m so self conscious, happened recently and so noticeable even under makeup! Willing to try anything at this point.

Sorry if this has been posted already, but I felt I needed to try and share. Be careful everybody!! This sh!t is so scary!
https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/s/dR36PjLgRI

my doctor prescribed me tacrolimus ointment and i’ve used it for a quite a while but i never noticed any changes so i started getting off it and it’s been 4-5 days and im starting to break out bad and is this like that whole steroid withdrawal thing and also is tacrolimus worth getting off she also gave me something new called pimecrolomus cream but idk if it’s just same avenue

Not gonna lie and honeslty sharing the review... i am using this eye refining matrix from last 1 month and you wont believe me guys results are amazing i suggested this to my 3-4 friends and each and everyone liked it nd there were definely improvement in dark circles..
according to me nd my friends worth trying this product.

Hey everyone, I’m 19M and I’ve been dealing with a skin issue at both corners of my mouth for a while now. I’m wondering if anyone has experienced something similar.

It initially started as just dryness, with no pigmentation changes at all. Every time I washed my face, the corners of my mouth would become dry, and whenever I moved my mouth, like talking, smiling or opening it wide, the skin would turn whitish, develop tiny cracks and become a little flaky. There wasn’t really any itching, pain or redness.

Whenever this happened, I would usually just wet my fingers and gently pat some water onto the dry areas, which would temporarily make the whiteness less noticeable. However, after some time, I started noticing small white patches forming at the corners of my mouth. At first, I didn’t really pay much attention to them because they were quite small, but over time, the patches gradually became larger and much more noticeable.

I initially tried applying Vaseline, hoping it would help with the dryness and the white patches, but the discoloration didn’t seem to improve. Eventually, I decided to visit a dermatologist, who prescribed Dermatop and Protopic. I’ve also been using La Roche-Posay moisturisers to help repair my skin barrier.

I also wondered whether my toothpaste might have contributed to the initial irritation, since it regularly comes into contact with the corners of my mouth. I’m not sure if it actually played a role, though.

The thing is, the dryness, cracking and flakiness have now completely disappeared. The skin feels smooth and normal again, just like the surrounding skin, but the white patches are still there and are noticeably lighter than my normal skin tone.

I’ve been reading about pityriasis alba and post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, and I’m wondering whether either of these could explain what’s happening, especially since everything started with dryness and irritation.

Has anyone experienced something similar, particularly around the corners of the mouth? Did the pigmentation eventually return to normal? How long did it take, and was there anything that helped?

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks!

Help! I (22F) feel like I’ve tried almost everything to get rid of this large closed comedone (circled in green) and I don’t know what to do. I desperately want it off my face but no products that I’ve tried seem to work!

I’ve tried clindoxyl (prescription acne medication with antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide), over the counter benzoyl peroxide treatments, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, sulfer powder and beta hydroxide acid. It seems to be resisting all of these products.

My regular pimples that aren’t closed comedones are never this persistent, and usually disappear within a week or two. I’ve had this one for a few months.

Help!

​

Hey everyone!

I've uploaded three different photos of myself, and I'd really appreciate your honest advice.

The first photo, where I'm wearing a green-and-black shirt, was taken today. I tried to improve my appearance a little by adjusting my beard and shaping it. The second photo, where I'm wearing a grey shirt, was taken yesterday, and the third photo, where I'm wearing a coat, was taken three days ago. I shared three different pictures because the lighting wasn't very good at night, and I wanted you to get a better idea of what I actually look like. My natural skin tone is brown.

I'm 21 years old, but when I asked ChatGPT to guess my age based on my pictures, it estimated that I was 26. Honestly, that made me wonder whether I look older than my actual age, so I'd appreciate some constructive advice on how to improve my overall appearance.

Here's the thing: I've never followed a skincare routine in my entire life. I simply wash my face with ordinary soap. I've never regularly used a face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, or any other skincare product.

Now that I've moved abroad as an international student, I want to start taking better care of myself and improve my overall appearance. However, I'm a complete beginner, and I don't know where to start.

I'd be extremely grateful if you could give me a complete, step-by-step skincare and grooming guide, including:

- Skincare products: Specific product names that are effective, reliable, and reasonably affordable. I don't want to waste money on unnecessary products, but I also don't want to compromise on quality just to save a few euros.

- Daily routine: What should I use in the morning and at night? In what order should I apply the products, how much should I use, and how often?

- Skin concerns: Based on my pictures, what aspects of my skin should I focus on improving? I'd like to achieve healthier, clearer, and better-maintained skin while keeping my natural brown skin tone.

- Haircut advice: I'm getting a haircut tomorrow, so what hairstyle would suit my face shape, hair, and overall appearance? Please suggest a specific haircut that I can show my barber.

- Beard and grooming: What beard style, facial hair shape, and general grooming habits would help me look neater and more mature in a positive way?

- Overall appearance: What practical changes could I make to improve my personality, confidence, style, and overall presentation?

I'm currently living in Austria, so recommendations for products available in Austrian drugstores, such as dm or BIPA, would be especially helpful. I'd appreciate specific product names and approximate prices so I can build a good routine within a reasonable budget.

Please remember that I'm starting from absolute zero when it comes to skincare. I'd appreciate explanations in simple language, without assuming that I already know anything about the subject.

I'm not looking for unrealistic beauty standards or a completely different face. I simply want to look healthier, cleaner, more confident, and well-groomed.

Thank you so much to everyone who takes the time to help me. I genuinely appreciate honest, practical advice, especially from people who have experience with skincare, men's grooming, and improving their appearance.

I’m 26F, looking for a basic skincare routine. I’ve always had decently good skin and I’ve never done much to it, but I feel like I’m at the point where I understand the importance of skincare and I’m not sure where to start!

My current routine is basically wash my face in the shower (I use the creme shop double cleanse), then rinse with cold water, and put on moisturizer afterwards (I use nivea). If my eyes are feeling extra lifeless or dark or I want to feel good about myself I’ll do some under eye patches (not sure of the brand, I got them at Marshall’s) and if I have a pimple I’ll do a pimple patch on it. That’s basically all I do!

My skin borders on oily, I get a lot of oil on the sides of my nose and sometimes a bit right between my eyebrows, but other than that the rest of my face isn’t dry or oily. I don’t really get acne, sometimes I’ll get singular pimples on my cheeks or nose but I’ve never gotten breakouts of acne. I also don’t regularly wear makeup. I don’t wear foundation or concealer at all, so when I do wear makeup it’ll normally be mascara, highlighter, blush, lipstick, and setting powder!

I just want a pretty basic routine to start out with! I‘m willing to spend some money if it’s worth it, but I would like to stay on the cheaper side. If yall could let me know what products I should be using and what order I should be using them in, as well as if there’s anything wrong with my current routine, that would be awesome! Thanks 😀

I used to live in the US, and I found that the Purito 10% Bamboo Panthenol cream is best suited for me, especially since I use Tazarotene.

However it feels prohibitively expensive in India now that I moved, and I want to attempt a similar type of formulation and dosage of actives/soothing ingredients.

I’m thinking of layering the following items in order after cleansing:

1) 5% Niacinamide serum

2) Minimalist’s 10% Panthenol cream

3) few drops of 100% Squalene Oil dabbed on top

The reason I want to do this is because while Minimalist is amazing at their formulation, their moisturizer lacks niacinamide and squalene oil… so just wondering if this can be a good workaround for what I’m seeking.

I did an ingredient by ingredient analysis and I’m still missing out on cica - which my skin has LOVED every time it’s irritated. Although, I’m still willing to buy Skin1004 centella ampoule and apply it as needed.

Just wondering if people have done something similar in terms of swapping things here and there to get the right combinations of actives/moisturizers/humectants/soothing ingredients.

I've heard it works for sebaceous filaments and dandruff?? is that true? is it too harsh for the face to use as a toner?