Hi everyone! I don’t usually post photos of myself publicly, but I wanted to share what helped me in my battle with acne.
I struggled with acne for 12 years.
When I was 19, I started taking Accutane for six months, but I had to stop because it was negatively affecting my health. It helped and my acne stayed mostly clear for two years. Unfortunately, it came back.
Eventually, I found one skincare brand that made a huge difference for me, and my acne has barely appeared since!
My skin is both oily and dry, and it’s prone to breakouts. Here’s my current routine:

Morning routine 1. Forlle’d Hyalogy P effect Wash   2. Disposable face towel   3. Evian Facial Spray   4. ISNTREE Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel.

Evening routine 1. Forlle’d Hyalogy P effect Wash. 2. Forlle’d Hyalogy AC Clear Essence 3. Forlle’d Hyalogy AC Clear Cream

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?

(This is just my opinion and my opinion only! Do not be offended if this does not apply to you!)

I see so many influencers and people recommending luxury items that cost hundreds of dollars or close to a hundred dollars for a small jar of 50ml face cream. I truly believe that for the overwhelming majority of people, you can make a suitable, multi-step routine with relatively affordable products that are perfectly safe for your skin!!

When I was just starting to take care of my skin, I was extremely overwhelmed because the thought of shelling out a hundred dollars for a tiny jar of face moisturizer repeatedly did not make me happy, let alone the other products like toners and serums sunscreens.

These days, there's so many relatively affordable products (even though it is getting increasingly expensive), like Neutrogena face washes, a ton of stuff from Cerave, Cetapil, and even other drugstore brands like Garnier and e.l.f. are coming out with fragrance free, gentle options. The Ordinary is especially good too, because they have so many affordable options.

This is with the caveat that i say relatively affordable because I still think that 20 dollars for a sunscreen is kind of a lot, but it's not like luxury levels of prices where you need to sell a kidney or something.

Currently, I can use a multistep routine with a hydrating toner, serums for targeted skin concerns, moisturizers, and also cleansers like oils and micellar waters and foaming face washes. Nothing I use is particularly expensive and it comes in large sizes so it lasts quite a while too. Everything I use is from the drugstore.

All in all, I genuinely believe that expensive skincare is a huge marketing ploy, and you don't need to pay those prices if you don't want to! This next sentence is not meant to sound judgemental, but a lot of expensive things have got to be deinfluenced because those prices are ridiculous, IMO!!

Do you think that most people can make a perfectly good routine with relatively affordable stuff?

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.

Hi everyone I’ve been trying a bunch of popular skin care (specifically korean ones) — beauty of joseon green plum, roundlab dokdo lotion, etc (but I am using it in the shower but I feel like that the only time I can uses it bc I feel like school makes my put off everything else) but I feel like they aren’t really doing anything or there is some problem with it reacting to my skin they start to sting (moisturized - round lab dokdo lotion but only when my skin get pretty dry and that’s when it’s winter/im in the pool - I play waterpolo) or dry my skin out (bc cleanser - beauty of joseon green plum) or my skin gets puffy (salicylic acid the ordinary). I’m trying to find a good skincare routine to clear up some blackheads (on my chin and nose) and prevent/clear up pimples when they show up.

As of rn the only thing i feel like works is the etude 2x intensive barrier cream but i want smth for regular wear when my skin isnt like dying and the murad rapid relied spot treatment

Im looking for a cleaner, toner, mask, moisturizer for everyday wear, sunscreen, smth to treat/prevent hairline acne, make dark circles go away cream (might be bc not much sleep and h20 lol 😭) and other recommendation (korean and non korean!!!)

Also looking for tips for my skin, also idk even if my skin is combo cuz sometimes I get super dry skin (under my chin and forehead) so I might have dry skin but I feel like bc get acne on my nose (feels slightly oily) chin and and hairline.

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.

I have struggled with this level of acne since early teens (now 27) and it felt like it got worse as an adult.
I have tried trentanoins but they also made my skin very greasy. Spirolactone helped but also had intense side effects so I stopped it. Km debating acutane but wondering if a change in routine could help.
My current skin feels very dry after moisturizer even while being oily in some spots so I keep my routine minimal: PM only CeraVe daily facial cleanser and CeraVe nighttime moisturizer (also recently Vanicream daily facial moisturizer)
Any ideas would be so appreciated. Sooo many white heads lately.

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)

To preface, I am not very well versed with skincare. I just recently started actually caring and it’s been rough trying to learn everything.

I basically messed up my skin barrier about a month and a half ago by using PanOxyl 4% benzoyl peroxide without a moisturizer because I was under the impression that I was going to fix my routine and start from square one again (trashing everything and starting with a cleanser, unaware that that is an AWFUL idea with benzoyl peroxide).

I stopped it completely because I was obviously destroying my barrier (tightness, redness, itchiness, dryness) but that left me screwed without a routine because everything I tried in the past makes my skin SO dry and flaky. That’s originally why I tried to get a new routine because I was sick of the drying and breaking out on top of that. I’m still breaking out and only washing with water at the moment because that’s mostly what my skin can tolerate.

I started using the Neutrogena hydro boost moisturizer to try and “rebuild” a routine and that’s drying me out now too. Probably also not a great decision. I just don’t understand what is causing everything I choose to be so drying! I tried leaving my skin slightly damp before putting the moisturizer on and it helps a little but not a lot. My skin is also super itchy where I’m breaking out on my chin/jawline, which makes me wonder if fungal acne could be at play as well. My chin in general is the place where the worst of it is happening. Sometimes it even hurts to move the skin down there or touch it.

I’m trying to book with a derm but it’s hard to find one that’s not booked until next year. Any guidance on how to fix my skin barrier in the meantime?

Hi everyone. I've been struggling with my skin for a while, I had some acne and started tret 0.025% in july. I use that every other day. Since then my acne has cleared up, but coming into winter now I've noticed this surge of skin texture and bumps all over my face. I thought maybe it was fungal acne and I tried nizoral shampoo about 3 days ago (no other actives that night). The next day my skin was tight and got extremely dry, flaky and irritated. Water was stinging. I stopped using all my actives since.

I haven't changed anything in my routine recently.

Does this look like fungal acne? Or has the tret been slowly damaging my skin barrier and I need a bit of extra moisture?

Any help is appreciated 😮‍💨 Trying to fix my skin has been a long journey.

Routine in photos

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 :(

Sunscreen for oily skin

My skin is oily but barrier compromised. Any sunscreen i try leaves my face dripping with oil within an hour. The only thing I can do in the morning is washing my face with water. Apply any moisturizer or even serum leaves my face oily within a couple of hours, let alone sunscreen. It does that within minutes.

Is there an oily, dehydrated skin sunscreen that will not leave my face looking like it could fried chicken on it.

Stress breakouts

I always only breakout when I’m stressed and I’m stressed all the time during school, which is most of the year. Does anyone have any ways to lower cortisol, like mediation routines.

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.

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

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!

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!

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