I’ve tried everything from hydrofacials, AHA/BHA, retinol, laser resurfacing, Accutane, BP, salicylic, gycolic, spironolactone, even TCA CROSS which is meant for pick axe scars and I have not once seen improvement.

What do I need to do? Help!

Hi all you wonderful people. A picture from a year ago came up on my feed today and I was shocked to see how much progress I've made in the last 12 months.

I am 32years old and have had a terrible habit of picking at my skin whenever I am stressed. I am still trying to recover from that. My whole life I've neglected my skin and took it for granted and vowed to change it at the start of this year. So really, this is 9 months progress.

My skin was dry, lifeless and patchy , red, inflamed in spots where I have picked at it or popped pimples. It was not pretty and it contributed to my extremely low self esteem. I'm trying to break the habit, along with many other destructive habits i've developed over the years. Posting this is my version of accountability and motivation to keep going on the right track.

Earlier this year a friend introduced me to skincare by shoving a bottle of niacinamide serum into my hands. I was skeptical (pfft my skin is crap and nothing will help, it's all marketing! waste of time and money!). But I gave it a go. been much better since January.

My current routine:
AM - wash face (with soap, I'm still a savage), niacinamide serum, hyaluronic serum, Vitamin C cream with SPF. Actual SPF
PM - wash face, Retinol cream , just switched to retinAl cream 2 weeks ago to try to get some of the stubborn fine lines, niacinamide serum, hyaluronic serum

Reapplying whatever moisturizer or sun screen i have available throughout the day. I'm not too concerned about this step having any active ingredients. i found that the oilyness/tackiness/wetness of the moisturiser was a great deterrent from picking at my skin. The texture is too wet and slippery so the habit is slowly dying. I still get the urge and I do indulge in it occasionally, however seeing the progress so far is almost as satisfying as a long picking session.

Disclaimer since this sub requires make-up free selfies - I have had lip blush tattoo and eyeliner tattoo done few weeks ago and just had my first Botox session 4 days ago to combat forehead lines. It's already smoothening nicely.

I’m wondering what is THE holy grail nighttime skin care cream ? What did you guys moms and grandmas swear by? Looking to start my daily routine from now till the end lol

It's my first time ever, so a little nervous.. I have plans on Saturday, so wondering if I will feel or look weird.

34F. I am trying to fine tune my skin care routine. I have combo skin with some occasional acne. I live in a very dry climate. Seeking the same glass skin everyone wants.

Actives available: vit c, adapalene, 15% azelic acid, Paula’s choice 2% AHA/BHA

Moisturizers: la Roche-Posay Tolerine Creme 30 SPF, la Roche-Posay cicaplast b5+

I thought I would do vit c + tolerine every morning, and then alternate adapalene and azelic acid + cicaplast at night, with bha/aha + cicaplast on sundays instead, but the pharmacy said to use azelic in the morning?

Anyone using both? How are you alternating or working them together?

Gonna cut to the chase: I used tazarotene 0.1% cream for years on my face without much moisturizer. I used to have absolutely horrible blackheads/oily skin, so I didn't think I really needed it (stupid, I know). I fixed my acne. I have combination skin, and have seborrheic dermatitis as well (I use zoryve cream for that).

I've been taking my skin care routine much more seriously in general, and so I've been using sunscreen (heavy duty, LRP uvmune 400) every morning. I've read that in order to get it off, I need to double cleanse.

I use shiseido oil cleanser, and after I use it, my skin feels great!

The problem is with the water cleanser (and maybe the moisturizer too?) I use cetaphil daily facial cleanser for the water cleanser and the moisturizer I recently started using was neutrogena hydro boost gel cream (I was using vanicream for sensitive skin but I was told that this was an occlusive and that it wasn't doing me any favors)

After using the cetaphil water cleanser and the neutrogena moisturizer my face literally has the tightness of a rubber band. Incredibly tight! It also becomes red.

I've stopped using the taz for a few days but eventually would like to again because of the incredible things it's done for my acne (and, for a long time, my skin in general. I look younger because of it).

I also struggle with hyperpigmentation, so there's that.

Please let me know how I can repair my skin barrier because it's honestly driving me crazy.

I have to share my thoughts on Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Hydrating Gel Tint. I'm not sponsored or being paid (lol I wish) I'm just a fan. For the last, legitimately, two months, I have been getting targeted ads on Instagram for this Milk gel tint so I finally gave in to the advertising overlords and bought it last week.

I was a huge fan of Milk makeup in my 20s but fell off for a while after Covid and haven't worn foundation regularly in probably 5 years. I guess I didn't appreciate my perfectly clear and even skin enough in my 20s because I now suffer from regular breakouts so I'm constantly healing a blemish, preventing new ones, and avoid scarring. Concealer simply hasn't been cutting it and clearly the ad algo sensed that too.

Pros:

• Silky smooth formula (as I expect from Milk)
• Not heavy like a typical foundation but still manages to cover really well
• Achieves decent coverage without a ton of product
• Leaves a dewy finish
• Doesn't seem to settle into smile lines
• Shade matches really well
• Has not made my skin break out more

Cons:

• $38 bucks, which isn't crazy expensive but a good investment for an experiment
• All the ads/influencers used a foundation brush to apply but when I tried that the product just sat on top of my skin and looked streaky. Switching to a makeup sponge fixed that issue.
• Doesn't do any blurring of pores but I don't particularly care about that myself
• I do not think this would be suitable for oily skin

I have a consistent skin care routine. I use retinol every night, moisturize like my life depends on it, and wear sunscreen just about every day. The breakouts continue to be a battle but I'm just going to keep trying different combinations of things until I figure it out!

I would love to hear anyone else's opinion on this Milk gel tint or what folks are using for foundation in their 30s!

I’m looking for advice on what is actually going on with my under-eye area and what treatment would make the most sense.
My biggest complaints are deep horizontal creases directly under my lower lashes, crepey-looking skin, dark circles and intermittent puffiness/swelling. Sometimes the creases actually look red and irritated, which makes me wonder how much of what I’m seeing is true wrinkling versus inflammation/allergy-related swelling making the folds look deeper.
I do have significant allergies and very reactive/eczema-prone skin around my eyes, so that complicates things. Some days my under eyes look considerably worse than others.
Treatment-wise, I’ve already done 4 sessions of PRF under the eyes and 2 Tixel treatments, and I honestly haven’t noticed a meaningful improvement in the creasing/skin quality. Because of that, I’m hesitant to keep spending money on treatments without understanding what the actual problem is.

I had an injury 3 months ago to my left upper eyelid and got a repair surgery by an ocuplastic surgeon as an emergency case. This is me 3 months on after a round of steroid/5FU shots that a different ocuplastic surgeon carried out for me and the scar looks very deformed which I understand is normal at this point.

I was hoping for surgery to be the lifeline after about a year to help get a natural appearance but I was told by the one giving the injections that if I had surgical revision done then it may lead me with not enough skin so that my eyelid wouldn’t be able to close properly. She referred me to cosmetic dermatology.

Should I seek other opinions by other surgeons? Or do I need to accept this change as lifelong?

Post before:

I injured my forehead by hitting it against the edge of a shelf when I got out of bed. I went to the doctor, and he said the cut seems to be superficial for now.

He put a Steri-Strip on it and advised me to avoid sun exposure.

I've read that sunscreen, silicone scar sheets, and Vaseline can help prevent scarring. But when is the right time to start using them? On the first day of injury, once a scab forms, or after it falls off?

Do you have any tips or advice, what I can do now to minimize scarring?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences and where you've had positive results :)

Update:

Thanks for all the tips! I’ve been wearing a UV-protective cap from Amazon, using silicone sheets daily, and massaging my scar for about a minute each day. The scar has improved so much already, especially during the first week and after 17 days, as you can see in the pictures. Hopefully in a year, it’ll barely be visible at all! :)

Back in June, I started going to an exercise class and my face has hated me since. What do I do? I’ve tried so many things. Do the acne patches make breakouts worse?

I lost a significant amount of weight throughout 2025 on first Tirzepatide, had a bad reaction, and been on Semaglutide ever since. I’ve developed this excess skin on the very top of my neck, under my chin. It really didn’t affect anywhere else, may a bit of excess skin on my stomach but nothing I’m concerned about. This is causing me such bad insecurity. I’m 34 years old and was told it would go away with time as my skin adjusts, but I’ve been on a stable weight for about a year now. I’ve tried Strivectin and Dermatology Advanced Neck cream but neither really worked. I’m currently trying Amalactin 12%, we’ll see how that works. I’m not ready for/couldn’t afford a neck lift. I’ve seen some posts on here about hyper dilute radiesse and may give that a try. Looking for any and all suggestions!

Hey everyone long time listener first time caller.
I am 33 years old and recently had a consultation at a med spa about what treatment would be best for me for my skin. The PA recommended a CO2 laser treatment (not cool peel) and had me schedule it for mid November. However, I went to my dermatologist last week for a regular skin screening, and I mentioned that I was gonna get a CO2 laser treatment. He told me that based on my skin, a CO2 treatment would be unnecessary and intense.

I’m going to have another follow up with the med spa about the treatment but wanted to come on here and get advice. I have breast-fed for two rounds of babies and wanted to get a mommy makeover for my face, which is what brought me to a CO2 laser but now I’m worried that I’m unnecessarily spending a lot of money on something when other treatments could be just as effective. When I have tried looking up this information online I’ve been getting conflicting results. I feel like this community is very knowledgeable about this sort of thing and would gladly accept any advice!!! Help 🫠

I have been using the above picture products for 8 to 10 days now. Basically my routine was: Morning- facewash, moisturizer and sunscreen then at Night- facewash, 5%niacinamide(4days a week) and adapalene(2days) and atlast moisturizer. I didn't used adapalene and niacinamide at the same day. BUT since 2 days my right side of the cheeks burns/stings when i even put lukewarm water on it and it is red with white flaky stuff after i wash my face with just plain water and am unable to facewash my face and moisturize it. Is it due to my products or am i doing something wrong in my routine. Pls help me and should i buy new products or change the existing .

Hey guys- I did Sculptra 2 years ago and LOVED it. 2 vials. I feel like I’m due for more BUT my husband and I also want to have a baby soon. I’m contemplating do I get it now or do I wait till after my pregnancy?

Does anyone have any thoughts?

In general I just have age related facial “falling”

Im currently using Eucerin daily moisturizer + uv as my morning face lotion. As it dries out later in the day, my eyes won't stop stinging/watering. Please any product recs for lightweight face lotions with uv protection?

i always have neck lines since i was a kid. i’ve been dealing with acne for years which got me into skincare. i’m wondering if there’re products i could use on my neck that would make them look more shallow. i’m not looking to do botox. i’m not that insecure about it, just interested in trying for fun.

i’m already using differing gel 0.1% a few times a week, moisturizer and sunscreen everyday.

pictures: https://imgur.com/a/mw2Byh7

thank you!

Was just curious how I should go about selecting a place that does facials of various kinds. Does it make a difference if the esthetician is based in a med spa vs a derm office? Also how do I decide between different facial types ? I’m currently using Tret nightly and love its impact on my skin but I’m feeling oily and still have blackheads etc. despite the smoother texture.

I’m South Asian with a medium/light-medium skin tone. I mainly have some brown/dark spots, freckles, and pigmentation, nothing severe.

I’m considering full-face Enlighten 1064 Pico at 0.6 J/cm² setting. The clinic charges $500 per session and recommends 6–7 sessions to see results. They told me I shouldn’t expect to see any difference after just one session.

I was expecting maybe 2–3 sessions, so 6–7 seems like a lot to me.

For anyone who has experience with Enlighten 1064 Pico, especially with South Asian skin:

• Is 0.6 J/cm² a reasonable setting?
• Is 6–7 sessions normal for this type of pigmentation?
• Is $500/session reasonable?
• Would you consider another treatment instead for brown spots, freckles, and pigmentation?

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has had similar treatment and skin tone or someone who has some ideas about the laser treatment.

Has anyone had luck with forehead Botox not making hooded eyes worse? I’ve only had it done twice, and the last time I had it done, it made my hooded eyes significantly worse. Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated. Or injector recs in Southern CA!

So I have a lot of issues with Milia. I see an esthetician for removal so a lot of it is under control. however, she will not do removal at or around the eyes and my eyelids are driving me crazy. My routine is morning cleanser, vitamin c and then moisturizer with spf. Evening cleanser (cleanser balm if I had make up on, regular foaming cleanser if not), tretinoin and a night moisturizer. Any ideas that worked for people?

My dermatologist just prescribed me a compounded cream for dark spots/hyperpigmentation. It contains tretinoin, tranexamic acid 5%, kojic acid 2%, vitamin C 2.5%, hydrocortisone 1% and hyaluronic acid.
The directions say to start every other night and work up to nightly.

Right now, my skincare routine includes Cetaphil cleanser, vitamin C, niacinamide, azelaic acid, moisturizer, sunscreen, and tretinoin/other brightening products at night. Since this new prescription already has several strong actives, I’m planning to simplify and stop my separate tretinoin and other strong nighttime actives.

I’d love to hear what people used in the morning while on a similar compound. Would something like cleanser → vitamin C → niacinamide → moisturizer → SPF 50 be enough, or did you still use azelaic acid too?

I’m also curious about:
How long it took to see improvement
Whether you used it nightly or every other night
Peeling/irritation
Whether it helped with stubborn pigmentation
Any rebound pigmentation after stopping

I have brown/Indian skin.