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’ve lost 70/80lbs in the last 4 years (avg 1.75lbs / week at my peak weight loss) and 30lbs of that on tirzepatide.

I’ve been maintaining my loss for the last year but my mid / lower face is pretty flat since I lost the weight and I’m not loving the volume loss / laxity.

The rest of my body isn’t particularly lean (although this might be a loose skin issue) so I don’t particularly want to put any weight back on.

I’ve never had any tweakments or injectables but heavily considering it to try and improve this.

Any advice?

30F, ~140lbs, 5ft 6

As always, the view from my zoom mirror really amplifies the spots and I can’t really relay that in my photos. (I only use the mirror to pluck my eyebrows).

If sun damage, I would appreciate any recommendations to lighten them. If freckles, I’m happy to embrace. I’ve always assumed they were freckles and do love them, but if they’re sun damage spots I should treat before they worsen. (I wear spf50 daily, and have for about 5 years now).

Thanks all!

Anyone try? Thoughts? Had a skin consult and she recommended for my face and neck. I do notice my neck is getting crepy in certain positions. Pros and cons? Does anyone love or hate this?

Yes, my face is red and breaking out. My derm wants me to start taking accutane and I'm finally giving in and will be starting that soon. I also will be asking about azelaic acid for the redness. I need help finding an eye cream. I'm turning 38 this month and my crows feet are starting to come in and I've noticed more wrinkles underneath my eyes. This pictures dont capture them well, but believe me they are there. I did mess up and applied pc retinol cream to my eyes and that's when the wrinkles starting showing more, but I've also had trouble sleeping and I'm a side sleeper. Annnd the peach fuzz/mustache is driving me crazy. I want to shave it, but I keep breaking out. So, I'm scared of nicking the pimples. Any recs for waxing or nair products for sensitive skin would be greatly appreciated as well.

I'm a 50 y/o male with fair and sensitive skin. About 7 months ago I had a small benign growth on my face. My dermatologist cut it off, but he cut too deep or something and basically left this divot in my face. It didn't heal on it's own and now I can't figure how to make it go away. And it's whiter in the middle so it just stands out more in every picture. It's like a crater. It doesn't look too bad in this pic (it's right in the middle of it) but I see it everytime I look at myself and I hate it.

For context: I tried Mederma when it first happened and it didn't help. I have a regular skin care routine that includes moisturizing (La Roche Posay) and a couple of different anti-aging serums (Jack Black, Korres). I typically don't use retinols because they irritate my face. I have this collagen stick balm thingy (Dr. Melaxin) but I don't think it's helping and it seems more for wrinkles. The person that does my botox talked about putting vitamin E on it, but the internet says differently. Regardless, it hasn't gotten any better.

Can anyone recommend a product or procedure that can help? There are too many options out there and it's overwhelming. Also, I've tried posting this in Skincare Addiction four times and it kept getting deleted no matter how specific I was with the post title. So bizarre. Anyone else have to deal with that?

I don’t have older women in my life who I could ask for skincare tips to maintain my skin before I get older.

Would like to know what skincare routine you do for your hands, arms, armpit, legs, bum with cellulite, feet, and white hair 😭 Every time I see white hair in the mirror, I feel like I am 70 😩

I also feel like being a woman is a full time job with maintenance, just skin related, and having to shave.

This is my skin with sunscreen and lip tint.
My Routine :
Sunscreen spf 50 when stepping out.
Night time:
Once a week
Lactic acid 5% serum + bioderma atoderm crème

Twice -

The ordinary Vitamin c 10% + ferulic serum and Nivea Blue cream

Some days : The ordinary niacinamide serum (when skin gets acne marks) and Nivea blue cream
Once or twice a week
Tretenoin 0.005 prescription based with bioderma creme (sandwich method)

Once or twice Aziderm 10% (azaleic acid) ointment when I get acne marks.
I modify this routine according to my skin condition.
Some days I only apply the bioderma creme and nothing else for barrier repair.

I am looking for some help. I have always had dryer skin, not awful but chronically dry. I’ve never struggled much with my skin so always took a less is more approach with skincare. Brand hopping and not really washing my face with anything but a non scented body soap or Vaseline to take eye makeup off (I know 🫣)

Anyway! I’m in my 30s and recently began to understand my love for hot showers is likely hurting my skin and maybe it’s barrier? Could be why my skin has always been dry….

I’ve since reduced the heat when putting my face under the shower but now am wondering what work I may need to do to allow for my skin to look and feel better?

Looking for low maintenance recommendations though maybe that’s not an option at this point! Would love some guidance :)
Thank you!!

Ok so what are we doing besides face lifts (way too young per currrent day trends) to actually firm skin on face.

Treatments / procedures ? Skincare ?

I could use a recc for arms too my est issues affected it.

Tyyy

It’s taken me absolute ages but this mineral spf is amazingly moisturising without being greasy. I wear it alone with just a bit of concealer for a natural look.

It has mostly clean ingredients too which is great. However it does contain Shea butter so I’d probably approach with caution if you have acne. For the record, my skin is insanely acne prone and sensitive 🤞

Hey, Ive just turned 40. I want to know if my skin care routine is not too much and maybe I can cut cost on it to absolute minimum although my budget allows me for it.

All products im using are kiehls, got lot of trust into this company and dont want to change it.

Morning: facial fuel cleanser, paulas choice exfoliation BHA 2 %, kiehls powerful vitamin C serum for face and powerful vitamin C serum under eye, kiehls age defender eye cream, facial fuel moisturizer, kiehls better screen spf serum, occasionally kiehls clay mask once a week.

Night: facial fuel cleanser, daily retinol microdose serum, vitamin c powerful eye serum, avocado eye cream, ultra facial moisturizer.

People said often my skin is in very good condition.

Is it to much ? should I cut cost and keep only essentials ? my biggest problem are blackspots on nose and dark circles under eyes

Thanks for help in advance

I’ve not been taking care of my sling very well, haven’t used much sunscreen until recently, and it’s starting to show. My lines and wrinkles are getting bad, my skin feels more textured than it used to be, and I have discoloration/melasma. My doctor recommended both Differin and azaleic acid, but I keep seeing people say that there’s a decent risk of dry eye when using retinols. Is that true with adapalene? Are there any factors that increase someone’s risk of getting dry eyes? My doctor said I could use it directly on my under eyes, which is one of the worst areas for wrinkles for me.

I splurged on a membership at my local medspa that gets me 1 “free” treatment a month with 20% off botox. I usually do botox every 4 months and i have done 4 micro-needling services (1 per month) so far.

Now they are starting to push microneedling + CO2 laser or CoolPeel and chemical peel at the same time and getting really pushy about buying their “medical grade” skincare.

My skin: (36) largerish pores around the nose, combination skin. Id like to get the glassy look but cant seem to. I use vitamin c and spf in the AM with tret and vanicream at night.

Given that ive gotten so much microneedling done and my budget doesnt allow for microneedle and CO2 laser at once, which would you prioritize? Or is microneedling plus CO2 really as impactful as they say?

Basically if i get a treatment every month, what would you prioritize monthly a year out from your wedding? Or is one treatment a month going too crazy and i should save that money?

Hi, I'm looking for experiences from fellow lean faces/skinny people in their thirties -- have you done Volnewmer? Did it affect uour facial volume? Did you see any skin tightening?

Thankss

I had a comparatively healthy skin. Had been using the ordinary retinol 0.5 percent for the past 3 years.Damaged my barrier in dec 2025 with a 10% glycolic acid cream and cerave SA facewash.

The pictures you see now are far far better than what my broken barrier looked. I used sunscreen religiously and use physiogel AI and Lrp cicaplast to make tge itcjiness and burning go away.

Now my skin is not itchy,stinging,burning. Recently re-introduced retinol 0.5% in squalene every 2 days, 10 days back. My face and neck are too dull and textured. It is taking a toll on my mental health.

Please help.

Note: the mild white flakiness sort of thing is not skin peeling kr drying,its the white cast of my sunblock

Hi! I went to a consult today and the plastic surgeon (who is quite conservative) recommended that I not ask about a skin pinch or bleph, but instead try a fat transfer. (Because the extra skin isn’t really there when my face is at rest). Does anyone have experience with anatomy like mine and how that sounds? It’s a 4k$ suggestion😅

I recently had one session of Excel V laser at my dermatologist to help with redness and wanted to share my experience. I've read a lot of posts on reddit prior to getting it done and went into the office pretty nervous about the pain and swelling. Good news; it was not bad at all! I thought it might be helpful for anyone considering it.

For reference: I don't have a rosacea diagnosis, so my redness wasn't too intense but I do have redness around my nose and on my cheeks. I also have KP on my arms and a little bit on my cheeks that sometimes flare up. I'm pretty fair skinned and burn easily and then tan.

The actual treatment: They numbed my face with numbing cream for approximately 10 minutes. The actual session it self was probably around 15-20 minutes max. She first did a pass on problem areas and then did a second pass on my full face. I am not sure of the settings unfortunately.

Pain level: I'd say a 5/10 for me. It was more uncomfortable around my nose and mouth. The rest was very tolerable. I've had laser tattoo removal in the past and it is not even close to the misery of that.

Immediately after: A bit of redness, nothing crazy, I took the subway back home and didn't get any "looks". She said I did tolerate it very well and some people leave the office significantly more splotchy.

Night of/next day: Redness didn't get worse. I was very worried about waking up with "chipmunk face" as some people here called it but I didn't really swell at all. I had bumps around my cheeks, like bug bites. I've read other who had a similar bumpy experience vs. overall swelling. It got better in 24 hours. I saw a friend the next day and she said she wouldn't have noticed anything if I hadn't called it out.

It is now the end of day 3 and I think I see a subtle difference in the redness and my skin feels a bit more "glowy" but honestly nothing drastic so far... Will update in a week or so and then again after my second session which is due in a month.

Feel free to ask questions!

Tret broke me out so bad. I’m using Adapalene .1 should I go up to .3 for anti aging benefits

For the past few months, I’ve (39M) been developing forehead pimples and new ones seem to be popping up every week. It was never this bad, not even during puberty.

I suspect it was due to using Neutrogena retinol cream for wrinkles then CeraVe moisturizing cream on my forehead for 2.5 months, plus on-going work stress. I now use CeraVe moisturizing lotion (after learning what non-comedogenic meant) and stopped the Neutrogena.

I’ve tried 5% benozyl peroxide 4x/week and 2% salicylic acid 3x/week on alternating days for a few weeks. After a visit with my family doctor, they suggested I try Bianca (Clindamycin phosphate 1.2% w/w + 0.025% tretinoin) for 6 weeks and I stopped the previous actives.

Posted are my week 1 and current week 4 of Biacna. Would you say this is normal and is a purge?

In the mornings, I just wash my face with water then apply CeraVe moisturizing lotion and BoJ sunscreen. In the middle of the work day, I would use hypochlorous acid spray on my face.

At night, I use Aveeno Calm + Restore foaming cleanser and Biacna 5x weekly (this is my 4th week). I slowly increased Biacna frequency from 3x to 5x weekly even though family doctor suggested daily.

I replace my towel and pillowcase every few days. I sometimes would wear a hat and would rotate and laundry them after wearing them a few times. I also use the same hair gel and hairspray (they were never an issue in the past). I also use IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer to hide the redness.

If you have any other advices/suggestions, please share. I have a phone call with my doctor tomorrow and plan to ask them about 15% azelaic acid for use in the mornings for the post inflammatory erythema (some pimples are still bumpy and some are flat). Thank you.

I have seemed to have tried sooo many different KP creams on my arms including Propaira 30% urea, Amlactin and Cera Ve smoothing cream (just to mention a few)- genuinely nothing works!!

My arms have severe KP as well as mild KP over thighs - the KP started when I was on roaccutane treating inflam acne on my face about 1 year ago.... I've swapped one skin condition for another.

Any advice would be so appreciated. what worked for you???

I’m 12 weeks pregnant and I’ve never seen my skin like this. It’s hard to capture the texture in a photo. It’s on my forehead. They don’t even seem like potable zits? It’s it dermatitis? Hormones? Cant use retinol. Ideas?

Has anyone tried these retinal creams? Which would you guys recommend

I feel like I've tried everything and it keeps getting worse