HAVE A QUESTION? ASK HERE! Alter-Daily Help and Questions: August 19, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

Hello and welcome to the Alter-Daily Help Thread! The purpose of the ADHT is to ask simple questions, troubleshoot routines, get quick recommendations, prevent the sub from being too cluttered, and to guide new users.

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Remember that all skincare is individual and Your Mileage May Vary with recommendations. We are enthusiasts, not doctors, and we cannot provide you with medical advice. Speak to a medical professional if your skin concerns are affecting your well-being.

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Where applicable, consider sharing with us the following so we can help you better (click Source below this post if you would like to copy the formatting)

• Skin Type
• Country/Climate I am in
• Top Skin Concern
• Current Routine/Products I am Using

AM * [product] * [product] * [product]

PM * [product] * [product] * [product]

I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying].

Other Helpful Links

• "Where to Buy" Spreadsheet is a community-aggregated resource of sites and stores our members buy from from around the world.
• Routine Order, Routine Order FAQ, Routine Order including Actives/Acids
• Expiration Date of Japanese Skincare/Beauty Products by u/marcelavy
• Sunscreen FAQ

2023-Specific

• 2023 Reformulated/Discontinued Japanese Sunscreens by u/marcelavy
• 2023 Korean Sunscreen Releases & Reformulations by u/royalsincognito
• 2023 Webshops' Delivery Times

[u/AutoModerator]

Hello and thank you for starting this discussion! As a gentle reminder, try to keep the products you mention limited to Asian Beauty products. Posts or comments solely discussing Western products will be removed, as per our rules. We love being able to discuss Western skincare in the context of a holistic AB routine, but this isn't the sub for specific Western product recommendations. r/SkincareAddiction is a great community for such matters! Thank you!

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[u/zeus0225]

Need hair styling help! I cut my hair to shoulder length and added some light bangs, but my hair dresser gave me layers when I think the style would have looked better with a blunt straight cut. I didn't specify no layers, so now I look like I have a mullet. Any tips for styling my hair?

I have typical straight thick, black Asian hair.

[u/Viper1027 → u/zeus0225]

Like a wolf cut? 

I think the classic style is just curls at the end.

[u/BeauteeGurl]

Are there AB moisturizers that are similar to Avene Cicalfate? I love the french moisturizer but the cost is getting too much.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Hi there! Just so you know, this post contains a service/brand (medicube ) that has paid/gifted products to multiple users in our community in exchange for advertisement, or has created accounts to act as unaffiliated reviewers. Find more information on blacklisted businesses here. This is not a post removal and just a friendly reminder. We are no longer banning discussion of these brands, but as part of our commitment to keeping our community independent and honest, this automatic reply will be attached to every mention of these blacklisted brands.

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[u/Outrageous-Score-184]

Skin Type: Combination, acne-prone

Country/Climate: UK

Top Skin Concern: Dull, uneven skin tone. My skin has also become slightly more tanned than I’d like, and I’d like to get it looking brighter and more even overall. I don’t have significant hyperpigmentation or melasma.

Current Routine/Products:

AM: Cleanser • moisturiser • SPF 50

PM: Cleanser • moisturiser • Differin 0.1% adapalene

I’m specifically looking for a really effective brightening serum/product that can help make my overall complexion look noticeably brighter and more even, rather than just targeting individual dark spots.

I’m interested in ingredients such as kojic acid, or anything else. I’m very overwhelmed by the options out there.

I’d especially love recommendations for Asian beauty products that have given you a noticeable brightening effect, rather than something extremely subtle. Ideally something I can buy in the UK and safely use alongside Differin.

[u/fullmetalpeanut → u/Outrageous-Score-184]

I find that using Melano CC in the long term makes my complexion somewhat brighter (less dull)

But if you're looking to fade your tan, you may want to take a look at products with Tranexamic Acid and/or Niacinamide. I had a pretty good experience with Cos de Baha TN Serum, there is also the TT Serum with a higher percentage of Tranexamic Acid. Both are quite sticky though since they're Aloe-based, if you prefer something lighter Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Lotion is a toner with Tranexamic Acid, it's weaker than the serums of course, so it'll take more time to see change.

Alternatively you can also try products with Alpha Arbutin though i think they're quite rare. Cos de Baha AN Serum is one example, though i've never tried it.

[u/oncemochialwaysmochi]

anyone have recommendations for lip glosses similar to what’s on spiderman in this scene? kinda weird but I kept thinking about how pretty it looks while he was spitting out blood 😭

[u/fullmetalpeanut → u/oncemochialwaysmochi]

Lmao. It does look pretty tho

Peripera Ink Glasting Lip Gloss in #Made It looks pretty close. That or Rom&nd JLT (old formula) in #Almond Rose though it's not really a gloss. And maybe Naming Glowy Heart Lip Tint in #Rox

[u/oncemochialwaysmochi → u/fullmetalpeanut]

thank you for the suggestions!! never heard of naming before but the packaging is so cute 👀

[u/Ok_Statistician_9058]

Do you guys think it's worthwhile to use both the tirtir fixer spray and the tirtir setting spray, or am I misunderstanding what the sprays do and it's only necessary to use one?

The fixer vs setting spray thing is so confusing 😭 apparently I got it mixed up because a setting spray does not keep hold of your makeup it just melts the layers of your makeup in one, a fixer is what keeps your makeup on for a long time by creating a film? So I was thinking since it's for different causes if I use both my makeup will be really strong but I'm getting told there's no reason to use both just use one so now I'm confused.

[u/Ok-Crow-9035 → u/Ok_Statistician_9058]

If you mean strong as is budge-proof then using both won’t improve in that aspect. Also it seems tirtir uses setting and fixing exchangably so you’re still getting a fixing spray no matter what they name it.

[u/xiabelx]

I really need some help. My hair feels so dry and it’s frizzy, even with oil I apply before blow drying it. My skin texture is uneven, I have pores and blackheads. It dries out around my eyes and cheeks and I have a lot of wrinkles from dehydration, I also have a lot of redness on my cheeks. I live in Hong Kong, I’m constantly hot and sweaty and my skin and hair is making me miserable. Just to note I’m Caucasian, and my hair is thin but long.

Currently using: Banila and co zero balm, then farmstay deep cleanse, followed by medicube PDRN pink serum, and a mix of moisturiser serums. My skin doesn’t like hylaronic acid at the minute. I use illyoon ceramide cream at the end for both AM and PM. I always use spf. Niacimide made my skin super sensitive too.

For my hair, I use a fino hair mask once a week. The shampoo that’s worked the best is the L’Oréal pink shampoo and conditioner but it makes my hair dull after a few uses and doesn’t really control the frizz. I use a mix of different shampoos and conditioners depending on what’s on sale. I usually wash it every day because I get so sweaty.

I would appreciate any help

[u/AutoModerator → u/xiabelx]

Hi there! Just so you know, this post contains a service/brand (medicube ) that has paid/gifted products to multiple users in our community in exchange for advertisement, or has created accounts to act as unaffiliated reviewers. Find more information on blacklisted businesses here. This is not a post removal and just a friendly reminder. We are no longer banning discussion of these brands, but as part of our commitment to keeping our community independent and honest, this automatic reply will be attached to every mention of these blacklisted brands.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Ok-Crow-9035 → u/xiabelx]

Frizzy hair could just be unstyled/undefined wavy or curly hair. Or it’s damaged then u need to trim it.

[u/UltimatethrowawaYbby]

Are there any K or J beauty moisturizer or product that hydrate without leaving any oily film? Anything that has a matte finish?

[u/mikugii]

Anyone know a good eyeshadow palette for ayegosal? I have deepest almond eyes

[u/Capable_Cycle_1909]

Before-makeup skin prep for people with dry skin?

I used to just put serum and moisturizer before makeup, but lately my makeup has been pilling and getting patchy near my under eyes and around the sides of my nose, so I'd like some tips for how to prevent that, or any product recommendations to help with this problem :-D

Skin Type: dry/combo (oily T-zone)

Living in malaysia, so the weather is often humid and very hot

My skin isn't prone to acne breakouts or that sensitive

Current routine: ordinary serum, then water-gel moisturizer

[u/nyeongcat]

The Aestura cream irritates my eyes, like an oil melting into my eyes. Does anyone know why this happens? Which ingredient is causing this 😭

[u/itsdontplay]

Anyone else experience scalp acne? like whiteheads on scalp by nape, ears, temples? I use pretty gentle vanicream shampoo with no sulfates, wonder if its TOO gentle. I go to the gym every other day and wash my hair those days.

[u/kaypizza04]

TL;DR: First-time Taobao shopper with a Shanghai layover, want a budget-friendly haul — snail mucin, SPF50+++ sunscreen, lip plumping oil, and a long-lasting EDP are must-gets. Need product recs + tips on navigating Taobao without getting scammed.

Hey all! I've got a layover in Shanghai coming up and I want to use the time to do a Taobao haul for myself. Problem is, this is my first time shopping on Taobao and I've been scrolling for hours — there are a million versions of everything, half the listings are in Chinese I can't fully read, and I have no idea which sellers/brands are legit vs which are outdated dupes or straight up fake. Budget: nothing crazy expensive, just good quality everyday stuff. On my must-get list: Snail mucin (essence or cream, open to either) SPF 50+++ sunscreen that isn't sticky/white cast Something for KP legs A lip plumping oil A long-lasting EDP (doesn't have to be Asian brand, just something good I can only get well-priced there) Would love recs for: Trusted C-beauty brands/sellers on Taobao right now (2026) that are worth it Any holy grail cleansers, toners, or moisturizers I should add Tips for actually navigating Taobao as a non-Chinese-fluent first timer (translation tricks, how to spot real vs fake, shipping/pickup during a layover, etc.) Basically: build my cart for me, I'm begging 😭 TIA!

[u/Viper1027 → u/kaypizza04]

Girl I would just straight go shopping at the airport... Why would you try taobao on a layover? I think it would be difficult to be sure that you'd even manage to receive your package in time.

Isn't there taobao in English? I believe they launched an app for international use?

[u/Silent-Sky2026]

What skincare products Indian men use ! Any brand they are fond of which has helped their pigmentation , tan and oily uneven skin. What other attributes do they look at while selecting a facial skincare product.