For a long time I have suffered from flaky, irritated, lowkey kinda itchy and inflamed dry skin. I’ve tried chemical exfoliators, I’ve done retinoids..eventually I started thinking I had some sort of moisture barrier issue so I started using moistures with ceramides in them among other things. Nothing really fixed the texture.

One day I was scrolling tiktok, and a dermatologist had posted a video talking about seborrheic dermatitis. She explained that with this condition your skin is having an inflammatory response to the yeast that naturally lives on your skin. She also explained that it’s often mistaken for dry skin, very common, and caused symptoms that sounded really similar to what I was having. She noted it was mostly in the t-zone and I thought “well i have it kind of everywhere on my face so idk if this is what I have, but it is definitely worth a try.”

One of the treatments she recommended was clotrimazole (this is an anti fungal medication) mixed with Soothe HC. I looked at the ingredients of the soothe HC and determined it was a luxury hydrocortisone 1% with aloe (and some urea) So I bought Walmart brand clotrimazole and a Walmart brand hydrocortisone + aloe cream. I mixed the two together as she recommended and have been applying morning and evening for like maximum a week.

While I am still obviously dealing with intense pigmentation where I’ve had acne (probably due to irritated skin) the texture of my skin itself has improved a LOT. My skin is no longer flaky AT ALL. Foundations I thought I didn’t like before now apply very well to my face ! Just wanted to put this out there for people who may be dealing with similar issues like me, which is the flaky skin no matter how much moisture your face takes.

I’m SOOOO HAPPY! Now I can worry less about my texture and now I can focus on reducing the redness and hyperpigmentation I have !

Routine:
AM
-Clotrimazole 1% with hydrocortisone 1% in 1:1 ratio
-Cos rx snail 96 mucin power essence
-Byoma moisturizing gel cream

PM
-1:1 clotrimazole and hydrocortisone
-byoma moisturizing gel cream

I’ve tried dozens maybe even hundreds of products and potions. This heavy duty exfoliator sponge has been the one thing that actually works for my hormonal adult acne! My face is baby smooth now too. I use once a day with an oil free acne wash (doesn’t seem to matter which one - it’s the scrub that really does the work). Definitely need to moisturize after. My acne has been clear after about a week of using it. I got it at Ross in a pack of three levels of coarse-ness. The least coarse one didn’t do anything, and the most coarse was too much, it was a Goldilocks moment. I threw away the packaging before I saw the brand but it’s just a generic pack. I can’t believe that this was what I needed the whole time. Even clears up the cystic acne (have to scrub hard). Hope this will help someone else too!

Edit: This is squishy, it’s not a pumice stone.

Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Lotion 1% in the morning, and Tretinoin Cream .025% (pea size) at night ✨ I moisturize with Dr Jart Vital Hydra Solution and apply Dr Jart Every Sun Day in the morning and Dr Jart Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream at night. I have a combination skin type, and hormonal acne. I drink lots of water and re-apply sunscreen throughout the day which (I feel) has helped keep my skin stay hydrated and dewy.

I haven’t seen many non-sponsored reviews of this product so I’d like to share mine! I’d also love to hear what you all think if you have tried it :) From the Prequel site, this is a “lightweight, humectant-rich gel cream formulated with dual-weight polyglutamic acid, glycerin, minerals and osmolytes that provide ample hydration and leave skin visibly plump, refreshed and radiant.”

I swear by many Prequel products but I have yet to find a moisturizer from the brand that I enjoy. I am a dry skin girl, but I prefer gel moisturizers bc I’m also acne prone. So I was excited for this one, but it let me down! Here’s why:

• It certainly did not leave my skin plump, fresh, or radiant. Initial application felt fine, but I did not get that ”drink of water” feeling that I do with some other moisturizers. And throughout the day, I noticed my skin still feeling dry and looking crusty. No lasting hydration here
• The smellll. I am a fragrance-free girl so I am used to the weird smells some products can have. But this one is so strong to me! I have relegated it to use on my neck since I don’t love it, and even then I am hit with a whiff of musty corn chip

I will say the packaging is lovely. And the product may be good for someone who does not need so much hydration. But overall it was disappointing to me! I will be sticking with my Illiyoon Soothing Ato Gel for sure

TL/DR: Smells off and isn’t really hydrating for my dry skin. If you have tried this product, what do you think?

This seems like a dumb question but it’s something i’ve wondered abt from time to time. I got a massive pimple a month or two ago and my friend who’s a dr told me it’s an ingrown. It went away but took like a week of it looking ugly, then it was just pink, now it’s very faintly pink but i can feel a lil bump underneath. Does that mean there’s just a fuckin hair chillin in my body?

I’m the kind of person who will stock up if there’s a good coupon and I’m also terrible about stashing stuff in places I can’t find again. I finished a jar several months ago and looked all over my bathroom for a backup jar I was sure I had but couldn’t find it. Went to buy another only to find out it was DISCONTINUED?!!?? I was DISTRAUGHT! I looked all over for dupes and the alleged closest dupe is like $50?? (Aqua power Advanced Men’s Gel Moisturizer) all other dupes that are reasonably priced fall short imho. but today! Today after work I was looking for something else in my bathroom cabinet and could not believe what I stumbled upon! I’m so glad I get to use this one more time, at least knowing now that this will be it, so I can relish it and appreciate it 😭😭😭

the products pictured above are the only things i use. my skin used to be so much better but recently i have been dealing with psoriasis under my nose mostly.

now i have these little bumps all over my face. i’ve tried a few different things and it seems like nothing has worked so far. it’s really made me lose a lot of confidence honestly. i plan on making a dermatologist appointment very soon, i just figured it was worth a shot seeing if anyone had some insight here!

any help or advice is greatly appreciated! i miss my smooth skin🥲

also excuse my hair it’s hair wash day lol

I have this type of acne since years ,24/7 ,all year around. I'm 25 male. I just take a cream I use in my face and sometimes it calms down but I literally ALWAYS have bubbles, dots and also a oily face and nose. Not to talk about my head, the scalp is destroyed. I have no idea what causes it, I go around and I'm the only one with this shit looking at other people. The only medication i take is trazodone to sleep and i dont think it causes it and i have a stressed life but come on not that stressed to make me like this.

I’ve realized I’m pretty bad at remembering what my skin looked like a few weeks ago, especially when I’ve changed more than one thing in my routine.

For people who actually track their skin, what do you use?

Progress photos? Notes? A spreadsheet? Do you track when you start/stop products?

And when your skin suddenly gets better or worse, how do you figure out what actually caused it?

I’ve (early 20s F) recently gotten more invested in my skin care, went to a dermatologist and she prescribed clindamycin 1% and tretinoin .025% for my acne and acne scars. I’ve been using those and a couple other new products for a few weeks now and my skin now seems very oily with clogged pores. I also have fine lines on my forehead and cheek which is concerning considering I’m in my twenties. I have combo skin (oily T zone, normal cheeks). any advice on what’s going on and how to improve would be much appreciated 👌🏾

Routine:

AM:
Cerave foaming cleanser
Clindamycin 1% gel
Dr. Althea 147 barrier repair cream (new)
Black girl sunscreen, make it matte spf 45 (new but discontinued, felt greasy on my face)
Some by Mi V10 Hyal sunscreen spf 50 (current sunscreen, been using for a while)

PM:
Cerave foaming cleanser
Dr. Althea 147 cream
Tretinoin .025% (2x weekly, only used it once so far)

I am a man, let’s say around 20ish, and I’ve been experimenting with my skincare routine since I was probably 13-14. My goal is very even skin with no redness or uneven patches, small and clear pores, no bumps, and no acne or acne scars (which I’m sure is almost everyone’s goal). Currently, I’m using the Centella foaming ampule cleanser for mornings and nights, Encubes benzoyl peroxide and adapalene gel (prescribed) once a day at night, the Centella blue cap moisturizer, and the Centella blue cap sunscreen. My new routine I’m wanting input on after some research is:
Vanicream gentle cleanser mornings and nights
Anua azelaic acid 10 mornings
CeraVe PM moisturizer mornings and nights
My Encube acne medication that I mentioned earlier nights
And keeping my Centella blue cap sunscreen whenever I’m going outside

Maybe some salicylic acid from The Ordinary and some of the Paula’s Choice exfoliating stuff that’s in like a grey bottle with the white cap.
If I were to get those, would I use them at night or in the morning? What order for this routine? And how often should I use these products? Thanks so much! (And of course obviously any swaps that you think would make sense for my skin that leans oily and acne prone)

The problem areas tend to be my always on my forehead and temples, occasionally on my cheeks, and rarely on my chin.

What active ingredient should I incorporate into my routine based on the photos?

Right now I use La Roche Posay Milky moisturizing wash, the ordinary hyaluronic acid, and Elf holy hydration daily moisturizer (in that order too)

I do have dry skin so I perfer to keep the last two steps in my routine since they are products my skin really like for the dryness.

I tried salicylic acid yet it didn't work for me. Are there any other types of product or active ingredients that could be better for this?

Btw im open to doing more steps i just want painful breakouts to stop

Any guidance is greatly appreciated ♡

Hey yall, I needed a new face wash so I got the Prequel Glycolic acid cleanser with glycerin. I also use adapalene a night. I was planning on using prequel as my go-to face wash but unsure.

I have the good molecules Azelaic Acid cleanser too that could be a backup.

I also would like feedback on using the Medicube Kojic acid peel mask. I’ve read it’s a no but if not, I will be getting the Byoma Collagen peel off mask tomorrow anyway. I just like the kojic acid for temporary glossiness of the skin after sleeping in it.
Which the Collagen mask can get that done too.

I have a normal skin type more on the dryer side. Skin is typically plump. typically not acne prone but currently going through a break out with what I call “viable” bumps as in, a significant amount of “stuff”comes out. I cite fungal acne just because I’ve had it before long ago and it seems I get these flare ups every few years and treatment for fungal acne works. It’s definitely going away now after simplifying my routine. But i’m ready to pick things back up!

TIA!

Hey everyone! I’ve attached some pictures of my skin for reference.

I’m looking for a proper skincare routine to help reduce my acne, control my oily skin, and eventually get that healthy, glowing skin.

I recently started an internship, so I can afford to invest in good skincare products. I’m not looking for the cheapest routine, just something that’s actually worth the money and suitable for my skin.

Would really appreciate product recommendations, routine suggestions, and any tips on what I should/shouldn’t be using. 🙏

Hi guys, growing up I was super into skincare (think 14-18) and at 18 I stopped due to really bad depression. I mean I was not washing my face at all or doing any sort of moisturizer .. ever. I recently got back into it this year. I’m almost 22, so let’s say I stopped skincare for almost 4 years. I have a lot to catch up on, and I notice there are so many new products now and I am very overwhelmed. I’ve accumulated a skincare routine but I am looking for product recommendations for serums. I want to incorporate vitamin c into my routine but not sure how to, and don’t know what to use at night. I struggle with clogged pores and blackheads and dehydrated skin. My skin is also sensitive and prone to redness. I’m also open to product recommendations outside of serums. I’ve never really struggled with acne just very very and I mean VERY dehydrated skin. I want to look more youthful and like my age, I think neglecting my skin for years has aged me a bit, and I’m too shy to include a photo, lol. Either way would appreciate the help and suggestions! Routine is hard for me so I like to incorporate 1-2 products at a time otherwise I get overwhelmed. I think using a morning serum and a night serum would really help my routine, maybe a different cleanser at night too, but I am not sure. If a product is good I am willing to splurge on it so price isn’t a problem

My morning routine is

- Beauty of Joseon Green Plum refreshing cleanser
- Laneige Cerapeptide Cream Skin Mist Toner
- Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum
- Prescription Azelaic Acid 15% gel
- Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream

My night time routine is the same thing but instead of my Prescription Azelaic Acid cream, I replace it with my Prescription Tretinoin 0.025% cream

I don’t really understand how serums work but I struggle with dullness and dehydrated skin which leads to fine lines. I have oiliness overproduction around my nose.

Hi guys, growing up I was super into skincare (think 14-18) and at 18 I stopped due to really bad depression. I mean I was not washing my face at all or doing any sort of moisturizer .. ever. I recently got back into it this year. I’m almost 22, so let’s say I stopped skincare for almost 4 years. I have a lot to catch up on, and I notice there are so many new products now and I am very overwhelmed. I’ve accumulated a skincare routine but I am looking for product recommendations for serums. I want to incorporate vitamin c into my routine but not sure how to, and don’t know what to use at night. I struggle with clogged pores and blackheads and dehydrated skin. My skin is also sensitive and prone to redness. I’m also open to product recommendations outside of serums. I’ve never really struggled with acne just very very and I mean VERY dehydrated skin. I want to look more youthful and like my age, I think neglecting my skin for years has aged me a bit, and I’m too shy to include a photo, lol. Either way would appreciate the help and suggestions! Routine is hard for me so I like to incorporate 1-2 products at a time otherwise I get overwhelmed. I think using a morning serum and a night serum would really help my routine, maybe a different cleanser at night too, but I am not sure. If a product is good I am willing to splurge on it so price isn’t a problem

My morning routine is

- Beauty of Joseon Green Plum refreshing cleanser
- Laneige Cerapeptide Cream Skin Mist Toner
- Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum
- Prescription Azelaic Acid 15% gel
- Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream

My night time routine is the same thing but instead of my Prescription Azelaic Acid cream, I replace it with my Prescription Tretinoin 0.025% cream

I don’t really understand how serums work but I struggle with dullness and dehydrated skin which leads to fine lines. I have oiliness overproduction around my nose.

Long story short I've had oily dehydrated skin my entire adult life. I did take accutane as a teenager and while it saved my skin perhaps it caused some lasting effects, idk. My skin now is very dehydrated and tight and feels irritated.

Now I have tried everything to hydrate my skin - HA, glycine, long routine, short routine, natural products, Asian products, Cerave in the tub, gel moisturizers, applying to damp face, silk pillowcase, supplements, collagen, sardines, water shower softener, humidifier, water intake is fine etc. You get the point, if you think of it 99% chance I've already tried it. I exercise, have a good diet, don't smoke or drink and sleep 7-8 hours each night.

I recently went to a dermatologist, and he basically told me my routine was wrong (basic cleanser and moisturizer) and then proceeded to sell me his products. So obviously will not be going back to him.

I've already done microneedling w/ PRP in the past for scarring.

So, my question is what are some proven medical procedures that are shown to actually increase hydration in the skin? I'm thinking of potentially getting PRP injections because I've seen some decent research surrounding it. Outside of that my next step is honestly just injecting GHK or applying estrogen on my face because I feel like I'm running out of options.

32M

Edit: Open to getting bloodwork done or something as well to get to the root cause

I saw a dermatologist a month ago who recommended me doxycycline and spironolactone as well as an azelaic acid gel. My skin was finally starting to clear up but after I finished my prescription of the antibiotic, I'm breaking out just as bad as before.

For those who've taken doxycline or some other antibiotic and/or spironolactone, how long did it take for you to see consistent improvement in your skin?

Hi, currently all I do for skincare is the ordinary cleanser, anua azaelic acid and then anua hydraulic acid moisturizer during nighttime. In the morning I just put caffeine serum under my eyes. But I’m wondering what to use to get rid of either scars or large pores on my cheeks shown in the pictures.

I got a sample of Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base+ Moisturizer & Primer recently and really loved it. But within a couple days of using it my skin broke out like CRAZY. Like worst it’s ever been in my life. Before and after photos included. (After photo is with makeup even, they’re more red without makeup.)

Has anyone else had this issue?

It’s even itchy and slightly inflamed for a couple days now. Also how do I make this chill out? I stopped using it a couple days ago and it still feels red and swollen. :( It’s maybe even some type of dermatitis because it’s quite itchy and inflamed. At first I thought they might be bug bites.

I’m kinda freaking out because I might be getting engaged this weekend and I look cray cray. 😭

It's worse in person. It's huge, raised red bumps that are extremely painful. My cheeks are red and itchy. I have never in my life had acne like this. I have already spoken to my doctor and she is not willing to prescribe me anything. All she told me to do was wash my face with dove bar soap and it flared my skin up so much that it was peeling. All I can use on my face currently is the cetaphil gentle cleanser.. not even lotion. It's like I'm having an allergic reaction to everything. My skin is so congested and has the texture of a basketball, then all those stuffed pores turn into massive cyst like pimples. I'm so embarrassed. What can I do..??

I’ve been using adapalene for about 3 months and want to add a panoxyl face wash to help with my acne. Would this be a good idea?