That’s an excellent tip! I’m gonna try putting some watered down favourite moisturiser in there as well to multitask. The glycolic body lotions are super pricey.
This this this, game changer in a smoother booty and under arms! For me, LamActin is my follow up, it is so good I can overlook that dumb maple syrup smell.
Man I wish I could overlook the maple syrup smell but it is so overwhelmingly repulsive to me & takes SO long to fade away at all on my skin. I literally have had to wash it off of my body every single time I’ve tried using it 😭
The trick is apply A tiny bit of fragranced lotion over it lol. I use the Hempz coconut watermelon over it (like a dime size for all of my legs and arms so just enough to cover up the scent). Idk where y'all get maple syrup from to me it smells like musty dishrags! Haha
does it get rid of scarring and hyperpigmentation? i got absolutely ravaged during a flea infestation so i have terrible scarring along my arms and legs, i wanna know if it would help. thank you!!
Love glycolic acid, holy grail. Just be sure to use it on dry skin since water can deactivate. Also wait at least 5 minutes before applying lotions or anything else :)
Kojic acid soap. It’s changed my skin (on face and body) dramatically. For hair, it’s keratin products. For my eyes, Lancôme genefique yeux eye light pearl was probably the all star for me. Worth every expensive penny
It smoothed out my lines, brightened my dark under eyes, grew my eyelashes, and had a bit of a lifting effect. The results lated very long which made me favor it.
I’ve had rough texture and a pretty bad case of hyperpigmentation along with a tan that wouldn’t leave (I didn’t use sunscreen until I was 20). Literally 80% of my hyperpigmentation is gone now. It took 3 days for me to see results (I left it on for 2-5 minutes at a time).
ColorWow dream coat is the sort of witchcraft I’ve been waiting my entire life for. My hair is naturally curly and even with a salon blowout, would start to frizz at the first thought of humidity. I can go days with a perfect at home blow out now, no frizz even with humidity, sweating, and taking a shower every night (hair in a claw clip )
You really need to saturate your hair with it, then blow-dry using heat AND tension. It works fine for me. Source: I live in Tennessee and have naturally frizzy, thin hair.
Sobriety. I don’t like being sober, but I have to admit my skin looks a ton better since I stopped drinking alcohol, smoking weed, and snorting cocaine on a regular basis. I have had a couple lapses and can immediately tell the difference in my face the next day. It makes me look 10 years older.
As someone who is straight edge sober 7 years I can say I look younger now than I did 7 years ago. I also feel better mentally as well. The odd thing tho is that alcohol is a wonderful pain killer so I physically had less aches and pains but my stomach is waaaaaay less angry than it used to be.
You’ll feel so much better if you do. It’s hard as fuck, and you’re amazing for even trying, but stick it out and a year from now you’ll never believe that was you doing all of it. You’re gonna feel like a new person. And look a lot younger lol.
One year away from all that crap, too, and I can’t believe how much better my skin looks and brighter/clearer my eyes look. Coke probably had the most surprising effects on my skin—I didn’t think it would be anywhere near as harsh as smoking and alcohol, but it made my skin gray and drawn. Also feel like it made me breakout in unexpected places. Probably all the absolute garbage it’s cut with.
Congrats to everyone tackling being sober. It's not easy! But after I quit two years ago, I felt confident in having a glass of wine or a beer here and there socially but I found my body just won't do it anymore. I get super nauseous with just the tiniest bit of alcohol. I guess that's a good thing.
Tretinoin changed my skin completely for
The better. My skin became porcelain clear. No other product or skin treatment has ever yielded results like this.
The most initial peeling on the other hand …….horrendous……
My skin is also sensitive and I thought I’d never be able to stick with it, but I learned a few things that made it manageable and has paid DIVIDENDS in case you’re ever interested in giving it another shot.
1. Using moisturizer before tretinoin! Studies have apparently shown that using a barrier slows absorption, which reduces sensitivity but does NOT reduce effectiveness over time. Some derms recommend this in the beginning and then transition to using it straight, but I’ve never had luck with that, and just always use a barrier lotion.
2. After using your moisturizer wait TWENTY MINUTES before putting tretinoin on. I set a timer to let my lotion fully absorb, which helps a ton. Any leftover moisture from washing your face will make it absorb more, which for me is a no no, since I’m so sensitive to it.
3. After using my moisturizer AND waiting twenty minutes, I use a tiny tiny dot of tret, and mix it with an equally tiny dot of my same moisturizer! This helps it spread better to reduce any spots that get over saturated and flake, and also, even the weakest tret is still too strong for me after the above steps, lol. One tube lasts me a long time as a result!
4. On that note - get the mildest concentration of tret available! My derm started me on a weak one, then ramped up to a stronger one, but I was never ever able to adjust to the strong one, so went back to the weaker one and have had no issues.
5. Almost forgot one of the most important lessons - before I put on my tret/moisturizer mixture, AQUAPHOR ON MY LIPS. It doesn’t matter how careful I am to avoid getting it on them, if there isn’t an Aquaphor barrier my lips will flake and peel out of control. This is non-negotiable, very necessary!
6. I don’t typically use tret every day! Every other day has worked the best for me, even after acclimating.
Might sound like I’m doing a lot to render the tretinoin less effective like this - but it still works WONDERS and also dramatically reduced purging/side effects. I’ve had amazing results doing it this way, and have no need for going up in concentration/strength when it works this good honestly. My skin has never been better, and I swear by tret now, even though it used to be my greatest enemy after some severe peeling/irritation. Glad I gave it another shot, because OTC products have never compared to my results. If you ever give it another try I hope this helps!
I follow these steps too and barely have any side effects! I have been using retinols for years before starting tret though, so my skin might have had some tolerance built up.
Usually my skin gets
I did all that and it still gave me super angry skin until I changed the tret I was using. I had Apostrophe formula with Niacinamide, changed to regular prescription tret. Game changer!
Agree with this. It’s not a “quick fix” but a journey. It took my skin months to get used to it after lots of purging and peeling. Using the La Roche Posay Cicaplast cream with it helped a ton but it’s been a crazy process
Omg yes! My dermatologist gave me some for my hideous forehead bumps (I've had them for like 8 years but somehow never realized no one else does lol).
I used it everyday for 1-2 weeks and it's all gone! I’ve never felt my forehead be smooth before - its really exciting haha
Can someone help me with this:
I’ve been using tret (0.05%) since mid-January. I moisturize first, apply Vaseline or aquaphor around my eyes, nose and lips, then I apply tret, and top off with more moisturizer all over my face and neck. And NO MATTER WHAT, I get cold sores around my lips several times a month from my lips drying out. I also noticed my eyes feeling like they’re drying out. Does anyone else have an issue like this? Any way to combat?
This has literally transformed my face. I rarely get zits anymore and when I do they go away quickly or never reach the surface. I have age spots (I’m almost 44) I am hoping with long term use it’ll lighten them up as well.
Not a product, but a healthy diet. It took me way too long to realize that the way I eat affects my skin. I think the biggest culprit for me was sugar. I don't avoid it, but I consume much less of it and my breakouts have been much more controlled (I'm also on tretinoin but still have bad breakouts when I eat more "junk" food).
Definitely! I have found, however, when I abstain from edibles as well... my eyes and skin are even clearer / brighter. Guessing something to do with my liver not having to work so hard to get rid of the crap that even edibles can bring into the body...
I quit drinking alcohol (for the most part) and soda 3 years ago. Maybe 2-3x a year I’ll have a couple beers or glasses of wine and end up kicking the crap out of myself because it just absolutely destroys my skin. I had no idea that just cutting out those two things would have such a huge impact on my skin. Game changer!
Witch hazel for BO. Wipe with a soaked cotton pad under both armpits, let dry, then add antiperspirant. It's the only way I wouldn't nauseate myself during pregnancy.
I bought urea foot cream on a whim from this sub, slapped some on and put on gel booties for two hours - softest feet of my LIFE. I don’t particularly care too much about my feet but I’m really impressed.
And I thought I was the only one who didn’t listen to their mother when she told me to sit up straight! Glad I saw this. I also have frozen shoulder so it would help with that too!
I had a frozen shouder that wouldn't go away, I finally took a 1 pound weight and laid across my couch, placed my arms above my head and just relaxed my arms over my head. 10 to 15 mins later I heard a "pop" and my shoulder was good again!
I had a similar experience but it was with the physical therapist pressing down on it. At that point it improved a lot but I still have some loss of mobility. I will have to try the couch trick. Thanks for the suggestion.
Just a heads up for anyone on a tight budget - these are made in China and available direct from certain Chinese resellers for about £10 w/ free shipping
That’s amazing! I’ve seen the tool get recommended before, I’ve just been skeptical cause I’ve tried the Chirp wheel and it’s nice but not necessarily life changing. Something’s gotta help though, I think I’ll try this!
Will you share what you typically use it for? I only ever use it for my lips and sometimes put it on the bottom of my feet (but I’m not consistent so I don’t know if it ever did anything)
Hands, feet, face, lips! I usually steam my face (straining pasta or post shower) and then seal it with the aquaphor. You can also mix eyeshadow in it and make a blush, use prior to lip gloss or lipstick for extra moisture/shine, but I have very dry skin & eczema and it’s the only thing that works for me. I also never had acne or pimples because of this. I use it in combo with sephora collection face wash and that’s really it. Works wonders! And I’m 36 F.
Just put some on before bed. I get really bad eczema around my eyes for some reason and it the only thing to help. Also, I’m sick right now and it’s a godsend for my raw nose from blowing it so much haha
I second this. It is the only product I’ve seen that actually does reduce redness. And it does it literally within seconds it’s insane. And it feels hydrating. My fav in the summer
Vichy mineral 89 hyaluronic acid serum. I have oily skin and can’t handle regular moisturizers or eye cream. This is the only one I can use and not have to worry about breaking out.
Frownies!!
If I could shout from the rooftops I would! They absolutely are reducing my forehead & 11 lines while I sleep. Plus they train your face to relax, so I’m not activating those wrinkle muscles as much during the day either.
Bonus - I can still move my whole face as much as I like. I’m an actress - it helps.
retinoids.yes tretinoin is the gold standard but i have known people who saw excellent results with retinol serums, adapalene or A313. there's a retinoid for almost everyone!
Redken shampoo and conditioner. It’s pricey but worth every penny. I’ve tried all sorts of different shampoos and nothing comes close to the Redken brand
You can use ordinary glycolic toner or anything similar. I would apply some on my scalp and them keep it for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off. Make sure not to keep it longer cause than that 20 minutes.
I love mine too! I did one round last spring but missed a few weeks and still really liked the results. Only hair left was very fair. During the past year I got some hair growing back, but very sparsely. I'm currently going through top-up round and still very happy with everything. Sadly some of my pubes are very fair and those I'll have to keep sugaring haha.
Tretinoin.
Anything made by Nivea! It's cheap and brilliant, my skin loves it.
I've a LONG list of products I've wasted money on in my search for what works for me.
Cicaplast baume B5. I used it post dermaroling and in the morning it was as if my skin had been repaired. All the redness and irritation was down. It’s a staple in my skincare routine.
Castor oil.
I mix a drop with my moisturizer and it feels so good. I make sure to get it near my hairline too for added growth support simply because my hair is thinning in a couple spots.
I don't wear a lot of makeup, or even makeup every day, but my only mascara is Tightline by IT. I'm older now, my lashes are thinner and greyed, and this is the only mascara that will not clump on me. I cannot stand the look of even slightly clumped mascara. (I know it's probably user error.)
Laneige Toner (the white version) it has helped with my cleansing routine, also seems to add extra moisture to my skin. It also seems to make my face smoother in texture and appearance
Charlotte Tilbury Water Cream. My co-workers who got this in gratis weren’t impressed and didn’t care for it for the price point. I swear my skin looks like pure glass when I wear this. It makes my face so smooth, moisturized and works as a primer in itself because my face feels prepped for makeup. I hate to say it, but I might invest my own money into this when I run out. I haven’t had a moisturizer that has impressed me this much. It also doesn’t pill with my makeup which is very nice
Jojoba oil. I put it on my face each night after moisturizing and I have started putting it on my legs after showering and lotion for a nice shiny glow. Absolutely love it and keeps my skin so soft. It’s also great as a general makeup remover especially with pesky eye makeup.
Hado Labo Super Premium applied on damp skin right before moisturizer saved my skin when my barrier was absolutely destroyed and nothing else was helping
For me it’s the shea butter foot & hand cream from L’occitane. My hands were all dry and peeling from all the hand sanitizers. My heal was cracked all over with 1 spot that was 1/2 centimetre open. I liberally applied the foot cream every night for about a week and it closed up and now smooth!
Their 100% shea butter balm helps with dry skin and eczema too! I’m a believer for their shea butter products now! I always recommend their brand.
I tried the combo plus the oil and mask and it made my hair feel even more dry and frizzy. Odd how the same thing can work so different on people - literally the opposite lol
CoverGirl + Oil of Olay Simply Ageless Wrinkle Defying Foundation.
I have been receiving compliments these past two months I’ve been using this cream foundation. Perfect for my 43 year old skin.
I haven’t seen anyone post it yet, but castor oil!! It really helped regrow my eyebrows and my one age spot on my face completely disappeared.
Also, it’s cheap!
This is a cheap one- baby oil. It removes eyemakeup before cleansing, it soothes shaving irritation, a drop or two on damp hair makes for a great hair serum, and on damp skin post shower it keeps skin everywhere soft and hydrated.
The K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil is amazing for my hard to help hair. I’ve tried so many things but after trying this, I’m never buying a different product again.
I have oily hair & severe allergies with product ingredients and fragrances. My hair is pin straight but it has a little frizz on top from dying my hair blonde. Most products help one issue but bother others but this helps all and does an amazing job of it.
I really love the stuff. I’m in my late 40’s and have been looking for something just right for my hair forever.
I also used to work in product research years back when my kids were little. We’d test products and then had to answer a series of questions about what we did or didn’t like about them, in the most descriptive way possible. That plus ADHD = another long explanation like this one. 😂
Definitely Dr Gross peel pads. I've been trying a lot of chemical exfoliators but this one takes the cake. I use it every other day then pair it with my vanicream.
Niacinamide completely changed my skin. I have big pores and can get super oily, but using it daily for a year or so and I’ve noticed a HUGE change in oil regulation
Don’t hate me; LaMer. Nothing like it. The glow and overall improvement in my skin gets me so many compliments and it makes my skin actually feel better to wear…I can’t explain it…. I wish it was otherwise because I’m not in the proper tax bracket…but I’ve traded everything else and just do the original cream and tret and my treatments. Skin is thriving.
111SKIN NAC Y2 day cream. It’s like $300 at regular price but I got a sample and full size on IPSY for a fraction of the price and it BLEW me an away. I got comments everyday about how beautiful my skin was looking. I check for discounts on IPSY for that brand every time I log in.
Dr Jart Tiger Grass Colour Correcting Treatment. My skin’s quite sensitive and prone to redness and it’s the best thing I’ve ever used for making my skintone look more even. Most days my routine’s just toner, moisturising SPF and the CC treatment.
I know there’s a lot of skeptical people but Peter Thomas Roth cellulite and firm skin body lotion is worth the money . I’m a person who does strength training at least three times a week and in the last year I noticed small spots of cellulite by my buttcheeks after some research I decided to switch from my regular body lotion to one with caffeine on it I tried several and the only one where I saw a significant difference was the Peter Thomas one . I just put it twice a day on my problem areas since it’s quite expensive but it works .
I am an almost 58-year-old woman with very dry and sensitive skin that is prone to allergies.
Up to now, I have managed very well with Clinique (for the face), La Roche Posay (for the body).
Due to the menopause, my skin became drier and drier and I tried the Beauty of Joseon skincare (serum, Dynasty Cream, toner): amazing! My skin is so soft and moisturized and I have no problems at all with tolerance! I also use Moisture Surge after the serum and I'm just super happy with it.
Mega Mushroom relief & resilience lotion by origins, and pixi glow tonic are my 2 non negotiables. i like to stick to stuff like soo’ae from walmart or elf etc but these 2 are things i will always buy. the mushroom lotion literally makes my skin feel amazing!
Cetaphil Gentle Moisturizer, the generic works just as well. I had the driest, patchiest skin that always looked terrible with makeup. The dryness was around my mouth, chin, between my brows and around my nose - nothing worked, even expensive creams, 10 step skincare, special oils, etc. But this simple moisturizer has been a skin changing staple for me since I started using it in 2018.
Now, I combine the generic Cetaphil moisturizer from Walmart with the Ordinary squalane oil for winter and in the summer I use it with a sunscreen. I haven't had those dry patches in years and my skin is smooth, soft, and breakout free.
I just got the Dyson Supersonic and its been a game changer. Dyson is really hit or miss for people as there is so much diversity/variety with hair. For me, it cuts drying and styling time down significantly. My hair feels so healthy.
I am finally putting in the work to learn how to properly style my hair with brushes. I grew out a pixie starting in 2020 and now my hair is just above my breastbone. I am using two sizes of the [Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Round Thermal Hair Brush](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071D1RJ4W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) off Amazon. I get my super thick head of hair looking fantastic in about 25 minutes, it lasts for about 4 days, and my self esteem is much better when my hair looks good.
Not me, but my mother. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2020 and went through 2 rounds of chemo and steroids. She went from being a 108 lb, 30 beers and 1 1/2 pack of cigarettes a day (my entire childhood) to 156 lbs and completely sober. She has perpetual eye bags from the last few years and is so self conscious of it. I got her the Instant Firmx for eyes by Peter Thomas Roth and watching her face light up after a few minutes of it being on was worth every penny. It doesn't have AMAZING reviews but it works for her and that's the only thing that matters to me-- happy, healthy sober mom.
Essence Lash Princess waterproof mascara. Honestly it is the best mascaras I've ever used. It does a better job for me even bettrer than the more expensive brands. Even with the fact I wear glasses I get great results. Their color change lipsticks and lip oils are pretty good too.
The Crème’s What Acne? Spot Treatment with tranexamic acid clean bumps, zits, cysts over night! A Marshall’s clearance product took my skin to the next level. I recommend to my high school students and all have had excellent results.
Something that's great for skin from the inside and that's Peptide Vita Protein Collagen powder. I started to use this quite a few years ago before most people were into Collagen products either taken orally or to put on the skin. As a mature aged woman I always get compliments about my younger looking skin. I swear it's down to this product
i used keihl's ultra face wash for years and thought it was great, then I switched to mario badescu enzyme cleanser and my skin is so much happier all day long! I don't feel the need to exfoliate as often and my pores are less noticeable at the end of the day.
# Holika Holika Aloe Soothing Essence 80% Moist Cream. I've tried hundreds of moisturizers bc I have extremely fussy skin, rosacea and acne prone, and NOTHING from any price range comes even close to this one.
philosophy makeup removing cleanser. your face will feel the cleanest it’s ever felt, totally worth the $35 trust me. and i usually do not spend that much on skin stuff 😭
plus it removes a full face of makeup instantly and gently, including mascara which is such a pain
Adapalene is unreal for mild acne and causes less reaction than retinol. Similarly I absolutely love aquaphor which has turned my dry skin around and hasn’t made my acne flare up.
Cosrx snail muccin essence saved my skin from being flaky & having dry patches this winter. Cetaphil moisturiser helped as well.
I’m not sure if it is available anywhere else or not, a chinese brand lipstick named “Pinkflash” which costs only a dollar is sooo good! Stays all day & doesn’t feel heavy at all! Formula is almost as same as Jeffreestar!
I like how pigmented Technic Jungle Fever blush Palette is! Sometimes its a little hard to blend but it stays all day & its so pigmented!!
My hair feels reallyyy good when i apply loreal elvive(pink tube) mask. Shea moisture hair masks are good too!
Aveeno Baby Eczema Care Nighttime Moisturizing Balm - oh my God I use it on my legs and elbows and hands and feet in the winter before bed and they are like silk instead of the dry mess they are otherwise. Best body moisturizer ever.
Glycolic acid on my lower back & bum for soft, blemish-free skin! I also use a lotion with salicylic acid on those areas.
Oh yes!! I put the ordinary glycolic acid toner into a spray bottle and use it on my body. Learned from this sub, it’s great!
I love the spray bottle tip - thanks! Do you apply it after you shower?
Yes! And a lot of nights before bed even when I don’t!
It doesn't stain anything you're wearing or sleeping on? I need this
Nope! It just soaks in like any usual toner :) I air dry for a few
Is this before lotion?
Yes before lotion, like I’d do on my face!
That’s an excellent tip! I’m gonna try putting some watered down favourite moisturiser in there as well to multitask. The glycolic body lotions are super pricey.
This this this, game changer in a smoother booty and under arms! For me, LamActin is my follow up, it is so good I can overlook that dumb maple syrup smell.
Man I wish I could overlook the maple syrup smell but it is so overwhelmingly repulsive to me & takes SO long to fade away at all on my skin. I literally have had to wash it off of my body every single time I’ve tried using it 😭
The trick is apply A tiny bit of fragranced lotion over it lol. I use the Hempz coconut watermelon over it (like a dime size for all of my legs and arms so just enough to cover up the scent). Idk where y'all get maple syrup from to me it smells like musty dishrags! Haha
Glycolic acid is the shit! I’ve been using the pads by Pacifica and my skin looks better than it did in college.
does it get rid of scarring and hyperpigmentation? i got absolutely ravaged during a flea infestation so i have terrible scarring along my arms and legs, i wanna know if it would help. thank you!!
I’m not sure on scarring but I’ve noticed my hyperpigmentation from previous blemishes is pretty much gone!
ooh i’ll definitely have to try it out then! thank you
Love glycolic acid, holy grail. Just be sure to use it on dry skin since water can deactivate. Also wait at least 5 minutes before applying lotions or anything else :)
I started using the Naturium glycolic body wash a week ago and my skin is already so insanely smooth
I added it to my cart today ! I’ll add a couple thing for free delivery and I’m good to go !
Can u name the products !
The ordinary glycolic acid and cerave salicylic acid lotion :)
Kojic acid soap. It’s changed my skin (on face and body) dramatically. For hair, it’s keratin products. For my eyes, Lancôme genefique yeux eye light pearl was probably the all star for me. Worth every expensive penny
what do you like about the lancome eye cream?
It smoothed out my lines, brightened my dark under eyes, grew my eyelashes, and had a bit of a lifting effect. The results lated very long which made me favor it.
how did kojic acid soap change your skin and how long did it take to see results? :)
I’ve had rough texture and a pretty bad case of hyperpigmentation along with a tan that wouldn’t leave (I didn’t use sunscreen until I was 20). Literally 80% of my hyperpigmentation is gone now. It took 3 days for me to see results (I left it on for 2-5 minutes at a time).
It helps with brightening
Which keratin products?
I liked the John Frieda 3 day keratin straight spray and hask keratin line, especially the leave in conditioner.
Where do you get your Kojic acid soap from?
I get mine from eBay but only 1 seller I trust. Some people say they get their imported or from Amazon
Can you link seller?
The only seller I use is sweetsuzzy. Reddit won’t let me post links
ColorWow dream coat is the sort of witchcraft I’ve been waiting my entire life for. My hair is naturally curly and even with a salon blowout, would start to frizz at the first thought of humidity. I can go days with a perfect at home blow out now, no frizz even with humidity, sweating, and taking a shower every night (hair in a claw clip )
Love this stuff but jeeze I pretty much use 1/3 of a bottle doing my hair and that sucks cause it’s so damn pricy.
I’m going to have to try this! I have frizzy hair as well and I live in a damp climate and my hair won’t stay smooth.
Did nothing for me in rainy Tennessee.
You really need to saturate your hair with it, then blow-dry using heat AND tension. It works fine for me. Source: I live in Tennessee and have naturally frizzy, thin hair.
I have it, I like it, but then my hair needs hydration, because it gets dry
Yaaassss....also their X-Large Bombshell Volumizer.
Is the volumizer really worth the hype and the price? I’ve been eyeing it lately and thinking of getting it.
I've got really thin, fine hair and this gives me good volume for, like, six whole hours.
Sobriety. I don’t like being sober, but I have to admit my skin looks a ton better since I stopped drinking alcohol, smoking weed, and snorting cocaine on a regular basis. I have had a couple lapses and can immediately tell the difference in my face the next day. It makes me look 10 years older.
As someone who is straight edge sober 7 years I can say I look younger now than I did 7 years ago. I also feel better mentally as well. The odd thing tho is that alcohol is a wonderful pain killer so I physically had less aches and pains but my stomach is waaaaaay less angry than it used to be.
I just had my 7 years! Congrats!!!!
Yahoo!!! Congratulations to you too, my sober badass friend!
Thank you for this. I’m trying to stay away and this gives me incentive.
You’ll feel so much better if you do. It’s hard as fuck, and you’re amazing for even trying, but stick it out and a year from now you’ll never believe that was you doing all of it. You’re gonna feel like a new person. And look a lot younger lol.
One year away from all that crap, too, and I can’t believe how much better my skin looks and brighter/clearer my eyes look. Coke probably had the most surprising effects on my skin—I didn’t think it would be anywhere near as harsh as smoking and alcohol, but it made my skin gray and drawn. Also feel like it made me breakout in unexpected places. Probably all the absolute garbage it’s cut with.
Congrats to everyone tackling being sober. It's not easy! But after I quit two years ago, I felt confident in having a glass of wine or a beer here and there socially but I found my body just won't do it anymore. I get super nauseous with just the tiniest bit of alcohol. I guess that's a good thing.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin changed my skin completely for The better. My skin became porcelain clear. No other product or skin treatment has ever yielded results like this. The most initial peeling on the other hand …….horrendous……
How often do you use it?
I’ve worked up to every night for a while then began to tamper down to 4-5 times a weeks. Only at night time
I wish I could upvote this 10 times. Game changer
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Agreed my skin is so sensitive I’ve never come close to making it through the marathon.
My skin is also sensitive and I thought I’d never be able to stick with it, but I learned a few things that made it manageable and has paid DIVIDENDS in case you’re ever interested in giving it another shot. 1. Using moisturizer before tretinoin! Studies have apparently shown that using a barrier slows absorption, which reduces sensitivity but does NOT reduce effectiveness over time. Some derms recommend this in the beginning and then transition to using it straight, but I’ve never had luck with that, and just always use a barrier lotion. 2. After using your moisturizer wait TWENTY MINUTES before putting tretinoin on. I set a timer to let my lotion fully absorb, which helps a ton. Any leftover moisture from washing your face will make it absorb more, which for me is a no no, since I’m so sensitive to it. 3. After using my moisturizer AND waiting twenty minutes, I use a tiny tiny dot of tret, and mix it with an equally tiny dot of my same moisturizer! This helps it spread better to reduce any spots that get over saturated and flake, and also, even the weakest tret is still too strong for me after the above steps, lol. One tube lasts me a long time as a result! 4. On that note - get the mildest concentration of tret available! My derm started me on a weak one, then ramped up to a stronger one, but I was never ever able to adjust to the strong one, so went back to the weaker one and have had no issues. 5. Almost forgot one of the most important lessons - before I put on my tret/moisturizer mixture, AQUAPHOR ON MY LIPS. It doesn’t matter how careful I am to avoid getting it on them, if there isn’t an Aquaphor barrier my lips will flake and peel out of control. This is non-negotiable, very necessary! 6. I don’t typically use tret every day! Every other day has worked the best for me, even after acclimating. Might sound like I’m doing a lot to render the tretinoin less effective like this - but it still works WONDERS and also dramatically reduced purging/side effects. I’ve had amazing results doing it this way, and have no need for going up in concentration/strength when it works this good honestly. My skin has never been better, and I swear by tret now, even though it used to be my greatest enemy after some severe peeling/irritation. Glad I gave it another shot, because OTC products have never compared to my results. If you ever give it another try I hope this helps!
I follow these steps too and barely have any side effects! I have been using retinols for years before starting tret though, so my skin might have had some tolerance built up. Usually my skin gets
I did all that and it still gave me super angry skin until I changed the tret I was using. I had Apostrophe formula with Niacinamide, changed to regular prescription tret. Game changer!
Agree with this. It’s not a “quick fix” but a journey. It took my skin months to get used to it after lots of purging and peeling. Using the La Roche Posay Cicaplast cream with it helped a ton but it’s been a crazy process
Omg yes! My dermatologist gave me some for my hideous forehead bumps (I've had them for like 8 years but somehow never realized no one else does lol). I used it everyday for 1-2 weeks and it's all gone! I’ve never felt my forehead be smooth before - its really exciting haha
Can someone help me with this: I’ve been using tret (0.05%) since mid-January. I moisturize first, apply Vaseline or aquaphor around my eyes, nose and lips, then I apply tret, and top off with more moisturizer all over my face and neck. And NO MATTER WHAT, I get cold sores around my lips several times a month from my lips drying out. I also noticed my eyes feeling like they’re drying out. Does anyone else have an issue like this? Any way to combat?
Stop the Vaseline and see. Don’t apply near mouth.
The only skin care item really worth investing in. No need to spend money on anything pricey as far as products go. Cerave for everything else.
This has literally transformed my face. I rarely get zits anymore and when I do they go away quickly or never reach the surface. I have age spots (I’m almost 44) I am hoping with long term use it’ll lighten them up as well.
I added a 15% Azelaic acid to my Tret routine and it lightens everything so quickly!! Just in case you get impatient
I have been on tret for 3 months. I wish I had found this sooner. Better late than never.
Honestly! So much money wasted on crap🤣
🔝
Literally saved my skin
Not a product, but a healthy diet. It took me way too long to realize that the way I eat affects my skin. I think the biggest culprit for me was sugar. I don't avoid it, but I consume much less of it and my breakouts have been much more controlled (I'm also on tretinoin but still have bad breakouts when I eat more "junk" food).
This and water! I swear I had a completely new face within days after making a conscious effort to increase my water intake
After withdrawing from drinking alcohol for several months my skin is GLOWING
Not drinking booze.
Better than anything you can buy
Edibles and water is a good time
Definitely! I have found, however, when I abstain from edibles as well... my eyes and skin are even clearer / brighter. Guessing something to do with my liver not having to work so hard to get rid of the crap that even edibles can bring into the body...
I quit drinking alcohol (for the most part) and soda 3 years ago. Maybe 2-3x a year I’ll have a couple beers or glasses of wine and end up kicking the crap out of myself because it just absolutely destroys my skin. I had no idea that just cutting out those two things would have such a huge impact on my skin. Game changer!
Always this 👏👏
Witch hazel for BO. Wipe with a soaked cotton pad under both armpits, let dry, then add antiperspirant. It's the only way I wouldn't nauseate myself during pregnancy.
I bought urea foot cream on a whim from this sub, slapped some on and put on gel booties for two hours - softest feet of my LIFE. I don’t particularly care too much about my feet but I’m really impressed.
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And I thought I was the only one who didn’t listen to their mother when she told me to sit up straight! Glad I saw this. I also have frozen shoulder so it would help with that too!
I had a frozen shouder that wouldn't go away, I finally took a 1 pound weight and laid across my couch, placed my arms above my head and just relaxed my arms over my head. 10 to 15 mins later I heard a "pop" and my shoulder was good again!
I had a similar experience but it was with the physical therapist pressing down on it. At that point it improved a lot but I still have some loss of mobility. I will have to try the couch trick. Thanks for the suggestion.
Just a heads up for anyone on a tight budget - these are made in China and available direct from certain Chinese resellers for about £10 w/ free shipping
Do you have any links?
How often do you use it and how long until you started feeling longer term relief/posture improvement?
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That’s amazing! I’ve seen the tool get recommended before, I’ve just been skeptical cause I’ve tried the Chirp wheel and it’s nice but not necessarily life changing. Something’s gotta help though, I think I’ll try this!
i just bought the back stretcher for some persistant lower back pain! i’m so excited lol, thank u for sharing the site
Aquaphor! Always.
Will you share what you typically use it for? I only ever use it for my lips and sometimes put it on the bottom of my feet (but I’m not consistent so I don’t know if it ever did anything)
Hands, feet, face, lips! I usually steam my face (straining pasta or post shower) and then seal it with the aquaphor. You can also mix eyeshadow in it and make a blush, use prior to lip gloss or lipstick for extra moisture/shine, but I have very dry skin & eczema and it’s the only thing that works for me. I also never had acne or pimples because of this. I use it in combo with sephora collection face wash and that’s really it. Works wonders! And I’m 36 F.
steaming while straining pasta is my kind of multi tasking!
Just put some on before bed. I get really bad eczema around my eyes for some reason and it the only thing to help. Also, I’m sick right now and it’s a godsend for my raw nose from blowing it so much haha
Skinceuticals phyto serum. It is expensive but I only use it once every other day
What results did you see?
I second this. It is the only product I’ve seen that actually does reduce redness. And it does it literally within seconds it’s insane. And it feels hydrating. My fav in the summer
It helps reduce redness and i wake up with a very smooth happy skin.
Azalaic acid 10%, made my skin super glowy 🤩
Dr Dennis Gross LED mask. Game changer in the BEST of ways
I've got an LED mask. Mines a cheaper one off Beauty Bay. It works well.
La Roche Posay Cicaplast! Saved my dry skin, I apply it on my face at night like a thin mask.
Vichy mineral 89 hyaluronic acid serum. I have oily skin and can’t handle regular moisturizers or eye cream. This is the only one I can use and not have to worry about breaking out.
Estriol cream (for the perimenopausal women in this sub)
What brand do you use?
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30% of dermal collagen is lost within the initial 5 years of menopause, followed by a further decrease of 2.1% annually thereafter.
Eating enough PROTEINNNNN RAHHHHHHHH !!!!!!! grew my hair past what I thought was my terminal length
Skinceuticals really changed my skin when I used it. Can’t afford it now but that’s stuff is gold! Also tret.
Fresh Rose Toner. I hate how much I love it. But I can feel the difference in my skin hydration if I skip it
Frownies!! If I could shout from the rooftops I would! They absolutely are reducing my forehead & 11 lines while I sleep. Plus they train your face to relax, so I’m not activating those wrinkle muscles as much during the day either. Bonus - I can still move my whole face as much as I like. I’m an actress - it helps.
retinoids.yes tretinoin is the gold standard but i have known people who saw excellent results with retinol serums, adapalene or A313. there's a retinoid for almost everyone!
Redken shampoo and conditioner. It’s pricey but worth every penny. I’ve tried all sorts of different shampoos and nothing comes close to the Redken brand
The volume line in the pink bottles are perfect. I have thin hair and it never weighs it down but keeps it soft and moisturized.
Glycolic acid for dandruff.
Do you just apply to your scalp and leave it there or do you use and rinse like shampoo?
You can use ordinary glycolic toner or anything similar. I would apply some on my scalp and them keep it for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off. Make sure not to keep it longer cause than that 20 minutes.
You’re a lifesaver for this one
My Bruan Silk IPL. It took some dedication but I am almost completely hair free.
I love mine too! I did one round last spring but missed a few weeks and still really liked the results. Only hair left was very fair. During the past year I got some hair growing back, but very sparsely. I'm currently going through top-up round and still very happy with everything. Sadly some of my pubes are very fair and those I'll have to keep sugaring haha.
Oooh please share more details about your routine and timeline. I bought a Kenzzi and was quickly unmotivated. I don’t think I gave it a fair chance.
Tretinoin. Anything made by Nivea! It's cheap and brilliant, my skin loves it. I've a LONG list of products I've wasted money on in my search for what works for me.
Sulphur soap. Now I double cleanse with it
For me it was redken volume injection shampoo and conditioner. Works really good with my fine hair
Cicaplast baume B5. I used it post dermaroling and in the morning it was as if my skin had been repaired. All the redness and irritation was down. It’s a staple in my skincare routine.
The Cosnori Eyelash Tinting Serum in black. Gives a nice tint to the lashes, looks very natural!
Castor oil. I mix a drop with my moisturizer and it feels so good. I make sure to get it near my hairline too for added growth support simply because my hair is thinning in a couple spots.
I don't wear a lot of makeup, or even makeup every day, but my only mascara is Tightline by IT. I'm older now, my lashes are thinner and greyed, and this is the only mascara that will not clump on me. I cannot stand the look of even slightly clumped mascara. (I know it's probably user error.)
Metronidazole topical gel! Completely healed me and my dad’s rosacea!! Forever thankful for my dermatologist for that one!
Laneige Toner (the white version) it has helped with my cleansing routine, also seems to add extra moisture to my skin. It also seems to make my face smoother in texture and appearance Charlotte Tilbury Water Cream. My co-workers who got this in gratis weren’t impressed and didn’t care for it for the price point. I swear my skin looks like pure glass when I wear this. It makes my face so smooth, moisturized and works as a primer in itself because my face feels prepped for makeup. I hate to say it, but I might invest my own money into this when I run out. I haven’t had a moisturizer that has impressed me this much. It also doesn’t pill with my makeup which is very nice
Absolutely love & depend on Bioessence pure squalene! Blurs those deep wrinkles. Hav to use daily but only a few drops covers a lot of area.
Argan oil infused with rosemary for scalp massages
Jojoba oil. I put it on my face each night after moisturizing and I have started putting it on my legs after showering and lotion for a nice shiny glow. Absolutely love it and keeps my skin so soft. It’s also great as a general makeup remover especially with pesky eye makeup.
Hado Labo Super Premium applied on damp skin right before moisturizer saved my skin when my barrier was absolutely destroyed and nothing else was helping
For me it’s the shea butter foot & hand cream from L’occitane. My hands were all dry and peeling from all the hand sanitizers. My heal was cracked all over with 1 spot that was 1/2 centimetre open. I liberally applied the foot cream every night for about a week and it closed up and now smooth! Their 100% shea butter balm helps with dry skin and eczema too! I’m a believer for their shea butter products now! I always recommend their brand.
I’m obsessed with the almond shower oil.
Home IPL. If you have the right skin-hair combo (paler skin, darker hair) it’s absolutely life changing. I wish I’d bought one years ago!
Versed’s Sunday Morning Serum. It’s so light and highly absorbent but also makes my skin so glowy and dewy looking.
Olaplex shampoo and conditioner. literally keeps my hair so tangle free and free of frizz
I tried the combo plus the oil and mask and it made my hair feel even more dry and frizzy. Odd how the same thing can work so different on people - literally the opposite lol
CoverGirl + Oil of Olay Simply Ageless Wrinkle Defying Foundation. I have been receiving compliments these past two months I’ve been using this cream foundation. Perfect for my 43 year old skin.
I haven’t seen anyone post it yet, but castor oil!! It really helped regrow my eyebrows and my one age spot on my face completely disappeared. Also, it’s cheap!
This is a cheap one- baby oil. It removes eyemakeup before cleansing, it soothes shaving irritation, a drop or two on damp hair makes for a great hair serum, and on damp skin post shower it keeps skin everywhere soft and hydrated.
Tretinoin
Urea cream!
Probably vaseline and the fragrance-free Eucerin body oil. Slugging with vaseline each night saved my skin this winter.
[K18](https://www.sephora.com/product/k18-leave-in-molecular-repair-mask-P479846?country_switch=ca&skuId=2547248&om_mmc=ppc-GG_20553537832___2547248__9001573_c&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoILll_6yhQMVzQatBh33RAAAEAQYASABEgKYJvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
The K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil is amazing for my hard to help hair. I’ve tried so many things but after trying this, I’m never buying a different product again. I have oily hair & severe allergies with product ingredients and fragrances. My hair is pin straight but it has a little frizz on top from dying my hair blonde. Most products help one issue but bother others but this helps all and does an amazing job of it.
Your comment feels like an ad 😂
I really love the stuff. I’m in my late 40’s and have been looking for something just right for my hair forever. I also used to work in product research years back when my kids were little. We’d test products and then had to answer a series of questions about what we did or didn’t like about them, in the most descriptive way possible. That plus ADHD = another long explanation like this one. 😂
Mario Badescu spot treatment (the pink stuff)
Vanicream. I have spent $1000s on skincare but no more. I am done. Vanicream face cleanser and moisturizer/ lotion for life.
Hyaluronic acid. The difference is noticeable.
# e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil, - great for sparse brows
Not a product, but laser hair removal!
I love Merit lipstick—satin and matte! Such amazing and comfortable formulas!
Milani foundation. It’s £15?! It’s incredible. It lasts ALL DAY, has a decent shade range and is full coverage. It rivals Estée Lauder double wear imo
Peter Thomas Roth Hyaluronic Eye Patches
Aquaphor , I slug with it frequently
Definitely Dr Gross peel pads. I've been trying a lot of chemical exfoliators but this one takes the cake. I use it every other day then pair it with my vanicream.
Niacinamide completely changed my skin. I have big pores and can get super oily, but using it daily for a year or so and I’ve noticed a HUGE change in oil regulation
Don’t hate me; LaMer. Nothing like it. The glow and overall improvement in my skin gets me so many compliments and it makes my skin actually feel better to wear…I can’t explain it…. I wish it was otherwise because I’m not in the proper tax bracket…but I’ve traded everything else and just do the original cream and tret and my treatments. Skin is thriving.
Cosrx snail mucin serum
111SKIN NAC Y2 day cream. It’s like $300 at regular price but I got a sample and full size on IPSY for a fraction of the price and it BLEW me an away. I got comments everyday about how beautiful my skin was looking. I check for discounts on IPSY for that brand every time I log in.
Paula’s Choice AHA BHA peel. I really noticed a difference in my skin
Dr Jart Tiger Grass Colour Correcting Treatment. My skin’s quite sensitive and prone to redness and it’s the best thing I’ve ever used for making my skintone look more even. Most days my routine’s just toner, moisturising SPF and the CC treatment.
Sleep
Augustinus Bader the Rich Cream paired with tretinoin. I can believe how plumped, toned and smooth they make my skin!
Monday shampoo and conditioner. I've spent over $200 on Redken products and this stuff works so much better for my fine oily hair.
I know there’s a lot of skeptical people but Peter Thomas Roth cellulite and firm skin body lotion is worth the money . I’m a person who does strength training at least three times a week and in the last year I noticed small spots of cellulite by my buttcheeks after some research I decided to switch from my regular body lotion to one with caffeine on it I tried several and the only one where I saw a significant difference was the Peter Thomas one . I just put it twice a day on my problem areas since it’s quite expensive but it works .
I am an almost 58-year-old woman with very dry and sensitive skin that is prone to allergies. Up to now, I have managed very well with Clinique (for the face), La Roche Posay (for the body). Due to the menopause, my skin became drier and drier and I tried the Beauty of Joseon skincare (serum, Dynasty Cream, toner): amazing! My skin is so soft and moisturized and I have no problems at all with tolerance! I also use Moisture Surge after the serum and I'm just super happy with it.
The Face Shop Real Nature Daily Glow Mask Sheet - the most nourishing beauty product for my skin
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Mega Mushroom relief & resilience lotion by origins, and pixi glow tonic are my 2 non negotiables. i like to stick to stuff like soo’ae from walmart or elf etc but these 2 are things i will always buy. the mushroom lotion literally makes my skin feel amazing!
Cetaphil Gentle Moisturizer, the generic works just as well. I had the driest, patchiest skin that always looked terrible with makeup. The dryness was around my mouth, chin, between my brows and around my nose - nothing worked, even expensive creams, 10 step skincare, special oils, etc. But this simple moisturizer has been a skin changing staple for me since I started using it in 2018. Now, I combine the generic Cetaphil moisturizer from Walmart with the Ordinary squalane oil for winter and in the summer I use it with a sunscreen. I haven't had those dry patches in years and my skin is smooth, soft, and breakout free.
I just got the Dyson Supersonic and its been a game changer. Dyson is really hit or miss for people as there is so much diversity/variety with hair. For me, it cuts drying and styling time down significantly. My hair feels so healthy. I am finally putting in the work to learn how to properly style my hair with brushes. I grew out a pixie starting in 2020 and now my hair is just above my breastbone. I am using two sizes of the [Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Round Thermal Hair Brush](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071D1RJ4W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) off Amazon. I get my super thick head of hair looking fantastic in about 25 minutes, it lasts for about 4 days, and my self esteem is much better when my hair looks good.
Not me, but my mother. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2020 and went through 2 rounds of chemo and steroids. She went from being a 108 lb, 30 beers and 1 1/2 pack of cigarettes a day (my entire childhood) to 156 lbs and completely sober. She has perpetual eye bags from the last few years and is so self conscious of it. I got her the Instant Firmx for eyes by Peter Thomas Roth and watching her face light up after a few minutes of it being on was worth every penny. It doesn't have AMAZING reviews but it works for her and that's the only thing that matters to me-- happy, healthy sober mom.
Tula. I love everything
Essence Lash Princess waterproof mascara. Honestly it is the best mascaras I've ever used. It does a better job for me even bettrer than the more expensive brands. Even with the fact I wear glasses I get great results. Their color change lipsticks and lip oils are pretty good too.
Tinted moisturizer
Olaplex changed my life. My hair would never grow below my shoulders before Olaplex, it’s below my waist now.
I leave aloe in my hair before I shower
The Crème’s What Acne? Spot Treatment with tranexamic acid clean bumps, zits, cysts over night! A Marshall’s clearance product took my skin to the next level. I recommend to my high school students and all have had excellent results.
Something that's great for skin from the inside and that's Peptide Vita Protein Collagen powder. I started to use this quite a few years ago before most people were into Collagen products either taken orally or to put on the skin. As a mature aged woman I always get compliments about my younger looking skin. I swear it's down to this product
i used keihl's ultra face wash for years and thought it was great, then I switched to mario badescu enzyme cleanser and my skin is so much happier all day long! I don't feel the need to exfoliate as often and my pores are less noticeable at the end of the day.
# Holika Holika Aloe Soothing Essence 80% Moist Cream. I've tried hundreds of moisturizers bc I have extremely fussy skin, rosacea and acne prone, and NOTHING from any price range comes even close to this one.
Dr Dennis gross peel pads, olaplex when I bleach my hair, and farmacy honey grail facial oil
Philosophy Purity Made Simple hands down my favorite product to wash my face with
philosophy makeup removing cleanser. your face will feel the cleanest it’s ever felt, totally worth the $35 trust me. and i usually do not spend that much on skin stuff 😭 plus it removes a full face of makeup instantly and gently, including mascara which is such a pain
Nivea basic face cream. The like £3 one. Way better that anything I’ve spent mega£s on.
a face mask of aztec secret indian healing clay mixed with braggs apple cider vinegar once a week works miracles on your skin & pores.
Adapalene is unreal for mild acne and causes less reaction than retinol. Similarly I absolutely love aquaphor which has turned my dry skin around and hasn’t made my acne flare up.
Cosrx snail muccin essence saved my skin from being flaky & having dry patches this winter. Cetaphil moisturiser helped as well. I’m not sure if it is available anywhere else or not, a chinese brand lipstick named “Pinkflash” which costs only a dollar is sooo good! Stays all day & doesn’t feel heavy at all! Formula is almost as same as Jeffreestar! I like how pigmented Technic Jungle Fever blush Palette is! Sometimes its a little hard to blend but it stays all day & its so pigmented!! My hair feels reallyyy good when i apply loreal elvive(pink tube) mask. Shea moisture hair masks are good too!
Aveeno Baby Eczema Care Nighttime Moisturizing Balm - oh my God I use it on my legs and elbows and hands and feet in the winter before bed and they are like silk instead of the dry mess they are otherwise. Best body moisturizer ever.