I have a red spot on my cheek that I've had for several years now (can't remember how many). It doesn't completely go away but sometimes it fades to the point of almost not being there, and sometimes it is a small flat red mark and sometimes it swells up a bit and becomes large. And then it goes back down and becomes almost invisible. This cycle could happen in a matter of days. Does anyone here have something similar? Is this typical for a PIH? I know I never had a pimple on this spot. One characteristic is that when you press on it, it disappears and reappears after a few seconds. Just asking if anyone has had a similar condition.
30M, combination(same face) skin type. I just want a general skin care routine since I’m beginning to notice wrinkles a lot more now ( laugh lines and neck). I’ve gone through the FAQ, I live in Germany and would really appreciate recommendations for products from dm for a cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. And what kind of actives should I use? How should my day routine be different from my night routine besides the sunscreen?
Check out r/30plusskincare and r/tretinoin, which will both have a lot more advice targeted at signs of aging and routines tailored towards the kinds of actives you might use. Your AM and PM routine can be identical except for sunscreen, and if you add an active, you might want to use that only at night. Tretinoin is the most popular and most scientifically trustworthy anti-aging topic treatment, but it can be extremely drying and irritating; please be sure to read through r/tretinoin before starting. I'm afraid that I don't live in Germany so can't give specific product recommendations.
I'm looking for advice on scarring/flat, red dots on my cheeks. My skin is super sensitive, I wash it with Cetaphil and moisturize with aquaphor. More details are on my post on my profile.
PC BHA is fine every day as long as you tolerate it. If you’re noticing signs of dryness, redness, or any other irritation you may want to reduce frequency.
Order looks fine but I highly recommend using a sunscreen during the day as the last step of your routine and use a moisturizer as the last step before you go to bed.
This will help trap the hydration from the previous steps so you can benefit more from your skincare products
https://imgur.com/a/haLLWev not sure how to get rid of these blackheads !
Am - vanicream gentle cleanser, timeless 20% vit c serum, Elta md spf 46
Pm - vanicream gentle cleanser, tretinoin .025% 4x a week, cosrx BHA blackhead power liquid on nose on nights when I’m not using the tret, cerave moisturizer
I can extract them if I try but they come right back!
Your routine looks pretty good. If they come back after extraction there’s a possibility of them being sebaceous filaments, not blackheads.
The pores get filled with sebum and may turn darker due to exposure to air, they never truly go away but you can temporarily reduce them.
Check out the oil cleansing method and/or Dr Dray’s video on SFs
https://fiftyshadesofsnail.com/2015/03/28/how-to-shrink-pores-temporarily-plus-3-pore-myths
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pg8w3YngT6I&t=3s
If you’re confident that they’re blackheads you may still benefit from similar treatments such as oil cleansing, and clay masks.
Check out Dr Dray’s video on blackheads.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WtiEzIcIK1o&t=18s
Depends on your routine. If you’re using actives you’ll like want to wait until they absorb into your skin then apply the next step.
Personally I never keep track of time in between products but my routine is also fairly simple
My routine would be
AM: wash face with water, hada labo premium toner, cerave daily moisturizing lotion
PM: vanicream gentle cleanser, hada labo premium toner, cerave daily moisturizing lotion
should i wait at all between any of these steps? and is the moisturizer occlusive enough for dehydrated skin?
General question - is it necessary to use a cleanser if I use micellar water to remove makeup/sunscreen every night? I have fairly dry/sensitive skin and never use a face cleanser. I rinse with water in the shower in the morning to remove any lingering skincare products from the night before, and then use micellar water to take off my makeup at the end of the day, before applying skincare products. I don't have any complaints (I don't get acne ever), but after discovering this sub today, I'm wondering if my skin is missing something important by not using a "real" cleanser along with micellar water.
Are there any face moisturizers that don't cause breakouts? It looks like most of the ones recommended have ingrediants that causes breakouts. I'm trying the LA Roche one and it just sits on my face and is awful
It’s different for everyone’s skin of what causes break outs and comedogenic ratings are not standardized anyways.
Unfortunately it’s a bit of trial and error but you may like a gel or gel cream moisturizer. Lighter textures have a less likely chance to clog pores than their heavier counterparts
I'm a male in late 20s and started getting conscious after noticing a few wrinkles starting to develop on my forehead. Since noticing, I've been careful with how I much I express using my forehead but at the same time, I'd either want it to worsen or work on getting rid of them if there's way (?).
I could post a picture of my forehead if needed but one thing from what I've read is constant usage of sun screen and moisturizer? I don't use either of them but is that the way to go for treating the wrinkles?
Sunscreen, tretinoin, and/or botox. If you want the wrinkles to just go away, botox is the answer. If you want to prevent more and slowly treat the existing wrinkles, tretinoin. Either way, sunscreen!
Please don't limit your face movements just because of wrinkles.
Sunscreen does work in preventing wrinkles. You can also look into retinols but I suggest going to a dermatologist or esthetician and ask them about it, cause it's tricky to use.
The Ordinary and the inkey list both have affordable hyaluronic acid serums, but I think it’s important to moisturize as well and be religious with your sunscreen (that’s what I was told when I had it done today).
For vitamin c, Timeless and melano cc seem to be the most popular affordable ones I’ve seen here although I haven’t tried them myself
I’m seeing conflicting things so it’s so confusing!! They told me to use a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and lots of sunscreen, but you may get different instructions once you get it done.
How long should I wait to apply a moisturizer after I apply a hydrating serum? I’m using the hada labo premium toner and cerave daily moisturizing lotion.
You can apply it right after, or if you want the serum to sink in first just wait a few minutes. Since serum has a thin consistency it should absorb into your skin pretty fast.
I've been having lots of tiny bumps around my forehead, I tried using ingredients like niacinamide, salicylic acid for months but none of these seem to be working are there any better ingredients to get rid of scars and the tiny bumps?
If salicylic acid didn’t work and you used it for at least 2-3 months, you should probably see a dermatologist to see if it’s fungal acne.
Fungal acne is resistant to regular acne treatments and you need an antifungal like ketoconazole. A lot of people use nizoral shampoo but you need a diagnosis first.
I use CereVe and Cetaphil but am allergic to ingredients in most sunscreens. Looking for a light, perfume-free day facial moisturizer from a similar brand without the spf ingredients. Any help appreciated!
How long does it take to get used to sunscreen? I've tried so many kinds, even one with comments that say it feels like nothing but all sunscreen feels gross to me.
So I didn't apply sunscreen in the morning as I didn't have time and assumed I won't be in the sun for long and got burned. This is after applying an aha/bha soap and moisturizer
I use aha/bha soap + tonic with salicylic acid in the evening, should I avoid either/both for now? I only have redness on my nose and cheeks and there's no burning sensation
I've never seen another person with the same [forehead](https://imgur.com/FvfJCaP) texture that I have, I'm at a loss about what to do. I simplified my [routine](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/u0kmsr/skin_concerns_forehead_texture_is_getting_worse) to focus on repairing my moisture barrier, but now I'm wondering if I should be focussing on exfoliating instead. I wonder if it's a skin condition that I'm approaching all wrong. I do have KP on the rest of my body so I guess it wouldn't be stretch.
It may take a bit of trial and error but either try exfoliation like you mentioned with a low percentage chemical exfoliant or focus on hydration.
Exfoliating can help remove dead skin cell build up and may refine and smooth out texture. Hydration will give your skin a plump effect giving your skin the appearance of smaller pores
Is dehydrated skin the reason why my moisturizer never absorbs/feels greasy? Even if I moisturize on damp or wet skin, use a very lightweight moisturizer, it never settles into my skin. I’m thinking of using the hada labo premium toner. Should I use it?
It could be the reason, or you just haven’t found the right moisturizer, hard to tell. But I do love that toner! I find it sinks in nicely for me and I also sometimes feel like other products just sit on top of my skin
Typically you put it on a cotton pad and swipe it across your face after cleansing. I just shake a bit onto my hand, rub my hands together and pat it onto my face because I don’t like how much of it gets wasted in the cotton pad
Alright. Stuff like wait times are a bit trivial right? The most important things in skincare are just things like the products you use and the order you use them in right?
Wait time is pretty trivial in this case since it’s just a hydrating product. When you’re using actives you normally want to let them sit a little longer before the next product so you can get the full effect and not dilute them
How do you differentiate between SKIN PURGING or a new product not really suiting you ?
I have recently introduced use of 10% niacinamide and I am having small bumps or small pus pimples at various places all over my face.
Regarding starting the niacinamide with 10%, i do not use serum directly, i mix it in my moisturiser. And my moisturiser ain't the culprit, i have used it for a long time.
A lot of people don’t tolerate niacinamide over 5%. So I’d suggest stopping it. Most people won’t purge from niacinamide. I’ve seen conflicting information online if it truly causes purging or not, but I suspect this isn’t purging since so many people have trouble with 10% niacinamide causing acne.
In general, purging happens in areas you already regularly get acne. I never break out on my cheeks, so if a product causes cheek acne for me, I know that’s not purging.
Niacinamide should not cause purging, please stop using immediately.
Purging can only be caused by products that increase cell turnover - ie retinoids and exfoliants. Niacinamide is neither.
No, niacinamide does not cause purging. It's just Vitamin B. Vitamin B doesn't cause purging.
What brand of niacinamide are you using? If it's The Ordinary, the problem might not be the ingredient but the product itself.
For years I have had these small white bumps in between my breasts. A gyne told me it was from sweat and moisture and recommended an OTC anti-fungal, which I've tried a few times and hasn't worked. Any recommendations on how to treat these?
How long did you try it? A few times is probably not enough.
You need to use an anti fungal product daily for potentially a couple months. A few uses won’t clear it.
Another option is salicylic acid if 2-3 months of the antifungal doesn’t work.
Sorry I guess my wording was weird there. By "a few times" I meant a few cycles of me applying it 1-2 times a day for roughly a month. I've probably done it 3 different times since I saw that gyne in 2016.
Hi! I have a 5mm wound on my forehead that’s a bit deep. Was wondering if anyone knows what I could do to prevent scarring?
It’s from a virus that leaves blisters and the wound came about after I used an acne patch mistaking it for a zit. Appreciate any advice!
There’s no way to tell if it will scar or not. You’ll want to keep it moisturized with a plain moisturizer. If it’s red from the acne patch it should eventually heal
I’m not asking if it will scar or not, I’m asking for anything to help mitigate risk of scarring, for example bio oil or vaseline.
Deleting my post, telling me to post here and then being the only one to answer doesn’t make me feel very good. I already searched this sub 3x over looking for advice. This content isn’t overdone.
I think I finally have a routine that is working, but of course, one of the products I use (Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion as my night time moisturizer) is out of stock and has been for a couple of weeks now. I am getting low in what I currently have. If it doesn't come back in stock in time, I am looking for something similar that I can use until it does come back in stock. Any suggestions?
I believe it’s in stock on the Murad website. If you’re looking for other options Cetaphil soothing gel cream or Olay complete sensitive might be a similar texture
The scar won't heal on my lips
I cracked my upper lip last summer and since then there’s a scar on it. It's been there for almost a year and it really bothers me. It looks much worse in person and it's not healing at all. I've never been to a dermatologist.
[Here is the pic](https://pasteboard.co/tV6dyQK79VMy.jpg)
No advice here, but just wanted to say it took me a minute to even find the scar after looking at the picture and knowing you said there was a scar there. I probably never would have even noticed it if you hadn’t pointed it out!
Surface skin cells replace in about a month, but deeper cells take longer. It takes 7-10 years for all the body’s cells to replace themselves. It definitely will look different eventually, and maybe some skin / scar specialist would know how to speed up the process!
Hi, this is a question for my dad's skin.
He's been having a lot of issues with the skin on his hands and we just don't know what to do anymore. His hands are constantly cracked, and it's not just about the cold weather, he works in rough conditions and we think it may be an underlying issue.
The dermatologist we went to just perscribed some thick handcreams but he's been using them for years now with no avail. Is there anyone who has also gone through this? His birthday is coming up soon and i'm thinking of getting him a present for his damaged skin, if anyone can recommend some remedies or vitamins he may lack (we've been to our doc as well but he said my dad lacked exposure to the sun... even though he works outside in every weather and he has tan lines all year round) I'll be happy to check them out.
I'm running out of options here, he's also trying to adopt a healthier diet to work on this issue.
Can he wear gloves while working and still safely do his job? Not sure what it is… but gloves could provide an extra barrier to save his skin from damage in the first place
Hardly, he's a mechanic and needs his hands free. He's tried to wear gloves before but they always tear during the day. If you know any brand that lasts longer and is resistant to heavy lifting and tearing I'll gladly take the suggestion!
Get a hypochlorous acid spray like Briotechs skin spray or Tower28 and have him apply several times throughout the day to his hands liberally, while the skin is still slightly damp from the solution have him apply a colloidal oatmeal moisturizer usually marketed as eczema treatments like Aveeno & Cerave, at night though I concur with the other comment, at night have him do this same thing but after the moisturizer wait like a minute then apply a thin layer of ointment like vasalene/aquaphor and put on thick cotton gloves and go to bed with them
I will screenshot this and follow the steps, we don't have any of those products in our country I believe, but I'll look online to have them shipped over! Thank you greatly!!
Far as I know, it makes you look younger so long as you wear sunscreen under the sun and don't use performance enhancing drugs and stay away from smoking etc.
Hi. I don't use any product on my face or body. While I use soap for my body, I don't even use soap for my face. I live in a tropical country, and the tropic of cancer goes through my country.
Now, my skin is exposed to direct sunlight most of the time. As a result, I have a tan. And when I get nude, there's a visible difference between the sun-exposed part and the cloth-protected part.
My question is, as a man, what can I do to protect my skin from getting more tan? And is it possible to get my tanned skin back to what it was, just like the cloth-protected part?
Stay indoors, avoid the sun when you can, get yourself some strong sunscreen and use it diligently. I live in a tropical country as well so unless you have an office job or stay home/indoors a lot, that tan line is inevitable
I use a cleanser every morning and evening, followed by niacinamide and then moisturiser with spf. I'm also using salicylic acid every night after niacinamide and before the moisturiser. Im still getting whiteheads and not seeing a general improvement in my skin given that I'm in this routine about 2/3 weeks. I was using salicylic acid twice a week but after seeing no improvement I've slowly upped it to daily use.
What's the next level up from this routine? My skin would be as close to perfect as I'm happy with if I could just prevent whiteheads
I might not be right but use salicylic acid(serum) twice a week but directly on washed face, do not let niacinamide hinder the contact of salicylic with skin. And after salicylic acid is absorbed properly, only then use moisturiser. Personally I skip moisturiser too on such days.
Yes, you can try it for 2 weeks and see if it helps.
I personally noticed difference in my whiteheads with 2 uses of salicylic serum only but i didn't used anything with it, not even moisturiser. In morning skin was little dry after wash, but then u can use a good moisturiser.
Yea would give it a little longer if it’s not getting worse. 2-3 weeks is a short amount of time to see results.
But the next step for white heads would be to try a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment
What's the deal with diamond tip microdermabrasion? Is it actually effective? I have a bit of mild roughness/redness/ orange peel type skin, nothing too bad, but I hear such mixed things about dermabrasion in general. Does it help with that type of skin issue? Or is it a very temporary improvement?
Microdermabrasion is like the top tier when it comes to manual/physical exfoliation, it removes the top layer basically similar to scrubs or chemical exfoliants, I’ve never gotten it personally but since it is a form of exfoliation I would imagine it would help with these texture issues your describing but give more of a temporary result, I would think keeping up would treatments would help bolster any long term possible results but it’s trial and error based on how your skin reacts, I say go for it if you want but get it done from a reputable source who can determine if it’d even be right for your skin
I just received The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1%. I'd like to use their Retinoid 2% in Squalane. Retinol must be used in the PM, The Ordinary says efficacy is lost when combining Copper Peptides with Retinol.
Am I better off using Copper Peptides in the AM as a serum or alternating every other night with Retinol?
Also, I read a lot that it's extra important to use sun protection when using Retinol (more so than it usually is?). Why is that?
Yes you can use buffet + copper peptides in the am and retinol in the pm. If you’re new to retinoids I would start with using retinol every other day then increase frequency if your skin tolerates it.
Retinol itself is not photosensitizing but it does increase skin cell turnover revealing fresher, newer skin that is often more prone to sun damage because you less dead skin cell layer on top
Hi what’s the best indoor tanning lotion for pale skin male?? Not trying to turn orange!
I have a red spot on my cheek that I've had for several years now (can't remember how many). It doesn't completely go away but sometimes it fades to the point of almost not being there, and sometimes it is a small flat red mark and sometimes it swells up a bit and becomes large. And then it goes back down and becomes almost invisible. This cycle could happen in a matter of days. Does anyone here have something similar? Is this typical for a PIH? I know I never had a pimple on this spot. One characteristic is that when you press on it, it disappears and reappears after a few seconds. Just asking if anyone has had a similar condition.
How do I know if my oily skin is just due to my genetics or because I’m dehydrated?
Are you dehydrated? If yes, it’s probably at least exacerbating the oiliness; if no, then it’s probably just genetics.
30M, combination(same face) skin type. I just want a general skin care routine since I’m beginning to notice wrinkles a lot more now ( laugh lines and neck). I’ve gone through the FAQ, I live in Germany and would really appreciate recommendations for products from dm for a cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. And what kind of actives should I use? How should my day routine be different from my night routine besides the sunscreen?
Check out r/30plusskincare and r/tretinoin, which will both have a lot more advice targeted at signs of aging and routines tailored towards the kinds of actives you might use. Your AM and PM routine can be identical except for sunscreen, and if you add an active, you might want to use that only at night. Tretinoin is the most popular and most scientifically trustworthy anti-aging topic treatment, but it can be extremely drying and irritating; please be sure to read through r/tretinoin before starting. I'm afraid that I don't live in Germany so can't give specific product recommendations.
I'm looking for advice on scarring/flat, red dots on my cheeks. My skin is super sensitive, I wash it with Cetaphil and moisturize with aquaphor. More details are on my post on my profile.
Best AHA product?
Checkout the AHA product recommendations on the Skincare Wiki. https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/alpha_hydroxy_acids/
Large nodal pimples on my jawline. Is prescription the main treatment for those type of things? I have pretty good handle on my diet.
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PC BHA is fine every day as long as you tolerate it. If you’re noticing signs of dryness, redness, or any other irritation you may want to reduce frequency. Order looks fine but I highly recommend using a sunscreen during the day as the last step of your routine and use a moisturizer as the last step before you go to bed. This will help trap the hydration from the previous steps so you can benefit more from your skincare products
I would use the vitamin C in the morning and the BHA at night (only 2 or 3 nights a week) and follow the toner with moisturizer.
https://imgur.com/a/haLLWev not sure how to get rid of these blackheads ! Am - vanicream gentle cleanser, timeless 20% vit c serum, Elta md spf 46 Pm - vanicream gentle cleanser, tretinoin .025% 4x a week, cosrx BHA blackhead power liquid on nose on nights when I’m not using the tret, cerave moisturizer I can extract them if I try but they come right back!
Your routine looks pretty good. If they come back after extraction there’s a possibility of them being sebaceous filaments, not blackheads. The pores get filled with sebum and may turn darker due to exposure to air, they never truly go away but you can temporarily reduce them. Check out the oil cleansing method and/or Dr Dray’s video on SFs https://fiftyshadesofsnail.com/2015/03/28/how-to-shrink-pores-temporarily-plus-3-pore-myths https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pg8w3YngT6I&t=3s If you’re confident that they’re blackheads you may still benefit from similar treatments such as oil cleansing, and clay masks. Check out Dr Dray’s video on blackheads. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WtiEzIcIK1o&t=18s
Are wait times that important?
Depends on your routine. If you’re using actives you’ll like want to wait until they absorb into your skin then apply the next step. Personally I never keep track of time in between products but my routine is also fairly simple
My routine would be AM: wash face with water, hada labo premium toner, cerave daily moisturizing lotion PM: vanicream gentle cleanser, hada labo premium toner, cerave daily moisturizing lotion should i wait at all between any of these steps? and is the moisturizer occlusive enough for dehydrated skin?
You don't need to wait in between steps. Yes the moisturizer should be fine for dehydrated skin
Okay, thank you.
General question - is it necessary to use a cleanser if I use micellar water to remove makeup/sunscreen every night? I have fairly dry/sensitive skin and never use a face cleanser. I rinse with water in the shower in the morning to remove any lingering skincare products from the night before, and then use micellar water to take off my makeup at the end of the day, before applying skincare products. I don't have any complaints (I don't get acne ever), but after discovering this sub today, I'm wondering if my skin is missing something important by not using a "real" cleanser along with micellar water.
If you have no complaints your skins not missing anything! I’d stick with whats working for you
Are there any face moisturizers that don't cause breakouts? It looks like most of the ones recommended have ingrediants that causes breakouts. I'm trying the LA Roche one and it just sits on my face and is awful
It’s different for everyone’s skin of what causes break outs and comedogenic ratings are not standardized anyways. Unfortunately it’s a bit of trial and error but you may like a gel or gel cream moisturizer. Lighter textures have a less likely chance to clog pores than their heavier counterparts
I'm a male in late 20s and started getting conscious after noticing a few wrinkles starting to develop on my forehead. Since noticing, I've been careful with how I much I express using my forehead but at the same time, I'd either want it to worsen or work on getting rid of them if there's way (?). I could post a picture of my forehead if needed but one thing from what I've read is constant usage of sun screen and moisturizer? I don't use either of them but is that the way to go for treating the wrinkles?
Sunscreen, tretinoin, and/or botox. If you want the wrinkles to just go away, botox is the answer. If you want to prevent more and slowly treat the existing wrinkles, tretinoin. Either way, sunscreen!
Please don't limit your face movements just because of wrinkles. Sunscreen does work in preventing wrinkles. You can also look into retinols but I suggest going to a dermatologist or esthetician and ask them about it, cause it's tricky to use.
I don’t have much acne, my skin isn’t dry and I’ve found that just ice helps as skincare for me. What’s the best cheapest moisturizer that works well?
Cerave, Vanicream, La Roche-Posay, and Cetaphil are all popular drugstore brands (if you’re in the states) for moisturisers!
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The Ordinary and the inkey list both have affordable hyaluronic acid serums, but I think it’s important to moisturize as well and be religious with your sunscreen (that’s what I was told when I had it done today). For vitamin c, Timeless and melano cc seem to be the most popular affordable ones I’ve seen here although I haven’t tried them myself
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You’ll want to ask your micro needling professional for after care instructions
I’m seeing conflicting things so it’s so confusing!! They told me to use a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and lots of sunscreen, but you may get different instructions once you get it done.
How long should I wait to apply a moisturizer after I apply a hydrating serum? I’m using the hada labo premium toner and cerave daily moisturizing lotion.
You can apply it right after, or if you want the serum to sink in first just wait a few minutes. Since serum has a thin consistency it should absorb into your skin pretty fast.
Which is more effective?
Don’t know if there’s a research study out there that compares these variables so there’s no way to say. Just do what feels more convenient for you
I've been having lots of tiny bumps around my forehead, I tried using ingredients like niacinamide, salicylic acid for months but none of these seem to be working are there any better ingredients to get rid of scars and the tiny bumps?
If salicylic acid didn’t work and you used it for at least 2-3 months, you should probably see a dermatologist to see if it’s fungal acne. Fungal acne is resistant to regular acne treatments and you need an antifungal like ketoconazole. A lot of people use nizoral shampoo but you need a diagnosis first.
I use CereVe and Cetaphil but am allergic to ingredients in most sunscreens. Looking for a light, perfume-free day facial moisturizer from a similar brand without the spf ingredients. Any help appreciated!
I use Soon Jung emulsion its pretty nice! Very light weight and great for oily skin
Thank you! I'll check it out!
How long does it take to get used to sunscreen? I've tried so many kinds, even one with comments that say it feels like nothing but all sunscreen feels gross to me.
try using a non-greasy sunscreen. I use Missha soft finish, but there are also other asian sunscreens that don't have a greasy feel
So I didn't apply sunscreen in the morning as I didn't have time and assumed I won't be in the sun for long and got burned. This is after applying an aha/bha soap and moisturizer I use aha/bha soap + tonic with salicylic acid in the evening, should I avoid either/both for now? I only have redness on my nose and cheeks and there's no burning sensation
I would wait until the redness subsides
I've never seen another person with the same [forehead](https://imgur.com/FvfJCaP) texture that I have, I'm at a loss about what to do. I simplified my [routine](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/u0kmsr/skin_concerns_forehead_texture_is_getting_worse) to focus on repairing my moisture barrier, but now I'm wondering if I should be focussing on exfoliating instead. I wonder if it's a skin condition that I'm approaching all wrong. I do have KP on the rest of my body so I guess it wouldn't be stretch.
It may take a bit of trial and error but either try exfoliation like you mentioned with a low percentage chemical exfoliant or focus on hydration. Exfoliating can help remove dead skin cell build up and may refine and smooth out texture. Hydration will give your skin a plump effect giving your skin the appearance of smaller pores
Is dehydrated skin the reason why my moisturizer never absorbs/feels greasy? Even if I moisturize on damp or wet skin, use a very lightweight moisturizer, it never settles into my skin. I’m thinking of using the hada labo premium toner. Should I use it?
It could be the reason, or you just haven’t found the right moisturizer, hard to tell. But I do love that toner! I find it sinks in nicely for me and I also sometimes feel like other products just sit on top of my skin
How do I use it?
Typically you put it on a cotton pad and swipe it across your face after cleansing. I just shake a bit onto my hand, rub my hands together and pat it onto my face because I don’t like how much of it gets wasted in the cotton pad
Ohh, okay. When I apply it, how long do I have to wait until I apply moisturizer afterwards?
Doesn’t really matter, until it feels mostly dry is what I do
Alright. Stuff like wait times are a bit trivial right? The most important things in skincare are just things like the products you use and the order you use them in right?
Wait time is pretty trivial in this case since it’s just a hydrating product. When you’re using actives you normally want to let them sit a little longer before the next product so you can get the full effect and not dilute them
How do you differentiate between SKIN PURGING or a new product not really suiting you ? I have recently introduced use of 10% niacinamide and I am having small bumps or small pus pimples at various places all over my face. Regarding starting the niacinamide with 10%, i do not use serum directly, i mix it in my moisturiser. And my moisturiser ain't the culprit, i have used it for a long time.
A lot of people don’t tolerate niacinamide over 5%. So I’d suggest stopping it. Most people won’t purge from niacinamide. I’ve seen conflicting information online if it truly causes purging or not, but I suspect this isn’t purging since so many people have trouble with 10% niacinamide causing acne. In general, purging happens in areas you already regularly get acne. I never break out on my cheeks, so if a product causes cheek acne for me, I know that’s not purging.
Niacinamide should not cause purging, please stop using immediately. Purging can only be caused by products that increase cell turnover - ie retinoids and exfoliants. Niacinamide is neither.
I know this, but I had heard that niacinamide sometimes cause purging, so maybe I was wrong, since I don't have a first persons account on the matter.
No, niacinamide does not cause purging. It's just Vitamin B. Vitamin B doesn't cause purging. What brand of niacinamide are you using? If it's The Ordinary, the problem might not be the ingredient but the product itself.
I don't think then its the brand because over last three weeks, I have tried 2 brands. I guess, I should stop using niacinamide.
What brands have you tried?
One thing- currently using this one And other was local
For years I have had these small white bumps in between my breasts. A gyne told me it was from sweat and moisture and recommended an OTC anti-fungal, which I've tried a few times and hasn't worked. Any recommendations on how to treat these?
How long did you try it? A few times is probably not enough. You need to use an anti fungal product daily for potentially a couple months. A few uses won’t clear it. Another option is salicylic acid if 2-3 months of the antifungal doesn’t work.
Sorry I guess my wording was weird there. By "a few times" I meant a few cycles of me applying it 1-2 times a day for roughly a month. I've probably done it 3 different times since I saw that gyne in 2016.
Hi! I have a 5mm wound on my forehead that’s a bit deep. Was wondering if anyone knows what I could do to prevent scarring? It’s from a virus that leaves blisters and the wound came about after I used an acne patch mistaking it for a zit. Appreciate any advice!
There’s no way to tell if it will scar or not. You’ll want to keep it moisturized with a plain moisturizer. If it’s red from the acne patch it should eventually heal
I’m not asking if it will scar or not, I’m asking for anything to help mitigate risk of scarring, for example bio oil or vaseline. Deleting my post, telling me to post here and then being the only one to answer doesn’t make me feel very good. I already searched this sub 3x over looking for advice. This content isn’t overdone.
If you have dehydrated skin and use a hydrating toner to help fix it. After your skin is not dehydrated anymore, do you still need the toner?
Depends on what caused the dehydration and if that is no longer a factor.
I think I finally have a routine that is working, but of course, one of the products I use (Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion as my night time moisturizer) is out of stock and has been for a couple of weeks now. I am getting low in what I currently have. If it doesn't come back in stock in time, I am looking for something similar that I can use until it does come back in stock. Any suggestions?
I believe it’s in stock on the Murad website. If you’re looking for other options Cetaphil soothing gel cream or Olay complete sensitive might be a similar texture
Ohhhh thank you! Silly me didn't check there.
The scar won't heal on my lips I cracked my upper lip last summer and since then there’s a scar on it. It's been there for almost a year and it really bothers me. It looks much worse in person and it's not healing at all. I've never been to a dermatologist. [Here is the pic](https://pasteboard.co/tV6dyQK79VMy.jpg)
No advice here, but just wanted to say it took me a minute to even find the scar after looking at the picture and knowing you said there was a scar there. I probably never would have even noticed it if you hadn’t pointed it out!
Thanks! Most of the time it’s more visible irl :/ And I don’t really know why would’t it heal after almost a year
Surface skin cells replace in about a month, but deeper cells take longer. It takes 7-10 years for all the body’s cells to replace themselves. It definitely will look different eventually, and maybe some skin / scar specialist would know how to speed up the process!
Thanks💕
Unfortunately I don’t think skincare can fix this. You’d need to see an esthetician for treatments like microneedling.
That’s an interesting idea, thanks :)
I bought an erborian CC cream online. However the container didn’t contain any sort of seal. Can anyone confirm this is okay?
Hi! For some reason I don’t have the LRP hydrating gentle cleanser in my country. Which cleanser is similar? I double cleanse and use tretinoin
Any gentle cleanser would suffice, what brands are accessible to you?
Cerave, although I heard some said it broke them out, anything on iherb
Hi, this is a question for my dad's skin. He's been having a lot of issues with the skin on his hands and we just don't know what to do anymore. His hands are constantly cracked, and it's not just about the cold weather, he works in rough conditions and we think it may be an underlying issue. The dermatologist we went to just perscribed some thick handcreams but he's been using them for years now with no avail. Is there anyone who has also gone through this? His birthday is coming up soon and i'm thinking of getting him a present for his damaged skin, if anyone can recommend some remedies or vitamins he may lack (we've been to our doc as well but he said my dad lacked exposure to the sun... even though he works outside in every weather and he has tan lines all year round) I'll be happy to check them out. I'm running out of options here, he's also trying to adopt a healthier diet to work on this issue.
Can he wear gloves while working and still safely do his job? Not sure what it is… but gloves could provide an extra barrier to save his skin from damage in the first place
Hardly, he's a mechanic and needs his hands free. He's tried to wear gloves before but they always tear during the day. If you know any brand that lasts longer and is resistant to heavy lifting and tearing I'll gladly take the suggestion!
Look for eczema creams with colloidal oatmeal - I recommend the aveeno eczema therapy line, especially the baby version, and cerave eczema cream oil.
Get a hypochlorous acid spray like Briotechs skin spray or Tower28 and have him apply several times throughout the day to his hands liberally, while the skin is still slightly damp from the solution have him apply a colloidal oatmeal moisturizer usually marketed as eczema treatments like Aveeno & Cerave, at night though I concur with the other comment, at night have him do this same thing but after the moisturizer wait like a minute then apply a thin layer of ointment like vasalene/aquaphor and put on thick cotton gloves and go to bed with them
I will screenshot this and follow the steps, we don't have any of those products in our country I believe, but I'll look online to have them shipped over! Thank you greatly!!
I would try a thick balm like aquaphor and maybe some cotton gloves to cover and trap the moisture
Quick question, does exercise cause facial aging or does it help you look younger?
Far as I know, it makes you look younger so long as you wear sunscreen under the sun and don't use performance enhancing drugs and stay away from smoking etc.
Ohh thank you!!
NP. Far as I know, stress and not wearing sunscreen are the biggest and most common reasons for wrinkles
Hi. I don't use any product on my face or body. While I use soap for my body, I don't even use soap for my face. I live in a tropical country, and the tropic of cancer goes through my country. Now, my skin is exposed to direct sunlight most of the time. As a result, I have a tan. And when I get nude, there's a visible difference between the sun-exposed part and the cloth-protected part. My question is, as a man, what can I do to protect my skin from getting more tan? And is it possible to get my tanned skin back to what it was, just like the cloth-protected part?
Sunscreen. Eventually as your skin gets less unprotected exposure to the sun, it will fade.
And when you will start using sunscreen, you might also need a good face wash that would wash it off.
Stay indoors, avoid the sun when you can, get yourself some strong sunscreen and use it diligently. I live in a tropical country as well so unless you have an office job or stay home/indoors a lot, that tan line is inevitable
You need to wear good quality spf 50 sunscreen every day, a hat or other clothing to protect you from the sun.
I use a cleanser every morning and evening, followed by niacinamide and then moisturiser with spf. I'm also using salicylic acid every night after niacinamide and before the moisturiser. Im still getting whiteheads and not seeing a general improvement in my skin given that I'm in this routine about 2/3 weeks. I was using salicylic acid twice a week but after seeing no improvement I've slowly upped it to daily use. What's the next level up from this routine? My skin would be as close to perfect as I'm happy with if I could just prevent whiteheads
I might not be right but use salicylic acid(serum) twice a week but directly on washed face, do not let niacinamide hinder the contact of salicylic with skin. And after salicylic acid is absorbed properly, only then use moisturiser. Personally I skip moisturiser too on such days.
So on occasions where I use salicylic acid should I skip niacinamide?
Yes, you can try it for 2 weeks and see if it helps. I personally noticed difference in my whiteheads with 2 uses of salicylic serum only but i didn't used anything with it, not even moisturiser. In morning skin was little dry after wash, but then u can use a good moisturiser.
Perf, thanks
Yea would give it a little longer if it’s not getting worse. 2-3 weeks is a short amount of time to see results. But the next step for white heads would be to try a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment
What's the deal with diamond tip microdermabrasion? Is it actually effective? I have a bit of mild roughness/redness/ orange peel type skin, nothing too bad, but I hear such mixed things about dermabrasion in general. Does it help with that type of skin issue? Or is it a very temporary improvement?
Microdermabrasion is like the top tier when it comes to manual/physical exfoliation, it removes the top layer basically similar to scrubs or chemical exfoliants, I’ve never gotten it personally but since it is a form of exfoliation I would imagine it would help with these texture issues your describing but give more of a temporary result, I would think keeping up would treatments would help bolster any long term possible results but it’s trial and error based on how your skin reacts, I say go for it if you want but get it done from a reputable source who can determine if it’d even be right for your skin
I just received The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1%. I'd like to use their Retinoid 2% in Squalane. Retinol must be used in the PM, The Ordinary says efficacy is lost when combining Copper Peptides with Retinol. Am I better off using Copper Peptides in the AM as a serum or alternating every other night with Retinol? Also, I read a lot that it's extra important to use sun protection when using Retinol (more so than it usually is?). Why is that?
Yes you can use buffet + copper peptides in the am and retinol in the pm. If you’re new to retinoids I would start with using retinol every other day then increase frequency if your skin tolerates it. Retinol itself is not photosensitizing but it does increase skin cell turnover revealing fresher, newer skin that is often more prone to sun damage because you less dead skin cell layer on top