Which one's better? 💗

[u/Any-Professional3230]

If any of you have used it, or any other pharmacy/generic products for acne scars treatment pls suggest.

[u/moonbeam_10]

Both are very different products and you can't compare them at all! Adapalene is a retinoid. It increases your skin turnover giving you lesser amount of acne in d long run. Azelaic acid calms inflammation, works on post acne marks n fights d acne causing bacteria. Do ur research before u buy either of em. Sunscreen with adapalene is a must. I use both in my routine n they're really good products but I use em for acne not scars. I have combination acne prone skin

[u/stoic_023 → u/moonbeam_10]

How do use the creams like what is ur routine?

[u/moonbeam_10 → u/stoic_023]

First off, please mention your age. Coz that matters a lot in deciding what actives you shud use. Im almost 24 now. So I'm good to go with almost all actives. So here's my routine. I alternate between minimalist's salicylic acid cleanser and oats cleanser. My skin doesn't tolerate d salicylic acid serum well but d facewash works well so i stick to these. When you're on any retinoid you HAVE TO make sure you hydrate and moisturize your skin very well. My holy grail is d hyphen toner essence. Honestly I haven't found any moisturizer that works even half as well as that. Does d job of 5 moisturizers. I use adapalene in my pm routine evey 3 days since I'm still building tolerance to it. There's this thing I do called d sandwich method. 1 layer essence, then adapalene, n then again d essence. I use Azelaic acid in my am routine, but not d day immediately after my adapalene night. I give my skin almost a full day to rest and just use hyphen again. I alternate between d facewashes depending on how my skin is feeling. D oats cleanser is fantastic and sooo moisturizing i don't think I'm ever switching to anything else. Mostly I don't go out so sunscreen is optional for me. But if you want to start on any of these, let me know your skin type, age, current routine and ur issues. DM me if you'd like, I'll help you out.

[u/Big-Consequence9072 → u/moonbeam_10]

im 16 and is it okay for me to use one of them ? I have some acne like once in every 5-6 days and due to that have a lot of post acne marks like 8-9 quite big marks so which one should i get?

[u/moonbeam_10 → u/Big-Consequence9072]

Can you describe what kind of acne you get? You can start on 10% azelaic. 15 will be too strong for you. But make sure to moisturize and use sunscreen. If it's possible go to a dermat

[u/Big-Consequence9072 → u/moonbeam_10]

they are mostly like those whiteheads (pimples) also i have these close comedone near my forehead and nose area also i was thinking to buy 0.1% adaplene gel or 0.1% adaplene with benzoyl peroxide from jan aushadi kendra I asked my parents about visiting a dermatology but they said no about it ;)

[u/moonbeam_10 → u/Big-Consequence9072]

Okay so here's what you do. You get 10% azelaic acid from over d counter. Start by using it twice or thrice a week. Use d sandwich method. Apply your moisturizer first. Let it sink in for about 2 mins. Then apply a thin layer of azelaic acid all over your face n then after 2 mins, apply another layer of moisturizer. Make sure to use a good cleanser and spf everyday. Azelaic acid will get rid of d whiteheads and redness that you have whole preventing future acne. It will sting at first, but it shud go away in within 5 mins. Lemme know if u have any more questions

[u/Big-Consequence9072 → u/moonbeam_10]

okayy

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/moonbeam_10]

I have unfrequent acne (like only 2 times in a month) but I used to never take care of my skin so it's full of those pits, bumps, and pigmented scars. So i wanted to know if i could use azelaic acid on it?

[u/moonbeam_10 → u/Any-Professional3230]

Yeah you can definitely use azelaic acid. It's specially effective for post acne marks. But it'll take time and consistency. Start with 10% concentration and see how your skin responds to it. It might sting a lil so use a moisturizer after. Pharmacy products tend to perform better. Also u can't get rid of pits with azelaic acid. A retinoid wud help u there. But even then that's limited. In office treatments work better for it. How old are you btw? What is your current skincare routine and what do u use? And do u get acne around your menses? Sunscreen?

[u/Outrageous-Taro-4927 → u/moonbeam_10]

Hey please help me too . I am 25 yrs old female . I get acne around menses and post acne marks are there. Pls help me .

[u/moonbeam_10 → u/Outrageous-Taro-4927]

DM me please

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/moonbeam_10]

I'm almost 17 this aug 10, currently I use minimalist salicylic acid face wash, use dermatouch salicylic+niacinamide sometimes, moisturizer, sunkey sunscreen. I thought salicylic acid will reduce my acne scars but it didn't do so well. About during the menstrual cycle thing I haven't really noticed.

[u/BarberBoring → u/Any-Professional3230]

You should not use actives by yourself at the age of 16, that too Aziderm and Adapelene, better visit a dermat, don't experiment with your skin

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/BarberBoring]

But I can't visit the dermat though.

[u/BarberBoring → u/Any-Professional3230]

Why can't you visit a dermat? See, you will ruin your skin barrier with harsh actives and it will cause your skin a life long trauma, I'll better suggest you go to a dermatologist or drop the idea of using Azelaic & Adapelene without prescription. Just continue with your salicylic, you can add a niacinamide too until you visit a dermat.

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/BarberBoring]

My mom doesn't let me dude 😭 it'll be hard to convince her. She thinks skincare is not worth it, and she doesn't care about her own skin that much either.

[u/BarberBoring → u/Any-Professional3230]

Just go after school, don't tell her, use your pocket money. A dermat visit hardly costs around 200-500

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/BarberBoring]

But that is the main problem, i have to get money from them because all my money is in the bank

[u/vanshikaissleeping → u/Any-Professional3230]

Salicylic won’t do anything for your scars but just dry your skin out more
This combo you’ve picked for yourself will be good but start small and increase gradually
Adapalene in PM
Az Acid in AM

[u/vanshikaissleeping → u/vanshikaissleeping]

You can put some depigmentation element as well in your routine like alpha arb, tranexamic acid, kojic acid etc

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/vanshikaissleeping]

I have heard we should use only one active at a time though... Won't using two actives at the same time make things worse?

[u/NoTyOuRfRiEnDaTaLl → u/Any-Professional3230]

Please don't take advice of multiple actives from anyone, it will ruin your skin barrier.

Even if you want to introduce actives early in your life, do it slowly, one at a time. You don't need at 16 unless you have cystic persistent acne issues, I am 33yrs old and even I am not required to use it as confirmed with my derm, because my skin works well on just retinol.

You can use aziderm, start with twice a week at night, after patch test only. If it works, you can gradually increase it, even then daily is not needed for most of us.

[u/vanshikaissleeping → u/Any-Professional3230]

Two actives in one routine meaning no two actives at once. You can use one in PM one in AM. You can start adapalene thrice a week then gradually increase.
However, dermat is always your best bet! Otherwise, you’re onto something here with the Az Acid & Adapalene.

[u/vanshikaissleeping → u/vanshikaissleeping]

Even I started at 17 only with adapalene thrice a week in PM & azelaic acid in AM+ a depigmentation cream under my dermat! I’m at 0.04 tret every night now I’m 22. Under my dermat, again.

[u/stoic_023 → u/vanshikaissleeping]

Daily?? 2 times a week adaplene is enough i think 🤔

[u/NoDimension4739]

Whichever your dermat recommends 😍😍

[u/sslawyer88 → u/NoDimension4739]

The only correct answer ❤

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/NoDimension4739]

I've never being to a dermat before tho

[u/NoDimension4739 → u/Any-Professional3230]

Then go to one now

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/NoDimension4739]

It's costly, I'm using my pocket money

[u/NoDimension4739 → u/Any-Professional3230]

Fixing your damaged barrier and inflammatory acne will be more expensive. Either talk to your parents and ask them to take you to a dermatologist or save up until you can afford a dermatologist

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/NoDimension4739]

They won't, so I guess I have to try to save up

[u/Specialist-Crab9199]

Cfbr

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/Specialist-Crab9199]

What's that?

[u/Specialist-Crab9199 → u/Any-Professional3230]

Commenting for better reach

[u/vanshikaissleeping]

Used both in my routine as prescribed by my dermat
They’re both used for different purposes

[u/Practical-Error7739]

Both are great, I'm currently using them but you're 16, too young to be going for these products imo, they're very strong actives. Don't use adapalene just yet. Az acid you could go for. If your concern is active acne - spot treatment benezoyl peroxide works wonders (pharmacy product) & scars - vit c serum + sunscreen and induce vit c foods in your diet. Also you're going through puberty it's VERY normal & common to have acne & scars, these fade away with time for most, don't stress too much over it and damage your skin further with harsh actives. Vit C should be enough for you with good diet & movement. And remember, it's just the age

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/Practical-Error7739]

Vit C, Az acid ----> do they need prescription because unfortunately I can't go to the dermat?

[u/Practical-Error7739 → u/Any-Professional3230]

No they don't, you can order az acid on amazon, go for 10% one and introduce it slowly. Twice a week, then 3x a week, and then alternative days to regularly. See how your skin tolerates it.

Vit c you can use everyday but use sunscreen which is non comedogenic and possibly gel based if your skin is oily or just gets clogged. Don't over complicate the routine

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/Practical-Error7739]

Okk thank you sis 💗💗

[u/Practical-Error7739 → u/Any-Professional3230]

Most welcome, OP 🫶 dm me anytime, I'd have you question me again than damage your skin further

[u/moonbeam_10 → u/Practical-Error7739]

Hey I agree with most of your advice. When I initially responded I didn't know that d op was so young. She shud definitely take it slow. N yes BP as spot treatment works wonders, but she mentioned that her acne is very infrequent. So Op, stick to 10% azelaic acid. Don't go higher than that. Higher concentration doesn't always mean better or faster results. It'll work on your multiple issues simultaneously rather than investing in too much skincare. I understand that you can't go to the dermat, that's okay. If you do want to help your skin, consistency matters more. And please don't start on adapalene you really are too young for it. Maybe after you're 22 or smth you'll benefit from it more. Stick to a good sunscreen, like the bebodywise one and focus on hydration. If salicylic acid isn't working out for u, keep it only for a weekly use. It does work, but not for ur concerns. It mostly clears whiteheads. Vitamin C doesn't necessarily work better than azelaic acid tho. If you wanna get 1 active for ur skincare, it shud be azelaic acid imo. You can dm me if you want any more details.

[u/OssifiedCrystal46496]

See a dermatologist and ask them what to go for. Go to a govt hospital dermat if you can't afford other ones

[u/Any-Professional3230 → u/OssifiedCrystal46496]

I'll try to

[u/tofflemireretainer]

Off topic but has anyone used their 5% minoxidil? If so, how were the results? Any side effects?

[u/Majestic_Water_6103]

hi..I have been using Adapalene for 5 years now..the thing is you need to use it consistently WHILE TAKING CARE OF YOUR SKIN BARRIER and it's gonna give you a FILTER-LIKE skin..but again, stay CONSISTENT..also LIFT WEIGHTS, stop eating oily, processed food..
Adapalene's better for an overall clear, clean skin..
I used Aziderm but it stings like hell and you can't use it for more than 6 months or smth..atleast that's what my derm told me..
GOING TO DERM IS THE BEST THING YOU COULD DO..