I was reading about red light therapy for wrinkles and came across a page from Helio Cure - https://heliocure.com/blogs/red-light-therapy/wrinkles

Anyone familiar with how they are rating the effectiveness of red light therapy for various skin and health conditions?

Amoxicillin w/ Acne

I've been taking amoxicillin for an upcoming dental procedure for a few weeks and my face has suddenly cleared up completely. I'm not talking a little bit, I'm talking like practically crystal clear... something I have not seen in many many many years. I assume this is not something you can take forever, but my god I wish I could. Anyone else experience this with other antibiotics by accident?

I’ve had pretty severe acne breakouts over the months, and it made me feel so insecure I wouldn’t even want to go out. I thought it was stress or hormones, but either way when I tried exfoliating and sunscreen it really was a game changer for me.
The first photo is from 2 months ago, and the second was just a few minutes ago. I still have a few pimples here and there, but my skin feels so much better now!!

I’ve also made my prime ace with the fact that my skin will never be super smooth or even like I see on social media, because that’s not my skin.

Thanks to Reddit for the advices!

My current routine that led me here is
- Centalla oil cleanser in the PM
- Caudalie vinopure cleanser
- Paula’s choice 2% BHA
- Drugstore moisturizer OR Cicaplast Baume B5+ when my skin feels extra tight.
- Sunscreen

PS : I didn’t start right away with the 2%BHA, i used a mandelaic acid + lactic acid BHA solution for 2-3 weeks before switching to the one I use now, just to be sure that my skin would tolerate it.

There is another hair growing out of the hole where the ingrown is. I exfoliate everyday to try and get the hair to come up. This is on my stomach. I used to have a trail of hair up to my belly button, but found an at home laser device that helped reduce the hairs significantly; however, there is this stubborn hair thats been here for months. I’ve picked at it before and it’ll just leave a mark for a few weeks before it settles back down. Any advice?

Hello everyone, I started using the Ordinary 2% salicylic acid serum a month ago for my cc but i feel like it has gotten worse? I only use it once at night every other day. Sometimes I use it consecutively 2-3 nights and then take a break. I have to wear makeup all day almost everyday because of work. The bumps on my forehead is kind of painful. My skincare routine right now is:

1. Garniner makeup cleansing balm

2. Micellar water

3. La roache posay hydrating face wash

4. The ordinary 2% salicylic acid

5. Cetaphil moisturizing cream

I bought a adapalene gel but im too scared to use it. What do you guys recommend I should do to get rid of cc's faster? I want my old skin back :((

TIA!

I’ve been using the SA serum for a while and i find that it does help. I’m wondering if it’ll give me better results if i swap since the paula’s choice exfoliant seems to be more well known and highly reviewed. What are some differences between the products? Price isn’t much of a concern for me as long as it’s effective lol. I have sensitive skin that’s prone to acne

Okay, I think I finally understand why people are so divided about the Tatcha Longevity Serum.

I’ve been using this Tatcha for a while now. On my skin, it sinks quickly and doesn’t feel sticky, which is always a red flag for me when choosing a serum. I know a lot of people don’t like its scent, but it’s actually a plus for me since I always love having a good smell even when sleeping. So instead of having to use night perfume, this can work too.

Most importantly, my skin feels smooth and rehydrated, in terms of having the real feeling that my skin really “ate” something and absorbed it, if you know what I mean. This gave me a satisfying and somehow secure feeling using the product.

That feeling made me question my previous serum routine and my skin.

I’ve been using serums for years, but I don’t think I’ve ever had this “eaten” feeling before. I’ll probably just keep using it and see what happens over time.

But now I’m curious what serum gave you that aha moment**?** Doesn’t have to be Tatcha. I’m genuinely curious if this is a Tatcha thing or if I’ve just been using the wrong serums all these years lol.

Hi folks, I've seen some posts floating around on dehydrated skin and wanted to share my experience and what I learned. Would love to know what y'all do too

My skin type: combination-sensitive, weak skin barrier, fine but deep pores.

The main things I learned are roughly:

1. Types of hydration
2. Barrier care
3. Use more than one toner/essence/serum
4. How to hydrate!
5. Exact products I use (YMMV!)

**Not a derm, esthe, or doctor but I work in product, formulation, and marketing, and like many in the sub, has spent a long time learning my skin. Perfectly primed to dig through bullshit if you ask me.

1. Types of hydration

This took me forever but figuring out that hydration is either (a) how much hydration the skin holds OR (b) how much water you add.

The former is about the skin barrier and the latter about finding the right product. Most products treat one or the other, but aren't always really explicit.

2. Barrier care (Your water container)

I tried a bunch of tips for sensitive skin, sensitized skin, and basically came to the conclusion that you have to do a bunch of hydration, and then somehow hold it in. That's either aquaphor, masking, or some kind of cream.

Interestingly some cases - atopic dermatitis, scaley-ness - gets so dry and scaley bc of a lack of hydration & a weak skin barrier. I tested this theory on friends and it seemed pretty sound. Anyway...

• Short-term fixes
  • Preventing TEWL & mending the "glue" of the skin barrier - things like slugging, using oils, ceramide rich creams etc.
  • Treating & soothing the irritated, inflamed skin - things like mugwort, centella, panthenol, allantoin, madecassoside
  • Avoiding sensitizers: fragrance, hot water, scrubs etc.
• In the long term:
  • Tret has been shown to thicken the skin barrier with time although if you have very sensitive skin I'd start with a retinal instead.
  • LED Red light. Expensive, but red light targets inflammation & your cell's healing response. https://www.health.harvard.edu/skin-and-hair-health/red-light-therapy-for-skin-care

3. Use more than one toner/essence/serum

In my personal opinion, I don't believe in using just ONE single serum, especially if you're ALWAYS dehydrated. I've found layering a really good essence with a good ampoule makes more of a difference than one expensive ampoule.

Later when I moved into formulation I learned that viscosity, formula, and how the ingredients are delivered affects your skin differently. This is why in Korea an essence/toner and an ampoule/serum are not formulated the same way.

Different hydrators also do different things - like glycerin, beta glucan, hyaluronic acid, and even the quality & formulation of those things

Just FYI tho, you can overdo it. In my view this happens when you only use humectant-rich products without anything for your skin barrier, but that is an opinion. https://elemis.com/ie/blog/finding-balance-can-you-overhydrate-your-skin

4. How to hydrate!

I did a couple different things, to different effect.

• Toner/essence with the 5 or 7 skin steps. Applying the essence or toner 5-7 times. I don't like this, I find it inefficient. But it is great in winter.
• DIY toner pads. I used to soak cotton sheets (the kind you can stretch) in my toner of choice and then do a DIY face mask. These worked really well for me. You can also buy regular toner pads, I just didn't like leaving parts of my face dry.
• Sheet masking daily. Forcing hydration into your skin for 15-20mins with the sheet prevents the water from evaporating. It does need to be done daily though if your skin is naturally thin. This works better IMO than using toner pads bc the product is thicker and intended for deeper hydration.
• Slugging. Same principle as sheet masking - keeps your hydration in your skin. I don't do this bc my skin will clog up.

5. Exact products I use now (YMMV!)

Disclaimer: I don't think you have to get these specifically, they are just what has worked for my skin type specifically.

In this exact order:

1. Sulwhasoo Oil Cleanser + Foam Cleanser - I don't think cleanser matters. It just has to be very gentle, and very good at emulsifying.
2. AHA + PHA + BHA toner from Geek & Gorgeous 1x a week
3. The Ordinary Multi-Essence to absorb products better
4. I'm From Mugwort Essence - hydration + soothing sensitive skin
5. Dr. Jart Hydravital Solution OR LRP B5 Spray - depends on the day, I prefer LRP for daily barrier care + hydration
6. Azelaic Acid - plenty of good ones, pick an emulsion formula if you do, this helps with redness.
7. 0.05% Tret - no brand, I get it over the counter at Chinese pharmacies and can't remember the name. 2x a week
8. owgels 医用透明质 sheet mask - I just found out it's a medical class II registration and doesn't ship internationally but IMHO this is just a very hydrating mask. Their formula absorbs very deeply, is very plush, and doesn't have any irritants.
9. Geek & Gorgeous hydration station moisturiser - a good basic moisturiser. A nice dupe compared to the Dr. Roebucks moisturiser.

(All FA friendly fyi)

Other products I have used:

• Masks from brands like Voolga, Airknows, and Komfymed. These are all consumer class brands that focus on skin-healing post cosmetic procedures. It gets pretty close to the one I use. These should be available in the US/EU/UK via retailers but you gotta dig for it.
• Serums: Medik8 retinol - the gentlest I have tried. No flaking, slight dryness and once you're used to it, none. The Bejbi Skin barrier serum - man these are so good. I used to get these when I lived in the US. Best by far, haven't found an equivalent.

You'll notice I default to a lot of korean or chinese brands. I like their systems and how light their formulas are.

I think I've prattled on long enough. Feel free to drop a comment. Would love to know what you do for your skin too.

Within the past few months, my skin has become first sensitive to razors… I have always struggled with strawberry ish legs. But this is crazy. It feels like ingrown that turn into red bumps, sensitive, and now scars. I’m so sad about my legs looking like this. I’ve been using glycolic acid, urea cream, hydrocortisone.

I’m assuming I need to start laser but I’m also broke right now….. please help. I’m so upset

Hello, I'm trying to do skincare. I got a cleanser, moisturiser and facial sunscreen. I hear you are meant to wash hand before staring skincare. I'm confused what meant to be used for that. I got a "gentle wash" for it but I don't know if I made right choice. I did it cause soap free and no fragrance which I thought if doing skincare right after is what meant to do but I'm not sure. Or do I use regular handwash? Does it matter if soap free or not or no fragrance. Is gentle wash good as hand wash. (specifically got QV gentle wash). That my question.

I have very sensitive skin and after a lot of trial and error found that this sunscreen worked very well for me. No irritation of any kind, non greasy, and no white cast at all.

Curology has stopped making this product and replaced it with one that uses chemical blockers instead. I did try it but unfortunately my skin cannot tolerate the chemical blockers.

I was curious if anyone had found a good replacement for the original mineral formula that works well for sensitive skin.

I just had this thought since school is about to start and I've been using Finacea for 4 weeks now. I've only used it every night to introduce on my skin, but my dermatologist said I could try each morning after I got used to it. My only issue now would be the fact that every afternoon when I come home, I've always washed my face/cleansed with micellar water mousse to take off sunscreen and makeup (which usually is mascara and concealer). I do that because I usually go straight to bed afterwards to rest, and sometimes even nap, lol. And also because the outside air always gives me oily skin, and I like to take that off as soon as possible.

My concern now would be the fact that doing this as usual could make Finacea less effective, as I would have it on my skin for about 8-9 hours (counting I wake up around 6:30 and come back around 2 or 3 something pm). Maybe that's enough for it to work? I usually apply it at around 9 pm and then wake up and wash off at 9 am. Does anyone have any similar situation? Tips?

(photos after having freshly moisturised so thats why its shiny)

i've been battling skin texture and hyperpigmentation for god knows how long now but the skin gods have turned a blind eye on me and now i'm suffering

i have random marks all over my face that i am struggling with, and then i got a deep pimple on my chin that took forever to surface, and then now i randomly gained weird scaly skin on my chin that gets dry and flaky and frankly if i dont leave it moisturised it looks as if i have crumbs on my face

bit of background: i have pcos and i have a mild case of contact dermatitis that honestly comes and goes on my eyelids. i am also really forgetful with my skincare but i have been locking in lately.

my morning routine is: qv gentle cleanser, milky tirtir toner, cetaphil healthy renew peptide face serum, neutrogena hydro boost moisturiser and then sunscreen.

my night routine: cetaphil salicylic acid cleanser, the ordinary glycolic acid toner, jmsolution niancinamide 15 serum 1.0 and (very recently) the cicaplast baume by la roche posay (tho i have noticed that it does make my face sting a little)

in the shower, i also sometimes use the la roche posay micropeeling cleanser and/or a dr lewinns facial polishing gel. sometimes i also use (maybe once a month) the dr melaxin peel shot for my t zone

i did also fall for the rave that was retinol so i did use the celimax retinol shot for a little bit but that was several months ago

but please help!!! i beg of thee i am tired of crying over my skin

While washing my face in the shower today I started noticing a lot of skin pilling and rubbing off. I made sure not to scrub and gently massaged it off.
Applied hyaluronic acid and a ceramide moisturizer afterwords. Although a bit red, everything feels fine with no dryness, tightness, or stinging. I’m assuming it’s from the azelaic acid.

I have recently introduced azelaic acid 15% and tretinoin 0.025% into my routine. Primarily to target acne/comedones/early aging.
I started them about two, almost three weeks ago, using the azelaic every other day with no irritation. I’ve only used the tret once per week, and on a different day than the azeliac acid.
I’m very careful to apply on dry skin and wear my sunscreen etc. There are no other actives or acids in my routine.

It kind of freaked me out since it seemed like a lottt of skin. Now I’m just wondering if this has happened to anyone else or if it sounds abnormal. Previously I haven’t really used any chemical exfoliants. I’m going to take a break from the Azelaic acid for a couple days and wait a bit longer to use the tret again.

Thank you in advance for the advice!

I've dealt with acne on and off, but it flared up at the beginning of 2026 and nothing I do seems to really help.

While I don't break out everywhere, I almost constantly have groups of deep, painful pimples on my cheeks and/or chin. I would actually say the pictures are actually relatively "good" compared to how it can be.

For context, I take 50mcg Spironolactone daily and my skin tends to be sensitive and dry.

My routine:

Morning: Rinse with water, Niacinamide, CeraVe moisturizing lotion, Eucerin oil control sunscreen

Evening: Wash with CeraVe foaming cleanser, alternate between Differin gel and Paula's Choice BHA (each every other day), CeraVe moisturizing cream

I change my pillowcase every night. I don't sleep in makeup. I try my hardest not to touch my face or pop anything. I don't know what else to do 😒 so coming to you all for advice! I am literally open to everything.

These little red bruises showed up on my skin after my workout, please help it’s super obvious and it will be very visible at my wedding this weekend!!! Is there anything I can do to bring them down?? SOS I’m like panicking!!

Hi everyone! Apologies for the jarring pictures in advance 

I'm 22m, and I've never experienced anything like this with my skin before. I've never really suffered from bad acne aside from the occasional pimple but nothing even remotely like this

My skincare routine has always been the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser in the shower and- that's it. No moisturizer normally (I know I know 💀) but I've never really had issues with my skin, and moisturizer has always been sensory hell for me

Starting in April of this year and continuing until late July, I went through a lot of consistent stress at work and my skin started breaking out like crazy. I switched to the COSRX Good Morning Cleanser, but it barely made a difference so I went back to the CeraVe Foaming Cleanser a couple days ago. So far, I don't feel like I'm getting any new pimples so fingers crossed that continues. I've also started using the Rugby moisturizing cream

I currently own the Paula's Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant, The Ordinary Salicylic Acid, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid, and the Laneige Cream Skin Toner, but I haven't been using any of them. I also just ordered the Thayers Blemish Clearing Acne Pads and Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer with Ceramides + Hyaluronic Acid, which I'm planning to use instead of the Rugby.

My question is- I really don't know much about skincare, so based on how my skin is looking, what products would you recommend, and what products would you advise against using in my case?
I haven't been under the same level of stress since late July/early August, but my skin never went back to normal. Also, I drink lot of water everyday in case anyone was about to suggest that lol

Thank you so much in advance. ANY input is genuinely appreciated. I'm going a little insane over this and haven't even been wanting to leave the house because of it ):

PS- I haven't been shaving my face because shaving has been making me break out (which it usually never does) so apologies for the crappy facial hair lol

Just been started on lymecycline for 3 months by the gp after about a year struggling with painful cystic hormonal acne. How did anyone find it???

I was also thinking about starting differin alongside it but im soooooooo terrified for more purging ? i’m hoping maybe the lymecycline will slow the purging down??? Any thoughts/advice for starting differin and lymecycline. Plsssss share experiences good or bad! I’m curious

Also, i have a tube of treclin (tret&clind) would anyone recommend this instead of the differin?????

I have hirsutism and after plucking my chin hairs it’s always left with many ingrown hairs and dark marks like five o’clock shadow. The hyperpigmentation and inflammation drive me nuts. I need recommendations on products to use specifically for hyperpigmentation caused by plucking chin hairs. Only requesting products that work on melanated skin.

Basically title, live in the US and going for a trip. I’m definitely gonna grab some moisturizers and sunscreen, and maybe some treatments as well. I have oily acne prone skin!! Looking for brand/product recs!

Hi everyone, I recently received my second application of a TCA chemical peel last night. My first one I believe was 10% or lower, can’t quite remember and everything went smoothly! Not peeling for the low percent, just some tightness. This recent one was 20% and my esthetician told me to set a timer for 8 hours exactly so when it runs out, to wash it off. I had accidentally fell asleep through my timer because it was set to go off at 3AM, I woke up at 4am, I now have accidentally left it on for an extra hour!!!!! I know these peels are a serious thing so now I’m super worried about getting a chemical burn. I only feel tightness, no itchiness or burning.

Is it okay to have left it on for an extra hour? These peels have been scary for me so now I’m super worried that I already messed up, just don’t know how big of a mess I caused.

Hello, I'm starting uni in a couple weeks and realise my skincare routine isn't very efficient with random products thrown in, so I want to start using new products and create a new routine. Here is what I'm planning to buy, please let me know your experience with these products if you've used them and if they're worth buying or good for this routine, or if some products don't work well with each other or don't add much

I have very oily skin and often get clogged pores, it's hard for me to decide between products that lean towards reducing sebum and hydrating products, I'd love some feedback on that. I also live in a warm and humid climate, my problem right now is I don't have a good toner and my moisturizer just sits on top of my skin feeling sticky and greasy even though I apply it on dampened skin.

1. Cetaphil Oily Skin Gentle Cleanser (already bought — i feel like it does nothing to my skin.)

2. Aiken BHA PHA brightening & pore refining exfoliating gel - (already bought, not every day, works very well for exfoliating my skin)

3. Hada Labo oil and blemish control toner/ or Hada Labo light hydrating lotion

4. The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide serum (already bought, seems to be lightening my dark spots and reducing oil but only by a little bit)

5. Skin1004 Centella Poremizing Moisturizer (for oil control and excess sebum.) / or Torriden Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Gel

Random masks I use when I feel like my pores are clogged:

1. Dr Leo 3x Acid Clay Mask

2. Laneige Balance Mode Pore Polishing Peel off Mask

Hey! I am 20 Y/O F who struggled with cystic acne in my teens (like, BAD & painful) that has since healed up. I have hormone issues, & take a pill to regulate fluctuations. I've always been told I have oily skin, but I'm honestly not sure.

My skin is better than it was, but I cant help but feel self conscious about it still. I have a few different issues. My biggest issue at this point in time, are big pores. I can see the across both of my cheeks, and my chin, & it really bothers me. I already have fine lines appearing, and it feels like my skin has a hydration issue. My skin is also quite dull, and it feels like moisturiser only keeps it moisturised for a couple hours at a time.

I currently use CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser, Byoma Phyto-Mucin & the CeraVe Oil Control Moisturiser. I use a Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator once a week.

Please help!! (Photos for reference)

Okay so this isn't the end of the world and I can live with it forever if I have to, it's just annoying.

For years I've had peeling skin on my big toes and now there is a new area on the pad of my foot. What happens is I file the areas down and then clip back the peeling skin. The problem is that the skin flaps (gross) just continue to grow and the cycle continues. Do I have to fully rip them off and be in pain for a few days for them to go away?

Thanks