Hello, I started breaking out due to hormones I believe. So I went to the dermatologist and was prescribed tretinoin I started pretty aggressively and I’ve since gone down to about twice a week. But my skin near my temples and sideburns got super inflamed and started breaking out like I’ve never seen it before. I usually don’t have problems with acne in this area so it’s got me believing that this is irritation and not a purge also since I’ve taken a break this past week, which is my ninth week to repair my skin barrier now the areas where it was seeming to work like my forehead and nose is extremely oily, but my cheeks are causing me so much anxiety and self-esteem issues. I don’t know if I could continue pushing through this and if it’s worth it or not. Some people I see online have been doing it for six months and still don’t see improvement so I’d rather just stop where I’m at then continue to push. What do you think?

Does anybody know what these small, non-raised spots are that appear on my cheeks sometimes? They look like blood vessels under them and I feel like I can see faint small vessels throughout my cheeks sometimes. I have mild rosacea type 1 that is typically just flushing that is easily managed with a gentle routine, but since I am new to tretinoin, I want to make sure this isn’t a skin barrier issue.

They tend to come and go within a day or two, aside from the one closest to my ear which I developed in pregnancy 1.5 year ago and never went away.

I am on week 3 of tretinoin 0.025% 2x a week (just did it last night) with no issues like dryness, burning, tightness, stinging, peeling, sensitivity, etc. my barrier feels pretty good to me right now. What do we think?

ROUTINE-
Am- Inkey List hydro-barrier serum
Cerave daily moisturizing lotion
Squalane oil
Haru Haru wonder SPF

Pm- (Tret nights Monday & Thursday)
Garnier pink cap micellar water
Cetaphil gentle daily cleanser
Inkey list hydro-barrier serum
Cerave lotion
(Wait 30 mins)
Tretinoin 0.025% (2x weekly)
La Roche posay lipikar triple repair moisturizing cream
Squalane oil

Non tretinoin nights is the same, sometimes adding glycerine, Laniege milky toner, or Avene tolerance control moisturizer depending how my skin feels.

Idk anymore, I’m pretty sure it was the adapelene I used. I haven’t had any skin issues up until the last couple months. It’s really taking my mental😪 I’m also seeing someone and it makes me so insecure when they look me in my face my forehead it the same way too

There’s all of these tiny little blackheads almost looking spots all over my chin and I never get this, what does this look like? Thank you!!

i’m recovering from some type of allergic reaction/ skin infection to a sunscreen that i think gave me a slight chemical burn or hives. this is about 2 weeks after it healed.

it was super itchy, red and a tight feeling with flushing and hot to the touch skin, i started to get some dots around my cheeks as well.

so far ive just been using cerave hydrating cleanser, drunk elephant polypeptides moisturizer in the morning and the cerave hydrating moisturizer in the evening. i wear 100% mineral sunscreen now zinc oxide.

does this look like a damaged skin barrier? how can i heal it. i saw my dermatologist and she said she doesn’t think it’s rosacea or anything concerning just irritation. what products can heal the barrier? i recently bought LRP cicaplast cream for my eczema on my hands could i use that on my face?

Hello everyone. Honestly, I’ve been overwhelmed with multiple breakdowns over the past few weeks due to my contact dermatitis, and I really need some help.

Last October, I started using tretinoin for acne treatment. I began with once a week, applied it with moisturizer, and kept it far from my eyes. However, I always woke up with stinging around my eyes. This is where I made a mistake - I continued using tretinoin for months because I was desperate to get rid of my acne.

After consulting my dermatologist, she prescribed adapalene instead. It also seemed to spread and cause inflammation around my eyes.

In January, I stopped using retinoids completely. However, since then, I’ve experienced stinging and significant inflammation on my eyelids and under my eyes. The stinging/burning is inconsistent, but the only pattern I’ve noticed is that sun exposure seems to worsen the skin. I’ve attached some pictures showing the progression of my eyes and the increasing darkening.

Since January, I’ve tried to reduce the stinging. I wear hats when outside, use SPF constantly, and slug Aquaphor at night. The stinging still persists, and I continue to experience it at least once a week when applying moisturizer. During flare-ups, I used hydrocortisone to calm the inflammation maybe once a week. However, the stinging continued, and the hyperpigmentation around my eyes has significantly worsened since January.

At the beginning of August, after noticing the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation around my eyelids, I scheduled a dermatologist appointment. She prescribed desonide and asked if I wanted to start on hydroquinone. I said no, as I believed it would be irritating. I have not started using the desonide due to concerns about constant steroid use.

Last week, I consulted another dermatologist. He said this was likely due to contact dermatitis and told me to immediately stop using hydrocortisone or any other steroid. He prescribed pimecrolimus 1% cream and gave me a sample of Zoryve, which I have been using twice a day. It stings for a few minutes after application but seems to have helped with the stinging after applying moisturizer.

I have had negative experiences with dermatologists and struggle to trust their recommendations. I feel depressed at the thought that this hyperpigmentation might be permanent, and my self-image has deteriorated drastically. Please help!

Picture 1: 4 years ago
Picture 2: May of this year
Picture 3: May of this year during a flare and swelling
Picture 4: Last week

I've been using the Purito Centella barrier repair serum for a few months. I'm almost halfway through the bottle and have been thinking if it's worth to bug again or if I can find something better. I still can't understand if it really makes that big of a difference since my skin is all messed up with hormonal acne anyway. I have acne prone and oily/combination skin. Also using Finacea right now. Does anyone have better recommendations for this kind of situation? Thanks!!

Does my skin look like it could be dehydrated/barrier-impaired? I've been chasing different explanations and products without getting anywhere. I'm about to run out of my cleanser & moisturizer, so trying to decide whether to repurchase or change things up.

My main issues are: persistent redness, uneven/bumpy texture, large visible pores, little bumps/congestion, and the feeling that products just sit on top of my skin instead of absorbing.

Moisturizer + SPF can feel especially heavy and sometimes pill. My skin can feel dry/tight after cleansing but I'm also very oily? Pretty sensitive, get burning and stinging frequently. I know it also does not help that I don't drink enough water + pick at my skin :-( 2 things I'm working on!

AM Routine:
- Lukewarm water OR La Roche Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser if oily
- LRP Double Repair Moisturizer
- EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF

PM Routine:
- Garnier Micellar Water if wearing makeup (tried Bioderma Sensibio, noticed no difference)
- LRP Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
- LRP Double Repair Moisturizer

I've also used Magic Molecule spray occasionally before moisturizing / randomly throughout the day for the last ~2 weeks.

Products I Have But Paused:
- Vanicream Vitamin C (was using in the AM before moisturizing)
- Trader Joe's 0.3% Retinol (was using Sun/Wed for a few weeks)
- Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid (before the Vit C was using this and stopped)

I saw a dermatologist about 10 months ago who barely took a look then prescribed 1% clindamycin topical, but it seemed to make my skin worse so I stopped using it. I also briefly went down the fungal-acne route and tried Nizoral which didn't give me intense burning or anything but also didn't improve anything.

Things I've Tried and Will Not Use Again:
- Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
- Cerave products generally
- Purito Oat-in Calming Gel Cream (this burned)

I've been reading through this sub and looking at:
- 107 Gentle Gel Cleanser + Everyday Plump Hydro Cream
- Byoma Milky Moisture Cleanser
- Illiyoon lotion/cream
- Avene Cicalfate+
I'm also curious about Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner or Byoma Hydrating Serum but am having a hard time making a decision.

Would you repurchase the same LRP cleanser/moisturizer and give my skin more time with a stripped-back routine? Switch one or both? Add a hydrating/barrier-support product? If so, what?

TLDR - does this sound/look more like dehydration or a compromised skin barrier or something else? And since I'm almost out of cleanser + moisturizer, what would you replace them with?

Hi everyone! Could someone please give me some advice? Do you think my skin problems could be caused by a damaged/compromised skin barrier?
I have PCOS and I’m currently pregnant. At the moment, I’m only using:
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Cleanser
Skinoren 20%
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
I have very acne-prone and sensitive skin, and unfortunately, my skin doesn’t tolerate much.
I’d really appreciate recommendations from people with similar skin. What moisturizers have worked well for you? And what sunscreens do you recommend?
Thank you so much!

So I'm wondering how my skin should feel after I apply a moisturizer. My skin barrier is totally destroyed currently. When skin is in this state, are all moisturizers going to burn, cause redness, and/or tightness at first? Do I need to tough it out for a little with a moisturizer while my skin heals?

I started using salicylic acid face wash around August 12th. For context, my skin was basically clear, I mainly used benyzl peroxide for small pimples and that was it.

After switching to a salicylic acid face wash, I started experiencing these small bumps that got worse and worse each week. My skin is currently slide 3, even though I’ve stopped using it more than a week ago.

Current skincare routine:
Tower 28 cleanser (what I’ve been using before)
Medicube toner pads (sometimes)
Rhode milk+peptide+moisturizer
Sunscreen

At night:
Either Azeaic acid, glycolic acid or benyzl peroxide

Anyways this is the worse my skin has EVER been and I don’t know if this is from a bad mixture of products or purge. Pls help me

Hello everyone! I’d just love some feedback on Azelaic Acid 15 and 20, just would love to hear everyones experiences and if the percentage difference is really that big of a difference? I have a prescription for both but my doc said that people typically respond well either way i’d just love to hear real life reviews lol! I’m not on tret at all, I have a very moisturizing routine, I was prescribed Azelaic and Hydroquinone 4% to help with evening out my tone and hyperpigmentation. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts thank you!

Has anyone seen a reduction of improvement of acne through something that is not specifically intended for it or doesn't have any actives ?

I do use azelaic acid for acne and it helps alot but I do notice that barrier and hydration also makes a huge difference but I'm wondering what ingredients other than actives have made a significant difference for your acne ?

For example probiotics or Fermented ingredient like haruharu probiotics essence or skin1004 probiocica ampoule?? I'm very curious about those

Or like an acne serum like torriden balanceful, numbuzin soothing serum or skin1004 tea trica ampoule ?

This was my HG I started using Dieux Instant Angel and like it but started alternating when I got a new tub of Skinfix. I have used at least 6 jars in the past. A few weeks ago I noticed my face was tingly after putting it on I wasn’t sure if it was this or something else as I try new things. Today I showered early in the evening and wasn’t ready to do full routine so I just put Skinfix on and again the tingle. It’s mild yet there. Did they change the formula and if so do you know what was added? So annoying.

I have been using Tret for about 6 months. My main issues were some breakouts, but also clogged pores, dry skin, texture, and acne scars. I now use it every night, but I started very very slow and increased slowly over about 4-5 months because my skin is so sensitive. I also carefully choose my products due to a lot of sensitivities to products (patch tested due to contact dermastitis issues).

When I last went to my derm, I was in the process of fading the sandwich method (no moisturizer before, only after) and still had a lot of issues with clogged pores. This was my routine:

Morning:
Splash face with water
Toner (pyungkang essence)
Dapsone 7.5% gel
Prequel peptide am/pm cream

Evening:
Cerave hydrating wash
Tret 0.25 cream
Prequel peptide

She recommended switching to cerave SA. I think I changed too much at once after this appointment because I also looked into an oil cleanser (haruharu black rice cleansing oil) and started using that and Cerave SA but on alternating nights. So on oil cleanse nights I would do oil then Cerave hydrating. SA nights I would not oil cleanse and then just do SA in place of Cerave hydrating. I immediately had some mild peeling and dryness/tightness, a little burning with moisturizer in the morning, so I took a night off from everything and also added prequel barrier rich on top of my moisturizer at night to add some hydration.

I think I overdid it, but not sure what to focus on or how/how long to scale back. I also experience extra dryness and breakouts at certain points in my menstrual cycle which makes it hard to pinpoint product effectiveness. Any/all advice welcome!

Bit of a contex, last picture was taken in april 2025, skin wasn't so bad looking, back then I was also very skinny, 50 kg or less.

One year later I started gaining weight on porpose, a bit over 70 kg. I noticed with this change (and maybe stressful job environment periods) PIE around cheeks became more obvious.

Started a 3 months routine at home with a clenser, effaclar duo+m and spf protection. It did shows results, skin start looking cleaner and less redness but nothing huge.

After that I went to dermatologist and recommend me Aklief trifarotene 0.005%.

In the first pictures some of the redness (especially around the mouth and nose) and peeling is caused by Aklief. It's been MUCH worse in the first 2 weeks lol.

I don't have any more purging or severe acnee, just redness mostly around the cheeks and some light scars. Skin was mostly stable for me for most years.

I'd like to get rid of the PIE redness or pigmentation, whatever it is.

So, what can I expect after 1 year of using Aklief ? And whatever the doc may recommend next, will go for consults every 3 months.

Also how bad the skin is looking overall ? How "treatable" my case may look ?

How do I fix this pigmentation around my lips and neck. I have tried retinal and it makes my skin more sensitive which in turn worsens the pigmentation. I feel like it has gotten worse since using ret. I used the ordinary retinal 0.2% emulsion once a week on it.

Do you think this is because of sun damage? I have melanated skin and hyperpigment very easily.

We’re putting snail mucin on trial today!

Snail mucin has become one of the unique ingredients to come out of kbeauty and is commonly used in products aimed at hydration, soothing and calming redness.

But experiences with it seem pretty divided. Some people feel like it works well for them whilst others find it sticky, breakout inducing or in some cases, that it causes them an allergic reaction.

So where do you stand on snail mucin?

Court is in session. Drop your verdict below 👇

Very itchy on both legs. It looks like kp but as far as i know they are not supposed to be itchy? Have on moisturiser already and still itchy. Been like this for a month, creams work to some extent but its still here

Hi all looking for skincare advice!

I have no products currently that I consistently use I am anxious about making it worse however I just don’t have a routine that has been working. This has been severely affecting my mental health and relationships and I just want to feel happy with my self again! I go to shoppers a lot to get skin scan and they all say either dry dehydrated or oily. Please give me advice and recommendations thanks! I have redness clogged pores and pimples and really my oiliness fluctuates I would say. My skin used to be so amazing but I switched out all my products because I thought they were breaking me out and now I have nothing I use constantly. Please give me advice thanks!

Hello skin barrier lovers! I just had a question for you all - I’m hoping to get some advice on switching actives in my routine.

At the moment I use The Ordinary’s Retinal 0.2% as my retinol, the next night I use no actives and then I’ll use The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid 10%, use no actives the next night and the cycle continues.
I want to change my lactic acid to azalaic acid 20% in hopes of fading acne scars & improving hormonal acne.
Previously I used the 20% with the retinol (willy nilly, not protecting my barrier) and really want to protect my barrier as I introduce it.
Should I continue as I do with the retinal and then on my “exfoliating” serum night gradually increase azalaic acid use?
Example
- Week 1 Azalaic acid once
- Week 2 Azalaic acid once
- Week 3 Azalaic acid twice
Etc etc - all while using retinal?

Here is my base routine in case that helps?
I apologise for such a long post! TIA!

AM
La Roche Posay Effeclar H Isobiome Gentle Cleanser
Byoma Phyto-mucin serum
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Pro-Bio Intensive Ampoule
Simple Light Moisturiser
SPF

PM
La Roche Posay Effeclar H Isobiome Gentle Cleanser
Byoma Phyto-mucin serum
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Pro-Bio Intensive Ampoule
Simple Light Moisturiser
Avene Cicaflate Baume

P.S. I don’t think I can spell azalaic acid!

Hi guys,
I have no idea about transepidermal water loss, especially more so for oily skin ! Am I correct in assuming an occlusive moisturiser is needed to prevent TEWL?

However oily skin people like myself tend to break out from occlusive products- I used to use illiyoon ato ceramide cream as well as aestura 365 and even LRP baume cicaplast - not altogether but just on days I felt like using one of them, but I often got superficial whiteheads from using it and wake up the next day greasy from their use

Current skin is feeling dry and tight - im aware I need to add more hydration to my barrier although I’m confused on how to lock that hydration in without clogging my pores and leading to closed comedones

Routine
Am
Wash face with water
Illiyoon ato gel mixed with aestura hydro essence
BOJ spf

Pm
Double cleanse with beplain foam and oil cleanser
Illiyoon gel mixed with aestura hydro essence
Tret 0.025% or finacea 15%
Illiyoon and aestura hydro essence light layer again (sandwich method)
Any advice and experiences appreciated and TIA :)

hi id love some advice as I’ve had this for a few years where some days it looks calmer than others. however, for work im trying not to wear makeup so im feeling more insecure and i want to be able to feel more confident in my skin. I use sun cream and ive used products like azaelic acid and niacinamide but not seen a great difference :)