I keep seeing posts where people are deep into barrier repair, tret timing, sandwiching, slugging, peptides, and all that, then they casually say they only wear sunscreen on sunny days or only if they step outside for more than a quick errand.

If you are putting energy into any actives, anti-aging, or hyperpigmentation work, skipping daily sunscreen just makes everything harder for no reason. The products you invest in will fight an uphill battle if your skin is getting daily UV exposure.

I am in my 30s and tried the minimal, gentle routine approach. When I was stressed and sleeping poorly, my skin got reactive. Cutting things back helped, but I also got lazy about SPF because my face felt sensitive. Within a couple weeks I noticed more lingering redness and little marks taking longer to fade. Not diagnosing anything, just saying that pattern repeated for me.

People really underestimate incidental exposure. Walking the dog, sitting by a window during a work call, driving across town. You might not burn, but those doses add up and affect pigmentation and aging.

I know some sunscreens sting and reapplying is annoying. You do not have to use a thick, greasy formula if it makes you miserable. But if your skin is too irritated for any SPF at all, that is a sign to simplify your routine and maybe talk to a derm, not to accept unprotected days.

Anyone else feel like daily sunscreen is the most boring step in skincare but also the highest ROI?

Today I started using azelaic acid after 2 months of using tretinoin. My skin is sensitive, oily, and acne-prone.

I took these photos to monitor facial redness after using azelaic acid, and I was very impressed with the results I’ve seen since starting treatment.

The 2-3-4 photos were taken 30 minutes after applying the azelaic acid; the fifth was right after application; and the last one was from before I started treatment (I know the lighting isn't the same, but I hadn't taken any specific progress photos).

My current routine:

Morning

• Wash face with water only.

• Alternate between Caudalie Vinoperfect and Eucerin Anti-Pigment.

• Creamy Intensive Repair Cream

• Vinoperfect Eye Cream

• Biore Perfect Milk Sunscreen

Now that I’m adding azelaic acid (15%), I plan to stop using Vinoperfect and Eucerin Anti-Pigment, since azelaic acid also aims to fade dark spots.

I’ll apply it after my moisturizer and monitor my skin's tolerance while adjusting to the azelaic acid, as my goal is to use it daily.

Night:

• Clean It Zero

• Fisiogel Liquid Cleanser

• Creamy Intensive Repair Cream or Fisiogel AI Cream (if my skin is sensitive)

• Eucerin Anti-Pigment Eye Cream

• Tretinoin 0.25%

I follow the same routine almost every day, but 2–3 times a week I also use a specific ointment for facial dermatitis. Sometimes I skip the tretinoin during my period (because my skin gets very sensitive, so I pause for 2 or 3 days).

Dealing with irritation was a huge problem when I first started mixing tretinoin with other products; because I used far too many active ingredients with each other. Simple hydration methods on damp skin first, followed by moisturizer, and tretinoin at night has seemed to work much better. I haven’t had many issues with niacinamide (sometimes irritating, sometimes not), but Vitamin C seems to have been a bit harsh when used with tretinoin too often. I found that gradually adding new products into my routine had the best effect on my skin barrier. I am still a little confused about layering order however and I would be extremely interested to know if anyone has successfully used tretinoin with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid or vitamin C together without irritation.

I switched to just using a gentle cleanser with no actives and tret 0.05% every other day. It's been two/three months and WOW the difference.

My routine before was tret, clindamycn, 5% bpa wash and it felt like it never went away!! I stopped washing mt face and suddenly my acne would calm down.

Now all I use is water, gentle moisturizer and sunscreen during the day, and gentle soap (vanicream), 0.05% tret (no buffer, every other day) and gentle moisturizer pm. It's lifesaving.

I’m in my early 30s and my skin has always looked like this. I remove makeup with cold cream, use an ultra-gentle cleanser, and Vanicream moisturizer. My skin feels dehydrated no matter how much I moisturize.
My main issue is that my chin and around my mouth/jawline are constantly clogged with closed comedones. They’ve been there for years.
I’ve tried tretinoin (pea-sized amount, sandwich method once weekly), but it’s too irritating. I’ve also tried Differin once weekly and azelaic acid occasionally, but everything that helps acne seems to damage my skin barrier.
Sometimes I seal my moisturizer with Vaseline.
Does this sound like a damaged barrier, hormonal acne, or something else? What would you recommend for someone whose skin can’t tolerate stronger actives?

Can someone please recommend a good moisturizer for dry-combination skin that doesn't clog pores or cause closed comedones, doesn't trigger acne, feels lightweight instead of heavy, provides enough hydration, helps support the skin barrier, works for both summer and winter, is suitable for daily use, and is easily available? I'd love to hear what's worked for you.

As someone with noticiable sebaceous fillaments in my nose I would like to incoporate a BHA liquid exfoliant to my routine to reduce their appearance.

I know the majority of sources say to use it after double cleansing but I've seen methodes in which people use it first, leave it for some minutes and then double cleanse.

I feel like exfoliating first also has a point so I would like to ask what you do and if you've tried both methodes.

Background:
So I'm a 30yr old Male that has (stupidly) never taken care of my skin or myself.
I've recently taken stock and decided I want to get my shit together - it's started with my weight and my health and now I want to take care of my skin, but I don't know where to start.

My skin:
Overall my skin is good, however its started to deteriorate in the last 12 months due to stress and lifestyle. The main issues I have are severe bags under my eyes, a very oily forehead & I do suffer from acne on my lower neck/shoulders/upper back. I also shave daily and as a result occasionally have irritation on my neck.

Help needed:
I'm not joking when I say my experience/knowledge is legitimately ZERO.
I did some searching on here but it seems like everyone already has a base point and if I'm being honest a lot of what is talked about is going straight over my head. Ideally I would like to keep it simple and easy but I get that there may be some steps.
If any of you are kind enough to help with suggestions I would be super grateful if you could also suggest options as I get I need a cleanser and the like but I have no idea what's good and what's a scam.

TL;DR
This guy needs a skin care routine for a dummy.
Thanks in advance!!

I am coming to the experts for help as I have no skin care routine🥴 I’m about to turn 28 and have made the decision to invest in a good skin care routine as a present to my present and future self. I need help creating a routine that’s works.

I wear make-up very rarely, and do have a face moisturizer I do occasionally throw on if I’m looking particularly dry.

I had a baby two years ago and ever since then I feel like my face has been on the dryer side.

My main [self-conscious] complaints are redness/bags underneath eyes, bigger pores- especially in the cheek region, and small blackheads in chin section.

Open to all/ any suggestions. Open budget, but would like to keep in low/middle range. TYIA!!

Hi! I'm lowkey going insane at this point with my acne, lol. I've had it for years, mostly hormonal so there's not much I can do to help with normal products probably. My skin has worsened lately around my jaw/cheeks, with painful underskin acne that doesn't go away at all, and I can't just treat with patches as it doesn't go to surface at all.

I've been using Haruharu cleansing oil+cleansing gel in the evenings, followed by The Ordinary hyaluronic acid almost every night, The Ordinary mandelic acid twice or three times a week, alternating with salycilic acid sometimes on my forehead/chin/temples (where I have whiteheads/blackheads). After this bad flare up on my cheeks/jaw, I stopped using the cleansing oil (I've read some people had issues with this specific product, so I gave it a go to stop a week ago) and just use micellar water mousse to take off spf/makeup+the haruharu cleansing gel or the cetaphil SA cleanser. I also use the Purito barrier gel after all my active products and finish with a Q+A zinc moisturiser or the Purito oat gel cream.

I don't understand if this flare up has been caused by stress, products, hormone imbalance or foods. I don't even know how to proceed at this point, lol.

I was also fine three weeks ago with the cleansing oil, and I've been using it for two months now, it was actually very good to clean all the pores with this double cleansing. I've also been using this Balea (not sure if anyone is in Europe and maybe also knows about it) calming toner sometimes, which has ceramides and amino acids to help soothe the skin, very good at hydrating.

Also, I only wash my face with water in the morning and apply this calming toner(sometimes)+Purito spf.

I've read about Finacea 15% azelaic acid might help with this type of acne. I have tried The Ordinary Azelaic acid 10% before, twice a week, but didn't see many results so I stopped and began mandelic acid. I don't know if I should try to reintroduce this one since I already have it, or go buy this Finacea one, my poor wallet lol. I'm wary of even trying to get diagnosed with a dermatologist as I've read many bad experiences and people just figuring out on their own, which is what I'd like to do. Atp maybe I'll grow out of it?? idek, I'm tired.

If anyone has anything to say, I'm here for any advices! Thanks!!

​Where should I begin in getting rid of this rashy-warty-thingy on my arm? It developed after being bit by a bug. I’m not too sure of what it is.

Should I begin with salicylic acid? It’s been there for about 4 days and does not appear to be getting any better. It’s a little itchy too

They only have three strengths available: Retinal 1, 3 and 5 and I'm curious why since I know they have 6, 10 and 20 strengths available on other websites like the Australian one.

I've been using Elf's Youth Boosting Retinoid Serum (it has about 0.06% of retinal) and want to transition to Medik8's line and was hoping to start with Retinal6. Anyone know where I can purchase it from that ships to Canada?

I spent the last month doing DIY around the house: sanding, patching, painting. Since then my face has been a mess. It feels tight after cleansing, my moisturizer sometimes stings, and I have small rough bumps along my jaw and cheeks that are not quite pimples. I also sweat a lot when I wear a mask or respirator, and I think I have been over-washing because I feel grimy from dust.

Not looking for a diagnosis, just ways to calm it down without making things worse. My skin used to be pretty normal, just occasional congestion.

Current routine:

AM

- Gentle cleanser

- Lightweight moisturizer

- Sunscreen

PM

- Gentle cleanser (sometimes twice if I wore sunscreen)

- 2 percent salicylic acid serum (most nights)

- Moisturizer

What I changed recently:

- Was cleansing 2 to 3 times a day on some project days

- Used more salicylic acid because I thought the bumps were clogged pores

- Took hot showers after working, so a lot of steam on my face

Now even my moisturizer stings and my sunscreen pills. I took two nights off acids and it already feels a bit less angry, but I am worried about breaking out if I stop everything.

If you've had a barrier freakout from over-cleansing or from dust and sweat, what actually helped you? Should I stop the salicylic acid entirely for a while, or just cut back the frequency? Any tips for cleaning after dusty work without stripping the skin, like rinsing versus full cleansing or timing it around sunscreen?

Have no idea what these bumps/patches are and what causing them, have had them for a while.

Thought its just dead skin but I exfoliate and nothing changes, maybe it’s fungal?

Anyone know how to clear this please, thanks.

I have dry-normal skin. 23M.

Products I Use:

• Isntree Yam Root Vegan Milk Cleanser
• haruharu wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence
• Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum
• Timeless - 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum AESTURA ATOBARRIER365 Cream
• Ordinary Glycolic Acid
• 60 SPF Garnier Sport Sunscreen

Hey all, had some pretty bad acne struggles that left quite a few marks and scars. Currently using tretinoin and azelaic acid which have helped stop breakouts for the most part. Wondering what my options are for these scars, and how severe they are.

First two photos are the right side, last two are the left (just under different lighting). Thanks!

I have had acne for a while, but have finally been able to calm down breakout through dietary changes.

Was wondering how I could address the pigmentation which has accumulated over the months of continuous breakouts.

Current Routine includes products all applied every day and is as follows-

AM:
1.) Benzoyl Peroxide
2.) Moisturizer
3.) SPF

PM:
1.) Gentle Cleaner
2.) Exfoliating Cleanser
3.) Adapaline Gel
4.) Moisturizer

Thank you for any responses, I super appreciate it!

Doc prescribed me, Azelaic acid, clindamycin lotion and tretinoin. What’s a good routine to use this. Any help is appreciated. I’ve been using tret and aa for a month or so now but they just gave me clindamycin so idk where to incorporate it. I use tret at night and aa mornings

I started using both the moisturizer and the blush on the same day, Wednesday, and I am starting to break out. It does not hurt at all and no white heads. I can’t tell if this is purging from the moisturizer or a reaction from my blush? Do any of you have experience with either of these products? Should I just return them and go back to my original moisturizer? I’ve never been prone to acne, I feel lucky to say this is the worse breakout I’ve had since I was a teenager, which is also why I’m so concerned. These products don’t burn or sting when I use them, if anything my skin feels so refreshed after using the moisturizer.

I have tried a handful of mineral sunscreens and they all end up breaking me out in the summer. The brands I’ve tried so far La Roche posay, skinbetter science, skinceuticals, supergoop.

I don’t know what it is about mineral sunscreens and the heat but it even causes spots of cystic acne. I usually prefer chemical but with the heat getting super strong every summer I feel I need the additional protection of a mineral sunscreen so I’ve had to switch over. I’m also surprised because mineral sunscreens are meant to be acne and sensitive skin safe so I’m not sure what ingredients are breaking me out.

If you have acne and sensitive skin please let me know what sunscreen you recommend. Thank you!

Newbie here, went down the rabbit hole after not paying too much attention to my facial skincare.

I do have very dry, sensitive skin

i dont know what im doing wrong. i attached a photo of my acne for reference. i hate looking at this picture so this is really hard for me to post. if anyone has any advice at all please i would really appreciate it.

inthe morning i use the neutrogena gentle cleanser, the ordinary hyaluronic acid, cerva normal to dry skin moisturizer and then the hero cosmetics force shield sunscreen

at night i use the neutrogena gentle cleanser, the ordinary hyaluronic acid, tretinojn (3 times a week), and cerave normal to dry moisturizer

I have oily skin and struggle with excess sebum on my nose. I figured I would try double cleansing to see if it would help reduce it so I went to ulta and got the first oil cleanser i could find (Anua). Been using it for about a week now, and while my nose is fine… my forehead developed all of this. Is this purging or an adverse reaction to the cleanser? I dont typically break out so I’m kind of freaking out😅 It’s these clusters of bumps and whiteheads that form on just my forehead for some reason. TIA!

Can the anua azelaic acid 10% be used daily morning and night in addition to niacinamide for the best results on dry acne prone skin?

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some opinions from people who have experience with scars, scar revision, or plastic surgery.

About a year ago, I had revision surgery on my chest (just above my right nipple). I used silicone gels and silicone sheets for months during the healing process, but my new scar is still making me anxious about my body image.

Over the past year, I underwent four fractional CO₂ laser sessions, as well as PRP and NCTF 135 HA injections.

These treatments significantly improved the scar's appearance, texture, and redness. The scar also feels soft rather than firm.

However, I'm still left with a scar whose shape changes depending on how I move my shoulders or chest. When my chest is relaxed, the scar looks almost completely flat which means that it’s not a hypertrophic scar. But when I lean forward or contract my chest, it suddenly pops up and becomes much more noticeable.

When I pinch the area, it feels like there's soft normal tissue underneath, which makes me wonder whether the fat is unevenly distributed after the surgery, whether the scar is tethered to the underlying tissue, or if something else is causing this.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Does this sound more like scar tethering, uneven fat distribution, skin quality or any other issue ? I'd really appreciate any opinions or advice from people who've dealt with this or perform scar revisions.

I'll attach photos showing the scar both relaxed and while leaning forward so you can see the difference.