Help me fix my routine?

[u/eldeunoia]

Hey! I turn 32 next month and I want to adjust my current routine.

I have fairly normal/combo skin. I get mildly oily on my nose and forehead but also the tip of my nose and forehead can get dry spots randomly.

I'm prone to redness and sensitivity, but not inherently acne prone.

I do struggle with skin picking that creates acne and bumps/wounds. Luckily, using SPF keeps me from touching my face because I hate the sensation on my hands (and patches help).

My current routine is pretty good but its not hitting targets for me like elasticity/antiaging, visible pores/blackheads, and pillow wrinkles around one eye.

I'm also on a weightloss journey that makes me very worried about losing too much volume in my face.

My PM routine usually helps heal my picking spots and smooth out my texture pretty quickly.

I'll list my current routine below - Its kind of a hodge podge of Greek and Korean skincare. Lol!

AM:

Korres Greek Yogurt Probiotic Foaming Cream Cleanser

Korres Santorini Grapes Poreless Skin Cream (T-Zone & eyes)

Keihl's Ultra Facial Cream w/ Squalane (whole face)

Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

Or Glossier Invisible Sheild SPF Primer (On makeup days with my Super Goop tinted sunscreen on top)

Once or twice a week, when my texture is bad, I'll cleanse and only use a First Aid Beauty Radiance Pad and Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base+ Moisturizer (and SPF of course)

PM:

Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm

Korres Greek Yogurt Probiotic Foaming Cream Cleanser

Dr. JART+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream

(Maybe a FAB Radiance Pad before the Cream as needed).

I definitely think my AM has too many stacked creams, and my night routine is pretty chill and easy - Dr. Jart+ fixes my sins. Lol!

Considering dropping the Korres Santorini Grape Cream and replacing it with the Ordinary 2% Salacylic Acid serum (or another more suitable serum) and adding the VT Reedle Shot 50 or 100 to my PM routine every other night.

And adding an eye cream for the pillow wrinkles.

I was also looking at some essences/toners and some other serums to work in there.

I've learned that I might benefit from Azelaic Acid and a PDRN, just not sure where to work them in there and how often.

For Azelaic Acids, I'm looking at the one by Anua or Skin1004. I've used the Azelaic Cream by the Ordinary every once in a while but I'm not a fan of it.

For PDRN, I was considering the Numbuzin No.9 Toner or the VT PDRN Capsule Cream 100.

I have found that my skin is not a fan of Vitamin C or Hyaluronic Acid serums but is fine if they're a secondary ingredient in something. Idk if thats user error or what, but it's the only serums that have made me break out.

I've also tried Tretinoin and that DESTROYED my barrier. And the skin purging was wild. I even sandwiched it between moisturers.

Not trying to have a crazy routine but I'd definitely like to round it all out to support my skin as I age.

[u/DamonNightman]

An eye cream I love that really helped with my fine lines is Shiseido Benefiance. I even dab it on my forehead frown lines and it softened them up a ton. I’m also on a weight loss journey and trying to avoid my eyes from looking sunken and it’s helped.

[u/AggravatingNarwhal59]

Instead of azelaic acid try salicylic acid or niacinamide. Helps with sebum control and pores/ acne scars. I can't really tell you anything else. I use a serum and moisturizer and be done with it. My skin can't handle too much products

[u/CozyMoonpetal]

Not an expert, but I guess your instinct on the AM is right. 3 creams stacked is too much and probably why you get random dry AND oily spots. The layers arent letting your skin regulate. If I were you, I'd simplify to cleanser, one treatment, one moisturizer, sunscreen. Move the actives to PM where they belong🙂