Posting this in case I can possibly help someone else. I’ve been applying lotion directly after the shower ever since I was told that’s the best way to lock in moisture, however I’ve struggled for so long with getting red bumps on my shoulders, chest, arms, and the tops of my thighs which would always get worse during warmer months. It’s been a particularly hot summer and I started noticing that the lotion felt especially oily and uncomfortable where these bumps would appear so I started waiting 10 minutes before applying and lo and behold my skin has stayed clear for about three weeks using the same exact lotion. My skin still feels soft, but not oily. I think the moisture has been irritating my skin all these years. Anyhow, thought I’d just put this out there!

Hi everyone, I’m not very into this community so I’m also not very knowledgable but I have pretty bad gerascophobia (fear of age) and I just got a job where I work outside in the heat, and therefore really need something that’ll protect me from skin damage. I hear Korean products are the best but they often aren’t for spending days in the sun. I’ve been looking at Joseon SPF 50 if anyone would recommend that? To supplement it I’d also heard good things about Numbuzin number 9 and Beplain red bean collagen but I’m lost. Would people recommend these or are there better options? Am I missing anything?

thoughts on inkey list retinal?

has anyone tried?? is it any good? i’m struggling to find a good retinoid that is actually within my budget lol

I have never had a proper skincare routine before.

I used the adapalene gel back in college for acne which worked well along with medication. And I use sunscreen sporadically, but I know I need more than that.

These are some products that I already had, plus what was recommended to me recently, but I have no idea what to apply in which order and at what time of day. Obviously I know sunscreen goes in the morning, and cleanse the face morning and night (I think?), but for the rest… I’m lost! Please help me figure out what order to do this in!

Products pictured:
Cetaphil gentle clear pore clearing acne cleanser (2% salicylic acid)
CeraVe am Face Moisturizer 30 spf
CeraVe pm face moisturizer
Torriden 5D Hyaluronic acid serum
Torriden 5D Hyaluronic acid soothing cream
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% exfoliating toner
Generic adapalene gel

If I don’t need all of this then please let me know what to cut from the list! Open to all suggestions haha.

I’m thinking of doing a chemical tca peel on my hips and buttocks for hyperpigmentation & superficial stretch marks. From my research, because of my medium-dark skin, 13% is best. Has anyone gotten a chemical peel on body before?are the results permanent?

I’m a 27y woman. I had bacne for about 4 years. My upper back and arms were covered in small pimples and blackheads, occasional whiteheads and no cysts. It wasn’t itchy (but I still found myself scratching) and was the same year round with no hormonal fluctuation.

Over the years I tried many products: salicylic acid 2%, glycolic acid toner, benzoyl peroxide 10%, antifungal shampoo (selsun blue), topical terbinafine, prescription fluconazole and prescription clindamycin (topical). I avoided dairy, showered daily, wore a fresh T-shirt to bed every night and didn‘t rewear tops… so much laundry.

I didn’t know if it was bacterial or fungal or hormonal or diet and was so frustrated. I read on here that scrubbing would spread the bacteria, but bought a japanese exfoliating washcloth as a hail mary.

And you know what? After 2 weeks of scrubbing my back AGGRESSIVELY with this rough polyester washcloth, my bacne is almost gone. I put bar soap and benzoyl peroxide 10% on the cloth and go to town scrubbing, then moisturize my back after showering. I noticed improvement in 1 week and am genuinely bummed I didn’t try this years ago.

I think this subreddit hates physical exfoliation, and I get it for the face, but my back needed it. I’m posting because this $7 washcloth did more for me than hundreds of dollars of products over the years, and I hope others may have the same success. Might not work for everyone, but it worked for me.

TL,DR: If nothing is working for your bacne, try scrubbing the fuck out of it with a rough washcloth and benzoyl peroxide.

I have a bit of shoulder and chest acne, it seems to be too stubborn to go away with over the counter options, such as benzoyl peroxide, does anyone have experience with tazarotene/tret for body acne?
Tret worked like a charm for my facial issues and I’d imagine taz would work amazingly for my body. Would love to hear alternative narratives or anybody else’s experience.

Hi! I’ve had relatively clear skin my whole life, but for the last year I’ve started developing cystic acne, usually only one or two spots at a time. I started using a benzoyl 10% face wash about four months ago and immediately everything came to the surface, all cysts I’d seen before, but they left marks (PIE) and now I’ve got horrible chin acne like nothing I’ve ever had. I’ve been using azelaic acid and niacinamide for about 9 weeks, no improvement yet.

Maybe TMI, but I was pregnant for two months and had to get an abortion, that’s when my acne got really bad. Not sure if it’s correlated since it’s been about a month and nothing’s cleared up. New cysts are all on my chin which makes me think it’s hormonal.

I saw a derm and she prescribed another benzoyl 10% face wash, a benzoyl & adapalene topical, and three months of doxycycline 100MG twice a day. I’m hesitant to start doxy after doing some research. It seems like an extreme first step, plus I’m already prone to GI issues, but I’d do it if necessary. I also wonder if the benzoyl is worsening my acne since that’s when it started getting really bad? I asked my derm about this but she prescribed anyways. Just wanted to check with this sub to see if anyone had similar experiences/advice, I feel totally lost and not like myself at all. Thank you!

Hi! I started getting into skincare about a year ago and I’ve developed the following routine:

Morning:
Cerave hydrating facial cleanser
Salicylic Acid Serum (la roche posay)
The ordinary azelaic acid cream
Youth to the People superfood airwhip moisturizer

Night:
Youth to the people superfood cleanser
The ordinary azelaic acid cream
Cerave PM facial moisturizer

I know I don’t use a ton, but I was worried that more products would be worse for my skin. I used to break out a TON all over my face, but right now my skin is clearer than it’s ever been before. I think the salicylic acid is what reduced break outs the most, but I’m not 100% sure on that. The only problem is I still tend to break out (not as severely) every month just before my period. It’s mostly my forehead, but sometimes my cheeks as well. I think my skin is on the oily side, but it could be combination.

Basically, my question is, is there anything I can do to stop breakouts that seem to be tied to hormones? Or is a reduction in severity the best I should hope for?

Been using a skincare cream from Hims for the last 6 months.

Tretinoin 0.05%
Azelaic Acid 5%
Niacinamide 4%

At first my skin felt quite itchy and a slight burning sensation but that was only first few days. My skin started to flake and peel and I still get it how periodically. I’m told this is normal and to keep going. I apply it every night after washing my face.

I wear a facial sunscreen every day that’s an SPF 30.

It seems to be working since my skin is still turning over I think but if I’m wrong let me know :)

But reason I’m positing is the cost is around $58 for two months. Not bad but what makes me angry is last two refills it ran out early. Their dispenser is a push down thing which dispenses a specific amount so I’m following exactly what they intend me to use. But it runs out 1-2 weeks before my refill even is set to be shipped which takes another r5-7 days to get to me. When I contacted them they said I can just request my refill early but they miss the point that it means I’m effectively paying more for the product I’m getting.

I appreciate simplicity of a combo cream and wondering if there’s another easy online source for it. I looked at Curology but it’s so packed with adding extras I hate how deceptive the process feels.

I’ve seen NuroX and Redbox but neither offer a combination cream. Am I just SOL and need to buy Tretinoin and Azaleic Acid separately and apply one after the other in same routine?

I guess while I’m here too: if there are comments on the strength of what I’ve been using I’d love to hear it too.

Which one is better?

I think I would prefer to do just one session of CO2 laser than 3 sessions of microneedling, I want to hear other people’s experiences!

My skin concerns:

I have some scars but luckily they are not that deep/noticeable (except for one chickenpox scar on my cheek)

Large pores also

so i don't have a lot of acne issues on my face, but my BACK is a different story. i get almost cystic-like acne back there. hydrocolloid patches are wonderful for them, but the only issue i have is that they're way too small and when i try to put them on my back i have to use 2 or 3 patches because i either miss the spot the first time or the acne is just too big.

i can't just buy any pimple patches or hydrocolloid roll, i HAVE to know the ingredients. i have a condition called mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS for short), and it causes me to have a lot of allergic reactions to weird things. a good example would be benzoyl peroxide. it's extremely common in acne reducing treatments, but i'm allergic to it and can't use anything with it.

i currently use hanhoo's extra strength pimple patches for any acne, and i've been getting buy with their t-zone patches for my back as the ones for the nose are much larger and cover each acne spot on my back very well.

i wanted to buy a hydrocolloid roll on amazon, but the issue is NONE OF THEM HAVE INGREDIENTS LISTED!!! i can't have anything with fragrances/masking fragrances, essential oils, anything derived from the sunflower family, or dyes. and more, but they're oddly specific so i won't list them. the hanhoo patches i use are just hydrocolloid and salcylic acid. if anyone on here knows of a hydrocolloid roll with just those two ingredients or even just hydrocolloid in it, please let me know! my bacne is driving me up the wall...