Skin Type: oily
Age/Gender: 17f
Current Skincare Routine: gentle cleanser, cerave lotion
Main Concern: breaking out

Additional Info: started as tiny bumps then turned into this, also got blackheads on my nose and it's red around

I posted this in relationship advice initially but I wanted to also post it here as many of you have also struggled with acne as adults. My (34F) husband is in his 40s and still struggles with severe acne. He got a prescription for Accutane about a year ago (after I pushed him to see a dermatologist) but didn’t start taking it because he's worried about the side effects.

His acne is very noticeable. He gets a lot of angry, inflamed breakouts and visible whiteheads. He sweats a ton at work and has extremely oily skin, so Accutane would almost definitely make a huge difference. I also think it bears mentioning that his father has/had the same skin issues and they did not resolve with age.

I'm going to sound like an asshole…. but I'm getting to the point where sometimes I'm embarrassed by how bad his skin looks. I feel AWFUL even admitting that.

We've been together for over 10 years, and this man has almost NEVER made me feel insecure about my appearance…. I literally can only think one time he made joke about my new hair color ~8 years ago. The last thing I want is to make him feel like I find him unattractive.

How do I approach this without making him feel terrible about himself? Is there a way to encourage him without making it obvious that his skin is bothering me?

I'd especially love to hear from people who have struggled with severe adult acne. How would you want your spouse to approach this? Would you even want them to bring it up?

I just started using niacinamide last week and my forehead looks angrier than it did before, which is making me second-guess everything. I know the whole "purging" thing exists but I'm genuinely not sure if that's what's happening or if my skin just hates this product. How long did you guys give new actives before deciding they weren't working out?

I’ve been struggling with acne from blackheads since this summer, and although it’s gotten better, it still won’t go away. My skin has been really good and clear until now, so this is making me sad :/ I’m 19F which I feel like is past the point of normal breakouts. I’ve tried so much to get the blackheads to go away but without removing them, I don’t know what else I can do.

My current routine:
AM: - cera ve benzoyl peroxide 4%
\\- goodal vita-c serum
\\- the ordinary 7% glycolic acid
\\- clinique dramatically different moisturizing gel
\\- saie sliptint

PM: - clinique take the day off cleansing balm
\\- clinique cleanser
\\- clinque clarifying lotion (salicylic acid toner)
\\- peach slices super fade serum
\\- clinque dramatically different moisturizing gel

I also use the Kiehl’s clay mask sometimes.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Title says it all. Ive edited the image step by step. I have combination T zone and normal for the rest of my face. I would have small acne dots on the forehead occasionally and trying to get those out and really clear out my skin, otherwise pretty clear and have a random pimple once in a blue moon now. Used to have pretty bad hormonal acne.

My night time routine will typically just be Azelaic Acid and Retinol. Every now and then Ill do a Calendula Peel for exfoliating occasionally (about 1-2 a week). Just wanted to check if the order is OK and if it can be better?

Right now my holy grail that Ive been using religiously bottle after bottle is the Speedy, Cetaphil, LRP B5, Anua Toner, Cerave Vit C and Moisturiser, LRP SPF. The rest is on/off - still trying to find the best one and narrow down my choices.

My literal go-to for skincare stuff is Lab Muffin Beauty and Dr. Danny Guo. Love their stuff and just try to get what they recommend. I'd love to know if theres any way to improve this!

I (M) was shaving my pubic area and while finishing I noticed one hard lump (like a cyst), about half an inch in size in my groin area

I squeezed it a bit to feel it and a drop of blood was squeezed out, then nothing more

Right now it's barely painful to the touch, almost non painful

I am 99% sure the lump wasn't there when I started shaving and I'm kind of freaking out right now

Is it possible for an ingrown hair or something like that to cause this so fast or was it most likely there and I somehow didn't notice it?

Any suggestions on what I should do?

Should I go to the hospital, should I try to wait it out, is there anything I can do to it?

Any help at all is appreciated

Edit: update about an hour or two later, the swelling went down a bit, it's still a hard lump but it's smaller

I don't know exactly what it is but at least I'm less worried as it's almost definitely caused by shaving even if I can't really find anything specific

i started using adapelene (differin) to help with my acne and mainly pigmentation about 3 months ago the instructions said to use every night but it started burning a week in so i stopped for a week and continued every alternate day using the sandwich method. i have not experienced the burning feeling since then but now i have these dark patches all over and i dont know what to do. my skin also feels righter than usual after washing my face. so i stopped using it. i just feel so desperate rn cause the main thing i wanted to fix was my post inflammatory hyperpigmentation 😭😭😭 im hoping for any advice on what to do moving forward or how i can get rid of the pigmentation. for context, i use face wash, adapelene, moisturiser and sunscreen. thank you!!

Hi, 24 M here with oily acne prone skin with need of assistance. So basically, I need my skin to be clear for photos in about a months’ time, the problem is that these bumps/acne have been around all year and I have no idea what exactly is causing it, nor how to get rid of them. So far, I have seen moderate results from the routine below which I started around 2 months ago. I've been prescribed Doxy + Epiduo in the past which only really helps with pimple acne not the white bumps.

My routine looks like this:

Morning: (Shower) Cetaphil daily exfoliating cleanser. After I will use the Dermal therapy 3 in 1 acne treatment kit. If I am going outside for a long time, I will apply QV day moisturiser SPF 30.

Afternoon: After the Gym (around 5 days a week), I will cleanse again with the Dermal 3 in 1, this time only using the cleanser and moisturiser.

Evening: I will use the Garnier salicylic purifying gentle cleanser, and only recently have I started using a retinol moisturiser too.

I'm based in Aus, so I have no idea how many of these products are familiar worldwide, but basically, I try to include all the important ingredients like vitamin E, niacinamide, Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, Salicylic, retinol etc.

A few more things: I rarely take whey protein, but when I do, I don't really notice any worsening changes. I do use minoxidil and finasteride for hair thinning which sometimes drips down to my forehead, so not sure if that would be relevant to the bumps.

I am thinking of either doing a chemical peel, or Tretinoin Next, but any advice would be really helpful. Thanks, and sorry for the long read.

Ugh, I'm at my wits end! I've been battling forehead bumps for the last year and a bit. They're aggravated by humidity and heat (e.g., when I exercise) and are isolated to my forehead. Here is my current routine:

• AM Clinique face wash, Dr. Jart barrier cream (not worn on forehead), garnier gel moisture rescue (worn only on forehead bc it's supposedly FA safe), Beauty of Joseon Relief Sunscreen (worn everywhere most days)
• PM Clinique face wash, tret gel (not applied to forehead), paula's choice BHA/AHA (applied to forehead sometimes)

Here are some things that I've tried/noticed:

• Nizoral shampoo. This provides almost immediate relief (my skin becomes very smooth within minutes) BUT it damages my skin barrier if I use it frequently which worsens the bumps
• Azelaic acid. This provides a slight smoothing effect but doesn't do much overall.
• Powder foundation. Covering up the bumps with foundation makes my skin worse!
• Tret gel (Biacna). Applying this just made my forehead worse or, at best, kept it the same

WHAT SHOULD I DO? I'm convinced that this issue is hormonal. I don't know for sure whether it's FA, but given the fact that it worsens with humidity and can be itchy at times makes me think it is. I just don't understand how this came to be - my forehead used to be perfect. Any advice would be much appreciated!! <3

I can upload a video, too, of exactly what my forehead looks like in bright lighting.

ALSO I'm in my mid 20s and live in Canada. I don't have easy access to a family doc or a derm. I'm on my own here lol

Hi! Im looking for skin routine help. Ive been to a dermatologist but the things they give me never work.

My routine is:

At night
Wash face - La Roche Posay LIPIKAR AP+ GENTLE FOAMING MOISTURIZING WASH
Moisturize - La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
Soothing Therapeutic Multi Purpose

In the morning
Sunscreen - La Roche-Posay 100 SPF Athelos Milk Sunscreen

I started this new routine in August but was using the la roche posay CICAPLAST GEL B5 GLYCERIN SKIN PROTECTANT 21% as a moisturizer, given to me by my derm. I switched to the new one about a week ago, but the first day if seemed to make my face red but is fine now. Ive also tried adapalene last week and it didnt irritate it.

Ive been told my skin is too young and sensitive for la roche posay but idk if thats true.

The comedone struggle has always been part of my life. So have constant cheek flare ups with pimples on both cheeks and a little on my chin sometimes. The problem is my skin is wayy too sensitive to everything. Salicylic acid, panoxyl, niacinamide and tretinoin all make my face red and irritated.
Azelaic acid did absolutely nothing for me. Certain moisturizers irritate my face too. My face is dry as hell at the cheeks and nose. No moisturizer ever gives it enough hydration and my forehead is wrinkly and oily. Niacinamide did help a with closed comedones a bit. But it irritates my Tace now.

Im just so tired of feeling less than because of my skin. I am also so tired of red bumps or a new pimple appearing on my cheeks. Im so tempted to just not touch my face with any skincare products and see what happens but i know thats a horrible idea.

Should i just ask to go on acutane? See if that will help me?
I dont want to have adult acne. Im so annoyed.
All help and advice is appreciated! Thank you!

I always hear that standard practice and estheticians will usually say wait 24-72 hours after a facial to apply makeup. Its always a different amount of days for everyone I know. Where are these recommendations coming from? Are they just recommendations or actual guidelines? Are places just giving arbitrary suggestions for amount of days. I am just researching as I do microneedling for scar treatment and people around me get facial peels and hydrafacials. Is it medically backed and is there literature to back this up? Thanks! Just want to be well informed on facials and makeup application.

Hey everyone! I’m trying to streamline and fix my skincare routine. My skin is naturally very dry and sensitive, if I step out of the shower and don't get my skincare on within like 10 minutes, my face immediately feels super tight and dry, and if I’m not consistent with my skin everything irritates it. I had some barrier issues in the past, but thankfully I think I've got that under control now as long as I stay consistent!

I'm currently pregnant, so I'm trying to keep things pregnancy-safe, but I'm planning my next upgrades and looking ahead. My main concerns are general dryness and forehead dehydration lines.

Here is what my actual routine looks like right now:

• Morning: I don't wash my face in the morning. I just do a mist (Tower 28), a little Byoma Milky Toner, the Byoma Phyto-Mucin serum, and then moisturize. If I'm not wearing makeup, I double up and use both the Prequel Half and Half and the Dr. Althea 345 cream(lightly), and my skin just drinks it up without feeling heavy at all! • ⁠Night: Byoma Milky Toner, then my Cocokind serum, sometimes the Byoma Phyto-Mucin, followed by really lathering on the Prequel Half and Half moisturizer, and then topping it off with the Dr. Althea 345 cream. • ⁠Paused my Thayers 2% AHA pads because my skin was super irritated, but my skin seems better now so I was

My upcoming shopping list :

1. ⁠Prequel Oil Cleanser (to start double cleansing at night)
2. ⁠Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Toner - swap with my Byoma
3. ⁠SKIN1004 Azelaic Acid 10% Ampoule - for my chin scars / marking blemishes, maybe 2-3x a week and build my skin up to daily use?
4. ⁠Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream - I love Dr. Althea’s 345 cream I was going to get the 146 for nighttime specifically but I’ve heard so many good things about this cream instead.

My questions for you guys:

1. ⁠Routine check: Does this future lineup look solid for dry skin and to help with dehydration lines? Should I add or take away anything?

2. ⁠Future Retinol: Once I'm not pregnant I want to introduce a retinol. I was looking at the Coco kind beginners retinol. Since I'm 23, is a beginner formula like that the best route to start slow, or should I look at something else for my skin? Would love any thoughts or advice! Thanks

Hello I was requesting some help because I started skincare due to gaining pimples however, I am starting to gain pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads where I usually dont get or have any at all. I dont know if the products are all doing that to me or one in specific is. There is a little before and after. These are all new products that I am currently using. I got all of these 3 weeks ago and have been using them since then, plus the prescribed adapalene. I dont quite know my skin type but it feels pretty normal its just that my nose and chin feel pretty oily. If there is any advice or product recommendations, thought, opinions, I would love to hear them please🙏

I’m looking for an affordable eye serum or eye cream that could help with both my dark circles and fine lines under my eyes. I know that different products target different types of dark circles, like vascular or pigmented dark circles, but I’m having a hard time figuring out which type I have. I think mine might be a combination of both.

I’d love some recommendations for affordable products that could help with both concerns. I already use a vitamin C serum in my morning skincare routine, and I’m also planning on buying DIEUX reusable under-eye masks, so I’d like to know what would work best alongside those!
Thank you!

So I've been looking for tinted sunscreens as I've got pigmentation and dark spots and recently learned that the iron oxides in tinted sunscreens help with that.

But I used a sample of the Bioderma tinted sunscreen last week and it looked so orange. Plus I did not like the watery texture at all. Are there any better tinted sunscreens out there? Or is it just as effective to use a tinted foundation or BB cream on top of a regular sunscreen?

Hello!! I have a genuine question. I want to start using retinol but I’m 22, I know the standard is 25. But I see the way my mom and grandma have aged and I lowkey want to stop that as soon as possible. I’ve always struggled with acne but I currently am on birth control to help that and it works great!! I was looking to use the cocokind one and start with the beginner and work my way up to the advanced one. Ive tried adaplene gel and I honestly didn’t see any results, my acne is hormonal.
I also use azelaic acid so that would be switched to during the day and my retinol I would slowly introduce at night.

Genuinely what are y’all’s thoughts? When did all start using retinol?

[Acne]

My 10yo daughter has a lot of acne on her forehead and a few on the eyebrow. We have been using the overnight acne patches.. but is there anything else that can help with her acne? She uses Goongbe kids facial cleanser, honest moisturizer and biore sunscreen

She also has stubborn blackheads and texture on her nose.

We have a traditional event planned for her in a few months and would like to get her skin to clear up a bit by then

(repost bc i forgot to include the flair in the title 🩷🩷🩷)

my acne has been having flare ups more often and i need help understanding why! (f20; having acne since i was 13 - healed substantially since i turned 19)

i’ve attached two pictures to help (the first is current, the next is before) — yes they were taken in slightly different lighting but you can see how my healed scars have turned back into acne bumps

my skin is extremely dehydrated and i have compromised barrier that i’ve been working on repairing since the summer. i decided its time to go back into using arazlo (prescribed back in december). i initially stopped using it because it made my acne worse over time, and ruined my barrier. the same thing is happening now. ive been using it for a month, 2x a week by building up my tolerance.

i’ve been having doxycycline 2x a day (prescribed) which is the only treatment i have that is targeting my acne and has been helping the most.

i’m able to help my barrier strengthen itself again, but i’ve never dealt with new pimples with no whiteheads that hurt to touch.

my current routine: focus on hydration and barrier strengthening
AM:
- eau thermale avene cleanance cleansing gel (love - doesnt make my skin feel tight)
- torriden dive in toner (love for calming down redness)
- cosrx ceramide barrier mist (love but kinda feels oily - has helped with the lack of moisture and hydration) OR e11ement hypochlorous acid
- ponds (blue lid) cream

PM:
- cleanser: garnier (pink cap micellar water - put on cotton pad and gently on face - using it on days with makeup; if not then i dont opt for it unless my skin feels rly clogged) + avene cleansing gel (only a double cleanse)
- mist: cosrx barrier spray/ e11ement hypochlorous acid
- moisturizer: ponds blue cap cream

recovery day:
using lrp cicaplast baume or svr cicavit+

i like the micellar water since i can visibly see all the gunk being pulled out. i have a thing where once or (now) twice a month where my skin produces a lot of sebum and gets rly clogged around my forehead and cheeks. i can literally feel how clogged skin is because it rarely feels that way.

my cheeks and forehead and oily/normal, and my chin, mouth and temples are very dry. coincidentally, my dry areas are also where i get those closed comedomes :(

sorry for the super long post but i hoped more detail would help.

Hi everyone!

I finished my second course of Accutane in late December, and my skin stayed pretty much clear for about 6 months afterward. I decided to wait before introducing tretinoin to give my skin barrier some time to recover, and I started using tretinoin 0.04% micro gel on August 1. I’m now about 3 months into using it and use it every other night (trying to ramp it up to two days in a row and one break night rather than just every other night).

Recently, I’ve been experiencing some recurring acne, mainly a few cystic breakouts on my forehead and jaw, as well as persistent closed comedones around my temples. The cystic breakouts seem to happen mostly around my menstrual cycle, and my acne isn’t particularly severe, but I’m frustrated that my skin isn’t staying as clear as it was after Accutane.
I’ve also switched to a fragrance-free, acne-safe shampoo in case my hair products were contributing to the temple breakouts, but I haven’t noticed much improvement so far.

I’m hoping to get my skin back to being consistently clear, but I’m really not keen on doing a third round of Accutane if I can avoid it.

My current routine is:

AM:
Curel Moisturizing Spray
Laneige Cream Skin Toner
Cerave Moisturizing Cream
Beauty of Joseon sunscreen

PM:
Curel Moisturizing Spray
Laneige Cream Skin Toner
Cerave Moisturizing Cream
Tretinoin (every other night) or Azelaic acid (Fiancea 15%)

I’ve been using all the products (minus the prescription ones) for a pretty long time 3+ years so I don’t think that’s what’s breaking me out. But I’d really appreciate any advice you might have. Thank you!

I got this scar from picking a pimple about 2 years ago which resulted in a gnarly infection.
I haven’t done anything professional on it. Just a basic skin care routine.

Can it be improved with cosmetic procedures/ surgery?
I’m so self conscious about it and I just want to know there’s hope for it to get better.

Everyone’s skin is different yes i understand, but my friends get acne and their skin still looks so shiny and hydrated, as if it was just a small flat red dot on their face. My face is a mix of oily and dry with random acne clusters everywhere and i don’t know what to do.

i wanted to start panoxyl but i dont want my skin to purge. How can i make my skin hydrated and less oily while also not making my acne worse.

Since I was like 15 and started benzoyl peroxide for acne I also started skincare. Which lead to me doing all the things I wasn't supposed to do, I would literally use like three pumps of cleanser a day to get rid of the oil, use far too much moisturizer and then I went to using too little moisturizer.

Over the course of like three years I was constantly messing up my skin to the point where simply washing with water would leave it dry and flaky.
Winter has made these issues far worse for me, my face skin looks jarringly different from the rest of my body. I have deep wrinkles and old looking skin at 18 along with really bad redness. My whole nose is red, my upper lip burns, and the corner of my eyes hurt too. My derm hasn't been of much help and I have no idea how to fix the problem I gave myself.

Cleanser burns, (even gentle ones.) and leaves my face red and worse for days. I have tried so many different moisturizers but they all leave my face greasy looking while still feeling incredibly dry. It's gotten to the point where my skin basically looks extremely gross and strange every day.

Currently I don’t have much of a routine for my skin because I was afraid of using too much product on it. Every cleanser I use causes a lot of pain and burning so I just kind of stuck to a small amount of bar soap in the morning and somewhat generous amounts of moisturizer. But my visual problems were still there just without the pain. As soon as winter hit everything is more dry and hurts.

I believe my skin barrier is damaged and I have no idea where to start. Most products really irritate my skin and all my derm did was prescribe me excema cream.

I have been told by my doctor that I have pretty severe acne and have been advised to see a dermatologist. However, I can’t afford to see a dermatologist. For the time being, I have been trying over the counter remedies to treat it. These are the remedies I have tried:

Differin (1 and 1/2 year, discontinued): No effect, acne stayed consistent
Azaelic Acid (4 months): Faded acne scars, noticed less acne but by the end of the month hormonal acne pops up again
Salicylic Acid (4 months): noticed less acne but by the end of the month hormonal acne pops up again

I have oily, acne prone skin. Does anyone have any advice on how to clear it up? Thank you in advance.