Skincare - let's sperg about routines and products

  • Thread starter Thread starter RI 360
  • Start date Start date
  • Want to keep track of this thread?
    Accounts can bookmark posts, watch threads for updates, and jump back to where you stopped reading.
    Create account
Has anyone tried the new-ish CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser?
Technically dry, 40+ skin here, biggest issue is sensitivity and reactivity. My skin just reacts to anything and everything.

Anyways. Tried it twice now. Three weeks ago, and two weeks ago.
And it just… murdered the skin on my eyelids?

Both times I felt a slightly irritating burning sensation, but since I bought it for the salicylic acid, that was not really worrying.
First time though, it resulted in the skin on my eyelids peeling off in flakes over a week’s time. Ew.
Second time, I rinsed it off a lot quicker and “only” got a lot of redness and irritation that made the husbando ask if I had been crying.
Both times I used it with a cleanser device (I think the Foreo Luna both times but once might have been my good old trusty Clarisonic) where I avoid the eye area, but of course can’t be sure the product won’t drip down.

The thing is, I can’t figure out why I reacted to it.
There should be nothing in it that should piss my skin off. No ingredients I know cause me issues, not ingredients that should trigger irritation. Not even any extracts, nothing.

Ingredient list:
Aqua / Water, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Gluconolactone, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Calcium Gluconate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Tetrasodium Edta, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin (F.I.L. D235671/1)

So, half a warning, half asking if it’s only me.
 
been using zinc soap and basic moisturizer twice a day. i don't have acne anymore for the most part, but now i have brown spots all over my face larger than freckles but similar especially around my eyes. going to use some old Ketoconazole cream i have, but its so hard to trust a derm when you know they're just giving you whatever crap some marketer showed them.

been using dandruff shampoo and soap for months now so i assume it can't be spots from SD, but its just bullshit. one thing goes down and then there's something different/worse. Why the fuck can't this be simple. i'm halfway to just going back to the MaryKay stuff i used back in highschool.
 
morning: exfoliating cleanser, SPF moisturizer
night: cleanser, retinoid, moisturizer

It's just that easy.

It's really not a lot compared to some people, but me and my bf still make Patrick Bateman jokes about it.
 
Swagstika said:
Has anyone tried the new-ish CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser?
Technically dry, 40+ skin here, biggest issue is sensitivity and reactivity. My skin just reacts to anything and everything.

There should be nothing in it that should piss my skin off. No ingredients I know cause me issues, not ingredients that should trigger irritation
Click to expand...
You're asking this when you knowingly put salicylic acid on extremely reactive skin?
Everything with an acid says not to put it near your eyes. I don't think acids are for you, just get something that increases cel turnover rate.
 
Swagstika said:
Has anyone tried the new-ish CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser?
Technically dry, 40+ skin here, biggest issue is sensitivity and reactivity. My skin just reacts to anything and everything.


Both times I felt a slightly irritating burning sensation, but since I bought it for the salicylic acid, that was not really worrying.
First time though, it resulted in the skin on my eyelids peeling off in flakes over a week’s time. Ew.
Click to expand...

Kinda answers your question, luv. And don't go for round two if that's your first reaction, just give or toss it away.

Swagstika said:
Both times I used it with a cleanser device (I think the Foreo Luna both times but once might have been my good old trusty Clarisonic) where I avoid the eye area, but of course can’t be sure the product won’t drip down
Click to expand...

Combining manual exfoliation with an acid is asking for trouble even for normal skin, let alone sensitive.

In fact, your skin is very likely so sensitive because of your "trusty" clarisonic. You've been rubbing your face raw for years. Nobody should be blasting their precious face skin with a motorised brush every day unless their daily activities involve mining coal or something.

Dump those meme devices, use your hands and gently go in circular motions when washing your face. You can even skip a cleanser if your face doesn't produce a lot of oil, just wash with water for at least a month and let that abused skin barrier finally heal. Not crucial, a sensitive cleanser is fine too.

And moisturize like there's no tomorrow.
 
I've changed my routine and upgraded to a really nice green tea based cleanser that just works for me, my burning question is - is Toner a scam? I've been using one for a few days but it's difficult to tell if it's doing much, as the cleanser does a lot of heavy lifting...

Opinions?
 
Varsha Nagini said:
is Toner a scam
Click to expand...

IMO yes. if cleanser is decent then you shouldn't need a second cleaning step. unless maybe if you have been out near busy roads all day or something.

anyway, came here for a PSA. may have already been said in the thread but bears repeating if so:

GLASS DOES NOT PROTECT YOU FROM THE SUN.

unless it is specifically coated like windscreens.

i did not know this, but then i thought about it and was like "by what physical process would glass reduce UV" so maybe i'm just dumb.

anyway, wear sunscreen if you're somewhere with strong UV (where you should be using it anyway), even if you're inside most of the day.

edited to point out people in places with strong UV should use sunscreen anyway. but also anywhere that's not the arctic night really if you go out more than half an hour at a time or are by a window most of the day.
 
Last edited:
snov said:
You could try a dermastamp. It's kind of like DIY microneedling. For acne scars you probably want to go deep, like a needle depth of 2mm or so. Make sure you rinse it off with isopropanol before and after use.
Don't use a dermaroller. They're too rough and tear at the skin. Might be okay if you're a man though, men have tougher skin, but I don't know. I'd stick with the dermastamp. Dermastamps are usually adjustable, too, so if you want you can also use it on your lips or something.
Click to expand...
Just to build on this since I'm also curious is there a brand you recommend? I'm not in the US so I need one that ships internationally. I've seen Dr Roller mentioned but some googling yields a lot of stuff of dubious quality. I'll take any recommendations, tyvm kiwisisters
 
anyone ever used the korean cleansing grain things? everyone raves about k beauty stuff but it just dries my skin out, barely moisturizes or does nothing. is this because I'm white and have a different skin type? idk
 
Freya said:
anyone ever used the korean cleansing grain things? everyone raves about k beauty stuff but it just dries my skin out, barely moisturizes or does nothing. is this because I'm white and have a different skin type? idk
Click to expand...
Maybe try a light gommage to cleanse instead? I think it might be Korean but I'm not sure - try Vitamasques products, I've found a lot of success with them as cleansing and hydrating products. I use their green tea cleanser and pineapple gommage and it doesn't dry me out as much as harsher grainy things do.
 
Varsha Nagini said:
Maybe try a light gommage to cleanse instead? I think it might be Korean but I'm not sure - try Vitamasques products, I've found a lot of success with them as cleansing and hydrating products. I use their green tea cleanser and pineapple gommage and it doesn't dry me out as much as harsher grainy things do.
Click to expand...
I'll give Vitamasques a try. I've used a few korean cleansers and they were all underwhelming
 
BroccoliBrainMkII said:
You're asking this when you knowingly put salicylic acid on extremely reactive skin?
Everything with an acid says not to put it near your eyes. I don't think acids are for you, just get something that increases cel turnover rate.
Click to expand...

Point taken, but my skin is actually normally okay with acids, even strong ones. This was not a normal reaction for me. Do you have any specific recommendations in mind?

Red flag said:
Kinda answers your question, luv. And don't go for round two if that's your first reaction, just give or toss it away.

Combining manual exfoliation with an acid is asking for trouble even for normal skin, let alone sensitive.

In fact, your skin is very likely so sensitive because of your "trusty" clarisonic. You've been rubbing your face raw for years. Nobody should be blasting their precious face skin with a motorised brush every day unless their daily activities involve mining coal or something.

Dump those meme devices, use your hands and gently go in circular motions when washing your face. You can even skip a cleanser if your face doesn't produce a lot of oil, just wash with water for at least a month and let that abused skin barrier finally heal. Not crucial, a sensitive cleanser is fine too.

And moisturize like there's no tomorrow.
Click to expand...
My skin has been sensitive all my life. It reacts to too little sleep, too little water, too much sugar, changing of the seasons, etc, you name it. So long before I got any device, ever. This is why I always try a product twice, because I can’t always tell if the reaction was due to the product or due to me daring to spend too much time outdoors in the wind, or what have you.

I´m open for suggestions though. If I add that I tend to get obnoxious little papules, does your advice still remain the same?
 
Swagstika said:
Point taken, but my skin is actually normally okay with acids, even strong ones. This was not a normal reaction for me. Do you have any specific recommendations in mind?


My skin has been sensitive all my life. It reacts to too little sleep, too little water, too much sugar, changing of the seasons, etc, you name it. So long before I got any device, ever. This is why I always try a product twice, because I can’t always tell if the reaction was due to the product or due to me daring to spend too much time outdoors in the wind, or what have you.

I´m open for suggestions though. If I add that I tend to get obnoxious little papules, does your advice still remain the same?
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Manual exfoliation tends to do a number on anyone's skin since brush bristles are yuge compared to the surface layer skin cells. It's like constantly using low grit sandpaper and expecting a fine finish.

As a sensitive skin haver I've made the mistake of excessively exfoliating and until I fixed my barrier, everything caused a reaction. Be gentle, reduce your routine to the basics (cleanse, moisturize, SPF) and stick to it for a month. Don't give into temptation of exfoliating when your skin starts to feel sort of rough to the touch in the first couple of weeks, it'll pass and by end of week 3 your face will start feeling soft again.

Do you experience flushing and persistent redness along with papules and hypersensitivity? It sounds a lot like rosacea, which would be supercharged by a broken skin barrier. In any case I don't believe scrubbing your face would do anything to address papules, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid tends to be the more appropriate option (depending on the cause).
 
Swagstika said:
Do you have any specific recommendations in mind?
Click to expand...
TO's Niacinamide is really inoffensive....unless your skin hates that or the zinc in it as well.
I was about to tell you just to (temporarily) go cold turkey off everything and try to wash your face with just water if it isn't prone to extreme oiliness for a while like Red Flag did and go right from the beginning again.
 
Morning:
- Non-foaming rosewater cleanser
- Apple cider vinegar toner
- Light moisturizer

Evening:
- Charcoal oil cleanse
- Non-foaming rosewater cleanser
- Apple cider vinegar toner
- Hydrating mist (helps moisturizer smooth out and spread easier)
- Heavier moisturizer
- Lip mask

Every once in a while when I feel fancy:
- Clay facial mask
- Mineral exfoliator

When I'm in a hurry:
- Warm water
 
I never thought a skincare routine was that important until recently so I have a lot of time to make up for. My face gets oily during the day and I have light acne. I can't tell if this is just sunscreen or if it's a moisturizer too. Does anyone else use Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Water Gel Sunscreen SPF 25? I can't upload a picture for some reason.
 
xXxHeDevilOnExXx said:
I never thought a skincare routine was that important until recently so I have a lot of time to make up for. My face gets oily during the day and I have light acne. I can't tell if this is just sunscreen or if it's a moisturizer too. Does anyone else use Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Water Gel Sunscreen SPF 25? I can't upload a picture for some reason.
Click to expand...
It's a moisturizer with inbuilt SPF so it's a day cream, it's also claims to be a non-comedogenic formula so it won't block your pores. After cleansing, don't forget to use a toner which will help to restore your acid mantle (pH balance).
 
Aiōn said:
It's a moisturizer with inbuilt SPF so it's a day cream, it's also claims to be a non-comedogenic formula so it won't block your pores. After cleansing, don't forget to use a toner which will help to restore your acid mantle (pH balance).
Click to expand...
Thank you for clearing that up. Is there any specific toner you'd recommend?
 
For oily skin and acne prone skin it is recommended to choose one that also has exfoliating properties and will likely contain a type of acid like an AHA. Just be sure to always wear a SPF when going in the sun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom