Skincare - let's sperg about routines and products

[PumpkinSpiceBitchMeringue]

@Medical Hawaii @OttoWest
Most of my face doesn't exhibit oil except for my nose, which is the worst offender, and a small tiny area on my cheeks. I've gotten at least 2 facials by the same person and she says the reason why my nose is oily is due to the blackheads hidden in the pores. The rest of my face is kind of soft.

 

[Medical Hawaii]

@Medical Hawaii @OttoWest
Most of my face doesn't exhibit oil except for my nose, which is the worst offender, and a small tiny area on my cheeks. I've gotten at least 2 facials by the same person and she says the reason why my nose is oily is due to the blackheads hidden in the pores. The rest of my face is kind of soft.

you'll probably want to look into a blackhead treatment; COSRX has a great one called COSRX Blackhead Power Liquid; it has a gentler version of BHA but many people still swear by it
The Ordinary also has a 30% Sacylic Acid peel serum thing that I've seen praised a lot when it comes to stubborn pores

Additionally, have you tried any clay masks?

 

[Mambamia]

I got a little problem with oil on my nose, and what's worse is black heads tend to congregate around there too. I use this neat little peeling substance that plucks those fuckers out by their roots.
I top it off with a nice facial cleanse and a green face mask, leaving my face feeling smooth.

 

[Polexia Aphrodisia]

I got a little problem with oil on my nose, and what's worse is black heads tend to congregate around there too. I use this neat little peeling substance that plucks those fuckers out by their roots.
I top it off with a nice facial cleanse and a green face mask, leaving my face feeling smooth.

Drop the brands and product names!!

 

[Clown Baby]

I used to use witch hazel as a toner because it's cheap, natural, and does what it needs to do. The only issue I had with it is that I think witch hazel smells terrible, like fermented chamomile or some shit. I finally found a good toner as a substitute: Thayer's Natural Remedies Facial Toner. It's made with witch hazel and comes in different varieties, some have aloe vera, some are unscented. The one I like is scented with rose petals. Little pricey depending on where you shop but I think it's worth it.

 

[LazarusOwenhart]

So first thing I like to do is apply a mask. After that I apply a ton of sweat, grease, sawdust, sparks, sun, artificial life and spatters of motor oil. I then remove this with swarfega (google it). My skin looks like leathery sandpaper, and I'm covered in tiny burns and cuts. I'm 'rugged' and my wife loves it, come at me smooth skins.

 

[GrouchiCorn]

We were talking about this in Corissa's thread in deathfats, but I'll say it here too. I have zero routine and I am way over the age of needing one. I was looking for suggestions for a light moisturizer and maybe anything else I should be doing. I'm bad at being a female sometimes.

 

[Spastic Colon]

Anyone know of any good products for rosacea? Just got diagnosed with it and need to figure out a new skin care routine. Doc gave me some samples: cerave, cetaphil, la-roche-posay, and vanicream. She did say the la-roche-posay one was her favorite but it might irritate my skin.

Just wondering if anyone has some suggestions for stuff that might work. Also, I'm allergic to chemical sunscreen -- so can't use anything that uses more than zinc for sunscreen.

 

[Medical Hawaii]

Anyone know of any good products for rosacea? Just got diagnosed with it and need to figure out a new skin care routine. Doc gave me some samples: cerave, cetaphil, la-roche-posay, and vanicream. She did say the la-roche-posay one was her favorite but it might irritate my skin.

Just wondering if anyone has some suggestions for stuff that might work. Also, I'm allergic to chemical sunscreen -- so can't use anything that uses more than zinc for sunscreen.

My understanding of rosacea is limited as my experience is largely with eczema and overall dry, sensitive skin;

I swear by FAB Ultra Repair line for redness and dry skin (I have eczema, but the products are designed for both rosacea and eczema): https://www.firstaidbeauty.com/skin-care-products/moisturizers/ultra-repair-cream

Cetaphil is good, their cleansers especially are very gentle. If I use vanicream, it's just for the body, as I find it too thick and clogging for the face.
Same with Cerave, I only recall using the body stuff.

There are plenty of good sunscreens marketed for sensitive skin; you might even try using baby sunscreen, as it is very gentle. I don't have much anecdotal information, as I don't go outside a lot and so don't invest in lots of suncare (I should, I know!), but look for phrases like "mineral," "gentle," "dry skin," "sensitive skin," etc. The most recent one I tried was a baby one by Aveeno with 50 SPF, formulated with zinc oxide. It went on quite thick and left a considerable whitecast, so I'm still fiddling around with the application.

How does your rosacea in particular present? Dry, flaky, and itchy? Or just looks red in certain areas?

 

[dingobaby]

Does anyone have any experience with at-home chemical peels?

A couple weeks ago I bought on Amazon a chemical foot peel that gave awesome, gross, peeling results. Naturally, I thought "I want this shit on my face!" So I did just a bit of searching, but couldn't find anything really that didn't seem a little suspect. So I went on Sephora and bought Drunk Elephant Glycolic Night Serum. (12% AHA/BHA blend.) Came in a gel form and used it for one night. No tingling, just heavy gel on my face as I'm trying to sleep. I've used it twice in a week, and my skin still looks dull, and not a peel to be seen. $90 for one ounce and frivolous packaging.

I think I need something stronger, but I want to get it from someplace legit, not trusting Amazon. Does anyone have any recommendations?
(I have dry skin, but not sensitive at all if that matters)

 

[OttoWest]

We were talking about this in Corissa's thread in deathfats, but I'll say it here too. I have zero routine and I am way over the age of needing one. I was looking for suggestions for a light moisturizer and maybe anything else I should be doing. I'm bad at being a female sometimes.

For a starter moisturizer, try CeraVe. It’s affordable and widely available. I use the moisturizer cream at night, and my skin is nice and supple in the morning.

Anyone know of any good products for rosacea? Just got diagnosed with it and need to figure out a new skin care routine. Doc gave me some samples: cerave, cetaphil, la-roche-posay, and vanicream. She did say the la-roche-posay one was her favorite but it might irritate my skin.

Just wondering if anyone has some suggestions for stuff that might work. Also, I'm allergic to chemical sunscreen -- so can't use anything that uses more than zinc for sunscreen.

I don’t have rosacea but do have a reddish “flush” especially in my cheeks. I started using The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid.

Azelaic acid is already recommended for rosacea and for less than $8 I thought it was worth a try. And it’s worked in reducing that flushed redness. I put it on after cleansing, before serum/moisturizer.

 

[one_time_user]

I got you fam! I also do foot peels recently but am a long time user of various acid peels on my face. I am a sketchy person though so... I just get stuff like this and occasionally a similar salicylic acid one. I brush on my face with a soft fan brush and leave on for about 10 minutes but I have been using for years, start with 2 minutes or so. get a good neutralizer or just some baking soda in water to rinse.

avoid sweating, sun, other chemicals after.

edit- @dingobaby I forgot to quote your post

 

[dingobaby]

I got you fam! I also do foot peels recently but am a long time user of various acid peels on my face. I am a sketchy person though so... I just get stuff like this and occasionally a similar salicylic acid one. I brush on my face with a soft fan brush and leave on for about 10 minutes but I have been using for years, start with 2 minutes or so. get a good neutralizer or just some baking soda in water to rinse.

avoid sweating, sun, other chemicals after.

edit- @dingobaby I forgot to quote your post

Hey thank you! This looks like more what I wanted, was just unsure to try new chemicals on my face. Its unavailable on amazon now, but I will surely try it!

 

[one_time_user]

yes, you just search for the specific acid. you can also go lower percentage to start! I like that combination for spot removal /evening out and wrinkle prevention. you coupd try ebay too. most have fruit acid ingredients and should list at least that (in case you have allergies). check that it's not all 5 star reviews (paid) and you should be fine if you go slowly

 

[dingobaby]

yes, you just search for the specific acid. you can also go lower percentage to start! I like that combination for spot removal /evening out and wrinkle prevention. you coupd try ebay too. most have fruit acid ingredients and should list at least that (in case you have allergies). check that it's not all 5 star reviews (paid) and you should be fine if you go slowly

huh, that is interesting and good to know. I don't have any issues with wrinkles or spots, just overall dry/dullness. Do you have any insight for that? I tend to stay away from salicylic acid because I already have dry skin, (otherwise my skin is a tank), I just feel like it really could use a layer taken off and abrasive exfoliants aren't cutting the mustard.

 

[Spastic Colon]

My understanding of rosacea is limited as my experience is largely with eczema and overall dry, sensitive skin;

I swear by FAB Ultra Repair line for redness and dry skin (I have eczema, but the products are designed for both rosacea and eczema): https://www.firstaidbeauty.com/skin-care-products/moisturizers/ultra-repair-cream

Cetaphil is good, their cleansers especially are very gentle. If I use vanicream, it's just for the body, as I find it too thick and clogging for the face.
Same with Cerave, I only recall using the body stuff.

There are plenty of good sunscreens marketed for sensitive skin; you might even try using baby sunscreen, as it is very gentle. I don't have much anecdotal information, as I don't go outside a lot and so don't invest in lots of suncare (I should, I know!), but look for phrases like "mineral," "gentle," "dry skin," "sensitive skin," etc. The most recent one I tried was a baby one by Aveeno with 50 SPF, formulated with zinc oxide. It went on quite thick and left a considerable whitecast, so I'm still fiddling around with the application.

How does your rosacea in particular present? Dry, flaky, and itchy? Or just looks red in certain areas?

It is very red, burns, and even has bumps that look a lot like acne. I actually thought I had an infection or some kind of allergic rash. It peeled like a bad sunburn, too. From what I understand, mine is a pretty bad case of it.

I suffered from acne when I was younger. I've been on accutane 3 times. I thought I had finally moved past that with getting older. Just my luck, I guess. The only plus is that covid forcing everyone to wear masks covers up most of my redness because it tends to be around the bridge of my nose and the chin. So, at least I don't look like a leper when I go out.

My doc is putting me antibiotics for 3 months and some topical that is made by a compounding pharmacy. My current routine is too harsh for rosacea so I'm basically having to start over again and figure out what will keep me from having another flare.

Thanks for the info on the FAB Ultra Repair. I'll have to check it out.

 

[one_time_user]

huh, that is interesting and good to know. I don't have any issues with wrinkles or spots, just overall dry/dullness. Do you have any insight for that? I tend to stay away from salicylic acid because I already have dry skin, (otherwise my skin is a tank), I just feel like it really could use a layer taken off and abrasive exfoliants aren't cutting the mustard.

mostly glycolic acid for that, maybe occasional lactic acid!

 

[dingobaby]

mostly glycolic acid for that, maybe occasional lactic acid!

Bless you.

 

[Polexia Aphrodisia]

Does anyone have any experience with at-home chemical peels?

A couple weeks ago I bought on Amazon a chemical foot peel that gave awesome, gross, peeling results. Naturally, I thought "I want this shit on my face!" So I did just a bit of searching, but couldn't find anything really that didn't seem a little suspect. So I went on Sephora and bought Drunk Elephant Glycolic Night Serum. (12% AHA/BHA blend.) Came in a gel form and used it for one night. No tingling, just heavy gel on my face as I'm trying to sleep. I've used it twice in a week, and my skin still looks dull, and not a peel to be seen. $90 for one ounce and frivolous packaging.

I think I need something stronger, but I want to get it from someplace legit, not trusting Amazon. Does anyone have any recommendations?
(I have dry skin, but not sensitive at all if that matters)

I've been using Juice Beauty's Green Apple Peel. I definitely notice more softness and smoothness in my skin after I use it - I use it also to try and improve my obscenely uneven skin tone (years of picking and sun damage, hiii) and it does seem to help there too. You don't leave it on overnight.

I used to apply it with two q-tips as an improvised scoop so I wasn't sticking my fingers in the jar, but I've noticed that since I started applying it with my fingers there is much more of a noticeable "burn" as I put it on my face. Nothing too awful. Plus that means it's working. Burn, burn away my nasty skin.

edit: I also like the smell, which is weird because it's not supposed to be a good smell or anything.

 

[Daughter of Cernunnos]

What I'm really unaware of is the procedure for skin care the day and the essential products that should be in your bathroom. I came to know 2 years ago that washing your face was just one step of the routine one should follow.
I'm trying to research a bit but I wouldn't mind asking fellow kiwis for some tips and suggestions about what "scrub" or "exfoliant" is essential.

Exfoliation is essential. There are a million reasons the rate your skin sheds can get messed up. As simple as hormonal fluctuations, the weather etc. The skincare community tends to hate physical exfoliants with a burning passion because they claim it causes "microtears" that science hasn't proven exist yet. They hate the nut hull and shell-based scrubs the most. I think it's fair because they really are too harsh, especially on your face.
A popular example is St. Ives apricot scrub. It has ground apricot pits in it. Avoid that one and stuff like it. Some use coconut shells, I've seen that in Lush products before.
Physical scrubs aka exfoliants aren't the devil they're made out to be by skincare enthusiasts though. Salt and sugar based scrubs can be fine enough that it won't do any harm. Salt based scrubs are good for oilier skin and sugar draw moisture in and are better for drier skin. Most people only need to use an exfoliant once a week. If your pores are more clogged you can use them more often. Sugar, salt and scrubs with hydrogenated jojoba beads or castor oil beads are great physical exfoliants that aren't too harsh. Aveeno makes a face scrub with hydrogenated castor oil beads and I recommend it (Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub). It's biodegradable just like natural scrubs with hulls and stuff but without being rough on your skin.
Plastic scrubby beads used to be common but are less so now because there were environmental concerns that the beads were a form of microplastic pollution to the ocean so big companies finally phased it out. They go by names like PEG-(something).
I recommend the beauty blogger Lab Muffin Beauty Science if you want to learn more about beauty topics like exfoliation. She is very unbiased, has a PhD in biochem, is approachable, funny and very informative in a way that makes scientific concepts easy to understand.

https://labmuffin.com/skincare-101-exfoliation-basics/

How to Exfoliate 1: All About Physical Exfoliants | Lab Muffin Beauty Science

How to choose the right way to exfoliate in your skincare routine. This how-to is all about physical exfoliants and scrubs.

labmuffin.com

How to Exfoliate 2: All About Chemical Exfoliants | Lab Muffin Beauty Science

Here’s Part 2 of this skincare series on exfoliation. Part 1 was on physical exfoliating tools and scrubs, this time we’re tackling the more complex chemical exfoliants, before moving onto picking the…

labmuffin.com

@Medical Hawaii @OttoWest
Most of my face doesn't exhibit oil except for my nose, which is the worst offender, and a small tiny area on my cheeks. I've gotten at least 2 facials by the same person and she says the reason why my nose is oily is due to the blackheads hidden in the pores. The rest of my face is kind of soft.

BHA aka salicylic acid is the best oil for blackheads. It's oil soluble and goes deeper than anything else can into your pores to dissolve the oil. Blackheads are usually oxidized oil and keratin. You don't need to get a facial. Sal acid products are easy to find and you can get a higher prescription from the doctor if you need to. I really like the Cerave SA Cream for Rough and Bumpy skin. It has 3 percent sal acid while most OTC products have 2 percent or lower. It also has lactic acid which exfoliates your skin while also moisturizing it so it should offset dryness from SA. SA really is the best thing for blackheads by a mile.

Anyone know of any good products for rosacea? Just got diagnosed with it and need to figure out a new skin care routine. Doc gave me some samples: cerave, cetaphil, la-roche-posay, and vanicream. She did say the la-roche-posay one was her favorite but it might irritate my skin.

Just wondering if anyone has some suggestions for stuff that might work. Also, I'm allergic to chemical sunscreen -- so can't use anything that uses more than zinc for sunscreen.

You can try niacinamide like the Ordinary serum one. That helps with redness and balancing your pores. Oatmeal baths and products with oatmeal are really good for conditions like rosacea, psoriasis and eczema. I'm using the Attitude Baby Oatmeal bath right now. You might want to go fragrance free because a lot of people with rosacea are bothered by scents. Don't worry about whether products are paraben-free though. It's mostly a thing pushed for by anti-vax crunchies and paraben free preservatives are actually more likely to irritate your skin.
All those brands you got samples of are a bit expensive. You just need simple fragrance free products. Aveeno for instance. Skincare is mostly the same between price points, there's only so many ingredients and paying more doesn't usually equal a better product. Are you allergic to European sunscreens like Tinosorb and Uvinal A Plus too? Have you ever tried Korean sunscreens like Purito Centella Green Level? I think I'm allergic to Western chemical sunscreens too. Especially octocrylene. Canadian and American sunscreens are trash. Tinosorb is actually approved in Canada but I was only able to find a single La Roche Posay product that uses it. I guess we just import the crappy American sunscreens and slap a bilingual label on it.
Zinc is so AIDS, I hate it. Every time I use it I somehow get it on the interior of the car and it stains. Makes me so mad and usually clumps too.