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Post by blabbermouth on Oct 15, 2019 22:20:24 GMT -6
I’ve always thought I was combination skin (maybe before kids) but since starting this, I feel like my face is dryer even in the T-zone. Even after cleaning, by the end of a day my zone would be oily. It hasn’t been since starting! Is this change common? We’re going into winter, for those of you in winter climates, products do you recommend for someone in New England with harsh cold winters? I found that when I started double cleansing and using more hydrating layers, that my t-zone improved significantly. I am pretty sure I was using way to harsh/high ph cleansers, which were stripping my moisture barrier. Now that my moisture barrier is solid, I don’t deal with oily spots as much! So yes - I definitely think the AB transition could be causing a similar situation for you! In terms of products for dry climates, when I go to Japan in the winter (super dry), I like the Dr. Jart Ceramdin products a lot. They make a cream and a liquid. For me, the cream is too heavy, but the liquid is just right. You can ask for a sample at Sephora probably and check it out before you commit to a full size purchase! us.drjart.com/collections/ceramidin?sort=manual&compactView=trueThere is a serum too, which I also love: www.amazon.com/Dr-Jart-Ceramidin-Highly-intensive-filler/dp/B076TPZ83BI like the cream too! A couple nights a week at least. I'm just popping back into this thread since I'm reordering klairs toner and picking up snail 96 at Walmart. It's nice that Amazon tells youtr when you last ordered because they've both lasted nearly a year!! |
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Post by codex320 on Oct 17, 2019 13:51:29 GMT -6
Hiiii. Question, is it ok to use vitamin c serum at night and in the morning? Or just once is enough?
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Oct 17, 2019 18:56:43 GMT -6
Hiiii. Question, is it ok to use vitamin c serum at night and in the morning? Or just once is enough? It depends on what type of Vit C you are using and what your skin likes, but generally - yes! I use 20% L-AA, so that would be too harsh for me to use twice a day. It if the serum is on the gentle side and you don’t have any adverse reactions, you can definitely do Vit C day and night 👍 BHA/AHA/Retinol can strip your moisture barrier and over-exfoliate you if you use them too much (so can a strong L-AA), so those you should do only once a day or even just a few times a week. |
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Post by codex320 on Oct 17, 2019 19:05:16 GMT -6
Hiiii. Question, is it ok to use vitamin c serum at night and in the morning? Or just once is enough? It depends on what type of Vit C you are using and what your skin likes, but generally - yes! I use 20% L-AA, so that would be too harsh for me to use twice a day. It if the serum is on the gentle side and you don’t have any adverse reactions, you can definitely do Vit C day and night 👍 BHA/AHA/Retinol can strip your moisture barrier and over-exfoliate you if you use them too much (so can a strong L-AA), so those you should do only once a day or even just a few times a week. Thanks Taitai! I'm using Josie maran bright skin vitamin c serum. I like it ok. I'll plan to use it again tomorrow morning and see how it goes. I need to get into some type of routine am and pm. My skin is sooooo dry. But of course I don't want to over do it and make my skin worse! I'm going to attempt to look through this thread for some recs on a toner and exfoliator. I'd really prefer clean cruelty free products but am open to try whatever will help. |
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Oct 27, 2019 22:59:23 GMT -6
Taitai has convinced me to check in here, but I am hella intimidated and have no idea where to start in this 40+ page thread 😂 Right now all I use is a cleanser and a moisturizer/spf, and occasionally do a mask. I'd like to work up to more of a routine. I need a new cleanser to start (I use the Josie Maran daily for a moisturizer so I think I'm good there?). I feel so bad at adulting lol. Help? Should I just start on pg 1 and read through? There’s actually a lot of useful stuff on the first few pages, that explains the whole concept. A good starter point is also this post from Fifty Shades of Snail - it kind of is like AB 101. She has hyperlinks in the post for product recommendations/explanations too. www.google.com/amp/s/fiftyshadesofsnail.com/2018/06/03/5-step-k-beauty-skincare-routine/amp/Once you have a general idea on the concept, come back and let us know what you are thinking of for an initial routine and we can help! |
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Post by jayhawk on Oct 29, 2019 20:35:56 GMT -6
Taitai has convinced me to check in here, but I am hella intimidated and have no idea where to start in this 40+ page thread 😂 Right now all I use is a cleanser and a moisturizer/spf, and occasionally do a mask. I'd like to work up to more of a routine. I need a new cleanser to start (I use the Josie Maran daily for a moisturizer so I think I'm good there?). I feel so bad at adulting lol. Help? Should I just start on pg 1 and read through? Welcome! You could try out an evening double cleanse routine to get started. The softymo oil cleanser was recommended to me in this thread and I’m really happy with it. Cerave is a popular choice for your second-step cleanser. Link for the softymo: www.amazon.com/KOSE-SOFTYMO-Speedy-Cleansing-230ml/dp/B000V2FBAQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=softymo+cleansing+oil&qid=1572402925&sprefix=softy&sr=8-4 |
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Post by ArielMermaid on Nov 2, 2019 18:32:47 GMT -6
I am still astonished by my new routine. This is only my second period while using the Vit C and Snail Essence but my hormonal chin acne is gone. I can't believe it. I feel like I am going to check in here every month for the rest of forever to say this. But I cannot believe it. It's amazing.
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Post by ArielMermaid on Nov 2, 2019 20:16:24 GMT -6
I am still astonished by my new routine. This is only my second period while using the Vit C and Snail Essence but my hormonal chin acne is gone. I can't believe it. I feel like I am going to check in here every month for the rest of forever to say this. But I cannot believe it. It's amazing. I just started getting this chin stuff the last few months. I must look up what vit C is (I mean, I know what it is, but what it means for the face lol). I honestly don't know what is fixing it. If its the Snail or the Vit C, but that's all I've changed. I'm not cleansing any more than I used to. I haven't run out of my normal moisturizer or cleanser yet so I haven't replaced them with any Asian Skincare. Whatever it is, it's magic. |
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Nov 3, 2019 0:20:57 GMT -6
ArielMermaid Yay!!! That makes me so happy! I noticed the same thing when I started with an AB routine, and I definitely think (for me) the snail, Vit C, double cleansing, and the hydrating toners are what keep my skin clear and more vibrant looking. I’m so glad it’s working for you!! Try out hydrating toners (if you haven’t already) - they really help!
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Post by ArielMermaid on Nov 3, 2019 6:17:47 GMT -6
ArielMermaid Yay!!! That makes me so happy! I noticed the same thing when I started with an AB routine, and I definitely think (for me) the snail, Vit C, double cleansing, and the hydrating toners are what keep my skin clear and more vibrant looking. I’m so glad it’s working for you!! Try out hydrating toners (if you haven’t already) - they really help! I have a big list of stuff to try, I’m just trying to use up my existing stuff first. I’m getting impatient though. |
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Post by jayhawk on Nov 3, 2019 19:19:01 GMT -6
Thank you! I think I have a basic idea of a system, thanks to the early posts. The Cerave seems to be harder to find on Amazon now, does anyone have other ones they love? Other questions: - Is toner worth it? - I have a facial sunscreen that's also a moisturizer. Will I be overdoing it if I use a serum, a cream, and then that? Thank you all for your help! I'm hyperventilating a bit at everything involved ha. Cerave is also at Target, CVS, etc if that is easier than Amazon. I think toner is worth it but I wouldn’t go pricey with it. I scored a toner for $6 at Marshall’s (the Saem aloe toner). The Klairs supple preparation toner is very highly recommended in this thread and is probably the next one I’ll try. I don’t think serum, cream and then sunscreen is overdoing- add in Vit C and toner and that’s basically my am routine! |
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Nov 3, 2019 22:24:50 GMT -6
Thank you! I think I have a basic idea of a system, thanks to the early posts. The Cerave seems to be harder to find on Amazon now, does anyone have other ones they love? Other questions: - Is toner worth it? - I have a facial sunscreen that's also a moisturizer. Will I be overdoing it if I use a serum, a cream, and then that? Thank you all for your help! I'm hyperventilating a bit at everything involved ha. I agree with everything that jayhawk said! Toners are awesome and I really like the Klairs supple prep. In terms of the number of things you put on your face in the morning, it will depend on your skin, the climate you live in, and the products. Give them enough time to dry down, so your makeup sits well over them (if you wear makeup). If you find that you are getting clogged pores and breaking out, it might be a good idea to par it down a bit. Also, if you live somewhere really humid, then I would limit the number/weight of products you use in the am. I couldn’t do your routine, I live in a year-round tropical climate and I need to rely on lightweight stuff in the morning, before my SPF. It all depends on what works for you! |
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Post by ArielMermaid on Nov 4, 2019 12:36:45 GMT -6
I definitely need to decide a game plan for winter. My face is getting dry. I really want the supple prep toner and maybe a sleeping pack?
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Post by asunasword on Nov 5, 2019 15:53:11 GMT -6
I definitely need to decide a game plan for winter. My face is getting dry. I really want the supple prep toner and maybe a sleeping pack? I love the klairs toner. I have tried others but keep coming back to this one. I don't sheet mask much as I generally can't stay awake long enough to do that plus my usual routine so I use sleeping packs lots during the winter. My favourite is the History of Whoo Honey ginseng one. It is bit pricey but again a little goes far. |
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Nov 5, 2019 19:14:40 GMT -6
I definitely need to decide a game plan for winter. My face is getting dry. I really want the supple prep toner and maybe a sleeping pack? I love the klairs toner. I have tried others but keep coming back to this one. I don't sheet mask much as I generally can't stay awake long enough to do that plus my usual routine so I use sleeping packs lots during the winter. My favourite is the History of Whoo Honey ginseng one. It is bit pricey but again a little goes far. I love the History of Whoo asunasword ! I cry that it’s so pricey 😂 ArielMermaid Another favorite sleeping pack of many is the Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing mask. It’s a cult fav, but pricey at about $35 for the full size. You can find samples on Amazon, which are much cheaper and let you try it out to see if it works for your skin. Another popular sleeping pack is the Too Cool For School Pumpkin Sleeping Pack. I think Ulta carries it, but I can’t be sure because Ulta blocks my non-U.S. IP address 😭 www.ulta.com/pumpkin-sleeping-pack?productId=xlsImpprod17821101 |
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Post by jayhawk on Nov 5, 2019 22:15:26 GMT -6
ArielMermaid and others interested in sleeping packs, I’ve been trying out samples from Sephora for a few months which is a great way to try stuff out- I can usually get about 3 uses from each sample. My favorites: Youth to the People Superberry Dream Mask Laneige Water Sleeping Mask Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Also good: Korres Hydra-biome with Greek yogurt Skip: Bliss sleeping pack at target- not good!
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Nov 5, 2019 23:53:03 GMT -6
Yay!! I hope you like them. For moisturizers I really like the Cosrx Snail 92 cream. It’s a lighter cream (for me) and very soothing. You can order Cosrx from Amazon. They’re an authorized retailer. My big time moisturizer is by Lano. I get it at Ulta. It’s not AB, but was recommended by one of my fave AB bloggers. I’ve never used anything that seals in moisture so well. www.ulta.com/everywhere-multi-cream?productId=xlsImpprod15241172Thank youuuuu. More, possibly dumb questions lol, since we seem to have similar skin: Do you do the double cleanse morning and night? And what does big time moisturizer mean, in terms of when you use it? I very much appreciate everyone's help and patience! I wish I could send you all cakes. I only double cleanse in the evening - to get off sunscreen and makeup. I just use a water-soluble cleanser (not an oil/balm cleanser) in the morning. Sometimes I even just use water in the morning - all I need to do is wash/rinse away the skin care stuff I put on my face before bedtime. I wish you could send me a cake too. 😂 🍰 |
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Lakes
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Post by Lakes on Nov 6, 2019 11:44:36 GMT -6
I’ve been in love with my Jeju:en Propolis Cream for a year. I mostly use it at night but sometimes in the morning during the winter. I noticed an immediate improvement when I started using it. I find the scent to be absolutely amazing. It’s not honey sweet like some of the propolis sheet masks but more on the herb side. Originally I bought it from Facetory but they no longer have it in stock and haven’t for a while. I checked a couple times during the summer and when I saw they were out I started rationing what I had left.
The only place I can find that carries it is Cosbellus. Has anyone ordered from there or know if they’re legit? I’m always paranoid about ordering from a new place.
Or does anyone have a propolis cream they love?
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Post by ArielMermaid on Nov 6, 2019 11:50:04 GMT -6
I need to get to a Sephora and get samples it sounds like.
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Post by clementine on Nov 6, 2019 12:00:21 GMT -6
I have read pretty much this whole thread through once and lots of parts several times and I am more confused than when I started. If anyone had any suggestions, I’d appreciate it!
I’m 31 and have always had acne. It was pretty well controlled with oral and topical rx, which I had to stop when I was pregnant/nursing. It wasn’t bad while pg/nursing, but weaning has made it so so bad. Primarily on my cheeks/jawline/chin, painful deep bumps. Still planning to have more babies, so not going to be able to back on those meds for the next few years. My derm recommended The Ordinary azelaic acid for pg/nursing and pretty much said there’s not much more she can recommend until I’m done having babies.
I’m currently consistently using Murad clarifying cleanser for acne, Thayer’s toner, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid spot treatments, cerave mousturizer. I have been using epiduo and aczone during the few months after weaning before TTC which have really dried out my skin and not helped much at all so far. I keep trying different products but I’m never sure how long I need to try them before I should see results or if a period of purging/worse acne is expected or a sign to stop. I feel like I’m using such a hodge podge of products with no real routine or plan. Just like... let me try all of this and see what works. I’m probably doing too much and it’s really drying out my skin, but I’m afraid to cut back on the various products and break out even more.
I’m really just hoping for some recommendations for a good, fairly basic, affordable routine to clear up the acne and hydrate my skin. I know it’s dry, but it also gets so oily during the day. Probably because it’s dry. I’d love to focus on some anti-aging too, but I just really need to get the acne under control first.
From what I’ve gathered, I think I need an oil based cleanser, 2nd cleanser (stick with an acne cleanser, or go with something more gentle?), toner (what kind?) some sort of acne treatment, and moisturizer.
I do want to try oil cleansing, but I’m hesitant to use one with mineral oil, and many of the others recommended here have super mixed reviews. Anything geared toward acne prone skin? Have you all had good luck with getting authentic products from amazon?
BHA and AHAs are just confusing to me and I need to do more research to figure out what I can and can’t use while pregnant/nursing.
Any other ingredients I should look for or stay away from?
Good lord, that was a lot. I apologize for this novel. I’ve just had it with my skin and I’m hoping you all might have some suggestions!
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vvvvvfee
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Post by vvvvvfee on Nov 6, 2019 12:02:48 GMT -6
Lakes, cosrx's honey overnight mask is actually 87% propolis extract. it's an unscented gel. i've heard some people use it as a daytime moisturizer because the texture is very light (i actually want to try this myself-- it's a really nice product but i prefer my sleeping packs to be heavier).
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Lakes
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Post by Lakes on Nov 6, 2019 12:26:35 GMT -6
Lakes, cosrx's honey overnight mask is actually 87% propolis extract. it's an unscented gel. i've heard some people use it as a daytime moisturizer because the texture is very light (i actually want to try this myself-- it's a really nice product but i prefer my sleeping packs to be heavier). Thanks, I’ll add it to the list to check out. I love cosrx so I have high hopes 🤞🏼 |
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vvvvvfee
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Post by vvvvvfee on Nov 6, 2019 12:59:15 GMT -6
clementine, i definitely agree that you are overdrying your skin! having dehydrated skin can actually worsen your acne because your skin will overproduce oil to try to compensate. obviously if you want to TTC again sometime soon, you can't go back on oral meds. but from what i understand you can try just about anything topical. the only thing to possibly be cautious about if you're going to be TTC imminently is tretinoin. topical absorption is generally minuscule unless the medication is specifically formulated to be absorbed systemically (i.e., like a nicotine or painkiller patch). you can search for drugs on the infantrisk forums or even call them (they have the most up-to-date research-- generally your IRL doctors are going to err on the side of extreme caution)-- www.infantrisk.com/forum/this article shows how fast you might expect to see results from various products: www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/basic-skin-care-tips/is-your-skincare-routine-working.htmlTBH i would stop all of your actives for now and do several weeks of just gentle cleansing and moisturizing. or at the very least go down to just one active at a time. benzoyl peroxide can be very harsh- if you're using that i'd do 2.5% concentration and do it as a wash-off mask only (leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse off). salicylic acid is milder IME. you could try a salicylic acid leave-on treatment or even a mask. another thing that works well for some people with acne is sulfur masks (de la cruz is an inexpensive brand you can get at walmart). i have tried a couple of different oil cleansers and i'm not really sure it works for everyone. i am not a makeup-wearer and i'm just not totally sure that i need it. you could try just single cleansing with a gentle cleanser and save the oil cleansing to add in later. however, one that i don't think has been mentioned as much on here and that is olive oil-based is the hada labo cleansing oil. i tried it and it was inoffensive and emulsified well. the ordinary makes an oil-based squalane cleanser that is another option (i have not tried it yet but it seems well-reviewed). i have had good luck using amazon for beauty products. i look at the sellers and pick one with a very high satisfaction rating. some asian beauty brands sell directly through amazon so you can find their storefronts on there. glycolic acid/lactic acid are AHAs and salicylic acid is a BHA. both are chemical exfoliants (help slough off dead skin), but BHA has the added benefit of being oil-soluble, so it can help get sebum out of your pores. i feel comfortably with topical use while pregnant/nursing, but some people do avoid them when pregnant. again, check infantrisk and/or talk to your doctor (i would talk to your OB rather than your derm) and decide what you're comfortable with. so, i would try to focus on adding hydration back in above all else right now. your hormones are probably still regulating if you have weaned recently, so there's a chance you might see some improvement once that settles down a bit. i would avoid any kind of fragrance right now as that can be irritating. you could look for soothing ingredients such as centella/cica, green tea, oatmeal, snail mucin, or aloe. niacinamide is another gentle ingredient that can be helpful for acne. as a bare-bones routine for now i would suggest: AM: splash face with water and pat dry moisturizer sunscreen (or a 2-in-1 sunscreen and moisturizer combo if you already have one that you like) PM: GENTLE cleanser {suggestions: cerave/cetaphil/vanicream} splash your damp face with a hydrating toner (do several layers if your skin is drinking it up) {suggestion: hada labo gokujun premium hyaluronic solution} {you could use a soothing essence or serum here IF you want- cosrx snail essence or something with aloe in it} moisturizer {use your current cerave moisturizer if that is working well for you} sleeping pack {suggestion: cosrx rice sleeping pack} if you're doing okay with this maybe add an active or a mask in the evening after cleansing. or swap out the cleanser for a cleanser that contains salicylic acid. here are a couple of links on repairing your moisture barrier: www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/5q470h/former_dehydrated_sensitive_skin_abers_what/www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/8wxwuv/misc_dehydrated_skin_an_updated_guide_to_healing/and here are a few on acne: www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/dpy83t/discussion_best_products_for_acne/www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/d19mau/discussion_clearing_acne_without_acids_retinol/the AsianBeauty and SkincareAddiction subreddits both have a ton of useful info.
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Post by clementine on Nov 6, 2019 14:13:41 GMT -6
Thank you so much vvvvvfee! Your suggestions were so helpful. I’m really afraid to stop all the actives, but I’m willing to try and focus on hydration for now. I’m not actually sure if they’re making any difference, but it’s scary to just stop and worry that my skin will get even worse. I actually have the cosrx 96 snail mucin power essence. I tried it for a couple weeks earlier this year but didn’t notice any difference so it’s been sitting in my drawer ever since. Just to clarify, actives would include any acne treatment, BHA, AHA, anything else? Even if they’re also mixed into another product, like the HA in the toner you suggested? I weaned 2-3 months ago and we’re planning to TTC like now, so I’m still trying to figure out what I’m comfortable with as far as topicals. My derm gave me the general recommendations for what is/isn’t considered safe, but said that since only a tiny bit of topical ingredients are absorbed that they are very unlikely to cause any harm. But that small percentage is still scary. I guess backing off the actives for now would be good for this reason too. I wear concealer and mineral powder foundation every day which isn’t great at covering up all my blemishes, but I feel like the liquid foundations have always led to breakouts. I think I will try the cleansing oil you suggested to help with makeup removal. I’m going to check out the sites you linked and see what other info I can find. Would you mind linking the products you suggested (oil cleanser and hyaluronic solution)? I was looking on amazon and I’m not sure if I’m finding the right ones.  Again, thank you thank you thank you for all the info and suggestions. |
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vvvvvfee
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Post by vvvvvfee on Nov 6, 2019 16:34:36 GMT -6
clementine, sorry- to clarify, i meant actives as in acne treatments BHAs/AHAs/benzoyl peroxide that could be drying you out and potentially causing irritation. hyaluronic acid is not an acid in the same sense- it's a polysaccharide that is excellent at holding onto moisture. i guess niacinamide is technically an active, too, but it doesn't tend to be irritating. asian toners are light and hydrating layers of moisture, not astringents like in western skincare. even witch hazel toners like thayer's are astringent and can be harsh and drying on the skin even though they are alcohol free. if you have the cosrx snail and you didn't react badly too it you might as well use it just for the heck of it. i have not seen miracle results from it either but it's another layer of soothing hydration. hada labo premium hyaluronic solution hada labo cleansing oilcosrx rice overnight mask i also really like ceracolla perfect gel- it's a clear gel moisturizer with ceramides. another thing to look into is the ordinary... it's very affordable and you can incorporate some of their products into an AB-style routine. don't buy on amazon because they're marked up- and they are actually having 23% off their entire product line on their site for the month of november. you can get hyaluronic acid and niacinamide serums from them. other things of possible interest... squalane cleanser (an oil cleanser), lactic acid 5% (a gentler AHA), salicylic acid clay mask (if you don't find it too drying)... also facial oils, which you can use instead of or in addition to a sleeping mask. you can mix a few drops into your moisturizer in the evening or apply it on top. rose hip seed oil is really nice (it has more of a dry consistency and supposedly has anti-aging benefits) or squalane oil (from sugarcane) which is supposed to be similar to your skin's natural oils and is non-comedogenic. i also wanted to mention the idea of "buffering" your actives-- you can apply a light moisturizer and then put a stronger active, like differin, on top. it keeps your skin from getting so dry and irritated but still allows the product to work. it can be hard to make product recommendations because everyone's skin is different! so FWIW i am dealing with hormonal breakouts and aging concerns-- and i happen to have had good luck with japanese products and the ordinary's products. i also saw major improvements once i focused on layering hydration- i definitely had dehydrated skin and i started to look a lot less tired and sallow once i was able to get the moisture back in. i'm actually trying differin right now to see if it will help with my monthly breakouts and visible pores.
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Post by clementine on Nov 6, 2019 18:22:30 GMT -6
vvvvvfee thanks for clarifying and for the links! Just wanted to make sure I’m getting the right products. I totally get what you’re saying about different skin types and recommendations though. There’s just this whole world of skincare that I had no idea existed and it’s overwhelming. I hope the differin works out well for you. I was on that rx as a teen, but just saw that they’re selling it over the counter at the grocery. I have the Ordinary azelaic acid, but I’ll hold off on that for now. I may try some of their other products in the next few weeks after my skin is more hydrated. Are there any you mentioned that are gentler than others or good to try first? I tried the cerave hydrating cleanser tonight, but had a hard time getting my makeup off. It could just be that I’m used to that squeaky clean feeling of my other cleansers, which I’ve learned isn’t really a good thing for your skin. I definitely want to try the oil cleanser you recommended for makeup removal though. I also have some Honest Beauty hydration mist with HA and aloe that I got from a subscription box that I might try until I get some of the hada labo HA solution.
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Nov 7, 2019 0:22:33 GMT -6
clementine Welcome! I’m so sorry you are dealing with skin issues - hormones especially at our stage in life can really screw things up. Like vvvvvfee said, I think it’s very likely that your moisture barrier is stripped/compromised, which is making your skin sensitive to products, causing too much oil production (to make up for over-exfoliation), and thus breaking out. The routine you described seems a bit harsh to me - but then again, I understand why you are using those products, because they are supposed to help treat acne. If you are not ready to cut down on the actives, then I think your best option is to use less actives per application (do a very, very thin layer), hydrate like crazy (hydrating toners, snail), and sheet mask all the time. Those things should help, along with vvvvvfee’s suggestions. Also - have you considered switching derms or going to another one to get a second opinion? Another idea - have you tried lactic acid? It’s gentler than salicylic acid and might help purge your clogged pores. Again, I’m so sorry you are dealing with this! Good luck, and I hope you find that AB can help improve your skin, even if it’s a gradual process!
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Post by clementine on Nov 7, 2019 5:15:32 GMT -6
Taitai thanks for your suggestions! I actually just switched to a new derm. My previous one prescribed topical clindamycin while pregnant/nursing, but I really didn’t feel like it did a whole lot. I didn’t love her in general, so I just went to a new one a couple months ago. I like her better personality-wise, but it still seems like if she can’t prescribe rx because pregnant/nursing, then she’s just like welp come back after babies. Neither had many recommendations about anything not rx. I may call around and see if I can find one that’s willing to take the time and help me find a routine and products that work for me and are pregnancy safe. I may try lactic acid. I have some from the ordinary that I got in my flurry of “try all the products”. I’m planning to try and just stick to no actives for a couple weeks and see how my skin reacts to that. Thanks again for your help!
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Taitai
Opal
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Post by Taitai on Nov 7, 2019 7:54:37 GMT -6
Taitai thanks for your suggestions! I actually just switched to a new derm. My previous one prescribed topical clindamycin while pregnant/nursing, but I really didn’t feel like it did a whole lot. I didn’t love her in general, so I just went to a new one a couple months ago. I like her better personality-wise, but it still seems like if she can’t prescribe rx because pregnant/nursing, then she’s just like welp come back after babies. Neither had many recommendations about anything not rx. I may call around and see if I can find one that’s willing to take the time and help me find a routine and products that work for me and are pregnancy safe. I may try lactic acid. I have some from the ordinary that I got in my flurry of “try all the products”. I’m planning to try and just stick to no actives for a couple weeks and see how my skin reacts to that. Thanks again for your help! I think giving the actives a break - or at the very least, just use a thin layer of one active on your problem areas only - is a good idea. Hydrating A LOT will help. Snail is also amazing for my skin, but I know it’s not for everyone. For what it’s worth, my sister had really, really awful skin problems while she was pregnant and right after she had her baby. I had her switch to a low ph cleanser, Vit C serum, very light moisturizer, and the Cosrx snail 92 AIO cream, and her skin is soooooooo much better now. Like, leaps and bounds better. She doesn’t oil cleanse or anything. I also told her to switch her pillow case out for a new one once or twice a week, and to avoid touching her face AT ALL COSTS. Who knows what worked, but her skin is now so, so much better. Just saying this to give you hope - it won’t be forever. And maybe the pillow case and no face touching things can also help?? Anyways - hope you stick around - you’ll be an AB expert in no time! 😊 |
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Taitai
Opal
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Post by Taitai on Nov 7, 2019 8:04:12 GMT -6
I haven’t posted about any products lately, because whenever I try something new, it seems to not be a good fit for me, and I go back to using the good ‘ole standbys.
I was using the Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening serum you try to further destroy the little melasma on my cheekbones and some sun spots near my temples, but I found that it didn’t improve those at all - plus I started getting little red bumps/spots on the areas where I was applying it. So, nope to that one.
I also kept trying to use a sample of moisturizer from the History of Whoo (Gongjinhyang Essential Nourishing Emulsion) that I received with a gift set, and I realized that every time I used it, I sneezed for like 3 minutes straight and got all itchy on my nose and throat. Nope.
Let’s see - I also had to stop using the retinol that I was trying (Murad retinol youth serum), because with the Paula’s Choice BHA that I love, I was over exfoliating my face and starting to get breakouts/bumps on my forehead/cheeks.
I do still love the Lululun 30 pack sheet mask sets, and I just used a Naruko snail repair mask a few days ago - omg still love that one so much.
I guess I’m just going to stick with my normal products for now. I really like trying new things, but I just haven’t had good luck with any new products lately. Sigh.
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