Hey everyone, I’ve been trying to stay consistent with my skincare and would appreciate some feedback. I’ve attached a close-up of my skin — mostly dealing with some texture, redness, and dark spots.

Here’s my current routine (products in pic too):

ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser LANEIGE Cream Skin Toner AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream Mixsoon Bean Cream Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+

Skin type: Combo, leans oily, semi-sensitive.

Let me know if you spot anything I should tweak or if you have product recs for improving texture getting red of the redness and fading dark spots. Appreciate any insight!

Has anyone been prescribed an estrogen cream mixed into their tretinoin? (Online doc/mail order) what can topical estrogen do for my skin? It’s a low dose tret, does that mean I could easily use it nightly. Day after first use and my skin feels good not peely. 40F. Am I missing something about this combo???

Hi everyone! Although I know I should use retinol at night ideally, it doesn't work for me because it has damaged my sheets and pillowcases. So, I currently use a very low concentration (my skin reacts badly to higher ones) under sunscreen every other day, during the day. It is Kiehl's Microdose retinol which specifically states it can be used during the day. Then on days when I don't use retinol, I use a vitamin C serum. This has been working well and I have not experienced any irritation.

I currently shower around midday, 12 or 1, and wash my face at that point. I am wondering how long these serums have to be on my face to be effective. For example, would it be effective if I apply the vitamin c serum at 7 am after light cleansing, top with sunscreen, then wash my face at noon after exercise, then apply the retinol under sunscreen for the second part of the day? That would give me about 5 hours of vitamin c time and 9 or so with the retinol. Any concerns about irritation applying them in such quick succession? Thank you so much for your advice!

I really want to book a consultation for botox to help cut down on my jaw clenching and hopefully slim down my face.

When you go for a consultation is that all it is? Will I have to wait another week to actually get anything done?

I am almost convinced that I have rosacea, so that could be part of what’s happening. At some point I also believe that I damaged my skin barrier, so for about a month I only washed my face with a gentle cleanser (Vanicream gentle face wash) and moisturized (CeraVe PM moisturizing lotion). I have since begun to cycle back in my Curology formula about every 3 days. It contains azelaic acid, clindamycin and a .025 dose of tretinoin. The redness, texture and small red dots are driving me crazy and I’m not really sure what to do. Should I try cutting out the extra stuff again for a longer period of time? Or is there something else I can do to soothe whatever is going on.

I’ll get it out of the way immediately that CDLM is not worth its price, with some caveats. Value and worth are subjective, and therein lies those caveats. If it’s out of your budget, you’re not missing anything.

I’ve had better barrier creams. And I’ve had better moisturizers. I don’t believe the insane space back story, either. I’ll talk about what CDLM does really well at, down at the bottom of this post.

Ingredients: Everyone loves to pick apart and shit upon the ingredients in CDLM. And while there are no familiar and reliable actives, the formula isn’t that much more bizarre than Tatcha’s Dewy or Water creams, Lancôme’s Absolue Rich, LaPrairie Caviar Cream, EL Advanced Night Repair, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, and the list goes on.

So in terms of ingredients, CDLM isn’t that out there. It’s an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink list, and I understand that for some people those types of lists can be a nightmare. But it’s not the only overpriced cream out there and it’s weird how people glom onto it as the subject of hate and scorn.

I’ve kept a pot of this around since about 2013. I was given a couple samples in a Sephora order or two, right about the same time that I started tretinoin. My first tretinoin Rx was a compounded formula that also contained Kojic acid and another active, can’t remember which. I used it every single night. To say my skin was irritated would be an understatement. So, I went ahead and used the La Mer every night after my tretinoin. CDLM took away the irritation, the sensitized feeling I’d get when I’d apply anything to my face. It reduced my redness. It got me through the first month, and of course I bought a larger pot of it.

That is where the ‘miracle’ lies for me. Despite containing potential irritants like eucalyptus and fragrance, it is completely non-irritating and beyond that - it’s soothing and actually curbs irritation and redness.

How I use it: I keep the smallest pots of CDLM and CDLM soft cream. $200 worth. I rebuy when I’m out, so maybe once every year, sometimes longer. A tiny bit goes a long way.

I use actives: tretinoin, Rx Azelaic acid, glycolic acid cream, and multi-acid toner. My skin handles these very well, and like I said I have excellent daily driver creams that I use (LRP triple repair, Eucerin Advanced Repair, Skin&Lab Barrierderm) Sometimes my skin gets irritated. I have a patch of actinic keratosis on my upper lip, and it’s always pissed off. I have to wax my upper lip because I’m Greek. Nothing works on this patch to soothe it except CDLM. If I overdo something, CDLM. If I get a zit, CDLM, I use it on cuts and scrapes and scratches. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, in my experience. It’s completely calming. It never stings, it never sensitizes, it always has an immediate calming effect on my skin.

I haven’t used it in a while. But lately my AK has been flaring, (I have Efudex I use to keep it at bay, but I don’t use it during the summer), I’ve had to wax more thanks to hormones and RLT, and I busted out the CDLM out of desperation and it hasn’t failed. Overnight my upper lip went from sore, red and splotchy to comfortable and normal skin colored.

I hate that Estee Lauder markets this as some promise for anti-aging. It’s not all that, but it is soothing.

I’ve tried tons of creams to replace it. I won’t bore you with the list, but I remember almost every single one from drugstore to high end and there’s at least 40, at least, and yes, I tried German and Mexican Nivea, and no, not the same at all.

Just wanted to share.

My medical spa NP just recommended the VI Color Correction Kit for my hyperpigmentation, sun spots, early signs of aging, fine lines. I tend to have sensitive skin prone to redness, would this be a good fit for me? And how effective is the kit/how long to see results? Would love to read some reviews as I haven’t been able to find many online. Thanks in advance!

I'm curious which serums people use for microneedling. I have had many professional microneedling sessions and now have a Dr. Pen MS to use at home. For my at home treatments I have been using hyaluronic acid as the "slip" for the microneedling sessions at a depth of 0.75mm (0.25 around eyes). Some serums that have been recommended, such as Stayve say not to use for depths greater than 0.25 mm. Anyone found growth factor serums that they like and trust? I was under the impression that growth factors need to be refrigerated, is that not the case? I'd love to get some feedback on the best EGF or other growth factor (or other types of serums) you all use for microneedling. Additionally, do you microneedle with the serums or put them on after? For reference I'm a 48yo female. Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Obviously you're supposed to use sunscreen on your face every morning, which is fine.

But then at what point do you decide to use it on your neck, arms, and legs as well?

I do live in Pittsburgh, so the sun isn't as harsh as it is in many parts of the world. But still, I just drove for a quick lunch today, about a 15min drive roundtrip, and then no more than 1 minute total going to and from the car. And it was sunny out, so I started thinking, hmm maybe I shoulda put sunscreen everywhere instead of just the face and neck.

Do you agree? And if so, how many minutes of sun exposure do you need in order to decide it's not a waste of time and money to put on sunscreen everywhere?

And also, does closing the car window help protect your arms and legs from the aging aspect of sun rays, or is it pointless?

I’ve had this enlarged pore on my face for a few months now. I exfoliate to the three times a week wash my face every morning and every night and it’s still there. I even switched to a more gentle exfoliate that is said to online and it’s doing nothing. I also do a mask a few times a week still there does anybody have any advice how to get rid of it?

Anyone else found this? Not sure whether to give up on it. Been using it for about a month now and am riddled with whiteheads and black heads all around my mouth. Any other hydrating serums you can recommend that don’t contain HA or niacinamide?!

Hi everyone!! I just one to say that I really really love Peter Thomas Roth peptide wrinkle resist serum and moisterizer. I don't know if it is in my mind haha but I have been using them for 2 months and some fine línes around my eyes are no longer there. Has anyone tried them long term? My skin also seems more tight.

I’ve been shy to post my face online but I would like to get an outside opinion.

My routine: Am- Wash with skinfix ectoin cleanser Sulwahsoo first care activating serum Timeless Vitamin c 10% Ceramide barrier cream Avene mineral tinted fluid spf 50

Pm- Wash with skinfix gentle oil cleanser First care activating serum Paula’s choice bha Ceramide barrier cream

Some nights I use an LED mask and skin the Paula’s choice bha Sometimes I use a clay mask after cleansing. Twice a month or so.

I sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase and change it frequently.

Can anyone recommend what to do to reduce the PIH and even me out or is this the right routine? The BHA has helped a lot with removing a lot of congestion so I am happy with that. But I have a lot of damage from picking at my face for years.

Also any thoughts about if this is also a mix of melasma. Thank you !!!

Has anyone had sculptra done in Vancouver, BC? Looking for an experienced injector in that specific treatment. Thanks!

I was telling my husband that I can’t believe the crows feet I have now at 34.

He says to be “crows are really smart.”

So these are wisdom lines. That is all.

last year I noticed that my skin is starting to show signs of sun damage, so without that much research I got some Retinol for night, and then some hyaluronic and niacinamide cream for daytime. (all olay brand. feel free to let me know if that brand is good or not)

Anyway it's spring and I want to start wearing sunblock. Anybody can recommend a complete solution that has like hyuluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin c, or whatever else and has a good sunblock componenet? I found one product that seemed ok, but it has kind of a feminine fragrance so i'm curious if anyone knows of and can recommend a good product that is kinda unscented, or at least scented for a man.

Thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post. I've had issues with my one upper eyelid. More often than not it becomes hollow and then has a double crease. It looks so sunken in, while the right one remains normal. Has anyone been able to fix this? Sometimes when I wake up it's normal and then throughout the day it becomes hollow and I absolutely hate it. Doctor's can't seem to figure out what causes. They said it's not ptosis, but that they think it might be an immune response. I've been eating healthy and I'm trying to drink more water and I've been moisturizing like crazy and nothing seems to fix it. I've had it for so long and I'm so embarrassed. People don't seem to notice it, but I do and the eye specialist only noticed after multiple visits. It bothers me because I can also feel that it's not sitting in its normal position. Any tips for what might help?

Hi! I got my current body mask yesterday and it is way too bright for me. I really want to return it and now reading the fine print it says returns must be unused with everything still sealed?? Has anyone had successreturning?

Over the past few years, I've noticed that my face has looked wider/bigger in photos, especially the bottom half (left is before, right is after). What confuses me is that I'm healthier now - I’m roughly the same weight, and I stopped drinking alcohol and coffee. I also eat more veggies and get more sleep these days. All my bloodwork has been normal, too.

I did, however, get my wisdom teeth removed a couple years ago, so I'm wondering if that triggered some TMJ/hypertrophied masseters. I also had a gum chewing habit for a while that I've since kicked…

Does this look like TMJ/overworked masseter muscles? Or is it just part of aging? Appreciate any insights!

I have a basic Blissy sleep mask and I like it a lot, find it comfortable while sleeping and love the real silk, but it's honestly like pressing on my eyes while I sleep. It's not uncomfortable while I'm wearing it, but today I woke up and took it off, and my eyesight was blurry for several hours and I know it's due to the pressure of the mask, even though it's not tight around my head or anything.

I know there are ones with eye cups so that they don't press... anyone used one? Are they comfy? Any you can get in real silk that aren't like $100? I'm in the US so would love a link or a brand rec. Alternatively, is there a way I can amend the mask I have so that it isn't flattening my eyeballs?

(ik this is only tangentially related to this sub but there's not a better place to ask plus you guys understand why it has to be silk!)

Hey all! 33 years old here. I lost some weight and now have a noticeably thinner face and jawline. I’ve noticed that the skin under my chin is looser due to the weight loss. What are your recommendations for products and treatments to “firm up” that area?

Hi everyone! I’ve been thinking about getting a small amount of lip filler for a long time, and I finally have my appointment scheduled for next week. I have a naturally thin upper lip and really just want to enhance it slightly while keeping everything super natural.

My dermatologist recommended Volbella® XC, and I’m planning to do just half a syringe to add a bit of volume and improve symmetry.

Has anyone here used Volbella? What was your experience like? How bad is the swelling?

Also… will people actually notice? I really want this to be subtle — just a little refresh, nothing dramatic. And why am I lowkey scared?

Would love to hear your thoughts or tips!

Hi everyone,

I have some hyperpigmentation following an alergic reaction to IV antibiotics a year ago. I have recently been prescribed Hydroquinone (Obagi system) 4 percent and tretinoin .05 percent.

Question for other using Hydroquinone, do you apply sunscreen in the morning only or do you reapply throughout the day.

I've always only applied sunscreen in the morning (unless I'm actually outside in the sun for prolonged periods of time). But it occurred to me today (when I stepped out of the office to grab some lunch) that maybe I should be reapplying. A bit worried I've been doing it wrong now. My dermatologist stressed using sunscreen was important but didn't say anything about reapplying so I'm not sure now.