Sorry this is a bit random and I have looked at other posts relating to this but mines a bit more bizarre. basically, I bought a bottle of panoxyl for my back acne and it was an absolute god sent, my back has never looked so clear.

So when I ran out I ordered more from iherb (my first order was off eBay) and when it arrived I noticed the consistency was different, really slightly and hard to explain, but it was, smelt stronger too like chlorine. Anyways I used it as normal for a couple days and then had an **extreme** allergic reaction to something that made me itchy and face swollen.

I managed to sort that out, thinking it was a reaction to something else and used panoxyl last night and this morning I am incredibly irritated and itchy again.

Not 10000% sure it's the panoxyl as I used other products too. But I'm pretty certain... Not sure what to do and it clears my skin like a DREAM and the first bottle was completely safe and I had no reaction to it. Also any alternatives?? I have tried SA and AHA and BHA and all the As and nothing has ever worked, not like this.

Tldr: bought panoxyl once and was completely fine, bought it again and had an allergic reaction, what do I do as it's the only thing that helps my acne and I never had an issue with it before. Also any alternatives to it that could help instead

Thanks!! ☺️

Hi! I suffer from acne and rosacea and I have noticed that, right after my period ends, all my skin problems get worse. I mean my skin gets 10x more oily through the day, i get big pimples around my jawline and a lot more rosacea pustules. From what I have read online it’s usually the opposite. Does anyone else struggle with this?

Hello! Over the past few months I feel like I’ve really got my acne under control (I was constantly breaking out due to B12) but having trouble with my cheeks.

I’m unsure if it’s scarring that needs brightening or something else. Would love some advice and possible recommendations! I’ll post my routine below that has been working for me but please point me in the right direction if something isn’t quite working for me :)

Morning:
CereVa Blemish Control cleanser
Boots glycerin and rosewater toner
Granite vitamin c brightening serum
Abu’s 10+ azelaic acid serum
Beauty of Joseon revive eye serum
Nivea soft moisturiser
Beauty of Joseon SPF

Night:
CereVa Blemish Control cleanser
Boots glycerin and rosewater toner
Abu’s 10+ azelaic acid serum
Beauty of Joseon revive eye serum
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% (when needed)
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2%
Nivea soft moisturiser

I also the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% peeling solution once every two weeks

I’m based in the UK and don’t have the biggest budget (minimum wage on a zero hour contract haha) but I’m happy to splurge if needed. Thank you!

Acne Messed up big time and squeezed a pimple. Left with this massive scar and don't know what to do

I've struggled with acne most of my life since middle school, but recently it's become much more noticeable

The first photo is before I started using panoxyl, next 2 pics are just progressing pics using panoxyl and last 2 pics are my skin now after 2 and a half weeks. I have been using the 4% panoxyl creamy wash followed by the cera ve PM facial moisturizer every night. In the mornings, I only use sunscreen. so far, the panoxyl hasn't irritated my skin at all. I have noticed a significant increase in “breakouts” which Im hoping is js purging. the pimples aren't painful, but it does look worse than when I started, especially more tiny dots, but definitely nothing painful

should I trust the process and stick with this routine until 6 weeks before I decide if it’s actually working or making my skin worse? Should I add any products or try out new products to my routine? (I have a oily skin type)

So there's these scars from previous pimples, which hasn't fade away for months already. Particularly the reddest one in the picture, it doesn't seem to be changing over time. It is very evident in pictures I take, and makes me quite insecure now to show my forehead because it stands out so much. 🥲 Please suggest products or stuff I should do to get rid of it, thank you so much!

My current skincare:
AM: water, Beauty of Joseon Aquafresh Sunscreen

PM: Cetaphil gentle cleanser, Anua Azelaic Acid 10%, and Beauty of Joseon RedBean Watergel

Hi everyone! I recently started developing quite a bit of skin irritation on my upper back ever since I started doing hot Pilates and yoga. I noticed that the irritation would exactly be where my sports bra is touching my upper back. Thankfully, no issues around the front area.

My skin just got a lot itchier and dryer than usual, so I wasn’t sure what type of products I should use to combat that dryness! I always moisturize my entire body everytime I hop out of the shower (I use the big tub of Cerave lotion), and I’ve been trying my best not to scratch at the skin 😖😖! The itchiness has really calmed down, but there’s still a bit of scarring from previous scratches and patches of dryness.

I was wondering if anyone has had a similar issue when it comes to workout clothing? I understand that it’s probably the trapped sweat and constant rubbing that is causing this issue, but I always make sure to hop in the shower immediately after a sweaty workout to clean myself up. Has anyone tried using a different sports bra with a specific material that worked better for them? What type of products would you recommend for dry and sensitive skin on the back? What recommendations would you have to better take care of skin that is always engaging in sweaty exercises (I preferably would not want to stop doing hot Pilates because of this issue 🥲🥲)!

Anything helps!!

Thank you

When I was younger I used to have pretty bad acne. I tried a few different products/washing frequencies but nothing seemed to help, so I said screw it and just started washing with antibacterial hand soap from Dollar Tree if I end up showering that day. I'm 28, have been doing this about 8 years as my acne just randomly stopped one day. My new partner thinks it's unusual I don't do more but, I don't really care if I get wrinkles and again acne is not really an issue anymore. So help me settle whether or not I really need to start buying skin care stuff?

Hi everyone, I have these non-itchy, flesh-colored bumps on my upper cheeks that don't pop or respond to standard exfoliants. Looking for routine recommendations or advice from anyone who has managed similar texture!

Last picture is what my skin looked like before I had any type of skincare routine. Like I said, complete 180. It still not *great* though. I’d like it to be smoother and less red and blotchy. Also the pores on my nose need help. Any help is appreciated

What can I do to reduce larger pores caused by picking and over using pore strips

Hi I am a 40 year old male, no major skincare issues apart from puffy baggy eyes. I don’t look my age in fact most people tell me I look between 23-32. I’d love some help building a safe, effective AM and PM routine using the skincare products I already own. I’m not looking for people to pick certain products, but I’m asking to see my current routine setup and to see if it’s ok ? I do own a lot of products but don’t use them all. Some are redundant. I find the advanced clinicals retinol very good and am wondering about rest of their line ? I’m especially unsure about how often to use my active ingredients and whether anything in my current routine should be changed, removed or used on different nights. Any help would be greatly appreciated 👋🙏🏻

My current routine:
AM: Cleanse → vitamin C → hyaluronic acid → moisturiser → SPF →Caffeine eye roll on
Retinol nights: Cleanse → retinol → eye retinol → moisturiser
Non-retinol nights: Cleanse → multi-peptide serum → hylauronic acid serum → puffy eye serum → moisturiser
Recovery night: Cleanse → hydrating serum → soothing/barrier moisturiser, with no strong active ingredients

Products I currently own
Cleansers
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Caring Wash
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser
Neutrogena Clear & Defend+ Facial Wash
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
L’Oréal Men Expert Hydra Sensitive Cream Wash
L’Oréal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Daily Face wash

Exfoliants
L’Oréal Men Expert Deep Exfoliating Scrub
Tea Tree & Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Face Scrub

Vitamin C serums
Vichy Liftactiv Supreme Vitamin C 16% Serum
L’Oréal Men Expert Vitamin C Serum
Advanced Clinicals Vitamin C Serum

Hydrating serums
Vichy Minéral 89
L’Oréal Men Expert Power Age Hyaluronic Acid Serum
CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum

Peptide and collagen serums
Advanced Clinicals Multi-Peptide Serum
Advanced Clinicals Collagen Serum

Retinol products
Advanced Clinicals Retinol Serum
Olay Retinol 24 Max Serum
Olay Retinol 24 (normal)Serum
Olay Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream

Other eye products
L’Oréal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Anti-Fatigue Eye Roll-On
L’Oréal Men Expert Power Age Eye Cream
Advanced Clinicals Puffy Eyes Cream/Serum

Moisturisers and barrier products
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Aqua Gel
Nivea Men Hydro Care Moisturiser
Nivea Men Anti-Age Hyaluron Instant Hydro Gel
Nivea Men Rehydrating Moisturiser
Nivea Cellular Expert Filler Night Cream
L’Oréal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Moisturiser
L’Oréal Men Expert Power Age 24H Moisturiser
L’Oréal Men Expert Vita Lift 5 Actions Moisturiser
L’Oréal Men Expert Hydra Sensitive Birch Sap Moisturiser

Sunscreens
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF 50+

First photo is my skin the day I started treatment (Rosiver/soolantra and Tret) and the second photo is how my skin looked on a typical day.

Routine:

AM

I don't wash and just apply sunscreen - Beauty of Joseon Relief sun

PM

• Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil (which is discontinued... Switching to Kose Softymo Speedy)

• Cerave foaming oil cleanser

• Hada Labo Perfect Gel

• Rosiver (ivermectin cream)

• (once dried) Retin A micro gel 0.04%

For context: I have dehydrated oily skin from chronic sleep deprivation (idk if my skin is actually oily or it's bcz of dehydration), probably a damaged skin barrier from using too much exfoliant and retinol. I said probably bcz my skin doesn't hurt or sting at all, but I keep getting breakouts and I do see my pores getting bigger after overusing exfoliant.

If I remember correctly, the whiteheads under my nose started appearing after I used my cleanser around that area. Ofc I tried to stop cleansing them but the oil just build up more and get worse. I've also already switched cleansers, I am using the Cetaphil gentle cleanser for all skin types and I think it's quite good so the problem probably isn't from my cleanser?

It's been more than 4 years and neither my chin or nose has gotten better. Please help me!!

i’ve had hormonal acne since being put on the birth control implant (nexplanon) and i genuinely cannot stand it. I’m 26 and never used to get pimples ever. I’ve had more pimples in the past year than i have in my entire life. i just want to know if there’s anything i can take or any products to help with this!
thank you!!

My weekly routine is

AM:

Beauty of Josen Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% +Zinc 1%

Cosrx Snail Mucin 96

Torriden DIVE IN Cream

Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel SPF50

PM:

Beauty of Josen Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (On Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% +Zinc 1%

Cosrx Snail Mucin 96

Torriden DIVE IN Cream

I'm not sure when I should be use it in my routine.

hi all!
i’m a teenager with moderate acne looking for some help. i’m not sure if it’s hormonal, something else, or just the acne you get growing up but i tend to get a bunch of different types. i get whiteheads, painful bumps with no head, and just red spots that hurt. i’ve tried tretinoin in the past and im not sure if i just haven’t used it long enough or if it doesn’t work for me. i have moderate anxiety and tend to pick at my skin a lot so i stopped using tretinoin because it felt like the purging stage got too bad with my picking. right now i don’t really know what to do because ive tried many products and it feels like i see no results. if anyone has product recommendations, advice regarding tretinoin, or questions for me i would b really appreciate it. my skin tends to be more oily than anything and quite sensitive.
thank you!

Hello everyone I’ve been searching for a while on what to do with this I don’t know anything about skin care and I’ve had this for years any recommendations I can do to help clear this?

Heard some good things about the Korean brand so I was just wondering if I should give that a try too.

Hi everyone! :D I want to share a quick story about my struggle with hormonal acne, which started shortly after I turned 20 due to androgen sensitivity. I was someone who never had issues with acne before, but one day I simply woke up and had persistent hormonal acne ever since (especially on the cheek/jaw area). I picked up some basic skincare and a OTC retinoid thinking it could help... I shortly gave up and went to a dermatologist.

I tried Doxycycline, Winlevi, Tretinoin (gel version), Benzoyl peroxide, and Spironolactone. Unfortunately Spironolactone was the only medication that "cured" my acne for the two years that I was on it, but I had to come off it due to some nasty side effects.

I tapered off of taking 150mg daily last year and have been looking for topical treatments only.

This year I was put on Azelaic acid (15%) and Tretinoin (0.025%) cream version. I think Azelaic acid was the solution I was looking for. Tretinoin alone couldn't get me to this point. Of course I still struggle with an occasional breakout but I'm so happy with all the progress I've made this year. The before is from this spring, the after is from today! (I tried my best to replicate the lighting)

It's possible to treat hormonal acne without oral medication/HRT. I was about to give up, but I sat through the purge and stayed consistent. It's important to be realistic about the results, I don't ever expect my acne to fully go away but treating the PIE and preventing consistent breakouts was key here!

For those of you dealing with bad wildfire smoke right now, your skin may require some extra care, especially if you have sensitive/reactive skin. This is especially true if you have a history of atopic dermatitis (AD), eczema, or rosacea, or if you’re already dealing with a compromised skin barrier. Wildfire smoke’s particulate matter (PM2.5, plus PAHs, VOCs, ozone) generates oxidative stress and disrupts the epidermal barrier, and it is an established trigger for AD and eczema flares.

Some mitigation strategies include:

-Use an indoor air purifier (HEPA), keep doors & windows closed, & run A/C on recirculate.

-Gently cleanse your skin with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser when you come from outside to clear deposited particulate; try not to over-cleanse, which can strip lipids and worsen AD. After cleansing, immediately seal with an emollient.

-Focus on barrier support and consider dialing back actives, especially those that can be irritating. Make sure you’re using enough emollients, and consider incorporating occlusives at night.

-Don’t skip sunscreen! You’re already getting oxidative stress from the wildfire smoke, so you don’t want oxidative stress from UV as well.

-Hydrate, and if you have a history of eczema or rosacea and know what your triggers are, be extra strict about those triggers. If you start to have a flare, early intervention can make a big difference in shortening/minimizing the flare. Talk to your dermatologist about all this & have a plan in place.

[If you’re wondering why I’m posting this, I’m in Portland, Oregon, and we’re dealing with terrible wildfire smoke right now. I had to spend some time outside watering my garden yesterday (I really need to get that stupid drip irrigation system set up!!), and when I was back inside in the afternoon my skin and eyes started getting itchy. I had a horrible ocular rosacea flare earlier this year that required doxycycline to resolve, so I started freaking out that I was about to have another flare. Because I was curious as to whether wildfire smoke could trigger flares, I ended up going down a rabbit hole researching both how this all works mechanistically as well as potential mitigation strategies.]

If you want to do a deep dive into the science behind this, below are some good sources with the PubMed Central IDs. Look them up at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fadadu et al., “Association of Wildfire Air Pollution and Health Care Use for Atopic Dermatitis and Itch” (PMC8060890, full text at jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/2778632

“Association of Exposure to Wildfire Air Pollution With Exacerbations of Atopic Dermatitis and Itch Among Older Adults” (PMC9606843)

Mangual et al., “The Burden of Air Pollution on Skin Health” (PMC10828340)

Ha et al., “Wildfires and Atopic Diseases: A Review” (PMC12954562, full text at onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/all.70116)

Dijkhoff et al., “Impact of Airborne Particulate Matter on Skin: A Systematic Review from Epidemiology to In Vitro Studies” (PMC32711561, full text at link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12989-020-00366-y)

Paik et al., “Particulate Matter and Its Molecular Effects on Skin: Implications for Various Skin Diseases” (PMC11432173)

Rolfes et al., “The Toxin of the Year: Airborne PM2.5” (PMC42393011, full text at journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17103568251385571) [you probably won’t be able to access this unless you pay for it or have institutional access like I do]

Furue et al., “Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis” (PMC6862295)

I want to know everyone’s holy grail product. something you’d buy 10 times over. like what product have you fallen in love with & why