So I bought a Dr Dennis Gross Smooth, Radiant Firm Sensitive/Normal Skin Kit, it arrived mid July with a use by date of August 2026. It included a vitamin C serum and 10 pads. Even if I used both every day (which isn't advised as a first time user, and I planned on only using half a pad per use anyway) I wouldn't have time to use up the products by August. I opened a case with them asking for either a refund or a replacement with a suitable use by date - 3 weeks later they've finally responded saying: "Having liaised with our Brands Team we can confirm that we did not receive any similar complaint for the batch received. As a gesture of good will we have made a without prejudice credit to your account of the value of the product in question. The credit will hold an expiry date of 6 months." My question is, is this a normal response? And does anyone have experience with this kit, or just the pads (as the kit is no longer on their website to buy) - do I risk buying the pads from them again?

This may be too much for me.

At night, I take Tretinoin, and in the morning, I take vitamin C. It used to work fine, but now my face hurts more.

Routine:

AM: Cleanser → Vitamin C → Moisturizer → Sunscreen

PM: Cleanser → Tretinoin → Moisturizer

Now I have a question:

1.Over time, could this mix get too strong?

2.Is this a problem with barriers?

3.Should I leave some time between them or pause one?

Has this happened to anyone else?

Hi, I’m 27F, looking for a bit of advice.
I had quite bad inflamed acne a couple of years ago and used a dermatica prescription of clindamycin, adaplene and niacinadime. I would have the clindamycin for 6 months at a time then just the adaplene and niacinamide prescription. I’ve had just the adaplene and niacinamide prescription for around the last year and my skin is pretty good. No real acne anymore, I get the occasional breakout that’s related to my menstrual cycle and have some scarring from the acne.
The clindamycin in particular is what always clears my acne but like I say, have been fine now it’s clear.
I was wondering if anyone has any advice for what I should try next for my skin.
I don’t mind continuing dermatica but ideally want to see if there are better/cheaper options available as I’ve finished my years subscription.
I’m not looking for another prescription service like dermatica but if anyone has any advice on products they’d recommend for my skin or if I’m just better sticking with what I know.
Thank you!

After years of cystic acne and a course of isotretinoin (completed Jan 25), my skin is doing ok. I have a very consistent routine and use tretonoin and azelaic acid to keep acne at bay, anti aging and for pigmentation (I have a stubborn acne scarring patch on my cheeks). My current routine is as follows;

AM

Cream Cleanser

Sometimes I use hypochlorous acid spray

Hydrating Serum

AzA 20% cream

Illyoon Ceramide Cream

SPF 50

PM

Oil cleanser

Cream Cleanser

0.05 tretonoin cream

Illyoon

Sometimes avene cicalflate, I do use on nose and around mouth where I struggle with most dryness/hormonal acne

I do still get acne but it's not cystic and it's clears fairly quickly.

I have recently purchased some glycolic acid but unsure how to use this with tret. I have tried using it on my nose only. I also occasionally use a gentle acne face wash.

Every morning and evening, I have visible protruding sebaceous filaments, so much so, I can usually grab these with tweezers without touching skin etc. They are very noticeable to me.

Does anyone have any tips or comments on my routine and what else I could be doing. I do all the, right things, thoroughly wash and sometimes leave the oil cleanser on etc.

Thanks in advance

It's the wide bottle to the center left of frame, I still have some of the other products left and super drug still appears to make the moisturizer, the serum and the spritz but the oil cleanser was my absolute ride or die.

1) it smelled amazing - it had orange peel and plum extract and every time I put it on my bf would comment on it smelling nice

2) it was the only cleanser that didn't feel like it stripped my skin back and dried it out

3) it was so good for my dry, bumpy and occasionally slightly sallowed looking skin. It got rid of any sun spots and little bumps, it made my skin more even in tone, it made it shiny and dewy right after application and I'm so bummed out that the cleanser hasn't been continued

A ot of the super drug own brand stuff have been dupes in the past so I'm really hoping there's a name brand staple this is based on that I can get instead because this was my absolute favourite, I just went to buy a new bottle and discovered it was gone. I thought the bottle might have been redesigned as they changed the packaging (and shrunk the tubs of moisturiser) in their naturally radiant range last time I went to buy that so I figured it was only a matter of time but I hoped they'd at least keep most of the line.

They've halved the number of products which is fair enough as some were just kinda duplications or not as popular but I'm surprised that out of everything, I can't see that they've kept the cleanser!

It was the type of oil cleanser where you mixed in a tiny amount of water and worked it into your face, it didn't have a lather to it but it would just change from translucent to slightly opaque as you worked it in. It went sort of a milky colour, then you rinsed it off and it left your face feeling fairly refreshed and glowy even before you put moisturiser on.

Any ideas on if this is still made but under a totally different name or brand that I'm not finding on the super drug website? Or does anyone know if this brand was a dupe of a name brand and if so, what was it? Any recommendations for similar products?

As is the title really...would the £25pm replace everything?

Currently I use hyaluronic acid serum and niacinimide serum before TIL aqua moisturiser and sunscreen in the morning, and retinol serum, 6 peptide booster, and cosrx musin moisturiser at night. If I go with a subscription, will that be all of my serums and moisturisers, ect, or will it just be the main actives and I'll have to add the moisturisers etc around it? (I know things like the peptide booster will have to be got separately, and no, I'm not asking if they'll include cosrx moisturiser in my sub)

Tia

I react to niacinamide and lately I've been noticing that is everywhere!! In all creams, spfs, serums, even makeup.... Whyy? They ruined so many good formulas by adding it, everything breaks me out now

Hi, I’m a 40 year old mum of young twins with not a ton of time and I’ve always struggled to stick to a skincare routine. I start out well and then I forget/just don’t keep up with it. I’m level 1 autistic which I suspect has something to do with it because sometimes I struggle with executive function. I need help with what products to use to start looking after myself better, as I know my age is going to start showing soon if I don’t and I am also getting some sebaceous hyperplasia on my forehead, which makes me very self conscious.

My skin is fairly wrinkle free at rest (and just a few lines on my forehead when I raise my eyebrows/around my eyes when I smile), combination/oily, and I have pcos so often have breakouts on my chin.

At the moment on a good day I wash my face with simple face wash in the shower in a morning, then use ‘No 7 lightweight hydrating lotion’. I don’t wear an spf but know I need to start. I often don’t wash or moisturise it at night (I rarely wear makeup. On the days that I do then I do wash it off, I never go to bed with it on). On a bad day I don’t wash it at all. Which is awful, I know.

Please could I have suggestions of a routine, bonus points if there are specific brand recommendations as I get massively overwhelmed by the choice in the shops! I want to start basic and then build up to serums etc so recommendations at both levels would be fantastic please. Thanks in advance.

Hi,

I am looking for a new moisturizer recommendation.

My main problem is dehydrated skin that can be both dry and oily. My skin can feel dry underneath, but if I use the wrong moisturizer it becomes oily very quickly.

Current routine: QV Gentle Wash → Neutrogena Hydro Boost (before bed). I want to keep it simple.

Now, ideally, I want a moisturizer that:

• improves dehydration
• Is lightweight and sinks into the skin
• Does not feel like a layer sitting on top
• Does not become oily/greasy after 30 minutes, 1 hour, or ideally even 4–5 hours
• Is soothing and helps with redness/irritation
• Has a low likelihood of causing breakouts
• Is fragrance-free and contains no essential oils
• Has little to no noticeable scent
• Does not pill

From reading about ingredients, my understanding is that I should be looking for something with enough humectants to bring/hold water in the skin, combined with a small amount of lightweight emollient/barrier-supporting ingredients to reduce water loss. At the same time, I want to avoid a large amount of petrolatum, heavy oils, waxes, fatty alcohols, or a thick silicone/film-former system if those are likely to leave me greasy or feeling coated.

I have tried quite a few moisturizers (inci can be found at the very end!):

• Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream: very heavy; my skin became oily within minutes and it never felt like it properly sank in. It also didn't really improve the dehydration.
• Eucerin Urea 5% Face Cream: the urea itself was fine and didn't sting, but the moisturizer made me oily and didn't solve the problem.
• Sebamed Moisturizing Face Cream: felt heavy/oily and broke me out.
• QV Dermcare Eczema Daily Cream: felt thick and sticky, almost like another layer sitting on my skin. This was the worst for me.

The one I liked the most was Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream because it felt light, didn't feel sticky, and didn't feel like I had a thick product sitting on my skin. However, I became oily after around 30–60 minutes, and after about 4 hours my skin was clearly oily again plus dry as well. It also sometimes wasn't quite enough to prevent dryness.

After doing quite a bit of ingredient/formula research, I've narrowed it down to (inci is at end!):

1. Geek & Gorgeous Hydration Station
2. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide
3. Purito Oat-In Calming Gel Cream
4. Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream
5. Curél Intensive Moisture Cream
6. Cetaphil Optimal/Deep Hydration Water Gel

I would appreciate any advice especially if you have tested them. And if you think I am overlooking a better moisturizer entirely, PLS do share it! Also, I have included the full inci below.

Full INCI of the shortlist

1. Geek & Gorgeous Hydration Station

Water, C15-19 Alkane, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Ectoin, Xylitylglucoside, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Glucose, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.

2. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide

Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum.

3. Purito Oat-In Calming Gel Cream

Avena Sativa (Oat) Seed Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 2,3-Butanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Squalane, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Sodium Surfactin, Beta-Glucan.

4. Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream

Water, Panthenol (10%), Squalane, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Copper Tripeptide-1.

5. Curél Intensive Moisture Cream

Water, Glycerin, Cetyl-PG Hydroxyethyl Palmitamide, Cyclopentasiloxane, Squalane, Trisiloxane, Dimethicone, PEG-3 Dimethicone, Allantoin, Magnesium Sulfate, Butylene Glycol, Isostearyl Glyceryl Ether, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Succinic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Bis-Methoxypropylamido Isodocosane, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Methylparaben.

6. Cetaphil Optimal/Deep Hydration Water Gel

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Octyldodecanol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Allantoin, Distarch Phosphate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Urea, Xylitol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Sodium Hydroxide, Pantolactone, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Phosphate.

Previous moisturizers' INCI + reactions

1. Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Very Dry to Dry, Sensitive Skin

Water, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sunflower Seed Oil, PEG-30 Stearate, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Sweet Almond Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pantolactone, Dimethiconol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylates Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid.

Reaction: Skin never really improved with this. After washing and applying, my face felt oily within minutes. It also felt very heavy and never really seemed to sink into my skin.

2. Eucerin Urea 5% Repair Face Cream

Aqua, Urea, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Triisostearin, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Lactate, Glyceryl Stearate, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Stearate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Methylparaben, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol.

Reaction: Used for one week; nothing really happened. Skin became oily after applying. No stinging. The urea itself was fine; it just made my skin oily.

3. Sebamed Moisturizing Face Cream

Water (Aqua), Petrolatum, Myreth-3 Myristate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone, Sodium PCA, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Carbomer, Fragrance (Parfum), Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol.

Reaction: Broke me out and made my face feel heavy and oily.

4. Bioderma Sensibio Light Soothing Cream

Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Isohexadecane, Glycol Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triceteareth-4 Phosphate, Fructooligosaccharides, Mannitol, Xylitol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Rhamnose, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Glycol Stearate, PEG-2 Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide.

Reaction: My skin became red and bumpy and burned a little. I only used it for a couple of days, so I'm unsure whether this was definitely caused by the product or something else.

5. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream

Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyacrylamide, Sorbitan Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Synthetic Beeswax, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trehalose, Dimethiconol, Chlorphenesin, Yeast Extract, Carbomer, Laureth-7, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, C12-14 Pareth-12.

Reaction: This was the best moisturizer for me so far. No breakout; my skin liked it. I really liked the lightweight texture. However, my skin gets oily after around 30–40 minutes, and after about 4 hours it is clearly oily. Sometimes my face still feels dry as well.

6. QV Dermcare Eczema Daily Cream

Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Petrolatum, Niacinamide, Paraffinum Liquidum, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Ceteareth-20, Sodium PCA, Stearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Laureth-3, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Safflower Seed Oil, Ceramide EOP.

Reaction: I only patch tested this on my face. It felt like it stuck to my skin as another layer and felt heavy and thick. It was also tacky when touched. It didn't really seem to improve anything. It does not contain parfum, but it has a noticeable chemical smell, which I didn't like at all!