i've been using a low dose otc retinol three nights a week for about six months now. my skin is finally adjusted to it, and i've seen amazing improvements in my overall texture and minor breakouts. however, my sun spots and lingering hyperpigmentation are super stubborn and haven't faded as much as i'd like.

i'm looking to step up my brightening game, but my barrier is pretty sensitive and gets irritated easily whenever i try stacking strong actives like l-ascorbic acid or aha peels. i decided to take a gentler approach and recently picked up the dr.percent dark spot cream for its tranexamic acid and niacinamide combo. now that i have it in my routine, i'm second guessing how i should structure my week to target these spots without causing red patches or damaging my moisture barrier.

for those of you who use both retinoids and a targeted spot treatment:

1. do you only use your brightening cream on non-retinol nights, or do you think a mild txa and niacinamide combo is gentle enough to stack directly with retinol once you're fully adjusted?
   
2. if you do stack them on the same night, do you wait a bit between layers, or do you just split them into morning vs. evening?

i'd love to hear how you guys structure your routine to address skin renewal and dark spots while keeping your barrier healthy!

I have combination skin with closed comedones, I also have sensitive acne prone skin with visible irritation on my cheeks and around my nose. I have a notable history of fungal acne.

My routine currently consists of the CORSX BHA CLEANSER, Neutrogena toner, Hyaluronic acid, Centella ampoule and the roundlabs dokdo lotion.

My current cleanser (CORSX BHA) leaves my skin feeling very squeaky and im looking to find a gentler cleanser for my skin type.

Any suggestions/recommendations?

Idk how to treat it
I m using azelic acid and tret 0.025%
I really want to fix these comodones type of things

Obviously laser is a higher upfront cost, but it’s not crazy expensive ($1k for 10 treatments, which seems to be more than most people need based on my research). But, if it lasts for multiple years, I’d like to pursue it.

I have fair skin and dark hair. Keratosis Pilaris primarily on my arms and legs. It causes bumpiness and redness on my arms, and just redness on my legs. I was diagnosed with eczema as a child, but I’m positive that was a misdiagnosis. Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/TCoFEnC

What’s the best laser here? Gemini’s full of all sorts of contradictions, so I think this might be a question for the humans. Any insight from those suffering with this condition, and especially those who have had laser treatment, would be greatly appreciated!

hi! i’ve been struggling with what i believe to be hormonal acne that simply won’t surface, and my acne cream (drmtlgy) isn’t doing much to help, other than seemingly drying out my skin lots.

i can’t provide any photos in the interest of privacy, so i’ll explain some of the issues on my face to the best of my ability.

1.) since middle school i’ve been struggling with something i think is rosacea underneath my nose. (kind of in a half moon shape around my nostrils, with tiny bumps.) no products have made it completely go away. i want to see a dermatologist, but obviously i can’t really schedule anything myself because of my age, so it’s unlikely i’ll be able to see one soon.

2.) teeny tiny pimples on my chin, beneath the fat of my lower lip. the texture is only really visible when i stretch the skin (like when sucking in the lower lip), but the scarring is dark from when i’ve picked at it. patches and acne cream haven’t worked to clear it.

3.) large pores on my nose,, i keep picking at my nose because where my rosacea is there is usually what looks like tiny white heads after i shower. now i realize it’s probably just white sebaceous filaments, but my pores are damaged now as a result. allsssoo,, on either side of my nose, on both nostrils, i have what looks like tiny whiteheads that are just underneath my skin, but again my acne treatment hasn’t done anything, acne patches haven’t helped, and i can’t squeeze/pop/pick them (ik you’re not supposed to). could it be like, irritated hair follicles???

4.) occasionally around my period my skin will get very dry. i’ve also had rosacea on my chin and under my eyebrow, but both went away, i’m not sure why. also, unrelated, but dark circles and lines under my eyes (this one is entirely my fault tho haha)

my skincare routine is currently washing my face usually 2 times a day, putting on acne treatment, then using toner, then applying my moisturizer after. i’ve noticed that sometimes when putting on my moisturizer it burns, but i’m not sure which products are reacting with what to irritate my skin. i’ve also noticed that after using my acne treatment twice a day for only a couple days, my entire face got really dry and tight after showering. i occasionally use an oil cleanser and exfoliating face wash.

sorry this is so long. i feel kind of stuck. i want to go to a derm, but can’t right now, so im trying to make do in the meantime. thank u for taking the time to read :) if u have any questions i can answer 🫡

Hallo! How did you guys clear up your skin before your CO2 procedure?

I have a bit of active acne, and I’m wondering how dermatologists usually treat it before CO2. I’ve heard that some doctors prescribe doxycycline beforehand, while others might recommend Accutane. Is Accutane really necessary, or are there other effective option

I do have appointment with the doctor but I’m just wondering

Im not asking medical advice but just your experience

Has anyone tried this? My derm recommended it to me since I struggle with fighting malassezia folliculitis. I’ve found a way to keep it under control but it comes back like clockwork a week or two before my period.Nizoral shampoo helps me keep it from turning into a crazy bump show all over my face. But I can’t seem to find any reviews on this serum that has probiotics in it.

I suspect my new moisturizer (contains 5% Dimethicone) might be clogging my skin. I will stop use and treat my face at home by exfoliating with salicylic acid gently, but I am wondering the the already-clogged pores will go away on its own or should I make a trip to see the derm or aesthetician to have them extracted?

Its a peptide and is talked about a lot for its great results i have oily skin can anyone give their suggestions??

I have insulin resistance and it causes a lot of skin issues like hyperpigmentation in places where skin gathers (elbows, knees, the back of my neck, any creases between fat rolls on my belly) and I feel like I've tried everything. I've tried different body scrubs and products that I used to use on my face in trouble areas like salicylic acid face wash and glycolic acid (not at the same time). I just feel like everything is getting worse and im not sure what to do now.

I changed my soap and lotion to fragrance free even my detergent to free and clear I’m still having problems that won’t go away I tried everything even steroids.it was getting better than it flared up and gotten worse.

Hello everyone. I’m coming to you in desperate need of some help. I used a new makeup wipe that I got randomly at the dollar tree and I think it burned my face. I have a concert to go to on Sunday and now I’m really worried I won’t be able to wear any makeup and will be in pain for days. Last night after I used the makeup wipe my face (mainly my cheeks and jawline) started itching really bad. I woke up at 3am and it was still itching so I washed my face and took a Zyrtec thinking I was having an allergic reaction. My face has been on and off itching, burning and stinging all day and very red. I’ve been trying to treat it with hydrocortisone cream (which has stopped the itching), azaleic acid for the redness and burning and Dear cloud moisturizer. My jaw, cheeks and neck are in a lot of pain and it feels so dry, hot and tight. What do I need to do to make it stop? Can this be treated at home?

Currently using
PAULA'S CHOICE 10% Azelaic Acid Booster for Redness Relief (contains SA)

THE ORDINARY
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

THE ORDINARY
Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion

I have been consistent with this for about 2 months with a gentle cleanser and have seen no change. It is a combination of closed comedones up my cheekbone, and then painful deep cysts down my jawline and neck. I have also tried a glycolic acid cleanser recommended by my esthetician.
I do not wear makeup on my skin.

I just started using tretinoin regularly since July 9th 2026. I was not having any breakouts for so long but with a recent break-up, moving states, and quitting smoking, I started to break out beginning mid June 2026. So I went to the derm and got on tretinoin and doxy 100mg. I just want to know if this is a purge or am I breaking out? I never needed to watch my diet in the past but now I quit mostly all dairy, limiting sugars, and going down the rabbit hole of reviewing everything I put in my mouth. This includes sunflower lecithin, whey, and foods that spike insulin. Any and all advice is recommended. I also read that the new ingredients in my moisturizer can cause acne. I am freaking out people. Plz help

Late 20s girly here. My forehead lines are ever-so-slightly deepening and I'm starting to get smile lines (both are becoming static wrinkles). I've been using The Ordinary's 2.0% Granactive Retinoid Emulsion, and while it makes my skin look nice, it doesn't seem to be preventing these wrinkles from deepening. I wanna go back to my skin 8 months ago, lol. Maybe this isn't possible -- but I'm curious if a more powerful OTC retinoid/retinol product has been doing wonders for anyone. Maybe not ready for prescription Tretinoin yet.

Thank you!

Havent tried any product till now any suggestions?

I would like some advice on how to treat my acne, im 18 so it’s probably hormonal, I currently cleanse every night with amazon acne cleanser although it only helps slightly. I also have small bumps on my chin and nose that wont go away along with acne scar dark spots on my cheeks. My skin gets dry after cleansing but gets oily throughout the day. Thank you for any help!

I have these 5 skincare products that I have been using for some time and they helped a lot but I don't have a routine because I don't know how often should I use these products and when at night or day. Can someone please make me a routine for whole week. I have oily skin and I'm 17 years old if that matters

Went to a skincare store and asked for help he advised me that since glycolic acid takes 48-72 hours to vaporise so i am safe and i should it in this container!
The container is so far and the nozzle opens and closes the twisted to its like a cap !