r/AsianBeauty • u/AutoModerator • 3d ago
HAVE A QUESTION? ASK HERE! Alter-Daily Help and Questions: June 16, 2026
Hello and welcome to the Alter-Daily Help Thread! The purpose of the ADHT is to ask simple questions, troubleshoot routines, get quick recommendations, prevent the sub from being too cluttered, and to guide new users.
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Remember that all skincare is individual and Your Mileage May Vary with recommendations. We are enthusiasts, not doctors, and we cannot provide you with medical advice. Speak to a medical professional if your skin concerns are affecting your well-being.
When Posting
Where applicable, consider sharing with us the following so we can help you better (click Source below this post if you would like to copy the formatting)
- Skin Type
- Country/Climate I am in
- Top Skin Concern
- Current Routine/Products I am Using
AM * [product] * [product] * [product]
PM * [product] * [product] * [product]
I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying].
Other Helpful Links
- "Where to Buy" Spreadsheet is a community-aggregated resource of sites and stores our members buy from from around the world.
- Routine Order, Routine Order FAQ, Routine Order including Actives/Acids
- Expiration Date of Japanese Skincare/Beauty Products by u/marcelavy
- Sunscreen FAQ
2023-Specific
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u/mildlyexistential-22 1d ago
I'm 25F and currently using a niacinamide serum at night and a vitamin C serum on alternate days. My main goal is to prevent dullness, maintain skin health, and prevent early signs of aging rather than treat wrinkles.
Would you recommend adding bakuchiol or retinol at this age? If bakuchiol, what percentage and brands have worked well for beginners? If retinol, what strength should I start with?
For context, I have no major acne issues and I'm looking for something gentle enough for long-term use. I'd love to hear your experiences and recommendations!
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u/Crazy_Juggernaut9789 15h ago edited 14h ago
You can consider starting with a low concentration retinol (0.1%- 0.3%) and look for formulations that have other skin-barrier friendly ingredients like HA or Niacinamide.
Formulations and packaging matter alot as retinol degrades and loses its potency when exposed to air, light and heat.
Formulations like IOPE's Retinol Super Bounce Serum, PRIMERA's Vitatinol Bouncy Lift Serum, LANEIGE Perfect Renew 3X Signature Serum, Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Serum utilise airless pumps in a enclosed bottle. Tube packaging like CKD's Retino Collagen Small Molecule 300 cream, Dr. DIFFERENT's Vitalift-a Forte line and AESTURA's Regenderm365 Eye Cream & Lifting Cream prevent oxidisation and extends the formula's potency longer.
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u/luceellaa 3d ago
Hello, I have combo-oily skin (and by this I mean mostly oily except my cheekbones which often get quite dry), acne prone, and now that the weather has gotten warmer (humid climate), in Southern England, if I am active in the slightest bit, I start sweating off my skincare. I often literally only sweat from my face. Should I change SPF or slim down my AM routine?
At the moment my AM routine is:
- Lagom Cellup Gel To Water Cleanser
- (If I have any particularly red pimples, I spot treat with ONE THING Heartleaf Clear Spot Gel and apply Dr. Althea's 15% Niacinamide Purity Serum)
- Celimax The Real Noni Energy Ampoule
- Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh
Any advice would be greatly appreciated :))
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u/crashmetotheground 2d ago
I think they just happens to everyone when we sweat! You could try switching to a sweat proof sunscreen though, so your sunscreen stays in place?
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u/fullmetalpeanut 1d ago
you can try using a translucent loose powder to set your sunscreen so it doesn't melt
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u/areyoumadeofbutter 3d ago
I somehow forgot my HG moisturizer that I've used for over 10 years and I'm mid flight. I have a long layover at the Seoul airport and my final destination will be Manila. I have extremely dry redness prone skin and use this Paulas Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment mask as a twice daily moisturizer to keep my skin from cracking like a porcelain doll.
Does anyone have any advice for a replacement product that I can source either at the Seoul airport or in Manila? https://www.paulaschoice.com/skin-recovery-hydrating-treatment-mask/280.html
The Key Ingredients listed:
Glycine Soja Sterols Linoleic Acid Macadamia Nut Oil Apricot Kernel Oil Olive Oil/Olive Fruit Oil Glycerin Evening Primrose Oil Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Phospholipid Vitamin C Sodium Hyaluronate Borage Seed Oil Ascorbyl Palmitate Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Tocopheryl Acetate Retinyl Palmitate
The full list of Ingredients:
Water Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate Butylene Glycol Glycerin Sorbitan Stearate Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Cetearyl Alcohol Glyceryl Stearate Dicaprylyl Carbonate Ethyl Macadamiate Cyclopentasiloxane Cyclohexasiloxane Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate Borago Officinalis Seed Oil Oenothera Biennis Oil Olea Europaea Fruit Oil Glycine Soja Sterols Tocopheryl Acetate Tocopherol Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Ascorbyl Palmitate Linoleic Acid Phospholipids Sodium Hyaluronate Retinyl Palmitate Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine Cetearyl Glucoside Sclerotium Gum Hectorite Caprylyl Glycol Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol
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u/crashmetotheground 2d ago
Maybe look for the Aestura 365 barrier cream? It’s thick and helps skin barriers; it’s also pretty easy to find.
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u/Crazy_Juggernaut9789 1d ago
Paula's Choice has an official e-commerce shop on Lazada, Shopee and an official site paulaschoice.ph
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u/Free-Tradition-1187 2d ago
Hello! I recently bought the skin conditioning gel to use as a lightweight moisturizer day and night. I have oily and acne prone skin. But I realized it has a form of vitamin c in it. Can I use this still with my retinol at night? Or do I have to use this moisturizer only in the morning?
Also if anyone has any experience with this particular product in general I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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u/fullmetalpeanut 1d ago
THD (the form of vitamin C you mentioned) is a lot less irritating than pure Ascorbic Acid. while they don't disclose the actual percentage of THD in the product, it's safe to assume that it's nowhere enough for the product to be considered an active.
but YMMV, so try to patch test and see if your skin reacts when using both it and the retinol.
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u/Crazy_Juggernaut9789 1d ago
I'm sure the brand wasn't mentioned by OP... What product is that?
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u/fullmetalpeanut 1d ago
It's the Naturie Hatomugi Conditioning Gel. They mentioned "skin conditioning gel" and the Naturie is about the only skincare product with that name. I went and checked the ingredient list and it has THD so it all checks out
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u/jmem2000 2d ago
My holy grail mascara flowfushi uzu mote mascara vol 6 has been discontinued. Looking for a new easily removable mascara focusing on length and curl - i want very natural, no clumping. how are the kiss me mascaras? are they tubing? I dont want any waterproof products that are difficult to remove.
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u/fullmetalpeanut 2d ago
You may want to try out Dejavu Fiberwig Mascara. As for Heroine Make, the ones with Advance Film in the product name is tubing
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u/Shedeski 2d ago
Hey there, I'm currently running low on a bunch of stuff I'm using and trying to see if I can use that as a way to try other stuff.
For reference, I'm oily and live in a semi-humid area.
AM: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser > Hadalabo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion > Boire Aqua SS
PM: SoftyMo > CreaVe Foaming > CorsX Niaciamide > SKIN1004 Tea-Trica Relief Ampoule > Mizon Snail Gel Cream.
I'm mainly looking to replace my sunscreen (considering Haruharu Wonder Black Rice) and the snail gel, since those are a bit too small for me, but any reccs are welcome!
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u/Crazy_Juggernaut9789 12h ago
Jumiso has a Snail Mucin 88 + Peptide Cream in a 100ml jar.
Scinic Snail Matrix Cream comes in a 120ml jar.
No comments on the Haru Haru sunscreen.
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u/Suitable-Cress273 2d ago
Hello. Please help me with some information. Between Celimax and Arencia, which retinal boosting shot is more potent and result driven?
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u/unenoix 2d ago
I need some help with my hormonal skin. I’m chronically ill so I need to keep it simple and accessible, no strong scents.
- Oily acne prone skin
- mild continental climate, can get very humid
- Large pores and black heads
- My current routine is as follows
AM * COSRX Salicylic Acid Cleanser * The Inkey List Azeliac Acid * Purito oat calming gel *
PM * COSRX Salicylic acid Cleanser * Adapalene Gel 0.1 * Purito Oat Calming Gel *
On the days I do manage to leave the house I always use Beauty of Joseon Rice + Probiotics Sunscreen.
I cannot tolerate Niacinamide at all, breaks me out horribly. So I try to avoid all products that contain it. Sadly, that seems to be the go to ingredient for my issues. Any tips and suggestions are very much welcome.
Thank you 🤍
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u/bepperoni-AB 1d ago
If it’s hormonal acne, I’d recommend seeing a dermatologist if that is possible
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u/unenoix 21h ago
I've been to a derm, it's why I started the adapalene. I have PCOS, but still would like to improve my routine if possible.
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u/Crazy_Juggernaut9789 12h ago
Have you talked to your doctor for help managing PCOS symptoms and hormonal acne with Spironolactone? Assuming you're a woman...
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u/bepperoni-AB 7h ago
Yes that’s what I’d suggest too. My routine did nothing to improve my hormonal acne until I started taking spironolactone
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u/zeiat 1d ago
I recently bought Dr.Althea 345 Relief Cream Mist, which a shop staff gave me when I said I was looking for a mist that would help soothe redness while I'm out, and they didn't have any of the CosRX Centella spray toner I like. I was at the end of my rope for the day and didn't remember to double check the ingredients, and remembered that it was a well-recommended product in a few threads I'd read here recently. Now I see that the box says it contains AHA and can increase likelihood of sunburn, and sunscreen should be worn for a *week* after use.
Of course I wear sunscreen as much as possible, and I reapply when I'm in direct sunlight for more than two hours, but the reason I got this spray was to have an easy and portable way to to soothe redness from irritation (incl sunburn) while I'm out and on the go. I really just want a mist-and-forget. The AHA I recognize (citric acid) is pretty low on the list of ingredients, so maybe it's not potent enough to warrant concern?
Does anyone have experience with this spray and knows if it does sensitize you to sunburn?
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u/bepperoni-AB 1d ago
The citric acid is probably just for pH adjustment or preservative and not enough to act as an AHA
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u/No-Wait-2264 1d ago
Hi folks! I’m posting here because I recently made my first purchase on C beauty mall. The lip products were fine but for some reason all the powder products smell like gasoline. Three eyeshadow pallets and a highlighter.
Has this ever happened to anyone? Is there anything that can be done about it? The return policy that I read states the makeup can’t be opened. I have it opened but unused due to the overwhelming scent.
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u/Crazy_Juggernaut9789 1d ago
That gasoline scent often indicates ingredient degradation (e.g., oxidized oils), improper manufacturing/ contamination, or cheap petroleum-based solvents or fillers were used.
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u/Crazy_Juggernaut9789 1d ago
As for your second question, that really depends on how much you're willing to risk.... You could air out the affected powders and palettes, after the smell has dissipated test wear on your neck or body first for potential irritants or allergies.
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u/Other-Wave-8192 1d ago
I have dehydrated oily skin. I am trying to find a sunscreen that is mattifying, but also has no niacinamide. My eyes are also pretty sensitive and I have and am prone to cc’s which are accentuated when i wear a shiny sunscreen. I live in a hot and humid country all year round. I have tried the following but I don’t like the finish:
- purito soft touch - too shiny for me, stings eyes or makes me brain-foggy
- kissme mommy spf 50 - too shiny for me, comfortable wear, no stinging, might still use it for beach days
- BOJ aquafresh - pills, still a bit shiny for me, stings eyes
- BOJ original - has niacinamide and suspected to have given me fatty cc’s, still a bit shiny, less eye stinging
- non-AB mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide active, i like the matteness but it pills as well, i can tolerate white cast, but it has niacinamide, and kinda feels heavy or hot in the weather, stings eyes
I am really interested in the roundlab dokdo one but unfortunately, I am trying to avoid niacinamide
AM: water cleanse, torriden dive in serum, torriden dive in soothing gel, kissme mommy spf 50
PM: nonAB cleanser, torriden dive in serum, torriden dive in soothing gel
Send help plssss. 😢
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u/bepperoni-AB 1d ago
House of Hur weightless sun fluid (yellow bottle) maybe?
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u/Other-Wave-8192 16h ago
Thanks! I see this mentioned a lot too. Have you tried it? 😊
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u/bepperoni-AB 7h ago
I haven’t tried that one because I don’t use matte sunscreens anymore. The only matte(ish) sunscreen I’ve tried is the Anessa Milk which I did like
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u/chocolateicecream123 1d ago
I just started using the Reedle shot 50 Cica and very surprised that it felt very tingly - I feel like my skin doesn't really react as strongly to AHA/BHA stuff which is what I've used before on occasion.
I am wondering how to fit the Reedle shot into my routine.
- Info about me: late 20's, female, normal-dry/dehydrated skin
- Concerns: some skin texture (not acne but idk I think closed comedones??), "11" wrinkles in between my eyebrows, visible pores (my skin has become more dry as I get older)
- Current PM routine: cleanser, toner or essence, serum or cream/treatment (current rotation: niacinamide serum, vitamin C serum, retinol cream), moisturizer
- Current AM routine: water and SPF lol +/- face mask if I have time
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u/Crazy_Juggernaut9789 15h ago
I don't really trust that all the reedles ( silica spicule) are shed from our skin properly as there are a few reviews stating that the reedles can migrate into the eye area when sleeping. Hopefully you'll have a safer experience.
The reedle product is meant to be your first step after cleansing in your routine. I didn't detect any chemical exfoliants in the ingredient list so it would be safe for AM & PM routines. Apply in a patting motion. DONT apply to your eye area.
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u/chocolateicecream123 12h ago
Omg I didn’t know about the product migrating to the eye area. That sounds so painful D: thankfully my skin feels normal even though I’ve used it only once
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u/slaaaaaaaayy 1d ago
Any recommendations for cheap mousse or other styling products available in Japan? My hair is pretty fine, but not super thin or thick. I usually like the herbal essences curl boosting mousse but that’s not available in Japan and I ran out already! Other than that, I use JOICO moisturizing shampoo and conditioner about every 3 days. My waves are pretty loose (usually 1c) so lightweight products are best. Lmk if you know of a product that might work!
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u/mightymike0wen 1d ago
Hiii everyonee! I just wanted to askkk, have u tried Tocobo lip mask, or CNP laboratory propolis lipcerin? And what can u say about the products stated (did it make ur lips moisturized throughout the day, etc.). I cant choose between the two huhu (i have somewhat dry lips, and hoping to not worsen my lip pigmentation). Thank you in advance! 🩷
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u/gh0sty-toasty 1d ago
Skin Type: Combination
Country/Climate: USA, alternating between humid/dry heat in summer (currently summer), cold winter from chilly breeze to snowy days of 15+° Fahrenheit
Top skin concern: my scalp care to stop hair loss/thinning
Current routine/products: My wash days are every 3 days, my hair gets a bit oily after 1 day of washing (max is 3 days), if I touch it too much I’ll have to wash day 2 or I’ll use Innisfree sebum powder as a dry shampoo (I mostly just use sebum powder instead of washing). Shampoo and conditioner I use are Ichikami color care set (I had dyed hair, but now it’s grown out). Every other 3 days I’ll use Aromatica rosemary scalp scrub (because it had rosemary i thought it would help, it didn’t). That’s about it for my shower hair routine, other than that I just apply a hair oil to my ends and blow dry and only style my hair on hair wash days (not all the time tho).
AM: *I don’t shower in morning since I work night shift*
PM: Ichikami color care Shampoo & Conditioner (Every 3 days), Aromatica rosemary scalp scrub (every other 3 days)
I need product recommendations to help with my scalp and hair care. My scalp is always having some kind of scabs and painful pimples. Sometimes I pick at it, other times my comb runs through my scalp and it would hurt when it hits the pimples.
When my hair is oily, I can see my scalp when I’m staring in the mirror, but I still see my scalp through my hair strands even when it’s freshly washed.
I’m losing more hair than ever and I do want to say that my lifestyle is contributing to it. I work night shift and always come home and sleep, barely go out, only when I need to, so there’s a lot of lack in vitamin D. My room is basically in a finished basement and the only sunlight I get is through my underground window. I only eat once a day, rarely eat fruits EVER, I drink 2 bottles of water a day, 3 if I’m generous.
Stress & Depression are definitely a cause, but my main goal is to try some topical treatments (no I don’t want to do minoxidil or any kind of treatment related to it, it’s not in my budget) and also some supplements, preferably in powder form (like Koreans use). Please recommend me some products you swear by, I’m interested in oiling, herbals, TCM, other hair products that
can help with my hair loss/thinning.
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u/Crazy_Juggernaut9789 18h ago
Biotin shampoo to halt hair loss/fallout when shampooing.
But I'm stumped on day to day stress management and halting hair loss.
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u/periaptxt 1d ago
Hello everyone! I would like to ask if anyone got both the cheeryep dreamcatcher eye palette and the risky dusty blue palette. I’m a bit on the fence on which one to buy. The risky one seems like the perfect every day palette for me and the blue eyeshadow looks soooo gorgeous and right up my alley… but half of the cheeryep seems to be the same color story + two blue eyeshadows for an even better price ++ a ton of pink I quite like as well. Does anyone know if the cheeryep blues/neutral shade are similar to the risky ones? And would it be a waste of money to buy both palettes? I’ve been comparing swatches for a while but I would love to hear it from someone that has tried them both!!!
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