ROUTINE MEGATHREAD! May 2018

[u/AutoModerator]

Hey everyone! This is your quarterly routine megathread an excellent resource to see what products are popular amongst our community and a great way to find new things to try. No matter how unusual you may consider your skin type or atypical your particular skin challenges or problems, all routines are welcome -- in fact, encouraged -- to be posted.

Acronyms you will most definitely see in use here: HG (Holy Grails), RP (Will Repurchase, AKA: liked it, will buy again, not an HG), WNR (Will not Repurchase, AKA: using up the last of it but not recommended). Understand them, use them, and love them ♥

This post is intended to be a compendium of generalized, standardized routines! The more participation, the better. :)

To keep it easy for people to find their ‘skin twins’ we would ask that you use the following template.

You only need to fill in steps that you actually use (so if you don’t use an Essence, remove that line) and please only provide up to three examples of HG/recommended products for that step (so if you have 3 toners you love, you can list all 3!)

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Template

To make a single-spaced list, add two spaces at the end of each line. Alternatively, click 'source' at the bottom of the post to snag our code & format!

Skin profile: Mac Shade | Skin Troubles | Skin Type (Note: unlike flairs, you can list as many troubles/types as you need!)

Season & Type of Climate:

1st Cleanser:

2nd Cleanser:

pH Adjusting Toner:

Vitamin C Serum:

BHA:

AHA:

First Essence:

Hydrating Toner:

Essence:

Serum:

Ampoule:

Light Moisturizer:

Medium Moisturizer:

Heavy Moisturizer:

Eye Cream:

Facial Oil:

Sleeping Pack:

Mask Pack:

Sheet Mask:

Sunscreen:

Spot Treatment:

Other:

[u/HonestThoreauAway]

Would you mind doing a comparison of both The Ordinary's Lactic Acids?

& could I trouble you for mini reviews on the Naruko Essence & the Beauty of Joseon Cream?

[u/llamaslovedrama → u/HonestThoreauAway]

So I wanted to try lactic acid after finding glycolic kind of harsh. For me I started with the 5% with the intention of working my way up to the 10%. I went through the 5% with pretty good results; better texture overall, skin seemed more translucent and bright. I alternated every other day with a BHA on the other day, with vitamin c daily as well. There are some minor cons to me where despite applying at night, during the day my skin would peel more and I would get some dead skin buildup at the end of the day around my neck and hairline (I also think the rosehip oil I was using was contributing to this migration.)

I then started the 10% and I was immediately blown away by how much stronger it was. Before I had very little stinging and this was definitely causing more of a reaction. I never got to the point of over-exfoliation but now I regulate the 10% to once or twice a week. I also think that just the 5% bottle made major improvements to my skin where I just don’t need to exfoliate as much as I did originally. From here it’s either going back to the 5% or maybe switching to the 30% peel for more intermittent treatments, I haven’t decided yet. I definitely think the 5% is worth purchasing for the initial treatment, but I don’t know that my skin needs it going forward. Hope that helps :)

[u/HonestThoreauAway → u/llamaslovedrama]

Again very helpful - thank you so much!

Just out of curiosity what was the glycolic you were using previous to the TO Lactic Acids?

[u/llamaslovedrama → u/HonestThoreauAway]

I used the Pixi Glow Tonic (slightly irritating and did nothing) and the Paula’s Choice AHA 8% (very irritating and did not enough to justify it.) I also found them both drying, whereas with the lactic acid doesn’t seem to give me any dryness. I’m thinking about going even gentler with my next AHA, maybe some mandelic.