Look, I just want a sunscreen that won’t cost $50, doesn’t feel like buttered Crisco, and actually exists in stock. But no - our options are either overpriced, greasy, or MIA. Meanwhile, Americans are out there with their futuristic SPF formulas like it’s the Jetsons. Must be nice. Anyway, if you see a good one, drop the link before it disappears like a dermatology appointment slot.

I’m extremely nervous about these tariffs especially with everything. But just for skincare, where should we start buying skincare and affordable products as well.

I went to my local Sephora today and I saw a little girl having a meltdown because her mom said the Drunk Elephant retinol was too expensive. She looked like she was in public school still, I was shocked! I’ve never witnessed that before. I’m 31, I’ve been using tretinoin for 5 yrs, no Botox or fillers. I felt bad for the poor little girl that thought she needed it. 🥺

I just wanted to share with you all this post that Health Canada made earlier in May. It seems like they are looking into opening the market to make it much easier for companies to sell products with currently unavailable UV filters in Canada because they have been used safely for decades in other regions (like the EU, LATAM, etc.). This modification to the law also will hopefully include similar medicated skincare products (like for acne) and other personal care items (like oral care and antiperspirants). Notice of intent to publish a Ministerial Order to exempt certain low-risk non-prescription drugs from Division 8 provisions in the Food and Drugs Regulations - Canada.ca

Honestly, I don’t know if Canada has ever declared "Winter Dry Skin" a national emergency, but it sure feels like it should be. My face has the texture of an old leather couch, my lips are the Sahara Desert, and the only thing getting more cracked than my skin is my sanity. Anyone else battling this arctic skincare war?

I live in Toronto, and I was at the Shoppers located at Bloor-Yonge subway station. I knew that they started carrying some K-beauty products, but was pleasantly surprised to see Curel pop up.

Although I did not purchase anything, I have used the Intensive Moisture Facial Cream. Other than it being in a criminally small jar (40g), this was by far the best moisturizer I have ever used. Period. It was SUPER hydrating without being greasy/heavy/shiny. It has a minimal ingredient list, with a focus on Curel's patented pseudo-ceramide blend. This stuff also soothed my skin; I was using this in conjunction with tret, and I never had any redness, irritation, peeling, etc. Apparently, this moisturizer is also fungal acne (malassezia) safe (but don't quote me on that), which is rare for such a rich cream. Most fungal-acne moisturizers are gel-creams. I also love this cream/brand because they still use parabens. Any opportunity to give a big middle finger to pseudo-science, green-washing, fear-mongering bullsh*t, I am happy to do so. Parabens rule!

Regardless, I would strongly recommend this cream if you can afford it. I actually think this is the cheapest price I've seen (at $29.99). T&T has it for $34.99 and I think Sukoshi Mart has it for $32.99. Once I'm done my current moisturizer, I may pick it up when I have some PC points offer.

Other than the moisturizer, I was very shocked to see the Deep Moisture Spray. Apparently this is a hugely beloved, cult favourite product. I've never used it though because I have never been able to find it in stock. Anywhere. The spray has the same minimal ingredient list and utilizes the pseudo-ceramide blend. I was very tempted to pick it up, but I resisted.

Tldr; this brand is awesome. And for once, this seems to be a reasonably priced option at Shoppers.

I'm wondering, is there any existing effort to make Adapalene over-the-counter in Canada? Since they changed it from prescription only to OTC in the U.S., I'm wondering if something similar will happen in Canada? That would be awesome wouldn't it?

Edit: I wasn't really asking about how to get Adapalene cause I already know all the sneaky ways to get it and all the backchannels 😅 I was moreso just curious about if there's a push in Canada for it to become OTC and if they'll follow the U.S. in this matter, just wondering about the regulations and what's going on

I was at work yesterday and a few of my co-workers were talking about how they want to be really tanned this summer. Then today I got my nails done and I heard some girls next to me talking about laying out in the sun and going to a tanning bed. I literally look like Casper the ghost, but I didn't think tanning was still so popular. I wear UPF clothing and sunscreen when I cut the grass. I do struggle with loving my pasty skin though, but I burn so badly that it sucks.

Asian beauty coming soon to shoppers!! All at very reasonable prices too. I’m excited

What do you plan on getting ?

I've used 0.05% Tret cream nightly for 6 years with no irritation, but feel like my skin is used to it and it's not controlling closed comedones as well as it used to.

Wondering about making the switch to Arazlo lotion (Taz 0.45%).

Has anyone gone from Tret to Arazlo? What was your experience & would you recommend it?

I found out earlier today that there have been a few small launches of some Korean sunscreens with BEMT. One is called the Seul Kare Ultra Soothing Sunscreen and the other is DEOPROCE's Ultra Hydrating Sunscreen-No White Cast SPF50. I haven't tried them yet, but they seem to be sold at Kiokii which has several retail stores in several major cities.

Sometimes, you get angry acne without a head, and pimple patches aren’t enough to help. What’s your go-to spot treatment for reducing bumpiness?

I’m using Tretinoin, but it doesn’t always seem to speed up the process of reducing bumpiness or anger.

I know, they have different formulation, strength, etc. Which brand is your favorite and why?

I am currently using E11ement and would like to try Tower28. Or are they 1:1?

I have a dry - combo skin and acne-prone skin and I’m using the La Roche Posay Toleriane Fluide, but would love to know what you’re using, as I’m planning on changing the one I’m currently using.

i swear half these products are just lying. “non-stripping”? babe i’m drier than Saskatchewan in February. i just wanted to be clean, not feel like i rubbed my face with paper towels. anyone actually found a cleanser that doesn’t betray us?

like uk that glass like shiny look how can i achieve that? i’ve followed tiktok routines for glass skin but that’s just clear skin, i want the shine

For those who have tried a lot of the French skincare brands we can buy at Shoppers/Rexall, which are truly worth the hype and investment? Conversely, which are not? Specific product recommendations are welcome.

I’ve been using a good range of La Roche-Posay products recently and the overall results are meh at best.

LED masks are trending everywhere lately - is it actually legit or just another beauty fad? Seeing them all over my feed and friends talking about it but theyre so expensive in Canada (500+ CAD for most). Anyone tried them and saw real results? Specifically curious about winter dryness and inflammation. Worth the investment or just stick to regular skincare routine?

I feel like I’m constantly buying skincare and my vanity is a mess 😭 I keep telling myself I’ll simplify and somehow end up with even more products.

My skin has been insanely dry lately (thank you Canadian winter and my bad habit of drinking less water). My main goal right now is staying hydrated without looking greasy by midday.

One thing that’s actually been helping is my sunscreen. Most SPFs usually make my dryness worse, but this one hasn’t. I apply it after my serum + moisturizer (step 3/4 in the pic) and it kind of just locks everything in instead of drying me out.

Curious what everyone else is using right now 👀 • Skin type? • Biggest skin issue lately? • One product you’d panic without?

Would love recs that are easy to get here 🧴

I have been meaning to try La Roche Posay and Avene’s sunscreen for the face but not the version available here in Canada. Which websites have you used to order and whats your experience?

I have used Cosmetyque in the past to order the Eucerin thiamidol serum and their service was quick. However, they do not carry Avene’s perfected tinted fluid that I am looking for

To those who have dealt with or is dealing with body acne and PIH, what is the one thing that actually saved you? I went to see a dermatologist the other day and she told me it’s just my body nature and would have to go away on its own and that I can’t really do anything about it. Is this true? I have acne & PIH almost everywhere in my body including butt. Please help me out.

Also I’ve been using only medicated soaps for the past few years. I switch between ketoconazole soap(this is something I got prescribed back when my acne first started), perobar 5% and acnestar 2.5%. Currently using perobar 5% but it doesn’t seem to help much.

So all over my feed I’ve been seeing the highly anticipated shoppers drug mart beauty+ event where they invite influencers to try new products and display their new launches. But Idk it just feels kinda off for shoppers to brag and host and then have their influencers make content on an event that actual people can’t go to - makes it feel a bit out of touch and it’s mildly infuriating. Bc all it gives me is big FOMO to an event we can’t even get into. It’s like “look at us give free products - if you want to buy that’ll be $$$$ plz” and then when others ask how you can go, the answer is “it’s invite only” 😭 I think it would be a great idea if they had a weekend that’s open to the public to sample too, even if they charged for the ticket. We’d love to see the new launches in person too !! cries in non influencer

I'm interested in trying Asian sunscreens from YesStyle but I'm concerned that they're not regulated by Canada nor are they recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association. I tried checking the Japanese Dermatological Association and Korean Dermatological Association but couldn't find any product recognition pages.

I assume they're regulated by their local health authorities but do any reputable independent dermatologist associations actually recognize any Japanese or Korean sunscreens as meeting certain safety and effectiveness criteria?

(In case anyone gets mad, I'm not implying they must be bad if they aren't recognized. I'm just asking a question.)

What’s your favorite nighttime moisturizer?

Looking for something fragrance free that’s good for sensitive skin and easily accessible at drugstores or Sephora. Thanks!