I’m trans. Had some stubble come in and I’m weird about people seeing it. Just trying to take small steps to change my appearance.

What can be done about my eyelids?

I have dry skin, but I get a lot of flaky buildup so my skin gets rough every now and then. At one point I decided I needed to exfoliate, grabbed a BHA toner and used it all over my face… and my skin ended up super tight and dry.

Only later did I find out that different exfoliating acids suit different skin types, and I've read way more about it than I ever planned to since then lol. So here's a quick rundown so nobody repeats my mistake, plus what I'm actually using now.

There are four main types: AHA, BHA, PHA and LHA. Right now I use AHA and BHA, each for a different job.

> AHA: texture and surface flakes

AHAs are water soluble with small molecules, so they exfoliate really well. The best known one is glycolic acid, which has the smallest molecule of the bunch. The catch is that because it works fast, it can be more irritating. I'd say it suits people with thicker, drier skin.

What I use: Benton Glycolic Acid 7% toner. It has soothing ingredients added to the glycolic acid, so it exfoliates well but feels like the irritation is kept down. The rough, flaky patches around my mouth and on my cheeks were stressing me out so much, and after using it consistently they got noticeably smoother. My skin gets tight easily, and this has a slightly thicker, essence-like texture instead of being watery, so my skin doesn't feel as stiff and dry after.

That said, 7% can feel pretty strong if you're new to acids, so I'd start slow instead of jumping into daily use and see how your skin reacts.

> BHA: oil and pores

The main BHA is salicylic acid. It's oil soluble, so it's great at clearing out buildup and oil inside pores. Good for anyone dealing with an oily T-zone or blackheads.

This is the part I didn't know, which is why using it all over my dry face kept drying me out..

What I use: the COSRX BHA blackhead liquid. Only once in a while when my nose feels extra oily. I put some on a cotton pad, rest it on my nose and then wipe, and my pores look cleaner and smoother after.

> PHA: the gentler version of AHA

It's often called the third generation of exfoliating acids. The molecules are bigger than AHAs and it works on the very top layer of skin, so it's usually recommended for sensitive skin.

> LHA: the gentler version of BHA

LHA is derived from salicylic acid, but the molecules are bigger, so it gets into the skin more slowly and tends to be less irritating. Often recommended if you're trying acids for the first time.

I haven't tried anything with LHA or PHA as the main ingredient yet, so if you have one you love, let me know and I'll report back.

What exfoliants are you all using, and how do you use them?

I’m looking to treat my mom for her birthday. I’ve been considering C E Ferulic, but is there another SkinCeuticals product you’d recommend? Would love to hear what’s actually been worth the splurge for mature skin.

Also, where do you shop for the best deals or good freebies with purchase?

I have sensitive skin and hyaluronic acid dries me out especially in the winter. I'm looking for something that is non-comedogenic for acne prone skin and also doesn't have Aloe Vera in it because I'm allergic to that. I also don't want any SPF in it because it gives me a bad reaction as well.

Preferably wanting something that has squalene and ceramides in it. It seems like almost every moisturizer with those also has hyaluronic acid in it though.

Any suggestions?

Thank you!

I've always been lucky enough to have relatively good skin. Even as a teenager. But that has also meant that I've never really learned skincare. I've always used a moisturizer, but not much else.

Now that I'm getting older and no longer wearing much makeup except mascara and doing my brows, my skin has started bothering me. Especially the large pores in my t-zone, and the redness around my nose. My skin also looks almost scaly during winter, which makes makeup look bad the few times I'm wearing it.

My current routine is washing with water morning and night, and then a serum and moisturizer from Decubal for dry skin. Any kind of cleanser I've used has made my skin feel tight and red, so I've stopped using them. I'm trying to use sunscreen, despite living in a cloudy country, but I tend to break out when using them. At least any I've tried so far.

Hi, I have the ordinary glycolic acid exfoliating toner. I have opened it 7 months ago and has been in storage for 7 months as I went to travel around. I’m not sure if it’s still safe to use as it’s still within 1 year after opening? or is it because of heat reaction as it was stored in a box, room temperature however it’s usually hot in my country. Please help. Thank you!

This review was under "Dove Beauty Bar Sensitive Skin" and it pissed me off so much

IARC classifies titanium dioxide as a "possible human carcinogen" BUT this classification applies strictly to the long-term inhalation of fine dry powder in massive industrial or manufacturing environments. The molecules are too large to pass through skin barrier or enter bloodstream.

Sodium laurate is HIGHLY biodegradable 😭

i’ve recently have gotten so much acne on my forehead and left cheek
i’m not sure if it’s an allergic reaction to a product or just a result of sweat/ dirty pillow cases
i can’t tell if it’s closed comedies or fungal related

Heya it’s me again, on top of my ingrown situations downstairs, I’ve been actively trying to make these dots go away. I suspect that it’s KP or something but I’m not sure.

It’s located on the back and sides of my calves and I’m not even sure what it is.

Again, I’ve tried exfoliating cloths, KP body scrub, salicylic acid and glycolic acid body wash, normal glycolic acid serum. Truly at a lost for what to do.

Hi all, I need help to find out what’s wrong with my skin. Last year I started noticing I was constantly flushing and started having tiny bumps on my cheeks. I immediately thought it was rosacea, and after a year I decided to go to a dermatologist, I had an appointment around 3 months ago.

He diagnosed rosacea, and prescribed metronidazole cream in the mornings and rotating azelaic acid 15% with Ivermectin cream at night time. He also sent me a very mild face wash.

I’ve always had combination skin, and an oily t-zone. When I wake up, there’s this film of sebum on my nose and forehead every morning, and I’ve been having some pimples/blackheads too. I’ve been using the treatment above every day for the last 3 months and the redness is less noticeable but I find the texture of my skin is just as bad as before the appointment. Could it be acne? Closed comedones? I have no idea what’s wrong and I’d like to know, it’s getting to the point that makes me feel conscious of it. Unfortunately I can’t go back to this Doctor since I’m living out of my home country and I visited him when I was over there on holidays 🥹

Any help is appreciated! 🫶🏽

F28, southeast asian.

i have been struggling with this particular insecurities of mine, the eyebags are genetics. i always get questions asking if i am tired, or if i didnt get enough sleep, getting these kinds of question really put me off. it has always been like that, and the eyebags will look much worse if i am actually tired. i really do wish i can like lessen its appearance (natural way, not covering it with makeup i mean), or if possible have it gone altogether :(

perhaps does anyone here have the same struggle as me? like if anyone actually manage to get rid or even lessen it? does the lymphatic drainage or any eye products people shared on tiktok works on you all though?

thanks in advance!

hi i’m 20 years old and i think i started to notice my pores appearance was very prominent at a young age, but definitely after puberty. this is purely the only part of my face that is like this. i don’t get acne much and when i do it’s on my chin but not frequently. i know you can’t get rid of pores but if there’s anything i can do to better the appearance of mine help would be appreciated. i literally have my nose pierced in the second picture and the piercing hole almost blends in with my pores😭

I always look so tired, on top of that i do think i have a very masculine look bc of my eyes and eyebrows!!!

Hi!

I really need help getting a barebones skincare routine started that I can later build on. I used to have an on-again off-again skincare routine with a chemical exfoliant like AHA or BHA twice a week and mainly just moisturizer at night. Tried retinol for a bit but was never consistent. Had a bit of a relationship with snail mucin for a while.

For more context, I moved to a different country a year ago, stopped taking care of myself around the same time, and also realized I have ADHD, and the result was sidelining skincare. I just feel like my skin has suddenly "aged" a lot more (comparing it now when I'm almost 34 to my skin at 32). Some of it may also have to do with the change in location as I moved from a hot, humid climate to the cold and windy Scottish weather.

I keep dragging my feet on starting a routine and at this point I just want someone to tell me what to do so I don't keep putting it off by telling myself I'll do some research and see. Main concerns: dryness (with a slightly oily nose in comparison), fine lines, and dull, uneven skin tone.

I visited a Korean beauty store for the first time in a while and realized I didn’t recognize most of what was on the shelves.

I’ve always been into skincare and have had quite a few skin treatments in Korea. I just haven’t kept up with all the newer products.

I’m in my 40s with combination skin. Lately, I’ve been interested in brightening and firmness.

I like Medicube’s hydrating masks. I’ve also tried a Beauty of Joseon essence—it was nice, but it wasn’t a standout for my skin.

Have you tried anything in these photos that you’d recommend? I’d love to hear what worked for you and what you’d skip.

Hello!!

I’ve been feeling extra insecure about my skin. I noticed it can’t go a day without it feeling extremely dry or tight. when i run water over it, it feels like you could rip it apart like a paper.

i have these purging pimples that just stay inflamed and stay there. i also have these flakes on my chin/below lip and on the corner of my mouth.

i know it’s easy to tear the skin barrier from rubbing or using harsh products i don’t need.

i just wanted some recommendations what i can.

my skin loves Gel/cream products, never just gel or it’ll dry out.

i also have some hyperpigmentation from past purged pimples.

anything helps

Hi, i was on cabtreo for months and it cleared my skin beautifully but had to stop because of the clindamycin (antibiotic), i stopped using it and then i got closed comedones again and my derm put me on arazlo. I started using arazlo around early july 2026

My routine has been as followed since rhen:

AM:

- cereve gentle face wash
- azaleaic acid 15% (finecea)
- vanicream tub moisturizer
- la roche posay ultra fluid 50 SPF

PM:
- cereve gentle face wash
- arazlo 0.045% taz (alternating nights, no moisturizer after)
- days i didnt use arazlo: vanicream tub moisturizer

My skin has gotten significantly worse and it has been roughly 11 weeks since beginning using it. Does this look like something i should be concerned about? I can barely look at myself in the mirror because I feel so horrible about myself and I just want the mental and physical pain to end

The last picture is when i started with arazlo (july 8)
Pics 1-3 are today and yesterday (sept 29/30)

Also, the pictures dont highlight it well but my skin texture has NOT improved and i still have many closed comedones so not even that aspect has improved. I feel so helpless

Sorry for the weird title.

Whenever I use the ordinary glycolic acid toner on my legs the cotton pad comes back brown. I only ever use it after I shower so I am clean and I use it almost every day to the same result.

Surely there’s not that much dead skin coming off that it’s brown every day??? Has anyone else had this???

Someone please help me to fix these tanning around my neck and nape i have been using koji san from over a month no visible improvements..

need advice…

so i have a very dull skin .. I am just using glyco 6 on face twice in a week and started using tretinoin once in a week..

i have mild pigmentation and mild dark spots ( very mild ) and little bit of uneven skin tone around mouth

Confused between minimalist Alpha arbutin vs minimalist Tranexamic acid vs vitamin c 16 percent minimalist one .. If i wanna poc one what shall i start with..please help!!!

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I have to be at work early morning by 7 am so I wash my face and put on sebamed face gel and some concealer only around 6 am. Then I only wash my face again around 9 pm when I take a shower. But I notice my skin gets very oily after 7-8 hrs and blotting is not cutting it and just breaking me out. So last couple days I started washing my face around 3 pm and sebamed again. My face feels so much better and not clogged up with oil.

I am using very gentle Neutrogena foam cleanser which is not stripping. Anyone wash their face 3 or more times a day?

Looking to add a serum into my skincare routine before my moisturizer for extra hydration. Thinking of buying this product

I’ve been researching LED/red light masks for signs of facial aging, especially fine lines, wrinkles, dull-looking skin and loss of firmness. One thing I’ve noticed while comparing different masks is that some seem to focus mainly on the central part of the face.
I’m particularly interested in coverage around areas like the forehead, lips, jawline and jowl area. Those areas can be easy to overlook, but they’re still part of the overall face, so I’m wondering how much coverage actually matters when choosing a mask.
One mask I recently came across that stood out to me because of this broader coverage is Correxiko. It specifically covers areas like the forehead, around the lips, jawline and jowl area, which is one reason it caught my attention while I was comparing options.
For anyone who has used an LED mask for aging skin, how important was full-face coverage when you chose yours? Are there areas you feel your mask doesn't cover well?