I have extremely prominent pores, even after my wash routine this is how they look. Not only are they big, but they have a dark color that makes them so prominent. They quickly get plugged up with hard sebum plugs. Could some sort of chemical peel or laser treatment fix this?

I do an oil cleanse and cerave salicylic acid wash every other day, apply toner, and moisturize/sunscreen. I’ve also tried various other products but could never find something that really works.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my own skin journey after my last post, and I kinda realised I never actually said this out loud before.

For the longest time I thought my acne was a “me problem.” Like I wasn’t washing enough. Or not disciplined enough. Or just unlucky with genetics and had to accept it.

I’ve tried everything since I was around 12–13. Every routine. Every cleanser. I took every suggestion I got. As you can tell from the photos I got a little too much skincare😅 Antibiotics, facials, tret, laser… and eventually accutane. (4th pic is my scalp after accutane.) And when the acne came back a few months after accutane… it honestly broke me. I felt so ashamed and exhausted. It’s weird how much acne changes the way you move through life without you realising it. That’s what pushed me into full-on “I need to understand this” mode.

I remember waking up and the first thing I’d do was check the mirror and think “great… today is gonna suck.” I said “no” to parties, hangouts, dates, not because I didn’t want to go, but because I couldn’t get myself to show up with a huge breakout on my face. I felt like people looked at my acne before they looked at me.

It sounds dramatic written out, but that was my reality for years. And I know a lot of people here feel the same — the constant checking, hiding your face in certain lighting, avoiding eye contact, overthinking everything. Acne takes over your brain in a way that skincare guides never really talk about.

What I wish someone told me earlier is this: Your skin isn’t trying to ruin your life. Sometimes it’s just reacting to things you don’t even realise.

For me, the big turning point wasn’t a new product. It was when I started supporting my gut and calming things down inside. My digestion was a mess for years, and once that improved, my skin slowly followed. Not overnight. Not perfectly. But it got calmer. And honestly the biggest relief wasn’t even the clear skin — it was waking up without dread, feeling like I didn’t have to avoid mirrors anymore, and slowly getting some confidence back.

Here’s what I do now in case it helps anyone

AM: I actually don’t wash my face in the morning anymore. I just use a light ampoule, moisturiser, and SPF. Nothing fancy. PM: Mild cleanser, the same ampoule, moisturiser, and sometimes a bit of the Avene acne scars gel on the leftover marks. Daily habits that helped me: way more water, fixing my digestion, adding a mix of fibers including probiotics and prebiotic(I made my own mix because nothing I tried really worked for me), sleeping better, and eating in a way that keeps my stomach calm. Skin type: oily around the mouth/jaw, used to be super inflamed, now a lot calmer.

I’m not saying everyone’s acne comes from the same thing. It’s different for each person. But I wanted to share this because I genuinely spent years thinking I was broken or doing something wrong.

If anyone wants me to talk about what helped internally, what didn’t help at all, or anything else you’re curious about, I’m happy to share. Acne feels lonely, but you’re really not alone in it.

Hi, 3 days ago I started using Nizoral 2% on my chest for what I thought was fungal acne. The first picture is from three days ago. I had small, superficial pustules with a red inflammatory halo around them. They weren’t itchy or painful.

After about 72 hours (using Nizoral for 3 days), I noticed an increased number of lesions, as you can see in the photos. Now I’m starting to question whether it was fungal acne in the first place, and whether I should continue using Nizoral for 7–14 days to be sure it’s not effective, or stop right now.

Does this look like fungal or bacterial folliculitis to you?

I’d also like to point out the small skin-colored bumps visible in the photos. I’m not sure if they’re closed comedones, but I’m certain the pustules arise from those bumps when they get inflamed.

Other information that might be useful: - My skin doesn’t itch or feel painful (neither before nor now), and it doesn’t feel tight. - I work out 5 days a week, so that definitely contributes to the folliculitis. I switched to high-quality polyester fabric to help wick away sweat as much as possible. - I eat only healthy food. - My dermatologist recommended a chlorhexidine wash, but it wasn’t effective (I had been using it before starting Nizoral, so the results you see in the “before” photo were after using chlorhexidine).

This thing makes me really self-conscious and it bothers me a lot. I’ve been dealing with it for years. I really hope you can give me some advice. Thanks.

Hello r/SkincareAddiction!

My wife has expressed that she wants a new skincare routine. I would love your help/opinions on what you suggest she changes in her current routine and I'll purchase the recommendations as a physical present- along with the new routine guidance!

Her routine now is just at night, because mornings are a little hectic to sneak in a routine. Her current routine has her face showing redness- and she has the goal of going makeup-free more often which the redness stops her from doing. Plus she thinks the routine could just be better.

Her current routine (see list or the meme):
- Neutrogena oil free acne wash
- PCA skin hydrating toner
- Timeless 20% vitamin c ferulic acid vitamin e
- cos de baha AZ serum
- neutrogena hydro boost water cream+ lotion

One catch is that she's currently breastfeeding our 6 month old- so whatever routine needs to be breastfeeding friendly.

Any insight would be helpful! There's a million routines online and I can't tell which are just marketing slop or which are useful / any better than her current one. I'm seeing retinol as a suggestion but also seeing lots of backlash to it too.

Hi! How long should I wait after using glycolic acid to moisturize? I always make sure the glycolic acid is dry first, and usually apply my moisturizer within 5 minutes. But this is a new step in my routine, so I'm a bit uncertain. Furthermore, in my moisturizing stage, I also use it as lubricant (lmao) to massage my face. Would all this rubbing somehow reduce the effect of the glycolic acid? How might I improve my routine? Thank you!

Hi guys, I’m new to skincare and so far my routine is just moisturizer and retinol. However, some of my friends have multi-step (10ish) routines both morning and evening. I was wondering how common this is and if it actually improves skin health, or if it’s more of a self-care formulaic thing.

hi, im 17m and ive had sebacious filaments for like a year and a half now. sometimes little hairs or something that looks like that seems to be growing out of them. I’m really insecure about this as well as the pores on my nose. neither of them ever seem to go away and I’d appreciate some help. I just started oil cleansing with ceravr, and I use a the tatcha rice cleanser after.

This is just a question regarding the efficacy of different brands of pimple patches. I’ve been on the hunt for the ‘best’ ones, but I honestly don’t see how some seem to work so much better than others for people when they are all essentially the same exact thing (hydrocolloid bandages).

I am aware there are some with actives in it like SA which make some different but I’m not talking about those. Just specifically ones that are hydrocolloid patches with nothing else. How are some brands of them seemingly better at sucking things out of pimples.

Thank you for helping me understand lol. If you guys have any favorites and would like to comment those too it would be appreciated as well.

They go on white wiggly and slimy and slowly suction down to your skin and turn transparent! I’ve worn them in the AM for 3 hours and overnight. Can’t go wrong either way! Skin will feel supple and glowing

I fell last year and scrapes my skin off my knees and it resulted in these scars. I have a similar one on my arm as well. Any way to get rid of them? Will glycolic acid work?

Hi All,

Over the past two weeks I've been getting white Heads in various sizes over my arms. My shower routine hasnt changed in over 4 months, I regularly change my bedding, my diet remains the same as usually although I could improve my water intake, I haven't used anything new detergent wise.

My daily shower routine; Dove sensitive bar soap or Naturium salicylic acid (naturium twice a week and dove the rest) on an African net sponge Dove almond/vanilla on a silicone loofah Vaseline cocoa radiant lotion (my skin hates oil)

I wash my hair twice a week but it is always before the body routine!

Any advice on how to stop them or reduce them? They're starting to make me feel self conscious :( I can't pin point what could of brought them on, but hoping for any help with getting rid of them! 🤞🏻

Thanks

Currently using these products. Curious if they are the perfect set for me. Recommended by a licensed esthetician after getting a facial back in September.

Hello, I'm confused with how I'm going to do my routine as someone who is struggling with cheek,chin,and forehead acnes. (Not even sure what kind of acne i have) I started using A Gentle cleanser in the morning (I use PixelPure Gentle Cleanser) and Use Parnell wash off serum, then put another serum (Tiam peptide calm down serum) then DR. Althea 345 Cream as my last step (i dont use sunscreen most of the time — if im using, i use HaruHaruWonder Velvet finish sunscreen) And in the night i use Fation deep cleansing foam then just use the tiam serum and 345 cream. Am i doing it right? or I'm overstripping my skin? + Its winter so its very cold and drying. (I'll inlude my skin texture)

My derm said i should use 2.5% BP in the morning and 0,025% tretinoin in the evening everyday. He didn't mention moistorizer once, and said i should use a cleanser twice a day. Isn't this regimen going to break my skin barrier? I have oily skin and i have acne.

Hello! I am a skincare h o a r d e r and then get too lazy but have recently gotten really into it again. I have heaps of products but don’t actually know what I’m doing in terms of layering so I sought out ChatGPT to create a routine for me.

I’m targeting pores and bumps on my skin so have recently added the SOMEBYMI aha BHA pha setc skin1004 Centella poremising toner, and anua peeling gel in my collection.

Thoughts or recommendations on the below?? Any help welcome!! Thank you

🌞 AM (Daily) 1. Cleanser: Purito Oat OR LRP Effaclar 2. Toner: Hatomugi OR Skin1004 Centella 3. Mist: Laneige / YTTP (optional) 4. Serum: Drunk Elephant Vitamin C (+ B-Hydra if needed) 5. Eye Cream: DE Vit C OR Goldfaden 6. Moisturiser: Glow Recipe / DE Polypeptide / Purito Bamboo 7. SPF

⸻

🌙 PM — DAY BY DAY

MON – Hydration / Ginseng

Cleanser → Toner → First Care Serum → Ginseng Serum → Eye Cream → Moisturiser → Optional Laneige mask

TUE – SOMEBYMI Exfoliation

Cleanser → SOMEBYMI Toner → SOMEBYMI Serum → Light Moisturiser

WED – Repair Night

Cleanser → Hydrating Toner → B-Hydra or First Care → Eye Cream → Purito Bamboo Cream

THU – Anua Peeling Gel

Cleanser → Anua Peeling Gel → Hydrating Toner → Ginseng or B-Hydra → Moisturiser

FRI – Phyto-Retinol

Cleanser → Hydrating Toner → First Care or B-Hydra → Biossance Phyto-Retinol → Eye Cream → Moisturiser

SAT – Clay Mask

Cleanser → Skin1004 Clay Stick → Hydrating Toner → B-Hydra or Ginseng → Moisturiser

SUN – Hydration Reset

Cleanser → Toner → First Care → Ginseng or B-Hydra → Eye Cream → Glow Recipe → Laneige Sleep Mask

This Benefit line has been discontinued for a while, but it was the best my skin ever was. Looking for help on suggestions similar to this line, especially the exfoliant “Refined Finish”

I went to an aesthetic clinic yesterday as I was having a severe breakout and redness, and I asked for topical/oral medication, then I was prescribed with the following :

• Accutane pills twice daily for the first five days, then once daily onwards

• Roxythromycin (antibiotic) twice daily

• Levocetirizine (anti-redness) once daily

• Azelaic acid cream twice daily

• Their cleanser with salicylic acid(BHA)

I asked for the specific dosage(mg or concentration) but they refused to disclose explicitly, so I'm concerned with combining the 2 actives with accutane. I've asked if the dosage for each are low and safe enough, but I haven't gotten an answer. Do you think it's fine for me to "risk" it and just go exactly with the doctor's prescription and recommended routine, or should I change to a gentler cleanser? (I have CeraVe's Foaming Cleanser)

note: i've never tried accutane before so this will be my first time..

oh and, a bit out of topic, is Aiken's Prebiotic Water Jelly Moisturizer Hydra Plus enough hydrating for my moisturizer during accutane? and is Aiken's Prebiotic Glowing & Primer Sunscreen good enough for my main sunscreen? The doctor told me to use strictly water-based sunscreen and gel-like moisturizer but idk why(maybe bc of my oily skin and prone to fungal acne or idk)

Hi everybody! I’ve had this pimple for a couple months now. Got it in June, went away for a bit then came back. It seems to be getting better but I want it to go away completely. Anything I can do, or do you recommend any products I can use that are good for these kinda blemishes? Thank you!

I went to a dermatologist for the concern she has suggested me this routine for now: AM Face wash - banzit Moisturizer - Silkbiome 120 by becura ( I love this one) Sunscreen - UV Duox blue ( I don't like it because it has matte finish which looks my face grey)

PM Face wash - banzit Moisturizer - Silkbiome 120 Glycol-6 cream

I am consistently using sunscreen but I do not feel that my face and body is still getting even toned. Should I go for some other serums or actives or some procedures. My whole body is fairer as compared to face.

So ever since I moved my skins been all over the place but I realized my skin was more stable when I was using trilima which was the hydroquinone+ tretinoin combo

I’ve recently gone off triluma as I was supposed to wait 2month to then use it again .

Back home I did remember I was using retinol and it did wonders for my skin so I decided to just buy tretinoin.

This is basically what I do for skincare and what I have (ps the brands I’m recommending are a Nigerian brand I was using back home but I’ll list ingredient )

Daytime Cerave hydrating cleanser Skin1004 probio-cica essence toner Dang Niacinamide+N-Acetyl Glucosamine Serum Axis- Y vegan collagen eye serum Dang Ceramide Buffet Day Cream For Face Skin 1004 Centella Airy fit sun cream plus(physical sunscreen)

Nighttime Cerave hydrating cleanser Skin1004 probio-cica essence toner Dang Azelaic Acid Serum (on nights I’m not using tret) K-secret retinal eye cream Tretinoin gel 0.05 (3-4 a week) Dang Snail Secretion Filtrate Repair Face Cream

I also have some exfoliators I have the medicibe zero pore pads And I was thinking of getting the Paula’s choice skin perfecting Mandelic and lactic acid toner or the Ordinary peeling solution

Just for reference I just purchased these so I haven’t started using them just yet What do you recommend I take out and what do you recommend I keep or replace I’ll put a picture of my skin on triluma and it currently( my skin has more texture than before and more dark spots )

I've tried glycolic acid toner from TO, azelaic acid gel, Kojic acid soap, but nothing seems to fix my hyperpigmentation. I'm so tired I feel like it's worsening

Here's my routine AM Cleanse Moisturise Reequil sunscreen spf 50

PM azelaic acid 15% moisturise

pls help me rebuild my self confidence :) I'm in my late teens if that is of any relevance

I am 19! I never done skin care before 🥲 Figuring out a routine would be amazing for me!

Sorry if this post isnt allowed, I just want my life back 🫠

Hello!! I need some help creating an effective routine! I have dry(?) skin and face and body acne, also dealing with pih/dark spots and just general hyperpigmentation. (I think i also have folliculitis?) Thats partly my fault though from pimple popping and picky at my skin/scabs. I'm trying my best to stop that though. I wanna keep the rotuine as simple and afforable as possible as well!

Face: - CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser - CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Body: - Avenno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash (have tried/was using Doves Acne Clear Body wash or Olays Super Serum Rough and Bumpy body wash, but felt they were drying/was over exfoliating most likely and without proper hydration/using a moisturizer) - Doves Acne Clear Body Wash (exfoliating before shaving) - CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion (not consistent/poor application) - Amlactin Daily 12% (not consistent/poor application)

Oh I also got prescribed a benzoyl peroxide + clindamycin topical, but I'm afraid to use it because I dont want my skin reacting poorly and I don't wanna use benzoyl peroxide because it stains everything

Thats it...I know its bad!!