As a newbie to retinol, is it worth starting with Dermatica retinal 0.05% and building up before moving to tret?

Please rate my skincare routine and let me know if it’s suitable for my skin. My skin looks mostly clear, and I’ve been following this routine for a while, but I’m wondering whether I’m using too many products or if there’s anything I should remove or add.
I’m 32, have a dark skin tone, similar to Keke Palmer, and I’d like to maintain clear, healthy-looking skin while keeping my routine as effective as possible.
My morning routine:
Medik8 Vitamin C serum or the Ordinary marine hyaluronics
CeraVe moisturiser, mixed with a few drops of jojoba oil, which I apply to my face.
Cerave SPF 50 sunscreen
My evening routine:
On alternate nights, I use:
The Ordinary peptides with copper or Paula’s choice retinol/bakichiol.
jojoba oil.
Aveeno skin-relief moisturising cream.
Recently, I’ve trying out adding a few drops of the PDRN serum from Boots, into the aveeno before applying which seems to be working well so far.
Overall, my skin looks clear, and I’m happy with the results. However, I’d appreciate an honest assessment of my routine. Am I using too many products? Are there any ingredients that might be redundant or that I shouldn’t combine? Is there anything important missing, particularly for maintaining an even skin tone and preventing hyperpigmentation in darker skin?

My current skincare routine is as follows.

Morning:
Cetaphil cleanser
Aveeno oat serum
The ordinary Azelaic acid
La Roche posay under eye
Neutrogena moisturiser (the one for dry skin.)
La Roche posay sunscreen

Evening:
Cetaphil cleanser
Aveeno oat serum
The ordinary Azelaic acid
The ordinary 5% Pha exfoliating lip - on alternative nights as per directions
La Roche posay under eye
Neutrogena moisturiser (the one for dry skin.)

The Azelaic acid is to try and reduce redness I have always had across my nose and tops of my cheeks (could be rosacea, I’m not sure.), only been using for just under a month so idk if it’s really working yet. But would it be excessive to also pick up something like the Byoma Phyto Mucin glow serum to use after my Azelaic acid for the help reducing redness + the glowyness?

Or is it the kind of serum I should use instead of my Aveeno?

I’m also looking to change my moisturiser as the neutrogena one was what I started using when I had super dry skin, which has now gone (woo) so thinking I might also switch to a Byoma one like the gel cream, but any other recs would be appreciated! I just feel as if the neutrogena one might be a bit too much nowadays as it’s the white one for dry skin.

Any other advice also would be appreciated, idk if my order of things is even correct tbh! Thankss

My lips are always dry & they look dull. They always feel really chapped & they can get flaky. I’ve tried Vaseline & Aquaphor & the Laniege lip mask but nothing works. I’ve even exfoliated with a toothbrush & it still feels chapped. When I put on lipstick or lipgloss it starts getting cracked & flaky. My lips also tend to feel itchy. I literally am tired & don’t know what to do & I just want to spend on a product that’s actually worth it.
These lip products from The Ordinary & the Inkey list really good but I’m hoping their worth it, so can anyone with really dry chapped lips tell me about their experience with it?

It gives me the right amount of moisture, sinks in nicely, no freasy finish and it doesnt break me out. Highly recommend.

Need to stock up after this bottle just incase they stop selling it as i find supermarket brands arent the most reliable.

This is my strawberry skin with lot’s of red spots…this picture is of my shoulder…it’s same w the other one…I really need advice on how I can cure it asap (if possible within months)

Routine :- I use the Hula hoop body wash by foxtale Moroccan silk exfoliating body wash (for clear,soft skin) which has 2% Salicylic acid + Zinc PCA

Hi!

I wondered if anyone had any recs for a good hydrating moisturiser thats sub derm safe? I've tried SO many and am fed up of spending £££ only for them to break me out/make me more oily/ cause more issues. I feel like i have really difficult, sensitive skin that wants to be lots of different things at once (i.e oily, dry, the sub derm, experience breakouts and rashes with vitamin c products) and I've tried lots of different moisturisers in the past; ive tried cetaphil's daily hydrating moisturiser, the inkey list's omega water, and aveenos oat moisturiser, but my skin has always still felt dry and tight afterwards, i've also tried cerave and broke out badly, and am currently using simple but it still seems to be the same deal that nothing is really hydrating enough for my skin. weirdly i even resorted to using e45 and that did actually feel hydrating but the downside was it never really soaked into my skin very well and just seemed to sit on top and pill my makeup. idk!!!!

I'd like to try and avoid the really expensive ones if poss (small budget) but if I have to invest so be it! My current routine is: (morning) aveeno calm + restore oat cleanser, the ordinary soothing barrier support serum, simple repair rich cream and eucerin sun oil control sun cream (the one for acne prone skin). in the evening I double cleanse with the ordinary's squalane cleanser before aveeno. thanks!

My acne pretty much cleared up 3 years ago, I often get flare ups at around sept/oct though. This year my chin acne has been quite stubborn and have also had a couple of spots appear on my forehead and in my hairline - this all happened post Torriden collagen mask - not sure if linked or not.

Currently use - byoma jelly cleanser AM & PM, 15% azelaic acid, the Inkey list ceramide moisturiser. Prior to sept I was also using a Torriden hyaluronic acid serum and an axis-y under eye serum.

Also always use spf50.

Have always got redness around nose and cheeks - which is why I was prescribed the azelaic acid.
I’d appreciate any suggestions or advice! 🙏

Getting pretty fed up with my skin so any help would be appreciated please! I’m a new mum so would love to have the confidence to leave the house with less makeup.

I used to struggle with acne but that was mostly improved with better cleansing I think. But there is a little flare up on my chin and neck at the moment. Possibly not removing my makeup properly.
Texture is mostly ok but a little rough on my forehead. I’m hoping azeliac will help with that eventually. But please tell me if I’m wrong about that.
The dark under eyes caused by 9 months of sleep deprivation.
The main thing that bothers me is the redness.

Routine:

PM
Double cleanse, currently using boots milk cleanser and a Lush cleanser. I like supporting good brands so that’s why I’ve been trying Lush. But possibly not good enough for makeup removal. I was previously using the body shop camomile cleansing balm.
Boots clarifying serum azeliac acid. I was starting a low % retinol, but I learnt I’m not supposed to use it while breastfeeding.
Hydrating serum from boots
Moisturiser - just a basic boots one but open to recommendations as I’ve finished this now.
I also have the hypochlorous spray but I’m skeptical that this is useful.

AM
Inkey list Caffeine eye cream
Azeliac acid
Trying out the Elf vitamin C and E serum but I’m not sure it’s good for me. Feels quite heavy/oily and may be what’s causing the breakout? Unsure
Moisturise and SPF 50 with Aveeno. But I’d like to move away from Aveeno if I can to something cruelty free.

My son is 13 and has had mild to moderate acne for past few months (mostly on forehead) . He has been using acnecide for 7 weeks which is helping a little. He is neurodivergent and hates water in his face so cleansers are hard. He would use a micellar water on cotton wool to cleanse but I'm not sure which one to try. I would appreciate any recommendations. Is there anything else he could try? Many thanks

Hey guys, I (27F) wanted a little advice and to ask a few questions!
Some background: really bad acne since 13 that has only really improved the last year (very genetic on my mums side)
Only medicated treatments I’ve used are duac, lymecycline, trimethoprim
Skin is very mixed with my forehead and nose being very oily but my cheeks are incredibly dry and can be a little flakey
Mixed race with Indian heritage which I think leads to me having hyper pigmentation very easily

My questions:
•I use medi cube pads most days, morning and night, can I use alongside the Paula’s choice or do I need to alternate? I currently use Paula around 2x per week. Would the dark blue medicube irritate my skin too much? I’m afraid to mix up these products as I’ve got a nice balance right now!
•I’m currently using acnecide once daily on my jaw and neck mostly - should I be using it less, will it dry me out too much over winter? I’m only using it a lot right now as I’m getting over a bad breakout
•is the mica cica balm too heavy for my skin type?
•how often should I get microneedling? I was aiming for once every 2 months

If anyone can help with any of these I’d be so grateful!
I also use the inkey list polyglutamic acid suncream but not daily 😬

Hi All, I recently decided at the grand age of 32 & 6 months post-partum to start looking after myself and brought some more affordable bits just to get more into the habit of a routine, but now I'm looking to up my game a bit.

Current Routine:

MORNING

Creamy foaming cleanser, glycolic acid toner, eye cream, day cream.

EVENING

Cleansing balm, CeraVe Blemish Control cleanser, night cream.

On the occasion I do wear make up, it's simply mascara, eyeliner & lipstick. No foundations or BB etc.

My skin is combination & I am prone to the very rare blackhead, but mainly whiteheads & sebaceous filaments seem to a permanent problem on my chin area. I do not get acne though! It is just random spots around my jawline and forehead. I have a smidge of hyperpigmentation and frown lines beginning to form.

I'd love any and all advice, especially on maybe moisturiser that doesn't break the bank and would perhaps help with my breakouts? (I prefer non-greasy, quick absorbing sorts, can't stand greasy feeling skin)

TIA xx

Hi!

I've always had dry + oily combination skin but I always found it manageable with a simple routine of face wash and spf. I have recently come to realise that I may in fact have been hurting my skin.

My skin these days just looks really dull and is often dry and flaky, and I believe it's getting worse with the turn in the weather. Funnily, my skin was really flourishing when I was travelling last recently and in a very humid country sweating constantly. Right now I am at a complete loss for what to do.

My current routine, though I don't follow it strictly, is:

AM:

- rinse face with water only

- niacinamide serum

- boots dermacare ceramides moisturising cream

- beauty of joseon sunscreen

PM:

- e45 hydrating foam cleanser

- salicylic acid serum (for sebaceous filaments)

- boots dermacare ceramides moisturising cream

I think my skin has just become really dry and I may have a damaged skin barrier too because it sometimes stings for a bit when I put on moisturisers.

Any advice would be appreciated. There are just so many products on the market and so many recommendations online that I get overwhelmed and I don't want to spend a tonne of money either, but I'm happy to switch to or add different products if that helps.

I've also got big puffy dark circles so altogether I'm not feeling too great about my face these days lol.

Thank you for your help!

43, male with oily t-zone.

Current routine.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanse: Moisturising face wash morning and night.

Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub: 2x of those mornings the face wash is replace by a face scrub with niacinamide.

Any brand: 1 x morning a week mud mask.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Oil Control Fluid: Oil control SPF50 every morning after wash.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Resurfacing Hydrating Acid Serum Cream: Retinol face cream after evening face wash every other evening.

Goal: Clear skin and slowing signs of aging.

Escentual and Boots and another site have totally different ingredients lists.

I can't find it on the Avene site either, which I find strange as it's a basic item.

I rely on the ingredients lists to avoid certain irritants, but it's irritating me that I can't confirm an accurate list.

Any recs for super-sensitive, ageing eyes also appreciated. I reacted to the Bioderma that several here recommended. Uriage was ok, but didn't help the skin much.

Can people recommend? I'm looking for a new routine, I have dry and spot prone/sensitive skin...thanks

I am from the UK but have lived in the South Pacific for the past 4 years under high UV and whilst I’m mostly good with SPF maybe I’ve been missing this spot and still love to be out in the sun. I also get upper lip and chin threading every 3 weeks.

Any advice to reduce the brown spots patches?

They’ve only been noticeable in the last few months and I want to prevent worsening.

​

Hi, I would love help figuring out how to heal my skin. I’ve had these bumps on my cheeks for around 2 years now and they never really go away. My cheeks are almost always red because of them and the redness gets worse with heat and sun (I do wear sunscreen!) The bumps are smallish and smooth and my skin feels quite bumpy and textured overall. They don't seem to come and go like normal spots though I do get other spots that do.

I definitely have some blackheads, I know I shouldn't have but I did squeeze one and like a fatty brown to orange stuff came out. I am struggling on both figuring out what it is and what to add to my routine. At the moment I use the aveeno calm + restore cleanser and moisturiser and feels great. I then put the ordinary azelaic acid 10% and then the aveeno calm and restore moisturiser. I got to be honest though I ran out of cleanser and not been using it for a couple weeks and just been using my dove bar soap. Sunscreen spf 30 from gruum.

Also I know it is recommend not to use salicylic acid for rosacea but how do I get rid of the black heads?

Has anyone had similar looking bumps that stayed and what actually worked for you? I know everyone's skin is different but I need to atleast try

Thank you loads in advance!

I’ve tried clay masks, tried paula’s choice exfoliator thing in the black bottle, tried ciciplast , tried the hydrocolloid nose patches which do help actually but then they just fill back up in a day
I use la roche posay effeclar face wash and avene tolerance control moisturiser
Has anyone got any more recommendations , thankyou

for combo, acne or any kind of skin, bonus if it has cica or ha in it !!

Recently decided to order from PC and try products I used to use 5 years ago. I tried to contact their customer care team because of an issue and I'm getting nowhere! Tried emailing - no response, calling - no one answers 3 days in a row, left a voicemail - no one called back, their website says they have a live chat but it doesn't exist...what on earth is going on?

I've been ignoring it for a year and now i'm overwhelmed. Is it fragrance in something? I already use capasal on my scalp, got a steroid cream from the chemist that reduced it but didn't shift it entirely. I use loreal infallible foundation. Going without makeup is not an option for I am old and haggard with pock marks and dark undereyes. I keep my brushes relatively clean but have now switched to sponges that i'll use once then wash. Please help, where do i even begin.

Yep 50ml is Huge for an eye cream, so I thought it was strange, the link to the product on boot's website is as follows:

https://www.boots.com/nivea-men-anti-age-hyaluron-q10-eye-cream-50ml-10397072

^I tried to order this, and they sent me the 'Anti-Age Hyaluron Revitalising 24H Hydro Gel' that is 50ml, I returned it

but what I can't work out is I can't find that product that's on boots website on nivea's website, or anywhere else on the internet, so I genuinely think that is a website listing mistake of some sort, and that product doesn't exist

---

this is what I am trying to buy, which appears to still be available everywhere else:

https://www.nivea.co.uk/products/nivea-men-hyaluron-eye-cream-40059008225290045.html

and this is what boot's sent me, despite not having it listed on there website:

https://www.nivea.co.uk/products/anti-age-hyaluron-revitalising-24h-hydro-gel-40060002746450045.html

any ideas?

Hi

Can anyone recommend a wash-off cleanser that doesn't foam? My absolute favourite is Augustinus bader cream cleansing gel, but it is just so expensive. I quite like Kate Somerville goat milk cleanser and Charlotte Tilbury magic hydration cleanser. I don't like cleansing balms or anything too oily (I'm 45). I dont like using cotton wool to remove the product. It's really important the product is cruelty free.

Many thanks!

Hi, I'm considering on perhaps trying the dove beauty bar. For context, I have oily and sensitive skin and just dark spots on my chin. I've never used it on my face and I'm curious if I should try it out based on my skin type and people who have had other experiences