u/IceySpiceyFire

Hello! I’m a long time lurker on this subreddit and first time posting 🫣

My skin has changed drastically in my late twenties (adult acne, extreme sensitivity, also started having mild rosacea on my cheeks, nose and forehead areas) and I think I’ve finally gotten a grasp of things. I wanted to share this journey because maybe there are some of you out there who have also been dealing with the same issues I have been and maybe this may help with a thing or two.

I also wanted to preface that along with my routine that I’ve been following to a T since late last year, I also started getting IPL/vbeam sessions done (3ish weeks ago) Ive only done my first session and I’ve got two more to go (bought a package)

Skin concerns:
- dry to normal AND sensitive skin
- Mild rosacea
- Hyperpigmentations from hormonal cystic acne (specifically around chin/jaw) areas
- Dullness and just always looking tired
- Freckles

Skincare routine:
AM
- wash with cool water
- Spray with Hypochlorous acid spray and wait to dry completely
- Thayers milky toner and while skin still slightly damp,
- Skinceuticals vitamin C (C E Ferulic with 15% l-ascorbic acid)
- Habo labo HA serum
- Strivectin barrier restore+ moisturizer
- Skinceuticals daily UV sunscreen

PM
- oil cleanse with bioderma sensibio cleanser
- Spray with Hypochlorous acid spray and wait to dry completely
- 15% Azealic acid (wait for like 30ish seconds or so for it to absorb) and then
- Thayers milky toner and while skin still slightly damp,
- Habo labo HA serum
- Strivectin barrier restore+ moisturizer

Extras
I’m still trying to work my way up by using Tret every night but right now it’s every 2-3 night depending on my skin needs. I’m using 0.025% tretinoin (gel form). When it’s Tret night, I put it on a clean, and dry bare face after cleansing and spraying Hypochlorous acid spray as I found applying either ontop or sandwiched between my moisturizer really irritated my skin.

I also am using strivectin exfoliating pads maybe 1-2x a week depending on how my skin is- I find doing this helps with the peeling. I know it sounds counterintuitive as our skin is sensitive during the peeling phase but I find if I use this maybe the night after it peels it really helps slough off the rest of the dead skin.

Unfortunately I never got a chance to take some photos before my first IPL/vbeam session but I’ve got photos from right after the procedure and I have also posted a few photos of how my skin was like 2 years ago (apologies for the difference in lighting)

I have my 2nd IPL/vbeam booked around the end of the month and I have been very fortunate to be able to purchase a red light mask (current body series 2). I would love to hear other people’s experiences using this in addition to their skincare regime if also using Tret and/or ontop of other skincare procedures such as IPL/vbeam.