r/skintypesolutions

I started using CeraVe Daytime and Nighttime Moisturizers on my face and after a couple months the corners of my mouth and part of my chin became dry and sore. Then my skin started to burn every time I’d apply the moisturizer. I came to the conclusion that my skin’s moisture barrier was damaged. I stopped using CeraVe and now I’m using Galaxal Base and Vaseline. It’s been several months and my skin still feels dry and sometimes burns. Any suggestions for repairing my skin?

Hi everyone,
I’ve been dealing with stubborn back acne for a few years, which was originally triggered by hormonal issues (PCOD). Thankfully, my PCOD is now almost completely healed and borderline normal, but I am left with a lot of deep scarring and some remaining unmanageable acne on my back.
Today, my dermatologist started me on an aggressive treatment plan for my back. I just completed my first session of Derma Pen (microneedling) and Laser. In 20 days, I am scheduled to go back for a 50% Bio Peel (TCA) and my second laser session.
Alongside these procedures, my doctor wants me to start oral Isotretinoin (Accutane) for just one month. I've also been prescribed a Benzoyl Peroxide body wash and Oziwid (Ozenoxacin) topical cream to use at home.
My Past Routine: I used a La Roche body wash for 3 years, paired with a Salzap (Salicylic Acid) spray for a few months. I recently stopped the spray and tried Tea Tree oil, which helped calm the active bumps but didn't touch the deep scars.
My Confusion:
I am really anxious about starting Isotretinoin while actively getting lasers, microneedling, and high-strength 50% chemical peels. I always read online that you should never mix Accutane with skin-resurfacing procedures due to scarring risks, but my doctor explained it's a short 1-month course to dry out the active acne so the peels work better.
Has anyone ever taken a short "priming" dose of Isotretinoin while getting back procedures done?
How did your skin heal?
Any tips on managing the recovery, preventing friction, or dealing with the upcoming 50% TCA peel?
I would deeply appreciate any advice or success stories. Thank you so much!

I live with an elderly person, which means the house is too hot and dry to be comfortable. We live in upstate NY, and the dry heat is particularly intolerable in the wintertime (I live upstairs, where all the heat concentrates).

In a vain effort to cool off while sleeping, last winter around Christmas I opened the window near my bed while it was below zero and extremely dry outside. The next morning I woke up with my skin swollen and inflamed around my eyes, inflammation on my wrists, face, and neck, and red bumps over my arms. Basically, everywhere that was exposed to the cold dry air.

I started using Vanicream moisturizer as a treatment, and quickly switched to covering my face and arms with Vaseline. That started reducing the inflammation within a week, and I switched from Vaseline to CeraVe Healing Ointment (CHO), and this seemed to speed up my recovery. Most of the red bumps and inflammation have disappeared, but some inflammation still remains.

My recent treatment regimen looks like this: I put a layer of Vanicream on my arms, neck, and face, and put CHO on around my eyes and the inflamed spots on my wrists. Before bed I add another layer of Vanicream, but also put on CHO over my entire forearms and the back of my hands, and then put on cotton sleeves and gloves to keep it from rubbing off on my sheets. Over the past month I've also used 1% Hydrocortisone ointment on the problem areas on my wrists, which does seem to help (the CHO alone wasn't making it go away). All this keeps the inflammation under control, but I still haven't managed to get rid of it entirely, and if I let up it quickly comes back with a vengeance.

The only change I've made is for the past week I started using Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream with 1% colloidal oatmeal to see if it would make a difference. So far, it's unclear if it works any better than the Vanicream.

Any suggestions on how I can get rid of this once and for all? I'm been doing this regimen for 6 months, and it's really getting tiring. I should also note that I've never had skin problems before, rarely even needing lotion during the driest time of the year.

Hi everyone,

I'm a 20-year-old male with no acne, no dark spots, and generally clear skin. I'm mainly interested in maintaining healthy skin and my natural skin tone, not trying to whiten my skin.

Current routine:

Morning: Usually just wash my face (planning to use Cetaphil Gentle Skin Hydrating Cleanser) and sunscreen if I'm going outdoors.

Evening (after bath): Cleanser → Veraku Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Serum → Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream.

I shave every day or every other day. I recently noticed that applying the Vitamin C serum 5–10 minutes after shaving caused some mild redness and itching, so I'm planning to skip the serum on shaving days.

I use a Veraku D-Tan scrub once a week.

I'm thinking of replacing my current Tea Tree cleanser with the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Hydrating Cleanser because it's gentler.

My main questions are:

Since I don't have any skin concerns, is a Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid serum actually worth continuing once the bottle finishes, or should I just stick to cleanser + moisturizer + sunscreen?

Does this routine look balanced, or am I using unnecessary products?

Is there anything you'd change or simplify?

Thanks!

I came across your book a little more than 20 years ago when I was about to turn 30. Prior to that I did wash my face daily and use sunscreen, but I really didn't use any other products (and I had been washing my whole life with one product which was not right for my skin type.) I did the test and created a routine using mostly the cheapest options available. I spend maybe $50 a month on products. I just turned 50 and people's jaws literally drop when I tell them my age. Most assume I'm at least 10 years younger than I am. I know some of that is genetics and lifestyle but I also know that I haven't had acne or pimples at all in 20 years (except for a few periods of depression when I wasn't taking care of myself) and it used to be a regular occurrence before that.

Anyway, skin care has come a long way in that time and I totally support people using whatever products they can afford that they feel are worth it. But I just wanted to let people know that you can still achieve that with just Neutrogena and Aveeno type products!

I work in the service industry and while I wish it wasn't so, you do get treated better, and more tips, if you look younger and have clear skin. I just want to thank you for providing advice for people at all income levels. ❤️

I’m starting tret and clindamycin for face acne soon, and I currently only use Dr. Bronners Baby Unscented Castile soap and Cereve moisturizing cream. I know castile soap has a higher pH compared to face skin, which makes me worried that it might cause extra irritation with the tretinoin. I would prefer not to spend money on another cleanser, but I will if you all think it’s necessary.

I’m currently considering the Good Molecules Soothing Azeleic Acid Cleanser since I’ve read that azeleic acid and tret are a good combo. 

i’m using arbutase and sal acid pads i get from my derm. and tretinoin. how do i add in intense serum?

i dont have time to use anything other than sunscreen in the morning so i am planning to use plated just once a day. is that a waste of time?