Slightly oily skin, some PIE + PIH from acne when I was younger. Some tiny bumps on forehead, probably because I haven’t exfoliated in a long time. My face skin tolerates actives super well and I don’t get dried out/breakout by them. Even accutane barely made my skin dry (rest of body and lips got destroyed though)

Daily routine I’m planning on starting on (I’ve used + liked all of these in the past before after a ton of experimentation, though never all at once):

AM (no waiting between any layers)

Garnier micellar pink cap (for cleansing)

Thayers toner (to wipe off cleanser + reset pH levels)

AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream

TO Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% (for PIE + PIH + exfoliating (but does it even exfoliate if I put this over my moisturizer?))

PM

Garnier micellar pink cap

Thayers toner

TO Niacinamide 10% (for skin texture)

Adapalene 0.3% (retinoid for anti-aging)

Wait 10 minutes for this to sink in

AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream

And then once a week I’ll microneedle my face with TO 2% hyaluronic acid + b5 before + after

And rarely if I give a shit I’ll put on some Biore UV or waterproof Skin Aqua sunscreens. Can’t find the links though

Are there any better products I can swap my current ones with?

Any products I should introduce? (I feel like I could add one more active in AM after toner and before moisturizer, maybe a gentle AHA/BHA for more exfoliation?)

Should I change the order of anything around?

  • Othello [comrade/them, love/loves]@hexbear.netEnglish
    1·
    5 months ago

    great routine but i would ditch the toner, it doesn’t do much. i would try double cleansing with an oil based cleanser instead. 10% niacinamide is a lot, most studies are on around 2-3% and anything more mat be too irritating for some people. its a real ymmv formulation. breaks me out like crazy. adapaline, great choice! maybe move on up to tretinoin if you want something stronger and more effective (but more sensitizing). i really enjoy curology, and they will put niacinamide, and azelaic acid in your custom formula if you want, which I find works beautifully. micro needling, nice! make sure you release your needles OFTEN. if they get dull they may be more harm then good. great results when done safely. also disinfect them every single time. DO NOT ADD ANONTHER EXPHOLIATOR you are already micro-needling and on a retinoid, your already pushing it! last thing on that note is that you MUST wear sunscreen if your using Adapaline, you must must must must I COMAND YOU. last thing I would encourage you to do is to try slugging, it may seem counter-intuitive if you oily but oily skin needs a strong moister barrier too. just need a tiny but of vasaline on your most sensitive parts of your face on a day your not using Adapiline.

    but does it even exfoliate if I put this over my moisturizer?

    yes, maybe a bit less though. but 100% yeah its getting in there. i find that formula to be a bit gritty though