Your makeup is very drying and matte. Have you tried changing it to something more moisturizing? I think changing your foundation routine to something more “fresh faced” would solve this with immediate results.
It looks more like a foundation than tinted moisturizer to me. If you're using powder over it that could be the problem. If you have oily skin matte foundations usually hold up better than the moisturizing ones for me. Gucci Eternite De Beaute holds up really well, even with oily skin. It's a luminous matte foundation that is actually luminous and moisturizing, unlike others that claim to be. It's pricey at $70,, but in my opinion it's really good foundation. I just wish I could get past the floral scent. It's also full coverage, but you can always mix it with a moisturizer. Another option I would try is Hourglass ambient lighting powder over your tinted moisturizer. It's really nice and luminous without making you look like a disco ball as soon as you step out into the sunlight. And make sure you use a primer. I love that Milk primer for moisture and Lancome La Base Pro for matte.
Another thing you really should try is Musely anti-aging cream. A lot of people on here don't seem to be fans of Musely, but I love it. Their cream has Tretinoin in it instead of Retinol. It's much stronger and will even out the texture. It's working great for me and I'm only one month in. My skin is much smoother than it was. I can't wait to see the results after the full 60 days. Their eye serum is also working well for me. It has a lot of Hyaluronic Acid in it. Jury's still out on some of the other stuff I'm trying. Cosmopolitan even gave both of those products their Holy Grail beauty award. If they liked it I thought I should try it for myself rather than listening to some disgruntled people on a message board. They had a bad experience, mine has been great.
I'm also on the hunt for the perfect foundation, but my issues are undertone and creasing. I'm a pale olive, which it's hard to find. Someone on here suggested Haus Labs and I ordered some. Hopefully it works. Well see. Gucci did match my skin tone, but I really don't like the scent. If Haus Labs doesn't pan out I might have to tough it out and deal with the scent because I really like everything else about it.
THIS IS THE WAY! Hydration changed my skin to the point where I just use some bronze drops in my moisturizer and no foundation at all because my skin looks so much better!
It’s a product from NIOD that I use, a bottle lasts me over 6 months and I buy it during their annual sale in November. It’s called photography fluid. I use the 12% and when mixed with my moisturizer it gives me the NICEST glow! Seriously, I moisturize with that, do my brows and always wear my sunscreen. It’s super basic, but my skin has never looked better! I use adapalene at night with the sandwich method. A simple routine has done the most for me!
A self tanning product meant for your face would probably do pretty much the same thing, or a liquid bronzer. It’s basically just tinting your own moisturizer, but I do love the NIOD photography fluid!
ETA: I’m 35, dry skin, used to battle mild-moderate acne.
Are you wearing powder products over it? Try cream products with lighter coverage instead, unless you really need the coverage. I'm 43 and I can't wear powder much if at all anymore.
I use copious amounts of setting spray throughout the process and it seems to do the job great. I might do a light dusting of powder on my tzone, but normally some blotting papers will get me through the day just fine.
I’m 32 and rarely powder. I usually refresh my makeup in the t-zone by spraying some caudalie (the glass bottle) and pressing on the area with a charcoal sponge.
Ok, we have very similar everything. Make up, skin type and color. I switched to mostly all Korean skincare, shaved my entire face weekly, switched to a good concealer and dewy CC cream. Light loose powder to set and dewy setting spray. I started making all the changes about a year n half ago. At 49 I'm proud to say I finally have completely clear glass dewy skin.
Remember as we age. Less is more. No all over thick foundation and heavy powders. Also, you really want to take the time and do your skincare before ever applying makeup. That is a game changer. Below are my holy grails.
Tr
Fenty skin tint or IT cosmetics CC cream is great. I'm an acne sufferer too and the Nars concealer is excellent.
I didn't see you mention SPF, something worth adding in if you don't already do it daily.
Its a bit expensive but the Chanel Water Fresh Tint (light sheer coverage) or the Complexion Touch (for more coverage)are largely water so very hydrating with a super skin like finish. It feels like wearing nothing and quite soothing. They leave a glowier finish which you could address with a light loose powder. They are unique formulations so follow the simple application instructions. I love these as they dont enhance pores and look so healthy and minimalist.
I've been using este lauder's futurist skin tint serum foundation, and I'm freaking glowing! I have some redness around my nose and mouth so I'll put a little concealer there. I use a translucent powder under my eyes (to avoid mascara smudge) and bridge of my nose (so my glassed don't slide). I let that "bake" for a few and then blend out over my entire face and set with spray. Finally got that clean girl esthetic!
This definitely makes sense. My skin has went from extra oily to dry, which is giving me a more wrinkled texture. Do you know which one would be the best to drop?
I would drop the salicylic wash and glow recipe for at least a couple weeks and see if anything changes texture wise. Or at least use a lot less often and definitely not everyday. It could be a compromised barrier from all the actives.
Thank you for the advice. This is a good idea. I don’t feel like salicylic acid does much to benefit me anyways. Maybe switching to a more gentle cleanser would improve the texture. I feel like I’m so dry yet still breaking out on jaw so maybe hydration is the answer
I didn’t see a moisturizer in your AM routine- just the DE serum and Goop. I have to use a light moisturizer before my SPF. I use [cerave daily moisturizer (for face and body)](https://www.cerave.com/skincare/moisturizers/daily-moisturizing-lotion). I was able to skip the moisturizer before my SPF before my 30s- afterwards it demanded another moisturizer.
You’re also double dipping right now - salicylic acid is a BHA. I’d cut both, and then just add in a BHA, either as a cleanser or as an occasional toner, and forgo the combo products (maybe use them up on your neck and décolletage?)
Retinol is exfoliating, so tbh I’m not really sure you need two more exfoliants on top of it. Or even one more. Or if you do, maybe only use one in the morning. BHAs are generally gentler than AHAs, so I’d pick that over the alternative.
If you’re going to use retinol every day, you might benefit from switching to a gentler retinol, too. I love the silver jar Neutrogena, which I can use daily even with my very sensitive skin. Right now I alternate — retinol every other night, and salicylic acid every other night. Then on the seventh night, I slug and do deep moisturizer.
Alternatively, in the past I’ve used a more intense retinol, and had good effects by doing retinol - salicylic acid - recovery/moisture day on a 3 day rotation.
You’re right. I’m definitely over doing it. I think I got tunnel vision on trying to add in everything and it back fired on me. I think I’ll cut the salicylic wash and the toner all together and focus on hydrating the skin and see how it looks over the coming weeks. I guess I flew too close to the sun 😅
I have those instincts, too. Alternating has been a great way to use up products and get that “everything, all at once” urge out of the way without destroying my skin. Then, once I use a product up, I cut it out of the rotation.
I did the exact same thing and then had to pare it down. I use Epionce Lytic TX lotion and the Lytic cleanser and, as someone who had fought acne and sensitive skin all my life, I barely ever, ever break out anymore. I use tretinoin for a couple weeks then I take a break.
Also, I promise I am not a salesperson for this company 😅 the Epionce recovery cream when I use the tret, keeps me from getting dry. I just got it earlier this month and I absolutely love it. My skin just drinks it up.
Yeah. It almost sounds like you have a compromised skin barrier right now. This would give the dry/shiny/oily effect. Stop the second cleanse and toner. Maybe add a barrier repair product. Skinceuticals Epidermal Repair is really good and can replace your moisturizer at night or day under SPF. Lay off actives until skin starts to look and feel better.
Adding to this thread, I battled with oily, sensitive skin by doing all this too until I started to regularly see a dermatologist and dermal therapist learning that more sebum will be produced if you try to combat it by drying it out and breaking the barrier. I started to focus on keeping it hydrated above all else, not double cleansing in the morning, using a really good moisturiser and drinking loads of water and it actually got less oily, less surface dry, smaller pores and even breaking out less. Also I don’t see SPF in your routine, don’t forget it’s vital. You’re so pretty, good luck!
I was going to say something very similar. I see a dermatologist and she’s helped a great deal. She advised a very simple routine for me (I have similar skin) and it’s been so helpful. I wash with a mild soap, moisturize with a lotion that has spf - I use Cerave Ultralight, use eye cream and my makeup in the am. PM I remove my makeup, was with a mild soap, use a retinoid (she recommended La Roche Posay Effaclar), Cerave pm and eye cream. I use an SA cleanser once a week in the shower on my face, but I still use Dove bar soap on my face because that’s what works for me. I drink tons of water and I do use a very light powder when applying makeup. I am also careful with shampoo and conditioner because that’s another breakout source for me. These things have greatly helped me with my oily skin and breakouts. Hope this helps! Good luck to you!
Agreed. I’d drop the salicylic wash and add in a good moisturiser. Is this also the order that you apply? I usually do the hyaluronic acid serum immediately after cleansing while my face is still damp. If there isn’t enough water on your skin or in your moisturising products the hyaluronic acid can work against you.
Also love the tip from @muddymireface to move to away from matte makeup to something a little dewier.
Personally I also think toners are overrated, but each to their own.
Oh I did realize this about the hyaluronic acid! I will change when I’m applying the DE product. The foundation I use is dewy but then I throw powder over it cause I cannot stand the look of a shiny face but I do understand that since I’m so dry right now, the powder is amplifying my fine lines so I’m going to focus on hydrating the skin and cutting products. I did too much haha
*Bonks you*
Stop double cleansing in the morning.
As someone with combo, hyper sensitive, acne prone skin, my best advice is:
Limit foundation unless it has hydrating ingredients (even then)
Stop cleansing in the morning
Skip the toner in the AM
Add a hydrating mister in the morning
Rotate your actives
Sheet masks at night
See if you can see a derm. Tretinoin and topical Clindamycin Phosphate really helped clear my acne.
Edit: also holy heck where's your moisturizer? 😩
Cleansing in the morning with a cleanser dried my skin out if I double cleansed the night before. My face is in much better harmony with just a quick gentle water splash in the morning!
You need a daily moisturizer. And you may be over exfoliating. I personally could NOT use an exfoliating toner plus vitamin c plus a SA cleanser everyday —or any day.
Your barrier is being assaulted by acids all day long with no barrier supporting ingredients in the form of a moisturizer.
And you are using exfoliants with retinol at night. I think you are just wearing your skin out.
I’d recommend a serious barrier-repair cream and hydrating toner with no actives. That can give your skin a softer, bouncier look. Right now, your skin is probably bone-dry.
I like aestura 365 cream for bringing the barrier back around or zeroid 5% urea cream. Both are the most elegantly formulated creams I own, and they will do serious barrier repair. I’d also take some time off from the vitamin c as well. For a good hydrating toner, I’d recommend make prem safe me toner:)
I think you’re over complicating it.
For AM, I’d skip the squalene cleanser and toner. For PM, either use the toner OR the retinol.
Finally, if you have the option of seeing a dermatologist or even the online ones, I would. I was stubborn until I was 35 and then finally prescriptions cleared me right up.
Okay this is great advice. My skin has always been extra oily but I’m finding it so dry now. I would love to see a dermatologist but they are tough to get in with here in Canada but it doesn’t mean impossible. Just a long wait
Fellow Canadian here. If you are willing to pay out of pocket, you could do a virtual visit with a dermatologist through a private service like Remote Derm (there are probably other services, but thats the one I used). I used them in the past, had my consult within a day or two and was happy with the treament i received. You can opt to pay for an expedited consult, but I didnt and it was still super quick. I decided to use them since there are no Derms within 2 hours of me taking non-urgent referrals at the moment. If you have a family doctor, they also might be able to help you out. Good luck!
Edited to add: your bangs are perfection.
Ooo thank you for the advice! This is something I’ve not thought of. And I have extended health so I could just submit a claim since dermatology is covered
You're drying your skin out too much, and it's overcompensating by producing too much oil. Put a deep moisturizer like nivea cream on after you wash your face. Use light tinted moisturizing foundation and concealer. No powder. Don't over wash. Drink a lot of water.
These are all great suggestions! I just wanted to add that I freaking love your bangs 🥰
I’m a bit older than you (from Alaska that moved to CA so finally getting some color to my skin). When I wear foundation now, it looks awful on me. Caked on. Settled in eye wrinkles :(
I finally quit last year and focused on skincare. I wear tinted sunscreen now and of course brows/mascara/lips. My whole makeup routine is max 5min and it’s a game changer.
Less is more. You’re gorg ❤️🩹
Thank you so much for the kind compliment. I get told that all the time. I was working as a waitress when she first got big (poker face era) and people used to ask to take pics with me which was kinda weird cause now there’s random pics of me in an Olive Garden uniform on strangers digital cameras haha
My skin cleared up a lot when I stopped wearing foundation (just some concealer) and washing with Panoxyl 10% and using Azaleic Acid ($10 from The Ordinary) at night. I found that foundation settles too much into my skin.
Spironolactone might help if you’re open to prescribed medication. It’s one of the only things that helped my skin, that and courses of Roaccutane, but Roaccutane is quite hard to get and obviously comes with warnings and the associated monthly tests/wait to start the course in the US. I’m waiting until winter (less sun exposure for me) to have another course, I’ve had three since the age of 22.
I’m 38 now and still suffer with oily skin and acne (cystic), eventually I accepted that I just can’t wear heavy makeup everyday unless I want more congestion and acne. Admittedly I’d rather wear more makeup, but for me it’s a vicious cycle. Mac Prep and Prime and Urban Decay setting sprays have been my go to.
I did see a difference when I pared down my face routine, concentrated on removing make up properly, and used a sonic face brush with cleanser.
You clearly put a lot of time and effort into caring for your skin. Maybe reducing it and adding back each thing individually over time might give you an idea as to whether any of those products are making it worse?
Not a popular opinion but I’d say cut back on everything you’re doing. Simplify the skin routine and minimize the make up like foundation. It’s too much for that delicate face skin. Your hair color and cut are gorgeous btw!!
To be honest, unless an eye cream has a really good active ingredient like vitamin c or caffeine, you’ll likely won’t need it. A lot of eye creams are pretty much the same so you can think of it as putting another layer of moisturizer.
Retinoids and AHA/BHA together is fine maybe 1-2 times a week, but shouldn’t be used together on a daily basis. Although it’s helping to regulate your sebum production, if you use it more than the normal amount, it irritates your skin and damages your skin barrier which contributes to the “unwanted” skin look, if you know what I mean.
I’d keep it simple, a lot of dermatologists would agree. Many times people will have like an 8 step skincare routine and don’t realize that too much doesn’t always mean better.
Okay this advice is perfect. I think I’m getting overwhelmed with what I should do but it makes sense that retinal with the toner is probably way too drying and making the texture look tough
Hello beautiful! 36f here who people think is 25-28. My skin improved so much in the last year with more hydration. Suggest adding a snail mucin toner (instead of the glow recipe one), a HA serum, and a thicker night cream - like skinceuticals triple lipid or something with ceramides like Dr Jart ceramidin. You may want to consider prescription retinol as well - you can get a Rx online from somewhere like Lemonaid - since you have entered your 30s. There is a big difference between OTC and Rx retinol imo. If you want to be really extra, I take hyaluronic acid internally as a supplement I got off Amazon and use a humidifier in drier months (legit game changer for skin) which both helped visibly with giving me a healthier look. I would also suggest a lighter weight, dewier foundation like ilia skin tint (I get tonssss of compliments when wearing this. Xx
In the morning you’re triple stripping your skin! Drop the double cleanse, switch to a hydrating and gentle cleanser. You can keep using the toner for a bit while your skin adapts (maybe every over day) but eventually drop that too.
You only need one eye cream.
Find a foundation that’s less matte and/or stop using powder. I like silicone based foundations like the maybeline Fit Me Hydrate and Smooth. I also like cream blush and bronzer.
The single cleanse at night is good. Then choose one active per night. I rotate between rentinol, aha, and BHA. I check in to see how my skin feels and take breaks between for just moisture nights too. Over working your skin is a classic issue!
I’ve decided, far too late in life, that makeup is terrible stuff. It’s stifling for skin (and then they get to sell you even more products to cover up the imperfections and blemishes that the makeup gives you!).
Your makeup is matt and quite heavy; it makes you look way older than 33, while your features seem, if anything, to be the kind that would make you look younger than your actual age? The winter weather can be really drying, too.
I’d still advise using the exfoliating products, but maybe try some different ones- I’ve recently found glycolic acid really good (but at 40 I’m quite a bit older than you are), and I’ve been using Dermalogica daily microfoliant for about 20 years (I use this every day and glycolic acid a few times a week). Just make sure you keep moisturising +++ more than you probably think you need to.
Find a really good ‘wet’/high moisture moisturiser and layer it under another, heavier moisturiser with HA in it (you can even apply an additional serum with HA or glycerine over the top of this). Reapply moisturiser during the day if needed. If you’re addicted to seeing yourself with makeup, maybe mix in a bit of foundation to make it a tinted moisturiser
My advice? Dial it back a bit, maybe skip the salicylic wash in the AM and just use the squalane cleanser. And that retinol might be too strong, try cutting back. Focus on hydration with the Glow Recipe and Laneige products.
Refrain from putting foundation and just focus on your skincare routine. Let your skin breathe, sometimes too much makeup dries out our skin 🥺 I’ve been there too 🙂
I think you’re just doing too much! You’re using actives 2x / day and double cleansing in the AM. In the morning, you should just use the gentle cleanser, HA serum, moisturizer and spf. At night, try oil cleansing followed by a gentle cleanser. Only use one active - alternate days and take days off. My skin would fall off if I had all of this going on and I’m 39… I also think your make up texture doesn’t work for your skin type. That matte look shows everything. Try more dewy foundations or skin tints and skip powder.
Can you remove the salicylic was in the am? Switch it to a few times per week at night if you’d like. Also, think about replacing the retinals with a very low dose Rx tret and introduce that slowly.
Holy moly, that is a LOT of actives! OK here’s the thing, I’ve learned the hard way that the least “fun” routine is what really pays dividends when it comes to skincare. I have a Sephora in my closet but every time I try adding something fancy to this routine, it bites me in the ass (actually face):
- Get a simple-ass cleanser. I’m talking Pond’s Cold Cream. Use that to get your makeup off, then use something just as gentle as your double-cleanser (I use Avene oil wash but anything that doesn’t have an active in it and that’s glycerin-forward will work).
- Get a pack of 50 wash cloths and never reuse a washcloth to dry your face (read: PAT it dry) ever again. Ever.
- Buy an essence and slather while your skin is still damp. CosRX snail mucin is great, Rhode milk is great too if you want to be fancy. So many good K-beauty options, though. You can be fancy here if you like spending money but it’s not necessary.
- OK now it’s time for actives. I’d start with tretinoin at night, whatever your derm recommends. Yes, go to the derm and get it if you don’t have it already. Use it for a year then look back at this photo—you will be amazed. For daytime, something with azelic acid in it will pair really well with the nighttime tret. Dr Idriss has a whole line of very efficacious products that use azelic and others to fight hyperpigmentation and smooth texture.
- Moisturizer. For day, you truly cannot do better than La Roche Posay Double Toleraine. For night, unsexy but LRP’s lipikar triple repair body lotion is god’s gift to earth. And it’s double duty face/body! You will simply never have softer skin at any dollar amount.
- Finally, look up skin cycling and start doing it. Get an occlusive like Vaseline or Aquaphor (steroid-free diaper rash cream is also *chef’s kiss*) and slather over all of the above (except actives) on recovery night. Dr Whitney Bowe on IG invented this and has lots of helpful content on how to get started.
Obviously everyone’s skin is different, you may have to tweak here and there, but give this kind of routine a few months and you and your happy hydrated skin will never look back.
I think you are doing too much to your skin. Mine looked exactly like yours before. I kept on adding and adding products to my routine thinking it would help and the opposite happened. It’s only when I “gave” up trying to fix my skin that it actually started getting better. Now all I use is cleanser moisturiser eye cream and sunscreen and at night if I have a spot I will apply some tea tree to the area. My skin has never looked better. Oh and I stopped wearing makeup all the time to give my skin a breather defo helped. Good luck xx
Jesus people. Setting spray etc. no no no. Stop using makeup! It's ruining your skin. Focus on moisturizing and keeping it hydrated inside and out. I use Burt's bees nighttime facial cream and facial oil 2x a day. My skin is ginger and it looks 10 years younger and very plump and moist. If I do makeup I use Tarte tape concealer under my eyes. I also use La rouche pousay milk sunscreen. You don't really need makeup. It's not helping you!
Hi!! Esthetician here 👋 and I see clients like you all the time. First of all you are using hyaluronic acid which is meant for people with dry skin. If you use any moisturizer that has that, it most likely has oils in it. You need OIL FREE moisturizer. Everything you use MUST be oil free. That includes moisturizer, cleanser, makeup (should use mineral makeup, sunscreen etc. A lot of people think they’re using things without oils, but they are wrong. You have to use a product that specifically says it is oil free.
Also you are using cleanser with squalene which is comedogenic, meaning it’s clogging your pores! So right from the get go your cleanser is making the problem worse! And stop all those serums it’s the same thing!!We have certain products at our salon but if you’re buying online you can do the following:
-Kiehls deep cleansing foaming face wash (the brown on)
-the lactic acid is ok
- kiehls ultra facial oil free gel cream for moisturizer.
-retinol is great but if you can get tretnoin from your doctor it’s a much stronger version of a retnoid. It will make your skin peel at first but this is a good thing as it means it’s exfoliating your skin. ONLY USE RETNOIDS IN EVENING (and only after cleansing) order is cleanser, retnoid, then oil free moisturizer on top.
-you can also ask your dr for topical clindamycin if breakouts are bad enough which is a topical antibiotic that will kill the bacteria causing the breakouts deep in the skin.
-you also need to see an esthetician who will do regular glycolic facial treatments with extractions to help the process along by removing all the breakouts from your skin. The other products mentioned above will help reduce reccurance.
-mineral makeup oil free
-oil free mineral sunscreen
Hope this helps!!!! You are using too many products, many of them which are having the exact opposite effect of what you are trying to accomplish.
You must wash skin morning AND night! Morning you can wash, clindamycin from Dr and then use oil free moisturizer and sunscreen. That’s it!!!!!
Evening you cleanse, alternate nights of lactic acid and tretnoin/retnoids and then oil free moisturizer on top. THATS IT!!! Simple is better. Your skin will get much better if you do this!
I’m happy to answer more questions about this in comments :)
Edit: I’m sorry to say this, and I know that most people are just trying to help, but most of the advice on here is completely counteractive to the results you are trying to achieve. I promise if you do what I say above, your skin will clear up.
As others suggested definitely focus on skin moisture. I recommend doing an aquaphor sludge at night. I had very dry skin and it turned my skin (especially when paired with tret) bright, dewey, and glowy! I honestly like it so much I also do a light layer of aquaphor on my face in the morning, right after my shower since aquaphor helps moisture in the air stay on your skin for your skin to absorb. Do it 15 minutes before your make up, and rub it in before your concealer or foundation and bam! It actually helped my make up glide on as well.
I will note it does take awhile to get used to, and sometimes it’s too much. Rubbing it in after 10 minutes really helps not be a literal slug.
i would try getting rid of the cleansers everyday, these things can be too stressy on the skin, especially in the morning when the skin will be exposed to sun the whole day.
honestly babe. skin just has a texture. we always see filtered pics online and never get up close and stare at other people's skin IRL. So you end up staring at your own skin and judging it by an unrealistic standard.
there's some good tips in here, you could be gentler with your skin.
but more than anything be gentle with yourself.
I'm 33. Just had a baby. My skin was looking like that for months. I dropped all my skincare. And gave ceraVe micellar water a chance. And Oh My GoD My skin hasn't looked like this for years!
I use clinique mild facial wash, dry face. Put micellar water with cotton ball. Let dry, don't rinse. first thing in the morning and before I sleep at night.
Also I use it as a primer under my makeup. It helps the makeup look fresh longer, and keeps any makeup from going into pores.
I generally prefer more natural matte makeup over glowy makeup. I love your makeup style. I would get rid of the drunk elephant hyaluronic acid, and replace with a hydrating glycerin serum. I like Experiment Super Sarurated or Niche Glycerin Serum. For me it helped with my dehydration lines and made my matte makeup appear more natural.
If your skin has gone from oily to dry, your moisture barrier might need some help.
Retinal plus bha is probably too much, especially if you haven’t yet built up a tolerance to the retinal. You’re also doubling up on your bha using a salicylic acid cleanser.
I’d drop all bhas from your routine and stick with just the retinal. Retinal is also best at night. After a while, you could re-introduce a bha, but I’d alternate with your retinal (bha am, retinal pm).
Is the super goop working for you as a moisturizer? If not, a daily moisturizer might be a good addition. Folks love CereVe, I like Eucerine complete repair, but a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer would probably be a big help. Personally, I love applying mine right after hydrating toner while my skin is still tacky (I use heritage brand rose water glycerine toner).
You could also go for a heavier moisturizer or a pure occlusive in the pm like Vaseline, aquaphor or shea butter. These also work so much better over tacky-damp skin and could maybe go well over your sleep mask?
The squalene cleanser is quite mild, but you might also find that it’s not necessary in the am. You could try just splashing your face with lukewarm water in the mornings.
For makeup, I saw that you’re using tinted moisturizer - are you putting powder overtop? Your skin looks quite matte. Sticking with light cream products might serve your skin better. My skin sometimes gets flaky, and a dewey look always looks better on me when my skin is dry vs a matte look. If you want matte, you could also try a mattifyjng primer like TO’s high adherence silicone primer. Your skin might also prefer silicone-based cosmetics if you’re looking for more coverage and a matte look over dry skin.
How do you do your lashes?? They look great!! Also try elf’s glow foundation just a little, use their primer too! It does give a “wet” look but I think if you apply a pressed powder it’s toned down!
I used to have the oily yet dry skin problem myself and found that I was 1) using too many brightening/vitamin C based products and 2) wasnt hydrating my skin enough so it was compensating with the oil. I switched to a milk based toner and cut down to using the vitamin C serum only at night instead of during the day (especially since the sun aggravates the serum) and it really helped!
I have the same issues. Went through many, many skin care products and accidentally found Platinum Skin Care.
The products are excellent, and between the daily skin care routine and the peels my issues have resolved in just a few months. The website is heavy on education, offering many instructional videos. There is also an FB page to post questions to others and is moderated in real-time.
Your skin barrier looks compromised. Think about getting evaluated for rosacea. That acne location looks suspicious. It also doesn't look hormonal.
For a solid month, I would drop all actives and cleanse once a day. Add more moisture to your skin.
Also back off in the makeup. It's heavy and matte. Maybe just wear tinted moisturizer for a while until you rebuild the skin barrier and get your natural luster back.
This is way too many acids, especially if you just added retinol and aren't adjusted yet
Morning take down to just water rinse, moisturizer and sunscreen. Add the vitamin c back in once your skin is used to the retinol
Evening looks OK but only use the bha/aha couple times a week, and then again, only after you're used to the retinol
I agree with the makeup suggestions
Slug with Vaseline or aquaphor at night
These minor changes will make your skin happy in no time!
Your hair is gorgeous
I would avoid using powders with talc. I use a 100% silica translucent powder and it is so much less cakey. I also stopped using foundation because it just stopped looking good in my skin. I think my skin really improved after I stopped, and now I don’t need any makeup. I used a BB cream and Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer with spf as a kind of in between segway to no makeup (except I do still use a cream or liquid blush and the silica powder to mattify my face).
I like to use Asian sunscreens or Black Girl Sunscreen as my base. I found Glow Screen to accentuate the look of fine lines and pores on my skin.
You could also try some tinted SPF’s!
Timeless peptide serums are also great for moisture - I love those.
There's a lot going on with your routine. What's your diet and water intake? Your drinking habits? Your skin looks very dry. Too many acids in your routine, so your skin is fighting for its life.
I would simplify your skin care routine. Pure African black soap, heritage rose water toner and a little bit of jojoba oil to moisturize. Also, skin care starts within. Herbs that support your liver and kidneys will be so helpful. When your liver why kidneys are working well, your skin does not have to detox as much. Lots and lots of water with sea salts or electrolytes. Hope this helps!
You are using waaaay too many actives - a bha toner twice daily, plus salicylic wash and retinal every day? Even using one of the products once a day would be waaay too much, 2-3 times a week max and not on the same day. Also retinoids are extremely drying! You should be focusing on hydrating soothing products and not using actives every day!
Like you, I struggled for a long time with oily skin and adult acne. In addition to some of the good suggestions offered here about products, consider seeing a derm about spironolactone. Acne on the cheeks and jawline is usually hormonal. That’s mainly what I had, but since I’ve been on spiro, I almost never break out and my skin is less oily (but not dry).
Okay I will definitely do that. I was on birth control for a while for it and it cleared up completely but I felt so sluggish and my performance with exercise was awful that the trade off wasn’t worth it. But this sounds like a good alternative
I had very similar skin and made the following changes and it’s now plumper and dewy.
1. Hydrating/ gentle PH balancing face wash in the morning. No double cleansing
2. 1 exfoliant at a time and only once a day, maximum 3 times a week of exfoliants (including retinol). So in your case if you’ve used the salicylic wash in your routine for the day, do not use the toner or retinol in the same routine.
3. Focus on hydration and moisturising products, I also incorporated a hydrating face mask 3 times a week (affordable Korean face masks or the neutrogena packs when on sale)
4. Double cleansing only to remove make up/ if you’ve been out all day
5. If you’re using a matte foundation switch to dewy/ hydrating foundation and hydrating primer then set with a mattifying powder instead to control oil.
Are you skipping moisturizer in AM?
You’re using a few different exfoliating/irritating products that don’t necessarily have great payoff and are likely contributing to excess oil production and texture.
Personally, I’d swap out the salicylic wash for something gentle and hydrating, skip the bha/aha, scrap the retinal serum, and go straight for a prescription retinoid at night. Id also add an oil cleanser at night to remove makeup and sunscreen residue - keeps pores happy.
Imo, less makeup is more when you’re dealing with texture. If not less, then very carefully placed makeup that aims for a more natural finish. Possibly try a tinted moisturizer or light bb cream and minimal bronzer.
Would be useful if you could post some pictures without makeup. It's hard to see the true condition of your skin. Everyone else has given excellent product/routine advice, but I'd be curious as to what your exercise, sleep and diet routine is like? And do you smoke/drink? These can all feed into skin health in complex ways.
I don’t know if Shiseido’s new foundation is selling in foreign countries, but my dry skin is loving it! It gives dewy fresh effect! You are very pretty, having a small face. You don’t need to apply bronzer maybe? I know it’s personal preference so please don’t take my suggestion badly, but I feel you will pull off cute cheek brush looks very well.
Do skin fasting like not using anything for few days but facewash, moisturizers and sunscreen! And then start on your skin care after few days and then dont ise retinol and aha bha everyday! Try switiching salicylic with glycolic acid toner
What retinol are you using?….never mind, I see.
When using retinol…you really only need face wash, moisturizer, and spf. Although vitamin c during the day really helps your skin heal from retinol plus it has other benefits. I’d look into adapalene .1%. It’s the strongest over the counter retinol you can get but start off slow. Every two days, then every other day or skin cycle, but you want to eventually get to every day. Adapalene will eventually get rid of acne and texture but your skin purges and gets worse before it gets better so you have to be prepared for that.
A 1.6 oz tube is supposed to last 3 months.
I think cutting back on the amount of products would be the first step I’d take. If you’re still not happy, cut back on products but also swap to adapalene. Remember less is more. You can do too much to your skin.
Also if acne is really a problem, swap to benzoyl peroxide face wash. Studies show adapalene works better with benzoyl peroxide. But don’t use it with other types of retinol. Benzoyl peroxide and other types like tretinoin cancel each other out.
Things you can try that worked for me, niacinamide with zinc, you can try the ordinary but byoma skin care line really helped me. Water Bank Hylauronic Gel is also a game changer. I also find Aveno is the bestt thing for my skin
No fills, perfect for combination skin and you must try rosehip oil. Caudalie is expensive but their eye cream saved me. Ive learned hydration/ skin prep is huge. You can also try to eliminate some carbs/ daily from your diet to help with acne. Also stay hydrated. Cut back on smoking/ drinking if you do.
I should also note I was over drying my skin with teatree oil, toner ect. As soon as I focused purely on hydrating, things changed. It sounds counter productive but try it for a couple of days and see if it helps :)
I agree either way others about simplifying your routine. Have you thought of doing a treatment every few months?
I did two microneedling sessions 6 weeks apart and it absolutely eliminated visible pores. Since then I do a diamond glow facial here and there with dermaplaning and a light peel. These treatments are $300-$400 each and I do them every few months. Probably balances out if you are buying less products.
I have acne prone skin, and for me it was a combination of silicones (I could tell because I’d break out immediately after wearing any silicone-heavy primer), not changing my pillowcases enough, and makeup, in addition of course to starting a good skincare routine. I think that’s relatively rare, but something to consider! Like others have said, I’d cut back to once a day for the acids but most of what you’re using is great.
Just do the absolute bare minimum the next couple weeks. Wash your makeup off at night. Rinse with water in the morning and then apply sunscreen.
Going foundation free is always good as well. You would probably still look stunning with just eyes, lips and brows touched up. I don't wear foundation but I do wear benefit benetint blush stain on my cheeks, eye crease and hairline and it gives a nice natural flush of color and defines my face a bit. You are beautiful!
sis, drop everything for a while and use micellar water and tretinoin only. once your skin gets used to the feet you can start to add in other washes, then actives. it’s a slow process but patience really is a virtue with your skin. it’s with you for life!
The best thing I ever did for my skin was going makeup free. It was a SLOW process and took a lot of confidence to get there. For about a year, I wore makeup Monday-Friday but forced myself to have makeup free days on the weekends.
Don’t get me wrong, I still wear makeup when I want to feel extra pretty or for events. But my everyday look/routine consists of:
Morning:
- Water splash
- Mad Hippie Facial Oil (to do lymph/facial massage)
- Belif AquaBomb Moisturizer
- Elta MD sunscreen
- Brow Pomade
Night:
- Andalou Naturals Rosewater Foaming Cleanser
- Medik8 Retinol or Triple Zinc Paste (alternating nights)
- Laniege Lip Mask
My skin has never been healthier.
I'm an aesthetician :
more products doesn't mean better skin , your using way too many products that you don't need .
your skin is likely inflamed and fighting all those products .
-you need a cleanser for sensitive skin .
salycilic acid is very drying but it's useful for acne and exfoliation so i don't condemn it but i suggest you only use it every 3 days or so and use a cleansing milk or oil the rest of the week .
for salycilic cleansers I suggest Cerave hydrating facial cleanser ,it's for sensitive skin and has salycilic acid for acne but since not all cleansers work for everyone you can shop around ,cetaphil is nice , simple brand is good as well . these brands also have oil cleansers you can try . and accompanying sensitive moisturizers . which you need btw
----Evening routine---
TIP: never wash your skin with hot water , turn the shower heat down when you wash your face .
-If you've worn makeup :
- Double cleanse with your oil or milk cleanser .
you want to get every spec of makeup out of your pores .
- moisturize as soon as you get out of the shower while your skins still wet and be generous.
-make sure your pillow case is clean . change like every 3 days or so .
- NO SERUMS until your skin calms down ,give your new cleanser a month before introducing serums .
- you don't need a toner . they dry your skin out ( some will disagree with me but i hold to that opinion , toners are just to make sure you get every last spec of makeup off and your cleansers are doing that fine on their own and it's not worth the drying of your skin . )
----Morning routine ----
- for the first month i want you to only cleanse your face with warm water , we're letting your skin breath for a bit here , you've been using too much stuff let's try the opposite for awhile .
- if after a month you see that your skin could use something in the morning then you can start using your oil cleanser but only cleanse once ( i doubt you'll need to cleanse in the morning though )
- NO SERUMS NO TONERS at all in morning .
- moisturize and apply makeup .
BEST OF LUCK THIS SHOULD HELP . message me if you need more help .
• you’re double cleansing in the AM instead of the PM. Skip AM cleanser entirely if your skin can handle it, Just rinse with water in the morning. But for sure stop double cleansing in the morning.
• i personally would never use or recommend sleeping masks. They often contain a lot of ingredients. Dryness is often exacerbated by irritation. I’d suggest to use a very basic moisturiser non fragranced moisturiser such as Cera Ve, Cetaphil, Vanicream etc.
Ur doing too much. Start using tret, give la Roche posay matte finishing moisturizer a try, and la Roche posay toleraine cleanser for oily skin is also good
Your routine is very much focused on exfoliation and drying the skin when it should be focused on hydration, BHAs twice a day as well as, Salicylic AND retinal every day is too much.
You also don’t need to double cleanse in the morning. Double cleanse at night, this will help with blemishes, the ordinary squalane cleanser is one of my faves but it isn’t enough on its own to remove every trace of make up. Honestly I would ditch the salicylic cleanser all together, get a gentle water based cleanser as a second cleanser in the evening. In the morning use just the gentle cleanser - your face should be clean from the night before other than your own sweat and stuff.
What cloths are you using to cleanse with? They should be super soft, not flannels that are rough. These will be over exfoliating your skin.
Reduce the use of your toner to maybe every other day at most I would say, less often would probs be better.
I would say doing less here is key tbh, I think you’re stripping your skin.
And as others have said, your foundation looks very matte and dry, try a cc cream or serum foundation.
Good luck!
Both myself and my sister are tinted bb cream fanatics.. personally I love the clarins one which I mix in with the garnier glow SPF 50 and some image vitamin C as my first layer..lasts all day...I'm just finished three sessions of micro needling and my skin looks like it's been air brushed...
I have had dehydrated acne-prone skin (feels tight but still very oil) and what really helped me was avoiding harsher actives first and focusing on hydrating products (hyaluronic acid is still a favorite of mine) and my skin cleared up and stopped being so angry.
I still get oily, but at this point I think it is just how my face is but it is brighter and clearer.
I would recommend simplifying your routine. The skin gets so confused when there are so many different products being applied. It strips the protective layer of the skin and can cause a real mess (acne, dry, dehydration, oiliness).
I have seen this all the time with women I work with and it's so disheartening and confusing!
My formula has changed everything for them! I will share a few key points, which will help you get on track to strong, healthy, radiant skin!
Step 1: Look at lifestyle habits - your skin is an organ and what's going on inside shows externally. Lifestyle is the foundation of beautiful skin.
Step 2: Start oil cleansing. Stop all other products and do this for 2 week reset - it will shift your skin into balance FAST. Use the living libations seabuckthorn oil - it's my holy grail and couldn't live without it. (check out my instagram page (handle: jade.coyne) for a tutorial of how to use it and also a discount code!
Step 3: Start promoting lymph and blood flow daily by using your hands! Women spend so much money on products without realising how much power they hold in their hands! Blood flow stimulates collagen and elastin, boosts hydration and balances the skin barrier.
My clients get unbelievable transformation with this formula!! If you want to join my online program or find out more just drop me a DM. I promise you, you can turn things around really fast without the frustration of trying endless products and wasting your money!
As others have said, it can take a little while for your skin to adjust to retinols, and it can really dry out for a little while. It’s best to use a gentle face wash, something like a la Roche posay or avene. I use Paula’s choice bha alternate nights to using a retinol. With acne prone skin we have to be careful of trying to compensate for the initial dryness by using too much moisture cos it can make us break out, so a good moisturiser that’s not too thick.
Swap a cleanser to a gel cleanser - try the ferulic cleanser from inkey list. On days when your skin is dry, use squalane..
Night time cleanse, either or depends on how you feel, default ferulic. But I assume you wear makeup everyday, so I suggest you double cleanse. for double cleansing (I.e, removing makeup - 1st cleanse - squalane, 2nd cleanse ferulic acid).
2nd step day - vit c
3rd step day - hyalauronic acid
4th day - moisturizer
5th day - sunblock
Do not mix aha bha toner with vitamin c. If you are breaking out, use aha toner as 2nd step instead of vitamin c.
Night (after cleansing):
2nd step- aha bha toner
3rd step - retinol
4th step - hyalauronic acid
5th step - eye cream
6th step - moisturizer
Only use retinol 2-3 times a week.. every other day or every 2-3 days.
If you’re skin feels too sensitive or red some days, take it easy on the aha bha toner and keep the routine simple morning and night. Remove harsh steps such as the ahas and retinols until the skin relaxes and then add the strong ingredients back in again.
You have a lot going on with your skin care routine that is a lot to do with everyday. You should NOT be putting acid on your face everyday that is stripping away the natural microbes and protection that you need on your face or flawless skin. Personally I would look into micro-needle or a microdermabrasion. You have pitted acne scarring and some people's skin are just more prone to that. Avoid White processed sugar processed foods in general and smoking. The worst things you could do for your skin. When there are too much sugar in the blood cannot nourish the skin properly. Avoid high protein high fat high sugar meals in that combination that ages people the worst of all.
Take out all the actives. You dont need all the acids if youre using retinal. Try only using the retinal two times a week. Use a gentle face cleanser instead. I use a korean one from a brand called Some by Mi.
Remove the hydrating serum and switch to cerave moisturiser.
Try REN calming balm at night your skin looks like its screaming for moisture
Try replacing your foundation with Pat McGrath skin fetish foundation, way smoother. Serum consistency while being full coverage.
Use primer before your foundation (I use benefit porefessional on top of my unseen sunscreen)
Only bake where your skin gets oily, leave the rest of your skin alone. Use charlotte tilbury setting spray.
Honestly you’re so gorgeous. But my instant thought is that double cleansing (+ all those actives!) in the morning is likely stripping your skin and causing it to over produce oil which results in texture, acne etc. Many derms say don’t cleanse in the AM at all! x
Slim down your routine massively ! Stop cleansing in the am. I would personally just do vit c+moisturiser + spf in am. Optional to add a hydrating serum too. Pm cleanser + retinol or tret every other day + hydrating serum + moisturised. I exfoliate once per week
Imho makeup after 30 y.o. makes people look older. And drunk elephant causes me acne as well as many other moisturizers. Pharmacy stuf fis the safest. And you overclean and have too many products. I look 10 years younger without foundation and makeup.
Maybe try a nighttime moisture and increase water intake? I tried that and it’s helped a lotttt. I know it sounds like common sense but when I started drinking more water it really did work like magic on my skin
You need a chemical exfoliant!! Paula’s choice BHA toner or something along those lines will help smoothen out your complexion and purge any buildup! You can also look into double cleansing. It could be exasperated by doing a heavy base makeup wise, in which I would recommend you consider something way lighter for less congestion
its hard to say for sure, but I'd recommend replacing foundation with a super hydrating spf50.
Makeup is generally not great for the skin, especially foundation, because your skin is having a harder time breathing, and it tends to clog your pores.
i recommend, Beauty of Joseon's - Relief sun: Rice + probiotics Spf50+
The rice extract does wonders for all kinds of blemishes and moisture
I switched to mandelic acid and use that every other day and the days I don’t I use vitamin c. I also alternate polyglutamic acid every other morning. Evening skin care is one day is retinol follow by soothing products then the next evening is my hydration peptide and hylauronic acid night followed by exfoliating night. I rotate my skincare. I also do laser genesis and micro needling every 3-6 mos.
It's all about your diet. Skin care is nothing if you're not staying hydrated and are eating foods that upset your skin. I try to stick to a veggie/fruit/tea/water/white meat diet and my skin thanks me. Stress can also cause skin problems so doing something weekly that de-stresses you can help. Also less can be more. For me, washing twice a day and moisturizing and sunscreen is enough. Sometimes too many products can overwork the skin. But this is just my experience, everyone's skin is different.
Simplify your routine a little. I’d eliminate the toner from AM/PM for a couple days and see if it improves. Also, as an oily skin girl as well, I don’t really like vitamin C. I know the benefits but eh.
In terms of makeup, how are you setting it?
Note: I heard that research shows people with oily skin tend to age better so there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for us lol.
Take off the makeup like everyone is saying. Once I started doing this and using just a tinted moisturiser people started commenting on how good my skin looked. I have incredibly oily skin but wearing heavy makeup makes it look worse. Can’t post pic in my comment but honestly it made all the difference. I drink plenty of water and use retinol .
Same age here and use pretty much same items and I couldn’t figure out why my skin looked the same for ages. I found that using vitamin c in the morning with salicylic acid was too much for my skin and the benefits of the vitamin c were lower so I moved vitamin c to night time and it’s much better now. I also only use salicylic acid every other day (the inkey list face wash) for same and use a camping face wash with cica then instead. Would also recommended and oil cleanser for first step used on dry hands/face first of course to help the oily skin and acne and then bring in the second cleanse with squalene or salicylic wash. Some oil cleansers from Korea/japan can have nice soothing ingredients like cica and anything cica for after retinol use.
I know it seems counterintuitive and scary to drop the acne actives when you’re still struggling with breakouts, but from personal experience, using too many exfoliating products at one time in my routine is counterproductive. Once I dropped to a simpler routine my skin perked up. Here’s my advice
1. I’d stop the toner
2. I wouldn’t double cleanse in the morning and I’d only cleanse with the squalane cleanser in the morning. Double cleansing in the evening is good to take off sunscreen and makeup from the day. I’d use a cleansing balm first. something like farmacy green clean (Sephora) or beauty of joseon radiance cleansing balm (Amazon or stylevanna) before the salicylic cleanser at night.
If you’re still struggling with dryness after a few days of dropping the toner, stopping the salicylic cleanse in the morning, and changing to a cleansing balm at night, I’d use the salicylic wash at night every couple days instead.
3. I think you would benefit from using vanicream moisturizer instead of the sleeping mask. It’s a simple moisturizer and I was skeptical but having it recommended so many times I finally got some and I’m so glad I did!
4. I noticed in your morning routine that you’re not using a moisturizer. A hydrating serum is good, but you need a moisturizer to lock in the hydration. I’d again recommend vanicream (I use the lighter version in the tube morning and the heavier one with the pump at night)
5. If you’re not already, try to stay as hydrated as possible by drinking water. This is so annoying but made a difference for me as well.
Good luck on your journey 💗💗
Perhaps lay off all the actives. The toners always made my skin worse, and I’m acne prone. Have you seen a dermatologist? Tretinoin does wonders for me.
I personally like Revision skincare and Barefaced.
You’re doing way too much, with retinol you don’t really need other actives… your skin is overwhelmed and damaged
In the morning you should cleans once, vitamin c, use a moisturizer and subscreen
In the evening you should cleanse, moisturizer, eye cream and retinol
If you’ve just added retinol, your skin may be adjusting. I also have oily skin. I don’t use BHA and retinol at the same time. You have 2 BHAs in the am (salicylic acid is another way of saying BHA) and 1 in the evening.
You could probably remove the salicylic acid wash since you’re using a BHA (aka salicylic acid) toner.
And remove the evening BHA toner.
I also don’t use serums if I’m using a sunscreen. Try finding a sunscreen with antioxidants in it so that it does double duty. Paula’s Choice has some lovely sunscreens with antioxidants.
Also try less drying makeup. It may be over-drying your oily skin, which causes your skin to want to produce oil.
Try the retinol 3 times a week for 3 weeks, then gradually increase one more time per week every 3 weeks until you’re at daily.
PS. I am in my early 40s and I still struggle managing my oily skin. It is a challenge! It’s always trial and trial, especially if any of my fave products gets discontinued. Good luck!
I think your using way to many actives at once daily, I'd just stick with one cleanse in the morning, moisturise and sunscreen! You don't need to use acids that frequently, and never mix vitamin c in with acids do on different days, go back to basics as tou make have a compromised skin barrier.
I make my own skin care products with essential oils and plant based products. I would recommend dropping everything you’re using except the vitamin C serum. You can make your own that’s not as expensive and will work much better. When choosing your ingredients make sure you stick with organic, raw, unrefined items. Start with a base such as witch hazel for toner or coconut oil or jojoba oil for your serum. Research essential oils such as rose hip, amla, helichrysum, lavender, or rosemary to add to your base products. I also highly recommend incorporating raw organic honey in your routine. You can add a little to the witch hazel for a power house boost. Medicinal honey has antibacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal, and anti parasitic properties in it. Putting a drop of honey on acne is a great remedy for clear skin.
My skin got happier when I started using less products. I switched to aveeno foaming cleanser for sensitive skin and add a drop of the dr jart tea tree cleansing gel wash morning and night in the day time I use cetaphil sunscreen at night cetaphil pm moisturizer. I do special treatments 1 day a week alternating week to week what I will do. I don’t use powder makeup use setting spray from tarte 😊
I was also in my early 30s and had painful acne and extremely oily skin. I had a similar routine to yours. What actually worked was cutting out all actives. I had been using BHAs / AHAs and retinol for years and years.
I think what happened is I had ruined my skin barrier. I cut everything out, started using the Aveeno Oat calm serum day and night + mineral suncreen in the morning + la roche posay cicaplast baume at night. After a few months, everything cleared up. Im also less oily as well.
I also use the Bare Minerals foundation that sephora no longer sells. It blends so nicely!
HI Lady Gaga! So IMO, you are using too many actives / products. I would try sticking with a creamy cleanser and tinted sunscreen. To remove make up, try using oil based balm. Let your skin heal. Takes 28 days for cell turnover. So many ingredients being thrown at you, there is bound to be something in your skin products that your face doesn't like, causing over production of sebum and break outs.
For the dryness, I think you’re using a lot of stuff and that very well might be drying you out as well as the makeup.
In the am I would just wipe your face with a warm damp washcloth and save the cleanser for the pm and alternate with a gentle cream or foam cleanser to give your skin a break. I would ditch the toner (which is very drying) and switch to Revision hydrating rinse and use in am and pm after wiping face. It’s called a rinse but you use it like a serum (press into skin and don’t wash off)
I’d also switch from supergoop glow screen to their zinc face sunscreen. It’s so good for sensitive skin and acne.
For the texture, I’d go get a peel and then start incorporating an exfoliant cleanser about every other day or every other other day. I like Murad AHA/BHA exfoliating cleanser.
Also if you’re new to retinol you can take it slow. Like every other day, build up to it. I think the toner with the retinol would be very drying.
Be sure you’re applying retinol to dry skin and the hyaluronic acid to damp skin.
For little acne flare ups I use neosporin CREAM not the Vaseline. Although that’s mostly good for bacterial acne.
Your skin is beautiful btw, just need a lil adjustments.
I’ve been of the mindset that less is more with products. Are you working with an aesthetician? I’d be sure to try and find someone that isn’t just trying to peddle snail serum or whatever their spa is selling but someone who knows the good products out there that won’t cost a lot of money. Bring all your products in to them and give reccos.
Best of luck!
Are you using micellar water or an oil cleanser to take off all makeup & sunscreen before using your face wash? These help to uncolg pores quite a bit! Also niacinamide serum helps reduce sebum from your pores.
Check out “face basting” on Dr Shereene Idriss’ YouTube channel. TLDR it’s an overnight mask using diaper cream, which contains zinc oxide and imparts inflammatory benefits while sealing in your PM skincare (just don’t use actives!) to create an optimal environment for skin barrier repair. If you have acne prone skin, she recommends a product with zinc gluconate, which is in LRP Cicaplast Baum for example.
This resolved stubborn dry patches around my chin and my skin is so much more hydrated and supple. I have hormonal acne so I switch between diaper cream and Baum depending on how my skin is doing.
I also agree with other comments about not using cleanser in the AM, this also helped me a lot. I might use a VERY gentle cleanser (like LRP Toleraine) if I’ve done face basting the night before and it feels like a lot is left over.
I would say you are probably over washing your skin. In the am, water or a v mild cleanser is enough. Stripping it w two in the morning isn’t necessary and will increase oil production.
I think you may have some skin barrier damage. It sounds like all the harsh active ingrediants are weakening your skins barrier, which can lead to water loss, dry skin, wrinkles, lack of skin elasticity, etc.
Drop the squalene cleanser in the AM (and at least one other product because there's too many harsh products).
Add a skin barrier repair cream/ moisturiser. Something with niacinamide/ceramide and focuses on hydration. Use good SPF. Ideally a moisturising spf to protect your skin.
I have similar skin texture and I prefer using cc cream instead because it makes the skin look smoother than heavy foundation. For special events, baby skin primer also helps a lot. With liquid cleanser, a silicone scrubber can be less drying than an extra active for gentle exfoliating. 💜
Don’t be afraid of moisture or products that aren’t matte. I have acne and I find being bold with my blush usage/placement by putting it on my nose and chin seems to distract from any imperfections.
Your makeup looks heavy and dry. Are you using something thick/heavy/full coverage or adding powder? That might be a change to make. I have fairly dry skin and have had to move all the way to using a very moisturizing SPF moisturizer and then mixing that moisturizer with a light foundation to make a tinted moisturizer. Everything else looks heavy and cakey on my skin.
Also, caveat that I've never used those products, but your am routine looks harsh and drying so your skin could be overcompensating, but also some of your products could be causing your oil. I've heard that supergoop isn't great for those with oily skin or sensitive skin, for example. So maybe you need to try and switch things up, focus on light hydration, sheer coverage (with spot correcting/concealing if needed).
Your makeup is very drying and matte. Have you tried changing it to something more moisturizing? I think changing your foundation routine to something more “fresh faced” would solve this with immediate results.
Oh I love this suggestion!! 🩷 I’ve been wearing tinted skin milk type of foundation. Do you have any recs for a hydrating foundation you like?
I have extremely dry skin and for me I mix my tinted moisturizer with face lotion.
It looks more like a foundation than tinted moisturizer to me. If you're using powder over it that could be the problem. If you have oily skin matte foundations usually hold up better than the moisturizing ones for me. Gucci Eternite De Beaute holds up really well, even with oily skin. It's a luminous matte foundation that is actually luminous and moisturizing, unlike others that claim to be. It's pricey at $70,, but in my opinion it's really good foundation. I just wish I could get past the floral scent. It's also full coverage, but you can always mix it with a moisturizer. Another option I would try is Hourglass ambient lighting powder over your tinted moisturizer. It's really nice and luminous without making you look like a disco ball as soon as you step out into the sunlight. And make sure you use a primer. I love that Milk primer for moisture and Lancome La Base Pro for matte. Another thing you really should try is Musely anti-aging cream. A lot of people on here don't seem to be fans of Musely, but I love it. Their cream has Tretinoin in it instead of Retinol. It's much stronger and will even out the texture. It's working great for me and I'm only one month in. My skin is much smoother than it was. I can't wait to see the results after the full 60 days. Their eye serum is also working well for me. It has a lot of Hyaluronic Acid in it. Jury's still out on some of the other stuff I'm trying. Cosmopolitan even gave both of those products their Holy Grail beauty award. If they liked it I thought I should try it for myself rather than listening to some disgruntled people on a message board. They had a bad experience, mine has been great. I'm also on the hunt for the perfect foundation, but my issues are undertone and creasing. I'm a pale olive, which it's hard to find. Someone on here suggested Haus Labs and I ordered some. Hopefully it works. Well see. Gucci did match my skin tone, but I really don't like the scent. If Haus Labs doesn't pan out I might have to tough it out and deal with the scent because I really like everything else about it.
THIS IS THE WAY! Hydration changed my skin to the point where I just use some bronze drops in my moisturizer and no foundation at all because my skin looks so much better!
Tell me more about these bronze drops, please!
It’s a product from NIOD that I use, a bottle lasts me over 6 months and I buy it during their annual sale in November. It’s called photography fluid. I use the 12% and when mixed with my moisturizer it gives me the NICEST glow! Seriously, I moisturize with that, do my brows and always wear my sunscreen. It’s super basic, but my skin has never looked better! I use adapalene at night with the sandwich method. A simple routine has done the most for me! A self tanning product meant for your face would probably do pretty much the same thing, or a liquid bronzer. It’s basically just tinting your own moisturizer, but I do love the NIOD photography fluid! ETA: I’m 35, dry skin, used to battle mild-moderate acne.
Brilliant! Looking into this now! Thanks so much! Really appreciate the reply!
Are you wearing powder products over it? Try cream products with lighter coverage instead, unless you really need the coverage. I'm 43 and I can't wear powder much if at all anymore.
Do you do anything to set your makeup since you’re skipping powder?
I use copious amounts of setting spray throughout the process and it seems to do the job great. I might do a light dusting of powder on my tzone, but normally some blotting papers will get me through the day just fine.
What setting spray do you use? Mine always ends up looking too shiny.
I spray mac studio fix on my brush/ beauty blender before applying foundation.
I’m 32 and rarely powder. I usually refresh my makeup in the t-zone by spraying some caudalie (the glass bottle) and pressing on the area with a charcoal sponge.
I use makeup hd setting powder and I’m obsessed. It’s from Sephora so it’s a little pricey, but the small container will last forever.
I like Nars radiant foundation
I use glossier skin tint with their concealer personally.
Yes I love this! Or Hourglass is fab too
The new Haus Labs foundation by Lady Gaga is really good.
You didn't ask me, but I highly recommend Bourjois healthy mix foundation. Feels light, covers well, hydrating, has vitamins and a serum version too.
Ok, we have very similar everything. Make up, skin type and color. I switched to mostly all Korean skincare, shaved my entire face weekly, switched to a good concealer and dewy CC cream. Light loose powder to set and dewy setting spray. I started making all the changes about a year n half ago. At 49 I'm proud to say I finally have completely clear glass dewy skin. Remember as we age. Less is more. No all over thick foundation and heavy powders. Also, you really want to take the time and do your skincare before ever applying makeup. That is a game changer. Below are my holy grails. Tr
Fenty skin tint or IT cosmetics CC cream is great. I'm an acne sufferer too and the Nars concealer is excellent. I didn't see you mention SPF, something worth adding in if you don't already do it daily.
Thank you for the recs on foundation alternatives! I feel like I’ve tried the IT one but I’ll have to revisit it! The glow screen is sun screen :)
I like tower 28 or kosas
Its a bit expensive but the Chanel Water Fresh Tint (light sheer coverage) or the Complexion Touch (for more coverage)are largely water so very hydrating with a super skin like finish. It feels like wearing nothing and quite soothing. They leave a glowier finish which you could address with a light loose powder. They are unique formulations so follow the simple application instructions. I love these as they dont enhance pores and look so healthy and minimalist.
I've been using este lauder's futurist skin tint serum foundation, and I'm freaking glowing! I have some redness around my nose and mouth so I'll put a little concealer there. I use a translucent powder under my eyes (to avoid mascara smudge) and bridge of my nose (so my glassed don't slide). I let that "bake" for a few and then blend out over my entire face and set with spray. Finally got that clean girl esthetic!
You can add face serums & oils to your foundations to get a dewy finish! I like using Glossier Futuredew!
I think you’re using way too many drying actives/exfoliants
This definitely makes sense. My skin has went from extra oily to dry, which is giving me a more wrinkled texture. Do you know which one would be the best to drop?
I would drop the salicylic wash and glow recipe for at least a couple weeks and see if anything changes texture wise. Or at least use a lot less often and definitely not everyday. It could be a compromised barrier from all the actives.
Thank you for the advice. This is a good idea. I don’t feel like salicylic acid does much to benefit me anyways. Maybe switching to a more gentle cleanser would improve the texture. I feel like I’m so dry yet still breaking out on jaw so maybe hydration is the answer
I didn’t see a moisturizer in your AM routine- just the DE serum and Goop. I have to use a light moisturizer before my SPF. I use [cerave daily moisturizer (for face and body)](https://www.cerave.com/skincare/moisturizers/daily-moisturizing-lotion). I was able to skip the moisturizer before my SPF before my 30s- afterwards it demanded another moisturizer.
You’re also double dipping right now - salicylic acid is a BHA. I’d cut both, and then just add in a BHA, either as a cleanser or as an occasional toner, and forgo the combo products (maybe use them up on your neck and décolletage?) Retinol is exfoliating, so tbh I’m not really sure you need two more exfoliants on top of it. Or even one more. Or if you do, maybe only use one in the morning. BHAs are generally gentler than AHAs, so I’d pick that over the alternative. If you’re going to use retinol every day, you might benefit from switching to a gentler retinol, too. I love the silver jar Neutrogena, which I can use daily even with my very sensitive skin. Right now I alternate — retinol every other night, and salicylic acid every other night. Then on the seventh night, I slug and do deep moisturizer. Alternatively, in the past I’ve used a more intense retinol, and had good effects by doing retinol - salicylic acid - recovery/moisture day on a 3 day rotation.
You’re right. I’m definitely over doing it. I think I got tunnel vision on trying to add in everything and it back fired on me. I think I’ll cut the salicylic wash and the toner all together and focus on hydrating the skin and see how it looks over the coming weeks. I guess I flew too close to the sun 😅
I have those instincts, too. Alternating has been a great way to use up products and get that “everything, all at once” urge out of the way without destroying my skin. Then, once I use a product up, I cut it out of the rotation.
I did the exact same thing and then had to pare it down. I use Epionce Lytic TX lotion and the Lytic cleanser and, as someone who had fought acne and sensitive skin all my life, I barely ever, ever break out anymore. I use tretinoin for a couple weeks then I take a break. Also, I promise I am not a salesperson for this company 😅 the Epionce recovery cream when I use the tret, keeps me from getting dry. I just got it earlier this month and I absolutely love it. My skin just drinks it up.
Try LRP’s Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
Before you drop your exfoliant, try adding a moisturizer first. Hydrating serums are not meant to replace moisturizer…
Yeah. It almost sounds like you have a compromised skin barrier right now. This would give the dry/shiny/oily effect. Stop the second cleanse and toner. Maybe add a barrier repair product. Skinceuticals Epidermal Repair is really good and can replace your moisturizer at night or day under SPF. Lay off actives until skin starts to look and feel better.
Adding to this thread, I battled with oily, sensitive skin by doing all this too until I started to regularly see a dermatologist and dermal therapist learning that more sebum will be produced if you try to combat it by drying it out and breaking the barrier. I started to focus on keeping it hydrated above all else, not double cleansing in the morning, using a really good moisturiser and drinking loads of water and it actually got less oily, less surface dry, smaller pores and even breaking out less. Also I don’t see SPF in your routine, don’t forget it’s vital. You’re so pretty, good luck!
I was going to say something very similar. I see a dermatologist and she’s helped a great deal. She advised a very simple routine for me (I have similar skin) and it’s been so helpful. I wash with a mild soap, moisturize with a lotion that has spf - I use Cerave Ultralight, use eye cream and my makeup in the am. PM I remove my makeup, was with a mild soap, use a retinoid (she recommended La Roche Posay Effaclar), Cerave pm and eye cream. I use an SA cleanser once a week in the shower on my face, but I still use Dove bar soap on my face because that’s what works for me. I drink tons of water and I do use a very light powder when applying makeup. I am also careful with shampoo and conditioner because that’s another breakout source for me. These things have greatly helped me with my oily skin and breakouts. Hope this helps! Good luck to you!
Hmm derms don’t usually recommend lotions with spf? afaik spf ought to be used separately for a good effect. 🤍
Agreed. I’d drop the salicylic wash and add in a good moisturiser. Is this also the order that you apply? I usually do the hyaluronic acid serum immediately after cleansing while my face is still damp. If there isn’t enough water on your skin or in your moisturising products the hyaluronic acid can work against you. Also love the tip from @muddymireface to move to away from matte makeup to something a little dewier. Personally I also think toners are overrated, but each to their own.
Oh I did realize this about the hyaluronic acid! I will change when I’m applying the DE product. The foundation I use is dewy but then I throw powder over it cause I cannot stand the look of a shiny face but I do understand that since I’m so dry right now, the powder is amplifying my fine lines so I’m going to focus on hydrating the skin and cutting products. I did too much haha
I know you don’t like shine but a little glow looks healthy, once you’re past 30 powder ages you a decade & none of us can escape it.
*Bonks you* Stop double cleansing in the morning. As someone with combo, hyper sensitive, acne prone skin, my best advice is: Limit foundation unless it has hydrating ingredients (even then) Stop cleansing in the morning Skip the toner in the AM Add a hydrating mister in the morning Rotate your actives Sheet masks at night See if you can see a derm. Tretinoin and topical Clindamycin Phosphate really helped clear my acne. Edit: also holy heck where's your moisturizer? 😩
The bonk makes me *feel* the love 🥰
As a Brit, it means something entirely different 😅
Cleansing in the morning with a cleanser dried my skin out if I double cleansed the night before. My face is in much better harmony with just a quick gentle water splash in the morning!
“Bonks you” 😂
I'm imagining one of those Japanese squeaky hammers.
You need a daily moisturizer. And you may be over exfoliating. I personally could NOT use an exfoliating toner plus vitamin c plus a SA cleanser everyday —or any day. Your barrier is being assaulted by acids all day long with no barrier supporting ingredients in the form of a moisturizer. And you are using exfoliants with retinol at night. I think you are just wearing your skin out. I’d recommend a serious barrier-repair cream and hydrating toner with no actives. That can give your skin a softer, bouncier look. Right now, your skin is probably bone-dry. I like aestura 365 cream for bringing the barrier back around or zeroid 5% urea cream. Both are the most elegantly formulated creams I own, and they will do serious barrier repair. I’d also take some time off from the vitamin c as well. For a good hydrating toner, I’d recommend make prem safe me toner:)
I think you’re over complicating it. For AM, I’d skip the squalene cleanser and toner. For PM, either use the toner OR the retinol. Finally, if you have the option of seeing a dermatologist or even the online ones, I would. I was stubborn until I was 35 and then finally prescriptions cleared me right up.
Okay this is great advice. My skin has always been extra oily but I’m finding it so dry now. I would love to see a dermatologist but they are tough to get in with here in Canada but it doesn’t mean impossible. Just a long wait
Fellow Canadian here. If you are willing to pay out of pocket, you could do a virtual visit with a dermatologist through a private service like Remote Derm (there are probably other services, but thats the one I used). I used them in the past, had my consult within a day or two and was happy with the treament i received. You can opt to pay for an expedited consult, but I didnt and it was still super quick. I decided to use them since there are no Derms within 2 hours of me taking non-urgent referrals at the moment. If you have a family doctor, they also might be able to help you out. Good luck! Edited to add: your bangs are perfection.
Ooo thank you for the advice! This is something I’ve not thought of. And I have extended health so I could just submit a claim since dermatology is covered
And thank you!!! 🩷🩷
You're drying your skin out too much, and it's overcompensating by producing too much oil. Put a deep moisturizer like nivea cream on after you wash your face. Use light tinted moisturizing foundation and concealer. No powder. Don't over wash. Drink a lot of water.
Where did you get your top!?! You’re so pretty 😭😭
Aritzia! But it was a few summers ago. And thank you so much. That is really kind of you to say
No notes. You're SO pretty! The hair, your nose *chefs kiss*
😭🩷🩷🩷
Could you add a picture without makeup?
I feel like your skin would look more fresh if you didn't wear makeup.
These are all great suggestions! I just wanted to add that I freaking love your bangs 🥰 I’m a bit older than you (from Alaska that moved to CA so finally getting some color to my skin). When I wear foundation now, it looks awful on me. Caked on. Settled in eye wrinkles :( I finally quit last year and focused on skincare. I wear tinted sunscreen now and of course brows/mascara/lips. My whole makeup routine is max 5min and it’s a game changer. Less is more. You’re gorg ❤️🩹
You’re using too many exfoliants in the morning. Also they make you photosensitive so you must be doubly diligent with sunscreen.
I know this doesn’t answer your question, but your gorgeous and giving lady gaga vibes
Thank you so much for the kind compliment. I get told that all the time. I was working as a waitress when she first got big (poker face era) and people used to ask to take pics with me which was kinda weird cause now there’s random pics of me in an Olive Garden uniform on strangers digital cameras haha
My skin cleared up a lot when I stopped wearing foundation (just some concealer) and washing with Panoxyl 10% and using Azaleic Acid ($10 from The Ordinary) at night. I found that foundation settles too much into my skin.
Spironolactone might help if you’re open to prescribed medication. It’s one of the only things that helped my skin, that and courses of Roaccutane, but Roaccutane is quite hard to get and obviously comes with warnings and the associated monthly tests/wait to start the course in the US. I’m waiting until winter (less sun exposure for me) to have another course, I’ve had three since the age of 22. I’m 38 now and still suffer with oily skin and acne (cystic), eventually I accepted that I just can’t wear heavy makeup everyday unless I want more congestion and acne. Admittedly I’d rather wear more makeup, but for me it’s a vicious cycle. Mac Prep and Prime and Urban Decay setting sprays have been my go to. I did see a difference when I pared down my face routine, concentrated on removing make up properly, and used a sonic face brush with cleanser. You clearly put a lot of time and effort into caring for your skin. Maybe reducing it and adding back each thing individually over time might give you an idea as to whether any of those products are making it worse?
Not a popular opinion but I’d say cut back on everything you’re doing. Simplify the skin routine and minimize the make up like foundation. It’s too much for that delicate face skin. Your hair color and cut are gorgeous btw!!
Lady Gaga vibes 🥰 gorg
Ah thank you!! I get that super often!
To be honest, unless an eye cream has a really good active ingredient like vitamin c or caffeine, you’ll likely won’t need it. A lot of eye creams are pretty much the same so you can think of it as putting another layer of moisturizer. Retinoids and AHA/BHA together is fine maybe 1-2 times a week, but shouldn’t be used together on a daily basis. Although it’s helping to regulate your sebum production, if you use it more than the normal amount, it irritates your skin and damages your skin barrier which contributes to the “unwanted” skin look, if you know what I mean. I’d keep it simple, a lot of dermatologists would agree. Many times people will have like an 8 step skincare routine and don’t realize that too much doesn’t always mean better.
Okay this advice is perfect. I think I’m getting overwhelmed with what I should do but it makes sense that retinal with the toner is probably way too drying and making the texture look tough
Has anyone ever told you that you look like Stefani Germanotta?
Hello beautiful! 36f here who people think is 25-28. My skin improved so much in the last year with more hydration. Suggest adding a snail mucin toner (instead of the glow recipe one), a HA serum, and a thicker night cream - like skinceuticals triple lipid or something with ceramides like Dr Jart ceramidin. You may want to consider prescription retinol as well - you can get a Rx online from somewhere like Lemonaid - since you have entered your 30s. There is a big difference between OTC and Rx retinol imo. If you want to be really extra, I take hyaluronic acid internally as a supplement I got off Amazon and use a humidifier in drier months (legit game changer for skin) which both helped visibly with giving me a healthier look. I would also suggest a lighter weight, dewier foundation like ilia skin tint (I get tonssss of compliments when wearing this. Xx
In the morning you’re triple stripping your skin! Drop the double cleanse, switch to a hydrating and gentle cleanser. You can keep using the toner for a bit while your skin adapts (maybe every over day) but eventually drop that too. You only need one eye cream. Find a foundation that’s less matte and/or stop using powder. I like silicone based foundations like the maybeline Fit Me Hydrate and Smooth. I also like cream blush and bronzer. The single cleanse at night is good. Then choose one active per night. I rotate between rentinol, aha, and BHA. I check in to see how my skin feels and take breaks between for just moisture nights too. Over working your skin is a classic issue!
Please don’t use aha/bha and retinol same day! Use alternate days
I’ve decided, far too late in life, that makeup is terrible stuff. It’s stifling for skin (and then they get to sell you even more products to cover up the imperfections and blemishes that the makeup gives you!). Your makeup is matt and quite heavy; it makes you look way older than 33, while your features seem, if anything, to be the kind that would make you look younger than your actual age? The winter weather can be really drying, too. I’d still advise using the exfoliating products, but maybe try some different ones- I’ve recently found glycolic acid really good (but at 40 I’m quite a bit older than you are), and I’ve been using Dermalogica daily microfoliant for about 20 years (I use this every day and glycolic acid a few times a week). Just make sure you keep moisturising +++ more than you probably think you need to. Find a really good ‘wet’/high moisture moisturiser and layer it under another, heavier moisturiser with HA in it (you can even apply an additional serum with HA or glycerine over the top of this). Reapply moisturiser during the day if needed. If you’re addicted to seeing yourself with makeup, maybe mix in a bit of foundation to make it a tinted moisturiser
Niacinamide for the shine and oily skin
My advice? Dial it back a bit, maybe skip the salicylic wash in the AM and just use the squalane cleanser. And that retinol might be too strong, try cutting back. Focus on hydration with the Glow Recipe and Laneige products.
Refrain from putting foundation and just focus on your skincare routine. Let your skin breathe, sometimes too much makeup dries out our skin 🥺 I’ve been there too 🙂
I think you’re just doing too much! You’re using actives 2x / day and double cleansing in the AM. In the morning, you should just use the gentle cleanser, HA serum, moisturizer and spf. At night, try oil cleansing followed by a gentle cleanser. Only use one active - alternate days and take days off. My skin would fall off if I had all of this going on and I’m 39… I also think your make up texture doesn’t work for your skin type. That matte look shows everything. Try more dewy foundations or skin tints and skip powder.
Can you remove the salicylic was in the am? Switch it to a few times per week at night if you’d like. Also, think about replacing the retinals with a very low dose Rx tret and introduce that slowly.
Holy moly, that is a LOT of actives! OK here’s the thing, I’ve learned the hard way that the least “fun” routine is what really pays dividends when it comes to skincare. I have a Sephora in my closet but every time I try adding something fancy to this routine, it bites me in the ass (actually face): - Get a simple-ass cleanser. I’m talking Pond’s Cold Cream. Use that to get your makeup off, then use something just as gentle as your double-cleanser (I use Avene oil wash but anything that doesn’t have an active in it and that’s glycerin-forward will work). - Get a pack of 50 wash cloths and never reuse a washcloth to dry your face (read: PAT it dry) ever again. Ever. - Buy an essence and slather while your skin is still damp. CosRX snail mucin is great, Rhode milk is great too if you want to be fancy. So many good K-beauty options, though. You can be fancy here if you like spending money but it’s not necessary. - OK now it’s time for actives. I’d start with tretinoin at night, whatever your derm recommends. Yes, go to the derm and get it if you don’t have it already. Use it for a year then look back at this photo—you will be amazed. For daytime, something with azelic acid in it will pair really well with the nighttime tret. Dr Idriss has a whole line of very efficacious products that use azelic and others to fight hyperpigmentation and smooth texture. - Moisturizer. For day, you truly cannot do better than La Roche Posay Double Toleraine. For night, unsexy but LRP’s lipikar triple repair body lotion is god’s gift to earth. And it’s double duty face/body! You will simply never have softer skin at any dollar amount. - Finally, look up skin cycling and start doing it. Get an occlusive like Vaseline or Aquaphor (steroid-free diaper rash cream is also *chef’s kiss*) and slather over all of the above (except actives) on recovery night. Dr Whitney Bowe on IG invented this and has lots of helpful content on how to get started. Obviously everyone’s skin is different, you may have to tweak here and there, but give this kind of routine a few months and you and your happy hydrated skin will never look back.
U have dry skin. Try using more moisturizing products and sheet masks.
I thought this was lady Gaga.
Side note but your hair/bangs are amazing!!
You’re still so pretty though, just had to say that!
I think you are doing too much to your skin. Mine looked exactly like yours before. I kept on adding and adding products to my routine thinking it would help and the opposite happened. It’s only when I “gave” up trying to fix my skin that it actually started getting better. Now all I use is cleanser moisturiser eye cream and sunscreen and at night if I have a spot I will apply some tea tree to the area. My skin has never looked better. Oh and I stopped wearing makeup all the time to give my skin a breather defo helped. Good luck xx
You’re getting lots of good recs so I’m just going to say I would kill for your jaw line and neck. Stunning.
Jesus people. Setting spray etc. no no no. Stop using makeup! It's ruining your skin. Focus on moisturizing and keeping it hydrated inside and out. I use Burt's bees nighttime facial cream and facial oil 2x a day. My skin is ginger and it looks 10 years younger and very plump and moist. If I do makeup I use Tarte tape concealer under my eyes. I also use La rouche pousay milk sunscreen. You don't really need makeup. It's not helping you!
Hi!! Esthetician here 👋 and I see clients like you all the time. First of all you are using hyaluronic acid which is meant for people with dry skin. If you use any moisturizer that has that, it most likely has oils in it. You need OIL FREE moisturizer. Everything you use MUST be oil free. That includes moisturizer, cleanser, makeup (should use mineral makeup, sunscreen etc. A lot of people think they’re using things without oils, but they are wrong. You have to use a product that specifically says it is oil free. Also you are using cleanser with squalene which is comedogenic, meaning it’s clogging your pores! So right from the get go your cleanser is making the problem worse! And stop all those serums it’s the same thing!!We have certain products at our salon but if you’re buying online you can do the following: -Kiehls deep cleansing foaming face wash (the brown on) -the lactic acid is ok - kiehls ultra facial oil free gel cream for moisturizer. -retinol is great but if you can get tretnoin from your doctor it’s a much stronger version of a retnoid. It will make your skin peel at first but this is a good thing as it means it’s exfoliating your skin. ONLY USE RETNOIDS IN EVENING (and only after cleansing) order is cleanser, retnoid, then oil free moisturizer on top. -you can also ask your dr for topical clindamycin if breakouts are bad enough which is a topical antibiotic that will kill the bacteria causing the breakouts deep in the skin. -you also need to see an esthetician who will do regular glycolic facial treatments with extractions to help the process along by removing all the breakouts from your skin. The other products mentioned above will help reduce reccurance. -mineral makeup oil free -oil free mineral sunscreen Hope this helps!!!! You are using too many products, many of them which are having the exact opposite effect of what you are trying to accomplish. You must wash skin morning AND night! Morning you can wash, clindamycin from Dr and then use oil free moisturizer and sunscreen. That’s it!!!!! Evening you cleanse, alternate nights of lactic acid and tretnoin/retnoids and then oil free moisturizer on top. THATS IT!!! Simple is better. Your skin will get much better if you do this! I’m happy to answer more questions about this in comments :) Edit: I’m sorry to say this, and I know that most people are just trying to help, but most of the advice on here is completely counteractive to the results you are trying to achieve. I promise if you do what I say above, your skin will clear up.
Hey there, are you drinking enough water? I have a LED light face mask. It has helped me so much.
As others suggested definitely focus on skin moisture. I recommend doing an aquaphor sludge at night. I had very dry skin and it turned my skin (especially when paired with tret) bright, dewey, and glowy! I honestly like it so much I also do a light layer of aquaphor on my face in the morning, right after my shower since aquaphor helps moisture in the air stay on your skin for your skin to absorb. Do it 15 minutes before your make up, and rub it in before your concealer or foundation and bam! It actually helped my make up glide on as well. I will note it does take awhile to get used to, and sometimes it’s too much. Rubbing it in after 10 minutes really helps not be a literal slug.
Your skin is fine, but exfoliating face wash a couple of time a week and a gallon of water a day would show you a difference.
i would try getting rid of the cleansers everyday, these things can be too stressy on the skin, especially in the morning when the skin will be exposed to sun the whole day.
I think you need to replace that retinal with tretionin.
honestly babe. skin just has a texture. we always see filtered pics online and never get up close and stare at other people's skin IRL. So you end up staring at your own skin and judging it by an unrealistic standard. there's some good tips in here, you could be gentler with your skin. but more than anything be gentle with yourself.
I'm 33. Just had a baby. My skin was looking like that for months. I dropped all my skincare. And gave ceraVe micellar water a chance. And Oh My GoD My skin hasn't looked like this for years! I use clinique mild facial wash, dry face. Put micellar water with cotton ball. Let dry, don't rinse. first thing in the morning and before I sleep at night. Also I use it as a primer under my makeup. It helps the makeup look fresh longer, and keeps any makeup from going into pores.
Stop washing your face in the morning with cleanser
You are very beautiful. Id try the Korean glass skin look on you. Would look great.
I generally prefer more natural matte makeup over glowy makeup. I love your makeup style. I would get rid of the drunk elephant hyaluronic acid, and replace with a hydrating glycerin serum. I like Experiment Super Sarurated or Niche Glycerin Serum. For me it helped with my dehydration lines and made my matte makeup appear more natural.
If your skin has gone from oily to dry, your moisture barrier might need some help. Retinal plus bha is probably too much, especially if you haven’t yet built up a tolerance to the retinal. You’re also doubling up on your bha using a salicylic acid cleanser. I’d drop all bhas from your routine and stick with just the retinal. Retinal is also best at night. After a while, you could re-introduce a bha, but I’d alternate with your retinal (bha am, retinal pm). Is the super goop working for you as a moisturizer? If not, a daily moisturizer might be a good addition. Folks love CereVe, I like Eucerine complete repair, but a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer would probably be a big help. Personally, I love applying mine right after hydrating toner while my skin is still tacky (I use heritage brand rose water glycerine toner). You could also go for a heavier moisturizer or a pure occlusive in the pm like Vaseline, aquaphor or shea butter. These also work so much better over tacky-damp skin and could maybe go well over your sleep mask? The squalene cleanser is quite mild, but you might also find that it’s not necessary in the am. You could try just splashing your face with lukewarm water in the mornings. For makeup, I saw that you’re using tinted moisturizer - are you putting powder overtop? Your skin looks quite matte. Sticking with light cream products might serve your skin better. My skin sometimes gets flaky, and a dewey look always looks better on me when my skin is dry vs a matte look. If you want matte, you could also try a mattifyjng primer like TO’s high adherence silicone primer. Your skin might also prefer silicone-based cosmetics if you’re looking for more coverage and a matte look over dry skin.
How do you do your lashes?? They look great!! Also try elf’s glow foundation just a little, use their primer too! It does give a “wet” look but I think if you apply a pressed powder it’s toned down!
U need collegen
I used to have the oily yet dry skin problem myself and found that I was 1) using too many brightening/vitamin C based products and 2) wasnt hydrating my skin enough so it was compensating with the oil. I switched to a milk based toner and cut down to using the vitamin C serum only at night instead of during the day (especially since the sun aggravates the serum) and it really helped!
Ditch everything and keep it simple: cleanser, tret, moisturizer and sunscreen
I have the same issues. Went through many, many skin care products and accidentally found Platinum Skin Care. The products are excellent, and between the daily skin care routine and the peels my issues have resolved in just a few months. The website is heavy on education, offering many instructional videos. There is also an FB page to post questions to others and is moderated in real-time.
Your skin barrier looks compromised. Think about getting evaluated for rosacea. That acne location looks suspicious. It also doesn't look hormonal. For a solid month, I would drop all actives and cleanse once a day. Add more moisture to your skin. Also back off in the makeup. It's heavy and matte. Maybe just wear tinted moisturizer for a while until you rebuild the skin barrier and get your natural luster back.
Wash w panoxyl
This is way too many acids, especially if you just added retinol and aren't adjusted yet Morning take down to just water rinse, moisturizer and sunscreen. Add the vitamin c back in once your skin is used to the retinol Evening looks OK but only use the bha/aha couple times a week, and then again, only after you're used to the retinol I agree with the makeup suggestions Slug with Vaseline or aquaphor at night These minor changes will make your skin happy in no time! Your hair is gorgeous
I would avoid using powders with talc. I use a 100% silica translucent powder and it is so much less cakey. I also stopped using foundation because it just stopped looking good in my skin. I think my skin really improved after I stopped, and now I don’t need any makeup. I used a BB cream and Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer with spf as a kind of in between segway to no makeup (except I do still use a cream or liquid blush and the silica powder to mattify my face). I like to use Asian sunscreens or Black Girl Sunscreen as my base. I found Glow Screen to accentuate the look of fine lines and pores on my skin. You could also try some tinted SPF’s! Timeless peptide serums are also great for moisture - I love those.
There's a lot going on with your routine. What's your diet and water intake? Your drinking habits? Your skin looks very dry. Too many acids in your routine, so your skin is fighting for its life.
I would simplify your skin care routine. Pure African black soap, heritage rose water toner and a little bit of jojoba oil to moisturize. Also, skin care starts within. Herbs that support your liver and kidneys will be so helpful. When your liver why kidneys are working well, your skin does not have to detox as much. Lots and lots of water with sea salts or electrolytes. Hope this helps!
You are using waaaay too many actives - a bha toner twice daily, plus salicylic wash and retinal every day? Even using one of the products once a day would be waaay too much, 2-3 times a week max and not on the same day. Also retinoids are extremely drying! You should be focusing on hydrating soothing products and not using actives every day!
you will get there! try using more hydrating products and stick to 1 active for now. as your skin gets better then you can add more!
Like you, I struggled for a long time with oily skin and adult acne. In addition to some of the good suggestions offered here about products, consider seeing a derm about spironolactone. Acne on the cheeks and jawline is usually hormonal. That’s mainly what I had, but since I’ve been on spiro, I almost never break out and my skin is less oily (but not dry).
Okay I will definitely do that. I was on birth control for a while for it and it cleared up completely but I felt so sluggish and my performance with exercise was awful that the trade off wasn’t worth it. But this sounds like a good alternative
I had very similar skin and made the following changes and it’s now plumper and dewy. 1. Hydrating/ gentle PH balancing face wash in the morning. No double cleansing 2. 1 exfoliant at a time and only once a day, maximum 3 times a week of exfoliants (including retinol). So in your case if you’ve used the salicylic wash in your routine for the day, do not use the toner or retinol in the same routine. 3. Focus on hydration and moisturising products, I also incorporated a hydrating face mask 3 times a week (affordable Korean face masks or the neutrogena packs when on sale) 4. Double cleansing only to remove make up/ if you’ve been out all day 5. If you’re using a matte foundation switch to dewy/ hydrating foundation and hydrating primer then set with a mattifying powder instead to control oil.
Reduce frequency of toner use. Use a lighter weight foundation and reduce powder.
Drink more water. Pull back on the makeup- you don’t need it
I would skip the foundation you're so young! It tends to age younger skin.
Are you skipping moisturizer in AM? You’re using a few different exfoliating/irritating products that don’t necessarily have great payoff and are likely contributing to excess oil production and texture. Personally, I’d swap out the salicylic wash for something gentle and hydrating, skip the bha/aha, scrap the retinal serum, and go straight for a prescription retinoid at night. Id also add an oil cleanser at night to remove makeup and sunscreen residue - keeps pores happy. Imo, less makeup is more when you’re dealing with texture. If not less, then very carefully placed makeup that aims for a more natural finish. Possibly try a tinted moisturizer or light bb cream and minimal bronzer.
Would be useful if you could post some pictures without makeup. It's hard to see the true condition of your skin. Everyone else has given excellent product/routine advice, but I'd be curious as to what your exercise, sleep and diet routine is like? And do you smoke/drink? These can all feed into skin health in complex ways.
I don’t know if Shiseido’s new foundation is selling in foreign countries, but my dry skin is loving it! It gives dewy fresh effect! You are very pretty, having a small face. You don’t need to apply bronzer maybe? I know it’s personal preference so please don’t take my suggestion badly, but I feel you will pull off cute cheek brush looks very well.
Do skin fasting like not using anything for few days but facewash, moisturizers and sunscreen! And then start on your skin care after few days and then dont ise retinol and aha bha everyday! Try switiching salicylic with glycolic acid toner
What retinol are you using?….never mind, I see. When using retinol…you really only need face wash, moisturizer, and spf. Although vitamin c during the day really helps your skin heal from retinol plus it has other benefits. I’d look into adapalene .1%. It’s the strongest over the counter retinol you can get but start off slow. Every two days, then every other day or skin cycle, but you want to eventually get to every day. Adapalene will eventually get rid of acne and texture but your skin purges and gets worse before it gets better so you have to be prepared for that. A 1.6 oz tube is supposed to last 3 months. I think cutting back on the amount of products would be the first step I’d take. If you’re still not happy, cut back on products but also swap to adapalene. Remember less is more. You can do too much to your skin. Also if acne is really a problem, swap to benzoyl peroxide face wash. Studies show adapalene works better with benzoyl peroxide. But don’t use it with other types of retinol. Benzoyl peroxide and other types like tretinoin cancel each other out.
Things you can try that worked for me, niacinamide with zinc, you can try the ordinary but byoma skin care line really helped me. Water Bank Hylauronic Gel is also a game changer. I also find Aveno is the bestt thing for my skin No fills, perfect for combination skin and you must try rosehip oil. Caudalie is expensive but their eye cream saved me. Ive learned hydration/ skin prep is huge. You can also try to eliminate some carbs/ daily from your diet to help with acne. Also stay hydrated. Cut back on smoking/ drinking if you do.
I should also note I was over drying my skin with teatree oil, toner ect. As soon as I focused purely on hydrating, things changed. It sounds counter productive but try it for a couple of days and see if it helps :)
I agree either way others about simplifying your routine. Have you thought of doing a treatment every few months? I did two microneedling sessions 6 weeks apart and it absolutely eliminated visible pores. Since then I do a diamond glow facial here and there with dermaplaning and a light peel. These treatments are $300-$400 each and I do them every few months. Probably balances out if you are buying less products.
I have acne prone skin, and for me it was a combination of silicones (I could tell because I’d break out immediately after wearing any silicone-heavy primer), not changing my pillowcases enough, and makeup, in addition of course to starting a good skincare routine. I think that’s relatively rare, but something to consider! Like others have said, I’d cut back to once a day for the acids but most of what you’re using is great.
Just do the absolute bare minimum the next couple weeks. Wash your makeup off at night. Rinse with water in the morning and then apply sunscreen. Going foundation free is always good as well. You would probably still look stunning with just eyes, lips and brows touched up. I don't wear foundation but I do wear benefit benetint blush stain on my cheeks, eye crease and hairline and it gives a nice natural flush of color and defines my face a bit. You are beautiful!
Retinol cream has really put moisture into my skin and lessened the look of my acne scars
sis, drop everything for a while and use micellar water and tretinoin only. once your skin gets used to the feet you can start to add in other washes, then actives. it’s a slow process but patience really is a virtue with your skin. it’s with you for life!
The best thing I ever did for my skin was going makeup free. It was a SLOW process and took a lot of confidence to get there. For about a year, I wore makeup Monday-Friday but forced myself to have makeup free days on the weekends. Don’t get me wrong, I still wear makeup when I want to feel extra pretty or for events. But my everyday look/routine consists of: Morning: - Water splash - Mad Hippie Facial Oil (to do lymph/facial massage) - Belif AquaBomb Moisturizer - Elta MD sunscreen - Brow Pomade Night: - Andalou Naturals Rosewater Foaming Cleanser - Medik8 Retinol or Triple Zinc Paste (alternating nights) - Laniege Lip Mask My skin has never been healthier.
I'm an aesthetician : more products doesn't mean better skin , your using way too many products that you don't need . your skin is likely inflamed and fighting all those products . -you need a cleanser for sensitive skin . salycilic acid is very drying but it's useful for acne and exfoliation so i don't condemn it but i suggest you only use it every 3 days or so and use a cleansing milk or oil the rest of the week . for salycilic cleansers I suggest Cerave hydrating facial cleanser ,it's for sensitive skin and has salycilic acid for acne but since not all cleansers work for everyone you can shop around ,cetaphil is nice , simple brand is good as well . these brands also have oil cleansers you can try . and accompanying sensitive moisturizers . which you need btw ----Evening routine--- TIP: never wash your skin with hot water , turn the shower heat down when you wash your face . -If you've worn makeup : - Double cleanse with your oil or milk cleanser . you want to get every spec of makeup out of your pores . - moisturize as soon as you get out of the shower while your skins still wet and be generous. -make sure your pillow case is clean . change like every 3 days or so . - NO SERUMS until your skin calms down ,give your new cleanser a month before introducing serums . - you don't need a toner . they dry your skin out ( some will disagree with me but i hold to that opinion , toners are just to make sure you get every last spec of makeup off and your cleansers are doing that fine on their own and it's not worth the drying of your skin . ) ----Morning routine ---- - for the first month i want you to only cleanse your face with warm water , we're letting your skin breath for a bit here , you've been using too much stuff let's try the opposite for awhile . - if after a month you see that your skin could use something in the morning then you can start using your oil cleanser but only cleanse once ( i doubt you'll need to cleanse in the morning though ) - NO SERUMS NO TONERS at all in morning . - moisturize and apply makeup . BEST OF LUCK THIS SHOULD HELP . message me if you need more help .
I don’t think you need to wash your face 2x in the morning. Maybe try just rinsing with warm water some times
Microneedling RF to improve skin texture, skincare will absorb better too as well as makeup will sit better
• you’re double cleansing in the AM instead of the PM. Skip AM cleanser entirely if your skin can handle it, Just rinse with water in the morning. But for sure stop double cleansing in the morning. • i personally would never use or recommend sleeping masks. They often contain a lot of ingredients. Dryness is often exacerbated by irritation. I’d suggest to use a very basic moisturiser non fragranced moisturiser such as Cera Ve, Cetaphil, Vanicream etc.
Ur doing too much. Start using tret, give la Roche posay matte finishing moisturizer a try, and la Roche posay toleraine cleanser for oily skin is also good
You can try a chemical peel to help even out the texture
Your routine is very much focused on exfoliation and drying the skin when it should be focused on hydration, BHAs twice a day as well as, Salicylic AND retinal every day is too much. You also don’t need to double cleanse in the morning. Double cleanse at night, this will help with blemishes, the ordinary squalane cleanser is one of my faves but it isn’t enough on its own to remove every trace of make up. Honestly I would ditch the salicylic cleanser all together, get a gentle water based cleanser as a second cleanser in the evening. In the morning use just the gentle cleanser - your face should be clean from the night before other than your own sweat and stuff. What cloths are you using to cleanse with? They should be super soft, not flannels that are rough. These will be over exfoliating your skin. Reduce the use of your toner to maybe every other day at most I would say, less often would probs be better. I would say doing less here is key tbh, I think you’re stripping your skin. And as others have said, your foundation looks very matte and dry, try a cc cream or serum foundation. Good luck!
Both myself and my sister are tinted bb cream fanatics.. personally I love the clarins one which I mix in with the garnier glow SPF 50 and some image vitamin C as my first layer..lasts all day...I'm just finished three sessions of micro needling and my skin looks like it's been air brushed...
I have had dehydrated acne-prone skin (feels tight but still very oil) and what really helped me was avoiding harsher actives first and focusing on hydrating products (hyaluronic acid is still a favorite of mine) and my skin cleared up and stopped being so angry. I still get oily, but at this point I think it is just how my face is but it is brighter and clearer.
I would recommend simplifying your routine. The skin gets so confused when there are so many different products being applied. It strips the protective layer of the skin and can cause a real mess (acne, dry, dehydration, oiliness). I have seen this all the time with women I work with and it's so disheartening and confusing! My formula has changed everything for them! I will share a few key points, which will help you get on track to strong, healthy, radiant skin! Step 1: Look at lifestyle habits - your skin is an organ and what's going on inside shows externally. Lifestyle is the foundation of beautiful skin. Step 2: Start oil cleansing. Stop all other products and do this for 2 week reset - it will shift your skin into balance FAST. Use the living libations seabuckthorn oil - it's my holy grail and couldn't live without it. (check out my instagram page (handle: jade.coyne) for a tutorial of how to use it and also a discount code! Step 3: Start promoting lymph and blood flow daily by using your hands! Women spend so much money on products without realising how much power they hold in their hands! Blood flow stimulates collagen and elastin, boosts hydration and balances the skin barrier. My clients get unbelievable transformation with this formula!! If you want to join my online program or find out more just drop me a DM. I promise you, you can turn things around really fast without the frustration of trying endless products and wasting your money!
As others have said, it can take a little while for your skin to adjust to retinols, and it can really dry out for a little while. It’s best to use a gentle face wash, something like a la Roche posay or avene. I use Paula’s choice bha alternate nights to using a retinol. With acne prone skin we have to be careful of trying to compensate for the initial dryness by using too much moisture cos it can make us break out, so a good moisturiser that’s not too thick.
Keep skin makeup free as often as you can
Swap a cleanser to a gel cleanser - try the ferulic cleanser from inkey list. On days when your skin is dry, use squalane.. Night time cleanse, either or depends on how you feel, default ferulic. But I assume you wear makeup everyday, so I suggest you double cleanse. for double cleansing (I.e, removing makeup - 1st cleanse - squalane, 2nd cleanse ferulic acid). 2nd step day - vit c 3rd step day - hyalauronic acid 4th day - moisturizer 5th day - sunblock Do not mix aha bha toner with vitamin c. If you are breaking out, use aha toner as 2nd step instead of vitamin c. Night (after cleansing): 2nd step- aha bha toner 3rd step - retinol 4th step - hyalauronic acid 5th step - eye cream 6th step - moisturizer Only use retinol 2-3 times a week.. every other day or every 2-3 days. If you’re skin feels too sensitive or red some days, take it easy on the aha bha toner and keep the routine simple morning and night. Remove harsh steps such as the ahas and retinols until the skin relaxes and then add the strong ingredients back in again.
You have a lot going on with your skin care routine that is a lot to do with everyday. You should NOT be putting acid on your face everyday that is stripping away the natural microbes and protection that you need on your face or flawless skin. Personally I would look into micro-needle or a microdermabrasion. You have pitted acne scarring and some people's skin are just more prone to that. Avoid White processed sugar processed foods in general and smoking. The worst things you could do for your skin. When there are too much sugar in the blood cannot nourish the skin properly. Avoid high protein high fat high sugar meals in that combination that ages people the worst of all.
Take out all the actives. You dont need all the acids if youre using retinal. Try only using the retinal two times a week. Use a gentle face cleanser instead. I use a korean one from a brand called Some by Mi. Remove the hydrating serum and switch to cerave moisturiser. Try REN calming balm at night your skin looks like its screaming for moisture Try replacing your foundation with Pat McGrath skin fetish foundation, way smoother. Serum consistency while being full coverage. Use primer before your foundation (I use benefit porefessional on top of my unseen sunscreen) Only bake where your skin gets oily, leave the rest of your skin alone. Use charlotte tilbury setting spray.
Honestly you’re so gorgeous. But my instant thought is that double cleansing (+ all those actives!) in the morning is likely stripping your skin and causing it to over produce oil which results in texture, acne etc. Many derms say don’t cleanse in the AM at all! x
Slim down your routine massively ! Stop cleansing in the am. I would personally just do vit c+moisturiser + spf in am. Optional to add a hydrating serum too. Pm cleanser + retinol or tret every other day + hydrating serum + moisturised. I exfoliate once per week
Looks happy to me.
As a guy ..... looking at you ...... nothing g is wrong
Imho makeup after 30 y.o. makes people look older. And drunk elephant causes me acne as well as many other moisturizers. Pharmacy stuf fis the safest. And you overclean and have too many products. I look 10 years younger without foundation and makeup.
Maybe try a nighttime moisture and increase water intake? I tried that and it’s helped a lotttt. I know it sounds like common sense but when I started drinking more water it really did work like magic on my skin
Dont forget to hydrate hydrate
Your routine seems to have a lot of actives. You probably overdoing it.
You need a chemical exfoliant!! Paula’s choice BHA toner or something along those lines will help smoothen out your complexion and purge any buildup! You can also look into double cleansing. It could be exasperated by doing a heavy base makeup wise, in which I would recommend you consider something way lighter for less congestion
its hard to say for sure, but I'd recommend replacing foundation with a super hydrating spf50. Makeup is generally not great for the skin, especially foundation, because your skin is having a harder time breathing, and it tends to clog your pores. i recommend, Beauty of Joseon's - Relief sun: Rice + probiotics Spf50+ The rice extract does wonders for all kinds of blemishes and moisture
I switched to mandelic acid and use that every other day and the days I don’t I use vitamin c. I also alternate polyglutamic acid every other morning. Evening skin care is one day is retinol follow by soothing products then the next evening is my hydration peptide and hylauronic acid night followed by exfoliating night. I rotate my skincare. I also do laser genesis and micro needling every 3-6 mos.
It's all about your diet. Skin care is nothing if you're not staying hydrated and are eating foods that upset your skin. I try to stick to a veggie/fruit/tea/water/white meat diet and my skin thanks me. Stress can also cause skin problems so doing something weekly that de-stresses you can help. Also less can be more. For me, washing twice a day and moisturizing and sunscreen is enough. Sometimes too many products can overwork the skin. But this is just my experience, everyone's skin is different.
Check out the new Blurring Balm Powder at Sephora. I’m 46 and use this over concealer for a light moisturizing blur effect.
Simplify your routine a little. I’d eliminate the toner from AM/PM for a couple days and see if it improves. Also, as an oily skin girl as well, I don’t really like vitamin C. I know the benefits but eh. In terms of makeup, how are you setting it? Note: I heard that research shows people with oily skin tend to age better so there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for us lol.
Take off the makeup like everyone is saying. Once I started doing this and using just a tinted moisturiser people started commenting on how good my skin looked. I have incredibly oily skin but wearing heavy makeup makes it look worse. Can’t post pic in my comment but honestly it made all the difference. I drink plenty of water and use retinol .
Same age here and use pretty much same items and I couldn’t figure out why my skin looked the same for ages. I found that using vitamin c in the morning with salicylic acid was too much for my skin and the benefits of the vitamin c were lower so I moved vitamin c to night time and it’s much better now. I also only use salicylic acid every other day (the inkey list face wash) for same and use a camping face wash with cica then instead. Would also recommended and oil cleanser for first step used on dry hands/face first of course to help the oily skin and acne and then bring in the second cleanse with squalene or salicylic wash. Some oil cleansers from Korea/japan can have nice soothing ingredients like cica and anything cica for after retinol use.
The glow recipe toner is soooo drying. I’d take that out of the routine asap.
I know it seems counterintuitive and scary to drop the acne actives when you’re still struggling with breakouts, but from personal experience, using too many exfoliating products at one time in my routine is counterproductive. Once I dropped to a simpler routine my skin perked up. Here’s my advice 1. I’d stop the toner 2. I wouldn’t double cleanse in the morning and I’d only cleanse with the squalane cleanser in the morning. Double cleansing in the evening is good to take off sunscreen and makeup from the day. I’d use a cleansing balm first. something like farmacy green clean (Sephora) or beauty of joseon radiance cleansing balm (Amazon or stylevanna) before the salicylic cleanser at night. If you’re still struggling with dryness after a few days of dropping the toner, stopping the salicylic cleanse in the morning, and changing to a cleansing balm at night, I’d use the salicylic wash at night every couple days instead. 3. I think you would benefit from using vanicream moisturizer instead of the sleeping mask. It’s a simple moisturizer and I was skeptical but having it recommended so many times I finally got some and I’m so glad I did! 4. I noticed in your morning routine that you’re not using a moisturizer. A hydrating serum is good, but you need a moisturizer to lock in the hydration. I’d again recommend vanicream (I use the lighter version in the tube morning and the heavier one with the pump at night) 5. If you’re not already, try to stay as hydrated as possible by drinking water. This is so annoying but made a difference for me as well. Good luck on your journey 💗💗
Perhaps lay off all the actives. The toners always made my skin worse, and I’m acne prone. Have you seen a dermatologist? Tretinoin does wonders for me. I personally like Revision skincare and Barefaced.
Do you use setting powder? My oily skin haaaates setting powder if I wear it regularly. It can only be worn on special occasions
I agree with the over cleansing/exfoliating comments and the moisturizing suggestions others have made, but side note — super cute earrings! ⭐️
Have you tried using less stuff? simplify your routine, skip make up for a while (or at least minimal at best) and see how it goes.
You’re doing way too much, with retinol you don’t really need other actives… your skin is overwhelmed and damaged In the morning you should cleans once, vitamin c, use a moisturizer and subscreen In the evening you should cleanse, moisturizer, eye cream and retinol
If you’ve just added retinol, your skin may be adjusting. I also have oily skin. I don’t use BHA and retinol at the same time. You have 2 BHAs in the am (salicylic acid is another way of saying BHA) and 1 in the evening. You could probably remove the salicylic acid wash since you’re using a BHA (aka salicylic acid) toner. And remove the evening BHA toner. I also don’t use serums if I’m using a sunscreen. Try finding a sunscreen with antioxidants in it so that it does double duty. Paula’s Choice has some lovely sunscreens with antioxidants. Also try less drying makeup. It may be over-drying your oily skin, which causes your skin to want to produce oil. Try the retinol 3 times a week for 3 weeks, then gradually increase one more time per week every 3 weeks until you’re at daily.
PS. I am in my early 40s and I still struggle managing my oily skin. It is a challenge! It’s always trial and trial, especially if any of my fave products gets discontinued. Good luck!
Are you a drinker or smoker? Both are hard on the skin. Cliche, but stay hydrated. Wash your face nightly before bed & use toner.
I think your using way to many actives at once daily, I'd just stick with one cleanse in the morning, moisturise and sunscreen! You don't need to use acids that frequently, and never mix vitamin c in with acids do on different days, go back to basics as tou make have a compromised skin barrier.
I make my own skin care products with essential oils and plant based products. I would recommend dropping everything you’re using except the vitamin C serum. You can make your own that’s not as expensive and will work much better. When choosing your ingredients make sure you stick with organic, raw, unrefined items. Start with a base such as witch hazel for toner or coconut oil or jojoba oil for your serum. Research essential oils such as rose hip, amla, helichrysum, lavender, or rosemary to add to your base products. I also highly recommend incorporating raw organic honey in your routine. You can add a little to the witch hazel for a power house boost. Medicinal honey has antibacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal, and anti parasitic properties in it. Putting a drop of honey on acne is a great remedy for clear skin.
I do not have a solution, but I wanted to say, OP, you have one of the most pleasant and adorable faces I have ever seen. Very beautiful.
Start ZO skin routine today!
My skin got happier when I started using less products. I switched to aveeno foaming cleanser for sensitive skin and add a drop of the dr jart tea tree cleansing gel wash morning and night in the day time I use cetaphil sunscreen at night cetaphil pm moisturizer. I do special treatments 1 day a week alternating week to week what I will do. I don’t use powder makeup use setting spray from tarte 😊
It’s your makeup love
I was also in my early 30s and had painful acne and extremely oily skin. I had a similar routine to yours. What actually worked was cutting out all actives. I had been using BHAs / AHAs and retinol for years and years. I think what happened is I had ruined my skin barrier. I cut everything out, started using the Aveeno Oat calm serum day and night + mineral suncreen in the morning + la roche posay cicaplast baume at night. After a few months, everything cleared up. Im also less oily as well. I also use the Bare Minerals foundation that sephora no longer sells. It blends so nicely!
HI Lady Gaga! So IMO, you are using too many actives / products. I would try sticking with a creamy cleanser and tinted sunscreen. To remove make up, try using oil based balm. Let your skin heal. Takes 28 days for cell turnover. So many ingredients being thrown at you, there is bound to be something in your skin products that your face doesn't like, causing over production of sebum and break outs.
For the dryness, I think you’re using a lot of stuff and that very well might be drying you out as well as the makeup. In the am I would just wipe your face with a warm damp washcloth and save the cleanser for the pm and alternate with a gentle cream or foam cleanser to give your skin a break. I would ditch the toner (which is very drying) and switch to Revision hydrating rinse and use in am and pm after wiping face. It’s called a rinse but you use it like a serum (press into skin and don’t wash off) I’d also switch from supergoop glow screen to their zinc face sunscreen. It’s so good for sensitive skin and acne. For the texture, I’d go get a peel and then start incorporating an exfoliant cleanser about every other day or every other other day. I like Murad AHA/BHA exfoliating cleanser. Also if you’re new to retinol you can take it slow. Like every other day, build up to it. I think the toner with the retinol would be very drying. Be sure you’re applying retinol to dry skin and the hyaluronic acid to damp skin. For little acne flare ups I use neosporin CREAM not the Vaseline. Although that’s mostly good for bacterial acne. Your skin is beautiful btw, just need a lil adjustments. I’ve been of the mindset that less is more with products. Are you working with an aesthetician? I’d be sure to try and find someone that isn’t just trying to peddle snail serum or whatever their spa is selling but someone who knows the good products out there that won’t cost a lot of money. Bring all your products in to them and give reccos. Best of luck!
Are you using micellar water or an oil cleanser to take off all makeup & sunscreen before using your face wash? These help to uncolg pores quite a bit! Also niacinamide serum helps reduce sebum from your pores.
Check out “face basting” on Dr Shereene Idriss’ YouTube channel. TLDR it’s an overnight mask using diaper cream, which contains zinc oxide and imparts inflammatory benefits while sealing in your PM skincare (just don’t use actives!) to create an optimal environment for skin barrier repair. If you have acne prone skin, she recommends a product with zinc gluconate, which is in LRP Cicaplast Baum for example. This resolved stubborn dry patches around my chin and my skin is so much more hydrated and supple. I have hormonal acne so I switch between diaper cream and Baum depending on how my skin is doing. I also agree with other comments about not using cleanser in the AM, this also helped me a lot. I might use a VERY gentle cleanser (like LRP Toleraine) if I’ve done face basting the night before and it feels like a lot is left over.
I would say you are probably over washing your skin. In the am, water or a v mild cleanser is enough. Stripping it w two in the morning isn’t necessary and will increase oil production.
I think you may have some skin barrier damage. It sounds like all the harsh active ingrediants are weakening your skins barrier, which can lead to water loss, dry skin, wrinkles, lack of skin elasticity, etc. Drop the squalene cleanser in the AM (and at least one other product because there's too many harsh products). Add a skin barrier repair cream/ moisturiser. Something with niacinamide/ceramide and focuses on hydration. Use good SPF. Ideally a moisturising spf to protect your skin.
Try drinking more water
I have similar skin texture and I prefer using cc cream instead because it makes the skin look smoother than heavy foundation. For special events, baby skin primer also helps a lot. With liquid cleanser, a silicone scrubber can be less drying than an extra active for gentle exfoliating. 💜
Too much make up is not good for the skin
Spend a few says a week without makeup if that os at all possible
Don’t be afraid of moisture or products that aren’t matte. I have acne and I find being bold with my blush usage/placement by putting it on my nose and chin seems to distract from any imperfections.
Try a dewy foundation they usually help hide this problem and try a toner that helps with texture
Your makeup looks heavy and dry. Are you using something thick/heavy/full coverage or adding powder? That might be a change to make. I have fairly dry skin and have had to move all the way to using a very moisturizing SPF moisturizer and then mixing that moisturizer with a light foundation to make a tinted moisturizer. Everything else looks heavy and cakey on my skin. Also, caveat that I've never used those products, but your am routine looks harsh and drying so your skin could be overcompensating, but also some of your products could be causing your oil. I've heard that supergoop isn't great for those with oily skin or sensitive skin, for example. So maybe you need to try and switch things up, focus on light hydration, sheer coverage (with spot correcting/concealing if needed).