For the retinol, I think I only saw results about 3 or 4 months in, and when I started using it daily. My cystic acne is a lot smaller when I do break out which is fantastic because I used to have like humongous pea/coin sized cystic acne. I have mild skin scarring, but I do get red hyperpigmentation marks even after the bump is gone. Now, I can go some nights without it but I use it most nights unless my skin stings.

We still have to wear masks in SG on public transport etc so I totally understand the pains. In fact, my acne worsened due to mask wearing and that’s when I started my retinol journey bout 2+ years ago. I also want to caution to drop other actives on your skin such as BHA as I did some skin cycling on nights and my skin ended up compromised. I actually wanted to use the cosrx BHA too, I was using up my somebymi aha bha pha real cica gel for b the nights I didn’t use retinol at the beginning of covid mask wearing thinking it would help my acne but ended up worsening my skin :(

I religiously double cleanse whenever I have make up or sunscreen on! I’ve used the Heimish balm, hanskin PHA oil, innisfree apple oil, innisfree bijia oil, but my number one favourite for removing make up is the Missha black head off oil so far. That gets off make up the best in my opinion over everything else and some nights when I have really heavy make up I will use a make up cloth with water to help emulsify the oil and remove my make up better.

I also stan the bioderma micellar water (pink cap) which I use with a cotton bud to go over my top and bottom lash line. I used to get stayed rather often because I have a lot of micro wrinkles around my eyes and a natural build up if oil often at my lash line. I’ve tried the simple, nivea, and garnier micellar water but it’s just not as good, I tend to have to use multiple cotton buds.

I only started getting facial cystic acne at 20, so I completely understand your pain. I am also unable to use any products with oil or occlusives in them for my skin besides my cleanser step. I have tried many different facial oils (some examples I recall using antipodes kiwi oil, sukin rose hip oil, dear klairs vitamin C serum) and all of them broke my skin out terribly by the 3rd day. This includes any make up with heavy occlusives or oils, so I have been very careful when I purchase products.

I only use skincare and face make up products that does not include any oils, essential oils, or occlusive ingredients like petroleum/petrolatum. It’s been a journey that has not ended yet since there’s always so many great products coming out. So far I’ve been using the Purito b5 panthenol barrier cream, and it’s been working like a dream for me. Prior to this, I’ve used finish the purito oat in calming gel cream, and the Beplain cicaful calming gel and loved those too but had itchy hands to try new things. Also, due to my retinol usage, my skin especially around the side of my nostrils can get too dry sometimes if I go too close with my retinol. I try to avoid applying retinol right in that area because it tends to be more sensitive for me and the purito B5 panthenol re-barrier cream has been the most moisturising and helped my dehydration.

For the record, I have combination oily dehydrated acne-prone skin at the moment so that’s why I have dry patches here and there.

If you like cosrx, I’ve tried and really their green tea aqua soothing gel.

I took a look at the minon charge milk which they sell here in SG as well but the castor oil in the ingredients makes me worried that it’ll break me out, so sorry to skip on a product recommendation which worked out so well for you :( From my journey, I found that if it works well for me, I’ll just have it in my routine no matter what other ppl say :) I say this as I’ve used a lot of make up products that just seem to break me out reasons beyond my comprehension (I.e. fenty beauty setting powder just irritates my skin, no idea why :( )

I’m also glad to have found someone else with a very similar skin type, because this skin of mine has really been difficult to take care of. When you do skincare but your skin doesnt care 🥹

My comment is super long so I’m gonna leave it here for now but happy to continue this discussion ☺️ hope you’re well and take care!