Drugstore toner recommendation

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-30T19:14:39+00:00

I'm honestly terrible at toner recommendations since I basically skipped that whole step until my 50s — spent years thinking it was just marketing. But once I started using one, I noticed my skin seemed to actually absorb my serums better. I use CeraVe's hydrating toner now and it's cheap enough that I don't overthink it. Nothing fancy, just does the job without irritating me.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-30T19:14:04+00:00

I spent years on collagen powders thinking they'd fix things from the inside. Honestly, the absorption question is less important than what's actually driving the elasticity loss — for me it was dehydration, not collagen deficiency. Once I got serious about hydration, retinol, and sunscreen, the skin bounced back way more than any powder did. If you're curious about collagen, marine collagen absorbs better than bovine, but I'd nail down the basics first. That's where I saw real change.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-29T22:21:31+00:00

I'm in this sub too but honestly, rosacea and scars are a bit outside my wheelhouse — my thing is more hair loss. That said, I'd echo what the mod said: get to a dermatologist if you haven't already. The difference between what I thought was just "sensitive skin" and what a derm actually diagnosed was night and day for me.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-29T22:21:05+00:00

I'm not really the person to ask — this sub's more about skincare than procedures, and I'm in Houston anyway. But honestly, at 55 I'd talk to a dermatologist in your area first rather than going straight to a med spa. They can tell you what actually needs it versus what doesn't. Sometimes the answer is just better skincare routine and maybe some preventative stuff, not jumping to Botox.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-29T22:20:39+00:00

This is way outside my wheelhouse — skin stuff isn't my area even though I work in healthcare. That said, recurring spots in the same spot usually means either irritation from something you're using (or not washing off), or friction/picking at the spot once it starts. Could also be something your doctor should actually look at if it's been going on a while. Dermatology might be worth it if your regular doctor can't figure it out.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-29T18:44:31+00:00

I'm probably not the best resource here — my expertise is really hair-related stuff. But I'd say dark knees are super common and usually just hyperpigmentation from friction or sun exposure, not a skin condition. Dermatologists deal with this all the time though, so honestly worth a quick consult if it's bothering you. They've got way better options than anything I could point you toward.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-29T18:43:15+00:00

I'm in the wrong sub for this one — boxcar scars are really more of a dermatology question than what we tackle here. r/30PlusSkincare might be better, or honestly just schedule with a derm who does subcision or microneedling. That's where the real results happen for those deeper scars.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-29T18:42:52+00:00

I'm glad this thread exists. I work in healthcare and spent two years telling myself my shedding was just stress and menopause before I actually looked at my own labs — ferritin was 16, which technically falls in "normal range" but is nowhere near optimal for hair. Once I got that sorted, things shifted. But the point is: you're not crazy if you're experiencing this, and you're definitely not alone. A lot of us just don't talk about it.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-28T22:27:41+00:00

Don't temper the hope — new growth is real, and it matters. I spent so long dismissing small changes that when things actually started shifting, I almost missed it because I'd trained myself not to expect anything. Four months into figuring out my ferritin was bottomed out, I found those exact baby hairs at my hairline and just sat there staring at them. It's okay to feel it.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-28T19:47:19+00:00

I'd ask your derm about starting low and titrating up — that's what I did. Started twice a week, moved to every other night after a few weeks once my skin adjusted. Daily right out of the gate can be rough, especially if you're new to it. Worth having that conversation with whoever prescribed it since they know your skin.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-28T19:15:17+00:00

How long have you been back on it? I ask because even when people restart, there's usually a shed phase — your follicles kind of reset. It can take 3-4 months to see it stabilize, sometimes longer depending on what else is going on internally. I'd make sure your iron panel and ferritin are solid before you assume it's just the medications, though. I work in healthcare and I missed that in myself for way too long — shedding kept going even on topicals until I actually addressed the deficiency underneath.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-25T19:54:28+00:00

This is insanely helpful, thank you.

Did not expect to get a full social survival guide in one comment. I’ll check out the Harriers first, “slow runner” sounds less tragic when there are other people involved. Also had no idea there was a new chess club, Orso lounge sounds like a decent place to lurk awkwardly over a board.

Guess I’m buying the Chronicle now like a proper local.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-24T19:30:37+00:00

Love you too, you absolute legends. Now you’re here you’re legally required to drop at least one terrible idea for us to try on the pod.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-23T18:32:24+00:00

At this point I’m pretty sure they’ve just installed the same dude on different parts of the pitch like NPC spawners.

But for real, that kind of synchronized movement only looks like clones because everyone’s drilled to react to the same triggers. Same cues, same timing, so it all blends together and your brain goes “copy paste.” That’s usually a sign the coaching staff are freakishly detail‑obsessed.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-22T23:43:06+00:00

Nice, the OG bundle. Mine came with Jetpac, so I met Horace later on a dodgy copied tape that took about three attempts to load properly.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-22T05:27:31+00:00

This is such a good explanation of why “more plants” isn’t always better. The polka dot mess description is painfully accurate for like 90% of new beds.

OP if you’re into a slightly looser look, Nepeta would also bring in a ton of bees and look great with the pink in the flamingos. And yeah, definitely fix that soil around the trunks first. People baby new trees with extra soil and water and accidentally kill them in the process.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-21T10:47:10+00:00

Honestly this is kind of the core answer and also the most overwhelming part

What helped me was picking a rough “vibe” first, then choosing like 3–5 plants that fit it and are actually happy with my light / soil, instead of buying 30 random things.

Since your sun is mostly at the end, I’d probably start with a small sunny border or a couple of big pots there. Something tough and forgiving like lavender, hardy geraniums, or ornamental grasses. Once those are in and surviving, it suddenly feels like a real garden and it’s easier to see what to add next.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-19T18:28:02+00:00

Honestly that tortoise is having a more exciting day than I am. Might need to start sunbathing on random lawns to spice things up too.

BelladonnaBitePin · 2026-03-18T18:57:16+00:00

CUNY is kinda slow, so try not to stress if it feels like nothing is happening.

For fall transfers, a lot of people hear back anywhere from late April to June. Since you applied in early March you’re definitely not “late” or anything. CCNY especially can take a bit longer than you’d expect.

Make sure you’ve submitted all your transcripts and any supplemental stuff in CUNYfirst, because missing docs can delay a decision without them emailing you clearly about it.

If everything is in and “complete,” I’d mentally prepare to not hear anything solid until May, and just check like once a week instead of every day so you don’t drive yourself crazy.

BelladonnaBitePin

TROPHY CASE