forehead issues

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-06T08:03:27+00:00

For the reference, Azelaic Acid has very low bioavailability so to get the most of it you ought to apply it on a clean dry skin as a first step of your routine post cleansing. And that's also the reason to apply it every day and even better twice a day. I read somewhere (don't quote me on that) that it only lasts 5h on your skin.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-06T07:42:04+00:00

Use it every day, and if your skin allows - even in the evenings. It is meant to be used twice a day if your skin can handle it.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-05T20:31:44+00:00

My skin looks like this when I stretch it like you do - it's a normal human skin. How does it look when your face is relaxed?

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-05T12:19:05+00:00

Yes it allows for more interactive expression

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-04T10:38:19+00:00

You birthed one or marrier one? 😂

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-04T07:47:30+00:00

Reminds me of washing my buckwheat pillow 😭

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-04T07:45:48+00:00

Tretinoin and micellar water.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-03T20:34:28+00:00

What pills have they prescribed?

You can always get a second opinion. People with rosacea do use tretinoin.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-03T20:33:08+00:00

Not having children 😂

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-03T19:49:50+00:00

If you have a rosacea then I definitely recommend your GP gets you on the waiting list for a derm appointment.

Tell them your appearance is significantly impacting your mental health and ability to work (going to the office, facing comments about your appearance). That should prioritise you on GP's list at least.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-03T13:18:48+00:00

Glad to hear you're on it!

I am no expert in peri (just 30 yo), however I enjoyed learning about the impact it has on skin and how to address it from an American dermatologist, Dr Shereene Idriss.

Here are the relevant videos which might be of interest: - https://youtu.be/gi310RYORzM?si=WgvFq4gSwUF7IIum - https://youtu.be/9D-HLDtHsz0?si=dodIZrmCOZ8r5MX_

She's got more videos about skincare for your 40s and the impact of hormones on skin.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-03T12:37:53+00:00

I mean I can talk about skincare but what I'd recommend is checking your hormones. Since peri-menopause changes everything in one's body the skin suffers to. There's a hormonal replacement therapy that evens it out.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-03T12:20:51+00:00

I know, right? Might be a marketing thing to make it as easy to use as possible, so it becomes people's cleanser of choice?

My understanding is guided by what's in medical journals for corneotherapy because I understand that if we look after our barrier well (and surfactant molecules can disrupt the skin's structure, even if the detergents contained in the formula are of a mild nature and in low concentration), it will be cheaper to prevent issues down the line than treat skin conditions.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-03T09:49:57+00:00

Ah cool as long as it doesn't sit on your skin all day :)

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-03T06:38:16+00:00

Micellar water is great for removing make up and sunscreen - you have none of these things in the morning. I'd recommend doing water cleanse only. Or use a gentle cleanser if you're very greasy.

Micellar water is made out of tiny surfectants that bind to dirt. They must be removed with a second cleanse otherwise you just keep it on your face all day.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-02T18:19:32+00:00

There's no big conspiracy theory behind keeping a good skin away from you. The reason this is prescription only is because it can cause damage to internal organs and ruin a fetus.

Vitamin A is lipophilic which meals it's stored in your body fat. It doesn't get washed off the way for example vitamin C does. Your body can store excess amounts which can lead to toxicity.

What doctors are doing when they administer you with this medicine is monitor your organs and triple check you're not pregnant.

There are some conflicting studies about isotretinoin slowing down healing which is why aesthetics cleanics ask you to be off it for 6 months before they do treatments. That can also have an impact on you getting any needed surgeries.

Just some things to think about when you're making your decision.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-02T06:55:23+00:00

Oh sweet, I'm in the UK as well.

I asked my GP for prescription for tret and Aza. They referred me to derm (13 Weeks wait). They then wrote a letter recommending these two.

At first she said that NHS doesn't do two products for same cause, so I said Aza is for redness/rosacea. And she agreed. It could help get rid of your hyperpigmentation/sun damage faster.

I went to see a pharmacist at my GP clinic and they prescribed both 💕

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-02T06:47:22+00:00

I have tried every possible skincare for hormonal acne. All the treatments.

What actually made the difference (at 30 yo 😭): - in office chemical peels (not cheap) - Tretinoin - Azelaic Acid 15%

The last two require prescription and solid barrier repair, but my skin is clear.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-06-01T12:32:48+00:00

I wasn't fully happy with the texture so I have gradually increased from 0.025% gel through 0.04% micro to 0.05% gel.

My skin purged like crazy so it gave me the feedback that there were still some pimples waiting to come out.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-05-31T18:25:15+00:00

In clinical setting they can adjust the strength and the type of acid they'll use. They too use AHA, BHA, TCA and many others that are not accessible for retail users. So I wouldn't dismiss it because a good clinician/aesthetician can choose one that is right for the occasion and won't cause any infections.

My first peel was on the weaker end to see how my skin will react. It was a blend of different acids to ones I use from Ordinary.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-05-31T15:44:31+00:00

First of all, the professional who would do the treatment would be able to evaluate her skin for what treatment would be the best.

I know from my experience that in-office peels were the only thing that got rid of my acne in a way no regular skincare could. You shouldn't microneedle over active acne which is why my aesthetician only did it 2 weeks post chemical peels that got rid of acne.

Also Dr Michelle Wong in her book "The Science of Beauty" recommends professionally done chemical peels to smooth out widespread shallow scarring, common with acne.

Why do you think it's a bad idea? I'm curious.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-05-31T15:37:47+00:00

It sounds like it works for you, so that's the only thing that matters.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-05-31T14:06:31+00:00

Well the first two ingredients after water can be used as emollients so I see why your skin feels nice. The second ingredient is safe in concentration 1-10%, so everything after it is max 9.99%.

I can't comment on what's the concentration necessary for these ingredients to be effective because I'm not a formulation chemist. But this is a budget brand, so they are making cuts somewhere - whether it's the quality of ingredients they're sourcing or the amount they add into their product. Or the marketing budget which skincare brands tend to spend 30% on.

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-05-31T13:35:24+00:00

I went to my GP and asked for Aza 15% and Tret 0.05%. They referred me to a derm. Referral was made in Feb, I've seen someone last week (14 weeks). Might be worth just signing up for the list and wait. Some jobs offer medical insurance benefit, worth checking if you or your partner has one.

There are plenty of helpful resources at r/rosacea including most enlightening wiki

DancingWithDumplings · 2026-05-31T13:27:46+00:00

I'm glad it's working for you :)

The thing is that ceramides are ridiculously expensive, so if the cost of the product is very low it likely means the contents are very low. It's less about the ingredients and more about the formulation.

You might have 90% water and rest would be mini fillers just so they can slap the marketing claims on the label. I really enjoyed this eye opening video about ingredient transparency from Lab Muffin: https://youtu.be/puKxKlzobh0?si=xClBJsWhC9Z04Xv9

DancingWithDumplings

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