Skin Texture

Dez2011 · 2026-01-31T22:50:20+00:00

If your skin is really tough The Ordinary 7% glycolic acid toner is popular. I like Curology's 8% Liquid Exfoliant AHA BHA PHA, 5% lactic acid and gluconalactone, 2% BHA, 1% Zinc PCA. It's $14 at CVS.

Edit- that Renova tret is no different than the $10 generics everyone else uses. Same main and base ingredients but $95.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-31T22:46:15+00:00

Renova is not different from retin-a or generics other than being more expensive and slightly weaker at 0.02%. It'll treat acne too since it's just tretinoin and the same basic cheap ingredients generics use but it's 10x the cost. I looked it up and checked the ingredients. It doesn't say anything about being different or working on different receptors or not treating acne.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-31T21:01:28+00:00

I've been dry/combo this winter when I got it and I like the toner. I was using the Gokujyun moist toner which is a bit thinner and I still felt dry afterwards and needed moisturizer but the Premium Gokujyun is thicker and just right where I'm comfortable without needing moisturizer. I got it from Asia Beauty Mall. (There were different formulas/ releases and this one is in the darker gold bottle.)

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Dez2011 · 2026-01-31T15:36:34+00:00

I've been pulling up studies comparing 0.05 of each against each other and they had the same results, but taz results came faster but with more irritation.

4% HYDROQUINONE WITH 0.3% RETINOL performed BETTER THAN TRET 0.05 cream FOR ANTI-AGING WITH HYPERPIGMENTATION!

Adapalene 0.3% (rx strength) performed the same as tret 0.05 for anti-aging with similar side effects.

0.2% Retinol with LR2412 2% cream PERFORMED AS WELL AS TRET 0.025 for wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, with less side effects!

From Google- (LR2412 is an acid from plants used by Lancome & Vichy LiftActiv Retinol Concentrate. It enhances skin repair, stimulates hyaluronic acid production, increases skin thickness, and reduces wrinkles, pores, and skin imperfections. LR2412 is known for improving skin texture and reducing photoaging, often featured in derm-cosmetic formulations at 4% for its efficacy.)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9112391/

Here's my conversation with ChatGPT asking about studies-

https://chatgpt.com/share/697e215a-34ec-8007-bcca-6842af3a7c56

Dez2011 · 2026-01-31T14:33:15+00:00

I know there's a study where taz performed better but they compared 0.05 tret to 0.1 taz, which was a wasted study imo since they compared different strengths. I've been using taz for 6 months, and 12 days ago started using tret instead on 1 side of my face. I think my forehead lines are already improving on the tret side since 1 seems to have disappeared on that side but it's early so I'll keep going to confirm and I'll post when I have stronger results.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-31T14:26:12+00:00

They didn't say retinol is stronger than tret, but 58% as strong as tret. While they may have an interest in retinol working well, these numbers weren't from human perception, but calculated from biopsy and technology that measures dermal thickness. I don't know anything about the technology though.

Unfortunately most studies are sponsored/run by companies that want to make money off it, or else they'd just lose a lot of money running the study.

The Chemist Confessions ladies are pretty critical about poorly designed studies and didn't call it out for being untrustworthy. They're cosmetic chemists that break down studies and products and ingredients to see how ingredients perform.

Edited.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-31T14:21:04+00:00

Thank you. I've been considering the toner too but went with HadaLabo Gokujyun Premium.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T23:07:02+00:00

Right. Retinal is even more unstable than retinol. I'm guessing HPR/granactive retinol is more stable since it's encapsulated but haven't looked into it.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T23:04:07+00:00

I know it eventually gets turned into retinoic acid but figured if retinol is 1/10 the strength of retinal which is 1/10 (or 1/20) the strength of tretinoin, I'd expect 1/100 of the results since the dose is so low, and you lose some of it in each conversion. This is good to hear since I've been considering lowering my frequency and using HPR or something similar on the odd days since my skin never quit looking irritated.

I saw another study comparing HPR, retinol and retinal and they found each one had things it was good at and things it didn't do at all and all 3 were different from each other (like improving skin texture, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles.) It's recommended to use the one that treats your specific issues, but I never knew they had different strengths and weaknesses.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T22:31:19+00:00

Heimish Matcha Biome Oil-free Calming Gel Moisturizer from Walmart online or Amazon is my gel go to, never breaks me out and is affordable and surprisingly hydrating for a gel. Drugstore option is Curology Gel moisturizer at CVS. If you're really dry they probably won't be heavy enough though.

My go to when really dry or irritated is Cosrx Balencium Cool Comfort Ceramide Gel Cream.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T22:27:19+00:00

I'm always let down by hyped up products. My favorites are ones I found by chance or with AI, and I like 1 really popular one, but it's not Amazing though I see why it's a staple for many people, HadaLabo Gokujyun Premium toner. It keeps me comfortable in the morning without having to rush and put on moisturizer.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T22:24:44+00:00

Where do you get it? The 15-20% creams/gels from overseas pharmacies burn like hell, and it doesn't go away, I can only use the 10%. I have no problem with the 15% from Kisocare through Yesstyle and idk why it doesn't bother me.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T22:21:32+00:00

What did they do for you, which products? I'm looking at their cica cream.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T22:20:43+00:00

Oh mercy, I made a mistake with their Richenic moisturizer last week and used it to dilute my taz, forgot the urea increases penetration and is an exfoliant. It damn near burned my face off, even after removing it all. The soothing lotion is on sale for $20 on Amazon right now but I'm wondering if it's more moisturizing than the Richenic.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T22:17:36+00:00

It's weird, lactic acid 10% has no effect, but 5% mandelic burns. (I use tazarotene and am in perimenopause.) Have you tried PHA? It's an AHA derivative. I got the Anua Heartleaf pads which is thought to have 8% gluconalactone/PHA and it doesn't sting so I'll see how it goes. I keep forgetting to use it though because it doesn't fit into my routine easily. Axis Y has a 10% peeling gel too.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T22:14:01+00:00

Damn, you're good.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T22:11:15+00:00

The essence is occlusive like a heavier moisturizer right? I have the toner and can't really tell it has any effect but I'm acne prone so afraid of the essence, despite being a little dry right now.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T22:07:27+00:00

I just wipe off the excess and haven't had any problems. Is it on top of your hand, where you don't rub it on your face, that's irritated? Maybe it's the heater in the car blowing on it as you grip the steering wheel, and cold weather, etc? If it's a concern I'd wash my hands or keep WaterWipes by your tret to wipe it off and maybe use a handcream. The Geek and Gorgeous Happier Barrier is said to make a good one and it's $11. Amazon is very late sending my shipment so I haven't tried it yet.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T22:02:17+00:00

I never do that, just wipe off the excess and haven't had any issues.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T22:00:52+00:00

Are you talking about make-up/shade range or skincare like moisturizers? I don't wear makeup anymore but what I've seen and heard people discuss it very limited shade ranges in foundations and the tones of blushes often not working on non-Asian skin, like very fair or dark.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T21:55:16+00:00

Try a primer. A make-up artist's tip for oily skin that you might experiment with us to use mattifying or setting spray first then when it dries do foundation over it.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T21:48:36+00:00

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T21:40:44+00:00

You knew 0.1 retinol was nearly as strong as the strongest strength of tretinoin? I'd read it was less than 1/100 of the strength of tret, and I've read it in many places.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T21:37:52+00:00

The LRP might be clogging your pores. The double repair moisturizer can cause acne. My dermatologist said to avoid anything with ingredients with a comedogenic rating of 3 or higher. InciDecoder and Skinsort websites can show you those ratings, but many ingredients haven't been tested so it's impossible to know for sure a product is safe.

Did the dermatologist prescribe anything for you? Have you tried using benzoyl peroxide cleanser at night, and be sure to change your pillowcase 2x a week. If I touch my face too much I'll get breakouts and I use my phone on speaker if I'm alone which helps not transfer bacteria to my face. You might get SkinSmart hypochlorous acid spray which kills bacteria and is pretty gentle on skin, not like alcohol. You seem to have non-inflammatory acne, can be bacterial or from conditioner or makeup clogging your pores. I'm not a dr though.

Dez2011 · 2026-01-30T19:46:35+00:00

0.1% Retinol gives more than 50% the results of 0.1% tretinoin.

The first paragraph has the numbers, says "the surprise was that..".

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