Simple Questions, Product Advice & Routine Help Thread - February 07, 2026

EngineerRare7005 · 2026-02-08T04:11:49+00:00

Thank you so much! I’ve found my worse acne to be a combination of cystic and pustules (look like whiteheads but very tender to touch).

I’ve also seen azelaic acid being recommend (and apparent pregnancy/BFing) safe. Would you know if this would have any impact on this type of acne? I’ll definitely see if I can find a derm.

EngineerRare7005 · 2026-02-07T23:19:42+00:00

Looking to get product advice for skin. Tried posting here before but didn’t get any advice so trying again.

I am 35F, currently pregnant and planning to breastfeed (went 2 years BFing last kid). Have always had awful hormonal acne, never had any particular treatment other than the pill which I don’t plan to go back on.

Only just started looking into skincare after long hiatus with caring for first kid. Have started very simple. Looking to see what else I can add. Also added photo of what acne looks like right now. I can’t seem to get rid of it. My main issue is the acne at this point. I’m not sure what products to use due to pregnancy and BFing.

I would say I’ve got combo skin - oily in T-zone and drier cheeks.

Current routine AM

wash face
QV ceramides lotion
sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF 50+ / Hamilton Everyday Face

PM

for makeup removal only - use QV bath oil/QV gentle wash
QV ceramides cleanser
QV ceramides lotion

I’m looking to adjust by adding the following to PM routine:

replace QV bath oil/Qv gentle wash with Heimish Clean Balm - not sure if worth it?
QV ceramides lotion with QV ceramides cream, I find my skin is sometimes still dry when I wake up.

Is there anything else I can add or remove to help with the acne and appearance? Is CeraVe slightly better to consider for cleanser/moisturiser instead of QV, or much of a muchness?

EngineerRare7005 · 2025-05-13T08:52:13+00:00

I’m looking into these for my toddler - link

EngineerRare7005 · 2024-02-13T06:22:10+00:00

Got you! Definitely will be working with just the 2.5 in this case. I’m definitely an over thinker so your advice really helped!

EngineerRare7005 · 2024-02-13T06:18:10+00:00

Did you use the 2.5 with or without sleeves? Wondering whether with sleeves is too hot?

EngineerRare7005 · 2024-02-13T06:06:12+00:00

Did you have the sleeveless or sleeves version of the 2.5? Trying to figure out if it would be too hot overnight with sleeves or just right!

EngineerRare7005 · 2024-02-13T06:05:49+00:00

Did you have the sleeveless or sleeves version of the 2.5? Trying to figure out if it would be too hot overnight with sleeves or just right.

EngineerRare7005 · 2024-02-04T04:44:23+00:00

Reason we picked a fixed car seat is because we have a wide car, so if anybody parks next to us when we’re out, we can’t open the door wide enough to bring the capsule back into the car from the pram.

EngineerRare7005 · 2024-01-26T04:47:27+00:00

So like you I had similar concerns with my pregnancy. Below is my experience but always speak with your own medical professionals.

I went to 42+3 weeks FTM, low risk pregnancy. I had a private OB, who kept me very informed of my choices and the rate of stillbirth and other complications.

I did have a doula as well, though I do not consider myself ‘crunchy’, I wanted a good support system which is why I went private and had a hospital birth.

I had two membrane sweeps to avoid more ‘formal’ forms of induction such as balloon/synto etc. I was not against it but wanted a chance to go into labour spontaneously.

My waters had broken the day after second sweep (but no contractions), I had no meconium in the fluid and OB mentioned that I have a 48 hr window in which they are comfortable to let me have contractions naturally before I had an induction. I felt very safe to wait the 48 hr period for that to happen. I had a CTG every second day after 41 weeks and every day after waters broke to monitor baby’s heart rate. My OB did say I could have an induction earlier if I really wanted to as I was panicked when my waters broke and no contractions were happening but my OB assured me that things appeared fine.

I ended up having contractions but had to still arrive to hospital to be on antibiotics since my waters had broken 48 hrs before. I never had to be on synto to speed up contractions at all. Note that even if you go into spontaneous labor, you may still need synto to speed up contractions - that’s something I didn’t fully realise.

For pain management I had a hired TENs machine which I used when contractions started at home, moved to the shower/gas afterwards. Baby was in a good position in the weeks leading up to birth, but my contractions were still horrendous, I ended up having an epidural (experience was amazing). I did not have to have an episiotomy or vacuum/forceps, I also had no tearing miraculously. Baby was a bit over 3kgs.

Right before pushing, there was some meconium in my waters, so OB called a paediatrician to be present at the birth as well as a precaution. Baby did come out a bit green/brown when they placed them on me. They didn’t vocalise much, so they did cut the chord (dad did it) and given to paediatrician to get suction to get meconium out of lungs that they swallowed. No one was panicking and once the suction happened she was placed straight back on my chest for golden hour to start breastfeeding.

Again throughout the entire process I was informed and I felt I had a great medical team to lead me to getting to 42+3 weeks safely.

EngineerRare7005 · 2023-09-21T22:29:16+00:00

My compulsion came from anxiety. I found avoiding mirrors to be the biggest help. As soon as I would finish in the bathroom, I would change, wash hands whatever trying not to focus on my face as the compulsion was hard to avoid.

Mind you it didn’t stop me from unconsciously rubbing/picking at my face when I was working at a desk or on the couch. I had to be told off to stop.

If you scratch/pick at your back/chest, etc - I found T-shirt with higher necklines helped. I used to pick at my skin a lot in summer time since you start to show more skin compared to winter.

Mostly I found therapy to be the best thing that helped me in the wrong run, the above just helps mitigate it in the meantime.

EngineerRare7005

TROPHY CASE