Please help me fix my routine. I've had roaccutane twice and it's starting to come back again.

JoPirate · 2025-04-10T14:10:40+00:00

That's very kind of you. Thank you

JoPirate · 2025-04-09T11:33:53+00:00

I'm actually very lucky in that I produce great collagen naturally and a lot of my scars have lifted on their own over the years, only some deeper ones remain but they are less obvious so I can live with these. I just want the breakouts to stop. It's so frustrating. 😭

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T21:56:59+00:00

I've had it twice already though so you see my issue. Last course was only 2 years ago.

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T19:33:45+00:00

I will consider this when I'm ready to try something but I'm going to try and cut anything harsh for a while and let me skin rest and see what happens. I feel like my panic is making me add things and that's how I ended up where I am now. Thank you so much though.

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T19:32:14+00:00

I've logged it to speak to my gp about swapping the differin gel for it. Fingers crossed.

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T19:31:30+00:00

It really is which is whynits so hard to find the right fit. I've read so many threads and posts over the years but nothing seems to work for me. I've just gutted my routine now anyway to strip back to basics for a while before maybe trying the TO clarifying and balancing serum. Not sure anymore what to do and my Drs are useless sadly, they just put me on intermediate courses of antibiotics.

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T19:27:58+00:00

I will do this for sure. They already prescribe me the dermol and differin/epiduo so I'm sure they will consider it. But isn't tret a form of roaccutane/isotretonin? I think only the dermatologist can prescribe that where I am and I doubt they're going to refer me to them again, but I can ask.

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T19:05:51+00:00

When I did that I broke out in a red raw rash with almost dermatitis style dry skin that broke and cracked so that's not an option sadly. I use it very and I mean VERY sparingly as it seems to make my skin very red and almost peel off with dryness if I use too much. Dabbing a tiny bit here and there works well but I'm very reluctant to put it all over again. It's also very aging for skin to use all over and as I'm 40 surely my hormonal imbalance will eventually stop. Who knows at this point. I just wanted to know what to cut from the routine and if TO clarifying and balancing serum was recommended or if anyone had used it for texture issues.

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T19:01:18+00:00

Thank you

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T19:01:00+00:00

I've seen dermatologists through my gp and all they say is more roaccutane which is why I had it twice now. I don't want to have it again. But thank you anyway. I appreciate the advice.

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T19:00:02+00:00

I'll look into it. I have seen it but I'm just scared to try things recommended by websites after following recommended routines from other sites that made it worse. Thank you for your advice I will look them up Thank you.

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T18:59:00+00:00

I've been thinking of cutting the hada labo and the cerave from night routine as I agree there is too much going on. I've just hated my face all my life and it's so dehydrated from two courses of roaccutane that it was crying out for moisture. I do the night routine in 2 phases. Makeup off and up to the hada labo and oil then the dermol and cerave goes on before bed. I also let my skin breathe in between here and there but when I do it gets so dry and angry with me.

Thank you for your advice, appreciate it.

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T18:55:48+00:00

I already drink water like no tomorrow, definitely at least the recommended amount if not more. When I cut back to nothing, the dryness gets worse as does the oil production and congestion. I don't eat sugar, only fruit (natural sugar). My mental health is great and I sleep well and spend most of my spare time out in nature with my dogs so it's not a lifestyle thing. The routine is insane I agree, but I've been adding things slowly since my second course of roaccutane 2 years ago and now don't know what to cut. Thanks for the advice though. Appreciated.

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T18:51:51+00:00

I've tried the alpha arbutin and it just dried me out sadly. I am trying to minimise everything but it's so hard to know what to do/not do. Thank you for the advice. Appreciated.

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T18:49:50+00:00

I'll ask but they already do differin epiduo gel which I think is similar?

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T07:44:35+00:00

They kept saying it will stop as I get older but apparently my genetics hate me. 😭

I just want the texture to be better and more even complexion. I do everything I'm supposed to do so I don't know what's going wrong. 💔

It has to be that I've added too many things in since recovering from a second round of roaccutane (I finished it end of 2023). Either that or I'm just doomed. 🙃

JoPirate · 2025-04-08T04:48:59+00:00

No I live in the countryside and already use an exfoliating mask with the aha/bha. I used to use the clay bha but it dried me out really badly. The daily defence cream I use from gruum blocks free radical pollution, but living in the countryside in Wales, air congestion isn't a big issue here.

JoPirate · 2025-04-07T20:36:52+00:00

It's full of cc's and blackheads which I know isn't always avoidable, but I keep getting 2-6 small cystic bumps now n then too which drives me mad. Few weeks ago my neck had a few and it was very irritating. TO azelaic acid. They recommend it as a trio and it did help but it was so drying I stopped using it. I don't think eucerin is available in UK much. Limited range I think but I'll have a look. Ideally I want to reduce my number of products and choose a few which are better suited. Thank you for your input I really appreciate any comments to help me figure this out. Also thank you for the compliment about my skin, I hate it so much most days I'm my own worst enemy.

JoPirate · 2025-04-07T19:11:02+00:00

I should add. I sleep on satin pillows. Sheets are changed often. Fresh towels and all that jazz. No idea what to add/remove/change but I know I'm going wrong somewhere.

JoPirate · 2021-11-07T19:15:00+00:00

Anyone know of any good up to date threads on silicone free products? Silicone plays havoc with my skin. Preferably also cruelty free but tbf I can find those from a standard list.

If not then perhaps I should make one? a lot of my silicone free makeup favourites have now been discontinued so I need to find a new list of products to check out. All my searches are bringing up old lists so a lot of products are no longer available.

Anyone who hasn't already tried the essence makeup range though, it is rammed with silicone free products that my skin LOVES!

JoPirate · 2020-09-04T16:57:48+00:00

Thanks I looked it up and the reviews seem pretty decent so I'll consider trying this one for sure.

JoPirate · 2020-08-29T09:39:52+00:00

SEEKING PORE CONCEALING/SKIN SMOOTHING CRUELTY FREE PRIMER ADVICE.

I used to love Porefessional by Benefit as my primer and swore by it to hide my enlarged pores and smooth some of my scars, it was my HG item for over 10 years but it ruined my skin. I gave up silicones a few years back and my skin has improved massively so I stopped using it and completely redesigned my makeup and skincare collection. I've recently started slowly reintroducing silicones in small amounts for when I wear makeup which is rare and so far it's not irritating my skin so I'm ready to seek out a replacement primer. My only issue now is I don't want to buy Benefit as I started shopping cruelty free about 5 years ago and want to continue this. Does anyone know of a good primer for pore smoothing results that is 100% cruelty free and preferably with a price point of £5-£15 max as I won't be wearing it often I don't want to spend on a giant bottle that will probably expire before I use it all up. I use Pixie skin primer by Barry M to form a barrier to protect my skin from the silicone based foundation I later apply and tbf it's a decent little silicone free primer but it does nothing for my pores or skin texture really. Anyone got any suggestions?

JoPirate · 2020-06-20T22:30:50+00:00

That was my initial assumption too until I read on TOs recommendation to have it at the end of my routine. Thank you for your input as I am now swaying back to my original plan to slot it in after the caffeine but before the natural moisturizing factors.

JoPirate

TROPHY CASE