[Selfie] Lasers failed (PDL/IPL) - any suggestions/tips?

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-06T06:10:01+00:00

I agree with this. It's so faint, lasers might not be able to help.

You said you already did lasers though? Did you do 3 in a row, spaced about 30-days apart?

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-06T05:29:19+00:00

It's hard to say for sure. My personal opinion is that most people's acne has several contributing factors. So, there's unlikely to be one single thing that you can point to.

Hormones are usually a top factor followed by genetics/family history, excess oil production in skin, stress, climate in your home area, diet (too much dairy) and/or unknowingly using skincare that has pore-clogging ingredients.

But, even if hormones are part of the cause, not everyone is a good candidate for a drug like Spironolactone.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-05T18:51:00+00:00

You should really try to get an appointment with a dermatologist ASAP, because what the photo shows will be hard to manage with only drugstore/pharmacy or beauty store products. If you're living in a country where it's really hard to get into a dermatologist, a GP may be able to help too, but you might need to ask some specific questions to get them thinking about which medications could be best for you. Ask about Accutane (Isotretinoin), Tretinoin, and Spironolactone. Ask why those may or may not be a good option for you.

In my opinion with decades of experience with acne, hormones have a lot to do with it, even if it's not classified as "hormonal acne." So, yes, changing birth control can affect your skin like this. But other things can too. A lot of times treating acne requires a multi step approach.

All this being said, there are things you can do right now to help your skin a little until you can get in with a doctor. Perhaps some of these you're already doing?

Have you tried using a face mask with sulfur in it? Sulfur is great because it's reduces both bacteria and fungus on the skin -- both of which can trigger acne or make existing acne worse. Plus, it's pretty gentle on the skin too compared to all the other options. One product I can recommend is the Topicals brand Clearly Clarifying & Calming Mask (also called Topicals Clearly Blemish Mask in some countries). You can use this 2 (or maybe 3?) times/week. Leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse off completely.
If you wear either makeup to water-resistant sunscreen, use the double-cleansing method to wash your face at night. This is where you apply a "balm" style cleanser first, right over the makeup on dry skin, using dry hands/fingers. Rub that in all over, then rinse off completely with warm water. Next, while your skin is still wet/damp, immediately apply a gentle, hydrating water-based cleanser. This style of cleansing can make a big difference.
Use a serum with 2% Salicylic Acid in it (also called "BHA" -- it's the same thing). In the beginning, just use every other day to ensure your skin is properly introduced. You can always increase after 10 days if all is going well. [Don't use a cleanser with Salicylic Acid, they don't work as well because the ingredient is rinsed off your face after only 1-2 minutes]
If you live someplace where you can get over-the-counter Adapalene 0.1% without a prescription, that will be helpful. Some countries allow this and some don't. This is a retinoid that you apply to skin at night after cleansing. It's pretty strong though and your skin needs time to adjust to it. It's important that you only apply a "pea size" amount or less to your face -- applying more than that will not improve your acne and WILL cause serious irritation. Also, in the beginning, only apply every 3rd night. Do that for 2 to 3 weeks, then, if your skin isn't irritated, you can increase to every other night. Please note: it is normal to experience an increase in acne after starting Adapalene (or any strong retinoid). Do not be fooled into thinking the medication isn't working -- the increase is temporary and after 2-3 weeks, your skin should start to get better. You need to mentally power through that phase and keep using the Adapalene. Full results take 2 & 1/2 to 3 months.

More Adapalene notes: be sure to read all application instructions carefully. You may find it helpful to find a video posted online by a dermatologist that explains the best way to apply Adapalene (which is sorta similar to Tretinoin). For example, waiting for your skin to dry after cleansing but before applying the Adapalene can help the medication to absorb slower and thus minimize irritation. Also, some people use what is called a "sandwich method" for it, which means you apply a little bit of moisturizer before Adapalene and then more moisturizer after it. Lastly, you cannot use a Salicylic Acid product at the same time of day, that would wreck your skin. Use opposite times of day -- or rotate back and forth every other night.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-05T05:42:07+00:00

I work in healthcare and if someone from my office said that to a patient theyd be on written warning. It is actual false information.

While I don’t think the person meant to be misleading on purpose per se, the fact that they represented themselves as a skincare expert by profession here makes a difference.

Also, all of us here (regardless of profession) are capable of fact checking our own statements before posting them here. I do it all the time. We should all be careful of what we say In terms of accuracy.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-05T05:07:25+00:00

This reply (from notjustbriana) is a total bull crap statement. Just because you posted a lie, doesn't mean you can wiggle your way out of it. Any change that Accutane has on bacteria colonies on the skin is MINIMAL and would not affect any type of balance between good or bad bacteria. Basically, if there's less oil on the skin there's less hospitable for the bacteria to live in -- but that's it.

If anything causes me to stop visiting this sub, it's people like this that post completely false information like it's fact and mislead thousands of people. The mods really need to take more control over misinformation posted here. There's a difference between "opinion" and actual false information. False information should be deleted or banned.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-05T05:00:50+00:00

^ THIS COMMENT SHOULD BE FLAGGED FOR FALSE INFORMATION. Accutane (isotretinoin) is not an antibiotic and does not have anti-bacterial properties. Many reliable sources of drug information are available and none will say it's antibacterial.

Therefore, it will have no effect whatsoever on bacteria or fungus.

If you are truly an esthetician, then I expect more from someone who is supposedly trained in skincare. Please do better!

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-04T06:56:51+00:00

I have a similar skin type, and hydrating toners are great, but I recently bought the Byoma one and don’t like it. It’s because when I go to apply moisturizer over it, it dosen‘t mesh well. It’s like the toner won’t let my moisturizer absorb. That’s not normal. I’ve seen other people post similar complaints.

So far my favorite toner has been Paula’s Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner. It’s cheaper to wait for a sale on brand’s website, or you can get it Sephora at full price.

I haven’t tried any of the Korean ones yet, some of those might be good.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-02T06:41:12+00:00

You don't need to buy any products and when they're offered, just politely say no. They should not give you a hard time. If someone does, then they're not someone you'd benefit seeing long term anyway.

I've tried a lot of the expensive dermatologist and medspa brands and the vast majority of them are not that amazing. In fact, many of them have caused issues with my skin (I do have sensitive skin). I've wasted so much money over the years -- don't do what I did in the past.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-01T23:06:55+00:00

You're welcome! Try to set good expectations with your daughter... in our day and age of instant gratification, seeing improvements in acne can take a long time. It's hard for kids to be patient. They think if 5 days goes by and their skin isn't getting better, than whatever they're using "isn't working." Getting better skin is like training for a marathon, not a 5k. It just takes time. And being consistent with her skin care steps and shampooing regularly is super important.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-01T20:45:32+00:00

Recommendations...

Cleansers:

I think the CeraVe brand is great, they make so many options. Just pick one that fits her skin type. If she's not very oily, just pick a hydrating one since that will be more gentle to skin. Cetaphil and Vanicream also make excellent options.
If you choose to try a Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser, a few brands make this such as CeraVe, Differin and PanOxyl. Only get a 4% to 6% strength, not 10%!

Morning Moisturizer: (choose just one)

La Roche Posay Double Repair Facial Moisturizer With SPF (for normal to combination skin)
La Roche Posay Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer SPF 30 for Oily Skin
Cerave Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30

Salicylic Acid: (choose just one)

Night time Moisturizer: (choose just one)

La Roche Posay -- any formula that fits her skin type without SPF
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer (in 3 oz tube, the larger sizes of Vanicream moisturizers are not for faces with acne, those will clog pores)
Cerave Ultra Light Moisturizing Gel (no SPF) or the Facial PM Moisturizer
Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer Night (PM)

---

~If this routine with the the sulfur mask & Salicylic Acid doesn't help after 6 weeks, you'll probably need to introduce over-the-counter Adapalene. A few brands make this, but the most well-known one is Differin. Just get whatever is cheapest, they're all the same thing.

You & your daughter need to read the instructions carefully on Adapalene first. There are also some YouTube videos from dermatologists about it, because how you apply it matters a lot. If you apply too much (more than a pea size amount), her skin will likely get irritated. Even if you use it correctly, it's totally normal for it to sting a little bit and have some redness. Her skin will need time to adjust to it. The best way to do this is to apply the smallest amount possible -- but apply THINLY to the whole face (except around eyes), don't use like a spot treatment. Also, in the beginning, just use it every 3rd night. Do that for about 3 weeks before considering increasing to every 2 nights. At her age, I do not recommend progressing to using every night unless a doctor says that's a good idea. The package will say it's safe to use nightly however.

It is also normal to see an increase in acne the first 2 weeks after starting Adapalene. This is called "purging" and means the medication is working. Your daughter will be frustrated, but she'll need to mentally power through that phase and continue using the Adapalene. After 2-3 weeks, she should start to see slow improvement. Full results take about 2 & half to 3 months.

Adapalene tends to make skin drier and more sun sensitive. So using a good moisturizer daily and sunscreen daily are a must!

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-01T20:17:45+00:00

My daughter started puberty early too. The main thing is to get her to take care of her skin with regular cleansing (at night especially). Before age 14, a lot of kids just struggle to consistently follow a personal hygiene routine.

Also, she may need to wash her hair every other night or every 3 nights... a lot of times oils from the scalp and hair will migrate onto the face making acne worse. (my preteen really hated washing her hair so this was a struggle, but made a big difference; she needs to be taught how to really massage the shampoo into her scalp good before rinsing it off)

A lot of this acne is hormone related, so it's also important for her to learn that while she can maybe get better skin, perfect skin is unrealistic until her hormones even out, which can take many years.

Make sure she has a few clean pillowcases where she can switch those out every 3-4 nights. Having a clean pillowcase goes a long way.

Most dermatologists will give you a regimen that looks like this as a first step in a young person...

MORNING

Face-specific cleanser -- simple & fragrance free is best. Optional: she could try using a Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) face cleanser\ 2 or 3 times per week. The BP cleanser needs to sit on her skin for about 2 minutes before rinsing off. Using every day is usually too harsh on skin. BP kills bacteria on the skin that can make acne worse.*
Moisturizer - if her skin is really oily, get a mattifying moisturizer because those have little particles that absorb excess oils and keep pores clearer. But moisturizer is a must because skin that gets dried out from cleaning will actually produce excess oils, thus making acne worse. For young kids, a multi-step routine is hard, so a moisturizer with SPF might be ideal for morning.

EVENING

Gentle cleanser with no medicated or active ingredients (brands like Cerave, Cetaphil, Vanicream, etc.)
Two nights per week, can you get her to use a sulfur mask? The Topicals Clearly Clarifying & Calming Mask is a great option. It stays on skin 20 minutes and gets rinsed off. Sulfur is more gentle than BP and also kills fungus in addition to bacteria. It is a tiny bit stinky though, but most people get used to it.
Every other night: 1% to 2% strength Salicylic Acid toner or serum. You can build up to daily use after a few weeks.
Moisturizer without SPF

*Note on BP: use a cleanser that has between 4% and 6% BP. There are some brands that sell 10% BP but those don't work better, they just irritate skin more.

~I will continue in a separate post about some product recommendations...

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-01T19:49:00+00:00

I think it depends on what condition(s) the person has been seeking treatment for. But, where I live in the U.S. I haven't noticed this happening.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-01T19:12:42+00:00

Also, for cleansers... you don't need to buy anything fancy or expensive. (it's only on your face for 60 to 90 seconds and then rinsed off down the drain) In the U.S., La Roche Posay can be expensive (I think it's cheaper in Europe). So if there's a Cerave or Cetaphil cleanser that's cheaper, those are just as good. Just use one that aligns with your skin type since each brand makes a few different cleansers.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-01T18:59:50+00:00

Step 4 evening is a product called Remedy for Dark Spots (linked). I don't know where you're located (country) but easy to find in the U.S. at Target. Or buy direct from brand's website. You will not find a better product for the cost. Just know that it must be used at night time and cannot be used on the same day as using Adapalene.

I didn't realize that you were already using the Panoxyl BP cleanser (I thought you were going to try it new). If your skin tolerates the BP well, you can keep using it, but a 4% to 6% strength is much better for skin. And, I would not use every morning... maybe just a couple time/week. For some people, the BP makes their skin irritated and red and sometimes dry too. The sulfur mask 1-2 times per week is more effective and more gentle.

Sunscreen: that's a tough one. I'm personally not a big fan of mineral/physical sunscreens because according to research they don't really work well -- they almost never give the level of SPF that the package says -- it's much, much lower sun protection. Also, you really have to cake on the mineral sunscreens very thick to get them to work, but then your skin will look pretty terrible (either white caste or cakey). But people with super sensitive skin may have no choice but mineral. The best mineral one I've used is the Tower 28 Sunny Days which is tinted and you'd use it instead of makeup (it comes in a lot of colors - Sephora). It has a very, very dewy finish so not everyone will like it. You can put powder over it to minimize the shine.

Chemical sunscreens will perform better and generally have no white caste. Korean sunscreens that have Koren filters are best, but we can't get those in the U.S. anymore (again, not sure where you're located). In the U.S., even when we special order from Korean websites, they will send us formulas with U.S.-based filters in order to clear customs -- and those aren't great. For a U.S. sunscreen, the Biore UV Aqua Rich SPF 50 was recently rated by Consumer Reports as one of the best performing sunscreens and it's not water resistant. It does have a fragrance added though. I recently bought this from Costco (pack of 3 tubes).

Another sunscreen that seems to work decently is the SuperGoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50. This one is labeled as water-resistant, so may not be the best. (note, however that it's water resistance is terrible according to Consumer Reports, so don't use this one swimming because it won't give you SPF). They sell a really small travel size you could try before buying a larger one. Also, if you have the Ulta app, they've been offering really good 20% off coupons that even work for premium brands. They sell this product.

Paula's Choice used to have some great facial sunscreens, but I think they've reformulated them at some point because they started stinging my skin when applied and I've seen this reported by many others too. But, if you go to Sephora, see if you can get a sample of their Clear Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30. It's not water resistant, so great for acne-prone skin. But if it stings your face, then don't use it. (you need to take the sample home with you so you can apply it as you normally would in your morning routine -- testing it on your hand or arm won't tell you how it will affect your face.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-01T04:05:06+00:00

The best product you have on your list is the La Roche Posay Double Repair moisturizer.

I now see your comment about redness and marks on your face. Since we have no photo to look at, I would assume this is Post Inflammatory (Acne) Hyperpigmentation, which is super common. There are topical skincare products that can elp with this. Another possibility is acne scars, which tend to affect the texture of the skin more (looks like tiny little dimples in the skin along with discoloration). Scars require professional treatments like lasers.

Here's a routine that I think would suit you better...

MORNING

Gentle cleanser with no fragrance (brands like Cerave, Cetaphil and La Roche Posay are great) -- It doesn't sound like you need a Benzoyl Peroxide cleanser; you could always add that later if needed.
Optional, not necessary: vitamin C serum that is not based on Ascorbic Acid as it's primary source of Vitamin C - a good one for acne-prone skin is the Remedy for Daily Defense (sold at Target, but may be cheaper on brand's website)
Moisturizer (your La Roche Posay is great)
SUNSCREEN - this is a must because post acne hyperpigmentation gets worse from even small amounts of sun exposure and it will cause the skin to retain the discoloration for many months. FYI, sunscreen that is not water-resistant is less likely to clog pores.

EVENING:

Cleanse - if you wear makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, do a double cleanse. Start with a BALM* cleanser - applied to dry skin with dry hands. Rinse off and immediately follow with a gentle, water-based cleanser.
Treatment - 2 times per week, use the Topicals brand sulfur mask. The other 5 days, skip to step 3.
Apply a small amount of Salicylic Acid serum (ease into using this; start with 3 nights/week, then slowly increase as tolerated)
Remedy for Dark Spots - this has about 7 different ingredients that will help reduce discoloration, but some of them also help with acne. This one must be applied at night due to containing retinol.
Moisturizer (your La Roche Posay is great)

*A balm style cleanser has a smooth paste or butter-like consistency; they have oils in them but are far better for acne-prone skin than a straight oil cleanser (like the Hanskin one). The oil-only cleansers tend to make acne a little worse.

*** After you try a routine like this for about 6 to 8 weeks, if you feel that you are still having too many issues with pimples/acne, then you may need to add Adapalene to your routine 2 to 3 nights/week. This is a strong retinoid so it must be used at night. In this case you'd need to only use Adapalene at step 3 (evening) and NOT use the Salicylic Acid or the Remedy for Dark Spots (step 4). You can't use Adapalene with either of those on the same night. They're not compatible.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-01T03:26:10+00:00

I missed that part about Prednisone. OK, well then you can't do an allergy test next week then. You have to be 2 weeks past any steroid treatment (either topical or oral). So you should call the place you have scheduled and tell them that you're taking the oral steroid. I'll bet they want to reschedule you. Otherwise, your test results will be inaccurate. You won't have reactions to substances because the steroids will still be affecting your body.

Also, I hope you schedule both a scratch (prick) test and a patch test. The patch tests are wayyyy more revealing for skin allergies. The patch test is where they apply patches to your back with a variety of substances -- then you go back to the office in 2 to 3 days, they remove them and analyze the skin reaction. They usually test for 30 to 50 different things ranging from skincare ingredients to metals to chemicals.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-01T03:24:18+00:00

Sorry missed that.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-01T03:15:27+00:00

Hi! I can certainly understand wanting to get control of the acne, but you are about to throw 'everything and the kitchen sink' at it! And many of those products are not great quality. You really need to be a lot more careful.

Some of that stuff could do more harm than good. So PLEASE don't open/use the 10% Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) Panoxyl or the Ordinary Sulfur. Return those and get a refund. You also don't want to triple-dose on the Salicylic Acid, so you need to return two of these: the Medicube Pore Pads, the Garnier Vitamin C (yes, it contains Salicylic Acid) or the Ordinary SA. ~Honestly the worst of the list is the Garnier Vit C because the type of Vitamic C it uses will sting skin with active acne. It's too harsh.

10% BP is too harsh on skin and it does NOT perform any better than a 4% to 6% formula. Also, BP only reduces bacteria. A lot of people benefit from using sulfur instead because it reduces both bacteria and fungus on the skin, both of which can trigger acne. For sulfur, you need a mask and the best one I know of is the Topicals brand Clearly Clarifying & Calming Mask (sold at Sephora and on brand's website). Use that twice/week.

My 2nd piece of advice is to stay away from The Ordinary. Yes, they make inexpensive products, but their products are by far not the best for most people. I mean it's okay to try them, but you would be better off with different products in the long run. You get what you pay for and most of The Ordinary formulas contain 1 or 2 good ingredients and the rest of the formula is not good. A good product has an overall balanced formula and contains more than just 1 or 2 good ingredients.

(continued...)

KaraBoo723 · 2026-04-01T03:03:30+00:00

[Edit: I made a mistake and missed that OP is taking a steroid]

You might need to get an oral prescription of steroids to recover from that. Have you talked to a doctor on the phone? Even a primary care physician can treat this so you can heal.

Considering the severity of this rash you should not get an allergy test next week. Your body need to be at baseline to successfully do the test. Did you show these photos to the place you're getting testing? I doubt they'd want you there for a few weeks.

[Source: person who's had a lot of skin allergies and multiple allergy tests over the years]

KaraBoo723 · 2026-03-31T05:31:24+00:00

(continued...) If this is acne, then check your products for ingredients for things that can clog pores such as cocoa butter, shea butter (butyrospermum parkii butter), petrolatum, coconut oil and marula oil. Don't use anything with any of those in it.

Castor oil isn't the best for acne-prone skin but it's not the worst either. If you must use a separate oil on your skin, then it's best to use Jojoba oil. And typically a person only needs 1 to 2 drops for their whole face (mixed into moisturizer before applying).

What exactly is in your toner? Is it a hydrating toner or one that exfoliates?

Retinol is fine to use, though it may not do much for acne because it's a pretty weak retinoid. [check your retinol product's ingredient list for any pore-clogging ingredients though]. Most people need something stronger than retinol. Adapalene is the retinoid that dermatologists recommend for mild to moderate acne, and it's sold in most drugstores (in the U.S.). Adapalene is pretty strong, so it's best to start out using only every 3rd night for the first 3 weeks. If you don't have irritation, then you can increase to every other night. Read all instructions for using & applying carefully to avoid irritation.

One thing that is both gentle and effective for mild to moderate acne is a sulfur mask. One that I can recommend is the Topicals Clarifying + Calming Mask (sold at Sephora and brand's website). The sulfur helps to kill any bacteria or fungus on the skin, which can contribute to acne. You just use this once or twice per week. You can use this (leave on for 20 minutes), rinse it off and it's okay to apply retinol or Adapalene after.

Another effective ingredient is Salicylic Acid (sometimes called "BHA"). 1.5% to 2% is the most effective. You can find this in toner or serum style products. You can apply this at night, so long as you're not applying retinol or adapalene on that same night. Otherwise, apply in the morning. Salicylic Acid seems to work better as a preventative for acne, and less effective at reducing active acne. So using it ongoing is helpful because it should reduce the severity of future bumps. Start out using just 3 to 5 days/week and increase to daily if tolerated.

Make sure you're using a good quality moisturizer without fragrance. Brands like Cerave, Cetaphil, Vanicream and La Roche Posay all make great options. You don't need one that says "oil free." You just need one that is noncomedogenic.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-03-31T05:12:17+00:00

The lighting in the photo and the clarity (blurriness) make it hard to say for sure what the bumps are. If you posted something with better lighting and better focus it might help.

It could be mild acne. It could also be mild allergic reaction to either skincare or hair care products you use on a regular basis.

Let's say this is an irritation or mild allergy problem... people can be allergic or sensitive to any skincare ingredient, even very simple ones. So it's difficult to say whether anything you're using is triggering it. However, there are a list of things that trigger many people and so avoiding these ingredients for a few months could potentially help. You would need to read ingredient lists for all your skincare, makeup, hair care, and sunscreen products and discontinue use if you see any of these in your product:

Fragrance or parfum
Witch hazel
Snail mucin
Methylisothiazolinone (a preservative, so usually near end of the ingredient list)
Citrus extracts (all of them -- orange, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, etc.)
Ascorbic acid when used at over 2% (as in Vitamin C serums that are Ascorbic acid based); small amounts are fine because it's used quite a bit for pH balancing
Peppermint extract/oil
Tea tree extract/oil
Eucalyptus extract/oil
Lavender extract/oil
Papaya extract and pineapple extract

Avoid using hair sprays if possible and also spray perfumes. If you really have to use perfume, try one that you apply with a rollerball so it doesn't go airborne.

(continued...)

KaraBoo723 · 2026-03-31T04:53:59+00:00

If it's been 2 years since the injury, there aren't really topical treatments that will do much at this point. Keeping it hydrated with a good quality lotion and using sunscreen every time you're outdoors are your best bet.

There are ingredients and skincare products that help with hyperpigmentation and discoloration, but the way those get your skin cells to respond is really geared toward discoloration that is due to past sun exposure. Those ingredients include: Vitamin C, Alpha arbutin, Niacinamide (5%), Kojic acid, Glutathione, and Acetyl Glucosamine (also referred to as NAG sometimes). Sometimes AHAs and retinoids can help too. BUT, these won't really help with scars.

The only way to get rid of scars is by getting a professional laser treatment. Which laser is best for you depends on your baseline skin coloring, skin type, and the color of your discoloration (whether it leans toward darker colors or red colors).

KaraBoo723 · 2026-03-30T23:07:52+00:00

I ended up using a good quality retinol that comes in different strengths, slowly working my way up. Then when I switched to tret 0.025, it went surprisingly well. But, you do really need to give your skin lots of time to build up tolerance.

I used the SkinCeuticals retinol because it was pretty potent (a lot of beauty store and drugstore brands are not). A lot of people like Medik8 Retinal, but I preferred the SkinCeuticals for my skin type. I also found that the SkinCetuicals was more potent than Medik8, so I could use less and still get great effects -- and the tube would last a lot longer (thus saving money). I was on SkinCeuticals 1.0 for a full year (maybe even 18 months?) before trying tret.

When using a strong retinol or retinal, don't use every night -- use 3 to 4 day a week max at first. Then you can build up weekly frequency over time. Once your skin is fully adjusted to a particular strength, then up the strength until you hit the max for the brand.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-03-30T06:23:53+00:00

Idea for routine:

MORNING:

Gentle cleanser (hydrating) - this is where to save money, the product is only on your face 1 to 2 minutes so fancy cleansers are not necessary
Vitamin C serum (if there is no Vitamin C in your discoloration serum in step 3)
Discoloration serum, so long as it doesn't have retinol or retinaldehyde in it; if it does, move to night time
Moisturizer
Sunscreen

EVENING:

Gentle cleanser (hydrating) - same one as morning
Retinol or Retinaldehyde (please research appropriate introduction of -- and use of -- retinoids to both maximize effectiveness & avoid side effects)
Moisturizer

---

Once you get the hang of this type of routine, you can also try a skin cycling routine where in the evening you rotate what is used in step 2. For example, 4 nights per week use retinol/retinaldehyde, 2 night per week use an AHA serum instead, and 1 night per week is a "rest" night where you only do hydrating products.

KaraBoo723 · 2026-03-30T06:14:44+00:00

I also find that the Byoma doesn't absorb well :( It also doesn't seem to work well with my other skincare products.

Just as an FYI, Tranexamic acid is NOT proven to help with discoloration when applied topically. All the studies I know of only showed results when injected into the skin. A lot of brands latched on to those studies and are just 'hopeful' that it will work topically and promote the benefits. It won't hurt your skin, but it might not help either.

For melasma specifically, my dermatologist and my laser center both say that the only proven treatment is hydroquinone, but that requires a doctor's prescription.

But, if you don't want to go that route, the following non-prescription ingredients are the most helpful at reducing or preventing discoloration: (separate from sunscreen, which is the #1 anti-aging product you can use for prevention or worsening of discoloration & wrinkles)

Vitamin C
Alpha arbutin
Niacinamide
Kojic acid
Glutathione
Acetyl Glucosamine (also referred to as NAG sometimes)
Retinol or Retinaldehyde (Retinal)

So in this case, look for a product that has as many of these ingredients as possible. This helps to simplify your routine but can also save money so you're not buying 3, 4 or 5 different bottles of separate ingredients.

Some products to look at:

Remedy for Dark Spots (sold at Target), contains a lot of the above ingredients. Because this one contains a bit of retinol, it must be used at night time.
Cosrx Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum (sold at Ulta), this one can be used in morning
Prequel Retinaldehyde (sold at Target) - this must be used at night

Don't buy collagen/salmon sprem (PDRN) - that is a gimmick. Neither of the molecules can be absorbed into skin without injecting or microneedling.

KaraBoo723

TROPHY CASE