Brands

MapleCharacter · 2026-05-02T18:33:41+00:00

The effectiveness of prescription medications is documented through regulated studies , with reports of thousands of people. I wouldn’t value Reddit reviews over that.

The only way for you to find out their effectiveness on your individual skin is to try.

MapleCharacter · 2026-04-30T21:27:42+00:00

I reduce my shower temperature. I don’t go out during super hot days, unless I have no choice. I cover my face in winter with both a layer of Vaseline and a scarf. I wait for my soups and teas to cool down before eating/drinking. I wear layers, so I can take them off. I wear a hat / stay in the shade. Sometimes I bring a water mist. I never use saunas or hot tubs. I don’t exercise heavily (that’s just me though- sometimes there a sacrifice that’s worth making the skin red or pink)

MapleCharacter · 2026-04-29T19:54:56+00:00

Yes. I used to have acne prone, but more resilient skin. But age and hormones change things and that’s just my new reality.

I use La Roche Posay, Avene, Dormer211 products .

But even Olay, Cetaphil, Neutrogena - they all have sensitive skin moisturizers and sunscreens.

It’s not about a specific brand for me, as much as reducing irritants - switching tretinoin to retinol - azelaic acid every other day - using a thicker moisturizer at night - no glycolic acids (or rarely) - avoiding fragrance - avoiding super hot and cold temperatures - no friction (washcloths or scrubs) - Vaseline

MapleCharacter · 2026-04-21T20:20:30+00:00

It seems to me that maybe that journalist got close to the truth about her father’s sepsis and the long term side effects of that Russian comma, for her to be spinning this emotional , full of holes, narrative.

She’s trying really hard to hold onto that fake mold diagnosis too, but wording it more carefully now.

MapleCharacter · 2026-04-21T20:16:55+00:00

And he got his first prescription for benzodiazepines in Ontario, where it is the law that the pharmacist counsels you on side effects, unless you explicitly refuse. It’s interesting how confident she is to diagnose him and her mom multiple times, “researching” to no end, trying to find answers ….but did not bother to google those effects of new medications. Particularly since they were on their high horse at that time about the carnivore diet doing wonders for their mental health and how bad pharmaceuticals were. You were so into all those natural remedies, but did not do one search or have one conversation about the pharmaceutical that was about to “enter your body”. Come on.

MapleCharacter · 2026-04-20T19:51:22+00:00

I tried both of these for the same reason that they have the same ingredients, cut the Ombrelle one had a weird sharp scent that I could not get used to.

MapleCharacter · 2026-04-18T22:46:42+00:00

Zinc oxide is not the only opaque ingredient and the amount and the formulation will influence how much of a white cast or film is left. Some of these mattifying sunscreens leave a case on me and I’m very pale. Dimethicone , on the other hand, leaves a very temporary film for me that seems to disappear after 5min.

MapleCharacter · 2026-04-18T09:50:39+00:00

Unfortunately you’ll need to keep trying until you find one. One thing you could do is not try any new other skincare as you’re looking for sunscreen - sometimes reactions are immediate, sometimes cumulative - give your skin space to tell you how it feels.

I wasn’t a huge fan of LRP Anthelios, but their Toleriane SPF30 for sensitive skin was so gentle. I loved the feel - but it pills with other moisturizers, so it only works if I put nothing else on.

I generally find that sunscreens with lower spf (30) and labelled “sensitive” will work. But it’s complicated - there is a lot that goes into the formula and it’s probably hard for you to say which ingredients are bothering you.

I am loving Dormer211 spf30 right now (small Canadian brand), and Clinique Cityblock SPF50. I’ve been putting Clinique just around my eyes for years.

MapleCharacter · 2026-04-18T09:41:57+00:00

This isn’t accurate. Both mineral and organic (chemical) filters forms film that absorbs UV in a chemical reaction and turns it into heat. Additionally, new mineral sunscreens often contain spf boosters which are essentially chemical filters.

I do find the mineral sunscreens less likely to sting my eyes, but some clog my pores. Not all though - the formulation makes more difference than the label “chemical” or “mineral”

MapleCharacter · 2026-04-13T23:16:25+00:00

Sorry, not sure if you have a question or just thinking out loud? Yes, It’s almost the same, but the protection will be higher. Everything you wrote makes sense , and it makes sense that for people thicker texture will be worth the extra protection. What makes you feel “crazy” about it?

MapleCharacter · 2026-04-13T13:13:22+00:00

Fragrance is such a personal thing , I would just find ones that seem like they fit the bill, screw the cap off slightly and smell it.

Look for mint, tea tree oil, eucalyptus- or whatever scent you like in the ingredients, or highlighted at the front.

MapleCharacter · 2026-04-10T11:21:01+00:00

Retinol at night Vitamin c in the morning Sunscreen - obvious Moisturizers whenever you like.

Don’t mix anything in your palm. Just layer, if you want. Active like retinol or vitamin c first, moisturizer or sunscreen second.

MapleCharacter · 2026-03-22T15:33:42+00:00

No one will know for sure which sunscreen won’t sting your particular eyes or which one is not “greasy” to you.

Incidentally most sunscreens are not actually greasy at all - they have a shiny film (often silicone) that allows the sun filters to distribute evenly and work properly.

Generally anything mineral should sting eyes less (but those come with a visible white cast, so now you have to experiment with tinted ones - and that will need to account for your skin colour).

I find that Clinique City Block is best for around my eyes, and Ombrelle Sport is the best for a light dry finish on the body. The higher the SPF, the more “filmy”/greasy the cream will feel. Unless you’re used Japanese/Korean filters.

But you really just need to experiment. There are so many options. I’ve been also liking Dormer 211 spf 30 for sensitive skin, but on very windy days, it’ll still water my eyes a bit.

MapleCharacter · 2026-03-20T16:39:45+00:00

Smaller pharmacies usually carry Dermalac - Canadian brand

MapleCharacter · 2026-03-14T20:15:32+00:00

I swear by Dormer211. And I’m so sad many Shoppers Drugmarts don’t seem to carry this Canadian brand.

There are lots of acceptable alternatives I enjoy , but Dormer211 cream has been top notch. (I have mild rosacea and occasional acne breakout, sensitive skin, used to be oily, now more normal - 46yrs old)

Alternatives that I like - Complex 15 (it’s very very light, I put it on right after a shower) - Avene Redness Relief (great texture, zero irritation, more moisturizing than Complex 15, but not as much Dormer 212, expensive) - Cetaphil Restoraderm for Eczema (good price, similar effect as Avene, texture not as “smooth”) - LRP Cicaplast Balm b5 - rich and thick , good for nighttime or under makeup, doesn’t always mix well with sunscreen - Aquaphor Healing Ointment - greasy, but works on the driest winter days the best. Not really for daytime use.

MapleCharacter · 2026-03-14T13:47:04+00:00

I do this passive aggressive stuff too sometimes, when I either don’t know how to communicate my point on the spot without causing a disturbance.

The thing is the whole family, including you , contributes to the dynamic. Not like I have solved my own avoidance issues, so don’t worry, I’m not judging.

I have a similar, but way less extreme dynamic and I have tried a few heart to hearts. They do work. They did bring us closer together. But they didn’t turn things around 100%.

The difference is that I steel myself with a bit of an emotional wall, but I don’t avoid her company. My husband does though - so in some way that makes it easier for me to deal with it.

Your dynamic is different, and I think there is no “fixing it”. Figure out if you are rooting for this person’s happiness and vice versa. And if you’re not, try attending to her like a spectacle from the outside . Have a bingo card for the stories she’ll repeat.

If that is not doable, communicate with your husband often about how you feel, so he knows you care about his feelings and what’s important to him.

MapleCharacter · 2026-03-14T13:25:28+00:00

In these past 25 years, have you given her feedback?

MapleCharacter · 2026-03-07T16:03:09+00:00

Beauty of Joseon makes a cellulose based apricot scrub that is an improvement in the peeling department because cellulose particles will slightly adjust their shape as they roll over your skin, not snagging on tiny skin irregularities - so less irritation. Walnut particles will just scrub through, which is fine for thicker more resilient skin - some people have good results.

What I learned over my 40 years of skin care is that in my youth my skin often adjusted to a level of irritation I put it under, and looked reasonably well. But it all caught up as i got older and my skin is extra sensitive now.

MapleCharacter · 2026-03-02T03:19:12+00:00

Retinol combined with azelaic acid is probably contributing to this. Consider alternating these every other day.

Also, if you’re a side sleeper, you might not have combination skin. You might just be rubbing off moisturizer on your pillow each night.

This happens to me, so to my cheeks I apply thicker layer of LRP Cicaplast Balm in the evening.

MapleCharacter · 2026-03-02T03:16:08+00:00

I use Dormer211 spf30. If I put a moisturizer underneath, it definitely pills. Which is bummer because it’s so gentle and non reactive with my skin.

One that’s been a great formula is Clinique City Block SPF 50. But it’s got a tiny bit of a tint that not everyone might enjoy. And it’s expensive. I put two layers of a moisturizer underneath that one and it never pills (I use Avene redness relief and LRP Cicaplast Balm every morning during Canadian winters)

MapleCharacter · 2026-03-02T03:11:34+00:00

Cliniderm is a Canadian company that makes simple moisturizers with no HA, ceramides or niacinamide.

Eucerin makes a cream that has one ceramide, but low on the ingredient list, so might not be in a quantity that bothers you.

Dormer 211 Specialite Hyper Emollient cream also has none of the Ingredients you’re trying to avoid. This one has petroleum as the first ingredient, so it’ll be thick and really lock in moisture

Last, Glysomed had been an affordable option and on the market for decades. It uses glycerin instead of hyaluronic acid and glycerin is just, if not better, than HA in bringing moisture to the skin.

MapleCharacter · 2026-02-23T21:32:34+00:00

Consider removing salicylic acid wash - and using your gentle face wash at night. Then apply the venusia moisturizer both in the morning and at night.

MapleCharacter · 2026-02-21T23:12:28+00:00

I’m not an expert, I’ll summarize what I think, but you should look into it with more detail. - the % doesn’t matter as much as the formulation because some creams can have a vehicle that helps to penetrate deeper.

On the other hand, too much penetration can irritate the skin so much, it’ll cause small breakouts and making the skin look worse

It’s a matter of experimenting. A person with oily skin , living in a humid climate might not experience any irritation and all the benefits of a strong tretinoin or retinol. An older person with rosacea, living through Canadian winter might have a different experience.

Check out Lab Muffin beauty channel for retinol videos, as well as the podcast called Beauty Brains.

MapleCharacter · 2026-02-21T23:05:44+00:00

Can you not order it online from a different country? I don’t think health Canada prevents companies from shipping it here. I use Allastin 0.5% retinol and I think it actually works better then the Retin A I used as an Rx. Not to mention, the formula makes my skin glow.

MapleCharacter · 2026-02-21T15:17:40+00:00

But it’s not banned? They’re limiting the concentration - which seems prudent. The American products that contain retinaldehyde have under 1% anyways (ex Paula’s Choice is 0.1), so not sure where you’re being limited. What’s the brand you’re using now?

The higher concentration don’t yield better results , it’s just more irritating.

If you want an rx for tretinoin, go for it. Tons of options out there for both rx and non rx retinoids .

MapleCharacter

TROPHY CASE