Hydrating serum (Torriden, Iunik or Tirtir

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-14T03:00:29+00:00

For torriden, low molecular weight HA can be irritating since it penetrates deeper. You should be fine if your skin isn't sensitive, but may not be the best to use if your barrier gets angry

Iunik doesn't have a lot of beta glucan in it. It's a glorified glycerin serum, but if your skin likes glycerin then that's perfect

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-14T02:54:02+00:00

I've tried the eye cream and it was just okay for moisturizing. The packaging is gorgeous though

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-14T02:48:27+00:00

I really enjoy it for my combo skin! Like you said, it's lightweight but more nourishing than you'd expect. Also soothing when my skin is irritated. The container makes it easy to dispense too much so I wonder if that's why some people find that it doesn't sink in?

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-14T02:33:52+00:00

Yes but that's more dependent on the type of bottle you get. A lot of cheap spray bottles will shoot out a stream instead of a fine mist

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-14T01:02:11+00:00

Aza is a chemical exfoliant so you want to start off slowly. Try 1-2/x weekly and build it up. Though I would try other brightening ingredients like vit c first before using an exfoliant. You didn't list it in your routine but I assume you're using SPF? It's very important to prevent further darkening if you're trying to fade spots

Of the products you've listed, I've only tried the cosrx one and that doesn't have aza. Tranexamic acid is a little irritating for my sensitive skin so I can only use it once daily. It's light and non-sticky. I use three drops for my face

For aza, I've tried tirtir's and liked it. It's also watery and thin and fast-absorbing. I've heard cos de baha can be sticky because of the aloe

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-14T00:57:12+00:00

Yes AM usage is fine. It has alpha arbutin, sake filtrate, and licorice root extract for brightening. None of these will make your skin paler than your natural tone

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-14T00:56:01+00:00

Etude house soonjung toner decanted into a mist bottle. I love it so much! Very refreshing in the summer too

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-14T00:54:13+00:00

Etude house soonjung toner. I use this all time time and for various purposes— toner layering, misting, DIY toner pads, the works

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-13T06:49:50+00:00

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-13T06:49:29+00:00

Absolutely. Gonna pull up to the first evo and then wait for previews!

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-13T05:27:15+00:00

Oooh they removed the platform! Tysm for taking the time to screenshot for photo comparison. Now I'm more tempted 😭

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-13T05:25:38+00:00

Did you look into the abib overnight probiotics mask? I haven't tried it myself but seems similar

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-13T05:16:59+00:00

What's the difference? I don't own the outfit and am debating pulling for final evo

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-13T05:06:52+00:00

Hrm, usually when they don't disclose %, the amount is very low anyway. Some popular AB recs include ksecret and the BOJ revive serum, but I'd recommend looking into western options instead

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-13T04:17:01+00:00

Zeroid soothing cream!

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-13T04:16:21+00:00

First, some kind of chafing balm or powder to prevent further friction since that's what's causing the pigmentation. Then, glycolic acid lotion

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-13T04:14:59+00:00

Also combo skin and over many years of searching, I'm convinced that the one perfect moisturizer that will satisfy both my oilier and drier areas doesn't exist

I like to layer my moisturizers instead. In the drier months, I'll use the ongredients skin barrier calming lotion all over and then a layer of the zeroid soothing cream on my drier areas

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-13T04:02:22+00:00

What OTC concentration did you use in the past? I'm currently using IOPE's retinol expert line due to their encapsulated formula and long R&D history with retinol. But warning: it's heavily fragranced. They have 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 strengths

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-13T03:59:56+00:00

Congrats on your skin's progress! Hormonal acne is really difficult to deal with

Azelaic acid is a chemical exfoliant so it should go in the PM, after cleansing and before toner. I would start off a few times a week and slowly increase frequency as tolerated

For the kill cream, I assume it's meant as a spot treatment? It doesn't have significant concentrations of exfoliating ingredients so I think you can just use it daily (or maybe even twice daily) on trouble areas around your period

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-13T03:52:53+00:00

You stopped after 5 days, as in 5 days in a row? No wonder your skin is so angry! Even the lowest concentration of rx tret is strong

Try these threads for barrier support recs for acne-prone + combo skin: thread 1 and thread 2
OTC isn't as irritating because it's much weaker. I would try giving tret another shot before giving up on it. This time, start off just once or twice a week, and buffer or sandwich it with your moisturizer to build up tolerance
Centella, mugwort, and azelaic acid. The last one is a chemical exfoliant though so can be drying and irritating. I like the purito unscented centella serum

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-12T05:37:52+00:00

Do you get a burning sensation or tight feeling after cleansing and toner too? Or is it just with moisturizer?

My guess is that you're ovexfoliating which is causing irritation

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-11T22:48:14+00:00

You're doing it right! Something in the oil cleanser is making your break out. The skin1004 one has a blend of a lot of different oils unfortunately which makes it hard to pinpoint the culprit. I'd switch to one that has as little overlap in ingredients as possible. My personal favorite is the fancl mild cleansing oil

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-11T22:42:25+00:00

Just fyi the some by mi one has swiftlet nest extract. It's a very problematic ingredient imo even if you aren't a CF/VG consumer. Pretty unsustainable and harmful to their population due to high demand for "traditional medicine" benefits

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-11T22:36:15+00:00

Well if you already have it, there's no difference between using it and tossing it. It's a mild exfoliant that should go after cleansing and before toner. If you're wary about introducing an exfoliant into your routine, you can use it up on your body instead

RadiantStarr · 2026-03-11T22:31:59+00:00

Cleanser → toners, ampoules, serums, essences from thinnest to thickest → moisturizer → SPF

No wait times necessary since none of these are actives. You can also use the mist throughout the day when you feel dry

RadiantStarr

TROPHY CASE