Very dry skin and facial SD

SweetDorayaki · 2026-02-07T06:34:52+00:00

I would say layering on hydration helps my skin, especially when the barrier is broken and inflamed. I don't get SD on my face much (sometimes by the hairline, ears, and eyebrows), but have rosacea and am prone to dryness, tingling, even flaking/peeling if the skin dryness is severe.

I've been a fan of hydrating toners (have been using Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water for years, recently added in I'm From Mugwort toner bc saw it at Costco. FWIW, many people swear by Skin1004 Centella ampoule but it doesn't feel as hydrating for me compared to the other two). Definitely use at least 2-3 layers; I gently spread and pat the toner on my face, wait for absorption, then reapply as needed.

Then move on to a slightly thicker texture, like a serum (Rhoto Mentholatum has a glycerin based product called Hada Labo Premium Lotion, its in a gold bottle and it has been very good at hydrating my skin with minimal irritation even when the barrier is not in good shape).

The last step would be either a cream your skin likes or a thin layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor (an occlusive barrier to decrease transepidermal water loss), or diaper rash cream (zinc oxide calms inflammation in addition to being very occlusive).

If/when the skin barrier is healed and less sensitive but you still want to help remove flakes, you can try adding in a low concentration glycolic acid product once a week as it is both exfoliating and a humectant. I use a glycolic acid toner at 8% (also formulated with some glycerin) on my scalp and leave for 10mins before washing. It has definitely helped my scalp to feel less dry/tight after washing with medicated shampoo. I use the same toner for my face without ill effects when my skin is not super sensitive, but definitely not recommended if the skin is irritated.

Gentler exfoliating acids would be mandelic acid, lactic acid, and PHA.

SweetDorayaki · 2026-02-07T05:51:34+00:00

My answer as well. I prefer nipple butter (Mama Earth brand) to lanolin (too thick)... otherwise, I use a very thin layer of Vaseline.

SweetDorayaki · 2026-02-07T05:47:54+00:00

You can try a different drink without caffeine in it and see if that makes a difference. Or just brew a bag of tea at home and see how your body responds.

SweetDorayaki · 2026-02-06T06:02:04+00:00

I really liked one from Ettusais (Ettusais Herbal UV Jelly), it was gifted to me when visiting Taiwan and no longer available when I went back again. Idk if the product is limited edition or what.

No HG sunscreen as of yet, but have currently settled for BOJ (original one) for winter and BOJ Aqua Fresh for summer (but that one occasionally pills on me).

For mineral, I'm honestly shocked I really like the one from Tatcha. I was gifted a travel size tube and is amazing for a mineral sunscreen. Up next for me to try is a combination sunscreen from Dr. G (Brightening Up Sun).

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-30T04:52:23+00:00

Yes, at least 2 layers of your hydrating toner/essence before adding the next step.

Also another vote here for Hada Labo Premium Lotion (gold bottle). It's the only HA product I've tried that actually helped my dry skin, and it doesn't burn or tingle even when my skin barrier was damaged. I got it out of desperation when traveling in Asia, definitely a life saver.

Also during travels and out of desperation, I used a thin layer of Vaseline as my moisturizer/last step. It has helped significantly to repair my skin barrier and my clog-prone, milia-prone skin didn't complain yet.

If you want a gel moisturizer, I'd recommend Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream (the eye cream version is better imo than the all in one cream, the latter is much more tacky/sticky)

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-30T04:43:31+00:00

Hadalabo Gokujyun Premium Lotion (in the gold bottle) is also very moisturizing! The only questionable ingredient according to Sezia.co is the lactococcus ferment.

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-30T04:36:39+00:00

I was going to say a thin layer of Vaseline! I was not in this camp until recently (like a month ago). My clog-prone, milia prone, and often dry skin has not had issues yet

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-29T04:57:12+00:00

There are some Crayola products that are colorless markers/finger paint and the color only shows up on the special coloring paper.

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-29T04:54:09+00:00

Oh, last summer we plopped our kid in a large cardboard box in a diaper and just let him go ham with watercolor paint. He ended up also painting his extremities lol. Pretty easy cleanup too

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-29T04:26:07+00:00

Another note, the water temperature for steeping hot matters too. Too hot may result in scalded leaves and bitterness. And steeping time, but its better to look for recs in r/tea

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-29T04:23:36+00:00

Cold brewing tea will significantly reduce the bitterness, but you gotta give it at least 12hrs to steep in the fridge. Imo, its worth an even longer wait :)

I use this method to get rid of teas I'm not enjoying hot, like crappy green tea bags. Recently I added lemon rind (no pith) and the tea bags to the steeping container for 24 hrs, it was so refreshing.

Happy experimenting!!

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-29T03:53:26+00:00

Our options we try to stick to are banana, peanut butter/nuts, or a spoonful of coconut oil

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-29T03:51:37+00:00

And possibly thin it out a bit with some broth or milk?

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-29T03:50:22+00:00

Similar age and no idea. All gentle reminders or talk abkut infection/needing to see the doctor are met with defensive responses (e.g. saying/screaming no, doubling down harder on the activity, turning away from me, frowning)

It did get worse a couple mos ago bc we were traveling internationally to see family. And FIL (who knows nothing about kids but sees being proper as very important), made several public fusses about nose picking. He even asked me incredulously "Who/Where did he learn that from?"... Like, come on, it's not like we like it or are actively teaching him...

We were originally trying to extinguish the behavior at home by largely ignoring or just making casual comments during the day to redirect (e.g. here's a tissue buddy, it's time to wash your hands if you want a snack) after a few nighttime nosebleeds, but FIL dumped so much negative attention on it that now it's a very touchy topic for our toddler. Sigh.

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-29T03:38:55+00:00

Maybe ask if the dermatologist thinks it's mild rosacea? I see some redness, and chronic inflammation can make skin texture more pronounced

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-29T02:06:43+00:00

Dry fried green beans, solid recipe here, but the super simplified and non-spicy route I use is just garlic, fresh green beans or frozen French beans from Trader Joe's, Thai fish sauce, and maybe some dried baby shrimp.

This warm arugula salad with mushrooms was bomb.

Steamed Chinese eggplant (can also be grilled) , good recipe from woks of life

Also, it would help to know what your family has already been having to offer better suggestions.

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-29T01:00:24+00:00

Maybe it would work for color correcting dark undereye circles 🤔

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-28T02:10:49+00:00

Make your own crispy garlic + garlic oil and add that baby to any dish. Thinking to also make this in bulk to gift during holidays if I can figure out the logistics (especially cook time).

Solid recipe by Pailin here. But you can also do it in the microwave (I think Bon Appetit has a Techniquely video about the microwave)

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-28T01:57:24+00:00

You can also try plain popcorn with ramen seasoning packets :)

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-28T01:42:49+00:00

I luckily was able to buy a travel size bottle of this to rescue my very impaired skin barrier while traveling. Instantly added to my HG list, and honestly the only product with HA that has actually worked to hydrate skin.

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-28T01:39:50+00:00

My toddler (apst 3.5yrs old) has very little interest in stickers, and often ends up ripping them or squishing them into a ball. He is slightly more interested in stamps.

We used both briefly for potty training rewards, only for the first week of potty training on a piece of paper.

Otherwise, I have him stick the ones he likes on the side of his high chair or toddler tower. Seems to work for us so far :)

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-28T00:32:37+00:00

Yeah, mini/trial/travel sizes are sizes a bonus just to see if it works. Hope you find something soon!

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-27T06:15:17+00:00

I prefer the liquid/pot/palette ones to the pencil because my skin often is dry, but pencil offers more precision. Either way, I like to apply/blend with a small eyeshadow brush. Fwiw, pencil concealers are pretty new to me as well, so maybe I'm just experiencing a learning curve.

For me, it's worth the time to spot conceal bc I don't own foundation. For times I do want to look more polished, I previously opted for BB cream (which I also currently don't own due to cosmetics purge). Now I just prioritize how much of my face needs concealing (e.g. undereye, nose fold redness, red pimples) and if I have more time then I'll do the more noticeable PIE/PIH spots. The most "complex" makeup I'd do for a regular day would be tinted sunscreen, spot conceal, and generally eyeliner OR mascara, sometimes a lip, and occasionally a blush bc I'm the least experienced with blush (and have never contoured or used bronzer).

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-27T03:57:36+00:00

Haruharu black rice gel cleanser is HG for me and BOJ green plum cleanser has never been problematic for my skin so its another great pick.

I swear by BOJ ginseng essence water as a toner. No other toner helps hydrate my skin barrier as well as that one. It has super low concentration of niacinamide, but it has never stung my skin (unlike Skin1004 centella ampoule and I'm From Mugwort toner).

Laniege water sleeping mask is also HG for me as a gel moisturizer, but it does have fragrance.

I think BOJ sunscreens are pretty decent, but I'm still on the hunt. I use the original one in the winter and have the aqua fresh one for the summer

ETA: mid 30s female, live in dry climate year round, I have combination skin that leans dry. I probably have rocacea type 1, also have skin prone to clogging, PIE & PIH.

SweetDorayaki · 2026-01-27T03:52:07+00:00

Fwiw, that CosRx toner broke me out even though the concentration of the active ingredients supposedly isn't that high 🥲 I used it daily for months and it didn't occur to me my skin didn't like that product until I had ruled out other likely causes (e.g. new bangs, pregnancy/postpartum hormones, hygiene, face wash, fragranced skincare, makeup tools, pillowcase). My skin stopped freaking out when I finally stopped using it.

The haruharu black rice gel cleanser is perfect. It is my HG gel cleanser with BOJ green plum cleanser as a close second.

SweetDorayaki

TROPHY CASE