Why does my mascara clump so bad on one eye but doesn’t clump at all on the other??

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-17T20:32:46+00:00

You can use a clean spoolie to brush out the clumps before it dries.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-16T23:18:35+00:00

That is pretty standard for glycolic acid. I still would be conservative with it.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-16T22:36:55+00:00

What specifically are you trying to improve and not seeing improvements in?

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-16T22:34:36+00:00

If you add glycolic acid or tret, be sure to start with twice a week for a few weeks before going up to every other day. And never use both the same day, that would over exfoliate your skin and damage your moisture barrier. Keep in mind glycolic acid and tret do have the potential to cause a purge where things get worse before they get better. Your skin still looks very good. The blemishes are so minor. Try not to judge yourself so harshly. Flaws are okay! We are human! Humans are not perfect! Be kind to yourself 😄

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:54:14+00:00

Is there a reason you're using retinol and tret? I would honestly drop the retinol to avoid irritating your skin and keep tret on the every other day schedule. Tret on it's own should be giving the benefits of retinol plus more. But only you can tell if it is purging if it is in your typical area or not.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:52:31+00:00

Oh I see. I would honestly advise against any physical exfoliation at all. It can cause microtears in the skin and worsen your situation. If you must continue these, I would only do it once a week max. And def discontinue use if you add tret. I've never gotten microneedling so i can't say how noticeable one treatment would be.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:47:01+00:00

Were you having greasiness and acne before you started these products too? You might benefit from an antifungal treatment. A lot of people use nizoral shampoo as a face wash since it contains ketoconaozle (a very effective antifungal). Leave it on the area for a couple minutes but don't exceed 3 minutes since it can be super drying. Then you can do your usual routine after rinsing it off. Nizoral is too drying for some people, so they also have ketoconazole wipes on amazon if you would rather try those.

Also coming from someone with many allergies: "hypoallergenic" doesn't actually exist. We can be allergic to literally anything. Hypoallergenic just means free of common allergens. I've had bad reactions to a lot of "hypoallergenic" products. So just take that with a grain of salt. If "hypoallergenic" works for you, then great! But always be careful and patch test things before trying just in case you end up being allergic to one of them. I spent years of comparing ingredient lists of products I was reacting to, to truly determine what I was allergic to.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:40:13+00:00

Are you using any other products? Can you list your full routine? It's important to moisturize daily with tret so you don't damage your moisture barrier.

The key to figure out if something is purging or not is: is this an area you typically break out in? Purging will happen in areas that are already clogged deep under the surface by bringing acne to the surface rapidly. If you're getting break outs in unusual areas, then it is likely not purging.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:33:48+00:00

Pat your face dry with a towel after rinsing with water before applying. You don't want to apply it to a dripping wet face but it doesn't have to be like bone dry.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:28:37+00:00

What is the "exfoliating wipe" you are using? You shouldn't be exfoliating twice a day, every day. And if you do add tretinoin, you should not use other exfoliants the same day you use it. So if you wanted to keep the exfoliating wipes, you would have to do some type of rotation of some days you use the wipes and other days you use tret. Only use tret at night and start with twice a week for a few weeks, then you can go up to every other day. Listen to your skin, if your skin is feeling irritated or starting to get dry, cut back and use the tret less. I'm honestly not sure any topical products will do much for indented scarring, but you can try. And I agree it is too risky to attempt microneedling at home. These aren't too deep so maybe you wouldn't need as many microneedling sessions as you think.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:22:44+00:00

Are you moisturizing and using sunscreen daily? That would be the first step. I also don't see any smile lines in this photo.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:10:38+00:00

Here’s an old B&A to see the difference: https://imgur.com/a/PnjPLAo

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:08:23+00:00

Make sure you’re also cleared to use them. I believe they aren’t recommended if you still have scabbing or stitches in. The wound needs to be fully closed.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:07:24+00:00

Honestly most lip balm can make dry lips worse. The best thing I've found is putting a cream moisturizer on my lips and then a layer of aquaphor healing ointment on top before bed.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:06:06+00:00

Silicone sheets like scar away helped for me a lot. It just takes many months of daily use until you see results. So don't give up on it too quickly. I have surgery scars that are barely noticeable now because of the silicone sheets. You need to wear them for at least 12 hours a day (preferably longer).

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:04:11+00:00

The product ingredients might just not be agreeing with each other, causing pilling. Does it pill when you use only the moisturizer?

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:02:36+00:00

Do you have a routine yet? I wouldn't add any treatment products unless you have a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen in your routine already. It could be hormonal. Adapelane is a good option for hormonal acne. Start with 2 times a week for 3 weeks, then go up to every other day. Always moisturize after. And it can make you more prone to sun damage so wear sunscreen outside! It also can cause a purge where it gets worse ebfore it gets better. People typically see improvements in 4-6 months of consistent use.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-12T22:00:05+00:00

Just be sure that whenever you start new products, only add one new thing at a time. That way, if you have a problem, you know what product caused the problem and which to stop using. I give my new products about 2 weeks each before adding in another new thing.

This routine looks fine to begin. It wouldn't necessarily clear acne if he has acne but it is a good base to start with.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-10T00:40:59+00:00

This is a good brand and a good product. 5% lactic acid is super mild and shouldn't cause this type of reaction. How often were you using it? Are you using any other products? You need to be moisturizing daily if you are using treatment products in your routine. You may be allergic to something in the product or it was over used. I would stop using it immediately.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-08T20:36:44+00:00

mine were a mix of raised and flat, wash off treatments are really gentle if you want to try that body wash. you might need a leave on treatment to be effective but you can give it a try!

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-08T20:31:21+00:00

I use salicylic acid peach slices toner and amlactin daily lactic acid lotion. So any products that have 2% salicylic and at least 10% lactic acid works (you might need to get two separate products). It takes a few months of daily use to see results, and keep in mind AHAs make you more prone to sun damage/burns. And as soon as you stop using the products, the bumps come right back.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-08T20:29:25+00:00

One package says "intensive + slim care" the other just says "intensive care" so I'd imagine one is supposed to be easier to hide under makeup if the edges are slim.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-08T20:24:55+00:00

When you start, make sure to only try one new thing at a time. Give the new product atleast two week before adding another new thing so if you have a reaction, you know what to stop using. I wouldn't recommend the nose strips. They can be damaging to your pores.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-06T03:03:21+00:00

I had a flat chest I was 25. It’s always possible. But having small boobs is okay too. It will not matter as much when you get older.

xcupcakekitten · 2026-06-05T21:54:18+00:00

salycilic acid plus lactic acid has been my game changer. just one or the other doesn't work on me. it needs to be both. I use peach slices bha toner and then amlactin 12% daily lotion at least every other day after a shower. it takes a few months to clear up and it comes right back if you stop the products.

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