Hi all, I am a 20yo male and recently decided to take my skincare seriously. It’s something my gf and I have wanted to do for a while and we finally decided to pull the trigger.
I have done a good amount of research, but I am not an expert by any means. I’ll tell you a little about my skin type. I think I have slightly sensitive combination skin. I have used Neutrogena Oil-Free Facewash with salicylic acid as well as their hydro boost hyaluronic water gel moisturizer religiously forever. I want to up my game however as I have small blackheads along the bridge of my nose and under my eyes on my cheeks. I get whiteheads and other pimples on my forehead, pretty much everywhere else but relatively infrequently and they’re never too bad. Sometimes I break out, but usually in one spot or two.
I want to get rid of my blackheads at least as much as possible and just increase the health of my skin. Since starting this routine, I have been on day 3 and already noticed huge differences in the radiance and moisture content of my skin. I want to even out my skin tone and texture.
TLDR: New to skincare and I would like opinions on my routine and any recommendations to deal with blackheads and improve texture.
With all that in mind, I am currently only doing once a day until my skin gets acclimated to these new products. No negative reactions thus far.
Daily Routine in this order (pictures up top):
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
-St Ives Green Tea exfoliator (1-2 times a week)
Thayer Unscented Witch Hazel Facial Toner
Wash Off Facemask (varying kinds, 1-2 times per week)
Cocokind Postbiotic Acne Serum
Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream (for dark circles but could very well be sleep-related)
Gotcha. That seems to be the consensus. Is it ever a good choice to use a physical exfoliant? I used their avocado scrub for a bit and it seemed to treat my face very well.
Hmm, so the coco kind of 1.5% salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliant. So it does what the St Ives scrub (a physical exfoliant) except more gently by encouraging dead skin to detach through something like chemical bonds.
You don’t need both a chemical and physical exfoliant in your routine. If you use both you can just be mindful that you’re not overexfoliating. If your skin starts to feel dry, take a break.
You are also using the Neutrogena salicylic acid, which is another chemical exfoliant in a wash-off product, so it’s more gentle (not that much salicylic acid stays on the skin). If your skin can tolerate it go ahead. But again move things around a bit if your skin starts to feel dry. You can alternate cleansers for instance or alternate days.
Incorporate sunscreen in your routine as it gives you anti-aging benefits long term
So far, my skin is more hydrated than ever! I will plan to incorporate sunscreen as I’ve read and heard that it’s just as important as moisturizing. Any suggestions on lightweight ones?
You also just need to simplify it. A gentle cleanser moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning. A gentle cleanser followed by adapalene and then a moisturizer in the evening. Start with the adapalene two times a week and work up to daily over time.
Use a chemical exfoliator once or twice a week at night in place of the adapalene. Which would be the cocoa kind serum since that has salicylic acid in it which is a chemical exfoliator.
No to the first 3. Neutrogena salicylic has fragrance. The st ives is fragranced and harsh. Witch hazel is pure garbage.
Replacements are
Zapyt salicylic cleanser (if you even want that). You should also have a basic gentle cleanser like the eucerin hydrating cleansing gel since you’re already using the cocokind salicylic serum.
I understand the fragrance part and the st Ives has been a no according to a lot of ppl. Is the fragrance alright if it doesn’t irritate my skin? Also, if not using witch hazel (which I thought was beneficial), what active toners should I look for instead?
I’ll give those a read! One thing I do like about the face wash I am currently using is it gets rid of excess oil in my zone. For example, I’ve tried Cerave hydrating cleanser before and hate how my skin feels greasy afterward. I just feel like the non-salicylic acid washes don’t cut through the excess oil on my nose and forehead. My face handles it well and moisturizer fixes the slight dryness that occurs. Is there possibly a daily substitute to serve this purpose if I am only using salicylic 1-3 times a week? I guess the gentler way to remove excess oil?
Retinoids will accomplish a similar effect! but if you’re tolerating it well and find it’s still not enough after giving it some time to work then you can add in the salicylic cleanser alongside it. Not using them together is just a temporary thing while you are adjusting to the retinoids.
Retinoids are one of the few things that are deserving of the hype they get they do it all. As long as you’re using them correctly (as described in frequency, quantity, and appropriate dosage) there are no downsides.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant yea. There are a bunch of great antioxidants like green tea, Centella, azelaic acid that are all great.
It’s funny bc the first two were part of my routine too when I first started skincare and I remember scrubbing the hell out of face w that st. Ives. It did nothing but I remember my skin feeling smooth, tight. It’s terrible. Don’t use it. You’re in your 20’s and can start retinol. I was prescribed tretinoin at 18 for hyperpigmentation but it’s commonly used for acne. Talk to your derm or go to nurx.com and watch videos by “dr dray” , “dr Shereene idriss” on yt on how to use. Sandwich method, building tolerance, using pea size amount, keeping routine SIMPLE all of that is important. It will definitely help with texture, acne, hyperpigmentation etc. look up before and after pics on tretinoin.
If not that, u can try this rountine:
Morning:
panoxyl acne wash (4% is good for sensitive skin. I used 10% and saw results after 2-ish weeks but patience is important). U have to leave this on for a bit before washing off (read the directions).
A good moisturizer (panoxyl is drying so invest in a good one)
Sunscreen spf 30-50. ALWAYS.
Night:
Cerave gentle foaming cleanser
Differin adapelene gel (this is a type of retinol. It will help reduce oiliness, blackheads, whiteheads and also helps w other things. Look into it)
good moisturizer (same as morning)
This should help u w acne, texture and blackheads. Please don’t forget sunscreen bc differin can increase sun sensitivity.
U can add eye cream or wtv to this routine but keep it as simple as possible so your consistent. Lastly, if u want to figure out a good routine for yourself. Look up the following dermatologists on yt (and look up ur skincare issues followed by their name and they’ll walk u through everything): Dr. Dray, dr Shereene Idriss, dr Alexis Stephens, “doctorly” channel—they have a video on how to create a perfect skincare routine for acne, dark spots, etc.
Your blackheads are sebaceous filaments. For that, you want a cream cleanser (CeraVe or Cetaphil makes one) and niacinamide, though that can piss off your skin. Ditch the first three, too harsh. Get a sunscreen. Korean sunscreens are cheaper and feel good. I use azelaic acid and hero patches for spot-treating acne.
Your blackheads are sebaceous filaments. For that, you want a cream cleanser (CeraVe or Cetaphil makes one) and niacinamide, though that can piss off your skin. Ditch the first three, too harsh. Get a sunscreen. Korean sunscreens are cheaper and feel good. I use azelaic acid and hero patches for spot-treating acne.
Skincare takes not just a lot of research but a lot of trial & error. You will try products that won’t work out & others that will do wonders! Certain things work for some & not for others. If acne & blackheads are an issue, my biggest advice would be to start using a retinoid! Adapalene, brand name Differin is what I would recommend. Work your way up to a pea-sized amount spread evenly across the face once at night. It will not only help the acne, but it is also anti-aging. However, when using a retinoid, you want to make sure you are using SPF during the day to protect your skin.
they do it all. As long as you’re using them correctly (as described in frequency, quantity, and appropriate dosage) there are no downsides.