I would like to know what your routine is in general, but I’m also specifically curious about what products you use, if you use them, and what the rationale is behind each product.

My routine:

Morning

  1. Rinse face with warm water.
  2. Scrub face and neck with warm, wet washcloth.
  3. Apply facial moisturizer with SPF (I use CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30) to face, neck, and hands.

Evening

  1. Shower.
    • While in shower, scrub entire body with an exfoliating mitt (ie this one).
  2. Apply a retinol (I use Retin-A (tretinoin 0.05%)) to face, neck, and hands.
  3. Apply facial moisturizer (I use CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion) to face, neck, and hands
  4. Apply body lotion (I use CeraVe Moisturizing Cream) to whole body, excluding hands, and face.

I have used, and considered continuing using a BHA (also AHA?) liquid exfoliant (I have read that it shouldn’t be used at the same time as retinol due to PH requirements, ie use it in the morning and retinol in the evening) (I previously used Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, but I no longer because I have lost trust in Paula’s Choice overall due to their borderline false advertising regarding their retinol product [1]), but I am unsure of what a good product would be, and the rationale behind it. I have also heard about Vitamin E, though I’ve never used it.

References
  1. “[Research] Study: The Ordinary and Paula’s Choice retinols are unstable”. toa20. r/SkincareAddiction. Reddit. Published: 2023-01-26T17:49:01.223Z. Accessed: 2024-10-29T05:16Z. https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/10lxshy/research_study_the_ordinary_and_paulas_choice/.
  • Bear@lemmynsfw.com
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    2 days ago

    You’re using too many products. All skincare products are loaded with microplastics and hormone disruptors. The body wants lots of natural sunlight and exercise and vitamin D. The liver stores vitamin A for years and vitamin D for months so you don’t need to supplement daily but adjust the dose. Try washing yourself with just water and using a natural soap only as needed.

    • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOP
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      22 hours ago

      The liver stores vitamin A for years and vitamin D for months so you don’t need to supplement daily but adjust the dose.

      Do note that there is a difference between dietary/systemic vitamin A, and topical vitamin A (there are also different types of vitamin A [2]) — one is ingested, and, thus, metabolized in the gut, and the other is absorbed directly into the skin. Dietary vitamin A, is used by the body for the skin [1.1], but topical retinol provides a greater concentration (more targeted) to the skin cells [1.2], and allows one more control over the dosage [1.3].

      References
      1. “Could eating vitamin A-rich foods be better than applying retinol to your skin? Here’s what the experts say”. Laura Alario Avery. Published: ca. 2023-02-03. Accessed: 2024-10-29T03:53Z. https://www.stylist.co.uk/fitness-health/nutrition/eating-vitamin-a-foods-retinol/755982.
        1. Vitamin A through food is very important for skin healing, as it helps modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. It also comes with a lot of antioxidants that target free radicals and protect the skin from damage, which is why it’s an essential vitamin to have in your diet.

        2. It’s a targeted solution that can help reduce pigmentation, boost skin hydration, and support cellular turnover.

        3. […] you have more control over the dosage [of Vitamin A applied to the skin].

      2. WebSurge. “Can I replace Retinol by Vitamin A?”. Published: 2024-08-23. Accessed: 2024-19-29T04:00Z. https://www.quora.com/Can-I-replace-Retinol-by-Vitamin-A.

        Vitamin A, as a broader term, encompasses a family of compounds known as retinoids, including retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinoic acid. Each of these has different strengths and modes of action on the skin. Therefore, replacing retinol with another form of vitamin A may not yield the same results.

    • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOP
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      23 hours ago

      All skincare products are loaded with microplastics and hormone disruptors.

      Do you have any proof for that claim?

  • astrsk@fedia.io
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    2 days ago

    I shower every other day, use a regular unscented bar soap (actually labeled soap, not “wash” or “cleanser”) every time with a focus on pits and junk. Wet hair but only shampoo once or twice a week. Morning and evening just splash the face with mildly warm water and hit the towel to dry. About as often as shampoo I’ll use a face cleanser in the shower too, cetaphil daily whatever, it’s just to help tackle my greasy face from poor diet.

  • i_dont_want_to@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    13 hours ago

    Up until my late 20’s, I had very oily skin. I think I might need to change a few things because I am still oily but I do feel some skin dryness from time to time.

    In the AM…

    Wet my face with warm water.

    Clinique All About Clean Soap - face wash - I used this after trying a few others. I like this ok. I might revisit the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser. I don’t remember why I stopped using it.

    Rinse off with warm water. Blot face with towel.

    Thayer’s Witch Hazel - toner - When I got the Clinique face wash, I got the three step set. It came with a toner that they called “Clarifying Lotion” and I hated it. I actually read it and it contains alcohol so I stopped using it. (Some “lotion”!) I saw that one of the ingredients in the toner was witch hazel, and it looks like it’s good by itself, so I just roll with that now. Just put some on a cotton round and gently apply it to the whole face. I use it because it makes my skin feel nice. I occasionally skip this step.

    Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel - facial lotion - I’ve tried so many facial lotions and they usually cause acne for me. Including Cetaphil. I love this stuff. This is good by itself when I’m oily. When I’m a bit dryer, though…

    Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly - facial lotion - I put this on when my normal moisturizer isn’t enough. I put it on after the other stuff sinks in.

    I use SPF after that. I either use Clinique City Block or the SPF included in my foundation if I’m wearing it. I want to get back into Korean sunscreen but I haven’t looked into it. I use what’s on hand for skin not on my face. The City Block is meh but it’s by far the least unpleasant feeling on my face.

    If I am feeling extra lazy, I just cleanse my face with micellar water and moisturize. The micellar water I use is Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, pink cap.

    In the PM…

    If I’m wearing makeup, I remove it with micellar water or Clinique Take the Day Off makeup remover, depending on what I put on that day.

    I wash my face, use toner. Then…

    Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter - serum - I’ve tried this because I want to get rid of some of these dark spots on my face. I’m going to finish this bottle and not re-buy this though.

    I moisturize when I’m done.

    If I’m feeling lazy, I do the same micellar water and moisture deal like in the morning.

    For the rest of my body, I use Gold Bond Diabetic Body Lotion, and I use Mediheal hand cream for my hands. I also apply witch hazel to irritated skin. If I have an irritated spot that would take over a week to resolve itself, using witch hazel makes it heal in just a day or two.

    I used to use Stridex pads because I would get pimples often until my mid-20’s or so. I stopped using them. They were good but I haven’t found the need to use them any more.

    I used to use Ole Henriksen Truth Serum at night. I stopped during the pandemic due to… Well I wasn’t feeling great at that time. I liked the serum, though.

    I was thinking of researching what I can do for my dark spots and pitting from acne from years ago. I was going to look at Paula’s Choice, but now looking at your link I am reconsidering.

    How is the tretinion treating you? Is it worth getting a script for it? If you’re American, was it difficult to get? I hear it is really good for many skin concerns and might help with the ones I’m looking to treat.

  • Walk_blesseD@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    2 days ago

    For the face:

    Cleanse and moisturise twice daily, applying SPF 50 in the mornings and using scrub once every third day. If it’s a really special occasion and I’m doing a full face of makeup I’ll use bb cream.

    For the body:

    I just wash it with sorbolene. If I’m epilating my legs or have done so recently I might go over them with one of those exfoliating scrubber thingos and apply lotion once I’ve dried off.

  • Fushuan [he/him]@lemm.ee
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    2 days ago

    I have atopical dermatitis so besides the good old showering and applying shampoo twice, once to get the hair clean and the second time to keep the product there while I clean the rest of my body, I use some speficic products concerning the affliction.

    For the shower, I use a highly moisturizing gel from the local store combined with one that’s supposed to be special for the skin that costs 20 times as much, and Blue Cap as a shampoo recommended by my hairdresser to help with dry scalp.

    I usually shave in the shower with hot water so I don’t really need any aftershave cream but I have one for when I dry shave.

    Besides that, I have some local moisturizing cream to be used occasionally when the skin dries too much, and the occasional cortisone paste for eyelids and specific body parts that like to specially dry and have bad reactions.

    When I feel specially oily (which is almost never because yay atopical dermatitis) I tend to buy some natural exfoliant shower gels and then apply moisturizing cream afterward to “replace” bad body oil with good cream oil I guess xD.

  • aernox@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    2 days ago

    I have read that it shouldn’t be used at the same time as retinol due to PH requirements

    You can use a chemical exfoliant and a retinoid in the same routine. You don’t have to worry about pH once the product is on your skin and absorbed. One concern is just that both can be pretty irritating, so using them together might be overly harsh on your skin. Maybe start slowly introducing them one at a time until you’re ready, and always see how your skin is reacting. If you decide to exfoliate in the morning, keep in mind that AHAs make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so sunscreen becomes extra important.

    I have also heard about Vitamin E, though I’ve never used it.

    Your CeraVe Moisturizing Cream contains tocopherol, so you’re already using it. I don’t think you need to seek out a separate product.

    • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOP
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      21 hours ago

      If you decide to exfoliate in the morning, keep in mind that AHAs make your skin more sensitive to the sun

      Interesting, I wasn’t aware of this — I know that retinol does that, but I didn’t know that AHAs did that as well.

    • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOP
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      21 hours ago

      Your CeraVe Moisturizing Cream contains tocopherol

      Which one? I looked at the ingredients of each and I couldn’t find it. Though, it’s quite possible that I am simply blind.

    • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOP
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      21 hours ago

      You can use a chemical exfoliant and a retinoid in the same routine.

      I was more meaning like one after the other. The alternative that I was inferring was, say, BHA in the morning, and retinol at night.

  • PureTryOut@lemmy.kde.social
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    2 days ago

    You use too many products, no way that can be good for your skin. Even showering every day is imo unnecessary, once every other day or once a week is good enough if the only thing you did was sitting in an office all day. And if you do shower that often, most of the time you should only use water, not any other products.

    I really don’t understand the current trend of using an extreme amount of products on your skin, to the poiint of calling it a “routine”.

    • weariedfae@lemmy.world
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      22 hours ago

      What? OP’s routine is fairly minimal.

      I agree with you about showering every day but you really should use at bare minimum a cleanser, a moisturizer, and sunscreen.

      The first gets dirt and grime and the world off your face, the second replenishes the moisture in your skin, and the last protects your skin. Pretty simple.

      Adding in an active like an AHA or tretinoin is only if you have problems (acne would be an example but there are other issues) or if you care about anti-aging.

      Some people have like 20 step routines and more and I think THAT is excessive and sometimes can irritate skin more. I once when down the rabbit hole of too many products and had horrible rebound issues because of it.

      I used to have bad acne until I found a routine similar to OPs and the right combination of skincare can dramatically improve your skin. For health reasons mostly but healthy skin looks better too.

      I’m not trying to attack you, I just ask that you don’t knock it just because you’ve never tried it. Maybe you were genetically blessed to not need anything except water and bar soap. Lucky you! I’m envious , truly.

      But some people need extra help or just like to pamper their skin. Taking special care of your hygiene isn’t something to dig on someone about, or say it’s not healthy when you’re not well versed in the world of skincare.

      • PureTryOut@lemmy.kde.social
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        20 hours ago

        I agree with the sunscreen, although I wouldn’t use it if I wasn’t planning to stay out in the sun for long, but that’s about it for an average person. Your body is supposed to hydrate itself, and getting dirt and grime off is the function of a shower. I’m sure not everybody’s skin hydrates itself enough so they would probably need to use a moisturizer, sure, but that doesn’t mean everybody should do it all the time.

        Same for acne, that’s a case where it makes sense to use some products because your skin is clearly failing to maintain itself, but again that doesn’t mean you should do the same thing if you don’t have such issues.

        • weariedfae@lemmy.world
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          14 hours ago

          What causes skin cancer, UV radiation, can be higher on cloudy days. Dermatologists across the board recommend sunscreen every day.

          But I agree some people don’t need to do anything except sunscreen and they’re fine. Some people choose to do extra even if they maybe don’t need it, for a variety of reasons. My whole point is that there’s no need to dunk on someone who chooses to take care of their skin in a different way than you need to. You don’t know what OP faces and you yourself said more products can be warranted if you have any problems like acne or whatever.

          I acknowledge that your point is some people don’t need to do anything extra though I believe we disagree about the frequency of people who need more skin care products and who might benefit from a basic routine similar to OP’s. I think most would benefit and you think it’s not necessary for most people. We can genuinely agree to disagree without ragging on OP or people who have skincare routines in general.

    • 1984@lemmy.today
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      2 days ago

      It’s because people have been using these products since childhood and they don’t think about it anymore.

      I agree with you personally. I don’t use any products and my skin smells very good. And first thing people say when I say that is “people don’t tell me I smell bad”, because they can’t imagine that someone can actually smell good without using any products.

    • Hugh_Jeggs@lemm.ee
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      2 days ago

      I think it’s great that you have such good friends they’re too polite to tell you how bad you smell 😊

    • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOP
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      2 days ago

      You use too many products, no way that can be good for your skin. Even showering every day is imo unnecessary, once every other day or once a week is good enough if the only thing you did was sitting in an office all day. And if you do shower that often, most of the time you should only use water, not any other products.

      Are you only here to spread negativity, or do you have any proof behind your claims? I’m not interested in opinions.

      • PureTryOut@lemmy.kde.social
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        2 days ago

        I think this is one of those cases where the burden of proof is on the person using the products, not on the one not using them. Your post is basically an advertising campaign for several of these products.

        You do realize your body is supposed to maintain itself right? Of course some people will actually need some stuff because their body doesn’t do it well enough, but if your body doesn’t have actual problems there is no need to use any of these products.

        • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOP
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          21 hours ago

          You do realize your body is supposed to maintain itself right?

          Of course some people will actually need some stuff because their body doesn’t do it well enough

          You have answered your own epiplexis.

          • PureTryOut@lemmy.kde.social
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            20 hours ago

            You missed the word “some”. The human body had millions of years to evolve to a point where companies seem to think they can replace essential functions of it? Where is the logic in that? Some people (I’ll make sure to emphasize it) have skin issues yes, because nature isn’t perfect. They might need some product to help out. But by far the majority will be just fine without them.

            • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOP
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              20 hours ago

              The human body had millions of years to evolve to a point where companies seem to think they can replace essential functions of it?

              That’s partially the purpose of modern medicine [1].

              References
              1. “Medicine”. Wikipedia. Published: 2024-10-25T17:12Z. Accessed: 2024-10-28T06:44Z. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Medicine&action=history.

                Medicine is the science and practice of caring for patients, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness.

        • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOP
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          21 hours ago

          I think this is one of those cases where the burden of proof is on the person using the products, not on the one not using them.

          It would be, were I advocating for the products, which I am not. Perhaps you misread @PureTryOut@lemmy.kde.social’s comment: They were making conjectured claims, which I called out.

        • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOP
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          20 hours ago

          Your post is basically an advertising campaign for several of these products.

          Is it? I only stated the products that I use for the purpose of clarity, example, and critique.

      • 1984@lemmy.today
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        1 day ago

        Why don’t you go and read scientific papers if you are not interested in opinions and claims?

        Humans beings like to exchange ideas and experiences with eachother without being forced to show scientific evidence. Maybe you don’t, which is fine, but maybe not tell others what to discuss then?

        This is not a scientific journal, if you haven’t noticed and picked the wrong url…

        • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOP
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          22 hours ago

          Why don’t you go and read scientific papers if you are not interested in opinions and claims?

          The burden of proof lies with the claimant.

        • Kalcifer@sh.itjust.worksOP
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          22 hours ago

          Humans beings like to exchange ideas and experiences with eachother without being forced to show scientific evidence. Maybe you don’t, which is fine, but maybe not tell others what to discuss then?

          I’m not forcing anybody to do anything. If one chooses to engage in conjecture, then that is their own prerogative, though, of course, I will dismiss it as such. There is also the ethical dilemma of choosing to not be a servant of Truth.

  • Platypus@lemmings.world
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    2 days ago

    I wash my face with soap and water. That’s it, I’m a dude, why would I need anything else?

    • moonlight@fedia.io
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      2 days ago

      What does gender have to do with it? Do men not have skin?

      You should probably use a moisturizer at least. And spf isn’t a bad idea if you will be outside.

  • Hugh_Jeggs@lemm.ee
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    2 days ago

    Every time I’m near Marseille, which isn’t often, grab an absolute load of bar soap. Each bar lasts two or three months of daily use

    That’s it