[Routine Help] terrible skin. What can I do about it?
My skin looks dull and tired all the time. I’d love to improve its texture and get as close as possible to smooth, “glass skin.” My main concerns are: Enlarged pores, especially around my nose and inner cheeks Uneven skin texture with small bumps/closed…
My skin looks dull and tired all the time. I’d love to improve its texture and get as close as possible to smooth, “glass skin.” My main concerns are: Enlarged pores, especially around my nose and inner cheeks Uneven skin texture with small bumps/closed comedones A few post-acne marks Mild acne scars (mostly shallow) I’d also like to prevent aging as much as possible. Current routine: AM Gentle cleanser Moisturizer SPF 50 every day PM Gentle cleanser Moisturizer I’m open to both skincare products and in-office treatments (microneedling, lasers, chemical peels, RF microneedling, etc.) if they’re actually worth it. I’d really appreciate honest feedback. Thanks!
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Thanks!
Work up to using the azelaic acid at night with the differin as well. Good luck!
Thank you
Thank you so much for your comment, it helps a lot! Yes, some of the marks you can see in the photos are actually shallow indented scars left by old acne. They’re about 2 mm wide and are more noticeable in real life than they appear in the pictures
Ah okay, so if they're actual indents you can feel with a nail and see in raking light, that changes the plan a bit. The scar shape matters more than the depth here. Rolling scars (soft, sloping edges, look like little dents that move when you stretch the skin) are tethered underneath, and subcision is the most important part of their treatment because without it they tend to stay tethered no matter what else you throw at them. Boxcar scars (sharper, more defined walls) respond better to collagen-induction stuff. Microneedling does help the shallow ones, but surface-focused treatments improve texture while often leaving deeper structural tethering untouched, so it's worth knowing which type you've got before you pick a tool. At 2mm and shallow you're in a good spot, those respond well. I'd still run the retinoid and spf for a few months first though, because retinoids thicken the dermis a little and can make shallow indents look softer on their own, which tells you how much is even left to treat. When you do go in-office, a consult where they stretch the skin and actually classify the scars is worth more than picking the treatment yourself. Do the dents spring back flatter when you pull the skin taut, or stay put?
I use Vit C serum for the dullness, def saw results
This would be pretty irritating, definitely start slow w differin if you go this route :) and I wouldnt do SA cleanser > differin unless your skin is really hardy and not sensitive, i recommend a gentle cleanser without any actives instead
I would add a toner too
Weary_Mousse's skeleton is right in principle, a retinoid is the single move that hits your closed comedones, texture, shallow scars, and aging prevention all at once, so it's worth prioritizing over chasing five products. Seconding jasminekitten02 on the ramp though, going from cleanser + moisturizer straight to SA cleanser plus Differin plus azelaic is a lot at once. Gentle cleanser, Differin two nights a week, build from there. Also wanna flag one thing on your goals list before you spend money on lasers. A good chunk of what you're calling "enlarged pores" on and around your nose looks like sebaceous filaments in these pics, not clogs. Those little greyish dots along the nose are a normal part of pore function, not something to be removed, and no product or peel actually erases them. Managing oil and staying consistent with a retinoid keeps them looking flatter, but going in expecting "poreless" there will just make you feel like nothing's working. I'd max out a nightly retinoid plus daily SPF for 3-4 months before booking any in-office stuff. Your barrier looks healthy so you've got a good starting point. Are the shallow scars actual indents you can see in raking light, or more flat discoloration? Changes whether microneedling is even the right tool.
AM: Salicylic acid cleanser(let sit for 3 mins before rinse) Azelaic acid Sunscreen PM: Same cleanser Differin gel Moisturizer
Hi there! It seems like you may be looking for some information on Dermarolling/Dermastamping. Dermarolling can improve the appearance of atrophic scarring when done correctly. However, there are several risks and I'd like to warn you about them: You should not be doing this every day. When done in-office, treatments are spaced a few weeks to a month apart. Done improperly you can end up with hypopigmentation (white or colorless spots in the skin that do not return to a normal color) It hurts. You can not fully sterilize the needles at home. They can be sanitized at best. The needles can become bent over time, or come from the manufacturer already bent. Small bends can be imperceptible to the naked eye and can cause unwanted damage to your skin. Because of these risks, ScA does not recommend attempting dermarolling or dermastamping at home. Please be careful with your skin and your health! If you see that I am replying to something out of context (eg. listed in a routine), please report this comment so my handlers can remove it. Cheers! I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
One word… tretenoin !!!
If salicylic acid cleanser doesn't help you, try using a salicylic acid serum in the PM instead.