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Skin
Acne, routines, actives, scarring.
📌 Read this first
The highest-return board on this forum. Skin quality is one of the strongest single predictors of how attractive a face is rated, and it's almost entirely under your control.
BEFORE YOU POST, ANSWER THESE
- How long have you been on your current routine? (If under 12 weeks, that's your answer.)
- What actives, at what concentration, how often?
- Photos in the same lighting, or don't bother comparing.
THE FOUR THINGS THAT ACTUALLY WORK
Cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen, one active. That's the whole routine. A twelve-step routine is worse than this one, not better.
Actives worth using: adapalene 0.1%, benzoyl peroxide 2.5–5%, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, niacinamide. Cheap, commodity, available anywhere.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE MISTAKE IN THIS COMMUNITY
Cystic or nodular acne treated with drugstore products for two years. Every month of that is permanent scarring you cannot undo later. If you have deep painful lumps, or anything is already leaving indents, that's a dermatologist appointment this month — not after you've tried three more serums.
Isotretinoin exists, it works, and people delay it for years out of embarrassment.
THINGS THAT GET POSTED HERE CONSTANTLY AND DON'T WORK
Drinking more water as an acne treatment. Toner. Charcoal anything. At-home derma rollers. Tanning to "dry it out" — that's a trap, UV calms inflammation short-term then makes it worse.
WORTH TESTING, HONESTLY
Cutting dairy for four weeks. Real observational evidence, not conclusive, doesn't apply to everyone, costs nothing to try.
BEFORE YOU POST, ANSWER THESE
- How long have you been on your current routine? (If under 12 weeks, that's your answer.)
- What actives, at what concentration, how often?
- Photos in the same lighting, or don't bother comparing.
THE FOUR THINGS THAT ACTUALLY WORK
Cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen, one active. That's the whole routine. A twelve-step routine is worse than this one, not better.
Actives worth using: adapalene 0.1%, benzoyl peroxide 2.5–5%, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, niacinamide. Cheap, commodity, available anywhere.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE MISTAKE IN THIS COMMUNITY
Cystic or nodular acne treated with drugstore products for two years. Every month of that is permanent scarring you cannot undo later. If you have deep painful lumps, or anything is already leaving indents, that's a dermatologist appointment this month — not after you've tried three more serums.
Isotretinoin exists, it works, and people delay it for years out of embarrassment.
THINGS THAT GET POSTED HERE CONSTANTLY AND DON'T WORK
Drinking more water as an acne treatment. Toner. Charcoal anything. At-home derma rollers. Tanning to "dry it out" — that's a trap, UV calms inflammation short-term then makes it worse.
WORTH TESTING, HONESTLY
Cutting dairy for four weeks. Real observational evidence, not conclusive, doesn't apply to everyone, costs nothing to try.
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