Let's try something else! Drop the absolute worst skincare products you've ever used to help prevent otbers from making the same mistake. Bonus points if it is controversial 👀

Keep in mind that these experiences are personal! 
Here are mine:

- The CosRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
It stripped my skin SO bad I had to spend months tryibg to fix my skin barrier. 0/10

- Supergoop Unseen SPF
The feel of this is toooo thick, emollient, silky, buttery... it's just gross. It feels like I applied a thick plaster layer on my face during the entire day. It also broke me out terribly.

- Apieu Madecassoside Cream
Idk what it was about this, but this made my skin break out so much that I cried. I will never step foot near it again.

And I can name a few others, lol. What's yours???

What Is The WORST Product You Tried so far?

For the past year or so I've been using the cleanser you see below. But I sometimes feel like it might be breaking me out or it simply doesn't cleanse my skin thoroughly enough, especially around my cycle when my skin is producing more oil.

Looking for a very gentle, yet effective cleanser! Preferably non-foaming, alcohol and fragrance free.

Has anyone tried using different cleansers (or products in general) around their time of the month? Hormonal acne is getting on my nerves so I'm open to hear experiences. Thanks so much!!

Looking for cleanser recommendations

I've recently been paying a lot of attention to the ingredients in my products and how I react to them. Stearic Acid in particular thends to break me out terribly. 

Is there any specific ingredients that breaks you out? Something to look out for or pay attention to? I'm very curious to see if cutting certain ingredients from my routine would help and improve my acne!

Stearic Acid (And Other Breakout Inducing Ingredients)

So far I feel like all cleansing balms or oils strip my skin to the point where it feels dehydrated and dry even after multiple layers of toner and cream. 

The products I tried are below. Currently sticking with the BOJ Balm, but I find that my skin breaks out after I use it consistently, so I'm just using it on makeup days only.

 
Looking for something without fragrance, won't dry my skin and won't break me out. Drop recommendations to help a girl out 🥲

Cleansing Balm/Oil ???

Hiya! Relatively new tret user here. I was wondering what creams / products you guys like to layer under and over tretinoin. I'm using the Barr Centella Barrier Cream in the PM as a thicker cream but I was wondering what your guys' recommendation are.



Any other tret tips are welcome! I use it every other night :-)

The best cream to pair with Tretinoin?

☆ 𝙋𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨
None 

𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘪𝘭, 𝘢𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘩𝘰𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦?
Yessss

☆ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨
I can't think of any! I know azelaic acid is not for everyone, but I promise it is worth the try. My skin has never looked and felt better!!

⊹⋆✧𓂅𓍼  𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕴𝖓𝖐𝖊𝖞 𝕷𝖎𝖘𝖙 𝕬𝖟𝖊𝖑𝖆𝖎𝖈 𝕬𝖈𝖎𝖉 

☆ 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢𝙨 
This product with 10% Azelaic Acid promises to reduce redness (rosacaea) and evens out your skin tone. It claims to be fast-absorbing, lightweight, and non-pilling.

☆ 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨
-> Azelaic Acid 10%
Azelaic Acid is a popular ingredient for people who struggle with rosacea and/or acne. This magical acid is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and it will significantly reduce redness and brighten up the skin. 

☆ 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨
I was nervous to try this out, because my skin is very sensitive and I break out from actives very fast. Luckily, this didn't cause any irritation or issues for me! It applies and absorbs nicely and doesn't sting or peel.

☆ 𝙈𝙮 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚
The only thing I regret about this product is not getting it sooner. Even on differin, I kept struggling with texture and breakouts, but since starting Azelaic Acid, my skin has never been smoother! I would recommend anyone who feels like "nothing works" for their acne to try this! 

Comparison photos: 
Photo 1 was taken on June 30th (2 weeks ago)
Photo 2 was taken today, July 11th

Yes my skin cleared up this fast!!!! I'm sure there may be some other factors at play, I've never seen my acne just fade away like snow in the sun like this. Azelaic Acid has my soul.

☆ 𝙋𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨

-> Salicylic Acid (BHA)
While BHA is a great ingredient for acne-prone and oily skin, it can be a bit harsh for those with more sensitive skin types, especially in higher concentrations.

-> Sodium Chloride
This is salt. It can be very drying on the skin and I do not love seeing it in my products. It can trigger acne, eczema, and rosacea. 

-> Benzyl Alcohol
Alchohols are known to be drying for more sensitive skintypes, and they can irritate your skin barrier in high concentrations, as they strip off your skin's natural oils. 

𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘪𝘭, 𝘢𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘩𝘰𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦?
No, contains alcohol.

☆ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨
Because this product was too harsh, I felt like my skin barrier got damaged which resulted in breakouts and itchy, red skin. Not a repurchase for me!

⊹⋆✧𓂅𓍼  𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕴𝖓𝖐𝖊𝖞 𝕷𝖎𝖘𝖙 𝕾𝖆𝖑𝖎𝖈𝖞𝖑𝖎𝖈 𝕬𝖈𝖎𝖉 𝕮𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖓𝖘𝖊𝖗

☆ 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢𝙨 
- Cleans deep inside the pores to treat and prevent blackheads and breakouts.
- Removes makeup and dirt without stripping the skin.

☆ 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨
-> Salicylic Acid (BHA)
BHA is a skincare holy grail for many people who struggle with acne. It helps to exfoliate the skin to increase skin renewal and reveal a smoother, clearer complexion. However, for sensitive skin types, BHAs can be too harsh and drying. 

-> Zinc
Zinc is a beautiful ingredient that helps to fight inflammation and it has antibacterial benefits. It's also commonly used to fight scarring. 

-> Tocopherol
Tocopherol ( vit E.) is a commonly used skincare ingredient that is an antioxidant and helps with UV protection. However, many people are sensitive to tocopherol and might find that it causes closed comedones or breakouts.

☆ 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨
It definitely makes my skin feel smooth and clean after using! It washes off easily and foams nicely. I personally do not love foamy cleansers, but I feel like it's overall comfortable to use and doesn't make my skin feel overly dry.

☆ 𝙈𝙮 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚
While I liked the product, it is not a good fit for my specific skin. However, I can imagine people with more resilient skin would love this! 

For my super sensitive skin, this cleanser was a bith harsh. I feel like it would be a good product for acne prone and resilient skin types. It may be a good idea to use this product 1-2x a week instead of a daily cleanse.


☆ 𝙋𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨
None specifically 

𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘪𝘭, 𝘢𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘩𝘰𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦?
No, contains silicones

☆ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨
Sadly, Zinc Oxide is not reef-safe, so try to avoid wearing this product when you head to the beach.

Further, the greasy finish and long time it took to blend make this sunscreen less attractive to me. 

The issue with greasiness might also be because of my oily skin type! Perhaps someone with dry and non-acne prone skin can thoroughly enjoy this!


⊹⋆✧𓂅𓍼 𝕿𝖔𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖓 𝕯𝖎𝖛𝖊 𝕴𝖓 𝕸𝖎𝖑𝖉 𝕾𝖚𝖘𝖈𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖓
This product was gifted to me by Picky ❤️

☆ 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢𝙨 
Non-greasy texture that blends seamlessly into the skin
“Natural” ingredients like centella and aloe help to soothe skin while offering full SPF protection
Leaves the skin soft and supple after application

☆ 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨
->  Hyaluronic Acid (10! Different types)
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is like a moisture-absorbing sponge. It will draw moisture from the air surrounding you, and pull it into your skin, hydrating it from the inside out. Different types of HA will be able to penetrate to different levels (different molecule sizes), and having a variety of HA  

-> Ceramide NP
Ceramides are naturally present in the skin and help with elasticity, suppleness and hydration of the skin barrier. There are a bunch of different forms, but “NP” is the most common. It can help to form a thin barrier of protection on top of the skin to prevent moisture loss and seal in hydration! 

Other honorable mentions: Panthenol, Allantoin, Witch Hazel Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Aloe Extract, Turmeric Extract.

☆ 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨
Looking at the ingredients, I get mixed feelings about this sunscreen. There are a lot of promising extracts and goodies, but also some that I find questionable.

The first thing I noticed about this product is the thick and matte consistency, almost like a clay mask. It’s slightly blue and has a pretty strong smell that lasts throughout the application, but settles down after the product is absorbed. 

At first, I definitely noticed a bit of a whitecast and it took me a while to blend it in! 

☆ 𝙈𝙮 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚
The initial white cast went away quite quickly as the product absorbed. However, it has a pretty oily finish and leaves my skin slightly dry and tight, but at the same time shiny and greasy. This could be due to the presence of hyaluronic acid, since my skin doesn’t love that ingredient. 

I really wish I could say that I love this, but I don’t. It’s definitely acceptable in terms of white cast as far as physical sunscreens go, but my skin just did not enjoy wearing this. I will not be purchasing this bad boy! 


☆ 𝙋𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨
The serum does not contain any directly irritating ingredients, but I find that it contains a lot of unnecessary and extra extracts.  I typically prefer products with a simpler, more straightforward, and familiar ingredient list. Adding a lot of ‘extra’ ingredients to a product will only increase the risk of irritation for sensitive skin while adding minor benefits. 

𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘪𝘭, 𝘢𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘩𝘰𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦?
Yes!

☆ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨
I’ve seen no problems, irritation, or breakouts from using this consistently. It’s not a part of my regular routine anymore as I find that my skin is perfectly fine without it. However, I think it can be a nice addition to your routine if you’re struggling with a damaged or irritated skin barrier! 

As mentioned before, I do think it is wise to be cautious about the ingredients, as some of the extracts may be irritating to sensitive skin. A patch test before use should do the job!

⊹⋆✧𓂅𓍼 𝕴𝖀𝖓𝖎𝖐 𝕿𝖊𝖆 𝕿𝖗𝖊𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖑𝖎𝖊𝖋 𝕾𝖊𝖗𝖚𝖒

☆ 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢𝙨 
- Specifically developed to calm and soothe irritated and sensitive skin
- Promotes clear, hydrated, and bright skin
- Suitable for oily and sensitive skin

☆ 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨
->  Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Water 
If you are familiar with tea tree, you’ve likely heard that it can be beneficial for acne-prone and oily skin types. Tea Tree has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antimicrobial abilities. Making it a true powerhouse for acne of all natures.

-> Centella Asiatica Leaf Water
Packed with benefits, Centella is probably one of the most used ingredients in modern skincare. It is preached for its skin-healing, soothing, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory abilities. Centella is a wonderful ingredient for all skin types, and it has zero to none known complications. 

-> Niacinamide
Niacinamide has been shown to reduce redness, oiliness, the appearance of pores, and reduce skin texture. Oily skin and acne-prone girlies love this ingredient, and so do I! One word of caution, though. High concentrations of Niacinamide can actually worsen my skin texture, and I know that this is the same for many other people! This may be something to look into if you struggle with texture and suspect you may be sensitive to niacinamide. 

☆ 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨
The application of the serum is very nice and comfortable. It absorbs easily and comes in a neat, pretty glass bottle with a dropper that works perfectly. I noticed a reduction in redness after using the product on my compromised skin barrier!

☆ 𝙈𝙮 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚
My angry, irritated, and red skin really drank this up! I have used this for a few months consistently and I can say with confidence that it makes a pretty big difference for my skin. My skin feels more calm and smooth after using this serum consistently. 

Honestly, I’m not a big serum girlie. I find most of them to be a bit extra en completely unnecessary. While I love this serum and I find that it comes with some very nice benefits, I don’t use it daily as I feel my skin is fine without it. 

I do keep it on hand for when my skin is feeling a bit meh and needs a little extra care. I also love to layer this after my toners on non-retinol nights to help repair and strengthen my skin barrier. 


☆ 𝙋𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨
None for me.

𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤e, 𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘪𝘭, 𝘢𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘩𝘰𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦?
No, contains silicones

☆ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨
The biggest downside for me was definitely the greasy-kind-of feeling that this product left on my skin. I don’t think I will be repurchasing, as this cream does not serve my skin very well. I will continue to use the product and see if my opinion changes! 

I think this cream would be best for dry skintypes during the summer. Oily skin may find that it is a bit too greasy for them, and in the winter, this gel-texture might nog be sufficient for very dry skin! 


I received this product for free from Picky and Swida in exchange for my honest review.

⊹⋆✧𓂅𓍼 𝕾𝖜𝖎𝖉𝖆 𝕲𝖗𝖆𝖕𝖊𝖋𝖚𝖑 𝖂𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖋𝖚𝖑 𝕮𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒


☆ 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢𝙨 
- It makes dry skin feel supple, moisturized, and smooth.
- Instantly boosts hydration
- Supports your skin’s natural moisture barrier 

☆ 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨
->  Jojoba Seed Oil
There are claims that the chemical composition of Jojoba Oil is so similar to human sebum that it can trick the skin into thinking that there’s already plenty of moisture on the skin and, therefore, help to reduce sebum production. It’s commonly added to moisturizers and occlusives, as it can help to lock in hydration. 

However, Jojoba Oil provides a ‘waxy’ layer on top of the skin, which can be comedogenic for people who are acne-prone. So I recommend patch-testing products to see if you are sensitive! 

-> Ceramide NP
Ceramides are your best friend if you are looking to support your skin barrier and bring your dehydrated, irritated skin back to life. These lipids help to keep the skin supple, soft, hydrated, and plump. They are one of my all-time favorite ingredients. 

-> Peptides (various types)
Peptides are commonly used in anti-aging products as they are proven to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dullness on aging skin. Peptides have been shown to improve the skin’s elasticity and suppleness. I believe peptides are amazing for all skin types and should be implemented in anyone’s skincare routines! 

☆ 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨
I really liked the packaging. It’s clean and neat! However, there is no scoop or spatula to take the product out of the tub, which is a bit unhygienic. There is a faint scent to the cream, but nothing that bothers me too much.

The product itself has a very nice consistency, which is kind of gel-like. I find that is absorbs well, although might leave a slightly tacky feeling for a while after applying. But this goes away after about 20 minutes. 

☆ 𝙈𝙮 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚
I haven’t used this cream long enough to see any big changes in my skin, but from what I’ve seen and noticed, I’m really enjoying this! I can tell this product was created with dry skin in mind, because I found it a little bit oily for my acne-prone skin. It made my face feel a little greasy and oily during the day. 

I love that the brand Swida focuses on animal and planet-friendly ingredients and packaging! 

The product wasn’t anything super special to me. A pretty standard gel cream. But again, I haven’t used it for very long so I will come back and provide updates when I have the chance to try it out for longer! 


NutButterToast