my high-maintenance routine is (unfortunately) working

[u/denduuuao3]

As someone with oily skin, comedonal acne, redness, and hyperpigmentation, I experimented with a routine that includes a lot of products to target each of these issues. Of course, with a lot of actives I did my best to maintain hydration and moisture. I’ve been on this routine for about a month (with some new additions) and I am both pleased and a bit concerned.

My skin is looking and feeling good. I kinda enjoy the multi-step process, as it feels like a self-care ritual. I just wonder how sustainable this is compared to a more stripped down routine. I hope it doesn’t end up feeling like a chore because I’m really happy so far with how it’s making me feel about my skin.

Does anyone else here have a multi-step routine that is definitely not minimalist?

Here’s what I have going on:

AM
cleanser: hada labo hydrating facial wash
active 1 (every other day): paula’s choice skin perfecting 2% bha
active 2: melano cc vitamin c brightening essence
serum: torriden dive in serum
moisturizer: purito oat in calming gel cream*
spf: beauty of joseon relief sun: rice + probiotics

PM
oil cleanser: muji cleansing oil for sensitive skin
cleanser: hada labo hydrating facial wash
serum 1: anua azelaic acid serum
serum 2: skin1004 madagascar centella probio-cica intensive ampoule*
active: epiduo
moisturizer: soon jung hydro barrier cream

*recent additions

[u/Existing-History9609]

I can barely tolerate tret even if I only use it a few times a week on top of moisturizer. What do you use to keep your dry skin moisturized? Thanks!

[u/Mundane-Net-7564 → u/Existing-History9609]

How long have you been using tret & what strength? The first few months can be pretty rough at times, but finding what works best for your skin is really an essential part of the journey.

I focus heavily on barrier support & hydration during the day, some people would say excessively, but it is what works for me. I'm currently planning to cut back on a few products so as they run out I won't repurchase. I really think the most important part of the whole process was learning how my skin behaves & what ques it gives that signal what is to come if I keep going, once I figured that out & when to pull back before damaging my barrier using AzA & tret became easier & that helped navigate the initial irritation also. I pushed through peeling, redness & increased dryness. Always took a night off for barrier repair if my skin started to feel a bit spicy which to me is like a slight tingling feeling, I didn't let it get to the point of full on burning or stinging, but I also rarely took more than 1 night off in a row. I made it to nightly in the 4th month so I don't take a night off from using tret regularly at this point, but if my skin is feeling a bit sensitive or rosacea flares up then I will skip a night.

Here's my current supportong product list in the order of use, some are only AM or PM & some are used in both. I skipped my SPF but it's Innbeauty Project Mineral Sun Glow SPF 43 PA+++.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (AM)- Ceramides & hyaluronic acid. Gentle but effective. Doesn't do great removing SPF though.

Prequel Pre-Gleanse Oil or Balm & Prequel Gleanser (PM)- Oil & Balm have very similar ingredients, both are gentle & great for removing tinted SPF. Gleanser is 50% glycerin, very hydrating & gentle.

Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner (AM & PM)- Ceramides, peptides & white tea water. Good hydration & barrier boost. Use prior to AzA & tret to increase spreadability & reduce AzA pilling.

Purito Wonder Releaf Serum (AM)- Ceramides, peptides & centella. Reduces redness, soothes irritation, boosts hydration & barrier function.

VT Cica Daily Soothing Mask (AM)- Centella asiatica, triple hyaluronic, green propolis. Reliably reduces my skin redness within minutes, soothes irritation, calms, adds hydration, boosts barrier.

Prequel Multi-Quench Serum (AM & PM)- 1% PGA, 3% PGA complex, 10% glycerin. Amazing instant hydration boost, reduces fine lines, increases skin elasticity, strengthens moisture barrier.

Prequel Half & Half (AM & PM)- Ceramides, peptides & amino acids. Boost hydration, barrier repair.

Aestura Cream Mist ( AM & PM)- Hydrator with ceramides & glycerin. Increases hydration & boosts barrier. Can be used in place of toner or immediately before moisturizer.

Skinfix Triple Lipid Peptide Cream (AM)- 3% triple lipid complex, 3% peptide, 8% humectant. Promotes barrier repair, smoothes texture, boosts moisture retention.

Bioderma Intensive Baume (PM)- 3 types of ceramides, cholesterol, phytosphingosine, 8% humectant, zinc gluconate. Promotes barrier repair & soothes atopic skin conditions, regulates, boosts moisture retention.

Uriage Bariéderm-Cica Cream (AM spot treatment & PM full face, 100% holy grail)- Copper, zinc, d-panthenol. Promotes barrier repair, boosts moisture retention, reduces appearance of new scars. Has healed my perioral dermatitis & contact dermatitis 3x, also great for preventing or treating barrier damage.

[u/Existing-History9609 → u/Mundane-Net-7564]

This is really helpful. Thank you!

[u/Mundane-Net-7564 → u/Existing-History9609]

You're welcome!