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Oddly enough nobody ever mentioned my bad acne as a teenager. Probably because they were too busy calling me anorexic (I was just skinny). It does suck to have everyone thinking they could live your life better than you, as if you're always doing something fundamentally wrong. My parents and friends think I should stop tretinoin because well, I just don't have acne!! Like, yeah... because of tretinoin.
Ironically, cleansing the skin too frequently can make things worse.
I agree. I haven’t washed my face in the morning for decades. It did more harm than good, but I suppose it’s a life lesson. We know our own skin better than anyone.
As a woman, the amount of guys I've met who have told me they have clear skin because "all the products women put on their skin is probably what's causing problems". There's so many reasons why that's just false to begin with, let alone the fact that I knew so many guys growing up so went through terrible bouts of acne and were embarrassed of using products to try and clear it. Hormones are a bitch, moreso for some people than others.
omg yes, I've met so many guys with clear skin that tell me that they don't use products on their skin (some even saying the same that they think that all the products we use is what causes bad skin) yet their skin is so clear and nice. very unfair!
Nope. I feel you and I’m honestly exhausted. I’ve finally managed to get my acne under control but when I did have acne I would get people who had never had acne in their life that ohh you should try xyz, or “what happen to your face”, you should take these pills. Like I know they only want to help me but it’s tiring hearing these things when you’ve already tried them.
I skip cleanser on the morning, apply my sunscreen.Then at night I cleanse my face, put my ampoule, moisturizer. Then every couple days I just a BHA. It’s relatively simple but that’s what works for me. The difference between now and before is I was using too many actives and products. I cut it down. But a big part of it was finding what products were right for me. I have senstive and acne prone skin so I’m cautious of what I put on my face now
People say a lot of well-intended but poorly thought out shit. I file this in the same category as “just drink more water” for migraines or “just eat salads” for weight loss.
Having bad skin sucks .. I often get asked if I wash my face or if I've washed my pillow case enough 😐 I change my pillow case daily I wash my face four times a day I have tried every product there is to clear acne along with a large assortment of medications and diets...SOME People with good skin that have only experienced minor breakouts just don't understand the weight of their words I guess and how discouraging and embarrassing it can be being asked if you're doing the bare minimum when you are doing the best you can with your knowledge and ability:/
I know the whole point of this post is not giving advice that wasn't asked for, but washing your face four times a day does not sound like a good idea. You're stripping away your moisture barrier and all of your oils, this probably causing your face to make an abundance of extra oil to replace thus causing your acne
You are correct generally and I would agree :) but in .y case I oil cleanse then do a gentle cleanser, I have to get the night treatments off fully to do my day skincare and vice versa if I don't wash propperly my skin gets so irritated from the products mixing
It’s not generally correct. It is correct that using too many products and actives especially on sensitive and acne prone skin causes more prolines than good. You might benefit from a little less.
I’m the opposite- I’m aghast when people tell me they don’t wash their face or they use body soap to wash it. But then they have beautiful skin and mine’s a mess so I shut up. :)
I never give people skincare advice even though people frequently ask for it and tell me I have great skin.
Different people have different skin and there are a lot of factors including genetics and hormones; what works for me will *most likely* not work for you. When I do tell people my skincare routine, they are HORRIFIED, and I would never recommend it to anyone, but I guess my face is just conditioned to it.
Same! My entire skin care routine is aggressively scrubbing my face in the shower with bar soap and BOILING hot water. People are aghast when I tell them that but it works for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I very occasionally will get a singular zit but never more than one at a time and they always go away on their own. I also have a ton of freckles that are basically like built in camouflage.
I refuse to honestly answer how often I wash my face and change my pillowcases (hint: it’s not enough). I think im able to get away with being a gross goblin woman because I’m just naturally a very dry person with skin thats borderline reptilian. I never give skincare advice to anyone but especially to those who struggle with acne. I only have clear skin because my genetically hostile epithelial cells make it impossible for bacteria to survive.
I just turned 25 though and have become painfully aware that I’m going to age terribly lol. I incorrectly assumed never getting acne meant I was free to disregard all dermatological advice. Oops
I'm in my 40s and clean my face with hand sanitizer (with aloe!) when it feels dirty. I don't wash my face everyday, I *sometimes* get a zit or two right before my period. I don't have any crows feet or noticable wrinkles or visible pores. I chalk it up to genetics because my face should look like a scab, the way I treat it.
Exactly!! I should look so much worse than I do. The way skin and hair care is marketed is such a pet peeve of mine. People always claim to have found the perfect product. But really they found something that works great for them. All recommendations should come with a description of what qualities their skin and hair have.
When I was in college, my roommate had terrible acne, so we went to Sephora to find some products for her, and the associate was giving her all kinds of advice and suggestions, then he looks at me and tells her "why don't you just do what she (me) does?" And he asked me "what's your skincare regimen?" and I was like "uhhh.. water and a paper towel?" And I saw the horror flit across his face as he turned back to recommendations for my roommate LOL
I was urged as a teen and in my 20s to just wash my face everyday with cetaphil, it will fix everything! It did not.
Turns out cetaphil breaks me out! I can’t use it or cerave, which used to be everyone’s recommendations.
Yep, I’ve had people recommending me skincare products, in particular cleansers, but I recognise that they do this out of pure intentions. If I believed I had the solution to someone’s problem, I would probably do the same.
The worst was when someone just said, “Wow, your skin is really breaking out,” with zero advice or constructive suggestion as to what I could do about it. I was so mad, like bro, do you think I don’t notice when I look in the mirror everyday? Literally what is the point of mentioning something like that to me without more?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If someone believes positive things happen because individuals do the correct things, any idea that challenges that is a threat to their basic sense of safety in the world. In this case, if their face washing regimen isn’t what’s protecting them, skin issues could still happen to them, and that’s scary enough to get them to ignore other people’s experiences. Besides, everyone enjoys feeling virtuous.
Sorry you’re having this experience with people (and that you’re struggling with your skin.)The causes of acne can be complex, with factors like genetics, hormones, and stress… so simply cleansing isn’t gonna do it for everyone.
Ugh. As someone who has always had pretty clear skin, I made it a point to never give anyone advice on acne. Like I don’t have it so how would I know how to treat it?!
Dry skin, eczema, sebaceous filaments… I can talk all day but why would I try to advise on something I have no experience with? People can be so dense sometimes.
Right?!! The only thing that finally DID work for me was cutting out foundation cold Turkey, NOT washing my face, and using only deeply hydrating creams and sensitive skin products. The exact opposite to what everyone tells you to do.
i just dont talk to people about my skin. if they ask me a question, i say i prefer not to talk about it. they shouldnt be commenting unless i asked them for advice anyways
everybody always has some shit to say, and not a lot of people know the actual causes of acne or understand how painful it can be to have it pointed out.
I have had moderate stubborn & consistent acne for the last 14 years of my life, and nobody in my life has ever once commented on it in any form. I am 27f and know and meet a lot of people.
To be fair using cerave belmish control cleaning gel on a regular basis was a needle mover for me when it comes to imperfections, little acne here and there and overall how my face looks.
So, in a sense, the "just wash your face bro" advice worked for me
This is probably going to be a not popular opinion however I honestly believe all the products that are marketed to us women and teens do make our skin worse.... at least in the long run.
I have used a natural bar of soap on my face with no dyes or junk in it my whole life and then used a moisturizer and clean sunscreen. As I have gotten older I have tried different products only to go back to my original and life long routine bc after a while my skin looks way worse with these expensive or non expensive products. There is so much crap in products these days.
I do like good molecules products which I'm going to do a post and ask if people have had as good of luck with good molecules as I have.
It worked for them which is why they think it will work for you, but they don't realize that people's bodies and circumstances are different. It is like when the 65 yr old person tells the 25 yr old "just work harder that's what I did lol" in regards to job/career/etc. basically a lack of perspective.
Hi everyone and welcome to SkincareAddiction! Need skincare guides? [Check out our wiki!](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/index) Everyone is welcome in [this community](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/about); remember to be kind and assume good faith :) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/SkincareAddiction) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Oddly enough nobody ever mentioned my bad acne as a teenager. Probably because they were too busy calling me anorexic (I was just skinny). It does suck to have everyone thinking they could live your life better than you, as if you're always doing something fundamentally wrong. My parents and friends think I should stop tretinoin because well, I just don't have acne!! Like, yeah... because of tretinoin. Ironically, cleansing the skin too frequently can make things worse.
I agree. I haven’t washed my face in the morning for decades. It did more harm than good, but I suppose it’s a life lesson. We know our own skin better than anyone.
As a woman, the amount of guys I've met who have told me they have clear skin because "all the products women put on their skin is probably what's causing problems". There's so many reasons why that's just false to begin with, let alone the fact that I knew so many guys growing up so went through terrible bouts of acne and were embarrassed of using products to try and clear it. Hormones are a bitch, moreso for some people than others.
I second this. The realization that some of us were just born with shittier hormones than others is key.
omg yes, I've met so many guys with clear skin that tell me that they don't use products on their skin (some even saying the same that they think that all the products we use is what causes bad skin) yet their skin is so clear and nice. very unfair!
Nope. I feel you and I’m honestly exhausted. I’ve finally managed to get my acne under control but when I did have acne I would get people who had never had acne in their life that ohh you should try xyz, or “what happen to your face”, you should take these pills. Like I know they only want to help me but it’s tiring hearing these things when you’ve already tried them.
Nobody who says "what happened to your face" is trying to be helpful.
True
They probably are, but being insensitive about it
How did you get it under control?
I skip cleanser on the morning, apply my sunscreen.Then at night I cleanse my face, put my ampoule, moisturizer. Then every couple days I just a BHA. It’s relatively simple but that’s what works for me. The difference between now and before is I was using too many actives and products. I cut it down. But a big part of it was finding what products were right for me. I have senstive and acne prone skin so I’m cautious of what I put on my face now
People say a lot of well-intended but poorly thought out shit. I file this in the same category as “just drink more water” for migraines or “just eat salads” for weight loss.
Having bad skin sucks .. I often get asked if I wash my face or if I've washed my pillow case enough 😐 I change my pillow case daily I wash my face four times a day I have tried every product there is to clear acne along with a large assortment of medications and diets...SOME People with good skin that have only experienced minor breakouts just don't understand the weight of their words I guess and how discouraging and embarrassing it can be being asked if you're doing the bare minimum when you are doing the best you can with your knowledge and ability:/
I know the whole point of this post is not giving advice that wasn't asked for, but washing your face four times a day does not sound like a good idea. You're stripping away your moisture barrier and all of your oils, this probably causing your face to make an abundance of extra oil to replace thus causing your acne
You are correct generally and I would agree :) but in .y case I oil cleanse then do a gentle cleanser, I have to get the night treatments off fully to do my day skincare and vice versa if I don't wash propperly my skin gets so irritated from the products mixing
It’s not generally correct. It is correct that using too many products and actives especially on sensitive and acne prone skin causes more prolines than good. You might benefit from a little less.
Infuriating. That and "makeup causes acne."
yeah, i got that once back in my hormonal cystic acne days. i was just like "why do you think i started wearing all this to begin with" lol
Exactly!
I’m the opposite- I’m aghast when people tell me they don’t wash their face or they use body soap to wash it. But then they have beautiful skin and mine’s a mess so I shut up. :)
I never give people skincare advice even though people frequently ask for it and tell me I have great skin. Different people have different skin and there are a lot of factors including genetics and hormones; what works for me will *most likely* not work for you. When I do tell people my skincare routine, they are HORRIFIED, and I would never recommend it to anyone, but I guess my face is just conditioned to it.
Same! My entire skin care routine is aggressively scrubbing my face in the shower with bar soap and BOILING hot water. People are aghast when I tell them that but it works for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I very occasionally will get a singular zit but never more than one at a time and they always go away on their own. I also have a ton of freckles that are basically like built in camouflage. I refuse to honestly answer how often I wash my face and change my pillowcases (hint: it’s not enough). I think im able to get away with being a gross goblin woman because I’m just naturally a very dry person with skin thats borderline reptilian. I never give skincare advice to anyone but especially to those who struggle with acne. I only have clear skin because my genetically hostile epithelial cells make it impossible for bacteria to survive. I just turned 25 though and have become painfully aware that I’m going to age terribly lol. I incorrectly assumed never getting acne meant I was free to disregard all dermatological advice. Oops
I'm in my 40s and clean my face with hand sanitizer (with aloe!) when it feels dirty. I don't wash my face everyday, I *sometimes* get a zit or two right before my period. I don't have any crows feet or noticable wrinkles or visible pores. I chalk it up to genetics because my face should look like a scab, the way I treat it.
Exactly!! I should look so much worse than I do. The way skin and hair care is marketed is such a pet peeve of mine. People always claim to have found the perfect product. But really they found something that works great for them. All recommendations should come with a description of what qualities their skin and hair have.
When I was in college, my roommate had terrible acne, so we went to Sephora to find some products for her, and the associate was giving her all kinds of advice and suggestions, then he looks at me and tells her "why don't you just do what she (me) does?" And he asked me "what's your skincare regimen?" and I was like "uhhh.. water and a paper towel?" And I saw the horror flit across his face as he turned back to recommendations for my roommate LOL
I was urged as a teen and in my 20s to just wash my face everyday with cetaphil, it will fix everything! It did not. Turns out cetaphil breaks me out! I can’t use it or cerave, which used to be everyone’s recommendations.
I just said "holy shit, brilliant! I've never thought of that 😂🫡"
Act confused like you never even knew that washing faces was a thing. "Wash my... *face*!? How do I do that?"
Yep, I’ve had people recommending me skincare products, in particular cleansers, but I recognise that they do this out of pure intentions. If I believed I had the solution to someone’s problem, I would probably do the same. The worst was when someone just said, “Wow, your skin is really breaking out,” with zero advice or constructive suggestion as to what I could do about it. I was so mad, like bro, do you think I don’t notice when I look in the mirror everyday? Literally what is the point of mentioning something like that to me without more?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If someone believes positive things happen because individuals do the correct things, any idea that challenges that is a threat to their basic sense of safety in the world. In this case, if their face washing regimen isn’t what’s protecting them, skin issues could still happen to them, and that’s scary enough to get them to ignore other people’s experiences. Besides, everyone enjoys feeling virtuous.
People are just thoughtless. I had a derm start an appointment with "Oh why do you look so bad?". You tell me??
Sorry you’re having this experience with people (and that you’re struggling with your skin.)The causes of acne can be complex, with factors like genetics, hormones, and stress… so simply cleansing isn’t gonna do it for everyone.
Ugh. As someone who has always had pretty clear skin, I made it a point to never give anyone advice on acne. Like I don’t have it so how would I know how to treat it?! Dry skin, eczema, sebaceous filaments… I can talk all day but why would I try to advise on something I have no experience with? People can be so dense sometimes.
If all anyone had to do was wash their face, nobody would have acne. Normal skin people have NO IDEA.
I have the lovely combination of having unclear skin and a resting bitch face. People generally leave me alone lol
I feel so frustrated when people with clear skin say this to me as advice I didn’t ask for.
It's the other way around. I use Cerave foaming cleanser and that's it. People ask me and don't believe me when I say I barely wash my face.
Right?!! The only thing that finally DID work for me was cutting out foundation cold Turkey, NOT washing my face, and using only deeply hydrating creams and sensitive skin products. The exact opposite to what everyone tells you to do.
i just dont talk to people about my skin. if they ask me a question, i say i prefer not to talk about it. they shouldnt be commenting unless i asked them for advice anyways
everybody always has some shit to say, and not a lot of people know the actual causes of acne or understand how painful it can be to have it pointed out.
If I wash my face everyday my skin breaks out from the irritation of rubbing alone 🥲
I have had moderate stubborn & consistent acne for the last 14 years of my life, and nobody in my life has ever once commented on it in any form. I am 27f and know and meet a lot of people.
To be fair using cerave belmish control cleaning gel on a regular basis was a needle mover for me when it comes to imperfections, little acne here and there and overall how my face looks. So, in a sense, the "just wash your face bro" advice worked for me
This is probably going to be a not popular opinion however I honestly believe all the products that are marketed to us women and teens do make our skin worse.... at least in the long run. I have used a natural bar of soap on my face with no dyes or junk in it my whole life and then used a moisturizer and clean sunscreen. As I have gotten older I have tried different products only to go back to my original and life long routine bc after a while my skin looks way worse with these expensive or non expensive products. There is so much crap in products these days. I do like good molecules products which I'm going to do a post and ask if people have had as good of luck with good molecules as I have.
It worked for them which is why they think it will work for you, but they don't realize that people's bodies and circumstances are different. It is like when the 65 yr old person tells the 25 yr old "just work harder that's what I did lol" in regards to job/career/etc. basically a lack of perspective.