MINIMALIST SKINCARE GUIDE (YOU ONLY NEED 3 PRODUCTS)

[Zeekie]

~Minimalist Skincare Routine~​

​

Introduction​

There are a bunch of threads on this site for good skin, and while I’m not denying some of the advice is good and works, a lot of it comes from people who have fallen for the lies of the skincare industry. You don’t need three serums, four cleansers, or a baby’s blood ointment for clear skin. What led you to believe you do is a lot of very good marketing, designed to make you buy as much as possible.

The truth is, you only need three products for the best skin of your life, maybe a few more depending on some edge cases, which I’ll explain later in this guide. So if you want great skin without spending hundreds of dollars or hours applying unnecessary stuff to your face, read on. I will explain a biologically appropriate and dermatologist-approved skincare routine that will help your skin.

BASIC SKIN NEEDS​

All human skin has the same basic needs: access to water and adequate nutrients, with a specific emphasis on vitamins B3, A, C, and E. (Of course, all organ systems benefit from all micronutrients.) Thankfully, we can fulfill most of these needs through our habits. If you eat a balanced diet with no micronutrient deficiencies, and you're drinking enough water throughout the day, your skin will have most of the foundational building blocks it needs to be healthy.

However, there are three special needs our skin has that can’t generally be addressed through diet alone:

• All skin needs to be clean.
• All skin needs to be protected from UV radiation.
• All skin requires high amounts of vitamin A (more on this later).

ALL SKIN REQUIRES TO BE CLEAN​

If your skin is dirty or greasy, it’s going to be compromised. Why? Because of pathogens, pore-clogging gunk, and other stuff that messes with your skin barrier, all of which cause texture issues and breakouts. This is why you HAVE to clean your skin.

The obvious choice is a cleanser, but most people use the wrong one. Your skin type is unique, it can be oily, dry, normal, or sensitive, and different cleansers are made for different types. Using the wrong one can easily make you break out. What’s worse, using a cleanser that’s too stripping removes too much of your natural oil and compromises your skin barrier, which is NOT good.

As a rule of thumb, only wash your face with a cleanser at night. In the morning, a splash of water is enough unless your skin is super oily. That natural oil that builds up overnight is there for a reason. At night, choose a cleanser tailored to you: if you have dry skin, opt for a hydrating one, if you have oily skin, choose a foaming one. Specific brands are a personal preference, so experiment. As long as you’re not breaking out or your skin doesn't feel tight and dry after cleansing, you’re golden.

ALL SKIN REQUIRES UV PROTECTION​

Yes, people, the sun will fuck up your skin. So if you don’t want to end up like Lachowski (who allegedly does not do skincare), USE A FUCKING SUNSCREEN.

(this man is barely 30 btw)
UV radiation is what destroys your collagen and elastin, which is going to age you like crazy. It also damages your DNA, which puts you at a greater risk of skin cancer.

The verdict: USE YOUR SUNSCREEN.

Just like with cleansers, the right sunscreen for you depends on your skin type. If you’re dry or sensitive, a mineral sunscreen is usually best. If you're oily, a chemical one might work better. If you have normal skin, either works. Or pick what you like, just use it.

A couple of notes on sunscreen types:

• Mineral Sunscreens are great, but if you're ethnic or tan, be careful. These tend to leave a nasty white cast. But again, they're great for people with sensitive skin that may react to the organic compounds of chemical ones.
• Chemical Sunscreens sound scary because of all the fearmongering from ancestral bros, but years of clinical testing don’t lie, they’re safe. The amount that gets absorbed into your blood is so tiny it's basically nothing (less than 1-5%), and these compounds have a very weak affinity for your body's estrogen receptors, so they're not even activating estrogenic responses either. To put it in perspective, a single glass of milk has more bioavailable estrogens than the sunscreen you put on your face. So if you're scared of sunscreen but drink milk, you’re just falling for propaganda. Both milk and chemical sunscreens are safe.

ALL SKIN REQUIRES VITAMIN A​

I previously mentioned that all skin needs certain vitamins, one of these being Vitamin A. Your body is a little asshole who prioritizes feeding other organs (like your eyes) with Vitamin A first, so your skin is usually left with scraps. This is a problem, because Vitamin A is incredibly important for your skin. When it's in your skin, it gets converted into its active form, retinoic acid, which then binds to receptors in your cells. This triggers a cascade of benefits: it increases skin cell turnover, reduces oil production, and dramatically reduces wrinkles and texture issues.

Vitamin A in skincare is referred to as a "retinoid." If you’ve been on this forum for long enough, you’ve likely heard of many of them: retinol, retinal, adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene, and Accutane. All of these compounds are in some way a form of Vitamin A, and their ultimate goal is to be converted into all-trans-retinoic acid and activate those receptors in your cells.

Which retinoid you should use depends on your case. Mild acne might only require something like retinol, retinal, or adapalene. For stronger cases, you'll need prescription-only options like tretinoin, tazarotene, or Accutane.

IN MY OPINION, at a minimum, start with retinal or adapalene and work your way up to tretinoin or tazarotene. Don't just stop when your acne clears if you want the collagen-boosting and anti-aging benefits, use the strongest weapon you can handle. I would avoid retinol since it's very weak.

When you start using a topical retinoid, you'll likely go through a period of dryness, peeling, and breakouts (often called a "purge"). This is normal and usually only lasts a few weeks. To minimize it, start slow: 1-2 times a week, then gradually build up your usage as your skin tolerates it.

Accutane can be an option for acne but should be a last resort for severe cases, and only used under a dermatologist’s supervision. For mild acne, it’s better to avoid it entirely or, at most, microdose very carefully since it has significant systemic effects because it reduces oil production and activates RAR gamma receptors throughout the body, leading to dry joints, eye dryness, altered lipid profiles, and possible reductions in growth hormone. It’s also unsafe during pregnancy, if y'all cared. In short, only use Accutane when truly necessary.

Sample Skincare Routine​

The most basic routine you can do to get 90% of the results is as follows:

AM:

• Wash your face with water.
• Put on a sunscreen (if you'll be leaving your home).

PM:

• Use a cleanser.
• Put on a retinoid.

That's it. You probably don't need anything else. But here are a few important notes.

Spoiler: On Moisturizers

Unless you have naturally dry skin, are dealing with retinoid adaptation, or have a damaged skin barrier, moisturizers are fully optional. Your skin has adapted over millions of years to produce just what it needs to be healthy. A lot of people have no need for a moisturizer. In fact, for some, using an expensive moisturizer with unproven ingredients can actually make their skin worse.

That said, if you do have dry skin or your skin barrier is compromised (maybe you overdid it with a retinoid or an exfoliant), a moisturizer is your friend. Look for one with ceramides and/or niacinamide (B3). This will temporarily help repair your skin and make it happy again.

Spoiler: A Note on Sunscreen

Since retinoids make you more sun-sensitive, you HAVE to use sunscreen. A sunscreen only matters if you will be outside during high UV hours. If the UV index is very low or you’ll be staying indoors all day, you can probably skip it. But even with sunscreen on, it’s always best to avoid the sun if you can.

Spoiler: Do You Even Need to Exfoliate?

Not really. Your skin naturally exfoliates itself. Retinoids down the line will remove most of the fundamental reasons you would use an exfoliant, but the adaptation takes weeks or months. So if you're in a rush to get the best skin, it's okay to temporarily include an acid serum or a cleanser with an acid in it. Just remember that retinoids do all the work over time.

Spoiler: Other Skin Conditions

If you have a specific skin condition, you might need to add other things to your routine.

• For hyperpigmentation, consider adding hydroquinone, azelaic acid or Vitamin C.
• For very textured skin, you might want to try azelaic acid or a weekly exfoliant.
• For rosacea or eczema, please patch-test any new product before using it all over your face, or even better, talk to a dermatologist and don't listen to some random dude on .org...
• For fungal acne (caused by a fungus, not oil or bacteria), use a shampoo with ketoconazole once a week, or even every day, instead of a normal cleanser.
• Other people may need special actives in their regular routine, but this is only a very small subset of people, I'm not saying "don't use other stuff" if you really need them, but most people have a bunch of bulk products in their routines that do nothing. If that ain't you, then good, do what's best.

Spoiler: Other Therapies

There are other therapies that may help your skin, such as GHK-CU (I'd only do it topically), Red Light Therapy, or Microneedling. These are optional, "nice-to-have" additions, but the three core principles, cleansing, UV protection, and Vitamin A, will give you 90% of the results.

Hope this thread is helpful. I'll be answering any questions and responding to any bullshit from dietcels coping and saying "just eat healthy." Love y'all

 

[guttedd]

Don’t even need to read it to know it’s based and valid

 

[Zeekie]

**small note, you technically need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, but nobody actually does that

 

[Zeekie]

Don’t even need to read it to know it’s based and valid

bro did NOT waste a single second love the support tho

 

[xzx_]

DNR

 

[guttedd]

bro did NOT waste a single second love the support tho

i’m reading it now fam

 

[hax]

if you don’t want to end up like Lachowski

thanks to my dogshit malar fat pad placament, i look exactly the same at only 16 when in the same angle

 

[underatedgreycel]

Tbh looks slightly chat jewpt but high iq user nonetheless

 

[Zeekie]

Tbh looks slightly chat jewpt but high iq user nonetheless

chatgpt don't spit fire like I do

 

[ethnic subhuman]

 

[KeepCopingLads]

I previously mentioned that all skin needs certain vitamins, one of these being Vitamin A. Your body is a little asshole who prioritizes feeding other organs (like your eyes) with Vitamin A first, so your skin is usually left with scraps

cant i just eat liver every day, can get lots of vitamin a that way

Mineral Sunscreen

have you seen the one paul saladino made

Your skin type is unique, it can be oily, dry, normal, or sensitive,

mine is dry but oily where the nose and brow area is (T shape)

anyways, always mirin your guides

 

[jeff1234]

~Minimalist Skincare Routine~​

​

Introduction​

There are a bunch of threads on this site for good skin, and while I’m not denying some of the advice is good and works, a lot of it comes from people who have fallen for the lies of the skincare industry. You don’t need three serums, four cleansers, or a baby’s blood ointment for clear skin. What led you to believe you do is a lot of very good marketing, designed to make you buy as much as possible.

The truth is, you only need three products for the best skin of your life, maybe a few more depending on some edge cases, which I’ll explain later in this guide. So if you want great skin without spending hundreds of dollars or hours applying unnecessary stuff to your face, read on. I will explain a biologically appropriate and dermatologist-approved skincare routine that will help your skin.

BASIC SKIN NEEDS​

All human skin has the same basic needs: access to water and adequate nutrients, with a specific emphasis on vitamins B3, A, C, and E. (Of course, all organ systems benefit from all micronutrients.) Thankfully, we can fulfill most of these needs through our habits. If you eat a balanced diet with no micronutrient deficiencies, and you're drinking enough water throughout the day, your skin will have most of the foundational building blocks it needs to be healthy.

However, there are three special needs our skin has that can’t generally be addressed through diet alone:

• All skin needs to be clean.
• All skin needs to be protected from UV radiation.
• All skin requires high amounts of vitamin A (more on this later).

ALL SKIN REQUIRES TO BE CLEAN​

If your skin is dirty or greasy, it’s going to be compromised. Why? Because of pathogens, pore-clogging gunk, and other stuff that messes with your skin barrier, all of which cause texture issues and breakouts. This is why you HAVE to clean your skin.

The obvious choice is a cleanser, but most people use the wrong one. Your skin type is unique, it can be oily, dry, normal, or sensitive, and different cleansers are made for different types. Using the wrong one can easily make you break out. What’s worse, using a cleanser that’s too stripping removes too much of your natural oil and compromises your skin barrier, which is NOT good.

As a rule of thumb, only wash your face with a cleanser at night. In the morning, a splash of water is enough unless your skin is super oily. That natural oil that builds up overnight is there for a reason. At night, choose a cleanser tailored to you: if you have dry skin, opt for a hydrating one, if you have oily skin, choose a foaming one. Specific brands are a personal preference, so experiment. As long as you’re not breaking out or your skin doesn't feel tight and dry after cleansing, you’re golden.

ALL SKIN REQUIRES UV PROTECTION​

Yes, people, the sun will fuck up your skin. So if you don’t want to end up like Lachowski (who allegedly does not do skincare), USE A FUCKING SUNSCREEN.
View attachment 3929909
(this man is barely 30 btw)
UV radiation is what destroys your collagen and elastin, which is going to age you like crazy. It also damages your DNA, which puts you at a greater risk of skin cancer.

The verdict: USE YOUR SUNSCREEN.

Just like with cleansers, the right sunscreen for you depends on your skin type. If you’re dry or sensitive, a mineral sunscreen is usually best. If you're oily, a chemical one might work better. If you have normal skin, either works. Or pick what you like, just use it.

A couple of notes on sunscreen types:

• Mineral Sunscreens are great, but if you're ethnic or tan, be careful. These tend to leave a nasty white cast. But again, they're great for people with sensitive skin that may react to the organic compounds of chemical ones.
• Chemical Sunscreens sound scary because of all the fearmongering from ancestral bros, but years of clinical testing don’t lie, they’re safe. The amount that gets absorbed into your blood is so tiny it's basically nothing (less than 1-5%), and these compounds have a very weak affinity for your body's estrogen receptors, so they're not even activating estrogenic responses either. To put it in perspective, a single glass of milk has more bioavailable estrogens than the sunscreen you put on your face. So if you're scared of sunscreen but drink milk, you’re just falling for propaganda. Both milk and chemical sunscreens are safe.

ALL SKIN REQUIRES VITAMIN A​

I previously mentioned that all skin needs certain vitamins, one of these being Vitamin A. Your body is a little asshole who prioritizes feeding other organs (like your eyes) with Vitamin A first, so your skin is usually left with scraps. This is a problem, because Vitamin A is incredibly important for your skin. When it's in your skin, it gets converted into its active form, retinoic acid, which then binds to receptors in your cells. This triggers a cascade of benefits: it increases skin cell turnover, reduces oil production, and dramatically reduces wrinkles and texture issues.

Vitamin A in skincare is referred to as a "retinoid." If you’ve been on this forum for long enough, you’ve likely heard of many of them: retinol, retinal, adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene, and Accutane. All of these compounds are in some way a form of Vitamin A, and their ultimate goal is to be converted into all-trans-retinoic acid and activate those receptors in your cells.

Which retinoid you should use depends on your case. Mild acne might only require something like retinol, retinal, or adapalene. For stronger cases, you'll need prescription-only options like tretinoin, tazarotene, or Accutane.

IN MY OPINION, at a minimum, start with retinal or adapalene and work your way up to tretinoin or tazarotene. Don't just stop when your acne clears if you want the collagen-boosting and anti-aging benefits, use the strongest weapon you can handle. I would avoid retinol since it's very weak.

When you start using a topical retinoid, you'll likely go through a period of dryness, peeling, and breakouts (often called a "purge"). This is normal and usually only lasts a few weeks. To minimize it, start slow: 1-2 times a week, then gradually build up your usage as your skin tolerates it.

Accutane can be an option for acne but should be a last resort for severe cases, and only used under a dermatologist’s supervision. For mild acne, it’s better to avoid it entirely or, at most, microdose very carefully since it has significant systemic effects because it reduces oil production and activates RAR gamma receptors throughout the body, leading to dry joints, eye dryness, altered lipid profiles, and possible reductions in growth hormone. It’s also unsafe during pregnancy, if y'all cared. In short, only use Accutane when truly necessary.

Sample Skincare Routine​

The most basic routine you can do to get 90% of the results is as follows:

AM:

• Wash your face with water.
• Put on a sunscreen (if you'll be leaving your home).

PM:

• Use a cleanser.
• Put on a retinoid.

That's it. You probably don't need anything else. But here are a few important notes.

Spoiler: On Moisturizers

Unless you have naturally dry skin, are dealing with retinoid adaptation, or have a damaged skin barrier, moisturizers are fully optional. Your skin has adapted over millions of years to produce just what it needs to be healthy. A lot of people have no need for a moisturizer. In fact, for some, using an expensive moisturizer with unproven ingredients can actually make their skin worse.

That said, if you do have dry skin or your skin barrier is compromised (maybe you overdid it with a retinoid or an exfoliant), a moisturizer is your friend. Look for one with ceramides and/or niacinamide (B3). This will temporarily help repair your skin and make it happy again.

Spoiler: A Note on Sunscreen

Since retinoids make you more sun-sensitive, you HAVE to use sunscreen. A sunscreen only matters if you will be outside during high UV hours. If the UV index is very low or you’ll be staying indoors all day, you can probably skip it. But even with sunscreen on, it’s always best to avoid the sun if you can.

Spoiler: Do You Even Need to Exfoliate?

Not really. Your skin naturally exfoliates itself. Retinoids down the line will remove most of the fundamental reasons you would use an exfoliant, but the adaptation takes weeks or months. So if you're in a rush to get the best skin, it's okay to temporarily include an acid serum or a cleanser with an acid in it. Just remember that retinoids do all the work over time.

Spoiler: Other Skin Conditions

If you have a specific skin condition, you might need to add other things to your routine.

• For hyperpigmentation, consider adding hydroquinone, azelaic acid or Vitamin C.
• For very textured skin, you might want to try azelaic acid or a weekly exfoliant.
• For rosacea or eczema, please patch-test any new product before using it all over your face, or even better, talk to a dermatologist and don't listen to some random dude on .org...
• For fungal acne (caused by a fungus, not oil or bacteria), use a shampoo with ketoconazole once a week, or even every day, instead of a normal cleanser.
• Other people may need special actives in their regular routine, but this is only a very small subset of people, I'm not saying "don't use other stuff" if you really need them, but most people have a bunch of bulk products in their routines that do nothing. If that ain't you, then good, do what's best.

Spoiler: Other Therapies

There are other therapies that may help your skin, such as GHK-CU (I'd only do it topically), Red Light Therapy, or Microneedling. These are optional, "nice-to-have" additions, but the three core principles, cleansing, UV protection, and Vitamin A, will give you 90% of the results.

Hope this thread is helpful. I'll be answering any questions and responding to any bullshit from dietcels coping and saying "just eat healthy." Love y'all
View attachment 3929936

Good thread.
Also it’s best to use a sunscreen that is combined with a moisturizer, it will give you both benefits and it’s a great way of saving money up.

Also the sandwich method with a Retinoid is a great way of counter-acting the dryness it gives.

And don’t listen to those who say it’s chat gpt, they clearly didn’t read a single molecule. If they would, they wouldn’t say it’s gpt.

 

[Zeekie]

cant i just eat liver every day, can get lots of vitamin a that way

The issue with liver and vitamin A supplements is ultimately the same, your body just doesn't prioritize the skin the same way with vitamin A. You can eat liver and get a little bit of the benefit, probably don't eat a shit ton of it, eating ridiculous amounts of liver over long periods of time like give you hypervitaminosis despite what primal advocates say. It's hard, but not impossible.

Vitamin A supplements are also not a smart idea, because hypervitaminosis is x100000 easier, and most cases for hypervitaminosis A are reported on supps, not food.

I'd ultimately opt for a topical retinoid and skip the digestive system entirely.

have you seen the one paul saladino made

Yes, pretty bad, I think it had like SPF 15 according to some derm?? At that point just don't put anything on

mine is dry but oily where the nose and brow area is (T shape)

Combination skip is a struggle tbh

anyways, always mirin your guides

Preach

 

[ethnic subhuman]

Just kidding, Zeekie. Excellent thread. I read everything. What do you think of my Avi and banner?

 

[KeepCopingLads]

Combination skip is a struggle tbh

so you just want to give up on me

Yes, pretty bad, I think it had like SPF 15 according to some derm?? At that point just don't put anything on

better than those endocrine jewish disruptors in my skin and body (i dont go outside either way)

 

[Zeekie]

Just kidding, Zeekie. Excellent thread. I read everything. What do you think of my Avi and banner?

like the avi tho, it represents how I feel inside

 

[Zeekie]

so you just want to give up on me

Nah, the routine will work the exact same on you. Finding a moisturizer that's appropiate can be a little tricky for combination skin, some people even choose to use two of them in different areas. I don't think that's need, you just need to find one that gentle enough for your dry areas, but still foaming so you can clean your T-zones.

better than those endocrine jewish disruptors in my skin and body (i dont go outside either way)

If you don't like the chemical sunscreen you can still use a mineral one, those don't have endocrine disruptors, usually, check the labels n' shit.

 

[KeepCopingLads]

If you don't like the chemical sunscreen you can still use a mineral one, those don't have endocrine disruptors, usually, check the labels n' shit.

vinosun protect spf 50+ - caudalie?

also should i still use sunscreen in winter (im in uk if that matters)

 

[Zeekie]

vinosun protect spf 50+ - caudalie?

Looking at the ingredients, it looks good enough, no majorly triggering ingredients

also should i still use sunscreen in winter (im in uk if that matters)

Honestly? No. I mean yes, you technically do, in winter UVB rays are basically all gone, but UVA (the other kind of UV radiation released by the sun) can go through clouds and still make it to your skin and cause damage.

The correct thing would be to use sunscreen always if you're leaving your house during high UV index hours, but really, during winter you're likely going to be covering most of the time and you will avoid spending a lot of time outside.

So I'd argue that the UVA damage is less significant and you can probably get away with skipping the sunscreen.

 

[ethnic subhuman]

View attachment 3930008

like the avi tho, it represents how I feel inside

It's that I was raped with a hymen and a reconstructed hymen

 

[Zeekie]

It's that I was raped with a hymen and a reconstructed hymen

happens to the best of us, but I still don't understand the fucking hymen joke

 

[KeepCopingLads]

high UV index hours

basically non existent here tbh

 

[Zeekie]

basically non existent here tbh

I mean isn't it like raining half the freaking time in the UK anyway? But yeah, check the UV index, if it's high put a sunscreen before going out. Either way you're young, healthy, you will probably only truly worry about it once you're 40 and realize that you should've worn sunscreen earlier (this is okay tho, it's the standard life cycle once you reach your midlife crisis)

 

[KeepCopingLads]

mean isn't it like raining half the freaking time in the UK anyway? But yeah, check the UV index, if it's high put a sunscreen before going out. Either way you're young, healthy, you will probably only truly worry about it once you're 40 and realize that you should've worn sunscreen earlier (this is okay tho, it's the standard life cycle once you reach your midlife crisis)

i need to make sure the agepill dosent rape me

 

[FartMaxxer]

~Minimalist Skincare Routine~​

​

Introduction​

There are a bunch of threads on this site for good skin, and while I’m not denying some of the advice is good and works, a lot of it comes from people who have fallen for the lies of the skincare industry. You don’t need three serums, four cleansers, or a baby’s blood ointment for clear skin. What led you to believe you do is a lot of very good marketing, designed to make you buy as much as possible.

The truth is, you only need three products for the best skin of your life, maybe a few more depending on some edge cases, which I’ll explain later in this guide. So if you want great skin without spending hundreds of dollars or hours applying unnecessary stuff to your face, read on. I will explain a biologically appropriate and dermatologist-approved skincare routine that will help your skin.

BASIC SKIN NEEDS​

All human skin has the same basic needs: access to water and adequate nutrients, with a specific emphasis on vitamins B3, A, C, and E. (Of course, all organ systems benefit from all micronutrients.) Thankfully, we can fulfill most of these needs through our habits. If you eat a balanced diet with no micronutrient deficiencies, and you're drinking enough water throughout the day, your skin will have most of the foundational building blocks it needs to be healthy.

However, there are three special needs our skin has that can’t generally be addressed through diet alone:

• All skin needs to be clean.
• All skin needs to be protected from UV radiation.
• All skin requires high amounts of vitamin A (more on this later).

ALL SKIN REQUIRES TO BE CLEAN​

If your skin is dirty or greasy, it’s going to be compromised. Why? Because of pathogens, pore-clogging gunk, and other stuff that messes with your skin barrier, all of which cause texture issues and breakouts. This is why you HAVE to clean your skin.

The obvious choice is a cleanser, but most people use the wrong one. Your skin type is unique, it can be oily, dry, normal, or sensitive, and different cleansers are made for different types. Using the wrong one can easily make you break out. What’s worse, using a cleanser that’s too stripping removes too much of your natural oil and compromises your skin barrier, which is NOT good.

As a rule of thumb, only wash your face with a cleanser at night. In the morning, a splash of water is enough unless your skin is super oily. That natural oil that builds up overnight is there for a reason. At night, choose a cleanser tailored to you: if you have dry skin, opt for a hydrating one, if you have oily skin, choose a foaming one. Specific brands are a personal preference, so experiment. As long as you’re not breaking out or your skin doesn't feel tight and dry after cleansing, you’re golden.

ALL SKIN REQUIRES UV PROTECTION​

Yes, people, the sun will fuck up your skin. So if you don’t want to end up like Lachowski (who allegedly does not do skincare), USE A FUCKING SUNSCREEN.
View attachment 3929909
(this man is barely 30 btw)
UV radiation is what destroys your collagen and elastin, which is going to age you like crazy. It also damages your DNA, which puts you at a greater risk of skin cancer.

The verdict: USE YOUR SUNSCREEN.

Just like with cleansers, the right sunscreen for you depends on your skin type. If you’re dry or sensitive, a mineral sunscreen is usually best. If you're oily, a chemical one might work better. If you have normal skin, either works. Or pick what you like, just use it.

A couple of notes on sunscreen types:

• Mineral Sunscreens are great, but if you're ethnic or tan, be careful. These tend to leave a nasty white cast. But again, they're great for people with sensitive skin that may react to the organic compounds of chemical ones.
• Chemical Sunscreens sound scary because of all the fearmongering from ancestral bros, but years of clinical testing don’t lie, they’re safe. The amount that gets absorbed into your blood is so tiny it's basically nothing (less than 1-5%), and these compounds have a very weak affinity for your body's estrogen receptors, so they're not even activating estrogenic responses either. To put it in perspective, a single glass of milk has more bioavailable estrogens than the sunscreen you put on your face. So if you're scared of sunscreen but drink milk, you’re just falling for propaganda. Both milk and chemical sunscreens are safe.

ALL SKIN REQUIRES VITAMIN A​

I previously mentioned that all skin needs certain vitamins, one of these being Vitamin A. Your body is a little asshole who prioritizes feeding other organs (like your eyes) with Vitamin A first, so your skin is usually left with scraps. This is a problem, because Vitamin A is incredibly important for your skin. When it's in your skin, it gets converted into its active form, retinoic acid, which then binds to receptors in your cells. This triggers a cascade of benefits: it increases skin cell turnover, reduces oil production, and dramatically reduces wrinkles and texture issues.

Vitamin A in skincare is referred to as a "retinoid." If you’ve been on this forum for long enough, you’ve likely heard of many of them: retinol, retinal, adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene, and Accutane. All of these compounds are in some way a form of Vitamin A, and their ultimate goal is to be converted into all-trans-retinoic acid and activate those receptors in your cells.

Which retinoid you should use depends on your case. Mild acne might only require something like retinol, retinal, or adapalene. For stronger cases, you'll need prescription-only options like tretinoin, tazarotene, or Accutane.

IN MY OPINION, at a minimum, start with retinal or adapalene and work your way up to tretinoin or tazarotene. Don't just stop when your acne clears if you want the collagen-boosting and anti-aging benefits, use the strongest weapon you can handle. I would avoid retinol since it's very weak.

When you start using a topical retinoid, you'll likely go through a period of dryness, peeling, and breakouts (often called a "purge"). This is normal and usually only lasts a few weeks. To minimize it, start slow: 1-2 times a week, then gradually build up your usage as your skin tolerates it.

Accutane can be an option for acne but should be a last resort for severe cases, and only used under a dermatologist’s supervision. For mild acne, it’s better to avoid it entirely or, at most, microdose very carefully since it has significant systemic effects because it reduces oil production and activates RAR gamma receptors throughout the body, leading to dry joints, eye dryness, altered lipid profiles, and possible reductions in growth hormone. It’s also unsafe during pregnancy, if y'all cared. In short, only use Accutane when truly necessary.

Sample Skincare Routine​

The most basic routine you can do to get 90% of the results is as follows:

AM:

• Wash your face with water.
• Put on a sunscreen (if you'll be leaving your home).

PM:

• Use a cleanser.
• Put on a retinoid.

That's it. You probably don't need anything else. But here are a few important notes.

Spoiler: On Moisturizers

Unless you have naturally dry skin, are dealing with retinoid adaptation, or have a damaged skin barrier, moisturizers are fully optional. Your skin has adapted over millions of years to produce just what it needs to be healthy. A lot of people have no need for a moisturizer. In fact, for some, using an expensive moisturizer with unproven ingredients can actually make their skin worse.

That said, if you do have dry skin or your skin barrier is compromised (maybe you overdid it with a retinoid or an exfoliant), a moisturizer is your friend. Look for one with ceramides and/or niacinamide (B3). This will temporarily help repair your skin and make it happy again.

Spoiler: A Note on Sunscreen

Since retinoids make you more sun-sensitive, you HAVE to use sunscreen. A sunscreen only matters if you will be outside during high UV hours. If the UV index is very low or you’ll be staying indoors all day, you can probably skip it. But even with sunscreen on, it’s always best to avoid the sun if you can.

Spoiler: Do You Even Need to Exfoliate?

Not really. Your skin naturally exfoliates itself. Retinoids down the line will remove most of the fundamental reasons you would use an exfoliant, but the adaptation takes weeks or months. So if you're in a rush to get the best skin, it's okay to temporarily include an acid serum or a cleanser with an acid in it. Just remember that retinoids do all the work over time.

Spoiler: Other Skin Conditions

If you have a specific skin condition, you might need to add other things to your routine.

• For hyperpigmentation, consider adding hydroquinone, azelaic acid or Vitamin C.
• For very textured skin, you might want to try azelaic acid or a weekly exfoliant.
• For rosacea or eczema, please patch-test any new product before using it all over your face, or even better, talk to a dermatologist and don't listen to some random dude on .org...
• For fungal acne (caused by a fungus, not oil or bacteria), use a shampoo with ketoconazole once a week, or even every day, instead of a normal cleanser.
• Other people may need special actives in their regular routine, but this is only a very small subset of people, I'm not saying "don't use other stuff" if you really need them, but most people have a bunch of bulk products in their routines that do nothing. If that ain't you, then good, do what's best.

Spoiler: Other Therapies

There are other therapies that may help your skin, such as GHK-CU (I'd only do it topically), Red Light Therapy, or Microneedling. These are optional, "nice-to-have" additions, but the three core principles, cleansing, UV protection, and Vitamin A, will give you 90% of the results.

Hope this thread is helpful. I'll be answering any questions and responding to any bullshit from dietcels coping and saying "just eat healthy." Love y'all
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Good thread if you have acne though just pull the trigger and take accutane

 

[Zeekie]

I didn't write this water thread for nothing

BUMP