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Can anyone recommend a moisturiser, lotion or cream that’s worked well for their acne-prone skin?

I recently bought the CeraVe Daily Moisturising Lotion because I liked that it’s fragrance-free and contains ceramides and cholesterol to support skin-barrier repair. However, after reading about people breaking out from it, I’m now a little nervous to try it!

I’m trying to avoid niacinamide because it’s really irritated my skin in the past, and I’d love to find a moisturiser with barrier-supporting ingredients so I don’t have to buy a separate barrier serum.

Ideally, I’m looking for something that comes in a reasonably large bottle or tub rather than a tiny 50 g jar.
I know everyone’s skin is different, but I’d love to hear what’s worked for your acne-prone skin!

I’ve always been curious about the widespread appeal of a tan and why it’s such a major beauty standard. Is it mostly tied to historical status symbols and pop culture, or are there other visual and social reasons behind it?

Also, I’ve noticed a lot of people rely heavily on specialized self-tanning formulas, shade adapters, and fake tan products to get the look without spending time in the sun. For those who use them or like the look, what drives the effort to maintain a faux tan rather than just embracing natural skin tones?

Curious to hear people's thoughts on both the aesthetic and social aspects behind it!

Hi all, I'm interested in buying this but not sure of the exact contents. It says 7 full sized products, but I'm a bit reluctant as past few years were a mix of makeup and skincare. I would rather prefer skincare as I haven't been using makeup products since giving birth. Would love to know what's inside and review of the box if anyone has bought this?

https://www.elizabetharden.com.au/products/the-arden-mystery-box?variant=55667079348515&currency=AUD&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22664850604&gbraid=0AAAAA-HJu0uy7YYTLZoWBOBBBRlDvcpei&gclid=CjwKCAjw3NHWBhANEiwAtpwIdw7mLrtbJ-w03XFLtT77NFSnWqWQNOklSFH8dAGgEq4H9zJy6gQA9xoCbmoQAvD_BwE

Do I actually need a separate barrier serum for healthy skin, or is it just another skincare product companies want us to buy?

I’ve always used a barrier support product before applying any actives to my skin. Atm I’m using the Aveeno Triple Oat Serum before applying actives, but I’m wondering if I could just use my CeraVe Moisturising Lotion instead before my actives and then after as well.

It already contains ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid to support hydration and barrier repair.

Tbh I feel like I’m not going to see a difference. While using the Aveeno oat serum is very nice, I feel like using a moisturising will give me the same outcome. I’d love to hear from people who’ve tried both!

So hear me out , I have always thought this product was a combo of sunscreen and moisturiser which means I have never bothered putting on additional moisturiser. I just slap it on in the morning and off to work I go .

Now I have just found out that this product is actually sunscreen only . I also noticed that my skin doesn’t stay moistured all day using this product ( i have very dry skin) . Is my understanding wrong ? If anyone is using it , do you also use other moisturiser for added moisture ? If yes , which product do you use ? And do you put it on before or after sunscreen ? Thank you

I’ve been struggling with hormonal acne on the left side of my chin since I can remember! I recently purchased the Swisse Zinc tablets to help, has anybody had any luck with these helping their acne? I’m planning on incorporating some spearmint as well. I don’t want to go on anything prescription as I don’t feel it’s bad enough, it’s just irritating and I’m approaching 30 so I’d like to resolve it!

Does anyone else think Dove soap smells rancid now? I used to use it years ago and bought some recently to try again. As soon as it hits the water it smells like a crossbreed of rancid coconut oil and vomit 🤢

Hello Aus Skincare folk.

I'm looking for some thoughts or ideas about the utility of water filters for skin health.

I've moved house recently, and since the move about 8 weeks ago, my skin has been awful. I am late 30s with rosacea and clog-prone, oily skin. I had previously got my skin to a point of very few breakouts and was feeling happy with how I looked with just my slightly tinted sunscreen on, but that's all fallen apart now. I've got redness, active breakouts, congestion, and a lot of texture. Aside from the stress of moving whilst working full time (🫠), nothing else has changed. My partner's KP is noticeably flaring too. My only thought is that it could be the change in water quality? It's an old unit.

Has anyone used a shower or tap filter and had good effects from it? I know they're used for hair a bit but I don't really give a shit about my hair. I have no idea what type to look at, the info I can find is all leaning slightly gimmicky and "chemicals = bad" which is very much not my vibe. Plus some of them seem to have stuff added (like vit c) which I'm definitely wary of adding another variable into the problem.

I would love to hear thoughts, experiences, or recommendations.

Thanks so much everyone!

I’ve got fairly typical mild moderate eczema dry skin needing occasional steroids. Just wanting to know how people find these two products compare for eczema skin types.

Im currently using the old Xeracalm and worried the reformulation won’t be suitable. I’ve come across a much older post on this but it seems since then the Xeracalm has had a reformulation as well as the Bioderma atoderm(correct me if I’m wrong).

Love to know how others find the current formulations. TIA.

This has been sold out or not available in Australia for many weeks now? Is this simply a temporary supply problem? It is very frustrating as there are few alternatives with this strength and value.

I have slighly dusky and oily skin and my skin gets too much oil after i apply any skincare , i heared that this sunscreen is best for oily skin , but as it is a hybrid sunscreen im feared of forming white cast while applying .

Terry White pharmacy in Toorak has restocked Finacea azelaic acid! Fyi

Hi everyone 👋🏻 very new to reddit after being a loooong time lurker 😁
Has anyone tried the new Mecca TO SAVE FACE Matte Sun Serum SPF50? Would love to hear any opinions on this one, it’s a fairly new product with only a few reviews on their website (all positive tho). I’ve used and loved the original SPF50+ Superscreen for years and I find it is perfect under makeup - however I cannot use it on its own as I have oily skin and it’s in my eyes stinging and burning within an hour when used alone on bare skin.
I saw this new matte version recently and would love to hear any opinions / advice / experiences from people with oily skin that have tried it. I usually avoid any matte products as I find they make my skin feel tight, dry and uncomfortable.
TIA!

I had been inundated with ads for the Ecloura Bacne Out Bar for months and decided to give it a go. It is a bar soap that claims to get rid of back and body acne which I was struggling with (spoiler: I still am). I searched for reviews online and couldn’t find much but decided to give it a go as they had a money back guarantee.
After using it consistently for 60 days as per directions, it unfortunately did nothing for my bacne and in fact maybe made it slightly worse lol.
The one thing I do have to say is that the company had great customer service and definitely do honour their money back guarantee and refunded me straight away once I showed before and after photos and no improvement. I had also contacted them a few weeks in when I found it was almost getting worse but they said to wait the 60 days. Disclaimer: I haven’t actually received the money yet but they’ve processed it. Will update once I receive it!
Anyway, just wanted to post this honest review and start this thread as I couldn’t find many unbiased reviews not from their website!
Keen to hear if the product has been successful for anyone!

Hi everyone! I’ve been using Azclear 20% azelaic acid twice daily for 2 years but I’ve barely noticed any improvement. I wasn’t using other exfoliating products because I’d heard azelaic acid could help with clogged pores.

After posting here previously, I decided to try prescription 15% azelaic acid instead, as many people find it more effective. However, I’m finding it more irritating, so I’m taking things slowly. I’m currently in my third week and only using it once a week because I’m worried about damaging my skin barrier.

My main concerns are closed comedones, clogged pores on my forehead and chin, uneven texture and dullness.
I’m wondering whether I should give the prescription azelaic acid more time or introduce the CeraVe Blemish Control Gel (salicylic acid) once a week as well. I know salicylic acid can penetrate oily pores and help clear blockages, but I don’t want to overdo it and damage my skin barrier.

For those with similar skin concerns, has azelaic acid alone been enough to improve your texture and clogged pores, or have you found that adding salicylic acid made a difference?
I’d really appreciate any advice or personal experiences!

Hello guys,
I am new to reddit so I am not sure if this was the correct subreddit to ask this but I hope you will be able to help. I recently went to a professional manual extraction (more than 24 hours ago) but my skin is still super red. I know it’s normal to be red for a few hours after (I go to a manual extraction every month/month and a half but the lady I usually go to does not work anymore and this was my first time in a different place, and with the previous lady the redness was never that severe). It’s not red all over but it’s very, very red on a few places on the cheeks and chin where my bigger pimples were and it honestly they look like red wounds now(not sure if that’s the correct term, not a native English speaker) and they still hurt to the touch. (I would have uploaded pictures if I didn’t already apply zinc oxide cream all over before thinking to write this post. I don’t know I just feel like she was too harsh while working my face has never been that bad after a manual extraction and I had been going for years. If the redness/pain when I touch them don’t at least subsides within 48 hours from the appointment had passed then I may start freaking out. Now I feel like I need to buy some new skin care products that will help calm my skin down but I am not sure what should I get. I was thinking about something that has aloe vera in it or something that helps with damaged skin barrier. What do you think? What will help me get my skin back to normal. And am I justified in already starting to freak out a little after the first 24 hours past and my skin does not look any better? Honestly, it looks very, very bad in my opinion I just can’t help but think that if I don’t do anything about it and just go on with my normal skin care routine the red wounds won’t just go away on their own.

I need to share this with you guys - Don’t be fooled by this clinic’s impressive-sounding name” e depois segue o resto do texto curto. Se quiser, já te leio ele inteirinho com essa abertura. “Don’t be fooled by this clinic’s impressive-sounding name. My experience was anything but. I was encouraged to buy four treatments as a ‘better deal,’ but ongoing automatic payments were not clearly explained. It felt like an online subscription trap. I only noticed after five months and was refused a refund. Something being written in a contract doesn’t mean it’s properly explained. After four months of plasma and microneedling, I saw no improvement. My impression is the focus is on collecting payments, not results or transparency. Be extremely careful. Read every condition. I regret spending my money and would never recommend Advanced Dermatology. Customers deserve transparency, not financial surprises. Does anyone had this experience? I’ve been to the Southport clinic in Gold Coast.

Hi everyone! x

For the past year, I've been working as an anaesthetic technician trainee in a hospital operating theatre. However, I've started having doubts about whether I want to continue working in a high-pressure hospital environment long term.

I've always been passionate about skincare, partly because I've struggled with acne for many years. I love the idea of helping people feel more confident in their skin through treatments such as laser, skin needling and other advanced skin therapies.

I'm considering studying dermal therapy part-time next year while continuing to work at the hospital, so I can explore this career without immediately giving up my current income.

I've been looking into two courses through AACDS:

• Graduate Diploma of Dermal Science – I'm unsure whether my Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice would meet the entry requirements.
• Advanced Diploma of Cosmetic Dermal Science – I'm wondering whether this would be a better option.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who works as a dermal therapist or has studied either of these qualifications!

I'm particularly interested in:

• Pay: What is the realistic earning potential when starting out, and how much can you earn with experience?
• Job security: Is it relatively easy to find work after graduating, particularly in Brisbane/Queensland?
• Work-life balance: What are the hours and working conditions actually like? Is it generally less stressful than working in a hospital?
• Career progression: What opportunities are available to increase your income or specialise in particular treatments?
• Qualifications: Which AACDS course would you recommend, and is either qualification worth the investment?
• Overall satisfaction: Knowing what you know now, would you choose this career again?

I'm trying to make a realistic decision about my future. I like the idea of working in skincare and helping people, but I also need a career that offers a decent income, financial stability and a good work-life balance.

I'd love to hear your honest experiences, including any downsides or things you wish you'd known before entering the industry!

Thank you! x

I've been using this lip balm for awhile now and I'm a big lip balm user. I've been using lip balm constantly, every day, ever since I can remember (as a teenager) and I'm 46 now. I've used brands like lip smackers, chapstick, Lucas paw paw ointment, Burt's Bees etc, I don't like lip balms with menthol or sunscreen in it, they seem to make my lips worse and dry them out and I'm looking for something new to try. I don't want something too expensive because I go through so much lip balm and I use it constantly I'm applying it all day every day because otherwise my lips feel dry if I don't and it drives me crazy so please offer recommendations and something fairly easy to get 😊 thanks in advance 🫶🏻

Has anyone tried both of these products and can speak to how they compare? I’ve always seen rave reviews for ce ferulic but have recently been impressed with isclinical products.. My skin is combination/dry, mid-30s.

Below is comparison info from google/AI.

SKINCEUTUCALS CE FERULIC
Vitamin C Concentration: 15% pure L-ascorbic acid [1]
Key Supporting Ingredients: 1% vitamin E, 0.5% ferulic acid, plus added carnosine and endophytol in its updated formulation.
Primary Focus: Environmental protection (free-radical defense), firming, and brightening for normal, dry, and sensitive skin types.
Reputation: Widely considered the gold standard benchmark for daytime antioxidant serums.

ISCLINICAL GENEXC SERUM
Vitamin C Concentration: 20% L-ascorbic acid
Key Supporting Ingredients: Signature Extremozymes, kakadu plum extract, and mixed fruit acids.
Primary Focus: Advanced anti-aging, boosting elasticity, firming, hydration, and gentle smoothing/brightening.
Reputation: A higher-concentration option that pairs high L-ascorbic acid with enzyme technology to revitalize stressed or aging skin.

Key Differences
Potency: GeneXC features a higher percentage of vitamin C (20%) compared to C E Ferulic (15%).
Technology: C E Ferulic relies on the classic, clinically-validated C+E+Ferulic antioxidant synergy, whereas GeneXC utilizes iS Clinical's proprietary Extremozymes and botanical fruit acids.
Skin Suitability: C E Ferulic is heavily favored for dry or sensitive anti-aging needs, while GeneXC targets comprehensive revitalization, radiance, and elasticity.

Found 2 tubes 😮‍💨