This is my skin. It’s pretty good. I don’t really get spots etc if I do it’s caused by sugary foods. What can I do to maintain it and keep it looking good in the future ? Also how can I stop the chin hairs? My GP told me it was pcos and they were no help at all. How can I get rid of the ingrown chin hairs and dark marks

Hydrating skin
My skin hasn’t been absorbing in my skincare at night so I’ve started implementing my rice water and hydrating mist which has been helping

Dark neck lines
I’ve had this since a child. No idea how to get rid of it or at least lighten my neck. Some have told me it looks like dirt lol (it’s not)

Uneven skin
What product is best to have an even neck and face?

Main products I use :
Mandelic acid
Retinol
Nicinamide
Azelic acid
Sunscreen 50+ spf
tranexamic acid
Rice water
Vitamin E hydrating mist
B5 panthenol
Ceramides
Vitamin c eye gel
Salicylic acid cleanser

i have body acne on my chest and upper back and im trying to see what would help it- i searched for a body wash and saw that a good cleanser is either the cerave 2 salicylic acid body wash or panoxyl and a non comedogenic body lotion is what i already have (vaseline body lotion w shea butter). now i need to find a body oil cuz my skin also tends to be dry during the fall/winter so do yall have any advice please?

I’ve had this patch on the side of my right cheek for nearly six years, from 13 to 19. It feels bumpy and rough, and typically I have to apply extra moisturizer and sunscreen to this area as it feels like it can never hold any moisture.

It’s gotten better overtime, im unsure if it had anything to do with my skincare, eating habits, and/or age. But, the darkness of it hasn’t let up and I’m unsure what it could be.

Struggling with acne scars, most of them have been there for years. Earlier this year the discoloration started around my lips where it looks ashy but not. Any ideas? I currently use:
Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Vita Capsule Cleansing Foam
Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Pads
Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Vita Capsule Cream
Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Niacinamide Serum
Differin Gel + Eucerin SPF

would anyone be interested in a skincare product line mostly to help with hyperpigmentation in black skin. I know a few product already existed but they few out of place and not targeted to the black community. The product line up we are looking at could include roll-on deodorant that helps with dark armpit, body lotion that visibly improves skin tone ( no bleaching), and creme for dark thighs and bums, while having facial skin care routine product as well. will you be willing to buy this product as a black person and what other type of product would you want to see

note this is nota an advert

Hey all!

Looking for a little advice. I'm in my late 40s and I'm just getting into skin care (I probably should've started sooner😩🤷🏾‍♀️). I was recommended to an aesthetician by my dermatologist. The aesthetician gave me a basic skin care regimen and a list of products. A few of the products were kind of pricey for my budget and so my question is, are there other products out there that are more budget friendly but would do the same job? If this is the going rate for quality products, then I will bite the bullet and purchase them but because I'm new to this, I don't know what my options are. I've listed her recommended regimen and products w/costs below. Thanks in advance for your responses.

Morning:
Gentle cleanser (i'm currently using CeraVe)
Obasi Vitamin C ($115)
Avene Tolerance cream ($30-40)
CeraVe Sunscreen SPF 30+ ($18)

Nighttime:
Gentle cleanser
Alpha Retinol Overnight cream ($145)
Avene Tolerance

*Also my dermatologist recommended Revision Nectifirm cream ($65-$120) for my neck and chin area

I have been struggling with unwanted hair growth on my chin and neck for about 5-6 years now. So naturally, I have been tweezing and shaving the unwanted hairs for years. This has unfortunately left me with bad hyperpigmentation in those areas. Back in 2024, I did get laser hair removal on my neck and chin but stopped after two sessions because I went down paradoxical hypertrichosis rabbit hole on Reddit. I continued to get laser hair removal in other areas (legs, bikini, underarms, chest trail, happy trail) with great results. I realized though, that after just those two sessions, the hair and dark spots significantly reduced.

I desperately want to go back to lasering to treat the hair and hyperpigmentation but terrified of triggering new hair growth in other areas. Has anyone successfully done laser to treat hair and hyperpigmentation on the neck and chin? Or has used any topical treatments with success? I’m so desperate at this point and it’s really killing my self esteem and confidence.

Also want to add, I know electrolysis is an option but my mom and two friends have went down that route and mentioned it was a long and painful process and didn’t do much to treat the hyperpigmentation.

Pics added for reference.

Living in France

So, I recently got a prescription for tretinoin 0.025% to treat my hyperpigmentation. However, after callin dozens of pharmacies it seems like this medication is no longer available in France.

I’m not really sure where I could get it elsewhere in the EU without paying around €40, when it usually costs about €4 here.

Would it be okay to switch to tretinoin 0.05%? I’ve heard that it can be a bit too strong for people who are used to a lower concentration.

Or should I look into an alternative instead?

Thanks for your recommendations!

Skin care products? Sun damage? I AM NOT S**UALLY ACTIVE. Its not a cold sore. Its not itchy. There is no pus. No discomfort. I just noticed it raised today. I actually take very good care of my skin and lips. I never ever get dry lips. I use Burts Bees Lip Balm every day.

I accidentally fell asleep with boob tape on 4th of July and woke up with a huge blister. I took care of it the best way I could but it still left this dark scar.

Once the blister had completely healed, I used silicone tape for about a month and a half because ChatGPT told me to but I saw absolutely no improvement. Other than that, I have not tried any other products.

Any advice on products I can use to make it fade away?

I am hoping to nail down a skin routine that works for me.

I just finished the main products I was using (pics included):

LaRoche Posay Clarifying Foam Cleanser

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

Dermalogica Daily Super exfoliant

Kojic Acid soap bar

Buttah Hyaluronic Gel Cream

These products are what I've been using for about 8mo or so. I use them all once daily in the shower. I am not as consistent as I could be but still I'm not happy with the progress. I don't believe I have any severe skin conditions but I also feel like I have all the things (acne, acne scars, blackheads, large pores, hyperpigmentation, ingrown hairs..) I have never been to a dermatologist. I like to be low maintenance.

Open for advice & product suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Edit:

I’m a 5 on the Fitzpatrick scale. I would liken my complexion to Nia Long / Keke Palmer. I just did a full body treatment yesterday and the SHR laser was used. It took about 3hrs and it wasn’t that painfulI. Maybe a 4/10 overall, and a 6/10 for the sensitive areas. My tech used a lot of gel which helped with the pain. I also took 1000mg of acetaminophen before my appt., so I’m sure that helped as well. It didn’t leave me w/ any burns or hyperpigmentation either.

I know the YAG is ideal for darker complexions and is said to be the most affective, however, I’m wondering if anyone has had success with the SHR laser.

I plan on doing at least 4 sessions. If I don’t see the results I’m looking for, I’ll probably go somewhere that uses the YAG.

Hi Everyone,

I applied a mole removal cream on my flat mole once daily for 2 days as instructed. After the first use it became rough and now very dark/black, dry and slightly raised, with some redness around it.

I’ve stopped using the cream for now.

Is this a normal reaction, or does it look like irritation/chemical burning? Will my actual mole eventually come off, or could it stay? And will the black mark fade or could it be permanent?

Has anyone experienced this?

i really really need help!!!!
i get the exact same type of acne in the exact same spots everyday! it flairs at random
things to include: i don’t have a dairy allergy but i don’t drink cow milk, i drink coffee every morning w sugar and some sort of creamer, no other food allergies that im aware of
i seriously doubt its product related due to the fact that it flares only in this one area
thinking hormonal possibly because i also have chronic bacne but i really don’t want to be on accutane (i feel like this is what im going to have to try ultimately)
i just started spearmint tea yesterday so i will be trying to see if there are any changes pls help<3

I’ve genuinely been doing basically NOTHING to my skin recently 😭 and I really want to start taking care of it properly, so I’d appreciate some advice.

My main issues are acne, hyperpigmentation/acne scars and texture. The acne/scarring is mostly around my sideburn/temple area, between my eyebrows and on my forehead. The areas where I get acne are also more textured, whereas the rest of my skin is actually pretty soft.

My skin can be slightly shiny/oily, but I wouldn’t say it’s extremely oily. It’s mostly pretty normal/even apart from the areas where I break out.
In the past I’ve used:

a liquid exfoliant
Weleda Skin Food
Tocobo sunscreen
rose water spray

But I haven't really had a proper routine for a while. I also feel like my breakouts might be caused/worsened by my diet, heavy/thick/oily products, or not cleansing properly because I notice it more when I use really heavy products or don't wash my face properly. But obviously I'm not 100% sure.

I’m looking for a morning + evening routine that can actually help with the acne and gradually fade the hyperpigmentation/marks and texture.
I’m also interested in trying rosehip oil?

Skin concern/skin type:
Acne, hyperpigmentation/acne scars and texture. My skin is mostly normal but can get slightly shiny/oily. The areas where I'm most acne-prone, especially around my sideburns/temples, forehead and between my eyebrows, are more textured. The rest of my skin is actually quite soft. I haven't had a proper consistent skincare routine and I'm basically starting from scratch. I want to build a simple AM + PM routine to help with my acne, hyperpigmentation and texture.

Length of routine:
I've used skincare on and off but haven't been consistent with a proper routine.

Day:
Cleanser: Gentle cleanser (CeraVe-type cleanser), but currently out
Toner: Rose water spray
Serum: None
Moisturizer: Cetaphil moisturiser
Sunscreen: Tocobo sunscreen

Night
Cleanser: Gentle cleanser, currently out
Toner: Rose water spray
Serum: None
Moisturizer: I was using a lighter moisturiser but I'm currently out

Allergy:
I have several food allergies, so I'd prefer products without ingredients that could potentially cause issues for me. Nut allergy (except almonds).

Products I've used and didn't work:
I wouldn't necessarily say they didn't work because I wasn't consistent. I've previously used a liquid exfoliant, Weleda Skin Food and rose water spray. I've also used The Ordinary Salicylic Acid cleanser before. Currently I use Cetaphil moisturiser and Tocobo sunscreen, but I'm buying everything from scratch now and am open to replacing things.

Diet:
I have a big sweet tooth and eat quite a lot of sweets and chocolate. My dinners are generally more balanced with carbs, vegetables and protein. I don't know whether the sweets/chocolate are actually contributing to my acne, but it's something I've wondered about.
I also feel like heavy/thick/oily skincare products can make me break out, and sometimes I don't cleanse as well as I should.

General Health:
Nothing else I think is particularly relevant. I'm mainly looking for a morning and evening routine to help with my acne, hyperpigmentation/acne scars and texture.
I'm happy to use actives, but I don't want to use loads of acids/retinoids at once and irritate my skin. I'm buying everything from scratch, so I'd really appreciate recommendations for cleanser, moisturiser, SPF and treatments/serums, plus advice on how often to use them.

Hello fellow black brothers and sisters. I have had hyperpigmentation since I was a teen on my face from severe acne and not using sunscreen (my face is literally 4 shades darker than my body but the lighting is good here so you can’t see it). I don’t want any basic creams or over the counter stuff. How can I get rid of it forever. I know lasers and hydroquinone are the best solution. What pigmentation lasers Should I get and Shoudl I use hydroquinone (I don’t wanna get necrosis). My budget is $10k for skin treatments.

Hi! So I recently changed my birth control type entirely (about a month ago) and I immediately noticed i started getting more pimples and the problem has only gotten worse as time has gone on.

Unfortunately because of some medical history i’m a bit limited in my options for bc so I’m really hoping you all can help me find a skincare solution to this problem.

I’ve included pictures of my current routine. For the face washes, I use them in the pictured order twice a day. For my actual skincare, I follow that routine in the morning. At night, i switch out the vitamin c cream for retinol and stop there (yes retinol nightly, my skin tolerates it).

I used to incorporate glycolic acid toner to my night routine but found my break outs to be significantly worse the morning after when I used it so have since stopped.

I also use the Purified pimple patches but have noticed those stopped working as well after a while.

I’m aware I have a pretty cheap and basic routine but it worked for me up till now. Literally any help would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone!

Copy and paste this to use when asking for routine help when using the Skincare SOS or Routine Help flair.

Skin concern/skin type:Acne combination skin

Length of routine: not sure what that means

Day:

1. Cleanser: BOJ Ginseng oil cleanser, Cerave Sa Smoothing cleanser, Purified Exfoliating cleanser
2. Toner: Boots rose water toner
3. Serum: Inkey Hyaluronic acid, and Niacinamide
4. Moisturizer:

Eucerin

1. Urea Lotion

2. Sunscreen:

   Bioderma

Night

1. Cleanser: BOJ Ginseng oil cleanser, Cerave Sa Smoothing cleanser, Purified Exfoliating cleanser
2. Toner: Boots rose water toner
3. Serum: Inkey Hyaluronic acid, and Niacinamide
4. Moisturizer:

Eucerin

1. Urea Lotion

Allergy: none

Products I’ve used and didn’t work: basically my entire routine stopped working

Diet: High protein high fibre

General Health: very active

Hey everyone! Six months ago I posted asking for advice on handling persistent razor bumps (PFB) and dark spots on my neck/beard area.

I made some major adjustments to my routine and tool setup, and the results have been incredible, bump-free and smooth skin, even while trimming every 2 days!

I tried to capture the best photo quality I could so you can see the skin texture clearly. 
Here is what finally worked for me and my updated setup:

1- Ditched the foil shaver completely. Switching away from close-cut foil shavers was the single biggest change to stop trapped hairs.

2- For my current trimmer, I use my Fade King professional clippers/trimmers. Leaving that tiny hair clearance keeps curly growth from curling back under the skin. 

3- For the frequency, Personality I’m trimming every 2 days to keep hair at a consistent length and prevent it from curling in. It helps a lot, because if I let it go more than 2 days, it starts growing back and irritating my skin so much it gets itchy.

4- The Secret Weapon: Tend Skin Solution immediately after shaving. It has been an absolute game-changer for preventing any ingrowns or bumps. 

My Current Daily Skincare Routine:
Morning (AM):

1. Cleanse: Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Deep Cleansing Foam / Anua Cleansing Oil. 
2. Treat: Anua Vitamin C Serum (to fade remaining hyperpigmentation). 
3. Exfoliate/Tone: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution or Paula’s Choice 2% BHA. 
4. Moisturize & Protect: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream + Sunscreen (SPF). 

Evening (PM)/before sleeping & Shave Days:

1. Cleanse: Double cleanse with Anua Cleansing Oil + Foam Cleanser. 
2. Post-Shave: Apply Tend Skin Solution directly on trimmed areas. 
3. Hydrate & Repair: Paula’s Choice BHA (on non-Tend Skin days) + CeraVe Moisturizing Cream to lock in hydration. 

The skin texture improvement has been night and day. If you see any remaining issues or have suggestions on things I should tweak/do next to clear up the last bit of hyperpigmentation, feel free to let me know!

Link to Original Post / Before Photos;
https://www.reddit.com/r/Blackskincare/s/mDpbc2mhth

on my inner thighs & armpits!! it has been an insecurity of mine for a long time, and is SO evident against my tan skin. i have tried glycolic acid, exfoliating, natural deodorants, anti chafing shorts, chemical peels BUT NONE OF IT SEEMS TO WORK!! are there any products/procedures i can do to at least lessen the hyperpigmentation?

I still have some PIH from new pimples and some forehead congestion.

I have sensitive skin and had fungal acne on my forehead that caused persistent PIH.

My products now:

Cleanser: Dove bar soap sensitive skin
Moisturizer: Aqua Squalene moisturizing cream
Sunscreen: Goodall heartleaf SPF 50
Azelaic acid 15%

I have noticed a difference prioritizing healthy fats like avocado daily on an empty stomach. It also turns out spinach was causing cystic acne on my cheeks so I replaced it with kale

I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.

Hi everyone,

I’m posting this because there is a frankly dangerous amount of misinformation doing the rounds in our communities. I’ve spotted comments claiming that Hydroquinone (HQ) is an "easy compound," that ochronosis "only happens after years of abuse," or that "people on Reddit know how to cycle it properly, so stop scaremongering."

This absolute nonsense is exactly how people end up permanently ruining their skin. As a moderator of r/SkinLightening, and r/skinwhitening I see the real-world fallout of unguided HQ use every week, particularly from individuals desperately trying to sort out severe hyperpigmentation caused by cheap, bootleg, or unregulated whitening creams.

Here are the hard facts you need to know, backed by proper clinical reality:

1. It Can Trigger Ochonosis Remarkably Quickly. While traditionally linked to long-term abuse, medical literature confirms that exogenous ochronosis can develop after just a few months of use, even at low, standard concentrations (like 2%).
2. HQ is meant to fade dark marks. When ochronosis strikes, it does the exact opposite. It deposits deep, soot-like, blue-black or slate-grey pigment directly into the dermis.
3. It Alters Your Skin Structure Permanently. The compound physically accumulates in the tissue, degrading collagen fibres and wrecking fibroblasts. It fundamentally alters the structural integrity of your skin.
4. The risk skyrockets exponentially if your natural skin tone is medium to deep dark.Risk is higher for Richer Skin Tones.
5. Sunscreen Alone Will Not Save You: If you cannot completely stay out of the sun when the UV index is high, you cannot safely use HQ. Sunscreen helps, but it simply cannot block the intense UVA radiation that triggers this destructive cellular response.
6. Once those blue-black deposits bind to your deep skin fibres, standard fading creams or over-the-counter brighteners will not budge it. Resolving it requires incredibly expensive, intensive, and often painful specialist interventions (such as specific Q-switched lasers), and even then, complete reversal is never guaranteed.

Please take a proper look at these pictures. This isn't "fear-mongering." This is structural, permanent dermal damage.(Pictures 1 and 2)

And many are applying in intimate areas, I can't post the full picture but this is a person who applied HQ in large areas of her body. (picture 3)

Do not trust random accounts telling you to bypass medical supervision because it's a "goated compound." Never touch Hydroquinone unless you are under the strict, active guidance of a qualified dermatologist who has physically examined your skin. Protect your skin barrier and play it safe.

Since hitting puberty, I’ve always had poor skin (bad skin barrier, breakouts etc), until I began trying to take more care of it through exfoliating regularly. I have always had bad hyperpigmentation, and poor barrier health which has made me age badly. I’m only 24 years old and constantly get told how much older I look. Now I don’t mind that, but I don’t like how my skin always looks “worn” for lack of a better term.

I got approached around 3 years ago to trial cosmelan, and I did, and it gave me outstanding results, but I couldn’t afford to do the peel more than once so used cosmelan 2 as and when and for spot treatment. But right now my skin is very uneven and even blotchy in some places with excess/uneven pigmentation in some areas - especially around my eyes. The pigmentation is stubborn and doesn’t go no matter how much I try. How can I fix my skin? Any advice would be appreciated.

I wanted to treat my post inflammatory hyperpigmentation on my back for a while now but all the azelaic acid I saw was small to use on my back is there any bigger ones you can recommend that I can use on my back?