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TL;DR: Skinceuticals is the holy grail but costs $182, Timeless and Maelove are legit dupes under $30, Melano CC is the cult fave that never oxidizes, most struggle with hot dog water smell and fast oxidation
TL;DR: best Skinceuticals dupe; great value & effective; watery texture & messy pump; EU ingredient concerns
TL;DR: best Skinceuticals dupe; great value & effective; watery texture & messy pump; EU ingredient concerns
TL;DR: gold standard for efficacy; extremely expensive; many see amazing results; smells like hotdog water
TL;DR: gold standard for efficacy; extremely expensive; many see amazing results; smells like hotdog water
TL;DR: cult favorite AB serum; great for new PIH; excellent packaging prevents oxidation; some find it oily or too mild
TL;DR: cult favorite AB serum; great for new PIH; excellent packaging prevents oxidation; some find it oily or too mild
TL;DR: affordable Skinceuticals dupe; fresh batches weekly; watery texture praised; must be kept in the fridge
TL;DR: affordable Skinceuticals dupe; fresh batches weekly; watery texture praised; must be kept in the fridge
TL;DR: gentle derivative serum; good for sensitive skin; praised for texture; some find it ineffective or causes pilling
TL;DR: gentle derivative serum; good for sensitive skin; praised for texture; some find it ineffective or causes pilling
TL;DR: popular Skinceuticals dupe; great value & performance; some experience fast oxidation or breakouts
TL;DR: popular Skinceuticals dupe; great value & performance; some experience fast oxidation or breakouts
TL;DR: multiple formulas available; C15 and 25% Glutathione are popular; effective for many; some experience oxidation or irritation
TL;DR: multiple formulas available; C15 and 25% Glutathione are popular; effective for many; some experience oxidation or irritation
TL;DR: popular for immediate glow; pleasant texture and scent; some find it ineffective or overpriced
TL;DR: popular for immediate glow; pleasant texture and scent; some find it ineffective or overpriced
TL;DR: extremely affordable; various formulas available; gritty texture is a major con for many; can be irritating
TL;DR: extremely affordable; various formulas available; gritty texture is a major con for many; can be irritating
TL;DR: very potent and effective for PIH; sticky texture and strong smell are common complaints; needs refrigeration and oxidizes quickly
TL;DR: very potent and effective for PIH; sticky texture and strong smell are common complaints; needs refrigeration and oxidizes quickly
Calming balms like Cicaplast & Cicalfate are top picks but can be heavy; Azelaic Acid is key for redness & bumps but often irritates initially; many swear by simple routines with Vanicream or Aveeno Oat; Ivermectin is a game-changer for pustules; daily mineral SPF is essential
Derm-favorites CeraVe, Vanicream & LRP are reliable staples; Tatcha and Farmacy Honey Halo are pricey HGs; focus is on barrier repair & hydration; YMMV as breakouts are a common complaint
often called a scam, many just use face moisturizer ; but dedicated creams offer targeted actives like retinol for lines & caffeine for puffiness; Shiseido & Skinceuticals are pricey holy grails; K-beauty offers value, but Vaseline is the ultimate cheap hack if you don't get milia.
Asian sunscreens dominate for elegant feel; Euro brands like LRP trusted for max protection; EltaMD is the derm-fave; Supergoop Unseen (or the TJ's dupe) for a primer-like texture
Oribe & Kerastase often worth the splurge but can be overhyped; Redken All Soft is a reliable favorite for softness; drugstore punches above its weight (L'Oréal Elvive, Dove Bond Repair); Olaplex is polarizing and your hair type is what really matters
Simple occlusives like Aquaphor, Vaseline, and Lanolin are often holy grails, especially when layered over hydrators; pricier 'cult' balms like Laneige are highly polarizing; Jack Black is a top pick for SPF that doesn't taste bad
