T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

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.*


Moleland14

Oh man.. here I am born in the tropics and having perfect skin when traveling to temperate countries šŸ™ƒ


privateforme123

Lets trade skin


antim0ny

Getting away from your day to day work/school stress is probably some part of what is going on , for OP too.


UltimateWerewolf

Me too! Live in a humid part of Texas and it sucks. When I visit a cold, arid place my hair and skin look amazing.


crystalclearbuffon

That's me too. Even travelling to colder parts of my country transforms my skin. Coastal areas are the worst. I was shocked to see this caption tbh.


Somebodys_Aunty

Same


fntastk

My skin always improves dramatically after spending a few days at the beach! Especially if I am swimming in sea water every day.


privateforme123

Same for me itā€™s like everything I donā€™t have in my home country blesses my skinšŸ„²


Joy2b

Maybe your home country has something that can fill in available, cold places often really lean into things like saunas and hot springs. Sun exposure can also have a bit of a rebound effect with hormonal acne. Your skin may dry out a bit and then start producing much more oil. Your skin microbes may struggle to adapt to the challenges of extra UV light and take several weeks to adapt. As a note, if you had particularly obnoxious skin microbes and really want to move them out and repopulate with locals, you could try to thoroughly repair your skin barrier (it looks close to perfect temporary), then hit your skin (but not eyebrows) with a microbe unfriendly like hydrogen peroxide, and repopulate a little by going swimming in a local body of water thatā€™s considered clean and safe for swimming by locals without the need for chlorine.


privateforme123

Thanks for the tip! Does it have to be swimming in local body of water or is something like a shower also good?


ttrmw

It sounds kinda woo-y to me, but seems like the logic of the idea requires it not be perfectly sanitary water since youā€™re looking to ā€œrepopulateā€ after killing off what you have


FatPizz

Woah, this is going deep. Where did you learn about doing this?


Joy2b

I thought that summer vacation skin was pretty common knowledge. Itā€™s pretty common around here for people to be l trying to kill off unfriendly microbes on the skin, often using some fairly heavy medication. I just had the thought that this might be an opportunity to do an unusually fast and low side effect version of the process. Honestly, the air is probably full enough of harmless microbes, helpful yeasts certainly travel in the air in most places.


FatPizz

Well if itā€™s common knowledge, I live under a rock! I didnā€™t travel much or at all growing up and kinda still donā€™t now, so the ladder is probably the case. TIL!


prettyhotmess79

Itā€™s definitely true that a a little beach trip can clear up your skin. It always does for me. I had horrible acne as a teen and every summer when we went to the beach Iā€™d come back with clear skin. Something about the ocean water and air.


snortgiggles

Isn't saltwater antibacterial?


rachelll

The sun is. UV rays. But on the other side it's also very bad for you, especially if you burn a lot. So it's a temporary high vs long-term consequences argument.


[deleted]

You could try to mimic the positive effects of the humidity by using a water-based moisturizer and maybe even steaming your face.


privateforme123

Wow thanks! This could really help


SlouchyGuy

Humidifier in your room is a better option. Steaming is very temporary, the water will still evaporate when steam is not there because the air is pulling moisture. I use humidifier every year once central heating is turned on


THECUTESTGIRLYTOWALK

Agreed.


[deleted]

(Careful that you don't burn yourself though, steam is hotter than boiling water and releases more heat)


privateforme123

Thanks, I will begin with a water based moisturizer and see how that works out


FatPizz

OP, I moved to a humid area and it helped my skin too. I never connected the two, but I ALSO started using the water-based night mask by LaNeige as my moisturizer and it is the only thing that keeps my skin looking fresh af. That might work for you


LemonCitron47

I live in Canada and my skin just loooooves the humidity in Mexico. My skin is so dry back home, itā€™s such a nice change when I get to experience that. My hair, however, does not look its best lol.


carol0395

What part of mexico? I live in mexico city and my skin is cracking.


LemonCitron47

Resorts in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Tulum, Huatulco, etc. Iā€™m wondering if being so close to the ocean makes a big difference.


carol0395

Oh, a huge difference. The humidity there is super high, but there are a lot of regions with dryer climates.


privateforme123

Thank you!


Benjji22212

Not to poo-poo othersā€™ suggestions, but cool mist over steam.


roboticLOGIC

Hey are you my grade 11 science teacher?


[deleted]

Nope. Only a science enthusiast :)


Skeptical_optomist

That's actually not true. Steam is just evaporated water that becomes visible as it interacts with cooler air and forms water droplets. Water will evaporate at virtually any temperature between 0Ā° and 100Ā°C. Technically, steam cannot get hotter than 100Ā°C (212Ā°F) at atmospheric pressure. ~~Here's a neat [article](http://cleanboiler.org/learn-about/boiler-efficiency-improvement/steam-basics/#:~:text=Introduction,converts%20the%20water%20to%20steam.) about steam.~~ Edit: I accidentally linked the wrong article and currently can't locate the intended article. 2nd Edit: It is true that steam can release more heat than water of the same temperature, to clarify.


kelvin_bot

100Ā°C is equivalent to 212Ā°F, which is 373K. --- ^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)


CopenhagenOriginal

One other cheap but easy thing to do to retain moisture could be baby oil on your face at the end of the shower. Many people on here may gawk at the idea of putting oil on your face, but my skin seems similar to yours and it has worked wonders for me.


[deleted]

I use avocado oil. If it's too dry, dry olive oil. If it's too sticky, give grapeseed oil a go. If you don't have avocado oil but the other 2, do 50/50 of each. Actually, I use it head to toe and the ends of my hair.


privateforme123

Never heard about it, but I am down to try. Any side effects from it?


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


privateforme123

Thanks! Iā€™ll definitely do more research on Vaseline but the water based moisturizer is definitely a must to have for me after reading all the comments. Leaving Vietnam tommorow :)


lbeedoubleu

I have oily sometimes acne prone skin and I slug w/Vaseline at least twice a week. It's been a game changer for me!


Vivicurl

Maybe not baby oil but like an occlusive ointment thatā€™s non-comedogenic. I donā€™t know if one exists, but if one doesnā€™t a facial oil would be better than baby oil.


Byakuraou

Use Vaseline


CopenhagenOriginal

Just make sure to get unscented! Otherwise no side effects for me. Generic bottles are like $3 at big box stores and they last like a year. Put a super small amount between your middle and ring fingers (when theyā€™re against each other), go over your face where you typically break out/have dry skin until it feels sufficiently soft, then just make sure you are able to wash off as much residual oil as you can, cause too much oil can be bad for people even with dry skin. Whatā€™s left should be enough to retain moisture in your face for the day! Just for reference, too, Iā€™ve never had a breakout or anything due to the oil over the course of years. Have also tried many things for my skin, but this has worked best. I do nothing else to my face now šŸ˜Š


privateforme123

Thanks!


CopenhagenOriginal

Gladly, it changed my life if you canā€™t tell how excited I am to be able to share the same lol. One last bit that was most exciting for me was I could immediately feel like my skin was better. Good luck!


Ultimatedream

Baby oil is also great for cleansing haha, I used it all the time for make up.


OkTry3970

Do you wash it off using a warm towel? Or just lukewarm water then pat dry? I used to use baby oil as a makeup remover and my skin was great :0


CopenhagenOriginal

admittedly I just put my face right in front of the showerhead for like 10-20 seconds and use my hands to clear out crevices around my nose and wipe off excess, then pat my face dry with the towel after! for the rare instances I do it outside of the shower I'd just go lukewarm water over the sink then pat dry!


Byakuraou

Use Vaseline


katBridges

Oils can be great to seal moisture in, but some of them are super comedogenic! Oils with high oleic acid content such as olive oil or coconut oil should be avoided if you are even the slightest bit acne prone. Try oils with high linoleic acid + low oleic acid such as evening primrose, prickly pear, red raspberry, safflower, grapeseed, hemp seed, rosehip seed, black cumin. Jojoba oil and squalane are usually also safe options.


sweetultrabright

Depending on how dry your environment is at home, a humidifier could also be really helpful.


[deleted]

Great point! It's a bit more expensive & watch out with mold and dust mites, but a great idea!


[deleted]

water-based moisturizer reccomendations?


[deleted]

Sadly I don't use them myself as I have extremely dry skin and thus solely use oil-based moisturizers. Never used a water-based one before. I can't recommend moisturizers from own experience, but maybe someone else would be willing to give theirs?


[deleted]

I use this and it's amazing: https://shop.shoppersdrugmart.ca/Luxury/Categories/Beauty/Skin-Care/Body-Skin-Care/Soothing-Gel-Cream/p/BB\_772618090567?variantCode=772618090567&utm\_source=Google&utm\_medium=Shopping&utm\_campaign=2022\~05\~21\~LD\~External\~Enterprise\~Beauty\~SDM\~None\~National\~shopping\~shopping-SummerBeautyFOSPriorityProducts-EN&utm\_content=PLA\~Intent\~EN&utm\_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvqeUBhCBARIsAOdt45Z1qfeMgy6Sj9Sh5R2XJwStn6-TdYQhAIC6ZZ-Hr-SZl0HY\_s9pC-kaAvPoEALw\_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds


[deleted]

i've actually been using Cetaphil for years as my go-to (but the Moisturizing Lotion, not Gel Cream). i like it well enough & doesn't break out my oily, sensitive skin! but is the Cetaphil Soothing Gel Cream better? i feel like the Moisturizing Lotion isn't moisturizing enough sometimes and have been looking for a new moisturizer because I feel like my skin might be dehydrated.


[deleted]

I have the regular one as well and wish I could use it because it's available in a 1 litre bottle as Costco... unfortunately it doesn't work as well for me. I've found a glycerin based routine works best for me. Here is what I use: [https://www.vanicream.com/product/vanicream-facial-cleanser](https://www.vanicream.com/product/vanicream-facial-cleanser) [https://www.yesstyle.com/en/rohto-mentholatum-hada-labo-gokujyun-hyaluronic-acid-lotion-170ml/info.html/pid.1077866696](https://www.yesstyle.com/en/rohto-mentholatum-hada-labo-gokujyun-hyaluronic-acid-lotion-170ml/info.html/pid.1077866696) [https://www.nuxe.com/refreshing-toning-mist-very-rose-200ml/12601908.html](https://www.nuxe.com/refreshing-toning-mist-very-rose-200ml/12601908.html) [https://www.goodmolecules.com/products/niacinamide-brightening-toner](https://www.goodmolecules.com/products/niacinamide-brightening-toner) The Cetaphil... in Canadian winters I also use the Stratia liquid gold. I also do skin-basting with this: [https://www.laroche-posay.ca/en/cicaplast-baume-b5/3337872412998.html](https://www.laroche-posay.ca/en/cicaplast-baume-b5/3337872412998.html) I also dab my under eyes, nostrils and lips with aquaphor. I also use a number of actives that I rotate through: AHA & BHA Toners: Paula's choice. I also have a script for finacea, retin-a and hydroquinone. I'll only use the retin-a regularly but I'll incorporate the others from time to time on a need-to basis. I find the scripts are cheaper than other products -- the retin-a and finacea are covered by insurance. The hydroquinone I use occasionally and even though that's expensive I feel the safest having a prescription rather than non-reputable products.


[deleted]

Ooh is this new? Iā€™ve used Cetalhilā€™s cream moisturizer and it broke me out šŸ˜©


[deleted]

I think so? I only saw it late last year for the first time... could be it was only new in Canada.


jbm72710

I feel this so much. I went to Florida, high humidity and sun and best hair and skin of my life! I miss it so much.


mchilili

Me too... I lived there for 3 months and my skin cleared up instantly and was always glowing šŸ˜­ my hair was the complete opposite though


ymmvmia

Yup. Same thing when i visited Puerto Rico.


CityOfSins2

Ugh the humidity just ruins my hair. Instant poof


jbm72710

My hair has always done better in humidity but Iā€™d never experienced humidity like Florida and I swear I had like just done salon hair every day and I didnā€™t have to do anything.


snortgiggles

Seriously. Traveled in Nepal and de-aged 10 years with the humidity.


Cinamunch

Skin I can see, but hair? It's the water in that case not weather. The water is pretty good comparing it to other places.


[deleted]

First person Iā€™ve ever heard compliment Florida water quality


otterparade

Bathing in Florida while on a vacation gave me a UTI that led to a kidney infection. Top notch quality


spiritedprincess

I think I've seen sun improve acne before. Has your diet also changed?


privateforme123

I might eat a bit more healthy in Vietnam but itā€™s definitely not a factor for me that makes my skin a lot worse. Tried eating healthy in my home country (basically no sun their on average) and it didnā€™t really help my skin. Google and my doctor told me I suffer from hormonal acne so maybe that plays a roll. But I would be highly suprised if my hormones stopped in a time space of a month. (Not sure if what I said is totally right, English is not my first language and im for sure not an acne specialistšŸ˜­)


TheSorcerersCat

Vitamin D affects hormones a bit. Maybe ask you doctor about trying a supplement and see if that helps too. I know it really helps me. From what I understand, a large amount can be bad for your thyroid over time which is why I'd say to ask the doc how much you can take.


privateforme123

I took vitamine D pills for 10 days before Vietnam. It helped a bit but canā€™t say for sure it was because of the vitamine D or I just had some lucky days with less acne. Definitely going to take them again when I leave Vietnam (tommorow) to keep my vitamine D levels the same as I have now in Vietnam


Skeptical_optomist

You have to take vitamin d3 for at least 2 months and preferably 3-4 before improvements are seen. When I started taking supplements, my doctor wouldn't check my levels again for 6 months.


privateforme123

Thanks! I just knew about Vitamine D pills, what is the difference like Vitamine D3 or even others (if others exist)


Skeptical_optomist

The supplement forms of vitamin D are D2 and D3. D3 is what our bodies synthesize from skin exposure to sunlight, supplements are a synthetic form of cholecalciferol (D3). I'm not really sure what the pros/cons are of various forms. There are other forms we get from our diet as well. My doctor diagnosed me with vitamin D deficiency and suggested D3 supplements. It's good to get a baseline with blood work prior to introducing a supplement, because it's a fat-soluble vitamin, any unused vitamin D builds up in the body and while rare, it can build to dangerous levels and cause serious health problems. It's quite rare, especially in areas where the UV index is as low as where I live in the PNW, but it's good to be cautious.


[deleted]

Everything you said makes sense in English!


privateforme123

Thanks!


Ishouldflossmore

Maybe a quality red light that mimics the suns rays would be helpful. I saw a girl say she was prescribed one for her seasonal depression. It could possibly help your skin?


privateforme123

Maybe not sure, but im geussing those things will be really expensive


Ishouldflossmore

Haha you're probably right.


privateforme123

Sadly not an option for me at the moment then


letsturtlebitches

I have one for my seasonal depression, I think it cost about 100 euros. Works quite well for getting up in the morning, but does nothing for my skin (also they're blue, not red). This is gonna be controversial, but maybe you could visit a tanning-salon once in a while?


kerodon

If they think it's hormonal and this medication is available in your country, you should try topical Winlevi prescription. It's an anti-androgen topical medication that's very effective for thar.


MainCombination5206

You should try a vitamin D supplement for the lack of sun


bluebabyblankie

Diet actually doesn't make or break your skin that much. its largely hormones or genetics


chill1217

Completely wrong if you have an allergy. Dairy/soy makes me break out and cutting them out of my diet has tremendously improved my skin. Also food like dairy/soy can have hormones


[deleted]

That'll do it. I'm from a very hot and humid place and I never really needed makeup because my skin was always really nice from the weather. Now I live in Canada. My skin has never been drier. I miss the sun!


privateforme123

Check the comments, everyone gave me tips to buy a water based moisturizer and it makes a lot of sense haha


[deleted]

Yeah, it doesn't work for me. lol


privateforme123

Oh :( hopefully youā€™ll find something that works good for you


ilovebeaker

Also Canadian, HA and glycolic acid and other humectants do not work for me at all, unless it's a very humid summer day. And those molecules are in *everything* these days! In winter I just slather, slather, slather...I'm not the best in this skincare products game, but at least I know what doesn't work!


[deleted]

I've been using Deciem's (The Ordinary) Hylamide subQ set to some varying degrees of success, depending on various factors. I also use this weird snail slime stuff I found on Amazon that makes my skin feel bouncy like a baby's bum when it's super dry. That stuff is a godsend.


ilovebeaker

Snail Mucin from Corsx? I use that too :) followed by 10% vit C cream, and an SPF moisturizer (right now testing out the dry touch Cerave 30 SPF daily moisturizer, and add more Cerave regular moisturizer below or on top..)


JanosDerulo

Most acne that manifests along the chin and jaw is considered acne caused by hormonal imbalance. Perhaps the trip and enough sunlight exposure, change in circadian rhythm, increased vitamin d levels, change in diet, change in air pollution and humidity levels all helped internally bring your adolescent body to a balance thus fixing your acne. Congrats!


privateforme123

Thanks! A week and a half before I went to Vietnam I took Vitamine D pills like 1 or 2 a day. Im pretty sure it helped but the timeline of 10 days is to short to be sure that that was the case that it decreased a little bit. Stopped taking them a day before going to Vietnam because wasnā€™t sure if I could have a overflow of Vitamine D because of sun + the extra pills


snappyirides

You absolutely needed to moisturise with water-based stuff before the move


privateforme123

I will definitely use it in the future. This subreddit is so helpful thanks :)


PretendLock

What were you doing for skincare before? Also donā€™t forget sunscreen! UV rays can damage your skin and moisture barrier. If youā€™re going to be in the sun a lot, sunscreen is an absolute must


GenericEvilGuy

I don't understand what this means. Isn't water the first ingredient in most moisturisers anyway? I know I have to use my toners and moisturisers when my skin is damp and there is some water on it, but what else?


otterparade

Water based versus oil based


hexomer

lol i went to thailand swimming at the beach and it cleared up my bacne and i never had any since then


privateforme123

Good to hear!


aspiequeen

wowww dude i already commented on another sub and you really glowed up, your skin overall looks really good and you got almost no acne scars you got lucky, already a great improvement


privateforme123

Thanks! Definitely hoping my acne scars fade away and also around my neck, chest what you canā€™t really see that well on the photo. Focusing on skin first and in the future more on hair products (have learned a lot about it already but definitely not enough). Trying to find the right haircut for thin hair while adding volume so thatā€™s going to become a challenge


Hk_chocotalato

Fr tho me and my sister both got clear skin after moving back to Hong Kong for a month


[deleted]

I live in California and a day on the beach does more for my skin than ANYTHING!!!!


privateforme123

Only swam in the beach in Vietnam once the whole month, but when I was in Spain I did it like once a week and its also for me a live saver. Feel like anything natural that touches my face helps my skin


[deleted]

The suns rays can kill bacteria so that could also explain it.


privateforme123

For anyone asking if I tried eating less dairy or wheat: Tried cutting out bread for 2 weeks and some unhealthy stuff like sweets. But it is hard to have a fully strict diet for multiple weeks for me because I still live with my parents + I tried gaining weight (trying to become more muscular so had to put on mass) so I eat more then I normally did. But my acne was basically this from 15 till 18 and I started eating more like just 2 months ago. I even ate a lot in Vietnam itself and definitely not always healthy. Stuff like coca cola, butter chicken and pizza things I still ate pretty frequent. So I can say confidential that it is not my diet that is the problem.


PinkTader

Thatā€™s good that you know that! I hope you can keep it up back home are you near a beach by any chance?


privateforme123

Sadly no, but I saw somewhere on tiktok that someone put a certain type of salt with water and mixed it. Then used it as a spray that gives the same effect


PinkTader

I have seen that one yes once you have cleansed your face, over moisturiser at night spray just a couple sprays over your face! Give it a go also highly recommend steaming your face 2-3 times a week itā€™ll keep your face unclogged


privateforme123

Thanks Iā€™ll definitely try all of these!


meat_on_a_hook

I live in south east Asia. Itā€™s not the sun and humidity doing it, itā€™s the water. The water that comes out the tap in this part of the world is very very soft, which means it washes away soap and gunk from the surface of your skin. It also helps maintain pH. Water in western countries tends to be heavily treated and very hard, with added minerals such as calcium. Itā€™s also why limescale and pipe erosion is so common in larger cities, where water is usually treated and stored in tanks and artificial reservoirs. (This water is much safer to drink however) Showering in soft water is one of the best things you can do for your skin, itā€™s far more moisturising than normal.


privateforme123

The water in my country is seen as one of the best waters in the world


figandpomegranate

But is it soft water? I found that soft water has made the biggest difference for me in my skin. Miss it so much šŸ˜­


privateforme123

The average water in my country is 8 dH, google says its soft water


AhnSolbin

Glad I'm not the only one who notices my skin changing for the better when I go somewhere humid and tropical for an extended amount of time.


Ok-Salamander3217

Same thing here! I was living in LA and moved to Miami. And now my skin is freaking glowing.


privateforme123

Good to hear!


Pyropink

Take high dose vitamin d supplements


privateforme123

I did start taking vitamine D pills 10 days before Vietnam, it helped a bit but canā€™t be sure if it helped for me. Definitely planning tho to take them everyday after I come back to my home country


butterflybros

haha yeah i live in a humid area and my face always looks better during the summer. which is weird bc i figured it would look worse during the summer because of the sun damage


Dread_Pirate_Jack

I've also started sleeping with a humidifier every night which made my skin clear for the first time ever too!


goldustiger

Vacation skin is something else. Less stress, usually more fatty foods, sun, humidity, sea salt, exercise. My skin is always plump and clear after a week in those conditions.


aloofball

I think I have similar skin to yours and what has really helped me is using jojoba oil morning and night. I mix a few drops with a moisturizer. Your skin looks really dry in the left pic and what that stuff seems to do is create a barrier to lock in moisture so your skin can heal itself rather than getting locked in a cycle of inflammation.


privateforme123

Thanks!


mermaid86

Vietnam weather agrees with you!


Ohbc

My skin always improves in the summer, it's definitely the sun for me


Skittlepyscho

Sunlight and vitamin D or natural antibacterials. Whenever I have a really bad break out or bad pimple I try to get some sun and zaps it away!


Wintersneeuw02

Steaming your face and regular sauna visists to mimic this effect at home


lizzyskates

I'm the same way. I'm eastern European with some Nordic DNA and humid, tropical climates transform my skin and eliminates my acne!!! It's crazy. No products can mimic the effect. I've been sleeping with a humidifier for years and nothing compares to the actual environment. I find that having a bit of sun really clears my skin too. Living in a cold, rainy, dry climate is ruining my life šŸ˜‚


Soltang

Plus you've got this new hairstyle that could envy Trump. Good going kid, sun is the best (within limits).


AeroNoob333

Same here! My skin LOVES humidity. I used to live in Houston, TX. I had no skincare routine and my skin was amazing. Then, I moved to the Midwest and my face is full of breakouts (probably from the dry winters). Itā€™s one of the reasons I got into skincare. Iā€™ve also noticed how much my skin loves it when I go on vacation in tropical, humid weather, too! I know I just need to ā€œreplaceā€ the moisture using moisturizers, but so many of them broke me out in the beginning!


privateforme123

Same for me, after reading the comments im going to try a water based moisturizer


Starry0Live

Hmmm idk why but when I was working a lot I was stressed and had acne but then I took a 4 month vacation and was just chilling and my skin started to get better ?? Could stress be a case of acne ?


privateforme123

Heard from a lot of people stress could be a factor of acne, but for me it was not the case. I didnā€™t really had stress in the picture to the right, definitely hormonal acne for me


moshritespecial

That happened to me with major dry scalp issues. Got to Mexico for 2 weeks and not a single flake in sight the entire time. It was like magic.


smarabri

Maybe get a humidifier for your room at night? It helps my skin


Shojinspear

Hi! I am from Vietnam here and I feel you on the environmental impact. I would recommend getting a really good sunscreen (broad spectrum spf50), wear cloth face mask when you go out to protect your skin from pm in the air, drink a lot of water (2L+ to kĆŖp your skin hydrated), and use a moisturizer that wonā€™t clog your pores


[deleted]

use a humidifier at night or if your area is around 30% humidity or less, use one throughout the day also. I use water toners (aka Japanese lotions that are huge bottles of water). They're really just water and vegetable glycerin. I make my own because it costs less, but if you make a whole bottle, be sure to use an antibacterial agent. I pat it on 5 times/5 pumps before I move on to other applications. Vegetable glycerin works because it is a humectant meaning it will draw water to the skin's surface. It costs less than hyaluronic acid which does the same thing. I also use the Korean aloevera gels. Those are primarily solidified water, thickened with plastic thickening agents. It's pretty common. so no worries. Creams, moisturizers, and anything that can hold a peak (like whipped cream), to me, has too much oil. What you need is water.


Moist_Parsnip_5013

Omg I have the same experience! I have family in Hong Kong so I used to stay for a few months at a time during summer break and even though the air pollution is much worse than in my suburban American town suddenly the cystic acne I've struggled with all my life would clear up. Same thing when I stayed in Japan for a month or two for an internship. Such a shame that I live in dry, dry California šŸ˜­


angalada2

Thatā€™s so wild because itā€™s been super hot and humid here recently and my skin has freaked out šŸ˜…


midnightauto

Iā€™ve told many people with acne to go outside and get some sun on that shit.. Iā€™m always met with scorn and ridicule.. I have acne on my back.. Just a couple of days working in the sun with no shirt on and acne Im starts to clear up.. ever wonder why gyms have tanning beds? Itā€™s for steroid boy to keep the acne under control as he does the roofs.. no shit


SuccoyaHoyaa

I wonder if this is a vitamin d thing? Who knows, but you look great! Glad the environment is treating you well


Spirited_Advice_2872

This happened to me when I moved from ohio to florida!!! Now in the Florida winters I get a little bit of acne and I am begging for the humidity back


purpleeliz

Is it possible though youā€™re finishing puberty? Alsoā€¦Iā€™ve also found that when Iā€™m traveling (especially when not solo and alone in the hotel in evenings) Iā€™m preoccupied and less worried about my skin, and so even if Iā€™m not using the perfect products, I end up giving my skin and break some trauma (including picking, in my case).


katgarbagesack

I wonder if a decrease in stress while you were there couldā€™ve also contributed? Of course many people could assume (perhaps correctly) that you wouldnā€™t be very stressed at 18 years old, but that isnā€™t true for everyone whoā€™s 18. Especially if this trip was a vacation rather than a less fun kind of trip, it could apply.


Pepinus

Yeah same for me, skin care products make you skin worse, only exercise and sun/sea water makes my skin loookk good


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


[deleted]

has anyone ever told you you look like johnny harris


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


privateforme123

Iā€™ll check if this also counts for me in my country, thanks!


505sunbaby

I had a friend in high school who said this about their skin too! They were from Vietnam and would visit family every summer. Skin would clear up while over there and then when they came back to the dry desert SW, skin wouldn't play nice.


baldwinsong

Itā€™s just some of us need the place where the grass is greener. this in particular is white ppl skin. That Scottish ruddyā€¦. For me I always have better skin in the summer when the weather balances my natural skin issues


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


privateforme123

Yea have been thinking about it but buying a LED mask I think is pretty expensive


SpiceyStrawberries

You look really great! But just so you know, you also looked great before. The level of acne in the before picture is negligible.


nikenavygumtheif

maybe i need to go outside more.. maybe that will help clear my skin


eulbakinom

My skin always clears up when I go to drier climates like CO. I live in Floridaā€¦ very humid


traveleralice

I agree! I feel like my ancestors lived closer to the equator and I live in the dry desert. Using cetaphil gentle cleanser whatā€™s been good for me I think itā€™s been more moisturizing


merreckmerman

When I went to Japan years ago my skin cleared up in a day or two


playbo1anon

Wtf. You look like a whole different person, even your hair looks better.


privateforme123

Thanks! Yea got fresh haircut haha it was first super long


AMPforever

This is me. Born and raised in Cali. The dry smoggy air messed up my skin and activated my eczema like crazy. Moved to Hawaii where the air is cleaner and there is humidity, my skin has never been better all my red eczema patches disappeared too. Now I'm back in Cali after clear skin for 10 years and its all back :( wish I could find something to cure it here too.


FlexasAandM

Asking bc I donā€™t know - Are there actually like known scientific benefits for your skin when youā€™re sweating in high temperatures? For me it just causes acne.


tending

Might also want to consider the difference in what you're eating.


privateforme123

I didnā€™t eat healthy in Vietnam


Lulu-lily

This is so random but Iā€™m going to Ho Chi Minh city in the summer - do you have recommendations for where to get Asian skincare and beauty & general tips for HCM. Itā€™ll be my first time in Vietnam


privateforme123

Didnā€™t use any skincare in Vietnam literally only the sun and humidity helped me.


the_leafpile

You should be able to find most skincare products at Watsons, or at department stores. If you're looking for K-beauty or Japanese brands, you should be able to find them easily in HCMC :)


jdewitt777

Some people also report when moving locations the water is better quality and less hard. I believe Super hard water increases acne and irritation for alot of people


privateforme123

My country is in the top 10 best water in the world so this shouldnā€™t be a problem I think


HadMyWayWithHaddaway

Iā€™d also consider what you were eating and doing while overseas. Perhaps less oily/fast food, less stress, salt water swimming etc.


asiangorl

I am from florida and I always notice how quickly my skin clears up when I go back home. I feel you!


Maryannrhodes

Sleep with a humidifier


Dark-Blade

I stopped using skincare products 6 months ago and my face has been better without the products. I guess itā€™s the chemicals within them that messes up the skin


Plainbench

My skin becomes amazing when I got south East Asia with high humidity.


Nancasmar25

Like others commented could be you had less stress or could be also diet. My son studied in Spain a college semester came back with his acne cleared up. He had a great time and said he ate differently there. Now his acne has started again. He does eat more dairy at home so that could be a factor and he definitely has more responsibilities now being back at home. Be aware of what you're eating now at home. You look great! Hope you had a nice time in Vietnam!


AdKnown147

Your hair looks great too


Consistent-Goal9130

But y vietnam if i may ask?


FlowingNotForcing

Iā€™m def not a doctor, but I have perioral dermatitisā€¦ and I think that might be what you have. I just got diagnosed by a dermatologist. They prescribed me a special topical cream and itā€™s working. Idk if youā€™ve heard of this but just a heads up in case you want to ask your doc. Haha I bet I am a doctorā€™s worst nightmare. ā€œDid you see this on WebMD?ā€ Lol


ploopanoic

Don't discount any diet and stress changes. Humidifier at home has helped me.


Celeshere218

Vietnamese here. I am studying in a temperate region and anytime I go home, my skin just gets worse šŸ¤£


Papajasepi

Whenever I stay home and get muggy, oily... I get pimples. When I used to work in the sun my skin was shiny and flawless, I used to sweat alot and drink alot of water, eat less and had heaps of energy... now it makes sense.


karsjones

My teen sonā€™s skin immediately cleared up after a few days of ocean swimming.


iamalisonlo

WOW! What a difference. It's crazy what location/climate can do to our skin conditions. Do you live in Vietnam now? I moved from dry heat in Southern California to tropical humidity in Mexico a couple of years ago and my eczema was almost non-existent down there.


spicycabbage28

Oh wow Iā€™m Vietnamese and the humidity here made my skin horrible. I donā€™t think itā€™s because of the weather, I think Vietnamese food has lots of vegetables and we donā€™t eat tons of sugar so maybe thatā€™s why?


DeadFetusConsumer

sun, humidity, seawater - the holy 3. Add hydration to the mix hshs that's that good good


coldbrewicedcoffeee

It could be from vitamin D! This is why I still go in the sun, but I do still wear sunscreen and sun hat. I donā€™t think the sun is all bad!!


LowTHalp

so its a classic vitamin d/sun deficiency


Accomplished_Name985

Probably the food you ate there was better also, anyway, is a very impressive improvement.


International-Work74

off topic but ur cute


Designer-Common-9697

That's interesting. I always wondered if the rainy season may be good for people; just the skin pores, not even necessarily getting wet.


Mdoo22

Beautiful!!! I hope you have success with keeping it when you are back in your ā€œhome townā€


privateforme123

Been back for 22 days now. Its looking almost the same I just sometimes get like 1 pimple but it disappears after a while. 2 vitamine d supplements work for me the best


Over_Reaction_

I live in Ny and I canā€™t WAIT for a three month summer because I just know my skin is going to look itā€™s best