Melasma and hormonal acne progress!

This turned into a long post, sorry! I have struggled with my skin since my late teens, and have been into Asian beauty products since before I started having issues. This last year I have made serious progress and found some holy grail products that work for me both in terms of improving and maintaining. First a bit of backstory…

Perioral dermatitis: In my teens I had unproblematic skin. I became interested in skincare in my late teens (ca 2014), mostly via Korean beauty products. Once I entered my 20s the skin issues hit me like a truck. First I struggled with perioral dermatitis on and off for 5 year. Did two rounds of antibiotics and more or less constant use of 15-20% azaleic acid and periodic use of ivermectin gel. Eventually got rid of that for now mid 2022.

Hormonal acne: After I had my first kid I started getting hormonal acne, deep cysts around my chin area and sometimes forehead. This started around early 2020. Since then I was basically either pregnant or nursing and had limited options until late 2023. First did two months on Differin, then 3 months on 0,05 tretinoin, followed by 6 months of Epiduo (the stronger version). The last 3 months on Epiduo I also took oral antibiotics alongside it. That finally cleared my skin (knock on wood) back in June of this year. I still get the odd little chin bump but they're much rarer and less angry.

Melasma: After my second baby I got a small patch of melasma on my forehead and some barely noticeable splotches on my cheeks. I always had some freckles so I thought nothing of it, and it almost faded during the winter months. When I was pregnant with my third, however, the melasma came for me with a vengeance. My before pics are 12 months post partake after having used azaleic acid 20% consistently for the past few years. It was BAD. The tretinoin treatments I was on for my acne were also attempting to target the hyperpigmentation. It budged at nothing. Eventually I was put on Pigmanorm (tretinoin, hydroquinone and steroid cream) after I finished my antibiotics for the acne. The first 5 weeks seemed like nothing happened, the dramatic change was seen in the final 3 weeks on it. I finished using it mid August, and am currently on a 3 month break before I go on another 8 week treatment with Pigmanorm. I'm already so happy with how it turned out. So far I don't see it coming back, which I have heard can be problematic. Pics from today, 6 weeks out from ceasing use.

Whew that was a long one! Gonna split my routine into two: routine for treatment period with pigmanorm, and current maintenance routine.

Treatment routine
AM
Cleanse: Splash with water
Moisturize: Cetaphil facial lotion
Sunscreen: Beauty of Joseon Relief sun rice + probiotics SPF50+

PM
Cleanse: Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser
Treat: Pigmanorm on dry skin
Moisturize: Cetaphil facial lotion

Current maintenance routine
AM
Cleanse: Splash with water
Toner: iUnik glactomyces and rose water toner 1-3 layers
Serum: I rotate the following as needed
– Numbuzin no. 5
– Skin1004 centella tone brightening capsule ampoule
– Cosrx 6 peptide skin booster
Treatment: Azaleic Acid 20% gel, usually not every day but 2-3 times a week.
Moisturizer: I rotate the following or go straight to SPF depending on skin needs:
– Cetaphil facial lotion
– Etude house 2x barrier relief
Sunscreen: Beauty of Joseon Relief sun rice + probiotics SPF50+

PM
Oil cleanser: Skin1004 centella cleansing oil
Second cleanser: Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser
Toner: Tirtir milk toner
Serum: I rotate the following as needed:
– Tirtir milk skin ampoule
– Skin1004 centella ampoule
– Cosrx 6 peptide skin booster
Treatment: 0,5% tretinoin gel
Moisturizer: I rotate the following or go straight to SPF depending on skin needs:
– Cetaphil facial lotion
– Etude house 2x barrier relief

Holy grail products below!

If you made it this far I applaud you! If you have similar issues to me: I feel you, I've been there, but there is hope and I'm rooting for you!