Answering one of my most asked questions here if I went to the derma or not & the answer is no 😅 So, how exactly did I start adapalene/azelaic acid on my own? 1. RESEARCH - I researched for DAYS the best way to incorporate adapalene and azelaic acid. I watched so many TikTok & YouTube videos, Reddit threads, Google reviews, articles, lahat. I read EVERYTHING I could and compared different experiences until I was confident I could stick to a routine that was best for me. 2. Bahala na si Batman 😅 I was terrified of the purging stage and the possibility that my skin could look like how it was before again. However, my mindset then was much stronger kesa sa takot ko. I thought that my skin was already ruined anyways so why not try something “stronger”, and what more could I lose, I already have acne anyways 😅 (as someone with acne since I was 9 years old, I have tried EVERYTHING possible). Thankfully, I didn’t purge at all. 🥹 3. I only watched creators with oily and acne-prone skin like mine so know your skin type first ‼️ I never tried something that a person with dry skin would recommend. That’s how I found the best products to use with Adapalene/Tretinoin and Azelaic Acid for me. However, of course, there is a lot more factors that goes into that on whether “hiyang” ka sa isang product. 4. I never try 2 or more new products at the same time, I try one and then give it time to see exactly how my skin responds to it and then adjust my routine. 5. LESS IS MORE. START SLOWLY. Because I was doing it without a dermatologist, I made sure to be very careful. I bought the lowest concentration and started only with twice a week. I always observed my skin’s reactions first before increasing the frequency of how much I use. I adjusted & followed my own timeline until I can use them everyday based on how my skin reacted instead of blindly following other people’s routines. 6. Moisturizer, hydration, and SPF are non-negotiables. When I was first starting it, my face was as dry as a Sahara Dessert 🥲 it would be flaking and peeling off especially around the nose and mouth because Adapalene/Tretinoin & Azelaic Acid are strong actives that would temporarily damage your skin barrier. As someone with oily skin, it was something new for me kaya repairing my skin barrier was a PRIORITY for me. 7. If you currently already have a damaged skin barrier, please don’t start on these actives yet. Prioritize repairing this first before incorporating these into your routine. I think this was the best thing I did when I was starting it as someone who also had a very damaged skin barrier at that time. It took me 3-4 weeks to heal mine. 8. I am still learning & adjusting my routine. I have switched to Tretinoin already, however, I still do get mild acne breakouts especially on the week leading to my period & whenever I indulge on my sweets & guilty pleasures too much 😅 However, I am happy with my progress kasi kahit mag breakout ako, I know how to deal with it and the fastest way to get rid of it. As of now, for my new acne, it mostly comes down to my (guilty) unhealthy lifestyle 😀😅 For context, I also have a background in chemistry and chemical formulation so I do have some knowledge of skincare ingredients BUT I’m not a dermatologist. I’m only sharing my experience, and I’m not recommending that you skip professional care. I believe it worked for me because I had cystic, severe and stubborn acne that wouldn’t go away with just random skincare products. Anyway, that’s my retinoid journey 🥹 I hope everyone reading this find the right thing for their skin. If you have any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them if I can 🤍🫶🏼 #acnetreatment #acneskincareroutine #azelaicacid #tretinoin #adapalene - @ailah.parinas