Starting skincare late with oily, breakout-prone skin: r/indonesia's advice
On r/indonesia, a man said he'd put off skincare for years, until a reunion where an older friend looked exactly the same as eight years earlier. His face gets oily and he sometimes gets deep, painful spots on the chin. Until then he'd only used a face wash in the shower, so he planned to start slowly with three products: a neem face wash, a Japanese watery sunscreen and a Korean aloe gel. He asked whether that would help long term.
What the replies said:
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Several said his basics (cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen) were already right, and suggested adding a cleansing oil at night for double cleansing and a spot treatment only for breakouts.
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One person who started in their 30s shared a fuller routine and a key reminder: reapply sunscreen when outdoors and don't expect results overnight.
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Another credited fewer breakouts to regular facials, not touching the face, never squeezing spots, and cutting down on heavy creams and oils, calling much of the rest marketing.
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A practical reply: salicylic acid for oily, acne-prone skin, niacinamide for oil and dullness, retinol later, and a dermatologist if acne is severe, since over-the-counter products may not be enough.
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On pores, the same person said truly shrinking them takes procedures at a dermatologist; products only help them look smaller.
The overall message: keep it simple, be consistent and be patient.
Desk note: the American Academy of Dermatology says acne treatment can take several weeks to a few months to show a difference, and warns that picking or squeezing spots makes them last longer and raises the risk of scars and dark spots. Deep, painful spots are worth showing to a dermatologist early.
If you started skincare as an adult, what was the first product that made a noticeable difference?
Original thread: r/indonesia — skincare recommendations · Reference: AAD — acne skin care tips
A note for men starting from zero, since the thread's poster was one: the three-step idea only works if the steps fit into a day you actually live. Many men skip sunscreen because it feels greasy or stings after shaving; a gel or watery texture, applied after the aftershave has settled, is easier to keep up. And if the chin breakouts line up with where a razor or a helmet strap rubs, that's worth mentioning to a dermatologist too.