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Skin, K-beauty, Korea trips and the beauty industry — ask and share
91.6% of surveyed dermatologists are worried about long skincare routines
A 2026 survey of Dutch dermatologists put numbers on something forums argue about constantly: are long routines doing more harm than good? What 168 respondents (146 dermatologists, 22 residents) said: 91.6% were concerne
0 0A good-value dermatologist with no English: has anyone brought an interpreter?
This thread is a few years old, but the question keeps coming up. On the Tripadvisor Seoul forum, a traveller said a friend had recommended a reasonably priced dermatology clinic with no English-speaking doctors. Clinics
0 0Home care or dermatologist? When do you book the appointment?
When a breakout or redness shows up, there is always that moment of "is this bad enough for a doctor?" People's thresholds on forums vary a lot. The "go straight away" camp Painful, swollen acne, or spots that look likel
Poll
When do you see a dermatologist for skin trouble?
Pick one to see the results
0 0A "best-value dermatology procedures" list, and why readers were split
On Nate Pann, someone posted a summary of a dermatologist's YouTube video. Instead of pricey lifting devices, it named five relatively affordable options: a laser that makes spots crust over and fall off, flat-wart remov
0 1"We don't do medical visits": ever heard that at a Korean dermatology clinic?
On Clien, someone described a wasted trip to a neighborhood dermatology clinic. The map app showed a specialist, the waiting room was empty, yet the desk said it was appointment-only and this month's slots were closed. T
0 1Does years of beard laser hair removal really weaken your skin?
A question in DCInside's skin gallery: the poster wants laser hair removal for their beard, but a family member warned that it 'burns the pores', so doing it for a long time would weaken the skin and make it look worse.
0 1First isotretinoin prescription says twice a day. Is once a day OK instead?
On theqoo's beauty board, someone who had just been prescribed isotretinoin for acne asked a practical question. They had been told to take one capsule morning and evening, but reviews about extreme dryness scared them,
0 1Had moles removed and they are still there: is one session never enough?
On theqoo's beauty board, someone had several moles removed two weeks earlier and kept them covered with hydrocolloid patches, only to find the moles had not gone, just faded a little. The doctor had warned that deep mol
0 0"Sunscreen won't make your skin better right now": do you agree?
A long post on Taiwan's PTT forum (BeautySalon board) sparked a lot of debate. The poster argued that sunscreen is not skincare that upgrades your skin, but a trade: you sacrifice how your skin feels today for how it age
0 1Dark spot ingredient poll: vitamin C, niacinamide, tranexamic acid… what's your pick?
Trends in brightening ingredients move fast. First it was vitamin C, then niacinamide, and lately tranexamic acid gets a lot of airtime. What communities often compare Vitamin C: well studied, but people talk a lot about
Poll
For dark spots and tone, which ingredient do you trust most right now?
Pick one to see the results
0 0The VAT refund on cosmetic procedures for tourists has ended (for now)
If you're planning a skin treatment in Korea, here's a change to know. The special rule that refunded VAT to foreign tourists on cosmetic and dermatology procedures has ended, and a bill to bring it back until 31 Decembe
0 0Why Your Face Feels Tight Just Minutes After Cleansing (When You Feel Dehydrated Skin)
Your face feels refreshed the moment you pat it dry with a towel after cleansing. But by the time you’ve dried your hair, gone to your room, and started your skincare routine, your face already feels tight. Your skin loo
0 0'Cruelty-free' claims and China sales: the Paula's Choice lawsuit
News that Paula's Choice was being sued over animal-testing claims was shared on r/30PlusSkinCare, with a link to the complaint. It's a class action filed in March 2024 in the US District Court for the Western District o
0 0'Tanmaxxing' is trending on TikTok. Dermatologists are not fans
While K-beauty feeds are full of SPF reapplication hacks, another corner of TikTok is doing the opposite. Tanmaxxing means deliberately maximising sun exposure to get as dark as possible. What the trend involves, per a J
0 0A spot appears. Which ingredient do you reach for first?
What people grab when a single spot shows up varies wildly. These are the answers that come up most on skincare forums: Salicylic acid (BHA): the most common first pick, because it targets oil inside pores Benzoyl peroxi
Poll
When a spot appears, what do you use first?
Pick one to see the results
0 0Breakouts on just one cheek: could it be your phone or pillow?
"It is always my left cheek" is a surprisingly common complaint. On skincare forums, the first suspects people name are things that touch that side of your face a lot. Usual suspects Phone screen: calls always pressed to
0 0Patch testing: is one swipe on your wrist really enough?
"I tried it on my wrist and it was fine" is something you hear a lot. But facial skin is thinner and reacts differently, so people with sensitive skin tend to share a more thorough routine. The approach many use Where: b
0 0Niacinamide makes your face flush or sting? Things to check
Niacinamide has a reputation as the gentle do-everything ingredient, yet forums are full of people saying it turns their face red or tingly. Here are the usual things to look at. Check these first Strength: high-percenta
0 0Fine all summer, then autumn hits and the breakouts start
Every September and October, skincare forums fill with posts along the lines of "why is my chin suddenly breaking out?" The usual explanations fall into a few groups. Theories people keep coming back to Dry on the surfac
0 0China's 'vitamin C by day, retinoid by night' trend — is it big in Korea too?
'Morning C, night A' (vitamin C in the morning, a retinoid at night) has been a big trend in Chinese-language skincare circles. What does Korea make of it? Looking at Korean products and discussions: Vitamin C and retino
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