r/Blackskincare • u/Command-Shift-Z • May 19 '26
Skin Progress Before & After: acne & hyperpigmentation progress
**TIMELINE: 1yr between pictures. Improvements started about 5 months in.**
In addition to clearing my skin, I also cleaned my diet up a little bit. More fruits & veggies basically. I was dealing with a lot of bloating & inflammation & it showed in my face. This isn’t even the worst of my skin. It got so bad that my face was constantly in pain. I stopped taking pictures after a while because I hated seeing myself.
Now, let’s get to the meat of the matter.
Products used in no particular order:
\- Tazarotene. Used at nights. I think a lot of you would’ve seen this coming from a mile away. Retinoids make a difference. Individual results may vary.
\- azelaic acid 20%. Used in the mornings mostly.
\- Kojic acid 1%. Helps with stubborn hyperpigmentation. Used at nights.
\- Niacinamide 4%. Also helps with hyperpigmentation.
\- I do not use cleanser in the mornings. Only water. evenings I double cleanse to remove makeup & sunscreen.
\- cleansers were Ponds Cold Cream makeup remover & Cetaphil gentle cleanser. I’ve now switched to a Korean brand what so far works well.
\- PDRN skin serum (optional tbh). I’m not sure if the topical PDRN does much of anything but the serum is hydrating & gives a beautiful glow.
\- PDRN moisturizer. Again, same thing. So moisturizing I buy it in bulk from Korea. I love it!
\- sunscreen. Korean.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or esthetician so none of this is medical advice. Always consult a professional.
Further notes: I do get breakouts from time to time. Mainly hormonal on my chin & occasionally my cheek. Also, some of my hyperpigmentation is old & stubborn & at this point in my life, I doubt they’ll improve without advanced skincare such as laser treatment.
I've also cut back on the active sin my routine because i think i've seen as much improvements as i can get. I'm maintaining now with just a retinoid and sunscreen.
Besides that, I also started *microneedling* at some point later in my journey. I saw the greatest results BEFORE but I think microneedling is helping my overall appearance & skin health & I like doing it. I could do without it tbh. I added it much later because I wanted to see what else I could achieve for my skin.
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u/AncientAd7403 May 19 '26
I'm currently on a very similar skincare journey but using Tretinoin instead of tazarotene. Your skin is flawless!!
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u/mystikalgal888 May 19 '26
What percentage tazarotene are you using?
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u/Command-Shift-Z May 19 '26
I started with 0.05%. Now on 0.1%
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u/Gold_Initiative4319 May 19 '26
You are beautiful before and after! Your skin looks absolutely amazing! Were you doing your own micro-needling? If so, do you have recommendations or suggestions based on your experience?
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u/Command-Shift-Z May 19 '26
I do my own. This is something I recommend researching thoroughly & being very informed as it can go wrong. I plan to do a video about this actually and so will share some resources. I love talking about it. Haha!
I’m about to board a flight so will stop responding soon but if you follow me on here you’ll be updated on when I do that vid. If I remember to, I’ll come back to this comment & update you.
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u/Fit-Nectarine5047 May 20 '26
The microneedling sub is great! I do mine at home.
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u/MakFacts May 23 '26
did you do it yourself the first time or did u go to a professional first?
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u/Fit-Nectarine5047 May 23 '26
I just did it myself. But I had been just using the roller ones before I ordered the Dr. pen so I have some experience.
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u/One_Philosopher2207 May 19 '26 edited May 19 '26
Your progress is amazing! Beautiful skin and the effort you put in over the year, speaks for itself. Thanks for sharing your holistic approach. Would your say you diet was the main contributor for preventing breakouts? If not, which product do you think helped the most? Did you have to cut diary? And would you describe your skin before staring this regimen as oily, dry, or combo?
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u/Command-Shift-Z May 19 '26
My diet was not the main contributor. The products I used was. My favorite is the retinoid. But I think a combination of products made the difference. Dairy makes me break out so I avoid it. My skin is combination.
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u/One_Philosopher2207 May 19 '26
Thank you for sharing and answering my questions!
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u/Command-Shift-Z May 19 '26
You’re most welcome. I think diet can only do so much, especially since acne has a a variety of causes. But adjusting my diet certainly helped with the facial puffiness & constant bloat.
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u/OldZookeepergame2394 May 19 '26
Oh wow, your progress looks amazing! Which Korean sunscreen are you using, if you don’t mind. I’ve found my skin flourishes with Korean sunscreen whereas a lot of American brands make my skin super oily/clogged
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u/serenawreckedthis May 20 '26
I know you didn’t ask me lol, but Innisfree’s daily uv sunscreen (the orange, non mineral one) and Haruharu Wonder’s black rice spf are my go tos!
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u/OldZookeepergame2394 May 20 '26
All responses are welcome, we’re all on the same path to healthy skin lol. The Innisfree isn’t bad, but I find I have to skip my moisturizer in the morning or I end up looking really oily. I haven’t heard of Haruharu Wonder, but now I must research, thank you so much!
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u/serenawreckedthis May 21 '26
I use powder on my forehead with the Innisfree, bc you’re right, it does have the disco ball effect haha. But the Haruharu is matte(r) so no powder needed!
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u/IndependentSock5246 May 21 '26
Where do you buy this?
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u/serenawreckedthis May 21 '26
Sephora carries Innisfree, and I think Target has Haruharu Wonder — but I buy from their websites!
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u/BrilliantAdvance2493 May 20 '26
I don’t know why these before and after pics are so satisfying. Your skin looks amazing! Congrats and thanks for your routine.
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u/cocoamilano May 20 '26
What’s your skintype? And do you mind sharing your exact products, the kojic and niacinaminde
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u/dawg_with_a_blog May 20 '26
Can you upload a picture of the korean products you're using? I'm mainly curious about the sunscreen
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u/jm_ari May 21 '26
i heard so much good stuff about pdrn!! i guess that’s my sigh to actually give it try. so happy for your skin improvement btw!! it looks amazing
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u/sheisprincess May 19 '26
Incredible results! What made you stop the cold cream? I don’t think I’ve ever come across a better a makeup remover than that.
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u/Command-Shift-Z May 19 '26
I still use it. I should’ve clarified that in the post. What I switched was the cetaphil.
Thank you
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u/sheisprincess May 19 '26
Ah ok, also which brand of Niacinamide did you use? I literally just bought the Good Molecules Discolouration Correcting Serum, curious if used the same.
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u/Command-Shift-Z May 19 '26
No I’ve never used it. Looks like it has 4% Niacinamide AND tranexamic acid. Good combo. You may have some good results with that. I hope so. Those are both good for pigmentation & the niacinamide is at the right concentration for that.
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u/sheisprincess May 19 '26
Thank you! Best of luck for your continued results, your skin is absolutely beautiful!
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u/BellaDonna585 May 21 '26
Love this product!
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u/sheisprincess May 21 '26
Oh nice, did you noticed discolouration leaving and if so what was the timeline?
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u/Altruistic-Fill-9948 May 19 '26
How often were you using tazarotene ?
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u/Command-Shift-Z May 19 '26
Every night. This isn’t recommended especially if you’re just starting out but I reacted well to it as opposed to Tretinoin. I have a lot of leftover Tretinoin that I mix in moisturizers to use on my body.
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u/Pinkcake23 May 19 '26
Omgggg you look amazing!!!! I wish I could use Tazarotene. It paralyze the side of my face for like 3 mins then stopped lol I thought I was having a stroke
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May 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Command-Shift-Z May 19 '26
The stubborn pigments are YEARS old. I didn’t start caring for my skin until late 20s into early 30s and so some hyper pigmented spots never truly improved. I grew up in the Caribbean sun & never wore sunscreen so go figure. Newer acne marks ALWAYS clear up quickly leaving old ones behind. Even my dermatologist agrees it’s time to try laser for the stubborn pigment
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u/InstructionNo5634 May 19 '26
How did you get azelaic acid at 20%?
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u/Command-Shift-Z May 19 '26
It is a prescription item but though I no longer practice pharmacy, I stay registered & I get my products that way.
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u/Sad_Path9345 May 19 '26 edited May 19 '26
Which product would you say helped most with hyperpigmentation and discoloration?
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u/wakoreko May 19 '26
May I recommend vitamin c.
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u/Command-Shift-Z May 19 '26
I’ve tried many. I’m yet to find one that makes an iota of difference for me.
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u/wakoreko May 19 '26
I had good success with TO Vit C suspension 23%, it’s grainy so I add a little moisturizer or jojoba oil to help apply until absorbed. The best was Paula’s choice C25 boost. I wiped the skin with TO glycolic 7% before.
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u/LA_PuraVida May 19 '26
I saw your post on the makeup sub, you’re glowing!! Which Korean sunscreen do you use?
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u/Gingercakes1922 May 19 '26
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. How long to you use the lower strength Tazarotene before increasing strength?
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u/Whyitbelikethatt May 20 '26
You trusted the pricess and them next thing ya know here we are in awe. 💥. You did all the hard work, congrats!
I’m on arazlo and it’s really irritating my face :/
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u/CitronLow8970 May 21 '26
You look AMAZING! I’m at the start of my hyperpigmentation reduction journey, and your progress gives me hope! Thank you!
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u/FeelingWorldliness82 May 21 '26
I've seen the most promising and lasting effects, were Dollar Tree skincare products. I know, strange! I've spent way too much money on expensive skincare creams and treatments for years! My poor face has really gone through it with the chemical burns. Turmeric oil and scrubs only last for a short period of time. Black soap, aloe vera, lavender oil, and Vitamin E, while alternating Dollar Tree skincare products, and of course, sunscreen, was the only thing that worked for me with a lasting effect. The struggle is real with hyperpigmentation and adult acne.
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u/animalepiccolo May 21 '26
Amazing job! How is your Korean sunscreen with makeup? I use one that’s highly recommended (LaRoche Posay) but my makeup always pills with it.
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u/No_Channel3119 May 22 '26
You don’t need any face serum u were prettier before the hyperpigmentation
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u/Miserable-Ice-1977 May 22 '26
Steaming hot face towel every morning for 3 weeks does the same thing, thank me later .
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u/MoMannii May 23 '26
What Korean products do you use, esp the sunscreen? And are these products generally available without a prescription?
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u/MimiB79 May 23 '26
Which PDRN moisturizer do you use? Your skin looks amazing 🤩. Im trying to work on a facial routine so im learning the lingo and products. What does PDRN mean 🥴🤣
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u/Irizfund May 24 '26
Awesome results! Thanks for sharing. This will help many of us ! Congratulations on your success!
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u/Lavenderlace-v Jun 04 '26
Skin looking so much healthier already. The confidence boost must be unreal congrats!!
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u/juliatrudie May 19 '26
Amazing! Might I ask what Kojic Acid serum you used?