Avene Diacneal. It's a retinoid that is just as or more effective than Retin A but with less side effects. Not only gets rid of acne but the scars too at the same time. But it takes a few months or more to work and your acne will get worse before it gets better. Retails for RM70 (30ml) and is available at some Guardian, Watsons and Caring outlets (usually those in shopping malls). If u do decide to use Diacneal or any kind of retinoid, pls do research online on the proper way to apply, amount to apply and most important of all is the use of sunscreen.

I did an honest comparison of the ingredients and the Olay wins hands down. The Shiseido moisturizers for men are really overpriced...too basic and lacking in antioxidants to be priced at RM145. Even the Total Revitalizer is comparable to the micro sculpting serum. Even the slightly cheaper Olay Regenerist Serum (RM70), has better ingredients and finish compared to the Shiseido Moisturizing Emulsion. However Shiseido still wins coz it comes in 100ml..ahaha..that's bout all.

The micro sculpting cream retails for RM99...but can go down till RM70 during sales.

That's what u call a pure monopoly man !

I'll probably buy my skincare products online in the future. If seriously end up importing stuff do let me know..i'll be ur first customer LOL.

Last time I used to really like the Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF50 as it controlled shine/oil well. But after a couple of months it made my face too dry and the finish was a bitt too polished for a guy to pull off...as though I was wearing make up. so right now I changed to Sunplay UV Moisture Milk SPF50. Been using it for about 2 months and its great...shine control not as good as Biore but at least its alcohol free. So depends on how oily ur skin is I guess. If ur skin is really oily go for Biore...if not the Sunplay will do. Both are around 30ml and priced around RM25-30.

The Regenerist line is famous for being affordable and delivers results. I have used the micro sculpting cream before and it ain't oily (unless u use a lot). The serum would suit oilier skins and cream for drier skins. Serum can use day n night while cream better use at night.

U can get the trial pack fr this LYN seller named Wizard_Scorpion. The trial pack comes with 5 items but u can choose to get them individually too. The trial pack is actually not sold at counters n is actually a gift with purchase. She sells em so contact her for more details. Her thread is at the "Stuff For Ladies" section.

I actually bought the roll on a few weeks back and looking at the ingredients I think it only works for minor scarring. The texture is really sticky and never seems to dry. But it seems to be quite good in fighting acne rather than vanishing scars. I don't think I'll be buying this again.Vitamin C and retinoids still work best for scars.

Its a pain finding potent and affordable BHA/AHA products in msia. Neutrogena has a good range but they don't sell it here...maybe in the future. Probably the most accessible and affordable AHA/BHA products is from Avene. Cleanance K has both AHA n BHA and is a nightly treatment against whitehead/blacheads...should also work for minimal scarring. Costs around RM50-60. Cleanance K is effective but the texture, finish and smell is horrible.

As for the flaky skin just use a heavier moisturizer and it should solve the prob.

I just saw a few tubes of panoxyl 2.5% at Guardian 1U new wing a month ago. I contacted the distributor once coz I couldn't find 2.5% anywhere n they told me they are still importing it but I need to ask the pharmacist to do a special order sometimes.

Retinoid (Diacneal) works best applied to clean skin so don't apply any moisturizer/serum before Diacneal. Apply Diacneal, wait 30mins to an hour den apply your moisturizer. Don't think u need to apply both serum and moisturizer. U could probably use the serum in the day and moisturizer at night.

Diacneal can get locally la at some Guardian, Watsons and Caring. It's RM60-70 depending on sales. But if u can get it cheaper from US then get it online. Do read reviews of Diacneal first as it aint a miracle cure. Its a long hard road when using retinoids...ur face will get worse b4 it gets better. If your acne is mild there is no need to use strong products like Diacneal.

Most of the time the salicylic acid in these products are very mild. If u use Diacneal u don't need any other AHA product as it contains both lactic and glycolic acid and at good amounts. If u do get Diacneal then there is no need to use Cleanance K.

This post has been edited by jonny4: Oct 8 2010, 05:04 PM

Do u use any kind of skincare products ?

This post has been edited by jonny4: Oct 8 2010, 09:25 PM

U will need to use cleansing oil to remove the sunscreen or risk getting breakouts due to clogged pores.

Serum is more concentrated and lighter than the cream. If u intend to use day and night n u have oily skin den go 4 de serum. If ur skin is drier den use the cream or u can layer another moisturizer over de serum.

Nowadays a lot of the eye gels/roll ons are useless in removing dark circles and to an extent eye bags. Most of the results is temporary. I'm using the Loreal Men eye roll on. its good refreshing the eyes and making eye bags smaller but din do much for dark circles. The only one I heard that is very effective is the Avene Ystheal Eye Contour Care...costs RM100+.

If that's the case then Diacneal would be a good option for you. Coz some ppl freak out at 1 or 2 pimples and start going out to buy all the harsh and expensive acne products...they end up making things worse. But in your situation I guess Diacneal would be beneficial. Diacneal is much more effective then Cleanance K. Just keep in mind that for the first few weeks u will get more breakouts as the acne deep in the skin is drawn out. If u have been a AHA/BHA product consistently for a few months then the breakouts won't be too bad. I used Diacneal previously as a spot treatment and I din really see a big difference. Now I use it all over my face at night n after 1 week I can see the effect. However it really dried my skin out...but not as bad as benzoyl peroxide. Also Diacneal is strictly for night use...retinoids break down by sunlight and in some cases become toxic when exposes to the sun.

The most important thing when using a retinoid like Diacneal is applying sunscreen daily no matter if u r in the sun or not. I made the big mistake of skipping sunscreen the 1st round I was on Diacneal and my acne scars became darker.

Retinoids and AHA work by peeling off layers of skin basically. As the skin becomes thinner it loses protection against UVA n UVB rays. Making the skin highly susceptible to sun damge. http://www.skinacea.com/retinoids/useright.htm

It's not an absolute rule to wear sunscreen and use retinoids only at night. You could try skipping sunscreen and use retinoids day n night. Just don't let me say "I told u so" a few months down the road

Well I was assuming u edi had common knowledge about sunscreen...that's y i didn't bother highlighting it's only for day use. Even the indirect light coming indoors still can cause some damage. It might be negligible but better safe den sorry I guess.

Usually the ones at shopping malls will have. Same with Caring. U will need to scout around as each pharmacy will sometimes have diff prices.

You feeling the dryness too huh...same thing like me...

Sunplay Skin Aqua Moisture Milk SPF50 doesn't contain alcohol and has some added moisturizing ingredients. It's slightly drying as it makes the skin matte but not as bad as Biore. Sunplay isn't as matte as Biore but keeps me shine free with a nice healthy glow.

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Added on October 10, 2010, 10:57 amI've tried using both before (Diacneal at night and Panoxyl in the day) but it was too drying. So I now only use Diacneal at night. Never use more than one acne medication at the same time.

If u do that your face will end up with an uneven tone. Sunscreen needs to be used all over the face.

this blogger explain very well how Diacneal works http://www.scform.com/2010/01/review-avene-diacneal.html

This post has been edited by jonny4: Oct 10 2010, 10:57 AM

[quote=Starleo1212,Oct 10 2010, 03:34 PM]
[quote=jonny4,Oct 9 2010, 05:52 PM]
You feeling the dryness too huh...same thing like me...

Sunplay Skin Aqua Moisture Milk SPF50 doesn't contain alcohol and has some added moisturizing ingredients. It's slightly drying as it makes the skin matte but not as bad as Biore. Sunplay isn't as matte as Biore but keeps me shine free with a nice healthy glow.

Ok.Thanks for the info I was wondering if you find it hard to apply sunscreen all over your face cuz for me I apply one spot and it dry very fast before I spread to another spot.

[/quote]
A bit la when I was using the Biore. Its bcoz of the high alcohol content. But nowadays I don't encounter that prob with Sunplay.

Usually those products for lightening scars quite expensive. I currently use DHC Acerola Essence which cost me RM120 for 30ml. Its quite good as my scars have lightened. U have to shop around in the pharmacies and look for products which contain vitamin c. But the prob is the concentration of vitamin c in these products may be too low to have any effect.

As for face mask, u can try Laneige Sleeping mask. It's around RM100 for 80ml. Laneige Homme also got but contains alcohol, RM70 for 100ml. Usually these sleeping masks have a deep hydrating effect.

When it comes to oil control nothing beats Biore SS but I don't think its good for the skin. It might suit u but remember to monitor n see if its too drying or not. It's really hard to remove too...i suggest u use some kind of cleansing oil to remove it properly.

Which Sunplay SS u have ? I tried the Clear Water b4 and it was horrible...drying n shiny.

Haven't heard of Naruko b4.

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Added on October 11, 2010, 2:25 amCoz its in gel form and u r supposed to apply it after all skincare products n leave on overnight. I haven't seen leave on sheet mask b4. Those sheet type mask usually leave on for 10-20mins only.

Hard to say 80ml can last how long as it depends on your frequency of usage n amount u apply. My Laneige Homme sleeping mask been using twice a week 4 de past 3 months n still got a lot more.

This post has been edited by jonny4: Oct 11 2010, 02:25 AM

It dries quite fast so no stains. Unless u sleep straight away after applying. Takes about 10-15 mins to dry properly.

This post has been edited by jonny4: Oct 11 2010, 12:23 PM

Opinions are still divided on that. I'm not sure myself. U should read up on that.

Both cleanser should be fine. To control oiliness/shine u can try getting those oil control film...Gatsby is my fav but don't blot too often in a day.

As for pimples u can try getting an acne gel from pharmacy.

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Added on October 11, 2010, 9:38 pmI guess the red spots on your face ain't too many or severe that's why she recommend u to use Cleanance K.

Cleanance K will gradually remove the red spots but u got to be patient. Might take a few months. The prob with C.K is that it is really sticky n makes the face shine. I really can't tahan using it. Avene calls C.K a moisturizer to be used on d whole face...but u might want to use it only on red spots n only a small amount. Best to use it at night.

Its not the drying effect that requires u to use sunscreen but the exfoliating/peeling effect on the skin when using products like Diacneal n Cleanance K. The avene sunscreen is not recommended as its not suitable at all for hot humid weather. It tends to get oily n shiny fast.

I recommend u try Sunplay Skin Aqua Moisture Milk SPF50. Quite cheap (RM30, 40ml). It's really light and alcohol free. Doesn't make ur face oily but at the same time doesn't really control shine much...very natural.

This post has been edited by jonny4: Oct 11 2010, 09:38 PM