Love the responsible consumerism content!!! So happy you haven't moved to shill your own products; it's become extremely hard to get unbiased advice these days, esp with so many derms pushing their own products. I don't like to get products and product advice from the same source, seems like an obvious conflict, and I appreciate the few creators who understand and practice professional ethics.
I don’t think it’s necessarily a problem if the products do actually offer a benefit over existing products (“X didn’t exist and I wanted it so I made it” is the reason I started Lab Muffin after all), but there just aren’t a lot of products like that! I think the content-creator-made products I mentioned here are pretty good examples of relatively unique products (Makeup Rewined, Living Cleansing Balm, Rebound Serum, A-Game, Overnight Clarity), but I doubt I could think up a whole line like that…
I feel like Angie Hot n Flashy and Dr. Dre/Andrea both have reasonable skin care routines in terms of serums / moisturizer/sunscreen and both have been pretty consistent with their routines for years. But they’re not the folks you’re talking about on TikTok. 😝
Dr. Michelle, I rarely comment but I really want to thank you on so many levels. I come from a country in Eastern Europe who's really not aware of the effects of sunscreen and how important skincare is. I started with a basic question: what does contain a soup and how do I differentiate a good one from a bad one? At first, I stumbled upon the trends of clean beauty but because I am really meticulous and naturally curious I was not satisfied with their explanations, so I digged in for more. After searching, I discovered you approximately a year ago and it was magnificent. You and a few dermatologists from YT had taught me things so well that now I am a better educated consumer than most Biology-Chemistry students in my country. I've talked to several of them, who did a cosmetic course at college. Their professor was basically incompetent and they not even realise how bad it was. It is sad that education around here is like a glass of water with too many impurities that we drink, lying to ourselves that is itill good to drink and then wondering why we are sick. At the same time, there are still dermatologist in my country who think sun exposure with sunscreen on decreases vitamin D production, for the same old reason: incompetent professors, with dated research studies. It is sad that me, a girl in her first year of Biology, with not a lot of background in biology and chemistry and who's still learning, has saw a lot of dated research in my own courses from college. I really really appreciate your content and I am forever grateful that you educated me. Thank you so much and I think I am not the only one. A lot of people have a similar background. Thank you once again. ❤️
So grateful for you still talking about mask wearing, I’m in a similar boat with minimal sun exposure but still mask irritation, it’s turned my routine upside down! I really enjoyed this look back video, thank you!
Love the update to this series. I started doing a three night cycle based off of your original article when you first posted it- hasn't let me down yet! Also, I appreciate you being authentic with your explanations. Waiting to do my nighttime routine until the last minute and only putting on my morning products when I remember is something I'm glad I'm not alone in. 😂
So glad to hear the ADHD and parfum in products being a problem. Personally I struggle with sensitivity to scent so badly, that I have almost switched to only using unscented products .
With my ADHD I can't use unscented products, if it doesn't smell nice then I have no motivation to use it! I've discovered that about all things I use, if it's packaging isn't nice then I won't use it.
I am so sensory defensive about my skincare and most of my personal care. I also struggle with all the same facets of ADHD regarding skincare. Seeing Michelle talk about this stuff makes me feel so validated. 😭
Oh that sounds awesome! Maybe there’s a market for like, a plastic bowl that you stick your face into and it washes everything cleanly, like a modified Japanese toilet 😂
An every night tretinoin user here, i feel like the most effective way of using tretinoin is to do a sandwich method. Been using for a little over a year and it’s been game changing. Personally i feel like getting some benefit everyday is better than supposedly big benefit (if there’s no irritations after each application) once every 2-3 days.
26:08 For peeps in North America (and maybe some other regions?), this Dermal Therapy lip balm is called the Flexitol Lip Balm! They're both owned by the same company, the packaging is literally identical minus the branding, and the ingredients list is the exact same as far as I can tell.
I would really love a video about ADHD friendly skincare. I'm trying to take better care of my skin, but I need to keep it simple, so I can maintain this. I am overwhelmed with all of the different advice. I also have to avoid the dopamine seeking desire to buy everything and let my hyperfixation get away from me.
I too have serious issues with textures and washing my face over the sink. I'm quite short and can't actually put my face over the sink, which causes water to dribble down my chest. A video topic could be an accessible skincare routine. Thanks for your amazing content!
I love dermal therapy lip balm. Fixes my dry lips in a day when they are bad. I also have dry skin and their face moisturizer is a game changer for me.
Love that your Asian side just wanting to come out like writing "bambu" instead of "bamboo". Oh and now that you say Skinceuticals smells like Kopiko, I really want to try 😂
Would you be willing to make a video or a short about mask wearing? I know it's outside of the cosmetic chemistry niche but so many people don't think it's necessary anymore, and I think you could do some major good by talking about the science behind why it's still important.
I don't know if it's really worth it for me, given what I've seen my friends in the public health communication space go through! I try to boost their content on Instagram and Twitter, but I haven't really done it on RU-vid - I should do that more...
Ty so much for being transparent abt your adhd and how it affects how you use products 🩷🩷🩷 that’s such a big obstacle for me with skincare and it’s so nice to hear someone else talk about it!!
Hey Michelle, any chance you could help me with this question? I’m using the copper pep from the ordinary, and then using the cicaplast Baumé. Would the zinc in the Baumé be affecting the copper pep? I know when taking a supplement you shouldn’t take them together, just wasn’t sure if that includes in skincare. Thanks so much
Thank for for talking about the pandemic and your 3M Aura masking regimen Michelle!!! It's an amazing mask! Any chance you'd do a video on the skin benefits on masking in terms of breathing reduced air pollution amounts? I would LOVE to see you discuss that!!! In addition to running HEPA air purifiers, I have been wearing 3M Aura masks (or P100 elastomeric masks) both indoors AND outdoors at all times since probably August 2022, and am convinced my skin is stronger and younger looking as a result of inhaling nearly no air pollution for several months. But, it could be something else of course. Texas, where I live, has fairly good quality now, according to AirNow.gov. Please please please consider a video on this! :)
That's interesting! Unfortunately I don't think there's enough evidence for me to do a video on it that's solid at all, and there are skin downsides to mask wearing like perioral dermatitis that might tip the scales the other way. But there's some evidence covid ages you metabolically, which would also tip it the opposite way...
Hi dear. Ihave rashers on face ihv been using this creams. Mediven, elycort, clindamycin- clindar, benzoyl peroxide, pritti benzoyl peroxide and clozol b. Please help me wich one is good to use?
I find myself really wishing i could know your impressions on the products from the brazilian brand called Creamy… putting their composition in incidecoder makes them sound good but i know that’s not a good method fhdhdj. I worry bc they have a lot of hype from great marketing and beautiful packaging but since they’re relatively cheap i’m scared all the investment is going on the fancy packaging rather than the product > < though i guess it’s natural that a national product would be cheaper than imported ones? I know you won’t try them bc there’s probably no way to even get them jn australia (they’ve started trying to sell in the US but i have no idea if that’s working out for them) it’s just that i HAVE been looking into reviews from local influencers but none of them are chemists hahaha >
I started my tween on the CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser to help their new outbreaks of acne & it's been wonderful. It's so gentle & not drying & has almost completely cleared their skin. I use it when I'm on my period to combat acne I always get & it works for that. I will admit, I don't have a huge skincare routine. I just cleanse, eye cream (I'm old), & moisturize.
It's interesting that you come from a research background yet use so many products. Most dermatologists I know use maybe a handful of products at the very most. They usually recommend 3-4 to me. Perhaps it's because I'm a man, who knows. My experience with more expensive moisturizers is that they generally smell better (if they are scented) and sit/feel better on the skin, but that's about it. Have not noticed a significant difference in terms of actual hydration.
Just here to say that I use no skincare at all and my skin is FINE. No exfoliation, no moisturizer, no serum, just water and sunscreen. So think twice about spending that money when you don't have any skin issues to begin with.
A surprise product for me was Dermal Therapy's Very Dry Skin Cream. It's quite cheap, very moisturising but manages to dry down to a velvet type finish. So it's been perfect for using on tret nights, but because it dries down quick I can also use it in the morning if I cleanse. They have a face cream version, which as far as I can tell is the same as the above, minus fragrance. But the bottle is so small, I stick with the former.
@@LabMuffinBeautyScience I would def check it out. I was impressed by the ingredients, and it's helping me build tolerance to using tret more frequently.
I really hate the fast-fashionification of skincare because it means things that don't need to be reformulated gets changed so often for marketing or trend. It's frustrating to rely on a product to have it be unavailable next year.
Agreed! On the bright side, limited edition skincare products tend to be either slightly modified versions of standard formulas or poorly formulated, so we don’t lose too much by just avoiding products like that…
I put big scrunchies for wet hair around my wrists when cleansing my face over the sink. It's changed my life because no water runs down my arms and the sink is so much cleaner as they actually catch a lot of splashing water!
I love that hack! I actually got sent some microfibre ones from a brand that are meant for this as well as makeup removal… but I don’t know where they went 😅
What irks me the most is influencers preaching sustainable/eco-friendly products but consumes and owns unrealistically many skincare. You can be sustainable using products from brands that are not marketed “sustainable” when you only buy as you finish them up, keeping only what is NEEDED in your inventory, simple and realistic. Same goes for makeup, and fashion of course.
Hi Michelle, As someone with late diagnosed ADHD, it never occurred to me that it could be contributing to me struggling with keeping a consistent skincare routine and why I feel the need to jump around from product to product even when there’s nothing wrong with them. It makes so much sense now! Thank you so much for this video, I have a similar skin type to you so I will look into a few of the products you mentioned to help fill in the gaps in my routine. Also I’m kind of curious about the Augustinus Bader cream and if it’s worth the money? I’ve seen so many advertisements for the cream and the lash serum but the price has kept me from trying it! 😅 Cheers and Take Care!
Since being diagnosed it's been a weird process of realising all these quirks I've accepted as my ~*unique features*~ are actually common ADHD traits 😅 I haven't made my mind up about the Augustinus Bader yet... I've seen mixed reviews so I think it's a bit of a risky purchase!
I'm 34 and only found out I have adhd recently. I don't know I never realised it! Like recently I decided I needed a few different facial sunscreens ...that turned very quickly into I suddenly own twenty lol. Thankfully this lapse in judgement is something I'll use all up for once!
same i got diagnosed two months ago. i’m 16 so for a girl i got diagnosed pretty on time but if i were male i would have been diagnosed at age 5 🙄. it’s interesting getting used to medication and trying to learn how to deal.
I got diagnosed too and so were five of my friends and seven co worker. Are we a generation of distractability. I wonder why. Actually I am not wondering. This constant bombardment of information is too much for the human brain. We just need some more nature in our life.
Hello from Germany. Two years ago I got carried away buying K beauty products, only to be constantly stressed out because some of these products were not always available. I decided to switch to french pharmacy products, a simple routine and I am doing fine :) it's like buying local vegetables.
Kinda funny how I'm the opposite! I'm from Asia, and always struggled to get the products popular in SkincareAddiction like La Roche and CeraVe. Now, I just buy Asian products with official distributors in my country and I'm less stressed (esp worrying about authenticity of the products). The best skincare are the ones available to you indeed!
I absolutely adore your discussions / rationale behind your personal use of skin care. As a primary care provider, I'm not only interested about skin care for my patients but I'm really into it myself. It's nice to be able to give advice to my clients for their skin care needs, and I usually point them to your channel among others (Dr. Dray). My regimen is probably way overboard, but I enjoy skin care a lot! I usually slim it down while I'm traveling. It's nice to hear a scientific, evidence-based opinion on skin care because it's a jungle out there!! TYSM
I have no idea if you realized how insightful your analogy is. Skincare has become like trends and fast fashion - except in this situation the consumer is also at risk to some extent
Thank you! I'm definitely not the first to come up with the comparison, and I think there's some degree of intentional copying of the fast fashion model by product developers within the industry...
eternally grateful to you for suggesting the bioderma micellar water in a video some months ago, as that is also now my go-to nighttime cleanser (where before I would be more inclined to just skip pm skincare entirely from overwhelm). i’m glad to still hear you talk about uncomplicating your routine and choosing with what works for you and your brain as much as your skin!
adhd gang!!! ╰(▔∀▔)╯ getting a diagnosis and the right treatment for me was life-changing. congratulations!!!!! re: your 6 hour research bend: was it really wasted? you answered your question ^_^
I've loved watching your channel grow, amongst all the BS out there it's great to have a fellow Aussie who talks science and sense, with a dollop of humour too! Keep up the good work, and I'll keep trying to find a face sunscreen that totally ❤works for me (NB: your recommendation Beauty of Joseon is the closest I've gotten!).
This may be totally misguided, but I’ve always connected with your “quirky” sense of humor and creativity in a way that could be explained partly by adhd. It’s refreshing to see a successful person who is able to find their own way of doing things. Thank you for sharing your work and personality with us!
1) I am sooo glad to know I'm not the only one who makes a mess washing my face!😂🤣 I thought I was doing it wrong🤣. Yes water everywhere,running down my arms getting my shirt wet.. horrible 2) I keep it simple anymore. A day moisturizer (lighter), a night moisturizer ( thicker) & will use these no matter time of day depending on what I feel I need, and tretonoin. No serum, no vitamin c (rosacea) can't handle it. Less choices= easier skin care
Dear Michelle I really appreciate the fact that you are on the pill, because I have to be on it, but the fear around it is absolutely straining! Everyone speak about how bad the pill is, how it will 'break' me forever ... Please give your opinion on this ... Thank you in advance!
I love your point about texture/smells/packaging! I take all of those into account as a big part of whether I like a product or not... It might seem kinda petty but I know that no matter how good the ingredients are, if it smells like rotten eggs & feels like sludge on my skin, I am just not going to use it 🥲 Although I do not have ADHD, my partner does and he loves having a variety of things to choose from, + easier application = the more he will use it. aka, toners in spray bottles and self foaming cleansers for him always 😆
My new routine is 4 day cycle - SA > Tretinoin > Break > Tretinoin. Niacinamide is a staple on every night, as are Cosrx Snail Mucin and Purito Unscented Centella☺
Is it true that retinol is damaging for the eyes? I tried a 0,25% retinol eye cream and it dried out my eyes.. What other options are there? Or should I buy another retinol eye cream to try?
I’m also recently diagnosed with ADHD! 🧡 Thank you for sharing that! I also have this aversion to washing my face in the sink for all the reasons you do, I had suspected it might be an ADHD thing. I similarly have to really ✨enjoy✨ using a product or I simply won’t. I’ve quit being self-critical about this now and try to lean-in to needing that sensory experience. I need to like the texture and scent-wise, I wanna feel like a whole fruit salad while I’m putting on my skincare! And so I’m a late-30-something adult with a bathroom full of cutesy products with cartoon animals on them 🤷♀️ Asian skincare got me sorted with the cute packaging and good formulations!👌 As with a lot of things my main issue with skincare is inconsistency. I’m always going to have phases where I can’t be bothered and phases where I feel like getting out two-dozen products and making a night of it, so now I try and stay set up for both. I keep an absolutely *bare-minimum* routine for low-motivation days to keep my basics covered and have a lil ‘pamper corner’ for when the mood strikes and I can make up for lost time. We just gotta trust that it all balances out 🙏 and not feel guilty for not being built for consistency. Thanks to folk like you, when I have gone through a low-phase and my skin is fighting back with breakouts and congestion, I have so much more knowledge about how to get my skin back on track 🙏 it may be ‘only skincare’ but for people like me, knowing how to combat my skin issues means there’s one less thing in my life that feels chaotic and uncontrollable, and that has a big impact on my well-being 🧡 It’s quite a journey learning all the things in life that are ADHD-involved, stay curious and nerdy about it- that will help a lot 🧡
I have also changed my skincare routine over the years. I never repeat the same product twice, only because there are so many products in the world of Korean and Japanese beauty that there's always something new and different to try. The only products that are permanent repeats due to no similar or equally good product is the Paula's choice BHA lotion version, TO lactic acid and paula's choice Azelaic acid cream, and LRP Cicaplast. For all other things like cleansers, toners, essences, serums, sunscreens and face creams I like to try different and new ones from Asian Beauty.
Recently diagnosed with ADHD as well!! I would love to hear you share a bit about how you perceive ADHD playing into your college/career choices if you’d be comfortable talking about it!!
Hi Michelle. The mosquitos are starting to really bite in my corner of Aus, and I was thinking of starting to use an insect repellent. Would be glad to hear your input on them, to know if there's any "bad" ingredients to avoid or if there's anything else good to know about them. From what I looked up, it sounds like picardin as an active ingredient works but doesn't have the DEET smell, so I'm intending to try out the "Odourless" Aerogard. Thanks.
ive skipped exfoliating after starting retinol my skin was burning with ahas. now only actives i use are vit c every morning and retinol 3 nights a week
I’ve literally not changed my skincare in 25 years - I don’t like to mess with what works (and am also lazy) - but I also acknowledge that I have pretty good genetics when it comes to skin and really only have to use face and body lotion. And I’m embracing my wrinkles and freckles 😂
Completely off topic, but I love that crocheted sweater/jumper! Is that handmade, and if so can you share the pattern? I've recently discovered the bead stitch myself and want to make a sweater with it, but the math is driving me mad.
Where do I get the bioderma two phase ? I haven’t seen it in France or states. The European Cicaplast is so much better and gentler than the one from the states. I’m curious how the formula differs from AU. Ps I love your graphics !
17:26 If you're face/skin is irritated, why does it seem safer to try creams with actives rather than trying out serums? Or do you mean creams with actives vs serums with actives? At that point, wouldn't it be better to not use actives at all and let your skin barrier repair with simple moisturizing?
I probably missed this in some video, but why not use adapoline instead of the cosmetic ones? For me, it's a fairly genital retinoid. Here in the US it's available without any prescription. (Side note: I know that adapoline vs "the little tube of fire" (lol) could be based on studies being done for acne vs wrinkles. Butaybe adapoline for non tret nights?)
Bad memory can also be an ADHD trait, since your brain files memories away differently, it also just takes more time to focus on recalling things, for me it's kind of like my brain processes slower than most and i've accepted that.
Agreed! I don't know if I have enough insights to turn into a full video though... I think Robert Welsh did a good job ranting about makeup brands in a recent video :)
Can you please make a video review of the new la roche posay uvmune 400? They claim it can protect us from Uva wavws of 400 lenght. Would love to know if it really is like that and how complete and new is this technology
would love to a travel skincare video from you especially in regards to sunscreen! I learned from you that it's not a good idea to transfer sunscreen to different containers, which has made me reconsider how to prepare for travel
Michelle, I wear thick scrunchies on my wrists and they catch any water that would normally drip down your arms and countertops when washing your face at the sink. I toss them in the laundry every once in a while and have been using the same dollar store scrunchies for over two years. I hang them next to sink to air dry inbetween AM and PM washes. I highly reco you try this method! You won't bother with trying to time your showers anymore
I use the SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF most mornings, except when I apply benzoyl peroxide. I also think it smells a bit like coffee and not hotdog water! Glad to know I'm not the only one 🤣
Hi I was wondering if micellar gel is enough for cleansing? I use a sunscreen in the morning and micellar gel in the evening. that's it. the gel has: (Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Maltodextrin, Lactobacillus, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate)
I’ve definitely fallen into the trap of wanting to buy the viral skincare products and ending up with more products than I could actually use before they go bad. Now I use a rough 2 product per category max rule and it works great for me, it gives me room to have an old stand by I know works for me and a space to try out something new if I want to.
Have you tried Acnease, Vilantae B5 vitamins or any oral medications for oily skin? I've found that oral meds work the best for me, someone with Rosacea and seb dermatitis. I know this is a different condition than what you have, right?
After an hour of searching, I give up. 😓 Does anyone know the title of the video where Michelle goes over the newest UVA chemical sunscreen filters- that the USA still won’t approve? She had a little chart with the long, chemical names with the “nickname” next to it? Anyone….Thanks!
Just wanted to recommend a lip balm (chapstick?) that I used when I was on a form of Accutane. Dr. Dan's CortiBalm is what my dermatologist recommended, and he saved my dry and bleeding lips with that! It's not the cutest product, but it works and for a great price too.
I always find other people's skin care routines fascinated....I have no clue why. Maybe I enjoy my own so much, and want to see if others love their routine as well. Or maybe it's because I'm a formulator and I want to know what others are looking for in skincare? It's probably a bit of both! 😂
Best video for skin routine. I love skin routine. I have similar skin type and skin concerns. So used similar routine, i just changed a little bit on this routine. It's very challenging to know which product cam mix with other products
Hello, I have an important question about sunscreen and was hoping you could help me out. It is about the temperature of which sunscreen should be stored and whether the cold causes the sunscreen to turn less effective. I live in London and it is very cold here in the winter, I just brought a sunscreen and although I have left it in my room inside my make up bag, it still feels so cold. Would this make it less protective when I use it, or would it have to be extremely icy kind of cold to cause it to really break down?
Just wanted to let others know that the unit price (dollars or euros per mL) for Stratia Night Shift is in between the two concentrations of Geek & Gorgeous A-Game, so Stratia Night Shift is pretty affordable too!
