#insane zits combo

[galaxygermdraws]

@the-art-knight

Another one that was a discord message but uh. My brain saw "eldritch Tango" n thought about how space is endless and could be read as an eldritch being of sorts and uhhhh. Is Tango the space or is the body Tango. Who knows. This is 3 days late for the Moon Big anniversary.

(reblogs with tags/comments are appreciated. Here’s the prompt list if you want to send me requests!! Thankyu)

[wixelt]

just went through the entire hermitphipia au and cannot stop thinking about the hermits driving Andrias absolutely insane

Zedaph seems to make contraptions with the sole purpose of them accomplishing a net zero or acting to detriment but with every contraption they get at least one discovery that revolutionizes their technology out of the principals so he ends up being too valuable an asset to not give unlimited funding and a tram do document everything he builds or any experiments he conducts

Andrias thinks Impulse is one of the more reasonable ones and possibly capable of keeping the others in line so he assigns some of the troublemakers under him not realizing that these are the exact people he is only responsible enough around to assure none of them die (we're talking either ZIT, Boatem, Soup Squad, or all of the above)

Keeping Grian occupied becomes a top priority quickly, and soon extends to nearly the entire 26

When Xisuma shows up, Andrias thinks he finally has someone who can handle the others' mischief. Upon learning that while Admin is short for administrator, Xisuma does not, in fact, administrate the hermits but instead the world they settle on, he is both disappointed and concerned on multiple accounts, one of which being this guy is apparently a God in certain realities and that is a problem for the plan.

Joe Hills

Andrias ties himself in mental knots trying to predict these strangers. Marcy & Mumbo were both easy to understand, even if the latter still regularly baffles him.

But add more than 20 other varied, chaotic humanoids to the mix & everything's on fire again as he & the Core try to work out not just Hermits' individual quirks, but also the unique chaos that stems from certain Hermit combos.

His saving grace should've been that he's introduced to them gradually as they reunite one by one, but he has the disadvantage of meeting Mumbo first, who on his own is chaotic but in a benign way Andrias has quickly adapted to & can manipulate, if only by nudging the spoon as needed.

But then Anne Boonchuy & the Plantars rock up to Newtopia with False & Grian (& maybe others, but definitely those 2 at minimum), & Andrias sees bumbling Mumbo become a nonsensical prankster with one braincell to share just by being in earshot of this force of chaos in red.

But friends bring out different sides to a person, so that's expected... right?

Zedaph's a whole other can of worms. I'm not sure when they meet, but Andrias has gotten so used to Mumbo's ingenuity & order that he expects the next Hermit engineer he meets to be of a similar ilk.

He almost retires to his chambers with a headache after he finds out Zed's built a perpetual motion engine from salvaged parts... & is using it to power the world's (deliberately) slowest elevator.

He actually retires when Zed's genuinely confused by the idea of using it for anything else.

The only thing calming the king's growing frustration with Zedaph is what he can achieve if he combines the engine & Zed's other breakthrough with Mumbo's advances.

So yes, Zed gets funding & test subjects a team.

At some point after comes his first meeting with Impulse & he thinks "Finally! One of them who's sane!" (False is, almost, but she's hard to control unless nudged via Anne).

He sneakily puts Impulse in a position of keeping an eye on Zed & maybe Tango as well by this time.

An all new brand of chaos breaks loose.

Andrias isnt sure what happened, but there's a hole burnt in his throne room ceiling & the ZIT trio are stood around acting innocent. Impulse is covered head to toe in soot.

It's taking all Andrias' mental effort to keep his composure.

Andrias lucks out with Grian. Though his interactions with Mumbo make it clear the waffle haired builder's a force of prankster chaos of godlike proportions that cannot be halted, he spends a lot of time focused on going on adventures with Anne or making secret plans for a revolution (it's an instinct for Grian, & he doesn't know the context nor which side he's on til True Colors).

That doesn't mean there aren't a few surprises Andrias has to curb, though. The city-wide game of Tag that pulls in every Hermit in Newtopia at the time, plus Anne, Marcy, the Plantars, Yunan & more than a few others is one incident that comes to mind.

Andrias is relieved when Grian's plans for whatever 'another Demise' or 'a new take on Life' might be are put on hold by him remembering the Hermits don't currently have lives to spare.

Thankfully for him, Andrias doesn't meet all 26 Hermits before True Colors. Given how chaotic the ones he has met are, though, that isn't saying much.

And then there's X.

Xisuma is a concern for Andrias as soon as they meet, but he's unable to tap into most of his admin powers nor ping the damaged Hermithius in far orbit. After meeting the suited man - he may be one of the Hermits with Anne when she arrives in Newtopia, but I haven't settled on that - keeping him depowered becomes a priority once its clear he's only the de facto leader of the Hermits by unanimous understanding & won't step in unless things get out of hand, but could absolutely shut down the Core's plans with admin access.

All X's attempts to track down Amphibia's 'admin' & work out a deal seem to fail, & it isn't til True Colors that he realises Andrias has been feeding him bad info.

By then its a bit late to do anything, though.

In the meantime, Andrias seems interested in X's anecdotes about Evil X. What could that be about...?

And yes. Joe Hills. Andrias' worst nightmare: The bard.

Because nothing's scarier than a man who can tear you a new one without lifting a finger.

(I have more ideas about Joe, but this is already too long & I'm tired. :P)

[theminecraftbee]

So ik nothing about persona but imagine

ZITS having a 4 part persona, that can ask join together, symbolic of their deep friendship, to become like. Super powerful

so this isn't REALLY how personas work. however you're really close because i said "fool arcana social link is the link between the team", which means that as their friendship gets stronger, so does their personas. i do think, however, that they get like... in persona 4 there are a few special combination moves you can do during all-out attacks sometimes that do extra damage, and in persona 5 there are the showtime attacks. anyway i think ZITS gets a special combo attack that occasionally does INSANE extra damage after you get far enough in the game and this is the thing that represents their bond

[oldguy56-world]

9 to 5

Quick. Raise your hand if you love your job. Not seeing many arms in the air. Don't feel bad, as you are in the majority. I recognize there are some crappy jobs out there like javelin catching, but the reasons people do not like their job go beyond the work itself. Let's explore these reasons and see if we (and by that I mean 'I' because so far I have received no contributions to my plan of how to make the world right from any readers. Except my wife. I have to clarify that.) can come up with solutions.

1) I hate my boss. Always the fall back topic as it takes the pressure off of the employee. There are some bad ones out there. I have seen them in action. I also see people who get upset when their boss tells them to do things like 'finish that report by tomorrow' or 'can you get off your cellphone long enough to take care of the customers?' There is a solution for this: try doing your job in a timely manner. Unless your boss is touching you inappropriately, beating you, screaming at you or forcing you to do unsafe things or 'stuff' that is not part of your job, chill out. Go to your happy place. That would include a hardware store to buy gorilla glue for his desk drawers.

2) I hate my co-workers. Before you go down this road remember you are also a co-worker, and someone may hate you as well. Any work place that has more than one employee has the potential for conflict from personality conflicts, jealousy, or just people who stir things up to avoid boredom. Solution: get to know them. Actually talk to them about anything that is not job related. Most people are nice if given the chance to be. Should this fail, go to backstabbing and sabotage to get them fired (before they do this to you) gives you great happiness and a win at work.

3) Pay. Let's be honest here. Everyone wants more money than what they make. I remember when I was making $15k a year (for the youngsters out there yes we had electricity and cars back then) I said that if I ever got to $20k I would never need another raise. Forget about the inflation side of this, people are greedy. We all want a ton of money, and when we get it we want two tons. If you want to earn more money, make sure you have the skill and background to do so. All jobs have pay scales, so don't expect more than the job will ever pay or you will always be miserable. To paraphrase Dirty Harry in Magnum Force (look at that. Two weeks in a row with an old man reference) 'A person has to know their limitations'. This is not the exact quote because I made it politically and gender correct. You don't live this long without adapting to the changing times.

4) Fulfillment. (this one drove spellcheck crazy). What exactly does this mean? The idea of a job is to make money to provide for yourself and your family. If you want spiritual fulfillment become a hermit in a cave. If you want intellectual fulfillment join Mensa if they will have you. Should you not qualify, stick to Sudoku or shouting the answers to Wheel of Fortune. IF you are earning money that helps out your family, you have fulfilled the reason you are working.

So let's look at the current situation of people working. I never see anyone smile at work. If you run across someone who is, your first thought is 'What is wrong with that person?' People should be happy at work. Think about what the money you earn will buy for your kids or yourself. Have passion at work. There are certain jobs, however where I would worry if the person is too passionate about what they do. Three come to the top of my head right away: Proctologist, gynecologist and funeral director. I will let you figure out why this may be wrong.

Try not to be put off by people who are overly enthusiastic about their work. I remember the employee that said to me: 'Thank you for coming here. You will find it is a great experience and we will do whatever we can to make your visit here a special one. My job is to make you happy. How can I do that today?' I should have stopped at ' I will take the hamburger combo' and not added in 'and please stop smiling. I don't want you popping a zit over my food.' My bad.

Stop looking for the perfect job. You know the one where you can work from home for 2-4 hours a week and make a seven figure salary. Growing up kids in school wanted to be an astronaut, athlete, rock star or policeman. I wanted to emulate Lil Aber Yokum (good grief will these references never end) and become a mattress tester. I didn't know what it paid but the working conditions and expectations seemed great.

There is a final solution to all of this. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want and have all the money you want. It is summed up in a single word: Lottery.

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results, is the definition of sanity doing different things all the time and expecting the same results?

[robertshugartca]

Smartly crafted formulas that are clinically backed, non-toxic...

Smartly crafted formulas that are clinically backed, non-toxic ingredients, beautiful graphic packaging, and clever brand names are just a few of the qualities that have earned skincare brand Sunday Riley  its cult status. Consistently a Sephora best seller , the results-driven luxury line is always generating hype and flying off shelves. But are Sunday Riley’s buzzy moisturizers, serums, and oils (which aren’t exactly cheap, mind you) worth all the attention and dough?

My fellow Who What Wear Beauty editor Erin Jahns and I were skeptical (as we always are of skincare brands whose products have unabashed cult followings and high price tags). So we put 10 of its best sellers to the test. For context, Erin has sensitive acneic skin, and I’m a true combo skin type (I’ve got both congested pores and dryness to navigate). Keep scrolling for our in-depth beauty editor reviews of Sunday Riley’s Good Genes serum, C.E.O serum, Saturn mask, Luna oil, and more.

“Straight up, the only reason I’m not giving this cleanser a full five-star rating is the price. Since cleansers are the most fleeting part of our skincare routines, I just can’t warrant spending more than $20 tops on something I’m washing off after 10 seconds. That said, I’ve been impressed with this gentle but effective cleanser ever since it released last year. It never irritates my sensitive skin or exacerbates any breakouts I have. It has great ingredients that play well with all skin types, and the soothing gel to foam formula really delivers on that super-satisfying clean feeling you want from a face wash but without stripping your skin of necessary hydration.” — Erin. Overall score: / “A delicious, fast-absorbing oil that smells like a Jolly Rancher and also helps clear breakouts and clogged pores? Seems impossible. I was so skeptical of this exotic green elixir—the slippery texture and sweet scent seem like something that would break you out rather than clear you up. To my delight, the product sinks in quickly, and its gentle 1.5% salicylic acid visibly works to decongest the little clogged pores I get around my nose and chin. It’s not the strongest dose of BHA in the world, so it takes a couple nights to really produce results, but damn, when it does, my skin comes out so beautifully clear and glowy.” — Amanda. Overall score: / “I don’t know about you, but I have a separate stash of products for whenever my skin decides to be on especially bad behavior. And whenever I’m dealing with a frustrating deluge of zits, this mask is one of my favorite antidotes in said stash. I definitely notice that it helps dry out and banish my existing blemishes faster than when I forget to use it, and I’m convinced it slows the formation of new ones. (Breakouts are such a vicious cycle, ugh.) My one issue with this mask, however, is the smell. Since the star, and most strategic, ingredient is sulfur, I realize this is just par for the course and part of the formula’s efficacy, but even after I wash it off, the smell of sulfur lingers on my face, and it’s just not the most pleasant olfactory experience to go to sleep with at night.” — Erin. Overall score: / “Okay, this is so hard for me. Because if it was up to this product’s brightening and radiance-boosting power alone, I would literally give it 10 stars. But, for some reason, I have issues with it clogging my pores, and I have to be honest about that. I plan on asking my go-to esthetician what she thinks is the exact culprit in the ingredient list (my skin is insanely, insanely finicky and prone to congestions), but for most other people, I honestly think this is one of the best vitamin C and brightening serums on the market. It’s Dermstore’s top-selling brightening serum under $100, and I think that stat is well-warranted. I’m bummed I can’t use this serum anymore, because whenever I would, I’d always receive compliments on how glowy and healthy my skin looked.” — Erin. Overall score: / “I’m a fiend when it comes to eye cream. And since I have breakout-prone, easily irritated skin, it’s one of the only types of skincare products I feel like I can try with zero abandon or worry regarding how it will affect my skin. I’ve tried (and regularly use) so many eye creams, but I always find myself coming back to this one. It’s a cheaper dupe for this amazing, but very, very spendy one from Revive, and it’s the first one I recommend to friends and family if they’re complaining about puff, circles, or fine lines. It has a bit of a pearlescent tint to it, which helps instantly tighten and diffuse the look of darkness, and pretty much acts like IRL Facetune.” — Erin. Overall score: / “Retinol is one of the most powerful breakout- and wrinkle-fighting ingredients, which almost all skin health experts recommend, but certain forms of it can make your face peel. This luxurious oil provides all the same benefits without the risk of irritation using an ingredient called Trans-Retinol Ester (plus blue tansy, which is really soothing and feels amazing on the skin). This product would be really well suited to sensitive skin types prone to acne and redness looking to treat their skin for signs of aging without making it angry. After a few nights of use, I did notice more radiant, youthful-looking skin. I wouldn’t call the product a holy grail for my particular combo skin type, and it’s definitely a little pricier than I’d like, but it certainly produces results with consistent use.” — Amanda. Overall score: / “So here’s a fun fact: This is actually the first-ever retinol I’ve used regularly. (I know, bad beauty editor.) In all honesty, I thought I would hate it but disgruntledly agreed to test it since Amanda asked me to review all the Sunday Riley products I have in my possession, and I still hadn’t tried this relatively new launch. In hindsight, I’m SO sad I didn’t start using it sooner. I’ve been applying it a couple of nights a week after I cleanse and without layering anything underneath or on top. (As is the standard protocol for retinol.)  Every morning I wake up with what seems like a brighter, smoother, and far more even complexion. I’ve been struggling with some stubborn acne scarring around my mouth, and I’m completely dumbstruck by its efficacy in helping to li4ghten my areas of pigmentation. This serum hasn’t irritated my skin at all which has always been one of my main fears surrounding retinol, and the consistency is so soft and dreamy. It’s not sticky, and my skin feels really happy and comfortable post-application.” — Erin. Overall score: / “As Sunday Riley’s priciest formula, and perhaps the buzziest, I had high expectations for this all-in-one AHA serum. According to the fine print, it’s specifically targeted to deal with dark spots, pores, and wrinkles by utilizing a high-potency form of lactic acid to exfoliate way the dead skin cells that make our complexion look dull or congested. As the brand recommends, I’ve been alternating this with the A+ Retinol every other night so that I’m lifting away the debris the night after the retinol has worked its turnover magic. This product is great on its own, but combined with the retinol, it’s the ultimate power couple. I’ve gotten a few facials recently, which could be a contributing factor, but my skin hasn’t felt so soft, smooth, clear, and naturally luminous since I started using this serum regularly at night. My only qualm is that I’m not used to using an exfoliating agent like this as a last step before bed, and it can feel a bit prickly and stingy. I know that’s part of the deal and the formula, but if you’re not a fan of feeling your products working, tread carefully. (Though I promise, the end result is worth it!)” — Erin. Overall score: / “There’s a lot to like about this brightening moisturizer: the rich (but not greasy) formula, which is super hydrating and great for dry or winter weather; the 5% dose of vitamin C; the energizing citrus scent; the gently exfoliating and calming plant extracts, which help the actives absorb while keeping the skin protected and non-irritated. My three-star rating is simply because I personally prefer to get higher doses of my active ingredients in serum form, rather than cream form, and then use a more affordable moisturizer on top. And I also have a preference for moisturizers that come in a tube, rather than a jar. But I can’t knock the formula, which I would especially recommend to dry skin types dealing with dark spots or dullness.” — Amanda. Overall score: / “I’ll start by saying there isn’t anything wrong with this cream, and I do actually think it’s really nice and has a great formula. BUT, only if you have super hydration-starved skin. Technically, it’s supposed to be agreeable for all skin types, but my combination skin found it entirely too heavy on the moisture quotient. (Although for what it’s worth, the luxe, whipped like texture is surprisingly lightweight.) It boasts two different kinds of hyaluronic acid alongside tamarind extract, which is the hard-hitting coupling behind the water-surge of hydration. So, again, if you have super dry skin or will be traveling to the desert anytime soon, I think this is a great option. But it just left my complexion feeling slick, greasy, and over-watered.” — Erin. Overall score: /. Opening Image: Sunday Riley

source https://gothify1.tumblr.com/post/184051794625

[gothify1]

Smartly crafted formulas that are clinically backed, non-toxic ingredients, beautiful graphic packaging, and clever brand names are just a few of the qualities that have earned skincare brand Sunday Riley  its cult status. Consistently a Sephora best seller , the results-driven luxury line is always generating hype and flying off shelves. But are Sunday Riley's buzzy moisturizers, serums, and oils (which aren't exactly cheap, mind you) worth all the attention and dough? My fellow Who What Wear Beauty editor Erin Jahns and I were skeptical (as we always are of skincare brands whose products have unabashed cult followings and high price tags). So we put 10 of its best sellers to the test. For context, Erin has sensitive acneic skin, and I'm a true combo skin type (I've got both congested pores and dryness to navigate). Keep scrolling for our in-depth beauty editor reviews of Sunday Riley's Good Genes serum, C.E.O serum, Saturn mask, Luna oil, and more. "Straight up, the only reason I'm not giving this cleanser a full five-star rating is the price. Since cleansers are the most fleeting part of our skincare routines, I just can't warrant spending more than $20 tops on something I'm washing off after 10 seconds. That said, I've been impressed with this gentle but effective cleanser ever since it released last year. It never irritates my sensitive skin or exacerbates any breakouts I have. It has great ingredients that play well with all skin types, and the soothing gel to foam formula really delivers on that super-satisfying clean feeling you want from a face wash but without stripping your skin of necessary hydration." — Erin. Overall score: / "A delicious, fast-absorbing oil that smells like a Jolly Rancher and also helps clear breakouts and clogged pores? Seems impossible. I was so skeptical of this exotic green elixir—the slippery texture and sweet scent seem like something that would break you out rather than clear you up. To my delight, the product sinks in quickly, and its gentle 1.5% salicylic acid visibly works to decongest the little clogged pores I get around my nose and chin. It's not the strongest dose of BHA in the world, so it takes a couple nights to really produce results, but damn, when it does, my skin comes out so beautifully clear and glowy." — Amanda. Overall score: / "I don't know about you, but I have a separate stash of products for whenever my skin decides to be on especially bad behavior. And whenever I'm dealing with a frustrating deluge of zits, this mask is one of my favorite antidotes in said stash. I definitely notice that it helps dry out and banish my existing blemishes faster than when I forget to use it, and I'm convinced it slows the formation of new ones. (Breakouts are such a vicious cycle, ugh.) My one issue with this mask, however, is the smell. Since the star, and most strategic, ingredient is sulfur, I realize this is just par for the course and part of the formula's efficacy, but even after I wash it off, the smell of sulfur lingers on my face, and it's just not the most pleasant olfactory experience to go to sleep with at night." — Erin. Overall score: / "Okay, this is so hard for me. Because if it was up to this product's brightening and radiance-boosting power alone, I would literally give it 10 stars. But, for some reason, I have issues with it clogging my pores, and I have to be honest about that. I plan on asking my go-to esthetician what she thinks is the exact culprit in the ingredient list (my skin is insanely, insanely finicky and prone to congestions), but for most other people, I honestly think this is one of the best vitamin C and brightening serums on the market. It's Dermstore's top-selling brightening serum under $100, and I think that stat is well-warranted. I'm bummed I can't use this serum anymore, because whenever I would, I'd always receive compliments on how glowy and healthy my skin looked." — Erin. Overall score: / "I'm a fiend when it comes to eye cream. And since I have breakout-prone, easily irritated skin, it's one of the only types of skincare products I feel like I can try with zero abandon or worry regarding how it will affect my skin. I've tried (and regularly use) so many eye creams, but I always find myself coming back to this one. It's a cheaper dupe for this amazing, but very, very spendy one from Revive, and it's the first one I recommend to friends and family if they're complaining about puff, circles, or fine lines. It has a bit of a pearlescent tint to it, which helps instantly tighten and diffuse the look of darkness, and pretty much acts like IRL Facetune." — Erin. Overall score: / "Retinol is one of the most powerful breakout- and wrinkle-fighting ingredients, which almost all skin health experts recommend, but certain forms of it can make your face peel. This luxurious oil provides all the same benefits without the risk of irritation using an ingredient called Trans-Retinol Ester (plus blue tansy, which is really soothing and feels amazing on the skin). This product would be really well suited to sensitive skin types prone to acne and redness looking to treat their skin for signs of aging without making it angry. After a few nights of use, I did notice more radiant, youthful-looking skin. I wouldn't call the product a holy grail for my particular combo skin type, and it's definitely a little pricier than I'd like, but it certainly produces results with consistent use." — Amanda. Overall score: / "So here's a fun fact: This is actually the first-ever retinol I've used regularly. (I know, bad beauty editor.) In all honesty, I thought I would hate it but disgruntledly agreed to test it since Amanda asked me to review all the Sunday Riley products I have in my possession, and I still hadn't tried this relatively new launch. In hindsight, I'm SO sad I didn't start using it sooner. I've been applying it a couple of nights a week after I cleanse and without layering anything underneath or on top. (As is the standard protocol for retinol.)  Every morning I wake up with what seems like a brighter, smoother, and far more even complexion. I've been struggling with some stubborn acne scarring around my mouth, and I'm completely dumbstruck by its efficacy in helping to li4ghten my areas of pigmentation. This serum hasn't irritated my skin at all which has always been one of my main fears surrounding retinol, and the consistency is so soft and dreamy. It's not sticky, and my skin feels really happy and comfortable post-application." — Erin. Overall score: / "As Sunday Riley's priciest formula, and perhaps the buzziest, I had high expectations for this all-in-one AHA serum. According to the fine print, it's specifically targeted to deal with dark spots, pores, and wrinkles by utilizing a high-potency form of lactic acid to exfoliate way the dead skin cells that make our complexion look dull or congested. As the brand recommends, I've been alternating this with the A+ Retinol every other night so that I'm lifting away the debris the night after the retinol has worked its turnover magic. This product is great on its own, but combined with the retinol, it's the ultimate power couple. I've gotten a few facials recently, which could be a contributing factor, but my skin hasn't felt so soft, smooth, clear, and naturally luminous since I started using this serum regularly at night. My only qualm is that I'm not used to using an exfoliating agent like this as a last step before bed, and it can feel a bit prickly and stingy. I know that's part of the deal and the formula, but if you're not a fan of feeling your products working, tread carefully. (Though I promise, the end result is worth it!)" — Erin. Overall score: / "There's a lot to like about this brightening moisturizer: the rich (but not greasy) formula, which is super hydrating and great for dry or winter weather; the 5% dose of vitamin C; the energizing citrus scent; the gently exfoliating and calming plant extracts, which help the actives absorb while keeping the skin protected and non-irritated. My three-star rating is simply because I personally prefer to get higher doses of my active ingredients in serum form, rather than cream form, and then use a more affordable moisturizer on top. And I also have a preference for moisturizers that come in a tube, rather than a jar. But I can't knock the formula, which I would especially recommend to dry skin types dealing with dark spots or dullness." — Amanda. Overall score: / "I'll start by saying there isn't anything wrong with this cream, and I do actually think it's really nice and has a great formula. BUT, only if you have super hydration-starved skin. Technically, it's supposed to be agreeable for all skin types, but my combination skin found it entirely too heavy on the moisture quotient. (Although for what it's worth, the luxe, whipped like texture is surprisingly lightweight.) It boasts two different kinds of hyaluronic acid alongside tamarind extract, which is the hard-hitting coupling behind the water-surge of hydration. So, again, if you have super dry skin or will be traveling to the desert anytime soon, I think this is a great option. But it just left my complexion feeling slick, greasy, and over-watered." — Erin. Overall score: /. Opening Image: Sunday Riley

[bellisimamagictouch-miami]

Skin Care Techniques Derms Say to Never Try at Home

1. Picking Your Skin

We all knew this was coming but play it again, Hadley King, M.D.. “The biggest mistake I see is people picking at their acne. It really does create more problems than anything else,” says Dr. King, a dermatologist at New York’s Skinney Medspa. Alas, the hope that you’re maybe, potentially speeding up the healing process is a ruse.

According to Dr. King, picking almost always makes your zits worse, causing more inflammation and increasing the risk that they’ll get infected. And anytime there’s more inflammation, you also up the chances of scarring and discoloration—even if you think it's small enough to sneak by, Dr. King says. “Even tiny blackhead and whiteheads, which you can sometimes get away with picking without causing big problems, you're still traumatizing your skin.”

2. Using a Ton of Powerhouse Products

In different words, plastic surgeon Julius Few, M.D., describes many people facing a Too Many Cooks bathroom sitch. We overload our skin with a bunch of active ingredients—like retinol, BHAs, and AHAs—all at once. While they may all be great in a dermatologist-tailored combo, going to town with more than one powerful active can leave your skin reeling, says Dr. Few, founder of The Few Institute for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

“I’m seeing more and more women come in mixing products in a way that actually aggravates your skin,” Dr. Few says. “It’s tempting to try a bunch of things, but in terms of skin health, cleansing, moisturizing, and using a single exfoliant once a week is probably all that any and everybody needs to do.” King adds that timing is key—switching your routine to only use one major player per night helps all the ingredients hit their stride.

3. The Skin-Gritting Phenomenon

As insanely satisfying as “skin gritting” looks, most of the derms we spoke with gave it a thumbs-down for effectiveness. The name refers to the viral practice of using an oil cleanser, then a clay mask, then another oil cleanser, which allegedly sucks out every blackhead before your eyes. The proof is normally in the pudding, so all the photos posted online of things in people’s hands (that had apparently been in their pores), had us raring to give it a go.

Joshua Zeichner, M.D., the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, says it probably won't do any harm to try it if you must, but other derms were skeptical (to put it lightly). “Skin gritting, I think, is a hoax,” says Rachel Nazarian, M.D., a dermatologist at New York's Schweiger Dermatology. “Dermatologists routinely extract blackheads, and what you see when you’re physically removing them is quite different from what the photos are showing. Those aren't blackheads—those are little pieces of skin that have sloughed off.” Again, the theme of this article: womp, womp.

4. Leaving Masks on for an At-Home Mini Peel

We love the new genre of at-home facial products—they're basically strong acids that you leave on for 10 minutes, then wash off to brighter skin—but Dr. King says there’s danger in treating them like any other mask (so, sitting down on the couch and washing it off when our show ends, 45 minutes later).

Click here for more:

https://www.glamour.com/story/skin-care-tips-to-avoid