Male beginner entering the skincare world and immediately overwhelmed
Hi ladies 🫶 (and skincare experts haha),
I could really use some help because I’m a complete beginner — and a guy lol..
For the past ~4 years I honestly didn’t treat my body or skin very well. I smoked a lot, barely went outside due to mental health struggles, drank very little water, and my diet wasn’t great either. Skincare was basically non-existent.
I quit completely 6 weeks ago and I’m now trying to take better care of myself and help my skin recover too.
Last week I:
• had a chemical peel
• had milia removed by a skin specialist
She told me my skin is actually more dry than oily, which surprised me.
Right now my routine is very simple:
• CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
• CeraVe Moisturising Cream
• Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice SPF50
From what I understand, my skin mainly needs barrier repair and hydration after the peel, so I’m trying not to overdo things.
But honestly… I feel like I see:
• enlarged pores
• tired/dull skin
• uneven skin texture (not smooth anymore)
• signs of aging that kind of scare me a bit..
And I’m completely lost in the skincare world.
Azelaic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, BHA, retinol, collagen, ampoules, toners, serums… I genuinely don’t know what is best for my skin
My questions:
Does my current routine look okay for post-peel recovery?
What would you recommend adding in about 2–3 weeks once my skin has healed?
Which ingredients/products work well for dry skin, texture, pores, and early anti-aging?
I’d really appreciate beginner-friendly advice 🙏
Photos below!
Thank you!