Self-Care · Skincare
SKINCARE ROUTINE
Tan to deep skin tone, slightly oily, no barrier issues. Primary focus: fading post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, most persistent at the jawline, chin, and temples. Secondary: occasional comedones and breakouts. Established since June 1, 2026.
Today
Tap when done. Resets tomorrow, no streaks.
Morning · Every day
AMMorning routine · Every day
1
The permanent daily cleanser. Do not use PanOxyl as a full-face wash.
2
PanOxyl 4% Acne Foaming Wash, spot treatment only, when needed
Only for an active red inflamed pimple, not a closed comedone. Apply a small amount directly onto the pimple only. Leave on for 5 minutes then rinse just that spot. Skip entirely on days with no active inflamed pimples, which is most days now that breakouts are occasional.
3
On slightly damp skin after cleansing and any spot treatment.
4
Seal within 60 seconds of the serum.
5
Every morning, every day. Even when fully clear. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can return any time a new pimple heals, sunscreen is what prevents it from darkening permanently.
Why no AM niacinamide or azelaic acid
Both were added recently and both do essentially the same job the nightly Anua pads and retinol already do, fade dark spots and calm inflammation. Dark spots are the priority now, and that priority is already covered PM. Stacking a third brightening step into the morning was redundant, not additive, so it's out.
Night · Auto-selects today, tap any day to preview
Retinol Salicylic acid Glycolic acid
Retinol
1
Cleanse and wait until skin is fully dry before applying retinol, at least 10 minutes. Damp skin drives retinol deeper and increases irritation.
2
Apply to fully dry skin. Pea-sized amount. If flaking returns at any point, return to the sandwich method, ceramide cream first, then retinol, then ceramide cream again.
3
Always seal retinol with ceramide cream as the final step.
Salicylic acid + dark spots
1
Cleanse, pat dry.
2
Niacinamide 5% + Tranexamic Acid Brightening Pad
Swipe gently over full face. The core dark-spot treatment, unchanged every night this routine runs.
Wait 5 minutes before the next step
3
Thin even layer across the full face. Works inside the pore, this is the night for keeping breakouts in check.
Wait 10 minutes before the next step
4
Final step always. Locks in hydration and repairs any barrier disruption.
Glycolic acid + dark spots
1
Cleanse, pat dry.
2
Niacinamide 5% + Tranexamic Acid Brightening Pad
Swipe gently over full face. The core dark-spot treatment, unchanged every night this routine runs.
Wait 5 minutes before the next step
3
Thin even layer across the full face. Works on surface texture and dark spots, this night is scheduled at exactly the safe frequency, no need to think about the cap.
Wait 10 minutes before the next step
4
Final step always. Locks in hydration and repairs any barrier disruption.
Keeping glycolic acid safe on this skin tone
Glycolic acid is the highest rebound-hyperpigmentation risk of the acids in this routine if overused, irritation itself can trigger more dark spots on tan to deep skin. Wednesday and Saturday keep it at exactly 2 nights per week, comfortably inside the safe range. Don't add extra glycolic nights beyond what's scheduled, even if a spot feels stubborn.
Dark spot timeline, realistic expectations for this skin tone
With daily sunscreen plus Anua pads and retinol, significant fading in 3 to 5 months. On tan to deep skin tones, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is more stubborn because the skin produces more melanin in response to injury. Consistent daily sunscreen is the single biggest variable, it is the difference between 3 months and 12 months of healing time.
Reach for this, not that
Quick reference for what actually shows up. Each card names the product, when to use it, and what not to layer it with the same session.
Facial dark spots / post-acne marks
Already nightly on Night B, the top priority right now. If a fresh mark shows up, this is the product doing the work, consistency matters more than adding anything extra. On stubborn spots at the jawline, chin, or temples, glycolic acid nights (2 to 3x/week max) can help push faster.
Whitehead / clogged pore
Thin layer over the area, PM only, on a non-retinol night. Dissolves the debris clogging the pore from inside.
Never the same night as retinol.
Active red, inflamed pimple
Small amount directly on the pimple only, AM. Leave 5 minutes, rinse just that spot. Not for closed comedones, benzoyl peroxide does not unclog sealed pores.
Never the same session as retinol.
Oily T-zone / shine
Good Molecule Niacinamide (backup bottle)
A few drops spot-applied to the T-zone as needed, not a daily full-face step. Oiliness has already eased up, this is just for the occasional shinier day, no need to build it back into the permanent routine.
Dry or flaky patch
Heavier layer than usual directly on the dry patch, AM and PM. Skip the acid step that night on that area if it is actively flaking.
Under-eye dark spots
Niacinamide, caffeine, and licorice root extract, formulated for the thinner under-eye skin. Apply to clean dry skin, leave 10 to 15 minutes, a few times a week. No retinol or acids this close to the eye.
Keep the face retinol and salicylic acid away from this area entirely.
Stubborn spot, won't fade with the regular routine
A few drops AM, spot-applied to the jawline, chin, or temple marks specifically rather than full face. Photostable and safe daily, use as a targeted booster on the areas that need extra help, not as a permanent full-face step.
Skip on the same spot as PanOxyl the same day, both are antibacterial.
Discoloration not moving despite consistent salicylic acid nights
Swap in on the flexible acid night, 2 to 3 times a week max, never nightly. Already built into the Night rotation as an option, this card is the reminder of when to actually reach for it.
Never the same night as retinol. Never more than 2 to 3x/week, higher use raises rebound-darkening risk on this skin tone.
Rough texture or dullness
Already scheduled Wednesday and Saturday nights, that's the ingredient responsible for surface smoothing. If texture feels rough on an off day, it's not a signal to add more, the twice-weekly schedule is already the safe ceiling for this skin tone.
Never the same night as retinol.
Redness and breakouts happening together
Not part of the daily routine, kept in reserve for weeks where skin is inflamed and breaking out at the same time. Calms redness, treats acne, and fades marks all at once, gentle enough to layer in temporarily without adding a permanent step.
Skip on the same spot as PanOxyl the same day, both are antibacterial.
Chapped or dry lips
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Apply generously at night, leave on overnight, wipe or cleanse off in the morning. Shea butter and murumuru seed butter for overnight repair, already in rotation.