CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

“Hi there, couple of things: 1. Cerave hydrating cleanser is for dry to very dry skin. If you're true combo, then it probably wasn't right for you. 2. Cerave has niacinamide in it which roughly 20% of the people assume to not tolerate. When people don't tolerate, it causes bumps, acne and even for some people stinging. 3. The fact that you have dry patches despite combo skin may mean you're dehydrated. Signs of dehydration is dry patches, makeup looking patchy after applying, gray skin, products you apply on your skin is immediately absorbed etc. Dehydration can be targeted through hydration toners, hyaluronic acid serums followed by lightweight, oil-free, water based moisturizer. Coming to your new skincare routine. Roundlab Dokdo range is for sensitized, drier skin. It's foam cleanser is pretty mild, and it's moisturizer is more thicker with oils. Also, someone above commented on the same, but application of skincare products goes from thinner to thicker (there are some exceptions). Toner first, followed by serum, moisturizer. SPF comes last. If you're combo to oily, you might enjoy CosRx Good morning gel cleanser. If you're combo to normal/dry (please don't mix up dryness with dehydration, they're different things), you can look into Erborian Centella gel cleanser. If you think you're dehydrated, I'd strongly suggest to add a hydrating toner. Something like Round lab - birch juice moisturizing toner, or cosrx snail mucin, or jumiso waterfull hyaluronic acid toner if you're a fan of kbeauty. For moisturizer, again it depends on whether you're combo to normal/dry or combo to oily. If you're combo to dry, mixsoon bean cream or caudalie resveratrol day cream are really good options. If you're combo to oily, avene hydrance gel cream is a good option. Or neutrogena hydro boost water gel is also a good one. Hope this helps.”

“When I tried the Ordinary niacinamide it broke me out so bad and then overall products with niacinamide did the same. It took some time for me to realise that it was in fact the niacinamide since it has been hyped so much… you could try cutting it out for a week to see if you’ll have any improvements !! I wish you the best of luck”