Skincare

[Selinemaratima]

Hello ladies, I was wondering if you could share your thoughts... I have oily skin and used Decleor for years. Last October I went to a local salon and was 'recruited' into the world of Environ. I had been really curious about Environ for ages and was really excited to to start it. However, seriously I really can not see any improvement at all, I have generally good skin, oil aside but I really was expecting to be practically glowing by now! So, I feel like I've given it a good crack of the whip and am debating wether to go back to my trusty Decleor or to try something else, any thoughts? (I'd be interested to hear from any Eve Lom fans) oh another thing is that Environ prides itself on never exfoliating the face, supposedly in looking after the top layers of skin, skin is healthier overall. Although I have to admit it, I feel desperate for a good old scrub and one of those peel SC mask thingys. Anyway I'm just putting this out there. DD & DS 4&2 are full of flu/cough so who knows what the night will bring but ill try and check in later, off to do stories x

[Clarabumps]

I would go back to what worked for you before to be honest. It has taken me around 8 months of experimenting to find something that worked for me so I'd stick with what you know.

I used to use Eve Lom and it was okay but it didn't stop my breakouts and then I found out that it was loaded with mineral oil which is rubbish for acne skin. It's pretty bad all round. Loads of people don't have a problem with it though so again, if it works for you then carry on.

What is Environ? I've never heard of it.

I'd get myself a good exfoliating toner though. I'd be hyperventilating if I hadn't exfoliated in ages. I am a bit of an addict.
Pixi, Ren or Bravura have a good selection.

[Felina]

Hi there, I used Environ about 5 years ago for a period of a year I guess and actually no I wouldn't rate it. At the moment my favourite is Sunday Riley.

I agree about an exfoliating toner, I'd be lost without it!

Go back to Decleor if you really get on with it..... no point changing just for the sake of it is there?

[Clarabumps]

I'm dying to try out Good Genes. I have starting over for my eyes and I looove it. Have you tried any of the oils?

[Selinemaratima]

Thank you, I've used an exfoliating cleanser before but not toner? Any thoughts? It's interesting you didn't get on with Environ. They've given me the Dermaviduals cleanser (which is rubbish) plus a pre cleansing oil by Environ which removes all make-up, this is actually quite good plus the moisturising toner by Environ. With Decleor I just used the cleansing grasses wash then toner and the aromessance oil in yang yang which is tailored for oily skin. Ill have a look if they also do an exfoliating toner too. Although my mum swears by Liz Earle cleanser with the Muslim.

Basically Environ is a S.African brand which is mainly centred on vitamin A. They say that you should look after all of the layers of skin, not exfoliate them away, you start a program of moisturising, starting with AVST 1 (moisturiser) containing small amounts of vitamins, then as your skin becomes acustomed you 'step up' to AVST 2,3,4 and so on.

The reason I changed is actually because they sold it to me the girl was pitching that I wasn't getting anything extra from Decleor & for the same cost I could have glowing, healthy skin. In fact my skin is duller and I have sooo much more congestion on my nose everywhere

[Selinemaratima]

Sorry Clara just saw that you'd suggested brands for exfoliating toners, ill have a look at those x

[Clarabumps]

I just clean my face with a plain white flannel. Let cost than with muslins and when they get past their best I just chuck them out and buy new ones.

[Selinemaratima]

Do you cleanse using the flannel? I expect that's quite good for exfoliating too, if I do use a muslin I just use one of the baby ones but my mums come with the Liz Earle or Elemis are much thinner, flannel sounds best x

[noddyholder]

I decided in the name of being frugal to use up all the bits and bobs of skincare I have bought and not really used plus a cheap M and S oil. Really regret it 6 weeks in my bank account may look healthy but my skin looks terrible I am going back to decleor quick smart.

[Selinemaratima]

Ooo just happened on this - it's def all about the exfoliating toner, I've never used one - do you cleanse first?

www.theguardian.com/fashion/2013/may/18/exfoliating-toners-sali-hughes-beauty

[NigellasGuest]

yes definitely cleanse first, and serum/oil, then moisturiser, after.

[Clarabumps]

My skin looks so much better since using exfoliating toners. I cleanse with a balm cleanser then take it off with a flannel. There's no product left on my skin after a flannel compared to Muslins where I sometimes found there was a bit or residue.
Love a flannel!

[Selinemaratima]

After much research I've ordered the Ren clay cleanser, exf toner, night cream & t-zone gel for pre-make-up. Partly because I had vouchers for Space NK and the reviews of Ren for oily/combo skin are very good. I will def be using a flannel to wipe away the cleanser! I think I've been scared to deviate from the Environ regime, fearing that any exfoliating move I made would counteract the miracle that would definitely happen any moment now to my skin, meh, this thread helped me make up my mind and after ordering my new products I went for my husbands clean & clear like a rabid dog and even this has made a world of difference! I would hope that Environ is the miracle for some/most women but I honestly feel that with my oily, combination skin, there's a definite need to exfoliate. Also given the exclusivity of Environ - this really makes you believe it's gona work - I kind if expected better results. Anyway onwards & upwards, ill let you know how Ren fairs. If anyone else is trying something new, please share!

[Selinemaratima]

Ps Clara - I've never heard of good genes, what is it? My best friend bought me the bare minerals firming neck cream; comes with a little card saying "this changes everything" love it, it's marvellous x

[Fabulassie]

I use an aha toner by Boots. Something with the word "brightening" in the name. It costs less than a fiver.

[ForSaleChesterDraws]

I'm 34 and my current routine is

AM
Superdrug radiant cleanser
Pixi glow tonic (exfoliating toner)
Elemis apricot toner
Una Brennan vit c serum (I prefer nufountain)
Cerave PM mousturiser

PM
Una Brennan Vit c cleansing oil
Superdrug radiant cleanser
Glow tonic
Rlemis toner
LA Roche Posay Re Dermic R treatment
Cerave PM moisturiser
Every third day I cleanse and use alpha h liquid gold and nothing else.

Key things for me are
Double cleanse and chemical exfoliation not manual. Key ingredients for me are Hyraulonic acid, niacinimide, vit c and Retinol.

[Selinemaratima]

Chester, firstly whats your skin type? what is the pixie glow? Do you then use the toner afterwards? Doesn't that remove it?

Do you use the vit c cleansing oil to remove make up in the evening ? Environ gave me a pre cleansing oil which melts my make up away & is the only thing I'd rate, it's fab.

Also I've never used a serum, Decleor is an oil and Environ a lotion. In terms of oily skin would a serum and then a moisturiser be too much? How do you find your make up goes on or do you then use a primer? X

[Picastyle]

Selene the decleor aromessence is your serum.

[Picastyle]

Seline, sorry!

[Picastyle]

My routine for combination mature skin (wrinkle free but 50)

Decleor micellar water
Decleor neroli serum
Olay regenerist

PM
Balancing cleanser Alpha H flannel off
Decleor essential balm or AD skin synergy oil
3 nights a week I use Alpha H Liquid Gold after cleansing and no moisturisers afterwards. It's a chemical exfoliant.

[BeCool]

I've been using a Konjac sponge to cleanse for a week now.

The difference to my skin tone is incredible. My lifelong nose blackheads are diminishing daily - I'm 47. Still too early to give "revolutionary" reports, but for £8 they are certainly worth a try. I am VERY happy.

I use it without cleanser in the mornings and with a bit of cleanser in the evening if I have been wearing makeup.

[Fabulassie]

The Boots toner I use is "Time Delay Daily Brightening Toner." It has AHA in it. I like it and it's very cheap. I don't pay any more than I have to for skin care - I use Paula Begouin's site to check products out and make most of my decisions based on that. (This toner isn't on her site but I knew it had AHA in so I tried that one. I assume it's good but I can't really tell because I use a ton of different products and my skin looks great.)

Other products include:

Clinique Take The Day Off Balm
Dermaquest Anti-Bacterial Enzyme Cleaner (I like it because it is non-foaming). I use this with a Boots No 7 cleaning brush/Clarisonic Wannabe

The Time Delay Brightening Toner
Indeed Hydraluron Gel
Olay Regenerist 3-Point Super Firming Serum
Olay Regenerist Regenerating Day Cream

Olay Regenerist Night Serum (Paula points out that the clear bottle isn't a good thing but I still like it because it has Glycolic Acid)
Olay Regenerist Night Cream (Paula points out that cream in a tub is not a good idea. I will probably replace this with something else when I run out.)

It's an awful lot of products but I have to say my skin looks pretty awesome. I occasionally get hormonal spots around my chin. I use LaRoche Posay Effeclare Duo when that happens.

I'm seriously considering trying some of Paula's Choice products (like to replace a couple of the Olay products.)

[Selinemaratima]

Pica thank you! I hadn't realised that - I'm 32 and started using Decleor at 22, all that time I literally just used the grasses wash, mattifying toner and ylang aromessance SERUM. My oily skin has got better over the years but I most definitely should have been using a moisturiser -albeit for oily skin - too.

The liquid gold sounds absolutely phenomenal, I've had a little google & everyone raves about it, just twice a week seems to get great results. Also apparently Jurlique rose water spritz after toning is a recommendation too. Fabu -I will check out Paula's site as I've never heard of it and sounds full of tips - why not cream in a pot?

BeCool just looking at the Konjac sponges - love that they do specific ones for diff skin types, I too have loads more congestion thanks to Environ on my nose, always been a problem area, do you have the charcoal one?

Chester how come you also double tone? Quite a lot of people recommend using two toners, why? So you use an exfoliating one first and then a different one?

Loving this little thread it's like skin care wiki

[ForSaleChesterDraws]

Seline- the first one is an exfoliating toner. I do my double cleansing and glow tonic before I brush my teeth and finish faffing in the bathroom. After I've let that sink in for five minutes I use the second toner as a hydrating toner.

The vit c cleansing oil removes makeup. It's great, really zingy orangey smell, cleanses beautifully and rinses off well.

[ForSaleChesterDraws]

More info on toners.

[Selinemaratima]

That's fab, thank you very much, I had no idea how effective a toner could be. As an extra toner to use before my moisturiser I looked at the Avalon Organics luminosity as it has hydrulonic acid plus lavender and aloe which I thought might be a good choice. X