🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Heatwave, schmeatwave, we've got our trusty SPF50 and are donning wide brimmed hats

[botemp]

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For those who are taking a peek and wondering what this all about, we mostly discuss a bit of advanced skincare here with a perspective of seeking out the right ingredients (rather than the latest new shiny product and all its empty promises) for our particular skin needs. Distinguishing the acid toners from the actives whilst avoiding the truly unimpressive and harmful ingredients with a hope to achieve a bit of anti-ageing, alleviate irritation and sensitivities with some idle chat in between. Newcomers are always welcome but please note the following:

Questions and asking for help on this thread is encouraged, however, we can’t give you a specific routine to follow and hope it works out for the best. There are no overnight miracles in skincare whether it be in the form of products or techniques. It’s about perseverance, understanding your skin, assessing its needs and responding to that in a diligent manner.

These threads were created to help those who want to learn for themselves. We’re a group of interested and invested skincare nuts happy to offer tea and sympathy and dole out advice. Everyone’s journey with skincare is different, what is universal and binds us is that through actually learning about the different active ingredients it helps us get to know our skin and help us adapt as it will change many times throughout our lives - with seasons, hormonal changes, ageing, genetics etc. It's in everyone's best interests to get to know their skin and to keep reviewing those changes with the confidence that comes from the gathered knowledge here. We really encourage you to spend the time reading through previous threads and linked info sheets that the many contributors have taken the trouble to share.

By no means are we experts, we're only a bunch of amateurs that can only respond by suggesting what we would do in your place, for any severe conditions please seek out professional help.

Ahem, and finally a little note on spending. I'm well aware these threads cause many to reach for their wallets and spend with wild abandon. There can sometimes be a bit of a frenzy surrounding the excitement around a newly discovered product or on the back of great improvements when someone reports back. This is all great, it doesn't however, mean everything that's a sudden miracle for one will be it for you. Usually, it's a light bulb moment for connecting the right skincare ingredient with an individual experiencing a specific problem. Take your time to mull over decisions and question whether it's right for you too. Skincare is highly individual, it's a slow game that should cost mostly in patience, input, education, and perseverance. Please don't make it cost you financially needlessly.

I am very slowly working on consolidating the gathered information from previous threads into easier to read formats but it’s slow going. I would suggest reading thread 1 and at the very least the following info sheets (provided they apply to you):

Where to Start

Basics of an Actives Routine

Skin Types vs. Skin Conditions Info Sheet

Anti-Ageing Info sheet

Adult Acne Info Sheet

Understanding Which Sunscreen(s) to Buy

Do I Really Need to Wear Sunscreen Every Single Day of the Year?

A Damaged Skin Barrier - Now What?

NEW SERIES:

So You Want To Buy A Retinoid - A Guide

JULY 2018: Sorry, terrible title, I haven't been keeping up but I assume Dr.Sam’s new cleanser will have some fans on here.

[Pupsiecola]

Thank you so much Bo. Much appreciated.

Is anyone else feeling puffy and heavy? Even my rings feel right. I'm sure it's just the heat. I need to Google if it's a thing. It's so annoying!!

[EnidButton]

It'll be water retention and dehydration Pups. I get it when my blood pressure is especially low too. It's the damn heat.

Thank you very much bo.

[banivani]

My rings do feel tight actually, and I’m happy to tell myself it’s water retention ;)

Thank you for new thread!

I’ve been back on the niacinamide + zinc from The Ordinary and I have to say I rate this product. TO are up their own arse of course so for that reason alone is like to get rid of them but I can’t find any equivalent with a decent price point. But my pores are diminished and my skin has a certain lustre since using it again.

[Pupsiecola]

I'm drinking 3+ litres of water a day Enid. I guess I can't do anything else! If it's not too personal a question what's your blood pressure?

[EnidButton]

I don't know the exact number because my memory is poor but it drops to very low when I stand up and stays low when I'm standing. Goes up when I lay down. I can't stand in one place for long periods of time and struggle with bending down. I need an assessment for PoTS but can't be bothered with my gps anymore. I have cfs so it's something to do with that.

Think water rentention in hot weather is common. I felt bloated until the weather cooled here for a few days. Hot again today though!

[EnidButton]

"Goes up" as in goes up slightly. It's still on the low side. They don't do anything for it unless it's high.

[Pupsiecola]

Gosh that sounds quite stressful Enid. Mine has always been low - around 100/60. Sometimes lower. When I was 10 weeks pg with DS1 I collapsed at home (had awful h)yperemesis gravidarum) and DH had to call an ambulance. My BP was 80/40. I was kept in for 3 days on a drip. The sickness never went away. People kept saying "oh, wait until you're 12 weeks. Oh, wait until you're 16 weeks. Oh, wait until you're 5 months". I digress.

[TantricTwist]

I am drinking tons of water and still feel a bit dizzy probably because I'm not sleeping long enough in this heat. It's very warm here today. I think I'll defo be going for another swim later. Bit tired now though as I've just finished work. I want to jump in the shower but not before I go for a swim.

[TantricTwist]

Thanks for new thread Bo

[SallieSallow]

Thank you for the new thread Bo lovely to see you

I have very low blood pressure too and prone to fainting, causing embarrassing scenes and fuss and having ambulances called, even though it's just low blood pressure and apparently nothing can be done anyway.

Enid what is PoTS if you don't mind me asking?

As someone with the body temp of a lizard who is normally freezing cold, I'm very much enjoying this summer but I'm in the north and work in a heavily air conditioned office so appreciate I've got it pretty good.

As I'm not using any kind of retinol/retinoid right now I've decided to add the Paula's choice BHA back in to my routine as I've got a couple of annoying milia near my nose. Other than that no change, apart from the milia my skin had been pretty good and not even particularly oily which I'm very surprised about but I'll take it and run

[Pupsiecola]

I've stopped with the retinol for now. And the Clarins exfoliating lotion. My skincare routine is feeling very lacking. And I do suspect HA is giving me spots. I am getting quite large/broad red lumps that often don't come to much. Either that or the Biore pink bottle SPF (but I'm not allowing myself to go there yet).

Anyone had an issues like this with HA?

[TantricTwist]

Yes Pupsie I have these issues with HA even when its quite low down on the inci list

[SallieSallow]

I've never reacted to HA but I've tried a couple that I didn't like the texture of, they felt sticky. Vit c is my nemesis, no spots but makes me itchy. The AF formulas one was ok (no itching) but I ran out and didn't repurchase/haven't used any vit c for weeks and my skin is none the worse for it.

The pink Biore spf made me very dry and peely/flakey and I'm usually oily, but it didn't give me spots. It might be ok again now I'm not using a retinoid (was fine with it last summer) but I'm happy with my beloved frezyderm now.

[miffy2]

I have to say I am happy with my skin right now. I added in PC BHA 2% and am really impressed. BHA is not something I ever thought of adding in as I don't get spots or acne but the pores on and around my nose were getting both congested and enlarged! I swipe the area with the liquid 2-3 times a week and so far it is working really well.
I also dialled back on other acids/treatments and am feeling the benefit. LRP redermic R at night and DE Vitamin C in the AM.

[Pupsiecola]

The two HAs I have are DE, and Clinique. I don't use them daily. I'm going to use neither and see what happens. Going away on Saturday for 2 weeks and going to take minimum skincare.

My lovely work colleague finally got her GOW Vit C today. Took ages.

[PickledHoneybuzzard]

Hello All🤗
My GoW Vit C serum arrived a few days ago. I really like it, it is very sticky which weirdly seems to make it easier to apply sunscreen over the top. Sort of like the sun screen is sticking to my face better, iyswim. My only niggle us that the pump doesn't seem to work very well as if too much air is coming out each time and it splatters a bit.

I realised that I posted about my Environ consultations and was asked a question that I didn't answer on the last thread, sorry. The consultant had no explanation or evidence for her assertion that chemical sunscreen at high factors can cause skin cancer. When I opened my mouth to ask a question she galloped on at 100mph about the need to use the entire range and the incredible difference it would make. Hardly surprising in a sales pitch!

[BagelGoesWalking]

Bani re your post about TO, Garden of Wisdom have now got a Niacinamide serum in their collab with Victoria Health. I think it's lower % than TO but that might be easier for a lot of ppl who react to the TO one. Just mentioning in case you hadn't heard, I think it's about £9.

[Violet18]

Hi everyone. Ive been using GOW niacinamide for a few weeks now, most nights. I really like it.

Next on my list is GOW vitamin C or Medik8 Vitamin C. I'm currently using Face Theory Regena Serum C20 which is a SAP, rather than the full strength vitamin C. My sensitive skin seems to have handled all the actives well so I'm tempted to move on.

I've been seriously impressed with Face Theory's customer service. I tweeted them this morning about a dodgy dropper bottle which won't seem to tighten and stay closed. They have already shipped a replacement free of charge!!

I'm loving Medik8 3TR. My skin likes the jojoba oil that's in it and I don't need to follow with a moisturiser. I also successfully managed to use it under my eyes with no stinging or allergic reaction. The next one I'll try will be the Medik8 6TR.

The Rosette Ceramide Gel that @Bo recommended has been amazing, particularly under my eyes. I bought off eBay, but it seems that it's being discontinued, due to the introduction of new packaging (according to a seller on Amazon). Fingers crossed I can buy it again when I run out as I love it and a little goes a long way on oily skin like mine. It would be great for those with dry skin too. It actually hydrates without being at all heavy. It does cause my skin to go a bit shiny after a couple of hours, but I only use it as a night cream so not an issue.

[SophieLion]

Just saying hello 👋 and thank you to Bo for the new thread.

Has Mint stopped posting now? That's a shame...

[Wellhellothere101]

I’m a serial lurker here and I’m on holiday at the moment in Los Angeles where it’s HOT!! I brought this hat from Amazon with me and it’s been great so thought I would link. I haven’t seen the Dr Sam suggested hat but saw it was pricey-this one is only £15 and packs really well.
wide brimmed hat

[MrsDOnofrio]

For those that like both LRP dermo cleanser and Dr Sam’s cleanser - which one do you prefer?

[JDSTER]

I’m glad to see the thread has continued. I’ve been away for a few days with very patchy phone signal. I was visiting friends in the south east. My goodness, the heat has been phenomenal. So hot right throughout the night as well. I’m glad to be back in the, now cool, north east.

I’ve laid off the actives for the last few days while away and while the sun has been so strong. I think I’ll use P50W tonight though. I’ve got a bit of a lump on my chin, slightly sore, like a brewing spot but I’m determined not start prodding it. I’ll just let it go down on its own. I presume I was touching my chin at some point and with the layers of sunscreen and sweaty face, that has caused the problem.

[SallieSallow]

JDSTER I've been down in the south east for work a few times during this heatwave and even I found it phenomenally hot, like proper abroad hot. I was staying in an air conditioned hotel though and was too cold at night

[Pupsiecola]

Where in the South-East have you guys been? I'm down here (although currently in France) and I feel your pain.

[EnidButton]

Just having a clear out of my pm box and there's a few I've sent to people here so if it says "message removed at users request" it's just me deleting them. Seems a weird way to phrase it and think it's new but anyway.

It was cool and pouring down here today. 13 degrees!! I loved it. I have a bump on my chin and skin is looking a bit blah but I'm due on next week so it'll be that. Haven't caught up with the tread yet sorry. I hope you are all having a good weekend.

I react to HA. Can't use anything with it in on my face. It's ok on my nose and lower arms, legs and hands but anywhere I might produce oil, it gives me spots.