🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Jump through flaming hoops, repeat, 'Beauty is Pain', and acces to this thread will be unlocked

[botemp]

Thread 1 Thread 2 Thread 3 Thread 4 Thread 5 Thread 6 Thread 7 Thread 8 Thread 9 Thread 10
Thread 11 Thread 12 Thread 13 Thread 14 Thread 15 Thread 16 Thread 17 Thread 18 Thread 19 Thread 20 Thread 21




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

[botemp]

Cherry, no they're toners, not cleansers but before buying anything just see if removing HA from your routine does anything. Give it a few days at minimum, preferably a week or two. Then decide on next steps, I'm suggesting the toners as they're good barrier support focused products and would somewhat replace the Superdrug serum but if skin is still thirsty then it's worth considering indeed labs. Cleanser, it might be worth switching out, really depends how they actually work for you, the Cerave does have HA in it so I'd leave that out for the experiment.

MrObama, I think the price for the vanicream cleanser fluctuates a lot on Amazon, it's around the same price on the UK as on the German one atm but when I first looked it was a lot cheaper on the UK one. I've tossed it into my Amazon US basket (something like $8) when it recently got added to their global shipping program offerings so as soon as there's enough in that basket I need I'll put in an order. Though I try not to shop with Amazon too much I do really love their global shipping program, I order lots from Japan too.

[botemp]

Please excuse the typo in the title, I've only just spotted it

[SallieSallow]

Thanks for the new thread Bo though I’m still catching up on the old one! And I didn’t notice the typo till you mentioned it

[QueenPaws]

My skin is definitely the best it's been. Virtually no hormonal breakouts, the skin and me is really suiting it and so is the timeless vitamin C

The only issue I have still is sebaceous filaments on my nose, I can't remember a time I didn't have them and they drive me mad! BHA doesn't seem to help. Pic attached

[QueenPaws]

Also that pic is my skin with no makeup the rest of it looks awesome

[ilovemydogandMrObama]

Bo - Whenever I see Vanicream on Amazon, it's around £16.00 for 8 fl oz, which is quite high. But am interested in the global shipping program, as there are things I miss from the USA, such as LRP Double Moisturiser. I have no idea why it isn't made in the EU/UK

Am fairly happy with Avene cleanser, although some Avene products are fragranced, but this one isn't.

DD1 is counting the days until she is able to see the Dermatologist (three weeks). She wants to cut out dairy, which I'm a bit reluctant to agree with, as even though I'm dairy intolerant, she is very much on the spectrum to have an eating disorder (high achiever, does ballet etc). Her fungal acne was getting better, then gets worse, then gets better, so really looking forward to the consult but not the bill at the end

[botemp]

I don't think they have the double repair on Amazon US but I'm pretty sure the Toleriane sensitive moisturiser that I use has a nearly identical INCI (potentially it's another Toleriane moisturiser but I thought it was the one I use).
I've never tried the double repair one though so I can't say for certain it's exactly the same.

The global shipping service is pretty good, the shipping is not outrageous (not cheap either but something like $15 and then it goes up with weight) and you prepay VAT without admin charges (and import taxes if you go over €150 not sure what the UK equivalent is) so no issues at the door. Shipping takes less than a week (Amazon Japan is freakishly quicker, it's like 3 days ). When you search for things on there you just need to check the global shipping program eligible box in the filter and that's all there is to it, you can just login with your usual Amazon account.

Yeah, for fungal acne I wouldn't cut out dairy, there's no correlation. For normal acne there's arguments for it but more so in the US than here considering the difference in regulations of the hormones they allow but the EU doesn't.

[botemp]

With fungal acne it is worth considering reducing sugar since it's a yeast issue and sugar feeds yeast growth. But really only limit it to refined added sugar, not things naturally containing sugar like fruit.

[SallieSallow]

Your skin looks great QueenPaws and I couldn’t see the SF without zooming right in

They drive me mad too, P50 helps some as does the Snail method but nothing gets rid of them

[Foresttheout]

Sorry bo was convinced I'd replied about vitamin C. There are a few small online shops selling timeless but they appear to be women importing themselves and selling over Instagram. I'm a little dubious as I wouldn't know how old it is, does it generally keep ok before opening?
Other brands I've seen are vichy, cerave, truskin and the good molecules. I've never heard of the last two.
Any experience with a brand called the inkey list? No vitamin c but other interesting looking products

[QueenPaws]

So I did a stylevana shop they are a bit like yesstyle
Anyway first pic is the mystery bag which I'm thrilled with, it was £20. I love the acne patches and I've run out, the lipstick is neutral and comfortable to wear (very lightweight) and the serum is a brand I've used before

Second pic is what I bought - the Missha contour is for eyeshadow, I love a cool toned eyeshadow! The innisfree microscara is a great one for lower lashes, a gel pencil liner and a pen liner to try

Third pic is samples that were free

[SallieSallow]

Good haul there Queen the micro mascara sounds good, I always struggle using the bigger mascara brushes on lower lashes. I’d be interested to hear how long lasting/smudge proof it is.

I’ve placed a big yesstyle order as stocked up on Purito SPF whilst it was on offer, they’re sending me some random bits and bobs too, will see what turns up!

[Jedstre]

Just popping onto new thread. Amazing we’re onto thread 22 @ilovemydogandMrObama I use Double moisturiser too, purchased in US probably 2years ago now. I have one more left in the stash.

[QueenPaws]

@SallieSallow they also do a waterproof version but to be honest I've never had any smudges from the normal one and I wear it all day, every day

[botemp]

out, the new packaging does keep longer but it does sound a bit dodgy. If she's keeping them refrigerated (simple thing to ask via DM?) and it's not outlandishly expensive then it's probably worth a shot.

The Inkey list, all their vitamin C's are meant or be crap but I've not tried anything. I was thinking of buying their new-ish tranexamic acid (but it seems to be out of stock any time I check), I've used it before in a Japanese toner and it's really good for getting rid of that post inflammatory pigmentation that hangs around too long after spots, IME better than vitamin C and retinoids, had been toying with importing the expensive Japanese one so this seems like a good alternative when I can grab it. Might be of interest to you too.

Vichy does a good vitamin C (liftactiv antioxidant, or named similar it has a different name per market) but it's a 10ml bottle and comes up pricey if you work it out per ml, I assume it's even more expensive over there.

Good molecules, I've looked into that when it launched, I think, but I think it's US based and you can only get it from the US (it may be owned by Beautylish?), I believe it's decent but expensive for what it is, but I may be misremembering.

I think truskin is popular on Amazon (which I'm always a little wary of), specifically the vitamin c serum but I think it's a derivative which does something but isn't the gold standard and I think it's around the same price as timeless (which does have gold standard ingredients and formulation).

Sallie, if I'm not mistaken the Innisfree microcara is a tuber and the waterproof version was developed for super hot humid summers they have over there (as tubers tend not to survive those intact). Tangent, anyone know where this sudden waterproof mascaras are evil narrative is coming from. I can understand with removal it can take more work and that can be bad but it seems to be about the formulas itself 🤷

How are you enjoying the Natasha Denona shadows Sallie, I've taken an unhealthy liking to the glam palette. Even though I usually hate anything labeled 'glam' and rarely wear eyeshadows...

[ilovemydogandmrobama2]

Jedstre Thank you! My mom uses it, and left a tube from her last visit from California. Really like the texture, and haven't found anything similar.

[SallieSallow]

Thanks Bo and Queen I’m going to invest in that mascara, I still like DHC but find the brush a bit big for lower lashes. Mine are fairly long (nice problem to have I know ) but when I’m trying to catch the ends I get mascara blobs on my face.

Bo I love the two shimmery shades (green and gold) from the ND palette, though they need a light hand/plenty of blending. Not keen on the three matte shades as they look a bit dull with my skin tone. But it was free and I successfully repaired it so I’m happy

[SallieSallow]

Oh and no idea what the deal is with waterproof mascaras, the only issue I had was they were difficult to remove which is why I prefer tubing ones now.

[Foresttheout]

Thanks bo that is very helpful, looking into it the cost would be the same if not more if I import things myself so I may risk trying the instagram seller. I know the products will turn up as friends have used it but mainly they buy the ordinary. She seems to have good molecules vitamin C powder in stock as well as the inkey tranxeamic acid, timeless vit C is on pre-order only. I'll do some reading on each of those and pick one. Thanks for your help!

[botemp]

I'd discourage you somewhat of all the powder vitamin c as it's really inaccurate. Labmuffin beauty (PhD chemistry pov) did a video on it recently as to why those are a bad idea.

[Foresttheout]

bo I watched the video and will avoid powder, think I will try the tranxeamic acid and see if that helps and maybe then try the timeless vitamin C when its back in stock.

[botemp]

Sounds like a good plan, the fact that it's preorder also feels reassuring, means you're getting fresh stock and not something that's been sitting on a shelf for who knows how long.

[Ohthatsgreat]

Hi skincare friends. I’m in the market for a new face oil to use at night. I have dry/sensitive skin and prefer the feel of an oil for night moisturising.

Previously I was using the Smart Treatment face oil by Clinique but this has been discontinued. I switched to Jordan Samuel’s face oil as looked a decent product and a good price point but my skin hasn’t got on with it, it just seems to sit on my skin and not moisturise resulting in some dry patches.

I was thinking of trying either Sunday Riley’s Juno or Bioessence Squalene oil. Anyone have any experience with these or any other recommendations?

My routine for reference:

AM
Jordan Samuel after show sensitive cleanser
Clinique moisture surge serum Or the ordinary the buffet
Clinique moisture surge Hydratron

PM
Body shop camomile oil followed by the cleansing balm
First aid beauty ultra repair hydrating serum
Face oil
Sometimes followed with a overnight mask

Occasionally use a swipe of pixi glow tonic or the Alex steinherr for primark lactic acid pads. But have majorly cut down on exfoliants. Did start using the Jordan Samuel retinol a while back which I liked but have stopped until I sort out a face oil and probably a better AM moisturiser as not totally loving the Clinique moisture surge.

[botemp]

Can I ask why just oil and not a moistuiser plus an oil? Going by your routine I'm assuming you have sensitive skin/skin barrier issues so I'd be looking at a moistuiser with céramides and lipids in it as opposed to just oils which while nice, only really just work as temporary relief and as an artificial barrier. They do the job in the moment but don't necessarily help in the long term.

Also, why are you using an oil cleanser twice at night, that seems counterintuitive, a secondary water based mild hydrating cleanser would leave more of your natural lipids intact.

And I always have to ask, are you using an SPF?

[Ohthatsgreat]

Fair points! I think with moisturisers I struggle to find ones that I like and suit my skin. I quite like a ‘heavy’ cream but some are stuffed full of Shea butter which I find can break my skin out. The ones I’ve used recently that seemed to best suit me were Kate Somerville goat milk and protini by DE. But I wasn’t wowed by them. I did like true belif moisture bomb but can’t find a uk seller. Happy to get some recommendations though, I’m just struggling to find what might be suitable. I browse cult beauty, look fantastic etc and feel totally lost with the choices.

As for cleansing I should have added I only double cleanse if wearing makeup, I thought the body shop balm cleanser was ok as second but if not happy to change (really not precious! Again I’ve just struggled to find other options and seem to go back to what I’ve used before).

I have the thank you farmer spf which suits me really well, I think it’s factor 50? I’ll be honest that I don’t wear it every day. I am working from home at the moment so felt overkill wearing it, especially as I’m in a room without a window (building an extension ongoing at present). My preference is a separate spf to Moisturiser as well. I really don’t like products that have it built it which might limit choice.

On a side note, there was a separate thread recently on S&B about where to get skincare recommendations.... it really resonated with me. I used to read blogs and trust bloggers but I don’t any more because it’s all about sales and swipe ups. I feel totally uninspired with the new releases I do see but there’s probably plenty of other good stuff out there, it’s just not being talked about! Also not being able to go to the shops means I can’t have a good browse and see what’s new. Sorry that’s made my post long, but just thought it would add context as to why I’m stuck in a bit of a rut and probably not using the best products right now.