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Even More Fantastic Skincare And Where To Find It

999 replies

botemp · 16/12/2016 10:37

Thread 1

Thread 2

For those who are taking a peek and wondering whether thread 1and 2 are worth reading we mostly discuss a bit of advanced skincare here with a perspective of seeking out the right ingredients for our particular 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 deviations on this thread are mostly my fault. Xmas Grin

If you're in need of some advice coming to grips with your skincare routine please don't hesitate to ask, we don't bite, only occasionally sting with a bit of Biologique Recherche P50 now and then Xmas Wink. Just make sure to state clearly what your concerns and needs are, skincare is highly individual and a random recommendation for a 'good' product will be completely different from one person to the next.

If you want help, have read through the previous threads, but if you still have questions use the following form to make life easier on us. We generally answer up to two people a day on a first come first served basis. Not everyone will have answers and sometimes we can't answer you at all. We're only a bunch of amateurs that can respond by suggesting what we would do in your place, for any severe conditions please seek out professional help.

Skin type:

Approx age (range):

Primary skin concern:

Routine :

AM :

PM :

Makeup : eg. no/light coverage/medium coverage/heavy coverage

Occasional treatments:

Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results:

Things that are really working well for me now:

Any dietary/health concerns/pregnant:

What I'm willing to spend on a single skincare item: eg. >£10, £10-20, £20-50, £50-100, no limits.

I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying]:

OP posts:
Thread gallery
41
UntamedShrew · 29/12/2016 19:55

Holin I don't get on with those bi-phase eye makeup removers, either. The only things that don't irritate my eyes are Bioderma micellar water or just using the same balm as all over, currently it's the Body Shop camomile one but I haven't tried their eye m-u remover.

Somersetlady · 29/12/2016 20:07

Im so delighted to have found you again bo aurora and All. Inlost the thread with the advice on it and dint know how to search just stumbled on this thread bu accident!

Am pleased to report I am cleansing everyday twice a day and my skin is already looking much better thank you!

UntamedShrew · 29/12/2016 20:11

I enjoyed reading how people are getting on with their new additions to their skin care routine, have been meaning to write my own version but well, Christmas...! Now a lovely few days of calm (relatively speaking, we still have 3 crazy kids here but my somewhat demanding parents have now left and so I'm not 'hosting' any more at least) I finally have some time to catch up with this.

Anyway. Would repurchase:
Benton snail poo serum and snail poo steam cream. Love them both.
Still firmly in my repertoire: The Biore watery essence SPF. Fantastic stuff and I order the next one as soon as one arrives, now.

On order:
Nufountain Vit C Serum
TO Matrixyl (although slightly confused as to where I slot this in)

Won't repurchase:
TO Retinoid - made me spotty
TO Vit C - just don't enjoy using this, it's too weird a formulation and I don't think giving good enough results to justify the faff.

Just OK:
The Body Shop Chamomile balm. Not wild about it, it's a bit light and slippy in feel compared to a more solid balm that I'm used to, but it seems to be agreeing with my skin and I think that's all I need from a cleanser, really.

TO Argan oil. It's fine... just not that exciting.

Quite like also the LRP cleansing toleriane fluid - I am doing as suggested with the cold water as an AM cleanse and I like it.

Still needed:
I need to bite the bullet and buy some P50 but I'm using up a Clarins exfoliating liquid first. I think general consensus is get the W and try and get a travel size first..?

I also need to either repurchase the Skinceuticals retinol 1% or try something else, after the TO one failed to delight my skin. Is there a way to compare the potency of the Skinceuticals with something like the face theory retinoid? It looks like the latter is more for acne prone skin whereas I need something to tackle lines... Any recs before I re-purchase the Skinceuticals one?

Finally I'm running low on my Clarins blue orchid oil. I may just repurchase this also but would love any recommendations for very dehydrated (even worse post-Christmas!) skin...

Quick recap on routine in case the above ordering confuses things:
AM LRP cleanse, Vit C, Snail x 2
PM night A) Balm cleanse (+ LRP if wearing MakeUp), Clarins acid, Snail serum, oil, snail cream
PM Night B) as above cleanse, Vit C, Skinceuticals retinol, Snail x 2

Finally... hope you all had a lovely Christmas and just wanted to say I LOVE this thread.

UntamedShrew · 29/12/2016 20:11

I enjoyed reading how people are getting on with their new additions to their skin care routine, have been meaning to write my own version but well, Christmas...! Now a lovely few days of calm (relatively speaking, we still have 3 crazy kids here but my somewhat demanding parents have now left and so I'm not 'hosting' any more at least) I finally have some time to catch up with this.

Anyway. Would repurchase:
Benton snail poo serum and snail poo steam cream. Love them both.
Still firmly in my repertoire: The Biore watery essence SPF. Fantastic stuff and I order the next one as soon as one arrives, now.

On order:
Nufountain Vit C Serum
TO Matrixyl (although slightly confused as to where I slot this in)

Won't repurchase:
TO Retinoid - made me spotty
TO Vit C - just don't enjoy using this, it's too weird a formulation and I don't think giving good enough results to justify the faff.

Just OK:
The Body Shop Chamomile balm. Not wild about it, it's a bit light and slippy in feel compared to a more solid balm that I'm used to, but it seems to be agreeing with my skin and I think that's all I need from a cleanser, really.

TO Argan oil. It's fine... just not that exciting.

Quite like also the LRP cleansing toleriane fluid - I am doing as suggested with the cold water as an AM cleanse and I like it.

Still needed:
I need to bite the bullet and buy some P50 but I'm using up a Clarins exfoliating liquid first. I think general consensus is get the W and try and get a travel size first..?

I also need to either repurchase the Skinceuticals retinol 1% or try something else, after the TO one failed to delight my skin. Is there a way to compare the potency of the Skinceuticals with something like the face theory retinoid? It looks like the latter is more for acne prone skin whereas I need something to tackle lines... Any recs before I re-purchase the Skinceuticals one?

Finally I'm running low on my Clarins blue orchid oil. I may just repurchase this also but would love any recommendations for very dehydrated (even worse post-Christmas!) skin...

Quick recap on routine in case the above ordering confuses things:
AM LRP cleanse, Vit C, Snail x 2
PM night A) Balm cleanse (+ LRP if wearing MakeUp), Clarins acid, Snail serum, oil, snail cream
PM Night B) as above cleanse, Vit C, Skinceuticals retinol, Snail x 2

Finally... hope you all had a lovely Christmas and just wanted to say I LOVE this thread.

UntamedShrew · 29/12/2016 20:12

Bah double posted and missed out my SPF which of course is a given... Sorry!

botemp · 29/12/2016 20:40

I really do need to open up my acid bar Xmas Grin. I have a PC Clear normal strength BHA travel size that you can have, JDSTER. It expires in January 2017 though so won't be of much use beyond testing it. Pretty sure it should be safe to use (it's been sealed all this time) as expiration dates on cosmetics are generally quite conservative. Just PM me if you're interested, don't want any money for it. I'm sure someone will be able to offer you a decant of the CosRx BHA (but this one is much gentler than the standard 2% BHA the different form is the equivalent of about 1% BHA Salicylic Acid based) and possibly of the Extra Strength too? ahem * cough * Halo

Well I sincerely doubt the sugarless sweet recipes we promised Enid will help with dieting, Raisin, but I'll be happy to share other recipes if necessary.

Describe rash to me, Raisin. Is the skin raw, agitated, inflamed? If so that's a sign to stop using it. It definitely sounds that (like so very many on here) you don't tolerate glycolic well and it's time to look at other AHA forms that are gentler. Wrt Vit C, it does exfoliate in a sense but it shouldn't be causing such a reaction, I'd contact TO and see if you can exchange it for one of their other Vit C offerings that are gentler, see the guide here.

Wrt SLS free shampoos not cleaning as effectively, this is definitely the case with some, it also depends if you're using a lot of styling products with silicones in them or the shampoo/conditioner itself has some. Usually though an SLS-free allows for longer periods between washing as the SLS isn't irritating the scalp that encourages oil production, but if it never cleans out old buildup I guess that could be the cause.

Wrt to waiting time and order of products:

I discussed it in the first or second thread already but most of these wait time procedures are derived from professional use (eg. chemical peels, etc.) where that stuff actually makes a difference, so unless a product specifically specifies a wait time assume it's useless to do so. I've tried both scenarios and found absolutely no difference.

Traditionally Vit C comes before BHA then AHA because they're pH dependent. However, since TO Vit C 23% is an anhydrous suspension (I have yet to confirm this but lack of water = no pH like an oil) isn't pH dependent, so can be placed into your routine at the serum stage instead if preferred.

I assume you've tried and disliked Bioderma, Hollin?

"Mysterious", Aurora!?! If this thread is going to devolve into perfume talk wankery I might have to leave! Appears I am moody too, must be something in the air tonight. This might end up in a lot of Sephora orders or equivalent, have already ransacked de Bijenkorf otherwise I'd head there

Just purge the social media accounts for the New Year, Enid, I doubt you'll be missing out on anything interesting. Much less aggravating too Xmas Grin

Flowers for all of you feeling ill, sucks, especially at this time of year.

Ah yes, I remember now Salty, we were all exhausted from just reading all you do Xmas Grin. As others have pointed out, double cleansing in the morning wholly unnecessary. Also HA and The Buffet are pretty similar in profile so use one or the other. You'll still need some sort of moisturiser in the AM though to seal in the hydrating serum, considering the Biore's high alcohol content I doubt this will really help seal that all in. I'd leave the Clarins for what it is, the N+F Dragon's blood pads are BHA so if you feel you can benefit from that (oil, blackheads, enlarged pores, etc.) then it may be worth going for that on that basis. I think TO Rosehip is a cold pressed one which is usually the preferred extraction method but with Rosehip it tends to be a CO2 extraction process (like the Pai one is) that's favoured so I don't honestly know how good the TO version is, may just be a so-so oil but it might also just be you not used to it or liking the feel of it.

Somerset, that's great to hear and welcome back!

Shrew, wrt Retinol alternatives, I didn't get on with TO Retinoid on my face all that well either, left me cloggy and needing more BHA. I've been looking into the Pestle & Morter Supertar Retinoil and since you're also looking for a new oil maybe it'll take your fancy too? You'd use it in the serum stage though, so after cleansing (and/or acid toning) and then layer whatever else over it. By no means is P50 mandatory but I do think it makes for a nicer acid than the Clarins one. You start with P50W and if people are still feeling generous on here will offer you a decant ahem * cough * and seeing that you've been using the Clarins one for a while now you may be able to go up to the full P50 quicker than most but you'd have to see how you get on with the W first (if you do end up buying it just make sure to get the smallest size - 50ml)

Also, if you like the snail poo steam cream and essence you'll love the sheet mask from them too. I just tried it and very much enjoyed it, great hydration boost.

OP posts:
hollinhurst84 · 29/12/2016 20:52

Haven't tried bioderma, shall add it to the list
I hate my skin, took my makeup off tonight and cried at how awful it looks Sad

JDSTER · 29/12/2016 21:15

Thanks as always Bo. Clarification of waiting time and order of products very helpful. I'm trying to write down some of the best 'top tips' from this thread because it's difficult to go back and find the 'gems' in amongst all our lovely chat Grin

Where do people purchase biore watery essence? Amazon ok? I remember Bo saying buy from Japanese sellers

SheStoodInTheStorm · 29/12/2016 21:15

Oh hollin I have been there. Flowers

Dulcimena · 29/12/2016 21:27

Just lost a super long post (thank you sw trains WiFi Hmm )...

Bo ty for niod eye thoughts - will pass. Actually ordered (with a code) then promptly cancelled the verso... It just feels so spendy!

Enid I have no idea about CH and little time for her either, frankly I have no idea how she's managed to reach guru status because I cannot work out what she actually does other than PR/branding consultancy.

Hollin I don't use bioderma for eye makeup, too much rubbing I find. I do like simple eye makeup remover cream, massage into lashes with fingers and tissue off, then I swipe quickly with bioderma when I do the rest of my face. Then follow up with a non foaming face wash. It doesn't take as long to do all that as it looks... Blush

Off topic but Matthew Bourne's the red shoes is AMAZING! We went to see it today and it's just wonderful - so much so, we'll be going again when it tours in the spring.

JDSTER · 29/12/2016 22:42

dulci would love to see 'red shoes'. I hope it comes near me. Must look out for it- thanks for reminder!

SheStoodInTheStorm · 29/12/2016 22:50

I'd love to see red shoes too!

Hollin missed off the last post...I use a L'Oréal eye make up remover. It's in a blue bottle with a white lid. It's one of the only ones my sensitive eyes can handle!

I have just ordered the PC and TO products bo.

I agree with the PP who suggested we could perhaps do a product swap thread/group! Going to have a good clear out.

JDSTER · 29/12/2016 23:22

Only the crappy seats left for red shoes Sad. Got great seats for 'curious incident of the dog in the nighttime' instead though! Thanks dulci for 'helping' me spend £80 tonight Grin. Not even skincare related

SaltySeaBird · 30/12/2016 00:22

Many thanks botemp and all others who commented.

I'll ditch the double cleansing in the morning and add in a moisturiser. Any particular favourites that are recommended?

With regards to the Rosehip I think it's just the oil I'm not keen on as I've never put oil on my face before. I will persist though for now.

I have noticed tonight a few spots on my nose and chin which is very unusual for me. I can count the number of spots I've had in the last year on one hand. I have introduced new products slowly and no more than two at a time so it would either be TO buffet or the rosehip. Or coincidence and not product related.

EnidButton · 30/12/2016 02:35

I sometimes wish we were closer to London so I could go to the theatre every other week. Probably a good thing we're not really given the prices. Wonder if they'll film The Red Shoes at some point?

Sephora order finally placed. Kept getting distracted. Just lots of their own sheet masks, eye masks and some lipsticks. No drunk elephant but I have my eye on them. Just trying to decide on an Urban Decay afterglow blush shade and maybe one of their lipglosses. I really need to stop buying lip products. Confused

I didn't eat any sugar today despite there being a lot of lovely things around to tempt me. I can see how badly it's affected my skin now so that's enough. I am back on the avocados, salmon and greens. 😇

Dulci I did like her but lately...I don't know...

bo I know you're right but I do like a good Instagram nosy and getting the gossip news before anyone else at 4am on twitter. I've refused to get FB though so all is not lost.

mintmagnummm · 30/12/2016 07:31

hollin I like the pink bioderma for removing eye make up, my eyes are really fussy (just like the rest of me lol) and this is only one so far that doesn't irritate my eyes. Was the olay one u liked their cream one in a tube? If so there is a similar one by simple (not their clear liquid one) it's a cream.
Have u tried the dermalogica stuff u recieved? I love that ultracalming cleanser.

hollinhurst84 · 30/12/2016 07:37

Yeah it was a cream, I'll have a look at that one :)
No, I've sold the cleanser, it makes my skin burn!

Cherryburn · 30/12/2016 07:49

Bo it was me that got the Pestle & Mortar retinol and I love it. No problems with it at all and definitely doesn't lead to clogging (not on me anyway). Also love their HA (much prefer it to Hydraluron).

Have also been trying TO Vit C, Niacinamide and Caffeine Solution. Like the Vit C and Caffeine but think the Niacinamide might have led to a couple of red 'blotches' - not sure how else to describe them...they weren't sore or itchy, just...blotchy! Have laid off it for now and they've gone away. Might try to re-introduce at some point.

So current routine is
AM
TO Caffeine Solution (use first thing from the fridge to de-puff)
Omorovicza cleansing balm
P50 every other day
Omorovicza QoH mist
TO Vit C
TO HA
Omorovicza Intensive Hydralifting Cream

PM
TTDO balm
EH Moringa balm
P&M retinol or Omorovicza leave-on Instant Plumping Mask (which has worked wonders on my dehydration)

Do you think I could use the retinol more than every other night? And the P50V more than every other day? Also tempted by TO Buffet. Would this be a good addition with main issues being dehydration/dullness & prone to a bit of rosacea? Although all are so much better since starting the above routine.

Thanks for all the great advice everyone and especially Bo this is a brilliant thread(s)

botemp · 30/12/2016 09:24

I want some red shoes

OP posts:
FizzyBubbly · 30/12/2016 10:24

Got a couple of days to catch up but am just butting in to ask a quick bit of advice for my DH.

He's generally got very good skin but has always had issues with his eyes. Skin is very wrinkled (he's only 33) and he's had this for years now.

We're on our way sale shopping and he's just mentioned he'd like an eye cream. You can imagine my excitement when he said this! Grin My first thoughts were TO caffeine and as he bought me the Verso serum for Xmas I'm going to let him sample that. Any other thoughts? Telling him there's no need for male specific products, I'm right aren't I?

botemp · 30/12/2016 10:47

Nope, no need for special 'men's products' but you did just remind me of the Skeen Perfect Eye Powder which is traditionally marketed at men. It turns from powder to gel on the skin with a good amount of Vit C (in ascorbic acid form) and Caffeine in it to help with collagen boosting and depuffing. Need to find an ingredient list for it once more to see what's in it again but that is a possible to use in conjunction with a Retinol based eye product to boost the effect of the Retinol and thicken up the skin a bit.

Beyond the Verso and LRP Redermic R for eyes, there aren't too many retinol eye products I can think of, will need to look into that too. SPF is crucial though, and a good pair of sunglasses with a high UV rating also helps so maybe worth looking out for that in the sales today instead?

OP posts:
hollinhurst84 · 30/12/2016 10:58

How about the hylamide sub q eyes? I think that's retinol, peptides etc

Dulcimena · 30/12/2016 11:06

Sorry not sorry JD, Xmas Wink Curious Incident is an amazing production. I firmly believe that doing life enhancing things is great for the skin anyway, keeps everything in perspective. Enid there will hopefully be a DVD of the Red Shoes after the run's finished, probably in time for Xmas 2017!

Hollin this is the eye makeup remover I rec-ed upthread, and I think the one that mint mentioned too. It's basically just mineral oil and glycerin and dissolves everything.

Bo interesting about TO niacinamide, that's how I'd understood it too (for acne - hence the zinc). It's a bit drying for me tbh but I mix with Buffet and that seems to be more tolerable. Also you asked about TO Buffet/Matrixyl, I've not tried Matrixyl am still liking Buffet very much, no clue if it's doing anything longer term but it's become a bit of a daily workhorse for me (settles irritation, adds moisture, etc).

Cherry I was looking at the Pestle & Mortar! How long have you been using it, long enough to see any positive effects? I'm a bit funny with jojoba oil but otherwise it looks great.

Talking of social media and swapping - out of interest, did anyone here ever use makeupalley? Their old swap thing was great for trialling stuff, if rather US-centric.

botemp · 30/12/2016 11:10

No Retinol or Vit C in the SubQ, just peptides which are in unproven territory. Fine for the first onset of fine lines, mild dehydration, maintenance, etc. less of interest if you're already in the set wrinkle territory.

OP posts:
hollinhurst84 · 30/12/2016 11:17

Hmm that's interesting. I was given some to trial, googled and CH says in her review a number of times it's got retinol in
I find it quite tingly but I always forget to use eye cream

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