Even More Fantastic Skincare And Where To Find It

[botemp]

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.

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 . 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]:

Bracey I think you would definitely benefit from using a moisturiser AM and PM. Also, scrubs can be really drying and harsh and most people seem to use chemical exfoliation these days. Also, what about SPF?

I would aim for a cleanse, acid tone and moisturise routine before then adding in some actives. In terms of product recommendations, LRP Toleriane is excellent. I am really enjoying the Face Theory moisturisers - they are very comfortable on my slightly dry skin).

Oh sorry yes I do use moisturiser in the morning! Which has an SPF in it. Don't normally get on with scrubs but this one very mild wirh no chemicals in it and use it about twice a week.

What is toleraine is that a cleanser?

Could you link to those products?

Thought it might be interesting/useful to see how people are getting on with all the stuff they've tried since we started:-

Will repurchase:-

Toleriane cleansing milk
Face Theory day and night moisturisers
P50
TO Caffeine eye serum
TO Buffet (can already tell I prefer it to Indeed Labs Hydraluron
Neostrata tinted SPF
Neostrata Bio Hydrating Cream
PC BHA

Won't repurchase:-

EH cleansing balm - really like it but can't justify the price
Toleriane Ultra - prefer the Face Theory
PC Niacinamide - like the active, but would buy TO one next
Pai Age Confidence Oil - think it gives me spots

Unsure:-

TO Vit C - Vit C definitely really improving my skin. Would like to try an alternative as nothing to compare it to. Although, patting it in and not using too much has really helped with the stinging and use of product generally.

brace Low iron and low B12 will have a huge effect on your skin's appearance. Have you been prescribed supplements to get your levels up? Once they're at optimum levels I bet you see a real improvement especially with plumpness and any blemishes.

I find the Simple range of products really harsh. They have a lot of alcohol in them from what I remember.

m.boots.com/h5/cat_hub?unCountry=uk&path=%2Fen%2FLa-Roche-Posay%2FToleriane%2F

This is the toleriane range Brace. I like the dermo cleanser and the fluid moisturiser. I have sensitive acne prone dehydrated combination skin.

Pupsie I'll play :)

Like and will RP
TO Buffet - really, really like this
TO Caffeine - as above!

Benton Snail Bee Essence and Steam Cream - esp the Essence is lovely for added moisture, the steam cream is a lovely night cream

Won't RP
TO Vit C - way too faffy to use, don't like the texture, cosmetically inelegant
TO Lactic 10% - not sure if it's actually doing anything? It makes my legs feel nice but I think that's the HA.
Holy Snails Snail Water and Shark Sauce - there is something in both my skin doesn't like, poss sea kelp in the latter?

Unsure
P50W - I'm not sure that I'm seeing the sort of results I'd expect for the price tbh...
TO 2% retinoid - still on the fence. Veering towards liking it, but not sure if it's mildly clogging
TO Niacinamide - again, veering towards like BUT I think it may be a touch too drying to be perfect (I blame the zinc)

I don't think I have introduced anything else...

I forgot my Face Theory 2% Retinoid. Jury's out. I think it brings out the redness. Surely after a month or so of 2/3 times a week use this shouldn't be happening?!

Hi Brace. It's really worth reading the last thread and all of this one. I know there's a lot but there's some great advice from knowledgeable people and you'll find previous advice will be valid for you. The toleriane dermo cleanser is great (I've switched from advice on this thread). Very gentle and ideal for your skin type. If you're wearing makeup/ SPF you'll need a double cleanse at night. I'm using body shop camomile cleansing butter removed with clean cloth, followed by toleriane dermo cleanse.
You mention dryness being your primary skin concern but you're using a scrub designed for oily skin. You won't see any recommendations on here for that kind of face scrub. For exfoliation a chemical exfoliant is what you want. Lots of info about that in first thread. The simple toner won't be doing a thing for you, other than contributing to dryness. You've already had a bit of good advice above and I'm sure there'll be more but do try and have a read through

I'm using a physical exfoliator that I like. Just putting that out there in the interests of honesty.

The toleriane fluid mightn't be enough for you if you're dry Brace they do other richer ones. Are you sure you're dry and not dehydrated?

TO Vit C - Vit C definitely really improving my skin. Would like to try an alternative as nothing to compare it to.

For what it's worth, I've been using the NIOD Vit C for the last few months and, although I haven't actually used the Ordinary one, from what I've read, it seems to be much less problematic. I've got really reactive skin but I've had no redness, no stinging, in fact no problems with it at all, just a bit brighter with fading sun damage.

It's not cheap but both QVC and The Abnormal will refund if it doesn't agree with you.

The only downside with it is that it recommended to be used at nighttime. I've emailed Abnormal to ask if that's related to it not being compatible with makeup or if there is a more chilling reason but the reply didn't really clarify. I've been using it in the mornings and it's not making my foundation or primer ball and my face hasn't fallen off. I'll come straight back to y'all if it does.

at "The Abnormal" silently

Sorry! Yes it's abnormal beauty company

I finally decided I was ready to start finding an acid, went to use the p50w sample that bo very kindly sent me and it's evaporated! I had no idea my bathroom cupboard was so warm.

I addressed my email 'Dear Abnormals', it might be why I got such a useless response.

Oh no Enid, I'd send you some more if I had any. I'm pretty sure I filled it but not very full as it was kind of a craps container.

I'm having trouble keeping up with you lot, Pupsie I'm pretty sure you forgot some things. Off the top of my head you've also bought the EltaMD SPF and the Redermic R something.

Bracey, I'll answer you later when I have a proper keyboard but read upthread a bit about dry vs. dehydrated, think Enid is right on the money in suspecting you're not dry but combo with dehydration.

When I have my keyboard I'll do the proper physical exfoliation is very bad rant lecture too.

Gothy, am very shocked your GP has prescribed tret and left you to it. Will elaborate my response and routine suggestions later but can you tell me if you've tried any other type of cleansers or is micellar water truly the only thing you can tolerate?

pupsie and dulcimena I am tempted by the TO caffeine can you tell me what results your seeing with it please? Also if you like buffet you will also love hylamide subq it's meant to be very similar but the subq supposedly more anti ageing and slightly more hydrating (I think) for reference I also hated hydraluron!!

Mint, I find it depuffs my eye area in the morning, feels like a quick "wake up" to the skin. I keep it in the fridge a la Pupsie. I haven't noticed any change to dark circles yet but I have had a cold for longer than I've been using it so am looking extra knackered anyway.

Skin type: Combination/Acne prone/Dehydrated

Approx age (range): 35

Primary skin concern: Congestion/Acne and early signs of ageing

Routine :

AM : Toleriane Dermo Cleanser, Pixi Glow Tonic, Hylamide (Face & Eye versions), Decleor neroli oil. If I'm going to see any daylight (i.e not going front door/car/dingy office in winter) I drop the oil and add in SPF.

PM : EH Moringa Balm, Toleriane Dermo Cleanser, Pixi tonic, Hylamide, Indeed Peptabright, Clarins Blue Orchid Oil.

Makeup : Don't wear make up every day but prefer light to medium coverage and concealer when I do.

Occasional treatments: Liquid Gold , Origins Charcoal & Out of Trouble masks. I have some EpiDuo (prescription retinoid/benzoyl peroxide combo acne treatment) which I use when things get out of control.

Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results: Daily EpiDuo treatment, I ended up looking like a scabby beetroot. Nip Fab Extreme pads, they made my face lumpy, inflamed and bought on a major breakout.

Things that are really working well for me now: Peptabright. It really does brighten and even out my skin tone. Similarly I was using First Aid Beauty radiance pads twice daily instead of Pixi which evened everything out. I'll be going back to them ASAP unless anyone has a better suggestion.

Any dietary/health concerns/pregnant: I take cerazette to control endo symptoms, not great for the acne. But when it comes down to a choice between being able to work because I'm no longer in daily pain or improving my skin, the being able to work has to win.

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]:

I'm curious about P50 but not convinced. I think I need a good chemical exfoliant to keep the acne at bay as I've always said my skin doesn't shed properly and I hope it would help with the congestion. But the wrong acid makes things worse (see comment on Nip Fab Extreme, I don't think my skin likes salicylic acid). I've seen a small improvement (more even tone) with using Liquid Gold, but it really is only small. I tried increasing the frequency to make it actually do something but just ended up with dry flaky patches. So I'm not convinced that glycolic is the right acid for me either.

Looking at things that have made a difference the common ingredients seem to be lactic acid and licorice root extract.

I was on Roaccutane until the beginning of this year which worked well at the time and I ended up just getting the occasional hormonal pimple, but over the last few months the acne is coming back (albeit regular acne rather than cystic this time). I was warned it might come back and that over the counter options should be more effective after a course of roaccutane, but if over the counter stopped working I should go back to the GP and ask for a referral. Fine in theory, but the GP needs me to go through the over the counter treatment/benzoyl peroxide/antibiotics/topical retinoids progression before they'll consider a referral back to the dermatologist so I'd like to try and get it under control myself. I really don't want another course of roaccutane if I can help it.

Oh, I should add I'd really appreciate SPF recommendations too. The closest I've found so far to something I like has been Ultrasuns facial SPF. Should i be looking at something like Biore watery essence?

Bo It definitely had some in when it arrived but I've been that slow.

And thank you btw. It's my own daft fault.

Wow it's going very fast today ladies... on phone till late today.

I haven't changed so much besides starting on some of what I ordered from TO but I can post a list of what I'm currently using if there is interest .

Wife why are you using the Blue Orchid oil? The Lotus is the one for combo/ oily skin.

Oo pupsie you went for it with the palette - hope you get on with it, keep us posted. In terms of facial massage, this vid is using massage techniques to cleanse, so not purely massage per see but a good place to start:
intothegloss.com/2013/04/how-to-wash-your-face-part-1-one-isabelle-bellis-cleansing/
gothy welcome and sorry to hear your skin woes....you're in the right place...will leave you in the capable hands of those already advising...
aurora yes, quite frankly the holiday prep is turning me quite sullen. Kids are in bed, I will be in bed in 2 hours and then it's alarm at 2.30am and full steam ahead to our destination. If I didn't need a break before, I definitely do now!!
I will join in with the posting of updated routines when I am at leisure across the Channel, in between boring you all senseless with over-excited skincare-spotting nerdery.
Au revoir mes amies!