Yet More Fantastic Skincare and Where To Find It

[botemp]

Thread 1

Thread 2

Thread 3

For those who are taking a peek and wondering whether thread 1,2, and 3 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.

This January we're doing some added extra chitchat about food and diet and reducing or eliminating sugar for both overall and skin health. Recipe sharing encouraged.

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 in as much detail as possible, 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, please do read through the previous threads first. It takes a lot of time and effort to answer these queries and often the answers can be found in previous threads, but if you still have questions use the following form to make life easier on us. We generally answer one or 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.

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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]:


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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 either.

[Dulcimena]

Good spot Aurora!

I listed the staples first, so the PM routine is not really in the order of application. I don't use everything in the "optional" category every day and it's totally dependent on how my skin's feeling and behaving. Acids always come first after cleansing, but I apply the retinoid after Buffet/Fermentation essence though because for me it can be a bit drying. Does that make more sense?

[JDSTER]

Dulci which 10% salicylic are you using?

[Dulcimena]

Oops sorry it's 5% not 10% JD but it's this one. I've used their acids on and off for many years, the packaging is a bit DIY but the products do the trick. I bought their vit c ferulic to try too but sadly it breaks me out, which is a shame because the price is fab.

[AuroraPolaris]

I'm still using the SC retinol and that's "supposed" to come after cleanser. They also say one should wait an hour before proceeding but I too find it drying and only wait 5-10 min. Then by the time I've finished my routine skin doesn't feel dry anymore.

[JDSTER]

Thanks Dulci and welcome back.

[JDSTER]

Aurora can I ask which 1% retinol you're using? I'm not using a retinol at the moment but I think it'll be the next step to add to my regime at some point. I seem to remember some people have had issues with TO retinoid 2% causing breakouts? Keen to avoid that but it's obviously a good entry price point so not sure what to go for first. Pleased to hear other people's recommendations too

[hollinhurst84]

I'm using the TO one and my skin seems to like it
Am about to immerse in bath as my body is dry and itchy and my legs are hairier than my cat

[AuroraPolaris]

I use the Skin Ceutucals 1% but bought it a while ago and the TO 2% is waiting in line in my wardrobe. The 1% is quite potent so I would not start with it. SC have lower potencies but it's quite expensive.
A good retinol to start with is LRP Redermic R. Over here a lot of drugstores have tiny cute sample tubes of the LRP, maybe you could get hold of one and see how you get along.

[Pupsiecola]

I use one from Face Theory.

[EnidButton]

Dry, itchy and hairy, phwoar Hollin!

[hollinhurst84]

I'm selling myself well
2 razors later and a tube of Aveeno I look much more human

[EnidButton]

[Elixiam]

Hello! I've been using the TO vit c for four days now and it's been ok, no stinging or reaction but yesterday I started feeling very dry, like I want to slather my face in anything I can and today I've woken up like it...could it be the vit c?

Also I've been looking at the NIOD copper serum and hylauronic acid.. what are your thoughts on those?

[botemp]

What else are you using, Elixiam? Vit C is mildly exfoliating in that form. Do note that it's a serum not a moisturiser and it's sensible to follow up with that and possibly an HA product.

NIOD Copper Serum is a very marmite product does things for some and absolutely nothing for others. The MMC is supposed to be a step above the other HA offerings from Deciem.

Ooh Dulci, you've inspired my next thread title . How to forget you need foundation and the fantastic skincare to achieve it. Happy to hear you've had such glowing results.

JDSTER, TO Retinoid doesn't cause breakouts but I experienced some clogging. I've since discovered it's the pairing with the Benton Steam Cream that was causing this, as long as I don't use them together (or any other heavily occlusive cream) I've had no issues.

You bought into the Hourglass stick hype, Enid? That looked to be the most unappealing product ever, it just looks like a giant (very yellow) concealer stick. So glad to hear someone say it's shit .

That SR Salycilic Solution is a bit of an odd one, supposedly it's very very mild and different to the traditional acids. I think they themselves claim to only make it because some find the alcohol version too drying. I've been thinking about this a bit, there's a lot of products that I'll dismiss because technically they don't play by the efficacy rules (and when they're charging a premium and screaming about it in their PR it's pretty damnable) but in some cases that 'ineffectual' product may just be the one thing that works well enough for someone with specific issues.

Saw the Sali Hughes piece in the Guardian this morning about Hiron's double cleanse, seemed like she went a bit out of her way to appear neutral but genuinely believe her issues with it are similar to mine (stupid ineffectual packaging that makes no sense and it's a bit of a rip off product of others). No mention of the pricing though which I find rather high for what is, especially considering the INCI.

Does anyone have Premium access to the Telegraph (is this new?) want to read an article on flannels being the secret to achieving great skin but I'd be mad to pay for that.

[Elixiam]

I started the nip fab extreme pads 10 days ago, only used them 3 times in that time, the last time was Weds night. Started the vit c on Tuesday I think. Also using SubQ morning and night. I just put rosehip oil and FT day cream on and my skin sucked it all in straight away so I repeated both and again it was sucked straight in but now I feel normal!

[JDSTER]

Elix. I've used both NIOD products. Copper in both 1 and 5% versions (was a sucker for all thing NIOD at the start). I don't really think it did a great deal for my skin to be honest and it's pricey. Some people will think it's great- like all these things, trial and error and what works brilliantly for one, won't for another. It comes with a powder and a 'developer' and you mix them in the bottle to create the serum. It does not have a serum texture, it's basically blue water (!) and absorbs instantly.

The NIOD HA I like a lot and have repurchased. I haven't tried any other deciem HA offerings so nothing to compare it with but I've got no interest in trying anything else. It absorbs well and this is the first winter I've had no dehydration/flakiness that I'd usually get with central heating etc. You can add HA after the Vit C and that should help with dryness, then follow up with moisturiser.

Bo 'clogging' I knew there was something with TO retinoid! Price isn't a major concern to be honest so with that in mind what would be your highest recommendation for a first time retinol (I've taken notice of everyone's recommendations- thank you) and fine is you still suggest TO, I know price isn't an indication of effectiveness

[Elixiam]

Thanks JDster and bo I read an article about the copper helping to repair sun damage and how it's for long term skin health rather than instant results, would that be right? Whilst I can't see any sun damage at the mo, I imagine I'm one of those people that look horrendous under those special lights 😳 I used to work in a sun bed shop whilst at uni, please don't kick me out of the group!! 🙈

[Elixiam]

Also whilst on the subject of sun damage, I looked at the body shop spf 50 that you linked to the other day bo the two I've ordered (biore and senior) at taking forever to come so I was thinking of getting this in the mean time, what do you think?

[Gwenhwyfar]

Skin type: Really not sure. Had combination skin when I was young. I would say it's now dry except for some hormonal spots around the mouth and chin. I occasionally use benzoyl peroxide just on that area.

The skin on my body is very dry and I have KP. The best thing I've found is the Palmers body lotion - I use the one for dry areas of the skin elbows and feet on my whole body. I tried the one with AHA, which was specifically for KP, but found the stronger lotion/cream to be better.

Approx age (range): coming up to 40

Primary skin concern: Would like smoother, less dry skin and obviously any minimising of wrinkles would be good. From what I understand there's not much you can do about sagging and my dark undereye circles are presumably hereditary.

Routine :



AM : I know it's not the right thing, but I was my face in the shower in the morning, then serum is usually Boots no.7, but currently have the Olay serum/moisturiser. Have tried various moisturiser.

PM : Have been using the Lush cleanser that's always mentioned here at night and then Nivea Q10 night cream.

Makeup : Foundation and mascara most days, but don't necessarily touch up during the day

Occasional treatments: umm...

Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results: Nothing's been disastrous since my teen years.

Things that are really working well for me now: The Palmers I mentioned above. I wouldn't be without it for my body, but would be open to using something else as well.

Any dietary/health concerns/pregnant: I eat very badly and that's unlikely to change any time soon unfortunately. I do take vitamins and Omega 3 supplements.

What I'm willing to spend on a single skincare item: eg. >£10, £10-20, £20-50, £50-100, no limits.
Preferably cheap for most things, but would consider more than 20 for something good (I've been buying the Boots no.7 serum for that kind of price, but I see it's not popular here).

[JDSTER]

elix I think some people have results fairly quickly (they promise you'll see a difference in 5 days ) but I know what you mean about long term gain. Give it a go. It could be your wonder product, repairing that damage from the sunbeds

[JDSTER]

elixposted too soon and meant to say my biore from Japan took about 2 months

[Skinfulnappies46]

bo did you read "modern tribes,The skintellectual" in today's Guardian magazine? I laughed and thought that you would be telling them off after analysing the INCI 😂
They need redirected to this Thread!

[Elixiam]

Wow 2 months jdster! I think i best get something for now then. The body shop one has 40% off making it £9 so not bad.

[EnidButton]

I did bo, tbf the colour I got is very very good but it is basically a big concealer stick. Far too thick for all over. I use it dotted into blemishes when they need extra coverage and it does a good job of covering but no way can I wear it all over. SH and IK raved about it, I was baffled.

[AuroraPolaris]

I tried the NIOD copper when it just came out. Must say I didn't notice any difference at all, but I have no visible sun damage or pigmentation. It could be that it has (very) long term benefits but I think the price is too high for such a gamble, plus it's not something that can come instead of a hydrating serum, which again affects the value/ price consideration as part of an overall routine.

Have a nice Saturday quiz for the nerds in training which I will post on the new thread.

So what are we calling it???