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.

Indeed not everything is organic but they certainly charge like everything is at Marqt. Very annoying, I only ever come in there for a few things if necessary. I have become unnecessarily fond of these new non-gmo tortilla chips they're now selling at €3 for a tiny back (though it's handmade in Amsterdam, I'm sure they sell it elsewhere too). But anyhow, the Marqt bread sucks, and I don't see the appeal of the ready meals but then I know how to cook and everything else just comes in more expensive or it's the brand you don't want and you spend way more than anticipated. Marqt sucks.

The flour mill in Santpoort is organic, though don't know if it's 100% but the main varieties are and a lot are Dutch grown which is quite unique, it's usually Canada/Mid West USA or Germany if it's semi-local although that does bring with it some challenges as the protein count is a bit lower, so the flour isn't as strong for bread making but really good for melt in the mouth cookies I went through a nerdy flour phase too.

Yeah, the bread in Marqt is horrible! It dries so fast... And the prices are mad! Not to mention the attitude

Ok, found it the mill -

www.weesperwieken.nl/ww/index.php

I'm not happy with the way my skin is looking at the mo!! My pores are annoying me! They arent particularly big but u can see them and I know I have filaments. I know I have dehydration which is probably the cause of my pores and redness but arrrrrrrrgh! My skin also hates oils so have to use oil free products while still trying to keep it hydrated. I'm just in the mood to rant!

Hi all, I have read the threads over Xmas, posted briefly when on holiday last week but am back to fill in the form! I’ve made some good headway in the last few weeks by starting to actually cleanse properly and use an acid toner but now need to tweak further. Any help would be appreciated.

BTW I DID get the recommended Casmara mask when in Spain and previous posters were right, it IS a surreal experience. Seemed to make my skin nice and smooth and clear though.

Skin type:

Normal I think. Dry on body but not too dry or greasy on face.

Approx age (range): 42, to be exact.

Primary skin concern: Skin generally good but I'm now 42 so want to step it up. Mixed race (Asian/British). Concerns are aging; crows feet, sometimes bags under the eyes, slight sagging on the chin and hyperpigmentation on forehead.

Routine :

AM :

(Note: before starting more of a routine in early Dec, AM was wash face with water and moisturise – sometimes with integral SPF. PM was cleanse once for make-up then night cream). At the moment I'm using up things I've had left over except for the Caudalie, SPF, toner and LRP.

• Caudalie gentle cleansing cream

-Optimum cooling eye gel (I'm aware I might need a good eye cream) -Clarins extra firming cream, but have a pot of Caudalie face-lifting on standby for when finishes. -Avene Eau Thermale emulsion – SPF 50

PM :
-Nivea Double Action eye make-up remover.
-Caudalie gentle cleansing cream
-Alternate nights – Pixi Glow Tonic and LRP Redermic R
-Night cream – Clarins extra firming (but about to run out)

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

Light coverage foundation (lighter needed since starting a routine) but heavy eyeshadow, long-wear gel black eyeliner. Just started wearing bronzer and blusher too.

Occasional treatments:
As recommended here tried the Casmara mask last week which was hilarious but quite effective! Occasionally have a facial – dermologica or whatever available.
I’ve also got Good Genes on order but have heard negative things on here so reconsidering it.

Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results:
Rose-hip oil made my forehead greasy.

Things that are really working well for me now:
Skin has improved since starting a routine, the Pixi tonic and LRP retinol (the latter only used 4 times as not using every night). I used to like Clinique TTDO and also Neal’s Yard Frankincense cream that you could use day or night.

Any dietary/health concerns/pregnant:
Not that I know of. Don’t eat meat. Overindulged over Xmas.

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

Depends on product.

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

I’m thinking I might need to introduce a serum for hyperpigmentation? I need something for crows feet and eye area – my kids don’t sleep well so I sometimes have puffy eyes. Anything that helps firm the jawline too.

Wandering in with another question...

Sooo my First Aid pads just ran out. I have the dregs of some pixi glow but not sure I want to purchase that again. Seen as P50 is a bit like unicorn tears (how DO folk get hold of this?) what would be other suggestions? I've liked the Clarins in the past.

I can't keep up. Can we revert back to just skincare products .

My decant pots arrived this morning. Sorry for delays in getting P50W out to those who asked. I shall be posting this afternoon

I've had some blemishes. Not huge or angry. Just odd red patches on cheeks. I'm using acids every other day. P50W and PC. Could the P50W be the cause? I have a feeling it's acids related...

Thank you botemp for all the skincare advice .

I have now a question regarding the dark circles under my eyes.
The skincare is sorted . I was just wondering which concelor to disguise them for sensitive skin.

Sorry as I think it's already been covered. Thank you

Welcome back freelance, just for clarification are you of SEA descent or more Indian/Pakistan? As these tend to have quite different skin-specific issues when it comes to brightening/pigmentation.

Did you get the gold Casmara mask and use the accompanying serum? If so, we can quite easily assess that your skin responds well to Vitamin C in L- Ascorbic Acid form which is great for brightening and tackling (sun) pigmentation.

So a few notes about your current routine, the Avene SPF is a waterproof one so taking notice of that and the makeup, you really need an oil-based cleanser to get this off properly before you can get to the actual skin cleansing bit. I'd suggest going back to Clinique TTDO as you've used it previously and liked it.

Also, just because it says 'firming' or 'face-lifting' in the product title, it doesn't really mean it does that. Loss of volume and sagging is really hard to tackle with OTC cosmetics, at best these products will produce a temporary contraction of the skin that feels firming but long term they're not likely to address it. Encouraging cell turnover through chemical exfoliation and the use of collagen production inducing antioxidants like Vitamin C are your best shot, but it is part of ageing, it's not something you can physically stop so please keep that in mind when looking at products with these claims. A bit of facial massage helps, but don't expect miracles.

I don't really think everyone needs an eye cream as a baseline in all routines but it is helpful for those wishing to address specific issues. Since you've already started on LRP Redermic R and seem to be tentatively getting on with it, I'd look into getting the Redermic R for eyes too and using those two together. If you want something in the morning to combat some puffiness try TO Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG (linked above in Lizzy's routine proposal). Keep in the fridge for added depuffing effect.

So let's talk Good Genes, as mentioned previously not an all round loved product on here due to being very harsh to the skin, very expensive and not all that long lasting if used as a serum. It's not a product I'd encourage anyone into buying until they'd at least have used a sample and seen that it doesn't irritate and that it's worth the money to them because looking at the INCI it's very difficult to justify the pricepoint. If you bought it for just hyperpigmentation then I'd say it's not so interesting for you, it has liquorice root extract in there which is good for it but nowhere near as effective as Vitamin C, nor does it have Vitamin C's other skin aiding benefits.

If you bought into the anti-ageing claims, that's based on the exfoliating properties of the AHA (lactic acid in this case), you're currently using Pixi Glow Tonic for this (though this is a very gentle one in theory with minimal exfoliating properties due to a higher pH for an acid toner) so at best it would be a step up AHA wise but then I'd steer you to look at Biologique Recherche P50 PIGM which is also lactic acid based, a better and more effective pH and formulation and is specifically formulated with pigmentation in mind with a few more other beneficial ingredients for brightening and pigmentation. Granted, not cheap either a 50ml travel size comes in the £25 mark but it'll last you about 7-9 months with 2-3x a week use.

I'm using it currently and have been very impressed with it so far. (Though as always with P50, it's best to start off initially on the P50W version before graduating to the normal strengths, unfortunately, I can't offer P50W decants anymore as mine is finished up, someone else on the thread might, but I can offer a P50 PIGM decant if interested).

Since it's rare not to come across someone with dehydration over a certain age (mid-late twenties) I'd suggest incorporating some form of HA serum too in the AM or PM, a lot of fine lines presenting as wrinkles are often dehydration and remaining properly dehydrated also stops existing lines from settling further quicker.

So to summarise:

AM :

• Caudalie gentle cleansing cream
• TO Vitamin C 23%

-HA Serum if preferred, see PM for product suggestions -Optimum cooling eye gel (I'm aware I might need a good eye cream) TO Caffeine when it runs out or if preferred relagete to the night time when not using LRP Redermic R for eyes. -Clarins extra firming cream, but have a pot of Caudalie face-lifting on standby for when finishes. -Avene Eau Thermale emulsion – SPF 50

PM :

-Nivea Double Action eye make-up remover.

Do any of you follow any beauty/skincare blogs and if so,which are worth it for an informed ,objective opinion? 😉

feet by jumping through hoops . You'll have to bat your eyelashes at Pupsie for a decant although it would be nice if others could offer too, ahem. You have more choice if you can tolerate glycolic, the nip + fab pads seem to be well liked, Bravura used to do a product very similar to Pixi Glow Tonic but at about half the price but I'm not sure if it's just been renamed or it's also been reformulated. Then you get the more expensive brands who all have some sort of pad and there's always Alpha-H Liquid Gold. Sort of depends on what you're looking for and can tolerate.

Pupsie, shall I just post a summary on Sunday morning instead of links

Purple15, think something with a colour correcting shade (so peachy toned) or as a separate step preceding a normal colour correcting concealer may be your best bet. I think Nyx do a decent one, the makeup concealer wand, they recommend the yellow for under-eye circles. Worth trying in store if you can find it, Boots sell them but don't know how widely available it is in shops. Hollin may have better suggestions as I'm not the best with makeup.

Little pink, I follow a few AB bloggers as it's easier to keep up with than the Reddit dedicated to it and they're quite ethical, although as they're becoming more popular and influential I can sort of see the writing on the wall with some of them as PR relationships are formed. Also follow a few science based ones but they post very incidentally and is not always of interest. I also follow British Beauty Blogger as she's one of the rare ones that despite the rather pricey stuff that ends up with her she never fails to recognise what that price tag means to most people. Also she covers mostly everything far before it's released which I find much more helpful than bloggers pushing heavily at launch under instructions of PRs, but it's mostly makeup, incidentally a bit of skincare but her focus really is more makeup.

Pupsie, totally overlooked the acid related blemishes issue. I have to say you went a bit on a product buying frenzy so I've lost count to what you're all using now but I'm thinking the most benefit you've been receiving from the BHA (which was bought for the rosacea iirc) will have done it's job in terms of pores/blackheads/etc. so it might be worth dialling that back a bit and if preferred the P50 too. I generally go with 2-3x a week and you're currently on about 3-4 so maybe see how 2x a week works out with both or cut one out initially and use that 3x a week? I'd be inclined to keep the P50 in as that's usually the most helpful with blemishes with me, but it might be otherwise for you. How was your skin reacting on holiday when you did a more minimal routine?

purple - yes to the NYX one, if you're on a budget then W7 do one too
There's also a collection 2000 illuminating brush one that comes in a peachy colour, I just can't remember the shade name. Will have a look
Basically you want anything peach toned to neutralise the purple as such, then you can always pat a little liquid concealer or foundation over for more coverage

Collection 2000 illuminating - the shade is 01 natural that has the peach tone
They also do illuminating touch under eye brightener that looks interesting but I haven't tried it yet

Thank you botemp and hollinhust

I'll have a look in boots tomorrow x

Thank you so much for the advice, I really appreciate the time and effort you've made.

I've been to superdrug this afternoon and bought the pure hydrating serum, the vitamin E cleanser and the nip + fab pads. As they were on bogof I got one of each to see which I get on with.

I'll buy other stuff as I get paid/run out of things.

Thanks again and I'll report back on my results

Lol, you're right, I did bo. I have been good as gold since then though and my routine is pretty much established (I don't think I've added a thing in the days/weeks pre blemishes):-

Morning:-

LRP Toleriane cleanser
TO Vit C (actually think I'm going to repurchase, has made the most difference I'm sure and the price and lack of a better alternative makes it an easier decision. TO seem quite responsive to feed back, so we can surely hope they will do sth about the odd texture?)
TO Caffeine eye serum
LRP Redermic or Face Theory M1 unscented
SPF

Night:-

EH balm + LRP Toleriane (latter if required)
One of the acids, every other night
PC Niacinimide
TO Buffet or Face Theory Retinol
Face Theory Relaxing Night Cream, scented, or Eucerin or Neostrata Bio-Hyrdrating cream

As and when:-

Darphin pink :-)
Neal's Yard Argan Oil
Pai Age Confidence Oil
Pai Rosehip Oil

The Pai Rosehip was that little lipgloss sized one and I bought it to take away with me (tested it before I went, naturally).

My skin was okay whilst away, but it didn't feel as bright. Possibly due to the couple of glasses of alcohol every night (don't often drink). But I think Vit C has a huge impact.

I've been lazy with oils, and with masks, since coming back.

Mint Everyone has visible pores. Honestly. You just don't look really close at their bare skin under a bright light. Really wouldn't worry about them.

The MUFE foundation samples arrived. (Make up forever ultra hd foundation) Not the best light now but going to try them anyway. because I have no self control when it comes to make up

Initial swatches, the R210 and R220 looking most like a good match. Y205 looks more neutral than yellow toned and is the palest. Illamasqua skin base 2 is most similar in tone to R210, but as pale as Y205. SB looks most similar overall to Y205, to me, which makes no sense I know.

Also have samples of R240 and R220 (230 was sold out) Both very pink toned, both too dark for my skin shade.

(I'm cool toned- the typical Irish/Celtic pale, dark hair, tone- very pale skin. Just for anyone lurking who might be looking for similar or for future advance searchers. )

I have water pouring through my extractor fan now. Please gift me nice things while I weep

Oh no hollinhurst - [sympathy] for you

Terrible news hollin. Hope you get it sorted swiftly.

bo seems all the bloggers seem sponsored one way or another. I also follow British beauty blogger but I can't see how any of the ones I see could put anything to a good test as they post loads of reviews every week.Thats why I like it here. Honest,no s**t advice.

Seems I posted too early on TO azaelic acid. Area under nose still red. It's only been a week so I will persevere .

Poor hollin! How frustrating! Hope they sort it out ASAP

Just doubles cleansed with pai and LRP,to niacinamide and TO azaelic acid to just chin and under nose. I then added put 1 drop of pai rosehip oil. It seemed to pile on my chin,so it didn't really blend in. Now I have sore hot burnt looking cheeks and chin.

I haven't really used the rosehip oil often but I never had this reaction from it.

I did find the azaelic acid a bit tingly tonight though.
Should I give up on the azaelic acid or the niacinimde?

Not sure what has caused this but it is hot and tight and mild burning sensation.

pupsie What is the consistency of Face Theory creams like? Still searchinf for the right night cream!

Feet yes definitely switch to P50! But try to get a decant or travel size of P50W first.
Who was it that posted an address of a Spa in the U.K. that mailed it w/o asking questions?

Freelance I agree with bo re "lifting" effects of creams. Nothing but surgery can "lift" skin, but you can indeed encourage natural occurring processes by using actives, like the ones we have been discussing here at length. Slight plumping can be encouraged by using high % of HA or oils, but this effect is temporary so needs repeating in daily skincare. (what we all do, basically).

Re creams - both the Clarins and the Caudelie are good enough creams, but if you compare them to, for example, Benton Steam Cream (which is less than half the price of the Caudelie) , you understand that the bulk of the product is cheap filler ingredients. So - by being more educated about ingredients we can use better stuff and save money.

Clarins -
Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Corn Starch Modified, Cetearyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum/Fragrance, Carbomer, Avenia Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Diethylhexyladipate, Disodium EDTA, Sodum Hyaluronate, Dodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Thymus Citriodorus Flower/Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Decarboxy Carnosine HCL, Methlisothiazolinone, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Lapsana Communis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract Bocoa Prouacensis Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Yellow 6

Caudalie lifting -
AQUA/WATER/EAU, OCTOCRYLENE, HEPTYL UNDECYLENATE, DIMETHICONE, ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE (OCTISALATE), ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE (OCTINOXATE), DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE (AVOBENZONE), METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SQUALANE, GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE, CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE), GLYCERIN, POTASSIUM CETYL PHOSPHATE, POLYGLYCERYL-3 STEARATE, SILICA, CI 77019 (MICA), HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, PALMITOYL GRAPEVINE SHOOT EXTRACT, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), XANTHAN GUM, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, SORBITAN LAURATE, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID , HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, ACETYL DIPEPTIDE-1 CETYL ESTER, HYALURONIC ACID, SODIUM PHYTATE, CITRIC ACID, TIN OXIDE, TOCOPHEROL, LINALOOL, LIMONENE, COUMARIN, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL (160/048)

Benton Steam cream -
Snail secretion filtrate, glycerin, butylene glycol, cetyl ethylhexanoate, cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide, stearic acid, behenyl alcohol, phytosqualene, rh ogliopeptide-1, bee venom, arbutin, adenosine, helianthus annus (sunflower) seed oil, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, argania spinosa kernal oil, glyceryl stearate, arginine, carbomer, urea, tocopheryl acetate, plantago asiatica extract, laminaria digitata extract, diospyros kaki leaf extract, salix alba (willow bark) extract, ulmus campestris (elm) extract, pentylene glycol, zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extract, pulsatilla koreana extract, usnea barbata (lichen) extract.

"Snail slime is commercially obtained from the common garden snail species Helix aspersa, which produces a secretion rich in proteins of high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid and antioxidants. The secretion of the snail supposedly has a double function when applied to human skin: on one hand it is claimed to stimulate the formation of collagen, elastin and dermal components that repair the signs of photoaging and, second, is claimed to minimize the damage generated by free radicals that are responsible for premature skin aging.

And word to the wise - please remember that January is usually a difficult month for skin. Cold, heating, recovering from holiday indulgences and travel etc etc. Take a step back, be gentle and patient!!