Ditch The Foundation, Embrace Some Fantastic Skincare Instead!

[botemp]

Thread 1

Thread 2

Thread 3

Thread 4

For those who are taking a peek and wondering whether thread 1,2, 3, and 4 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 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.

Make sure you've read the earlier threads (or at the very least the first one) so we're not being asked to answer to previously raised questions. 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 relating specifically to you, 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.

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]:

---

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.

Bo & Hollin, you poor things - horrible to be in pain. And Hollin also horrible to miss the shower! Hope it isn't getting you down

Welcome Sorelip your skin sounds similar to mine at the moment wrt constant hormonal type spots (mine started about 7 months ago too). Has the differin helped much?

I've seen a slight improvement since the start of the year but I don't know whether that's due to the fact I've cut sugar out of my diet or that I've taken my skin routine back to basics (again). Am seeing my GP about it on Tuesday

This thread does tend to go a bit quiet over the weekend but I'm sure Bo will pop up at some point to offer her advice...

Thank you Fizzy. The Differin hasn't done much yet but I've only been using it for a couple of weeks.

I managed dry January and have cut right down on dairy (GP's advice) but nothing is helping so far. I think stress and hormone issues are to blame, which will be harder to sort out.

Hi. I'm hoping someone can give some advice. I've tired to read as much as I can but I'm overseas and I'm struggling with my data allowance (the MN app uses a lot of this). So I previously washed morning and night with clean and clear, moisturised with coconut oil. That was my only skin routine. I had the contraceptive implant put in in May last year. Everything was fine until about November 2016. I got spotty, and welt like and it continued in a cycle. I had other terrible side affects from the implant (the usual kind without tmi) so I do believe the issues I've have with my skin are related to that and are hormonal.

But. I was walking past a shop in Sydney and got given a sample of this. I used it and it appears to be drying out my spots. My skin is clearer than it has been in months and this is the only thing that has changed. I'm assuming there is an active ingredient, possibly an alcoholic one. Can anyone suggest any moisturising creams that don't cost the earth that may be similar to this? I only used coconut oil because it was cheap and worked, I have no loyalty to specific brands! TIA

I hope so too fizzy! Let me know what it is like

I got a decant of p50w from mintychops in the end, she got it from a spa in dun laoghaire. I'll dig out the name again and post it.

It's a placed called the greenhouse project. Website is bad but they definitely do biologique recherche. Minty just rang them I think.

Ah ok, in that case I will probably just ring the London spa that someone else has used when I'm ready to give it a go. Giving my skin a break from actives at the moment, but thought if there was somewhere in Dublin there'd be no harm in popping in. Thanks though!

Sorelip Having finished acne treatment not too long ago a couple of things leapt out at me. Firstly, differin is not an on the spot treatment, it should be applied to the entire face as it acts as a preventive. I hope it was explained to you that it's very common for things to get worse before they get better, a lot of people experience what's known as the purge when starting retinoids. My initial breakout was horrendous, I went back to having the skin of my 14 year old self. But if you stick with it you should see an improvement.

My doctor also forgot to tell me to start treatment slowly and build up gradually. My prescription label just said to apply once a day to affected areas so I just blindly followed the instructions. I ended up with a very red, sore, weeping face and had to stop treatment to let it heal. After doing my research I found out you should start by using it once or twice a week and slowly build up to using it daily. I still experienced dry skin and flaking, but that's to be expected from prescription strength retinoids. I was also told to drop other products containing AHA's/BHA's, they might be ok to use alongside over the counter retinoids, but not with prescription strength products.

Also, you don't mention an SPF in your routine. This is absolutely essential when using differin as it's basically an extreme exfoliating treatment. You really do need to protect the very delicate new skin that is being revealed.

Wilting It's Yong you want for the rice bran info not me.

Hollin Hope you're not too sore today.

LtheWife I knew precisely none of that. Nothing was explained, I was just told to put it on the spots once a day. I didn't even know it was a retinoid. Thank you so much for the information! Which SPF do you use?

A little but my lovely parcel from Dulci has arrived which cheered me up greatly!!

Sorelip It's just shocking that they hand out such strong prescriptions without any real guidance or information. I hope it was at least mentioned you need rock solid contraception in place? Absolutely not something to be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

The best advice I can give is make your routine as gentle and bland as possible, especially to start with whilst your skin is getting used to the differin. The LRP dermo cleanser that is recommended over and over here is a great choice for cleanser. SPF wise I used ultrasun and found I didn't need a moisturiser during the day. PM I used TTDO balm for first cleanse, LRP dermo for second and Cerave PM lotion as a moisturiser.

The good news is if you keep at it the discoloured scarring from previous breakouts will disappear too. Ultimately it helped but didn't clear my acne completely so I progressed to roaccutane but I know it's a life changing product for many. I hope you start to see results soon.

Hollin that sounds super painful . Bo I hope you're okay too - I think you said you were going away for the weekend?

I tried that SF removal routine last night. No grits. Is it worth persisting once a week? Skin did feel softer after...

Hi everyone. Ancient member here, but have not been around in a long while (life gets in the way of these things). I have been busy reading ALL the old threads and have been loving it. The information shared here is phenomenal and I think I may have found my tribe I am going to post my form here and then later on will post one for my DD who at almost 18 has hormonal skin issues and the spots that go with it. Anyway here goes:
*Skin type: Normal wth some dehydration. Redness to cheeks (Irish ruddiness). Used to suffer from Seb Derm but that has gone away as I matured. Neck and décolletage quite sensitive. I had a Basal Cell Carcinoma removed from my neck 10 yrs ago so I use SPF daily.

*Approx age (range): 47

*Primary skin concern: Anti-ageing, also not 100% sure the routine I am using is a) right for me, b) overkill or c) lacking in key ingredients.

*Routine :

*AM : cleanse with CeraVe hydrating cleanser.
Follow with First Aid Beauty radiance pads.
Then LRP Redermic C10, Pestle & Mortar Hyaluronic Acid, a moisturiser which varies (usually non-SPF) and then finally SPF 40+ (Neutrogena Ultra Sheer/Biore Watery Essence/Image skincare SPF50.
Occasionally I will use Avene Hydrance Riche which contains SPF20 if I am planning on being indoors most of the day.

*PM :
Double cleanse. I alternate first cleanse between DHC, Bioderma micellar water and Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse.
Second cleanse is either CeraVe (as per AM), Dermalogica Essential Cleansing Solution or Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm (mostly use this in winter months)
Every other evening I use Pixi Glow Tonic.
I then use the following: LRP Redermic R, LRP Redermic Yeux, Olay Regenerist 3-point Serum and Cream. I had been using a Spanish brand of Retin-A (Retirides) but took a break for a few months to try and use up other stuff. Plan on going back to it at some stage!

**Side note: like many of us, I have, over time, bought way more products than I will ever need/use. I spent the last 18 months figuring out what I like, what suits me and what I will repurchase. I still have lots of half-empty jars of potions and plan to use them on the body (great tip I picked up here)

*Makeup : yes, almost every day. I use a primer, foundation, concealer, mascara, brow pencil, blush and lipstick.

*Occasional treatments: facial maybe once a year. I tried microdermabrasion once but was advised by the therapist not to do it again (and she went lightly on me that time) due to the possibility of inflammation in my cheeks. I had 4 sessions IPL for said redness and got some pleasing results but not enough to justify the cost and the pain.

*Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results: Nothing I can think of. I avoid scrubs and physical exfoliators on my face and neck.

*Things that are really working well for me now: Vitamin C, Retinoids (-ols, etc)

*Any dietary/health concerns/pregnant: Asthma, some seasonal allergies. Taking HRT as I am in menopause (oh the joys of being a woman just never end)

*What I'm willing to spend on a single skincare item: £30 but not fixed.

*I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying]: I am very interested in trying The Ordinary range. Ideally I would like to incorporate Lactic Acid, Matrixyl and the caffeine eye serum. I will also purchase the rose hip oil as I have used in the past. Possibly replace my Redermic products with TO as well. I guess I would love some advice regarding what I use - am I using things in the correct order? Can I combine more of them or in fact do I need to separate any out to alternative days? Can I use the Pixi toner every night even if I am using Retinol? If I add in lactic Acid i use that on non-Ret evenings, is that correct?

I have some items in my carts right now including Face Theory day and night creams which I will try when my current creams are finished.

TYIA!

Glad it arrived safely, hollin. That was quick!

I was puzzled as to why I had no post, came back in the bedroom (ground floor) and nice postie had launched it onto my bed. The cat was asleep on it

sorelip great advice and support upthread by Lthewife. I would suggest having a look on YouTube at Dr Sam Bunting. She's a London based dermatologist. I know she has quite a few videos on acne which might be helpful and informative for you

I too received a nice little parcel from Dulci
Quicker than mail order and who knew I'd ever receive anything called shark sauce and snail goo as a bonus

If anyone would like my Mizon snail gel in happy to post it out. At least 3/4 left, seems to work best as an occlusive layer over another moisturiser but would work alone if you're oily
My stupid skin broke out with it but it's got v good ratings

Hi, would love a bit/lot of help for somebody who is full of good intentions but then gets bamboozled with what’s out there and comes back empty handed/with a stop gap item “until I figure things out”.

Skin type:* Sensitive. Dry/Slightly oily on t zone

Approx age (range): 43

Primary skin concern: Anti-ageing, dehydration, lack of glow/tired looking, tired looking eyes

Routine : Not great,

AM : Wipe with warm flannel & moisturise

PM : Eye make up remover, cleansing oil & warm flannel. Moisturise

Makeup : light/medium foundation daily with cream blusher & mascara

Occasional treatments: none

Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results: reacted to a Vichy moisturiser years ago – felt like my skin was on fire, no damage, but left me wary of what I put on

Things that are really working well for me now: Nothing, though did use La Roche Posay Hydraphase Riche before and was pleased with it

Any dietary/health concerns/pregnant: No

What I'm willing to spend on a single skincare item: depends on the product but probably no more than 15-20 on any one item

I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying]: Would love help getting a nice skincare routine that tackles anti-aging and helps me not look as washed out.

Has this cleansing balm been mentioned on here before? It sounds ok to me and a much better price than my EH. www.merumaya.com/melting-cleansing-balm-100ml.html

INCI - CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, GLYCERIN, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, AQUA (WATER), SUCROSE LAURATE, GLYCERYL DIBEHENATE, ECHIUM PLANTAGINEUM SEED OIL, PHENOXYETHANOL, SUCROSE PALMITATE, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), SUCROSE COCOATE, SUCROSE STEARATE, CITRONELLOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, GARCINIA MANGOSTANA FRUIT EXTRACT, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CHLORPHENESIN, TETRASODIUM EDTA, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, HEXYLENE GLYCOL.

Seems it was reviewed (favourably) by all the usual people about 2-3 years ago but it's the first I've heard of it.

Enid - I have used it and v much liked it. It's a strange texture, not unpleasant but it's not like a normal balm. Sort of a thick gel balm that emulsifies

Thank you. Think I'll try it, it sounds interesting and it's the best one I've looked at, for my skin anyway. I've got loads of EH left so it might have to wait. (Just spent this months beauty budget on colorphlex.)

Posted too soon! It smells nice, and didn't break me out. I had a sample size and must have liked it because I remember cutting the tube open to get the last bit out. It was on my want to buy when have enough cash list

Oh and can you use it on eye make up like the EH Hollin? I can't be doing with a separate eye make up remover.