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 - re surratt price jumps, I bought a lipslique at the old price from urbanretreat that arrived at the weekend. They're part of the hut group, which I've found to be a bit shonky in the past but this all went fine - I paid by PayPal just in case anyway. In stock, sent quickly, product perfect. Just in case it's any use to you... :)

Hello everyone back in the land of the living!

Had such a busy weekend I could hardly speak yesterday night

bo you didn't say you were going to Paris not jealous at all. I want a detailed list of your beauty shopping ASAP!! And thanks so much for speaking to Clarins though I still see no sign of that delivery.

And yes the concealer is amazing but don't feel you have to rush and buy it. I don't use much make up - most days just concealer, mascara, blush and some lip product, so obvs concealer becomes more important. The EL one in the little tube (long name) is also very good and creamy and doesn't settle into creases at all.
And yes it does behave wonderfully when used on lids under eyeshadow

A few more answers to Q's raised in the weekend -

First - retinol: the SC 1% is a very strong product so I really think combining that with another retinol is too much. When I tried combing it with TO VIT C last week my skin did not thank me! So please be careful with those actives (where is the chemistry lab emohi??)

Second - don't have time to scroll back now but to the poster who asked about acne and said her periods are getting shorter -
Please, please get this checked! I'm certainly no expert but it sounds a bit worrying.
As for the acne - I think you first have to eliminate hormonal issues before you can tackle this seriously. Others with hormonal issues here might have some more words of wisdom. I'll have a look at your routine later tonight when I've got more time.

Off to study with kids...

Bugger it, Dulci, got really excited there for a bit then discovered everything I'm interested in is sold out . Might get two eyeshadows, and whilst there maybe a lipslique too. Which colours do you like, they're semi-sheer, right?

I didn't do any shopping, Aurora, I was kind of low energy and on low sleep due to the exploding cyst business and was very insistent we go regardless but it kind of caught up with me now and then so it was very much low and slow and avoiding the busy shopping areas. I'm getting a raincheck , hopefully from BR, Sisley, and Clarins already!

@Sorelip , first off special thanks to LtheWife for excellent guidance in my absence.

A few things, and SPOILER ALERT I am going to be a bit stern in places. I’m outraged by the poor guidance from your GP but in all fairness, I do think that whilst they have been very negligent there is some personal responsibility lacking on your part too. Unless it is very different to here I assume you received a very extensive information packet from the manufacturer (and perhaps additional from the pharmacy) with your prescription and individual instructions from your practitioner (and I’m also left wondering if you’ve misinterpreted instructions to use in affected areas as ‘spot’ treatment, also curious to know how often it was suggested you use this and whether tolerance was to be built up).

A quick read through the manufacturer’s instruction provided me with the exact same information LtheWife pointed out. The only deviation being that they recommend using a salicylic gel cleanser (which makes sense as the medication is highly inflaming, therefore, a momentary salicylic wash will help reduce that) which I would have steered you towards probably anyhow- please don’t take this as the green light to use a BHA toner/products as LtheWife has already, rightfully, pointed out that whilst on a prescription retinoid (though technically Differin/Adapalene is a retinoid-like prescription) you shouldn’t be messing with any other actives and certainly not AHA and BHAs. So I don’t mean to be harsh, but I probably am, because it is somewhat irresponsible to start using any form of medication without reading into what it is and does prior.

Ok, stern face out of the way, though not exactly done yet. If you’re suffering from crazy hormones go figure this out first with your GP, ASAP. Take this from the person continually having to tackle the hormones, you want these things out of the way and the worst scenarios off the table. Hormones are complex and confusing and whilst it’s many medical practitioners easy way out to put you on BC (and do discuss this with them after getting thorough bloodwork done to get something that works best for you) it often masks the underlying problem which you really should want to get to grips with it as there will be times you can’t or won’t want to rely on BC and all that entails (or tolerate the side effects).

As for your routine:

AM :

Soap and Glory Face Soap and Clarity Vitamin C facial wash I’m going to be harsh here again but this is possibly the worst thing you could be using for acneic skin, it has a physical exfoliant, and whilst not SLS a very similar cheap surfactant that takes away the SLS stigma but operates pretty much the same way, the fragrance, etc. Ahem, I could go on… It’s actively provoking already provoked skin, with acneic skin it really is key to be as gentle with it as possible. As mentioned before the Differin suggests a Salicylic Acid Cleanser, the LRP Toleriane Dermo should be okay to cover you but if you do experience excessive purging you may consider using an SA in your nighttime routine and the morning after. If you need SA cleanser recs I’ll have to get back to you as a lot are very stripping.

HA - see note below

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Without a prescription this would have been a good choice but it is a form of BHA so probably best to reach for a simpler moisturiser like LRP Toleriane Fluide (old version if it’s still available), if you can’t find it let me know I’ll dig up the alternatives again).

SPF

PM :

Garnier Micellar cleansing water ← Use for eye makeup remover.

Soap and Glory Face Soap and Clarity Vitamin C facial wash See above. If you can get away with single cleansing I’d stick to that for now, otherwise double cleanse with the Banila Co first (or LRP 2x), then LRP TD/SA Cleanser on Differin nights.

HA - see note below

Then either Bravura Revitalising Ginseng toner and Cosrx Blackhead Power Liquid
LRP Toleriane Fluide or similar

OR prescription Differin 0.1% w/w gel (just on the spots) per GP’s instructions.

It’s probably also worth incorporating a hydrating serum AM and PM to make up for the stripping that might occur with SA Cleansers and the Differen. Something like the Superdrug Simply Pure Hydrating Serum or possibly a Japanese HA toner.

Also, have a read through to my reply to FunnyBunny01 on I think the previous thread (twas a giant wall of text) that also goes into the environmental, dietary, and habitual aspects to hormonal acne to take into consideration.

Welcome @miffy2 , I do hope with ancient you’re referring to how long you’ve been on these boards and not your age as that’s hardly even halfway to ancient .

I don’t know if I’m going to be stern or maybe I’m just overzealous but considering your history with Basal Cell Carcinoma if I were in your position the last thing I’d be doing is treating my skin with any sort of photosensitising agents like retinoids and acids. Most definitely not grey area prescription retinoids from a Spanish farmacia! Sorry, but this feels like tempting fate to me. Add to that practitioners advising you against continuing pricey treatments like IPL and dermabrasion (honestly, this is the first time I’ve ever heard about an esthetician turning people away) and your proneness to pain and irritation in the cheek area makes me suspect you’re actively ignoring the sensitivity and delicacy of your skin in favour of results that are most likely not achievable.

Again wrt your BCC, personally, I wouldn’t dare look at a sunray without the best mineral/physical maximum protection SPF I could afford, no matter the weather or how long I’m spending outdoors. I fully admit, however, that I’m being overly cautious here but I tend to live by the rather safe than sorry motto which makes me boring as fuck.

Wrt your routine I’d say the following, ime and the feedback on these threads, it’s very common that sensitive/delicate skin and glycolic acid aren’t the best match and it’s something that is discovered gradually rather than immediate. It can also be that it’s tolerated very well initially only then to become sensitising, especially in the cheek area. I think if you want to keep an acid in your routine I would definitely be looking at Lactic as it’s gentler but the one from TO left me and Dulci very unimpressed. The Azelaic has more fans but I’m not really sure how much of interest this is to already regularly using acid users. NIOD also has that sort of an acid but not really an acid thing too which isn’t photosensitising and works as effectively as an exfoliating acid without being an acid.

I think looking at TO for Retinol alternatives is a sensible switch, see above about the difference in their Retinoid Complex 2% and if you want to avoid sun sensitising products altogether then Matrixyl performs the similar benefits of Retinol and Vit C (although I’m not 100% how quick and effective). I wouldn’t buy into their Rosehip oil personally (not a fan of the extraction process or the feedback it’s received on here so far). The Caffeine serum is interesting enough as a temporary depuffer but I wouldn’t call it an adequate anti-ageing substitution for a Retinol based eye product. I’ve actually been meaning to buy some dry eye sheet masks to saturate with the Caffeine serum to use as an occasional eye treatment, think that’s what this kind of serum is actually best at.

@momini , I think you should start with incorporating a standalone SPF in your AM routine and then look into acid toning. Something LRP Redermic or similar for the eyes, Hylamide Sub Q eyes as a more gentler alternative. I’d get either the TO Buffet or Matrixyl as a hydrating serum for the AM and PM. Once you have your basics in place look into acid toning (with AHA) and incorporating Vit C and Retinol for an anti-ageing routine that targets ‘glow’.

Routine:

AM:

Gentle cleanser like LRP Toleriane Dermo Cleanser (or stick with just the flannel if especially dry or in winter only)

TO Vit C 23% or similar (introduce further down the line once routine is settled, introducing it slowly and gradually)

HA Serum

Moisturiser

SPF

PM:

Oil Cleanser

Gentle water based cleanser like LRP TDC

TO Retinoid Complex 2% OR on alternate days Acid Toning with AHA (introduce both further down the line once routine is settled, introducing it slowly and gradually)

HA Serum

Moisturiser and/or Facial Oil according to preference.

Have you tried using the Azelaic yet, Hollin? I think it's supposed to be in a silicone suspension so perhaps that'll work with the makeup? Seems the best place for it considering how heavy the PM is though Nia or HA could easily be switched out to the AM.

Yes it is quite silicone feeling. Hmmmm
I could do the HA/B5 with that and swap the niaci out to the AM actually. Then my retinol is alternate nights anyway

Oh forgot to post earlier. I still can't shower because of my stitches - day 4. Less KP on my arms, less dry skin and my skin feels so soft!

Ah, poor bo! Well, nothing wrong with staying away from busy shopping streets and tourists. As much as I love beauty and clothes, as you well know, I must admit that in Paris I always prefer just roaming the streets, sitting in cafes and the museums.
Of course they'll give you raincheck. You can use it when we go back as part of our world tour.

Did you write you ended up getting the Matryxil? How are you finding it? Curious seeing it's really exceeded my expectations.

Still deliberating about which PM second serum to order. Have had no luck finding a sample of the MF.

Tried L'HERBOFLORE Job's Tears sheet mask a few days ago but was not impressed (must admit that I had an extremely stressful week, so that always plays a role obvs).

@botemp. thank you for the reply!
I am quite diligent about sunscreen these days and am quite sure the BCC was as a result of time in the sun as a child, having been burnt a number of times! Yes, the therapist actually told me not to get dermabrasion (I had been given a voucher for two treatments so I got a hydrating facial the second time around) and the IPL I just gave up on myself, they were happy enough to keep treating me (at €120 a pop).
I have ordered the Matrixyl, Lactic Acid and caffeine serum from TO as well as their retinoid.

Can you recommend some good sunscreens? I tend to chop and change between them and have yet to find a decent one that sits well under makeup and doesn't leave me Casper-faced.

Thanks again ...and yes 'ancient' referred to me being around these parts many years ago! :)

Hi everyone!

I've been lurking for ages and loving this thread (the pictures of the French pharmacy shelves really convinced me that I'd found my people!) and I've finally caved and created an account so I can join in the fun!

I have one main question I am hoping someone will be able to help me with! So I'm pretty sure my skin does not like niacinamide; I got the niacinamide serum from the ordinary but when I use it I get little white heads all over my face :( Not really a problem in itself but looking at the ingredients for the p50 shows it contains niacinamide too! I remember someone posting ingredients lists for the other versions of p50 but I've tried searching and cannot find it. Does anyone know if any of the p50s are niacinamide free? Failing that, any other acid toners that are as good? I already use the PC 2% BHA on my nose which is great and in the past have used pixi glow tonic which again my skin seemed to really like but I was seduced by all the love for p50 and really wanted to try something stronger!

Thanks in advance!

Bo Thanks for the feedback on the retinol issues - I'm treating my poor inflamed skin with kid gloves at the moment (oils seem to be fine), and when it's calmed down I'll stick to the TO Retinoid (which didn't give me any problems) and try and find my SC a new, more suitable home!

Bo, I have eglantine (deepish rose), peccadille (plum) and now gamine (nude peach). They aren't opaque but they're buildable, and darker ones are definitely more pigmented than some tinted lip stuff. Wondegondigo has some good swatches. I'm sort of thinking of getting chuchoter as another easy work one - funny, I've always been into stronger colours but as I'm getting older I can't do brights easily. Less saturation overall I think.

My skin was superglowy today - I am so in love with TO Vitamin C. I've had a complete u turn on that stuff. Thanks so much for the advice and tips here that encouraged me to persevere with it

I've been using the Matrixyl for a few weeks now. It is nice, haven't noticed anything major with it but I think it would be too soon anyhow. I've found some baby Bifida samples btw, 7x 5ml bottles for something like 16 euros. I'll send you one or more (if preferred) as soon as it arrives, have sent out an offer earlier today for combined shipping and am waiting to hear back. I'll seek out the link tomorrow again.

miffy2, for mineral I'd look at Skinceuticals and Neostrata. There are a few new ones coming out of Japan but they're only just launching so I don't have enough info on them yet. Kiehl's and Clinique also both released newer fluid mineral ones recently that are worth looking into. Bioderma Photoderm (the mineral one with a spray) is the classic super protection mineral SPF of choice but you'd have to check how it works for you. Let me know how you get on with TO Lactic Acid since no one seems to like it so far.

Ooh a lurker turned registered! This means I get a prize right? Welcome, Himynamescatrina! It may be the concentration of niacinamide rather than the ingredient itself (or something else altogether like the low molecular weight hyaluronic acid TO favours). Niacinamide is a pretty common ingredient so it probably is worth checking whether you have it in any other products or ones you've used in the past. The percentage of Nia in P50 is pretty low but if iirc it's in all versions.

PC 10% AHA is niacinamide free iirc, I'd have to look a little bit more into other options.

Thanks, Dulci, I'll have a peruse on Wondegondigo.

Fizzy That's the first antibiotic I was given when I first had acne about 15 years ago and it worked for me. Took about 8 weeks to start doing its thing and 3 months before I could see a difference, but it reduced oil, blackheads and the acne. I took it for much much longer than I should have really (2 years!) but it worked the whole time. When I got acne again 10ish years later (thanks to ivf) it didn't work as well so I had to try a different one. I hope it works for you, just remember to give it time (a few weeks) before deciding if it's doing anything.

I think I'm near a Sisley counter later this week. What are my chances of getting a tiny sample of The Concealer? zero I can't try it on, look at myself properly and judge properly when eager advisors are waiting for a verdict. Not when it's a base product anyway.

I will go and swatch and try a bit anyway. Can imagine it'll be impossible to resist.

Ehm.. They do have samples of THE concealer.... they sometimes pop up on eBay for those that can't get to a counter it's shade 2!!!! : www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sisley-Phytocernes-Eye-Concealer-/302215461832?hash=item465d71fbc8:g:eEwAAOSwo4pYlieB

I'm hypocritically okay with people spending 4 quid on a free sample

botemp thank you for taking the time to give me all that information and for the recommendations. You're right about me being irresponsible. The GP told me to put the differin on just the spotty areas not all over my face, every night. I just took her word for it. Not a mistake I'll be making again! The appointment was about 2 weeks ago so hopefully not too much harm has been done. I'll be making another appointment with my usual GP ASAP. Wish my hormones weren't such an arse ache, I've already got hypothyroidism

I used the LRP dermo last night and this morning and it felt nice on my skin.

Grrrrrr so I got a sample of Bobbi brown bb cream, had 3 days worth and really liked it to went out and bought the full size and now my skin has decided it won't play nice with it!! It sits on surface and kind of seperates enhancing my dehydration! And I keep getting red lumps and spots!!
Anyway going to try and return it this week but what in earth can I try next?? The Bobbi brown sounded perfect...no fragrance, not silicone heavy, nice texture etc FFS!!!!!
Also really unhappy with my hair and scalp! Shampoos and conditioners are all shit!

Oh I got a sample of that too and decided I didn't like it. Thought it made my pores look weird. Can you bring it back?

The Chanel counter were awfully miserly recently, they gave me 1 sachet of their newest foundation.

Which I don't like, too drying. It's like sheer cement tbh

Sorelip, forgive me for stating the obvious but you are aware the thyroid is an endocrine gland that is an essential part of the endocrine system, the thing that regulates your body's hormones? HT is known to affect your cycles, shortening, lengthening, lightening, or otherwise.

You may just need to readjust your medication if you're taking that, but obviously, let your GP make the call on it. You hadn't mentioned any of this in your form and I wish you had, as thyroid disorders usually come with a thinning of the skin and it makes me wonder how sensible it is to use Differin, definitely bring it up with your regular GP if the one who prescribed it to you isn't your regular GP and your skin is delicate/thinner as a result of the hypothyroidism.

Also, Soya in excess is known to be a hormone disruptor as it mimics certain hormones and may interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication. I think it really is important to read up on these things and discussing them with your GP before making these type of changes rather than suffering the ill consequences, your health really isn't worth gambling this much.

Mint/Jo, have you tried the CC cream from Clinique that Aurora likes? I know Clinique is usually a menace to your skin but they have the occasional exception, believe that one is either low or no -cone.

Also, Sorelip the GP was correct in saying apply the Differin in spotty affected areas but that doesn't equal 'spot treatment'. Spot treatment is placing a large concentration of the product on a localised spot. As per the instructions for Differin (and the GP that described it) you should apply a very thin layer on the affected spot prone areas and not all over your face.

wilting yes I'm definitely going to try and return it.

bo I haven't tried the Clinique cc cream on my face but I did try on back of my hand and it looked too shiny, I hate a shiny finish :-( plus would be very wary of using another Clinique product.