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.

Shiny new thread, hello all and Bo thanks for the great reading as ever.

Aurora I'm intrigued by your quiz - I'd have no idea but would love to find out more! I know the 2nd would be more irritating potentially but that's it.

Skinful I'm trying the P&M oil and like it even if it stinks It's too early to say if it is having any long term impact on my skin but I like how my skin looks the next morning so that's enough for now. Will repurchase.

I tried a bit of the P50V the other day at my sister in law's. I was all prepped for a red face, major tingle, etc etc and... nada. Not even a rosy cheek. Have I just got old boot leather skin? Or is the V ('mature'!) version just less harsh?

Do you have an issue with hyaluronic acid then, Susan? Most likely the low molecular form Deciem seems to favour. The Zelens and N+F have the alcohol delivery system in common so that may have been the cause there. Exactly how long and how did you use these products as that's a lot of different ones and TO hasn't been out for that long.

Think the V do you prefer if we refer to it as the R-rated version rather than 'mature' is a bit gentler than the P50 full strength, Shrew. I'm someone who goes red from just a bit of patting or washing my face but the P50 doesn't do much in the redness department, I don't think it's a requirement and the very red faces are more likely the 1970 formula versions you can only get in the US that contain phenol.

Hi, I'd love some advice please, I've read some of the other threads and looked at Caroline Hirons but I'm confused by all the products to address different issues.

Skin type: Combination but dehydrated (I think)

Approx age (range): Early 40s

Primary skin concern: Pores and flakiness, make-up caking/not lasting. Also general lack of tone/glow.

Routine :

AM : Freshen up with cream cleanser (currently Nivea), Nip & Fab pads a couple of times a week, Nip & Fab serum followed by Eucerin 5% urea to try and combat the flakiness

PM : Cream cleanser or micellar water to remove make-up then Sanctuary Oil Cleanser with muslin cloth followed by Sanctuary Facial Oil

Makeup : eg. no/light coverage/medium coverage/heavy coverage
Light coverage most days, occasionally heavy for meetings or nights out

Occasional treatments: Various masks, Nip & Fab Glycolic scrub

Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results: No disasters but no fantastic results either

Things that are really working well for me now: Everything is 'OK' but nothing seems to make a great difference

Any dietary/health concerns/pregnant: No

What I'm willing to spend on a single skincare item: eg. >£10, £10-20, £20-50, £50-100, no limits. £30 max I think

I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying I'm interested in retinols (I think) and/or acids - or are they the same thing?

Thank you :)

Ah I've heard of that! Seems crazy but worth a go.. would SubQ work? Or I have the Superdrug hydrating serum..?
Hmm, maybe I'll cut the nip fab down to once a week and see how I go.. thanks 😀

SomewhereNow, Retinol is an acid but generally when we talk acids in skincare we're referring to acid exfoliators (usually in the form of a liquid 'toner'-another confusing term relating more to where it fits in your routine than any semblance to traditional toners) like AHA and BHA (Retinol is an exfoliator too but in a different way, Hyaluronic is also an acid, as are some forms of Vit C to confuse it all further). I'll look at your form in more depth tomorrow.

Here's a review on the NIOD Copper solution AB equivalent, the Mizon Hyaluronic Acid 100 Ampoule, that I mentioned earlier. I doubt it'll be the same concentration as the NIOD but it is the 3rd ingredient (2nd in the NIOD- though should be noted since it's a two part solution this might change once mixed). It's only about £10 on eBay delivered and twice the amount of the NIOD.

Off to bed now, any subsequent forms won't be looked at until at least Tuesday.

Thanks very much botemp. The no.7 serum I've got is Lift & Luminate Triple Action.

I think SubQ would work, remind me of the texture of the Superdrug one again, in my mind it's quite milky/liquidy and I'm not sure how overdosing on ceramides would work out, though if you have a compromised barrier (which by the sound of it you do, dehydration is a sign of this and yours seems to be strong) ceramides are highly beneficial with that. Hmm, you could go mad and alternate them .

Really off to bed now.

It's more creamy.. haha yes maybe mix them up. I've ordered the body shop vit e toner, that may work too? It's alcohol free. I went a bit crazy with the 40% off..! Thanks 😀 will check out the copper link too 😀

Thank you bo I'll start a mini test with the p50w decant (thank you pupsie ) tomorrow night. The cicaplast was such a random discovery although someone did mention using it on acne and I told them not to. (Was that Shestood?) Haven't used it on 'active' spots but for the after effects it's been brilliant for getting rid of the dry bits and pigmentation marks.

Somewhere If your flakiness is localised and is more peeling/flaking than dry skin, then it's the same as I had on my nose probably caused by dehydration. (I'm combo, dehydrated, congestion prone.)
I've had a lot of improvement using a bha, then a hydrating serum and then La Roche Posay cicaplast.
The serum I use is, Vichy thermal dynamic hydration serum and the bha is, Cosrx blackhead power liquid, but that's because it's on my nose where I have sebaceous filaments and I had the serum in to use up.
I think whatever bha you prefer would work and a serum containing hyluronic acid for the hydration, then the Eucerin urea you already use, on top.

This is my first venture into giving layering and acids advice so check with bo and the others but that is what has worked well for me.

^ Should add, I tend to use different things on different parts of my face as my skin reacts differently in different areas. So I haven't used those 3 layers anywhere other than on my nose and around nostrils.

A quick retinol question. How is it sort of optimal to use it? I mean as in if I'm using it every other night would you use for X amount of weeks/months then have a break? Or use consistently? Am 32 if it makes a difference!

And for a review when you have time please

Skin type: hormonal acne prone, some occasional flakiness in winter, combination. Acne always on chin, jawline and above lip *

Approx age (range):* 32

Primary skin concern: acne and red marks post acne*

Routine :*

AM : boots botanics all bright lotion cleanser
Sub q hyaluronic or TO alpha arbutin
Secret key 24k gold first cream* *

PM : boots eye makeup remover
The cleansing balm you made me buy (korean one, can't remember name without moving) heimish- that's it!
TO retinol every other night alternated with TO ha/b5 and TO niaci (I use both of the second one after the other)
If skin is v bad I drop the above and use 5% benzoyl peroxide
This moisturiser (TO one wasn't hydrating enough for this time of year)
http://www.occo-online.com/shop/index.php/products/dalmacija-complete-hydration-moisturiser.html

Makeup : eg. no/light coverage/medium coverage/heavy coverage
lots! Medium to heavy

Occasional treatments: bliss or clearasil acid pads, sheet masks, mud masks*

Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results:* mizon snail gel broke me out. My skin doesn't seem to like mineral oil or silicone much or Shea/cocoa butter seems to break me out

Things that are really working well for me now:*
The cleansing balm, the moisturisers (am and pm ones)
Success in the past with Clinique TTDO balm and balmology neroli balm but budget says no

Any dietary/health concerns/pregnant: neutropenia (I take GCSF to stimulate my bone marrow)
Am also on v high dose of antihistamines * *
*
What I'm willing to spend on a single skincare item: eg. >£10, £10-20, £20-50, £50-100, no limits.*
£10 ish
*
I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying]:* more Korean stuff, things that will solve the hormonal acne as I constantly feel like I'm firefighting - treat spots, treat red marks, clear skin, hormonal spots, rinse and repeat
Recently my makeup has been harder to apply as I seem to have dry patches it clings to

I bought TO in October, I don't use all products at once I use my skincare as a bit of a wardrobe really, whatever I feel my skin needs. I get very very small bumps on my skin anywhere from 1-12 hours after my skin has chosen to disagree with something.

Hope that helps!

Hello everyone

So I've been following along but haven't posted recently. You may remember be posting a close up of a very red, angry looking nose. It never settled, I wasn't using much on it at all so went to GP who said it was Rosacea and has prescribed an antibiotic cream for it. He also said just use Clearasel or some other "teenage acne" treatment (not my normal GP and not a very nice or interested one). I think maybe it had been underlying all along as I've often had a redness to my nose which I always put down to colds or being outside a lot.

I'm going to continue with my fairly TO heavy regime on the rest of my face. Are there any good recommendations for rosacea products?

I'm still after an excellent sweat proof, outdoor proof, all weather proof sunscreen. The Biore is fine for indoors but I need something a bit heavier duty and that isn't a spray.

Wow... you've all been very busy while I slept

Shrew - the redness is not a must of using any P50 version. In my case (normal version) some days I get red and some not, also depending on what I use on top. Those acids will do their job either way. Just give it a go

Well done Enid! Indeed - ** chemical exfoliation, then serum containing HA, followed by occlusive layer locking all the loveliness in (followed by SPF in the AM).

Salty - have you tried LRP Anthelios or do you want to try another Japanese one?

Bo - hope you didn't miss Fizzy's tip re the Lumea from the end of the last thread. I think mine will arrive today.

Dyed my hair yesterday and though I didn't have the extra time to faff with the clay I did add some RBO to the oil mixture I add to my mask. So far so good - very shiny hair and lovely dark blond colour.

No one else wants to have a go at my quiz (tip - you will be very surprised when I post the "answers")?

Can't keep up with the rest at the moment. Back later...

Hello again, I've checked the Olay toner and you seem to be right Bo, unavailable everywhere.

I am in Italy, and my first version of it was from here, and was beige packaging and part of the 7 Total Effects range. The next bottle was from the UK - purple packaging and called Anti Wrinkle, no mention of 7 Total Effects. Ingredients list is identical- just checked empty bottle that luckily I hadn't thrown away.

Hopefully they have pulled it momentarily to bring all their different variations and packaging under one name globally. (dd also uses it for her KP on her upper arms)

Re: sunscreen, I do have the Biore watery essence but am naughty and lazy and I will start to use it I promise!

I am going to go and order some Vit C now.

Thanks shrew . Do keep us updated!
salty I also would get a red throbbing nose and have redness and broken capillaries u dear my nose. I searched and searched Dr Google and found a few people with exactly the same issues. They also had Raynauds (me too,although not severe). I am afraid of my go looking in his 10 min slot and saying Rosacea. I will ask for a dermatology referral if he does as I know that there is definitely a connection to Raynauds .

*my GP

Have you posted the quiz already aurora?

Thanks for that Vintage, I could never find the Olay toner here in the Netherlands but apparently we do still have the 7 Total Effects one and it is indeed identical in INCI. It looks to be introduced here about a year or so ago whereas it's been around longer in the UK. Hopefully, they'll relaunch it under the 7 Total Effects line too for the budget minded in the UK. It never made much sense to me under the Anti-Wrinkle name considering it's a niacinamide and BHA product (which do have anti-ageing benefits but aren't really the first ones I'd name).

LazySusan11, you haven't mentioned your skin type (dehydrated is a condition), by your products I'm going with very very dry but please let me know what you experience it as. The immediate reaction to the product does sound like an allergy or intolerance. I suspect it might very well be low molecular weight HA but it may also be something else.

hollinhurst84 at that age you're using it preventatively (mostly, I'm assuming a bit of blemish busting too) so to see the best results long term is to be consistent with it. The stop and start theories really have to do with prescription retinoids where sometimes the side effects don't outweigh the benefits and a pause period is required to recuperate.

Have you ever looked into the LJH Tea Tree 90 Essence and their Vita Propolis Ampoule (I recently read the latter is also highly recced for rosacea) they're the most loved K-beauty products for those dealing with hormonal acne. Not in the £10 range though, they're rather pricey for AB. Not Korean but in the price range and worth a go (though Japanese) is the Melano CC Essence Vit C spot treatment to help with PIH (Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation for the newbies, the usually red/darker marks left behind after a blemish has subsided).

Welcome back Salty, I was worried it would be that. I do hope you're getting some proper info from your own GP. Did they put you on any medication? I know you're big on exercise and outdoors but these tend to be major triggers for rosacea, spicy foods are another, as are drastic changes in temperature I know, I know, not what you want to hear at all. I'm sure some of the rosaceacs ahem on here can give you some more advice. Not waterproof but possibly a good one to try SPF wise is the Bioderma Photoderm Sensitive SPF50+ Extreme Milk which is water resistant (which I think should cover the exercise, some sweating, but not plunging into water). It's in a tube .

I didn't miss Fizzy's tip, Aurora, but I kind of already knew about it since they do this at the place I get my face zapped, didn't think to do it on myself though but it would be useful. Mine's been sitting in its box staring at me for two whole days now, I'm kind of waiting on the cashback approval as I heard some horror stories about that after buying it.

Am I allowed to participate in the quiz? I wouldn't pay more than €10 for either.

Speaking of masks Skincity is giving away a weird face brush for masks that has me intrigued. Their cheapest masks from Maria Akerberg (travel sizes) are actually cheaper than the brush, I've actually used the clay version and it is quite nice (clay plus a bit of lactic acid) but now am suitably intrigued by another for clearing which is silica, a natural form of Vit C, and a bit of lactic acid for €7 and a free brush. I might just take the plunge.

Also 3 for 2 on Neal's Yard with them (don't know how their pricing compares to the UK though) and 20% off Darphin (again not sure how the prices stack up against Easyparapharmacie). Which reminds me the Intral SPF is now out for whomever was eyeing it and I've been reading up a bit on the Intral range as I know Pupsie likes the serum a whole lot which I mocked for a bit of colouring and there is some high praise out there from some rosacea sufferers (for others it's less of a success but those that do get on well with it are very much obsessed with it). Most specifically the toner (which generally doesn't do much for most but for those with sensitive skin/rosacea they can be quite beneficial to counteract the stress other products and water can be causing) and the cleansing milk which people seem to be happy to buy by the 500ml bottles.

The quiz is in the beginning of the thread somewhere... and of course you can participate bo

Why were they giving ppl hassle over the cash back scheme?? How rude! I just got a huge free steam iron from Bosch last week cause I bought a dryer...

Must go buy that eyeliner (makes me reminisce over the days I used to do the thing where you put white pencil between the flicks of the bottom and top lines, ahhh... not for daytime obvs )

It was a different brand but basically, you had to send in the physical barcode (cut out from the box) and because they hadn't attached it to the form (no instructions were given to do that) it had gotten lost and no cashback was given. Another person had sellotaped it on and then that was rejected too as it was no longer legible, and on and on. I've done cashbacks in the past with no issues though so it must just have been that one brand being a pain but I'm assuming there's also a lot of people taking advantage, trying to return it after receiving the money, etc. Mine was all digital uploads so I don't foresee any issues and I was fine paying the amount it cost even without the cashback so I should just get on with it need to buy some razors, ugh.

I did read that you can also use the Lumea after waxing/epilating which probably isn't so handy in the initial period where you do it every fortnight but I was glad to read this for the long term as I loathe shaving and my skin hates it even more.

Botemp - I haven't but that does remind me I do have Pure Heals propolis 90 ampoule, could be worth a go. I will google the others
And yes retinol as preventative and acne

Ugh, sounds like a nightmare... hope you get your money back!

Yeah, also read you can use Lumea after epilating. Problem would be that epilating two legs thoroughly takes a looong time plus the Lumea treatment... yaaawn!!! I think in any case you need to shave after epilating to make sure there is no hair left, right?
I can do the Lumea Wednesday night, I think, so might epilate tonight and then shave just before Lumea. TMI?

Also need to get a good razor... and white eyeliner

I'm not too worried, one of my friends' father is a bigwig at Philips so I'll know who to complain to if they mess up my cashback .

Well supposedly after the first four times you don't actually need to shave at all, skin just needs to be smooth enough to glide over not actually hair free . I'm still a little baffled by how it works as laser needs the hair root as a conduit to do its job but IPL seems to work differently. I'm not expecting miracles in such a short time anyhow but I do still have a few bold spots from my elos adventure so am curious how this will compare.

Wednesday sounds good, I'm upping the dry brushing and scrubbing to tackle the ingrowns and I still need to buy a razor. I have a beige eyeliner from Kiko that I hardly ever use but I'm worried it might be too creamy and I won't even be able to see it...