Fantastic Skincare - Snail Optional 🐌

[botemp]

Thread 1 Thread 2 Thread 3 Thread 4 Thread 5

For those who are taking a peek and wondering whether previous threads are worth reading, we mostly discuss a bit of advanced skincare here with a perspective of seeking out the right ingredients for our particular skin 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 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 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.

Re mascara, I love Dior Diorshow mascara because I like the fat fibre brush. I don't like skinny brushes or those plastic, rubber type ones.

I hate They're Real mascara but lots love it.

A good trick is to squeeze off excess with a clean tissue (I put the extra back in the tube but you're probably not supposed to) then hold the brush at the roots and kind of wiggle it side to side as you pull towards the ends. It coats each lash properly and makes the roots look thicker. A metal lash comb is handy to have too.

I love Benefit roller lash but I'm lucky enough to have thick, dark lashes though they're a bit stumpy, so I need something to add lift and length. If you want volume as well it probably wouldn't be ideal.

I ordered TO coverage foundation in 2.1 Y which is medium with yellow tones. It may be a bit dark (hard to tell from the swatches) but if I like the consistency and coverage etc I'll get a lighter shade and mix. I generally end up having to mix foundation anyway as I seem to have unmatchable skin, which is why it's usually such an expensive purchase for me.

Bo I'm going to keep going with TO nia (as I've got a supply of it!), once it's gone I might try the LRP serozinc instead. But the current routine seems to be working, so I won't fiddle any more for now. I'm keen to try TO retinol 1% at some point but will wait a few months to let all the current stuff settle.

I need to start looking at a body routine now! All I do at the moment is wash with a tea tree shower gel and slap some E45 moisturiser on my arms and legs when I can be bothered

Lego - as mentioned above the Lancome sample is worth a go, I got one the other day as the palest shade 008 is pretty new and she was happy to give me a sample
Revlon colour stay might be worth looking at, it's meant to be a sort of dupe to Estée Lauder double wear. Palest shade is called Ivory. Plus you can swatch it in store
Or try the sample service, you can get samples of loads including Kat Von d for about £2-3 each (I just googled foundation samples UK) and it came up

Mint - seventeen HD falsify is probably my fave (not the pink tube one, it's in a black box) followed by max factor masterpiece max

Retinol face update (ignore lip piercing cream blob!)

Oh and Max Factor do the best high street mascaras imo. Trying to remember which one I used to buy. Think it was the 2000 calorie one with the straight brush. Easily as good as a £20 one.

I spent so long trying to remember which it was that I cross posted. I should buy it again actually.

I know that feeling!
I got samples of two last year - Chanel dimensions and Mac false lashes and liked both of them but I'm reluctant to pay full price because I'm a cheapskate with mascara

I feel like it's the brush that's most important with mascaras. Unless you want waterproof or something. I always have a good look at the brush first.

Yes definitely, I prefer the plastic type and don't like big brushes so I like it when they display the wand so you can see. I think mascara is one of the most individual things, like marmite

Hi lovely people. I'm nearly at the end of the stocks of random moisturisers that I pulled together when moving house and I'm looking at some suggestions for cleansers, moisturisers and maybe a weekly or bi-weekly mask.

Skin type Combination, oily t-zone. I almost always have at least a spot, but I think that's mostly down to either hormones or diet these days

Approx age (range) 30

Primary skin concern Combination of reducing breakouts/minimising early signs of aging. I don't wear makeup on a day-to-day basis, so glowing skin would be nice!

Routine :

AM wash face, dry face, moisturise

PM wash face, dry face, moisturise

Makeup none for day-to-day, medium for occasions

Occasional treatments started to get into the habit of a weekly mask

Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results Not disastrous, more disappointing. Mattifying lotions leave a chalky residue, heavier creams sit on my skin and clog up/leave an oil slick.

Things that are really working well for me now Ehm... finally getting rid of the random tubs of stuff.

Any dietary/health concerns/pregnant None

What I'm willing to spend on a single skincare item anything over £30 would be a very considered purchase. My routine is minimal so willing to spend it if it works

I specifically am looking to keep my routine minimal but effective. For moisturiser I want it to include an spf.
I would like to avoid microbeads if possible.

TIA

Not - I'm sure people will be along with more recs soon but an often recommended cleanser is la Roche posay toleraine dermo
It's a hard to describe texture! Unscented, very minimal and suits most people's skin very well. It's in Boots but I've spotted a deal online if you found you liked it which works out cheaper
https://www.easyparapharmacie.co.uk/la-roche-posay-toleriane-fluide-dermo-nettoyant-visage-et-yeux-2x400ml.html

Just a question about LRP Toleraine Dermo.

It says rinse or not...But how does it clean if you don't rinse? I don't like using water on my face so i tend to wipe off with cotton wool then put it on again and leave it because i like the feel of it.

Bo I didn't pick! One popped on its own while washing my face and the other is still there but going down, possibly a couple more are coming up. I'm not normally spotty -though it does happen sometimes- right before my period I get one or two but they go pretty quickly.

I do have little bumps under my skin on my forehead, I've had those for years and they don't really bother me and little dark pores on my nose (maybe blackheads?).

The latest big spots aren't period ones. I think they were coming up before I started using new stuff but it might have been a similar time to starting the LRP dermo cleanser, they were already here before the serum and swapping moisturiser.

(Please excuse the dark/red circle under my eyes, I swear I sleep.)

Althea- im presuming they mean like wipe off with cotton pads? I don't like rinsing off so I use a very wrung out Luke warm flannel

Omg I got back home yesterday and it was SO GOOD to put acid on my face again!! Looks wildly better today. Was gone ruddy with dry bits. Plus a random spot on cheek area (unheard of for me). I suspect the eucerin spf on that which is a pity as I much prefer its texture to the anthelios.

not you'll probably be advised to dump old pots!

What products have you been using? I have combination reactive skin and have been getting on great with the dermo cleanser and Clinique's take the day off balm. I have Una Brennan's vit c oil too which is lovely, but my cheeks react to it so it's for occasional use only for me.

Mint, I'm not confident enough to give much advice, if I say nothing it's generally because I have nothing useful to add!

What shade from the ordinary foundation do u think I would be if I'm nw18 in Mac and cool vanilla in no7

mint - that means cool undertones (NW and cool shade) so I would hazard a guess at 1.1p or 1.2p but have a look at the swatches I linked to further up thread as they might give a better idea

I've ordered that Nia Bo. Thanks. Been a while since I've tried sth new.

TBH, I don't know re Vit C and the fridge! And I've always kept it in there so not sure what the consistency is like otherwise. May remove it and see lol.

Oh cool thanks olli

Right, I'm definitely going to pick some of the Lancome up next time I get a day off. Purely for research purposes, obviously...

Re mascara, I personally like the Rimmell Wonderfull (waterproof). It's got shocking reviews on Boots. I can only assume most of the reviewers like really heavy coverage, whereas I go for the natural look.

Anyway... if I were to place an order for some TO things, what should I get? My current routine is:

LRP Toleriane cleanser, rinsed with a cloth
Pure floral water (as a toner)
Alternate days - in the PM only: COSrx BHA / BR P50W on damp cotton wool
LRP Serozinc spray
Vichy serum
SVR Sensifine (but I'm probably swapping this as it's a little too rich, for the Avene Hydrance for combination skin)
AM only - SPF
Sometimes wear makeup, not heavy.

No significant issues, skin improved a lot & I've had no stinging with the BR P50W, only a tiny tingle round my nose now it's hayfever time... I'm still getting a few spots each month though, although not as bad as they used to be & clearing up more quickly. General skin tone could be better, just seems a bit dull. I just recently realised I have a few small wrinkles when I'm dehydrated. (Madly drinking lots of water now...)

I guess what you're really missing from there is a vit c lego?

I'm using their magnesium ascorbate phosphate (worried the 23% one would be too much for my reactive skin, plus sounds difficult to use). No reaction and there is a glow that wasn't there before. I'm using it with alpha arbutin and it is going well. No miracles but tone is definitely more even (2-3w use).

Thank you @botemp for your advice

Lego - retinol?

I just got asked for ID today. Twice
< slathers more retinol on >

Olli wats ur am and pm routine now?

Olivander I never get asked for ID... but then I'm really boring and don't buy a lot of things that need it

Anyone else thinking about Summer SPF? Dr. Sam just posted these on Instagram - anyone used?

Over winter I have concluded:-

Elta MD a bit thick and heavy - I am using it up on neck/decolletage when running.

LRP - as above

Shiseido - love. Is this okay for Summer? I'm can't see if it's waterproof...

Anyone got any recommendations? For my own face, for the body and for the rest of the family...