Fantastic Skincare - we're snail here 🐌

[botemp]

Thread 1 Thread 2 Thread 3 Thread 4 Thread 5 Thread 6

I am very slowly working on consolidating the gathered information from previous threads into easier to read formats but it’s slow going. In order to make use of the below form and join in I would suggest reading thread 1 and at the very least the following info sheets (provided they apply to you):

Basics of an Actives Routine

Where to Start

Anti-Ageing Info sheet

Adult Acne Info Sheet

For those who are taking a peek and wondering what this all about, we mostly discuss a bit of advanced skincare here with a perspective of seeking out the right ingredients (rather than the latest new shiny product and all its empty promises) 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 and the linked docs) 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 . Please note, the form is not here to generate a routine for you, sometimes it involves product recommendations but mostly it's there so we can answer a specific question without having to go back and forth endlessly. Also, 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.

Thanks JDSTER I'll have to investigate these! The thing is I don't have oily skin but I get shine from dehydration and for some reason my skin gets dehydrated very easily! Even being in a shop can make my skin feel like everything is being sucked out of my skin then I feel the shine

JDSTER - thanks for clarifying what I thought. So basically I can use any that I feel suits my skin, and take no notice of any of the marketing bumpf? What do you think about night creams/balms etc? Sleep masks? You can picture me here doing a face... There's just SO.MUCH.STUFF and I get terrible choice confusion, I get overwhelmed and then give up. I also don't like to 'feel' so much stuff on my face - I tried a sample of a Lancôme sleep mask but I couldn't finish it, I hated how it felt and just wanted to wash it off

Thanks very much, I'll read through the threads again when I have time.

Can I join please? I am a complete beginner and have never had a routine apart from soap So I have no idea of what ingredients I need or what to buy. In fact, I don't even know how to use them! Can anyone help me please?

Skin type: Combination to oily I think

Approx age (range): 35

Primary skin concern: That I should be looking after my skin. It can be a bit dull and I have quite visible pores at the top of my nose and at the side of my nose.

Routine : Next to nothing

AM :

PM :

Makeup : None usually but if I go out (maybe once every few months) I wear lots.

Occasional treatments: Nothing

Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results: Nothing

Things that are really working well for me now:

Any dietary/health concerns/pregnant: I really should eat better and cut down on caffeine and sugar

What I'm willing to spend on a single skincare item: Cheap as possible but if something is a miracle worker then I am willing to splurge

I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying]: Please please just tell me what I need to buy and how to use it!

Thank yo so much!

Here goes with your form, not sure how to copy and paste it so bear with me!

Skin Type; I always thought combination.
Dont really get spots

Age; 41

Primary Skin Concern; help clear up what i think are pores. That never seem to disappear even wearing lots of make up

Routine; Am, wash with a warm cloth, then Mosturise

Pm -Miclear Water cleanser, then an Aldi mosturiser
Or Nip and fab Glyconic cleanse, Scrub then there overnight gel. Plus Aldi mosturiser

Make up- medium coverage
Just bought Estee Lauder Double Wear (heavier than normal) and there smoother

Occassional Treatments; had a facial about 6 weeks ago!

Thinking of microdermabrasion

Willing to spent what it takes to make my skin glow again!! Drinking more water also hot water in lemon as previously suggested skin may be dehydrated.
So that along with the pores is making me feel rubbish

I know you will look and think what an awful skincare routine! 😨

Thank you

Guy well, sort of.... if a moisturiser isn't causing any problems with your skin then carry on. A lot do contain ingredients that clog, cause breakouts or cause sensitivities (such as fragrance). Personally, I now use a very simple moisturiser by la Roche posay 'toleriane' (not the ultra version which contains shea butter which can cause problems for some) I buy it on line now as it's soon to be discontinued. Ingredients are a mine field and I'm no expert, still on the learning journey. Some people like TO moisturising factors I think it's called, another one often mentioned are by a company called face theory which do moisturisers for various skin types and with a fragrance free option (haven't tried myself). I don't use a separate night cream, I use different active agents to the morning routine e.g I'm using TO retinoid one night, a BHA followed by TO niacinamide and buffet another. I use Vit c in the morning. Don't forget your SPF! Basically my moisturiser plays second fiddle to the other active ingredients I'm using. I must stress I haven't always thought this way, it takes time to get to grips with all this stuff- only if you're interested of course . I don't know anything about sleep masks - others here do. Keep reading!!
Laurz given that you're doing nothing I suppose it's a good place to start . Please read information sheets in the original post, otherwise I'm just repeating the information that's there, then come back with questions. Starting with a gentle cleanser and adding an SPF to your routine will be a fabulous investment.

mint, I've seen it but didn't think it required a response from me

Lego, when I initially used the TO Nia it did trigger my sensitivities somewhat. It may just be too much for you or the introduction may be too much too fast. Are the spots in predictable/known places?

Guy, the prejudice against moisturiser on this thread is mostly my fault. I just don't find them all that interesting beyond doing the moisturising bit and think they're mostly ineffective for a carrier of most actives. You do have to discern which will suit your skin type, dry and ageing skin will prefer a heavier more emollient cream, combo-oily generally prefer lightweight almost lotion type moisturisers with or without oils.

As a general guideline for things to look at, minimal ingredients is always better in my book (avoiding the obvious irritants) and they are a good place to incorporate some of the 'lesser' actives- (those that don't need the benefit of a serum to have the best release and availability of the active like antioxidants (Vit C is an exception) like Vit E, the B vitamins (Niacinamide and Panthenol), Green Tea Extracts, Co-enzyme Q10, liquorice root extract, etc. Do note, not all antioxidants are created equally, or rather work equally in skincare. The ones mentioned previously (though there are more) have a good scientific backing behind them but a lot of others rely on research done with topical application of raw ingredients rather than the extracts in a cream base. We're seeing a lot of 'Superfoods' emerging in skincare (I've yet to see the term Super Antioxidant but I'm sure we're not far off) that conveniently borrow the nutritional benefits research and declare them to the same as applied as a derivative or extracts in a cream... ehm no.

I prefer to have one cream that I can add an oil to for nighttime if I feel the need but it's personal really, some will prefer a richer cream at night too.

laurzj82, you're welcome to join in. I suggest you start by reading the info sheets in the OP and at least the first thread.

In response to this:

Please please just tell me what I need to buy and how to use it!

Sorry, no. These threads are really about educating yourself and getting to know your skin so you can make those choices on your own and more importantly can continue to do so no matter what switches up with your skin. At first, it can be very confusing and all consuming and that's where these threads and the contributors come in to help. I'm afraid it isn't a simple input of data that rolls out your perfect regime as skincare just isn't standardised like that.

x-posted with JDSTER there, will get back to you later nickpic.

Bo ha ha I'm not even sure if it needed a response

Thanks. Have read through and decided i need a cleanser with an oil base. Just looking through your other bits of advice

bo, so I should use my serum in place of a toner and slap pat a few layers on my face a few times a week?

My Redken hair stuff came today. The conditioner is tiny! (Well, 250ml) and smaller than the shampoo which is weird. If I use my normal amounts it'll be gone in 4 washes. I shouldn't shop at 2am. Realised it's all got keratin in too. Not convinced it's worth the £££ price but need to try it first. High hopes for the cleansing cream still.

But shallow but Feel Unique packaging is a bit basic and their samples aren't very good. I always dither between otdering from them or from Look Fantastic but I think I'll go with LF next time. If you're spending £100 on beauty bits, a bit of nice packaging and care adds to it I think. Selfridges and Harvey Nichols do the best samples and packaging but not the cheapest.

I appear to be in a mood today.

Supposed to be a grinning face! I'm not sad.

Give me an edit button MNHQ. Just for me. Pleeease.

Enid your edit button could actually be called the Enid button especially for you

Yes!

Since last post, I've used the cleansing cream and All Soft heavy cream mask. Just trying to summon the energy to dry my hair. Skin on body is feeling dry today. I think I either need to start having lukewarm showers or stop altogether and have baths instead.

But... but... with the Enid button we'd never have known of the Baggy Pagan Bottoms

I know what you mean, Enid. Selfridges & Net A Porter do great packaging, it almost makes up for the ridiculous international shipping costs, almost. Cult Beauty always disappoints, shitty jiffy bags, but I've encountered similar with lookfantastic and feelunique. I notice it's mostly a UK thing, cosmetics always come at least in a simple well-cushioned cardboard box here. I figure it has something to do with the Royal Mail? Though saying that, EPP can be a bit shit too sometimes.

otyt, yes hydrating serums are pretty similar to Asian hydrating toners in terms of consistency and function they're pretty much the same, one just comes in larger packaging for far less money. I'd try it once and see how you go and try it once a week or fortnight depending on need, it's more a recovery program than an eternal routine.

nickpic, do you think it's plausible that with age you've moved away from combination skin and now are more in the normal range with dehydration? Are you experiencing any tightness or soreness with your skin (post cleansing or otherwise)?

I'd like to move you to a more gentle routine, eliminating the harsher physical exfoliants and towards chemical exfoliants. I also think you might benefit from a 5% Urea cream but that really is more geared for normal/dry skin rather than combo/oily. By the sound of it and the products you're using in your routine you're residing more in the normal-dry/dehydrated realm currently but we'd really need to suss it out properly to avoid you using the wrong products. Oil cleanser sounds like a good start, esp. considering the heaviness that is ELDW. I also generally rec the La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser along with it as a second and/or AM cleanse (dry skin generally doesn't always need an AM cleanse, a washcloth as you do now is perfectly fine).

To address the dehydration a good Hyaluronic Acid serum is probably the first thing to try, perhaps applied in multiple layers through your routine. However, if severe dehydration was your main issue I'd be expecting more complaints from you than just the appearance of your skin.

AHA may or may not be something to look (again it depends on the dry or combo status) but a good standalone sunscreen needs to be in place which is advisable regardless.

Hi, have been following along for the last month or so, just looking for products to help with pigmentation after spots. Also a good vitamin C product thanks!

Skin type: normal /combination
*
Approx age (range): 26

Primary skin concern: pigmentation after spots

Routine :*

AM :
LRP Toleriane cleanser
Differin
LRP Effeclar Duo +
LRP Toleriane fluide
Biore sunscreen

PM :
Sunday Riley Blue Moon (just finishing this. May move onto Body Shop cleansing balm or oil)
LRP Toleriane cleanser
Acid Tone twice a week (see occasional treatment)
Hada Labo hyaluronic serum
The Ordinary marula oil
LRP Toleriane fluide

Makeup : eg. no/light coverage/medium coverage/heavy coverage
Full face but light coverage
*
Occasional treatments:*
Biologique Recherche P50W (once a week)
The Ordinary AHA & BHA peel (used twice so far, only once a week)
Sheet Masks (maybe twice a week max)

Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results:
Nothing I can recall. The Ordinary Niacinamide did give me spots but happy to try this again now Differin has my skin under control.
I'm not keen on anything highly fragranced.

Things that are really working well for me now:
Differin (used since start of March)
LRP Effeclar Duo
BR P50W

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. £20-£50 for a treatment, £10-£20 for a basic product
*
I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying]:* a Vitamin C (have tried The Ordinary one but I did find it quite greasy and hard to apply but am willing to try again if anyone has any tips!)
A brightening product for pigmentation
Is Body Shop oil cleanser/ balm cleanser rated on here as a 1st cleanse?

Thanks in advance!

My bioderma SPF spray has arrived - MUCH lighter than LRP so will be keeping this for when makeup needs to stay looking good, and use the LRP one up when I don't care

I think I'm going to go for the bioderma dry touch SPF as well, just trying to find it somewhere a bit cheaper than Amazon.

I forgot to mention in products on trial yesterday that I've started using the palmers aha body moisturiser. No effects good or bad as yet (used twice) but it soaks in pretty quickly and doesn't make me itchy (a lot of body products do) so will keep using.

apple I've started using LRP cicaplast B5 balm to clear up marks from previous spots, it works very very well indeed on fresh marks and whilst it does seem to have improved the appearance of some older marks I've not been using it long enough to say if it will get rid of them significantly or completely. I don't think the marks I have are pigmentation as such though, they are just red/pink.

I've only used TO Vit c, it works well for me but others here don't get on with it at all for the reasons you've mentioned, I'm sure they'll be along soon with recommendations for alternatives.

I've not used the body shop cleanser but yes it's always mentioned here as a first cleanse followed by LRP toleriane or similar for second cleanse.

Forget to say, for blotting I use clean and clear oil control film sheets from Amazon - they are just a film with no powder and pretty cheap. If anyone is thinking of getting the Blotterazzi (blotting sponge type thing from the makers of the beauty blender) don't bother as it's rubbish.

Tbf Feel Unique used loads of those air bags inside the box, (probably because it was about 10 times too big for the contents), but I like a bit of tissue paper and a sticker.

I've dried my hair and I don't know what to think of the Redken stuff really. Conditioner/mask is called All Soft and my hair is now definitely all soft but it's really fluffy. It's weird. I felt like I had a cloud round my face until I pulled my hair back and now I look like I have a halo of baby hairs. 😇

Could be that the cleansing cream shampoo has stripped all product and silicons out. Which, again is what it said it'd do. I can see how bad my hair colour is now too. Haven't had anything done since that home dye disaster a couple of months ago.

I'll wait until after I've had my hair cut and coloured next week before I try it again. Getting a good 3-4 inches off. I get nervous going to someone new but it'll look healthier and more polished at least. And maybe the new person will be The One.

Well, that was a big post all about my hair. Before I bore off, I have a little sachet of DHC cleansing oil to try. Will wait until next week to try in case I react to the rosemary oil.

user What does the palmers smell like?

Enid it's slightly lemony & a bit soapy, a bit like lemon washing up liquid. I was worried at first as scented body stuff often makes me itch but the smell evaporated as soon as I rubbed it in, it doesn't leave any lingering fragrance on the skin at all & I've not reacted to it.

Conditioners make my hair fluffy/pouffy, I've given up on them and just use argan oil or coconut oil which I leave in. I have long, thick hair though I would imagine the oils could be too heavy for a lot of people.

Thanks botemp, my skin has felt abit tighter, so maybe it has become dryer with age. Ive also noticed my hands have become dryer and eczema on my wrist, sso maybe more going on.
Booked into see a beautician in a few weeks, she told me when i had my facial that my skin was dehydrated.
I really should have started my skincare properly years ago 😢
Ive noted the few products that you have said. I know i do have pores but they are clean, so perhaps its this dryness that is making them stand out?
Once again thank you, feeling slightly better than i did last week

Oil control film you say user

My DHC oil from Amazon arriving tomorrow

These are the ones JDSTER

www.amazon.co.uk/Clean-Clear-Control-Film-Sheets/dp/B00NA8L8O6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforum-21

They come from Hong Kong so take a while to arrive.

I'm eyeing up these ones now too, also no powder and have good reviews.

www.amazon.co.uk/Natural-Bamboo-Charcoal-Absorbing-Tissues/dp/B00XENXJTO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforum-21

user I found the same clean and clear ones on eBay, 2 pack only £4.50 (from Taiwan). Just ordered them now so probably arrive in two months time