Fantastic Skincare - we're snail here 🐌

[botemp]

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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]:

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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.

Bo - Thanks for the info on the facial wash. Yes I am in fact combination/oily. The Medik8 looks nice & simple & I definitely like the sample size (have had allergy reaction previously to unknown ingredients, including some kind of pine sap, so rosemary may be an irritant for me - I suspect probably not though as I used to use it in my hair when it was long). I definitely like the idea of being able to clear out blackheads with it, that's my main face issue now. Regarding the foaming net - how often do you replace it? And are they all pretty much as effective, or what type is better? As some seem to be just a sort of little tube, whereas others seem really ornate...
Re: the soft water - exactly what you said. I'm lucky that we have soft water here & I can use a very small amount of mild wash-type product, & not have to stick with cleanser due to the water quality. I've found when staying in other areas with hard water that my usual products don't work / go very far. (And dealing with extremely long hair when you don't use conventional washing methods, plus unfamiliar water is a nightmare... which is why I started looking up water quality before visiting anywhere new. I've got short hair now but DD's hair is still long.)

My impression of Icelandic people/women is that they have very exclusive taste and have money. I don't know where it comes from. Fish? This is all based on working in a dry-cleaner's and having an Icelandic customer who seemed like an ordinary mortal but had all expensive stuff down to curtains (which is rare in Sweden) and dry-cleaned it all. The phrase "anecdotal reference" was invented for this example, of course.

the amazing thing about it, is that you just use it for a short period of time to really lift your skin and then you don’t really need it anymore.

Well time will tell! If it does something drastic about my truly iffy bits of crepe I'd consider somehow acquiring another sample size ;)

Thanks Bo I started with the TO niacinamide and in a few weeks will start adding the advanced retinoid once a week and take it slowly.
I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong with my routine but I've noticed my pores on chin and nose looking dark and rather noticable. Not quite black head but darker than my very pale skin. Do you think its maybe my cleanser or face wash not cleaning my skin properly? Any recommendations for alternatives?

Ooh where'd you find that intel, otyt? Though saying that, it might just be one of those island living things, banivani. I remember when we lived abroad as a child (on an island) my mother hardly blinked when paying €5 for a tiny pot of yoghurt (and this was years ago) or the hundreds (possibly thousands) on a newspaper subscription. It wasn't even worth pursuing trying to economise, the import and shipping charges were so high cheap products just weren't competitive enough.

Sodium hyaluronate is the salt form of HA, Enid. Though similar, not the same and the names are often used interchangeably in the beauty industry. Sodium hyaluronate has a lower molecular weight which in theory makes it easier to penetrate skin but it also has the drawback of being potentially irritating because of that. I half suspect those who struggle with HA in skincare struggle with LMW versions like sodium hyaluronate rather than traditional HA but since they're all presented as HA it gets really confusing.

I'm still on my first net, Lego . I just toss it in the wash once a week (it's the same material as those plasticky poofy scrubby shower things and you can actually make several out of those if you feel like DIYing it). As far as I understand it they're all pretty much the same (the Kibiki comes with one) but the Muji ones are well liked, don't know if they sell those in the UK but if you can easily get one or want to cut up one of those poofy scrubby things I can send you a decant of the Kibiki to try if you like?

Should really mention it was a combo of oil cleansing, BHA, Kibiki & prolific niacinamide use to be more exact btw. The oil cleanser and BHA really helped clear everything out initially and the Kibiki kept it clear and helped reduce BHA use, the Niacinamide helped shrink them and keeps them tight.

ilovetocook, did you recently introduce an SPF by any chance (or only recently start using it daily)? SPF can have the nasty side effect of oxidising in your pores and making it look like grey-ish blackheads but it could equally be a different product. Are you using an oil cleanser?

I've been using the biore spf since February, before I used a moisturiser that contained spf. Though I do used a standard suncream lots throughout the year as I like my pale skin No I don't use an oil cleanser, could you recommend one to try please?

You're dryish and ok with fragrance IIRC, ilovetocook, right? You could try the body shop chamomille cleansing balm (or the liquid version). I'm quite enjoying the Edenens one I bought from EPP but that's difficult to source elsewhere.

I feel I have to confess that my 5 ml sample of Bioeffect is for the day serum which is an absolute bargain at £110 for 30 ml, so I shouldn't be bragging here about my expensive samples. ;)

What's the difference between an acid (azelaic, lactic, etc) and retinol? They both improve the texture of skin don't they? Aswell as help with ageing? So what's the difference

Bo - I would really appreciate a decant of the Kibiki. Thank you. I'm in the UK, assume that's ok? I'll PM you with my address this evening when I get home if that's ok.

Re: working out, I usually just use my oil cleanser followed by some floral water with cotton wool, to remove makeup. Then exercise, & do the rest of my routine when I've finished at the gym. Seems like a quick way to do it, without introducing too much extra that could irritate my face. Should I leave it completely & just do it all afterwards instead?

I was one of those that the bioeffect did nothing for, I bought it on the back of amazing reviews but it made no difference to my skin whatsoever. I did only try it for a month though as I'd got a 30 day money back guarantee but I would have thought that would be long enough.

Bo I was a bit concerned that the LRP spray might be heavy, it was only £6 though and I can use it up on my chest/hands/arms. I was put off the bioderma spray due to all the reviews moaning about faulty nozzles but might just have to give it a try and hope I get a working one.

I've also ordered a cicaplast - need to see what all the fuss is about

Enid do you use it mainly for scars or does it work on 'live' blemishes?

Stainless, I usually use my not so successful purchases after the gym to use them up.

I've slowly come around to the idea that it doesn't really matter that I duplicate my routine, as I'll use everything up before it expires anyway. I'm alternating my two favourite cleansers at home and at the gym now, for example - gives me an excuse to buy both...

Re medik8 that you mentioned Bo is there anything else from that line you'd recommend? Also can I ask what niacinamide product you're using at the moment? I haven't noticed a difference in my pores since using TO niacin

Would anyone like these organic loose teas(unopened)? It's a Scottish company. My sister in law bought them for me but not my cup of tea . Hopefully you can see the ingredients clearly

After two days in a dusty garage I just had a 30 minute shower. Might share that one day on one of those "I take 2 minutes to shower." type threads. Feel so much better for it. My skin and hair were dry and sore from the cement dust. (The floor is getting sealed and painted asap.) I'm very moisturised and much more comfortable now.

User I use it when the spot starts to dry up and begin healing right until it's at the smooth, pink/red mark stage until it fades. Speeds up the healing process a lot. I can't remember what skin tone you have but if you're very pale white and get marked from spots you should hopefully see a difference.

Thanks Enid I'm sallow and not super pale but I do find the marks from spots take a long time to disappear. I get dry, itchy patches on my neck too sometimes so thought it might help with that as well.

I've had an email from Victoria Health about TO colours - they are working through what sounds like a massive waiting list of orders so I don't think I'll be getting my foundation any time soon.

For anyone uses hylamide Boots have got 1/3 off at the moment, I re-ordered the sub q serum and whilst I was there got a palmers AHA body moisturiser to try.

I dab it on the mark rather than rub in btw User. So you can still see the cream. Obviously if you're using during the day you'll want to rub it in more but I think leaving a coating on them seems to help more. It's supposed to be good very dry irritated patches too.

L'oreal infallible setting spray review
You have to shake it REALLY well or you get white flakes. I sprayed it on over my makeup. Still up with makeup on and barely any shine, definite difference in oil on my nose and forehead, it's stayed fairly matte. I like it so far

Thanks stainless.

What's the Bioderma SPF spray again? There are a few available and I want to try it in spite of the dodgy reviews as it seems you can take the nozzle off and clean when it gums up... I need something to top up I can use over makeup

JDSTER belated happy birthday! I've used the Medik8 B5 hydrating serum which was very nice - nothing else though...

The Bioeffect EGF serum - OMG I googled it, and definitely want to to try it but can't justify the price... very interesting comment on the second CH review (in which she's more supportive of it) regarding the likelihood of it containing human EGF and talking to my DH who has a background in genetics, we reckon it must be human EGF that they've transferred into barley and therefore acts like human EGF with all the benefits/disadvantages..... I'll see if I can find a sample somewhere!!

Active Formulas claim to do an EGF serum - what's the deal there then? They list: Epidermal Growth Factor (sh-Oligopeptide-1, EGF) in the INCI, quite far down - where's that from, I wonder?!

Tsmummy the bioderma is an SPF you can spray over the top of makeup so good for a top up when you've already applied spf on your face earlier in the day etc. I bought some in Boots with a third off I think. It's not too pricey anyway. I've only used it once but it'll get more use of the summer

This is the one I got www.boots.com/bioderma-hydrabio-eau-de-soin-spf30-10213465

Ooh I have goodies arrived