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.

Thanks for the tips Ilove. I use a microfibre turban so no towel rubbing and I only ever use a wide toothed comb as it's wavy, (or at least it was before they cut the main wavy bits off), but good to know anyway.

bo Thank you. I've decide to give the biotin a miss, not deficient on my last blood tests so not worth the risk. I know someone who takes it already that can have my pot.

Hello ladies! It's been a while since I posted last, but I've finally caught up with the previous couple of threads - phew! I hope everyone is well

I've been so much happier with my skin since I posted here first, so just wanted to say thanks! Part of it is because I went back to my GP and she put me on a different antibiotic plus Epiduo (which has taken my skin a good month to get used to). But I've also been loving all that was recommended - the gentle cleanser, the Buffet and wearing SPF daily

I've just been watching videos about the 7 skin method, and feel like this is the next thing I want to try as Epiduo is pretty drying even with Buffet and moisturiser. I can't seem to find any of the toners recommended by Gothamista that I like the sound of on sites shipping to the UK, so I'm gonna do more research. Does anyone here use hydrating toners? If so, would be great to hear your favourites! :)

The Whamisa one she recs (in that video or another one about the 7 skin method) is pricey but should be easy to get in the UK as they've opened up shop online in the UK: whamisa.co.uk/collections/toners-mists/products/whamisa-organic-flowers-toner-deep-rich?variant=29062935815 - unfortunately it's temporarily sold out.

I used the Kohaku-hada Lotion (Moisturising) for it and it worked perfectly for me. Should be easy to source from eBay and makes for a good layering hydrating step with little frills anyhow. What moisturiser are you using currently? Stealing a rec from Dr. Emma through Banana, maybe the LRP Toleriane Riche will maybe make for a better suited moisturiser now that you're on epiduo.

Thanks BO im unsure whether to go for it or not!
No more reactions only had a few very minor spots, one on my chin at the mo!
So do i carry on with what im doing (maybe im too impatient) or/and introduce something else?
Your help is brilliant BTW ☺

Thanks bo! Whamisa one was the one I was looking at, but it's sold out as you've said. I'll keep an eye on it though.

I'll look into the Kohaku-hada lotion in the meantime, it's the orange one, right? Only found one seller on Ebay from Taiwan, so might place an order.

I'm still using LRP Toleriane Fluide as I'd stocked up, but moving to LRP Toleriane Riche sounds like a good plan. It's also great to hear some inside information from Dr. Emma, thanks Banana!

Not done one of these before.

EMPTIES

The Body Shop Aloe Vera night cream.
Would be interested to hear your views on the INCI for this Bo as I bought it 'off grid' lol without posting first (although I did look into it myself). I actually really like it. It's lightweight and it goes well with the Niacinamide mentioned below. The combination of the two makes my skin feel really soft and moisturised. I think it might be a good option for spring/summer?

Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Elaeis Guineensis Oil/Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Myristyl Myristate, Octyldodecanol, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil/Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Polylysine, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Trideceth-6, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract/Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Citric Acid.

OGX Kukui Shampoo & Conditioner
Not skincare but worth a mention. Fantastic if you have coarse/strong willed hair. I find using it every day too much though - makes it a bit lank. So I use my Pureology too and add this in every third day. Huge difference, especially when using Elasticizer once a month.

TRIALS

Cosrx Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion
I really, really like this. I love the fresh smell which is quite subtle and also how light it is in texture. Since starting using it I have very occasionally had a couple of teeny tiny pimples - not spots as such but just woken up in the morning and noticed tiny whiteheads which disappear with a quick pop. I am refusing to believe it's this product, but I do wonder if it's a combination of using this product with sth else. Perhaps on top of TO Buffet? Anyone got any ideas?

Dr Troub Skin Returning Niatem Serum (Niacinimide)
I prefer this to the only other Niacinimide I've tried (PC). Better dispensing method. The product itself is easy to apply and I think it's having a better effect.

PLANNED PURCHASES

Depending on what the consensus is re the Body Shop night cream above I might be on the lookout for a spring/summer night cream. I also want to buy a primer to go under my Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser. I don't always need it. But if I've used LRP Redermic as my moisturiser I find my LM tinted moisturiser sits in my pores. I've almost finished my Bare Minerals one but figured I'd get an LM one to match the tinted moisturiser. Any advice?

Still thinking about the NIOD copper peptide serum.

LRP Cicaplast hand cream - my local Boots didn't have it when I checked on Sunday though.

SPECIAL MENTION

Just that I'm still in love with the concealer. Having started work again (LOVE my job) I am wearing make up every day. Nothing heavy, but am using the concealer and still thinking it's fab.

Banana I had fillers to soften my smile lines back in December. Still looking good. Very subtle. Just takes the harshness out of them. I'll definitely be having it done again.

I also had my eyelids done last August. They were so droppy (hereditary as well as aging) and were starting to effect my eyesight.

Thanks Bo, that's v helpful info.

Pups tell me about your eyelids...what did they do, would you recommend? Mine are starting to look a bit droopy, and it's really emphasising how naturally asymmetric my face is. One eye is definitely worse than the other.

I may have been looking at dermaroller and dermalux treatments, but I know that won't do anything for my eyes.

Pupsie can I be nosy and ask how much your eyelid op was? Not for now but in the future perhaps as they're hereditary in my family. Mine seem to be doing well so far but you never know.

I had my saggy eyelid skin removed. In true pupsie style though this was only 50% of the problem. I also had a partial brow lift. So I have two 1.5 inch scars set back from by hairline, each side. That was a big issue for me to overcome and I needed to get my head around it. It had the added advantage of smoothing out my forehead quite a bit as it had gone very groovy. But it made it a bigger op with a longer recovery. Eyelids alone can be done under local but I had a general for example. Also, he took a tiny bit of fat from my inner thigh and filled that crevice in my forehead (omg the bruising and pain. Liposuction is no walk in the park). That' groove has been there since my 20s (am now 47).

I think the whole thing cost £5.5k. ( I believe eyelids alone is more like £2.5k). Recovery wise I looked like I'd been beaten up for about a week after. It was grim. I slept upright on the sofa for the first three nights.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat though. It started to affect me psychologically and the optician said it was cutting my vision down. I probably could have had it done on the NHS (someone MN did) but I could afford to pay so I did. (NHS means going for regular check ups and getting saggyness measured - she said it took about a year).

I'm not suggesting people go the route I did. But for me it has given me so much more confidence and that is apparent in new job. I felt I looked knackered/angry even when I was neither. No amount of amazing skincare was gonna fix it.

The after pic was 2 weeks post surgery. It looks a bit more relaxed now and less swelling. Also looks more even on account of lack of eyebrow grooming in after pic.

You have lovely eyes! Very reasonable price I think too. Is there any scarring around your eyes?

Thank you Enid! I have one scar on each eyelid in the crease. You wouldn't see it with the naked eye unless you knew it was there. Normal feeling on lids too. My scalp feeling is still not quite normal but it is getting better and almost there.

I think re this type of surgery it's a deeply personal and individual thing. I try to resist the urge to justify myself (as in all things) but sometimes fail. Unless you have eyes like mine were you don't get to judge me .

You don't have to justify yourself. I'm sure it wasn't a sudden decision. My DM and my DSis (older than me) have eyelids like yours were. I think I might eventually too so I'm thinking about options already. These things need thinking about long and hard, like you say.

Thanks so much Pupsie. You look amazing - the difference is huge and although the "before" wasn't awful at all, you look so wide awake in the "after". The recovery sounds hardcore though. Congrats on the new job btw, glad it's going well and so true that you can't put a price on confidence!

Thanks guys. I wasn't getting at you Enid. I mean just generally. [Flowers].

Yep. Loads of research and also make sure the surgeon is tip top. I just wish I could have got the same result with just the eyelids like most people can. I learned a lot about different facial structures and 'architecture' from my surgeon. Fascinating!

Epic flowers fail. Am out and about and on phone.

Nooo! I know you weren't. I was clumsily sympathising.

But I'll take the flowers anyway.

How is your hair now?

eversions, Amazingy (based in Berlin) have the Whamisa in stock. I've bought from them before, great CS but they will charge delivery costs. I think they do 10% off first purchase (or possibly through customer referral if it's the latter just PM me and I'll look it up). Amazingy have a really good program with a sample pack, so you select up to five samples (or request 1 or 2 larger ones) amazingy.com/en/organic-skincare/try-travel-kits/sample-pack.html which is helpful if you want to check product sensitivity beforehand.

There's a new K-Beauty store that's based in the UK but have never ordered from them. They seem to have it in stock also, buttermilkskincare.com/product/whamisa-organic-flowers-deep-rich-toner/ as well as 10% new customer offer.

I'm guessing it may be a translation thing, the Kokahada should be more than one offer. www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=Kohaku+Hada&LH_PrefLoc=2&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XKohakuHada.TRS0&_nkw=KohakuHada&_sacat=0

In terms of longevity bo they should just age/sag at the same rate, give or take, as the average Jo. It's sort of a reset if you will. They've already relaxed, which is good actually. For the first month I couldn't move my forehead (I knew this would happen) and it was a bit alarming lol. I doubt I would have them done again tbh. I think that in my 60s for example I would just accept that they'll have sagged some more and my peer group will all be in the same boat.

Thanks re the AV cream. I re-read the INCI when I posted and thought exactly the same thing re palm oil. And I'm not sure I can buy it again, having lived in SE Asia, and having friends who still live there.

I bought the Sidmool on eBay.

Has anyone heard of Poppy Austin?

www.poppyaustin.com/

Thanks Bo, i just use a general SPF usually a 30, guilty of not bothering in the past. Is a general ok?
What do acid toners do? Whats the best ones? Sorry im not one bit clued up on skincare.

Thanks, Pupsie. Never heard of Poppy Austin but the first product I clicked on had palm oil too

Nickpic, I'll get back to you on that tomorrow unless someone else answers in between.

Olli, hope all goes well tomorrow with a speedy recovery to follow