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]:

---

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.

My huge bottles of LRP toleriane have arrived (800ml for £17) and there's a free 50ml mini bottle - perfect for hospital!

Thank you Well

Skin looks great Olli ! What does the azelaic acid do again? Is it creamy or in a dropper?

JDSTER I also got my cattier green mask from EPP.

I have also done the bha/clay mask/oil thingy and do get some tiny grits. Effect is very temporary ime, but skin does look better for a couple of days.

Also have the bioderma SPF spray and the mist is incredibly light. Cannot feel it, certainly cannot see it. The one I have is Hydrabio Eau de Soin?

Alas, have started reacting again to the niacinamide in the TO pigmentation regime ; that is:

AM - alpha arbutin/niacinamide/magnesium ascorbyl phosphate

PM - alpha arbutin/2% retinoid - LTP TF

It seems extended use stresses my skin. It looks blotchy and stressed. Effect fades within 24h when I stop.

So dropped the niacinamide, but now chin and sides of nose gone haywire with oil. (The AM regime feels heavy) So did BHA yesterday PM and patted the niacinamide on the trouble areas this AM.

The other thing pissing me off a bit is that the MAP is almost gone already and I only have it about a month.

Am also a bit flaky around the one side of my mouth. Never get this usually. It comes and goes a bit. I suspect my skin is missing the hylamide/matrixyl which I ran out of and haven't yet replaced. I think I will buy the hylamide since the offer in boots is vg at moment.

I was v tempted to try the NIOD copper thingy but it's just too expensive for me.

Any other suggestions for tackling a bit of pigmentation on face? Am not totally convinced by the TO regime.

JDSTER - EPP: www.easyparapharmacie.co.uk
So much cheaper for French pharmacy supplies...

Okay, here goes!

Skin type: normal/dehydrated. It's in good condition really, no wrinkles, look younger than my age, not sensitive. I get some build up on my chin area/jawline which occasionally results in breakouts but I have found the salycilic acid toner helped hugely with that.

Approx age (range): 39 (nearly 40 😩)

Primary skin concern: sun damage/hyperpigmentation and my generally ageing visage

Routine :

AM : cleanse, moisturise (LRP Hydraphase Riche)

PM : double cleans, toner (I alternate using a Botanics brightening one with a salycilic acid one), moisturise

Makeup : light coverage

Occasional treatments: use oil face when I remember, various masks, tried sleep masks but not noticed any benefits

Things I've tried in the past with disastrous results:
Nothing disastrous but then again I've not tried much

Things that are really working well for me now:

I like the LRP, which I downgraded to from Estée Lauder, feels moisturising without being oily.

Any dietary/health concerns/pregnant: n/a

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

Up to £50

I specifically [want help with/am looking for a product to/am curious about trying]:

Vitamin C serum - I've looked and read and keep getting more and more confused. Could do with some product recommendations here.

Anti ageing - where the F do I start? Don't want it to be too long a routine or complicated. Small kids mean I'll probably stop following it. But I feel I need to do something! My face is sliding south 😂

Eyes - something that actually works for puffiness and dark circles (see young children above). Is The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG worth a try?

Thanks!

Thanks Lego and wilting I'll take a look at Easypharmacie. No advice wilting on pigmentation only to say I have splashed out twice on NIOD copper isolate twice to no discernible change to my skin unfortunately. This was back in the day when I was trying a lot of NIOD without a clear direction of where I was heading with my skin or what I was aiming to achieve. Some on-line reviews seems to favour it but it's an expensive one to just try.

Hi stevie. Can you be more specific in which cleanser/s you're using morning and evening and how you remove them? Which evening moisturiser. Are you using a separate SPF? It's the most important anti ageing step to future proof your skin and should be a priority to add to your skincare regime. Have you looked at the three 'cheat sheets' Bo provided in original post? A lot of info you need is there. Vitamin C is a good active ingredient and a lot of us use the one by The Ordinary (TO). It's a good price point but with a rather odd texture until you get used to it although some people really don't like it. It feel simultaneously oily and gritty but don't let that put you off! I can quite happily add a light moisturiser then SPF on top, followed by makeup.

Thanks JDSTER.

AM I cleanse with a foaming face wash. PM I use eye makeup remover, Kose Softymo deep oil cleanser followed by same foaming face wash. I change my night cream regularly, currently trying Aldi's.

For my sins I don't use a separate SPF 🙈 and rely on what's in the LRP. I know, I know. I know I should use one but find them really greasy but not moisturising enough simultaneously. Perhaps I haven't found the right one. I'm also never sure where in my routine do I use it and if I should then ditch the moisturising cream.

I've read the cheat sheets but got lost down the product rabbit hole a bit!

stevie which foaming face wash? We're all about the specifics on this thread . There's no one range of skincare that has perfect ingredients and a lot of them have similar sounding names. I assume the LRP is the UV one? It's only spf 20 and it's recommended spf 30 winter, 50 summer. The problem with spf in moisturiser is they're often not broad spectrum and not enough is used whereas if you use a separate one (that's not heavy and is what we'd call cosmetically elegant) you can apply very specifically all over your face, ensuring good coverage. I've only become really good at this over the past year.

You say sun damage and hyper-pigmentation are priorities so you do need to commit to an SPF. An spf shouldn't be adding moisture, a hydrating serum and moisturiser can do that. The other thing, if you're using salicylic acid, like in your toner, it makes your skin more susceptible to sun damage.

The foaming cleanser is likely a no no for you with you describing dehydration. A better bet would be LRP toleriane dermo cleanser, its cited lots on here. It can be used morning and night. A hydrating serum with hylauronic acid would help with dehydration.
I'm not great at recommending specific products for skin types different from my own so I'll wait for Bo to do that. The anti ageing sheet in OP has an example routine that should make sense.

S'me. Going to try to keep up now....and to kickstart me, even though it's a bit early, am filing my April report...

APRIL EMPTIES, TRIALS, AND PLANNED PURCHASES

EMPTIES:

Mini reviews of finished products and your thoughts and whether you’d repurchase or already have.

Lots nearly finished this month:
TO Marula oil - used this as oil cleanser and as hair oil. Bit meh, but harmless. Will try the squalene next instead.
TO Matrixyl - also bit meh, will go back to TO HA instead
TO Vit C - love this, does wonders for my hyper pigmentation/scarring def repurch
TO Niacinamide - also love this, great for rosacea-related redness def repurchase also
Darphin Hydrating something - meh, used it on neck, no repurch
Paula's Choice 1% calm cleanser (sample) - I've rarely hated a product more than this. First it's a gel cleanser (hate). Second it disappears as soon as you apply, so you can't see where it is to remove it. (Hater) Third, you link you've washed off but then apply serums and it reactivates the bl*y stuff!!! (Hatest) Loathe loathe loathe. Funnily enough, won't be purchasing full size!

PRODUCTS ON TRIAL:

Mini reviews of products on trial and your thoughts so far, please include for approximately how long you’ve been using it.

Just got LRP Toleriane finally, yesterday. Already like it's blandness soothing cleanser-ness and skin actually is looking good today, can't think what else to attribute that to, as nothing else changed.

TO Azelaic Acid - I really wanted to try this and had high hopes for my rosacea with it...but...just not really convinced...dunno yet

Vichy intensive something or other (sorry!) - sample. Not opened yet

Christian Lennart rose water - bought ages ago but stared using as a toner. Heavenly smell

PLANNED PURCHASES:

Products you’re considering purchasing and would like input on/bring notice to.

TO Squalene - anyone tried? Have liked in other products, so keen.
Will be looking for a new night cream soon. Like something intensive. Any reccs?
SPECIAL MENTION:

Product(s) you may not have started or finished this past month but has been giving you noticeable results (good or bad).

Bioderma Photoderm SPF spray - love this.
PCs BHA Calm - think this def clears pores out as seem to get tiny bumps here there after, like teeny teeny spots. Never had them before

That's all folks!
PS Olli skin looks fab

Quick question: Cos RX Blackhead power stuff, how do you use it - all over or just where needed - and when in your routine? I have some sample sachets to try out but no instructions. What works for you please?

Thanks!

I have one repurchase to report. Kiehl's avocado eye cream. I ran out for three days and eyes started feeling dry and slightly itchy. Instant relief when I got some and applied it today. 👍🏻

Nars radiant concealer in chantilly. I use this as a highlighting concealer on outer area of eyes and mouth. It contains hyluronic acid so I can't use it on blemishes. So a reluctant buy but it does make a subtle difference and makes me look less tired.

I had a decant of that dulci from aurora and just dabbed it unscientifically anywhere prone to blackheads. It seemed ultra thin and runny. There's probably a better technique!
stevie sadly TO caffeine eyes stuff has done zilch for dark circles here.

Dulci I've just been using it where needed rather than all over. I tend to do that with most things though as there are areas of my face that break out very easily if I'm not careful. (Jaw and chin)

Forgot to say I think the other thing that helps my skin is not always doing it as a "PM" routine. So if I get home at 5, and I'm not leaving the house again I get cleansing so less time with makeup on skin and more time with helpful product on

Hmm enid have heard good things about that Kiehls eye..(from you, maybe??) might be tempted to that in future.

Oh, look at me go with the multiple posts when I haven't posted in yonks.
Anyone seen or tried the new Sisley blush twist-up sticks? Like the look of them..

I've just looked and Nars radiant concealer doesn't contain HA so I've no idea where I got that from.

olli I do that too, and think it's beneficial.

Good point Olli.

yong Might've been bo she recommended it to me. I think it contains parabens if that's a concern to you. I really like the texture of it. It's rich and feels moisturising without being heavy or greasy. It's really good under make up.

Used to swerve parabens enid on my eczema-prone body skin...but don't know deff if I need to....eyes can be a bit tetchy....hmmm will give it some thought

dulci I use cosrx at night, after cleansing, applied with cotton wool all over face (about 2-3 times a week) if you're not oily/open pores/SFs all over just apply were needed. I then follow with TO niacinamide and buffet, followed by toleriane moisturiser.

If parabens make you itchy or your eczema worse then I think I'd avoid it then Yong. Unless you have a kiehls store near you where you could get a sample sachet?

This isn't to do with anything but just reading some make up reviews on an American website and want to say how much the use of "acnes" annoys me. It like Legos all over again.

Ahh hmm poss not then enid...erm not near kiehls shop no...or indeed, any shop...nearest part time shop is 5 miles...nearest small supermarket and tiny boots chemists, plus other random shops is 9 miles!!!. I do a lot of online shopping, as you can imagine!!!
olli where did you get your bargainous toleriane from please?
Oh and for everyone who put up with my horsey wittering, and to explain my absence, see attached....

That sky too! So jealous. I appropriated the quad bike to see mine the other day as I can't walk up the fields
Op is the 11th May so hoping to be back in 8 weeks after
Bargain LRP here https://www.easyparapharmacie.co.uk/la-roche-posay-toleriane-fluide-dermo-nettoyant-visage-et-yeux-2x400ml.html