Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Fantastic Skincare - we're snail here 🐌

999 replies

botemp · 23/04/2017 14:25

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. Grin

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 Wink. 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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
33
EnidButton · 27/04/2017 21:40

Gorgeous picture!!

There's no big stores near us either. It's a 2 hour drive to Manchester where I stock up two of three times a year. Very grateful for online shopping!

JDSTER · 27/04/2017 21:41

Ooh, easypharmacie again- I'm off to take a look. Thanks for update on empties etc yong and what a view Envy

olli I hope surgery goes as planned

enid I keep meaning to say I like the EH cloths you sent me. I alternate between those, muslin or flannel depending on how I feel Smile

Ollivander84 · 27/04/2017 21:43

Thanks, I've packed all the essentials so far - cleanser, moisturiser, makeup... Grin

JDSTER · 27/04/2017 21:47

Get your priorities right Grin

yongnian · 27/04/2017 21:51

The picture doesn't show that it was actually blowing a gale, freezing, and hail-stoning at the time - plus horse was being an on-her-toes joggy pain the entire time...and it was mostly a fairly unpleasant experience....Grin but at least the pics were good Grin
Ah olli is your girl enjoying her early summer hols or have you got someone riding her? Good you've got surgery date now, we'll all be roooting for you. Those really are essentials for a hospital stay...water spray too perhaps? Some sort of nice floral water for a spritzer...? Essential oil blend..
Easypara for toleriane, ok, gotcha, thanks.
enid sounds familiar- bit nearer to manch from here but not much...

Ollivander84 · 27/04/2017 21:54

She's being lunged and gently worked and turned out so kept ticking over. She will have a shock when I get back on!

yongnian · 27/04/2017 21:57

Grin mares!!!!

Ollivander84 · 27/04/2017 22:02

Oh yes... The hard work commences Wink
Hoping to be back on (gently pottering) 8 weeks after the op

yongnian · 27/04/2017 22:17

Good plan...I've been taking it verry gently after an 18mth lay off (can't avoid that killing inner thigh thing tho that is happening right now - eek) as have got ongoing dodgy discs...(am in the riding-on-anti-inflamms club)will you be having some kind of physio after or is it not that kind of recovery?

Ollivander84 · 27/04/2017 22:27

Yes physio in the hospital for walking/stairs etc then I'm asking to be referred back to my own physio for rehab

Dulcimena · 27/04/2017 22:46

Many thanks, yong, enid and JD.

EnidButton · 28/04/2017 00:14

Please, please can someone recommend a clarifying shampoo?

Bloody Pantene have discontinued my favourite one. Again. Angry My hair feels awful without it.

Very thick hair. Oily prone roots, dry ends. Needs washing every other day. Use Moroccan oil on ends and that's it. Used clarifying shampoo once a week.

Can't seem to find any. Maybe 'clarifying' as a description is out of fashion in the hair world.

EnidButton · 28/04/2017 00:15

Glad you like them JD Smile Good they went somewhere to be used instead of sitting in my drawer unloved.

mintmagnummm · 28/04/2017 06:38

Enid I've not tried it myself but I know lots of people love redken cleansing cream shampoo for 'clarifying'

mintmagnummm · 28/04/2017 07:34

When u all put ur spf on in morning after ur skincare does it stay a little shiny for a bit?

yongnian · 28/04/2017 07:45

enid Lush's solid juniper shampoo bar is great for greasy...and there is a lovely 'clarifying' one by KMS California I've used too...try online for that.
mint yes am a bit shiny at first so I leave it to settle a bit before make up...

nickpic · 28/04/2017 08:07

This has probably been asked before but any help for reducing/covering pores?
Had a rough 12 months, My Mum was ill for a couple of years and passed away in November so i neglected my skin also had the coil fitted so i dont know if this helped. My skin is terrible not woth spots but pores on my chin. Its getting to the point where i hate speaking to people as it makes me feel embarrassed. Ive tried the pore reducing make up but to be honest i think it looks worst! Seems to highlight when iwear foundation.

mintmagnummm · 28/04/2017 09:09

Yong which one are u using and how long roughly do u leave it? I leave mine around 10 mins but still a bit shiny when I put my make up on

botemp · 28/04/2017 09:56

Doing the catch up again... I don't even want to contemplate what you all think I look like Shock. Strangely enough, despite being a very visual person, I have weird associations with your usernames. So Enid is obviously out of a Blyton novel and just amusing herself on MN until she has to go back to boarding school. Dulci is a flamboyant Spanish transplant that risks the safety of her neighbourhood every day by cooking up artisanal dulce de leche in pressure cookers... and when Olli was still Hollin her other job was manning the doors at Hollister & Co. sending the 'uglies' away from buying their cheap tat Grin. Pupsie obviously forces cola down poor little puppies Shock I'll stop now... promise... Halo okay one more, yongnian is obviously forever young Grin.

CaroleMooney, you're currently not using a targeted actives routine just 'nice' skincare that doesn't do much beyond the basics of cleanse & moisturise. Have a read through of the Anti-Ageing Info Sheet linked in the OP, you're probably best off looking into getting a broad spectrum stand alone sunscreen for yearround use as a minimum and incorporating a retinol, AHA (Biologique Recherche is the place I'd look at for your concerns), Vitamin C, and Niacinamide. You're going to have to be consistent and patient taking in consideration your age and that wrinkles are already settled. You may also consider going down the prescription (and I do mean getting it prescribed not obtaining it from some dodgy site as you're more likely to do harm) route for a retinoid to see quicker results but it would be the only active you use alongside very diligent sun protection and you'd have to tolerate it well, which not everyone does.

I don't get grits or very little when I do the 50 shades technique but I usually have a delayed response so they'll come out a few days after with oil cleansing. Strangely enough the CosRx BHA does seem to perform better than PC BHA with this (whilst the CosRx did little for me otherwise).

Yes the '2x15ml' was about the Medik8 CE Theon, I'll have to think on it since there's so little Vit C viable formulations out there and most contain HA. In terms of Vit C or Retinol first, Vit C sees quicker results and is usually easier to build up quickly so it makes more sense to start there from a time management perspective.

I can't remember exactly anymore but I believe the 1% may be slightly stronger than the 2% but I'm not a 100% on that. The 1% is different in the sense that it is a more direct release so far more irritating and harder to tolerate but will probably give quicker results.

I don't know how the glamglow would do in the 50 shades technique JDSTER. It already contains a few acids (azelaic and BHA and possibly a PHA I think) so maybe it's overkill? Pore size is a tough one, especially if you've been dealing with stretched pores for a long time. I'd consider upping the Niacinamide use, I like to have it somewhere in my routine daily in the least.

otyt, the facetheory moisturiser is a little heavier in terms of occlusives so that may be a better choice for winter whilst the lighter CosRx lotion will be more useful in warmer temps. Flowers for your DM.

You still sound very dehydrated, what serum(s) are you currently using? I'm thinking you might benefit from doing the 7 skin method.

I was the one interested in Astalift, Dulci. I'm a sucker for anything Japanese and high in antioxidants but I doubt the Dutch TKMaxx sell them Sad.

wilting, some people are sensitive to Niacinamide unfortunately. Have you used serozinc -I think the coupling of Nia + Zinc makes it such an effective product for acne prone skin provided you tolerate both well. You could consider trying a SAP based Vit C since they're a good pairing for acne prone skin (inhibits the bacteria really effectively). Mad Hippy do a version and Facetheory (if it's finally launched now). Less proven for pigmentation though. Gothamista recently made a video on pigmentation with some helpful info . Transxemic acid may be something to look into if Nia, Alpha Arbutin, and Vit C aren't working for you.

Stevie77, basically what JDSTER said. I only think combo-oily skin really do well with foaming cleansers (especially in a double cleansing context) provided they're not utilising drying and/or irritating surfactants. Get on a sunscreen first though!

What do you want from a Vit C, that dictates the product choice more than what we all consider 'good' on here. TO Caffeine is only effective in the sense that it depuffs water retention (ie. you wake up with slight puffiness but it would dissipate throughout the day whereas a fat deposit is just the same at all times). The dark circles claims on that product are highly questionable, there aren't really products out there that address that, only certain actives like Vit C and Retinol can help with their appearance.

Ah yes, Kiehl's Avocado Eye Cream was my eye cream for most of my twenties when my skin was vastly different from one place to the next I so don't miss those days. it is kind of the ideal eye cream when all you want is a decent eye cream and actually have need of one.

'Acnes' , I'm almost expecting a 'babes' to come after that Enid Shock

Envy

nickpic, Flowers It sort of depends on the cause and how long it's been going for, the standard answer is usually BHA but I'd really need to know more tbh.

OP posts:
Ollivander84 · 28/04/2017 10:33

Hollister?! I couldn't get one leg in anything there 😂😂😂😂

Ollivander84 · 28/04/2017 10:34

And yes, the 1% is stronger - even the ordinary says not to use it ConfusedBlush
2% was a slight tingle. 1% I started after using the 2% for months and nearly burnt my face off. However it is v effective once you've got the hang of it!

VictoriaandBump · 28/04/2017 11:02

Hello I've been following these threads for a while and would love to join. I'm a big skincare fanatic, however no one in real life shares my interest! Seems like I'm in good company on this thread Smile

Ive seen a few rec's for the Bioderma photoderm mineral spf by Bo which I think comes in a pump spray bottle. Yongian, you also mentioned this recently. Any thoughts on how this would work as a facial spf? Do you just squirt a few pumps into your hand and apply? Is it greasy, any white cast? I'm allergic to a lot of chemical sunscreens and seem to be on a never ending search for a mineral/physical sunscreen. Thanks for your help!

Stevie77 · 28/04/2017 11:10

Okay, note taken about the cleanser and SPF. I'll start there. Any recommendations of where to start? What are the French pharmacy brands like for sun protection? It's annoying buying products that turn out to be unsuitable, I already have a cupboard full of products I didn't like. Could do with some samples.

I want a Vit C that will [hopefully] reduce the appearance if the sun damage/ hyperpigmentation on my face. Just to be clear, I'm not talking about large patches, more the odd small patch here and there. May try TO serum seeing as it's a very very reasonable price. Would it also be useful looking at a hyalutonic serum to add to my regime?

So much to think about!

botemp · 28/04/2017 11:35

Stevie77, generally French Pharmacy brands are good, some are excellent others are a bit meh in terms of feel but protection wise they all are generally good. Starting point is usually LRP Anthelios XL SPF50 Ultra Light Fluid (unfragranced and untinted version), it has good cosmetic elegance in comparison to most sunscreens at a reasonable price (as mentioned above EPP will save you a bit of money if you're buying more than one thing, free shipping over £29) and excellent UVA and UVB coverage but not everyone gets along with it.

I'd start with the LRP Toleriane Dermo Cleanser as a second cleanser to try (also available on EPP but I'd resist getting Olli's bargain pack linked above until you're sure you like this).

If it's predominantly pigmentation you'll want an ascorbic acid Vit C serum (L-AA), the Ordinary 23% is a good one to try, many of us like it and put up with its textural issues for costs reasons- it's not the most enjoyable thing to use. Build up use from 2-3x a week to daily (preferably in the AM), make sure to have an SPF in place first. Whilst there I'd skip TO HA+B5 serum (very mixed responses to the product here, only combo/oily seem to like it) and get the Buffet instead, it's basically a hydrating serum with lots of anti-age peptides. It's not a miracle worker but a good solid hydrating serum with added anti-ageing benefits.

Welcome to the obsessive collective, VictoriaandBump! I generally rec the Bioderma Mineral SPF because it's silicone free and usually a mineral SPF rec goes to people who are already sensitive so it's to minimise potential irritation. I doubt it's the most cosmetically elegant thing out there, mineral SPFs will always have a white cast of some sort, the nano-ones or the tinted tend to help a bit with that. Never used it myself so those who use it will have to chime in on wear and feel. The Bioderma Nude Touch I'm currently trialing (nano, tinted and silicones) is very cosmetically elegant, especially for an all mineral, but you can't have a dry patch on you anywhere (it's really meant for combo/oily) and I find the tint a bit challenging on me.

OP posts:
nickpic · 28/04/2017 12:10

I dont really know how to explain apart from my skin looks awful. Full of lumps and bumps! I think the more make up i put on the worse it is 😢