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Fantastic Skincare: Skin (almost) sorted- decent fucking summer fucking clothes would be fucking nice. Don't ask us about our hair 🐌

999 replies

botemp · 26/05/2017 19:18

Thread 1 Thread 2 Thread 3 Thread 4 Thread 5 Thread 6 Thread 7

I am very slowly working on consolidating the gathered information from previous threads into easier to read formats but it’s slow going. If you wish join us on this thread I would suggest reading thread 1 and at the very least the following info sheets (provided they apply to you):

Where to Start

Basics of an Actives Routine

Skin Types vs. Skin Conditions Info Sheet

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. Newcomers are always welcome but please note the following:

Questions and asking for help on this thread is encouraged, however, we can’t give you a specific routine to follow and hope it works out for the best. There are no overnight miracles in skincare whether it be in the form of products or techniques. It’s about perseverance, understanding your skin, assessing its needs and responding to that in a diligent manner.

These threads were created to help those who want to learn for themselves. We’re a group of interested and invested skincare nuts happy to offer tea and sympathy and dole out advice. Everyone’s journey with skincare is different, what is universal and binds us is that through actually learning about the different active ingredients it helps us get to know our skin and help us adapt as it will change many times throughout our lives - with seasons, hormonal changes, ageing, genetics etc. It's in everyone's best interests to get to know their skin and to keep reviewing those changes with the confidence that comes from the gathered knowledge here. We really encourage you to spend the time reading through previous threads and linked info sheets that the many contributors have taken the trouble to share.

By no means are we experts, we're only a bunch of amateurs that can only respond by suggesting what we would do in your place, for any severe conditions please seek out professional help.


If you pose a question and we need more contextual information to answer properly we may ask you to fill in the following form. Please only use this form when asked, unsolicited forms will be deleted. Responses to the form can be found here


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.

MAY/JUNE 2017: It’s summer and some of us are hourglasses (and otherwise beautifully shaped) that desperately need to bitch and moan about the severe lack of clothes available to us. Also, some of us are recovering from a ‘fine’ butchering to our hair. Don’t ask. Some of us suffer from all of the above. At least the weather is good, wear sunscreen.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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Pupsiecola · 19/06/2017 18:02

Yes I have the CosRx oil free lotion and to say I like it a lot is an understatement! It has become my favourite product. It smells divine.

Yes bo actually you are right. I did have a couple of weeks of little white spots in my eyelids but nothing since despite using the same products. I've stopped using the lip liner and I've had no more blackheads. I don't think it's INCI related. I think it's a hygiene thing? I've only had it a couple of months.

mintmagnummm · 19/06/2017 20:00

Great pupsie I ordered some last night and was just in time as was only 2 left! Ordered the morning wash too

mintmagnummm · 20/06/2017 07:13

@Pupsiecola what other products do u use in your routine? Do u use the corsx oil free morn and night? Sorry for the questions.

Pupsiecola · 20/06/2017 08:26

Sometimes mint. At the moment I use:-

LRP Toleriane
TO Vit C
Cosrx
SPF

Clinique TTDO
LRP Toleriane
AHA or BHA once/twice a week
Azeliac Acid two/three times a week
Niacinamide (can't remember which one but it's Asian)
Then either, depending on what I feel I need:-
Body Shop Aloe Vera Moisturiser (really like this)
Bioderma in the blue tub
Neal's Yard rose oil or balm

mintmagnummm · 20/06/2017 09:05

@Pupsiecola thank you. Is it the aloe night cream version you mean?

Pupsiecola · 20/06/2017 09:10

Yes

mintmagnummm · 20/06/2017 11:48

Thank you

wiltingfast · 20/06/2017 13:34

Just popped back in to update on the TO Vit C

Amazingly, despite all the mixed reviews this stuff gets, it's going great Smile

Main mistakes i made with it was to use too big a dollop = weird silvery oily face; you really don't need much.

Thank heaven the stinging has died right down.

These days I am just following it up with hylamide HA serum.

So wash face, pat it on, get kids up and organised, go back put on hylamide, get dressed, put on spf, get jewellery, do make up.

V pleased with it so far.

Also interestingly, I have gone back to P50W and it is now working fine! No burns. Yay. Only aciding about once a week at the moment. Just a bit worried about the sun.

Oh and on the MAP, I've been putting it on the KP on my arms and the purple/red has died right down. Still bumpy though.

Need spf, but since Bo says European spfs are more elegant than what's available in US, will probably just rebuy the LRP anthelios XL SO lazy Grin

I don't love it, but skin doesn't hate it at all, so probably better not to try fixing, what doesn't need fixing.

Ollivander84 · 20/06/2017 23:48

I should not be allowed online. Ooh I think, I've run out of something from TO, lets reorder. Only deciem charge £4 odd for shipping and I'm tight Grin
Beauty bay. Oh £2.50 shipping! Yay! Except it's free if you spend over £15. Well I may as well chuck something else in the basket
£28 lighter... Hmm

EnidButton · 21/06/2017 00:48

This thing looks a bit like a sex toy interesting www.harveynichols.com/brand/foreo-/643156-espada-pink/p2932733/ it's another blue light device that claims to clear acne or at least 'spots'. More expensive than the Neutogena light therapy mask but at first glance I don't think you need to buy any extras like you do with the Neutrogena one. Something new to think about anyway.

EnidButton · 21/06/2017 00:53

Actually it looks like it's been around since May. So there should be a few reviews knocking around for anyone interested. (Like me!) Apologies if it's been mentioned before, you know what my memory is like.

mintmagnummm · 21/06/2017 06:30

Grinolli so what did u order?

Ollivander84 · 21/06/2017 11:57

Vanilla bean, legend and curtain call eyeshadows (all makeup geek) plus my azelaic acid which is what I went in for...

mintmagnummm · 21/06/2017 12:41

Ha ha olli

JDSTER · 21/06/2017 21:53

I was watching YouTube Q&A with Dr Sam and Dr Emma last night. They talked a lot about azelaic (mentioned Paula's choice and another make I didn't catch). How do you find texture of TO olli? Anyone else using azelaic?

Ollivander84 · 21/06/2017 21:54

TO one is silicone based but doesn't have that greasy silicone feel? If that makes sense! I don't like silicone pore primers and it doesn't feel like that

EnidButton · 21/06/2017 21:57

I have TO azelaic but only used it once. Can't remember why I stopped. I'll try it again

Ollivander84 · 21/06/2017 22:01

I've run out. 3 spots in as many days Angry hurry up order!

RubyGoat · 21/06/2017 23:14

I have a couple of questions re: stepping up my products.
1 - If I've had absolutely no problems with the TO 2% Retinoid, would I potentially be ok trying the 1% Retinol?
2 - The TO Azelaic acid - this is for generally improving skin tone, yes? How is it on mildly sensitive / reactive, combination skin, that tends to get dehydrated - does anyone with this skin type use it? I'm also wary of having an overly complicated night time regime?
3 - Should I instead look at a Ferulic acid & vitamin e addition in the morning, to complement the Vit C? (I haven't seen an affordable combination, FWIW, but I'm not 100% sure what to look for / rule out & there are so many brands...)

I'm not really wearing skin makeup much any more (only lips & eyes, love it!) & I'm not really getting any real spots. But my skin still isn't very clear, it's a bit blotchy in places & just generally uneven in tone. And, I've still not cracked the old problem of SFs / blackheads around my nose area, despite religious use of the BHA. I think it just doesn't work for me.

feettothestars · 22/06/2017 05:46

An SOS! I was on this thread around Christmas, revamped my skin routine finished mat leave went back to work and life got in the way of keeping up. I have so so much to catch up on.

But - my mum will be shopping in Japanese drugstores and dept stores in about 12 hours. What do I need?! What would you get?! Ages ago Bo I think found me a moisturiser akin to the Sisley mega bucks one but I wrote it down for this trip and lost it 🙁 any other must haves? Sheet mask finds? Such an opportunity and I haven't done my research.

Ktown · 22/06/2017 07:23

Lego : have you tried a clay mask for the blackheads? That plus a Vichy bha (and bar soap) got rid of mine.
An extraction facial might help but you need a very good beautician so you don't get scarring.

Pupsiecola · 22/06/2017 08:19

I didn't like TO Azeliac. I have PC now and I much prefer it.

mintmagnummm · 22/06/2017 10:06

I got my corsx oil free moisturiser yesterday and used it last night and this morn....obviously it's very early days but first impressions are good and pupsie your right it does smell lovely, really refreshing.

botemp · 22/06/2017 10:22

feet, IIRC the comparable cream (INCI wise) was a Korean one (just don't ask me which specific one) as it was extract heavy. Unfortunately, despite proximity, SK products are hard to get hold of in JP for decent prices.

Have a look on www.cosme.net for inspiration (just switch on the Google translate, the English version is very different) that ranks the best-selling and most popular cosmetic products in Japan. They just released their semi-annual rankings and I do tend to find them a good filtering mechanism for Japanese products to try. Most of the Japanese things I use are actually quite difficult to get hold of in Japan so a bit useless to you in that sense. Thinking along the lines of Sisley, if she can find it, you may like the Cinderella Time Sleeping Pack that comes in two versions (mildly fragranced though). Not very cheap but not Sisley prices either. For sheetmasks, there are some premium ones but if you're just wanting to try some I'd get the Lululun Prestige masks (I like the red ones the best) which are sold per 7 or 28, they also have a newer premium line called Lululun One (sold per piece) that are meant to be good but I haven't tried them myself.

Ok, Vit C and Retinol questions. I really should start on some dedicated sheets for those but currently, I'm trying to finish up SPF ones before the sun disappears on us again.

Any Vit C claiming to be a stable formula is either non L-AA (the preferred and most backed effective version of Vit C but with major stability issues) or L-AA in a suspension/silicone base (where it is questioned whether advertised efficacy in % is true as the stabilising base may inhibit the Vit C availability). Derivatives are always less potent than what they are derived from, it doesn't make them useless but they usually specialise in one aspect with less irritation rather than offering the full spectrum of benefits and increased risk of irritation. It's just important to know what derivative does what, eg. MAP is the most comparable to L-AA but has its own challenges and often formulated within another product. SAP doesn't quite seem to have the punch in terms of anti-ageing, brightening, and reversing existing pigmentation but is a great choice for younger acne prone skin acting similarly to Benzyl Peroxide without the drawbacks.

Percentages with regard to strength (anything over 10% up to 20% being the ideal) are related to L-AA and the pH of the formula. For the other derivatives, they have very different ideal ranges and pH requirements, eg. SAP (the Vit C derivative that FaceTheory uses) needs very low %, so their 20%, to me, feels overkill when the research points out it's effective at

OP posts:
Ollivander84 · 22/06/2017 11:02

Phew my azelaic has arrived along with these amazing foiled eyeshadows - get on my face Grin

Fantastic Skincare: Skin (almost) sorted- decent fucking summer fucking clothes would be fucking nice. Don't ask us about our hair 🐌