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

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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. 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.

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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

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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.

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.

Good to know it's not just me anyway Wilting I used to slap all sorts on there with no problems. Even a bit of Nuxe gives me a bumpy rash. Find everywhere else.

*fine

cad186, what's your skin type and what have you tried in terms of mineral SPFs so far?

Enid, so is it the case that skin is pretty closed and any type of moisturiser tends to sit on top rather than absorbs and then irritates, causing the little bumps? I have to say I'm liking the Avene Xeracalm cleansing oil on my body a lot (it works well on the face too as long as you avoid the eyes), it's a lipid replenishing wash so it doesn't strip natural oils at all and encourages barrier function. Saves me (with relatively normal yet sensitive skin) from needing to use any sort of body lotion. Will follow up sometimes with a Japanese hydrating toner with Ceramides and HA in it and that all leaves skin soft and hydrated without it being heavy. How are you with HA on the body? Would a dry oil be worth trying, maybe?

wilting, it appears to be a 1st cleanser time of year, another post on them here. I'm wondering how the Hylamide compares to the NIOD version. The Simple one looks promising too (think they changed it as I remember having an objection to it in the past). I absolutely adore the Shu one mentioned on there but can't bring myself to shell out the high price for it again.

NotAMammy, yes, what you're describing is a cosmetic dermatologist who are kind of rare. In the US they have what they call 'pocket derms', basically direct internet access to a derm and a prescription for a set monthly fee. I think it's only due to regulations that it doesn't exist this side of the ocean but I'm expecting similar initiatives will start popping up soon enough, their interest will most likely be very commercial but it would be weird if they weren't.

Generally not an advocate of specific eye care products unless you're addressing a specific concern there. For fine lines have a look at LRP Redermic-R for eyes or Hylamide SubQ for eyes. Both more mid-range in terms of budget, you may be able to source the LRP for cheaper directly from France. For just a standard 'good' eye cream I usually rec the Kiehl's Creamy Avocado cream, not cheap either but it lasts for ever and ever.

I'll try the Avene cleansing oil by itself first, thank you bo.

wilting NIOD cleansing ester is in the post. Let us know how you get on. I'm absolutely not offended if you hate it btw. I'll try and do empties later

Re daily spf for under makeup, is the Avene one good or which is your recommended one which can be purchased relatively easily online or in Uk /Ireland.

Have been using theBody Shop one but don't like the very strong alcohol smell which I feel aggravates sensitive areas on my face.

My mascara is here. I will wear it tomorrow and report back

You are a star JDSTER thank you

Something I'm using is irritating me at the bit where my cheek joins my ears.,,itchy and sore patch....two possible suspects...have been using daily both dr haushka pumpkin thing and embryolisse lait concentré...could be either, dr haushka thing smells quite alcohol-y and embroylisse bit too perfume-y. I'll know which shortly as am about to use the last of the dr haushka. This is a typical pattern of my skin sensitivity- I can use some things fine if sporadically or even regularly for a while and then an intolerance kicks in.
Has anyone else had an email to say vit c is back in stock at last at deciem? I've ordered...phew, have been eking out mine very sparingly...
Have been using TO agireline for the past week or so now and still liking, very watery on application but seems to be good effect.

LRP Anthelios Ultra Fluid XL is usually the easy to get option but not everyone universally gets on with it, Skinful. Eucerin has a decent one but it's mattifying so combo-oily only. Bioderma also does a Fluid version in their Photoderm range that is comparable to the LRP. The Avene SS that Sali Hughes recced a while back is the Cleanance Very High Sun Protection Sunscreen SPF50, may also be worth a try? It does contain fragrance and is geared towards oily skin.

How's the Heroine working for you, Olli? Japanese tubers tend to be all good as far as I can tell, regardless of price point. If it's proving to be really impossible to remove I find one of those spongey type flannels (terrible description, but those type of cloths people used to dry windows with and turn rock solid when dry) and soaking the eyes with warm water for at least 30 seconds produce the best removal results.

yong, tough to say, perfume and alcohol both tend to have a cumulative effect when it comes to irritation. It may also be a combination of things, I know Embryolisse is notorious for its mineral oil content so that has the potential to trap in and aggravate any form of irritation further.

It's on! Seems to be a fibre type one... I'll post back when I attempt to remove it

bo you're obviously around a bit this week so I'll ask a question while I remember. I'll be going on a hot summer holiday next month. I assume I should avoid retinoid during holiday and for how long beforehand? Do I need to avoid all acids? I'll have my Vit C and spf with me of course!

Yes, JDSTER, busy season is officially over. Just need to get my test results back (they were supposed to call me today and they haven't ) and then I can pretend to look really busy whilst being bored out of my mind officially relax.

It sort of depends what you're doing, if you're lounging by the pool/beach are out in the full sun all the time then probably it makes sense to leave out retinoids. SPF should cover you but a rather safe than sorry mode makes sense. BHA you can continue to use, the sun sensitisation with that is very minimal. AHAs is a bit like retinoids, probably best not to. Stop using them two weeks in advance.

Mascara so far hasn't budged. And I've exercised in 27c heat, soaked my face washing my hair and rubbed my eyes. For not waterproof it's holding up

This soap and glory SPF has good reviews... anyone used?
https://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=169779/Make-Yourself-Youthful-Sunshield-Superfluid-SPF50/Soap-&-Glory/Sunscreen

Cad Is it the Bareminerals Prep Step you were trialling? I'm expecting mine tomorrow so will let you know - I've tried SkinCeuticals Sheer Mineral spf50 for the last few days and hate it with a fiery passion, so I'm hoping the BM will be better (I'm looking for mineral spf as I'm using retinoids etc). Can't even foist SC on my 9yo DD who also dislikes the ghostlike appearance after using it.. and I think it's blocking my pores, ugh!

Olli is it a tubing mascara? I love them, Clinique Lash Power is my HG daily mascara... was it a Hypnose one, IIRC? Haven't used the S&G spf, but would be interested in your thoughts if you try it...

Is there an spf that can be worn on it's own and makes your skin look a little better?

I don't wear makeup during the day and have combination skin. I don't want anything too heavy that'll make my shiny and spotty. 'Matifying' stuff always just seems to leave a layer of crap on my face and feels icky.

In case it makes a difference I'm currently using:
La Roche Posay Effaclar Cleansing Face Wash
Vichy Normaderm Anti Aging Moisturiser

And that's about it, just bought Nip n Fab Glycolic face pads to trial.

Thanks bo. I certainly won't be sunbathing as fair skinned but will be round pool etc with shade where possible. I hope results are all ok always a bit of anxiety attached to test results even if you think they will be fine

olli I have used that spf a year or two ago. It says something about oil absorbing powers on it but I didn't find it helped with that. It's a very fluid milk type texture with a bottle that needs a good shake and it had one of those ball things inside that makes the noise when you shake it (does that make sense?) It was fine but I didn't love it. If we're talking milky spf with a ball thing inside when you shake it, you can't beat Biore brightening uv milk www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=106206/UV-Bright-Face-Milk-SPF50+-PA++++/Biore/Sunscreen
asianskincareblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/biore-uv-milks-face-perfect-and-bright.html?m=1
I keep going on about it but it's fab. I LOVE it, and I'm not sure I'd say that about many skincare products. I literally don't wear foundation when I wear this. I've just ordered some more on Amazon as I don't want to run out. Someone on makeup alley says it smells like vodka . Don't get that myself.

holy see what I've just posted!

Haha, you read my mind! Oh and it's on amazon for only £6 too! Thanks.

The mascara is Heroine make long and curl advanced film - because Korean brands like long names?!
It's a fibre type one. On me it doesn't give the best long/volume look but I need to try it again. However it doesn't budge with anything, and I tested it today with my sweating, exercise, heat, watering eyes, rubbing my eyes and finally washing my hair with my makeup on. It took two goes with my usual remover to get off which isn't too bad

Tsmummy yes its the bare minerals prep step I'm trying. Used it for two days now, it seems ok, I'm not sure if it is making my make up look a bit settled in my pores though. I might have to go to another shop to ask for another sample. Let me know what you think of it. I haven't tried the skinceuticals one. The other mineral ones I've tried are Avene (quite a white cast and made my make up look a bit cakey) and I think the other one I tried was Paula's choice. Cant really remember what I thought of it but didn't repurchase so can't have been very impressed! My skin is normal, maybe slightly on the dry side but my nose gets a bit oily. I use liquid foundation with no powder over it so would have thought that would be the least 'cakey' choice of foundation. What other mineral spfs are there to try?

love reading this thread.. :)

Heroine is actually Japanese, Olli. I don't think Korean makeup is rated all that highly in general, names slightly shorter though . I had wondered how 'normal' Western lashes would get on with it as the Heroine is usually loved by those with Asian eyes with short poker straight lashes that don't hold a curl. I guess the fibres are there to build length rather than volume? I always find with tubers you have to build quick before it dries, no idea anymore if that's based on anything or my own weird theories

Tsnmummy08 can't you foist the SC to someone on this thread? cad may want to try it or Cinders seems to get on with it very well.

Holy, yes you can look at JDSTER's option, there are also some tinted sunscreens out there. The Bioderma Nude Touch is good if you can get a good colour match, it's almost like a serum foundation in terms of coverage but not quite as heavy, it's a bit matte but not full on matte. Only good if you're combo-oily though, not so nice on dry patches. I am wondering, however, if your issues are product related. I'm really not nice in general about N&F in general but it would be remiss not to point out that AHAs aren't much of interest to combo-oily skin, about it confirming as much. The LRP wash is also considered to be a bit drying so that may make other products feel unnaturally tight, and if this is the Vichy Normaderm cream it's probably not helping either as it's loaded with alcohol and other highly astringent ingredients.

cad, Bioderma mineral is generally well tolerated. It comes in a spray but rather just spray on hands. The nude touch is nice too but not if you have any sort of dry patches. There's a few interesting new ones from Japan too. Ratzilla recently did a nice overview rated per activity/sunscreen type on the basis of traffic on her site I wonder if we're the cause of the Biore Milk's ranking Japanese Sunscreen Comparison Chart

That eucerin mattifying spf isn't mattifying just to let u know. Also there's a new avene spf 50 it's anti ageing one it's only just come out and is fragrance free. It claims to be light and dry touch and can be used alone or ontop of a moisturiser