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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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.

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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.

Bali I use Aveeno Skin Relief on my lower legs, especially shins, (the Shea butter one with the blue lid), Eucerin 10% lotion on my inner knees and very top sides of thighs and Garnier Body Repair over rest of thighs, bum and knees. But you won't have to go to that much faff. I get sensitive skin from shaving so the Aveeno soothes that and doesn't sting, Eucerin is for my kp bumps (not there now but that's because I use that), Garnier is an old favourite which I use everywhere.

Agree with Olli, a good body scrub before shaving would be good to try. I like Soap and Glory Sugar Crush scrub as it has a lot of oils it and is properly scrubby.

In my opinion you can't beat palmers cocoa butter body lotion, I've used it for years.

I got a little sample bottle of that today, in my Feel Unique beauty bag. Doesn't smell as strong as the type I've had before. Could be a new one maybe.

Right. I'm never saying my skin is 'clearing up' or 'I've no spots' on here again. I swear it curses me, because after saying stress hadn't effected (affected??) my skin, yesterday, today I have two sore lumps on my face and a few very small dotty spots. 🙄

FeelU order came today. So feeling organised and stocked up. Nice collection of things to try in the beauty bag (got free with £100 purchase). Think I'll actually use most of it. Even the perfume sample seems quite nice for Summer. Tried the LRP effaclar gel wash, very refreshing, no tightness. Might be a good morning one if my skin gets on ok with it.

I have some cystic spots and no idea why. Haven't had that type for years. Only four on my face and all invisible but they hurt. 2 elsewhere without going into detail

Nothing changed in routine in terms of products or washing frequency or washing powder etc. Apart from the gel wash I tried yesterday but all but 1 were there before then.

So it must be something I'm eating. Have had a lot of gluten free ciabattas with peanut butter this week but that's it. This better not be some age related hormonal shit because I really feel like I've served my time already there and menopause is a while off (have had bloods 6 months ago).

Paaaah!

Sorry was having WiFi stability issues.

Yes, yong I fear you win by default as I appear to be the premature ejaculator of the shelf porn off. I managed to get a few pics in at Pharmacy Monge before a giant stampede of Korean tourists took up residency. City Pharma was a warzone so pretty much was an in and out effort without a thought for shelf prurience. My visit to the mothership aka Biologique Recherche didn't feel like much of a photo opportunity without raising some very perfectly plucked brows. .

Have also neglected to be quick enough take pics of all the free range first time models doing their go sees as it appears to be casting week, strangely confirming my suspicions that these days they are no longer as tall or skinny but still all looking very young and lost.

Anyhow bought a few interesting things, have way too many unknown (to me) thermal waters to try since they were all on offer. Prices on some things were cheaper than EPP so in that sense worth the effort. Have also accidentally discovered the perfect product for ingrown hairs, had bought the Avene Akerat 10 for my KP as it flared up with the Parisian water but also bought the 30% urea version as I've been curious about it and it was dead cheap and accidentally used that on arms and bikini area (the latter as too much came out of the tube) and I had a horrid set of twin ingrowns there that have refused to budge for weeks despite many efforts. Next morning there those pesky hairs were in their terrifyingly long length where I usually would have to carefully uncurl it from below the skin, careful not to snap it off in the process.

Have also found a new SPF from Switzerland. Daylong sensitive SPF 50 gel, I wouldn't really call it a gel and it's not as cosmetically elegant as the Japanese but it has a really good selection of filters, especially on the UVA spectrum, and once it's dried down you don't detect it at all. Also, first time I saw something marketed as oil and emulsifier free. It would definitely be a good one for sensitive acne prone skin. Only €7 for 50ml and considering the used filters really good value for money. There's also a body version that I'll try and pick up.

After Olli's swatch pics I've discovered that a lot of the UK sellers have the Nars colab collection for a lot less than what Sephora is selling it for (had wrongly assumed it was an exclusive), hopefully it'll all still be in stock when I return.

Above were the Pharmacy Monge pics that had pretty much only Korean staff and all the info (like the Darphin stand) was bilingual (from the manufacturer). Here are the promised Dior pics for those interested, exhibit is on till the 7th of January.

These are proving a bugger to post... attempt #103

There was a lot more but I'll leave it here for now.

I was definitely eyeing up that tint in fair until last night when someone smashed my car rear light so now I have to spend money on boring things

Oh wow! That Dior exhibition is stunning! Love how they've chosen to display them, it is a work of art in itself. Gorgeous.

Those shelves are looking pretty good too. So much stuff!

Olli Oh no! How annoying. There's some absolute idiots around.

I've been using the new avene anti ageing dry touch spf 50 for a while now and I'm still liking it, so incase any of you are looking for a new spf I recommend it! I used to love the lrp dry touch gel/cream until recently it started to ball up terribly and had become quite drying (I suspect a formula change as the packaging had also changed) so was happy to see this new avene one. It's buy one get one half price at mo in boots

Oo no bo I think you are very much in the running there with those pics....ooo the marvis shelves.... (I now have performance-anxiety droop..) hmmm...thinking.....
enid keep an eye on how you get on with the effaclar gel wash....I used it some time ago but had to eventually conclude it was far too much for face, and so I used only sparingly on bacne...it may be ok for you obvs...
Daylong sounds good as does 30% urea for ingrown hairs bo as does the touch dry avene mint
Shamefacedly also I must confess I have a tan...despite being a diehard yearlong spf 50 every-four hours user.....I hold my hands up....but in my defence, it is 35 plus degrees here and I am mixed race!!! So I tan....
I have interesting news for my end of month review though, coming shortly...
Sorry to hear about the rear light olli... grrrr...
Back soon

Thanks Yong, good idea to use it on your back. I have a bit at the top of my back that feels congested sometimes so I can use it there if I don't like it on my face. Haven't used it again yet as my skin is playing up.

Looking forward to the end of month reviews! Forgot it was almost August.

Have any of you ever watched Master of None? There's a scene in one of the episodes where someone, who isn't from America, goes into a New York pharmacy and is amazed at how many products there are and ends up buying a HUGE bag full of stuff. It's making me laugh because it's exactly how I was in Duane Reade.

Never mind the sleek, well lit, classy French pharmacies, I spent far too much of my New York trip, oohing and aahing over cheap make up, or painkillers and cheesy snacks in American pharmacies. I think I just love pharmacies full stop.

(I ❤️ Duane Reade)

Enid - that would be me. If I ever went to America I would need a new mortgage and possibly a private jet for baggage allowance

Empties - avene hydrance light, boots essentials sensitive eye makeup remover, grounded coffee body scrub
New stuff yes to cucumbers moisturiser, and a load of stuff out my pink parcel to try

enid more Duane reade anecdotes please! I keep seeing it mentioned...I picture being able to buy doughnuts with your queen helene....never been to America..
Will do empties etc tomorrow

Does anyone use Avene thermal water spray and when do you use it? Have a small bottle and bern giving my face a quick spritz after cleansing. Feels lovely but is it actually of any benefit?

skinful I don't use the avene one, but I do use another thermal water spray - I spray it on very first thing, before massaging cleanser in - it wakes me up and softens the skin in preparation for cleanser.
I also use it everywhere if I'm hot...

Oh so, this was July.....
empties
Dr haushka pumpkin mask - nah, too much alcohol
Cattier white mallow hand cream - nice but prefer dermaphil
TO Azelaic Acid - meh
TO Vit C (have rp'd)
Kiehls avocado eye cream (sample) thinking to order fs
LRP Serozinc - was hoping to RP small size in France but no luck
TO Moisturiser (have rp'd)
Topicreme Atopic Body crème - love this range and will rp something but at the mo, almond oil is doing well in the heat.

On trial
Vit c on rosacea patches - having read others replies to my question about this I decided to try it here. And guess what, I seem less red. Thought this could be because I'm also very tan now. But actually that usually doesn't make much difference. So thinking this is working.
Weleda skin food as night cream - I like a heavy night cream. Actually abandoned this temporarily as using LRP post Helios at the mo as in serious sunshine.
Topicreme cica as an eye cream - i know, right? I'm deliberating before splashing out on either LRP redermic or kielhs or even both...
Bioderma hydrabio. Like I think?
TO Agireline, I like but think very watery...

planned purchases
July I restocked TO, vit c, moisturiser, hylauronic acid and niacinamide, also trying Agireline, have bought squalene buffet and primer to try.
Also bought bioderma hydrabio and rp'd photoderm max.
Also Cattier green clay mask and some petit Marseillaise shower gel.
For August I plan:
Bioderma crealine
Eye cream - see above
Night cream - still deliberating
Rosewater
And some other things. Because, you know, I'm in France, so.....

Reviews
TO VIT C - I've said it before but it just the best at reducing my scars...and now possibly for redness..worth an honourable repeat mention therefore...

Moved house yesterday. All unpacked bar a couple of boxes. Bloody knackered though!

I got an email from Deciem about the new TO Vit C. I will run out of my current TO Vit C in a week or so. I need to order some. What say you? New or old?

I'm delurking to add some info that pupsie referried to re TO Vit C. Do you mind the texture of current one? I dont so I think I'll stick with 23%. I don't mind silicone textures but I'd want to hear a few reviews first I think.

The latest offering in a series of Vitamin C products, this is a water-free stable suspension containing 30% pure L-Ascorbic Acid. The Ordinary already offers a suspension of 23% Vitamin C in a silicone-free base. Whilst this formulation remains ideal for best utilisation of Vitamin C, some find the short-lived gritty feel on the skin uncomfortable. To address this concern The Ordinary’s Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone uses silicones to eliminate the gritty feeling of Vitamin C. Silicones do impair absorption of Vitamin C slightly, but offer a smooth, more comfortable finish. This formula uses low-volatility silicones and incorporates higher levels of Vitamin C to maximise dermal exposure.

Haven't really posted in a while but got some great products from reading through the threads so here goes:

empties June and July:
Image cleanser: I love this but only buy it when on special as €€€
Pixi glow tonic: have used this for a year now and like it but have bought the TO version to try
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance: love this is my staple winter night cream, finished up the dregs of it this month, will probably repurchase in winter
DHC cleansing Oil: it's grand, I use it on alternate weeknights to remove makeup. Have bought a backup already
Garner eye MU remover (non-oily version): my HG eye makeup remover
Clarins double serum: took me ages to finish up as was left over. Not worth the €€
Facetheory day night creams: first set were great, second set awful, I had to throw them out. Replacements on the way from facetheory.
Kiehl's creme de corps (pot): my yearly duty free purchase, it is heaven in a tub (reminds me of holidays)
TO Matrixyl: love this, have already repurchased

Trialling:
Nivea sun creme care UV as mentioned here: LOVE. Has replaced TBS for me (also I refuse to pay hiked up Irish prices for TBS). Great under MU, sinks in well, no irritation or balling up. Win.
Biore bright milk (pink): don't like the texture
Hylamide Sub Q: smells awful but I like it, leaves skin nice and plump
BR P50W: was doing great with this but stopped due to sun holiday, will start again in Sept. Very impressed.
Blithe 8 beans toner: love this, use it weekly in '7 skin' manner to really hydrate my skin.
TO MAP: happy enough with this, I like the texture. Can't see huge improvements but probably due to low %
LRP Toleriane cleanser: don't really like this, it kind of leaves a film on my face. Will continue to use as MU remover.
TO Glycolic: have only used this x2 so far

planned purchases
Sol de janeiro shower gel & body mist

Deciem: new vit c (maybe), marula oil, foundatiosn (maybe)
possibly some makeup from Sephora if DH goes tot he US this month (IT Cosmetics bye bye pores powder, bite beauty agave lip balm, UD eye primer)

I got the Active Formulas Vit c 15%.says to use it at night once or twice a week. Have only used it twice so far and it smells odd like fake tan.
I had thought you were supposed to use Vit C in the morning?

I'm going to be giving the new TO vit C a try. Annoyingly the email came through 2 days after I did a restock order so it will have to wait. I can get along with the consistency but I find it really temperamental, sometimes it seems to ball up when I swear I've done nothing different from the day before when it was fine so something simpler would be welcomed. Definitely going to be keeping an eye out for reviews.