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

[botemp]

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.

Pic of tattoo olli I love them!

Just finished!

Pupsie The Seconds app sounds interesting, that's the sort of thing I could get on board with. Thank you for the rec.

Bo What do you mean you were sent home for fainting? Are you ok?

Thanks for the SS reading. The Allure article on HA seems that they're refering to products that contain HA "topical fillers"?! Slightly misleading title (not you, obv), I thought. Re hormones, yes absolutely, I'm hyperaware of what's going on with me due to the forensic obsessive charting in the past. I'm glad that your levels are no longer dangerous. No surprise that there's a dearth of research in this area though.

otyt I have to say, I've never had staining from avo either. Have you made a purchase now? I like Ultrasun Family, but haven't used it anywhere outside of the EU so no idea if it'd be sufficient for where you're going.

JD Hair - fine but lots of it, prone to frizz and fluff, here too. I rate Phyto conditioners (esp the Phytolisse express mask for "unruly and rebellious hair") and the Giovanni 2chic Avocado spray stuff before blowdrying. Those two make a difference for me. I don't use silicones but if you do, I'm sure there are more options.

Does anyone have any thoughts on/experience of HA taken orally? I have a healthy amount of scepticism re absorption, efficacy etc, but picked up some capsules today that'd been reduced from £20 a pack to £2. I'm assuming that even if they're not capable of doing any good, they'll do no harm.

That's really pretty, Olli. Ankle? Must have hurt??

Inner ankle, just across the bone and that's not an envy face!

You must have the pain threshold of...I don't even know what! How long did it take?

40 mins or so. Last one was 4.5hrs!

Bo that Japanese hyaluronic moisturiser sounds interesting. Many thanks for the offer of a decent but I'm happy to purchase to try. My sisters inherit all the products that don't work for me! Can you point me in the right direction of when u can buy it from in the UK? I see it's on eBay but sold from Japan and I'm not sure if there is anywhere that ships from the UK as I was worried about additional customs fees!

tantpoke I also quite like the look of the Neutrogena gel cream but not sure the silicones would agree with me either... Tends to make me abit itchy 😕 crap sensitive skin!

dulci thanks for recommendations for hair. I know people avoid silicones in hair products but not entirely sure why . Is your hair better for avoiding them and in what way?

I've taken HA orally in the past (when I bought practically everything recommended on Victoriahealth) I didn't notice any difference to be honest so didn't continue. I take a krill oil supplement for omega 3 as I don't eat lots of oily fish.

Quick question about NARS foundation/ bases. Anyone use them? What do you think? I've seen Dr Sam recommend the brand a few times now.

Also, I got a free mini 15ml pot of Clinique take the day off from John Lewis today, I just had to sign up to their emails, no consultation or anything so if anyone passing in the next few days worth a look to see if they still have them.

Ooh pretty, Olli.

I don't know Ducli, they're popular in Japan (there's a whole documentary on it on YouTube I think with Connie Chung (?) very early 90s or 80s retro American broadcasting called something like the miracle of HA and it talks about those Japanese purple yams/potatoes a lot too) but I think the theory is they're just converted and used up in the body, not likely to show up in your skin where you'd want it. It's a carb and I assume it just gets broken down like that, I do think there's a lot of research about it in relation to osteoporosis or similar rickety joint disease.

Am fine btw, it's the heat and basically a vicious cycle. Blood pressure (and I'm pretty sure blood sugar levels) drop and I also lose my appetite in this heat so I'm back on the fitness pal to make sure I'm getting a minimum amount of calories in throughout the day.

vaz, don't know the exact number but I believe as long as the purchase price (so excl. shipping) is under £20 there are no customs duties owed. I usually buy it from Amazon.co.jp through their Global Shipping program, I'm guessing it'll come in at around the same price as eBay if you're only buying that, I usually get a few things and they automatically handle the duties (usually only a few quid) for you if you go over the threshold. Though if you're interested in a Japanese sunscreen that and the Tensi will probably be under the threshold. They're really quick, my last order arrived in 3 days and I had ordered on a Friday night (so Sat morn there). The one before that arrived in 5 days I'm such a saddo but Amazon JP is my happy place.

JDSTER, I avoid silicones because they cause nasty buildups in my hair, the aforementioned dreadlock look, even with less hair, which then requires the use of drying clarifying shampoos and it then becomes a bit of a vicious cycle as you need lots of silicones to make all that dryness look ok again. I don't mind them that much in styling products as you use less of that and I don't experience the same buildup issues with those.

I gave up with Ratzilla pretty quickly as body sunscreens rarely came in bigger than a 100g and they were all pretty pricey if you wanted something waterproof/resistant. EPP came up with better offerings:

MUSTELA VERY HIGH PROTECTION SUN SPRAY SPF 50+ SPRAY SOLAIRE 200 ML

Mineral|no mention of WP or WR| non-nano| alcohol, paraben, fragrance, and silicone free| SPF50+ and 25PPD (v. high)|£14.94 (Comparable to the Bioderma Photoderm Mineral)

URIAGE BARIESUN SPRAY SPF30 200ML*

Chemical| Water and Sweat Resistant| Lightly Fragranced| £10.08

*please note SPF50 version does contain Avo but on EPP it has the SPF30 description and therefore appears to be Avo-free when it isn't

NUXE SUN LAIT DELICIOUS LOTION FACE AND BODY SPF30 150ML

Chemical| Water-resistant| Alohol-free| Non-comedogenic| Paraben-free| £12.51

VICHY SUN PROTECTION CAPITAL SOLEIL SPF 50+ MILK 300ML

Mineral/Chemical mix| Water resistant| Fragrance and paraben free - hypoallergenic| £12.51

ALPHANOVA ORGANIC SUN MILK SPF 50 125g

Mineral| waterproof| Nanoparticles free, paraben free, no chemical filters and no chemical preservatives| silicone free| £13.41

MUSTELA SUN SPF 50+ VERY HIGH PROTECTION SUN LOTION 100 ML

Chemical/Mineral mix| very water resistan| non-nano| alcohol, paraben, fragrance, and silicone free| SPF50+ and 25PPD (v. high)| £10.34

SOLEIL BIAFINE ULTRA MOISTURIZING SPF 30 - 150 ML

Chemical| no mention of WP or WR| paraben free| hypoallergenic| £10.35

BEPANTHEN SUN SPRAY SPF50+ SENSITIVE SKINS 200ML*

Chemical| Resistant to water| formula is free from paraben, fragrance, alcohol, high tolerance and hypoallergenic| £14.31

*this one does specifically mention avoiding contact with textiles, also contain homosalate which is also not the most popular sunscreen filter for various reasons.

The Vichy seems to offer the best value for money at a high SPF but if anyone's purchasing any of these make sure to check the INCIs elsewhere, EPP is not always as diligent as it should be. The Alphanova and Mustela offerings look to be really good choices if you're very concerned about the types of filters you're exposing (young) children to and/or struggle with chemical sunscreens with alcohol and silicones.

jdster I use NARS all day luminous weightless foundation. I really like it. It covers my redness really well without feeling Mask-like or heavy but I wouldn't say it's particularly luminous. It doesn't clingy to my flaky patches but also doesn't disappear from my tzone.

Space nk gave me a really decent sample to try. A little drop seems to go quite a long way so although it's fairly expensive, it does last me ages

Um, dipping a very scared toe in the water here. I've done literally no skincare other than washing with water and an obscure moisturising cream that I've used for years because it's the only thing I've found that doesn't set off my eczema.

I'm thinking that I should add a daily sunscreen but I've never found anything that I can live with on my face for more than a few days in a row without it itching. With all the expertise on this thread, can someone recommend a daily sunscreen to try? Preferably one that I can get in a sample size, as I react to so many things on my skin.

botemp hope youre feeling better after your fainting episode

vaz I don't always get on with silicones but they've been fine so far with my sensitive skin. I only ever put moisturiser on over serums to seal the deal as it were.

I'm currently sporting an attractive sheet mask after a 50 shades of snail routine.
After cleansing I wiped my face with a cotton pad soaked in a dispersible aspirin (as I have no salicyic to hand) followed by a fullers earth mask (cheap as chips on line and very nice) then cleansed off with my Murad clarifying cleanser followed by the sheet mask.

No idea if I've done this properly or missed a step but I looked it up on a previous thread No 5 I think so fingers crossed

As well as my nightmare finding a suitable moisturiser I also had a nightmare finding an SPF and the one I now use is Ultrasun Face 30 spf which luckily is fine for wearing makeup over. No doubt they will discontinue that to

Uhm... you need an oil cleanser, and definitely actual salicylic, Tant, and a few wait times in between. Here's the link for reference.

Cinderella, I think you're probably best off with a mineral sunscreen. I usually rec the Bioderma Photoderm Mineral because it's affordable but you can try the Paula's Choice one (SPF30 mineral) as they sell samples but I can't seem to find it on their website anymore. I've linked 2 or 3 mineral sunscreens above as well but I'm not sure how pleasant they would be to wear on the face. On the pricier end of the scale, Neostrata and Skinceuticals both do really good cosmetically elegant all mineral sunscreens. Not sure how easy it would be to source samples of those though. Heliocare also do a mineral version and I know Pupsie just received a Heliocare sample with an order so might be worth pursuing or checking eBay.

Unsolicited product advice, when I was looking into eczema friendly products for Stainless' DD's delicate skin we came across the Avene Xeracalm Oil Cleanser. Officially for the body but gentle enough to use on the face and most importantly doesn't dry out the skin or aggravate eczema. Last I heard her DD was getting on with it really well.

@bo I'm sooo useless... I can't find it on amazon.co.jp?? Also what was the name of that Japanese sunscreen again? Biore watery essence? or am i getting mixed up with something else?

Sorry, it's the translation at play there as it goes by 'Angel's beautiful skin cream' in English .

Tenshi HA Cream

Biore

Do keep in mind you have to open up an account with them separately, they don't recognise your UK one but you can use the same email address, etc. without issue. Just looked up the threshold for customs allowance and it's £18 so you could probably buy more than those two

Thanks for the link bo at least I can do it properly next time

I'm meant to be writing an essay but am totally procrastinating today hence all my enthusiastic posts

botemp Thanks! I'll use those as a starting point - I don't wear makeup, so I need something that doesn't look all white, so I'll work my way through all the reviews on the ones you mentioned and see which I want to try.

On the product advice, thanks. I use the Natural Elegance goats milk cream (and have for years) which I'm reluctant to stop as it's both hugely moisturising and quickly absorbed. I'm assuming an oil cleanser would be in addition to that?

Vaz I purchased the angel skin Jp moisturiser from ebay, from this seller: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201752030099?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (hope that link works - not affiliated, obviously)

Yes, just to act as a cleanser. In your case, I'd only use in the PM to get the SPF and the day's dirt off, using a damp (warm-ish) flannel then follow with moisturiser as usual. If you're dry with eczema it's generally best to avoid water as much as possible, so either skip cleansing in the AM or just a very quick minimal rinse. Mineral sunscreens can have a bit of a white cast, unfortunately. The Neostrata and Skinceuticals are slightly tinted but the colour would have to suit your skin tone. Absolutely stick with things that are working for you and are happy with. I'll have a nose and see if it would be a good one for others too, thanks!

Cinderella there are mixed opinions on here, but you could try Ultrasun Family - M&S have 25ml testers for around a fiver. It's SPF30. I don't know which ingredients make you itch, but I have found that seemingly identical products but with higher SPFs have caused me problems, esp itchy eyes. It is wearable, easy to get hold of and won't break the bank, so that's 3 of the standard obstacles addressed anyway

Are the opinions on Ultrasun mixed here? I just don't like their once a day application spiel (that is them right?) but for reference, they're not all mineral, right? Not saying Cinderella must absolutely use an all-mineral but it's the easiest place to start. Do agree with you Dulci, that SPF30 (esp. when it's a chemical sunscreen) is a safer bet. I've also liked and used in the past, John Masters Organics Mineral Sunscreen which is an SPF30 but it's up there in price. Think there were samples available somewhere, maybe with Naturismo?

botemp OK, I generally just splash my face in the shower in the morning and don't do anything more than moisturise in the evening, but I can definitely incorporate a flannel wash. If you're having a look, the one I use is Goats Milk Cream and on the rare occasions I wear make-up I find this gets it off without leaving me feeling sore. But they're both very, very moisturising - I've recommended them to a few people who've found them too thick to be absorbed, but my skin just drinks them right up!

Dulcimena I've tried Ultrasun before, but not Ultrasun Family. I'll have a look out. I can use most of the decent sunscreens for a day or two, it's more than about three days in a row which is a problem for me. And as I get older I think it would be a good idea to use sunscreen every day.

cinders maybe its more about how you remove your spf at the end of the day. If it's not cleansed off properly it will irritate your skin.