🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Hot Snails, Summer in the City - Now with added shelf porn!

[botemp]

Thread 1 Thread 2 Thread 3 Thread 4 Thread 5 Thread 6 Thread 7 Thread 8

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):

Where to Start

Basics of an Actives Routine

Skin Types vs. Skin Conditions Info Sheet

Anti-Ageing Info sheet

Adult Acne Info Sheet

NEW ADDITIONS since last thread:

Do I Really Need to Wear Sunscreen Every Single Day of the Year?

Understanding Which Sunscreen(s) to Buy

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.

AUGUST 2017: Sunscreen is pretty much non-negotiable at the moment (not that it’s ever not ), RL bumps have been met in the road for some, unfortunately. Grief sucks but we do our best to offer a bit of comfort even if it is just something as inane as skincare chat . Some of us are lucky enough to be nerding out in French pharmacies whilst pretending to do that holiday thing, the Shelf Porn Off is still on…

I can't believe we're on thread 9

Yong Thank you. That's very kind.
I thought about adding them myself. Pretty sure the linalool is for fragrance so not bothered about that but limonene might turn out to have been important.

enid I used my Pantene micellar shampoo this morning followed by the pantene micellar mouse conditioner and for me it doesn't feel as squeaky clean as the detox herbal essences shampoo, but it does feel more nourished.
I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks and feels in the morning.

olli I've lost a bit of weight too hence my kaftan purchases, not lost enough to not wear them mind.

Sounds ok so far, I'm going to wash my hair in a couple of hours Tant I'm really hoping it compares to the old version as that was the best one for me.
That said I'm quite liking the Lush Big sea salt shampoo that I bought last week. It's weird to use, seriously strips the hair and afterwards my comb catches sometimes, which it never does, but it does make my hair shiny and easy to manage which is no mean feat atm. (Desperate for a haircut and colour.) It's hard to describe it really, luckily they sell fairly small pots to try if anyone's interested.

Main thing I love about the Lush American Cream conditioner is the smell. I'm going to repurchase it just for that. It's a fairly good conditioner aside from that but have to use loads as I didn't find it that rich. Doesn't smell at all like strawberries like it says but it's a lovely subtle vanilla type scent that stays on your hair. Again, hard to describe.

It's my birthday next week and I really can't be bothered with it as the only thing I want now, I can never have. So I'm going to buy myself some things and have another birthday in a couple of months or something instead. Anyway, the lush conditioner is on the list.

Skin wise I look like stale mushroom soup. 🙄

enid

enid herbal essences have two detox shampoos, I just spotted a different one in the supermarket.

Mine is this one

I have been reading through all the threads and following you all over the last few months.
I have taken up a few of the tips that you all give each other.
My problem is bad pores on my chin and uneven skin tone, possibly sun damage.
Im at a point now where it is totally ruining my life, i constantly think how bad my skin is and have no confidence whatsoever talking to people.
I have just bought The Ordinarys, Retinol 2%, Salycic Acid 2% and there Niacinamide 10% with zinc, these were all recommended to me by them.
I oil cleanse then, hot cloth cleanse then use a gental exfoiliater daily.
I started to use the Salycic acid and Niacinamide 2 weeks ago, then the other night introduced the retinol, stupidly 2 nights running, my skin has gone awful my pores look huge and i have exploded in spots. Is this a normal reaction to it?
How long before you have all seen results? I am toying with idea of seeing a dermatologist as i cant go on feeling like i do

Otherside it might just be a reaction to the Retinol 2% twice in a row, especially if you're not used to using acids before. I also wonder if using the exfoliator every day is a bit harsh?

Also, did you put the Salicylic Acid all over your face? Best to use as a spot treatment. Lastly, some ppl don't get on with the Nia+Z. You'll need to use them separately to work out which one caused the irritation.

Ok thanks. Just used the salicylic over my chin area really were it is most uneven. I dont seem to have had a problem until i introduced the retinod, now my face looks 10 times worse than before. I havnt used the retinoid for 2 nights and will stay off it until my face calms down.
Ok how often should i exfoliate?
Its leaving me so down, i just want to hide away from everyone.
Im wondering if its a side effect of having the coil fitted? As i have read chin related problems can be hormone related.

I'm sorry to hear your skin is getting you down so much Otherside, .

Ok, let's troubleshoot, as Bagel astutely pointed out a daily exfoliator isn't a good idea (especially if we're talking a physical one and BHA is also an exfoliator, it sounds like you're definitely in the over-cleansing and over-exfoliating territory). By the sound of it, your initial issues were due to dehydration and/or compromised skin barrier issues (either from over-exfoliation, using the wrong products with common irritants, or a combination of the two), hence the enlarged pores and uneven skin tone. The TO proposed regime is way too much, way too soon, especially if the basic foundation routine wasn't right. It may very well be a purge or reaction to one, or a combination of the products, but I think it's rather a case of too many products on compromised skin that has resulted in the situation as it is now.

I understand you want to see results quickly but going in too soon too fast only makes the process that much longer. Realistically most products will show an effect over a single skin cycle, so 6 weeks minimum but products like Retinol take far longer, think months.

Can you talk me through your current routine, frequency, specific names of products, etc. Moving forward, I'm afraid to say it means stripping back tremendously and babying the skin as much as possible for the next 4-6 weeks to get the inflammation down. Then you can consider slowly introducing one product at a time again and monitoring everything carefully. People on this thread have generally been lucky but despite their 'sciency' image TO uses a lot of relatively uncommon ingredients, where comedogenic info is lacking, and there have been some people who have erupted in horrible cystic acne as a result. Perhaps you've been unlucky this time but I do think your starting point and increased and overuse of products will have probably played a role too. What you've described I wouldn't consider a 'normal' reaction but there really isn't a 'normal' in skincare, hence the eternal advice to take it as slow and methodical as possible, however frustrating that may seem when you want results quickly.

Ok thanks. Its all new and strange to me skincare, ive only started having this problem in the last 10 months, had the coil fitted 13 months ago.
At night i use an oil based cleanser (superdrug dual phrase cleansing oil vit e) then Hot cloth cleanser (superdrug vit E) then have been using a gentle oatmeal exfoiliator, then a hydrating serum, then vitamin e moisturiser.
Am - just usual rinse my face with warm water, hydrating serum again, then simple kind to skin moisture cream (spf 30).
I have had a few session of crystal clear microdermabrasion which i think helped until i got these products from TO and i feel like im back to square one. Even make up doesnt conceal the pores.
I know i will never get rid of them completely, but have i got to face facts that my skin wont get any better? Thanks for answering me ☺

Bo, this is the Nivea I am using:
"Nivea Sun Creme Care UV Cream"

www.ratzillacosme.com/sun/nivea-sun-creme-care-uv-cream/

I am also one who was trialling the Indeed C24 Vitamin C and yes I found it quite silicone-heavy. I put it on hold to try the TO MAP. Weirdly enough I like the texture of it although I am already at the cut-and-scrape-out point with the tube; didn’t last much longer than a month on me.
I have added that Avene gentle cleanser to my list to check out, I like the sound of it.

Shopping in Duane Reads/Walgreens/CVS is one of the things I most look forward to when I go to the US (not often enough but years ago before kids, DH and I used to go once a year). I always go with a long list and visit as many as I can. Usually end up needing to go on my first night as I invariably forget to pack a toothbrush/deodorant/painkillers.

Olli I LOVE those boots. A total bargain, too.

Otherside Definitely don't think it won't get better. I'm sure it will, you just have to give it time and find what works for you.

12 months ago I was so frustrated and down about my skin. I had horrible painful cystic spots all the time. It's taken time as I've had to learn about caring for my skin and what I need/what works well for me but now my skin is generally pretty clear and balanced. I can even go without makeup some days, which I could never have dreamed of 12 months ago. So definitely dont give up

Crikey, microdermabrasion too, Otherside? That's a very extreme form of physical exfoliation and success with that is so highly dependant on the person wielding the machine, generally, they're overly aggressive and you really shouldn't be using any other forms of exfoliation while skin is recuperating from those treatments. On the back of that assume over-exfoliation is the culprit and the Retinol (another exfoliator) was just the last drop that ramped everything up a notch.

You're not the first to be making the connection between the coil and skin problems. I have to say I'm quite surprised how common it is in the UK (based on my MN reading) as it's not a preferred method here and my Gyn. refuses to place them unless there are absolutely no other options. If you're having more issues as a result of it, then I would consider having a chat with your GP about it.

So for the next 6-8 weeks I'd suggest the following:

AM - stick with just the water (just make sure it's luke warm and not part of a shower routine).

Is it the Superdrug Simply Pure Hydrating Serum you're using, if so great it has some barrier restoring ingredients in there, otherwise consider switching to this.

Moisturiser

SPF- you absolutely need a standalone SPF, your skin is severely compromised and lacking its natural barriers of defence and not using a standalone SPF and topping up every two hours (at least) during prolonged sun exposure will exasperate your condition and make it all the more time-consuming in terms of recovery. A moisturiser with SPF added to it simply doesn't cut it as it fails to deliver the promised coverage as it's diluted. You really need an SPF50 this time of year and since you're at a fragile place skin wise. I'd suggest going with a physical only sunscreen as this will least likely irritate, consider the Bioderma Photoderm Mineral SPF50 and use liberally.

PM - Stick to one cleanser if you can (the Vit E HCC should suffice on its own), perhaps using a bit more and being very diligent about getting it all before rinsing/wiping off with flannel.

No more exfoliating, absolutely none for a minimum of 6-8 weeks. After that, refrain from physical exfoliation. If you absolutely must once a fortnight or once a week max.

Hydrating Serum, then moisturiser.

Consider getting the Cerave Moisturising Cream (available on Amazon) as it has a very good ingredient ratio that aids with skin barrier repair. The Cerave PM lotion may also be good for you as it has a high concentration (5%) of Niacinamide which also helps restore skin and tackles pores somewhat but it may be a bit too much for your skin at this moment in time.

bo just dropping by to say I have three pairs of boots by Hudson which are fantastic leather and really comfortable

They kept trying to get me to have a mirena and seemed most surprised when I refused! I had the copper coil in the end and it's been fantastic

Thanks miffy, I have been meaning to get that as a hand cream. Are you on the dry side, or is it not as heavy as I think it to be?

That's so lovely to hear about your progress, Bali and just what I needed to hear since I'm a moody cow tonight as my period arrived earlier than anticipated, are we all still synched up, btw?

Thanks ohgoon and JDSTER on the Hudson info. I shall give them a go, though am somewhat confused by the H by Hudson bit, I assumed it was a diffusion brand from Hudson but that doesn't appear to be the case.

Tant that's the one I have. I like the smell of it. Tried the Micellar shampoo tonight. Seems ok but will try it again with my usual conditioner next time. Think I've got used to the squeaky clean feeling the Lush one gives even though that can be drying.

Thanks botemp, I'm just so desperate to get my confidence back, I would try anything. The coil was a last resort, terrible periods and fibroids for 5 years. I have an apointment on 1st September about having it removed. Thanks I will try what you have suggested, yes it is the pure serum. I'm going away next week abroad and have already decided my face is staying out of the sun.
I just want to be able to look people in the eye again and not feel that they are looking at huge craters on my chin!!

Otherside, let me assure you (and I'm sure many on this thread will echo this), despite being quite skin obsessed I rarely ever notice the state of other people's skin. It really isn't something to fret about in terms of 'what other people think' as no one really contemplates other people's skin much. Skin can be temperamental, so be kind to yourself, it's not your fault nor have you been neglectful somehow. It takes a bit of time to get a handle of it when it suddenly changes on you, it's horrible not feeling in control of it and not knowing what to do about it but it's not your fault. No one is really looking that closely at you as you are, or noticing what you consider your worst flaws as the only thing about you. Please don't be afraid to look anyone in the eye, honestly, people don't notice and aren't solely defining you by it. Chuck the magnification mirror if that's been haunting you, don't let this be bigger than it needs to be.

Ugh hate evenings like that bo, hopefully you're more cheery tomorrow

It was about this time last year I went to the Drs to get a prescription for Duac which I used for 2 months. That fixed the spots but left me with marks all over my face (I will forever love Vit C after this..) and just dull, dehydrated, unhappy skin. Shortly after I found this thread and you guys helped me educate myself.

It's certainly not perfect spot brewing on cheekbone I'm looking at you but I'm far happier.

As an aside, what are your thoughts on squalene?

Thanks everyone, your very kind.
So shall i stop the salycic acid and niacinamide too Bo, sorry to mither. Also is it the cerave lotion or cream?

I'm off on hols in a 10 days. We're staying in a hotel on the edge of a nature reserves. Reviews are great, apart from the mosquitoes. My husband reacts badly to bites. Anyone got any recommendations for repellents? This is one of those situations where it's gonna be a trade off between efficacy and all-guns-blazing chemicals isn't it!

Squalene is a great ingredient provided you don't have issues with Olive oil derivatives, Bali.

Yes, drop the Nia and BHA for the next few weeks, Other. The moisturiser is the cream, the PM with 5% Nia is the PM lotion.

Completely agree with bo, Otherside. I promise you, no-one else can see what you see. People just don't notice or if they do it's very fleeting and no more thought goes into it. No-one is judging you or staring at any flaws.

Also, and no idea if this is true for you but just something to think about, in times of stress or anxiety I have a tendency to pic on myself and one of the things I've focused on in the past is my skin. It can become a bit obsessive if one isn't careful. If you find yourself holding the mirror up and studying your skin in different lights then please try to put it down and go and do something else for a while. I think bo put it much better than me on a previous thread but basically if there's something causing stress orvworry that's out of our control, it's easy for our minds to transfer that onto something else and focus on that instead, like skin problems.

No idea if that makes sense as my brain is more fried than usual but if you do recognise any of that then hope it'll help.

I could, of course, be talking complete balls. Wouldn't surprise me atm. 🙄

bo I just finished my period it at least the shock of Sunday stopped it so you're slightly behind me. Hope the pmt rage passes soon. ☕️

Pup I really suffer with bites and get a reaction too. I do the following:
In the day I use Avon Skin So Soft after my shower and add Smidge repellent (on Amazon)
In the evenings I add a Fuck Off chemical repellant, especially round ankles.
I also travel with antihistamines and take them if I'm bitten.
I try and cover up too in the evenings.