🐌 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

I lost the thread! Not much to report. Ordered some makeup geek eyeshadows, will take a pic when they arrive

I wondered where u were olli

How's your skin now

I am sorry Bali. Love to you and your family.

So sorry Bali. Tough time for you all.

I'm not looking at my skin or doing anything new as I found myself over plucking my eyebrow at 4am this morning which is never a good sign. Then today I've been scrutinising them.

So I'm heeding the warning signs and backing away from the mirror. I do desperately need a haircut though. This is the longest I've been between cuts in years. I think I might be a bit poorly actually. Perhaps I should just bite the bullet and book in somewhere right now. Maybe looking out together on the outside will sort my head out a bit.

While I remember Boots have launched a new skincare range today. I know nothing about it as haven't read the site yet but it's here www.yourgoodskin.com/uk

Enid I looked at that new range in boots today, it contains fragrance so is a no no for me

Oh and sorry ur feeling poorly Enid I'm having one of my flares too

Sorry you're not feeling on good form Enid. I always think it's a funny time of year, moving into autumn. I have my SAD light box on my desk at work (horrible little office with no window- thank goodness I'm part time) and must start using it. Is there a new hairdresser you've got your eye on? Any recommendations from friends?

Not suggesting you're suffering SAD by the way Enid . Hope you start improving too mint

No, that's a good idea JD. I have one in the loft I think so I will give it a try. Think it's a build up of separate things you know? Planning a break away somewhere soon so that'll perk me up. Thank you. Not many recommendations, think I'll just go to a local one I went to years ago. The guy I had had left so I'll just risk it. At least it'll be tidier.

Mint sorry to hear that. Be kind to yourself.

I’m so sorry Bali thinking of you and your family

And for Enid and Mint too, I hope you both feel better soon.

I’ve just had a look at the yourgoodskin that Enid linked, tempted by the shine relief lotion as it’s only just over £6 with the 1/3 off offer.

Thanks for caring everyone

Bali , look after each other and yourself.

bani and user WRT to TO Retinol 1%, I've never been a fan and I'm glad they're discontinuing it as it's far too easy for it to mess up people's skin and the strength indication was far too confusing. I'd wager that going on prescription Retin-A and building it up slowly with guidance would be less irritating than a pure high % Retinol like TO's 1% where your skin also has to deal with the irritation that comes with the conversion of Retinol into Retinoic Acid. I can report back now after using the 5% a few times that it does seem to speed up the cell turnover as I can definitely feel a lot skin sloughing off when cleansing (though no visible signs of flaking). It's odd, yet to see any other noticeable results.

Lego , hoping for a better outcome with your job.

WRT new product trials, in case anyone else is interested in my experience with SkinCeuticals Vit C so far, have been using this for a few days now and am very happy with it. No funky smells, no stinging, no irritation whatsoever and that special L-AA glow with an added bit of oomph. My skin was in desperate need for it after being ill and TO 30% fail that caused me to stop using Vit C altogether for a bit, it's perked me right back up. Unfortunately, like others on here, it hasn't done much for my mood, was thinking very much the same that there was something in the air just this afternoon. Have a full case of wanderlust going and annoyingly being a bit down (nothing serious, just a touch of melancholy) means all the lecherous random men on the street pop up out of nowhere, making it all the more pleasant My mother always claimed it was something to do with not having the energy to keep your defenses up and certain individuals honing in on that. Getting back into daily exercise again after a break (due to illness/period/ovarian cyst rupture hellapalooza) seems to be helping.

Had a closer look at the Lixir, not too excited about some of the fragrant compounds but it's not full-on fragrance but not what I'd expected from a dermatologist brand, apparantly she worked on REN before this so I think it's comparable to that. Annoyingly only available through VH it appears (their international shipping is very overpriced), I would like to try the BHA/PHA I think, using it as an occasional mask rather than mixed into the universal cream.

purple, glad it's working out better for you. 2 layers of sunscreen is generally advised as the 'superior' way to apply sunscreen as you're more likely to use the appropriate amount and not miss out spots as you're covering your face twice. It's also usually a lot more pleasant to get on as opposed to one heavier layer.

Enid, I just saw some PR agency very amateurishly try to recruit 'ambassadors' for that brand on another thread on here for anyone with more than 500 Instagram followers I think my dearly departed doggie's account has more followers than that. I don't even want to glance at their offerings as a result. Honestly, at this point, I'm just waiting for the horror that is MLM to merge with the murky waters that is the world of 'influencers'.

for Enid and mint, hope you find something to focus on to lift you out of the fog a bit.

Yes I need a positive focus and done routine back bo. I hadn't realised that, something to work on.
That's very unprofessional about the YourSkin thing. What a shame. I think it could be an American company perhaps? Maybe that's how they do things. I don't know, I'll have a proper look at the site tomorrow. The gel cleanser looked quite good.

My beauty bay parcel has arrived but I'm not home until later. Will photo when I am!

Bali
enid
mint

Thank you all.

Me again, thanks for all your previous advice, I added in the Hada Labo Premium Hyaluronic acid which I can only use at night ( I find it to sticky to put makeup over the top) and the LRP SPF, which I'm getting on ok with but find I have to apply powder after my makeup otherwise it looks greasy. My skin is looking and feeling much better.

I'm at the point now where I want to add a new night moisturiser and something anti aging. Any advice?

I don't think it's as unprofessional as it seems, Enid. I was reading an article the other day about influencer strategy, the focus seems to be much more about conversion potential (how able someone is to incite purchase rather than following numbers) and the ones who do that best (according to the research) are big name celebs (YouTube or otherwise but really a very select group and it differs greatly despite equal following numbers) and people in your direct social group (dark social: Instagram, FB, WhatsApp groups, etc.). As a result a lot of brands are opting for a strategy that targets low following influencers with high conversion potential and doing so by recruiting on a large scale. If I remember where I read the article I'll link it here.

Emma, going by your username you're 32/33? What were you thinking, retinol, Vit C, AHA?

I was 33 this month, I've no idea not used anything before so I suppose something entry level. Not too expensive as we have just moved house, that's probably caused a few of the frown lines!!

I'd say Vit C is the entry level active (mid-late twenties is when people start on that if necessary), then followed by Retinol (unless you already have active signs of ageing from the age of 30+). AHA if you want more instantaneous results for smooth skin (but it's a temporary effect, so technically not anti-ageing).

All available from TO for low prices, the Vit C 23% is the more tricky one texture wise, the Vit C 30% is more cosmetically elegant (I personally didn't get on with it so if you'd like mine you're more than welcome to have it, only used a few times. Though go slow it may be a bit much for a Vit C virgin). For the Retinol either go for the Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion or the Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane (the latter is an oil based one, so could be used in place of night cream as it's a bit heavy). Their AHA is the glycolic one, not everyone responds to it well so be cautious. Be cautious with all, don't buy them all, just start with the one and build up use (this goes for all of them) from 1-2x a week for a few weeks to 2-3x a week.

Botemp that would be great if you don't mind. I'll message you my address and if you give me your email (assuming you do paypal) i'll sort you out the money. Thankyou!!

I am really liking the Hera cushion. Shade 13 is perfect on me. Finding I'm leaning towards cushion foundations more as they work better if I'm slightly patchy/flaky