🐌 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.

---

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

---

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

It's impossible to imagine a mere baby, born 1984, to need any fancy skincare at all. ;)

I chilled down btw and ordered TO granactive retinoid 5 % in squalane instead. Hope you're happy, Bo. If it doesn't make me gorgeous I know who to blame. :P

Hugs to all those feeling down and/or poorly. Or maybe not hugs, yiz don't want hugs from a stranger. I wish you all lottery wins and inclement weather instead! :D

bo It was the whole doing it blatantly by spamming a forum thing that seemed unprofessional to me. It's not very Boots. I get that it's the way things are done now, even though I don't like it, but I would've thought a large established company would be more discreet. Was a bit tacky. Times they are a changin.

Someone tell me to book a bloody hair appointment please. It's becoming A Thing. 🙄

True Enid, though that was their unprofessional PR agency, not so much the brand itself but it does reflect badly on both at the end of the day.

Can't help with the hair appointment as I'm in the same position and just can't find it in me to subject myself to the terror again.

Emma, I got your PM, I'll send it out tomorrow and no need for payment, consider it a belated birthday present

Weather would be nice Bani, it's weirdly warm (22 degrees) but full on autumn showers. Lottery would be even better as I've fallen in love with a coat from Acne Studios that is ridiculously expensive .

I'll be curious to hear what the 5% is like for other skin types though.

bo I noticed they were all posted just before 6pm and wondered if it was a panicked intern that had been told they had a quota to meet for that day. Imagined them looking the time, thinking "oh shit" and then thinking they were a total genius for posting on a mainly female forum. Sit back and watch the instagrammers roll in. Or not. I reported them.

New eyeshadows and updated collection photo

Oooo Olli I love the 2 matte brown ones on the right at the bottom

Enid just book a bloody hair appointment will you?!
banivani your post made me laugh!

I ordered Paula's choice extra strength clear 2% BHA and just arrived today. I feel like I need a good exfoliant at the moment. I lost faith in cosrx one thinking it might be fake then bo posted something about change in formulation and/or ph but whatever, it wasn't working for me. I'm back on a regular retinoid for a few weeks now. I'm using differin, purchased in US. Very slight flakiness if I'm not generous with the evening moisturiser. I know retinoid is a long term commitment but I'm feeling a bit impatient with my skin. I want to use something and be "wow, my skin looks great". Perhaps that doesn't happen over the age of 40?

Re RCMA powder. I like the product but it doesn't make me any less oily than innisfree no sebum mineral powder. I'll happily continue to use it (many thanks Enid) but it's just not amazing at the oil control, I'm still using blotting paper at lunchtime, which is probably the best I'll get anyway.

JDSTER have you tried the TO coverage foundation yet? Its on the dry side so good for oilier skin and seems to last well at least it does on me anyway.

I have been using the Verso eye serum for just over a week now. I find my undereye area is very dry and creased during the day. This could be due to the new foundation I am using or the eye serum. Either way I have decided to use it every other night for the next few weeks and use a hydrating eye cream on the other nights.

I also have a skincare routine update and a couple of questions to post.

I have added some new items into my skincare routine (TO sheep? Yup, right here) and am pondering how best to integrate them.

Routine at present:

AM: wash face with LRP Toleriane hydrating gentle cleanser
follow with:
Serum (currently Hylamide Sub Q which is almost done, will replace with Pestle & Mortar HA)
TO Buffet
Vitamin C (finished Face Theory; have begun using TO 30%)
Day cream (LRP Toleriane fluide or Dr Jart Water Drop)
SPF (currently loving Nivea Creme Care spf50)

PM: Double cleanse with an assortment of gels and creams, then:
3 nights a week:
TO Retinol 2%, to be replaced with one of the new ones when it’s done
night cream (have a few in rotation; Cerave PM, TO NMF etc)

2 nights a week:
TO Azeliac acid
TO Buffet
night cream

1 night a week:
BR P50W
a nice unctuous cream, have just bought Embryolisse Last Creme concentre and also have L’Occitane Divine cream which I bought about a year ago and just opened it up. Ridiculously over-priced and probably has little to offer but it is oh so comforting on autumn/winter evenings :)

1 night a week:
hydration! I use Blithe 8 beans toner and apply it 5-7 times a la Asian skin method
unctuous cream as needed

I have bought:
Verso eye serum - will integrate into night time routine, 2-3 nights a week at first
TO Vitamin C 30% which has replaced the FT and I like it after 5 days anyway.
TO Reservatrol - I have been mixing two drops into the Vit C 30% in the mornings, and so far so good. Is that the best way to do it?
TO EUK…..not 100% sure if I can apply it the same evenings as Azeliac acid? Or could I apply it after my Blithe toner routine? I know I can’t mix it with Vitamin C so mornings are out.

Tant - they're just lush, so pigmented and less than a fiver each

Thank you botemp at least let me pay for the postage.

Thanks Tant I haven't tried TO foundation yet. I don't use a lot of foundation so I tend to get through it very slowly. Two Estée Lauder ones on the go at the moment. I'll probably give TO ones a go at some point though.

JD Thanks! I will sort an appointment out tomorrow. Pretty sure they messed my colour up once but beggars can't be choosers. (I swear all the decent hair stylists run off to London as soon as they hit 25.)

Ahead of the game a bit but I've actually been keeping track this month so my empties were all ready to go :-)

EMPTIES

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm - this was my second tub but I am not repurchasing. I have loved it, but I am so over the price having moved house! I have other products now which replace the experience-ness of it.

Hand Chemistry Pro-Repair Skincare for Hands - have done an Amazon “subscribe and save” on this because I like it so much. I have a tube at work and one at home. So I’ll get one new one per month to replace whichever is near its end.

TRIALLING

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser - not sure about this. It’s a bit foam-y which surprised me and since being on this skincare “journey” I’ve tried to avoid foam. But it’s not overly drying; it doesn’t make my skin feel any more tight than say LRP cleansing milk. Whenever I shower/cleanse my skin generally begs for some moisture.

Medik-8 Vitamin C - foolishly started using it daily which after about 5 days led to dry, slightly red skin. Have since cut back to 2 to 3 times a week which is fine.

SPECIAL MENTION

Bioderma Hydrabio - not used this much over the summer but have started to now. I really like this at night, and it goes really well with a couple of squirts of Dr. Traub Nia. It makes my skin feel really soft and comfy, and that continues until morning.

Just catching up...

Bali sorry for your loss

And and for all those feeling a bit crap at the moment, there seems to be plenty of crapness going around. I've got out my SAD light and 5htp supplements to combat the change of seasons...

In happier news, I'm off to the Olympia Beauty show tomorrow for a very rare day all to myself browsing nail products and makeup.. I don't think there'll be anything interesting skincare wise but if I find anything cool, I'll report back :)

tsmummy anything exciting to report from the Olympia beauty show?
I bought this lovely crossover bag at the weekend, I have been looking patiently for months for the right size and shape in black leather and now I've found it I'm very happy.
I'm also delighted my DD 10 could finally help me with dying my roots this evening and my skin is having a rare liquid gold treatment

I have sorted my skin for now
Previously I was doing alternate days retinol and actives. Now I'm doing retinol, actives, REN serum, repeat so a 3 day cycle. Less flaking, less redness and happier skin
Going to get a ceramide cream, probably the mizon one but need to use some stuff up first

my skin is very pink after applying Liquid Gold earlier

Tant nothing too exciting to report, although it was my first beauty show and I was like a kid in a candy store! Some big spa brands were there (Dermalogica, Elemis) plus lots of spa gadgets and one stand where a girl was having her butt massaged by a "Brazilian bum lift" machine There were also some large makeup stands (NYX and Kryolan) but they were really busy. I was there for the nail stuff and got a nice load of products (almost stayed in budget!) saw the demos that I came to see and chatted to some great nail techs, so all in all a successful day

Olli I've changed to that 3 day split routine as well: Retin A, BR P50W, then lots of moisture, and I've also noticed my skin is happier, less irritated...

Can anyone recommend a day cream for dry skin, not too expensive - one of the Tolerianes maybe? The Ultra or Fluide Ultra? Or is there a Bioderma one that's quite rich? I need something for the next couple of weeks...

Hi everyone, I started following the threads 6 weeks ago and although I haven't quite caught up I feel I have learnt loads.

I'm 37 and have several skin issues. My skin is oily and prone to acne, blackheads and whiteheads mainly. I have managed to keep the acne under control with a clearasil Daily Clear Hydra-Blast Sensitive Wash. If I ever switch to anything else then the spots return.

I have enlarged pores especially over my cheeks and T zone. I have visible veins under my eyes and deep forehead lines and frown lines between my eyes. I do get redness but not irritation or flaking

The first thing I did was introduce an SPF - loving the biore watery essence! no reaction from my skin and goes on lovely.

Although the clearasil is great for my spots my skin does get a bit tight after using it. It has a number of useful ingredients like niacinamide and salycilic acid but also has SLS.

I tried double cleansing with Clinique ttdo ( which my DH had bought me for Christmas) and lrp toluraine but didn't like the lrp as especially in the morning it didn't clean properly and left a bit of a film afterwards. Also the spots started to come back so went back to the clearasil and no more spots.

I have brought and tried the PC skin perfecting BHA 2% which I have only used a couple of times but I am going to give it a rest until I can get the cleanser situation sorted.

I have bought cosrx low ph cleanser but it took a while to arrive I have only used it a couple of times. Not sure whether I should do this twice a day or try just in the mornings with the TTDO/LRP again in the evening. What ever I do I need to stick to it for at least 10 days as it usually takes about a week for the spots to appear when I change cleanser.

I have bought but not opened Vit C 23% (for pores), niacinamide (for pores), retinoid 2% (for lines) and buffet (multi purpose serum). I am not sure what order to introduce things in, any advice from the knowledgeable ones? I will probably have to start the buffet soonest as my other serum (below) is nearly out.

My current regime

AM
Clearasil daily clear
Madara cellular repair serum (from beauty box - nice but too expensive, will replace with TO buffet)
LRP effaclar k
biore watery essence

PM
Same minus the SPF

I'm thinking:
Step 1
AM:
Cosrx Cleanser
serum
effaclar k
spr

PM
TTDO
LRP tulouraine (or should I use cosrx again)
serum
effaclar

Step 2 (if all ok after two weeks- add in BHA or vit c?)

Thank you for any advice.

I'm so behind! Let me attempt to catch up. And do the empties, and the empties template...

Hmm, JDSTER, Differin isn't really supposed to be an overnight miracle. It predominantly manages acne and it's only theorised (no clinical studies) that it has anti-ageing benefits so I doubt you'd 'see' much overnight with that anyhow. So I'm not over 40 so probably unfair to compare but I am having a bit of an overnight wow business with my skin atm, though stupidly I can't tell you if it's the new Retinol 5% (which definitely feels more effective) or the SkinCeuticals Vit C (I suspect it's mostly down to that) or the fact that my skin was pretty knackered from being ill and on minimal routine, well devoid of Vit C anyhow. I was/am also getting really great results with pairing the non Smelly Arse serum with BR P50. miffy considering the EU/UK lovechild is also a high antioxidant serum I'd try it with BR P50, possibly, see what it does there?

Enid, have you made an appointment yet I need to sort myself out one too

Tant, lovely bag and yay for child labour. I just bought one too but I'm babying it too much, am besotted with it but too precious about it atm. It's still got the damn tags on. Too late to take a picture of it in all its glory, will check for a stock image later. I was supposed to be looking at a coat .

Tsmummy08, I'd pay good money for some footage of that "Brazilian bum lift" machine. Although these days I'm utterly confused by what constitutes a good bum, they all look like plastic bums to me, bums are supposed to crease

I think the Toleriane Riche (or ultra riche can't remember the exact name) is good for dry skin (especially from Retin-A), Eucerin Urea is also decent, not sure which Bioderma one would be good. The Benton snail one is also nice, you've reminded me I might want to get that for winter time.

Welcome, Nimisha. Most of what you're asking is covered in the 'where to start' sheet with regards to introducing products, how much time to leave in between, etc.

Wrt to the Toleriane Dermo cleanser, I've now seen it quite often as a complaint among oilier folk that it leaves behind a residue, which would indicate something with stronger surfactant properties would be a better fit for you (or you've become too accustomed to that squeaky clean feel from SLS cleansers). The CosRx may be it, you'll just have to experiment on whether a combination or using it exclusively (with an oil cleanse preceding it in the PM) works best for you. It sounds sensible to get the cleansers to work for you before proceeding with anything else.

In terms of introduction, I'd say Buffet if your skin is very dehydrated/parched or Niacinamide if the pores/spots situation is more prevalent. Vit C doesn't really do much for pores so I'd really leave this till last, and the retinoid needs to be introduced when you're in quite a stable place so you're looking at a few months down the line. You're already familiar with BHA so I'd consider reintroducing that and building it up slowly again after NIA and Buffet, then leave it to rest and monitor then move on to Ret or Vit C.