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

999 replies

botemp · 07/08/2017 19:14

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 Wink), 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 Smile. 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 Shock

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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SelenaValentina · 07/10/2017 20:08

Well I've jumped in feet first and bought some Annemarie Börlind stuff. After wandering around Freiburg again today I bought a Christmas set, then came back to touristy village where staying and lo and behold a small shop here also carries it so I bought some more - and she gave me samples! (probably so stunned to sell any!). Seems good stuff but will use properly when I get home.

I wrote yonks ago about seeing blackheads in my 10 x magnifying mirror and I think it was Enid very sensibly told me not to look! So I didn't. This hotel has a 25 x magnification mirror that accosts me as I walk in bathroom. Shock

I understand now why they should be ignored.

Daim licorice sounds gorgeous. Bet not available in UK.

banivani · 07/10/2017 21:41

Despite promising myself to be sensible I tried the 30% glycolic peel from TO tonight because it’s red and I wanted to bathe in the blood of my enemies. It really is strong! I did not use retinoid after 😇 just pure squalane oil ( have to finish the fecking bottle).

EnidButton · 08/10/2017 00:00

Does is not have excellent bathroom lighting though Selena? I appreciate it when hotels have a lighting set up in the bathroom that's more flattering then a YT beauty gurus. One day I'll redo my bathroom and copy it. Hope you're having a lovely holiday.

SelenaValentina · 08/10/2017 08:29

Yes the lights is good Enid - maybe too good when facing the shock. I turn it back to normal but the cleaners obviously take delight in frightening some of us Grin

I agree re Basel too, Bo, seemed a stark concrete city in parts and expensive too. But some good shops and coffee. Doesn't take much to keep me happy!

EnidButton · 08/10/2017 12:38

No, good hotel bathroom lights make your skin look airbrushed and everything kind of glow. Like a ring light would. They're doing it wrong if it's terrifying. Grin

mintmagnummm · 08/10/2017 12:51

Sorry I know this has been spoken about before but is anyone using the ordinary squalane oil? If so what are your thoughts? I'm considering trying this as my morning hydrator

botemp · 08/10/2017 13:33

Bani, there isn't a lot of data out there on screen and light ray damage. Think last I heard LED is really damaging, yet used in all those anti aging and acne devices but it has to do with the wavelengths and why the Chinese random eBay ones are probably best avoided. Ideally you should use a high antioxidant serum with them to counter the ageing potential.

Selena, that mirror isn't incidentally near the loo, is it? I really wouldn't put it past the Germans to want to observe their stools that closely Envy

OP posts:
botemp · 08/10/2017 13:37

I've been coming across that magic light in a lot of shops these days and am vainly considering some myself now that Ikea is selling some at the consumer level but some shops are downright awful. TKmaxx is the absolute worst, it always makes me look as if I haven't slept in a year, have turned a sickly green colour whilst my body is bright yellow and appears to have the worst cellulite when I have very little of it and that would require Selena's hotel mirror to be visible to anyone but myself Shock

OP posts:
GrimDamnFanjo · 08/10/2017 15:15

Mint i have the Squalene in my stash. Squalene gets some good reviews, I'm Ken to try it but have some rose oil to use up first.

Ollivander84 · 08/10/2017 15:17

What's the new la Roche posay moisturiser? I missed it!

JDSTER · 08/10/2017 15:42

This one. Not in UK yet. I like it for night time use- has niacinamide so I can't use it in morning as I use Vit C.

🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Hot Snails, Summer in the City - Now with added shelf porn!
GrimDamnFanjo · 08/10/2017 15:44

I've not done this before so bear with me!

*SEPTEMBER EMPTIES
*
Vichy Aqualia Thermal (sp). Beloved of Sali Hughes but I really hated the smell, way too artificial for me.
Hydralauron. Used this regularly but there are so many ha options out there I'll probably not repeat purchase for a while.

ON TRIAL
Horlika Holika Good Cera cream.
Su:m37 secret repair serum
PC Resist Toner - this is my morning acid and will definitely repurchase
Andalou Naturals VitC turmeric - nearly finished this, bought after 5 star beautypedia review. It's ok but again lots of different options out there.

PLANNED PURCHASEs
Joseon Dynasty Cream. Love the smell, my second jar.
Hada Labo cleansing oil. Loved the travel size.
Cosrx Good Morning Cleansing Gel. Usually my am cleanser.

I'm about to crumble and buy the Harper's Latest in Beauty box anyone got it already?

JDSTER · 08/10/2017 15:45

And ingredients, if anyone interested

🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Hot Snails, Summer in the City - Now with added shelf porn!
Ollivander84 · 08/10/2017 15:45

JDSTER - thank you! I will hope it comes out here soon

userallusedup · 08/10/2017 16:04

I ordered differin from an online pharmacy and it’s coming tomorrow.

JDSTER and Banana do you use it daily and did you build up or launch right in? I’m a bit wary given my TO 1% experience with flaking.

I was planning to use at night, followed by Eucerin 5% urea OR cicaplast anti peeling moisturiser, should I still use Vit c in the morning or do you think I’d be better off switching to AZ acid? Skinoren is also available from the online pharmacies so I’m wondering if I should try that as it seems to be recommended by derms to use them in conjunction. NB I don’t have cystic acne, I’ll be using the differin for congested skin (blackheads and SF) with uneven texture/large pores. Any anti aging effects will be a bonus but not my primary reason for using it.

userallusedup · 08/10/2017 16:11

Sorry posted too soon! Meant to say that I’m not sure if the differin/skinoren regime is more for those who do have acne and might be a bit much for me? I’ve had az acid from TO previously and whilst I didn’t think it really did much, I didn’t have any adverse reactions to it.

botemp · 08/10/2017 16:37

I only have the Squalane as part of the retinoid, mint. It feels very heavy to me, don't know if I'd like that for day.

User, fair warning I'm very ranty about off prescription use of registered drugs and actively dissuade the discussion of them on here. To briefly answer your question, what strength have you ordered? The Differin from the US that's legal OTC is of a significantly lower dose than the prescription stuff (here and in the US). Both are predominantly for acne (skinoren has some use for rosacea too) and should be used under the supervision of a derm or GP. I would strongly urge you not to go experimenting with either drug but a combination of the two is even more risky and irresponsible from my perspective.

OP posts:
mintmagnummm · 08/10/2017 16:41

Thanks grim and bo hmmm decisions decisions Confused

Ollivander84 · 08/10/2017 16:55

The hero project has some stuff on here and it's cheaper if anyone is using it
http://www.allbeauty.com/gb/en/brands/the-hero-project

userallusedup · 08/10/2017 18:35

Bo it’s the 0.1% one that’s sold OTC in the US, so not prescription strength, just not available here yet other than through the online pharmacies though I did read somewhere that it might be coming to Boots soon. I can’t see it being any harsher than TO 1% ret but I’ll discontinue if I get any bad reactions & will take your advice & not go ordering anything else.

Skinfulnappies46 · 08/10/2017 19:15

Was the wedding Sali Hughes?? She was wearing an absolutely fabulous green dress.😍

bananafish81 · 08/10/2017 20:24

bo I can't remember exactly how much the tretinoin cream was, I'll check when I'm back in a couple of weeks, as I'll want to get another tube while I'm there so I've got enough to last me for the next couple of months. She said that whilst Treclin was a good retinoid for acne, it was harder to get a higher strength tretinoin purely for anti ageing: so made sense to get from them rather than get a chemist to order something in specially. I don't know how much a non Obagi 0.05% tretinoin cream would be for comparison

Enid the rationale for the cleanser was because I said I was struggling with increased oil production - I'll sometimes wake up in the morning and my face is literally swimming in it, leaving greasy marks on my pillow case. She said most foaming cleansers were a nono because they were too harsh, but thought it would be worth trying something different in the evenings to see if that plus the different retinoid could get the oiliness under control

user I haven't been using Differin, Dr Emma put me on Treclin for my breakouts / congestion, she said that was best for acne as it combines a topical antibiotic with a topical retinoid. I started with the Skinoren and Treclin alternate days and built up frequency and amount used. I didn't get any irritation at all so I ramped up pretty quickly

Wedding yesterday was fab, danced my socks off! Bride did indeed look fabulous Wink I wore the foundation that she used for my wedding makeup - which I now couldn't live without (Lancome Teint Miracle) and also the actual lipstick from my wedding day - old faithful MAC Lady Danger. Bride's makeup was done by the legendary Mary Greenwell who looks absolutely flawless in the flesh - don't know how old she is, but she looks absolutely exquisite up close.

JDSTER · 08/10/2017 22:40

user I would say I'm using differin for the same reasons as you. I don't use differin every night, I alternate with BHA. It does cause some dryness. I apply it on clean, bare skin at night, followed by moisturiser I posted pic of earlier. I'm on first small tube so I can't say how good it is. I use Vit C in the morning with moisturiser and of course SPF.

EnidButton · 08/10/2017 23:47

banana Thank you. I have quite an oily forehead in the mornings so I'll look into that. A less creamy cleanser makes sense.
Glad you had a fabulous time. It looked like a lot of fun! Smile

Tsmummy08 · 09/10/2017 09:08

Banana I saw some pictures on Insta - looks like a great time was had by all Grin I'm also a fan of Lady Danger, it's the perfect red for my colouring, although mt wirnkly lips would probably prefer a more forgiving formula!... and glad you're liking your Botox, it really is great if used judiciously :)

Bo thanks for the heads up re. Belif, there seem to be decent sellers on eBay but some reviewers are saying they've been stung by customs charges, which would put me off. It's not the duty I mind paying, it's the arbitrary £8 Royal Mail "handling fee" that gets my goat...