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

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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

P50w - the smell! It's vile!

Does anyone have any fine broken capillaries on their cheeks? I've had mine for years, they aren't to noticeable but I'd like to make sure they don't get any worse!

Thanks shop

Thanks Enid, had a tough couple of years, with my sister having a stillborn baby at 38 weeks and then last year my Mum passed away from pancreatic cancer, so I have been guilty of neglecting myself.
Thanks BO, your knowledge amazes me! I can't find the sun cream you suggested locally, is there an alternative to it? Thanks

Thanks Grim. I had heard about Avon SSS being a good repellent. My only worry with anything I put on my skin is how sensitive it can be (most shower gels and laundry detergents bring out my eczema in random patches).

I've just bought a magnified mirror to go on the wall in my new en-suite. It's one of those on an extendable arm. One side is x10 magnification. This is only to put my make up on (without my glasses, which I only wear for reading). Do others have to do this? Determined I'm not going to obsess over using it to critique the rest of my face lol.

Otherside

bo my skin would be normal to dry I guess (used to think it was sahara-dry but it fact it was dehydrated). The texture is not as heavy as I expected. Thicker than TBS spf, definitely not runny but sinks in well.

Not in that price range or otherwise easily available, Otherside. I just got an email in from escentual, they have 20% Off everything with the code ESCENTUAL20. I'm pretty sure they sell it eland their sheeting is either free or v. low for the UK and extortionate outside it. Feelunique or look fantastic may also have it. I also often point people towards easyparapharmacie which is based in France. Products will be cheaper but shipping is high unless you spend over, I think, £30 when it's free.

Ah thanks miffy, it should still work as a hand cream for me then

Pupsie, don't really have any products to rec. I still use citronella oil at night (only time when I appear to be tasty to mosquitos) and usually travel with one of those plug ins for the room and the Alcolado stuff I told otyt to get when she was in the Caribbean as that's the best itch relief I've ever found but not sure how easily available it is in the UK.

No magnification mirrors are brilliant for makeup and as long as you don't spend hours starting they're pretty harmless. Plus, brilliant for eyebrow maintenance, just remember to go back and forth with a normal mirror or you'll end up over-plucking.

Thanks Bo, will look later, need something decent before next Thursday as we go to Majorca. Although at the moment really not looking forward to going, as i dont want to be piling the make up on by the pool/beach 😢

pupsie i am prone to mozzie bites. So best thing is for him to start taking berocca every day (mozzies hate Vit b and c allegedly) be warned it makes your wee go a funny neon green. Then just as you know the sun is about to set he needs to douse himself in deet, mozzie repellant and put on a long sleeved shirt of the thinnest material ( thin for coolness) and long cotton trousers to. Also try to avoid drinking to much alcohol, it sweetens the blood for the mozzies.

Other - everyone's skin will look odd around the pool as no one will be wearing makeup and the sun and sea and chlorine will make everyone red and blotchy etc.

Ps - my kids just answered the door to Greenpeace, one said I think it was the Green Party and the youngest said I think he was trying to sell peas.

Bali just had an email to say my TO order is due tomorrow, yay, just in time for my holiday.
I reordered the Vit C 23% and the azaelic acid which I'm liking a lot. Plus I've got foundations arriving 1.2 I think in YG, N and the same in the serum foundation. Last time I ordered 2.1 Y which was ridiculously dark orange on me but luckily is the perfect colour for my mum who was delighted with it.

otherside I hope you have a good holiday and you can relax. Sorry to hear about your family problems last year. Pancreatic disease is silent, deadly and utter shite. My dad died recently of pancreatitis. He'd been perfectly well beforehand. Enid you hit the nail on the head earlier when you mentioned if we are worried or stressed our minds transfer onto something else. I'm experiencing a bit of pain at the moment and I'm sure it's stress related rather than anything else. I hope you're doing ok yourself Enid. Happy holidays to everyone going away

Otherside many sympathies, my mother also died from pancreatic cancer in 2009, only 7 weeks after it was diagnosed. It's brutal.

Your skin will get better, I'm sure, it's a huge temptation to throw everything at it, but sometimes you just need to pare it right back down. Bo's given you all the info but I just wanted to mention La Roche Posay Toleriane range. I've found their cleanser to be very gentle and the moisturiser is also lovely. It might help to get your skin back in some kind of balance again. Enjoy your holiday.

Im sorry to hear that Bagel, its so tough seeing them going through them final weeks.
im not sure if dehydration is playing a part in making my pores look bigger on my chin? Im tempted to post a picture but feel so embarrassed at how my skin looks
Has anyone used the La Roche Posay Effaclar + blemish control?

otherside welcome and
I use LRP effaclar duo - brilliant.
pupsie I suffer enormously with allergic reactions to mosquito bites...top tips - get a 'bite pen' from boots. It's ammonia-based, it stinks but boy, if you zap it on as soon as you know you've had a bite, it stops them from turning into the huge red swollen infected wheals I usually get. Other than that, come 5 pm, religiously I go inside and spray head to foot with deet. I use jungle formula. They also have a handy roll-on for face. It's the only way I can survive holidays in my beloved French family's house in south of France, without misery. I also take antihistamine with me, in case anything looks like it's going bad. I still get bitten...but it keeps them small, more manageable and less likely to be nasty. I also take some kind of menthol type anti-itch to help stop me scratching and spreading the poison further....and goes without saying, keep all doors and windows shut when lights are on. (So, shutters shut in day, only open at night when light off).
If I am going anywhere more tropical, it's full-on warfare involving mosquitoe nets etc.
bo can't see anything other than hydrabio on my spray...?
olli well done on 22lbs off - how are you doing it?

V boring! Calorie counting. I generally eat the same thing every day, and I also do some fasting overnight for about 14 hours
Plus the gym as much as I can manage - still only 12 weeks post surgery
I'm not sure my neurosurgeon would approve of me doing this today

Ollivander That's awesome! I love watching show jumping and dressage. Nick Skelton's been a hero since early teens. Loved the London Olympics, I wish I'd been able to get tickets.

Otherside Effaclar has a good reputation but I think you should try to only use v basic products for the next month or 6 weeks. Then perhaps try Effaclar or the Ordinary products again. But that's my inexpert opinion.

Really sorry to hear that Other Take extra care of yourself. I think I agree that if declaring war on your skin hasn't got the results you want then going the other way and being extra gentle with it for a while might help. You can always reintroduce chemical exfoliants etc later. I found taking it very slowly and being patient was the best approach. I also use the Toleriane cleanser and really like it. Although I need an oil cleanser for removing make up (I like Emma Hardie mornings balm but trying a different one when that runs out). The coil can definitely have an effect on your skin. I know someone who always had annoyingly perfect skin until she had that put in and then she was getting cystic spots. Stress has a huge impact too, as well as what you eat.

Talking of food, I fully expect a break out in a few days because I had wheat for the first time in months yesterday. I hadn't been able to eat for a couple of days and the only thing I fancied was a Big Mac and fries. Have lost 6lbs since Sunday night so need to eat whatever, whenever.

*moringa

Brill pic olli!! You and mare both looking fab. No, I'm sure your neurosurgeon would be having kittens seeing that...
enid yes whatever you can get down you is what's needed....

Feeling really down due to the state of my skin at the moment. My current routine has taken around 5mths to get established and I don't know whether I'm impatient or that the products just don't suit my skin. I'm still not seeing any improvement in the pigmentation and congestion issues that blight my cheeks and sides of my chin. The current routine is AM Cleanse LRP Toleriane Dermo Cleanser
3 x weekly PC 2% BHA
The Ordinary Buffet
The Ordinary Nia & Zinc
The Ordinary Moisturiser
LRP Anthelios SPF 50

PM Cleanse x 2 again with LRP
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid
The Ordinary Retinoid 2%
I also use my Clarisonic a couple of times a week too.
Since changing cleanser from Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel my skin has felt really soft and looks a lot more hydrated. I have just received The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% and have used it once in the morning so far.
I would love to know what you ladies think of this routine and if it is worth persevering with.

ohgoon I think you have beautiful skin! I'm no expert but I wonder if that's too many actives to be using in a week? Also, I'm not using retinoid at the moment because I'm sure I read it's best avoided in the Summer months (what Summer you may say!), even with diligent use of SPF. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly.

My question for this week is: what's the shelf life of acids? Specifically, I bought my PC acids probably 9 months ago. I still have loads left. How long are they good for? (Feeling the need to declutter the toiletries a little lol).

Thank you Pupsi !
I do think the lighting was more favourable to my skin in those photos 🤔! Unfortunately I don't have an answer in regards to the shelf life of acids but I would be interested to hear the answer to that one too !

Othersideof40, please just allow yourself to enjoy it. You may be wearing the aftermath of a tough time quite visibly now and whilst it may feel like a very annoying reminder, just remember you've gone through it all and are still standing even if it has knocked your confidence a bit. Certainly not anything to be ashamed of.

No one is really all that concerned with a bunch of random strangers at a pool, we're all far more self-obsessed than we'd like to admit. By my estimation, about 95% will be too predisposed with some flaw on their body, or the body in its entirety. Some women will really be regretting not wearing/wearing that bikini or bathing suit. Someone will worry whether that last minute spray tan is perhaps a bit too orange. Someone will have psoriasis and hope no one will accuse them of having an infectious disease. Someone will hope no one sees the many tiny scars of a lifetime of self-harm and ask her about it because she's just about managed to gather the courage not to completely cover up and really can't handle more than that. Someone will be feeling the entire weight of her body and she won't be able to relax until someone noticeably fatter comes along, so she's no longer the fattest person there. Someone will have caught a mild food poisoning bug and hopes she isn't going to shit herself... I can go on endlessly.

We're incredibly tough on ourselves, with high expectations to match when the simple reality is we're more than good enough without all the effort. Nothing wrong with ambition or strive but don't levy it against yourself, it is robbing you of joy when you fatalistically measure the 'worst' of yourself against the 'best' of someone else. Don't give up your power so easily to a voice that only spirals one down further. It is such a waste of time that can be spent so much more fruitfully. I know it's hard to just flip that switch and silence that inner voice but it's also brave, so let that be your motto for the holidays and enjoy being brave for once because it surely can't be worse than how you feel now .

Effacar has its fans but it doesn't work for everyone. It's a form of BHA, as Bagel already pointed out for the next 6-8 weeks really leave your skin alone and withstand the temptation of overnight miracles, at this point they're more likely to do harm than good.

yong, mine says Brume underneath, I think. Anyhow giant spray bottle of thermal water.

ohgoon, are you using everything daily or alternating? I'm assuming with the introduction of the Vit C you'll be moving Nia+Zinc to the PM (or out altogether?).

As far as pigmentation goes, it's a long haul game and would be so with a derm too. If it's long standing pigmentation esp. it's really hard to target with what's available OTC. Vit C will help inhibit further melanin production and can be effective with longstanding (but you'll have to hold your breath on that one). Azeleic theoretically helps with pigmentation but I'm still not sure what the feedback really is on TO formulation, seems to be very hit or miss. The Niacinamide from TO really doesn't seem to tackle pigmentation (it just isn't formulated with it in mind) and at most Niacinamide works as a melanin inhibitor and skin tone evener, not so much as a deeply rooted pigmentation remover.

I'm not a big fan of physical exfoliation as it just tends to aggravate and promote further inflammation, so I'd get rid of the Clarisonic or really only use it once a fortnight and consider getting an AHA to elevate your routine. Whilst BHA is good at loosening up congestion it's not as efficient in sloughing off that top layer of skin. Technically the Azelaic is an acid too but it doesn't perform like an AHA would. An AHA can also help with fading pigmentation (generally the kind that sits higher in the skin).

Do assess all your products individually though, I found TO Nia to be quite effective initially but found it to tether off really quickly, was most bizarre, to be honest.

Pupsie, generally the advice is to continue Retinoids year round with diligent SPF use and other protective measures (hats and such) as the benefits of continued use are much preferred to intermittent use. If you do know, however, that you'll be in the sun a lot for prolonged periods of time (or actively want to sunbathe) then it's sensible to stop using it two weeks ahead of time but I don't think it's necessary to boycott the whole season. UV ray wise it isn't that much different now to May or October .

Acids, generally good between 6-12 months. It should say on the bottle though, the little jar with an open lid will have a number followed by M (for months). Hence, why I always get the travel size as I'd struggle to finish the normal sized bottles within those time spans. I don't think they go bad since they're so acidic but I think the pH is no longer guaranteed (I assume it goes up a bit) and therefore the product is less effective.

Hi bo thanks for your input. I'm alternating with the AM routine and I'm not sure that I will keep using either the buffet or Nia as I'm feeling a bit meh where they are concerned ! I'm also going to ditch the Clarisonic as I've not been sure about its benefits for a while. I used The Ordinary Vit C 30% again this morning and just followed with SPF before makeup and I'm really liking its primer like finish. Would you mind recommending an AHA ?
You were spot on saying about high expectations

Today's makeup is all makeup geek eyeshadow plus Chanel Les beiges foundation that I forgot I had
I do look absolutely shattered but I'm on late shifts and no makeup is fixing that plus a massive calorie deficit