🐌 Fantastic Skincare: The Snailaversary and Winter is Coming, Luckily, we're Part Sheep 🐑

[botemp]

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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

NEWish since previous threads:

Understanding Which Sunscreen(s) to Buy

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

NEW since the last thread:

A Damaged Skin Barrier - Now What?

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.

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.

OCTOBER 2017: It's our snailaversary ! Our baby ripe toddler skins are about a year old now, or rather getting together on these threads about a year ago. I can't believe we're all still finding things to chat on about between the hair disasters. I know I always encourage a bit of catching up at the beginning of the new thread with how everyone's skin been progressing over the last couple of weeks/months but now I'm demanding more and would really like to hear how everyone is doing a year on now, or however long you've been with us. Basically, pledge your undying love for these threads

NB: I've removed the form from the OP as I felt there really wasn't a need for it anymore. I think I've also answered enough of those forms in their previous incarnation for a lifetime so it may just be a selfish decision but it's been made

If I were you I might try sheet masking like a monster for a week or so. I sheet masked every night for like a week once and even my husband said something about glow then - but it's just not a habit I want to keep up, lol. Also, there's a sweet spot between super-hydrated and over-saturated, and when you cross it you get spots I think ...

I just had a quick look but it looks like all the 5% Urea have Cyclomethicone in them, that's one of your triggers, isn't it, mint?

I haven't checked Sukin but I think they use essential oils that could explain the tingling and mild irritation?

I've had a look at the Indeed Jelly and that looks pretty clean, and it also has Urea in it. Most likely not in the high % as the 5% but perhaps it's a decent enough amount. I think it may be worth giving a try.

Bo I’ve just been to boots and got the eucerin one (I saw online the cyclo etc ingredient but maybe it’s been reformulated as it’s definitely not in their now and neither is the paraben)
So if I like this would it eliminate the need for the naap? If I don’t like I I’ll consider the moisture jelly but this is £25 for only 30mls so not the most purse friendly.

Interesting, can you take a picture of the new INCI?

Yes, I'm not all that convinced by NIOD's mumbo jumbo approach to science so have never had all that much faith in it but there's very little available in terms of mild chemical exfoliation beyond that and the SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator as far as I'm aware of (maybe the Kiehl's one, Enid had at some point). But Urea acts as a keratolytic like chemical exfoliators do but it's very slow and gentle and that's why very flaky dry skin likes it, it sloughs it all off and helps hydrate it but doesn't need a low pH to work like most acids which is usually the irritating part, not so much the ingredient itself.

The Acid Queen who has Stratia Skincare wrote about her love of Eucerin Aquaphor on her blog last time - works mixed with moisturiser as a sleeping pack etc etc. So being impressionable I bought it, of course, and I do think it's a very versatile product and it has made me think harder about maybe getting their other products, like the Aquaporin moisturisers that seem so simple and basic and good - it's just the jar I don't like so much!

JD I’ve been accompanying someone else whilst they had a couple of minor ops. They’ve finished now and patient is doing well, thank you.

Mint Don’t you be stealing my triple post crown 👑 Congratulations on your wedding. I loved all the planning.

Yes bo I shall post a pic of the ingredients when I’m back home (back at Hosp at mo for follow ups so skin going to be parched again )

Bani I’ve heard good things about the aquaporin creams, I’m not keen on jars either though

Thanks Enid and sorry for stealing your crown, you can have it back.....for now

I got an email from Skincity just now saying that tonight is 20 % off all gift sets and kits ...

Why won’t it let me post pics??

I was wondering if you guys could give me a little bit of advice?

I've annoyed my skin (which is quite sensitive anyway) by using LRP Effaclar range to deal with post partum spots (am not BF). Am aware that I have over exfoliated as it's now shiny, tingly and uncomfortable. (I was hoping that as Effaclar is marketed for sensitive spot prone skin that I could handle it, was clearly a silly choice really).

Have been and bought the Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser and Avene Recovery Cream to use instead of anything else and will avoid acids/strong ingredients in future! However, I have a can of Serozinc in the cupboard- was wondering if that would be good to help calm my skin down, or is that another bad idea?!

Can’t bloody post pics!! So I’m writing the ingredients for u bo....
*Aqua, glycerin, urea, cetyl alcohol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, triisostearin, sodium lactate, glyceryl stearate, argininine HCL, dimethicone, potassium cetyl phosphate, xantham gum, biosaccharide gum-1, lactic acidosis, 1,2-hexanediol, phenoxyethanol.

The end*

ofgreetings Serozinc is good for active spots because of the zinc. It does leave a slight greasy feeling coating though so best for evening. Whilst your skin is balancing out again I personally would stick to the basics and gentle treatment. I really like a spring water spray (prefer the Avene thermal water one) to use after cleansing and then lightly pat off as it seems to help calm things even more. That said I don’t think it’d harm to try a bit of Serozinc on one area to see how you get on with it. It’s not a harsh product. Maybe use a cotton pad to dab some on.

I think you’ll also find a product that’ll help hydrate your skin beneficial as the acne treatments and exfoliating might’ve caused some dehydration which is why it’s feeling uncomfortable as well as shiny. Are you producing slightly more oil than before but it still feels a bit tight? Do t know what to recommend specifically but things with hyaluronic acid (sodium hylaronate) in are good for hydration. Sure other people have advice on what will help.

LRP Cicaplast b5 baume is excellent for fading red marks left by spots once they’re at the crusty stage or even when it’s just a pigment mark. Speeds the healing up 10 times as fast. Not the spf one, just the normal b5 one. I recommend to everyone to the point where LRP should give me commission. Just dab it on and leave overnight or in the evening. Don’t rub it in as it contains Shea butter which can cause spots if you’re prone. No probs just dabbbed on. It’s my holy grail product after years of spot marks that lasted months.

enidbutton I do think I'm probably dehydrated as am shiny and a bit tight as well as oilier than usual. Is the Avene Recovery Cream not hydrating enough? I'm a bit wary of hyaluronic acid (or acid in general now to be honest!) as I had the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum a few years ago and I reacted to it! Luckily the spots have left no scars or marks so don't think I would need a product for that? (My skin pre pregnancy was very very clear and nice to be honest)

*Shinier than usual even

My skin was ok until ivf hormones messed with it. 🙄 Bloomin hormones. I reacted to that Vichy serum too so I’d avoid HA then. I found it quite perfumed too. Using it up on my nose atm as that seems to be tougher than the rest of my face. It does a good job of keeping flakiness at bay but wouldn’t use it elsewhere now. Just st looked at the Avene cream and it looks good to me. Glycerin and squalane especially are very good for hydration. I missed that sorry.

I know, hormones have a lot to answer for don't they! Before baby, my skin was probably my nicest feature!

Ok, so the Avene cleanser and moisturiser are the right choice-brilliant. In terms of the Serozinc, I'm probably best leaving it off and just use the Avene for now, then maybe try the Serozinc if I get spots once skin has settled down rather than using the Serozinc to calm down the irritation?

Get a mini bottle of spray water (LRP or Avene or Vichy). They shouldn’t make a difference as they’re just water but for some reason, for me anyway, it really gets rid of that tight feeling I get just after rinsing with tap water and before I moisturise. Worth a try.

Just my musings off my own experience though. I’m still at starter level when it comes to knowing which skincare is best for other people.

Ofgreetings I don't think the Serozinc will do any harm but neither do I think it'll be the turnaround product (purely based on my own experience). When I overexfoliated recently I just pared back to basics, kept using my bensoyl peroxide on the spots and tried to hydrate as much as possible, a few sheet masks with snail :)

Thank you guys, will pop the Serozinc away and save for when skin isn't irritable any more.

Where’s bo gone

I'm here but Enid is doing my job splendidly, I have nothing to add really

Except have a read through of the compromised skin barrier sheet in the OP if you haven't yet, Ofgreet.

Did u see the ingredients bo? I bought the Vichy spray today too

Just read the compromised skin barrier sheet- very helpful, thank you! Will stop using flannel whilst healing too then.

Sorry, mint. Yes, thank you for going through the trouble of typing that out!

Listen y'all, I'm being drawn to Lumene products after their revamp earlier this year. Partly because there's a bunch of Swedish skincare bloggers who rave about them now and then, partly because they’re 20 % off in the chemists at the moment. ;) But at the same time I’ve just always been sceptical of them and thinking there’s more smoke than fire there. Am I being unreasonable based on ingredients? What are your thoughts?
I looked at the pretty Valo Arctic Berry Cocktail Brightening Hydra-Oil (feck off, name), ingredients:
Aqua (Water), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Squalane, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oxycoccus Palustris (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Niacinamide, Linoleic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propanediol, Peg-8, Oleic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Palmitic Acid, Adenosine, Stearic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Linolenic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Terpineol, Parfum (Fragrance), (Ci 17200) Red 33, (Ci 19140) Yellow 5.
I suspect people like this mostly because it looks cool? But it has several nice humectants, albeit I don’t know about the quantities, and some other things. Niacinamide too, way down though.
Also the Sisu Urban Intense Hydrating Serum, ingredients:
Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Fruit Water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Pinus Sylvestris (Pine) Bark Extract, Abies Picea (Spruce) Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Saccharide Isomerate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Polyisobutene, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pullulan, Acrylic Acid/Acrylamidomethyl Propane Sulfonic Acid Copolymer, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Glyceryl Caprate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hydroxide, Peg-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Silica, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Extract, Linalool, Limonene, Parfum (Fragrance).
I think I might like the idea of this purely because surely pine trees must be good for something besides wood. Also, anything called Sisu is good marketing.
Then there’s the Sisu Recover & Protect Facial Oil, ingredients:
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Seed Oil, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea (Lingonberry) Seed Oil, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, PEG-8, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Linolenic Acid, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum (Fragrance).
I think this is my favourite ingredient-wise coz everything looks higher up. But it probably isn’t that high up really.

I'll stop there because the post is too bloody long otherwise. There's a few other serums they've got though, like the Kuulas
Beauty Lift Illuminating V-Shaping Serum. Has all the buzzwords, what.