🐌 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

. A bit of is fine though. I bet he’s delighted when he’s sees your name on the clinic list!

The woman who takes the blood isn't. She calls me the stone. As in "blood out of a stone"

JDTSTER I don’t typically use primer as I don’t like the siliconey ones, I’ve tried many in the past (including the benefit porefessional) and found they didn’t make much difference either way or some actually made my skin more oily so I stopped bothering. I’ve had much more success using a good mattifying/finishing powder and touching up with it and/or blotting papers when needed.

I like the Becca one as it’s not siliconey at all - it’s a bit wet and tacky at first (felt more like a serum than a primer) and I was a bit at first but it dried matte after about 30 seconds. I do think it does a good job of pore minimising/skin smoothing so my makeup looks better, and whilst it’s not keeping the shine at bay any longer than usual at least it hasn’t made it worse. But I need to do the half face test in daylight to make sure it’s not just wishful thinking!

SCAC: 25% off Carita.

My skin seems to be playing along with mint's in sympathy I think . I tried out a new moisturiser that started the reaction (Decubal Vital Cream, similar to Cervave PM with Ceramides, Nia, etc.) there wasn't anything in it that I could have thought caused the reaction but I stopped using it but my skin is still upset from it.

The only other thing I can pinpoint is that I stopped taking Inositol as it ran out and I was kind of sceptical if it still had benefits for me since my insulin resistance really seems to have disappeared, or rather my insulin sensitivity has improved massively. Think it was a mistake as inositol does more for PCOS sufferers than help with insulin sensitivity. I am feeling a bit hormonal so it may just be down to that, skin feels horrid though Realistically it's two spots that were arsey and painful until they broke through but I haven't had to deal with anything like this in years so I'm probably being melodramatic about it.

Oh no bo apologies for my skin making urs misbehave too 🤨, however, tell ur skin I appreciate the sympathy 😂. My spots are definitely not getting any worse, they are still there but gradually becoming less angry and sore. I do honestly think it's my pores clearing out as it does seem to be the areas I was extremely dehydrated with lots of congestion/filaments. I'm proud of myself for just carrying on with my routine rather than choosing a product to blame

The urea is gently exfoliating so it may very well be the case, mint. Time will tell.

This skin upset has had me questioning my limited routine though, as it's a lot more sensitive now. TO products really aren't that great for it, it appears. I've stripped them out and that seems to help. I was already going to try a new retinol product as I haven't been all that enthused by TO versions I've tried so far and I don't the non-smelly arse is active anymore, it's antioxidants so I assume they can oxidise. Saw they're announcing a whole load of new ones on their website but I think considering my very limited success with them I'm just going to ignore their new launches from now on.

Oh bo I didn't even consider it being the moisturiser I was just thinking it was the ANR decongesting my skin! Maybe it's a combination of both who knows! I really am enjoying this new routine so far so thank u bo

It's not really a property I associate with ANR, but it may very well be the case, mint. I feel kind of a git for never pointing you in the Eucerin Urea's way before but I think the old INCI had the cyclowhatever in it IIRC so wouldn't have been of much use then.

Well whatever it is bo it seems to be helping and I feel happy with my current products so far (including the Vichy spray so thank you also for that) I can actually smell the sulphur in the Vichy spray. I wouldn't have even considered the eucerin because of that cylo shit ingredient so don't worry, it's still got the old ingredients listing on most websites too so I really don't know what possessed me to even check the box, but I'm glad I did!

I think I'm going to stick with my dermalogica ultra calming cleanser though rather than trying the avene extremely gentle cleanser as I've used the dermalogica for years and it doesn't upset my skin no matter what state it's in!

Thanks for reminding me of my love for the Vichy spray, mint. I'm currently using up a Uriage one which is fine but now that my skin is acting up I think I should just treat it with the product it likes best, I'm going to go dig out the Vichy from the backups tonight.

Glad to have reminded you bo

Now if only you could remind my skin to behave

Ok I'm sending telepathic messages to your skin, and telling it to behave now that mine has started to improve

Maybe I spoke too soon 🙄 skin not great again, but I'm poorly and it's ice cold outside, and heating on inside so think it's a combination of all this. 😫

Just found the avene extremely gentle cleanser in my boots so bought some despite me saying I wouldn't . I won't use it until my big bottle of dermalogica is finished though

It was 3 for 2 so got a Vichy spray, the cleanser and another spf 50. I'm multi posting again 🤦🏼‍♀️

Oh no mint, my skin is in full recovery mode now. This is some terrible thread karma, I tell ya!

SCAC Day 17: 30% off Klair's. Tempted to try the toner in the baby size but it has some essential oils that I haven't gotten on with at all in the past. Annoying as the rest of the ingredients are cover worthy and people with very sensitive skin seem to absolutely love it on the AB Reddit.

Can anyone recommend an alternative to the Toleriane Dermo Cleanser? I've been using a big bottle, I'm getting near the end there's not too much left, but it's getting a bit... smelly! It smells 'off', like off food.
I'm presuming it doesn't have many preservatives in it as it's for very sensitive skin. I don't have sensitive skin, as far as I know I don't react to anything apart from niacinamide. So I don't need to use such a stripped back formula, maybe it's time to try something else.

I have an oil based cleanser that I'm happy with, so I need a water based cleanser. Any favourites? Bonus points if it's cheap and cheerful!
My skin type is oily and spotty

SCAC: 30% off Medik8. Was all excited for a moment until I realised SkinCity uses the Swedish market RRP. At 30% off it's roughly what I would pay locally.

Milford, you can try the Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser Lotion. The Dermo is indeed without preservatives, it really shouldn't go bad that quickly. I'm guessing you got some old stock.

The new Toleriane hydrating Cleanser would probably also work but only in France for the moment so you'd have to order from EPP.

Just skim read. Crazy busy here finishing up work. We leave for the airport at 3am .

I've stopped using a flannel on my face 80% of the time (use only when I've worn heavier than usual make up). I think it's better for it.

I think I have found my Vit C. Drunk Elephant working very nicely for me and a pleasure to use. DH off to the US again in January so will probably get him to get me some.

Lovely lady on the Bare Minerals showed me how to properly use blusher (what can I say, I'm an 80s girl). I've avoided it in recent years as I've just fel that I don't need to add any redness to my face. This is how I perceived it anyway. But I really like the effect.

Love the new LRP from the US too.

Ohhh, I see you Toleriane Hydrating Cleanser, only available in France, which is where I will be from tomorrow! Excellent pharmacy up my mountain too .

PS I had a fab haircut last week. Was contemplating having it all choppy and heavily layered. I have such a lot of hair and it's kinky and strong willed. I have been just wearing it up lately. I have to wash it most days because of exercise and it looks bonkers in the mornings. I was trying to marry style with lifestyle with my hair. But my hairdresser had a good long think and said "you have hair like Sandra Bullock. Have you ever seen her with choppy, heavy layers". Lol. No. She has cut it differently this time and I feel like it has a new lease of life.

All sounds lovely, Pupsie, but more importantly, will there be shelf porn?

Milford How about the Hylamide High Efficiency Cleanserr*?

It's alcohol and silicone free. It does contain seed oils though...