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

[botemp]

Thread 1 Thread 2 Thread 3 Thread 4 Thread 5 Thread 6 Thread 7 Thread 8 Thread 9

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

Sorry, yes, user, Retinoids (even prescription types) are usually fine to use with BHA, a BHA face wash is often recommended to those dealing with purging as it is an anti-inflammatory.

Also using BHA face wash in form of cosrx low ph good morning cleanser which is fab.

Thanks botemp I think I'll order the travel size and dilute it on the cotton wool to start with and only use once/twice a week. Hopefully it will get rid of the lumps!

Thanks Bo and JDSTER I’ve ordered the PC 2% travel size.

I’m presuming I will need to use it alternate nights as JDSTER does and not with differin? Or could I use the PC in the morning & follow with Vit C serum and moisturiser? My skin tolerates differin very well though it doesn’t seem to be doing an awful lot for me, I’m probably being too impatient with it though!

I have just read the Mumsnet awards thing and your quote Bo just waiting to see Enid and her cicaplast on there now

I’ve got those Tesco jeggings that are recommended, they are cheap and very comfy but they don’t half fade (the black ones anyway, mine are almost grey now) even washed at 30. I’m not complaining as at £16 you get what you pay for, but I wouldn’t recommend them as a great buy.

I half suspect that those best buy recs are actually affiliate incentive-based, as in they will promote products from certain retailers over another as their cut is greater or have a well established relationship with their affiliate partners/agencies. I remember they had a special code from PC specific to MN and that PC 2%. I think several of the other best buys had an offer like that at some point too, Hush most recently I think.

You can use it in the AM but officially (you're using the Vichy, right?) you should do Vit C first, then BHA if using together and leave a bit of time in between, not twenty minutes but at least make sure it's all absorbed.

Dr. Dray has been doing several good videos on Retinoids lately, the one on Differin was very enlightening. It doesn't work as deeply as tretinoin which makes it good for acne but probably less effective for anti-ageing as it doesn't stimulate collagen production in the deeper layers like tretinoin does. So good for cell turnover, no improvement on general sagging and reversing signs of ageing.

Thanks Bo yes I’m still using Vichy Vit C, I think I’ll probably try the PC at night at first (alternating with differin) then if my face doesn’t fall off I’ll swap to morning and use after Vit c, I would have automatically shoved the PC on first so thank you for that.

I remember the Dr Dray video where she mixed differin with moisturiser but I’ll check the other ones out. I did get the differin for congestion/open pores/sebaceous filaments rather than anti ageing but I can’t see it’s made much improvement, I’m about 2 months in now.

I have just read the Mumsnet awards thing and your quote Bo just waiting to see Enid and her cicaplast on there now

Oh god!

DH mixed the Zineryt bo no fancy food mixer involved. I get a few unmixed from the pharmacy so it's fresh when I need it. Haven't used it for a while so it was passed its use by.

(On prescription I should add!)

I'm going to have a proper look at Paulas Choice products and actually buy some. My skin tonight doesn't look amazing. I'm off to bed but at least I've been studying today since 5pm with a 2 hour Netflix break from 10pm-12am then back to study till 3am because I was still awake.

Enid do you mind me asking what illness you have? It's hard isn't it, I find it especially hard having something that isn't visible so people can't actually see something wrong, and because I'm usually just getting on with things (in quiet agony) with a smile (or a grimace lol) people have no clue that I have a condition. And when I do complain about pain, it's assumed it's an exaggeration or just me moaning. A lot of people think fibromyalgia is just one of those things used as an excuse a bit like people who use adhd as an excuse for poorly behaved children.

Something weird has happened, weird but good! So I decided to try the avene extremely gentle cleanser lotion a few days ago because akrgyive praised my dermalogica ultracalming, that's been the one consistent thing in my routine for years and have been getting my acne rash and breakouts consistently too so thought I'd try leaving that out just to see. Anyway the most recent breakouts and acne rash on my neck that I was moaning about on here has now gone down considerably! Now this could be a complete coincidence and I'm sure I'll be moaning on here again in the near future but this has got me wondering if it may have been the dermalogica 🤷🏼‍♀️🤔. I'm really enjoying the extremely gentle cleansing lotion, it feels really nice on the skin, comes off easily with my flannel and actually removed make up better than I thought it would (there's a lot more colour on my flannel than there was with the dermalogica). Fingers crossed I continue to like it as I do the rest of my new routine. Once again thanks to bo 😊

I'll happily do a round-up of 2017 needs/nopes over the next couple of days...

As usual I'm mostly happy with my skin but have noticed a few red bumps on my cheeks over the last week which on closer inspection contain a whitehead - I'm wondering whether this is just due to craptastic sleep (another seasonal insomniac here), more sugar than usual and stress, or a particular product...

I also noticed a load of blackheads over my nose this morning - is there anything I can do to reduce them by tomorrow (apart from squeezing) ?! BHA? I've got TO 2% salicylic and a Neutrogena gel, or would I be better off with glycolic/lactic?

Hi. Sorry if someone has already mentioned this, but does anyone know of a reputable online retailer that sells Biologique Recherche? I checked Skincity & it appears they no longer stock it. I am trying to get back into a normal routine, in an effort to make myself feel better, & having rubbish skin isn't helping. The BR is one of two things that I believe made the biggest difference to my face.

Lego in order to buy BR from Skincity you need to go to their Swedish site (.se) - I have done it twice with no problem. Free shipping, too.

Ladies, I have noticed some broken capillaries around my nose the last week or two. I have only used the M&S cleansing brush twice and not really in that area of my face. However, I remember having these before, especially in winter time (lots of nose-blowing!) and then they disappeared again. Is this normal, can they come and go? I have had IPL done on them before but a good few years ago.

Aha! Thanks Miffy, I'd forgotten that. Found it now.

I have a few broken capillaries around my nose. I'm a moderately severe asthmatic / hayfever sufferer. Lots of coughing, sneezing etc. Especially in summer. I get petichiae around my eyes when it's been especially bad, although they fade, thankfully. IME, the capillaries do fade on their own, but it takes quite a while. TBH they are the main reason I wear foundation.

Apologies I've not been on the thread much recently. I'm still off work. I'm pretty fed up TBH. Probably going to lose my job as they don't seem to be able to accommodate me moving to a different department where I could manage the work.

Mint I'm down as having ME, PoTS and Fibro. (I'm pushing for further investigations in Jan) Give sour cherry juice (has to be the concentrated one from health food type shops) a try, it's really really helped my brain fog and muscle pain. Totally understand.

I don't like talking about it much on here though. Like having somewhere where it doesn't dominate. I find being ill very boring.

mint That came out wrong 🙄 I've dm'd you.

Have pm'd you Enid 💐

mint, have you ever heard of the spoon theory? It's the best thing I've seen for explaining chronic illness to those who don't have it. I don't consider myself chronically ill (a syndrome doesn't really compare, I feel) but I have had many extended periods of illness where it's felt like such and inevitably you're met with misunderstanding as you don't look all that ill since you're not in bed all the time

It's written out in full here, useful to share with those who aren't always as understanding but willing to listen. I know there are people who will even communicate with the spoons in daily life, saying, 'I can't afford any more spoons today.' rather than just waving someone's invitations off, so they know it's not the other person just that you don't have the energy for it and rather not keep repeating you're ill all the time. I think the analogy is recognisable for those who experience not having an endless amount of energy, but it's more a really insightful tool to help those who've never experienced that understand somewhat what you're dealing with on a daily basis.

No I have never heard of that bo thank you I will click on the link and read it when I have time to concentrate. Lots of people are just unsympathetic to any kind of illness that can't be seen, it's like anything in life really, you can't Truely understand it unless you experience it.....child birth for example 😂. IVF is another example that so many people just do not understand, they think it's as simple as go hosp, get fertilised and boom there's a baby! 😏

I've lost my lancome lipstick 🤦🏼‍♀️😩. It must have fallen out of my coat pocket when I got my lip balm out in the shopping centre yesterday afternoon!! I'm bloody gutted, I LOVED it and it was £££ I treated myself which I hardly ever do :-(.

Nooooooo! Hate losing make up. List a dior mascara in a hotel once and it still annoys me a bit. It was new! Are you totally sure it's not under the car seat?

And yes yes to the last couple of posts. I've had 10 years of either Ivf/infertility or chronic illness. My patience for others lack of empathy and imagination has worn very very thin.

for mint and enid. I know what you mean about not wanting to talk too much on here about other stuff going on in life (other than S&B) but it’s inevitable. I suppose it feels a safe space because we kind of ‘know’ each other iyswim.
I’ve had a quick look on that link from Bo. Looks like an interesting website overall. I’ll have to have a good look. Professionally, I look after people with a chronic illness - unseen and people think they look well when in fact they’re living with life limiting disease.

On matters of S&B I’ll look forward to everyone’s round up of the year. lego you reminded me I have an unopened precious bottle of BR. I’m waiting for the ‘right time’ to start using it.

Thanks JDSTER.

Enid we sound very similar! IVF is one of hardest things I've ever been through! It almost destroyed me mentally and physically. I'm extremely lucky I managed to get my little boy but have failed at giving him a sibling which he really wants and he often asks me why my tummy is broken, it's devastating. Anyway enough of the doom and gloom. I can't decide whether to buy another one of those lipsticks as it was ££ but I honestly do love it! And Enid I've looked in car for it and it's not there 😩