🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Happy Snail Year, Bring Spoons!

[botemp]

Thread 1 Thread 2 Thread 3 Thread 4 Thread 5 Thread 6 Thread 7 Thread 8 Thread 9 Thread 10

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?

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.

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JANUARY 2018: Thread 11! we're getting old. A recap of The Snailies categories for those still meaning to get round to them:

🐌🐌 THE SNAILIES 2017 🐌🐌

The Well Hello There - newest and latest find that gets your motor running

The Flusher- money spent on this product would have been better put to use by flushing it down the toilet

The Jack & Rose- the product you’ll never let go of because there’s plenty of fucking space for the two of you on that piece of wood. Damn you, James Cameron, for breaking my poor little tween heart.

The LTB- it all seemed so promising, everything was going so great, then they turned out to be a narcissist gaslighting bastard

The Child Prodigy- that one product that’s annoyingly good and isn’t afraid to be smug about it

The Worker Bee- never the centre of attention but has been steadily chugging along like no other

The Troll- the one where you repeatedly asked, ‘Is this doing anything?’, but continued to use it anyway…

The Flabbergaster- that one product or technique that wasn’t really supposed to be used like that or delivered well beyond your non-existent expectations

The Sinner- oh, admit it because we’re all guilty of it, what did you do or use that wasn’t all that sensible like take an acid bath and had the disastrous results you really knew to expect

You're welcome bo let me know if you try it.

pupsie twice a week for retinoid seems fine. I do get dry with their use, particularly this time of year,and have to be diligent about using enough moisturiser and remember some hydration in the form of HA. I’m finishing off TO 30% Vit C and I’m sure it’s drying my skin.

Bo has ran out of SPF

Joz I’ll likely be in London in the next couple of months. I could pick up some P50 from Liberty, if you can’t source any sooner?

Has anyone used Indeed Labs Retinol? And I've seen a couple of articles on collagen supplements. Does anyone have any thoughts on these?

(The reason I'm asking about collagen is because a friend who has lost lots of weight and got fit/does weights is taking it in the hope that it would help with her loose abdominal skin. Hunk she realises it's highly unlikely but is desperate.

Turns out I'm not out of SPF . Found a trial set from Institut Eshtederm in the back of the cupboard that I bought in Paris in the summer which will probably tide me over until a Japanese order comes in or I can look for the Avene whilst in Paris at the end of the month.

Speaking of Japanese orders, Bagel, if you order on Amazon JP you prepay the VAT on there and no extra fees so it's quite manageable and easy that way I feel, it's usually only a few euros on a larger order. Though they don't ship everything, especially SPFs are hard, but you can use a forwarding service called Tenso that doesn't charge internal shipping fees if you use Amazon and a few other retailers and you can enter the value on the items to keep it under the threshold.

Collagen supplements are not proven to do anything for skin directly, it's a protein that's broken down into amino acids and used accordingly, sagging skin will be the last on the priority list. IMO a diet rich in Omega 3s and Vit C would do more than Collagen supplements. The thinking of lack of collagen supplemented by collagen is rather flawed as it just doesn't remain 'whole', nor would it know where to go specifically if that were the case. Skin will either bounce back over time (and it will take quite a time to do so) provided there is no excess fat there anymore, and if it doesn't realistically plastic surgery is the only thing that will 'fix' it. There are possibilities with collagen increasing procedures like micro needling and prescription tretinoin but it will only do so much.

I was on one of the way earlier threads under my old account. Can't remember what my user name was at the time so can't find my original posts which would have been useful to read.

Since those original posts I've cut my routine right back and am currently happy with the products I'm using, skin looks great (for my age) and is nowhere near as reactive as it used to be.
So thanks to bo and everyone else who has contributed to the threads.

I now need to find a new SPF. I have combination mature skin. I still get oily through my T-zone, cheeks are normal/dry depending on the weather and time spent indoors.
I've been using the LRP Anthelios Dry Touch for a couple of years now but I'd like to try some others.
I'm looking for one that works under foundation (I alternate liquid and powder), can control the oil somewhat and that preferably doesn't leave a white cast, although tinted ones don't work for me as I'm fair skinned.
Any recommendations please?

Bo or indeed anyone who can help....so I'm still happy with my new products and I feel the texture of my skin is improving as is the barrier, however I now need some product recommendations to tackle dehydration (have tried hydraluron, hylamide and Superdrug's serum) I like hylamide for a while but felt my skin started to react to it and I did not like hydraluron at all! It actually made my face feel even more dehydrated. Superdrug serum didn't cause any reaction but I just didn't like the feel of it on my skin. I also need to tackle BREAKOUTS but in a gentle hydrating way! Has anyone tried the pai blemish serum?? Bo I need you

Couldn't sleep so made an accidental purchase of tarte shape tape and their new hydrating foundation

I've been dying to go to London on a day out again (last went a couple of years ago; really enjoyed it). So I can probably legitimately use the need for BR as an excuse... thanks for the offer though.

Pestle and mortar recovery eye cream....any thoughts? 🤔

Ollivander have you seen that everyone is saying the Superdrug MUR concealerr* is a dupe for shape tape? And much cheaper, of course.

Bagel - yes! Actually posted upthread and I purchased it. I really really recommend it. The shape tape was an impulse add on to the foundation, they sent me a 25% off discount code and that meant free postage as over £40

Olli I love my shape tape concealer, I have a tube almost a year now and it looks barely used!

Did you order on the regular Tarte site for UK delivery? Do they bill you taxes at checkout? I have only ever bought Tarte from QVC or via a friend in the USA but would be v tempted by the new hydrating foundation. Might hold off for a discount code as I am signed up for emails :)

mint I have not tried the P&M eye cream yet but am a big fan of the HA and Retinoil oil.

I just went via the usual site and it took me to the UK section. No taxes

Excellent, thanks!

Whether I will get customs charges I don't know! Went for the hydrating in porcelain, there's a matte version but I need more hydration so...

I took a look and the prices say they include taxes/import duties. Better than having to take that risk!

I have two shades in the concealer, I think one is fair neutral and the other is (possibly discontinued or replaced) fairly light neutral. Not sure what shade I would go for in foundation so I am going to wait for photos/reviews. I would opt for the hydrating version too!

JDSTER, would the Biore you're using work for, Closedes? Unsure about the dry areas, figured you'd know best.

mint, I think for HA you could consider the Vichy Mineral 89 or as mentioned previously the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner. For the breakouts, possibly you could consider an acid on targeted spots provided your skin really is in a stable place.

I've been reading into LHA lately which is an ester of BHA and actually sounds ideal (also for those who saw no results with BHA) as it behaves very much like tretinoin by exfoliating the top layer and extracting the deeper gunk out (like BHA) but it doesn't need a low pH to work so it's much gentler and is the first acid recommended to use alongside prescription acne meds to improve efficacy (which you can't do with other acids due to the low pH, tret needs a neutral pH to work) and is often prescribed to use instead of a retinoid in the summer months in very sunny climates. Interesting anti-ageing promises too. The only downside really is that it makes you a lot more photosensitive than BHA but not as bad as tretinoin, so SPF use is essential. The other problem is that it's a L'Oreal exclusive ingredient so only found in their brands (or on prescription/special procedures), I'm looking at what's available but most wouldn't suit you, unfortunately, possibly a cleanser but that also contains glycolic and BHA so is perhaps a bit hardcore but since it's wash off perhaps worth considering. BHA on its own used sparingly may also be worth considering if your skin barrier is up to it, have you ever used that before?

Eye cream, meh, it looks like a fancier version of the Kiehl's avocado eye cream.

I've lost count of all the shape tape 'dupes', I can remember Morphe, Make Up Revolution, Catrice, but I know there are tonnes more. Even though I'm not in the market for a new concealer at all, I would be curious to hear how your dupe compares to the real thing Olli.

Which shade of tape shape did you get Olli? The 3 at the fair end all look good matches for me. Also is it just for (or mainly) under eye concealing? Miffy too? Wondering if I should get a peachier shade to cover the blue. 🤔

Or shape tape even. 😁

I went for porcelain

Can you order ST through QVC? That would allow you to return if the shade isn't any good.

I don't really have under eye shading to contend with...bags on the other hand....

I use it under my eyes and down along my nose and sometimes I dot a bit on my cheeks as it covers redness well. It doesn't crease unless I over-powder and also I tend to apply eye cream beforehand, and that minimises any creasing too. It is probably my favourite all-round concealer (have tried similar by Collection, Maybelline, Laura Mercier) - age rewind by Maybelline is nice too, a little lighter in texture.

To deal with the occasional under-the-eye blue shading I got a bobbi brown corrector pot and it is indeed peachy in tone. If I am going 'out' out and have the time to do a full face then I dot and blend this with my finger before applying concealer. According to the SA at BB, correcting and concealing are two different things, and I tend to agree with her.

I meant the concealer Olli Don't think it comes in porcelain. Only looked on their website though. Think it'll be ok bo But thank you, it's cheaper direct. Fair and fair neutral both look good. Would only use under eyes as it contains Shea Butter. I have Nars Chantilly that I use to brighten the outer eye area so might go a shade deeper for inner eye? Decisions decisions. Shouldn't be buying anything really. 🤓 Just spent a stupid amount on my supplements (the ones that help my illness symptoms) and Rapidbrow/lash stuff. But they're boring...

Thanks Miffy! I use a Laura Mercier corrector under any eye concealers too. It's amazing what a difference it makes. When it runs out (in about 2 years because it annoyingly is lasting forever) I plan to get the Bobbi Brown one.