🐌 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

Pupsie I had the LRP redermic eyes which is a retinoid, it made my eyes sting and water and didn’t do anything about my wrinkles so it got binned.

The PC BHA seems to be working for me, no more breakouts and I think my skin is slightly clearer and fresher looking. Could be wishful thinking though, I do suffer badly from emperor’s new clothes syndrome

Bo that list would be amazing if you have time, I keep forgetting what people like/recommend/use and keep having to ask again.

I’m on the hunt for a new Vit c again, I’ve got the active formulas one shortlisted so far. I think my skin might be Vit c intolerant though as I’m noticing some itching with the Vichy one now, but it could have gone off as I only started storing it in the fridge recently.

That elusive perfect Vitamin C user. Shout when you find it

Just saying hello 👋🏻I'm kind of on a mini diet to shift the 6-8lbs that have appeared from eating all the things over Christmas over night. Doesn't sound much but it goes on boobs and hips first so my new jeans aren't fitting so well and my bras are getting snug. I'll blame the cherry juice...

^not skin related really but a general comment on my overall physical well-being atm. Need to stop comfort eating.

I have a very sore under the skin lump on my chin, my chin actually looks swollen! I'm not even Goin to attempt to squeeze or prod it as I know this will make it worse, it's just so so tender

Caroline Hirons is now advertising dermalogica, a brand which in the past she has said she doesn't like and none of the products have ever wowed her! Hypocrite?!

I have found my Vitamin C in Drunk Elephant.

I'm being very careful with what I out in my mouth atm as I am still sofa bound and am only getting 1k steps in a day, and no other exercise. Day 11 today. It is so effing boring. I am a couple pounds down though which feels great for being so inactive. It would be so easy to comfort/boredom eat. Helps that I can't get anywhere for chocolate lol. Although my 12 yo went to the shop yesterday to get me a Caramel egg .

I'm MNing say more than usual. Have really got into the thread about bloggers; what an eye opener! I noticed that too about CH and Dermalogica mint.

Eyebrow touch up done. Bit stingy!

I also ordered the sample sizes of PC BHA and AHA. I'm looking forward to finally giving them a go. They should arrive tomorrow.

I always put my TO retinoid around my eyes as thats where wrinkles first start don't they.

Rubbish pic as I'm blotchy! Straight off the needle top up eyebrows

Yes, Retinol is really one I'd keep away from the eyes unless it's a specifically formulated eye product. The skin is thinner there and really can't handle higher concentrations unless you build up to it. I use the Verso one, and love it to death, in case anyone forgot

CH is a hypocrite twice in one month? I'm not really

The Institut Esthederm sunscreen is really nice, except it stinks of nasty fragrance . Weirdly, instinctively I know it's fine and it hasn't been irritating at all but I can't get over the smell. And it lingers I was going to order the Avene but it's quite pricey locally and too expensive to have shipped on its own from France. So instead I've ordered one I had backlisted but forgotten about, the Bioderma Cicabio SPF50+. It's very well liked on that French beauty ranking site and has similar healing/restoring ingredients like the LRP Cicaplast, supposed to be light and gel like, and especially good for PIH from spots which I still have a touch of from my last product reaction. Skin also seems to be doing much better without TO Retinol.

INCI:

AQUA/WATER/EAU, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, DIETHYLAMINO HYDROXYBENZOYL HEXYL BENZOATE, HOMOSALATE, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE, ETHYLHEXYL TRIAZONE, GLYCERIN, BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, NYLON 6/12, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CAPRYLYL METHICONE, SILICA, SODIUM CITRATE, MANITOL, XYLITOL, RHAMNOSE, COPPER SULFATE, ZINC SULFATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) VINE EXTRACT, ASIATICOSIDE, ASIATIC ACID, MADECASSIC ACID, ECTOIN, POLYACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER-6, HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER, DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, CYCLOMETHICONE, STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE, LAURETH-3, POLYSORBATE 60, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, ACETYL DIPEPTIDE-1 CETYL ESTER, BHT, POTASSIUM SORBATE, TOCOPHEROL, CITRIC ACID. [BI 689]

Why did you originally blacklist it Bo?.

*Backlist not blacklist, probably the wrong term to use, clumsy translation. Basically, 'things with no priority but if ever looking for an alternative' list.

Aha. I see. My bad. 🤔

Hello all

De-lurking just to report back from my adventures Down Under after asking advice about skincare for hot climes.

Sheet masks on the 'plane were a great tip - thanks bo (I think I scared some children though)

My Avene sunscreen held up very well against the Australian sun - I'm sure I should have been avoiding the sun entirely as it's so fierce, but it did feel nice to feel a little warmth on my skin. The star of the show though was Serozinc, very useful for calming and cooling. I also panic bought in the airport some Avene serum which I was sure would be a terrible mistake, as it's highly perfumed, but weirdly didn't bring out my sensitivity at all and may well repurchase.

I had a great time inspecting Australian pharmacies, and though a lot of the same stuff as here I noted that they had a number of ranges marketing lanolin as the 'star' ingredient; it seems to be a big thing. I haven't really seen that in the UK though I know it is used in things.

Bo I like the sound of the bioderma cicabio, I’ll look out for your review. I love the bioderma nude touch spf for summer but it’s a bit unforgiving on winter skin and I’m almost out of the Biore brightening one. I do like the Biore one a lot but the cicabio seems to be a bit ‘more’ than just a sunscreen which sounds good.

I was just reading another thread on here where quite a few people were recommending Nivea men’s post shave balm as a primer, has anyone tried it? I quite like the Becca one I’m using at the moment but it’s expensive and seems to be nearly finished after only a couple of months (not sure as it’s a pump but there’s not much pumping out any more so think it must be near it’s end).

Olli your brows look great, I’m still swithering about micro blading but I think because my brows are black it would be too heavy for me. My brows are thin which I’m happy with, I just want ‘tails’ adding and a tiny bit at the other end near my nose, I really don’t want the ‘full’ brow look that’s fashionable now, it looks great on you but with black eyebrows like I have I think it’s too full on/fake looking.

Tried that Vichy 86 on the back of my hand yesterday. Sank in immediately leaving it dry to the touch seconds later. Left me wondering if it will actually feel like it's doing anything? Or just feel literally invisible I.e. waste of money?

Lots of sheep in Australia so guess lanolin is cheap. It's a ingredient. Not sure if I'd like it in my skincare though, it is very heavy. For lips there's nothing better imo.

"It's a ingredient" should say ' it's a good ingredient.

Hi
I've been reading back through the other threads (currently on no 7) and have got a pretty good routine in place, but I need a bit of extra help.
Age 43.
Skin is normal, occasional spot just before period, but lots of redness (see pic)

Routine
Am lrp demo cleanser, effeclir duo, retinol range eye cream, torline fluid (on my last bottle) and anthilios 50+ spf
Pm I'm using boots no7 oil cleanser, and then as above.
Health concerns Cml taking 400mg of imatinib daily.

Skin concerns the redness I've had for several years, but it's starting to get to me now, the rest of my skin is lovely but I can't leave the house without make up. Also need to replace my beloved torline fluid

Today's makeup. Rediscovered an old foundation - L'Oréal infallible stay fresh 24hr in porcelain

mintleaves, I think sheetmasks on a plane are the ultimate revenge for all the non-stop kicking one endures from children. Though tbf, it's their parents I had issues with more than the overly active children.

I think lanolin is a 'waste' product of the wool industry, it's good for handcreams and sore lips (and nips) as it's highly occlusive but, like Enid, I don't think I'd want it as a major ingredient in my skincare. However, maybe in really dry hot conditions that turn you pruny, it's a good salve?

user, I used the Cicabio SPF for the first time today. First impressions are really good. I'd say similar to the Japanese (even the tube is tiny at 30ml), slightly heavier in feel out of the tube but once spreading on the face quite light, reminds me of the Senka in the yellow tube. Box informed me it has a very high UVA rating of 31 which is excellent and that it's a good makeup base. I've only dabbed a bit of concealer and powdered a touch but I would agree that it's good for under makeup, it's very smooth and not overly shiny (not matte either). Smells a touch medicinal but nothing offensive and doesn't linger.

The Nivea balm is very high in fragrance, but supposedly it works, essentially it's tacky and lots of silicone, ergo it works. I'd say better suited to very young skin than more mature though. Same with the Lanacane swap.

I recently saw an ad for eyebrow extensions, like you user, brows are dark and tails are sparse, so most treatments have me fearing a Groucho Marx outcome rather than addressing the minor bits. I liked the sound of this one though, it's like eyelash extensions, they attach them to existing hairs and fill up the gaps, it wasn't even crazy expensive (40 euros I think). I just need to ask if the glue they use means I can't oil cleanse, that would probably annoy me.

Welcome, Olive. I can't diagnose you, obvs, but it does look like a touch of rosacea, though it may equally be related to internal inflammation due to CML. Ever had a chat about it with a GP or similar?

With the redness in mind, I'd consider getting the Eucerin AntiRedness Soothing Care (not the day version with SPF, it comes in two versions dry and combo-oily) that has a few key ingredients like licorice root extract for tackling redness and inflammation. For night, you could get the Toleriane Ultra Nuit to get some niacinamide in (also great for redness and soothing inflammation). You don't have to get both but they both contain different ingredients in higher concentrations that are useful for redness.

Though, bit of a spoiler alert, it's probably in thread 9 or 10, but LRP have announced not to discontinue the LRP Toleriane Fluide in recent times.

For the love of God; I accidentally bought 2 BHA salicylic acids from PC thinking I was buying one Salicylic and one mix of BHA and AHA

Oh well I have loads of glycolic acid at home, LG and Pixi but that's not the point. They are teeny tiny pots, be perfect for travelling but tiny.

At least look fantastic are free postage and deliver fast and well packaged and have PC products in stock so for that I am happy.

The 2 I bought were the classic Skin perfecting 2% BHA and Clear extra strength anti-redness exfoliating solution with 2% salicylic acid.

Oh yes plus of course they have 20% off so well worth it for trialling out new products.

I think I'm going to use the classic bha tonight followed by my TO retinoid 2%, wish me luck and pray my face doesnt fall off

Your face won't fall off, but most likely you'll render the Retinol useless by using it in combination with an acid. Retinol needs a higher pH of the skin to work, acids lower it.