🐌 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

Good thank you Tant still getting used to the quicker mixing times. Can make cakes come out flatter than usual if not careful. Hasn't been used for a couple of weeks. Just stroked occasionally.

Oh and I'll try that shampoo.

Thanks JDSTER, good idea, I will take my little bottle with me.

Bo can I just check that I have the correct one...

Yep that's the one mint. Sorry, I tend to ignore the entire section of moisturisers with SPF but I figured (sneakily), if he was ok with that you can just get him a moisturising sunscreen and say it's a moisturiser .

Hello all. My first time posting, but I've read all these threads and found them invaluable as I try to get to grips with this skincare lark. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and expertise, and particularly to botemp for the fantastic info sheets.

Unsurprisingly, I'm jumping in to ask advice! My sister has asked me to recommend her some products and as her skin type is quite different to mine, I could do with input. She's late thirties with quite dry skin. Doesn't really suffer with breakouts or reactions, so quite tolerant of all products. Her main concern is ageing, under-eye lines in particular, and general moisture levels. I know she's after a good serum, prob with vit C, and also a retinoid product that's okay to use around the eyes. From these threads, it seems like Drunk Elephant or Vichy could be a good bet for the former, and maybe Verso for the latter - any thoughts or other recommendations? She's also thinking about a night oil and an eye cream for extra moisture (previously used Kiehl's for both of these). She's not shy about spending money on this stuff, but I want to help her use it wisely! Eye creams in particular seem a bit snake oil-y. I'd really appreciate any advice about where it's best to spend money in this case.

L'Oréal stay fresh 24hr infallible (or words to that effect, possibly not in that order!)

Nice shade, porcelain matches me perfectly. Goes on well with a beauty blender and doesn't cling to my dry patches. Lasted a morning at work, a 2hr nap, and then another 7hrs at work with just a touch of hourglass powder to freshen it up. Decent price too, would repurchase

My tarte order has reached England so will review when it arrives. I have the shape tape concealer and shape tape hydrating foundation on its way

Thanks bo

I've just realised my hand looks a little deformed in my pic

Am going to buy a Vichy serum today - anyone know the difference between the 89 one and the Aqualia one? Are they literally both just hyleronic acid serums? Any other difference?

These are the ingredients of the 89 serum:
Aqua / Water
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
Glycerin
Butylene Glycol
Methyl Gluceth-20
Carbomer
Sodium Hyaluronate
Phenoxyethanol
Caprylyl Glycol
Citric Acid
Biosaccharide Gum-1

And these are the ingredients of the Aqualia Thermal:
Aqua
Glycerin
DimethiconePEG
/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol -8/5/3
Glycerin
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilDimethiconol
SodiumHyaluronate
Phenoxyethanol
ChondrusCrispus (Carrageenan)
Ammonium
Polyacryldimethyltauramide
Poloxamer 338
Disodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
Citric Acid
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Acrylates/C1030AlkylAcrylate
Crosspolymer
Parfum

Obvs the first is much shorter but does that mean everything? BAFFLED.

It seems the main difference is silicones????

enid don't rush out and buy the shampoo yet, I'm still testing it's effects over time.

My scalp is all flaky again

Ok, keep me posted Tant. I really like the Lush big shampoo but it's expensive buying it online all the time and I go through it quickly. A cheaper alternative would be good.

I've just baked some gluten free brownies. Thought they'd help the winter blues. Impatiently waiting for them to cool so I can try one.

Mint - moogoo conditioner is ace, and I like the yes to carrots scalp relief too

This is the gluten free brownie recipe I used www.janespatisserie.com/2015/12/09/gluten-free-brownies/

I use chopped mixed bits instead of pecans, dark choc chips instead of white ones and added some dried sour cherries.

I love dark chocolate but next time I think I'll use a third milk chocolate as they're very rich. I might try adding a teaspoon of sour cherry juice instead of the vanilla too.

It's a good recipe though. They've risen well with just the baking powder, baked perfectly.

*used chopped mixed nuts

DH's scalp is giving him a lot of bother lately. Be interested in some scalp soothing shampoos. T gel does the trick sometimes but is a bit harsh and the smell isn't great.

Right so I used the pc bha liquid for first time tonight, I used it on a wet cotton pad as bo suggested. No stinging, slight redness and skin feels a little tighter than usual but I guess that's to be expected especially as this is my first ever use.

Olli moogoo made my scalp worse! And I don't think the yes to scalp relief is nourishing enough for my head of straw!

When I look at my forehead under the light in a mirror I can see loads of minuscule dark dots, are these blackheads?? Hate it

Mint - how weird! I didn't like the moogoo shampoo but I liked the conditioner

Welcome, neon! No surprise I like the Verso eye cream but it's also worth considering the SkinCeutical AOX eye gel either instead, or alongside it (really depends where she's at lines wise). The Bioderma Sensibio eye is a good budget no frills hydrating eye gel otherwise (Verso do suggest using their eye serum day and night but it seems excessive to me but since it is a serum if she's very dry there she can layer serum under eye gel).

Obviously, start with sunscreen before anything else.

The DE is very expensive to get here (clocks in at the same price as Skinceuticals with all the import fees and shipping) so the Vichy is a good alternative although the SkinCeuticals Serum 10 comes in a similar price/ml at 10% L-AA which is a good starter strength. Vichy is a lower investment up front though.

If she's dry ageing will start to show quicker so it's probably worth looking at retinol for the face as well.

Cleansers, moisturisers, etc. can all be saved on. The Eucerin 5% Urea is good for very dry skin. An HA serum doesn't have to cost the earth (I'd get the Premium Hada Labo Toner for her). Cleanser choices would depend on how much make-up she does or doesn't wear but a milk or balm would probably suit her best.

mint, your hands don't look deformed at all! It's just the way you're holding it, you were probably to busy making sure the text was legible.

Elspeth, I never used the Aqualia due to the fragrance (another difference) so can't compare on that front. In terms of ingredients, less usually is more in terms of formulation and although the long PEG combos look similar they're quite different in properties. Like I mentioned to mint upthread, consider these type of serums more moisture retention serums rather than an HA serum with magical water conjuring properties. Within the Vichy lineup, I'd guess that the Mineral 89 is sort of the Aqualia 2.0, but since Aqualia still has its fans I guess they were hesitant to replace one with the other.

mint, it's kind of an odd product to use but the Avene Akerat 30 (that's a 30% urea cream) does have instructions for a flaky scalp, you have to massage it in for a certain time period then wash it off. Never tried it myself but it did manage to drag out the most persistent ingrown hair overnight with me so it's perhaps worth exploring?

I like the sound of sour cherries in brownies to cut through the richness of it, Enid. Think I had a Swedish recipe at some point with dried cranberries but they got soaked in akvavit first.

Sounds like the Eucerin isn’t working for you Mint do you think it might be worth going to the GP? Or maybe try the pharmacist first? There are more ‘heavy duty’ treatments for flaky scalps you can buy OTC but it’s behind the counter I think rather than out on the shelf with the shampoos.

Are your black dots really black and a bit raised or more dark brown/grey and sort of embedded in the pores? The first are blackheads but the second are sebaceous filaments, which are the absolute bane of my life and nothing will get rid of them completely but BHA is supposed to help. If they are blackheads BHA is good for them too but you can get them extracted by a qualified therapist if they are really bothering you, just make sure you go to a very reputable one who specialises in extractions as it can leave scars/damage your skin if not done properly.

this explains the difference but I’d ignore the bit about enzyme peels (not sure exactly what they are but sounds like your skin might not tolerate them and you’re already using a good BHA with the Paula’s choice.)

Cross posted with Bo the avene sounds like it’s worth trying Mint as the heavy duty scalp treatments are harsh on your hair. And smelly like Enid says.

Olli I’ve ordered 2 x 2ml samples of the REN primer from eBay for £2. As it’s not been out long I’m hoping they won’t be out of date and will be genuine but I’ll proceed with caution just in case. What is the smell/texture of the real deal?

Enid your brownies sound delicious. Just to say I’m reading ‘the worst witch’ books with my daughter at the moment and one of the witches is called Enid. I think of you every time