🐌 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

I will post photos, need daylight to take one! It's azzalure I've had for full disclosure

This is what, 36hrs after? Slightly different lighting but it's an obvious difference I think

JDSTER my skin is oily but dehydrated, however in recent months it's been uncomfortably so (eg feeling very tight after a simple and gentle cleanse). The Elta MD is specifically designed for acne prone skin, which normally comes hand in hand with oiliness. My skin isn't lacking oil, but is lacking in moisture, and suffering from the elements (probably the dryness of central heating more than the weather outside) - I find this non greasy and so far so good

On the distilled / thermal water front, was wondering whether the water in Serozinc has any such benefits? It's not in my routine from Dr Emma, but I had an unused can left, and found that a spritz after washing my face helped my skin feel more comfortable. I assume the water isn't thermal, so was curious if this had any benefits whatsoever?

That's impressive Olli! How does it feel? Can you move your forehead or does it feel weird if you try?

Feels a bit odd, not frozen or uncomfortable just strange! I'll see how it goes over the next week and decide if I want a top up. I may just have a bit more if needed but the aim was always to go for natural

Did you ask for 'baby botox'? I was wondering if that was actually a thing or just what people call it when it's minimal. Sorry for all the questions. I've been looking between my eyebrows the past few weeks and thinking it might be time to give it a try.

Nope she basically said what do you want from it. I looked confused and she said people who have it all the time are "right, freeze my face" but she recommends for the first time to have less, and top up if needed. Mostly because you can't take it out but you can add more! She was lovely actually, is an a&e doctor

That's sounds like a really good way to do it. Can't remember if you've already said who you went to sorry, but do you mind saying who it was with or sending me a pm? I think we're in the same area of the country.

Watcha! Sometimes poster longtime lurker, is it okay to jump in?

Ollivander - I've just finished a hoooooge bottle of the Kikumasamume lotion, took ages!

Interesting reading how people are falling out of love with TO. I use quite a few of their products which are functional, and affordable.

I use the 7% Glycolic toner, their 5% Retinoid, Niacinamide and Alpha Lipoic acid which I love. tried their other acids but they are neither here nor there.

I've been using some lovely creams from Madara, they all smell so lovely. my routine is quite functional so I like my final occlusive cream or oil to be naice. Also loving Malin and Goetz vitamin E cream and an Amie one which smells lovely and is really matt.

I'm on my fifth bottle of Cosrx Snail 92, great soother and hydrator. My search for the perfect C serum continues, I'm finishing off one from The Hero Project which is fabulous but a bit pricey, I'll go back to TO after.

Also does anyone use the Latest in Beauty box? You have to pick and choose but it's a PYO beauty box that is good value if you do a bit of off site research.

Enid - sure. It was dr Catherine at http://kita-aesthetics.co.uk (Burnley way)

Damn have you tried the Drunk Elephant Vit C? Not cheap. But it's the 4th Vit C I've tried and I'm sticking with it.

Just catching up. Thanks Botemp it was a bit emporers new clothes. BTW I used to be VeggieforJan, but that doesn't apply anymore, so I changed my name!

I have just started using the LRP retinol. No irritation or stinging on first application, so fingers crossed.

Can someone please help explain why whenever I put my base on it doesn't sit well on my skin no matter what I do! It kind of just wipes off as I'm applying rather than staying on the skin and it makes my skin look papery if that makes sense?? It's definitely on my face as there's lots on flannel when I remove but it just never ever applys well it just looks streaky and patchy and wrong (nothing to do with my application as I've tried every way, I only use a sponge now as my skin dislikes anything else)

I'm using the LRP retinol too ffs. I've used it before but in the day with the SPF (bought the wrong one lol). I'm currently using it at night 2/3 times a week.

How are you finding it, Pup?

Olli Thank you!

It's fine Ffs. I'm hoping to ramp it up to nightly, then move to a stronger one but I'm taking it slowly.

Wow Olli that is definitely noticeable! Where did you go, was that the place in Blackburn?

I seriously need to get my act together with this, I think I’ve asked here before and can’t remember what the answer was but basically I would like it for crows feet (not tear duct fillers as I don’t have that issue) AND for eye droop. A couple of people I know in the US have had it round their eyes but I think I seem to remember reading/hearing that technicians over here don’t like to use it round the eyes? I also want something doing for marionette lines and sagging round the jaw but I think that would be fillers rather than Botox?

Mint have you tried using a beauty blender to apply foundation/base? I find my foundation ‘sits’ and can emphasise pores if I use brushes but the beauty blender makes it look more natural and sort of pushes it into the pores so it fills them in.

My AF Vit c has arrived, skin is playing up a bit at the moment (work travel/flights and was away at the weekend too so out of routine) so will wait till it settles a bit before trying anything new. No retirides either, been purchased but will be a few weeks before I see my friend, will do lots of research in the meantime as I’m still very wary.

User I use the real techniques version of the beauty blender

user Dr Dray has some good Youtube videos for your topic of research. Not strictly retirides but using tret/Retin A. I found her a bit odd to watch at the start but I’ve warmed to her no nonsense style. Particularly in terms of retinoid use. She’s all for evidence based retinoid use and doesn’t advocate cosmeceutical retinols/retinoid at all.

mint I think it’s difficult to answer since we can’t see your skin. I don’t remember exactly what you’re skin is like generally (although I know you do have problems). Have you ever seen a dermatologist? I suppose I’m thinking if your skin isn’t great, is that the problem with the makeup? If someone else does your makeup do you have the same issue with feeling like it ‘sits’ on your skin? Have you tried any primers?

Also just thinking mint does your underlying medical condition, and corresponding medication have a detrimental effect on your skin?

JDSTER I started by seeing a Derm when I was living in the US, but then moved to a nurse, which is what I've been doing since returning to the UK. Botox has to be prescribed by someone with prescribing authority (Dr, senior nurse prescriber etc) but then can be given by a nurse or other licensed medical practitioner. I've been seeing the same nurse at a cosmetic surgery place in Brighton for the last few years. I had light fillers around my mouth/cheeks once but didn't notice much difference so haven't repeated the procedure. I'd really like to have tear trough fillers but DH is very much against it. I first enquired about them several years ago and decided to wait, but my eye bags get more prominent year after year, which is slightly depressing!

I just get my 11's done but have had the odd little bit in my forehead or around the eyes if she's got a little left in the syringe!!

Ooo I haven't Pupsiecola though I have used some of their products before which I liked.

I do like Dr Dray JDSTER so I'll definitely check out her vids. I know what you mean about finding her manner a bit strange at first but I warmed to her too, and would rather watch her any day than those over excited screechy ones or someone that seems to use and love ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING (yes Caroline Hirons I'm thinking of you.)

Mint do you use a primer at all as that can make a difference with how makeup applies/sits. Is it you that has issues with silicone? As if so it can be a bit of a pain finding one that's silicone free, I'm using a REN one which is £££ but I got some samples on eBay. I think Olli is trialling a different silicone free one at the moment but the name escapes me. I've never used the real techniques B.B. equivalent, but I do use cheap dupes I got from amazon for travel and found they do the job fine, so not sure if it would be worth you trying a 'real' B.B. as they are £16ish. I kept losing/leaving mine in hotels hence the cheap dupes.

I'm eyeing up the Elta MD sunscreen now, as I usually ditch daytime moisturiser in summer, so SPF that has some skincare benefits sounds ideal. I'm liking the bioderma cicabio at the moment but it might be a bit heavy for me over summer. I can only find Elta MD on amazon or eBay though so may not be genuine.