🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Happy Snail Year, Bring Spoons!

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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'm a migraine sufferer! Get them at least once a week, I get excruciating pain over one eye usually, but sometimes they can be at back of head too and I also get severe tension headaches.( I actually have some form of head pain daily along with my neck, shoulder and back pain) I've been told mine are a symptom of my fibromyalgia. I've had two mri brain scans and tried lots of different meds but nothing touches my migraine pain and they usually last 3 days. I get nauseous and dizzy, become very smell sensitive too. I've had one in the past that was completely different to my usual, the pain was all over my head, I could not walk, talk, eat etc and I was vomiting violently, that one was extremely scary.

Placemarking 🐑 🐌 🐑 🐌

Hello again everyone!

JDSTER Actually the LRP Double repair almost made my LTB pick as I've become a bit disillusioned with it... there's something about the texture, it's sort of grainy, especially over an oil (which I felt I needed to use in colder weather). Possibly made me a little red too - would that be a niacin reaction? I'll finish it up when the weather gets warmer but not sure about RP.

Enid I've used them, pretty sure they're kosher. That Elemis Frangipani scent is delicious, enjoy your scrub :) I would say self-care is vital for mental health and for me that definitely means my skincare routine and putting on a little makeup - obvs it doesn't happen if I'm feeling particularly shit but making sure I don't look like a dishevelled corpse usually helps my outlook on life

Also a gratuitous puppy picture - our new arrival, who has undoubtedly contributed to me looking a bit more dishevelled than normal :)

The Simple cleansing oil recommended for dd is buy one get one free in Superdrugif anyone else uses it.

I popped into Boots to look at that Vichy vit C serum. Not sure about it now, as I hadn't realised it had to be used within a month of being opened. Even on offer at £19 per bottle, that's too expensive for me. Think I'll stick with the TO for now until I can find something else, I've got used to it.

Tsmummy what an absolutely gorgeous pup !!

Thank you TS and what an absolute cutie! We're considering a new pup atm but think I've blocked out how much hard work they are at first. Maybe in a few months...

I've tried the 5% urea cream under make up for the first time today and think it's too moisturising for that (for my skin type anyway.) forehead is shinier than usual. Think I'll stick to the toleriane for a make up base. Still like this though, sure my skin is getting slightly better texture wise. Early days.

Omg Tsmummy s/he is gorgeous 😍😍😍 I’d love a puppy but it’s not possible with work. Maybe when I retire....

Enid I have oily skin and not noticed the 5% urea making it worse, but I guess because I’m always oily/shiny to some extent no matter what I do/use I’m just used to it. I’ve not found anything yet that keeps shine away for the whole day so I counteract with blotting papers and mattifying powder.

I’ve bought perfume from Fragrance Direct before and found it fine. I love the smell of Elemis but there’s something lurking in their products that doesn’t suit me, body stuff makes me terribly itchy and face stuff gives me spots.

Joz I did not realise that about the Vichy Vit C, I’ve had mine open for a month and there’s loads left I’ll have to move onto something else if that’s the case as although I like it I don’t think it’s worth £20 ish a month.

Sorry I meant to ask above has anyone here used Niod Sanskrit saponins before? I impulse bought on Black Friday as it was drastically reduced (£8 down from £30 odd) but didn’t research what it actually was or did I thought it was a balm so suitable for first cleanse but now realised it’s a second cleanse as doesn’t remove makeup, and only supposed to be used every second night so feeling a bit wary of it now. The blurb on the website is just waffling on about Ayurvedic plants so I’m still not much the wiser about it’s purpose.

Thanks all, he is extremely cute but yes Enid, very hard work! He's my first puppy - I've had 3 adult rescues previously but decided to go for a puppy this time... the decision was somewhat taken out of my hands by the fact that many rescue orgs seem not to want to rehome with families, but that's a whole other thread!

I'm tempted to try the Vichy when my Drunk Elephant runs out

Puppies are hard work! = but worth every moment.

Re migraines 600 - 900mg aspirin really helps.

Vaz re your neurological funny turns if you drive and do not take the daily medication your GP has prescribed you won't be allowed to drive and your insurance will be null and void, just putting it out there, sorry.

I get horrendous migraines if I'm tired, stressed or very hungover esp with red wine. I was ill for 2 days after celebrating NYE all self induced.

I have actually just put 2 gluten free loaves in the oven to use for my sandwiches at work. Earlier I made some of Betty Crackers gluten free brownies, delish
I've also ordered some Schar products thanks to your recommendation enid so I'm looking forward to trying them out.

tsmummy so cute

*Betty Crockers

Gluten free brownies are a 100 times nicer than flour ones. 😍 I'd always choose them now no matter what.

TS shame about the LRP, given you liked it initially. 5% Eucerin urea cream has worked well the past couple of days under makeup, although not been at work, and that’s when I can tell if something is too heavy. Like user I have to use blotting powder and sheets regardless of whatever else I’m using. I’m using a urea hand cream and I must say the texture on the back of my hands is very smooth.

user I’ve used Sanskrit saponins before. I quite liked it and used it in the morning. I used it every morning no problem or it could be used as a second cleanse at night. It smells like coffee grounds to me. I bought it because it was supposedly good for pore clarity although I don’t think it made any difference (NIOD and their wild claims )

Thanks for migraine anecdotes and advice. I took 900mg aspirin and 1g paracetamol as soon as I had the visual disturbance. I’m off for a lavender bath and a good nights sleep hopefully, so I’m hoping the residual headache will be gone tomorrow.

enid same they are delicious aren't they. I also prefer gluten free pizzas for some reason. I've only tried the Dr Oetker ones so far but noticed that Pizza Express do them as well.
I love making gluten free bread because it doesn't have to prove, just mix and bake.

Thanks JDSTER I’ll use the Sanskrit thing up as 2nd or morning cleanse. The blurb about it on the Deciem website is hilarious, it’s like something you’d expect to read about a spiritual retreat in the Himalayas, not a blooming cleanser I bought some NIOD stuff (a couple of little fiddly serum things) when it launched on QVC, it got sent back as it was £££ and didn’t do anything - but at least this stuff was cheap.

Well following 4 days of totally product free skin after my lancombe Genefique youth creme disaster tonight I cleansed with dd's new LRP toleraine dermo cleanser. It felt lovely.

I foll We'd that with no 7 protect & perfect night creme I've been using for two years so it should be safe (the old formula not the advanced one). It's shea butter based I think but I've never had an issue with shea butter.

I need to find a more effective day moisturiser now with anti aging active ingredients & slowly build up a routine.

Thought I'd pop in and see how you all were am v pleased with my routine thanks to all the advice I received here. It's quite settled at this point. My mother said to me recently that I "really was looking Very Well [pause] really Very Well" these are words of high praise in case you didn't noticed

As for highlights...

🐌 THE SNAILIES 2017 🐌

 The Well Hello There - waiting onNIOD's CAIS2 have high hopes High Hopes people

 The Flusher TO's Alpha Arbutin this pales bleaches the skin but yet does not get rid of the damn sun spots. Plus it's oily. Bin bin bin

 The Jack & Rose NIOD low viscosity cleansing esters LOVE this Thsnk you JD for being the gateway!

 The LTB Clinique take the day off Bastard thing was giving me massive under jaw spots. Tbh the dermo cleanser wasn't helping either. Have switched to gels and oils to cleanse.

 The Child Prodigy TO's 23% vit C (still working my through my stash ) plus the resveratrol + ferulic upped its game incredibly. Cue soft glowing skin. Cue reduced eye bags

 The Worker Bee LRP toleriane fluide Thank heavens they have not discontinued it as threatened

 The Troll Hmm feel a bit mean but am putting NIOD's Re:pigment here. It has had no actual effect on actual sun spots

BUT it does even the overall tone of skin. So would not purchase for pigmentation.

But if you have patchy looking skin (redness uneven) it did even that out for me. It's nearly gone so I'll see if I miss it...

 The Flabbergaster- Niods ester cleanser plus TOs resveratrol

 The Sinner My bastard skin refuses to get on with p50w. Probably just as well, it IS pricy...

Just recap for readers 40ish sensitive reactive oily'ish skin.

Thanks for all the advice ladies

I wasn't mad on the Alpha Arbutin either tbh. It was sticky and didn't seem to do anything.

I'll probably try an Ordinary product for Vit C. But they have so many at the moment that I'm confused. Is there one with high efficacy that's in Squalene or similar? A nice serum?

Ooooh Any particular gluten free brownies??

user I bought into the whole NIOD thing initially. The only thing I continue to like is the HA serum but I’ve never tried anything else like that so I’d probably be fine with the Superdrug stuff, if I’d tried that

That being said, I’m delighted I was the “gateway” for wilting’s love for the cleansing ester . I’m not sure I’ll hold my breath for the amazing effects of CAIS . Which reminds me, I do have a stash of unopened NIOD, more HA which is fine, I’ll get through it, but also CAIS (not 2), which I got it in a set last Black Friday (not the one just gone).

Elspeth TO do a variety of vitamin C formulas but some are derivatives of Vit C and not as well documented evidence of efficacy, I believe. Two contain ascorbic acid -23% with HA spheres and 30% in silicone. I’ve got/used both. 23% is quite gritty in texture and feels sort of oily. A lot of people on here haven’t liked the texture at all. 30% is a thick silicone formula, almost like a primer to my mind. It doesn’t last that long because you end up using quite a bit. I wouldn’t call either of them “a nice serum” tbh. Ascorbic acid can sting a bit on the skin and again, some people have reacted to it. They’re both inexpensive. I’m not sure I’ve noticed a huge difference with the addition of TO Vit c so I’m keen to try a different brand, although price points are much higher so TO a good entry point.

JDSTER CAIS was one of the NIOD things I tried, along with another serum with acronyms. QVC made them sound like the second coming but they did nothing for me at all. I’d obviously got the Sanskrit thing mixed up with the cleansing ester as I thought I was ordering a first cleanse makeup remover. Oh well.

Elspeth I’ve used both the TO serums JDSTER mentions. The 23% one was ok but I wasn’t keen on the texture especially in the summer, the 30% one made me itchy. I’m using the Vichy Vit C now which I like but apparently it needs to be used within a month of opening which is going to make it too expensive for me as it’s usually over £20 unless you can find a really good offer.

Joz where did you find that info about the Vichy one, I’ve thrown my packaging away but I’ve looked on loads of websites and reviews and can’t see that mentioned but maybe they avoid stating that so people don’t get put off purchasing. A lot of blurbs and reviews do talk about using it as a 10 day ‘boost’ a few times a year though, so maybe you’re meant to use for 10 days only and chuck out any that’s left.