Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Happy Snail Year, Bring Spoons!

997 replies

botemp · 04/01/2018 13:34

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.

_

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

🐌🐌 THE SNAILIES 2017 🐌🐌

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

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

Halo 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.

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

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

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

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

Confused 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

Blush 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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
30
mintmagnummm · 17/02/2018 12:19

Sophie I agree with bo, I'm not the best person to ask about products as my skin is reactive due to an impaired barrier caused by years of insecurity issues (too much to go in to)

Bo that makes sense, I'm definitely hormonal at the moment (ovulation time). Is there anything I can do/use during these times or is it a case of just doing what I'm doing and accepting it? Also I'm thinking about trying a different spf, the avene doesn't cause any problems reaction wise but I think it may be a little heavy. Would the bioderma be suitable for me?

SophieLion · 17/02/2018 12:51

Hi Bo and thanks for taking the time to reply. I didn’t know that eye cream was a controversial product in itself.

I have extremely sensitive eyes and so fall into one of the categories you mention for using eye cream: even the eye creams I use I make sure are for use for sensitive eyes. Ok so I need to put eye cream first before other products.

I have to say though that I do want to tackle lines under my eyes. I have high cheekbones so when I smile everything gets pushed up and the lines show..... I’m not getting any younger... plus I think my skin is dehydrated - learning here how to hopefully remedy that. Or else I need to start with Botox!!

Fair enough Bo and Mint about Mint's products - I was just hoping to get some idea of some “bland” products which don’t cause reactions because I’m interested in learning too and find all this quite fascinating. Of course I appreciate that no two of us will be able to use the exact same combination of products and that’s it’s all a process of trial and error and figuring out what works for you.

By the way, there was a discussion about eyebrows earlier. I have very dark brown (almost black) eyebrows and use MAC coquette eyeshadow with a small slanted brush. I find it’s a good brown to use: not too dark, not too a too red-dy brown. Then just some clear eyebrow gel.** Works well for me: my brows look tidy but not fake. I get them threaded once a month or so too.

mintmagnummm · 17/02/2018 13:13

Sophie I'm more than happy to tell you what I use, just don't want you to run out and buy it all and try it all at once incase you have a reaction. I'm currently using avene extremely gentle cleansing lotion, Vichy thermal water spray, Vichy mineral 89, eucerin 5% urea face cream and avene anti ageing spf 50.

mintmagnummm · 17/02/2018 13:14

Oh and Paula's choice 2% bha 1-2x a week

EnidButton · 17/02/2018 14:28

I use bland stuff daily. LRP toleriane cleanser, Avene thermal water, LRP toleriane fluid, kiehl's avocado eye cream. Also Vichy aquilia thermale serum on my nose and Cicaplast.
Emma Hardie cleansing balm to remove make up and zineryt lotion on spots. That's it. Occasionally Elemis flash balm but it's not really skincare imo.

I need an exfoliator, something more nourishing for nighttime, a serum and an spf.

Looking at vitamin c serums. That might cancel out the need for an exfoliator as my skin seems intolerant of any exfoliation apart from a rub with a damp flannel.

Have the Bioderma spray on it's way.

Unsure about a nighttime moisturiser. Going to use Eucerin 5% cream starting tonight as it was too heavy for daytime for my skin.

I don't think my skin looks that great close up still. Unhappy with the texture of it and feel age is starting to show. I still look younger than I am but think that's down to face shape and bone structure. Plus oily skin has its advantages. I've been concentrating on finding things that don't cause breakouts and things to prevent and treat so moving on to overall skin texture and evenness now.

Just a wee summary for myself. Hope you're all having a decent start to the weekend. We're having a staying home one, catching up with some diy and coursework, that kind of thing. I might stick some hair conditioner on, under a towel, multi task. 🧖🏻‍♀️

Of course what I should be doing is booking a hair appointment

Pupsiecola · 17/02/2018 14:59

Enid I use the Neostrata bio-hydrating face cream most nights. I saw a dermatologist about 8 years ago and she recommended it. It's extremely hydrating for me.

EnidButton · 17/02/2018 15:11

Thank you Pupsie.

EnidButton · 17/02/2018 15:29

Pupsie Sounds really good. Pricey for the amount though.

EnidButton · 17/02/2018 15:31

Oh no, hang on, I think I was looking at the wrong one. It was £30 (ish) for 15ml. Found it at £30 for 40g now.

EnidButton · 17/02/2018 15:34

🤦🏻‍♀️ I was looking at the eye cream by mistake. The brain fog is strong today. Think I'll give up on any thinking today but have made a note of it to look at tomorrow.

Pupsiecola · 17/02/2018 15:55

Ha Enid. A little goes a long way too.

mintmagnummm · 17/02/2018 16:04

Enid I'm not happy with my skin texture wise either and doesn't look great up close. When I'm out I look at people (hopefully not noticeable staring ha ha) and they all seem to have a smooth surface and I think WHY!!! Bet they just use any old skincare too it's so annoying!

Oh and is it just me who looks absolutely AWFUL on an iPhone photo?! Sad

mintmagnummm · 17/02/2018 16:05

Oh and Enid finally I get your routine even though it wasn't meant for me 😂😜

JDSTER · 17/02/2018 16:11

Enid I was just thinking today I don't like the look of my skin close up. Visible pores, some broken veins around nose and sebaceous filaments on nose . I would love my skin texture to improve. No wrinkles due to oiliness and only very occasional spots. Some signs of skin ageing in that skin not as taut as it was.

What do people think about face powder, as in last step of makeup? I noted Dr Sam isn't a fan and I wonder if my cosmetics are causing problems. She also did a video about disliking long wear foundation. I can't imagine not wearing face powder. I'm already oily midday with it on.

JDSTER · 17/02/2018 16:13

Cross post with mint. Also bloody awful on iPhone photo!

mintmagnummm · 17/02/2018 16:46

JDSTER Bloody horrible isn't it! Especially as I saw the pic on a day that I thought I looked ok then saw that and thought "oh dear" Sad

I've just bought the Vichy liftactive eye and lash serum, it was 3 for 2 so got that and 2 more of my cleansers. I only did it for u lot so can be the guinea pig and report back....that's my excuse anyway 😜

JDSTER · 17/02/2018 17:30

To be fair mint I’m not sure anyone looks great in an unfiltered iPhone photo.

userallusedup · 17/02/2018 17:33

I'm another that's not at all happy with my skin texture - oily, open pores and SF. Same as JDSTER I have no wrinkles (other than round my eyes and that's only a recent thing) but I'm sagging (face as well as crotch Grin) which is more ageing IMO, and the colour of my skin doesn't help either. I'm very sallow so combined with the oiliness, pores and SF I think my skin always looks a bit dirty/grubby.

I rarely get spots or whiteheads any more since I got a proper routine going and learnt what makes me break out, & if I do they're small ones and easily dealt with. But the texture thing is the bane of my life Sad

I can't imagine me not using powder, same as JDSTER I need to blot and powder regularly, I'd be an oil slick otherwise.

I don't like the heavy coverage long wear foundations though, for me they always seem to oxidise and go claggy when oil breaks through.

miffy2 · 17/02/2018 18:17

I see that LRP not only have a new HA serum out but also a HA cream. I don't suppose anyone as seen it in action yet? I wonder would it be HA overload if I used it after Vichy 89 serum?

www.boots.ie/La-Roche-Posay-Hyalu-B5-Cream-40ml-10242623

Ingredients:
AQUA, GLYCERIN,DIMETHICONE,HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE,PROPYLENE GLYCOL,HYDROXYPROPYL TETRAHYDROPYRANTRIOL,ALCOHOL DENAT, PROPANEDIOL,PANTHENOL,SYNTHETIC WAX,NYLON-12,PEG-10 DIMETHICONE,DIMETHICONE/P E G - 1 0 / 1 5 C R O S S P O LY M E R,HYDROXYETHYLPIPERAZINE ETHAN,SULFONIC ACID ,TOCOPHEROL, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE,HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID ,SODIUM CITRATE ,PHENOXYETHANOL ,ADENOSINE, CHLORPHENE S I N, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE,DISODIUM EDTA, PARFUM.

BagelGoesWalking · 17/02/2018 18:32

User have you tried these? Supposed to be good for oilier skin. I've got samples from eBay for my daughter to try.

🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Happy Snail Year, Bring Spoons!
SophieLion · 17/02/2018 18:35

Thanks Mint and Enid for sharing. I’m already using some of those products (like the LRP toleriane cleanser - like it a lot - and the Cicaplast cream). I’m making a note of all these products and then investigating.

I’m planning to introduce the Vichy mineral 89 serum when my skin has calmed down from this little breakout of spots I’ve got. I’ll see how I go with those for a while before adding any vit C or retinol or other products.

Userallusedup - I was happy to hear that you no longer get spots now that you’ve got a proper routine in place. It gives me hope as that’s what I’m hoping to achieve too.

I definitely think oily skin has an advantage when it comes to ageing and wrinkles, Enid.

Mint - I think I look awful on almost all photos!! Not just iPhone ones** Grin

userallusedup · 17/02/2018 19:17

Sophie I started getting terrible spots a few years ago as I presumed I should be using heavy duty anti ageing moisturisers from the likes of elemis, decleor, L'occitane, liz Earle etc. As well as being far too rich/heavy for me they are quite perfumed and 'botanical' which my skin really didn't like. I made some Deciem discoveries on my own like the hylamide serum, unfortunately that was the gateway to me falling down the TO rabbit hole but at least it got me looking more at actives and less at moisturiser, then I discovered this thread which has helped enormously.

Thank you Bagel I'll have a look at those samples though I'm already using a BHA (Paula's choice one) which I think is helping, I didn't use it for a while when I was travelling the other week and my skin was definitely worse. I do like a sample though Smile I'm thinking of ordering from the PEP website that Bo linked as well, the HA and Vit c look like they might be worth a try, very reasonable prices for the trial sizes and they'll be handy for travel even if I don't want to RP the full sizes, I get fed up decanting things every time I fly which unfortunately is quite frequently.

I take absolutely dreadful photos too, I don't mind a selfie though as can edit/filter to make myself look better Grin

JDSTER · 17/02/2018 19:17

On the topic of HA Bo what do you think of this please?
www.boots.com/neutrogena-hydro-boost-water-gel-moisturiser

Dr Dray uses it in her routine.

Tantpoke · 17/02/2018 19:20

jdster I have this and the gel cream one too.

I do like them although I haven't used them for ages for some reason. They didnt react with my skin at all so all good there.

Tantpoke · 17/02/2018 19:21

I mentioned them months ago but noone was very excited by them Grin

Swipe left for the next trending thread