🐌 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 from my experience with tinted moisturisers they tend to slide off my face halfway through the day. I think maybe the Laura Mercier one might not which is why its highly recommended.

I favour the clear gel like primers which feel kind of powdery, smooth and silky after application they seem to keep foundation in place far longer than a cream one ie TO primer is a cream and it doesnt work for me at all and many other cream ones ive tried. I'm using a lancome one at the moment but will get the smashbox one next as lancome is £££

I have to say though my lancome primer has lasted ages because a little goes a very long way

jdster my skin looked lovely and plumped this morning, yay.

I cant not use a powder as my foundation would just melt off my face just from the heat of walking around iykwim.

I'm still using Vichy dermablend loose powder as its lasted me ages.
My skin is far less oily than its ever been though now I'm looking after it properly.

Thanks Bo for your thoughts on powder. I was also pondering why a specific cosmetic face powder was being recommended as I can't see there being a huge difference between brands. You also pre- empted my thoughts about primers. I use them daily and wondered if they're contributing to clogging/sfs. I haven't used primer or foundation for over a week with being on holiday and wearing a heavier spf. I think I might try and wean myself and see what happens.

I know a lot of people on here avoid silicones. Are silicones comedogenic? Seems to be a bit of conflicting information on that. I've never thought they've caused a problem for me but perhaps they are. My beloved Biore SPF is full of silicones I think. Is Biore watery silicone free?

I started using Vichy thermal spray last night and used again this morning. I sprayed after cleansing and blotted with a clean muslin. I'll definitely add this to my routine now- thanks .

I use hourglass ambient powder but not all over. Have gone off primers at the minute as nothing seems to make makeup sit right!
This is today, skin had finally cleared and I've just got my favourite BB cream on (Liole dollish in purple)
Straight off the iPhone, no filters. No point in me posting skin pics if I filter them!

Skin looking very clear and your forehead so smooth olli.

I found this quote from Dr Sam on face powder . "I think the particulate nature of powder is inherently occlusive"

looking good olli looking good

I guess all those tiny particles would block your pores but for me they are always on top of a foundation so there is a barrier to the occlusive powder

Userallusedup - thanks for the info. I don’t “offically” use moisturisers which are too heavy for me but I have been known to put Nivea blue face cream all over my face when I’ve felt particularly dehydrated which, as you can imagine, was a disaster - breakout.

Enid - it’s so encouraging for me to hear your story. I also need to stop fighting my skin. Picking at spots and touching my spots is definitely included in that . I don’t eat any dairy or wheat anyway.

Tantpoke - hello I don’t think we’ve spoken yet. Hope you feel better soon.

Botemp - to be honest your skin sounds similar to what I suspect mine is. I haven’t had any new spots since that lot that came when I tried the LRP Posay serum with the paraffin. I also have to shower pretty quickly after exercising otherwise get spots on back and chest from sweat (and sun cream if running outside) blocking my pores. As I’ve mentioned, I’m taking it slow this week: just cleansing, eye cream , moisturiser and SPF and taking note if any new spots come etc. I’m also trying to clean my face much more lovingly like that gorgeous lady in the video! And trying to use less product.

When I get back home (we’re skiing at the mo) I will introduce the Vichy 89 mineral and see how I get on with that. I’m definitely elimating MO but I don’t want to go as far as silicones yet if I don’t need to.

I can’t be any help to anyone on the powder front as powder just dries my skin out and I don’t like the feel or look of it on me at all (just seen that Bo has written more or less the same thing but in a much more scientific way!). Never use it. And I only really use tinted moisturiser or foundation if going out at night. I do use a primer though - usually a Laura Mercier one which I like.

Mint -I was wondering if I also have slight body dismorphia. Just pick up on all my bad bits (especially in photos) and that’s all I see. I met one of the Strictly stars from last season unexpectedly. Got my photo taken with him and was gutted afterwards because I thought I looked so awful..... perhaps I’m just very vain [hmmm]
Sorry to hear you have a migraine too, Mint and hope it passes quickly.

Ollivander - wow, your spots went really quickly! Your skin looks great. Mine always leave a red mark behind but then I am pretty white so they do stand out.

Sophie - i am ridiculously pale mostly wear porcelain foundations and I need pink toned as yellow toned makes me look awful
I do like this BB cream for smoothing everything out, just gives enough coverage

Well you don't look it in photos at all Olli! I also need pink-tones foundations/BB creams etc. Maybe I feel paler because I live in a Mediterranean country where most people (including my family!) have lovely, olive skin.

Bos explanation of foundations with high powder content are completely spot on ie ELDW etc which means wearers must be in a vicious skin care circle . I'm glad I never ended up buying any. (i didnt realise the high powder content or put 2 and 2 together that that's what would cause breakouts other than the stickiness of it) Thank god we have Bo in our lives, our godess and saviour of skin care, I am eternally grateful, >>strokes lovely smooth skin

Bo I think what you're saying makes perfect sense, I was just a bit puzzled about why Dr Emma would recommend one particular powder and her comments about light reflecting made me think she was talking more about the way it makes your skin look, rather than it doing damage. I'm very careful to keep powder away from my eye area, other than that I like/need the drying effect. I might try and experiment going without but I just can't see my makeup lasting more than a couple of hours and it's difficult to touch up liquid makeup on the go.

I'm not usually a fan of primers as I don't like the texture/feel of the silicone based ones, I'm not allergic or intolerant to silicone as far as I know but I do think those allegedly mattifying primers actually make me oilier. I like the REN one but that's more of a perfecting skin treatment rather than a traditional primer, and I'm not sure if it's worth the £50 price tag especially as I wear it over spf 50 so doubt I'm getting any skincare benefits from it.

JDSTER I've not had issues with the Biore brightening SPF, it's doesn't have that slippery feel that the primers do and doesn't make me oilier, I've had it parked for a while now as found it bit drying for winter, and I've not noticed anything specifically better or worse about my skin from not using it.

Sophie Nivea gives me spots too, a lot of the budget high street brands do, I think the Aldi range was the worst culprit. Though that being said I didn't get on any better with the high end expensive anti-ageing moisturisers either.

Your skin is looking great Olli and your forehead looks really smooth.

Sophie Yes picking is a tough habit to break. I stuck a post it on the mirror at one point "Stop Picking!" Don't get me wrong, I still get spots but I'm not making them worse anymore and they don't hang around. (Thank you zineryt and Cicaplast). Best skin I ever had was when I took anti biotics for it.
I had dysmorphia focused on my face and skin a few years ago. Won't go into details as I don't want to trigger anyone reading but it was pretty bad. Obsessive, anxiety inducing. Really it had nothing to do with what I look like, it was caused by lot of trauma and grief, having nothing to blame/focus on so it came back on myself and my physical appearance. Thankfully it passed. If I ever got a hint of it again I'd have to come off this thread.

Well that all sounds rather dramatic! Sorry. On a Sunday too!

In less heavy news, I washed my hair in Big shampoo and American Cream (Lush) last night after a week or two using something else and my hair feels much better. Lighter and fresher. Annoying as it's pricey and I go through it quickly. But it saves me time and energy so worth it I guess.

I've started using a small brush to apply powder (MUFE HD loose) to small areas, instead of a large brush all over. I saw Lisa Eldridge doing it and like most of her tips it works really well. I put a bit on the bridge of my nose, lower chin, forehead and teeny bit to set the concealer on the inner corners of my eyes.

The bridge of the nose is the sticky out bit right? 🤔 Not the bit between brows? Because I don't powder inbetween my brows anymore.

I’m so sorry to hear what you’ve been through Enid. And I’m glad to hear that it has passed.

The bridge of the nose is below the part between the eyebrows.

I do struggle not to pick my spots. Even not to touch them. But now I’m doing cleansing my face in a better way, it feels so clean that I am quite conscious of all the germs and dirt in my hands and that’s helping me not to keep touching my face all day. I do find that when I get stressed or upset then I pick at spots more.

User - I also had Astral cream at one point and was putting that on my face occasionally too. Also caused spots. Think the cheaper brands tend to have more of the “bad” ingredients although I was surprised to see that more expensive, pharmacy brands also put them in their products. Just shows that we have to be really careful before buying.

I’m learning so much

I'd managed to self educate a little bit Sophie but I've learnt so much from this thread, I was reading for a good while before I started posting.

I used to have an eating disorder so I suppose I must have dysmorphia as part of that though it was never discussed, mind you nothing much was 20 plus years ago. I'm glad it passed for you Enid

Phew, so much to catch up on! I've been on here less as I seem to be spending more online time on weight training/bodybuilding groups at the moment... I'm loving being back in the gym after years of running and light circuits, and actively trying to put on weight is a bit of a mind fuck... but I digress...

Use it was probably me that recommended the AF vit C and yes you have to keep it in the fridge, which is a bit of a pain.... best of luck! I'm also finding that sagging skin (including eye bags) is the thing that's ageing me the most now and it seems to have become noticeably worse over the last six months. Sigh :(

Pupise Is it the DE B Hydra Gel that you're getting? I recently finished one I brought back from the States and have to say it was lovely - I've gone back to using the Superdrug HA serum and I'm not liking the difference! Damn you DE, why are you so spendy?!! I may actually consider doing a Sephora order to get my mitts on some more as I don't think any of my friends are coming over until the summer. I think I've been getting more little spots since using the Superdrug one but I'm not sure. It's possibly something else entirely that's to blame!

Oh and Pupsie you asked about primer or moisturising again before applying makeup if there's a gap of a few hours between the two: yes I'd definitely reapply moisturiser before makeup or use a moisturising silicone-free primer, but I really only use primer when I'm going "out out" or if I'm wearing a full face for some reason. I wouldn't with my normal tinted moisturisers.

All this talk of powders is making me reassess what I'm doing as I think it's ageing me by making me look a little dry.... I should probably get used to the fact that concealer and powder is no longer cutting it and I'm going to have to wear a proper base every day if I'm not going to look craptastic.

Thanks bo I won't try that bioderma spf then! No worries about the wash, maybe it's not the best idea for me so I shall try using the bha 2x per week when skin playing up.

Thanks for that info user I’ve always felt the Biore brightening spf feels like a primer.
Which spf are you using now?

Olli I don't know how your pics look so good on an iPhone as mine look nothing like yours

JDSTER I'm using the bioderma cicabio spf50, its a lovely gel texture and has skin care properties too. I really like it for this time of year but it might be a bit heavy come summer. Prior to that I was using the bioderma nude touch which I also really like, but it's another one that best for summer as it's very unforgiving on dry patches. It makes a good primer too as it's matte/dry touch.

Sorry meant to say thank you TSmummy I've put the Vit c in the fridge, I'm on one floor so not too much of a pain, but I do tend to forget to apply things if they're not directly in my line of sight - might have to put a big sign up on my mirror or something!

Oh yes, also wanted to do a mini round-up of empties and purchases:

As mentioned above, I finished the DE B Hydra Gel - which was, unfortunately, lovely

Finished Biore watery essence spf50, RP another two.

Went back to using Belif Moisturizing Bomb - and it was much better than I'd previously thought when I first used it in October, and finished it off. Does a nice job for dry skin. Would RP if more easily available, but not as nourishing as Ceramidin cream.

Purchases:
Becca Anti-fatigue under eye primer - I feel a bit silly for buying this, but I'm a tart for anything that promises a better-looking eye..... I think it's a bit Emperor's new clothes but I'm reserving judgement, mainly because I feel like a tit for buying it

Oskia Renaissance cleanser - I know it's silly spending lots on a cleanser but wanted to get something as a replacement for the Nude Perfect Omega cleanser which was great but sadly discontinued. It's lovely, very nice, leaves my face feeling smooth, not dry and tight.

Nuxe Reve de miel lip balm, my HG lip balm - lips are looking better after a couple of days. Nothing else comes close.

User DH found a mini-fridge to put in the office next to our bedroom, to store delicate skincare items! And possibly his beer :)