🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Hairmageddon looms...

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Thread 11

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.

I am very slowly working on consolidating the gathered information from previous threads into easier to read formats but it’s slow going. 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?

FEBRUARY 2018: The month of February sucks. Period. We’re sick of winter and the state of our finances, some are embracing frugality (in different shapes and forms) but water bills and car maintenance are ruining our buzz. Hair appointments need to be made despite the palpitations of fear that the mere thought incites. Oh, and skin texture. As you were...

Thanks Bo. I really like the feel of it so far, and I got the raw moisturiser too

btw not skin related at all but I'm currently listening to a really good podcast called Tracks (a conspiracy thriller) 9 episodes with Romola Garai - on BBC iplayer

I'm WFH today and the jade roller has just arrived. It wasn't one of the dirt cheap ones as I wanted to order it on prime rather than waiting weeks for it to come from China, says it's real jade and feels very cool so will see.

I was in boots yesterday so got the Vita Liberata body blur on points. There was one open in the medium/latte shade (don't think it was an official tester but someone had already opened it & made a mess) so I was able to try, it doesn't make me look tan or darker, just makes my skin look better - I suppose like body makeup - which is what I wanted. Thank you for that recommendation Bo

I love Romola Garai Tant. I'll stick that on now whilst I fold the laundry mountain.

My skin looks really good. There's actual colour in my cheeks and it's gleaming. In a good way. No idea why. The face masks maybe? I've been getting decent sleep for a few nights which no doubt helps massively.

I had my home spa evening yesterday. Full body scrub with Elemis salt glow (❤️), soak in Elemis milk bath with a papaya mask on cheeks/forehead and Vichy clay mask on chin and nose, Redken heatcure mask on hair, frangipani Monoi oil on arms and feet because I can't get enough of the scent and painted fingernails dark red. Feeling spruced. If I could shove my arm through the screen, I'd make you feel how bloody smoooooth I am. 😎

"Me me me me me."

Sorry.

enid at putting your smooth arm through the screen

I am really liking my Vit C serum from SR Skin care, it feels very slightly zingy in a good way on application, nice consistency that sinks in and I can apply my make up etc over the top.

Early days yet but I like it.
My skin feels fresher and that's the only new product I've added.

I have just thoroughly cleansed my face and directly applied the Neostrata retinol and nag complex from the lovely pupsie.

Sallie I hope you using your roller. Enid you sound amazing . How’s the Vichy clay mask compared to any others you’ve tried?

That should’ve said Sallie I hope you enjoy using your roller

I opened up a Clinique vitamin C GWP (their new 'fresh pressed' yoke) as I have no other C to use right now (tears). It feels a bit gritty when I apply it, but sinks in well and I have a few days in the small bottle I think.

I have also been using my IT Cosmetics CC powder for a week or so now. I wear it mostly on its own to see how it works as foundation and I really like it. The only issue is that it already has a film on it - I cannot help but re-use the flat-top brush by dipping it into the pan as I apply it (ie one dip will not cover my face) so the oil/products from my skin are transferring to the top of the powder. I don't see any way around this other than to leave more time between skincare and makeup and this is not possible during the week.
I was afraid at first that the Light shade was too pale, especially as the Light in the CC cream is almost too dark for me. But it seems to settle in and warm up a bit once applied.
So in summary - very much liking it, need to sort out the film on top situation :D

I'll be having a roll later JDSTER

I really like the IT cosmetics cc powder too Miffy and haven't noticed a film on mine. I use a big fluffy brush though and apply it lightly over the cc cream so maybe that makes the difference.

I'm fabulous JD
The Vichy clay mask is the only one I've ever tried that reduces inflammation, clears clogged pores/SF and smooths without drying or causing breakouts two days later.

I think clay masks were the very first skincare thing I ever bought so been using them on and off for about 24 years. I have a Botanics one that's ok, can cause a couple of spots and I have 2 different Origins ones that are quite drying and a bit too strong. Effective but not for regular use. So the Vichy one suits me nicely.

The jade roller sounds lovely btw Sallie. I like the sound of the coolness.

Enid, I may not be able to stroke your arms from here but your good mood is certainly infectious

Is it the Vichy clay mask in the white packaging? I think I may have gotten that in a dainty little mini size with a French pharmacy order recently, if you'd like it, JDSTER, I can send it to you?

Bo sorry only saw your post now. Here's a link and a pic.
From what I can gather the 1% retinol in squalene and 5% granactive Retonid are comparable in strength with the Retonid been more gentle. I've no issues with the 1% retinol.
/amp/s/beautyeditor.ca/.amp/2017/11/16/the-ordinary-retinoid

/amp/s/beautyeditor.ca/.amp/2017/11/16/the-ordinary-retinoid

I've been rolling, it's lovely and cooling and I think it does ease tension especially round the eyes and sinus area.

I forgot to mention I got a una Brennan cleansing oil in boots yesterday too as it was on offer and I had enough points to get it with the body blur. I like her clay mask so hoping I'll like this too. I have a feeling we talked about it here before ages ago but can't remember what the verdict was, does anyone use/like it?

And this is very bizarre but I think I've just heard an advert for a moisturiser containing kangaroo extract. I wasn't watching the tv, it was just rumbling on in the background but I could have sworn that's what they said, surely it can't have been though

What's the opinion on the Aldi pads that are meant to be a dupe of nip and fab and a cream that's like Elizabeth Arden I think also a serum. I see people raving about them but I'm sceptical for those prices.
No Aldi near me so I'm not remotely tempted.

Ah, sorry I've been paying so little attention to TO that I missed their rollout of these. I'd say the 5% is ineffective gentler. This is the follow up to the pure 1% retinol that was so highly irritating but if you're tolerating this without issue despite being a very high strength it leaves me wondering how effective it is if this is your first retinol, I'd expect some irritation, even if mild.

UB Vitamin C cleansing oil is well liked I believe, it's fragrance but since it's a wash off product less of an issue in that sense. The Vit C is a bit of a gimmick though.

Ok, I can handle snails, sea cucumber, placenta, donkeys and shudder a bit at emu and horse oil but kangaroos

I can never find the INCI for Aldi skincare and AFAIK it's all highly fragranced. I do suspect it's all made by Eucerin's parent company, Beiersdorf, that also makes La Prairie and Nivea. Basically, I think it's Nivea with some cheap extracts added to it to make it appear like high end heavy emollient creams.

Kangaroos, the mind boggles what could they even be extracting from them or do we want to know.

Bo I've been building up retinol for a while but still only using it 3 days a week alternating with glycolic and one night off from both where I use a mask. If I get a little bit of flaking or redness I stop both for a few days. I'm beginning to suspect I've also got skin like a Rhino too in that it's rare I react and even then it's minor.

This Vichy mask bo m.feelunique.com/p/Vichy-Pore-Purifying-Clay-Mask-75ml?url=Vichy-Pore-Purifying-Clay-Mask-75ml&slang=EN&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI67r7kNLn2QIVqp3tCh12bQDcEAQYAiABEgIF6fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Think the sample pot I had, had a white lid instead of silver. It lasted ages!

We can't go onto kangaroo extracts because apart from it being weird there's no kangaroo emoji.

I was looking for a kangaroo emoji too Enid I don't even know what cream they were advertising as I was only half listening and not watching, sounded like the standard waffle that's pretty much the same on all skin care adverts then right at the end KANGAROO. I'll keep an ear out for it again - or maybe I've finally lost the plot, or my hearing or both

Thank you for the UB review Bo I do remember it being well liked but then I got worried the Vit c might be irritating so I'm quite pleased that's just a gimmick. I'm trying to wean myself off Deciem (currently use hylamide cleansing oil) and this one was less than half the price.

Avene have a new mineral spf fluid, has anyone tried it or got any thoughts about it??

I need hair conditioner recs desperately pleeeeease??

Hi Bo and thank you for the retinol information.

I'm suspecting the TO 2% retinoid in squalene isn't going to do much and so I'm looking at what I can buy. However, the more I read, the more confused I am. Even the terminology confuses me and terms seem to be used inter-changeably.

I've tried to write a short summary below of the different terms I've come across but am not sure if I've got things right. Please can you, or anyone else who is more knowledgeable than me, let me know:

Retinoids are all vitamin A derivatives. Retinoid is the generic term for all topical products that contain derivatives of vitamin A. Retinol is one example of a retinoid (but, if this is correct, then why does TO sell retinol and retinoid?).
(plus.....also read that retinoids and retinol are both OTC forms of retinoic acid and just contain different esters of vit A - hence the different names).

Retinoic acid (generic name: tretinoin; Retin-A is a brand name) - prescription only under various brand names. Percentages like 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%

Retinol - OTC (cosmetic) form of retinoic acid. Contains vit A in ester forms. Needs to be converted into retinoic acid by your skin (which causes conversion irritation). Percentages like 0.5% and 1.0%

R-retinoate - launched (recently?) by Medik8 and supposedly 8 times more powerful than retinol. Is this just another retinoic acid derivative with different esters?

Anything else?!

I don't think I can possibly choose a suitable product for my skin if I don't even understand the names and details of all the varieties of vitamin A!!!!