🐌 Fantastic Skincare: The One Where Sallie Swallows Dermaplaned a Lion Named Fabio

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Thread 11 Thread 12

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

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?

MARCH 2018: We managed to live through hairmageddon without any major losses. We welcomed some new inquisitive faces, reunited with some much missed old ones, and are delighted at the thought of a baby snail on its way. Now, all we need is the weather to start cooperating and match the levity in our moods…

Sallie, the only person I noted who had said something negative about the Mineral 89 was you! I think you said it made you oily under make-up and was itchy. Sorry I sound a bit stalker-ish but was keeping notes on all positive and negative comments on products when I went through the threads

Like Mint and MrsD, I like the consistency of the Mineral 89 and it's easy to put on. Also agree with MrsD re the Vichy Vit C. It is very watery but then the previous vit C I used (Castalia 10%) was also watery but had bits in it and felt sticky once it was on my skin.
Hhhmmmm not noticed a strange smell MrsD. I'll have a good sniff tomorrow when I use it again!!

Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better today Bo. Hope you got to go for your walk! Sounds lovely

Sophie I am so sorry but I'm going to mess up your spreadsheet now as I've never used Vichy HA/mineral 89

It was the Vichy Vit c (liftactiv) I found sticky and yes it made me oily under makeup and itchy. I think that's why I'm swithering over the 89 as everyone else here seems to love the Vit c apart from me so I'm wondering if maybe my skin just doesn't like Vichy much. I must have read reviews on other sites where people said 89 was sticky/made them greasy etc and thought it was here. I definitely need to start spreadsheet too

Sophie definitely smells hammy to me. Rather envious of your notes. Wish I’d done the same.

Right I have taken the plunge and ordered the mineral 89 after all that, it was only £16.50 on vichy's own website with free p&p and three free samples. That's almost half the price of hylamide sub q or the pestle and mortar one so I've taken the plunge, just hope I like it now

Thank you Sallie! Have just corrected my notes Not surprises I got confused to be honest as all the old threads was a lot of info to get through.

I hope you like the Mineral 89 anyway.

MrsD - I've found all my notes useful but it does help if they are correct I smelt the vit C again. You're right it is a bit of a strange smell. Bit of citrus. Kind of medical too...

So I went back to my routine of mineral 89, then eucerin 5% face cream let that sink in while cleaning teeth then applying my avene anti ageing spf 50. Skin much happier with this.

Hi everyone, it’s taken me a while to read through the last thread and this to catch up

Looking forward to contributing more again.

I was at a fairly happy place with my skin then my compulsive buying of stuff led to an overly complicated and unnecessary routine.

I changed from the PC 2% liquid to the clear regular strength as I found the liquid left a film. I’ve also tried a couple of vit c serums which caused breakouts.
Then not sure what went wrong but started chopping and changing things and all hell broke loose. I’m back to a simplified routine but struggling not to keep swapping and changing as I’m waking with new breakouts every day 😩

MARCH EMPTIES, TRIALS, AND PLANNED PURCHASES*
I’ve purchased the Avene Tolerance emulsion but not arrived yesterday as still using a liz Earle moisturiser.

ROUTINE

AM
Cosrx Low ph good morning Cleanser - love this, on my third bottle
Vichy serozinc
Skinoren (20% Azelaic Acid) from boots acne clinic - 3 weeks in nearly and I believe I’m purging, at least I hope it is. Not had this many new breakouts for years
Hyasoft Serum
Spf

PM
Bioderma sensibio OR LRP physiological cleansing milk
LRP Toleriane Caring wash
Serozinc
BHA or PC 1% retinol
Liz Earle moisturiser

EMPTIES:
Not empties as such however, my compulsive buying and hoarding of products as reached an all time high. I’m reducing on a daily basis by binning/selling/gifting what I can as I think a stash is the worst thing for me to have.

PRODUCTS ON TRIAL:
Skinoren - I’m really hoping this will be the key to reducing breakouts and the marks left behind that make me really hate my skin

*PLANNED PURCHASES
Hopefully nothing much other than a moisturiser. I react to niacinamide, vitamin c and can’t bare pilling so avoid silicones. I’m also suspicious that Shea butter may cause spots too, this makes finding a suitable moisturiser very difficult.

SPECIAL MENTION:
Nothing springs to mind yet

In Tokyo right now and as Bo requested some shelf porn, and my hail today. Shop was Matsumoto Kiyoshi in Harajuku.

MARCH EMPTIES, TRIALS, AND PLANNED PURCHASES*

ROUTINE

• skin type normal to dehydrated. Age 48. Don't suffer from spots except very occasionally when using a new product. Have been prone to dermatitis but that is gone now, either with age or better-suited products.

AM
Cleanse - usually Dermalogica essential cleansing lotion
Tone - occasionally TO Glycolic 7% but not if I have recently used BR P50. Otherwise honey flower toner from Garnier or Vichy water spray.
Vitamin C - Drunk Elephant or Skin Actives
Serum - either Vichy mineral 89 or Pestle & Mortar HA - I alternate every few weeks
Day cream - varies but am really liking Belif True Creme Moisturising Balm and Avene Hydrance
SPF - usually Eucerin daily protection spf30. Have been trying a 45 (see below) and might use it in summer months
Eyes - Olay Ultimate eye cream

PM
1st cleanse - Dermalogica pre-cleanse balm
2nd cleanse - Cerave Hydrating cleanser or LRP hydrating cleanser
3x per week BR P50 or
3x per week Pestle & Mortar Superstar retinol
heavier cream such as Avene rich compensating/Dermalogica Skin Smoothing/Kiehls super multi corrective
night 7 I use a hydrating toner or a face mask
Eyes - either Verso serum on retinol nights or Kiehls midnight recovery

This is all working so so well for me. The only problem I see is it is almost boring lol. I am switching up/playing around with spf and night cream just to make it more interesting and prevent myself from straying too much from my routine.

EMPTIES:
DE c firma serum - love this and have repurchased (€€€€)
Garnier purple eye makeup remover - staple; I replace often
Bareminerals longevity serum - nice to try but not worth it
LRP Double repair cream - have already RP but will leave till summer
Avene micellar water - love the fragrance; will probably buy for holidays
Cerave skin renewing cream serum - I have used 2 tubes of this over the past 2/3 years, mostly on my neck as it is a gentler form of retinol. I like it but probably won't RP for now.
Clinique fresh pressed C - had one week sample of this. Felt gritty on day 1 but must have mixed better after that. Really nice on the face, not sticky BUT it has to be used up in the suggested 7 day time frame - I left it while I went away for the weekend and it had turned orange by the time I came back. I believe it is very expensive too as it is not considered for daily use.

PRODUCTS ON TRIAL:
Pestle & Mortar superstar oil - using for a month or so now, 3x per week. It is not as easy to apply as a cream and definitely stings a bit but I am enjoying using it and my skin looks good the next morning.
TO marula oil - I have started adding a drop to my night cream for extra hydration. Impressed so far and liking it more than the other TO oils for some reason, is it a drier consistency maybe?
Australian Gold Sheer Faces 45 - I bought this in Sephora in Spain at the weekend as I had run out of the small amount of SPF in my carry-on luggage. I had wanted to try the brand. I really like it - I paid too much after seeing online prices (€20) but if I like it enough to RP I can get a better price. It is fragranced (tropical?) but that fades quickly, as does the white cast. There is a tinted version too.
DE umbra tinted spf - just arrived in the post yesterday so I have not had a chance to try yet
DE Protini polypeptide cream - like a sheep sucker I also ordered this. Will use it in the AM when my current cream is finished.
Briogeo don't despair, repair shampoo and mask - have only used a couple of times so far and they definitely lack the instant foamy appeal but they leave my hair shiny :)
Skin Actives vitamin C - feels good, is colourless, easy to apply and has been serving me well while without my DE. I may continue to use it up before gong back to DE as I don't want to waste it. The antioxidant booster is very messy - it comes in a tube with a separate dropper. It is VERY orange and stains everything around it easily. Not sure it is doing enough to warrant the mess IMO.

PLANNED PURCHASES:
New arrivals include Australian Gold spf, DE protini and tinted spf and some US drugstore makeup that I can't get here (WnW mostly). I also RP'ed Vichy 89 for both myself and my mum as it was on special in Boots.
Planning on buying the large size Hand Chemistry Pro-Repair hand cream from Deciem later in the month. Other than that nothing in the works.

SPECIAL MENTION:
Hand Chemistry Pro Repair has been great for my hands. Really improved the crepe-y texture and age spots and has become a staple.

I have also re-discovered LRP Cicaplast for lips - have bought for my son, my mum and my aunt too, all of whom have been complaining of sore and dry lips.

Hello everyone! Just had my new SPF delivered so thought I'd upload a pic of the ingredients, info and the bottle. Currently I use Coola mineral spf 30 and have done for about 2 years but fancied a change and wanted a higher spf. The new one I bought is Heliocare 360 mineral fluid spf50. I've been wanting to try it for a long time but I'm always hesitant to drift away from what I use as I suffer from rosacea. First impressions, I like squeeze tube and narrow opening, this fluid is obviously runny but I don't feel like I'm going to squeeze too much out because of the narrow nozzle. My current spf is really thick so this is a massive change for me. It has a light smell, I'm not sure what of but maybe a little fruity? Perhaps Bo can pinpoint what ingredient could be causing the smell because I'm useless at this stuff.
Rubbing it into the back of my hand it feels light and silky and sinks straight in, after about 15 seconds it dries down completely leaving my hand feeling soft, like there's nothing on it but there's a slight glow so it doesn't look too matt. It doesn't look or feel greasy it just like healthy skin. I think it's going to be a lovely makeup base and I'm really hoping it'll suit my skin. I dont think its going to leave a white cast either but I'm Casper white so nothing looks too white on me.

The consistency

I’d be interested in seeing how you get on with the heliocare. I used the gel version last year (including a month working in Sri Lanka) and mostly liked it and found it worked well. It doesn’t sting my eyes like most do. I need to refrain from buying more sunscreen - currently have six in rotation atm. A wee bit OTT.

Thin I'd say the smell is coming from the ingredient 'parfum' I like the look of the consistency of it but I can't use anything fragranced and the second ingredient in it (cyclo something) is a no no for my skin

Ooh Japanese shelf porn 😍 this thread is moving up in the world. Looks great safety, is it the masks you got from Minon?

Must, as mint already said, it does Indeed contain fragrance. In addition to that limonene and linalool are present which are fragrant compounds.

MARCH EMPTIES, TRIALS, AND PLANNED PURCHASES*

ROUTINE A reminder- early 40s combination/oily skin but can be prone to dehydration in colder weather.

AM. Cosrx low ph good morning cleanser. I’ve been using this a while now and really like it. Smells of tea tree oil (which I don’t love but it’s ok). It’s just a great morning cleanser for me. I also wash my son’s face at night with it as he’s just starting to get the odd blemish, bless him. Followed by Vichy thermal water spray then TO 23% Vit c, which I’m finishing off. NIOD HA then LRP toleriane fluid which I love - it’s like water, it’s so light. SPF 50, either Biore brightening milk (love the finish of this on the skin) or Biore watery essence.

PM Bioderma micelllar to take off mascara then DHC cleansing oil washed off or BS camomile butter removed with Emma Hardy Cloth. Second cleanse of LRP hydrating cleanser. Vichy thermal water spray, blotted off with clean muslin. Either I moisturise straight away with LRP double repair moisturiser then wait about 30 mins and apply differin (retinoid) or I apply differin after cleansing then wait maybe 10-15 mins and apply moisturiser. I’m using differin 6 out of 7 nights on average. I might use PC BHA one night or just use a mask and apply oil after.

EMPTIES:

I finished off a Biore brightening SPF and had already repurchased.
Toleriane fluid moisturiser finished and straight onto another bottle. I have a stash of this so I always have one on standby.
NIOD mastic mud. I’ve just finished off this tube of face mask. I did quite like it but I don’t think it did anything spectacular so I won’t repurchase (same goes for all the NIOD/ TO products, with the exception of NIOD HA but I’ll probably just get a Vichy HA next.

PRODUCTS ON TRIAL:

Nothing on trial as such. My routine is fairly settled at the moment.
Makeup wise I suppose I’m trialling NARS tinted moisturiser but I’ve mentioned this quite a bit recently. It was to replace ELDW which I’ve been wearing for ever. I do think my skin is clearer with less SFs and I believe the ELDW and a primer were comedogenic. I’ve cut down a bit on powder usage but I can’t get rid of it altogether due to oiliness. That reminds me I’m trialling DHC blotting papers. They’re good, no powder on them, quite big, cute box .

PLANNED PURCHASES:

Not a planned purchase but a planned start to use a purchase. I’ve got P50W waiting to start. Seems like a good time now that other things settled. Any advice how to fit into routine above please?
Also planning on trying a bioderma SPF.

More curious finds in Loft at Shibuya. Didn't buy any but was intrigued so took some pics to do some research on:

Cotton balls - very pretty and couldn't figure out what they were for. Turns out they are pre-soaked cotton balls with skincare ingredients? Unfortunately they're are all scented so no point.

Tunemakers - this looks to have a similar concept to The Ordinary, where you buy single active ingredients relatively cheaply. Had a look at the reviews on cosme.net and seem good. The AHA toner was sold out, would have bought that to try.

Loved Loft, would have spent a lot longer there if the kids weren't overtired and hyper by that point.

MARCH EMPTIES, TRIALS, AND PLANNED PURCHASES

ROUTINE
I have to admit when I have a migraine it goes a bit by the wayside. I'm lucky if I can get to the loo by myself on the bad days, a quick face wash & rose water is as much as I can manage while sitting on the lid of the loo.

AM
If showering - LRP cream cleanser. If just washing at the sink, Sukin foaming facial cleanser. I always shower in tepid water.
Rose water on a cotton pad (as a toner) to remove any residue
LRP Serozinc
TO Buffet
Avene light hydrating cream
Biore SPF 50

PM
If showering - LRP cream cleanser. If just washing at the sink, Sukin foaming facial cleanser. I always shower in tepid water.
Rose water on a cotton pad (as a toner) to remove any residue
Paula's Choice BHA 2% - about to run out of this though. Half hour break.
BR P50W on a cotton pad with thermal water, patted on. Most nights. 10 min break.
LRP Serozinc
TO Buffet
Avene light hydrating cream.

Shower
I still have problem skin on my shoulders & back. Sometimes it's worse than others. This is why I shower in tepid water - following the rule of how to treat the face I thought the same should apply. I use Eucerin shower oil, then Hibiscrub. The Hibiscrub is the absolute last thing I use before turning off the shower. I don't use conditioner (extremely short hair). It is now much better than it used to be.

PRODUCTS ON TRIAL:

Not impressed with TO Buffet. I've only been using it 4 or 5 days. Already got numerous little spots & a couple of really big ones coming up. I was previously fairly clear, I was using Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic serum. Someone on here (Bo, Naboo?) Said that's quite silicone-y, & to be fair it does feel like it is, & it's not especially cheap. So I thought I'd try an alternative - now regretting it. Any suggestions what I should try instead? I don't deal well with benzalkonium chloride (hospital diagnosed allergy), wheatgerm oil, or niacinamide in anything above trace amounts. The rest of my routine has been the same for ages.

PLANNED PURCHASES:

Biologique Recherche P50 - I need to work out the best way of obtaining this - as I'm quite a way from London.

SPECIAL MENTION:

Someone, somewhere mentioned using LRP Cicaplast for severely chapped skin. I get horribly chapped, properly raw skin, around my nose sometimes when I have a cold (although less so now I have a proper skincare routine in place). But using the Cicaplast on it - bloody genius!

I've enjoyed reading all your routines and product comments. Thanks for posting! And the Japanese product photos/info are great.

I went to the dermatologist yesterday and now have an almost non-existent routine (for now) but will fill in Bo's form anyway. Happy to go into details of what was wrong and right with all the products I had (I took ALL my products to the doctor and they were all examined!!) and why I have this routine if people are interested but don't want to write a novel without reason

MARCH EMPTIES, TRIALS, AND PLANNED PURCHASES
Skin Type: Sensitive, reactive, acne, dehydrated, combination? (I'm a bit confused right now to be honest

ROUTINE

AM
Cleanse with LRP Toleriane (but dermatologist prefers I use FrezyDerm Mild Wash Liquid and gave me a sample). If use Toleriane, need to make sure it is thoroughly washed off with water.

Vichy Thermal Water
Eubos eye cream
FrezyDerm Velvet Touch SPF 30 before going outside

PM
LRP Toleriane or, preferred, FrezyDerm Mild Wash Liquid
Vichy Thermal Water
Eubos Eye cream

EMPTIES:

None!

PRODUCTS ON TRIAL:

Vichy Vitamin C - not sure if it was doing anything or not to be honest. Where I didn't have spots my skin was looking great though. Dermatologist suggested I use it on my hands before it expires as she won't allow me to use vitamin C on my face at the moment.

PLANNED PURCHASES:

Right now, nothing.

SPECIAL MENTION:

Same, nothing right now. I do like Vichy Mineral 89 though.

Sophie I’d love to hear what the derm said

Ooh Japanese shelf porn!!!! Fascinating....I would be in free fall overload in seconds....I also wouldn’t be able to leave the shop....at all....
Interesting sophie that the derm has pared your routine right back. Is this for a while to get your skin back to level or for more long-term use?
Be back later to do my March empties etc

Loving the Japanese porn safety keep them coming

Sophie yes be interesting to hear what your Derm said, I don't care how long of an essay it is we dont mind

I am using nothing new since last month but I did pop into Space NK today and bought myself the Nars tinted moisturiser in Alaska which has more coverage than Laura Mercier.

I tried out the Oskia renaissance cleansing gel which is an unusual texture, oily but not. Couldn't decide if I loved it enough there and then so might purchase once I've run out completely of EH balm and TTDO.

The Tata Harper cleansing oil was bright green and very perfumed, I absolutely hated the smell.

The Crème de la Mer, I couldnt resist trying it out, wow it is just so smooth and luscious, a very soft gel. I tried it on my hand and it went instantly soft and smooth. A little seems to go a very long way, however obvs very £££££ but I would love to purchase to try out properly one day when the wrinkles start to really take hold.

They have a small range of spf none of which took my fancy all too white thick and gloopy, shame they don't stock the Biore essence spf.

This morning I did use my teeny tiny tester sachet of Chanel Les Beiges, and oh my it felt so gorgeous and silky to apply, so I might purchase a full bottle of that as well in a 20, although I did like the look of the Nars all day luminous weightless so will look into both of those. I'll see which has the best inci list and if I even need it after Nars tinted moisturiser.

Ahem, I do hope you mean more Japanese shelf porn, Tant. Speaking for myself, I'd rather not see anything tentacle-like popping up anywhere on here

Skin actives/Active formulas make a version of the La Mer cream, they also sell just the seaweed broth thingy which is like a gel you can just slap on like a hydrating layer. It's a bit like the ANR though, makes some people break out like nothing else.

Curious to know what the Derm said too, Sophie.

Ooops 😂😂 BO yes Japanese shelf Porn

Oh yes BO they do don't they I totally forgot about that.

I knew there was a reason I wanted to try out the Mer in the first place after seeing their broth stuff on their website a while back.

I'm going to give it a go.

Ooooh loving that shelf porn, the makeup looks so pretty, and I thought the cotton wool things were cakes at first - skincare, makeup and cakes in one shop is my idea of heaven

Sophie yes I would definitely like to know what the derm said too, though suspect it might be along the lines of you were overloading your skin/trying too many new and different products and needed to go back to basics - but please let us know. I'm curious about the spf 30 recommendation, as you are in a hot sunny country aren't you? And most importantly will you still be keeping your spreadsheet

Ok I've ordered it, they have a small Easter discount going on.

I'll probably mix it in with LRP toleraine, and if I do have a reaction I can use it in my hair or to shave with it says, very versatile it would seem.