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

[botemp]

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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…

I take 20mg or whatever it's called and I take it around 7-7.30 then I go up around 9-9.30. It definitely helps me sleep but if I have a disturbed sleep for any reason (if my son unwell etc) then I'll feel really rough the next day. If I don't take amitriptyline I'm awake on and off literally all night! I hate that I'm dependent on it but it's just the way it is.

Is there a consensus on Image Skincare? I have used a few of their items, mostly from the Vitamin C range, that I like. Their Vitamin C cleanser is gorgeous.

I was given a trial tube of The Max cream the other day and I decided to use it alone at night. I am on night 3 now and it is simply divine. I am not sure if my skin is just relieved to be let off the hook from retinol, P50 etc or whether it actually is the cream doing my skin favours.

Either way the cheapest I can get it for is around €70 so it will be a while before that happens...might have to beg another few sample tubes first!

@Pupsiecola it is you who uses pureology isn't it?? I've been using their strength cure shampoo and conditioner and can't decide whether to repurchase this one or go for one of the others, have you tried more than one of their ranges? If so how do they compare to each other?

Ok so I've been to the gp today and she has put me on beta blockers for my migraines (can feel one coming on now!) and I asked about cream for my breakouts and she recommended fucidin H so have got some of that to try.

Hi Mint, hope the migraines improve with the new medicine.
Doesn't Fucidin H contain cortisone?

Thanks Sophie. Yes it does, didn't realise until I looked at it properly! No idea why she has given it to me for spots but she seemed confident that it would help 🤔

Where is everyone? 🤔

Is it possible to be sensitive to hyaluronic acid?? I'm wondering if it's this (mineral 89) that's making my skin go crazy lately?! It's shiny but dry/dehydrated on the surface, my pores more visible, texture more visible and lots of little bumps and spots

funny you say that mint because I think I'm sensitive to HA as well as everything I use with HA seems to bring me out with little red bumps on my cheeks.

My skin doesn't seem to like the "better" forms of HA like Hado Labo Premium. Just pondering whether the fact that the smaller molecules, which are supposed to get down further into your skin, were the cause of the irritation.

Anyway, changed to an HA Free hydrating Toner (Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner) and all is good.

Tant odd isn't it! I might leave the mineral 89 out of my routine and see what happens. All I know is, my skin isn't happy at the mo! What's your routine tant?

Hello all... just wanted to pop on and say hi - I was laid low with an awful flu-like virus over the Easter hols, as was DH and DD and now my poor dad has it, thanks to DD... Can't remember the last time I was that ill but back to relative normality now...

I'm probably too late for posting my empties etc and will do so next month but wanted to say I've RP my beloved Ceramidin cream again and this time also got the liquid as an additional layer of juiciness between my HA and the cream.

My skin's looking pretty good and I have a sneaking suspicion it might be due in part to the lack of Prosecco consumption during my illness, ahem

Sorry to hear you're not doing well Bo

The BR P50 arrived, yay! I ordered it from this site. Have to set up an account & fill in a questionnaire before it will let you order - suspect it's a marketing ploy so they can recommend more of the BR products. Delivery was quick & really well packaged but the cheapest delivery option was £6. Not entirely sure how the prices compare to buying in shops, but it's a lot easier than making a special trip on the train from the frozen wastes of the North...

Hi Tsmummy08! Everyone seems to be poorly at the moment! Glad you're on the mend anyway.

Hi ladies, I hope it’s ok to jump in here as I’m looking for some advice on scarring. I’m 46, had flawless skin until I was 20 then developed horrendous acne which destroyed my skin over a 5 year period. I’ve been left with pits, rolling and boxcar scars across my cheeks and chin. Oddly, my nose and forehead escaped.

I’ve attended a dermatologist for years and had a series of fraxel laser treatments coupled with retin A and the scarring has definitely improved. Now I’m wondering if it’s worth trying micro needling - have any of you any experience and how beneficial is it for scars like mine? Apologies if you have covered this already.

mint My tried and test routine at the moment is
Am
Bioderma Micellar water (pink lid) or Murad anti blemish face wash
LRP thermal water spray
NIOD CAIS
LRP Toleraine Fluide non oily
Nars TM which has spf 30

PM
TTDO or EH Balm if wearing make up first cleanse.
Bioderma Micellar (when I'm tired or lazy as 1st and second cleanse))
Murad anti blemish (second cleanse after removing make up or first if not wearing make up)
LRP Thermal water
NIOD CAIS then Neostrata retinol or TO retinoid 2% granactive
or Sea Kelp Coral
or PC 2% BHA followed by CAIS half an hour later and maybe retinol
followed by LRP toleraine fluide non oily
(have removed all HA products from routine as from yesterday which included NIOD MMHC, Sheet masks, Rodial dragons blood Hyaluronic Tonic spray the latter being the main culprit I think)

allthewhite I think microneedling is meant to be excellent for your needs so yes try it at a nice, clean and sterile recommended place that does it.
I bought a micro needle roller 0.2 online but I haven't been brave enough to use it yet however if you have it done professionally it is really easy to carry on doing yourself at home once you know it works for you. You just have to clean the roller after with soap and water and an antibacterial solution and let it air dry.
Watch Nadine Baggots video online of her doing it as a guide.

Hi everyone I've been travelling for work this week so not had much time to catch up.

I hope the new meds help your migraines Mint has anyone ever mentioned Botox as a treatment for migraines? I know a few people in the US who have Botox injections (done by a neurologist and a different potency than the wrinkle treatment I believe) and say it really helps but I have no idea if it's offered or approved by the NHS.

Glad you're feeling better TSmummy what a horrid Easter holiday for you all

Hi All I have no advice on microneedling having only read about it here in this thread but sounds like it's worth exploring with a reputable/recommended practitioner.

I've broken my spending ban again and stocked up on some hand chemistry stuff

The DHC mascara has arrived, I really like it as it's not too dramatic (just defines and gives a little bit of length) and has a nice small brush. It's also solved the raccoon eyes issue so am very pleased all round. I'd like to find one that's slightly more noticeable for nights out, though wondering if I might be better off with some subtle false lashes but I've never used them and no idea how to!

Allthewhite, for you I don't think microneedling would be worth pursuing in an at home setting when scars are essentially already long settled. The only use of microneedling in an at home setting potentially has is speeding up the healing process, it doesn't encourage healing it otherwise wouldn't do on its own. Possibly of benefit to you in a clinical setting but it would be as a combination treatment to help penetrate active ingredients in a controlled environment, eg. a RetinA peel or similar. But considering you've already tackled it with RetinA use and Fraxel lasers I wouldn't consider microneedling to outperform the big guns.

What you can look into is the newer generation lasers with a dermatologist that specialises in it and has several machines to tackle different concerns, and/or look into fillers. There are special ones that essentially lift the skin underneath so it all sits flat. I'm not sure how long it lasts (my guess would be anything from a year upwards), and I'd expect it would be expensive on the basis of the time involved but the results are encouraging.

Oh and thanks for the flowers everyone Sorry I can't respond to everything.

Posting before you slip off my list. Poorly family member is seriously ill now, we spoke too soon, so haven't been thinking or doing much else. Just doing the waiting thing that you do when there's tests and things. Y'know.

Anyway my thread relevant point is, in the past when I've felt stressed/anxious, I've found it helps if I take care of my skin and hair, so the outside is looking looked after and together, even though it takes an extra push to do it. With that in mind I've ordered some Elemis bodycare stuff as I'll appreciate the 'luxury treat' feeling of them too. Just thinking out loud really.

The Essie summer polishes look very nice if anyone is after a summer nail colour. The fuchsia one caught my eye.

More Bo I hope you start to feel better soon.

And for you too Enid I'm sorry to hear about your family member. I know what you mean about self care making you feel that bit better during hard and stressful times, I find I have to really, really have to force myself to do it but it definitely helps mentally when I do make the effort. I hope you enjoy your Elemis treats

Sallie Thank you, I'm forcing myself to do it (and to eat properly!) and it definitely helps. They send the Elemis things in a nice gift box too, I like good packaging.

On a shallow note, my hair and skin is feeling very smooth and soft after a little pampering session earlier. Really do recommend Redken heatcure masks.

Ladies, thank you for the replies. Botemp you are confirming what I suspected that microneedling is unlikely to be a miracle solution. Thanks for the advice on the newer lasers, I wasn’t even aware of these. Back to the drawing board!

Enid I always feel better having done my roots and I am currently admiring my newly painted toe nails in my bright spring / summer colour of Chiltern Park - an orange/pink/red colour. It's M&S one coat.
I hope your poorly family member gets better

Tsmummy that sounds rotten

Ok so I've changed my mind completely and am continuing to use my mineral 89 as I feel my skin needs that 'something' extra due to the impaired barrier and extreme dehydration in my skin, plus I've used up almost a whole bottle and haven't had any issues up until now which makes me think it surely can't be that?! I'm even thinking I might use it in the pm aswell as am as I'm waking up with oily skin and visible pores and not happy with the textural appearance!