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

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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…

Ooh what makeup did you get Miffy? And is your cousin's new grandchild a boy? They might pick the same name. 😯

Hope you've polished off your cake JD 🎂

What is the Neostrata product please Tant? 👃🏻

Happy birthday JDSTER! Wishing you many happy returns of the day with fabulous skin! Congrats on all your good news too Miffy

Happy to see you're posting again Bo and that you're on the mend.

Thank you to everyone for getting back to me about the Bioderma. Yes, Bo, I mean the micellar water. I thought there was a separate eye make-up remover so sorry for the confusion. Been using a L'Oreal one for years (a lady at a counter who had really heavy eye make-up recommended it so I thought if it gets all that lot off then surely it will be good for me . They do like piling it on here. Don't even get me started on their blusher!!!). Anyway I'm not sure if it's troubling my eyes so decided a change might be good. I double-checked with the dermatologist and she is happy with the Bioderma micellar water. I think I used the Lancome one years ago Tantric but can't remember much about it!

Oh yes Bo, completely agree with your comments about the Frezyderm SPF! When I had only small sample sachets I was struggling with how much to use and thought it was because it was coming out of a sachet rather than a bottle IYSWIM. I'm ok with the amount now. Texture is completely different to my Avene cream one but I like that it doesn't turn my face white.

FYI: I know there's been lots of comments on here about retinol being available without prescription in Spain, well I found out that you can also buy it here. Don't think it starts with the lowest concentration though. Don't know why I'm not thinking of buying any without dermatologist's advice so no shouty caps for me please!!

Sophie, I'm still not sure how much to use tbh. I use 7 pumps and can't make up my mind whether it's too little or too much

I am really pleased with its transepidermal water loss limiting properties. I worried that it wouldn't be able to stand in place of a moisturiser as it's so lightweight but it's doing a brilliant job at it.

Well if you're finally able to explain something about OTC tret I'd be grateful, Sophie as the Spain apologists advocates always claim it's legal (ignoring the trafficking bit). I accept that within Spain it's legal, however, EU law has very specific rules with regards to tret concentrations, so I'd really like to know what the legal loophole is that 'allows' it.

Hi Bo, seven pumps sounds a lot but I don't count my pumps. I also reapply throughout the day (before I go out again each time). Will count next time and let you know!

I'm afraid I have no idea re your legal question (despite being a (non-practising at the moment) lawyer ). Will see if I can find out. Almost all medicine here can be bought at a pharmacy without prescription: most antibiotics (there's only some very strong ones I once took that needed a prescription), cortisone, etc etc. You name it! Plus I'm not sure that Greece (being Greece) always complies as it should with EU regulations.

The lowest tret concentration here is 0.05% in a cream called Airol. There is no 0.01%.

Bo, was thinking: I think it really depends on what EU law it is: a directive, regulation.... and whether (if required) they have been implemented or not by the country in question, deadline for implementation, fines for non-implementation etc. So although it might be an EU law, it might not actually be part of Greek (or Spanish) law (yet).

enid my lovely it is Neostrata skin active retinol and NAG complex.

Oh that's great news Tantric. Pleased it went to a good home.

Didn't buy anything in Rome, no. It was good, but we were there too long really - 6 days with 15 and 13 yo teenage boys. 3 to 4 days would have been better. Plus it rained solidly for 2 days which made walking around tricky. We had an apartment thankfully so space to chill out.

Skincare wise, I've almost used up my EL ANR and won't repurchase (perhaps next winter). I've almost finished by LRP Redermic and don't kjnow whether to RP or try something else, but I'd need something quite mild.

I've almost used up my Darphin Intral serum but won't RP that either atm. So I'm feeling a bit bereft in the skincare department lol.

I shall eagerly await this month's empties.

Has anyone tried the new Clinique Moisture Surge hydrator? Sali Hughes was raving about it.

Enid I bought an Hourglass ambient powder in Diffused Light. I love these powders as they are extremely finely milled and don't look cakey. They add a glow without being shiny. I already have one in Dim Light but is is almost bronzer deep for me so I actually wear it to warm my face when needed. Diffused light is said to be good for calming redness and it is a lot paler. (If you ever want a real treat for your face, I recommend these powders. They are not setting powders but rather, 'finishing', and they work a treat!)

Then I went all out and got the Nars TM in Groenland without even trying it at a counter - I have used Nars foundations before so I reckon I will get on fine with it. If it is too pale it will be grand for my DD.

Also I got Nars creamy concealer in Vanilla (I have been colour matched for this one lol) and their cheek palette in Wanted (the lighter one). Excited about this as I have not bought a new blush in ages. The last one was a repeat buy too, MAC Melba, so it will be nice to have new things to play with!

Thank you Tant

Miffy That all sounds lovely! Especially love a new blusher. The diffused powder sounds exactly what I'm looking for too. Enjoy your new things. 💗

Another NARS TM in groenland purchase

Enid you mentioned the RCMA powder you sent me caused you to be shiny- I think that’s been a problem for me too. I swapped it out for the innisfree no sebum mineral powder the last two days and my skin has definitely been less shiny.

JD It kind of clogged together in patches and never helped with shininess so after a couple of hours it just looked a mess. Very odd. Perhaps it works better on drier skin?

I thought the RCMA powder was great when I first tried it but it started to make me oily/shiny after a couple of weeks use, and my foundation started clumping. I think it's pore clogging/blocking so makes us prone to oiliness types produce even more oil. I chucked mine.

I used the Biore brightening spf today and it clung to every single bit of dry skin and made me look terribly scaly, even before I used foundation, I had to wash it off. I was really shocked as I was fine with it last summer so must be the differin. Not started tret yet, I'm away with work now until the weekend so keeping my routine simple - I'm flying with hand luggage only so no choice, the liquids on planes restrictions drive me mad.

I like the sound of the hourglass powders and might check them out. My no non-essential spending is not going very well at the moment

Interesting you think the same sallie about the powder. Biore brightening spf still great for me. Any initial dryness I had with the differin has gone.

I thought my differin dryness had gone too JDSTER and I'm fine with the bioderma nude touch spf which was very unforgiving on dry patches during winter, I was really shocked by the Biore & I loved it last summer too

Miffy that hourglass powder is on my list of future purchases! I have been fancying one for a long time, my birthday is coming up so think I might have to put a request in!

I have the Hourglass powder in Dim Light too and agree about how light it feels. It was pricey (for what I normally pay for a powder anyway) but does look like it'll last an absolute age. Actually haven't used it in ages - might have get it out again soon!

miffy enid I love my hourglass ambient lighting powder I use it all the time, it just makes you looked polished somehow. Olli uses it too I think.

I use my dermablend loose powder as well, the hourglass is my finishing powder.

What's the difference between a setting powder and a finishing powder? 😕

Not sure mint but I use my dermablend as a regular powder to stop my foundation from moving and to stop any oiliness.

I use the hourglass over everything else to impart a glow from within

Yeah it is a bit of a luxury item alright, the 'finishing powder', but I love it.

I don't really set my makeup, except a little on my forehead and over my under-eye concealer. The hourglass powders just add a little extra something. Like I said, a non-shiny glow. Hard to explain but if you are near a counter definitely get someone to apply one just to see.

I can't decide which 'colour' hourglass powder to get. I'm very very pale white with cool undertones. Wondering if I should just be patient and wait until O can get to a counter. Might be a few weeks but it's quite spendy as powder goes so want to get it right.

I was planning to use it just on cheeks as an extra glow, rather than all over.

I think I’d advise waiting. Ethereal light sounds like it could suit you. However I have heard that some of the paler powders are a bit shimmery, so it’s best to see them IRL.