🐌 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…

cad I have rosacea too and I didn't like the DHC oil. Cleaners I am using/have used:-

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm - loved using this, but couldn't justify the price after the second pot. Also since using the TTDO I do feel, on reflection, it was probably too rich for me.

Clinique TTDO - I note it gives you spots. I don't have this issue and am on my 3rd tub.

LRP Toleriance - no problems with this. I've used about 4 bottles, but currently having a break from it.

Cosrx Low pH Morning Cleanser. I absolutely love this. I've not been using it for the last couple of months. In fact I've been going cleanser free in the mornings. But I used it again this morning. It smells so fresh and zingy (I'm a sucker for zingy) and I use it mornings only.

Avene Extremely Gentle Cleansing Lotion. I'm trialling this instead of hte LRP. I've not used either of them much, as as well as not cleansing in the mornings I've also switched from double back to single cleansing in the evenings. So I use the TTDO unless I've not got make up on/been in the house all day.

I've just realised that I've been FORGETTING to use the Vichy water .

*double cleansing. Not double back cleansing. I defo don't do that!

Bo No the Ceramidin cream has always worked really well under makeup and with my Biore SPF. The Bioderma Hydrabio, Cicabio SPF and Bioderma Photoderm all pilled quite badly for me when putting anything on top and the Cicabio SPF even pilled on application.

Mint I'll have a look at the Avene SPF next time I'm in Boots, cheers :)

Enid, feel free to bring cake over anytime... He loves a cuddle!

I've just been reading all about purging v. breakout reaction to product. I hope I'm having the former with the vit C. Will persevere. As always, thanks Bo.

Both versions of the Velvet Touch have glass beads in the ingredients list so you're not "safe" even if you go for the no-colour version I was actually hoping to get some samples to send you Bo. As I mentioned, I recall finding the tinted version too dark for my skin tone.

I've only got one bottle of my Avene SPF left so might make the Velvet Touch my next sun screen. Do you think it's a good choice for my type of skin Bo based on the ingredients list?

Love him TS, I'd be there in a shot if I could. Getting very tempted lately to get another dog. Maybe in a few more months.

Thank you for all your responses about the cleansers you use!

Yongnian- I've tried the lrp dermo cleanser I wasn't that keen but can't remember why! I've heard good things about rice bran oil so that's gone on my list of things to try.

Botemp I actually bought the simple oil today so will be trying it shortly.

Pupsie I actually used to use the cosrx low ph one but I'd forgotten about that will have to get it again! I find the more I cleanse the worse my rosacea gets so I might try just a single cleanse in the evening and maybe not bother in the morning. I have sorted a serum, moisturiser and spf (all thanks to this thread) but still need to get the cleanser sorted!

I don't post very often but I am always here reading so thank you everyone for all your help! These threads have been so informative and extremely helpful.

What other products are you using cad, out of interest?

I usually use the Superdrug serum and toleriane fluide. I also like the ordinary vitamin c (the gritty one!) and have had success with snail essence before, the mizon one. I have tried a lot of cleansers but always revert back to the simple gel wash. Considering a cleanser is on my face for so little time it seems to be causing me the most problems!! Out of interest has anyone else used the simple one? In terms of the ingredients does it look Ok?

Aqua, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene glycol, Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pantolactone, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate

I use either bioderma photoderm physical spf or bare minerals prep step. I don't use an acid at the moment, any recommendations for one I should try once I've got my cleanser sorted?

Thanks again I really appreciate your help.

mintmagnummm I'm happy to report I'm getting on very well with the Indeed HA. My skin has been a little dehydrated from the cold weather and central heating and this is helping nicely.
I'm excited to restart their vitamin C, will finish the useless no7 one tomorrow and then on to that.
I've a fair bit of TO retinol left before I restart indeed retinol reface. CH rates this highly actually and says it's next in line to prescription retinol. I was initially annoyed at myself for swapping to TO retinol but forgot it had been out of stock so I'd no choice.

I'm also really liking the CeraVe, my skin feels so soft after it. It's really such good value too, over 200ml for less than €12.
Does anyone subscribed to a monthly beauty box? I've recently cancelled my Look fantastic sub after a year and I'm starting to miss my surprise boxes but at the same time I've products in place I'm happy with so should I even consider mixing in other things🤔

That's great lone

Any opinions on this? Someone recommended it today and I'm quite interested in a gentle Vit C. I did try the TO Ascorbyl Tetra in Vit F but felt it irritated my skin a bit.

Grrr, didn't upload the photo, here's a link

Botemp - if you could do that it would be great, thanks. Isn't it silly that it's so difficult to get hold of it. I'll PM you.

Bagel I use the FaceTheory C serum - I can’t use L-AA (rosacea issues) and wanted a MAP product but couldn’t find one with a nice formulation. The FaceTheory is SAP and very gentle, I can even use it over active rosacea.
The flip side to that is you won’t see any real exfoliating effect, I’ve found it has some brightening effect over time but nothing like a “proper” L-AA serum would give you. I wouldn’t bet money on it being a great anti-ager but the science is still out on that one. The one thing SAP does seem great for is spots; there are some promising studies suggesting it is an effective acnecide.

It certainly worked for me in that regard, it’s nice to use (not sticky or gritty) and it isn’t horribly pricey so maybe worth a punt for you?

(Sorry to gatecrash... I’m more of a lurker than a poster)

Renarde That's really what I want, just a general brightening. My skin is pretty sensitive and it's the best it's ever been atm so I don't want anything to strong.
I'm very risk averse (and not very good at using sunscreen every day) so don't really want to use acids or strong exfoliants.

Thank you very much 😬

I'm armed with my LRP Cicaplast which arrived today and have gone in with the Neostrata Retinol, so this time any dry flakiness will be zapped.

I have nose flakiness and a couple of cheek spots. How dare they. I'm very sure they're both due to my sugar binge this past week. Wheat equals chin spots. Hormones are cystic spots along jaw. Anything on my cheeks is sugar related. They annoy me so much less now I've worked out the triggers for them. only took 25 years And I think these ones were worth it. I've really enjoyed all the food.

^those are just my triggers for spots, not saying that's the cause of anyone else's.

Hope everyone's getting on alright this week. It's been a tough ol couple of days. Feeling grateful for the lighter evenings though. 🌱

I am happy to report that I finally see the love for LRP cicaplast. I had chucked the end of my tube in the ‘occasional’ use drawer in disgust and was scrabbling about for the LRP effaclar, also in there, to deal with a horrific spot that had appeared under my nose, the skin there of which is red raw and dry like sandpaper due to blowing my nose so much I have used my own body weight in tissues. I have been using all sorts that would normally help with it, nothing really working. Horribly sore too. Slathered on some cicaplast and....instant relief....and it actually seems to be providing some active healing on the area. Which is nice.
In other news....about to rp the full size of lush big shampoo as it has been doing wonders for my hair. And will force myself to push the button on the full size whamisa toner at some point....

Enid sorry you've had a tough couple of days

Yong I've been really enjoying Syoss Olio 21 shampoo and conditioner and have for some reason also purchased Mane and Tail Shampoo and Conditioner.

Cad I used the simple cleanser for years before realising it was destroying my face, I stopped using it after CH condemned foaming facewash. I now use Murad anti blemish facewash which seems to last forever as its very concentrated. Paulas Choice skin perfecting BHA 2% is a good acid you can buy a trial size

No flakiness yet 🤞

Cad I mean Simple facewash

After spending the past month reading through all the previous threads and info sheets I am just jumping on now to say – hello! I have found everything here very interesting and have been making plenty of notes, although totally regret not doing that in an organised fashion as I am now left with random scribbles that I am not sure I will be able to follow properly in the future cant read my own handwriting
As an intro, I’m early 30s and have suffered from acne for as long as I can remember. 2 years ago I made great strides after going to GP and skin, whilst not great, was the best I have known it and was happy to work with that! This was from a couple months of antibiotics to get me started (after which I requested to be taken off as didn’t want to be on them long term), finding a helpful contraceptive pill, duac cream in AM and epiduo in PM. However, am now ttc so in prep for that came off the pill (obviously) towards the end of last year and stopped using epiduo at end of the year. I am now just left with duac and my skin has gone to shit so I am trying to find a ttc compatible routine. When I first started this thread I stripped everything back so I am using:
AM: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating cleanser (purchased in the US). I have been using this since Dec 2016
LRP Toleraine Fluid – purchased off the back of these threads, was using LRP Toleraine Ultra and Effaclar H before
PM: Clinque TTDO, when wearing makeup. I have been using this for several years.
Neutrogena (as above)
Duac cream and then if time allows before going sleep (I like to wait 30 half hour for duac to sink in) then the LRP Fluid
I started this routine a month ago and initially saw some improvement. I then added in sunscreen, Anthelios Ultra Light and have now had a horrible break out so stopped using. Finding a sunscreen that doesn’t break me out is currently a priority. In the meantime, I am relying on spf in other things – I know not a long term solution.
I also have some products which I either already had or have purchased recently but not started yet and I am not sure which I should keep to try and which I should pass on:
LRP Serozinc
Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion – the old, alcohol free formula, unopened.
Clinique Moisture Surge Superconcentrate
Vichy Aqualia Thermal serum
Smashbox photo finish primer oil
Some of these were brought with dehydration in mind, or the ‘dryness’ on individual spots caused by medicated creams. I wanted to first find a sunscreen that worked but ideally I need my current breakout to die down so I can assess any new sunscreen properly so maybe I should introduce something like the serozinc or the clarifying lotion for the salicylic acid? I think I have read some mixed opinions on serozinc on here?
Really sorry about how long this has turned out to be. It is really weird to be posting here after reading on my commute almost every day for a month...

Hi ZoClueless and welcome , I just read through your post. This thread has been amazingly helpful for me and I'm sure the experienced ladies will be able to give you some great advice.

I also wanted to say I sympathise with the spots. I don't think mine are as bad as yours but it's very frustrating. As soon as a little crop of them starts to go, a new lot pop up and I'm not sure what causes them (have figured out some MOs and stopped using all products with those in) but also had a new lot (almost under control) since starting the vitamin C. Bit depressing as I used to have lovely skin (and it still is where I don't have spots but they stand out a mile on my white skin).

Anyway sorry I digressed (any excuse for a moan about my spots). Sounds like your spots might be hormonal. I don't know the medical products you mention but have you considered any homeopathic treatments? Agnus Castus really helped me a few years ago when my cycle was all over the place (for example). Completely sorted it out.

Good luck with the TTC

Bo - I tried samples of the Velvet Touch on my hand yesterday. The no colour one is gel-like and transparent so couldn't see it at all (my current Avene one makes me white). Even the colour one seemed to melt right in. Both felt v soft (velvet-like even ). Still waiting for proper samples to try at home on my face. If you think the ingredients sound ok for me then I might buy the no colour one.