🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Heatwave, schmeatwave, we've got our trusty SPF50 and are donning wide brimmed hats

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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?

NEW SERIES:

So You Want To Buy A Retinoid - A Guide

JULY 2018: Sorry, terrible title, I haven't been keeping up but I assume Dr.Sam’s new cleanser will have some fans on here.

Thanks everyone. I will start with a good hand cream, what does everyone rate? I've also got a retinoid for my face, could I use that on my hands too?

Cake I'm using a hand chemistry one but I won't recommend or be repurchasing as I am no longer willing to buy products from Deciem (parent company) due to the appalling carry on of their CEO.

I posted here looking for a replacement, and was recommended Eucerin 5% urea. I'm also thinking I might try the ameliorate one I linked on the previous page or an alpha h one that contains actives. I'm not sure about retinol on hands to be honest, I think you'd have to be scrupulous about re-applying spf every time you washed them and I know I wouldn't remember to do that, you might have a better memory than me though

I forgot to say that my medik8 Vit c has arrived. I've just tested it, will be using in the morning on-going but wanted to do a night time trial run to make sure it wasn't too smelly or greasy as otherwise it would annoy me all day. It does have a bit of an orangey smell but not bad or too strong and it disappears quite quickly, I can't smell it now. It was quite oily going on but sank in really well and my face doesn't feel at all greasy now so think it will be fine under makeup. Fingers crossed it doesn't make me itchy with continued use but so far so good!

Sorry Cake my link to the ameliorate hand cream is just above your post, not sure why I thought we'd moved onto a new page

@SallieSallow Whatever you use on your face can be used on your body, hands included. The only issue with that is the cost. Face products are in smaller packages so will run out faster. Body products are usually packaged in more generous packaging so are more economical in the long run.
Some examples:
Body lotion is retinol, meant for sun exposed areas with signs of aging ( like decolletage) but it's amazing for the entire body, and I also used it on my face occasionally, with no issues.
www.lookfantastic.com/paula-s-choice-resist-retinol-skin-smoothing-body-treatment-with-antioxidants-118ml/11174199.html

Body lotion with 10% AHA meant for uneven skin/sun spots.
www.lookfantastic.com/paula-s-choice-resist-skin-revealing-body-lotion-with-10-aha-210ml/11174200.html

Body lotion with 2% BHA for bumpiness and breakouts.
www.lookfantastic.com/paula-s-choice-resist-weightless-body-treatment-with-2-bha-210ml/11174198.html

Hand cream with SPF:
www.lookfantastic.com/neutrogena-norwegian-formula-visibly-renew-hand-cream-spf20-75ml/11433770.html

These are products that I use and like, but I'm sure there are similar products from other brands that work as well.

Sorry Sally, the post above was for Cakecrumbs. :)

Babypigeon I found the thread useful too I have got some body moisturisers with AHA/BHA and a Eucerin 10% urea so I should just start using them on my hands.

Sallie I have the eucerin lotion with 10% urea as well but I don't like the sticky feeling it leaves, so I did not recommend it. It does help the skin but I wish it was less sticky. Eucerin used to have a 5% urea lotion, I wonder if they discontinued it, that one was more comfortable to use.

I've just applied Differin cream for the first time, it feels really nice actually.

I was kind of expecting my skin to instantly peel off and go up in flames so I'm relieved it hasn't

Not entirely sure what to apply over the top?

Differin update - I woke up with nice skin that wasn't red or had reacted in any way so I'm very happy so far. I used my Origins gingzeng gel moisturiser which I truly love and is my absolute favourite at the moment esp as I know they use great ingredients so I feel like I'm treating my skin, plus I get no adverse reactions from it which helps

Thank you Sallie I did miss it. Will check that one out later.

Olli Gorgeous pics thank you. Love the way they've labelled them. They look very pigmented too. Really nice.

Thank you babypigeon will look into those products you use :)

Olli what a result getting hold of those gorgeous Beautybay pallettes.

Used one today on my eyes and I really like them

Tant

That was for your first post about your skin going up in flames!

Sophie give it time and it probably will by the end of the month, lets hope not though

Tant only a bit of dryness when I used differin, and that was in winter. Using a moisturiser with niacinamide helps barrier function I believe when using retinoids and that’s what I use

Yes I was ok with differin too, I did get some flaking and peeling but as soon as I stopped using a salicylic acid/BHA that went away. I was only using the BHA once or twice a week and not on the same nights as differin but the combination just wasn't a good one for me.

I'm not sure whether to go back to differin or tret or try something else retinol wise. Not adding anything right now though as want to see how I get on with medik8 Vit c. Really like it so far but it's early days.

Enid I'm wondering about just following Babypigeon's suggestion of using up some of my BHA/AHA body lotions on my hands. Mind you I've still got plenty of HC to get through yet.

Hi all, me again! So, as I said before, I am following the acne helpsheet for me skincare but wondering if there is anything extra I can add in to reduce the size of my pores? This might be a really stupid question but can pores reduce over time or is it a case of treating them every day in the morning to try and make them look smaller for that day?
Thanks again for all the wonderful help and guidance, it is really invaluable!

Cake This articol talks exactly about that: (You will get a window prompting you to select your local website, close it from the X at the upper right corner to stay on the American site and see the article.)
www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/acne-and-breakouts/how-to-minimize-enlarged-pores-and-blackheads.html

Been meaning to post for ages, I got some great advice here a few weeks ago including from BabyPigeon I think, particularly about being very very gentle with my skin. Cake it's prob v relevant for you too, and that Paula's choice article emphasizes it too - no harsh soaps or scrubs, v v gentle cleansing to reduce pores.

I've seen a really noticeable reduction in pore size, redness and inflammation without using many more products, just cleansing with super gentle cleanser and rinsing off with warm, not hot, water. Also been using serozinc after cleansing and before hyaluronic morning and night, don't know if either of those have also contributed.

I've also taken to heart the diet advice in the acne sheet and trying hard to drink more water and cut down on caffeine, dairy and sugar. Mostly succeeding except on the sugar...

Skin is looking miles better although there is still a bit of redness and I may start thinking about introducing a new ingredient or two to see if I can improve it further

👋 hi all

So a week from first post in here.

I've established the evening routine, introduced a light retinol, and have to say that the softness of my skin and clearness of pores is fabulous.

New routine:
AM
Cleanse with LRP Toleriane caring wash
Clarins double serum
Garnier ultralift spf 15
LRP anthelios xl factor 50

PM
Clinique TTDO balm
LRP Toleriane caring wash
LRP retinol every other day (avoiding the day before swimming and the day of)
Eucerin 5% urea night cream

I've enjoyed reading through the older threads, and have a spreadsheet of potential purchases, but conscious of not getting to giddy and throwing everything on at once.

I'm running low on the day cream so will probably get LRP Toleriane fluid. The Garnier I'm using now is ok, but don't need a cream with SPF in it since I'm using a separate one.

Once the Clarins double serum runs out I'm tempted by the Vichy 89, but won't look to add anything else to the routine for a few weeks yet.

Longer term once I'm happy with the retinol I think I'll be tempted by a vit c.

Oh, and I'm batting my eyelashes at Frezyderm, possibly worth a try once my current SPF runs out

to all the help so far trys and fails to stop patting skin, oh so soft!

That sounds like a good routine Rosie and yes agree with looking at adding Vichy mineral 89 and then looking at a Vit c once you've got the retinol bedded in.

I got a sample of this serum with my Vichy 89, I used it last night and liked it. I'm happy with the 89 but wondering if this would be a step up maybe for winter.

www.vichy.co.uk/liftactiv-serum-10-supreme

I took the plunge yesterday and bought the REN Bio Retinoid Anti Aging cream. Was very surprised to read that REN recommend you use it twice a day. No mention of building up slowly, or even using a high factor SPF every day?

Anyone else just plunged right in using this twice a day?