🐌 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.

There's a specific retinoid guide in the OP, Koko. For the body I find the Paula's Choice body lotions ludicrously expensive for the amount you're getting. I use a Retinoid for my KP in the summer which is basically pommade A313 (from French pharmacies but it can be purchased online, it's not a prescription product) mixed with a normal unscented body lotion. A313 is only around 5€ a tube so feels much more cost effective and more pleasant to use as PC is all very heavy in the silicones.

I used to be a big manual exfoliating fan for the body in the past and it was often advised (dry brushing, salux cloths, etc.) but more and more the advice is to go with chemical exfoliators and it does seem to be better in the long term IME.

I could've sworn I left a long reply to Koko last night about KP on the body. I definitely typed it out. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Basically I was just saying what worked for me. A scrubby oily body scrub (I love Soap & Glory Sugar Crush scrub and Elemis frangipani salt glow) and Eucerin 10% urea lotion. Once a week with the scrub and twice a week for the lotion. Would be very time but I'm not keen on the smell and it takes a while to sink in. Whatever you use it needs to be done regularly and become part of your regular routine.

Sorry, repeated myself at the end there.

I have the lotion version of that blue neutrogena Koko. If it's the same texture then I'd say it's very good as a quick moisturiser to use every day and the HA is a good idea for the KP but it's not rich enough to treat it. Good for in between something stronger though. It smells lovely and fresh.

Eucerin 10% urea is good stuff, I don’t have KP though - I’m prone to itching and flaking in the winter and it definitely works for that.

Koko was it you that had some nip fab glycolic pads that you wanted to use up but not on your face? As you could try them on your body, I’d do a patch test first though in case of any reactions as I think they can be a bit harsh.

Thank you for the sheet mask info Tant I can only find them on amazon and they’re quite expensive but that was for a set of 5 I think. As I was searching it reminded me that I ordered a HA sheet mask from skinpep months ago, I’ve no idea where it is but I might try that first if I can find it.

Soin et Nature or Pharmashopi but try the Urea first, then lactic acid, etc. Retinol is pretty much last resort.

Koko I think it was SophieLion who made a spreadsheet after reading all these threads, it’s a good idea as saves having to read back trying to pick out the relevant posts about what people like, don’t like, recommend etc. I’m sadly not that organised though

Yes, take it easy and sensibly. The less products on your skin the better, they just need to be the right ones for the job. Ameloriate uses lactic acid which would be a good next step if the Urea isn't working out for you. Give it a good few weeks though at least six. It's also helpful to apply on damp skin, helps get into the routine as well if you use it straight out of the shower.

I have to admit that the Paula's choice bodycare is not cheap for the amount. I wish they made them bigger, at least 400 ml. I do like them so I begrudgingly buy them when on sale...

Sallie I only paid around £5 or so for the box of 5 Sheet masks.

Hi, yes Sallie and Koko, I did make a Word document of all the products people had tried on here and jotted down their comments on them (positive and negative) plus their skin-types. It was a useful exercise as I learnt a lot but I am still on a very pared down routine so not really using anything.

Supposed to go back to my derm soon so perhaps that will change. I'd like to add in a vitamin C and thinking of the DE one - if I can get hold of it here!!!

Sallie are you still ok with the c tetra serum?

Sophie, Cult Beauty and SpaceNK both ship worldwide (for free at the price of DE Vit C) so I think you should be able to get hold of it easily. Nadine Bagott did mention she'd be posting a DE video on Saturday that would include a discount code at CB, although that's probably a bit too soon before seeing your derm.

If I want to start using my 3tr 3x a week what are good days? At mo I'm doin Sunday and Wednesday but am thinking about doing a third day now, but it's never going to be evenly spaced out. This logic doesn't work in my ocd mind 😂

Mint I really like the medik8 c tetra, I’m using it on it’s own in the morning atm as find it quite moisturising without being oily or sticky. No itching or any adverse reactions, probably still a bit too soon to see any improvement though I think my skin does look a bit brighter, that might be wishful thinking though

With the 3x a week thing, I just count the nights rather than using it on a ‘set’ day of the week if that makes sense, so use - don’t use for 2 nights - use. Lather, rinse, repeat

Tant was that in TKMaxx? I can’t see it on their website and find their bricks and mortar shops stressy - too bright and crowded for my liking. I’ll possibly be passing a small homesense at the weekend so might have a peek in there as they do quite a bit of skincare.

Sallie that's great, I'm glad you are enjoying it 👍🏻
I'm not good at doing the one day on two days off type approach as my fibro brain fog causes me to forget when I last did it, so I'm better having set days 🙄🤦🏼‍♀️

Thought I'd ask again: does anyone have an oil they love? I've run out of the NYR Rose oil, which I may well RP but wondered if anyone else has another product they love - dry, mature skin types :) I've tried Caudalie C15 and didn't enjoy, mainly due to scent but I also think it wasn't rich enough.

I went a bit gung ho with Retirides when I switched from P&M Retinoil recently and my skin's a bit angry with me! The difference in action between the two is quite noticeable...

I've been looking at Clarins Blue Orchid (? the one for dehydrated skin) and have a feeling that someone here uses it - Pupsie?

Decleor have a new "organic" range out including a rose oil, which looks tempting...

I've never found an oil that really made any difference tbh.

I bought the Neutrogena Hydro Booster thingy (basically a hyaluronic acid serum) in Boots the other day. Half price! I imagine the offer is still on if anyone is looking for a cheap one. It's very pleasant, fruity smell and seems to do the job so far. I'm normally a Vichy 89 girl but I was getting bored with it.

I love the decleor neroli, probably mainly for the smell