🐌 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.

Ah. Assume it's the Low pH, to match the cleanser...

Ah, no, that one is new to me. It's the nourishing rice overnight spa mask that has the niacinamide in it.

Thanks Bo. Am on my phone in a cabin. Iffy WiFi.

Do you all apply your regular face SPF around your eye area? I have always been hesistant because it specifically says "avoid eye area" on the back and I wear contact lenses so I'm quite cautious with what I use around my eyes. I have started to wear it now though, just wondering if there are any risks with doing so, specifically for contact lens wearers?

JULY, TRIALS, AND PLANNED PURCHASES

ROUTINE

AM
LRP Toleriane Dermo Cleanser - Not sure if this leaves a film on my skin
Superdrug Pure Hydrating Serum - works well as long as I dont use too much and I will RP when it finally runs out.
Cerave moisturing cream I really like this and have already RP.
SPF50 - Frezyderm/Altruist

PM
Clarins Pure melt cleansing gel - I love this cleanser. It removes all SPF/makeup but still feels gentle on my sensitive skin.
LRP Toleriane Dermo Cleanser
GOW Niacinamide
GOW Azeliac Acid - My skin is clearer since I started using this. It did dry my skin a little so I added moisturiser to my morning routine before SPF.
Clarins face oil - I have all 3 so I use the one my skin needs

PRODUCTS ON TRIAL
Various sunscreens. I have melasma on my forehead so I've been trying to find a mineral sunscreen that I like(without much luck!).

PLANNED PURCHASES
I have already purchased but not used GOW Vit C. I was using TO Vit C but I suspected that it was causing spots. I stopped using it at the same time I started using the Azeliac acid so I'm not sure which cleared my skin.

I like my routine at the moment. My skin looks healthy and my pores appear smaller.

I've only posted a few times but I've read all the threads and gained so much info from you all. My skin will be forever grateful to you. I didnt have a routine before and used to buy the next wonder product and then dismiss it when it didnt work after a week! Now I take my time with products and learning what my skin does and doesnt like/need. So thank you to you all!

Welcome *Bluebell". I'm glad you feel your skin has benefitted from this thread. I'm interested in your Clarins cleanser. Also in the Murad one someone posted about up thread. I don't think I will repurchase Dr Sam's 😮. I still like TTDO. I've not been double cleaning for a while. But I think I possibly need to with more heavy duty SPF. I need to get to the bottom of what's giving me spots. I think I'll stick to the Cosrx cleanser in the morning, every day, and the TTDO and see if that settles. It's either the Dr Sam's or the Biore SPF, or NOT using the Cosrx daily.

I've been using the Murad cleanser for ages Pupsie I'm as attached to it as your are to your Cosrx I think.

I really like it because my skin feels very cleansed after and not dry and it removes SPF and make up and is also great as a second cleanse after using a balm as I know it's removed any residue.

I can't use a balm without a second cleanse.

Where do you buy it from Tantric?

elisexo, it's a tricky one. I personally do take SPF up and around the eyes, any sunscreen that would irritate my eyes will do so even if I don't bring it close to the eyes so it feels 'safe' enough. Also the risk of skincancer is apparently especially high around the eyes, lash line and eyebrows. Though that could be influenced by user error of not applying SPF properly and leading people to believe they're safely protected and sit out in the sun longer.

It's tricky because manufacturers aren't required to test sunscreen for irritation around the eyes and since some chemical filters are irritating (very dependant on the person) they tend to simply disclaim to not use it around the eyes just to absolve themselves of responsibility and spending on testing procedures.

There are a few eye specific SPF product out there that I assume have been tested for safety since they're advertised for eye use, SkinCeuticals does one that's physical based, LRP do one but it may be fragranced think Shiseido does a high SPF eye cream but think that's also with fragrance

WRT contact lenses, I don't think that makes a difference, the differentiation point in my mind would be hinged on how sensitive your eyes are. Some concern could be raised around SPF filters that are treated as suspect for being absorbed by the body, predominantly the older generation filters used in the US, (the sunscreen info sheets linked above list them) the physical filters in nano version may also be reason to give pause due to their size. Though realistically calculations done around this subject show you need to absorb an amount that's impossible to achieve in a lifetime to cause harm, but if pregnant or breastfeeding caution is possibly warranted. Less evidence motivated but rather a safe than sorry reasoning.

Hi again bluebell, so glad to hear your success story so far, always love reading those on here. And congrats on breaking the next miracle product cycle

I've looked into Murad before, always shocked by the prices. Think they sell it at Lookfantastic but a lot of it has some common irritants in unfortunately. Their SPF is meant to be really good but the price Then again I've been eyeing an Obagi one from Japan which looks cheaper but is the world's tiniest bottle, does have all my fave filters in a chemical/physical mix though as well as a good bit of VIt C derivatives. May succumb at some point

Speaking of Japanese SPF, there's a lot of hype around one that may be of interest to some on here. It sounds like the biore perfect milk and Frezyderm had a baby. It's the first one in Ratzilla's top five SPF picks for 2018 (which also features the Obagi one).

Pupsie M&S sell it, at least thats where I bought mine from last time.

Before they stocked it I bought it from an online beauty shop like lookfantastic or escentuals.

Pupsie don't be put off by Murad's prices as mentioned in Bo's post.

The face wash is very concentrated so you only need the tiniest bit, one tube which is 200ml lasts for months and months.

It is actually very cost effective.

Pupsie Murad Clarifying cleanser

Strangely that's the case with a lot of the cosmeceutical brands, the cleansers work out very economically. It's the 'spa' pamper brands that'll have you gulping at their cleanser prices.

I just had to look up cosmeceutical Bo see this is why we love you, your knowledge is just fascinating.

JDSTER, I've just been reminded upon reading the VH weekend newsletter where they're touting silica supplements for hair health, to ask how you've been getting on with it? Don't know if it's been enough time yet to evaluate properly but curious anyhow.

I’m not sure Bo as I’m a bit hit and miss taking it. It’s to take between meals hence the difficulty remembering it.

The Times magazine article today on mascaras. Hourglass a favourite. Is the Chanel one the one you like Bo? I’m quite into mascara at the moment so I’m trying a few to find a favourite.

I have that mascara on my to buy list for next week. Hope it doesn't sell out everywhere now. I'm not very patient.

Please report back Enid if you actually manage to get it. Inevitably a product is mentioned by a beauty editor etc and it ends up out of stock with wait lists

I've been tempted with that mascara too, but so many mascaras give me raccoon eyes that I'm a bit wary of trying new ones now.

I do take spf round my eyes, as for some reason it isn't irritating (even frezyderm which a lot of people had issues with) but things like eye makeup remover, eye cream and mascara which are actually made to be specifically used round the eye area cause me problems

sallie some years ago I used Una Brennan’s cleansing oil (gift from my sister in Ireland who could get it for me) and it smells of toilet cleaner, doesn’t it? Have never RP. ;)

bluebell you reminded me I’d like to add an azelaic acid product actually, thank you. Have seen you talking about GOW on the thread but forgot.

bo FIVE LITRES Jesus I can’t be doing that. I’d be living in the toilet. But in this heat I might have been downing three litres of just water a day + other drinks so more liquids than normal. I’d say I average around two or three litres in total in the winter.

Banivani I've always thought the UB smelled like washing up liquid, but yes toilet cleaner would work too

I won't be RP due to the smell, other than that it was fine and I actually liked it apart from the whiff!

Bo or anyone else who is knowledgable about this, do you think spf remains effective if it's dispensed into a smaller container for travel?

I'm thinking specifically of frezyderm as I'd like to take enough with me to do for a 3 day trip next week but worried that it might degrade & not work properly, especially as frezyderm comes in the airtight pump.

sallie I break out from things that smell bad some sort of reverse placebo effect! so I can’t even remember what the fecking oil was actually like. It felt bad because of the smell and That’s It.

Hi all
What a coincidence you are talking about skin and hair supplements.
My hairdresser mentioned my hair is really thinning
L

Sorry
On closer inspections I seem to be receding .
I remember from a previous thread
Bo mentioning the Hubner skin and nails
So I am looking at the most powerful and cost effective way to take silica.
I have purchased biotin from Holland and baratt but they didn’t have the silica.
Iv also been viewing from boots the Imideen hair and nails.