🐌 Fantastic Skincare: We're So Drunk We're Seeing Elephants 🐘

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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

WRT to The Ordinary/Deciem:

Most of us had long since stopped using it, partially due to the inconsistency of formulations and the worrying behaviour of the CEO on Social Media.

For more info on the latter, overview here

A good overview of alternatives is here

Since that compilation, other brands like the Inkey, Revolution Skincare, QRXLabs, and Alex Steinherr x Primark have launched with similar products/concepts.

From the limited experience on here, the Vitamin C 23% and Azelaic Acid from Garden of Wisdom (at Victoria’s Health) is well liked and much preferred over TO versions.

OCTOBER 2018: In other news, we’re two years old this month! We’re so old- Drunk Elephant is finally available in the UK, but all this celebration is probably overshadowed by the fear that our beloved LRP Toleriane Fluide may have been discontinued

I'm going to try and see if they have a tiny size Cicaplast handcream to try when I'm in Paris later this month month. All the love for it is making me think it's gold dust. I will also heard good things about the lip balm elsewhere. How has it taken us this long to expand on the love of cicaplast beyond the balm?

Is there such a thing as hair specific dysmorphia? Not implying, just asking in general if it's a thing as well mildly concerned for myself

Apparently I'm incoherent today I'll try to make some sense again later...

Word of warning, when you think your tube of cicaplast mains is empty, it's not, it's really not. I've cut my open and there was at least a third of the product still there.

MsN Good idea. I usually do that with soft tubes and it's amazing how much is stuck in there!

bo Very possibly. It's a control thing with me maybe? I hate handing over total control of my appearance to a strangers but then I hate feeling like a might look 'scruffy' without it cut so can't win. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Correction to what I said about the REN serum, I meant to say it does not have ascorbic acid, not citric acid. :D

I have some cicaplast handcream around the place somewhere that I ordered it from EPP ages ago to qualify for free postage - but what I’ve done with it I don’t know. I’d also recommend this from the cicaplast range

www.escentual.com/la-roche-posay/larocheposay072/

I have hair issues too, I don’t think it’s dysmorphia for me as my hair is a frizzy mess a lot of the time and I’m not too bothered, but I can’t bear the thought of it being too short or having too many layers. And I have major issues with personal space & don’t like being touched by strangers so the hairdressers will never be a good experience for me even if I was guaranteed to come out with the perfect hairstyle. That being said the Old Dears establishment I went to last time did a good (and very quick) job so I might go back in the not too far distant future.

when I'm in Paris later this month

I missed this part! Always sounds so glamorous when people say they're off to Paris. What's it like? (Anyone who's been?)

I've never visited and New York wasn't what I expected so perhaps I should stick to pinning lovely Paris pics on Pinterest.

Was NY not pleasant Enid? I have the chance to go soon...

Cicaplast handcreamer here too. So far so good.

Pupsie I was going to go into it but I don't want to put you off when you might be one of the many many people who love it. I was surprised my quiet, reserved DH absolutely loved it so you just can't tell. Plus we were mainly in central Manhattan. Each borough has its own thing going on.

Central Park is fantastic and I really liked the Financial district of all places! We went to that area on a Sunday and it was practically deserted. The buildings are really cool and the scale takes your breath away. There's lots I liked and I would go back again because I found it fascinating. It just wasn't like I expected I suppose. It's a tough city.

Loved Duane Reade pharmacies Hated Times Square. Loved the enormous portions of food in the Italian place we went to. Don't let me put you off basically.

I wasn’t keen on Paris but all my visits there have been quite rushed & I was with people who wanted to go to places/do things that would not have been my choice. I prefer mooching at my leisure & being able to wander off and do some stuff on my own but when you’re on a tight schedule you don’t have that luxury.

I haven’t properly been to New York (had layovers in JFK and had to overnight in hotels a couple of times due to delayed/cancelled flights but never saw much of the city) I’m not sure if I’d like it or not. I think the crowds and busy-ness might be a bit much for me, & I definitely would not be up for shopping in any of those big department stores.

I love Paris, I go twice a year just to get my fill. It's a bit marmite though, I like it as it's filled with grumpy introverts that make obsessing over the smallest details a national sport and pride themselves in their neurotic behaviour. They're quite aesthetically geared although they're not interested in the immaculate. It's not the picturesque romantic destination it is otherwise presented as IMO. There's a thing called Paris syndrome, Google it for more info, it's mostly specific to Japanese tourists that are extremely disappointed in the reality of Paris vs their idea of Paris. The consulate has a specific hotline for it.

Love NY as well though. Thought I'd absolutely hate Venice but fell madly deeply for it. London I'm not all that enthused about but will be visiting soon anyhow

Yes, I assumed it was more a case of a subconscious redirect with you Enid. I'm glad to hear you recognised it for what it was and were able to make suitable adjustments. I'm not a fan of giving over to a hairdresser either, I think that's part of the problem of finding the right one. I want one that gets it right the first time not after endless trust exercises. I know it's possible as I've had hairdressers like that but they were all somewhat flakey and not really all that interested in being hairdressers long term despite being very talented at it, I think that helped with them not insisting on their own vision. I also get really turned off when they try to sell you stuff or treatments. I have about 5 grey hairs, it's a bit ridiculous to start suggesting I colour my whole head on account of those

grumpy introverts that make obsessing over the smallest details a national sport My kind of people. I should go and find out for myself anyway. It's not like it's far.

I was going to mention Paris Syndrome. I actually came across it whilst in NYC and thought it could apply a bit to me about NY.

Your hairdresser experience sounds similar to mine bo Good ones are gold dust.

What did you think NY would be like? I first went as a child so I suppose I never had an idea of it beyond some Curious George picture books but I doubt I made the connection at the time. It was just very impressive when you're that little and very much unlike anything else I'd seen before. I remember having very vivid dreams at the time as it was all so much to take in, can still source that same magic every time I've been since.

I do like Paris but I love Rome, Prague, and Munich more. I have yet to visit NY although if I do ever visit I want to stay in a fancy hotel (basically the one from Home Alone 2, Plaza Hotel)

I haven’t been on city breaks for probably close to 10 years but I did enjoy Florence, Paris, Prague, Budapest and New York. Not that keen on Venice. I love a trip to London. I know my way around enough to be able to shop and sightsee.

Back to beauty talk, has anyone tried the NuFace?

Hi JDSTER, I have just bought the NuFace based on a thread on here about a woman wanting a hair cut but where everyone raved about her skin (she provided a photo). She raved about it. I have only been using it for seven days so can't vouch for it but will keep you updated .

I bought in from Lookfantastic where the honey app managed to save me 30% (£90).

I have literally just posted about Nuface on another thread C&P below...

I have one that I bought a couple of years ago, I didn’t use it for long enough to notice any results & it’s been gathering dust ever since. I have a terrible habit of buying gizmos & gadgets that I end up not using blush but I did make a New Years resolution to give this a fair try - just haven’t quite got round to it yet...

One thing that’s putting me off is having to use the conductive gel that came with it as I didn’t like that last time so would be interested to see if there are any alternatives, presume mine will be out of date & need chucking anyway. I’ve also got a skincare routine I’m happy with so a bit reluctant to tinker with it.

It was also the threads and pics on here that prompted me to dig it out (and I promised Bo I’d start using it and report back) but I’d forgotten about the issues I had with the gel, it made me itchy & prone to those annoying little whiteheads.

I'm waiting on suspiciously silent Sallie to report back on her Nuface New Year resolutions, but I've been quite tempted to just order one from Currentbody as they offer a 90 day trial period with money back guarantee if you're not happy with it minus a restocking fee (10% IIRC). My main concern is that where I'm at now at best I'd probably see marginal results and not quite sure if that's worth it so an extended trial period does appeal. Although if I add up the shipping costs back and forth and the restocking fee I've almost paid for half the thing so would possibly keep it for false economy reasons.

Reviews do come out quite favourably, HotNFlashy is a big fan and she's pretty solid when it comes to reviews. Only concern I have is that your face needs to be oil free when using which even means avoiding using an oil cleanser preceding use so that pretty much means it's an AM activity. Apparently it's worth getting a proper conducting gel like Spectra 360 to use with it for better results.

I saw that thread too Skin and it almost had me clicking to checkout. Did briefly wonder if it was stealth advertising, don't think it was but if it was it was exceptionally well done.

How does the Honey app work? I looked it up but it looks to be US based browser extension?

Ooh x-posted there I take it back about the suspicious silence

I'm not sure how the Honey app works Bo. I am in London and have had it for a month or two: its saved me a couple of quid here and there but was amazed when it gave such a saving on Lookfantastic: it made the difference between hovering at the till and pressing the "buy" button. ordered it last Saturday and it was here on the Sunday: £210 down from £300.

After I have double cleansed (Emma Hardie and then LRP fluid), I spray with LRP thermal water do don't think there is anything resembling oil to interfere with the NuFace. the routine takes 3 or 4 minutes am and pm. I think we saw the same thread: she certainly sold it to me!

Sallie I have heard that this is a good alternative to the gel and definitely cheaper. - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WR4W6VS/?psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&coliid=I1UVMJ5G9A76T1&tag=mumsnetforum-21&colid=3UFGE5WFIQKEI Will look at the Bo one too.

Bo I knew you’d be chasing me in my defence I have been away a lot with work and had the lurgy, but then I remembered the gel issues as the instructions say to use their gel and to massage in to your face after so that got me thinking about how it would work with my skincare routine.

I’ll look at those other gels mentioned, thank you both, and I guess I could wash the gel off after use and follow my routine as usual. I was also thinking that as long as I’d double cleansed the oil wouldn’t interfere as would have been washed off, but maybe doing it in the morning would work better so: face wash - use the nuface - another wash to get the gel off then skincare, spf, makeup as usual.

Oh I’ve just remembered I have a massive tub of hand chemistry hyaluronic concentrate in my stash which is a gel, do you think that would work with the nuface? I’ve not tried it on my face but it didn’t make my body itchy (which a lot of lotions and creams do) so hopefully it wouldn’t be irritating.

Just call me Accountability Bo, Sallie

It just needs to be water based and without oil AFAIK, so depends on the INCI. Aloe Vera gel gets mentioned a lot too. The Spectra is specifically formulated for enhanced conductivity (but without salt, most contain salt) not sure what the actual ingredient(s) are that enhance conductivity though.

I've just tried the Honey app out, doesn't seem to have any codes that work on LF for me but I suspect that has to do with NuFace agreements for selling in Europe. The local sellers all charge far more and exclude it from discount. It does look handy as it means not continuously searching for codes yourself.

I have seen this recommended for the NuFace but can't vouch for it.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WR4W6VS/?psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&coliid=I1UVMJ5G9A76T1&tag=mumsnetforum-21&colid=3UFGE5WFIQKEI

The gel that comes with it is a small tube which probably will last only a month. it hasn't irritated my skin in the week I have used it but, as I say, always rinse the skin with LRP thermal water after using the gel.

These are the ingredients of the hyaluronic concentrate - no idea what half of these are so think I’m probably best off going for one of your recommendations

Aqua (Water), Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

Skin so you just spritz the thermal water and remove with a cotton pad, does that get rid of all of the gel & can you do the rest of your routine immediately after that? And is it still ok to use retinol and BHA along with nuface? I’m currently using BHA in the morning and retinol (P&M superstar oil so not a very strong one) in evening.