🐌 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

Enid, you're angling for that crown again, aren't you? Next time try donkey's milk

Granted I'm someone who gets annoyed when a CS rep addresses me by my first name as a default, but I agree with you on the businesses acting to much like people. It seems to be a feature of digital only brands or brands that garner their sales mostly through the digital sphere. This relatable authentic nonsense really is turning into something quite unpleasant. Deciem is the most extreme example but none seem to be exempt.

Thanks for the heads up re Skin City Bo. I've just RP the eye serum too. Must have had mine for more than 6 months now, and I use it every other night. How long does yours last, and how often do you use it?

I use it three times a week Pupsie, I bought my last one around Christmas 2016 but didn't use it until a few months later. So probably a bit over a year, possibly year and a half? I'd have to check my spreadsheet. It's nearly finished so the timing was great.

It does last well Bo.

Maybe the way too personal customer support approach is because online companies want to pose as friends of the customers as opposed to businesses that aim to make money, hence the awkward forced familiarity. Other companies are fallowing suit and are increasing their social media presence on all the available platforms. I guess they try to reach out ( or target? ) younger ppl.
I always roll my eyes when a social media ad says something like : we are working hard to make this exciting new stuff ( mostly makeup) for you, guys! Ehm no, you are churning out endless variations of the same thing and put it in cute packaging then pay social media "influencers" to tell they can't live without it and it's a must buy which triggers serious FOMO.
I understand innovation in texture, performance and ease of application, but I feel that stuff is released way too fast (especially makeup).

the INCI is somewhat similar in that the amount of ingredients is low, Squalane has been swapped out for Niacinamide.

Hi bo! Actually, I like the sound of this. I don't really need the squalane and I always struggle finding a place for niacinamide in my routine without having to use too many things. I've got the Ordinary 5% niacinamide but it's just one more thing to try and work in, so it would be nice to have a multi-tasker. I've been using the LRP Effaclar Matt one recently as I had my pill changed due to migraines and it's made my skin even oilier than usual, with no signs that it's settling down. At least the break outs have stopped.

Off topic but if anyone sees any skinny cords, pref high waisted, on their travels around the internet, give me a shout. Fancying some burgundy or even brown ones with an oversized cream chunky knit. I've gone full out Autumn this year.

Naboo Is Dianette still an option? They changed the use of it a few years ago but I don't remember in what way. I had it as my pill way back and my skin was incredibly balanced the whole time. Not sure it's that popular now though. Possibly a pain in the bum for you to swop again so soon.

Urban outfitters and Asos have cords Enid

Thank you Tant Just has a look and none are quite right. There was some in French Connection (thu might've been velvet actually) and & Other Stories that were perfect but some out now. I'm late to the cords party.

*had
*were
🙄

I think the over personal customer service approach is down to all the bloggers and vloggers - companies see how influential they are and try to jump on the bandwagon, and I agree with Babypigeon they’re probably trying to attract the younger market who are used to this format.

As an old duffer I find it rather annoying, I don’t mind being called by my first name (actually prefer it) but I don’t want to be blogged at or chatted to, just give me the facts/information thank you very much. And of course Deciem is a prime example of how very wrong the personal bloggy type approach can go.

Vloggers and ‘influencers’ pee me off in general though, there are only a very few that I can bear to watch. Anyone that starts off by shouting ‘HEY GUYS’ at me gets short shrift, as does anyone who ‘goes in’ with things - as in ‘I’m just going in with this eyeshadow blah blah blah’, and anyone who’s too shouty and over exuberant in general. So that’s most of them really

It's the dirty laundry airing I don't like. I can gloss over the over friendliness. I don't want to know about a companies problems behind the scenes as it makes them look unprofessional. Retailers are supposed to be flapping below the water out of sight graceful swans not easily startled pigeons.

I think I’ve missed the cords party completely Enid

I’m still in skinny jeans and ankle boots which are probably totally ‘out’ now. Wide legged trousers don’t suit me as they make me look even bigger than I am so I’m ignoring that trend and hoping it goes away. I don’t think cords would be very flattering on me either but probably depends on the style/cut.

And yes I agree about the behind the scenes stuff - it’s doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in the brand does it

I agree the informality is on account of chasing the millennial coin never mind that I'm a millennial too, clearly a geriatric one. Also agree I'm all for the transparency that matters in a company, like how you treat the environment and your workforce but have no interest in how your plumbing works.

Should caveat that being addressed by my first name is mostly an issue in Dutch as we have informal and formal language and forms of address. The general rule is that formal language is used if you address someone older than you or if you're not sure whether they're older or not, unless someone requests otherwise and expressly says you can address them informally (or you're actually familiar which includes teachers, colleagues, etc). Written business communication always was/is formal regardless of age, etc. Problem is when informal language is used it just looks really unprofessional and no permission on my account was given to address me informally, especially if I've addressed them formally initially. The English comparable would be, "hey how are ya? so over here we've had a looksie behind the scenes..."

I was going to say &Other Stories, Enid. Saw some at Weekday too but I may have to agree with Sally. I know we have a similar shape, high waist cords are not the most flattering things on me, very thigh heavy due to the material with a pancake for a behind and then too much room in the waist. Mango may also have some but velvet is probably a better alternative.

Nabootique, I don't mind the swap either but several on here are sensitive to Niacinamide. I've been using the LRP Toleriane Ultra Nuit for quite some time which also has Niacinamide in it and really like it. I may try the new Fluide Sensitive one for when it's my time of the month, I seem to be more oilier during those days and the Ultra can be a bit much then.

I know deep down that they'll make my thighs look bigger but I don't care. My arse will look amazing in cords I just know it. I just love the thought of the different textures. I have shortish a cord skirt though so perhaps I'll just stick with that.

I still love skinny jeans Sallie. I wear boots with them to balance out my carrot legs. 🥕🥕

Bo it sounds like the companies are using the equivalent of my much loathed ‘hey guys’ to address you, and yes that would irk me.

Enid I have parsnip legs with saddle bag thighs Skinnies suit me as my legs are fairly slim from mid thigh down and I have thin ankles, so as long as I wear them with a longish top they show off my better bits. Wide/loose styles just make it look like my whole leg is as big as my thigh. I’ve not tried cords in a gazillion years though, probably not since I was at school - but fashion trends tend to go over my head a lot of the time so they’ve probably come and gone several times since then

No sad face about substantial thighs allowed. Shake em like Beyoncé. 💪🏻

I see India K was raving about the Vichy clay mask on her column at the weekend. (Haven't read it all as I can't remember my 'free two articles' password but she likes it.)

Lurkers? Or are the many same product recommendations and subjects just coincidence? Perhaps we're all being subliminally advertised to and then buying the same stuff. I await the cicaplast article from Sali H

I wonder how much they're reducing them. Clearly people weren't buying as much as they'd hoped. Still, a positive for customers. I only bought because of my birthday gift voucher. I will continue to get DH to buy my DE in NY unless prices are the same.

I'm finding the pricing a bit odd tbh. I expected the C firma to cost around £80 before launch. Still cheaper than Skinceuticals and comparably priced to similar brands and I think roughly the same amount for 3 Vichy bottles (making the same 30ml content) at full price (and both products are subject to regular discounts).

Obviously not comparable to brands like GOW but DE is a brand with different values and doesn't trade on high volume, expansive stock that encourages expansive routines so simply isn't set up to trade like that.

I think they're setting themselves up for more moaning because for example a £5 discount on £80 isn't much of a difference, for the C Firma it would have to be something like £65 to be a different price category psychologically but it would still be a relatively exclusive category. Considering the sterling isn't exactly a steady reliable currency at the moment they're also setting precedent for expansion into the rest of Europe, which doesn't have a Brexit looming over consumer spending decisions.

How much is it roughly in £ when your DH buys it in NY for you Pupsie, including sales tax and all that?

Regarding DE, I received an email from cultbeauty that they will refund the difference between the new price and what I payed. The thing is I used Nadine's offer code, so that difference is close to zero. ☹️

That's annoying, I'd expect they'd give the difference as price minus discount. I'm left wondering if DE is now excluded from all discounts, which makes it a pretty empty gesture.

I just had a look on the CB website, they're not included in the excemt from promotion list. I'd be firing them an email, probably won't get your money back but maybe they'll offer store credit or similar. It's a bit unfair as any new customer with a promo code (and they do them plenty and often) will benefit from new price minus the discount, you've essentially paid the new price thinking you got a discount and you didn't. If you're on social, I'd moan a bit at Nadine about it too, you're probably not the only one annoyed by this.