🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Is Everyone Having Botox Without Me? 💉

[botemp]

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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

December 2019: Time for The Snailies way more reliable and better than the MN recommends annual roundup (yes I'm still bitter about them quoting me in isolation and making me sound like a wanker please don't revoke my special image allowance privileges, MNHQ )

Also: Thread 20 in time for 2020!!! Ahem, where are my presents?

Hi village,

I've use the PC Peptide booster in my morning moisturiser and the Niacinamide one in the evening moisturiser every other night when I'm not using Retinol. I like them both.

I don't really use serums. Could you add a couple of drops to the hyaluronic booster to your regular moisturiser?

I got some great skin care advice earlier this year for my mid-forties, combination skin. I have gradually been introducing products and I’m at the point where I’m pretty happy with my routine. The final product I want to introduce is a retinol but having never used one before should I go straight for Tret or try something milder first and build up? Generally my skin isn’t sensitive. I saw that PC 1% is recommended in the fact sheets so wondered if that would be a good place to start?

My current routine is:

AM
Cosrx cleanser
Timeless Vit C
Vichy Mineral 89
Eye cream
Moisturiser
LRP SPF 50

PM
Elemis cleansing balm
Cerave cleanser
PC 2% BHA on alternative nights
Vichy Mineral 89
Eye cream
Moisturiser

Tattie it depends on whether your skin is a bit temperamental. I started on retinol 3 years ago (now 50).

My skin can be reactive. I started with LRP Redermic R then moved to Pestle & Mortar. I'm now on Neostrata. I've used each one for around 6-9 months.

I stared with Neostrata originally but my fave almost fell off in places so I started over and I'm fine with it now. Although I usually buffer with a little moisturiser and I use it every 2-3 nights.

@TattiePants - Sorry, can’t help you regarding Retinol as I can’t use it yet with TTC, but Can I ask how you are finding the Vichy 89? Is it like a serum consistency and then you just put moisturiser over it? I’ve just ordered the Timeless Vit C and the PC 2% BHA (Is it best not to use this every day?) But am looking for a nice, hydrating serum.

@Pupsiecola How do you find the Niacinamide? Does it do much for you? I just feel like my skin needs something a little extra, it feels a little dry lately, even after moisturising. This could be because i’m using Dermalogica’s daily microfoliant though....

Anyone tried Paula’s choice and 10% Glycolic weekly exfoliant? Wondering if that will help even out my skin tone? I do have no7 resurfacing paste though and it seems pretty similar?

That should have read - Paula’s choice 10% AHA glycolic weekly exfoliant. I typed “and” instead of “AHA”

@Pupsiecola my skin’s not temperamental at all, I’d probably go as far as saying it’s as tough as old boots. Thanks for the recommendations, I’ll take a look.

@villagefete I’ve been using Mineral 89 for a few months now and I’m really liking it. Consistency wise it’s quite a thick, almost gel like but dried nicely and I then lock it in with a moisturiser. It’s included in the 3-2 offer on Look Fantastic at the moment. I mostly use the PC 2% on alternate days but it does say it can be used daily. It’s really helped clear out my pores.

Hello again Fete and Tattie

Tattie, yes I probably would go straight to Tret through dermatica in your case. If you do want to see how your skin responds to it prior, you could get the travel size from Paula's Choice, to build up and get used to it and/or rule out an adverse reaction. It's only 5ml though so probably won't last you all that long.

Fete, if you're still struggling to be hydrated after using a hydrating booster, I think the response should be scaling back as opposed to adding more products to solve the previous problem while probably adding another one. It sounds like your skin barrier is compromised, so it's not an issue of lack of hydration but an issue of locking it in, the daily microfoliant may very well be the cause and/or other exfoliators. As a side effect, skin tone evening IME usually comes with scaling back as opposed to adding more potentially sensitising ingredients to a compromised barrier. Definitely don't use BHA every day, you need to build up slowly from 1-2x a day and then as needed (most use it every other day).

Many thanks as always @botemp. Just tried to register for Dermatica but they have closed their service to new customers at the moment (I’m on a waiting list) so I might as well order the PC in the meantime. Would I keep the rest of my routine the same and just alternate the Paula’s Choice BHA and retinol on a PM?

Kind of depends how you want to tackle it Tattie. If you want to start cautiously I'd just do cleanse, Vichy serum, eye cream, moisturise then retinol. If you want to go in strong then I'd just do cleanse, eye cream, retinol (skipping Vichy as you want dry skin and not locking in the Vichy means it won't be doing much). Start with once or twice a week and only then work up to every other day in both scenarios but you'll probably be able to level up quicker with the cautious scenario.

Thank you @botemp - a fountain of knowledge, as always! At the moment, i’m not using a hydrating booster, they’ve not arrived yet (Ordered Niacinamide booster and also HA booster from Paula’s Choice)
I’m cleansing, using my Dermalogica microfoliant and then my Olay moisturiser (Evening routine) But my skin feels a little tight. I’m guessing it’s the Microfoliant as this has only started since using this.
I also have just started (twice per week) using No7 AHA resurfacing paste, but i’m seeing that after using this my skin also needs something a little extra than just my Olay moisturiser.

Altogether i’ve ordered -
Timeless Vit C
PC 2% BHA lotion
PC Hyaluronic Acid booster
PC Niacinamide booster
PC 10% AHA once a week exfoliant
GOW Niacinamide serum
The Inkey list Hyaluronic acid serum

I’m thinking Vit C every morning (if I can tolerate it)
2-3 times per week BHA lotion (PM)
Once per week AHA exfoliant (PM)
Alternate HA booster and Niacinamide boosters (PM)
Use Inkey HA serum every night before moisturising.

Does that sound ok? I really want to venture in to Retinol but still a while off from that due to IVF, so in meantime want to brighten my skin, and try to make it a bit more even, whilst keeping ageing at bay.

Hope everyone is doing ok in these strange times,
I am still going with the antibiotic cream but sadly still a huge breakout again this month across my chin and jawline. Also across my back and shoulders which have been steadily getting worse the last couple of months despite clean pyjamas each night etc.
I think when corona is all over I will pay whatever the cost is to change BC and look into seeing a dermatologist as this thread has helped me keep general spots at bay and my skin tone is better but one a month all hell breaks loose.

@TattiePants I use tret now but used Medik 8 retinoids previously, which are very good.

It’s my birthday soon and obviously I can’t enjoy any outings so wondering about some nice products. I don’t really need anything but any ideas? Definitely don’t need fragrance, bath oil, candles. Skin care pretty sorted but maybe makeup. Anything that’s a treat that you’d recommend?

Fete, tbh it seems a lot and all too soon. Start with one product and introduce it gradually. Vitamin C can be quite irritating if you've never used it before so use it 2-3x a week and build up to daily use. That'll take you a few weeks.

I'd decrease use of the microfoliant in that time, potentially replace it with Cerave hydrating cleanser as that will help counteract the dryness. Then introduce the PC BHA (microfoliant also uses BHA, you don't need both), again gradually, 1-2x a week and build up to 3x a week or every other day as needed.

If you need it, use the hyaluronic booster or serum, it should be fairly innocuous, but using everything all at once does risk getting a product reaction and not knowing what caused it. Throwing in a strong AHA is pretty much asking for trouble.

Niacinamide is a great allround ingredient but I'm personally not of the opinion it necessarily warrants a stand alone product. The PC is a booster that you add to your moisturiser but your moisturiser already has niacinamide in it. More is not always better, all the research on niacinamide is done by Procter and Gamble for their brand Olay (which you already use), they have the ideal % in most of their products already, an increase in niacinamide could potentially be irritating and/or drying. Which specific Olay moisturiser do you have as they don't all have the same % of niacinamide.

Sorry for cockblocking your new excitement with trying out lots of new things but I'd suggest sending the majority back. Slow and steady and less is more really is king when it comes to effective skincare.

Out, good to hear from you and by the sound of it doing well aside from the rogue BC. Is there any chance you can get Cerave locally? They do a resurfacing cleanser that should be good for bacne. Conditioner can also be a culprit in case that has changed recently?

I can confirm that the Curel took off my eye make up (Chantecaille mascara and Bobbi Brown cream eyeshadow) without any irritation during or after. Really impressed.

Can I get some pics of the INCI Pupsie? Most of the online ones are of the Japanese and they have parabens. I'm not against them but I'm surprised they'd launch in Europe with them in, Cerave altered all their formulas to be paraben free for launch in Europe. Actually a photo is probably not necessary, you can probably just tell me whether they're in there or not.

Also, Jedstre, not much help on makeup except maybe some Lisa Eldridge lipsticks? But otherwise, perhaps some noise cancelling headphones would be nice right now

@Jedstre I don't wear a lot of make up but Chantecaille's gel blusher is amazing (but spendy) and I love Essie nail varnishes. I also keep meaning to buy an Urban Decay eye pencil in the colour 'Stash' which is a lovely olive green colour.

Jedstre What about a silk pillowcase? Sort of beauty-related and feels luxe :) For makeup treats, I'd recommend the Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette or the LE lippies.

I recycled the boxes Bo so I looked it up on the Boots website:

Sorbitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Water/Aqua, Octyldodeceth-20, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Ethylparaben, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Tocopherol

What INCI list says about Ethylparaben:

A very common type of feared-by-everyone-mostly-without-scientific-reason paraben. It's a cheap, effective and well-tolerated ingredient to make sure the cosmetic formula does not go wrong too soon.

Here are some empties! I'm making the most of this time by using stuff up

Massively appreciate this @botemp I’ve just got all excited and decided to spend the money i’m saving on not gallivanting, on skincare

I’ll definitely take it easy. I tried the Timeless Vit C today and my skin felt a bit dry afterwards. No matter how much moisturiser I put on, it still felt a little tight. My skin has been like this (Not dry looking, but feels a little tight) for a while now, so I’m thinking my moisturiser isn’t cutting it? It’s just the Olay complete lotion. When I finally introduce HA, do I just put it over the Vit C, and then moisturiser and then SPF?

Disappointed with the Paula’s Choice HA booster. It’s TINY! I won’t be introducing yet until I know I’m tolerating the Vit C ok, but it doesn’t seem great value for money? A few people on a Facebook skincare group recommended Hado Labo HA for value but wouldn’t know where to start? There seems to be a few choices.

I’ll definitely take on board your suggestions about introducing everything slowly. It makes sense until I know what works for me.

Hello 👋 nothing to add but wanted to check in. Hope you're all doing okay considering.

@VillageFete Nadine Baggot mentioned in one of her videos that Hado Labo are coming to Superdrug this year. No idea when and it might have been delayed with the current situation.

@TattiePants Thank you. May watch a few of her Youtube videos. Been watching some Caroline Hiron ones and ended up pre ordering her book This is an expensive habit that i’ve picked up during lockdown. There’s lots of eye rolling going on from DP. I forced him to let me give him a facial last night

Save your money, that book really won't be worth it. Skincare is a long term game, you need to spend your money wisely because it doesn't work to splurge and then find you're spending excess of £x monthly that you can't afford to maintain long term. You should be going through a bottle of facial sunscreen per month if using the appropriate amount, that's £10-20 easy already, and that's just sunscreen, everything else just adds up on top of thar. Don't get caught up in this spending race as you'll find yourself with a glut of products you can't/don't use and an angry bank account. Very little lives up to the hype, try not to believe in all the promises of the next miracle thing. Consistency with a few well chosen products is what gives results and it all starts with nurturing the health of your skin barrier.

Yes, hada labo is good value for money but the UK launch (I believe Amazon has the exclusive for now) is different from the Japanese version (which is the one everyone raves about). I've been waiting way longer than normal on a delivery of sunscreen from Japan, ordered pre lockdown in both countries so I doubt you'll get your hands on it easily unless there's a UK seller selling the Japanese version, I know there are a couple but HL is popular and I know the equally popular biore watery essence SPF is pretty much sold out everywhere now.

Then the other issue, HA is not the be all and end all of hydration. It's a stop gap to mask an issue of dehydration, it does nothing to progressively fix it. It can be very irritating or just low level that contributes to a lack of even skin tone but you're unable to pinpoint it as that. It really does sound like your skin barrier is impaired, have a read through of the info sheet on it linked in the OP because restoring that will be a much better investment long term than another HA product.