🐌 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?

Winter SPF’s can be more moisturising for me and don’t need to be sweatproof. Whereas for summer ones I would prefer sweat, serum and waterproof with a matte or stain finish. But I have combination skin.

Some people with dry skin want moisturising SPF all year round.

For me the winter SPFs have some barrier repair and healing/soothing ingredients. They also tend to be a bit richer. It helps with the harsh wind and general seasonal changes and the added dryness Tret can cause.

For summer I don't want anything shiny and it needs to stay put, not slowly slide off and should be able to layer without issue.

Spring doesn't demand much, just not too shiny but nothing too mattifying either. I'm still on the lookout for the perfect autumn counterpart, which is lightly moisturising and can resist the odd shower.

I keep meaning to try the skin Aqua moisturising essence one. I think someone uses it on here , Tsn possibly? Biore also has a new range out, IR+, that's heavy duty prolonged outdoor, sweat and water resistant while exercising but it contains fragrance. The aerosol doesn't, which would make for a handy top up spray potentially but they don't ship the aerosols internationally.

I'm normal/combo, it's a good point cinnamon, the ends of the spectrum skin types probably don't have a need for this much variation.

Forgot to mention previously, I also like the Japanese Pigeon UV mineral sunscreen but it used to be very affordable and the prices went up on eBay for no discernible reason so I haven't bought it in a while.

The winter / summer thing made me wonder, when do you all plan to stop using tret or other retinols? Or will you continue throughout the summer too?

I continue throughout summer but I'm not a sun worshipper and I will wear a hat if I know I'll be outdoors for long periods of time. In a heatwave I'll usually dial it back.

@botemp
Yes it's me that uses the Skin Aqua Moisture Milk - I love it, it's very moisturising, without having the greasy film that many of the LRP ones seem to have. I tried the Canmake Mermaid but wasn't a fan of the texture, it seemed to pill a bit under makeup. I've also got Skin Aqua Moisture Gel, which is similar to Biore Watery Essence but definitely not as drying - I'm using that as a quick morning sunscreen before exercise, then use the Moisture Milk after my shower.

Pupsie I look for a bit more longevity in terms of sweatproof-ness (sorry for the made-up word!) for a summer SPF and greater moisturising properties in a winter SPF. That's it really! Oh, and I like the Frezyderm tinted for summer, as I don't have to bother with any makeup base.

Untamed For the last couple of years I've switched from tret to a less irritating/less effective retinoid, like Pestle and Mortar Superstar Retinoid oil. Usually in June or whenever I'm likely to be out in the strong sun more. Not sure about this year as there won't be so many outdoor opportunities I would guess and I'm also starting Dermatica at a lower strength which I may be OK with....

Thanks Tsm, I'm looking at the Essence version, it's a large bottle for not much money. I remember looking at the milk previously but can't remember what ingredient it was anymore that made me hesitate. I'm going to have to check again what it was as I do tend to prefer Japanese milk sunscreens over essence versions. I'll check the gel out too.

My dermatica subscription came through - thanks to those who said it would.

I was prescribed this - is that two products or a mix? Any views?

Tretinoin 0.025% / Niacinamide 4% lotion

It's one product that contains both. I think most have gotten that combination to start with, niacinamide helps a bit with mitigating the havoc Tret can wreak on the skin barrier when introducing it so it's a lot easier to tolerate.

Thank you @botemp - I'll give it a go!

I have winter and summer SPFs as my skin changes quite drastically depending on the season, the ones I use in winter are too heavy for me in summer and cause my makeup to slide off.

Bo I used the Skin Aqua Moisture milk over winter, I did like it but prefer the Purito one as found it to be more moisturising for winter skin.

I usually stop using tret over summer, I’m far from a sun worshipper but as I’m normally out of the house 10 hours plus wearing a full face of makeup I was always a bit worried about not being able to top up my SPF adequately. No such worries this year so I’ve ploughed on.

After several weeks with no issues I’ve had a bit of an onset of dusty tret face the last few days, not the end of the world at the moment but wondering if I should add a niacinamide serum to my routine? Or is the amount in CerAve adequate/could I over do it adding more?

@Tsmummy08 I’ve been looking at the Frezyderm tinted. Is it more of a bronzing gel thing that skin shows through or does it have a slight cover to even out skin tone?

Vegan I’m using frezyderm tinted at the moment, I find it does even out skin tone and think it gives pretty decent coverage. I’m not wearing full makeup at the moment but in previous summers I’ve used it instead of foundation. It might not be a great match if your pale though, I’m medium and it works well for me but seem to remember others here saying it was too dark for them.

Hi Vegan, what Sallie says re Frezyderm is true: I have pale skin and tried a sample of the tinted
one - it was far too dark for me.

thanks both of you, it will probably be too dark for me, Im normally the second lightest shade in foundations

I'm usually second to lightest too Vegan and it's just a bit too dark. You can get away with it but it doesn't look right, I finished it up by mixing the colourless version into it for a lighter coverage and that did work well. The Avene mineral tinted is a better match but it gets on clothes I've tried a few but can't really remember if there was one standout I actually liked. Bioderma was on the darker side too and Neostrata/Exuviance adapted to skin tone but I disliked it as a sunscreen (I'm in the minority on that one, most people like it).

I've been sorting my dressing table out. I like stuff to hand hence the mess
Waiting on a glass stand for my mirror, at my height it sits too low for me if it's just on the table
Photo 2 is the new bathroom storage I just bought

tsmummy do you like the pestle and mortar oil? What strength of retinol is it? I’ve been using the DE one and would like a stronger one but not go to tret yet. Find it’s hard to work out the strength of retinol in products .TIA

Thanks for that info botemp.

What I’m looking for is a tinted spf that just gives a light coverage and isn’t orange. Also one that doesn’t look oily or go oily through the day. I usually use Korean bb cream but most are more like foundation so lately been using a Korean spf and a bit of mineral powder.

What about the Heliocare tinted gel in light, has anyone tried that?

Urgh, all this tret talk is making me jealous

My bloody embryo transfer was scheduled for April (Cancelled due to Covid, obvs)
I was pencilled in again for July, but with my embryos being in Cyprus I don’t know what the hell is happening now! Clinic have told me that tourists should be allowed in, without the need to quarantine, from July. But it’s this end that’s the issues. Will Boris let me fly? This is why I can’t aboard the tret train, so i’m desperately seeking other ways to have nice, hydrated, supple skin (To be fair, my new routine has given me a nice glow)

Neutrogena Hydro Boost water gel was on offer in the supermarket today. £6. Bought it, but I think it’s the gel cream version I needed for nourishment? Both have dimethicone in, which is occlusive, I think? And ideal on top of Hyaluronic acid?

Still awaiting my delivery of BYBI Buckuchiol in squalane oil. That goes on after cleansing (And Niamicide or HA if i’m using it) but before moisturiser doesn’t it? It’s not oil after moisturiser?

Sallie you could try the PC nia booster? I've been using a couple of drops with my Cerave moisturiser at bedtime and I like it and my skin can be funny with nia. Not using it at the moment because of the tret having nia in it.

Village I'm sorry to hear about your embryo transfer. There was a piece on Jeremy Vine re the impact of CV on IVF a couple of weeks ago. The knock on effect of this darned disease is horrendous.

New thread required soon Bo!!!

Vegan sorry for the late reply, I'm a light-medium skin tone and it works for me but only in the summer when I can get away with looking a bit brown...

Skinful Yes I love the P&M retinoil but I would say it's very gentle, not at all like tret or 1% Retinol (which I found more irritating than 0.05 tret). I thought the DE retinol was supposed to be quite strong?

Skinful you could try the PC trial size region. I have a freebie that I've used a couple of times pre-tret. Will probably mix with hand cream and use on hands.

I've been religiously using the Alpha Renewal Body Lotion with a couple of drops of marula oil daily all over my feet. They are unbelievably soft and lush now.

@Pupsiecola Thanks Pupsie. I shouldn’t complain, I know there’s others far worse off. I am already a mum, this is just to complete my family, but it’s taken over my life for many years and i’d just love it to finally be over!
Re - The PC Niacinamide. I have this, but am yet to use it as I’m gradually building up with things. I wasn’t sure if you applied directly to face or whether it was best buffered with a moisturiser. Are you finding it making a difference to your face?