🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Vanities Are The New Shelf Porn

[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?

So You Want To Buy A Retinoid - A Guide

MAY 2020: We're in lockdown and it's doing weird things to our faces

That would be great thanks TS.

Apileofballyhoo - yes of course will post about No 7 Retinol and will let you know about the ingredients as soon as I can find them as DD2 very helpfully put them away

Pupsie - Boden are doing face masks. I don't know why I think that's funny....

I was at the price of the Boden masks. Most offerings I've seen so far were from countries where they're mandatory and they cost very little, half that at most but usually less, often made with remnant scraps and proceeds going to charity.

Bally I don't remember saying the Avene extremely gentle cleanser was drying either 🙈 I may have meant it's not as good for dry skin, sort of the opposite of the Toleriane dermo which works well from dry to normal/combo.

Colorscience is getting the humphy face now 55ml for three months? What are they on? Even with the conservative estimate you'd be using 1.25mls a day for just the face, that means it would last a month and a half. did you email them for samples, I now they send them out in the US?

Bally, I keep meaning to include it in my retinol sheet but the Avene Retinaldehyde (so same form as the Medik8 Crystal Retinaldehyde) is I believe more of a cream formulation and since you like all things Avene already it may be worth a punt. It's called Retrinal in the US I've forgotten what the European product name is.

My collagen powder finished today, just under two months so thought I'd share a little recap of my experience with it so far. I'm generally of the supplements are expensive piss camp but I'll take them under directions of someone that actually studied for this stuff (in this case my dermatologist and he doesn't sell it). Got recommended the specific form of Verisol collagen as it has some research behind it for hair (which is an ongoing saga for me and why I see a dermatologist) and possibly additional benefits, including nails, skin and cellulite. I'll split it into sections:

Hair, difficult to really pinpoint as I'm experimenting with the CGM but hair has definitely grown faster (which may or may not be down to warmer temps) than usual and the new growth does feel sturdier. Cautiously impressed.

Nails, my nails have always been super resistant and unbreakable. Can't say that's changed but it has been harder to cut them (I could be in need of new clippers, hard to tell really) and I'm needing to do it more often than normal but not at rapidly increased pace, every two weeks was the norm for me, now I have to do it a couple of days earlier but that may also be down to warmer temps. Can't tell if it did anything here.

Skin, on the face I can't really tell any difference, no sudden plump dewy skin or magically better skin as most of the collagen peptides marketing boasts. Body skin is very low maintenance though, I tend to moisturise when needed rather than by a schedule or daily regiment as it just doesn't need much very often and I've had to moisturise even less than normal. Keratosis pilaris also seems a lot milder than usual at this time of year. Skin that naturally tends to sit looser (under arms, inner thighs, lower stomach) is somewhat tighter considering I was slapped with fatigue for three weeks that left me unable to exercise I'm going to have to put this down to the collagen as I didn't up or change exercise when I got back to it and it's been unchangeable skin in terms of laxity for years.

Cellulite, I've only really started to struggle with cellulite in the last few years and weirdly it's worse the less I weigh. It's not an all over very noticeable thing but I have a few deep pitted spots and have a deep dislike of poorly lighted changing rooms with wraparound mirrors. Since starting the collagen those deep pitted spots are gone and the overall tone is improved, not gone completely but very minimal now, recent stop in a changing room was also not traumatising for a change. I had not expected those results at all and stupidly only took a before picture of my face for collagen before/after assessment.

Cons, I found myself very bloaty at first but it settled down after a week or two. There's a bit of an odd whiff to it when you mix it in but it's tasteless. Haven't really experienced any other physical problems. Price is a major one I suppose, I got mine from a private label local vitamin shop here and got lucky with that as it's €26 for two months supply (although I finished it up slightly quicker, powder form makes it more difficult to be accurate as it didn't come with a measurement thingamajig) but most other brands with this specific type of collagen seem to charge much more for it and doing so with other doses than the research trials (either way more or way less).

Intersting Bo. So will you continue with it?

Yes, despite being sceptic it did perform in ways I hadn't anticipated with results I wouldn't be able to replicate with anything else or would require a lot of effort. I'm happy to continue using it, especially for the hair it will take longer to fully assess anyhow.

Just got a free sample - so ridiculously excited. PC Unscrub. Think I love it, but not sure if I'd buy it.

Hi all i have read through the threads as much as poss and am after some advice.
Bit of background - i am 49 with really clear skin but over last 2 months have experienced intense itching on face as if insects crawling all over me, and after reading the entire internet have self diagnosed with demodex. i understand their connection with rosacea but i do not have that. i can see what look like pale blotches in different areas as if scarring has occurred. I have the same feeling in my eyes and am treating them for blepharitis with various potions.

i have tried steroid cream, acyclovir tablets and as a last resort permethrin for scabies. Nothing worked although i had a few days of relief after the permethrin.
i have also found some relief by cleansing face with diluted Dettol!
i am so upset as i do not want to kill my beautiful skin. But i am driven mad with itching.
Anyway life story over has anyone had anything similar?
The mites are migrating due to my excessive tea tree oil habit (apparently they hate it) and i am now itchy in various other areas like my shin and backs of hands.
I am on HRT and suffer from mild depression so i think there is a connection with low immune system.
I am willing to go to a dermatologist but i have heard they are usually pretty useless with this issue.
Can anyone advise? I have heard about Soolantra but my GP wouldnt prescribe as my skin looks clear.
Thank you.

Hi Kalifornia, sorry to hear you struggling so much.

Can I ask, did you look at fungal acne (pityrosporum folliculitis or malassezia folliculitis) in your self diagnosis search as I've never really heard of demodex mites without rosacea. Not saying it's not possible but it's difficult to point you in the right direction without an official diagnosis. Although the issue with the eyes would suggest mites over yeast.

I certainly understand your hesitancy with a dermatologist, they would be the right step to take but finding one that has the necessary expertise for this (the dermodex angle and fungal acne are both relatively new to the dermatological field and most dermatologists seem oblivious to it) and helps you efficiently instead of running up costs following a set protocol isn't easy. Also, not sure where you are, but likely you'd have to go to one in London.

I know someone on this thread did manage to get Soolantra through an online pharmacy (called something 4 you) getting the script from them. Not sure it's advisable to go down that route without any formal diagnosis but the option is there. Alternatively, azelaic acid would be helpful, for both reducing dermodex mites and helping with fungal acne. You can get a good OTC version from Garden of Wisdom at Victoria Health or the prescription from the Boots or Superdrug acne clinics after filling out a questionnaire.

I'm not sure how advisable Dettol is, it may help temporarily but leave skin even less resilient in the long term.

Have you been home and indoors during lockdown all this time?

Kalifornia - Am sure you have researched this, but one when my mom came to visit (ironically from California ) she stayed in a hotel in London and then stayed in a B & B near us. She had intense itching which ended up being bed bugs, which was worse behind her knees. They were difficult to get rid of but she moved from the B & B and we washed all of her clothes in a high temperature

Obviously you have done your research, but wanted to mention it anyway.

Thank you both for replying so quickly!
Botemp i will look into that but i have no acne. To the naked eye my skin looks fine. I originally thought it might be impetigo nut steroid cream does nothing so i know it isnt that.
I am in London.

ilovemydog i have checked for scabies, fleas, bed bugs you name it!
My gut feeling is that it isn;t something i have caught but an issue with me. an issue with stress and low immunity perhaps.... I have heard a good gut bacteria might help.

I have read about sulphur and silver collide and all sorts.
For now i am using tea tree oil in everything ut i am unable to eae make up and it is so DULL! i have thrown away all make up that could harbour germs. Sob.

Kalifornia, ok, it's difficult to know what you have and I still question the dermodex because on the body they tend to show up elsewhere.

Assuming your GP has been no help and unwilling to refer you it's probably the most sensible to see a private dermatologist. I know Dr. Emma Wedgeworth has an expertise in rosacea and understands the dermodex role. So at the very least she should be able to confirm or rule it out. She also has a specialisation in atopic skin and an interest in menopausal skin and takes a holistic approach. That should cover a lot of the bases with you. I'm not sure how easy it is to book in in these times. Last time I heard it started at £300 for the consultation, skincare products will often be recommended, if you're stretching massively just to see her it's probably best to make that clear otherwise you could be ending up with a far higher bill than anticipated with all the recommended products they sell there, they also offer a list of recommended cheaper French pharmacy brands.

Thanks so much Botemp i will look her up and report back if i have any solutions.
x

My timeless and dermatica both arrived with the postman this morning.

How long does the timeless normally last those who use it daily? Another tricky one in terms of knowing how much is in it!

About 3 months kept in the fridge IME. The new pump bottle definitely makes it more difficult to know. I ordered mine mid march (still had a bit left of the previous one) and I am running low so will probably order some within the next two weeks.

Keeping 🤞 crossed for you Kalifornia hope it's easily resolved.

Hi all, I'm currently suffering a huge hormonal outbreak, deep under the skin spots along my jaw line and smaller pimples all along the bottom of my cheeks. @botemp I think you mentioned a product that could help with cystic spots to someone but I can't find it.
Have finally found someone who can deal with the coil but currently any non emergency appointments cannot take place so hoping I can find something that will help at least in the short term.
Face masks are compulsory here so at least nobody can see it, the top half of my face is looking great

Also saw an advert about a pharmacy here having timeless products in stock including the Vit C, how long does it last unopened? wondering if I should purchase while available but don't want to add it anything unnecessary until the spots are under control

Pupsie - What does your DS use on his face? DS (12) is getting dry patches, and after a long chat, he does want to look after his skin, but doesn't want to use the stuff his mum and sister use, which I guess is fair enough . He has quite fair skin, and up until recently had a dairy allergy/intolerance.

Thanks bo, is that with daily use?

@agteacht

Thanks bo, is that with daily use?

Yes, daily use

Out, not sure how it works for cystic but for subcutaneous spots and ingrown hairs I mentioned Hexomedine Transdermale but it's an OTC medicine from French pharmacies, not sure if you can get it as easily where you are.

Although you've been making out you're living in skincare barren land and you've suddenly got Timeless on your doorstep WRT vitamin c shelf life, it's very limited, it's about 3 months from production, regardless of whether it's opened or not. It lasts a little longer in the fridge but should be used as soon as bought anyhow.

I know you mentioned being able to get medicine without prescription quite easily, you could consider asking for Zineryt or the generic alternative, that is meant to be good with cystic spots. I know Enid prefers it in the powder form that you make up when needed.

thanks bo i'll have a look, I am slowly taking inventory of all the fancy pharmacies in the land, there is a surprising number however sadly still barren of any LRP dermo cleanse. On closer inspection the 'pharmacy' advertising timeless seems to be based on instagram only so I would probably want to order something cheap to check its legitimate first.

Thanks bo. Good to know about shelf life. I'm sure I've had my Kiehls for longer, must check 😬

Zoomed in - this is after a month of dermatica and 3 weeks vitamin c
Pretty pleased

Keep dithering about buying an eye cream but am going to bite the bullet and buy the verso serum. Based on both comments here and reviews. Need something to give me hope with laughter lines!

Best deal still seems to be the EU skincity site at 65euro. The UK site is selling it for £78 and offering a free gift of the 20ml verso eye cream which is tempting.... but you have to spend £80 on verso so would have to add in a £15 face mask!
Look fantastic have 20% code but don't do the serum. If anyone has any other ideas let me know but otherwise will go with the skincity.

Lookfantastic do carry it here. Probably comes out the same price as Skincity as they now seem to charge for shipping and I suppose you could probably get a cashback with LF if you're signed up with one of those programs.

If you can wait Verso usually goes on offer at Skincity every now and then but realistically it'll be a €10 discount at most.

WRT Kiehl's vitamin c, iirc it's in a silicone base so it has a much longer shelf life due to stability outside of a hydrous solution (but it's then questioned how active the vitamin c really is). The very short Vitamin C shelf life of three months is really specific to Timeless (and the Vichy one).