🐌 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

Where do ppl buy Biologique Recherche from?! I can only find that Embassy of Beauty site and you have to become a member then seek skincare advice. No thank you!

Before I purchase, is this the correct Biore Sunscreen?

Pupsie Embassy of Beauty is the only U.K. stockist which annoys me as they’re expensive, their P&P is a rip off too and they make you fill in that questionnaire and then recommend you a routine costing around £500

The good news is it’s not a subscription, you just sign up to the website, fill in the questionnaire, ignore the recommendations (unless you’re very rich ) and buy what you want. They don’t pester you or anything and once you’re signed up you can just log in and browse/buy like any other website.

Tattie there isn't a 'correct' Biore there's a few that get mentioned on here. The one you've linked is the most popular one, so I assume in that sense it's probably the correct one if you're on the combo to oily side.

Ah yes the crazy £££ routine. I'm so glad I have a shop selling BR just down the road

Tattie I would like to point out that the images they use are of much older versions. Could just be that they never updated the images, but there are fake versions of it out there. I wouldn't buy it on Amazon unless it's dispatched by Amazon, and on eBay only from sellers from Japan with a high rating (over 99.7). Attached is what it should look like.

Hi, I used to dabble on here when it was Korean skincare, but I’ve been a little financially challenged. Anyway a couple of queries. Dd (20) still gets hormonal spots around her chin. I used to get them too, nasty big blind spots in the same place and general outbreaks before her period. Not terribly oily skin, but enlarged pores and dry spots.She’s looking to get a new moisturiser and cleanser and was considering cerave. She uses Ordinary glycolic toner a couple of times a week and cleanses using a balm and hot cloth. Not a lot of spare cash. Any tips?
And has anyone used Rationale? I know someone involved in it, and whilst it looks fab, it is big £££.

@OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow

I have those terrible blind pimples on my cheeks and chin before my period and honestly I think tretinoin helps slightly but really it’s a hormonal issue so most people result to some type of birth control pill. I’m trying a new one pill to see if it will stop those painful blind ones because they are honestly excruciating.

@OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow I’m no expert, but my cousin suffers with hormonal breakouts like you describe. She was prescribed DUAC from her GP which worked wonders. There’s also something similar in Boots and Superdrug which may be worth a Google? It’s called Acnecide 5% gel.

@botemp The DG pads are the ultra gentle version and contain lactic and mandelic acid. If I were to use them a couple of times a week, is it not wise to use a different AHA glycolic based mask once a week?

Thanks Bo, yes I’m combo/oily so I’ll give the Biore a try. I’ve left it out of my amazon order as I couldn’t be sure of the seller (not Amazon) so I’ll look on eBay tomorrow.

I was reading your comments re introducing tret alongside an existing retinol. I’ve was going to use up my LRP Redermic first but should I continue using it and switch one night to tret, then build up to 2, 3 etc like your dermatologist suggested? I’m probably using LRP 4-5 nights a week and I’ve had no problems at all.

Sorry, one last question, what lip balm would anyone recommend?

So many questions - embarked, for want of a better word, on the previous threads, and impressed with the amount of research on the various methods.

Quick question for @Pupsiecola - In Thread One, you tried the Face Theory Retinol. Forgive me, if already answered, but couldn't find mention of it, what was you view of it? I notice from your current list that it's not included.

Am trying to be restrained and not rush out to replace everything in my arsenal, but tbh, not sure that TO Retinol 2% is having much of an effect?

@OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow I also get big cystic spots on my chin and jaw around my period. Its definitely hormonal and I'm 99% sure mine are birth control related. I agree with others that because of the cause it's hard to solve with skincare.
They are however definitely worsened by certain products. Thanks to this thread I've stopped using so many products and have a simple routine of
LRP toreline dermo cleanse in the morning followed by SPF
In the evening I use the dermo cleanse again followed with effaclar purifying gel if its been a heavy spf/make up/sweaty day
Effaclar duo + to moisturise
Paula's choice BHA every other night
while the spots are still a big annoyance I find nothing in that list causes additional spots and leaves my skin ok enough that a little bit of foundation can cover the cystic spots and I'm happy to leave the house.

I sound like an advert for la Roche Posey there but I promise it's just because it's easily available to me at a reasonable price

Hello (again) WhatFuckery, the Korean threads feel like a lifetime ago.

I've still yet to try it but for subcutaneous (blind) spots a French pharmacy find is Hexomedine Transdermique. I'm not sure how easily available it is in the UK (it's an OTC medicine) but it's cheap and easily ordered from the French or Belgian pharmacies that trade online.

As cinammon has pointed out, for hormonal acne birth control is often a factor, Yazmin being one that's usually really helpful with skin (though some have the complete opposite reaction). There's also diet to look at, sugar, dairy and/or gluten being the main triggers.

Acnecide is Benzoyl Peroxide which generally is less helpful and a bit hardcore when it's just time of the month related. Cerave is a good bet, hydrating cleanser and the PM lotion (called something different in different countries but it's the one without mineral oil and with niacinamide). She could also look into cycle synching whereby you track how your skin behaves at different times of the month and for example when oilier in the lead up to menstruation use a BHA cleanser instead of the hydrating (Cerave also do one, it's slightly drying, CosRX good morning cleanser is a gentler alternative). BHA may be a useful addition, the Paula's Choice 2% perfecting liquid isn't cheap but the travel size isn't crazy money and if just used topically where the breakouts are it lasts for a good few months.

Fete, oof I checked the ingredient list, yes they'll probably be as advertised really gentle, expect humectant results from them rather than exfoliating. There's a lot of common irritants in them though (the Dr. Dennis Gross brand baffles me just as much as Zelens) so irritation may stem from that rather than acid related irritation/sensitivities. Anyhow, yes, I'd keep the AHA in at one time a week.

Tattie, Timeless does appear to have the Biore in stock again, different price point though but you'd have it sooner. I've also recently discovered Bonjour Global now works with a European warehouse, it's cheaper on there (but not Japan prices on Amazon/eBay cheap). They're originally Hong Kong based and their reputation was a bit iffy way back, seems better now, but proceed with caution. Cheaper and reliable is Dokodemo.world the prices are without shipping and there's many options but if you're buying more than one but keep it under the tax import threshold (not sure what that is for the UK it's €22 for me) it works out very well. Biore is €6 something on there at the moment.

Provided you're well used to the redermic and it doesn't cause irritation under normal circumstances then I think that would be fine, maybe stick to 3-4 rather than 4-5x a week?

Lip balm, something sticky/ointment like works well as that tends to stay in place whereas something waxy absorbs quicker. I use the Kiehl's lip balm in a tube, because they keep giving them to me for free and I have enough for a nuclear winter. But something like vaseline does the job fine as well, you can also dot the corners of eyes and mouth with LRP Cicaplast.

MrObama, I don't really rate the ordinary retinols, the 2% granactive did weird things to me and went 'off' and I wasn't the only one on here that experienced that. I believe they've removed some from the market recently not sure why, I do know they removed the BHA because it caused chemical burns I've made a buying guide in the OP that goes through the various options for Retinoids, I should give it an update to include tretinoin options (Dermatica wasn't around when I wrote it) but otherwise covers all the options and product recommendations.

MrObama gosh that's a blast from the past. I can't remember, and pretty sure I only used it for one round. I wish now I'd kept a spreadsheet of products I've tried! If you're starting out I'd consider LRP Redermic R if you can.

Botemps - Not surprised about TO BHA. I lasted 30 seconds before I had to take it off. DD(13) tells me that her friends challenge each other by how long they can tolerate it, as some sort of badge of honour. .

pupsie - Suppose it would be fair to say that you weren't overly impressed if you didn't continue to use it? Believe it or not, just ordered the LRP Redermic before I saw your message. Am trying not to be wasteful, but think I will use what I have left and slowly replace, other than TO retinol which has been binned.

Am getting offers for laser treatment for hair removal at 55% off, obviously for when it's safe to go back. Debating whether to get a Lumea or pay for treatment? I like the idea of just going into a clinic where they are professionally trained....

Oohhh my tret has arrived with the postman!

@ilovemydogandMrObama I've been using the Lumea for about 6 weeks now, one of about 6 lockdown self improvement projects 😂

It definitely is working very well underarms and bikini line. Legs are taking longer but that's also partly because I keep missing bits. And I'm particularly hairy I hate to say 😂

Might have gone on a storage buying + organising spree.

Haven't got before pics but suffice to say it's much more pleasing, and all SPF now in downstairs loo where it's actually more useful. The boys have their own sides of the damil bathroom cabinet (no way they'd use any skincare if was in their rooms).

Pics didn't attach and that should be family bathroom.

Oh FFS why does MN do that??

Boys' stash...

Anyone fancy a game of 'identify the product' lol

Thanks Bo. Stuck with the DE and took advantage of double points at Space Nk. Skin very dry at the minute due to using PPE at work. I’m on night duty at the minute so we have to wear our masks and visors for 4 hours before changing them. I’m probably bit dehydrated also as we can’t eat or drink with PPE on.
Just trying to up my fluid intake prior to shifts .
Thanks for new thread Bo

Thanks ts just catching up on last thread now. Had no redness really at all that I can remember with the DE so thought it wasn’t that strong either!

Thanks for the tips Bo, that's tret applied for the first time, fingers crossed it all goes smoothly!

I'm actually nervous about doing mine @TattiePants ! Have my lip balm at the ready...

@agteacht I was a bit too. So far so good (although it has only been an hour!)