🐌 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

Pupsie, I started tret for acne so my Derm warmed me that I was likely to purge (IIRC she said I might get 18 months' worth of spots in 3 months - and it certainly seemed to be that). I don't know if the same applies if someone doesn't normally get acne.

And no I very rarely use moisturiser - only sometimes in winter if my skin feels a bit dry or if I'm going on a plane. I never thought I would go without moisturiser and was horrified when derm told me to stop but.... after the first few times,
Honestly I notice no difference. My skin is fine and not dry. I use hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and tret (not all At the same time).

The timeless vit C (as I said), I'm Quite careful with.

Thanks guys. I thought that because I've been using Vit C for so long it wouldn't cause an issue. I'll take a break from it.

It started on the 0.05 Dermatica Bo and I actually only used that a handful of times and all buffered with a moisturiser.

Re not moisturising what does one do for any peeling then?

My skin is normal to slightly dry I would say. I no longer get that almost unbearable tightness after cleansing: not had that for a couple of years. But not sure I want to go without moisturiser. Maybe it's psychological from those days

I wish I'd started this at the start of lockdown.

I've been looking into using retinol. I've heard that Medik8 is good however I went with Nip and Fab as they had offers on. I've also got some of their vit C serum(which I love). I've used The Ordinary Vitamin C for a while but can't find any for love or money. Can't see any difference using the Nip and Fab retinol serum at night and I've used it a few times now. Any fans here or advice?

pupsie I didn't get peeling, but get a slight sting after I apply it. Oh and a spot that is only just fading. After 20 minutes episode of Killing Eve have been putting on Cera Ve cream. What is your opinion of Dermatica v Skin + Me?

I think I prefer the texture and overall experience with the Dermatica ilove. And the lower dose of 0.025. But then I have to question if it was actually doing any good.

If I attached a photo of my chin I think you would all think it was practically nothing. I think I've probably lost a little perspective because I don't usually have any issues like this.

I need to think of the plan going forward. I still have some Dermatica in both strengths. And obviously the Skin+Me. I've stopped the Vit C. I did put a little Bioderma moisturiser on this morning where I felt I needed it. I patted it on very gently. No rubbing in.

I don't want to be chopping and changing between the D and the S&M. And if this is what I'm going to have to go through anyway should I just continue with the S&M avoiding the chin area for now? I do want to commit to giving tret a good try. Or should I wait until after the Summer? Any suggestions?

BTW, Greece holiday (mid August) was cancelled yesterday due to the flights no longer being available. Been looking for a nice house to rent in the UK but nothing available, unsurprisingly.

With the tret Pupsie, I started at 0.05% (don't think they have a lower dose here) and went really slowly - one night a week for a month then 2 nights a week for a month etc . I was ok with this - only got some peeling on planes really or if super cold here. What tret dose was giving you peeling? Maybe you need to go back to the beginning and take it more slowly?

Summer probably isn't the best time to start tret but I suppose it depends on the weather and UV index where you will be.

Oh very sorry to hear about greece. Wonder why August flights cancelled now as they only made decisions up to 15 July here - they haven't mentioned August yet in terms of which countries allowed in

The flights were with TUI. Maybe just not operating to the island now.

Oh Pupsie - I am so sorry about your holiday. We were meant to go to Pembrokeshire over Easter which was cancelled, and my mom from California has had to cancel visiting us this summer. So, we're going to Skye at a cottage where we've been before and it's fab trying to convince the family

Interesting observations about Skin + Me and Dermatica. I had a spot around the first week using Skin + Me (seem wrong to abbreviate to S&M ) so guess this would be a purge - in other words, it's reaching the dermis/epidermis and working on some level, so will probably stay the course. Will be interesting to see what they send me next month.

Thanks Ilove. TBH at least it takes the decision away from us which is no bad thing. DH starts a new job in September and the boys are almost adults so it would have been nice to all get away together. We should get our money back. Can't complain when so many are going through so much and losing jobs etc.

At the moment, if we do anything at all, I'm toying with the idea of driving to France. Pretty easy to socially distance in the tunnel and it would avoid the nightmare of the airport. Maybe drive down south. Will have to see what happens. I'm pretty sure things are about to get worse again.

Meant to be skiing at Xmas but I'm fully expecting that to be cancelled.

Oh, meant to say that my chin is starting to look and feel better. I'll give it a couple more days and then reintroduce the Skin&Me twice a week, avoiding that area.

Hi everyone, I’m new to all this but want to start using tret for anti ageing. I tried to get some from dermatica but they wouldn’t accept my photos so I gave up!
I’ve seen some users recommend online pharmacies so has anyone used farmaciaenandorra to get retirides?
Thanks!

Hi Kaede, skin + me is a good alternative to Dermatica. I don't recommend going it alone.

Thanks bo- I’ll try them instead then. I did originally want it for some nasty cystic spots on my chin (my skin is so so oily) but niacinamide seems to have cleared it all up. Will skin + me prescribe just for anti ageing? Sorry for questions.

Yes, I'm sure they would, however I would read back over the last few pages here for a comparison of Dermatica Vs skin+me. The general consensus seems to be that Dermatica is easier to tolerate and a more pleasant formula for oilier/combo skin and skin+me is more like traditional Tret and quite rich so potentially not that great if you're super oily. Someone else (MrObama?) also had an issue with the photos, seems to be some sort of technical issue with Dermatica. Maybe best to contact them directly as going by your issues Dermatica probably is the better option for you.

Yes, it was me who had issues with Dermatica and photos, but also there were so many hoops to jump through that I didn't bother (had to email one person to let them know I had emailed another person etc) In any case, am happy enough with Skin + Me at the moment and willing to give it a chance. Do find it odd that some people have had reactions with Skin + Me but not Dermatica.

Am looking into Bimatoprost, ideally with a prescription, as not keen to buy directly off the internet. It's actually quite a cheap prescription so am puzzled why it's so expensive, at the same time want to ensure I don't get unsafe ingredients.

This bimatoprost serum is on my radar as they ship throughout Europe and it's with a prescription. Dermatica also have it.

I think they're just profiteering as things like Revitalash are so ludicrously expensive and there is obviously a risk with it which they'd be liable for. It is annoying as it's not expensive at all. Our version of Superdrug briefly sold an eyelash serum with bimatoprost in it and it was amazing and only €10 but they weren't allowed to actually sell it as it's classed as a medicine so they had to remove it from sale. So annoying. Apparently I can ask my GP to prescribe it for me here, but I'm not sure they would.

Botemps - There is an online pharmacy who offer it - with a prescription- £19.95 and without - £49.95. I have investigated a bit and they are registered as a legit pharmacy so suppose they would write the prescription? Doesn't appear that Dermatica offer it any longer which is a shame.

Hi everyone!

Doing well with my vitamin c serum - I went for a Tropic skincare "glow berry" which contains glyceryl ascorbate which you weren't sure about @botemp but it has made a big difference to the evenness of my skin tone and the fine lines look better - back of hands looks loads better, Obviously only a sample of 1!

Not so happy with their sunscreen though. I have tried the great barrier sunscreen and I burnt - not really badly so it was doing something but I now have strap marks :-( I am very fair skinned but have been wearing an spf 30 with no issues previously (as it was the best one I'd found previously for my skin which tends to erupt in boils with most sunscreens!), so was not happy at all. Their facial sunscreen also let something through as it made my rosacea flare up (sun is my only trigger thankfully).

So anyway, I am on the market for another facial sunscreen and am getting a bit overwhelmed by all the choice. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good spf 50 facial sunscreen for very sensitive skin that goes well under make-up - nothing greasy as I will get spots! And definitely no fragrance.

@botemp I see you have recommnded this above altruistsun.com/care/antiredness-and-pigmentation/ but it says it is a moisturiser with SPF which I thought you said was not OK as a sunscreen but maybe it's mislabled?

Any suggestions gratefully received!

Sorry about your holiday pupsie my August trip is also cancelled, we are hoping travel restrictions lift so we can book somewhere in country soon.
I finally got my BC changed about a week ago and have developed alot of pimples, blackheads and Uneveness going right up to my mid cheeks, previously spots where much bigger but concentrated along the jaw line. Only other thing I've changed is upping BHA to every day. Hoping it's just my body getting used to the change and will settle down

How reliable is that pharmacy MrObama they always come across so dodgy to me. And here's where I deserve the SHOUTY caps, it is available OTC in Spain, think they even sell Latisse alongside the generic. Probably most reliable to get it (from) there as at least they have to display that they're legitimate pharmacies (online per EU guidelines). Big caveat, it is a medicine with potentially serious side effects and irritation is quite common. I wouldn't risk it if you have light coloured eyes as it can discolour them or sensitive eyes.

Mini, when a sunscreen brand markets something as a moisturiser I usually assume it's too heavy for most skin types to wear on top of a moisturiser. I only signposted it as an option, I've not used it so can't really call it a recommendation, MrObama (if I'm remembering correctly) gave it a go and wasn't very enthused by it. It doesn't really sound like a good one for you if you don't want anything greasy.

Is your skin sensitive to sunscreens or just generally? Frezyderm velvet is probably the best suited to your requirements.

There can be a bit of an adjustment period with BC Out, hope it settles down soon.

Thanks again @botemps. My skin is sensitive generally and to sunscreens - break outs normally to most sunscreens.

I'll check out the frezyderm....

Oh and sorry for misrepresenting what you said as a recommendation. I misunderstood. Thanks for clarifying.

Frezyderm on order 🤞🏻

Popping back in to say I tried to get the eyelash serum from Dermatica and they wouldn’t prescribe it to me - not sure if it was my low blood pressure or my grandparent with glaucoma preventing it. I tried revitalash instead and (with mascara) I look like I’m wearing false lashes now (it took a month to get to this stage).