🐌 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

@botemp 100% won’t be repurchasing the DGG pads. I much prefer Paula’s Choice acids. I’ve tried the 2% BHA a couple of times when my hormonal small breakout appeared and was very impressed (Although my partner has kept this in his stash. He’s enjoying it) And her AHA stuff is really good, although only used it twice so far as it’s a once per week treatment. Not sure how her ingredients match up to his, but I am enjoying her range.

My BYBI Buckuchiol in squalane came today. It’s lovely. Feels great on my skin. My mum has ordered some. Why she won’t jump on the tret train but will pump herself full of botox is beyond me

@TattiePants have woken up with face intact 😂 phew!

In terms of application, it says put all over face but I put on forehead and side of cheeks down to chin. So avoiding nose, eyes and inner cheeks. Is this too cautious? Should I be putting under eyes to help with lines there?

Very exciting things taking place today, the travel restrictions have been relaxed and I've been allowed across county lines (thanks to DPs job). First time I have left the house in over a month. I'm think I'm most excited to buy shampoo, I've been using DPs for the last two weeks and it just isn't cutting it

I’m looking for advice for my skin. It’s bloody awful basically. It is so inflamed in a morning mainly on one side and does calm down as the day goes on. I have quite dry skin. I have used various brands of skin care and using Clinique at the moment. Nothing seems to make any effect and it’s really getting g me down. I eat well 80% of the time. My ex reside is mostly walking as anything that raises my body temp too much sends the redness into overtime Across my cheeks. Any advice on skin care or products would be really appreciated.

Harry, I'm sorry to hear your skin is getting you down. I'm not medically qualified by any means but what you're describing are classic rosacea symptoms. There are a few OTC products to consider but it's really best to get it diagnosed and ask for Soolantra. It's quite new and most GPs are unfamiliar with it but it's a game changer for those with rosacea. In general keep it as minimal possible, gentle cleanser, moisturiser and a mineral SPF. The LRP rosaliac and Toleriane lines are good as is the Eucerin anti redness line. There's a few lifestyle things as well, no high impact exercise (as you're already experiencing), alcohol is best avoided as are spicy foods. If you need any help with specific products, let me know.

Very exciting Out, try not to buy ALL the things

Agte, yes, definitely too cautious. First time is always a bit of a 'that's it?' moment. Provided you're tolerating it well it doesn't really start acting up until the frequency comes closer together. You can take it all over the face but just avoid the occular area and too close to corners of mouth and eyes but if you used balm/cream on these areas before applying Tret you're generally well protected. Tret is not considered safe to use around eyes but some dermatologists (like mine) allow it, I wouldn't do it with the higher percentages though. Be cautious with the neck, Tret can be used there but skin tends to be more delicate there so irritation is likely to be higher.

Fete, Paula's Choice makes a lot of products, by far the most impressive things are the acids and the clinical retinol. The rest is meh. The BHA in particular I have been recommending for forever, no other BHA comes close and it lasts forever if you don't use it everywhere.

Tbf to your mother, Botox and Tret don't do the same thing. If you're further down the line and ageing has fully set in its a long path to seeing any anti ageing effect from it. It really is just a skin texturiser at that point, similar to acids when you're younger.

Stay safe skinful, Gothamista did a on PPE and skin issues with a dermatologist recently. It may be of use to you.

MrObama, I have had professional laser treatments on my face (the very best expensive proper laser kind, not IPL which is usually what all those offers are) and I have a Lumea for the body. The laser definitely gave better results but for the money (thousands vs a few hundred) the Lumea really does perform well. I do have PCOS so there's a hormonal component to the hair growth, from what I gather people without PCOS have much better results with the Lumea.

Speaking of hair, just an FYI for all the new Tret users, Tret can increase the peach fuzz and other facial hair. Tret also means you can no longer wax or bleach hair as you run the risk of ripping your skin off/damaging it permanently. I wouldn't advise dermaplaning anyhow but definitely not within the Tret adjustment period.

I have actual makeup on today, this whole shielding thing means I've been makeup free for weeks because I'm just a bit meh about the whole thing
Two recommendations
Makeup forever reboot foundation - your skin but better, light coverage and not at all caked or drying. Not enough coverage if you have a lot of blemishes but it's a lovely base
La girl blush in shade "just because" is beautiful but not as a blush... it's actually a contour shade and makes a great matte transition eyeshadow or just just stick it all over the lid. Very cool toned - see pic

I was very well restrained, picked up vichy 89 mineral serum, a low poo shampoo as I figured while I'm not leaving the house is a good time to try one and several bottles of sunscreen because incase I can't get here again for a while.

Thank you Botemp that is really very helpful I suppose it has just crept up on me and I haven’t thought about medication. I’ll get an appointment and hopefully get some results.

Harry do you mind me asking how old you are?

I was diagnosed with mild rosacea about 10 years ago and saw a derm. Had some prescribed topical meds and some oral antiobiotics and it improved very quickly. As Bo says, identify your triggers if you can: for me that's also exercise, alcohol (especially red wine: I hardly drink but am fine with a G&T a week), spicy food and changes in temperature. The derm really drove home how important it is to stay out of the sun. Up until then I only really knew about the damage caused by UVB rays: I didn't know about protection against UVA rays. I always cleansed, toned and moisturisers from age 16 (now 50) but I only used SPF in a moisturiser and it wouldn't even have entered my head to wear it inside. These threads have made a HUGE difference too. Rest assured it will get better. I've had facialists and beauty therapists and friends shocked when I told them I have rosacea to the point of wondering whether it was an incorrect diagnosis. Just want to say see a professional, learn what you can, avoid your triggers. It can improve a LOT!

Talking of exercise, I've veered away from HIIT in the last few months. I've been doing more weight training/power lifting (what my husband calls 'powerbuilding'. Only 2-3 times a week but full on full body sessions. We are very lucky to have a garage gym with squat rack etc. I then do one 5k run a week which really does leave me full on flushed but it's such a benefit to my mental health I don't think I will give it up. Then I add one 20 minute HIIT per week. I've also been doing daily mobility work for the last month and am really feeling the benefits. Squats this morning had more depth and better form.

What I actually came on to say is: the pores on my nose (which were enlarged, but no blackheads) are looking better! Two weeks of tret. I'm not imagining it: even in the magnifying mirror I use for make-up they look tighter. Very happy with that.

Harry, just to add from experience on this thread, not everyone's GP is especially helpful with rosacea, either unwilling to prescribe something at all or only the standard antibiotics which are helpful to some but not everyone. I know someone on here went through one of the online pharmacies that provides prescriptions (called something like pharmacy2u or 4u, sounds dodgy but isn't) when their GP was of no help to get Soolantra. Dermatica is an online dermatologist service but they would only be able to prescribe azelaic acid (which could be helpful but no guarantees) but considering the times we live in you may not have easy access to your GP right now so those could be alternatives in the meantime.

pupsecola thanks for sharing your experience. It really has put me off exercise out of the house. I had only lady laugh at me after a class last month and it has really knocked my confidence. I’m 44 btw.

botemp I’ll have a look on line. I will try for an appointment but our local GP surgery has closed and we are merged with the local hospital surgery so don’t know who I would see and quite frankly feels a little self indulgent with everything going on.

But thank you both for giving me a bit of hope. It was getting me down.

Thanks bo, I will be less cautious on next application!! Thought better be safe than sorry. But I am not happy to hear it can increase facial hair!! I too have PCOS, though I believe bizarrely it's improving since I've had a baby and have been losing weight subsequently. But anyway no extra hair please 😢

As an aside I found a small sample I had of aromatherapy associates hydrating face oil. It smells and feels amazing.

@agteacht I wasn't so cautious, just slapped it on all over (though avoided, eyes, neck and corners of mouth). So far so good but I'll be waiting a few days before I put it on again.

Harry another one here with rosacea! I went to see my GP about it but I knew more than him, he had never heard of soolantra. I was going to do the online gp thing to get it but I'm still breastfeeding so will hang on a bit. I get bumps on my cheeks and there is some redness but my skin is actually looking pretty good at the moment. I was supposed to be doing 6 weeks no make up and a basic routine to see if I could pinpoint my triggers but I've had to wear make up when I've had work/gone shopping so that's gone out of the window. Still doing a pretty basic routine so hopefully that is helping! Not sure if mine might be linked to hormones? Is that even possible?! I can't seem to find any external triggers so I'm keeping a record of when it flares up to see if its connected to my cycle at all.

Can I join? I've also recently started with tret from dermatica. My second delivery arrived today but I'm still using up the first. The first bottle was 0.025% but this one is 0.05%, hopefully I won't experience too many problems though.

Rozex (metronidazole), Soolantra (ivermectin), Skinoren and Finacea (last two are based around azalaic acid) can all be obtained via online prescription.

You could also try general azalaic acid (such as Garden of Wisdom or Face Theory).

There's also Dermalex rosacea treatment and Medik8 Calmwise serum.

For a gentle cleanser and moisturiser, CeraVe might be a good start.

The beauty editor Rosie Green has rosacea and has several useful articles and videos on the Internet. Start here : www.google.com/amp/s/www.redonline.co.uk/beauty/10-best/amp530833/how-to-get-rid-of-rosacea/

And here:

Finacea. That's why I was prescribed.

Wondered if anyone was willing to give me a bit of guidance trying to establish a better skincare routine?

I really want to start an anti ageing routine but also have acne prone and scarred skin I have to deal with. I’m a bit all over the place trying to figure out which products I really need.
Have had problems in the past with cystic acne that cleared up eventually after 6+ months of antibiotics. Quite clear skin in the last few years other than monthly hormone related spots but I’ve just had to go on the POP and worried my skin is going to go downhill. I’m left with ancient scars from spots that just won’t fade and dreading more.
So probably preventing spots is my main concern and trying to fade scars/even skin tone and then prevent wrinkles.
I haven’t got loads of time to dedicate to a routine in the morning but can do more in the evening.
I must admit I hate sunscreen but having read the guides at the beginning of the thread will need to get on board with spf!
I have in my cupboard Paula’s Choice skin perfecting 2% BHA lotion which I started using when my acne was really bad. And have used on and off over the years. Just recently got some products from The Ordinary, the niaminacide and zinc, glycolic acid toner and a moisturiser but I’m lost really.
Will greatly appreciate any advice

I think I read someone was using heliocare spf but can't remember who. Spotted it in the chemist today but stuck to my usual LRP. Anybody know how heliocare is for spot prone skin? I get along with LRP but who knows maybe I'll like a different one better.

Botemps It's an offer from a clinic, Skin, so am tempted. The offer is 55% off but they are teasing me with a further 10% off. As they are regulated by the Care Commission, should they go bust, unlikely people would lose their money.

Re: SPF - have read the sheet on SPF here, and have just run out. Usually rotate between Avene, LRP, and Heliocare, but saw a LRP tinted SPF, which looks good. What are people's views of this?

Welcome, Anne, feel free to join in.

Welcome, Heart, well I suppose you're in luck as the key ingredients for anti ageing also tend to be the ones for managing acne. Are the scars you're left with of the textural kind or pigmentation?

Prioritising SPF is a good first step, there are nice sunscreens out there, I promise! I think a Retinoid would be the next thing to look into as that will help with spot management, anti-ageing and skin tone. Type depends on type of scarring you're looking to tackle and how active the current acne is.

Cad, rosacea isn't typically hormonal and more to do with vessels and genetics. I was recently surprised to read about findings from a study that found that people who drink more than 4 cups of coffee are less likely to be diagnosed with rosacea and those who drink less or none are more likely to. I known caffeine constricts vessels so there may something to that 🤷 not that I'm advocating drinking loads of coffee.

Out, I'm a bit iffy about Heliocare as much of it contains fragrance. I did use and like the mineral fluid, I had meant to get the tolerance version which is unfragranced but discovered I had the wrong one too late (the fragrance is not the nicest). I did really like it though and miraculously did not react to the fragrance (smell disappeared quickly once applied, thankfully). I think the oil free gel one is quite popular with oily skinned folk.

MrObama, just because it's a clinic doesn't necessarily mean it's laser. Not that there's anything wrong with IPL, it's just not as effective (especially long term). It really depends on price, there's a clinic local to me that offers a year long unlimited IPL sessions for not much money- €70 for armpits, forgot the rest but if I added it all up it would be slightly more than doing all those areas vs. one Lumea purchase. Had this offer existed when I bought my Lumea I'd probably have gone for that as it is definitely a chore to Lumea the entire body and because of the PCOS I need more sessions than normal, but a year would have covered that.

Sorry, MrObama, about tinted SPF, I haven't tried their tinted versions but I believe the LRP Shaka one is meant to be good. Problem with the tinted is often colour, the French pharmacy brands often tend to be either yellow and towards the medium end of the spectrum or very pink and deadly pale. Sometimes they do both colours. It depends on the product, some blend out the colour to match yours better than others, some are more of a medium coverage others very light.

@botemp is vitamin c known for causing breakouts? I'm having a bad breakout around my chin and upper lip and the only thing that's changed is I started vitamin c

Depends on the form but yes it is known to cause breakouts in some. Which product is it?

Oskia super c