🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Jump through flaming hoops, repeat, 'Beauty is Pain', and acces to this thread will be unlocked

[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

@banivani Oooh I’ve always wanted to try the P50, but i’m very new to Tret and don’t think it’s wise to introduce something else just yet. There’s different variants of P50 isn’t there? What one are you using?

Still devastated re - Timeless. Where do I go from here?! Paula’s Choice?

Boots Ireland has three for two on that Vichy one at the moment - does Boots UK normally have the same offers on? I thought maybe it might work out more reasonably price wise as the unopened bottles wouldn't oxidise. It works out at €24 for 10ml/72 for 30. I suppose that's still very expensive really.

3 for 2 in the Eucerin Vitamin C bottles, so €40 for 24ml (8ml bottles). I don't know if anyone has tried that - 10% but it contains fragrance. The LRP is in the 3 for 2 offer also. It's €38 for a 30ml bottle. The Vichy Vitamin C and peptide ampoules are in the 3 for 2 too. €30 for 10 ampoules of 1.8ml.

Quite a lot of handy stuff on offer, LRP Cicaplast and toleraine moisturisers/cleansers, CeraVe, Vichy 89, Avene Extremely Gentle and so on.

@VillageFete I'm using the original. When I bought the samples I got one of each (because sale) but the original is the one I feel does anything and now I have independent confirmation.

I was going to say I had tried the Eucerin vitamin C but realised I hadn't. I'm mostly favouring the Swedish brand L300 because it's very dependable and cheap. Haven't got much energy for shopping from abroad and then waiting and waiting anymore, which is one reason I fell off the threads. L300 does a vitamin C serum I've been buying but I don't know if it does more than be pleasantly hydrating. It does that very well though for the price.

Sunscreens: I'm almost exclusively using Eucerin sunscreens now like this one www.kronansapotek.se/Eucerin-Anti-Age-Sun-Fluid-SPF50/p/771871 (they're often on offer). If you know something terrible about them, do tell.

Oof Boots is really fleecing you in Ireland. The box of 30 ampoules from Vichy is around €35 here and under €20 for a box.of 10. I think I always bought the small bottles at around.€15-20.

I've always said P50 was feotus skin in a bottle, Bani. I actually ran out of P50 and the shop is closed I'm sure they'd deliver it but I've not really been missing it between Tret and the Swedish pseudovibrator, I should probably give them a call again...

I hardly ever buy anything from Boots unless there's an offer on, bo, and even with offers it can be cheaper elsewhere. They have this €12 Tuesday thing that I keep an eye on in case something good shows up.

I know Bo, I know! Which is why I got the sample sizes but to be honest I wasn't being consistent with them so I didn't see the amazement. Even so I got the sense that this can really make a difference. It was just a question of accepting the price. No discounts at Revivekliniken, if you're lucky a free shipping offer... Now I sort of want a face cream too, but one has to draw the line somewhere. They sent some samples I haven't even opened, a cleanser (boring) and body lotion (come ON).

I put it on with cotton pads, no patting with hands, can't get the hang of that. So I probably waste a bit. But I think in general my very simple routine is helping me reap the benefits of it, it's my only irritant. Except now I've started tret of course. It's only .25 for starters. I'm thinking of starting with every other day, but I am very forgetful and in general do better with routines that are always the same.

@botemp It’s my Bday soon. Do I treat myself to foetus in a bottle? Or is this utter madness given that i’m so new to Tret? By the way, even though i’m only on 0.015% (Moving up to 0.025% this month) I can absolutely see a difference. More even skin tone and a very slight glow

Foetus skin in a bottle, foetus in a bottle sounds a bit dodgy on its own. Though they do sell a placenta cream/overnight mask that's kind of amazing but a bit too rich for my skin to use frequently so I can't justify buying the giant jar of it. That's less foetus and more amazingly soft newborn skin when it's still a bit waxy in a jar though.

Probably a bit early, especially if you're not patient and you have to work up from the W version to full strength, officially. There's a body version, or a scalp version 🤷

I use the Muji eco pads, Bani, I'm convinced cotton pads work better than splashing. The Muji ones hardly absorb anything and just deliver it really well.

Apileofballyhoo We have Boots here too, well a handful of pharmacies. I very occasionally order from them as it's free click and collect and when it's the one thing and it's on offer it works out cheaper, sometimes.

Laughing my head off at foetus in a bottle I got carried away in the quest for great skin.

P50 is definitely on my radar going forward. Do you just order from Biologique Recherche website?

@VillageFete - not sure if you are in the UK, but think the only supplier is Embassy of Beauty. You have to go through a screening/questioning, but otherwise it's fairly straight forward (after you promise to name your next child after them... )

@ilovemydogandmrobama2 Thank you!

With being new to tret, it’s probably best I hold off for a while. I believe it’s pretty strong stuff? Are you supposed to use it when on a break from tret, or can you use it on nights that you aren’t tretting, once accustomed to it?

I’m thinking I may try Paula’s Choice Vit C, now that I can’t get my hands on my beloved Timeless.

banivani, I wonder would it work to apply your tret over a layer of moisturiser or mixed with a little bit of moisturiser while you're building up use? As an alternative to every second night if you feel that wouldn't work for you.

Hello all

I lurk on this tread a lot and thought this might be the best place to ask about the vit c.
I've been using medik8 but have had a nasty reaction around my eyes (don't put it near my eyes ??).

I know we can't get Timeless in the uk and I sadly don't have the cash for the skinceuticlas one.
Does anyone know about the cosmetic skin supreme serum?

I've been searching all night and am at a bit of a loss which to buy.

My skin doesn't like fragrance or essential oils (didn't realise medik8 had e.o in it) and although not mega sensitive it errs or the sensitive side of the spectrum.

I'm after the glow that medik8 gave me.

So far I've looked at DE, NIOD & PC and I'm still none the wiser 🤦🏻‍♀️

Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks

I've had another thought,

Been using the medik8 since March last year. This is the 1st time I've had a reaction. Could this be due to it being winter? My skin generally feels drier (dry skin anyway) with heating etc on.

The irritation as well as being swollen and itchy are patches of very dry skin around the eyes/eye lid. Just can't figure out why it's happened after all this time.

Bo don't TELL me the placenta cream is amazing, tell me P50 is the only thing worth my money so I can let it go! And yy to cotton pads - I think I waste as much dribbling between my fingers otherwise. I don't have Muji but as long as they don't shed I'm ok.

Ballyho yes, possibly that! I want to still fit the foetus skin in my routine though so I might need some sort of ON WEDNESDAYS WE WEAR PINK order.

@botemp, you were very helpful to me upthread, I wonder if I could borrow your expertise again.
I'm on Hydroquinone and Tret as prescribed by Dermatica. They've had an update of my photos and said my hyperpigmentation is getting worse (they're right, and it's definitely due to the Dermatica treatment because that's the only thing that's changed). They're going to change my script to Niacinamide 4% and Tret.
I'm worried about this because a completely amateur 5 second panicked google suggests that the Hydro should have improved my hyperpigmentation. I'm now facing having to pay for laser treatment to get my hyperpig sorted and I'm uncertain about whether to continue with the new Tret + Niac script.
I have asked Dermatica these questions but I would be interested in your view. I'm also a bit cross (possibly unfairly) because I feel like I'm the only Dermatica client whose skin has got worse through their treatment.
Sunscreen: Heliocare 60° MINERAL TOLERANCE FLUID SPF50
Many thanks in advance

It is amazing, Bani, but it'll be way too rich for you too and thus be newborn baby skin meets teenage spotty skin.

Girlintheframe, no, it won't be due to temperature changes, reaction to fragrance and essential oils builds up, so it's been irritating from day one but you've now reached a point where it's weakened your skin's ability to handle it as you keep re-exposing it, making it harder to fix inflicted damage, dryer temps may have acted as a catalyst by which it becomes noticeable to you now. This is generally why I say to avoid fragrance and EO even if it looks like you tolerate it fine.

I've looked into the cosmetic skin supreme serum but I find it very dodgy. The European fronted shop of Timeless UK switched to selling that and used my review for Timeless and placed it under that product along with lots of others It also seems to be usable for 12 months after opening which is a bit suspect for a L-AA serum, as well as all the patented nonsense.

The geek and gorgeous could be an option but might be a pain getting into the UK, though I do think it's under the VAT threshold although I don't know if that's still a thing in the UK, check as they've not been very clear previously and had outdated information on the website.

Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C in the bottle could be ok if on sale or the Paula's Choice are probably the best bets at the moment. I didn't get major glow with Vichy though, some. Never tried PC myself.

@popularinthe80s, tough one, I'm not qualified as anything and have never used hydroquinone myself.

The only thing I know about it and causing skin to worsen is that if your skin is irritated by it, it can cause post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, thus worsening the skin overall. Or, very rarely, usually in people with darker skin, darkening of pigmentation can occur but that's typically from prolonged use at high concentrations. How long were you using it?

@botemp

It is amazing, Bani, but it'll be way too rich for you too and thus be newborn baby skin meets teenage spotty skin.

Girlintheframe, no, it won't be due to temperature changes, reaction to fragrance and essential oils builds up, so it's been irritating from day one but you've now reached a point where it's weakened your skin's ability to handle it as you keep re-exposing it, making it harder to fix inflicted damage, dryer temps may have acted as a catalyst by which it becomes noticeable to you now. This is generally why I say to avoid fragrance and EO even if it looks like you tolerate it fine.

I've looked into the cosmetic skin supreme serum but I find it very dodgy. The European fronted shop of Timeless UK switched to selling that and used my review for Timeless and placed it under that product along with lots of others It also seems to be usable for 12 months after opening which is a bit suspect for a L-AA serum, as well as all the patented nonsense.

The geek and gorgeous could be an option but might be a pain getting into the UK, though I do think it's under the VAT threshold although I don't know if that's still a thing in the UK, check as they've not been very clear previously and had outdated information on the website.

Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C in the bottle could be ok if on sale or the Paula's Choice are probably the best bets at the moment. I didn't get major glow with Vichy though, some. Never tried PC myself.

Thank you so much! That's really helpful.

Bit the bullet and ordered Paula’s Choice Vit C.

Still seething over Timeless, but I know PC has a fairly good reputation, so we’ll see...

@botemp, thank you. Been using it for 2 months.
I want to give Dermatica a fair chance, as they have such great reviews on here, but I genuinely look more damaged now and so far they haven't been very forthcoming.

Botemp. The fenty SPF came today and I've tried on my hand. Wow, no silicone feel, nothing. Just feels like lotion

Interesting, so not like Frezyderm at all, Queen?

Popular, yes it's difficult, from experiences on here the hand holding aspect of Dermatica isn't that great, Skin + Me seems a lot more cautious and methodical but their Tret is a little more traditional in form so needs the extra care, I suppose. It is a business at the end of the day, which is the worrying part with services like these, the balance of medical guidance shouldn't be undermined but obviously it can happen (whether it be for profit or being a victim of their own success with too many people asking for the service).