🐌 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

@Tsmummy08 - same with me. A couple of months ago, as the tret was going up, suddenly my skin was sensitive to almost everything, so just went back to basics. So boring.

Am quite liking the Neutrogena hydro boost gel cream at the moment. The Avene aqua gel is so heavily fragranced which was quite surprising.

I forgot about that reaction you had tsmummy. That's definitely put me off using P50 with tret (and there's no way I'm stopping tret!). My skin is also very sensitive.

Can I ask about sun cream brands? For years I have worn ultra sun extreme spf 50. I buy a giant pump bottle I can wear this happily on my face - no stinging eyes-and wear it all year round. Everyday without exception - although I am guilty of not reapplying when indoors.
With my p50 I got a sample of heliocare mineral fluid suncream. It’s quite nice but quite dry- I am used to the very moisturising ultra sun.
Is this a good brand? Better than ultra sun? Are there better brands than ultra sun?
Any thoughts much appreciated

Also if you have some form of make up on how does that work when you should reapply suncream on top of that?

Curly Caitlin (influencer) has written a blog post about her new skincare routine, and is recommending the Purito despite the recent controversy (which she has acknowledged and linked to). She's "never had any complaints" so I guess it must be okay then .

@NinnyNewName

Curly Caitlin (influencer) has written a blog post about her new skincare routine, and is recommending the Purito despite the recent controversy (which she has acknowledged and linked to). She's "never had any complaints" so I guess it must be okay then .

Weirdo, it's been recalled from the market the manufacturer is advising not to use it🤦

BigButtons, yes, Heliocare is generally well liked on here although a lot has fragrance and I find the constant push by Derms rather suspect. Just stay away from the sprays, I think they had to recall those at one point for not offering the advertised protection but that's fairly common with sprays. I do really like their mineral fluid one (with fragrance which miraculously did not irritate) but haven't tried any of the others.

There's been a lot of sunscreen scandals lately, a brand I tend to trust (and have yet to see me proven wrong but it may only be a matter of time) for extreme sun conditions is Bioderma, they're especially good with disclosing UVA ray protection and it actually tests as advertised. For daily use I alternate between Japanese ones and Frezyderm velvet and the occasional Bioderma. I do find Ultrasun heavy and expensive for the filters used but otherwise it seems pretty solid depending on what formula you get, the anti pigmentation one seems the most well rounded and would be my preferred one in their lineup but I think it's also one of the priciest.

Top up for over makeup is an annual despair fest on here, Bioderma made a nice water spray which they discontinued and we've been a bit lost ever since, the LRP facial spray is okay but can be a bit greasy. If you like glowy skin and aren't greasy to begin with Supergoop has an interesting 'stick' which can go over makeup without disturbing it (and leaves you looking glowy) that's extremely lightweight and doesn't feel like anything. It's probably the most innovative sunscreen brand in terms of application but as it's American the choice of filters is limited.

Tinted sunscreen is also a good way to go in summer (as a base layer, topping up with a clear one otherwise it can get a bit pancake). Colorescience also does an eye sunscreen that doubles as a concealer.

IME the days where you need to top up a fair bit tend not to be days you're wearing a lot of makeup, either too hot or an activity where heavy makeup is an odd choice. For the rare occasions where makeup is required with long outdoor exposure an additional sun hat is usually a good way to go.

Thanks @botemp very useful. Is it the watery essence that you use?

No, I've never used that as it's so alcoholic and has fragrance and there's all the fakes to deal with. I keep an eye on the Ratzilla blog and try whatever I fancy. I have a Nivea one (from Japan) that's quite similar to the watery essence in consistency.

I did try it years ago and I burnt- was horrified. It might have been a fake as it didn’t feel like it gave me any protection.
I would love to find something that is very good but not as heavy as the ultra sun.

Do you have any thoughts on the Alturist brand. The review seem good?

[quote botemp]@Apileofballyhoo, I just got a 20% off code from SpaceNK, they carry the Bear and deliver DDP (and will cover any unexpected charges in case you do get them). You can probably get a bit back on a cashback site too. (They no longer do free shipping, €5, but you can't have everything). Although with the rate of pound sterling at the moment it might be cheaper from Lookfantastic whenever they have a 20% off code again.[/quote]
bo, I was so touched you thought of me. I was going to buy but that same day I received an email from DPD re something I'd ordered for DS to pay the extra VAT and handling charge before delivery. It was only €15 so not terrible but it completely made me panic re the Bear as the VAT for DS's gift was charged on the full price not the discounted price I bought it at. So I worked it out for the Bear and think import duty and VAT would come to €100+. I got the fear it might be difficult to get it back.

I'd have been on earlier to thank you and update but have been so busy I didn't have any proper MN time.

@smudgemylife

Is that the Avène with the weird white lumps the mineral sunscreen?

Why oh why is sunscreen such a difficulty?

Oh I saw that cosrx have a new one on LF. I've just had a look - homosalate (sp?) and octocrylene as sunscreen and alcohol in the ingredients I think. I always assumed their aloe one was crap as I never see anyone recommend it.

No worries Apileofballyhoo, it's such a weird situation in Ireland so can understand the nerves but you really shouldn't be charged with SpaceNK, they use e-global (a sort of international broker) since way before Brexit and my experience with that company has always been flawless (a lot of American e-tailers use them for customers in Europe).

I have always been very skeptical wrt Korean sunscreens and the one time I made an exception with Purito that didn't turn out too well so I'm back to discriminating them all.

BigButtons, normal altruist is cheap and does the job but not the most cosmetically elegant, I use it for neck and chest area. MrObama (the poster) used a few of their other ones, can't remember which one is which but one was great the other turned her orange.

@Apileofballyhoo no, not the mineral one, the lumps don't smoosh out when you rub it if that makes sense, so I pick them off my face when I notice
I'd say its more like when the edge of a pour bottle of lotion gets a little crusty but from inside the pump bottle.
Either way I won't be repurchasing it has waaaaay too much white cast for me once one.
I feel like I am never wearing enough spf as half a pump has me looking like casper the ghost. I hope it pays off in the long run otherwise I've wasted good years looking daft for nothing

@botemp thanks. Which one are you using for you face🙂?

Currently I alternate between (all SPF50 versions):

Frezyderm Velvet (when wearing makeup)

Skin Aqua Super Moisture Essence (super lightweight, I like it for this time of year as I can layer it over a moistuiser without it all getting too heavy, rest of the year I usually skip moisturiser and with the exception of hot summer days this probably is too light to act as moistuiser too)

Nivea Sun Super Water Gel (comes in a handy pump, gets used more by others than me as a result, it's very light, I tend to use it when I know I'm not leaving the house, it's okay over moistuiser but still somewhat noticeable)

Canmake UV Mermaid (but this has been reformulated and it's no good anymore )

Bioderma Cicabio (tend to use this most in autumn as its rich but not uncomfortably so and it helps catch and soothe that weird Tret crazyness when seasons change.

Pigeon UV Mineral (for whenever skin goes haywire and I can't tolerate chemical sunscreens, tends to happen with extreme weather)

Ha ha bo now I'm tempted to just go for it all over again. I've got money set aside for a (discounted) bear and determined to not spend it on anything else or let it get sucked into family spending. I really struggle with spending money on myself though I've come to see my skincare as essentials (within reason) rather than optional extras. As in SPF, moisturiser and cleanser are things I need, not just things I want. And if I need more expensive versions of those that's ok too.

Interesting SPF list too!

Glad the Avene is not the mineral one smudge. I've yet to try that one and if it suits it's both easier to get and less expensive than Heliocare.

Does currentbody have an Irish site? It's on there for €259, I think that's about the price where SpaceNK comes to with the current conversion rate. I have a 15% off code at Cult Beauty but it's tied to my account, but they tend to drop 15-20% off promotions often.

bigbuttons I live on the equator so get through a lot of suncream my favourite are LRP (the antishine/breakout one it seems to have different names depending on what market it was for). Bioderma is great when I can get hold of it and i've also had good experiences with a brand called uriage.

Bo you chatted a few threads back about using A303 for KP treatment on your body. Did this end up being the most effective method?
I am currently experimenting with some BHA that needed using up, glycolic is next.
So far the Cerave has done nothing, I keep looking at the Ameliorate but keep remembering your A313 experiment and wondering???

Ballywhoo

I finally ordered the Medik8 CE pure, obviously its going to change my life

I'd honestly forgotten about my KP A303 adventures, duvet, and thinking back, my KP has been really minimal to nonexistent since. I don't know if it's an age thing or down to A303 but I basically stopped using it because I ran out and it wasn't needed. I just keep up with it now with Cerave reterxturising moistuiser when I remember (not very often ) or a glycolic acid body product (also doesn't happen often, most of my body skin is very balanced and requires nothing).

Anyhow, my experience with A303 has always been that as a retinoid it's not that well rounded but in terms of excavating gunk out of pores it's a trooper. My KP is mostly on the dry side with dead skin cells that stick around for too long and then tangle with my curly body hair that has a mind of its own so it cleared that out well. I think if you have the oilier very inflamed type of KP it may not work in the same way but I'd assume if you had that, the Cerave would be working better for you than not at all. I would warn, tiny tube goes quick, it was a low investment for me as I bought them for something like €6 in France but I think online to the UK they go for a lot more than that. Soine et Nature may sell them cheap but no idea if they still send to the UK (or if you're allowed to import it).

I just had a read of that ninny. She doesn't actually recommend it expressly and does ask if anyone can suggest something similar. However, I agree there is an implied recommendation - by stating it's her favourite etc etc and she hasn't had issues, others will be encouraged to use it (despite her being "responsible" by linking to the article). She should have been more careful with her choice of wording or left it out of her skincare post entirely....

Quite like:

Ambre Solaire advanced 50
Altruist Facial 50 not the anti redness
Eucerin 50

And when I need a bit of coverage, Neostrata tinted.

I do like Heliocare, but take your point Bo about why are there so may dermatologists who are suggesting it? . Am fairly sure it isn't kickbacks, but the distribution is somewhat limited.

It’s very helpful to read about the sunscreens that people like and use. I have pretty dry skin so don’t mind the initial heaviness of the ultra sun and it leaves no white caste( that I can see anyway).
I suppose my ideal would be a very a sunscreen that is not greasy/ more mat finish, but very moisturising but that’s is a contradiction in terms🧐

I must admit I'm always confused when dry skinned folk say they want something mattifying (but moisturising). I have somewhat balanced, leaning slightly combo skin and I look really ill with anything properly mattifying. I assume you want what I usually want and that's a sort of satin finish, catching light in high planes where you'd expect light to reflect but not an all over shine effect, kind of what an oily skin person ends up with with a mattifying sunscreen as it slowly breaks up (it's only with heavy makeup and lots of powder they they too can look ill).

It's not easy to find with sunscreens, I get closest to it with the Frezyderm velvet, it's an unusual texture, very siliconey that disappears, so not rich in feel but I can very easily wear it and have it act like a moisturiser, not sure if it would be the same for dry skin though. There are more SPFs like that but they tend to be on the pricier end of the spectrum. I'd try the Altruist classic, I find it just a touch too shiny but with dry skin the balance may be just right. It does irritate my eyes though, another reason why it's neck down only on me.