🐌 Fantastic Skincare: Bear Shaped Pseudo Face Vibrators, Don't Ask us What They're For(eo) 🐻

[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

@SophieLion - Yes, I have used some of the Dr Sam products after DD1 wanted to try some of them. Don't really rate the serums. The cleanser is OK, but expensive for what it is. I did like the moisturiser (the light one), but tbh, think the LRP Lipikar Baume AP is better value.

But don't let me put you off...

Thank you mrobama. I doubt I would use them as I'm out in greece and the delivery cost probably more than I want to pay but I was curious. I only saw yesterday that she has out so many products now and her insta page is promoting them A LOT (unsurprisingly).

The cleanser looks and sounds very similar (although more jelly like) to the one I already Sue form FrezyDerm.

Thanks sallie. I was using Timeless previously before the issues of supply. I have been reading here about quality issues bo so wouldn’t risk Amazon.

sophie I’ve ordered Dr Sam cleanser but not actually tried it yet. I got it to top up an order for an SPF. It’s the tinted mineral one. I use it over vit c with no need for moisturiser underneath as it’s quite moisturising on its own. The tint is quite sheer. I won’t be reordering when it’s finished (I’ve got plenty of SPF) but I would use it again.

Sophie I’ve used the Cosrx now too and really like it. It doesn’t seem to dry out on my face as fast as the Vichy 89 so I’m using less and my skin feels really soft and well moisturised afterwards. I hope it cools down soon for you, I like hot weather but not that hot 🥵

I’m thinking of risking yes style for timeless as thinking about it by the time my US friend has had it delivered and found time to post it then it’s made it’s way over here it probably won’t take that much longer.

I’ve got two new SPFs to try, one from Gruum that was free and one from L’Oréal that a friend gave me. Will report back.

www.gruum.com/heatwave-20/?v=79cba1185463

www.boots.com/loreal-paris-revitalift-filler-hyaluronic-acid-anti-ageing-anti-wrinkle-spf-50-replumping-day-cream-50ml-10292996

Good to hear you're safe, Sophie, I hope the heat leaves soon, it sounds dreadful.

I remember a lot of people on here got the Dr Sam cleanser as that was the first product she launched. It was a rip off of a discontinued La Roche Posay one, I think the overall consensus was meh and someone had a bad reaction to it iirc. The first SPF was a rip off of EltaMD's SPF46 (I say rip off, probably heavily inspired by and improved is more accurate) but I don't think that got favourable reviews on here at all. I like the look of the physical tinted SPF and there's an azaleic serum with a bunch of other ingredients that looks just the thing for if you're pregnant and have to lay off other actives. But, like you, not in the UK so have never bothered ordering it.

Definitely can appreciate it's a wild card with timeless from third places Jedstre, it's why I ended up getting Skinceuticals and I'm hoping by the time this one is finished they'll have reformulated timeless for the EU/UK market again. Sallie with the new packaging it does keep longer so perhaps it's less of a gamble now, I also think yesstyle has been setting up Europe based warehouses for a while now in anticipation of EU vat/import rules changing so perhaps it's not traveling that far, let us know if you buy from there.

I’ve gone and ordered the Vichy Vit C on a Boots order. They’ve got 20% off I think. Still fairly pricey for the small amount you get but I’ll give it a go. Bo I recall you using it and liking it?

In other skincare news, my son’s skin was deteriorating with acne, despite my best efforts, so sorted out a GP appointment. Took lots of photos and then had a telephone consultation. She prescribed him epiduo (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide) which I am happy with. I’ve never had ‘purging’ but I’m wondering if his skin will be worse before it’s better?

Yeah I think epiduo can cause some heavy purging in some people but hopefully since he's young it won't happen or last long.

Yes, I do like the Vichy vitamin c, but the bottle is tiny and goes off so quickly, it has to be kept in the fridge or divided into a week's worth of serum to use while the remainder is kept in the fridge, so it puts me off buying it. I was tempted by the Vichy ampoules (10% vitamin c), which are also quite expensive for what it is. I think Sophie uses those, it's a nice gentler alternative but I kind of like the 15% mark. I've seen the Obagi one (whic comes in 10,15, or 20%) on offer a lot lately but the fragrance and limonene has always put me off, dermatologists bang on about it a lot though

I really like the dr Sam mineral spf- I rate it over heliocare and neostrata as I prefer the consistency and the light tint is a perfect shade and make-uppy- ness for me (inventing skin-care lingo, I’ve reached new depths!)

Have been sucked in and am trying the new mask in my next order as on the reviews people seem to be using it as a super moisturising night treatment and my skin drinks Shea/ niacinamide/ squalene usually having tried in separate products.

Agree cleanser is too expensive for a cleanser when you’ve got LRP and the simple oil doing good things for way less.

Might try some other stuff eventually but you’ll have to pry p50 and CE ferulic (or timeless!!) from my cold dead hands so it’s never going knock those out of my routine…

Thanks jedstre! Please let me know what you think of cleanser too.

Yes the cosrx is good Sallie. Im glad it works for you too.

To get honest bo, i'm ok with my actives (Skinoren and tret) so was more interested in the SPF and cleanser. Particularly the SPF as still not found the perfect one. Avene cleanance is good as doesn't aggravate my spots but it does leave me looking a bit white. Frezyderm has a great finish but I feel it runs in my eyes and stings and gives me spots. Im trying a new SPF from a local company now.

Spoke to soon yesterday about fires being far away from us. Today there was (and still going) a fire quite close to us. We can see it from our house and fire planes and helicopters flying over constantly. We didn't have to evacuate but we were instructed to stay inside and keep all doors and windows closed. I don't actually think the fire can reach us here from where it is but it's scary and disturbing. The extended heatwave alone is worriesome enough but now the fire too...

Yes I was using the Vichy 10% vit C capsules bo and jedstre but stopped as I just don't think my skin tolerates vit C very well and was constantly having barrier issues. I gave them all away to a friend.

Thank you mummyingetc. The mineral spf sounds promising although I don't want tinted. Perhaps will order next time I'm in uk.

I use the Dr Sam physical spf, I quite like it, I'm on my 3rd bottle and am planning on sticking with it. I also use the brightly serum, I will probably repurchase. My skin is looking the best it's looked in a long time thanks to this thread. I am also using Medik8 retinoate which has really improved my skin. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge everyone, especially Bo!

@Mummyingetc - Would be interested in your view of the Dr Sam mask. Am not a fan of masks as don't really see the point - usually just put on a richer moisturiser if need more hydration, but there has been such brilliant reviews making me curious...

@SophieLion she does an untinted one as well. Not tried it but as I said- I’m ending my quest for a mineral spf after a fair few years with her tinted one (drunk elephant- what a place to start was like a white paste- then most of the nanos, heliocare, neostrata, skinceuticals…)

@ilovemydogandmrobama2 will do! Not had a mask since I was a teenager and don’t really have time in my life to sit in a dressing gown with cucumber so will just have to bung it on overnight and see what happens!

And @SophieLion- that sounds awful- I live in Manchester so I’ll see if I can send you some of our drizzle… I hope you get relief soon

Oh poor you Sophie, I hope the fire stays at a distance. Must be very scary regardless.

I've looked up the Dr Sam mask after all the chatter on here and must admit it looks just the thing for after long airplane travel or horrendous winter weather.

How tinted is the Dr Sam gossamer SPF? I was under the impression it was more of a skin blurring perfector thing as opposed to a full on tint/coverage thing. I have to say, I do really appreciate that the photos used are not perfected at all, it all very much looks like real skin (and people) and the pictures are very close up as well. It's a shame you can only get it through her own website.

@botemp I think probably blurring is about right- I have freckles so I don’t really like things that actually cover them as it makes me look a bit odd. I need a bit of cheek tint on with it otherwise I look a bit flat so it must do something though…

Interestingly- if you read her vit c insta post she says she recommends 10-20% L Ascorbic Acid… and puts 2% ascorbyl glycoside in her Brightly serum- presumably due to formulation stability/ skinceuticals litigation history. So she’s honest!

I kind of wish she’d formulate brightly/nightly without the vit c and retinol- let me crack on with ce ferulic and Medik8 Crystal- but use that serum twice a day…

I have absolutely nothing to report
Using skin and me still, skin looks good with the odd hormonal spot

Mummyingetc, yes I tried heliocare a while ago and didn't like. Was given another sample of it the other day but think it will be given away.

And, yes please, would LOVE some rain!

Thanks bo. Perhaps I should check out her delivery costs and times to here as the SPF appeals (because she does seem clued up about acne) and that mask.

Can anyone recommend any good hydrating/ skin barrier repairing weekly masks? So similar to the dr Sam one . Trying to find something I can get locally here (Greece). We have most of the major pharmacy brands. Thank you!

Since you have access to CosRX, you could try their rice mask, it's somewhat similar to Dr Sam's with lots of hydrating ingredients and a good dose of niacinamide but it's not as heavy with the occlusives, the focus is more on hydration and it can also be left on overnight.

Do you have access to Dr. Jart by any chance as well? The ceramidin line does contain fragrance but seems to be fine for most people and it really does help with barrier repair, the cream in particular, although the liquid is liked by very oily type skins.

Dr. Sam delivers DDP so it's not that much of a hassle, but iirc the shipping was quite high in relation to the product prices.

Thank you Bo. I can find that mask but at look fantastic only. It's €4 delivery (free over €35!). My issue with look fantastic is that I often get to the check out stage and it tells me they cannot deliver that product to greece (even though it's look fantastic.gr). Really annoying. (Hair related: highly recommend the curlsmith bond salve which look fantastic has).

The rice mask does look good (and I trust your recommendations) but I really want to try the dr Sam mineral SPF so that might sway things.

If I have understood the dr Sam website correctly, the shipping is £4.95 for EU but takes 5-14 business days (so I hazard about a month to get here!).

Never heard of dr jart! Checked the usual places and it isn't popping up here.

It used to be much higher than £4.95, that isn't bad at all (especially for Greece!). Hmm, curlsmith bond repair salve does look good, didn't realise Lookfantastic were selling them now, they disappeared from where I used to buy it. How long do you leave it on for?

Sephora usually has Dr Jart, I thought you had Sephora in Greece but maybe I'm making that up. Lookfantastic also carries the brand but maybe not the Greek site?

@SophieLion - Last time I was in Boots, they stocked Dr Jart, so maybe it's available online?

Ooh, I've just seen the ceramidin cream is now fragrance free, might need to get some for myself this winter.