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

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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

Thanks re Vit C response Bo.

TS I've even using Retinoate for around d 8 months (I will never go back to Tret. Just not worth the risk for me). I didn't use the Retinoate consistently last summer but am now using it evwry other evening I'm applying my night cream to corners of mouth first, then I mix a pump in with my moisturiser. I'm still on my first bottle. It's hard to know how much is left but I think plenty.

What's the Dermatica treatment please?

Ninny It's a mix of Ivermectin, Metronidazole and Niacinamide.

I'm very interested that you like R-Retinoate and haven't gone back to tret as I always think we've probably got fairly similar skin! And re. vitamin C, if my plan to continue with other actives and ditch tret goes well, I was looking at the Skinceutical 10% vit C which is cheaper than their standard 15% - but maybe not, given the cost of the R-R!

Interesting to hear Dermatica is prescribing Soolantra (Ivermectin), I tend to always forward people to their GP here (which isn't ideal) so good to know there's an easier alternative.

Don’t want to interrupt or butt in unnecessarily - but just came across this article and wondered if any of you experts had any thoughts?

www.whowhatwear.co.uk/best-luxury-skincare-brands/slide19

Anyone have any experience of any of these brands (Le Mer, Augustin Bader, 111Skin, Sarah Chapman, la Prairie, Dr Barbara Sturm etc)?

@ESGdance

Don’t want to interrupt or butt in unnecessarily - but just came across this article and wondered if any of you experts had any thoughts?

www.whowhatwear.co.uk/best-luxury-skincare-brands/slide19

Anyone have any experience of any of these brands (Le Mer, Augustin Bader, 111Skin, Sarah Chapman, la Prairie, Dr Barbara Sturm etc)?

I have most of those but haven't used yet!

Here is the stuff I have

https://reallyree.com/net-a-porter-beauty-advent-calendar/

The natura bisse glow mini lift is STRONG. I did not take it down my neck and it was tingling within 30 seconds
The Sarah chapman overnight facial I think it is, is nice but I hate the smell. Very jasmine

I am by no means an expert but have a few of those or have had. I love La Prarie but it’s out of budget. I also love Barbara Sturm rich face cream - it feel so nice to apply but I’m not sure it does anything special (I know liking this is controversial on this thread and her face mask did nothing for me). The original La mer was nice after I’d had some face lasering many years ago but too rich for my skin then. The rest I don’t really rate on my skin (the bits I’ve tried from advent calendars etc) and some (Augustine bader) I actively dislike the smell so can’t cope with on my face.

There's nothing wrong with liking those products, and absolutely use them if you like. My issue with them is mainly that they are primarily designed to be nice to use and because they're very much overpriced for what it is, is the suggestion gets made by clever marketing that expensive product equal better results when the reality is you're paying extra to be marketed to not for efficacy. Dr Sturm mainly annoys me (repeating this again so skip ahead if you're familiar with my stance) as she has a doctorate in podiatry but plays on the whole doctor brand through a technicality.

The other aspect of it is that these type of brands prey particularly on people who are feeling low and often have to stretch financially to afford it to give them the idea of being able to purchase self worth, the whole treat yourself industry.

(Plus the shit tonne of fragrance in them, but that's really specific to me)

Yeah my "treat yourself!" Advent was because it was 50% off
I worked out what I would/wouldn't use, the VB lipstick is lovely by the way, and then calculated it was worth it for the 2 hair products I won't use

No need to justify yourself Cat, I'm no saint and waste stupid money on all sorts of things. As long as someone's aware I'm fine with it (eg. you're happy to pay extra for the sensorial aspect of it), I'm not so fine with people paying over the odds for something on the promise of hope that never delivers.

100% agree. I only recommend things if they're excellent even if they're not expensive!

Side note, I used everything from murad to duac on my back acne and it was a £6 Amazon soap that shifted it!

I've used a few of those brands including La Mer many years ago - I thought it was amazing at the time but of course expensive, and having tried loads of other super-moisturising creams in the last 10 years, I'm not sure I'd like it so much now. I'm currently using the AB Rich Cream and bloody love it, but won't be buying it regularly. If money was no object then I would - it's lovely to use and makes my skin feel/look great, but there will be something out there that works equally well for a fraction of the price!

I haven't tried many of the other brands on that link but Sisley do some lovely products... just waiting on that lottery win

I hadn't even clicked the article previously, Valmont and Skin111 are constantly in my local TKmaxx for very little money. I always assumed they were made for tkmaxx brands although I've seen skin111 on some secret sales site too.

Regardless of how much excess money I have to piss away I don't think I can ever spend over £300 on a tiny bottle of sunscreen

I think we've discussed before TS that when your skin is super dry these overpriced creams are probably a lot more seductive as most rich creams aren't particularly nice to use. You mentioning thinking it was amazing at the time is reminding me there's also the odd psychological effect of something representing so much investment you're unable to acknowledge it's not that special as then you have to admit you've been deceived. I do try, and probably have failed regardless, not to make people feel like an idiot for buying into the marketing message but it happens to us all at some point or another and it's not a shame when it happens.

I've reverted back to Neostrata tinted SPF TS. Have to say it's the most comfortable one and there's a reason why I keep returning to it. I need to remember that!

I agree, we do have similar skin. I do find I have to be careful with niacinimide, or maybe it's the specific formulations.

I'm happy to send you a sample of the Retinoate if you'd like.

Bo I get what you're saying re. marketing but if something's nice to use, does it matter?... I was using La Mer about 15 yrs ago and at the time heard the blue Nivea creme was a dupe, so started using it and promptly broke out - they had a similar feel but different effect. I would've much preferred to use the Nivea :)

This reminds me: do you remember the brand Sjal? I used an eye-wateringly expensive Sjal face-cream maybe 20 years ago, delightful but apparently full of essences of various gemstones - totally bonkers (and I knew it) but the product itself felt gorgeous and I didn't buy into the woo-woo, just enjoyed the experience, zero shame! I'm not entirely sure of my point here but think I'm agreeing that it's not a big deal to admit to being successfully marketed to....!

@NinnyNewName Yes I've got that one too, it's a summer SPF for me -often feels like it transfers a bit. You might like Darphin's Intral mineral SPF then - slightly lighter tint than the Neostrata. My fave from last year (and which I'll RP for sure) is the Ultraviolette Supreme Screen....

Yes, I think we're agreeing, drink the diamond infused water because you like the taste of it and the price paid for it is inconsequential to you but don't buy it thinking it's going to cure some chronic disease or make you attract wealth. I'm not making that up btw, that was a thing at some point.

It would be great if more brands focused at least to some extent to the cosmetic elegance of something, I find it somewhat annoying that it's so divided, effective skincare tends to be quite joyless, I'm half convinced it's by design, as if it's like a medicine.

I think of all the stupidly priced brands out there if I was going to go for one I'd try Retrouvé as that was developed by a descendant of Kiehl's who with her Kiehl's money (when it sold to L'Oréal) started this up using the best formulators and just gave them carte blanche instead of working to very fixed parameters including cost. I'm just curious what that delivers in the end, I'm just not very motivated to pay for it.

Just done my 2 years of tret photos (please ignore the weight gain!!)
I don't see any difference which to me is the point no real new lines etc and I'm 2 years older. Plus it keeps my acne away so win win
Any redness is because I react to pressure and I took both pics after evening routine

TS thanks. I really like the Darphin Intral serum, although haven't bought it for a couple of years. It used to be a staple in my routine though.

Bo Yes I agree about the medicinal quality of effective skincare - also marketing?! I see my skincare routine as a bit of "self-care" (unlike, for example, shaving my legs), so using something "nice" in texture, smell etc adds to the experience - as you say, makes it a bit more joyful. I meant to add to the comment about La Mer, the reason it might be less than amazing these days is because technology has moved on and there are super-rich moisturisers that have a more appealing texture/effective active ingredients (and I'm working my way through them)! I'll have to try it again when I'm in London next....

Cat Stopping time is fairly miraculous - you look great!

Picked up a few Aldi dupes! Guess the brands

Haha, they have no shame!

@Tsmummy08

Haha, they have no shame!

They all smell surprisingly good! The bath stuff I'm going to use tonight

Well I love the LM version so will definitely them out - sadly my local is pretty rubbish and never seems to stock the shameless dupes! Enjoy :)

@Tsmummy08

Well I love the LM version so will definitely them out - sadly my local is pretty rubbish and never seems to stock the shameless dupes! Enjoy :)

I got them online delivered