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Sailorontheseasea
VIP Member
To put it bluntly, my skin has taken an absolute battering over the past couple of years and especially since having my youngest. This is going to sound awful (pls no judgements I’m already judging myself) but I literally wash it in the shower with water and that’s it at the moment, occasionally do a face mask and that’s about it - I feel like I get up and go straight away as it’s so full on with 2 under 3 and I’ve suffered bouts of PND since having my eldest so self care sometimes is last on the list. I used to have so many favourite bits and bobs and my skin used to be so glowy and clear using them all but I have just looked in the mirror properly (for the first time in about 7 months 
) and my face looks tired, full of blackheads, more spots than I think I’ve ever had in my whole life and yeah.
My first step is to start drinking way more water than I already am and to find a new cleanser. Could people share their skin care routines/favourite products/this that and the other. I have a fairly normal balanced skin type so yeah anything goes really! Thanks guys, from a very very tired mum of 2 Little’s who just needs to get some proper self love into the routine.
) and my face looks tired, full of blackheads, more spots than I think I’ve ever had in my whole life and yeah.My first step is to start drinking way more water than I already am and to find a new cleanser. Could people share their skin care routines/favourite products/this that and the other. I have a fairly normal balanced skin type so yeah anything goes really! Thanks guys, from a very very tired mum of 2 Little’s who just needs to get some proper self love into the routine.
littlepup
VIP Member
Tropic, Nuskin, even body shop now are all MLMs - do with that what you will.
Another vote for ‘the ordinary’ here too. Affordable, based on active ingredients and no faff. Only problem is they sell out a lot. ‘The inkey list’ or GOW at Victoria health are similar brands.
Superdrug does some fab products for any budget and I really like that their website has reviews. Their Vit E or Naturally radiant hot cloth cleansers are both really good. Cera-ve and cetaphil are good in-shower brands as there’s no messing around with making sure you have a clean facecloth.
For the black heads they have their ‘deep action’ range that has salicylic acid. Like the old school teenage toners you wipe over with cotton wool and perhaps not for ongoing use due to the alcohol content, but this will help clear the congestion.
Their ‘simply pure’ serum is very highly regarded, I also like their Vit C one. I’d team that with a basic moisturiser, ideally with spf.
You really don’t need to spend a fortune. I’d buy the budget superdrug versions then if you feel you want to ‘upgrade’ you know the type of products you’re inclined to use and those you don’t care for so much. (It’s unrealistic to think anyone goes from nothing to a ten product programme for instance but you might decide cleanser and serums are a keeper)
Higher end La Roche Posay And Vichy are good, then higher still I personally rate Estée Lauder, Origins and Liz Earle.
(I’ve worked for those brands in the past and seen excellent results. Dior would be bottom of my list from experience)
ETA: get a ‘magic cloth’ make-up remover cloth. Primark do them or amazon. Even on your really can’t be arsed with it days, just with water And no product they are excellent for cleansing the face.
Another vote for ‘the ordinary’ here too. Affordable, based on active ingredients and no faff. Only problem is they sell out a lot. ‘The inkey list’ or GOW at Victoria health are similar brands.
Superdrug does some fab products for any budget and I really like that their website has reviews. Their Vit E or Naturally radiant hot cloth cleansers are both really good. Cera-ve and cetaphil are good in-shower brands as there’s no messing around with making sure you have a clean facecloth.
For the black heads they have their ‘deep action’ range that has salicylic acid. Like the old school teenage toners you wipe over with cotton wool and perhaps not for ongoing use due to the alcohol content, but this will help clear the congestion.
Their ‘simply pure’ serum is very highly regarded, I also like their Vit C one. I’d team that with a basic moisturiser, ideally with spf.
You really don’t need to spend a fortune. I’d buy the budget superdrug versions then if you feel you want to ‘upgrade’ you know the type of products you’re inclined to use and those you don’t care for so much. (It’s unrealistic to think anyone goes from nothing to a ten product programme for instance but you might decide cleanser and serums are a keeper)
Higher end La Roche Posay And Vichy are good, then higher still I personally rate Estée Lauder, Origins and Liz Earle.
(I’ve worked for those brands in the past and seen excellent results. Dior would be bottom of my list from experience)
ETA: get a ‘magic cloth’ make-up remover cloth. Primark do them or amazon. Even on your really can’t be arsed with it days, just with water And no product they are excellent for cleansing the face.
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under the ivy
VIP Member
Start with a nice cleanser (look at Cerave), a serum (hyaluronic acid/Vitamin C - The Ordinary do affordable ones. There’s also one by The Ordinary called Buffet which has a bit of everything in), moisturiser and a spf. Use eye cream if you feel you need it. All can be used on a night apart from the spf. You can buy The Ordinary/Cerave in Boots. Keep up with the water intake! This is something I wish I was better at.
under the ivy
VIP Member
My Superdrug Vit E goodies arrived today, I ordered them late Thursday night! I’ve just used the body cream (lovely) and the face cream (lovely again!). Going to have a mist now
I’m going to use my Avene toner up first then use the Simply Pure toner. I use the SP hydrating serum and it’s so good for £3!
MotherofDragons
Well-known member
If you're looking for a less pricey hot cloth cleanser I highly recommend Superdrug's Vitamin E one it's lovely - in fact the whole Vitamin E range by Superdrug is great I swear by it
Traazers
VIP Member
I searched for a similar thread but couldn't find one. Thought this might be a good idea to talk about product recommendations, skincare stuff etc. in one place rather than scattered through various influencers' threads (like Sali Hughes/Caroline Hirons etc etc). as there's obviously a lot of us with an interest
I have two questions to start with:
1) what is your current skincare routine
2) do you have any genuine holy grail products? If so, what are they and why?
I'll start with an HG fake tan (technically three) - St Tropez purity vitamins spray for body in the summer - its light and natural looking but easy to build up colour because it dries super quick so you can do two layers quite easily - it's a pump spray rather than an aerosol so you just spray it on then buff in with a mitt, the purity gel for winter (a bit too heavy and sticky for summer but a lovely colour and very hydrating) and the face spray which is 100000x easier to use, cheaper and works better (imo) than the tan luxe drops which I found smelly, orange and spot inducing (as well as expensive), or the stupid tan luxe hyaluronic serum that costs a fortune and doesn't really do anything at all. I just mist on a couple of layers after my moisturiser every night and wake up with a glow!
All of the purity range is clear so you can put it on at night without worrying about disgusting stained sheets, but the colour is light and buildable enough that it sort of straddles self tan and gradual tanner, so it doesn't look horrific if you miss a bit (which I've found can happen with other clear tanners - a work friend only uses isles of paradise because it's darker in a single layer but it seems to cling to dry skin in a way that the st tropez doesnt).
I've got a bit of a tanning (sunbeds - awful I know) addiction and this range is the only thing that's ever worked well enough for me to cut back on the beds because it's actually easier and quicker to fake tan than have 16 mins on a bed every four days. Highly highly recommend the whole range - it really makes tanning much less of an annoying process.
Speaking of fake tanning - the bondi sands shower gel and moisturiser (not the gradual tanner just the normal moisturiser) really really extends the life of tan because both are oil and alcohol free (which is virtually impossible to find in a body moisturiser) and the only products I've found that don't leave me with scaly inner elbows after three days.
I have just tanned (two layers of the vitamin spray) ahead of a wedding party I'm going to tomorrow and will probably wake up covered in streaks purely because I've banged on about how good it is...
After that tanning ramble I'm on a bit of a roll (three days post breakup, can't sleep and feeling a bit manic) so here is my current skincare routine:
For reference I'm 29, tanned (both fake and sunbeds as above) and previously had loads of closed comedones and lumps on my cheeks which I picked/squeezed and the odd hormonal flare up around my jaw/chin. I'm also freckly and this year have developed two big patches of melasma (sun spots) above my eyebrows - but other than this my skin is pretty good right now
AM:
Cleanse with warm water & flannel
Medik8 super c ferulic (usually my skin either just goes red with vitamin c followed by no actual results, or goes weird and orange - with the ordinary powder - but this is definitely brightening. Bloody pricey though, a (rare, very nice and normal) lady in the Hirons' Freaks page was giving it away and I got in there first but I think I may have to repurchase it.
Dr Dennis Gross retinol & ferulic eye serum (I don't use this every day as I'm fairly sure it's done nothing for me but it makes me feel bougie because it was ridiculously expensive so I use it on days I want to pretend I look more awake - or just when I remember. Will not repurchase).
Spritz with Sukin mist or the Heritage Store glycerin and rosewater toner (super cheap from amazon - but decanted into a Sukin bottle because it is THE BEST)
Hada Labo hyaluronic (I think it's the Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Lotion Light I use) when still damp
Spritz again, sometimes up to 5 or so times, until I'm bored or my skin feels moist enough (which is never).
La roche posay toleriane ultra light fluid (after all the spritzing this is basically just to seal it in)
Until recently my SPF was Biore aqua rich but I've realised it doesn't protect enough/stay on well enough throughout the day as I've got some quite bad melasma above my eyebrows this summer so I've recently switched to LRP anthelios hydrating spf 50 as it claims to be waterproof and sweat proof. it's a bit shiny but nothing a bit of powder can't sort. I also bought the tinted anti pigmentation one but I hate it - the tint is more dense than my tinted moisturiser and the total wrong colour (if anyone wants to try it or already uses and likes it I'm happy to post it actually - I've used it once)
PM:
Superfacialist vitamin c cleansing oil - this is a reluctant holy grail product - the price is great, it lasts forever and seems to work without breaking me out (I can do a single cleanse with it without any problems)
LRP toleriane cream cleanser - another HG, the most basic but best second/rare morning cleanser I've ever used. So boring but very good.
Dermatica - I started with skin + me and have switched between the two a few times but I prefer dermatica as you get more for your money and they're very responsive when it comes to changing formulas - I'm currently using 0.1% tret with hydroquinone for the previously mentioned melasma - I did have azelaic acid and niacinimide in the mix until a couple of months ago - interestingly my skin absolutely HATED both the niacinimide serum and azelaic gel from the ordinary but seems to like both in the dermatica formula (although I've not noticed any increased textural issues since switching them for hydroquinone which I was a bit worried about so who knows)
The same spritz/hada labo combo as in the AM (I normally do about 5 layers in the evening because I have more time)
Then either LRP Nutritic Intense Rich cream which I actually really love - I thought it was a bit too thick and perfumed and was clogging me up so took a break from it, but having started using it again recently I really notice a glow in the morning. I think maybe my barrier was impaired before because it stung slightly but doesn't now. OR the inkey list barrier repair treatment (which I really don't like very much - it feels like a gimmicky name for a very basic moisturiser, but I used it when staying at my ex's house as it's less heavy than the LRP and fairly innofensive).
I cut right back on my routine last year when I started tret - followed skin + me's advice and just cleansed, moisturised, SPFed (AM) and tretted (PM) which is how I fell in love with La Roche Posay's products - but I've recently started adding in more steps; the hyaluronic, eye creams and spritzing I introduced one at a time around christmas as I needed more hydration, and I've only just started adding vitamin C in the mornings. I'm actually pretty happy with my routine atm - I think tret is doing the majority of the work and everything else is just helping it along.
I have two questions to start with:
1) what is your current skincare routine
2) do you have any genuine holy grail products? If so, what are they and why?
I'll start with an HG fake tan (technically three) - St Tropez purity vitamins spray for body in the summer - its light and natural looking but easy to build up colour because it dries super quick so you can do two layers quite easily - it's a pump spray rather than an aerosol so you just spray it on then buff in with a mitt, the purity gel for winter (a bit too heavy and sticky for summer but a lovely colour and very hydrating) and the face spray which is 100000x easier to use, cheaper and works better (imo) than the tan luxe drops which I found smelly, orange and spot inducing (as well as expensive), or the stupid tan luxe hyaluronic serum that costs a fortune and doesn't really do anything at all. I just mist on a couple of layers after my moisturiser every night and wake up with a glow!
All of the purity range is clear so you can put it on at night without worrying about disgusting stained sheets, but the colour is light and buildable enough that it sort of straddles self tan and gradual tanner, so it doesn't look horrific if you miss a bit (which I've found can happen with other clear tanners - a work friend only uses isles of paradise because it's darker in a single layer but it seems to cling to dry skin in a way that the st tropez doesnt).
I've got a bit of a tanning (sunbeds - awful I know) addiction and this range is the only thing that's ever worked well enough for me to cut back on the beds because it's actually easier and quicker to fake tan than have 16 mins on a bed every four days. Highly highly recommend the whole range - it really makes tanning much less of an annoying process.
Speaking of fake tanning - the bondi sands shower gel and moisturiser (not the gradual tanner just the normal moisturiser) really really extends the life of tan because both are oil and alcohol free (which is virtually impossible to find in a body moisturiser) and the only products I've found that don't leave me with scaly inner elbows after three days.
I have just tanned (two layers of the vitamin spray) ahead of a wedding party I'm going to tomorrow and will probably wake up covered in streaks purely because I've banged on about how good it is...
After that tanning ramble I'm on a bit of a roll (three days post breakup, can't sleep and feeling a bit manic) so here is my current skincare routine:
For reference I'm 29, tanned (both fake and sunbeds as above) and previously had loads of closed comedones and lumps on my cheeks which I picked/squeezed and the odd hormonal flare up around my jaw/chin. I'm also freckly and this year have developed two big patches of melasma (sun spots) above my eyebrows - but other than this my skin is pretty good right now
AM:
Cleanse with warm water & flannel
Medik8 super c ferulic (usually my skin either just goes red with vitamin c followed by no actual results, or goes weird and orange - with the ordinary powder - but this is definitely brightening. Bloody pricey though, a (rare, very nice and normal) lady in the Hirons' Freaks page was giving it away and I got in there first but I think I may have to repurchase it.
Dr Dennis Gross retinol & ferulic eye serum (I don't use this every day as I'm fairly sure it's done nothing for me but it makes me feel bougie because it was ridiculously expensive so I use it on days I want to pretend I look more awake - or just when I remember. Will not repurchase).
Spritz with Sukin mist or the Heritage Store glycerin and rosewater toner (super cheap from amazon - but decanted into a Sukin bottle because it is THE BEST)
Hada Labo hyaluronic (I think it's the Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Lotion Light I use) when still damp
Spritz again, sometimes up to 5 or so times, until I'm bored or my skin feels moist enough (which is never).
La roche posay toleriane ultra light fluid (after all the spritzing this is basically just to seal it in)
Until recently my SPF was Biore aqua rich but I've realised it doesn't protect enough/stay on well enough throughout the day as I've got some quite bad melasma above my eyebrows this summer so I've recently switched to LRP anthelios hydrating spf 50 as it claims to be waterproof and sweat proof. it's a bit shiny but nothing a bit of powder can't sort. I also bought the tinted anti pigmentation one but I hate it - the tint is more dense than my tinted moisturiser and the total wrong colour (if anyone wants to try it or already uses and likes it I'm happy to post it actually - I've used it once)
PM:
Superfacialist vitamin c cleansing oil - this is a reluctant holy grail product - the price is great, it lasts forever and seems to work without breaking me out (I can do a single cleanse with it without any problems)
LRP toleriane cream cleanser - another HG, the most basic but best second/rare morning cleanser I've ever used. So boring but very good.
Dermatica - I started with skin + me and have switched between the two a few times but I prefer dermatica as you get more for your money and they're very responsive when it comes to changing formulas - I'm currently using 0.1% tret with hydroquinone for the previously mentioned melasma - I did have azelaic acid and niacinimide in the mix until a couple of months ago - interestingly my skin absolutely HATED both the niacinimide serum and azelaic gel from the ordinary but seems to like both in the dermatica formula (although I've not noticed any increased textural issues since switching them for hydroquinone which I was a bit worried about so who knows)
The same spritz/hada labo combo as in the AM (I normally do about 5 layers in the evening because I have more time)
Then either LRP Nutritic Intense Rich cream which I actually really love - I thought it was a bit too thick and perfumed and was clogging me up so took a break from it, but having started using it again recently I really notice a glow in the morning. I think maybe my barrier was impaired before because it stung slightly but doesn't now. OR the inkey list barrier repair treatment (which I really don't like very much - it feels like a gimmicky name for a very basic moisturiser, but I used it when staying at my ex's house as it's less heavy than the LRP and fairly innofensive).
I cut right back on my routine last year when I started tret - followed skin + me's advice and just cleansed, moisturised, SPFed (AM) and tretted (PM) which is how I fell in love with La Roche Posay's products - but I've recently started adding in more steps; the hyaluronic, eye creams and spritzing I introduced one at a time around christmas as I needed more hydration, and I've only just started adding vitamin C in the mornings. I'm actually pretty happy with my routine atm - I think tret is doing the majority of the work and everything else is just helping it along.
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I wish I could add pics without outing myself haha.. but my skin has absolutely transformed so I thought I’d share what I learned. I’m in my late 20s.
Before:
Freckles, fine lines, serious acne around chin and cheeks and some red/blotchy acne scarring.
Now:
Reversed ageing signs, less freckles, zero acne, scars slowly fading, and skin just glowy and plump in general.
Routine: before, cleansed, always toned with acids, used peels etc (way too harsh on my young acne prone skin...) please google tretinoin cream before and after pics if you’ve never looked into it before!
What I do now:
- Micellar markuo
- Cetaphil cleanser (non foaming one - doesn’t strip skin!)
- Prescription tretinoin cream (basically a very strong retinol) 0.05% (bought a shit load of it abroad but can buy here via skin + me)
- Niacinamide + zinc from the ordinary (helps with evening skin tone and reduces redness of my acne scarring)
- La Roche Posay lipikar Baume (moisturiser)
- La Roche Posay Shaka spf50.
What I learned from trying a LOT of products:
Essentially, skincare is a multi multi multi million pound industry designed to make us part with our hard earned £ in the hope of eternal youth/whatever other problem they’re trying to get us to fix. 99% of the products do fuck all other than feel or smell nice.
To truly have glowing youthful skin, no acne and waaaay slower ageing process, all you need is the only two products *shown scientifically* to slow or reverse ageing: retinol (prescription strength tretinoin if you can - otherwise it doesn’t do anything dramatic) and a really good SPF which you wear every day without fail. Then whatever moisturiser or gentle cleaners you like.
Hope that helps someone! I remember being in Caroline Hirons skincare group for ages and feeling bad for not spending hundreds on skin kits or not buying the latest hot product, and the truth is that my cheap-ish simple routine has totally changed my skin x quote my post if you have any questions x
Before:
Freckles, fine lines, serious acne around chin and cheeks and some red/blotchy acne scarring.
Now:
Reversed ageing signs, less freckles, zero acne, scars slowly fading, and skin just glowy and plump in general.
Routine: before, cleansed, always toned with acids, used peels etc (way too harsh on my young acne prone skin...) please google tretinoin cream before and after pics if you’ve never looked into it before!
What I do now:
- Micellar markuo
- Cetaphil cleanser (non foaming one - doesn’t strip skin!)
- Prescription tretinoin cream (basically a very strong retinol) 0.05% (bought a shit load of it abroad but can buy here via skin + me)
- Niacinamide + zinc from the ordinary (helps with evening skin tone and reduces redness of my acne scarring)
- La Roche Posay lipikar Baume (moisturiser)
- La Roche Posay Shaka spf50.
What I learned from trying a LOT of products:
Essentially, skincare is a multi multi multi million pound industry designed to make us part with our hard earned £ in the hope of eternal youth/whatever other problem they’re trying to get us to fix. 99% of the products do fuck all other than feel or smell nice.
To truly have glowing youthful skin, no acne and waaaay slower ageing process, all you need is the only two products *shown scientifically* to slow or reverse ageing: retinol (prescription strength tretinoin if you can - otherwise it doesn’t do anything dramatic) and a really good SPF which you wear every day without fail. Then whatever moisturiser or gentle cleaners you like.
Hope that helps someone! I remember being in Caroline Hirons skincare group for ages and feeling bad for not spending hundreds on skin kits or not buying the latest hot product, and the truth is that my cheap-ish simple routine has totally changed my skin x quote my post if you have any questions x
bolimepipi
VIP Member
just got my delivery today from the ordinary 
- natural moisturizing factors + ha (already loving this one)
- niacinamide 10% + zinc 1%
- argireline solution 10%.
it sounds like i know what i'm talking about when i write this down but i absolutely don't.
can't wait to see some results though!
- natural moisturizing factors + ha (already loving this one)
- niacinamide 10% + zinc 1%
- argireline solution 10%.
it sounds like i know what i'm talking about when i write this down but i absolutely don't.
can't wait to see some results though!
Sailorontheseasea
VIP Member
Hi guys!! Thank you all so so much for your lovely advice, have taken it all on board and have made some purchases.
I absolutely love the ordinary stuff and have used it in the past and have re-bought some stuff from there and have gone for a vit C body shop moisturiser too on top (as someone suggested!)
CeraVe is high up on my list too have used their eye cream already and have now bought it again as think it’s great. I used to love Liz Earle and use the whole collection but unfortunately it started making my face flare up so not sure if they changed their ingredients or what! I’ve gone for a glossier cleanser anyway as I ran out a month or two ago and never repurchased but absolutely love it (and highly recommend, makes my face feel so refreshed!)
one more question - are there any particular masks that you would chose? For like a weekly thing or biweekly thing? I’m really trying to prioritise self care when I get a chance (sorry to sound like Mrs Meldrum
) My family is having such an awful year this year (as are most) and it’s not about to get any better to be honest and just want to treat myself and have 5 minutes here and there!
I absolutely love the ordinary stuff and have used it in the past and have re-bought some stuff from there and have gone for a vit C body shop moisturiser too on top (as someone suggested!)
CeraVe is high up on my list too have used their eye cream already and have now bought it again as think it’s great. I used to love Liz Earle and use the whole collection but unfortunately it started making my face flare up so not sure if they changed their ingredients or what! I’ve gone for a glossier cleanser anyway as I ran out a month or two ago and never repurchased but absolutely love it (and highly recommend, makes my face feel so refreshed!)
one more question - are there any particular masks that you would chose? For like a weekly thing or biweekly thing? I’m really trying to prioritise self care when I get a chance (sorry to sound like Mrs Meldrum
) My family is having such an awful year this year (as are most) and it’s not about to get any better to be honest and just want to treat myself and have 5 minutes here and there!
OutrageouslyScarlet
VIP Member
another vote for that. To be honest if you are time strapped and only beginning a skin care journey, you can’t go too wrong with just buying the mix Earle skin care package. You get the hot cloth cleaner the lovely toner and a moisturiser plus a free skin care gift
bellinibobble
VIP Member
It honestly is a nightmare! I got Caroline’s book fairly recently, after buying a load of LRP skincare, (buying what was recommended via their online skincare quiz), and ending up with the worlds greasiest moisturiser and a toner which was far too strong for my sensitive skin.
I then bought about 5 products from The Ordinary, again the actives were far too much for me (despite them being the gentlest ones and recommended for sensgiceand made my skin worse, although I did like the cleanser and moisturiser. Probably spent about £80 up to this point and no better off
I have now stripped everything back to a dermatica prescription and a hydrating cleanser and moisturiser. However, I bought CeraVe cleanser and moisturiser, and neutrogena’s hydration gel as it seemed to be everyone’s recommendations for pretty much anything on the skincare freaks Facebook page.. and don’t really think they’re great either. The neutrogena one is soooo fragranced it made my skin react instantly.
Part of me thinks I should have just carried on doing what I was before with my usual products. I also really wish I’d read Caroline’s thread on here before getting that book