Ah I am definitely one of those who has been using it for months and not thinking that it actually does anything
Thanks for posting that.
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Thanks for posting that.
I've just started using the Facetheory one and am impressed so far. It's only been a few days and I've only been using at night, but my skin has felt great in the morning. I think there's been a subtle difference in reducing redness, but I think I'll have to wait another week or so to see if there's a big difference. Also, I've very sensitive skin and it hasn't irritated at all
I had the same problem with The Ordinary one - lots of pilling and did absolutely nothing
Do you use spf before or after moisturiser? I was told by a very good beautician I should use it before but I’ve only seen people mentioning on different threads that it needs to be put on after.
Oh that’s very weird advice.
i would say SPF goes after moisturiser. Applying moisturiser on top of sunscreen will (I think) disturb the formula and cause uneven coverage.
SPF is always last x
Like the other posters have said, always last. Although, if I remember rightly, I think Ultrasun instructions might be to apply their product to clean dry skin - something about it having to ‘bond’ to the skin first. But every other spf I’ve ever used (and I’ve tried tonnes), is to go on last.
Ooohhh that's interesting. I have some ultrasun and have been using it last as I didn't read the instructions.
I will check it in a min!
Come back and let us know. It was the woman who goes on QVC to flog it, who I seem to remember saying that, but it’s ages since I’ve watched her or used Ultrasun. So I’m interested to know if the newer formulations are still the same.
I use ultrasun and always put it on last
Yes! On their website they advise to 'cleanse, tone, Ultrasun'. I would personally not put anything on top of that though? as they have some decently moisturising formulas too.
That’s interesting. I knew I vaguely remembered something about it having to be on clean dry skin as creams underneath interfere with it for some reason.
I’m with you, I wouldn’t put serums and moisturisers on top in case it disturbed the layer of protection.
I have ultrasun face spf30
It does give any instructions about whether to apply first or last...the box might have had more instructions but I don't have it any longer
Sorry for such a bad picture the writing is tiiiiiny
ha! You need a magnifying glass to read that. (and I like your nail polish! great shade of pink)
Ah thanks!
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 forgot that my two posts would combine into one post so it is a REALLY long and probably very dull ramble (although having two seperate posts in a row wouldn't make it any more interesting; maybe I do belong in the Freaks group after all) 
I’ll come back when I’m hooked up to something with caffeine in it 
Oh thanks for starting this. I feel like I had a splurge earlier this year and bought a load of products (when I wasn't in a good place) and now need to use them consistently and effectively. I am no expert so will be on here for all of the advice. I am edging closer to 50 but I do look younger ( I only feel confident saying this on an anon forum - I wouldn't say in in real life!).
My holy grail product is the Altruist body moisturiser with urea. Honestly, I have spent a fortune over the years on my scale-y legs and this is cheap as chips and works really quickly.
My holy grail product is the Altruist body moisturiser with urea. Honestly, I have spent a fortune over the years on my scale-y legs and this is cheap as chips and works really quickly.
I'm not with it yet (as I havent had coffee) to talk about a full routine, but current holy grail is NIOD FECC
Still in awe of anyone who can write this much detail in a post at 3.20am.
that is one bad ass post........
respect for the thread.
respect for the AM finger cardio.
that is one bad ass post........
respect for the thread.
respect for the AM finger cardio.I love any product that looks like it’s called Feck.I'm not with it yet (as I havent had coffee) to talk about a full routine, but current holy grail is NIOD FECC
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