suncream, zits and wrinkles: rolling skincare thread?

i'm liking the olay "time delay" day and night creams, they have BHAs and seem to be moisturizing without breaking me out. it's SPF 15 which i figure is enough if i'm inside all day, but i just put the neutrogena dry touch stuff on today when i was cycling in, and i'm actually surprised at how un shiny i am.

i think maybe if you're a very shiny person (i am in the summer) one of the dry sunblocks on its own might be the ticket, when i put it on over moisturizer i'm pretty greasy quickly. obviously YMMV.

that sounds perfect abbott! i thought they were all spf 15s. its not v expensive at all either.

what a great board!

the dry touch is pretty nice. it definitely has a matifying effect.

i'm on the fence about whether to buy the dr. brandt pores no more stuff. i like the sample that i got, but it's so expensive i don't know if i can justify it. it does really seem to minimize the pores. is there anything cheaper that works in the same way?

linds, was totally thinking abt all the pore questions of old thread and okay okay here's my discovery (via my mom, who has been visiting since friday):

i know i mention aveda often but i'm pretty discriminating abt their products, as a lot are too much for me anyway, BUT holy whoa, they have these salicylic acid toner pads that are as shockingly expensive as they are shockingly effective. i started using them friday and they caused an initial and very slight uh swelling of major pore areas (plus it was really hot & humid out) but now my skin is so calm and pores so clean & diminished and happy! it is kind of crazy.

the thing is that i can't use other salicylic acid things b/c they're lotions or whatever and just too heavy, but these aren't causing problems! i will check back in a week re: these but so far i am amazed. and yknow my skin will break out at anything. i haven't put any other medication or zit treatment or anything on my face either while using these. so yeah, neat.

On Saturday I wore the neutrogena spf 70 and neutrogena glow sheer spf 30, which is probaby overkill.

Oh, and a hat.

spf 70!!!!!!! damn

my seemingly bottomless pot of avon eye cream finally ran out. replaced it with boscia's enlivening amino eye treatment - yay! i've been wanting this stuff for a while.

I also bought spf 70 yesterday, prompted by my dermatologist.

yes so the neutrogena dry touch 55 is apparently completely useless against tropical sun and i became horribly burnt on my first full day in maui. after that, purchased coppertone spray 70 which was weird, and then found that the coppertone sport 50 actually works really well. however, i am peeling like crazy, and the skin right above my breasts and next to my pits is so incredibly burned it's scary looking. those two corners burned way more than anywhere else. the pain has gone away, but what is a good cream/treatment to reduce scarring/mottling?

oddly, though, the ny sun feels like nothing to me now! i will still wear lots of sunscreen, though!

Is this thread for facial scrub/cleanser/moisturiser? I have some awes knowledge that I want to impart.

-- Autumn Almanac, Wednesday, 18 June 2008 07:50 (Wednesday, 18 June 2008 07:50)

Such a tease... Tell all plz.

I'm looking for a moisturiser for the face that's good on mixed skin i.e. greasy in places, dry in others. It also has to let the skin breathe and if possible soothe after a shave.

For years I've been using straightforward aqueous cream but I'm not so sure it's good for my skin having tried something else this past while.

T -- any of the soothing herbal combinations: aloe, comfrey, chamomile, calendula. Or Vitamin E. Keeping the skin/wound moist is the best way to reduce scarring, the vit E or aloe will do that.

when i was in hawaii i got an awful 3rd degree burn (from hot oil, not the sun) but there were tons of aloe plants everywhere and so i just put that on it constantly. i have no scar from it (which is amazing, it was a huge burn).

guys i just made my first sephora order. now i know what youre all talking about with the samples you get. excited!

also found out there is a sephora right here in little rock. who knew?

I get little bumpy spots on my forehead, you can't really see them, but they still piss me off. I have very short hair, don't use gel, wash hair with Vosene and face with witch doctor face scrub every day... but they don't go away!

What to do?

it may be from heat/sweating? try to stay dry. or you may be over-cleansing/scrubbing.

sunny i didn't know you were in little rock! one of my good friends lives down there

So hydroquinone is supposed to be evil and carcinogenic right? I am trying to fade a couple discolored spots on my legs (leftover from ingrown hairs) and I'm wondering if this is a bad idea...

it may be from heat/sweating? try to stay dry. or you may be over-cleansing/scrubbing.

If you're using all that stuff regularly then yes, I think that could be your problem. I would avoid using anything abrasive on them.

No no all he said was he uses a certain shampoo and a witch hazel toner, that's not much at all -- in fact, only one facial product!

Bodrick, impossible to say, really, but start trying things. Is your pillowcase clean? Do you touch your face during the day? Drink a few glasses of water a day? Maybe try giving up caffeine for two weeks and see if that makes a difference, etc etc etc. Think of it as an exciting experiment.

Or stop the witch hazel and try an exfoliant like the St Ives apricot scrub -- it's not fancy and some people don't like it, but it's not a bad start. (I don't want to give anyone sticker shock by recommending a $30 tub of something.)

A little bit of baking soda mixed with soap/cleanser does a nice job of gently exfoliating. That apricot stuff has really large granules and I heard that's not so good for skin, being so abrasive. Also bs is so cheap it's almost free.

iirc, Colette taught me this trick!

Is your friend as sweet as you, Surm?

Yeah, I love the St Ives for my face, but then I use corn meal on my body and that's even scratchier (I love scratchy). I think Julia told me about the baking soda! It's a Chicago thing, apparently. But the baking soda is too fine for me and I never feel smooth after using.

Ouch!

No no all he said was he uses a certain shampoo and a witch hazel toner, that's not much at all -- in fact, only one facial product!

Ah, I didn't really read it and thought Vosene was some kind of American cleanser that sounded very chemical!

St Ives apricot scrub -- it's not fancy and some people don't like it

Why not? (ah I see that this has been answered) I think I can get that here and if it's good for blackheads?

Actually what is good for blackheads and sensitive skin?

A little bit of baking soda mixed with soap/cleanser does a nice job of gently exfoliating.

Wouldn't it burn the face off you? Ah, I see not.

I am like Laurel, I prefer something that has a bit of 'bite' but sadly that wreaks havoc on my skin. There was a very good exfoliator a while ago that I stole from someone, I wonder if I can still find it and buy more.

I with Laurel on this too. I like feel like im taking a few layers of skin off.

has anyone ever had a lactic peel? there is some spa offering them for $50 for the month of july which is half of what it usually costs, but i'm afraid my skin is too sensitive. it's supposed to be less intense than a glycolic peel though.

listen dudes, i like the scratchy and i like the feeling of taking off dead layers of skin, but liking it doesn't make it good for my skin. i only use baking soda on the face because it's sensitive. on the rest of me i would happily use a sandblaster, but i settle for some crappy scrubbing thing i got at marshalls.

let me add that i enjoy exfoliating so much that i bought the god-forsaken ped-egg, and it wasn't tuff enough for me! in fact, it sucked and didn't take off but the top layer of dead foot skin. not recommended!

I'm thinking with my results from the peroxide set that my skin doesn't need DRYING, per se, but it does need sterilization ALL THE TIME. It's just so prone to infection and dead-cell/oil build-up, it has to be germ- and sweat-free as much as I can manage. The scratchier exfoliators take off the right amt of skin for me, I think. Not for everyone, though, for sure.

this afternoon, i got the aveda pads that rrrobyn (fellow sensitive-skin sufferer) mentioned upthread. the combination of sunscreen/chlorine/saltwater/sun has really done a number on my complexion, so i'm hoping these will help sort things out. definitely pricey, but the saleswoman recommended tearing them in half and then using a cotton ball to soak up leftover product once the pads are gone.

yeah, i cut them in half. discovered also that i can only use them like twice a week because they were causing sensitivities blargh. but they still work.

i need to do some kind of experiment where i go live in a dry climate for a few months or damn even a few weeks and see what happens to my skin. i wonder if it wld be good? i have never lived or even visited anywhere that didn't have some kind of humidity and/or regular precipitation!

i figured i'd try using them 2-3 times a week... really hope they don't end aggravating the problem.

Style, what do i buy for my face? I am generally neither greasy nor dry, but I do work out a lot so I am frequently sweaty.

I want to keep from getting wrinkles, and have never applied cream or lotion except for in the incident of sunburn.

What should my regimen be? (I am poor, btw.)

Gentle cleanser, antioxidant (Vit. C or copper peptide serum), sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, Rx retinol (retin A, tazorac, etc.).

But mostly sunscreen. A#1 ultimate most important thing!

why am i breaking out on my forehead? just tiny little bumps. this never, ever happens. i am concerned.

My skin got really bad lately and I realized I had forgotten to change towels, sheets, as often as usual because of not being at home all the time now. So when I start getting little bumps and annoying redness it's usu b/c of linens and things that touch my skin.

yeah that can make a big difference - did i already talk about how you can add 1/2 tsp of bleach, heavily diluted in a small container of water (like a small plastic container from yogurt or whatever) and add that to the soap while the washing machine is beginning to fill up, then add clothes - doesn't affect coloured fabrics and kills bacteria/mildew/etc - esp good for washing towels and sheets.

my skin is ok these days tho still not perfect or anything and still really sensitive. i find i can only use the aveda salicylic acid pads once every two weeks, and i should probably not wear make-up but i mean damn i work in an office and also like to look somewhat polished despite my hippie leanings. using the weleda salt toothpaste has made a noticable difference in breakouts around mouth though!

rrob, those aveda outer peace pads have really worked well for me. i've cut them in half and use a half every day or every other day, and so far no irritation or dryness or anything of that nature. these plus my sulfur cleanser have been keeping my skin in pretty great shape despite the heat and humidity.

i'm currently debating whether i should buy a tinted moisturizer or a primer to help even out my skin tone...i don't want to wear foundation every day, but i need something to help smooth over my pores and give me a more even look. any suggestions?

Re bleach: Hah, for years I only bought all-white sheets and towels and Tshirts for sleeping in, expressly for the purpose of bleaching them at every wash. I stopped somewhere along the way b/c of the lure of polka-dotted bed-set but I do wash all household linens in hot water.

i'm glad to hear it, lauren!

i would like aveda to make their super-sensitive skin moisturizer with a slight tint, that wld be nice

a friend gave me some of her nuxe (french, expensive) mattifying moisturizer to try and even tho it is all 'botanicals, high-quality, blah blah blah' my skin went a bit pink and i got a couple (minor) pimples by the end of the day eeesh botanicals whatever

bell i have been using laura mercier tinted moisturizer and i really like it. not too heavy, and seems to maintain a nice look all day w/out looking too makeup-y.

also they have good shades for fair skin.

laura mercier website just made me feel highly under-makeuped

I've been really frustrated all summer with breakouts under the corners of my jaw and in my cleavage.

THEN I read somewhere that I might be allergic to perfume.

Mystery solved.

Last time I tried natural scented oils I broke out as well. Any suggestions?

Put the scent somewhere else, I'm sorry to say. I can't wear it on my head or ears or neck or chest either. Wrists are okay usually, back of knees, armpits seem all right. That's it for me.

For tinted moisturizer usually I just mix a little foundation (usually only for special occasions) with my regular moisturizer = not having to purchase another product + color is right.

I’ve been using the Biologique Recherche p50 and it’s pretty good - not mind blowing - but I think I need the hardcore 1970s original formula bc the regular version doesn’t even tingle a little bit

My skin issues right now (the same ones I’ve had for ages)
Closed comedones that won’t surface around my chin and jawline
Broken capillaries across my cheeks
Big under eye bags
Sunspots

My actual skin *feels* really hydrated and smooth though

I was just in the store checking for decently priced mineral sunscreens before ordering online. Banana Boat has "reef safe" ones but they still had avobenzone in it which was really tripping me up. I finally found one of the Banana Boat spf50 kid/baby ones that was mineral decently priced like $7 for 6 oz. Going to give it a try.

I still have bad dry skin around my mouth issues that started with the retinol. I think I made it bad again by using spf lipbalm and since I am allergic to like 95% of lipbalms/lipsticks i think that set it off again.

Mine does too and that's the thing. The surface and texture is good, maybe very good, but eyebags and sagging jawline etc are pretty much unfixable other than surgically.

xp

Jawline thing is the thing I would do were I down with plastic surgery, which I am pretty sure I am not

I have gotten good at wearing sunscreen! But I want to switch. I am p much exclusively going for UVA protection and I understand that avobenzone (the "best" UVA blocker approved in the US) is actually just not that great at UVA protection compared to stuff that's in use in Europe and Japan, and ALSO that SPF only refers to UVB and not UVA??? Wild!

I want to try one of these magical beloved cult Japanese sunscreens, ideally something fragrance free (so prob not the Biore Watery Whatever). My face is on the oilier side of normal, I never have problems w dryness so I don't mind trying something w alcohol.

Has anyone tried either the Nivea Sun Protect Super Water Gel or the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk? Or does anyone have any other suggestions? I get the impression that PA+++ is enough and I don't really *need* ++++, and I also have a moderately resilient face (I like to think) and so my biggest priority is weightlessness and invisibility and a barely there feeling, ideally with a bit of waterproof-ness as well since a lot of the time when I'm outside these days it's bcz I'm running errands on my bike and thus sweating

I am also a little oily, and also mostly indisposed to fragrance. I use (and love) Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel SPF50 + PA ++++ . I am not aware that of an aroma - if there is one there it is very faint, and it recedes quickly. Other posters might weight in too, because I could just be habituated to a thing I wear every day?

In other news, I completely quit any skincare routine three months ago. I just wash my face with water, morning and evening, and I slap on sunscreen when I leave the house. I am sandpapery and old, now.

I got the eltaMD UV Clear and I loooooove, but it is zinc-based so I dunno about the PA stuff.

Xps that nivea one gets a lot of good reviews from skincare enthusiasts

I've tried the Skin Aqua - they have a few different formulations and all of them are really light and non-greasy and highly recommended (the one I'm currently using is in a pink bottle). iirc the one that's more waterproof/sweat-proof comes in the yellow bottle.

ok I just sprung for the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence, it's sweat/waterproof (where the Nivea is not) and it's supposed to go on clearer than the gel. Fingers crossed!!

Dhc cleansing oil is changing my life

One of the best - been rotating between that and banila co’s clean it zero for a few years now (basically buying whichever one happens to be in stock or on sale when I run out)

Oh yeah I've been using the DHC at night for years now. Pretty much one of the first things I bought and stuck with when I started reading about skincare etc

Glad we are all happy with our cleansers!

Re sunblock--should I be trying to source one of the Korean faves that's not approved here yet? I don't use any at all because both the chemical and physical options available here inflame/burn/hurt my skin. I just wear hats and/or suffer. I'd like to do better though. Any recommendations or sources?

I use Avene Hydrance Optimale, the 'light' version. It's spf20 and fine as a non-heavy base for makeup

― kinder

I mean, this is basically my catchphrase now, but the bastards discontinued it - there is a version that seems similar but is not.

Re sunblock, I don't know, I mainly use that fluid one, maybe La Roche Posay? for face. For body, any old stuff but I am growing to hate the claggy/greasy feeling.

I don't think I can tolerate the zinc, inconveniently for me.

have you tried supergoop unseen sunscreen?

Yeah Anthelios in both the matt fluid & stick form rules

i have never tried cleansing oil -- should i? i loathe the word cleanse but i will get over it if the product is good and affordable.

Yes definitely, I had a sample Sephora sent me and I was really impressed.

There are also lots of oil based balms out there right now for double cleansing. I'm using a cheap drugstore balm for the 1st and then a gentle non-foaming cleanser afterwards. The Elemis cleansing balm is fantastic but expensive.

Caroline Hiron's did a collab with pixie that has an oil based balm and a cream cleanser that is really great.

I too like Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen a lot. It's what I'm using at the moment.

https://www.pixibeauty.com/collections/cleanser/products/double-cleanse

Xps Beauty of Joseon makes a great Korean sunscreen - very lightweight, doesn’t sting my eyes, no white cast.
https://www.yesstyle.com/en/beauty-of-joseon-relief-sun-50ml/info.html/pid.1107744417

ive gone all Korean in my skincare. They got me. Snail goop for days.

my boring skincare gamechangers are cetaphil foaming facewash, and the cetaphil oil-free sunscreen moisurizer … i think my skin is finally almost uh normal

have you tried supergoop unseen sunscreen?

^^ Still haven't been in the Sephora here yet. Only been to Westfield a handful of times since it opened but the line was at least 15 tweens deep every time. No way, no how. I love the damn store but I'm not waiting in line lol.

Came her to say that Geek and Gorgeous is an amazing skincare brand. It's similar in concept to the ordinary or inky list but I've started a using a few of their products and I LOVE them.

https://geekandgorgeous.com/

Ahhh I started using one of their moisturisers (Hydration Station? maybe) a while ago as it's nice and light. No SPF though. What products do you use?

The vitamin c and the A game which is their retinal. I need to find someone going to Spain who can get me some otc tretinoin. I got an Rx from my derm but it's £100 to fill it here so I'm using this in the meantime and so far I love it. Will check out that moisturiser next time I need one though I love the Sali Hughes one I have ATM.