The Skin Care Thread

General Chat
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Kinda teased I might start this when I made a thread for cleaning products and today is that day.

In part, because of the shower talk lately, and in part because it’s time I really start the process of finding a new SPF that works for me. Was out in the Atlantic Ocean hunting for the local Orca pod (didn’t find them, just whales and dolphins) and despite it being overcast and a low UV index, my face is horribly sunburnt and very sore because my routine currently lacks an SPF.

I’ll probably delve into my routine and other skincare/body care products I use at a later time, but just want to focus on SPF for now. I’ve left it too long.

My go to skincare brand is ESPA. Has been ever since I had a facial at one of their spas, after years of trying to find a suitable replacement for my US products.

So, naturally, this was my go to SPF for many years. Low at 15, but I have very sensitive and reactive skin and have never tolerated sunscreens well. This was one of the few that worked well and didn’t cause my skin too many issues.

It was sadly discontinued a while ago when they elected to integrate the SPF directly into a dedicated day version of the moisturiser in that range (which is also my go to daily moisturiser):

I’m not entirely sure what ingredient did it, but this was the first product from ESPA I’ve been disappointed with. It chemically burned my face, almost like it was hair removal cream. Something other sunscreens have done to me in the past too. You can see my review on there.

They’ve now reintroduced a dedicated SPF product that looks like true successor to the old one. I’m going to try it. Found it accidentally when I went to order some new towels this morning.

But in the event it doesn’t work out, I’m interested to hear what SPF products the community uses. I ideally want something that leaves no visible residue and isn’t something I can feel sitting on top of skin making me want to wash it off my face all day.

I’ve heard good things about Ultra Violette. Has anyone here tried them?

And please feel free to share and discuss your own skin care routines or products you love.

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If I use anything other than soap followed by Cetraben on my skin or a Laroche-Posay moisturiser on my face, I end up with awful dry skin to the point it bleeds.

I can do just about any sunscreen (but tend to go for kids’ non-oily 50 SPF) and then moisturise moisturise moisturise.

image

Would I love more luxurious body care products? Sure. But sadly I can’t…

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I just use plain soap for face wash

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Nice to see future RuPaul make an appearance.

I was thinking the other day the forum doesn’t have any self care product topics :sweat_smile:

I’d love to know thoughts on people’s shower gel, what do they buy etc.

I’ve always stuck to Simple moisturiser for the last umpteen years. Seems to be keeping me looking young-er than the average 35yo.

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I believe in taking care of myself and a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine.

In the morning if my face is a little puffy I’ll put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I can do 1000 now. After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion.

In the shower I use a water activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub. Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine.

I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturiser, then an anti-aging eye balm followed by a final moisturising protective lotion.

I’m a bar of soap guy when I shower, good old Dove cream bar.

I currently use “The Ordinary” moisturiser as well as “Nivea moisturising day cream SPF30” on my face, then “Nivea post shave balm” on my beard which I know is the opposite of what it’s for but it smells good and keeps my skin under my beard moist then a bit of beard oil.

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I used to use the black L’Oreal Men expert range before, but about 6 months ago switched the Bulldog range. I’m still kind of learning my way around skincare.

I only really started paying attention to it as it was a suggestion from the therapist of a self care activity that might help with keeping my panic attacks and anxiety in check when there was a difficult period in the lab a couple of years back.

Shower gel wise I used to use the Bulldog Vetiver and Black pepper one, I wear Bleu De Channel and I felt it paired well. But now I use the Sanex Agave prebiotic one. It smells so fresh and clean. Love it…

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I’ve seen bulldog a lot around but the branding just doesn’t look great imo.

Will give it a whirl.

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I refuse to touch the brand because of the shitty adverts.

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Yup, skincare and self care go hand in hand. And work in tandem with things like aromatherapy. It’s just as much, if not more so, about feeling good than looking good. But they go hand in hand too. You tend to look your best when you feel your best.

I’m non-committal with shower gel. I change it up quite a bit. I’m big on exfoliation so this is the one I’ll always eventually go back to:

Keep meaning to give this one a try as an alternative though:

And I love this non-exfoliating shower gel too. Smells divine:

I also really like Ishga’s shower gel, which is actually sourced and produced locally right here on my island:

And a local candle company recently got into the skincare game, using the same fragrances from their candles, so picked up some of that to try on Monday in my favourite fragrance.

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£19 for 250ml :neutral_face:

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We gonna need a laughing Presidents picture in here.

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Happy Joe Biden GIF by The Democrats
Kamala Harris Reaction GIF by The Democrats

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That’s a pretty average price for a non-drugstore shower gel. :person_shrugging:

I find you get what you pay for, to an extent. A little goes a long way, and you tend to not need as much product.

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I use Anthony products mostly (face and body): https://anthony.co.uk

Along with Rub Rub Rub from Lush :smiley:

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As someone who usually is a sucker for cool branding bulldog is not good…

I’m more ofay with house cleaning stuff, but still have a lot of research to do with regards to skin care…

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Anthony looks intriguing, cheers for the link!

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These are pretty much the standard bestsellers from them (some of the optional extras are very good also):

Face cleanser: Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser 4.2% | Sulfate-free Face wash – Anthony UK

Moisturiser: All Purpose Facial Moisturizer | Lightweight, Fast-absorbing Cream – Anthony UK

Shower Gel: Hair and Body Wash 2-in-1 – Anthony UK

I also have the mini versions of them for travel that I can refill. Prob less of an issue with the new scanners incoming.

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How important are eco credentials for people with toiletries?

One of the things I’ve been trying to do is buy more local/UK produced products. Which can be more expensive but my reasoning has been that it’s better for the environment and also encourages more things to be produced in the UK…

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£29 for 200ml is even better

I’m happy with my Dove, thx

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For me personally, very. No animal testing also important.

Good ethics are really important in determining where I buy from. Locally produced is an added bonus.

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