(Part 2) Best products from r/SkincareAddictionUK

There's been a post recently on one of the skin care subs about someone meeting a scientist who worked on the Nip/fab glycolic acid products who said it was formulated to be too weak to do any damage in case of lawsuits, so maybe give up with that brand. Look into other brands tho- Amazon is actually really great for having a whole bunch of skincare stuff in one place with budget friendly and cheaper yet multibuy options. I'm linking mainly to Amazon in this post too, so just a heads up.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that your skin is dehydrated and sensitive from all the harsh products you've tried, so let's try something different. Your acne may well be hormonal though, you should talk to your GP about getting your levels checked.

Face wash wise, I'd recommend you start with either Cetaphil gentle cleanser, or Eucerin Sensitive Skin Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. Both of these are super gentle and won't strip your skin or make your face feel tight after washing.

Use a microfibre or muslin cloth to cleanse with, they're cheap and great gentle physical exfoliators. Be gentle, you really don't need to scrub hard, just gentle circles.

For a budget friendly and honestly fantastic face mask that's known for clearing skin and giving glowy complexions, ignore the overpriced hype of Aztec Healing Clay and buy a bag of calcium bentonite clay (which is all that is in Aztec healing clay btw) and a bottle of apple cider vinegar - mix about a tbsp of the clay with enough vinegar to make it foamy and use it twice a week. You can use this on body acne too- I use it on my back and bum about once a month.

You're going to want an AHA/BHA you can use Niacinamide daily and or The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution 30ml, 10-Minute Exfoliating Facial twice a week. Leave a few days between using this and the calcium bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar mask tho. There are loads of AHA BHA products on the market but The Ordinary has fantastic reviews and is what is says on the label- percentages and everything, which to me puts it head and shoulders above many other products in the same price range. You can mix your own AHA/BHA's for far cheaper but it's a little trickier than the super easy recipe for hyaluronic acid serum in the next paragraph.

Now this stuff isn't necessary but it has a pretty huge and immediate impact on how your skin looks and feels. Making your own hyaluronic acid serum (this stuff forces moisture into the skin and moisturised skin is far less prone to irritation and spots) is super easy. Buy the powder, some glycerin and a preservative and make your own, there's a great website with instructions here. Trust me when I say you will save a shit load of money with this. You will also see results fast. If you want to buy/try first tho, I'd recommend The Ordinary. I keep my hyaluronic acid and AHA/BHA bottles in the fridge, it probably does little to extend the life span of the products but it feels super nice to put on cold serums (and sheet masks!).

Now, to moisturiser. I've heard great things about YES to Tomatoes Clear Skin Daily Balancing Moisturizer for dealing with acne prone skin, also about Bioderma Hydrabio Gel-Crème Light Moisturising Care and Vichy Normaderm Anti-Blemish Care you get a free cleanser that's supposed to be quite good with that link too btw.

Suncream is really, super fucking important- I use Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++ and cannot reccomend it enough- it neither smells like suncream nor feels like it and it looks nice and kinda satin matte on my face too. Any suncream is better than none tho- just make sure you wash it all off at the end of the day.

I know that all together the stuff in these links comes to a bit of money but these products will last you bloody ages for the most part and they're super well reviewed and mostly unlikely to do much damage to you or further break you out.

What's your total routine look like?

If your skin is sensitive, AVOID LUSH AT ALL COSTS. Essential oils and fragrances are terrible irritants - just because it's 'natural' doesn't mean it's gentle.

A basic routine is a cleanser, moisturiser and SUNSCREEN (not negotiable, yes even in the UK), with an optional exfoliant in the evening. You should probably try a double cleanse in the evening, using an oil cleanser first to break down the sunscreen, followed by a water based or foaming cleanser.

There are two kinds of exfoliation: chemical and physical. Chemical sounds scary, but is actually much much gentler on your skin than physical, which is the traditional scruffy, scrubby exfoliant that can super irritate your skin.

Here's what you could try:

AM:

• Cerave is now available in the UK, and it's packed with moisture barrier repairing ceramides. You could try their cleanser. You could try using a konjac sponge - Superdrug has them now - for some extremely gentle physical exfoliation. Basically, you soak this sponge in water and it puffs up into this deliciously squishy, jelly-like sponge. I've recently rediscovered cleansing with konjac sponges and have been loving it.
  
• I'm smitten with Hadalabo Gokujyun lotion, which is basically a giant bottle of pure hyaluronic acid serum. It' s a light, watery lotion that you pat into your skin. It works beautifully under sunscreen.
  
• Go ahead and lock the moisture in with this Cerave moisturising sunscreen. You need a quarter teaspoon to cover your whole face - that's more than you're used to doing. An easy way to make sure you're using enough is to draw a line of product up your index and middle finger, two strips total.
  
  PM:
  
  
• Double cleanse with an oil cleanser - this one by Simple is very very gentle and easy to find. To oil cleanse, pour a good tablespoon of oil into the palm of your hand, then massage over DRY skin. Add a splash of water to emulsify (oil cleansers have added ingredients that allow then to emulsify with water and rinse clean) and rinse with tepid water. Follow with your Cerave cleanser.
  
• Go in with another layer of Hadalabo lotion (I've actually been experimenting with the heavier Premium lotion, which is much thicker and feels like a traditional serum, so you could try that at night), and follow with Cerave in the pot to really lock in the moisture.
  
• OPTIONAL: you could try exfoliating at night. AHAs are good for surface exfoliation/getting rid of flakes; BHAs exfoliate within the pore and are great for preventing breakouts. The very gentlest AHA I have ever used is CosRX, but with your very sensitive skin you should definitely patch test. Just take a tiny bit of the product and dab it on one part of your face - for sensitivity I use my neck - every day for a week. You'll soon know if you have any issues.
  
  If you do choose to exfoliate, pat the product on AFTER you've cleansed but BEFORE you've used serums or lotions. Start using once or twice a week, then build up gradually as your skin gets more tolerant.
  
  Bonus: CosRX's Snail Mucin Essence is absolutely heavenly on irritated skin, so you might want to try that. If you do try it, patch test first, then pat the liquid on after your Hadalabo lotion but before any creams.
  
  Good luck!

Hmm, well I don't have KP but I hope I can help anyway. A cursory googling of KP reveals this:

>General measures to prevent excessive skin dryness, such as using mild soapless cleansers (eg, Dove, Cetaphil), are recommended, and lubrication is the mainstay of treatment for nearly all cases. Exfoliation is helpful in removing the small keratin plugs overlying follicles.

From [here] (http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1070651-treatment#d5).


So it looks like a mild synthetic detergent based cleanser should work. Which Sanex body wash are you using? I took a look at the ingredients of some Sanex shower gels and they seem fine. Do you find your skin really dry and stripped after washing?

If so you may benefit from a non- Sulphate shower gel. The Palmer's Cocoa Butter wash you linked is sulphate free but contains Olefin Sulphonate which is also irritating (more on that [here] (http://www.thenaturalhavenbloom.com/2012/06/are-sulfate-free-shampoos-really.html?m=1#!/2012/06/are-sulfate-free-shampoos-really.html)).


The Trilogy wash uses the milder ALES but is really overpriced imo. Depending on which Sanex wash you're using, the ingredients list may be quite similar anyway. I've heard good things about [Dove Pro Age Body Wash] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00YCM7OWE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480711111&sr=8-1&keywords=dove+pro+age+body+wash&pi=SY200_QL40#productDescription_secondary_view_div_1480711268435) which doesn't have sulphates. [This] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0085U7Y06/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480711867&sr=8-3&keywords=sulphate+free+body+wash&pi=SY200_QL40) also has a pretty good ingredients list. So does [this] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00F4LBH16/ref=mp_s_a_1_15_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480712002&sr=8-15&keywords=sulphate+free+body+wash).


You can use sulphate free shampoos as body washes as well, since the surfactants used in them are the same, although you may find it more cost effective to use body washes as shampoo.

In general, your cleanser probably won't make a big difference to your KP, unless the cleanser you're using right now is really drying you out. Are you moisturising well? Also have you discussed this with your GP? They might be able to prescribe products that would be more expensive to purchase over-the-counter.

What made the biggest difference for me was a good hydrating toner and a hyaluronic acid. I'd recommend Kikumasamune sake lotion which is a lovely relief to use after cleansing and Hada Labo Gokujyn Moist Lotion, which is a huge help for dehydration because it has a good amount hyaluronic acid and does a great job of holding into the skin any further hydrating layers you use. I'd have a good look into and try some hydrating serums and/or toners as the thick moisturisers you are using on there own just will not be enough to hydrate. Lots of good info about this over on r/asianbeauty as they're very focused on hydrating layers to heal and improve the skin. A great fun method I've found for an instant flood of hydration is the [Korean 7 skin method] (https://youtu.be/-wTGzrBqsIk)

It does look like rosacea could partially be what’s going on (not a doctor, and you should see one since rosacea can progress to be quite serious). If it is rosacea, in my experience you’re going to need something specific for it. And nothing in your current regimen will likely treat it.

Azelaic acid and metronidazole are two topical drugs commonly used.

• This paper from 2003 found that azelaic acid gel, like Finacea, twice per day was more effective than metronidazole. Note that Finacea/azelaic gel is prescription only and expensive, in the US at least
  
  
• This paper found that azelaic acid cream, like Melazepam, was equally effective as topical metronidazole, with higher satisfaction.
  
  
• For my own skin, metronidazole cream seems to be much more effective than azelaic acid cream (Melazepam), and its more cosmetically elegant. But I wouldn’t put too much importance on my personal results.
  
  So, azelaic acid might be a good place to start; doubly so since you don’t need a prescription and it is assumed to be safe during pregnancy. And there’s good evidence for azelaic acid on acne, as well.

I haven't used the exact product but used a similar one for a while, also Retinol Serum 2.5% link to amazon here. I must say that it didn't do anything for me. A313 (Retinaldehyde) was much better if you want to go retinol but don't want to go too far. In my honest opinion though, committing to prescription strength tretinoin was the best decision I've ever made. Well studied, well supported by scientifical evidence. Also, cheaper too than the serum too.

This is my favourite! However, I have to admit that when I was out of supplies for a while I used a bottle of Good Things honey cleanser, and it did a similar thing. This made me wonder if lots of creamy or non foaming cleansers might do the trick.

OP another thing you could try is using an oil cleanser that emulsifies i.e. can be washed off with water without leaving an oily residue. I find that when I use oil cleaners like that, I don't need a second cleanse. I haven't tried it myself but a lot of people on /r/asianbeauty recommend this one as a cheap, effective and readily available option:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000V2FBAQ/ref=pd_aw_sim_121_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=S1YACBCZGM5GZY4V41V0&dpPl=1&dpID=61V%2BpHlQDkL#immersive-view_1494152094184

(Personally I use Illi total ageing care because it smells WONDERFUL, but I can only buy it from Korean eBay sellers.)

Are you subscribed to that sub btw? You might get some other gentle cleanser ideas over there!

Beginner question here.

I've had a skincare routine of moisturiser, facial cleanser and suncream for a while now, and was thinking of adding an AHA exfoliant (after struggling to find a BHA option, and not realising that a UK subreddit existed).

For some reason, when I ordered this product, I was under the impression that it would act as a BHA exfoliant (I thought "Oh goodie, it'll be anti-aging and exfoliating, due to retinol!") - although it quite clearly labels itself a moisturiser.

My basic question is, based on what it is, will it have any exfoliating effect at all? Should I use it instead of my sebamed moisturiser, or alongside it?

___

The products I've been using in my routine, with new product in italics:

AM:

• CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
  
• Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel
  
• Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen SPF50+ PA+++
  
  PM:
  
  
• CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
  
• Radha Beauty Miracle Retinol Moisturizer (is this a AHA exfoliant?)
  
• Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel

i use Fruit of the Earth Vitamin E cream that my mom gave me, i don't think it's availabe in store but you can buy it online here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fruit-Earth-Vitamin-Skin-Cream/dp/B001L1R6T0/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1506087291&sr=8-2&keywords=fruit+of+the+earth+vitamin+e+cream i love the cream because it's thick and moisturising as my last step to seal everything in and it has a good size so it lasts me for months. i have more dry/normal skin but i used this when i had oiler skin and still liked it although i think i enjoy it more now. you can go in with a lighter hand than i do though. it has fragrance as the last ingredient but no essential oils (thank goodness!)

I love Viola Vitamin C serum, which also contains Hyaluronic Acid. You can buy it on Amazon for £14.97. I've been using it for about a year now and it's really helped brighten my skin. It's also helped with fading acne marks. I personally really like how the consistency is thin and sinks in super quick and easy.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PREMIUM-Vitamin-Serum-Face-Hyaluronic/dp/B00T35HR8Q

This Olay serum contains lots of antioxidants. I know, I was totally overwhelmed at first! If I were you, I wouldn't buy too much at first and wait till you just pick up knowledge and experience as you go along. I bought too much pricey stuff at first! My understanding is that vitamins are antioxidants, as are a lot of plant extracts, eg green tea. This serum is rated Best on Beautypedia: http://www.paulaschoice.com/beautypedia-skin-care-reviews/by-brand/olay/regenerist/_/Regenerist-Regenerating-Serum-Fragrance-Free. They are reviewing the US formulation, but as far as antioxidants etc go, the review would be the same I think. I actually bought the US formula of this serum from amazon.com because I was concerned about the combination of a preservative called DMDM Hydantoin and an 'amine' ingredient in the UK version of the serum. [EDIT On the Olay page you link to, they list an older UK formulation that doesn't containg DMDM Hydantoin and Triethanolamine, but my impression is that the one now available is this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olay-Regenerist-Moisturiser-Regenerating-Fragrance/dp/product-description/B000T9AS5E/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=117332031&s=beauty. I may well be misunderstanding the science here: I don't know what an 'amine' is, I just saw it in the ingredients and guessed].
This is probably me being stupidly paranoid: obviously loads of people in the UK are buying it and it must have been through testing, but in the ingredient dictionary on Beautypedia it raised a theoretical concern about when these two ingredients were combined. You can check it out yourself and see what you think.

HOWEVER, I've been thinking about this and I've started to feel really guilty for recommending anyone anything skin care related on here! I personally have never read any research on antioxidants, SPF or whatever. So, I don't really want to encourage you to spend your money on a serum that might just be snake oil for all I know! I haven't used the serum yet, but I'm not sure that I personally will bother with a serum or with products that don't give me results that I can see with my own eyes once I've used them up. The main positive thing I've seen with my own eyes from skincare products is simply less dry skin after moving to a heavier moisturiser that cost about £1.50 from Boots. I'll probably keep using SPF as my impression is the evidence for aging being linked to sun damage is compelling, but I personally have never read a single paper on it.
NB I haven't tried exfoliation yet: who knows, I might fall in love with it!

Good luck!

I’m also super super pale! I find using a large brush like this with a cool toned light bronzer like Benefit’s Hoola lite or Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer just dusted around the perimeters of your face and cheeks can really warm your face up.

I also find using a slightly pink-ish highlighter gives a warm healthy glow which makes me appear less ghostly - but that’s personal preference.

Hope you find something that works for you :)

The Ordinary is great. I also highly recommend an Asian style hydrating toner; put it on after any actives and before your moisturiser. Has really helped my dry dry skin retain moisture better.



They're often cheap as chips for a huge bottle off Amazon if you don't mind waiting a week or so; I have had great results from Cezanne skin conditioner: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00RWMHTU8/

Btw, since the pump dispenser is messy, I usually fill a couple of little travel size spray bottles. Much easier to use if you spritz your face a couple of times; it's also so cheap I use it after a shower as a body moisturiser.

I haven't tried Toleriane but I know it's recommended by Sam Bunting and looking at the ingredients list I can't see anything nasty in it. I'm yet to find a cleanser that trumps the dermatoclean cream/milk though, and I've tried a lot of them! Dermatoclean and plush microfibre flannels (cleansing twice a day with a fresh flannel every morning) probably did more for my skin than anything else. Something like these or these. You just run them under warm water until they're soaked through, wring them out, then do a couple rounds with them. My skin is sensitive too and I found the flannels made a huge difference, so much less rubbing to get the makeup/sunsreen off and gentler than just using my hands. I wouldn't touch a cleansing brush or any sort of textured flannel, but plush microfibre doesn't physically exfoliate so it's safe for sensitive skin.

1. No, I prefer not too since its expensive to go to a dermatologist unless its the NHS, in which case I prefer not to waste the doctors time on acne matters.
   
   
2. Yes they are Pitted scars
   
   
3. I am using the moisturiser in the morning
   
   
4. Boots simply sensitive foaming facial wash, planning on moving into the E45 emollient face wash once I run out of boots, however I nearly have a full bottle left
   
   
5. pH is about 3.5, I use Derma E
   
   
6. I have an Acne cream which is prescribed, called Skinoren, active ingredient Azelaic Acid (got it without prescription online), I plan on going to BP after its done.
   No specific cream for hyper-pigmentation
   
   
7. Those areas are dryer then normal and also concerned about aging
   
   
8. I am unsure, I do not eat a lot of fruit but a lot of my meals have a lot of veggies in them so I suppose so?
   Thank you for the well done XD and I did not know that. I do take a Multivitamin+Mineral Pill daily/every other day
   
   
   Thank you :)

I get mine from boots..6% and you have to ask for it. I used to use the clean and clear gel as it's oil free and it worked really well for me, but yeah maybe try switching to something with low level bha/aha's:
https://www.facetheory.com/products/clarifying-cleanser-c2?gclid=CjwKCAjwzPXlBRAjEiwAj_XTEeKS3WtOoI60NJ84qyqT8OL7FXd5nS5CjbFVJvhpZ-49ew-jZHu2vBoCslwQAvD_BwE

My friend who has had so many issues with skin swears by this or TO has a glycolic toner that has a great reputation:

https://www.beautybay.com/l/?q=The+ordinary

It's cheaper and regularly sells out. Spot "bandages" are also an unsung hero:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Acne-Pimple-Master-Patch-Hydrocolloid/dp/B07BTWYCQV/ref=asc_df_B07BTWYCQV/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310799282629&hvpos=1o8&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18125324610982283246&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006854&hvtargid=pla-563034416131&psc=1

But by far the best treatment I've used is my project e light masks. I do tca peels and got horrific cystic acne after each one (deep nasty zits that would last for 2 weeks) but after using my light mask I got two weak zits. Pricey but worth it. Wish have got some from £31 but you're taking a risk with the quality.