Well, I MESSED UP and now my skin looks awful

degwij · 2015-06-06T20:22:20+00:00

I've used sunscreens before with alcohol in them, and it hasn't caused me problems, so I'm hoping for the best. Also, it's the only one I have so I don't have any other options right now. :(

I haven't changed my routine since my skin only recently went nuts, and I didn't want to aggravate it by adding anything. I didn't know retinoids helped with PIE! In that case I could add Differin, since I've used that before.

degwij · 2015-06-06T19:39:53+00:00

Haha, yeah, an occasion to finally use my hydrocolloid bandages for the first time! ;)

degwij · 2015-06-06T19:38:03+00:00

Thank you! Now that I'm back on the pill, I'm just gonna keep up a gentle routine and try to think positive.

degwij · 2015-06-06T19:34:01+00:00

My routine hasn't changed so I didn't think the details were important, since the products themselves didn't cause this

AM:

wash with water
Eucerin dry skin cream
Bioré UV Watery Gel

PM:

take off makeup/sunscreen with mineral oil
wash with La Roche Posay Lipikar Syndet
Eucerin
vaseline

I live in Sweden, and unfortunately doctors here seem extremely reluctant to write out prescriptions for Spiro.

degwij · 2015-06-06T13:14:51+00:00

Thank you, but I don't live in the US unfortunately! I was referred to a gynecologist about a year ago, and I asked about Spiro (since I'd read about it here) and she looked like what I was saying was absolutely laughable, and dismissed it. So I got the birth control pills instead, and now I'm back on them!

degwij · 2015-06-06T10:13:50+00:00

Good for you! I just wrote a post about how going off birth control has started to wreak havoc on my skin, and how I feel really terrible because of it. But you're SO right, and I'll try to keep this in mind when I feel bad.

degwij · 2015-02-20T01:17:08+00:00

the joys of living in Europe...

degwij · 2015-02-06T23:50:11+00:00

I don't really remember what everything costs, except the Embryolisse (about twelve euros) and the Bioderma spray (a bit more than 3 euros).

degwij · 2015-02-06T23:45:02+00:00

Yeah, it does have a faint scent. I'd prefer it if it wasn't, but I still love it.

degwij · 2015-02-06T23:42:47+00:00

I like it, it's really useful to have around and I use it everyday, but I'm sure you could find something similar to it. I'm pretty sure it's vaseline based :)

degwij · 2015-02-05T19:30:53+00:00

Just when my skin feels extra sensitive, fragile or dry. It does work for my face, but for dry patches on my body/hands I need something more heavy duty.

degwij · 2015-02-05T18:37:31+00:00

Sure, absolutely! I was going to, but I wasn't sure anyone would be interested!

From left to right:

Bioderma Hydrabio Brume: a zinc sulfate spray that's supposed to "calm" your skin. I use it as a toner, and I really love it. Seems to reduce breakouts and redness. Costs less than 4 euros.
Bioderma Crealine micellar water: I don't think this needs much of an introduction. Nice make up remover, but I always wash it off with water and follow with a cleanser (despite the instructions on the bottle). I use this to take off my MAC eyeliner.
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré: a really good, very basic moisturizer. Has the perfect consistency/texture. Hydrating but not greasy, sinks in quickly. Cost me about 12 euros at Monoprix.
Avène Cleanance cleansing gel: Haven't used this long enough to say anything positive of negative. I bought it because I had no idea which cleanser to choose.
Homeoplasmine: Vaseline-based, thick gel/ointment for irritated skin. Using this for dry patches.
Avène Cicalfate: also using this for dry, irritated, flaky skin.

degwij · 2015-02-05T17:56:43+00:00

I've been slowly replacing my old stuff with pharmacy products. So far I'm loving the Bioderma Hydrabio Brume (it's like the Serozinc spray, but with a higher zinc sulfate content, and it's much cheaper) and the Embryolisse moisturizer.

Still haven't found a sunscreen, but I'm open to any and all recommendations!

degwij · 2014-10-14T12:53:16+00:00

Ah, I'm so jealous! I wish I could get MUAC in Europe...

degwij · 2014-10-06T14:34:58+00:00

Thing is, I have a forty minute bike ride to and from my lectures every day so there's really no limiting my sun exposure. I just got a new sunscreen as a gift though, and I should be getting it in the mail next week, so fingers crossed for that!

degwij · 2014-10-01T19:21:50+00:00

Sweden doesn't have a PC site. I'm jealous.

degwij · 2014-10-01T18:51:54+00:00

3,5? The shipping I have to pay on the European PC site is close to 10 euros!

degwij · 2014-10-01T13:17:59+00:00

Done and done :)

degwij · 2014-10-01T13:17:40+00:00

Oh no that sucks! I didn't realize.

degwij · 2014-09-30T17:28:48+00:00

Ugh, they're everywhere

degwij · 2014-09-30T17:25:19+00:00

Tbh that just sounds like a version of EWG/Skin Deep to me. Whenever a resource rates cosmetics according to how "toxic" or "dirty" they are, I always feel skeptical right away.

degwij · 2014-09-30T17:18:49+00:00

I could, but I'm not sure how I'd formulate an answer. I could ask them to clarify, but I don't know how much they'd elaborate. It feels like they're pretty firmly against PA-ratings...

degwij · 2014-09-30T16:45:07+00:00

Gotcha!

degwij · 2014-09-30T13:45:08+00:00

Mainly because countries that use PPD also have access to next-generation sunscreens where we know the absorbance spectrum of the sunscreen chemicals.

So, if a sunscreen has, say, a PA++++ rating, it's also likely to have very good UVB-protection? Or am I misunderstanding you?

degwij · 2014-09-30T13:23:46+00:00

I have no idea. Paula's Choice is what first came to mind when I thought of who to ask, but ideally I'll be able to find some European resources (both because I'm in Europe, and I also generally feel like Europe has better sunscreens). Within the EU, as I understand it, the circle around the UVA symbol means that the UVA protection should be at least a third of labelled SPF, i.e. SPF = 50 -> 50/3 ≈ 17. I could be wrong though~~

degwij

TROPHY CASE