Welcome to the new anti-aging regime! Part 2 is about the information I gained with much research and testing. It’s still a very personal experience, but I hope I can make all you old people’s lives a bit easier.  😉

Yes, I got the Retin-A Micro. The instructions said to use it every day, or every other day if causing irritation. Well, my sensitive skin was not a huge fan. Using the prescription cream, my face got really red, felt dry and peeled later. For cell turnover, the price is kind of looking like a hot mess. I used at night before bed. But the next day, even a slight amount of sun exposure would burn the baby skin. I determined I would only use such a strong retinol twice per week.

This did not feel like an all-encompassing approach to anti-aging. So I went in search of more details about what my skin needed to be rejuvenated and protected.

I did not become an MD overnight. However, I did spend a multitude of hours online reading every article from experts on the subject. Day after day I was curious about something else – beauty myths, what a TV commercial promoted, the stuff in my products I couldn’t pronounce. I basically realized that all my old products were doing diddly-squat.

Next, I bought several items to try. The initial testing of each lasted weeks or months, depending on what it was for and the quantity – cleanser, lotion, serum, etc. I am not rich nor a wasteful person. I used every drop in my experimentation.

Overall, I surmise… Quality counts. Consistency pays off. Maintenance is way better than overhaul.

I may one day resort to Botox. But for now, I’m satisfied with topical solutions. What follows are my own opinions on skin care. Take with a grain of salt!

RECOMMENDED PROCESS

1. Learn and form an opinion about what your skin needs.
2. Remember your list of ingredients, what you’re looking for.
3. Take time to read product labels. Seriously, all of them.
4. Buy and try until you find products that fit you.

TOP INGREDIENTS

• Hyaluronic Acid (moisturizing / look for “hyalu”)
• Ceramides (cell bonding / look for “mides”)
• Retinol (cell reproduction / look for “retin”)
• Neuropeptides (cell functioning / look for “peptide”)
• Vitamin C (brightening & tightening / a.k.a. “ascorbic acid”)
• Vitamin E (antioxidant / a.k.a. “tocopherol”)

FAVORITE PRODUCTS

> Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum (day)

> EltaMD Renew Eye Gel (day)

> CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream (night)

> Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum (night)

ADDITIONAL NOTES

There is a difference in products for eye area. They are made with special ingredients – not harmful or irritating to the eye, and usually a consistency that can be gently applied to avoid rubbing or tugging of delicate skin.

Sometimes I mix products for my own concoctions, like adding a bit of argan oil to a Vitamin C serum to prevent drying.

In an effort to minimize forehead activity, I began doing facial exercises. Holding the forehead muscles still while moving other parts of the face to condition the whole situation!

I also began watching myself in the mirror during the daily beauty routine – to prevent lifting my brow and squishing wrinkles for no reason while combing my hair, brushing my teeth, applying mascara and more!