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
- Learn and form an opinion about what your skin needs.
- Remember your list of ingredients, what you’re looking for.
- Take time to read product labels. Seriously, all of them.
- 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!
