Anti-aging skin care

In My Humble Opinion
1

Okay, I’m ready to get serious about my face. I have uneven coloring, some dry patches, crow’s feet, and these really annoying deep lines from my nose to the corners of my mouth (like a ventriloquist’s dummy).

I see commercials all the time for products that “even skin tone” “improve firmness and elasticity” and “reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles”. I also see adverts for products with silicone, meant to temporarily fill in lines. I wouldn’t mind having one of these on hand, either. The problem is, this stuff is pricey. I wouldn’t mind spending the bucks if I knew the product was pretty effective.

I bought some Cover Girl cream makeup that was supposed to help hide lines and wrinkles, but it seems to highlight them instead!

So, give it up! What have you tried? What works? What doesn’t? Any specific ingredients I should look for (copper? Co-Q-10?)

2

Oh Lordy, what haven’t I tried! I’m a marketer’s dream. I honestly want to believe everything they say about their products, but typically I’m disappointed with everything I purchase.

I’ve tried Botox (not worth it!); Microdermabrasion in an office; various chemical peel kits (I do like L’Oreal’s Renoviste peel); microdermabrasion kits (bought Susan Lucci’s kit – it’s long since hit the garbage can) in several brands and like Neutrogena’s best. I have also purchased MD quality Jessner’s peel, which is the actual formula used in doctor’s offices. Used that once so far, it really does peel! And it’s pretty cheap compared to paying someone to do it. Think a kit was $35.

I also use Avon’s new “laser corrector”. Just a pen-shaped container for a liquid product to lessen hyperpigmentation and appearance of broken capillaries. I like using it, but haven’t seen improvement in more than 30 days. I’ve tried the Anew line by Avon and wasn’t motivated enough to continue the use for the duration recommended.

Here’s my regimen for the morning:

Wet face and apply crystals obtained from originalskin dot com. Rub crystals in well and allow to dry. Wipe face of crystals with dry washcloth revealing nice, smooth skin. Apply the “laser” to problem spots and rub in. Apply L’Oreal’s collagen filler to wrinkly spots (forehead, crows feet, and marionette lines). Apply SPF 30 Purpose redness reducing lotion. Wipe off most of lotion (it’s kinda greasy) and start with makeup. I use Bare Minerals and LOVE it!

It’s honestly a never-ending quest as I’m hitting the big 4-0 in less than a month. If you come upon some you really like, let me know!

3

This is one of the products I’ve been thinking of investing in. Do you like it? I’ve also been tempted to try Bare Minerals. Where do you buy yours?

4

norinew, before you buy anything, I’d recommend you go here - you will find very good advice, along with product recommendations, and debunking of skin-care myths. Scroll down to the “Learn” section and read away.

The number-one anti-aging product for skin is a good sunscreen, applied every day, with at least one of these 3 ingredients: avobenzone, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. If sunscreen has ever made the skin around your eyes sting, avoid the avobenzone. Make sure the product says at least SPF 15 (although this only measures the protection against UVB rays, the ones that burn, not UVA rays, the ones that cause wrinkles).

If you’ve got that covered, then you can start to think about repairing damage that’s already been done - but most anything you buy will only cause your skin to look better temporarily. Lasting results will require procedures at a dermatologist’s office, and will be expensive and cause temporary discomfort & peeling or redness or both.

I’ve read some good things about the Bare Minerals makeup, too, but I’ve never tried it. Maybe someday…

5

I’ve tried the over-the-counter peels as well. They’re ok, but not earth-shattering results or anything. I’d like to try that $35 kit.

The best results for me come from dimming the lights and hiding everyone’s glasses.

6

I’ve got sensitive skin that reddens easily and so have to avoid any of the heavy duty anti-wrinkle stuff. I’ve found that Olay Regenerist really did seem to make an improvement after a couple of weeks of use. You’ll also need a sunscreen, though, unless you only use it at night.

7

YaWanna, great site! Thanks!

The woman who runs the site actually had nice things to say about Olay Regenerist, including how it works as a sunblock (in spite of Cher3’s warning. I got a small sample of Regenerist in the mail, and like the way it feels going on, and the way my skin feels after I apply it. I also like the fragrance. I think I’ll invest in some soon.

Kalhoun, I, too, will be looking for the $35.00 kit, since that is not a whole bunch higher than all the other at-home peals I’ve seen.

8

I KNOW! I just dropped $45 on the Neutrogena peel and a Loreal firming moisturizer. I had anticipated looking like I was in a wind tunnel after using them, but so far I just feel really soft. :wink:

9

I’ve got a bunch of spam in my inbox that claims that can be fixed. :smiley:

10

Get Alpha Hydrox .

11

Cosmetician hat ON (anyone who doesn’t like it can kiss my ass)

Ahem.

You need to find a product with active ingredents that have actually been clinically proven to do something.

Most of the products listed so far have no such ingredients.

So - look for:

Retin A or Retinol will help smooth the fine lines and improve overall skin texture - these products must be sold in a metal tube if they’re going to have any effect at all - the are reactive to air and light, so if they’re in a jar or see through tube they will rapidly become useless. Vichy, Roc, La Roche Posay sell them this way.

Concentrated Vitamin C will help reduce dark spots and uneven tone - this must be purchased in either the aforementioned metal tube, or in individual caplets (which you rip open and squeeze on your face) for the same reasons. Elizabeth Arden sells the caplets. Neostrata does also. Vichy, Roc, La Roche Posay sell the tubes.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids - Glycolic acid (from sugar) is the best. For these products you MUST check the pH, and the percentage. 4% is about the minimum you want, with a pH of about 3.5. If your product does not meet these requirements, it won’t do squat, and you’ll be waisting your $$. Neostrata is the brand I’m familiar with - in the US you have to get this from your dermatologist.

Peptids, provided they have the proper medium attached to allow them to penetrate the skin - if they don’t, they’ll just sit on top of the skin and do nothing, similar to the collagen products sold in the '70’s. Nuvectin or Strivectin fill the bill.

None of these products (except the Alpha Hydroxy) are moisturizers - they are all treatment products. You can get them from a dermatologist or some drugstores. You need to use them in conjunction with some sort of moisturizer and a SUN SCREEN!! This is VERY important as all of these products will increase your sensitivity to the sun, big time. Think “Nasty, nasty, chemical burn.” good.

The product brands I have listed are in no way exclusive, and you should shop around. However, make sure you go to a reputable location - I would avoid most of the “boutique” type stalls in large department stores - they tend to push their own line, regardless of if it’s the best product for that particular client.

[CH/]

If you just want a nice moisturizer that makes you feel good and you enjoy putting on, Biotherm is lovely. I like Age Fitness with extract of Olive Leaf. It smells yummy. (And for the record, I use Rx Retin-A which I get from my dermatologist under the Age Fitness).

12

Imagine that…I hit middle age and I get wrinkles AND a limp dick. Who knew? :slight_smile:

13

This is a good thread for me. The Jessner’s peel was found on e-bay. Original Skin had several listings at the time, which was about six weeks ago. The set I got came with the crystals I mentioned, a small bottle of cleanser, a pre-peel toner, the peel solution itself (which you only use 30ml or so @ a time) and a small tub of a moisturizer. I don’t think that I completed the process correctly the first time, because I was unimpressed. I was visibly peeling for at least a week afterward, but only achieved that result in small areas. I’m thinking I didn’t apply enough.

As far as the Bare Minerals, I bought my initial set through their website. It was the infomercial kit and was $60 (?). It comes with three brushes, two shades of foundation, one shade of “warmth”, and the Mineral Veil. There are Bare Escentials stores listed on their website and you can also get them at some local salons. I wouldn’t be adverse to e-bay either. Look for the best prices, there are slight variations from different outlets. I know two other people who have used it, and one hates it and the other loves it, like I do.

14

I believe the most effective way of fighting the ‘visible signs of ageing’ is to apply a decent-quality moisturiser and some sunscreen every day, with reapplications when necessary, get 8 hours sleep every night and eat healthily.
The only tricky bit is that this regime needs to be started 15 years ago - those sneaky cosmetics folks always seem to leave that off their commercials.

“This product best used with a time machine back to when you should have known better!”

Please don’t hurt me, I’m leaving now. :smiley:

15

While what you’re saying contains a lot of truth, it’s still a good thing you’re leaving, before I clarify for you what your username really means! :stuck_out_tongue:

16

I will second and third the Cosmetic Cop linkie.

It is a fabulous reference to lose yourself in for hours when trying to make a smart decision about girly stuff. It has saved me wads of dough and a buttload of frustration from, " Did I just get taken in by the hoodoo of the cosmetic industry’s magical words and empty promises.

Sunscreen is the best thing you can do for your face in the long run.

Somewhere on these boards during similiar discussions and topics, someone mentioned either Miracle Whip or Mayo for a facial mask/skin treatment. I can’t remember which product, but I would love to hear more about this. I did it once and saw great results with some sunspots I have.

Also, if you belong to Costco or Sam’s, many times I’ve seen higher end moisturizers ( Olay’s Regenerist and one of RoC’s) for a very favorable price. Usually for two or three for the cost of one. My thinking was that if I bought some and I didn’t like it, I could sell the other one or two bottles on Ebay brand new to recoup my losses.

Costco also had StriVectin there, the first I’ve seen it anywhere, for about $60 or so for two bottles. I’m not sure what this product does, but I know it is expensive.

17

Actually, Cosmetic Cop didn’t have nice things to say about RoC, but did say nice things about Regenerist, which I’m seriously considering purchasing. And, as a matter of fact, we are purchasing a Costco membership tomorrow (not for good prices on skin care, just for general stuff).

18

It contains peptides and a delivery system so they can penetrate the skin. Peptides are a precursor for acetylcholine which helps boost the production of collagen in the skin.

By using the product every day your cells will produce more collagen and your skin will have a more youthful appearance.

However, for the sort of sundamage that norinew has described (ie - deep lines, facial discoloration, uneven surface) one of the exfoliators I mentioned in my first post (eg AHA, retinol, Vit C) will be much more effective.

FWIW, a moisturizer won’t do much of anything, other than moisturize. It can improve the surface texture of the skin, but will do nothing for the age spots or the deep lines.

19

alice (do you mind if I call you alice? :wink: ), I’ve actually never had a dermatologist, but now that we have good insurance, I’ve been wanting to find one. I have lots of moles, and almost all of the risk factors for skin cancer, so I really do need one. I wasn’t intending on asking him (or her) about prescription skin care, but from what you’ve said, I guess I should.

20

Any idea if avobenzone makes eyes red & irritated?

I have had to stop using sunscreen on my face because even if I avoid putting it near my eyes my eyes get red & irritated within about an hour. I’m not sure if it’s fumes, or if I’m accidentally touching my face & then my eyes or what, but I need to find an oil-free, fragrance-free mositurizer with sunscreen that I can wear!