Aging Gracefully - The Results
In my original blog post about this I did not give the names of the products I have used because I wanted honest opinions on everything out there.
For hair I had used Garnier Nutrisse and Clairol Herbal Essences. Both are labeled as being permanent color.
The majority of you seem to think a salon is the way to go, but I will not be going to a salon. I have an hour and a half of “me time” built into every week and I will not give that up in order to get my hair colored. I’d rather look gray. And I don’t really need any further “me time”. I’d much rather have something I can do at night after the kids are in bed than try to fit something else into my daytime schedule.
It looks like the drugstore runners up in the hair suggestions are two Clairol Products (Nice & Easy and Natural Instincts), followed by L’Oreal Excellence. I like the Henna idea because my first preference is always the natural path, but with only one suggestion I’m not so sure it’s that great of an option. I’ll have to do some research.
If those don’t work then I’ll take a trip to Sally Beauty Supply and look at the L’Oreal Professional Strength stuff there.
The anti-wrinkle question seems to be a bigger issue with a lot more options.
I use Clinique products because everything else makes me break out. I can’t put anything with mineral oil on my face or I get deep cystic acne. I paid what I thought to be big bucks for a tube of the Clinique anti wrinkle stuff and it didn’t do a thing. Nada. After a month of no visible progress I used it on the right side of my face for the second month and at the end of that month there was zero difference in the two sides. The Clinique pore minimizer in the pink tube does work, but the anti wrinkle stuff in the white and silver tube does not (for me, anyway).
As for the suggestions, there are a lot of yeah’s for the Olay Regenerist line. The last time I looked at the Olay products they had lots of stuff in them that tends to break me out, I’ll have to give the Regenerist line a look and see what’s in it.
I looked up the stuff I’d never heard of, like Strivectin and TNS and Creme de la Mer and OH MY GOSH I’m not paying that much. One of them had a $1,300 price tag. Umm, no thanks. It’s not worth that much to me to get rid of the wrinkles. I might pay $100 if I knew something had worked for several other people, but probably not much more than that.
The two that sounded the best from a granola standpoint were the Shea Butter and the Pure JoJoba Oil. But, I have concerns about them possibly breaking my face out. Still, if I can find a small container of either locally that isn’t too expensive I’d get it and try it out on a Friday evening, assuming that if it broke my face out I could ice the acne over the weekend and get it to go down by Monday morning.
I was also intrigued by the idea of the Cetaphil as well as the Neutrogena products. I’ll have to take a look at their ingredients as well. I’ve used both of those products with decent results before I could afford Clinique.
We don’t have a Costco here or I’d be tempted to check out those products.
Mary Kay and Merle Norman makeup both break me out horribly. I think I’d be afraid to try anything by either of them. Same with Avon, though I do have an acquaintance who sells the stuff who may be able to give me a sample so I can see if it breaks me out or not.
A lot of people mentioned Arbonne, too. Someone emailed me to offer to send me a kit for free, but RK and I talked it over and decided there really isn’t a way for me to accept that - but thank you so much for the offer. I will look through the ingredients on this brand though and treat it as a possibility.
I’m not up for Botox, just the idea of it gives me the heebie jeebies. If I have to paralyze muscles to look young I don’t think I want to look young. Not saying it’s bad for those who do it, but it isn’t for me.
However, I looked up microdermabrasian and that seems like something I could do. And it makes sense that it would help, too. This is a possibility, mainly because logically I can see this having a much better chance of working than a cream or lotion. I understand mechanics better than chemistry, I guess.
Someone mentioned Neutrogenia’s Advanced Solutions Facial peel and said this worked better for them than microdermabrasian, so I will also look at the ingredients on that.
I also looked up Frownies and those make sense for how they could work, as well. They don’t cost too much, so I may give them a try.
I’ll probably do future updates for what works and what doesn’t work on the GGTT blog, since I’m trying to keep the personal stuff over there.
Thank you to everyone who replied!
August 12th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Hi RQ. By the time I got all registered, you had posted the results. I wanted to say that I believe that anlong with genetics, and how much exposure to the outside elements your skin gets, skin health really starts from the inside out. I take a lot of good Omega 3’s fish oil supplements. My skin is doing well, and just yesterday at the store, the checker wanted to see my ID, then he told me that he looked at my birthdate, and wanted to tell me that he was surprised I was that old,(36). He thought I was 27 at the most! So, I really feel that my lack of wrinkles and skin issues is due in part to what I place in my body. I drink lots of water, eat greens, and organic foods, and take the fish oil, which I believe keeps skin looking young!
August 12th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
as a 40-something who flirted with the expensive stuff–clinique, prescriptives, etc…I’m back to using Neutrogena & Cetaphil products exclusively…you can buy them at Wal-Mart and I get compliments all the time like “what do you use on your skin”…I laugh a little every time. Don’t spend the big bucks, you don’t need to…of course, i don’t break out so much because i took a heavy duty acne med that is frequently in the news when i was younger…Good luck with your search.
August 12th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
RQ I am 41 and my skin is in pretty good condition without many wrinkles and people are often surprised I am in my 40s. I think much of it is genetics but I also am not a sunbather and have the pasty white legs to prove it but I decided after I started having kids that the sun exposure just wasn’t worth risking skin cancer. I do not use any type of base on my face at all and makeup is pretty limited to eyeliner, blush and mascera. I think that because I have not always put a bunch of stuff on my face that it has stayed in decent shape. I have always had a problem with face creams and breaking out. In more recent years I have discovered Kiehls products out of NY (www.kiehls.com). I use the everyday face lotion with an SPF. its light and not greasy and has never broken my skin out. Its the only thing I use and you don’t have to use much. I usually order on line when they run free shipping but I think they also sell some of their products at Saks and Nordstroms. It is more expensive than over the counter but I think the bottle I get is like $15-$20 and lasts awhile. Another good skin product for eczema is the Cetaphil cream in the tub. We use that on our kids and I use Aquaphor for help in healing burns, cuts and sores. Good luck!
August 12th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
I guess I should have touched on the nutrition issue. I’m a vegetarian health nut who eats organics and unprocessed stuff as much as possible. I drink plenty of water and I take a B vitamin supplement.
I was last carded when I was 36 years old. The waiter was shocked I was that old.
This time last year there were no wrinkles. This year there are. I do not think it is a nutrition issue, I think my skin just finally reached whatever critical point makes skin start wrinkling.
August 12th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
RQ,
FYI, the Regenerist line made me break out at first, but after a week it worked fine. Some people have skin that reacts to anything new - and that’s me. My dermatologist actually recommends the Regenerist line, which I thought was a great thing since she doesn’t sell it. Well, just the other day I actually saw her on an Oil of Olay Regenerist commercial, so I’m not sure how much I make of it now, but I do like it a lot.
Good luck ~ I’m all for fighting aging tooth and nail!
August 12th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
I am a 61 year old new grandma of a baby born in China. Gotta tell you RQ…most of it is genetic…use whatever moisturizer that doesn’t break you skin out and hope for the best. Eat well, drink lots of water and stay out of the sun. Growing old gracefully is all we can do. Use Nice and Easy for the hair…I used it from the age of 18 until almost 60 and now have decided that gray is my color…I am a grandma. Best of luck.
August 12th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Hi RQ,
Have you checked out Paula Begoun, the cosmetic cop? She’s been called the Ralph nator of cosmetics and has a no nonsece way of reviewing products.
She reviewd cosmetics for a long time and people kept asking her to make her own line of skin care, so she did. She obviously doesn’t review her own things, but she does list all the ingrediants in her products and they are at a good price. Her site is:
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/
Good luck!
:o) Liz
August 12th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
I used Henna a lot in my 20s and 30s, loved the color and made my hair look very healthy. However, if after you henna, you then want to add color or perm you will have to wait until it ALL grows out. Don’t remember why, but I had several hair stylists warn me not to mix henna with perms or color.
August 12th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Hi RQ,
Sounds like you and I have some of the same problems with skin issues. I cannot use a lot of things on my face or I get huge rashes or break out. The last time I used make-up was for my wedding and I took it off right after the photographer was done with the wedding pictures. I can, however use Noxema and Olay products but I don’t experiment any more. Also, DH is 40 and I am 46 and everyone is totally surprised when they find out it is not the other way around.
When you find something that works on the wrinkles and the grays let us all know.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:02 am
RQ,
I know you said you knew someone that sold Mary Kay so you might call her and ask her for a sample of the new Microdermabrasion products. I know you said Mary Kay broke you out in the past but if it’s been over a year since you’ve tried it you may want to give it another shot. (There have since been a LOT of changes) I am the breakout queen BQ (?) ha ha! and have had no trouble with this product yet. I don’t call myself “MK”mel for nothing! I really think you will be pleased with the results. Good luck on your quest for the right products!!
August 13th, 2007 at 2:21 am
jojoba oil - just as a caution, I would only use it under your eyes (amazing) - the oil might bother the rest of your face if it is sensitive.
For the face, I use pure aloe vera gel and then a natural facial cream by Herbacort as a second application. The aloe is cooling, healing, soothing - you can buy it at any grocery store / drug store by Solarcaine - you’ll probably find it in the “bandaids and antbiotic cream” section.
P.S. my face is also sensitive :)
107 replies to this blog alone :) !
August 13th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Check out products by Philosophy. They are REALLY wonderful. My sister has very sensitive skin and even she can use it and loves it.
His,
Mrs. U
LID 9-12-05
referral 1-4-07
“Gotcha” Day 2-25-07 for Elizabeth
http://www.makingahouseahome.blogspot.com
August 13th, 2007 at 9:17 am
I use the Neutrogena peel and like it very much. I always am wary about products that cause breakouts too.
Maybe you could try the makeup that Proactiv makes? Theire 3 piece skin care system works SO well. I’ve used it for about 5 years and get next to no acne.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:08 am
I was introduced to Arbonne two years ago by my best friend and love it! I became a consultant to get the 35% discount. Check out http://www.arbonne.com for product line, or contact me person for details. The RE9 is their anti-aging line, and my personal favorite. I was one of those 80’s girls who worshipped the sun, and kept tanning beds in business.
I also agree with what people are saying about micro-dermabraison. I find I get far better results with it than a facial. It actually feels good too.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I didn’t comment on the last thread about this, but for what we can do about our skin now (given that genetics and past sun exposure can’t be changed) is good moisturizers and continued sun screen.
A good friend of mine is a dermatologist, and I’ve often pimped her on what she thinks works best.
For the big guns, big results, you need procedures - laser or chemical resurfacing, face lift, etc. For the smaller results, moisturize. Also, as we get older, our moisturizer needs change. I loved Clinique for years, but 2 years ago, I got older and my skin changed. I found Arbonne and have to say it works really well for my skin now.
I also think any of the mild, over the counter, chemical peels can help some, but without a good moisturizer to keep up the results, it’s all for naught.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
I have a good friend that makes products. I am V.E.R.Y. prone to breakout (cystic), allergic reactions, etc….and her products are wonderful.
She makes a product called “I’ll Get You (lines) My Pretty” that is wonderful for fine lines. She also makes a mattifying pearl cream that is, in a word, addictive. I will never be without this product (even my dh touched my skin and wondered why it looked so great).
Her body lotions are fabulous (great texture..the Raspberry Clove Tea scent is awesome, but get samples of different scents). Her facial cleanser is amazing (even for the most sensitive). Her toners are great for keeping my skin clear and anti-aging.
I couldn’t even use Clinique (too sensitive), but I can use her products. Affordable doesn’t even begin to describe her prices!
http://www.ifeelprettyproducts.com
August 13th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
http://www.cosmeticconnection.com/ has great reviews. Also, many skin issues are caused by food allergies.
Cheers!
Shelley
August 14th, 2007 at 7:07 am
Thanks for tabulating the results; this is interesting, although I probably won’t change my routine because it’s working for me.
When I wrote originally, I mentioned non-product things that anyone can do like diet, attitude, etc. I still think these are important, but for the record, I do color my hair, use anti-aging products, and generally wear ‘full make-up’ although I try for a natural look. Refuse to spend the time and money on fancy salons, so I use L’Oreal at home, get my hair cut at Fantastic Sam’s, and do my own 20 nails each week. Deep condition hair and do my own facials at least once a month. Mary Kay and Avon are so convenient (order online/home delivery), although I also pick up drug store products because I enjoy the ‘girly’ experience of shopping for beauty aids. Find what works in your own life and have fun!
August 17th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
I tend to feel guilty over “me time”. However, I am getting used to it as our child gets more independent - yay!
Clinique has been the best thing for my acne-prone skin (mentioned that in another post, but commenting here in your follow-up). I chose the sensitive/non-oily products, not their acne targeted line (perhaps too harsh for my 40+ skin?). Anyway, the pore perfector helps me save face as otherwise I’d look like an oil slick without it. The “advanced stop signs” lotion has reduced those things that make me look older - ahem, spots, lines, neck appearance.
My never-fail exfoliating scrub (non-cream) and deep cleansing emergency mask are what have saved my skin overnight before any event the next day like a date with husband or going to a party. It’s all simple stuff in my routine ’cause “I ain’t got the time for anything else!”