What's your secret? Skin care regime part deux

I am 50 years old and have been told I look "young for my age".  Since I've been in my early 40s people have asked me for my skin care secret.  I have been consistent in taking care of my skin for 25+ years - that consistency (which means I look like a big nerd sometimes)  has left my skin in decent shape for a 50 year old...(disclaimer: I'm NOT a skin care expert - this is just info based on my layman's knowledge, advice from my PA derm sister, and my personal research & experience!)

here's picture of me at Ricky's wedding - July 23, 2011(i'm 49.5 years old in this picture).  This picture is taken in natural light - I'm wearing lipstick but other than that I am not wearing any makeup at all.  And I do happen to have a big zit on my right cheek. ;)

if you click on the picture you can see the gray hairs are showing & the crows feet

Yes - this is soft lighting.  This is my friend Brooke and I at my 50th birthday party - Brooke is 40 and has been listening to me preach the sunscreen sermon for over 10 years.  ;)

2 pics of me in harsh outdoor light - the wrinkles and gray hair stand out!
No botox for me - I like having facial expressions  ;)

ok..maybe I went a little overboard here with the sunscreen on the arms and the "burqa" around my face - what a dork!  Look how cute my friend Tracy looks in a tank top without all that white sunscreen on her arms...

I did a blog post on my skin care regime back in 2006.(i'm ~44 years old in the pic in the 2006 blog post)  Due to the fact my regime has changed a little bit in the last 6 years  and after attending a Slipada party the other night where pretty much every women there (when they found out my age) asked me about my skin care secret - I decided to revisit the subject.


So here is is...

First off - consistency is KEY.  

1. I never, EVER leave the house without putting sunscreen on.  I put it on my face, neck and back of my hands.  I don't care how cloudy it is or how short the days are or if i'm only going outside to run errands for 15 minutes - i always wear sunscreen.   I've been wearing sunscreen everyday for 25+ years...since my mid-20s. 
2. Over the years so many people have asked me for advice.  Months later I'll ask how it's going and they'll say - 'oh - i'm not really following the regime any more'.  Then they wonder why are they aren't seeing results. 
3. Be patient - it's not an overnight change - it takes time.  I'd say give it at least 6 months - take before and after pictures.  Take close up pictures in good lighting to track progress.
4. For the past 12 years I've been using my daily/nightly skin care regime (outlined below) religiously.

I guess i beat the consistency horse to death, eh??  ;)


There are several good options out there

Skin care be overwhelming and confusing.  With all the products(there are several great products available) that are out there it's really hard to know what to do and what items to pick.

• Is expensive better than less expensive?  
• What combination is the best?  
• When do you use these products?
• What order do you use the products?
• When will I see results?

The Oil of Olay Regenerist and Neutragena Ageless Restoratives are 2 very good lines if you don't want to mix and match products.  

The best option that is easy to follow, not too expensive (and works just as well as the way expensive stuff) and can be tailored to your skin type is the Oil Of Olay Regenerist line(i have no affiliation with Oil of Olay).   This link will take you to a questionnaire to determine which products are best for you.   This site outlines products to use based on your skin type and when to use them.  If it wasn't for my PA Dermatologist  sister - I would go this route.

In addition (BIG recommendation) ...

I recommend getting micro-dermabrasion every 4- 6 weeks.  It helps with the sun damage and "supposedly" it helps stimulate collagen production which helps with the elasticity of the skin.

Yep - it can spendy  but there are good options out there. 

1. I go to Longs Peak Acadmeny in Longmont.   Mircoderm treatments are $50 - if you go the 3 pack route - it ends up being ~$39 per treatment.
2. I see so many groupons and living social micro derm deals every week.  Snag one of those and use it!  But do it every 4 - 6 weeks - just like getting a hair cut!

My Personal Regime

Personally - since I know what my skin looked like years 10 - 15 years ago - I definitely see the signs of aging but I think in general what I am doing is working well for me.

here's the goods I use

Products:
1. MD Forte Glycare Facial Cleanser
2. SkinMedica Night Eye Repair
3. SkinMedica Retinol
4. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
5. SkinCeuticals Eye gel
6. SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex
7. Any suncreen containing titanium oxide & zinc oxide.  I don't use chemical sunscreens - so look for the ones that contain titanium or zinc oxide.
8. Cetaphil Unscented moisturizer

9. AmLactin alpha hydroxy lotion

Evening regime:

1. Wash face with MD Forte Glycare Cleansing Gel 
2. Apply SkinMedica Night Eye Repair under eyes
3. Mix a dab of the SkinMedica Retinol with a dab of Skin Medica TNS Recovery Complex and apply to face and neck
4. Apply moisturizer 

Morning regime:

1. Wash face with MD Forte Glycare Cleansing Gel 
2. Apply SkinCeuticals Eye gel
3. Apply SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic  (vitamin C)
4. Apply moisturizer 
5. Apply sunscreen to face, neck and back of hands

Body regime:

1.  Mix a dab of AmLactin & a dab of Cetaphil together and slather on body immediately after a shower or hot bath.  I especially make sure I cover around the top part of the arm area, the skin that covers the collarbones and the decolletage.  These areas seem to be very susceptible to becoming crepey and saggy 
2. I also rub AmLactin on my feet every night before I go to bed.   

 Biking/running regime:

1. Any skin that is exposed to the sun I slather on 2 layers of sunscreen to make sure all spots are covered.   I only use sunscreens that contain zinc or titanium oxide.  The physical barrier is much more effective for sun protection than the chemical sunscreens. 
2. I've taken to wearing either long sleeve SPF material clothing or Arm Coolers that provide sun protection - no matter how hot it is outside.
   

While everyone looks cute in their tank tops and is showing off beautiful muscles - I'm the dork with long sleeves.   I usually have a nice white sheen to my face too.   My friends make fun of me for being all covered up.   But what can you do?? ;)

July 4th 2011 - me and my arm coolers

notice the nice white sheen on my face & oh yeah - that jacket is EMS Teckwik 50+ spf
this is my pal Jessica and I just after we finished a 12 hour mtn bike race.

my favorite sunscreen

I purchase most of these products through Amazon.  For the SkinMedica stuff (super spendy) I usually buy the sample sizes  - it's a lot cheaper that way.  It's hard to get a deal on the TNS recovery so I usually just pay full price - but it's worth it.  Or maybe it's not working but I'm afraid to stop using it in fear of what might happen.

Hope this post was informative and useful!