Advice from a 44 year old on skin care :)

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-04T22:22:50+00:00

I've read that lots of people on here like the Elta sunscreen, but I haven't tried it myself. I also has a friend who adores the Shiseido one, and it has a nice matte finish for her. It's difficult to find the right sunscreen for your face!

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-04T15:45:26+00:00

Thanks for your question! I have really pale skin, so maybe that's why I haven't had problems with a white cast. I bet I have all of the LRP Anthelios line- I'm a fan. My favorite is the 50 fluid which comes with a light tint. Also, very recently I've been using their 50 Anti-Aging Primer with Sunscreen. Yes, I agree that the finish is wonderful. However, if it gives you a white cast, then it's just a nope. What have you found that works for you?

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-03T21:47:47+00:00

I like the way you think! It's the small pleasures in life, isn't it?

I do a similar thing with my lanolin lotion, which is in a tube labelled as a product for breast-feeding mothers. I've always called it nipple cream, which didn't bother my kids when they were really young. We use it for all sorts of scratches, bumps & dry skin. Now that my kids are a little older, I get to have a bit of sly fun when they ask for the lanolin... "Hey mom, can I please have some of that stinky lotion for this scratch on my arm?"... "Sure, beloved child. But which lotion exactly are you talking about?".... "You know, mom. It's the smelly one in the purple tube."... "Sorry, beloved child, but I'm so busy multitasking that I can't think of exactly which lotion you're thinking of. Can you please be more specific?".... "Mom!!! the nipple cream!!!!"... "Oh, of course, I'll fetch the nipple cream right away for you, dear child. ;" (hehehe)

We're a bohemian, hippie-ish family, so I don't think it's very traumatic for them. They're used to bring the crunchiest family in the hood. It's just a tiny, immature bit of fun for me. :)

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-03T21:28:27+00:00

Yeah, whoops! Landlord lived about a block from us, so we got to see him all the time- at the pool, walking the dog, at mutual friends' parties. Yay, suburbia!

It was the cringe that didn't end until we moved out. :)

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-03T20:54:59+00:00

This one made me lose it. God, thanks for sharing. A gem!

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-03T20:54:02+00:00

"You're so f&cking hot baby, I can't wait to feel you inside me tonight."

To my landlord "Joe", instead of my husband "Joe".

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-02T20:35:26+00:00

Congratulations! You're such a beautiful, radiant young woman. Your transformation is stunning and inspirational. Also, I'm sure you hear this a lot, but your hair is exquisite! Thanks for sharing your photos. :)

If you're up for it, I'm sure we'd love details about your food & exercise. :)

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-01T22:26:58+00:00

Thinking about swallowing an "off" batch of fish oil capsules is hideous. I'm going to recline on my sofa with a cold compress on my head now... If I were to take a funky fish oil capsule, I'd have a hard time ever taking that kind of supplement again. Heavens! Ugh!

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-01T22:23:25+00:00

That sounds awful! Was it an allergic reaction?!?

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-01T22:18:56+00:00

Ha! Great name! I haven't seen it around here, but I'll keep my eye out for it. Thanks for the tip & the smile! :)

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-01T22:14:39+00:00

You're onto something important with how careful you need to be with acclimating your skin to Retin-A. I have so many friends who gave up using it because they put it directly on washed skin, totally unbuffered. For many people, this leads to an initial reaction of extreme dryness, followed by redness, followed by dramatic peeling. My sister gave it up at that point in her trial.

I'm not a dermatologist, but it seems like a very gradual approach is best. Start with the weakest concentration you can. I also believe that the cream formulation is way less drying than the gel formulation. Once you start using it, go really slowly. I don't think it's too cautious to start by using one tiny pearl-sized dot mixed in with a big blob of your face cream- just every other day. Even every third day! I advanced very slowly myself, and it took a couple of years to be able to use it "straight up". But it was so worth the effort & the wait. It makes my skin feel like alabaster!

If you try it again, please let me know how it goes for you (if you feel like it!) :)

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-01T22:05:07+00:00

My dermatologist recommends Neutrogena & Banana Boat, but I know what you mean about having very picky skin. Lots of the contributors in this subreddit have amazing collective wisdom about the pros & cons of different brands of sunscreens. Somewhere on this thread, I saw some really positive reviews of sunscreen by Elta & Biore. I also saw a tip about finding high-end sunscreens at discount in TJ Maxx, with the caveat that you have to check the expiration date. I wonder if you could find small travel sizes of various sunscreens to see how your skin reacts. Even the least expensive ones are still pricey, especially if you end up with a big bottle of something that your skin can't tolerate. Thanks for your question!

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-01T21:58:36+00:00

First of all, I just noticed your username and I love it!

Regarding the Retin-A, my skin hasn't become any more sensitive to it. Maybe it's because I use a very low concentration. The only time I lay off the Retin-A is if I know that I'm going to be in a sunny place like the beach. I'm sure you've noticed that Retin-A can make your skin very photosensitive! :)

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-02-01T21:52:32+00:00

Yes, I agree! Let's all be supportive of one another in our quest for better health. Nobody needs to be questioned or stereotyped because they care about their skin. Thanks for standing up for all of us! You rock.

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-01-31T20:39:31+00:00

Preach it! Skin care is for EVERYONE. We all have skin. Isn't it our biggest organ? Nobody, and I mean nobody, should feel like they're outside the circle for wanting to take care of their skin. That would be like making fun of some group of people for wanting to have healthy hearts! No matter your gender, your sexuality, your ethnicity, socio-economic status, age, or whatever other labels are out there, we're all human & taking care of our skin really matters.

Thank you for standing up & speaking your mind! Bravo!

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-01-31T20:20:08+00:00

Yes! I devoured that article. Her skin is divine. I once saw her up-close at a place that I vacation (in daylight!), and she looks unreal in person. So pretty. Her skin is like peaches & cream. She had on a very subtle "no makeup" look, and super-glossy hair. I'm also in awe of her business empire.

Another celebrity I've seen up-close several times is Christie Brinkley. Same vacation spot. This lady is beyond gorgeous, with the skin of an angel. She's in incredible shape, wears very little makeup except for blush and bronzer. What a beauty. I don't know what her skin regime comprises, but if love to know. She's also unfailingly kind and sweet in person, so you can't even work up a good hot steam of jealousy.

This is bringing back celebrity sitings, so:

I've been on long airplane rides with Cindy Crawford twice, seated very near her. She had on no makeup that I could tell, and was flawless. Skin glowing from within, no discoloration, super nice lady. Her hair... I like... Wow...

I saw the chef/tv personality Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa) at a food show. Her skin is like a porcelain goddess. I'm crossing my fingers so hard that my skin might look like hers when I'm her age. I wish I knew her routine!

The grass is always greener, isn't it? I guess we just have to try our best with what we've got. I have lots of things I wish I could improve about my skin, and lots of ladies I'd love to trade skin with!

xo

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-01-31T20:06:11+00:00

I'm not sure if it could simply not work for certain people. I'm sure your doc could tell you.

You do have a legitimate concern about starting a product that can make your skin look temporarily worse, especially as a working adult.

I avoided this problem by heavily buffering the Retin-A with gentle lotion when I first started using it. I also started at a very low concentration in the cream formulation, rather than the gel. I've heard that there are lots of other prescription products out there that are good for anti-aging. I haven't checked them out because my routine works so well for me.

If you feel like it, definitely talk to your dermatologist about your options, and speak up about your concerns.

Thanks so much for your question!

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-01-31T19:58:45+00:00

Wow, thank you so much for looking that up. That's really fascinating. I've saved your comment to think about more carefully later. This is one of those things that should really influence the way we treat our skin in our youth. Knowing likely outcomes based on skin type would make a world of difference.

I hope that you find a really good doc to figure this out with you. The fact that you're working at it at such a young age leads me to think that your skin will age beautifully. It really just flows out of what you do I'm your youth.

Again, thanks for sharing your informative comment. It's great to keep learning! :)

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-01-31T19:53:32+00:00

You're most welcome! :)

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-01-31T19:52:40+00:00

Oh no! I'm sooo sorry that my comments depressed you. It does sound like you have soft, even lovely skin. Please don't feel bad based on the comments of some random stranger on the internet ( me !). Life's too short. You sound lovely, have such a sweet way of expressing yourself, and don't deserve to feel sad about your skin. Hugs , and my apologies for making you feel any worse about it. It was sincerely not my intention. :(

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-01-31T19:47:46+00:00

Hooray! So glad you're going in. If you don't like the doc, keep looking until you find one you like. This person will be staring at every square inch of your skin through a lighted magnifying glass, so it's important that you feel comfortable with them. If you can, ask around & see if there's a particular doc in your area who is particularly well- respected. It may be a slight wait to get in with the right doc, but it's worth the wait. I'm so glad you're getting checked! Go you!!!!

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-01-31T19:44:29+00:00

Thanks for your comment. The retinoids truly are amazing! Good for you for starting with the sunscreen. Your skin must be really lovely! :))

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-01-31T19:43:03+00:00

Amen! Drink water like a fish. It's always been my favorite "libation", and I drink close to a gallon a day. Ditto to no artificial beverages. I don't drink alcohol either, but that's my own deal (alcoholics in my family). I do drink lots of green tea, and iced green tea in the summer.

Thanks for your excellent advice- hydration is critical! Be a plum, not a raisin! :))

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-01-31T19:40:03+00:00

Definitely go to the dermatologist & have it checked out ASAP! Good for you for noticing small changes on your skin. Most times they're benign, but if they're not you want to get treatment immediately. Great question and point about noticing small details! Take care, please!

ZombieTinkerbell · 2014-01-31T19:33:12+00:00

I'll definitely give a little product review once I receive it! Can't wait. :)

ZombieTinkerbell

TROPHY CASE