Being Me

I thoroughly enjoyed this month's theme more than I thought I would. I didn't do much different, except try a few samples of various skin care products. For now I'm sticking to my Burt's Bees in the day time and Retin A at night and absolutely SPF 30 every day. I really appreciated hearing everyone's opinions on aging. I just assumed that everyone was as concerned about it as me, but apparently not all thirty-somethings worry about wrinkle prevention like I do. I do know that as I age, I will continue to look for better and more quality skin care and I will have to hydrate my skin more. I ironically wear less makeup now that I have a child and will leave the house without it most of the time and still feel confident, so I must be doing something right. Being 36 does has it's advantages. I think aging, not just physically, but spiritually allows me to know myself more and feel more confident and that it refreshing for me. I am not as concerned about judgement as I used to be even just a few years ago. If this path continues for me then I think by my 40's I may be doing alright and aging then will probably mean something different to me than beauty anyway. It will probably be more about physical health and longevity than crow's feet or smile lines. My goal is to grow old gracefully and naturally. If I ever forget, I'll just pick up a cover of US and see what Heidi Montag is up to.

My Routine

Jessica asked last week what our skincare routines included. 
Here it is:

I have been using Retinol .5 for a year or so now and love the effects it has had on my dark spots.  They have lightened considerably but not as quickly as I would like!  When I went to the derm consult she recommended to stay on the current course I am on. I also use Kinerase but use different products than Shelly.

For eyes: Under Eye Rescue.  I have noticed a pretty big difference in my puffiness and dark circles.  Even though I always feel tired, I don't seem to always look it. 
Also side note: I read recently that when applying eye cream, place directly under the eye but when applying above the eye just put it on your bone directy above your eyelid and it will seep down naturally. The skin there is so sensitive, putting it on directly is too much for it.

For face: Brightening Serum and also the Cream. Along with the face wash as well. They have the Cream with an SPF which I will buy next as soon as this container is finished.

All the products contain N6-furfuryladenine which is a powerful natural antioxidant that helps protect DNA and proteins from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. It is still pretty new to products so the jury is still out on whether it works topically but I am definitely noticing a difference in my skin since I started using it a little over a month ago.

Two random applications that I don't consistently perform are:  In the winter, if my skin is feeling particularly dry or it is cold, I slather on Aquaphor before bed.  In the summer, if I feel like I have been in the sun too much, I slather on pure Vitamin E oil before going to bed.  Both applications leave my skin ridiculously soft when I wake up, but they are so heavy that I don't do this regularly. 

Next up...
My Vitalize Peel.  I am kind of nervous but every review I have read has been very positive.  I am just really nervous about layers of my face peeling off.  I am going to go ahead and hopefully book my appt for next week.  I want to have plenty of recovery time before Cassie's wedding!!  And my own...
(If I am brave enough, I will post Before-During-After pictures!)

spf 100

I'm heading to the beach next week so I just purchased some spf 100. I've been keeping it in my handbag and wearing it on my hands everyday since. I think for me, the sun, and previous sun damage is a major factor in my personal "aging". I used to be a major sun seeker, I grew up on a lake so I was out there everyday in the summer from sunup to sundown wearing bikinis and baby oil on my skin. Yesterday I went to the derma for a cancer check and she said "I can tell you are a real outdoor girl!" Not what I want to hear. I rarely go in the sun now, I wear tons of sunscreen and a hat. But time will march on...

I'm curious about everyone else's skin routine. What are you you using every day and night on your skin? What kind of extra treatments do you get if any?

I recently had a Rhonda Allison peel. I loved it! My skin looked great afterward, and didn't peel that much. The problem is you are supposed to keep getting them every 3 months until your skin looks how you really want it to, and they are pretty expensive (about $150 each). Other than that my derm told me to use dry touch spf on my face, no moisturizer needed because I'm so oily naturally, and a daily vitamin A (she prescribes differin or retin A).

One thing I'm in the market for is eye cream so if anyone has a recommendation please share!

I have some other sub - topics on this issue but I will save for another post.