I'm ashamed to admit...

I agree with the supplements suggestions. Just wanted to add that I started trying out a LOT of different skincare regimens when I turned 30 (7 years ago) because I noticed wrinkling and loss of firmness, and have seen major improvements since implementing the following:

Cellex-C High Potency Solution
Hydra 5B Gel
Alpha Hydrox Cream (buy at drugstore)
Retinol formulation (a tube costs about $9 at Avon and lasts a LONG time)
Skin firmer like Lancome's Renergie Countour Lift

My favorite cleansers: Burt's Bees Orange Cleanser, Mario Badescu's Orange Cleanser (hmm, something about orange, perhaps the natural alpha hydroxy's?) and Victoria Principal's Advanced Skincare Cream

Moisturizers: Victoria Principal's Advanced Moisturizer, Burt's Bees Marshmallow Creme and Avon's Retroactive Age Reversal Cream

Toners: Mario Badescu's Aloe or Cucumber Lotion, Burt's Bees Wild Lettuce or Tomato Toner.

Masques: Mario Badescu's Orange Tonic Masque, Victoria Principal's Gentle Enzyme Treatment.

I've tried more than a few, and these tend to be my favorites. I have a tendency to always lift my eyebrows, causing lines, but when I don't do that, I have very minimal lines on my face at all, and I think it's because of the Retinol, Alpha/Beta hydroxy solutions and the Cellex-C Formulations.

Kris

Mylissa wrote: A note on vitamin E supps. Have been taking them for years...but check the labels. You'll want Natural E, not synthetic. On the label for natural it'll say ingredients: d alpha synthetic version is: dl alpha I take 2 400ius daily (the gels) The natural costs a little bit more, but is better for you. Check your ius too, don't want more than 400 ius per gel, can make your blood too thin, etc. Might want to do some research as to what best suits you. Good luck...gotta get back to work now.

Hmm. I didn't know Vitamin E would make your blood thinner. Maybe that's why I'm a better blood donor now. (See this thread: http://talk.hairboutique.com/forum/viewthread.asp?forum=AMB_AP393429385&id=1919)
My blood had always been super-quick to clot and had stopped running. I guess it clotted up the needle when it was supposed to be still running out. Anyway, I think that's a good thing.

Incidentally, I take synthetic. Although E is also in Ultra Nourishair and it's natural in there.
GNC is advertising this new thing called Isomer E, which they call "full spectrum vitamin E". I'm not sure what their source is for te supplement. They compare it to Synthetic and Natural... Isomer E is supposed to be twice the antioxidant capacity as natural, which I think is to say that it's easiest to absorb???
They site a major university as doing the research, but don't name the university.
I wonder how much it is. GNC Gold Card discount days ended yesterday. :p
I have like 4 months supply of the synthetic... but it only cost me $2.

A note on vitamin E supps. Have been taking them for years...but check the labels. You'll want Natural E, not synthetic. On the label for natural it'll say ingredients: d alpha synthetic version is: dl alpha

I take 2 400ius daily (the gels) The natural costs a little bit more, but is better for you. Check your ius too, don't want more than 400 ius per gel, can make your blood too thin, etc. Might want to do some research as to what best suits you.

Good luck...gotta get back to work now.

Oh great! Thanks so much. Was it that obvious that I am "lost" over here. I am searching for the book right now. I read some of your reviews at EPINIONS...Wow! You know your stuff!

Hi Sophie,

I was thinking the same thing and once I saw Lyris Picture..LOL! Now, I don't have a whole bunch of wrinkles, just a few little ones around my eyes. But I can see my skin is very dried all over. Weird that I never paid attention to it.

I'm thinking I need "at least" the following:

-cleanser
-moisturizer
-something for the wrinkles, especially around the eyes ( I am not sure if I'd be able to find a moisturizer that would serve that purpose also)
-Scrub/facial I can do weekly

Sounds about right, doesn't it?

Hi Lyris,

Thanks for the great recommendations. I actually had in my hand today the St. Ives Apricot Scrub but I didn't look at the rest of their products as my lunch hour was running short.

Curious about the cleanser, is PURPOSE the brand name?

BTW...thanks to everyone for all your suggestions. I have been reading up all weekend on this wonderful site and saw some great homemade masks and sort. I am considering giving one of them a try. I've also learned a lot about Essential Oils. This is a wonderful site and is the wonderful people like all of the ones that have replied to my question that make it such an amazing place.



Ok..done blabbing away! Have a great day!

I am fortunate in that my skin is pretty maintenance-free (wrinkles are not yet a problem for me.) Therefore I only use two products: a facial moisturizer and cleanser since I wear makeup. The moisturizer is St. Ives Oil-Free Moisturizer and is about $3, if you can believe it. It is wonderful and most importantly, non-irritating. No fragrance, which is extraordinarily hard to find nowadays. It does the trick and costs next to nothing. There are probably some great options at the department store as well but I use what works for me and it happens to be dirt cheap! I write beauty reviews for epinions.com and mine for this product is here, if you're interested: http://www.epinions.com/content_67327659652

The cleanser I use is Purpose for sensitive skin. Again, it is fragrance-free and omits the harsher surfactants such as SLS and TEA/ammonium lauryl sulfate so common in commercial washes. Again, this one is cheap (under $5) yet works just fine for me. Good luck--I hope the comments/suggestions everyone offers helps you in your quest for better skin!

Can I get those products at drugstores or target/walmart or are they more expensive ones you buy on line?

I am guessing I will have to read a lot of labels before I find them...

GOOD ADVICE SOPHIE!!!
I love skin creams and moisterizers. i love soft smooth skin!

Hey! I feel for you. I have no skin care routine either. Sometimes I'll find a product I like, and I'll use it for a couple of weeks... but then I'll get lazy and forget about it.

Vitamins really help! I started taking them 2 weeks ago because I wanted healthier hair and faster hair growth. As a side effect, I have great skin, too! I think it's the vitamin E gelcaps that help skin most of all, because I recently added them to my list of daily supplements, and after a week or so, noticed the skin improvement.

Look for the vitamin E gelcaps, because they have liquid in them. I think that's better for absorbtion than the white powdery tablets.
But you would have to take them once a day... can't forget or get lazy! :) Results take a week or 2 or 3.

They're cheap! GNC sells them for like $1.99 for a month's supply.