Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Ask The Wrinkle-Rexic

I am currently in a 1600 word deficit with NaNoWriMo, so today I will be brief.

In the past week or so I have had several conversations on the phone, in person, and even a couple over the emails with fellow bloggers about skincare. I felt a little like Karnack the Magician with my cousin yesterday. I was going over her current regimen, bossing her around suggesting a new one, when she suddenly blurted out, "Jen! Why is my skin so much worse on one side than the other? Seriously, it's visibly worse."

"It's obviously your left side," I intoned, adjusting my magic robe and turban. She gasped.

"How did you know that?" I paused, holding back a giggle. Everyone knows that. Everyone with serious issues about skincare and an unhealthy obsession with products. Gheesh. But my cousin, she challenged me further.

"Jen. I don't want to spent a wad of money on this. Christmas is coming. I want advice that isn't going to bankrupt me." Ooh. She had thrown down the gauntlet with her challenge. It's easy to have great skin if you're willing to spend what it takes. But creatively managing your regime while on a budget? That takes thinking, friends.

So hit me up! Challenge me! Today is Ask the Wrinkle-rexic day! I'll be holed up at the computer as much as humanly possible while I get back in black with my word count. Please, this is the only pleasure I'll be partaking of today.

Give me your tired, your baggy, your un-exfoliated woes!

31 comments:

Mrs. G. said...

Well, seriously, how do I get rid of them. Let's start with this...what are your favorite products. I mean the ones you can't live with out.

Anonymous said...

But what about dry ... no dry as in the Sahara. Then how do you exfoliate without damaging thin skin. And believe me, this is the only place where thin applies to this body.

Jen said...

Mrs. G - this is a terribly complicated question. Really, I'm in knots over this one. For one, brevity requires that I whittle the list to under 20 items in order to keep you from falling asleep while reading my answer.

Here's the short list. For more specific concerns, I have more.

Anthelios UVA/UVB sunscreen by La Roche-Posay. You can find it at the skinstore.com It is the first FDA approved UVA/UVB full spectrum (and currently, I believe the only, although Neutrogena claims to have one I do not think it is yet to be FDA approved, but it will do as a close second). The UVA/UVB component is SO IMPORTANT to protect your skin! Always apply more on the left side since while driving your car that is the side exposed to light.

Retin A. If you do not want to go to the trouble of getting a prescription for this topical retinoid (which fades discoloration! Evens skintone and works on fine lines! Why wouldn't you?) the very best substitute is ROC, found at Walgreens. It is a retinoid, made by a great French pharmaceutical company, and really does do a great job. Of course, prolongued use of any retinoid isn't okay - give your skin a break every few months.

Clinique All About Eyes undereye cream. Light, does the job, not terribly expensive.

Oil of Olay! Really! But not the classic stuff. Their new Regenerist line is FANTASTIC. It has the Good Housekeeping Seal of approval (hard to get, I hear) for meeting its claims. Love the entire line.

Finally, Kinerase skin lotion. Also found at the skinstore. This is a miracle, it really is...

There are more, but I'm holding back.

Jen said...

Chair - I would never exfoliate skin that is currently in a dry state. You'll inflame! You'll irritate!

First, give your skin a few days of intense care. Heat some olive oil in the microwave (don't boil it!) and massage it into your skin. Try to use organic. You can then place a warm rag over your face and just relax for a while. Then, make sure you are moisturizing morning and in the evening. Are you doing this? Do you go to bed with a gently washed face and a good moisturizer (for you, Chair, I would recommend Oil of Olay Regenerist Rich Night Cream - drive down to Freddies and get this. Go!).

Then, for the dry part. I would not use an exfoliater with granules or particulates of any kind! Would you take sandpaper to the MOna Lisa? I think not.

Head over to Norstrom (I know you're going there soon anyway) and get yourself the Estee Lauder Perfectionist Beta Hydroxy peel system. This will gently and evenly exfoliate the top layer of your skin and yet leave it smooth and baby soft. Don't forget to slather on the moisturizer after using it, and only use it once a week.

Nancy said...

I did a whole post about dark circles under my eyes. I tried everyone's suggestion. $$$$$ later, they are still there.
I'm not naive enough to think they can go away, I just want to know how to conceal them.

Anonymous said...

This will be a post to follow all day, I'm sure!

I need to know about the wrinkles. Stuck with them, or might they be reduced?

I had a delightful facial a few months ago, and got a few product recommendations. I use Cetaphil for cleansing and only exfoliate once a week now (as opposed to daily). I'm also using Skinceuticals anti-blemish gel and their retinol deal (at night, alternating days), but it is pretty expensive and I'm not sure all that effective.

For blemishes, the BEST thing in the world is Murad's Acne Spot Treatment (I got it at Sephora, but you can find it all over the Internet) - it is seriously the best $17 I've ever spent.

Trish K said...

I love using facial masks when I am feeling self indulgent. Any recommendations?

Jen said...

JakeEllie's Mom: Murad totally rocks the Casbah! Spot on! (heh - no pun intended).

Dark circles: If your undereye area is blueish use a yellow tone, and if it's brown in color, use a light blue or mauve-ish one. If you find that the concealer is settling in fine lines, pat on a little undereye cream before your concealer.

This.Is.SO.Much.Fun.

Y'all are feeding my obsession. Thanks!

Jen said...

Trish - what are your face mask needs? For dry skin I would go totally natural with a honey, olive oil and oatmeal concoction.

Oily? I love the Pevonia Matifying Oily skin mask. OR, seriously, you can pat Milk of Magnesia on your face, let it dry and then rinse off.

Jen said...

One more thing on the undereye circles...if your budget is larger, you can ask a doctor about Carboxytherapy....I imagine it's pretty pricey but it claims to get rid of them!

Anonymous said...

I hate my skins "Omg we're thirty now lets have a pimple party" hissy fit. I never got acne at a teen, and now that my daughter is approaching teendom, I am breaking out, wtf?

Anonymous said...

I thought you were a social worker? but apparently also skin guru! Excellent! My friend got me into the Arbonne line when she heard I washed my face with regular bar soap. I went to this "Arbonne party" at someone's house and you should have heard the collective sharp intake of breath when the bar soap confession was unleashed. This line is as"natural" possible, and hey-they are always trying to gather more consultants!

Jennifer said...

How is it that I am completely lost here! I feel like I'm reading Chinese. I'm obviously way behind on my wrinkle reducing knowledge. Will keep checking for more tips!

Jen said...

Maria - I was a social worker! Heh - clearly, I missed my calling. I just happen to have a weird fascination with all things skincare. Seriously. Can't. Help. Myself. I absolutely adore the Arbonne line and have used it often, I just didn't list it because the sales reps can be REALLY pushy and I didn't want to steer someone in that direction.

Lela: I got terrible post-partum acne after Jack was born (at 35! How wrong!) and I went to a facialist and had a series of salisylic acid facials and then followed up with a product called "Antibac" by La Roche-Posay. It cleared my acne up and never dried my skin.

Jennifer: We've all seen your picture - you are probably confused because you are blessed with such good skin. I'm torn - do I weave you into my web of sickness and wrinkle obsession or do I tell you to run! Run away! ;)

Jessica @ Little Nesting Doll said...

I don't have wrinkles YET, but I can see them trying to appear, especially around my eyes. I use Oil of Olay Complete for a moisturizer, but need advice on a cream to use on and around my eyes--day and/or night. Also...can I use it on my forehead? I already have lines there. If not, what CAN I use on my forehead? And I am not even 30 yet...I am screwed if I don't start preventing now!

Jennifer said...

Left side???

Jen said...

Jessica, you young thing, you: It is never too early to start your regime. Since you're still in your twenties I would focus on sunscreen and a light undereye cream like Clinique All About Eyes or Oil of Olay Regenerist. A good lotion to go on top of your sunscreen in by Neutrogena - it's the multi-vitamin one. It also has fruit acids to help exfoliate and promote skin cell turnover.

Jennifer - Your left side gets significantly more UVA/UVB exposure from driving - the light from your window gets the left side of your face.

Again, thank you for indulging me in my hobby. You guys do know I am in no way an expert - just a sad woman with too much time dedicated to the topic ;)

Jen said...

Oops - forgot to mention to Jessica: You should NOT use eye cream on your forehead unless your skin is very, very dry. If it is, go for it.

If you're exfoliating regularly, it should ease the appearance of fine lines. I'll bet they are miniscule, given your age :)

Kristi B said...

You are being such a procrastinator!! I love it!
I swear to God, and I know you're more of an expert than me, but I swear to God my right side is worse than my left. It really is! My theory is that I sleep on that side so it gets funkier. Is that possible?
I do not have much of a wrinkle problem, yet! but do have the monthly acne breakouts and the scarring from years of the same. Sigh. Most days, I hate my face! Clear me the scars, shed me the acne, and minimize those pores! also, does your expertise include makeup? because I'm a total loser in that area. I want a light powder (currently use Body Shop) that actually covers my flaws and doesn't have any perfumy smell. Any ideas?
Thanks to your previously awesome advice (read: Leilani) I already use the Anthelios. It's the best! But now I'm on my way to the store for the ROC and the Regenerist. Oooh! I'm getting excited!

Sarcasta-Mom said...

My NaNoWriMo count is WAY down. Time for me to get cracking as well....

crazymumma said...

I will not tell you how seriously I abuse my skin because you will slap me when you see how relatively good it looks in comparison to the abuse and neglect it takes.

But the wrinkle in the middle of my brow? Oh well. I've earned it....I am 45 after all. But smokin'.....

Anonymous said...

Ahhh thanks for explaining "left side"... In Australia/New Zealand?UK then you'd expect it to be the right side. Although the sun isn't that harsh in the UK I guess.

I'm an Oil of Olay addict too and (gulp) in my 40s. Is the advice you gave Jessica relevant for this old chook or is there something else I should get for lines around the eyes... especially just under the eyes.

CB
x

Jen said...

CrazyMumma have you thought about taping your brow at night? Don't laugh - I have heard that those silly "frownies" (which are basically tape) REALLY WORK. Why not? You should let us know if you do...

Just Seeking, you know I am SO procrastinating but I'm almost caught up, so THERE.

CB - the tape goes for you, too. Unless either of you want to try Botox...a good blog entry in and of itself.

Sarcasta-Mom: By the end of this evening I will be caught up. Sadly, I've had a few Mike's Hard Lemonades and I can't say it will be the best quality...how are you doing with things? I have found it to be much slower going than I thought because I edit and research as I go along. Makes for a loooong night of writing. November is not panning out to be great for my poor family.

Sarcasta-Mom said...

10,000 words? Yeah right, in my dreams maybe. I'm so behind I brought my laptop down to make breakfast this morning to catch up on blogging and my word count.

What's your name on NaNoWriMO? We should buddy up!

Jessica @ Little Nesting Doll said...

Okay, I just joined this and you MUST participate--you are clearly the guru of skincare:

http://www.absolutelybananas.com/2007/11/introducing-hot-mamas-know

Check it out and please sign up--I will be waiting with bated breath for your posts each month.

Jen said...

Sarcasta Mom - I'll leave it on your blog later today!

Jessica - has she already started this? I read her post where she introduced the topic and I thought it was briliant! I am so in!

Jessica @ Little Nesting Doll said...

Actually, the link I gave you is to her post from today. It starts tomorrow, and from here on out it will be the first of the month. I am in, too, although I will probably be out of ideas by January!

Anonymous said...

Ask the wrinkle-rexic needs to happen monthly. At the very least. Your knowledge is impressive. But your passion is what really moves me.

Mrs. G. said...

This is the best post...so much good information. I think you need to dispense your advice on make-up next.

Anonymous said...

was is your opinion on Philosophy Purity cleanser. i have crazy skin. lots of blackheads on my nose/chin and oily (like puberty) skin in summer and sahara dry in the fall and winter.

Jen said...

Amy that's a great cleanser until your skin starts to get dry in the winter. Then, it's too stripping.

How about Burts Bees gentle milk cleanser in the winter?