I’m 35 years old and I’m pretty sure perfect skin doesn’t exist. I may sound a bit negative, but I have good reasons.
I have huge volcanic zits that don’t go away forever, dark circles under my eyes, and wrinkles that are here to stay…I am not happy about any of it. I have tried all sorts of cleansers, wrinkle cremes and facials, and nothing seems to be helping.
Please tell me I am not the only one with these problems.
Doesn’t every women want to age gracefully?
I decided to try some new treatments and skin care products that can be pricey, but I was able to wait for special discounts at my medical spa, so they were more affordable.
Here’s how it went:
MY FAVORITE THINGS
1.LASER GENESIS
I decided this year I was going to try some new treatments and my friend Lynette is the perfect lady to help me. She is a medical laser technician and has been helping women for almost 20 years. She wants all women to look beautiful and feel special inside and out. Lynette has been giving me a treatment called Laser Genesis. It is a non-invasive laser treatment. This treatment is recommended for people with rosacea, large pores, acne scarring, uneven texture, and more. It is for all skin types. I have had 3 treatments in 3 months and so far it has helped with my acne and large pores. I am loving it.
It doesn’t hurt during the treatment and doesn’t peel after you are done. For best results remember to wear sunscreen everyday. When I get a facial it costs the same as laser genesis. A facial is relaxing but doesn’t really help my skin long term (price may vary in the place you live.)
2.SKIN CEUTICALS
How have I never heard about this product?
Lynette also introduced me to Skin Ceuticals. I am loving the SPF 50 Sunscreen and the Daily light weight moisturizer. In the summer you should switch to a light weight moisturizer and exfoliate less and in the fall exfoliate more to repair skin from the Summer sun. The sunscreen is around $30-$60 and daily moisturizer is about $60.
3.CLARISONIC
The Clarisonic uses technology to make skin healthier, smoother, and more radiant.
– It removes makeup 6x better than manual cleansing
-removes 2x more dirt and oil
-leaves skin feeling and looking smoother
-Gentle enough to use twice a day if needed
-Helps reduce oily areas, dry patches and blemishes
The cheaper alternative is the Pretika Sonic Dermabrasion Facial Brush. It is less than $40.00.
I talked to some of my friends to find out what their skin regime is and this is what they had to say….
TABBY-20’s
-Use a mild cleanser and wash morning and night. Wash your hands before you wash your face.
-Use sunscreen on your face and neck everyday. Aveeno Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30 is only $14.99 at drugstores
-Drink a lot of water
-Wear sunglasses and stay out of the sun around 10am-4pm
SLOAN- 30’s
-Twice a week exfoliate your face to renew the cells and bring back moisture to the skin. Laura Mercier Face Polish is inexpensive and lasts a long time.
-Start wearing an eye creme daily. For dark circles, use one with vitamin C to brighten the eye area.
-Drink a lot of water – it keeps your body and skin hydrated.
-Cleansers. “Don’t spend a lot of money on something that you are going to wash off” says Sloan. Try Neutrogena or Cetaphil daily facial cleanser. They are soft for the skin and work great.
LORI-40+
-Use a creamy cleanser morning and night Cetaphil is a favorite. 2-3 times a week use ROC Deep Wrinkle Retinol Cream.
-Don’t forget to use sunscreen on neck, arms, and back of hands
-Use a lip balm with sunscreen
-Once a week use a Dermilogica Daily resurfacer pad. It is gentle but get’s rid of the gunk.
-Drink a lot of water and have a healthy diet. Vitamin A,B,C, and E all keep your skin glowing and gorgeous.
“Pretty is as pretty does” Lori says.
Thanks for all the great tips ladies. They are all so inspiring. Read more about them here.
I love Cristi’s homemade peach facial. Peaches are packed with vitamins and great for hydrating the skin. Get the recipe here.
I know everyone has a different opinion on what works best for their skin. The most important thing to remember is everyone has different types of skin. What works best for me might not work for you. But overall, drinking water, wearing sunscreen, eating healthy and washing your face is all going to make a huge difference in making your face look fresh and fabulous.
What are your favorite skin care products,treatments and tips?
Ashley was born and raised in Boise, Idaho and now lives in Henderson, Nevada. She studied in Germany and created a hand knit hat business in 1998–Mutze by Ashley (meaning hat in German). She is obsessed with her Husband, three daughters, fashion, coconut desserts, and garden gnomes.
Sloan says
You are amazing!!!! I love reading your posts!!!! Thank you for your inspiration in telling us women how to be better moms, women, and how to feel better about ourselves!!!
Jenny says
I have never taken great care of my face. Now that I have entered into my 30s, I have noticed an extream desire to take care of my not so youthful skin. This is great motivation! I love it. No more sun for me.
Mikey says
Great tips! Can’t wait to try them all out!
Cindy says
You are not alone! I struggle with all the same issues as you! I can’t wait to try your suggestions. I use a gentle, all- natural cleanser, SPF moisturizer and drink tons of water. But my skin still looks terrible. I will let you know if I find a magic solution!
Ashley says
Cindy,
Thank you for your honesty. Your comment made me laugh out loud. Thanks for the tips and if I find the magic solution first I will e mail you.
Ashley
Brenda says
Another nice article.
Thanks for all the great tips. I’m turning 40 this year, and while my skin does not look too bad now, I’m bookmarking this article for future reference.
Shelley says
This was GREAT information. Thank you for gathering it all in one place. Super excited to try some of this stuff.
Darling Darleen says
Do you have to do Laser Genesis more than once for it to work or do you see results after the treatment?
Ashley says
I noticed results after one treatment. But I paid for a 3 treatment package and I’m really loving it.
Bobbi says
Did you take a before and after pictures?
Ashley says
I took before pictures and I’m waiting until after my 3rd treatment to post. I have notice a difference after each treatment.
Kristi says
Thanks for all of the useful tips. Does the lazer get rid of age spots and freckles? If so, how many treatments do you need to have to really see a difference?
Ashley says
Laser genesis is not really for age spots. Clinique has a serum called Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector. I haven’t tried it but the reviews r great. And don’t forget SPF 50 on your face everyday. Let me know if it works.
Aimee J says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE NeriumAD – it has completely changed my skin! I love that its one product that addresses multiple signs of aging – wrinkles, discoloration, pigmentation (age spots), fine lines, and even emerging (the lines you don’t see yet) lines. I love that its cruelty free and that I get mine for free! And I love that it has firmed my skin, gotten rid of my wrinkles, discoloration, shrunk my pores and that it has done all of this in just a few months. you can find out more at http://www.aimeej.arealbreakthrough.com
Ashley says
I’m going to try this. Sounds fabulous. Thanks so much for sharing.
Ashley
Kadence says
Do I have to sign up just to purchase the product?
Dianne says
You said you had under eye circles. What has worked on getting rid of those.
I also have puffy under eyes. I drink gallons of water and eat pretty healthy.
Ashley says
I love Nu Skin tru face line corrector. It’s not just for wrinkles. It has helped with my dark circles. Try using an eye creme with green tea or grapeseed oil. Or Roc multi-correxion eye treatment. Good luck.
Danielle says
You are not alone!! I am 32, and my hormonal acne is getting worse and worse. My dermatologist put me on some new prescriptions (oral antibiotic 2 x daily, benzoyl peroxide face wash, and a retinoid/antibiotic gel to apply topically at night before bed, and before anyone suggests it, yep, I’m also on birth control), so we’ll see what happens – it’s supposedly going to get worse before it gets better – oh joy! I’m wondering if I would benefit from the laser genesis…? I’ve had several facials with extractions and they didn’t do anything but make my skin worse. Anyways, say a little prayer for me that I find a solution soon… As you know, acne in your 30s can be so depressing and frustrating! 🙁
MOM says
where can you get the dermalogica at?
MOM RAGG
s
Janet says
Ashley- I am wondering if you could suggest a place in boise that does these treatments? I know I could probably just look online but it’s always better if you get a suggestion from someone. Maybe your friend that does your treatments might know of a place that she would recommend as well? I live in Twin Falls but there’s not a place here. Thank you!