<p>There isn’t a magic bullet, but there are a lot of excellent products out there. It is true that the drugstore lines might be just as good, but I happen to be a sucker for the marketing, packaging and customer service that the department stores (or Kiehl’s) provide. Sephora is good, too- they will usually let you try stuff.
I laughed this morning thinking about the image I must present here on CC. I advocate all these skin care products, shopping for clothes and purses, makeup, higher end hair salons… I must seem like the image of the moms in the Dallas Cheerleaders movie! Actually, I am quite the opposite, as those of you who know me in real life or from facebook can attest. I am a jeans/tshirts/boots person (when not at work- and even at work I push the limits of casual) and VERY low-maintenance. My hair is about an inch long and doesn’t require any styling. I’ve been a competitive runner for over 30 years, so I have to be able to shower and dress quickly to get all the runs in. I just like “stuff”-whether it be shoes, purses or face creams! :)</p>
<p>For seborrhea (sp!?) that was worst along my “laugh lines” (itchy sometimes, always scaly)…that was brought on primarily from allergies to too much stage make up …I’ve had to repeatedly see a dermatologist. I had one make a “magic” cream for me. He actually sent a “recipe” to the pharmacist, who concocted it right there. I’m sure it was a strong cortisone of some sort. I no longer need it but I used to panic as my container got low because some pharmacists didn’t really know how to do it. Nothing “over the counter” worked for me at all.</p>
<p>FYI - additionally, though I do hate the overuse of antibiotics…I was prescribed one antibiotic once in my early adulthood that made my face look like porcelain - EVERYTHING “bad” went away. It was sheer perfection. Others have NOT worked as well since then and I don’t know which it was, I do know it was one of the family where you can’t go in the sun while on it (or you’ll burn).</p>
<p>Do you mean Kohl’s, epiphany?</p>
<p>OH, I see someone else made the same mistake I did. There is a LOT of Oil of Olay mentioned on here. It’s not greasy, doesn’t bother my allergies. But I’m NOT using “Regenerist”…I thought it was. I used to use the “old/plain” Oil of Olay", but turned 50 and upgraded to …um…I don’t know what it’s called but it’s in a pinkish pump. I think it had a black box too. Anyway, it’s thicker, but you still just don’t even feel it - it just disappears, and gets rid of the shower-dryness, and provides sunscreen and a great foundation for your…um…foundation. Nope, not an Oil of Olay rep…just a long time user.</p>
<p>I have not read through this entire thread, so I apologize if someone else already mentioned this…</p>
<p>Many moisturizers contain estrogen, so they are now cautioning women to check the ingredients…they can contribute to breast cancer-</p>
<p>[Estrogen</a> in moisturizers may worsen breast cancer - Caring4Cancer](<a href=“http://www.caring4cancer.com/go/home/news?NewsItemId=20081215elin028.xml]Estrogen”>http://www.caring4cancer.com/go/home/news?NewsItemId=20081215elin028.xml) </p>
<p>I used an all natural vitamin E cream for years that I loved (Jason’s brand), and even it contained an estrogen. I now use vitamin e oil mixed with some avocado oil. I found the list of ingredients to watch out for online about 3-4 months ago. I am happy with the results of the vitamin e/avocado oils.</p>
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<p>No- she means Kiehl’s. It’s a private brand that prides itself in minimal packaging and no advertising (to speak of). There are stand-alone stores in NYC and now in majore upscale malls and the products are also sold in a few higher end department stores. All natural ingredients and very excellent skincare products, shampoos, hand creams etc. Great stuff.</p>
<p>I have to put in a plug for Bliss products- you can actually buy this oxygenating mask that is three minutes of happiness. Really brightens up your skin. Pricey, but then you follow up with the affordable Oil of Olay (in the pink bottle). It’s like a mini facial. I love it.</p>
<p>Hillary Clinton using botox? I find that hard to believe. I think that she is quite attractive, but in strong lighting all the signs of age are apparent.</p>
<p>When I think of overdoing the extreme dermatology thing, I think of certain actresses in their 60’s with very smooth skin - but they look wierd.</p>
<p>I like the shop decor in Kiehl’s but I don’t like to put petroleum on my skin
( After I bought it, I noticed that the lip balm contains it)
I do like shea butter though.
[Hand</a> Crafted Shea Butter](<a href=“http://www.alaffia.com/hand-crafted-shea-butter]Hand”>http://www.alaffia.com/hand-crafted-shea-butter)</p>
<p>Bliss products are wonderful but quite expensive. They have cute packaging and marketing, too.</p>
<p>I swear by copper peptide serum. It’s not moisturizer, but a specialty serum that contains patented copper peptides. It’s available from [Skin</a> Treatment Products to Improve Skin Texture, Tighten Facial Skin and Improve Skin Tone with Copper-Peptides<a href=“I%20have%20NOTHING%20to%20do%20with%20them,%20I%20am%20just%20a%20very%20impressed%20customer”>/url</a>. I think it has an amazing anti aging and wrinkle reducing properties. It’s slow acting though. Takes several months to see the different, but then again, the only quick fix is a cosmetic surgery. Even their web site is all about explanation on clinical trials and science behind it, NOT celebrity mumbo jumbo. I had fine lines starting form between the eyes, around the eyes etc, and they are all gone and not returning. I swear by it. </p>
<p>I don’t buy any expensive cosmetics with celebrity models, marketed through Saks Fifths and such. I buy specialty items from the on line stores such as one mentioned above mostly featuring almost medical grade skin care products. I believe most expensive skin care creams are just fluff: most of the “price” you pay is marketing expense. The ingredients are about the same. I use Oil of Olay for basic moisturizer. Even these, on ebay are routinely sold at 60-70% discount including shipping and handling.</p>
<p>Also, you should check out the latest Environment Working Group report on sun screens. You would be amazed how MOST of the well known products are useless. </p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.ewg.org/whichsunscreensarebest/2009report]2009”>http://www.ewg.org/whichsunscreensarebest/2009report]2009</a> Suncreen Guide | Environmental Working Group](<a href=“http://www.skinbiology.com%5DSkin”>http://www.skinbiology.com)</p>
<p>If I am allowed to keep only ONE skin care product, it will be the best sunscreen I can find: UV rays are the number one skin destroying agent, and no amount of skin care products will keep you looking young if proper sun protection is not done. I use only physical barrier stuff with Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, NO sun screen based on chemical barrier: they are not stable and won’t last more than a couple of hours under the sun, and you have to wait for 20-30 minutes after you put it on and before you go out. Physical barriers work long, immediately, and blocks both UVA (most harmful, and most chemically based sun screen does not block this properly) and UVB (this is what most name brand sun care products, expensive or not) protects you against.</p>
<p>hyonjlee: How do you lessen the whiteness of the sunscreens with Titanium Di and/or Zinc oxide? The strong natural sunscreens (physical barrier as opposed to chemical) actually have a white color to them that when on the skin makes one look deathly pale. I have to mix it with some foundation (which makes for a lot of stuff on my skin on a summer day) or just look artificially white. I see traces of zinc oxide from my hands in the black interior of my car all the time! Chemical may be more dangerous but certainly easier to work with. I use a bit of both right now. any tips?</p>
<p>well, actually, there are powder style sun screens based on titanium dioxide and zinc oxcide. there are Jane Iredale pressed powders (SPF 20) that I like very much. Recently Revlon and Loreal and others started to market them too. They are all SPF 15-20 range. There are other creamy make up foundations that have good physical ingredients in them.</p>
<p>As for those marketed as “sun screen” not make up, there is colorsense (sp?) products (sunforgettable). They have a tinted version. I actually find these tinted SPF 30 physical barrier powder products work much better than any make up products: it provides all the sunscreen I need plus a light coverage. Plus, I can use throughout the day without looking like a Kabuki doll with white cream pasted layers and layers.</p>
<p>The problem with the chemical sun screen is not just the health issue but it fails to do the main job it is supposed to: blocking harmful rays. It does block out UVB, but not really UVA - the real culprit for lasting sun damage that ages the skin. Note that UVA penetrates glass so you can get all the sun damage your little heart desires just sitting at the kitchen table during the day. You don’t notice the damage since glass blocks out UVB so your skin will remain pale. Even on a cloudy day, UVA is diligently at work. Since it goes through layers of cloud. The only truly safe time against UVA is when the sun is down or while you are wearing physically based sun block lotion.</p>
<p>My dermatologist recommends Blue Lizard suncreen - I see it is also recommended by EWG. The bottle turns blue in the presence of UVA rays and it is disconcerting to see how quickly it changes in the car or next to a window. I have had many cancerous spots removed over the years and I have rosacea so my sun bathing days are long gone.</p>
<p>Thanks so much - I will definately look for the colorsense product. I like the ease of having some color with the sunscreen. I always read that spf 15-20 isn’t quite high enough for good protection and so try to go 30 or higher. I liked your kabuki doll analogy - exactly how I look sometimes! thanks again…</p>
<p>For those who would like to try some higher-priced products without risk, Nordstrom and Sephora will allow you to return used products for a full refund if they don’t work for you. Just keep the receipt.</p>
<p>I use, on the advice of my dermatologist, Elta MD UV Daily SPF 40 moisturizer/sunscreen. The active ingredients are zinc oxide (9%) and octinoxite (7.5%). I’m not sure what the second one is. This product is very light and completely nongreasy. It sinks in right away without a trace. I have never worn foundation, and can’t stand anything heavy on my face. </p>
<p>Thank you for the link to EWG, hyeonjlee. I want to check out this sunscreen and the ones I buy for my kids.</p>
<p>It’s not colorsense; it’s colorscience. I just looked it up.</p>
<p>NYMomof2: I just ordered the Elta MD UV Dairly SPF 30 moistuerizer/sunscreen. I’ve been looking for something like this.</p>
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<p>Pride is a major character flaw for Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and many others. I’m atheist and I think pride reflects poorly on one’s character.</p>
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<p>Not that many years ago Americans thought, “Whether racism is ideal or not is beside the point: it just <em>is</em>.” And women who wanted to work outside the home were likewise informed that men didn’t want to work for women, and women must accept the way it is. Women buying into ideals of beauty is precisely what makes it possible for employers and others to judge and discriminate based on appearance. </p>
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<p>Most people are pretty ordinary looking, not exceptionally attractive, so most people on this thread aren’t talking about “preserving beauty” but of “trying to look younger than their age.” Race, gender, socioeconomic class, and physical attractiveness are all ways in which close minded people judge other people, and it seems wrong to me to defend judging people by appearance by claiming, “it just <em>is</em>.” If it <em>is</em> it’s only because people allow it to be, and if it’s wrong, the practice should be stopped.</p>
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<p>So did I. (10 char.)</p>