Let’s Talk Skincare
As I head off to Houston this week for Rodan+Fields Convention, I thought I’d talk about my love of skincare and how consistency is key just like with anything else.
Me and one of my favorite skincare tools, the AMP MD Dermaroller.
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I love a good skin care regimen. I started focusing on caring for my skin when I was in my 30s. I quit baking in the sun regularly, started using quality products, and learned more about healthy habits that affect how my skin looks and feels. As most of you know I became a consultant for Rodan+Fields 8 years ago because I was introduced to them by a good friend who had been using the products and was really happy with her results. Over the years I have tried many high-end beauty products, everything from Lancome* to Chanel* to Obagi* and I didn’t love what I saw in the mirror every day. I got off a plane once during my Obagi phase and what I saw in the ladies’ room mirror was like a horror movie. Sheets of skin were peeling off my face. It was too harsh for me. I was also really unhappy with the skin around my eyes. I felt like it had started to get crepey and no amount of Botox was going to fix that.
I jumped in with both feet to R+F. I ordered the biggest business kit available at the time because I wanted to try it all. I wanted to use the Reverse Regimen to address my uneven skin tone from growing up in Florida and using baby oil all through high school. I wanted to use the Redefine Regimen to address the wrinkles that had accumulated around my eyes and across my forehead. I wanted to use the AMP MD Roller to firm up the skin on my face and neck and I was especially excited about the Multi-Function Eye Cream that everyone referred to as “eye-crack” because it was so good, it was addictive.
Each of the regimens is formulated with a unique Multi-Med Therapy. According to the website, “Purposefully layering high quality, scientifically-backed ingredients into proprietary formulations, and applied to the skin in just the right order so that each step effectively builds on the last.” There is no guesswork, no mixing and matching a wash from one brand with a moisturizer from another and a sunscreen from another. The regimens work assiduously to get the results you’re looking for. Whether it is fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots and melasma, rebuilding your skin barrier if you have sensitive skin, or if you’re dealing with adult acne, R+F has products that will work. I have used all of the regimens except Soothe because I’ve never struggled with sensitive skin but you better believe I pull out the Unblemish when I get hormonal acne and the Reverse has changed my skin tone in ways that chemical peels and other lightening creams had not.
I have tried lots of skin treatments over the years. Some worked for me and some not so much. I didn’t get much out of light chemical peels from my derm’s office but IPL did get rid of some of the larger dark spots and I feel like it gave me a boost in firmness. I am not averse to Botox and when work is good, I can justify getting a sprinkle every 4-5 months. I love how it just makes me look refreshed and not so tired. But I’ve also gone a year without it and I don’t feel like there is a major change to my face. Just like anything, this is where consistency comes in handy. Because I use quality skincare products EVERY DAY, I am pretty happy with my skin at 53. I always use sunscreen if I am going to be outside in the midday sun and I drink a gallon of water to keep my skin hydrated. When I fall short, I see it in my skin. The wrinkles seem a little deeper, my hands feel a little drier, and my lips a bit more chapped.
It’s not just the skin on my face I take care of, it’s my whole body. I do dry brushing* before I get in the shower to remove dead surface skin cells, and stimulate my lymph system to detox and energize my skin. It also increases blood circulation which naturally tightens and “depuffs” skin. Did you know that your skin is the largest organ of the body? So you also have to take care of it from the inside. Try to eliminate as many toxins as you can from sugar to alcohol to cleaning products. I try to eat a healthy diet including fruits, vegetables, and clean proteins to give my body the building blocks it needs to keep my skin in good shape. Drink all the water but also add electrolytes, whether that’s a pre-made powder like Ultima* or a homemade mixture of sea salt and lemon. I’ve also been taking collagen in some form for a couple of years to support my body. I’ve used Glotrition, Modere liquid collagen, and Glow from Organifi. I don’t drink coffee so I like collagen with a little flavor I can just add to my water bottle. We also drink bone broth which is full of collagen, which helps with hydration and improving skin elasticity. Another key component for skin health is SWEATING. When you sweat, whether from exercise or sauna-type treatments, you bring moisture to the surface of the skin, and it also acts as an exfoliant that prevents the buildup of dirt and grime in the pores. According to the US Dermatology Partners website “Regular exercise can help to prevent and reverse changes to skin health by changing mitochondrial DNA. Essentially, regular exercise tells the skin to behave as if it’s younger by producing more collagen, retaining moisture better, and increasing skin cell turnover rates.”
Here are just a few no-brainer tips for better skin.
-Never go to sleep with your makeup on. Washing the day’s grime, pollution, and makeup off before bed is the least you can do for healthy skin.
-Do I even need to say this? Don’t smoke.
-Get your skin checked every year by a dermatologist.
-Get good quality sleep. They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing.
-Reduce stress where you can.
There is so much more to this conversation so look for more on these topics in the future. I truly consider the investment I make in my skincare as a tool for my mental well-being. When I look my best, it helps me feel my best.
