I hadn’t been to a dermatologist before until this year. It wasn’t that I didn’t care about my skin; I just didn’t think I needed professional help or advice on what to do. At the urging of makeup artists I work with, I decided to see what all the fuss was about at least one time. It couldn’t hurt to just try it once, right?
I won’t name names, but I visited a doctor’s office that sees some of the biggest celebrity names in the country. (One ultra-famous talk show host flies in for her visits!) I figured if I was going to spend the money, I should go big or go home. So I went to visit the best of the best to find out exactly what I should do from now on. The advice I received was so incredibly helpful, I wanted to share the awesome tips with you and save you the expensive doctor’s visit.
First up? Get that skin clean…and not with harsh products. I showed you my CeraVe Face Wash in a previous post, so that’s my everyday cleanser of choice. But it’s how you use your cleanser that makes a difference. I fell in love with Foreo because it deep cleans gently, massages the face, and can be used in and out of the shower. Just put on your cleanser and use the device in a circular motion across the face to work the product in. I can tell a huge difference in how my skin feels after using it. Just in time for Christmas, Sephora has the travel size Foreo with their cleansers, which are also fantastic and gentle. I like having the full-size version for use at home, and I keep the travel size charged up for those quick getaways or days when I need to change makeup in-between shoots. If you are working on your Christmas list, this is one thing that shouldn‘t be missed. It sets the stage for all the amazing products you spend good money on.
Next, I have another gadget-it’s a major investment in your skin. It’s worth every single penny. It’s the Tria Age-Defying Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser, which is FDA-approved. This little baby corrects fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes for by using it for just 2 minutes a day. You use the laser every day for 8 weeks, then take a little time off. I only wish I had taken “before” photos of my smile lines around my eyes, because nine weeks later, they look SO much better! I was completely blown away by how well this laser works. I used to spend money on regular microderm and photofacials at med spas, but this gave me the same (if not better!) results for much less money. After seeing my results, my mom bought the full face laser by Tria and loves it, too. This one is $250, but I’m serious….you won’t regret spending the money for one second. It’s amazing. (Tip: use it at night right before bed. It can leave your eyes red underneath and you don’t want to look as if you’ve been punched in both eyes at work. The redness typically subsides by morning, and is covered easily with concealer.)
Okay, now to the products. After cleansing at night and using the Tria Age-Defying Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser, I dab Neocutis Bio-Restorative Eye Cream under my eyes. The dermatologist couldn’t say enough great things about this brand. It’s a bit pricey, but once you read the reviews on the product, you’ll see why people spend the money. I let the cream sink in for a few minutes, and then top it with a light coating of good old Vaseline to keep the eye area moisturized and the eye cream locked in. (I heard Jennifer Aniston does the same thing with the Vaseline, and she looks incredible.)
Several days a week, the doctor recommended Biopelle Retriderm Serum to give my skin the benefit of Retinol. I started with the .05%, and moved up to 1% over time. Don’t start with the highest percentage unless you really, really want your skin to peel. The other nights of the week when I’m not using Biopelle, I love to use Dermalogica Multi-vitamin Power Serum after cleansing. The serum is light and gives my skin a much brighter glow! (It can be used morning and night, by the way.) Dermalogica is one of my personal favorite brands that just happens to also be in a lot of dermatologist offices. (Woo hoo-something I was already using before the doctor visit! Glad I got at least one thing right.)
On to the neck….the doctor stressed neck attention pretty heavily. I’ve begun to get “text neck”, with those wrinkles you get from looking down at the phone all day. StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream is where it’s at if you want to keep that neck skin from sagging and wrinkling. It tightens, lifts, and firms up the neck, keeping it hydrated and looking healthy. A wrinkly, sagging neck is a sure sign of either old age or that you haven‘t been taking good care of your skin, and this product is my go-to for keeping mine from becoming a turkey neck.
Another product that is great to have on hand for an at home facial is the StriVectin Oxygen Infusion Smoothing Mask. My skin tends to look dull, especially in the winter. I like this mask because it gets rid of the dirt that settles in my pores and removes those (gross) dead skin cells off the surface. I’ve read enough to know that an at-home facial routine is a great way to revitalize your skin without spending a lot of money, but it will look like you did. I’ve used facial masks from drugstores, expensive medspas, Sephora…and this one by StriVectin takes the cake. It doesn’t take much, either, so it will last you a while.
I used to buy the least expensive products for my skin because I figured they were probably all the same. BUT- all it takes is five minutes reading reviews of the products I’ve mentioned and you’ll be as convinced as I was that they are worth the money and time you will spend. I don’t do Botox or fillers of any kind, nor do I plan to at this point in my life. I think these gadgets and products are doing an excellent job of protecting my skin, keeping it youthful, and allowing my face to look natural. If you use or try any of the products I’ve mentioned, I’d love to hear from you!
Recommendation List:
Cleansing-CeraVe, Foreo
Eyes: Tria Age-Defying Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser, Neocutis Biorestorative Eye Cream, Vaseline
Face: Biopelle, Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Serum
Neck: StriVectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream
Face/Neck Facial: StriVectin Oxygen Infusion Smoothing Mask
Photography: S. Jackson
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