Lately, when it comes to taking care of my skin, I feel like I’m on the fast pass-express lane on the freeway– I could have been driving in the other 5 lanes like a normal person for years, but now I need to catch up — Buy whatever it takes to get me where I need to go before my time runs out. I’m not sure what took me so long to get on the healthy skin bandwagon, but here I am. Almost 38 years old and basically playing catch up.
For years now, I’ve relied on family genes to justify my lack of attention to taking care of my skin. Have you seen my Nana? She’s 85 years old and as her boyfriend Burt says: “She looks like she has the body and face of a 40 year old!” Nana’s secret for keeping her skin so soft and virtually wrinkle free all these years: Every night, after she washes her face, she uses old-school Nivea cream. That’s it.
While I tried the thick white cream for a short period of time, I broke out terribly and ultimately gave up, because, well, as much as Burt might like it, I smelled like Nana. However, watching her skin glow after all these years using one product consistently has proved to me that the real trick to having great skin is having a routine and sticking to it. Needless to say, since Jonah was born almost 7 years ago, I not only have not had a routine, but I’ve done a school drop off with last night’s eye makeup (and a great pair of Tom Ford sunglasses) more than I’d care to admit.
Combine a not always clean face with natural anti-agers like sun and stress and voila: Hello, wrinkles. As I wrote about a couple times, I did invest in some “adult” eye cream and absolutely have seen a big change around my eyes as far as crow’s feet and puffiness (as long as I stay away from gluten! I notice an immediate change in puffiness when I eat it.) As much as I love my Le Mer eye balm, it’s not enough to correct and change my destiny on the skin train.
Well thank god for good friends that will not only tell you that to your face, BUT give you a solution to help you with said face. My dear friend Sara Sloan is an Executive Consultant for Rodan +Fields, which is considered one of the hottest skin care lines on the market these days. Developed by the same dermatologist who created the super popular Proactiv System, Rodan + Fields is meant to treat those with complex skin problems, sun damage, and wrinkles with one simple regimen. Exactly what I need. I need A PLAN. I needed someone to tell me exactly what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. As much as I love my different department store products, when you buy “a la carte,” it’s hard to get someone that’s not a dermatologist to give you a plan that is actually good for your skin.
After meeting with Sara, we decided that my marionette lines were the first things that needed tackling (trying to not be too harsh on myself but, hey, I’ve smiled A LOT for 37 years. Insert my eye roll here). So we decided the REDEFINE was the best line for me. The redefine regimen is designed to help with the appearance of lines, pores and loss of firmness. And since I’m amping up my attention to skin, it should come as no surprise that I selected the REDEFINE AMP It Up Special.
Because I workout some mornings immediately after school drop off, and sometimes on my lunch break, I wanted to figure out the best time for my “am” regimen. I realize it’s not rocket science but having someone tell me exactly what to do is what I needed! Sara gave me this plan:
Morning Workout Days:
After wake up:
1. Wash face with Cetaphil.
2. Use Triple Defense Cream.
Mornings or After workout:
1. Wash with Daily Cleansing Mask.
3. Under eye cream.
Nightly:
1. Makeup off with eye clothes.
2. Daily Cleansing Mask.
3. Toner
4. Roller (Note! I’m exactly 1 week in. I will start doing this next week! I’m amping up… literally!)
5. One capsule of Night Renewing Serum. Use all over but focusing on the lines.
6. Eye cream.
7. Overnight Restorative PM Cream (dime size).
As I said, I’m one week in and while there isn’t a noticeable difference on my lines, I will say my skin tone looks really bright and my face (when washed) feels so clean!
Like any regimen with proven results, there’s always a “before…” And while I’m not thrilled about posting these “no makeup” selfies, I think it’s worth sharing so we can actually see if my new plan works. So ladies and gentlemen, the before….
Be sure check back with me in 2 months to see how my skin has changed and if I can get rid of those pesky lines! To find out more about all the fabulous products from Rodan + Fields visit www.sarasloan.myrandf.com or email Sara at skinconsultant@yahoo.com.
EDEFINE Triple Defense Treatment is a moisturizing treatment with photostable broad spectrum SPF 30 protection. It contains a clinically proven concentration of powerful peptides to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and visibly firm skin. SHIELDrf provides effective broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and visibly decelerates the signs of photoaging that appear over time. 30mL/1Fl. Oz