Lotions and potions

When I was in my early, mid, and late 20s, I took offense when someone thought that I was still a teenager. I would complain to co-workers or friends and often get the statement, "Oh, you will appreciate being mistaken for younger when you're older.

The first time I was giggly over being mistaken for younger was soon after #1 was born. Here I was, late 20s, a new mom, and found that I was mistaken for a middle schooler. I had to laugh at that one. It was a pretty good one. As I approach 40 (which is not that far off at all), I've had some fun times with being mistaken for younger, and I now appreciate my co-worker's comments.

Then, one day, it hit me. I could tell my laugh lines were becoming more pronounced. The crinkles around my eyes aren't deep, but they are there. My forehead creases stay, instead of disappearing, once I quit furrowing my brow.

Years ago, maybe 6 or 7, I had friends get me Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me and The Beauty Bible both by Paula Begoun.* We mostly used it to look at makeup choices that were inexpensive, but that would work best for our skin types. It also had good skin care routines, set up to help keep skin healthy and avoid early wrinkles. At that point, mostly, I might have gotten a blemish or two around that time of the month, but I wasn't really thinking about anything else and I didn't give the skin care routine a second thought. I used to, maybe, wash my face with water in the shower and maybe remove the eye makeup before I went to sleep. Ah, not anymore.

But now, I have turned to the pages with "Battle Plans for Wrinkles." She's very good at explaining the science behind your skin. Now I have a gentle cleanser for my face, a product with AHA and another product with BHA. Both are chemical exfoliators, removing the dead skin cells from the surface and from your pores. AHA is better for dry skin, which I have, and BHA is better for your blemish prone skin, which I also get, especially once a month. I have eye makeup remover, and moisturizer with SPF15. The biggest thing for skin is to keep the sun's rays off of it. I have another sunscreen for the summer with SPF 45 for my face. I also have some thicker facial cream for at night, especially in the winter.

Last winter, my face, especially my cheeks, always felt really dry and got incredibly flaky. Since I started being more diligent about a facial care routine, I think the exfoliators have helped keep the dry dead flaky skin away. Last year I was using the thick cream every night to soothe my skin, but this year, the light moisturizer seems to be all I need.

So, do I notice that the wrinkles seem to be getting less? I really don't know. Probably too early to tell. I guess I can say the new routine has helped my skin be less dry this winter, so that is a huge plus. Am I vain about my looks and staying young? Maybe. But, you have to admit it's nice when someone mistakes you for a 20 something.



*If you're interested in all this information, the best place to start is cosmeticscop.com. I can guarantee you'll find the reading interesting, at the very least. Paula Begoun seems to do a thorough check of all the brands you can imagine. The website has newsletters, and recently she sent one out to recession proof your beauty routine. It was about the best, least expensive skin care and makeup products available. Paula has her own line as well, and they are reasonably priced, too. I haven't tried them, because the ones I've found seem to work well enough.