When I found THIS picture! "Ahhhhh, 35. Look how creamy and soft". I reminisced. "Those were the days when I never even thought about my face" I barely had on any makeup in this picture.
Now I'm not saying I'm the image of beauty here, I'm strictly talking about the texture of my skin, and color of my skin. I could hardly see a blemish and certainly no wrinkles.
So my next question..."OMG! What do I do???"
The other picture that led to my frantic search |
I quickly began to search the web and read articles about what women approaching 40 should use as a daily facial regime.
I went to the Oprah website, and even though I'm not a fan of hers, she alway has really good information on the Fashion and Beauty section of her website.
I quickly learned that I should be using a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. To try and repair my damaged skin I needed creams and serums that contained vitamin C, E, B3, B5 peptides, antioxidants and glycolic acid. Sound pretty complicated if you ask me!
So the search began. Where does a missionary wife on a limited income find adequate beauty products to help her skin regain some of it's resilience and to protect it from future damage?? The thought was a bit overwhelming.
THEN it happened the miracle moment......I found the Philosophy skin care products which are wonderful. Very affordable and their creams, washes and serums have every thing you need in them.
There are a few items missing because I'm out at the moment. The one that's highly recommend is the Hope in a Jar (it stinks but it's a wonderful moisturizing cream) It was on Oprah's favorite things list one year , and Purity Made Simple which is the face wash, I'm using the Olay Regenerist at the moment.
So here it goes.
Are you ready??
- I start out my washing with the Purity Made Simple face wash
- Second, I use the When Hope is Not Enough, which saved the life of my skin.
- Not pictured, is a whitening cream with a small amount of steroids, that cost $20 that I bought here in Thailand
- Next, I put the Hope in a Tube around my eyes and my lips
- Lastly, I add the moisturizer which was Hope in a Jar but I'm substituting at the moment for Olay.
When I ordered this a year ago, I ordered a Basic Care Kit for only $100.
With that kit came a sample of the Microdelievery Peel which I highly recommend!! I only had the samples they sent me, which I made stretch for a week, but I saw a HUGE difference with only one week of use.
You'll notice a picture of Help Me. This is Retin A cream or Retinol. My skin did NOT like this stuff. It burned like crazy when I put it on and it made my skin more sensitive to the sun. So I didn't continue to use it.
The most amazing serum EVER!!! |
Hope in a Tube |
Night firming cream is VERY important when you're 40 or approaching 40! |
Okay, so I don't really know if that has anything to do with anything but it IS HOT here and the sun IS brutal!! SO, I don't leave home without my hat, if I'm going to be out in the sun for any length of time AND I wear a moisturizer with SPF of 30 to 50. Got it? Good!
Amen!
Here is a very close up of my face one year after this beauty regime!! Now there's still some spots and mild redness, but for the most part it looks like I had some laser treatment done! And I DIDN'T.
Although, would you believe me if I told you that I was so traumatized by the first picture posted, that I went to a laser clinic to see what the price would be......let's just say WAAAY out of a missionaries range!
And that's when I took matters into my own hands. ; )
The hat that I don't leave home without. |
Although, would you believe me if I told you that I was so traumatized by the first picture posted, that I went to a laser clinic to see what the price would be......let's just say WAAAY out of a missionaries range!
And that's when I took matters into my own hands. ; )
So this is for all of you my beautiful lady friends who might be having a mild panic of your own over the condition of your skin, or your age, or that you love sugar, or that your kids are driving you nuts, or any kind of panic at all.
OR
Maybe all of you are now convinced that I'm nuts. You were always thinking it in the back of your mind, but this post has now sealed the envelope.
Love
Amber