Middle Aged Beauty Techniques

[Anonymous]

What are some of the best products for middle aged adults to help with the appearance of dark circles, crow's feet, and pores.

[gkacij]

Differin (adapalene) 0.1%, brand name or generic. This is another retinoid cream. Until about 2015 it was by prescription only. Now it’s OTC around $13 a tube at all major drugstores/supercenters. Sephora might even have one. Use for anti-aging, acne, skin texture. Makes my skin look tight and fresh. I’ve extended my skincare routine now, but for more than 10 years it was cleanser, Differin, and sunscreen/moisturizer in the a.m. If you’re looking to start simple, it worked for me until I just developed a skincare addiction. Originally got from derma for acne, but I believe that in spite of years of sun exposure and damage, THIS is THE PRODUCT that has kept my skin looking great. Other retinoids will prob work the same, but the tretinoins were always too harsh for my complexion so it’s nice to have an alternative.

[arealvalentine]

Caudelie Vinoperfect Brightening Essence one of my new favourites, makes my skin look bright and years younger after one use, I love it 🙂 I use it at night once a week as a little pick me up on the weekends

[Rolexus]

I’m 54 so I’ve been fighting the good fight for some time. I can only relate what I’ve found effective but believe me—I have gone thru a lot of products til I found my HGs. I also see a Dermatologist so most of what I use has been thanks to her recommendations. I. Pores A good Glycolic Acid Toner is a must. Anything below 7% is next to useless according to my Dermatologist. Luckily Sephora now carries The Ordinary 7% Glycolic Toner which retails for $8.70. I also moisturize with Peter Thomas Roth’s 10% Glycolic Moisturizer as my last step before sunscreen. Of course a regular mask works wonders to shrink pipes. My HG is Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor. It’s a 2-for-1 exfoliator & clay mask. Don’t know what I did without it. II. Wrinkles I use Peter Thomas Roth’s Unwrinkle Pads daily which shrink my pores as well as act as a solid peel to address fine lines & wrinkles. However if you really want to smash deeper lines I can’t talk up PTR’s Hungarian Thermal Mask. Trust me on this one—it heats up when you add water & even my miserable laugh lines wash away for a while. I also regularly use The Ordinary’s 10% Lactic Acid. Sunday Riley’s Good Genes is the same—at $100+/Oz versus TO’s which is >$10. As far as Retinol, my Dermatologist prescribed Tretinoin cream by Obaji Medical. Sephora carries their OTC version Retinol .5 by Obaji Clinical. Honestly, I can’t see a difference. III Age Spots/Sun Damage/Discoloration Vitamin C! I read somewhere that any C concentrate under 20% isn’t as effective just as any OVER 20% is useless since that’s the max skin absorbs. You can spend the Gold of the Incas on that, so Don’t. I now use The Ordinary’s Vitamin C solution Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution in Vitamin F. Vitamin C oxidizes so don’t freak if you see brownish residue on your towels. And ALWAYS wear sunscreen over it because the sun breaks down Vitamin C. I swear by Shiseido. And last but not least, use an Oil after all your products are on (except sunscreen) to seal in your skin’s moisture barrier. I love Biossance Squalane Oil Which Sephora carries. It’s awesome! Sorry for being long winded. I could go on but won’t. Let me know if you have any questions. Happy Hunting!

[pest13]

thank you for this helpful post!

[Anonymous]

How do you use both The Ordinary Glycolic Acid and retinol?  On different nights?  Thanks again for the suggestions!

[gkacij]

What a great list! Sooooo many great swaps from TO that I’ve been wanting to research. Thanks!!!

[nancylapeach]

This is an awesome description! I am in the process of changing some things so I plan to gradually introduce some of the products you recommended. Thanks very much for taking the time to do this!

[Rolexus]

Thank you! You know with all the shady products sold out there with their too-good-to-Be-True promises, we have to be our own advocates. My Dermatologist told me which solutions to adhere to and which to stay away from Cuz in her words “they’re garbage.” Healthy skin is possible at any age. It means a lot to me to hear you say this helped you. Stay beautiful, Cheers!

[cgduchess]

That was the BEST breakdown of great products to use that I’ve ever read! Thank you for being so thorough! I’m an Obaji and PTR girl so I can identify with a lot of what you were saying. My best male friend is a Dermatologist so he keeps me stocked in Obaji products. I loved that product line. You seem to have an extensive knowledge of their products. Again, great breakdown! Thanks, a lot!

[Rolexus]

Thank you for being so kind! I’m so happy now we can buy Obagi OTC at Sephora. I was spending a fortune on Sunday Riley stocking my 31 y/o daughter as well as myself so I was elated though initially skeptical when The Ordinary came to Sephora. Girrrl I haven’t noticed the slightest skip in quality of performance since migrating to TO at all. For 10% of what SR costs. Sephora just expanded TO’s product line so now the carry Squalane Oil at a fraction of what I’ve been paying for Bioessence. Hallelooo!!! Stay lovely, cheers!

[Anonymous]

l really appreciate this list because I'm 52 and need all the help I can get as born-raised-still living there south Florida girl.  I'm going to Sephora asap!