Retinol Remedy

As someone who is over 30 and well on her way to regretting every minute I spent in the sun (and tanning bed! yuck), I am always searching for the best ways to reverse all the bad I did. Serums and potions line my bathroom counter like soldiers fighting a war on the front line. Or at least my forehead lines. And though I do not know the secret to erasing anything, I have been following the simple advice of sunscreen all day, retinol at night. Have you tried retinol yet? 

I was prescribed it in the form of Ziana for my acne (is there anything worse than trying to fight wrinkles and acne? Somehow it feels super unfair), but have been trying other over the counter formulas. Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that has shown to regenerate cells, smooth lines, fade dark marks, and prevent new ones. 

And because I am such a sucker for a celebrity endorsement, my latest retinol experiment comes straight from the recommendation of Miss Jessica Alba.  Her favorite facialist, Shani Darden, has developed a retinol serum to wear at night. Resurface by Shani Darden. After stalking Alba's perfect skin, I had to try it. 

This product contains lactic acid as well, which helps keep your skin moisturized and makes it more possible for people with sensitive skin to use it. Retinol can be hard on your skin, many experience redness, so you should start using any retinol sparingly and work up to every night. I do not even use it every night, giving my skin a break a couple times a week. 

I highly recommend this retinol. It is pricey, not going to lie, but worth it for the punch it packs. The day after using it things always look a bit better and brighter. 

If you are looking for something from the drugstore, try Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Night Moisturizer. Really fantastic, has retinol in it, and works on all your skin problems all at once. 

What retinol products have you used that you love? You know I will go out and buy it immediately. ha

xo

Erin 

Skin Recovery

After a skin ravaging nine months of pregnancy and months of hormone levels trying to find some sort of normalcy, I feel like I have my skin back. Although dotted with the remains of acne past and present, I at least feel like I have a handle on it. 

Being in your thirties and fighting acne while also trying to fight wrinkles is a lot of work for one face to handle. From what I can tell from readers and other beauty blogs is that almost every girl out there is having the same problems. 

I am on two prescriptions that are very strong and not for everyone. A benzoyl peroxide gel that is mixed in house by my doctor and a retinoid gel that fights acne and wrinkles, Ziana. My skin can take a lot and is not sensitive. I have done some research and testing and there are plenty of OTC alternatives to try if you do not want to see your doctor. 

The key is retinols to fight lines and help turn over skin cell production, salicylic acid to blast bacteria, benzoyl peroxide to clean pores, and hyaluronic acid to keep skin moisturized without being oily. 

Look for products with those ingredients. Luckily there are a few that have a combination of them. 

In addition to my prescriptions, I use Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Night as my moisturizer when I go to bed. This has retinols and hyaluronic acid so you wake up with super smooth and moisturized skin. 

An over the counter benzoyl peroxide lotion from Clinque would be a great alternative to a prescription strength. Use on pimples you already have and problem areas that usually break out at night. Apply as your last product. 

Clear Days Ahead from Philosophy is a great cleanser that gets your skin super clean with salicylic acid. 

No one's skin is perfect, but my obsession with it will never die. In a couple of weeks, I will be getting a laser treatment to try and zap some of the acne scars on my face. Before and after pictures will hopefully show some results. Fingers crossed that it will be worth it. 

xo

Erin