How often do you hear that? Maybe not as much as you used to? Maybe not ever?
Yes, some people are naturally blessed with great skin. I am not one of them. I have a history of acne, acne scars, eczema, and you name it.
I’ve worked hard over the years for the skin I have now, and am happy to say people finally say ”your skin looks great” to me. So get ready to hear it too after you try these tried and true beauty secrets that have worked for me and keep my skin looking clear, young, and glowing, even in my 40s.
It doesn’t happen overnight, but consistency and patience are your friends.
Below, I’m going to share with you the best products and treatments I’ve had that have made and continue to make a huge difference for me.
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– Tretinoin (brand name Retin-A)
This magic cream is a Jack of all trades and generations when it comes to skin woes. I started using this back in my 20’s for acne treatment. At the same time, my mom used it for anti-aging (her skin was always so plump and gorgeous).
It works by regulating skin cell turn over, keeping pores clear and treating fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, or rough skin caused by sun damage. You will see your skin tone will even out, your pores will shrink, and because it also promotes collagen production, you will maintain a youthful glow and bounce in your skin.
I wish I could give you a link to follow to get your hands on this stuff, but it is by prescription only. So you’ll just have to stop by your dermatologist for a prescription first.
It can cause some irritation and dryness, so make sure you are diligent about moisturizing. I like to mix mine with my moisturizer when I apply it, and only use it a few nights a week.
Speaking of moisture, I will use this opportunity to segue into my top favorite moisturizers.
I found out about this one from my dermatologist. They gave me a sample after I complained of dry skin that nothing seemed to help. I quickly became a believer! I use this on my face and body.
It has prebiotics to help rebalance your skin’s microbiome. It also has shea butter, niacinamide, and ceramide-3. It’s fragrance free and gentle, and is suitable for babies to adults, so I have my whole family using it.
I use this after every shower and my skin is instantly hydrated and soft, and it lasts all day. It truly has been a game changer for my skin.
Now, I would be amiss if I didn’t also include an SPF on this list, which brings me to my next favorite..
I love this product! I’ve been using Elta MD moisturizers with SPF for years, then I stumbled upon this specific gem. It feels great on my skin!
This facial sunscreen improves sun-damaged skin, restores skin suppleness, and even has ginger in it to reduce any inflammation you may have going on.
It is tinted for light coverage, and most days this is all I wear and I feel confident leaving the house without any makeup on. Of course, you can get it without the tint as well. On days that I do wear makeup, I wear it underneath.
So I start with my La Roche-Posay moisturizer, then put this tinted SPF on top, then either go on my way or add makeup on top. My makeup goes on smoothly and evenly over these products and my skin is radiant!
I have one more product that I use regularly that is worth mentioning..
I recently started using this product about 6 months ago, and I have noticed my skin looks brighter and more even. Vitamin C is an important part of a sound skincare regimen for these reasons.
I don’t use it every single day, just because I find that it can feel a little irritating because I also use the tretinoin. If you do use both these products at the same time, make sure that you’re using the vitamin C during the day and you use the tretinoin at night.
On the days I do use this, I put in on over my La Roche-Posay moisturizer, before I put on the Elta MD sunscreen.
Ok. Now let’s move on to treatments! I get excited about this part. There’s not much I love more than treating myself to a skin treatment. It’s a big part of my self-care and I put money aside to save up for these a couple times a year.
– CO2 Fractional Laser
This is a non-invasive laser treatment that is great for skin resurfacing. I started doing these to address acne and chick pox scars on my face. I did a series of treatments and saw a noticeable difference.
Laser is also great for promoting collagen, reducing lines and wrinkles, shrinking pores, and smoothing out your skin and skin tone.
There are different types and different wavelengths used depending on your needs. Find a dermatologist or med spa that has a lot of experience with laser treatments and book a consult to see if it’s right for you.
I’ve seen at-home laser treatments are starting to hit the market. Obviously these won’t be as powerful, but could be worth looking into as well. I have not tried one yet, but I will let you know when I do! I’m waiting for more to come out before I decide to make that investment.
– Microneedling with Radio-frequency
You might have heard about microneedling when it first came out several years ago, but now they have come out with microneedling that also uses radio-frequency to heat up your skin as far down as the needles reach, which gives you greater results. Yay!
I had this done for the first time earlier this year and I loved it. I did it on my cheeks, under eyes, and even across my c-section scar.
RF microneedling has no downtime. My skin just looked a little pink and plump after, which I loved. 🥰 It is a safe and effective method for treating signs of aging and scarring.
The RF energy heats the underlying layers of skin, causing constriction and tightening of the skin, as well as the stimulation of collagen and elastin. Yes, please!
Again, you will want to make sure to find a dermatologist or med spa that has experience doing this and consult with them about it before you decide whether or not it is suitable for your skin and goals.
Ok, I have one more treatment that I’ve done a few times and would definitely recommend..
– Hydrafacial
Normally I’m not really a fan of facials, except for relaxation. I think they’re more “fluff” and I’d rather spend my money on results; however, when I tried the Hydrafacial, I was like “ok, this is actually doing something!”.
They use a pen device that exfoliates, cleanses, extracts, and adds hydration to your skin (it felt similar to a microdermabrasion, but did more).
All your dead skin, dirt, and debris go into a little container and they show you the dirty water afterward so you can see everything that came out of your skin. I found that so cool!
Your face will feel sooooo soft and clean afterward. This is perfect if you’re looking for a quick boost in radiance or a little self care on the weekend.
You can find this service offered at med spas and some places that offer recovery services. You just have to search for it in your area.
Now you know my tips and beauty secrets. I hope they will help you as much as they’ve helped me.
I will keep you updated on all my favorite products and services along my journey.
Follow me for more upcoming content like this, and share with a friend!
Here’s to glowing, radiant skin! 😍
Mary
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