Oily skin can get wrinkles, too!

Back to the series! So, I know that there's this recurring myth out there that people with oily skin can stave off wrinkles longer. To a degree, this is true. The drier a person's skin is, the more obvious wrinkles will appear. But, companies have realized that there are those of us out there who want to try to fight them off as long as we can!

The tricky thing is that so many anti-aging products are highly moisturizing. Yeah, oily skin doesn't need all that. So, the quest for an oil-free product begins! One of the best recommended is made by SkinCeuticals. It's their Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream. Do not panic at the word "cream", by the way! This stuff is specifically made combat both signs of aging and blemishes. It is a perfect weapon in the war against wrinkles and zits! I found this product on http://www.dermstore.com/. It's a little pricey, but keep in mind that a little goes a LONG way. So, it's not like you're going to run out of this stuff in a month.

You're so sensitive!

Some people really, really want to use a retinol but are scared to because they have sensitive skin and usually want to avoid things like burning, redness, irritation, etc. Nothing says pretty like a tomato red face!

I digress- the good news is that there are anti-aging products out there for those of you who need a little more TLC. The best review I have found is for Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream. It contains a lesser concentration of the retinoid agent, thus creating less irritation. It also uses anti-oxidants to help refresh the skin and leave it soothed while fighting wrinkles.

This stuff comes in a day version that contains an SPF and a night version without. Give it a try, my sensitive ladies. See how it works for you!

Part one of a new series...

Several of you wanted me to get into anti-aging products. Retinols and such. So, each day, I am going to cover different skin types and the anti-aging products they should use. I'm going to start with normal skin today.

Oh, and really quickly- if you aren't familiar with retinols (or retinoids) they are a vitamin A derivative. This helps erase wrinkles and creates more collagen. More collagen= a more youthful appearance.

Ok, let's be clear. If you are serious about a retinoid, you need to get a prescription from a dermatologist. Because that stuff is THE REAL DEAL. Retin A being the mother of all. If, however, you are wanting something that you're not going to have to pay a co-pay and then possibly an arm and a leg for at the pharmacy, I am going to recommend some of the over the counter products I think you would like.

If your skin is pretty normal, not too oily or dry, Olay's "Regenerist" line has gotten nothing but positive reviews since it came out. And it should! They've been in the skin care business since our grandmothers were buying cold cream at the dime store! The great thing is that it is an entire line- not just one cream. They have cleansers and eye treatments and moisturizers and serums! They are all made to work together. Visit http://www.olay.com/ and wander over to the Regenerist page. It has all the products, user reviews, and you can even chat live with a skin care expert on what products you should use! Did I mention you can also print out a coupon for your first purchase?

A vitamin by any other name...

I've had some requests to discuss retinols. Since you can't really do the Reader's Digest version of this, it's going to be a multi-day blogging process. So, I'll start by saying this; Retinols are a derivative of Vitamin A. They do multiple things, but the 2 that they are know for is cell exfoliation and repair and regeneration of collagen. Both things make for creating younger looking skin. The trick is to find the right retinol for you. What is your skin type? How sensitive is it?

These are some of the questions I'll be going over in the next few days and making my recommendations from there.

Oh, and I wouldn't leave you without a tip for today. When you're applying your undereye moisturizer in the morning, be sure that it's not a heavy cream (you should be using a gel) and that it's completely absorbed before you start applying any kind of makeup. Otherwise, all that hard work you put into your eyeliner and mascara and undereye concealer is just going to be sliding down your face before you know it.