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Tue Nov 24, 2009 10:08 am  |
Hey Y'all,
New here, by about 5 minutes. I was lurking for a couple of hours a few nights ago, and there seems to be a cornucopia of information on this forum, so I thought I'd present my issues here hoping for some help.
I'll be 50 in April, and just over the past couple of years have really been staring down the sags on my face and upper eyelids, the vertical lines on my upper lip, and the beginnings of jowls. Cheeks seem kinda flat, like the fat that was once there dropped down next to my mouth giving me that bloodhound look. It's not TOO terribly bad, but I really notice it when there's overhead lighting and a mirror, such as when I'm in the salon chair getting my hair cut.
I see posts here concerning the general opinion of vitamin C syrum and retinol, or retin-A. Also opinions of copper peptides. I live in a small town with the luxuries of both a Walgreen's and a CVS across the street from each other, and want to know who has an opinion on drugstore products that answer those issues or descriptions. I'm a laid-off, full-time student, darn near broke, so $$ are an issue to me at this time. I also would rather not order online right now, unless doing so would be a real money-saver.
Oh...also, who has an opinion on the Merlot skin care line? The lady at Walgreen's raves about it. I bought the trial size of the night cream and a tube of the anti-wrinkle stuff. I'm barely into 2 weeks of it, so if anyone has any experience to share, I'd like to hear it. I couldn't find anything specific in a search of the forum.
I would really appreciate any and all suggestions apart from wearing a bag over my head. I thank you all in advance.
So, who wants to go first? |
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Tue Nov 24, 2009 4:13 pm |
| If you can afford buy some Retin-A, I would start with that. You can get it from alldaychemist.com, it is relatively inexpensive if you buy in bulk. |
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:31 am |
| 2nd the RA (my mom is in her 50s and she is getting ready to start using this.) Keep using a good sun protectant. Maybe some good antioxidants and if your skin likes oils that may be good as well. I like stuff from GardenofWisdom. Also, as far as the C serum, I am not really sure what age people should start using it, but I imagine 50s is the perfect time to start. It is much cheaper/fresher to make your own serum. I am going to try to make one for my mother. |
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:17 pm |
| I 3rd RA! I would also recommend Alphaderma CE,considering it's a 4 oz. bottle it really isn't very expensive. I'm 56 and have similar issues and these 2 products have helped quite a bit. The RA has helped soften lines, smooth & tone the skin and gives a glow. I wish I had started RA when I was forty. Alphaderma has helped me with firming and made my skin look healthier. Hope this helps. |
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:04 pm |
Thanks, all! I DO want to get some RA. Must I get a prescription? I can't afford a derm visit right now, so can I still order some from somewhere? And brierrose, how long have you used your C serum, and how long did it take you to notice firming? It's online, I take it?
And is an alpha-hydroxy face cream similar to retinoids? I thought it all was tied in to the "A" thing...alpha, retin-A, vitamin A....I have a Walgreens brand AH cream, inexpensive, says it's 8% of pure 70%, don't know what that means exactly, but it does sting a little when I first put it on. I also bought a baby hairbrush and gave my face a good whisking for about 5 minutes before the cream, as I've been reading also about dry-brushing....jowls, you know. |
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:08 pm |
Hi blugrass,
The Alphaderma CE isn't actually a C serum although it has Vit.C in it. I noticed a difference after about 3 months of 2X a day use. Now I just use it in the a.m. & Retin-A at night. It's the DMAE in it that's supposed to firm the skin. Alphaderma is available here at EDS for $109.00 for 4oz. which might seem expensive but it works out to $27.50 per oz. so I find it very reasonable. You can check it out here at EDS & read the reviews.
Alpha-hydroxy exfoliates the surface of the skin & does improve it's appearance but RA works in the deeper layers & I think is more anti-aging although it also exfoliates.
I get Retin-A by prescription from my family Dr. but I live in Canada & it's very inexpensive. From what I understand if you order from alldaychemist.com you don't need a script. Hopefully those who order their RA from there will chime in & give you more info. |
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Thu Nov 26, 2009 7:15 am |
Hi Bluegrass:
My suggestions for effective skincare on a budget include:
For exfoliation:
Alpha Hydroxy souffle is relatively inexpensive in general - I bought mine at TJMAXX for 10.00. You can also get it on AMAZON.com and sometimes ebay. It does a great job smoothing the skin.
Also you can exfoliate with a rough wash cloth on a daily basis. -
Retin A (use at night) - Alldaychemist.com is a site that has RA VERY inexpensive- a few dollars. You can get varying strengths and work your way up. The part that costs is the shipping. But if you stock up you can really do well. (that's what I do). Also suggest getting yourself some Careprost for eyelash growth - just a little extra tip to pretty things up!
C-serum is great stuff - I don't know the line you mention (merlot?). I do know that most drugstore brands do not have high concentration of actives (the stuff that really works and what you're paying for) in them. Many here DIY (do it yourself) with the Vitamin C. Kassy has some great and inexpensive recipes. I have made my own C-serum and it is effective.
I've purchased expensive lines and have not been all that impressed so don't get too concerned about that.
Cellbone.com is a WONDERFUL place to get super effective products at great prices. AND they send freebies (sometimes full-size). They have terrific C-serums.
Remember what you eat shows on the outside too. Also I would suggest looking at Facial Exercise as a way to lift your face. It works. I love it and can't rave enough about the results in general.
Good luck - If I come up with any more brilliant ideas I'll let you know 
Sis |
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Enjoying dermalogica with my ASG and Pico toner ** Disclosure: I was a participant without remuneration in promotional videos for Ageless Secret Gold and the Neurotris Pico Emmy event. |
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Thu Nov 26, 2009 7:51 am |
The Merlot line is based on grapeseed oil.
I also say Retin A, a good sunscreen, and an anti-oxidant serum for the morning (not necessarily just C, possibly one that has several different types of antioxidants in it).
If you are interested in an AHA product, you could also check the pharmacy section of your stores for Aquaglycolics. It is good stuff, too. |
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Thu Nov 26, 2009 12:50 pm |
Welcome Bluegrass, I'm guessing from your post you're from the States. Don't they charge us a bundle for Retin A here! I too order from AlldayChemists. They ask you for the name of your doctor, and I fill in the name of my dermatologist, whom I can't afford to see anymore. I just ordered 12 Retin A's because the cost is all in the shipping ($25 for shipping).
Sister Sweets if you see this what is that Careprost that you recommended for the lashes. Does it work? Is it related to latisse? Thanks |
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I am from LI, New York, and enjoy reading and sometimes posting on beauty boards |
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havana8
Moderator
 
Joined: 09 Sep 2005
Posts: 3451
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Thu Nov 26, 2009 2:25 pm |
| MarieIG wrote: |
Welcome Bluegrass, I'm guessing from your post you're from the States. Don't they charge us a bundle for Retin A here! I too order from AlldayChemists. They ask you for the name of your doctor, and I fill in the name of my dermatologist, whom I can't afford to see anymore. I just ordered 12 Retin A's because the cost is all in the shipping ($25 for shipping).
Sister Sweets if you see this what is that Careprost that you recommended for the lashes. Does it work? Is it related to latisse? Thanks |
Not Sis, but here is one thread that talks about the Careprost, Marie:
http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=35941&highlight=careprost |
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Sat Nov 28, 2009 10:17 pm |
I can't recommend a C serum from Walgreen's but I can tell you one to NOT get from Walgreen's. They have one brand & I don't have the package anymore to know the brand, sorry 'bout that, however it is easy to spot. It is on a box, has a bottle of serum & 4 vials which is supposed to be vit c powder inside the vials. Each vial has marking on it for 7 days of use so you can dump out the same amount each day & mix with 3-4 drops of the serum. By theory it sounded good, would be fresh mixing it each day right on your hand I thought. I had used Philosophy vit C Booster powder before & it really was not to bad, except it was before I found LAA much cheaper than Sephora & Philosophy.
Anyway, this is the only one you will see with vials of vit c powder to mix yourself. I tried day after day to mix this stuff with their serum & it just will not mix. You end up with a big fat mess in your hand. It feels like "silica". I wasted one vial & even tried to dissolve it in water & it set there for 2 days! I tried to put it on my face thinking it would work anyway, it feels gritty & really gross actually.
On a brighter note, I still have 3/4 of the bottle of the serum left & it has some fair to good ingredients in it. I have been reading up here & studying more & am going to try to make something else out of it LOL. The serum by itself does feel really good on your skin. |
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