My Own Skin Care Regimen

This is what I do and when and some venturing as to why it works for me as well as it does. See if it strikes you as try-worthy. If you think, I'd better get this or that product, you should get samples first of things you haven't yet tried. If it helps you, wonderful. If you try it and it flops, hopefully it was interesting to give it a go. If you read this and it doesn't feel right to you, you are, as I understand it, pretty darned likely to be correct in that. What matters is what works for you. But please do read on and let me know what you think, hit me with any questions, OK? 

First of all, make sure that you read ingredients on the website to be sure that there is no ingredient to which you are allergic in a product and if so, don't use it. 

I have very little time to devote to "doing my face" each day. But I DO do the following because it has saved (and is saving) my face (and thus, me) from looking old, quite well. There have been a couple of stretches of time where I didn't do much of any skincare and my skin showed it. So now I just do something lovely for my skin every day and it shines back a heartfelt (skinfelt?) thank-you. 

I am in the fortunate position, too, of being the recipient of your successes, aware of your successful methods of application and informed of what spa routines have been done with my products. This information has suggested to me ways to go. What I'm telling you is the distillation of this down to what works for me. I hope you find this info useful for arriving at your own optimum skin care approach.  

1. I cleanse — DreamSoap™, usually Lavender in Bloom™ or Fresh Flowers™. Use your favorite. Bare & Beautiful™ contains only the few essential oils in the basic recipe so less scent but less of what the added essential oils can do. Thus I prefer the others myself. Lavender is fabulous for any skin type, any at all including aging, acneic, combo, whatever (alien customers, particularly with scales, swear by the lavender). (ho, boy!) Actually any kind of DreamSoap is probably fine for anyone, with Lavender being the safest, surest if you're not sure...with the exception of Clarity being just for acneic or oily skin. To rinse I either do this in the shower where I have a water purifier or I pop my head over there to rinse just my face under the shower water (if I'm dressed, with a towel over my shoulders like a shawl). I do not, not, not like to rinse in polluted tap water. An option is to place a bottle of water you know is clean (I like Evian or Fiji) by the sink for rinsing your face (and mouth after brushing your teeth). If you're careful, a quart can last quite a while. Or install a purifier. 

2. I mask, often. I put some on my face and let it do its thing while I pick what clothes and jewelry to wear, get on my undies or go downstairs to make coffee. Doing the masque will add only a minute or so to my morning prep that way. I use Simply Sensational Masque™ usually in Rose but I love the Lavender, too, so it's whichever I can spare myself from what I have on hand. For a while, using this dropped out. I began again every day or every other day about three weeks ago and I see such a difference! I love the exfoliation...sometimes rub it around just a bit to add to that action when I first apply it (after being on the skin for several minutes it has absorbed gunk so I'd rather do that first), but that's not necessary for it to exfoliate. I let the masque get close to dry but not quite and then rinse it off. The amount I put on is not so thin a layer that it'll dry too quickly since I do want to give it about 15 minutes on my skin. If it is a thin layer just because of being sparing, I spray with my toner (Skin Perfection Mist) to moisten it so it can stay on longer to draw more gunk from my skin and permeate my skin with its nourishing ingredients. I get it under my chin where I can break out sometimes but usually not onto my actual neck. Now, I have allowed this masque to dry and actually, I enjoy that sensation, too, but in general I do not let it dry as I've been warned about that not being good for the skin. So, I rinse it off while still somewhat moist, tacky. 

I take some warnings with a grain of salt since moving my face has not caused wrinkles and man, was I ever warned about this by the ladies in my family! some of whom would get upset if they smiled too widely or overused their eyebrows. Sorry but, I could never live like that. I disagree that it has anything to do with wrinkling and if it does, gee-willikers, who cares THAT much about a wrinkle that she'd restrict expressiveness for a smooth face! If that were the case, I think I'd opt to go on a marketing campaign to sell everyone wrinkles...the more wrinkles, the more beautiful!! rather than give up freedom of movement and expression. Let' see..."Not enough wrinkles? Your husband looking at older women? Use Express-it!! and get a face full of deep lines fast!!" LOL  

Another: sunshine has not harmed my skin either. I got tons and tons of it in my teens...a very tanned kid. I still make sure I get sunshine smack straight on my face and as much skin as I can decently expose to it, every day it's emanating its blessings on the world. A lack of sun can be very dangerous. Don't burn. That's where hats and parasols come in...good to bring on a long stroll in the sun. 

The bad guys in terms of aging skin are those that make us ill. The skin reveals health, physical and mental, in my opinion. Rancidity -- talk about cancer-inducing!!, sugar (deadly), other previously alive and poisonous "food," drugs, too much alcohol, toxic chemicals, lack of sleep, unresolved upsets, dimming of zest for living, fretting, a sense of failure or lack of purpose, etc. Not animated facial movements or sunshine. It can get confusing because those who do not want us well indicate as culprits those things that would keep us well. 

Okay, back to the masque: this is weird, and I don't do it often...but it feels amazingly good: I apply it — but never let it dry there — to my under-eye area to help absorb toxins or just reduce puffiness if I have that going on there from lack of sleep. To remember not to let that dry, only do that area (not anywhere else on the face). Otherwise, like me, you might forget. And I rinse it off only a couple of minutes later. Don't let it dry there. I don't do emails or computer work while I mask or I will forget I have it on. So, you will rinse that off while it is still good and wet. 

Simply Sensational Masque is also a body mask...wonderful to use on your feet (put up on the edge of the tub) and other places like knees or tummy. It can be used as a poultice. 

If I apply the masque before a tub (use the Bath Ball unless you have whole-house purification or get water from a safe, clean well), I keep it on while I soak. I leave it on til after the tub is done, then rinse it off with shower water (purified) after the water is drained out of the tub so the water I rinse with is clean water that I have not soaked and washed in. Another reason to not rinse into the bath water is if you do, you may feel that you need to wash the tub when you get out. To me, that defeats the purpose of taking a good, lazy soak. After a relaxing bath with perhaps Sea Bath salts and an essential oil blend, candle, ahhh!  scrubbing the bathtub is a mood-breaker. I'll do that before a bath but not after. 

Results of my having recently used the mask often: complexion very fresh and alive-looking, smoother, softer and pores "appearing" smaller or, well, not particularly making an appearance. 
 
Store the mask in the fridge. It won't keep outside of it but it'll keep for just ages there. Lid it tightly. Not tasty on toast. LOL

After washing and perhaps masking, the routine I follow isn't. Whaaa? I mean, there isn't a real routine. I have my collection of the creams and serums I love available and I choose. I use each often or at some point within a week. The urge I have is to alternate between creams going for the one or ones I want to use at that time. The one stable thing is the choice to use As Young As I Feel every day. 

"Muscle Confusion" and Product Variety Method

I've realized that I tend to avoid a regular routine and I think I know why. Have you heard of the exercise programs where they refer to "muscle confusion"? (P90X, Hip Hop exercise, and probably others). This is the principle that the same exercise routines repeatedly performed will eventually cease to make change happen.  The body makes changes, gets over its learning curve and adjustments, and then results diminish. It plateaus. No further benefit from that routine, for now, anyway. The bod is "saying," "So, what else do yo have for me?" I have experienced that the best results do indeed come from frequent change and from taking the body by surprise. I used to play tennis, every single day all year, tournaments, etc. Tennis utilizes all your muscles and one is called upon to use any muscle at any time. Muscle confusion. Surprise. The fact that I was called upon to do just about anything (run as fast as possible, jump, stretch, shuffle, lean back, crouch, pivot, etc.) constantly kept me from too repetitious routine and built my body evenly. I didn't get hefty or muscle-builder-looking, either, from just playing tennis. I DID, though, from an exercise routine my coah had me do, push-ups the hard way (touching only the nose). Before the Nationals one year, I built up to 100 at one time. I was putting my long hair in those soda can-sized rollers one night and gasped in horror at what I saw in the mirror. I had developed "wings"!! My torso had morphed into looking like a guy's! Never did another push-up again. Just playing tennis was enough to make my muscles strong but not bulky. Phew! 

The idea is that what works best to tone is variety in motion, not constant, predetermined repetition. Applying this to skin care has come about not by realizing this ahead of time and consciously deciding, okay, I'll switch products around. No, I just found I wanted to do this. The conclusion for me: rather than just paring down to one or two products, I have been using the "product variety method' to attain maximum skin beauty now for a while. At first I just would reach naturally for one or the other of them. It was instinctual or by gut feeling. Then I began to pay attention to a call to apply them in sequence or layers. Listen to yourself and your inclination of the moment and go with it. I do believe now that the element of change and surprise is a large part of the effectiveness. 

Oh, another area this variety principle applies to is human nutrition (might not work for your pet aardvark). A varied diet and varying supplements as per what the body actually seems to want and need is, it seems, an important factor in getting the results. 

On my bathroom sink I have: 
La Creme de la Creme™ — which can be refrigerated to hold down the smell of the deep Essential Oils like myrrh in it that are so great for the bottom layer of the skin. In winter, I may leave it out...in hot weather, it's back the fridge. I know La Creme de la Creme is not technically for aging skin but I cannot do without it but still it is for ANY skin other than quite oily or acneic or sensitive. It is loaded, I mean LOADED in trace minerals and whole food nutrition. It's a powerful essential oil treatment aimed at helping all that nutrition arrive at the cell walls and be received. I do not need much of it and doubt that you do, too, unless for a while your skin is nutrient-starved or extremely dry. 

The Perfect Rose™ Refining Serum — also an essential oil treatment. My two favorite ways to use The Perfect Rose are to apply after a bath soak and washing any masque or sweat off my face. In that case, I use quite a bit and let it soak in. Always shake the bottle well before you dispense it. The results are that my skin looks radiant and very refined, smooth. If I need to go to somewhere fancy and look my best, I'll do that and apply some As Young As I Feel™ serum on top (or ix the two together in my palm) and let it soak in before make-up. 

Ma Jeunesse™ (means "my youth" in French and the "esse" sounds like the end of the word "princess") — my skin loves this green stuff. Oooooh, yes! Makes it seem to look thicker (more like a child's) and smoothened. Food for the skin, Ma Jeunesse is packed with whole foods, anti-oxidant and other such anti-Witchypoo ingredients (I promise it'll never give you big hairy warts on the end of long green noses and chins). Its essential oils's are those reputed to encourage skin renewal. When I use this cream with others, I apply it first so if there is a little remnant of a nut or seed, I can wipe it off before applying what's next. Usually there isn't but just in case.

Creme Rose™ — I use this to hydrate my skin and as an eye cream. (Creme should have that French accent that goes down on the right over the "e" and would rhyme with Clem or hem, just so you know.) Anyway, however you say it, it contains those ingredients that assist the cells in their natural function to accept hydration and those ingredients that help calm reddened skin and sensitive skin. Creme Rose is like Ma Jeunesse, jam-packed with anti-oxidant, nourishing goodies. Plus, Creme Rose has no ingredients unsafe for the eye area and some specifically for crepe-y eye skin, puffiness and wrinkles there. Whatever other creams I apply, I use Creme Rose for extra hydration if I need it and on the eye area. 

I also may apply the others on the eye area but strictly stop on the brow bone; go no lower. I apply some under the eye and to the side where crow's feet can happen (but not so close that it can drift into the eye). Creme Rose can be applied closer to the top lid than the brow bone if you wish. Watch, though, not to get any cream or serum too, too close to the edge of the lid or it is going to get into the eye. Avoid that. 

Skin Perfection Mist™. I use this usually after the mask before a cream or serum and frankly at ANY point I want. I use it once during any routine but, come to think of it, not usually at the end. (that's to leave As Young As I Feel to soak in as the last step).

The reason that Sensitive Skin Cream and the Clarity™ Creams (Light Cream, Clarity Lotion) are not included is that those are not my skin types. 

Whatever else I just used or did not use, I always use As Young As I Feel Serum. If nothing else, just the serum (AYAIF). If your face doesn't absorb all of it, you used too much. It doesn't take tons of As Young As I Feel serum but enough to do a great job, whatever that is for you. 

I and about four other people broke out when first using it for about three days. (I was so upset until I twigged on what was going on). I was detoxing! AYAIF goes to the bottom layer of the skin like nothing else...and there, well, I must've been hoarding some garbage. After it came out, no more break-outs. The same experience happened with those few others. Intereshtingk! 

Shake the bottle well every time you use it. I then pour about a dime-sized amount into my just-washed and dried palm. When I first started this product, I used about 5 to 7 drops. Now I use more, seeing what that has done for my skin. Do make sure that your hands are super clean before applying As Young As I Feel. I take pains to keep the bottle and lid clean and free of dust, too. After I apply As Young As I Feel, I massage my face. Rachel Perry wrote a book about facial massage, must've been in the early 70's (?) and I tighten my muscles in her lion-y face while I massage. Feels great!

If I did overdo and just have too much on, I place the outside of my hands against my face and absorb the excess onto them. Then I rub that into my hands. Also, when I am done applying these, I take what is on my fingers and apply to these other areas (or sometimes take a bit more so as to do that): my hands (the outside) and wrists, my forearms, my upper chest (décolletage, the part a low neckline reveals, decolletage being a French word referring literally to the low or plunged collar). I realized that a very youthful-looking face still isn't going to cover up old-looking hands and chest, etc. So I do use that elsewhere than the face and neck. I also use Creme Rose sometimes, just a bit, on the knees if I don't have Natural Silk around. 

My very favorite beauty (cream/serum) routines are:
0) (that means whatever else, always this) Creme Rose on the eye area.
1) Ma Jeunesse, then Creme Rose and lastly As Young As I Feel. 
2) Ma Jeunesse first, La Creme de la Creme, As Young As I Feel. 
3) The Perfect Rose and As Young As I Feel mixed into the palm of my hand in approximately equal proportions. Once it sinks in (can take longer) my skin looks unbelievable. I do this about once a week. 

In weather where I may sweat more or if I ate badly so as to make my skin more oily than usual, I'll opt only for Ma Jeunesse and a touch of As Young As I Feel or another cream, but not much and a touch of As Young As I Feel or just a small bit of AYAIF.  

I make sure that any and all of these also cover my lips and especially the lip line. My lips as a result look young. If I purse them, lines on my upper lip will show, otherwise not and lip color doesn't stray or bleed, etc. Whatever you use, get some at least on the outer lip line area. 

Lastly, I don't normally use skin care at night. At first it was once or twice a week that I left my skin alone after washing. Now it is most nights. Nighttime is a detox time and the skin functions after all as an organ of elimination. I apply whatever my skin needs in the morning and if I have to wash and reapply later in the day (rarely as I almost never wear make-up) but usually at night I use nothing but the air.  LOL

Now I should point out since I do sell this skin care that to buy several creams and serums might seem the expensive way to go. Not really, because the AMOUNT used may not increase much, just the kinds you apply. If you're applying Ma Jeunesse, Creme Rose and As young As I feel, for example, you will use less of each ost likely or you're putting too much on your skin. You will know if your skin is not absorbing it or gets goopy from just toooo much. It's not more as much as it's which to use that day. So, yes, you get several products if you do this but you go through each more slowly. 

I learned from my aunt, mother and a grandmother to use skin care early on in life to avoid having to repair later damage from neglect. I used expensive but either (early) toxic skin care or (later) natural but ineffective skin care until I made my own, truthfully. By the time I created my own, I did need them. My skin was not lovely. It was slightly unevenly toned, already a little bit wrinkly, had a few milia (hard, little white thingees under the top layer) especially under my eyes, it was sallow, tired-looking, my pores were too big, and it didn't feel smooth and as soft as other skin on my body, no doubt because I had not applied as much toxic skin care to my other body skin as I had over the years to my face. I've seen far worse skin than mine was but it was awful as compared to now. So, that's why I do indulge in this daily. I do keep it up also because I always want it improving more. More, more! LOL! And, importantly, all day I keep so busy and do not pay any further attention to this issue once the daily care is done. I sure don't want to start worrying about it (or anything else). I find skin care aesthetic; it feels nourishing, relaxing and indulgent; I love it. After applying, I say, okay, thank you very much, I'm done for the day. See what I mean? Life is vastly more fascinating than my facial skin could ever be. But if it were to look bad (as it used to), I'd feel bad, I admit. I'd get introverted , wonder "how do I look?" I like to forget about my complexion and appearance after I'm done.  

I hope this is useful to you. Do let me know, OK? Feel free to leave your comments below.
  
Hugs!
Evan