I don't think you should use a gritty scrub; too harsh !!! Roc has an exfoliating cream that is soft and removes dead skin well.

These last few years, I have been investing in more facials and masks with a good aesthetician; 4 times a year is good, once for every season. The deep cleansing effect of a professional exfoliating facial makes your products more effective. She gives me an algo mask that costs extra but the deep hydrating of it leaves me with such a good feeling. I know I can't stop the effect of age, I am 52, but I find I have to pay more attention to what I put on my face and I spend more $ on it but at least I have the feeling I am doing all I can.

Healthwise, you are on the right track and doing the right things.

Stay out of the sun. That's the number one thing you can do to prevent wrinkles. You'll still get them - it's gravity. But not as quickly. Look at your breasts to see what an area that's rarely or never exposed to the sun looks like.

If you're interested in advanced creams (retin A type products) consider talking to your dermatologist for a prescription for Tazorac. It reverses sun damage and is cheaper than surgical methods. I started using it a few months ago and my skin looks clearer and brighter. Just my 2 cents!

stay out of the sun. stop touching the skin around your eyes. gain 5 pounds. find a good gestalt therapist, and start addressing your fears of aging... more citrus, less dairy. no caffiene, no salt, nothing that comes out of a cardboard box...but you can get all that advice out of this month's PREVENTION magazine- or last months' READER'S Digest.
mostly- STOP fussing with your skin! don't poke it, don't prod it, don't stretch is...find a nice hydrosol spray for those moments you HAVE to do 'something'...

and then... control your panic. that's likely half of what's aging you, visually....

now.... how old ARE you, that nature's making you panic?

Dottie?...Do you smoke?....if so stop....it's a major contributor to lines.
Linda C

Hi Dottie,

I understand. Looking in the mirror and seeing our reflection change is a little scarry huh? I started noticing changes in my 30's but it really hit me in my 40's. What bugs you the most? What can you change? What are you willing to change? and at what lengths are you willing to go to? It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, this is about you and what is comfortable to you.

There are many options out there for treating skin. A quality esthatician can do a lot for you with skin care, and can even offer you treatment options that will improve your skin. You might consider going in to a facialist that carries several skin care lines and pamper yourself with a facial and get some recommendations from them.

Just remember that many of the treatments are things you need to keep up. Other options are getting something like Renova froma dermatologist. A salon has peels, etc but they aren't going to be as strong as what a dermatologist can prescribe or treat. Renova actually removes the fine lines from skin. If you do a word search online you will find a wealth of info.

I personally get botox injections between my brows. I felt like I looked mad every time I caught my reflection and decided to do something about it. I have no regrets, the results are wonderful and I look more awake and happier.

Best wishes!

Thank you everyone for your replys and info. Someone asked how old I am,and if I smoke....I am 66,and I've never smoked a cigarette in my life.
Was just wondering if there is one over the counter face cream better than another; like Oil of Olay,ect.
Dotty

: ) Dotty... you 'write' like a much younger woman... I was picturing someone more my own age (what I can tell you is look for products without propylene gylcol, and petroleum products if you can... but keeping yourself hydrated inside and out is the best thing you can do...

a friend gave me a jar of an antitoxidant cream from ASTARA that's actually worked really well on my own lines (a steam burn left me with a face that's 10 years older than it ought to be) but I'm not sure that when it runs out that I think the $60 or so an ounce is worth it...but then, I've had 10 years to get used to my face.

Dotty, I'm very close to your age. I don't know how much you have to spend on these products but I get by as cheap as possible. I use Ponds age defying lotion or L'Oreal visible results. I have had such success with these (whichever is on sale, haha) that I will gladly compare my skin to any 40 year old. Of course it took a couple of months to see drastic results but I am ecstatic.