Have you tried Olay's Regenerist line or Philosophy (probably the Miracle Worker and Time in a Bottle lines). I was using Regenerist when I was trying to find something for my son's teen skin issues. ProActive didn't work for them and it was hash on their skin and my towels, sheets, their clothes. I read recs for Philosophy on another forum and tried their Clear Day for them. Both boys used it, and after initially buying some bath gels for myself, I decided to try some of the skin care too. I like their approach (read the about us). They used to talk about make-up optional skin, which also appealed to me.

I currently use the Time in a Bottle serum (I admit that the name got my attention at a particularly vulnerable period) and Renewed Hope moisturizer for day and still use the Regenerist at night. Philosophy has a new line -- Uplifting MIracle. They say it is cool when you apply it and it lifts and tightens. They are offering samples with a purchase from their website now (look at the offers tab top right if you don't see it)

Regenerist is not too expensive to try. Philosophy is allows you to return products you don't like for up to 60 days. If you find something in their line you like, I would sign up for their website's notices of sales, you can save 20-30%, though the newest products may be excluded.

If you find something great, let us know! Those who aren't there now will be someday.

Have you looked at clarisonic? I'm not sure if that's something that it helps with, but my face feels "plump" in that the skin feels thick. I think it may encourage circulation.

Drinking a lot of water helps too. And I use a moisture infusion product. And I eat healthy and take some food supplements for the skin. All of that contributes to skin health.

Have you looked at facial exercises for tightening muscles?

You might want to go to a full-service derm for a consultation on the various treatments they offer. There are electronic devices that claim to tighten areas of the face, but I'm not sure if those are a good idea.

I'll second the recomendation for Time in a Bottle I got a free sample from Sephora last time I was there and intend to buy then next time I go back.

Lascatx wrote: ProActive didn't work for them and it was hash on their skin and my towels, sheets, their clothes.

My teens used a ProActive-like skin routine that also was harsh and left marks on towels, their shirts, etc. We've switched to supplements that have worked very well. Have you found an alternative to products that are so strong they bleach everything they touch?

Sorry to highjack.

Aktillery9, I have found that exercising my facial muscles is as important as exercising my a$$, if you will. I know this isn't the only solution, but we forget our face has muscles--they must be exercised to maintain firmness, too.

Lisa, they are in college and grad school now, but they both useed Philosophy's line for acne prone skin. They cahnged the name slightly -- it used to be One a Clear Day and now it's Clear Days Ahead. The younger son still uses it to keep his clear skin, so mostly the cleanser. Philosophy's products rely on salycilic acid and some botanicals rather than benzoyl peroxide -- the active ingredient ad bleach component in ProAvtive and a number of others. They may be getting ready to change something again -- I just looked on the Philosophy website to get the name straight and everything is discounted. They also have a dicount promotions with 15-30% of depending on how much you buy. They are sold out of the trial set but Macy's usually has it. Ulta and Sephora may have it.

Amy, wanted to mention that sale on the Philosophy website for you too. You could order Time in a Botle and get samples of the Uplifting MIracle with your order (use the promo code). You also get to pick three samples with every order, so you would get to try a number of things. Then you can tell me what you think of the Uplifting Miracle. ;-)

The Renewed Hope has hyaluronic acid, but I've seen add for a Neutrogena that does too. Would be willing to try that.

Thank you for the information, Lascatx.

The best thing I've found for firming up my face/skin is exercise. When I'm walking regularly (briskly @ least 30 minutes w/ hand weights), I really notice a difference.

I recall hearing an actor recommend the same, when asked how they created a youthful look for a character.

Nothing will overcome lack of sleep or general good health. That's the starting point. I don't have to worry about hydraton --- I drink a lot of water. Always have. My mom had a friend over when I came home from school one hot afternoon. Riht after I said hello, I went to the sink and filled a glass with water, And again, And again. Maybe more. The friend asked my mom if I always drank that much water. I laughed whrn I heard one of my friends say the same thinga bout my son when he was a toddler.

And then, some say the humidity helps your skin stay looking younger longer. Not sure if I beleive it, but I it doesn't make it worse and it;s probably better to think it has some redeeming quality.

Interesting about hydration/humidity. As I've gotten older, I think my skin looks at least 5 years younger in the warmer months as it does in the winter. I drink lots of water year round, but the cold weather turns me into one of those dried apple dolls.

I truly believe if you grow up in humid climate it makes a significant difference vs. living in say, the desert. It moisturizes your skin and you need less lotion. I have lived in both dry and humid places and I have absolutely noticed the difference.

I have been doing some facial exercises I found online and I can already tell a difference. THANK YOU LISA!

I have some sort of instant kind of lift serum coming in the mail. I will keep you posted.

aktillery, with the exercises already you can tell a difference?!!! Any in particular?

Somehow I feel I've passed the point of no return.

I want to know about the exercises too!

Here are just a few

Facial excercises

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psd1sU-38C4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDEZ-6DtndM

I just received a product called

InstaNatural Hyaluronic Acid Serum - Anti Aging Serum for Face -
Reduces Wrinkles, Fine Lines & More - For Youthful & Radiant
Skin - With Vitamin C

I used it for three days. It came broken and I sent it back but went ahead and tried it over the three days (twice a day). I could really tell a difference in one area in particular which is my nose (between my eyes). I have wrinkles from squinting and now they are nearly gone.

Thought I would share! I will let you all know more when I get the new bottle (hopefully not broken) and I can use it for at least two to four weeks to see if I notice anything else.

Thank you so much for starting this thread, Aktillery!

I use La Mer, for several years already. I really recommend it. It's expensive, but lasts a long time.I also save up by using almost nothing else-I'm allergic to all sorts of fragrances and other ingredients, and La Mer is fragrance free. The downside-it doesn't contain any sunscreen. And I can't justify buying also sunscreen from them-gets too expensive. So I either use very light Aveeno for the day time, or rely on foundation that does contain some amount of sunscreen, and is fragrance free as well.

Now, if somebody can recommend something amazing for the body as well..))

This isn't going to be along the lines of what you're looking for, I'm sure, but just thought I'd throw it out there anyway. I've been meaning to find a forum that could possibly benefit from it. I've had problems with my (now 57yo) skin for...forever. Problems come and go but I always have at least one breakout and the skin on my face isn't as tight/smooth as it should be. As for products to put on your face, Olay Regenerist helped and plumped. Nerium REALLY helped but is kinda spendy. Results are almost immediate. Nerium I'd use it full time if I could afford to. Cheapest I can find it is on ebay for about $65. But I've been using Neutrogena Rapid Winkle Repair (Night) for about a year now and like the results. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is a great product for plumping as well. Neutrogena Hydro Boost w/ Hyaluronic Acid. Have you tried Vit C and Hyralonic Acid?

I've been on bioidentical hormone cream for about 7 years. Three months ago my Dr really emphasized I needed to let her add some progesterone. I'm super sensitive to everything and can't remember what it did in the past so (since I couldn't remember) I let her add some. About 3 weeks into my first month, the first thing I noticed was the bag under one eye was completely GONE. The other eye was about 75% gone :) I've had these for years and years. Then I noticed how much smoother my skin was. Pores were smaller. NO breakouts. My face was as near flawless as it's ever been. Other good things were happening too but that's for another thread <g> So, if a little is good, a little more could be even better :) yeah, that's not the way that works :o I rediscovered why I stopped using it (at the higher amt)...itchy head and face! And some improvements improved TOO much :o So, we backed off the higher dose ;)

That's what I get for not reading all the replies :o There is a lot to learn about Vit C. The type of C and how it penetrates into the skin. Not all Vit Cs are created equal. It's a very interesting read. Some forms are more stable than others. Asorbic Acid is the one to look for and no need to go over 20% Don't use more than is recommended as it can be irritating. It should come in a dark bottle and keep it out of the sunlight. Good luck!

Monica and April, thanks so much for sharing! Darn that Nerium looks amazing. Which one were you using? Day, Night or eye serum? I will try it! Funny the amazon reviews are not as good as for the product I bought. However, the product I purchased had reviews from people who got it for free.

ak, I have only used the night time product. You see results so quickly, but, I don't have the extreme issues you see on their website. I'm quite doubtful those are honest representations! But the texture and firmness difference I feel after one night IS real. The company says you don't need to use a moisturizer on top of it but I find I need to. It will feel tight. When I have it, I use either Regenerist or Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair (moisturizer) over it. Nerium seems to have a polarizing rating...you either love it or hate it. Some don't care the smell. It is a bit strong and very earthy smelling. I get used to it. And maybe they're expecting the miracle results over night, both of which are unrealistic. It DOES work fast tho My parents gave us a cruise for Christmas a couple of years ago. My face needed help. I order the Nerium and was looking good before our mid Feb Caribbean cruise :) But I don't need it anymore. The progesterone is helping more than anything I've tried!

I used Nerium for awhile and it did nothing for me. It smells nasty (IMHO) as well and the application is weird. I just threw away the last container of it and it was still about a third full.

So Monica are you using the progesterone on you face?

No missymoo, the compounded lotion is rubbed on my arms at the inside of my wrists and above. I think I'd heard of people putting it on their face tho.

Ok I use compounded progesterone also but my now retired gyn used to tell me she rubbed it on her face too so I wondered.

Just last night I was reading about the protocols for progesterone by an MD who specializes in BIH. His take was very specific but most of the topicals just do not have enough P4 in them to make any difference to anyone. He advocated sublingual and specific oral compounds. Very interesting and made sense. I will look into this further as I am not having the success my Dr claims I should on his protocol. I am about 10 years into BIH at this point with three different Drs.

I just looked at the Nerium site and would like to order but it irritates the carp out of me that they charge so much for a one time delivery. If it works I don't mind auto delivery but I want to try it first and if I see a lessening of pores on my nose and improvement in texture sign me up but good grief give me a trial to decide.

I ordered the InstaNatural hyaluronic acid serum after I saw aktillery9 suggest it above, I am very pleased and just ordered the InstaNatural retinol moisturizer today. Price is great for these products and I do see a difference but I know there is no magical formula to look like I did when I was 20 except maybe Botox and I haven't gone that route yet.

Holly Kay, I've ordered mine from ebay. I know all about the "warnings" but I only order from very high rated sellers. Every bottle (probably 6 or 7) I've ordered has been the same smell and consistency as the tester I was given for 5 days. You'll be able to find it for $60-$65 and without having to do auto delivery.

missymoo, was it an internet article? Would you mind posting the link please?

Holly Kay, there are places that allow you to return product you are not happy with. You might order one from one of them (Blue Mercury is one) and then look for the best price if you want auto-delivery after that. You won't be out anything other than the return postage i you don't like it and the price difference one time as insurance if you do like it.

A lot of places will make you a sample if they don't have samples to give you --- but that means a store you can go into. I reccently saw a Blue Mercury when I was travelling and picked up two samples while I was there. Sephora and some places that sell Philosophy will do that, but it doesn't hurt to ask for a sample anywhere and see if they have one or can make you one.

I wanted to post an update on InstaNatural. I've been using it for several weeks now and it has made a noticeable difference in my skin tone, elasticity and has helped reduce slightly some fine lines.

I will update again in a few weeks.

Monica - it was a kindle book

"Progesterone - The Ultimate Feel Good Hormone" by Dan Pursar MD

Would have benefited from an editor as it reads like an interview that was transcribed then published but the info was interesting to me