We know, we know: You've read "use sunscreen" a million times before. But until you realize, accept, and embrace the fact that the sun is your skin's worst enemy, you are doomed to incur more damage -- and to remain dismayed by the appearance of your complexion.
You can spend all the money in the world on the best products and dermatological treatments, but unless you're protecting your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, you're wasting your time and cash. Sunscreen is the most critical weapon you have in waging the war against aging skin, and this Elizabeth Arden moisturizer feels awesome going on, works to plump and firm sagging skin, and has SPF 30.
"Hyperpigmentation or discoloration in the form of age spots and uneven skin tone can make you look 10 years older than you are," says Heidi Waldorf, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. In fact, a recent study revealed that a blotchy, spotty complexion ages women much more than wrinkles and other signs of aging.
This spot corrector works much more quickly than other lighteners/brighteners we've tried and doesn't cause the stinging or burning that can be associated with this type of product.
Photo 4/6
Arbonne RE9 Advanced Repair Night Cre`, $85
Put on a small amount of this hydrating recovery cream before bed and your face will look more youthful in the morning. The formula works to support collagen production and helps to firm up sagging jowls and plump wrinkles. Bonus: This cream smoothes on nicely and absorbs quickly without leaving behind a tacky, sticky residue that'll stain your pillowcase.
This stuff doesn't have any parabens, sulfates, or icky synthetic fragrances or dyes -- but it does have a bunch of retinoids and peptides that work together to smooth out lines and brighten aging eyes. Two pumps of product are all you need to cover both eyes and you'll be pleased by the marked lack of fragrance and stickiness so many other eye creams have.
Few things can humble a woman more quickly than catching a glimpse of her formerly taut chin wobbling away in the mirror. When does a chin become a wattle? When you're not taking measures to keep it as firm as humanly possible.
Enter Dr. Hauschka's cream. It contains eight plant oils and extracts of moisture-balancing plants that work to help firm and tone. This cream isn't gloppy and works quickly to yield results in as few as two weeks.
My mother, whom I happen to adore, used to annoy the crap out of me by spouting truisms like, "Youth is wasted on the young."
Of course, that was utterly meaningless to me when I was in my teens and 20s. Why? Because I was young and categorically unable to grasp how fleeting and precious my "youth" was.
It's true though, youth is wasted on the young -- especially when it comes to beauty. In addition to your speedy metabolism and thick, glossy hair, you take your resilient, collagen-full skin 100 percent for granted. You may complain about acne or period-related breakouts, but, otherwise, it's pretty much smooth sailing for you and your wrinkle-free face.
It's when you start to notice those fine smile lines morphing into deeper grooves and the furrow between your brows making you look permanently angry that you realize the ship of your youth has set sail. And this is precisely when the freaking out starts.
But you don't have to lose it. (Not to mention all that freaking out will accomplish nothing more than send collagen-destroying cortisol coursing through your bloodstream.)
Your better bet? Read up on what you can do to eradicate the ravages of time from your face and set a course of action into motion. First step: Start using these five anti-aging products that contain the proven ingredients you need to help really make a difference in how your skin looks.
