Unfortunately, there is no fountain of youth, pill or special formula to keep your skin looking and feeling younger. But, the good news is …. It’s pretty simple, really – Exfoliate, Collagen and Moisture are key.

For your body:

In the shower I use Olay Firming Body Wash with Vitamin B3 and Collagen. You can find it at Target or most drug stores. It is lightweight and leaves my skin so silky. I use an exfoliating glove to rub it in and as a lubricant for shaving my legs and underarms. It is definitely a lifesaver in the winter months, when my skin is super dry on my legs from wearing tights and boots.

Have you seen those ads for crepe skin and special gels and lotions? All you really need is a good firming body lotion. Nivea Nourishing Skin Firming lotion is a good option. It has Vitamin C and Q10 that improves your skin elasticity, it’s quick to absorb in your skin and moisturizes up to 48 hours. Q10 acts as a strong antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals that cause the signs of aging. I use it on my legs and arms right after I shower and it leaves your skin silky smooth. There is also a gel cream option, if you prefer gel. 

For your face: Again, moisturize and when you think you have enough, do it again!! There are all kinds of facial moisturizers out there. It really depends on your skin-type: oily, dry or both. I have super dry skin and I guess that is another thing that comes with age!! I use Lancomé products and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. Lancomé has a wide variety of creams, gels and potions depending on your skincare concern. It is on the expensive side, but I have learned as I get older that quality matters in many things. When trying a new product from Lancomé, I usually wait until they have a free gift to offer with purchase or purchase on QVC when they have specials. Neutrogena is available at most drug stores, Target and Ulta. The Water Gel is so cooling on my skin and glides on perfectly, leaving a fresh and calm feeling. Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer is a great alternative if you have sensitive skin. It is fragrance-free in a lightweight gel formula that provides lasting moisture. It is also available almost anywhere you can buy beauty products. I will post about my Daily and Nightly skincare routines on a separate post. So moisturize up – let your face soak it in.

Lancome: https://www.lancome-usa.com/skincare/

For every inch of you:  Collagen. It’s a little overwhelming the many different ways to get collagen in your daily routine and the many different brands and kinds of collagen. Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body (about 1/3) and helps build your bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It’s like glue that keeps everything together. Type I collagen is the type that provides structure to those things, Type II supports muscle and organs, Type III supports muscles and organs, and Type IV helps filter the layers of your skin. Of course —- SURPRISE, as you age, your body produces less and lower quality collagen. I am keeping it simple with Vital Protein Chocolate Collagen powder (available at Costco, Walmart or Sprouts). I put a scoop in my morning coffee (so delicious), or in a protein shake during the day. There are other flavors, but I am partial to anything chocolate.

Here is a good medical article on the benefits of collagen: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881

And finally: Water, water, water. H2O and plenty of it!! I don’t know about you, but I hate drinking water, and I especially hate drinking lots of it. I am an iced tea drinker from the Midwest/South and only just started drinking coffee a couple of years ago. Now, everyone from my esthetician to nutrition experts are telling us to drink an average of 67% of our body weight each day!! That is a lot of water, and you will feel like you are killing yourself to get it down when you first try to drink that much. I have a trick to help me …. I buy 33.3 oz bottles of water and try and drink three of those a day. I pound one down in the morning, one mid-afternoon and one at night with dinner. I reward myself with some iced tea somewhere in the day. I will say, however, I do notice a difference in my skin – it’s smoother and I can tell the difference. Flip side of this, you will be going to the bathroom all the time! It goes in and it comes out. So, I guess that’s why they say it helps with your digestion.

So.. to keep it simple – for the basic skincare and health benefits, use a firming moisturizer on your body, abundantly moisturize your face day/night, add some collagen and drink tons of water. You’ll be glowing in no time. In the meantime, go out and spread some zing!!