So, as I get to a certain age, I am noticing that my body is not, ahem, bouncing back as much as it used to. I barely paid any attention to my skin, and have never been a huge fan of lotions and potions, mainly because I am too lazy, a lot of them seemed to make my skin break out, or worsen skin issues, and seemed to be eye wateringly expensive. A lot of the more widely known brands, that are advertised and promise lots of action to improve skin issues like mild ageing signs, make my skin red, sore and irritated. I am also not fully convinced of their miracle claims either.
I stopped washing my face, a good few months ago, and immediately noticed a dramatic improvement in the oiliness that I struggled with, all of my adult life. I literally use hot water and a cloth. I occasionally will use some avocado oil if I need to remove a lot of make up, but other than that, I have not been putting anything on my skin. It may not work for everyone, but for me, minimal “stuff” on my face makes a big difference.
That being said, I am aware that as I enter “middle age” I need to look after my skin. I am starting to see some fine lines and my forehead has always had more lines on it than I would like. I can’t afford expensive salon beauty treatments, and don’t want to be sucked into a complicated beauty regime, but want to try something that works and doesn’t cost more than a decent meal out! So, I have started to look at anti wrinkle creams and lotions. I feel old! 🙂
Recently I was asked to try out some anti ageing treatments from the Boots No7 Protect & Perfect range. I opted for an eye treatment and a general face serum and have been using them for three weeks as part of my normal skin care regime.
The Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum 30ml makes the claim “For the first signs of ageing. Younger looking more radiant skin in just 2 weeks.It’s targeted to tackle fine lines that typically start to appear between the ages of 35 and 45 years old.” (which is kind of me, although I am entirely in denial!)
The No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Eye Cream 15ml says “Smooth deep lines, wrinkles and boost radiance with this revitalising & renewing eye cream. Created specially for the delicate eye area targeting troublesome lines and visibly improving dark shadows and puffiness.We’ve blended our patent pending antioxidant complex with our skin firming pro-retinol complex containing Lipopeptides and Alfalfa Extract to help restore skin’s structure and maintain elasticity. Contains Matrixyl”
At almost three weeks in,I am liking what I see. I don’t think my lines and “crinkles” as my children call them, will suddenly vanish, but I definitely can see a vast improvement in my skins texture and some of the lines appear to be softer and less scary looking when I peer into the mirror first thing in the morning.
They aren’t greasy or heavy, and don’t feel heavy like they are slathered on, when I apply them and so far, I have not noticed any skin break outs or bad reactions when I have used or applied them. They do make my skin feel smoother and the eye cream helps with puffiness, which if you read my blog and know how little sleep we get round here, is a marvellous thing when I wake up in the morning, looking a little less like I have got my beauty sleep and more like I have been up all night (which still happens)
I don’t think I have found the miracle cure, for ageing, but to be honest, whilst I might be struggling a bit with reaching almost 40 years old, I think my skin is in pretty good shape, and hopefully products like these will help to keep it that way for as long as possible.
Price wise, they are not the cheapest or the most expensive on the market, and suit my budget, and because you have to use so little, they seem to last a reasonable amount of time, so cost wise, for me, they work.
I have to say, I am impressed, and may now be an anti wrinkle cream convert….
I am at that stage right now where you just realize you have to take care of yourself too. But I also don’t want to follow a whole complicated regime either. Great post!