Sigh. I’ve just had another of those “Oh, no, I’m really starting to show my age” moments. My DH and I have both noticed that the texture of our skin is not as smooth, sleek and firm as it once was, especially on the hands and arms.
I’m not talking about extra weight (unfortunately, that’s a given for me), but rather the general surface appearance, where uneven skin tone and crepiness are creeping in. Some heavy-duty smooth-ing is definitely needed here. I do realize that some of this is part of the aging process since we’re both on the downhill side of 50, and really, it’s not the end of the world, but improvement would be nice.
I often use Nuxe body oil right out of the shower and then slather on my body lotion or cream. I drink a good bit of water, exfoliate routinely, and do try to wear sunscreen regularly but perhaps I’m not as devout with it as I need to be? I know DH needs to exfoliate more as well, but sometimes it’s hard to get the guys on board with that. I did have him using an AHA-type product a while back, one in which you’re supposed to wear sunscreen afterward, but couldn’t get him on the SPF wagon for the follow-through.
Have any of you found any body lotions and/or creams that work well to smooth skin and improve the texture and look of it? Hopefully there are some products that help do the trick while not breaking the bank. I know there’s no miracle in a bottle but surely there’s some good stuff out there.
After all, beach season (for us) will be here before you know it. And although I’m never in a swimsuit per se – more like a tankini top and long swim pants — I would like what little skin I’m showing to look a little better, a little more even-toned and smooth.
Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks!
I’m a huge fan of Sunscreen, but there are two really good skin firming products that aren’t crazy expensive. CeraVe makes a stretch mark cream that has the peptides shown in clinical trials to work very effectively and another one is from the brand Mama Mio called “Shrink To Fit”. I’ve used three containers and I really notice some tightening. Both of these are fragrance free and layer nicely under sunscreen. In the makeup industry, we would always hide loss of skin elasticity with a spray tan. Another home remedy is Greek yogurt mixed with sugar to act as a pre-shower scrub.
Katherine, thanks so much for all your great ideas and suggestions! Will definitely have to get busy. And I already like several of CeraVe’s items, so that will be an easy sell. Thanks again!
Hey Ann,
One technique that I use year-round that’s cheap and effective: loofah gloves that you wear when you are lathering up and washing your bod in either the shower or bath. They exfoliate and help eliminate KP bumps, give your legs a smoother shave etc. I find mine at both CVS and Ulta for $4 or 5 bucks.
My favorite lotions and body butters include cheapies like Aveeno with sunscreen, Cetaphil cream, scented lovelies like Bobbi Brown Beach, L’Occitane The Vert, Mor Iris & Blackcurrant, and Pacifica Persian Rose. Higher end ones that I’ve enjoyed and used up include Bottega Veneta and Chanel No. 19 lotions.
I feel that a protective layer of sunscreen on face, neck, and backs of hands every day is serving me well and keeping some damage at bay. I like the Shiseido line.
Great suggestion there, Dina! Nice lotions you mention there, too. And I agree — sunscreen really is the best defense. Thanks!
Hi Ann, you’re so right. The time of the year is back again when we show more of our skin and I’m again asking myself: should I wear a bikini to the beach just one more year? In the past few years (I’m 51) the signs of ageing are most obvious on my skin and I feel that nothing can be done to prevent it. Using skin products just makes me feel better in my head but it does not really change the appearance of my skin – sigh! I will buy the L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil just because it smells so good and I like that fact that it should be sprayed on moist skin after the shower.
Wow, Neva, you can wear a bikini at 51? I am mightily impressed! I’ve never worn one, even back in my size 8 days, but I was just too self-conscious about my big ol’ scar from open-heart surgery when I was a child. Thanks for your rec on the L’Occitane — I have tried that almond shower gel and really liked it, so will give their body oil a go.
Hey Ann,
Because my skin is so oily, a nightmare in my teens, it seems to be doing OK still. The only thing I do for it is have baths with a few drops of oil to feed & nourish but only about once a fortnight.
Portia xx
Howdy, dear! I, too, had oily (facial) skin and I think that does offer some help in later years. I need to start using body oils more often. Thanks!
I feel your pain????, but I’m afraid that there is nothing you can do to outrun your age (I will be 60 next month????). Believe me I have tried! The products that help me most: Paula’s Choice has some very good products for mature skin (even an exfoliating bodylotion). Bodylotions: Khiel’s, Lush and Molton Brown (they smell great and have nice texture, but there is nothing that really helps against crepiness). I just try to enjoy my life and forget about the rest????).
Oops, sorry about the ????? I don’t know where they come from!
Thanks for all the good suggestions, Marjo. Alas, you’re right — aging is a fact of life, but I think it helps us feel better about it if we’re actively trying to stem the tide, ha!
Hi. I have always heard that nothing helps with crepey skin, but earlier today I was on the Lush site to order some of their solid perfumes. I decided to check out other stuff too. I saw Charity Pot and was wondering what it was. Anyway, the first review of it said it helped the writer’s mother crepey arms. So, maybe…….
Maya, that sounds good; thanks! In fact, now that you mention it, I’ve heard positive things about Lush’s Charity Pot, so will give that a go.
My skin is super dry year round but especially in winter. Winter calls for Vaseline but summer calls for Neutrogena. My face is quite different. I use the Skyn Iceland glacial face wash followed by the cloud cream. I’m not the greatest with using sunscreen nor chugging water though. Skyn Iceland may be a little on the pricey side but lasts for months.
Hi, dear! I need to re-visit Neutrogena and also that Skyn Iceland — have heard good things about it from you and others. Thanks!
What’s great about Skyn Iceland is that you won’t have to deal with too many pimples, if you are prone to those. I just wish that Sephora still carried it. The sample pack is a great way to go and Amazon carries it for a decent price.
Sounds good — thanks!