As mentioned in an earlier post, I have decided to work with Perricone MD on putting into place a balanced, realistic and healthy lifestyle that includes skincare, diet and nutrition, as well as exercise and self-care.
For the last few weeks I have been focusing on skincare. Stress, summer heat and the the environmental pollution that one transacts with when living in an urban environment, albeit stimulating one, had taken its toll. My skin was dusty and dull, it seemed to be thinning out (and not from losing weight) and the lines I have loved seemed etched in even deeper. And sadly there was discoloration below my eyes.
Always seeking to be better and learn more, kind of like us, Perricone MD has just launched the Essential Fx Collection and I am giving it a try. The Essential Fx Collection has helped me identify and address two elements that are well…essential for healthy looking skin. I must confess that I never paid much attention to why my skin would look the way it did so this has been a learning experience for me.
Essential Fx starts with the brand’s award-winning and best-selling proprietary molecule Acyl-Glutathione. I love that the brand just keeps building on what the on-going research they do tells them already works (sort of like me using my advocacy and engagement skills as an accidental fashion blogger).
Glutathione when at the right levels is an essential antioxidant and major detoxifying agent. When at the right levels it prevents and targets the way that the toxins I mentioned above have literally cut into my face in the form of deeper wrinkles and creases. These appear at the corners of my nose and my mouth and right down the middle of my face. As you know I don’t worry much for vanity reasons about wrinkles but when they are coming from pollution and stress, and it means my skin is not healthy, then I consider it to be an issue to address. Since things like stress and pollutants and yes aging, lower the level of this essential agent, (and they are constants in my life), then if I want to maintain the wellness of my skin, I need to pay attention.
The problem with beefing up your glutathione levels that gets solved with Perricone MD’s Acyl-Glutathione is that glutathione is water-soluble which means your skin will be very resistant to letting it in. One of skin’s main reasons for being is to keep water out. So by creating a bond between a water soluble and fat soluble molecule (a la Acyl-Glutathione), the use of Essential Fx means it will be much more likely that the essential amounts of glutathione will get to where they need to go (and yes I am being a science nerd here, I find this fascinating).
Now on to the dusty and dull part. Vitamin F is an essential nutrient that refers to the healthy fatty acids that keep the skin moisture barrier intact and healthy. The body does not produce it so we need to supply it. You can do that through diet (more next month on that) or by applying it to your skin. Of which I have been doing neither until I decided to take on this project. Essential Fx adds a Vitamin F infused mixture of flax, chia, and macadamia seed oils to the Acyl-Glutathione that will bring back the glow and suppleness to a face that needs some self care.
Some other pluses for me are that this collection is inclusive; men or women can use it, you can use all of it or some of it, depending on what your most pressing issue is, and for me it is easy to apply and incorporates easily into a morning and bedtime ritual. To find out more click on the products below.
Although I have been using all of the products in this collection, the two that especially target my trouble spots are: the Deep Crease Serum and the Smoothing and Brightening Under Eye Cream. Unlike other products I have used, each of the products absorbs easily into my skin and does not just sit on the surface. It is light and not in the least greasy. Though still there, the deep creases around my mouth are beginning to soften and my under eye area is brightening. I am sure more sleep and not running around so much would also help! The most dramatic and visible change is the way my skin has been absolutely glowing. It is a wonderful thing after using the Intensive Overnight Moisturizer to wake up with skin that is hydrated and not dry. It also feels firmer and more supple. I think that my makeup looks better when I put it on after my new morning skincare ritual. I probably don’t need to use primer anymore. Best of all the sum effect is that my skin is looking and feeling healthy which is my ultimate objective.
To find out more or join me in my experiment to have healthier skin, find a starter collection here.
What do you think about the relationship between wellness and the state of your skin? Do you think about it in relationship to a skincare routine?
Can you speak about what happened with the A. Bader creams you seemed so excited about?
Any product that can actually fix pigmentation due to age ?
yep, prescription retin a, as well as vitamin c serum, but not used together. retin a in the evening, vitamin C serum in the morning. check em out!
Yes, as a mother, I could notice that the skin is different with that in girls, so the wellness really matters the state of our skin.
https://www.wigginshair.com/
Lyn, your skin looks amazing. I was so excited to read your first article about Perricone MD and the healthy diet (anti-inflammatory, I believe) that I have jumped on the bandwagon, too – although not following it 100% I do feel so much better. Good nutrition and now great skin care. I avidly await your next article.
Lynne
I’ve tried a couple of Perricone MD products that I received as samples from Sephora, and they were very nice. I find that the state of my skin definitely changes with what is going on inside me, and with the weather. It was so hot and humid this summer that I was constantly breaking out. I would certainly try these products, especially the "deep crease serum".
Khim I have tried several different creams for age pigmentation, but none have worked. I found a dermatologist who uses nitrogen to freeze them away, and it worked very well and it was not expensive. I have friends who do laser treatments, but I am personally reserved to use laser and it is also expensive. Ruth London
Nice review, thanks!
Lyn, I just realized I wrote you on a product and commented on one of your writings. This one is more appropriate for it. Along with your wonderful choice of Perricone products. Which I love. Add this transdermal gel daily and it literally takes your skin, hair, nails and body into a rejuvenating state. It a miracle!
Listen to the 3 minute video then scroll down to the product pdf.
Getonthegel.com
My link is
Newulife.com/emanatelife
My email with any questions
[email protected]
Everyone over 26 should be on this.
I feel that there is a correlation between healthy eating including a lot of water and how my skin and hair looks. Also state of mind comes into play. Feeling stressed and not getting enough sleep had also effected my hair. Thankfully it is now getting thicker! I have transitioned to medical grade skin care and follow a routine that is producing good results for me. Sometimes it takes experimenting a bit with a product and maybe introducing one at a time.
Lyn,
Yes, the relationship between wellness and the state of our skin is critical to good health. The skin is the largest organ, and it is also the fastest growing. These simple facts alone should help guide us when it comes to developing a personalized skincare routine.
Wellness is a blend of internal and external factors. I believe a routine should be modified as one ages, changes her environment, etc. In addition to this beautiful product line (which I was lucky enough to try out last year) I find that a little goes a long way. Let the skin breathe!
One of my standard additions to caring for my skin is cold, cold H2O. Am I right? Ahh! That splash does so much! I drink it, splash it, and use it to create a clean pallet for the deep crease serum and under-eye cream. Silky. Lovely. And I build on this.
Elle
This is all wonderful for women with the means to purchase products such as Perricone. But for those of us with constrained budgets, such items are out-of-reach luxuries. My skin care products these days are plucked from the shelves of CVS and TJ Maxx. I have finally reached the point in my life where I am truly my authentic self, and that I am really, really happy. But while I applaud, and am inspired by your fearlessness, it’s more than a little disheartening to see that even now, after nearly seven decades of forging my own path, I may never become one of the “cool girls.” How about some great bargains for the rest of us?
Check out my most recent post and I will keep your request in mind.
I admire your unique independent style of fashion.
Please suggest shopping sites
I like consignment, Vestaire Collective and Real Real.
excellent write up! I have used Perricone over the years, and your article reminded me how great my skin looked while using it> I might just have to get back to it! As I just discovered your blog (via Maria Shriver’s blog) I was wondering if you had written anything about the letting your hair go grey transition? (my kids call it the Skunk look) and I just go back and forth….its hard when your single to make that final shift to grey aka old ….feeling
Thank you for writing such wonderful words for us to hang onto!
I started Intermittent Fasting, and eating whole food plant based beginning last year, I had my pic taken in May, and looked like i had had a face lift, I was shocked. Im 58 this year. I have a very demanding yoga practice, lots of inversions, keep well hydrated, and drink maybe 4-5 x a year, just one glass of whatever. I think all these things contribute, oh as well as sleep. this year I am experimenting with prescription retin a, and vit c serum. I was born in australia, so have a lot of sun damage. I take powdered collagen every day, for joint and tissue suppleness.
I am using a new skin care that I love. It is called “Bellame” and it is only four things to put on and it is for all skin types. No buying so many products. Love Love this product.
Lyn your skin looks neat and cute.
Have been using a Korean brand moisturizer–Madeca Derma–on my upper neck area. If used twice a day and consistently it really helps firm the sagginess under the chin after about two weeks of use.