What can I do for my face - I look like I'm 100.

[izazen]

I have very delicate, Irish-type, pale, thin (really) skin and after my bad bout with IC/pfd/vaginal atrophy a few years ago my face really took a beating, visually, that is.
I look like I aged 10-15 years - permanent frown lines around my mouth (from all the depression, anxiety and tears...) plus I really neglected myself and didn't take care of my skin very well.
Now I'm paying the price as I look much older than my same age (and older) friends.
Worse of all my lower face has gotten a real "crepey" look that really makes you look WAY OLD!
Any advice other than botox or surgery?
Thanks very much for any help.
P.S. Its REALLY dry,too, and no matter what cream I use its no use - its like dry cardboard an hour later. I once read that ageless Doris Day (at least she was for a long time) used vaseline all over herself so I've been using that plus cold cream plus some stuff I bought at CVS in the $30- range - no help at all.

[SharonA]

The only thing I can think of is keeping yourself hydrated. Water is essential for the care of your skin.

BTW...Check the ingredients of the cream you bought from CVS. There was a report this morning on creams having Estrogen as an ingredient. The concern is with Estrogen causing an increase in Breast Cancers. The ingredient list will not necessarily come right out and list "estrogen". It could be listed as another name. I usually do online searches on ingredients of things if I am not familiar with the names. The doctor reported that she uses Sunflower Oil as a body moisturizer.

[systitis]

Hi...I PMed you with details of what works for my very dry skin. Didn't want to name specific products on the board...I think it's against the rules.

[izazen]

Thanks very much for the tip, "SharonA" - you are quite correct in being on the lookout for any estrogen products.
"Sistitis" - I look forward to reading your message. Thank you for taking the time to do so.
I *heart* the ICN!

[izazen]

Sharon, I just did a "wiki" search on "sunflower oil" - see "negative side effects" - that doesn't sound good, either.
What's a girl to do??? sigh......

[amaranthe]

I use Shortening for my dry skin cream. (Yes, like Crisco!) I wash my face first, and while it is still damp, I rub in a small amount on the dry areas and under my eyes for a night cream. In the daytime, I use a moisterizer with SPF. I like the Olay Regenerist products for a wrinkle cream. But, there are lots of good ones out there now.

Regarding the Crisco, my kids pediatirtion told me about it b/c one of kids has eczema. She said that Sophia Loren has been using it for years and it is a very popular home remedy for dry skin. It works great for me! I just use it where I am dry and under my eyes.

Hope this helps and hope you find something that works well for you!

[yvette]

I think the other ladies had great advice...I can only add that I moisturizer every day and make sure it has SPF, My makeup also has SPF, and I moisturize at night with either an Olay product or even just Aquaphor (it's a bit greasy but for overnight, who's going to care ;) ---and just use a enough to rub in, not leave a glob all-over). Aquaphor is also good for dry skin and eczema. The dermatologist and PCP swear by it....and I read the back, it reads just like petroleum jelly but it works MUCH better!!! Whatever is in there I've had dry scaly red patches heal up within a couple days with using Aquaphor--gotta love it!

You may not be able to "undo" everything but you probably can make an improvement and slow-down any further premature aging. Good luck! :hi:

[ICNDonna]

I use Kokum Butter Body Balm I got from the ICN Shop. I'm almost through my second bottle. Great moisturizer plus it feels soothing and has a nice smell. The only problem I have with it is that our Meggie dog loves it --- I almost have to fight her off after I put on my lotion.

Donna

[Annie2]

I, too, have extremely dry skin. The wrinkles are getting nasty now that I'm in my 60s. All that sun exposure when I was young and we didn't have sunblock available is taking it's toll on me. My skin is so dry I can smear vaseline on at night and wake up with flaky skin. I've tried a gazillion wrinkle creams and different moisturizers. What works best for me now is Cetaphil (both the cleanser and moisturizing cream--not lotion, heavy cream in a jar) for sensitive skin. It is quite soothing to my skin and the moisturizer works well lasting for hours and hours.

[Briza]

My problem is especially dry hands,chapped red knuckles, dry cuticles and nails... especially during the winter if I am outdoors a lot in dry cold weather, or inside the constant warm air produced by central heating units really dries me out. I have used Rx lotions, vaseline, that udder cream, any and every type of cream, lotion, ointment imaginable for my hands to no avail and one day when my knuckles were especially red and chapped and dry I just happened to have a tube of regular old neosporine ointment in my purse, but no lotion, but I was desperate, so I spread neosporine all over my hands and voila! That is my new hand ointment!! Works for me like a charm like nothing else ever has! I don't know if it would be wise to spread it all over my face but it works like a miracle for my hands.
The generic/storebrand versions of neosporine work just as well for me. I have also had much success using it as lip balm.

[Goldfinch]

Pure Shea butter works pretty well for me. I don't know what it is exactly, but I think it's from a nut of some kind. I like that Crisco idea. That, plus a fruity hair rinse and a walk in the sun will make you smell like a pie that just came out of the oven! Irresistible!

[Annie2]

LOL! You may be onto something, Goldfinch. Maybe that's the secret to aging well..........always smell like freshly baked pie; people will be attracted to the wonderful smell and won't even remember your wrinkles or think about your age. :rolleyes: Hmmm.........Now where did I put that Crisco?

[Trishann]

I use St. Ives on my face, the facial cleanser, I love it.

Briza my husband knuckes are just like yours. Woll have to try the neosporine on him, thanks.

Your IC sister, Trish

[sami4]

The best renewal for skin that is pretty far gone is a laser procedure which probably will involve redness, scabing, and then reveal new skin that is like a babys butt. It takes about 7 days to heal, but its permanent, and dosent hurt, you just look like a creature from the Black Lagoon while you are peeling
I would also suggest that you eat a diet high in Omega 3 fatty acids like salmon or take Fish Oil. to lubricate from within. If you are not on hormone therapy you will have drier skin that a woman who is.
Sammi

[BT2008]

My NP suggested I go to a healthfood store and buy some Coconut Oil for atrophy of my vulva and vagina. She said to massage it in well every day over the whole perineum and even up inside my vagina.

I did indeed find it at a healthfood store--$13.00 for a 1 pound jar ("extra virgin" by the way is just a PR gimmick...this does not apply to coconut oil like it does with olive oil).

Even though it is called "oil" it comes as a white solid (like Crisco) but it melts on contact with my hands and body. It also smells totally yummy! The best part, however, is that it works really well! So much so, that I very quickly started applying it all over my body and even on my face!

Instead of the separate face creams and shea butters that I used to use, which can be very expensive...this 1 pound jar of coconut oil is lasting a long time, especially considering the fact that I am using it all over my body!

After using it for over a month now, I am very happy to report that my skin not only feels SO much better...it definitely looks better too! Also, my hubby noticed it and complimented me on the change, so I know it is working! I have also noticed that if I go more than a day without it...my skin "misses it" and "reminds me" to do it!

So, even though I can't seem to make my bladder happy, I can make my skin happy! So, I make a point to use it everyday!

~Beth

[izazen]

I've heard great things, recently, about coconut oil, too. I'm definitely going to try it.

Regarding the estrogen comment - I don't want one more product that has estrogen in it than I have to take and to survive the vaginal atrophy I have to take 1 gm 3 x a week but I don't want an iota more than that.

I guess its just me but that's the way I feel.