Guest Post: 3 Secrets for Younger Looking Skin

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I love being in my 30s. My career is pretty solid, I've found my soulmate, we have an adorable dog we adopted named Riley, we just bought a house, life is great! But one of the very few downsides is something I noticed recently. Something I'm just not ready to handle yet.

A friend snapped a photo at a baby shower and put it on Facebook and I realized, I'm not looking as...gasp...youthful as I once did. I look tired! My skin is splotchy, I'm getting sun spots on my face from all those years in the sun as a kid, weird jowl things are starting to form on my jawline, my under eyes are getting a little darker. WTH?!

I started to panic slightly, not ready for my body to start falling apart on me. I mean I'm only 32 years old. My skin isn't supposed to start sucking for at least another 20 years right? But then I started thinking about my beauty routine and priorities.

I looked back at my spending in the last few months and I easily spent $100 on a haircut, $45 on a mani/pedi, $100 on super cute new ankle boots (have to stay on trend!), $100 for an adorable new dress and only $12 for face wash and lotion. That means I'm spending like 4% of my total beauty spending on skincare.

And the absurdity of that is all the other stuff grows out, chips, fades, goes out of style. But my skin is still there! And it's something I only get one of and I have to wear every day. My beauty priorities need to shift! So what do I do to prevent this skin situation from getting worse? Can I reverse any of the damage now?

Getty

Getty

After a lot of research, I came up with a new skincare regimen that really works:

Secret #1: Drink lots of tea. Who knew that green and black teas can keep your skin hydrated, reverse UV damage and reduce inflammation?! The more you drink, the better results for your skin — and you're reducing free radicals in your body, which can help prevent skin cancer — win, win!

Secret #2: Eat foods high in essential fatty acids — skin friendly nutrients. Walnuts, salmon, poultry and fortified eggs contain these essential fatty acids that reduce inflammation, fine lines, sagging and blotchiness. Delish!

Secret #3: Invest in a quality skincare regimen. My favorite? Rodan + Fields. Ever heard of Proactiv? The dermatologists who created Proactiv created a new skincare company in Rodan + Fields with four AMAZING skincare regimens that can revitalize your skin. The skincare lines include Soothe (for sensitive skin), Unblemish (think Proactiv 2.0), Reverse (for sun damage) and Redefine (for wrinkles). I've been using Reverse for about 6 weeks now and am in love!

Now that my skin is on the mend, my diet has shifted slightly and my beauty spending is reprioritized, I'm back to enjoying life in my 30s – but looking like I'm in my 20s again. Crisis averted. Whew!

Fact vs. Fiction - Skin Around the Eyes Wrinkles More

FACT. “Laugh lines” around the eyes tend to be more distinct than, say, “elevens” around the mouth. While this news may not prove encouraging for those bothered by crow’s feet, scientists have found evidence that helps explain why skin in certain areas of the face is prone to deeper wrinkles.

According to a July 2015 study published in Clinical Anatomy, a Japanese research team found that sebaceous (or oil) glands under the skin play a key role in creating different wrinkle depths. These microscopic glands produce sebum, an oily substance that acts as a lubricant and protects skin from water damage. Because skin around the eyes tends to have fewer oil glands and appears thinner, wrinkles appear more pronounced—especially compared to creases on the forehead, where sebaceous glands are more concentrated and skin is thicker.

Researchers in the study cite other contributing factors to wrinkle location and depth—including gland density under the skin, genetics, skin health and lifestyle habits. So while some causes may be out of your control, fighting crow’s feet is not a lost cause. When applied to eye wrinkles, REDEFINE ACUTE CARE™ Skincare for Expression Lines has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines when used three times a week, for a total of 10 uses over 4 weeks. Another topical treatment to keep eyes looking youthful is REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream, featuring powerful peptides that help minimize the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness.

Fighting eye wrinkles can be easier than imagined when you also follow daily tips like these:

• Always wear sunglasses to protect the delicate skin around the eyes.
• Apply UVA/UVB sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day. Vigilant sun protection is the No. 1 way to decrease the risk of wrinkles and sagging, aged skin and, of course, skin cancer.
• Remove makeup around the delicate eye area with a gentle sweep of REDEFINE Eye Cloths, which deposit anti-aging peptides to minimize under-eye puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles.
• Drink plenty of water to boost skin metabolism, which helps promote skin elasticity and delivery of vital nutrients.

Are You Using a Foaming Face Wash?

Did you know foaming facial cleansers are BAD news for your complexion? Soap destroys the skin's delicate pH balance and natural lipid barrier of skin. 

Say hello to RF's Redefine Daily Cleansing Mask!

It's made with kaolin clay - sometimes referred to as china clay or white clay. The word “kaolin” actually comes from the name of where it originated, on the Kaoling Hill in China. 

Kaolin clay is one of the oldest cosmetic ingredients around and has stood the test of time, still producing excellent results. 

It has beauty benefits all while being gentle, so it won't strip your skin of natural oils. Using it as a mask and letting it dry increases blood circulation. It also purifies, eliminating toxins, white heads or black heads; while also boosting your cell renewal. 

Another benefit of kaolin clay is that it's rich in phytonutrients that help nourish & soften your skin too.

Reverse in Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens just featured our Reverse Dual Active Brightening Complex.  Everyone is catching on that these products are AWESOME and they really work!  We don't NEED to spend marketing dollars - our customers' results speak for themselves!

Fortune Magazine highlights R+F Business

Rodan + Fields has ZERO marketing department budget, yet we continue to be featured in the press every single week!  Recently Fortune magazine said this about our company; "The Rodan + Fields business model is the best kept secret in the business world." 

Before/After

Many of you have been requesting more before/after photos of those using Rodan + Fields products so I plan to share these more often with you here on this blog. The results really are awesome. These were all taken with NO filter and no photo retouching.

I have seen so many stories like on the neck and de'colletage - another reason why I treat my neck the same as my face as far as sunscreen and moisturizers, etc.

This eye cream is like crack!  It really works and once you start using it - you don't want to stop!  The BEST eye cream I have ever used!

She looks like she could be her own daughter, just a year later!  Another example of using twice a day , every day for a year - you really see a change - you just have to be patient!  The damage done to your skin did not happen overnight so it's not going to change over-night!

Just 2 weeks using eye cream!

The Retail World is Changing

Did you hear about Macy's lay-offs and store closings last week? So sad. Macy's President and CEO, Terry Lundgren, summed it up best; "Our business is rapidly evolving in response to changes in the way customers are shopping across stores, desktops, tablets and smartphones." Dr. Rodan and Dr. Fields had a vision of this a few years earlier and anticipated their customers needs changing. Here's the display for Rodan + Fields when we were in Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and several other high-end department stores. Rodan +Fields was the #1 selling clinical skincare line when they decided to tai it off the shelves and move to a direct selling model as the saw that they way people were shopping was changing quickly! For the past 4 years, Rodan + Fields has been the fastest growing premium skincare line with 106% growth rate. Who wants to join me for a piece of this awesome company? It's a smart company. It's a credible company. Their products work and it's so fun  helping people take care of their skin. I have friends doing this as a part time job, a side gig, and even a full time job far surpassing their expectations of flexible work and pay. The best part of this job is getting to work with my friends! The second best part is getting to be home when my kids need me. All you have to do is wash your face and talk about it! Who wants to join me?  I started exactly a year ago and it was one of the smartest business decisions I've ever made and I am having a BLAST! Message me today!

In the News . . .

Obama just recently signed a bipartisan ban on micro-beads.  Here is a link to the article if you'd like more information on it.

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/blogs/obama-signs-bipartisan-ban-microbeads

But good news!  Rodan + Fields just happens to have the BEST exfoliating scrub (salt, sugar, vitamins C & E) that smoothes the skin, exfoliates dead skin cells and brightens the complexion at the SAME TIME and contains NO MICROBEADS!

Before & After

This is a friend of a friend of mine. She just started using the Redefine regimen with the AMP MD Roller before the holidays.  This is her before picture and after just 2 weeks!  This is why I always ask my customers to take "before" pix as sometimes we don't notice until we see the before/after.    

2016 Skincare Resolutions

Have you made your 2016 Skincare Resolutions?  Remember your skin is going to be with you for a very long time and it's our biggest organ. We must take care of it. My 2016 Skincare Resolution is to get more beauty sleep and to continue to use Redefine regularly with the AMP MD Roller. I also want to start using the Lip Renewing Serum EVERY night - that stuff is magic for your lips if you use regularly!

The following are skincare resolutions from the R+F Home Office. Read about the changes our team members and executives plan make on their path to healthier, younger-looking skin in 2016—and use them as motivation to set your own skincare goals.

Dr. Katie Rodan

“This winter, I am going to ‘Redefine’ my hands so they are handshake and hug ready when I meet our wonderful Customers and Consultants in the U.S. and Canada in the year ahead!”

Dr. Kathy Fields 

“Take my Vitamin D and reapply sunscreen. Continue my insatiable passion to be involved in cutting edge technologies, devices and ingredients to improve the lives of my patients and eventually everyone.”

Lori Bush, President & CEO 

“My 2016 resolution is to make my 60th birthday difficult to differentiate from my 50th…and to not feel guilty about not re-shooting my headshot for the past seven years. MACRO Exfoliator™ and ACUTE CARE™—I’m all yours!”

Heidi Wissmiller, Chief Customer Officer

“My resolution is to spend more time with loved ones and to be true to my Regimen.”

Mary Radford, Director, RF Connection

“Keep calm and patch on! Every quarter I plan to apply ACUTE CARE Skincare for Expression Lines on the smile lines around my eyes for 10 uses over 4 weeks. Then I’ll maintain the results with a once-a-week application.”

Kelly Summers, Senior Manager, Learning & Development

“Keeping my skin looking healthy, smooth and radiant is a priority for me. So I will continue to drink a lot of water and diligently use my REDEFINE Regimen and Lip Renewing Serum day and night, in addition to using the AMP MD™ nightly.”

Ghazaleh Kermaani, Senior Brand Manager

“Now that my skin has cleared from using the UNBLEMISH Spot Fading Toner, I’m looking forward to transitioning to the REVERSE Regimen and using the REDEFINE AMP MD and Night Renewing Serum daily for brighter-looking skin.”