I started paying attention to my skin when I hit 50. Before that I would slap on whatever was around, used sunscreen only when I was at the beach, and figured “oh well . . . I’ve already damaged it by spending countless hours in the sun, slathered with baby oil mixed with iodine, speeding up the damage by using a reflector.”
Hmmmm. Smart.
It was when I got my first 10x mirror, which showed every wrinkle and dark spot on my face, did I finally make an appointment with Dr. Doris Day (Dr. Day’s contact info is below.) Dr. Day has been on every major TV show, in all the magazines, and is in high demand for her expertise on everything having to do with skin, from acne to skin cancer to the latest cosmetic procedures.
Dr. Day eventually became one of my key experts in THE BEST OF EVERYTHING AFTER 50, because her advice was so solid, basic, doable, sustainable . . . and inexpensive. All good. Oh . . . and it works!
I visited Dr. Day this week for a “check-in” and to inquiry if there was anything new and better on the market. The answer? Nope . . . the basics are still the best.
Dr. Day’s recommendations are:
- Makeup Remover: It’s recommended in my book, and she still says its the best — ALBOLENE cream, which can be bought in any drug or mass merchandise store
- Sunscreen: No need to go crazy with 100 SPF . . . that’s a marketing ploy. But you should use at least 30 SPF, and preferably 50. Her favorites are NEUTRAGENA and COLORSCIENCE, which is a terrific product in the form of a powder. I love it. It comes in clear, or with a little hint of color, and best for the face. But, the best sunscreen, Dr. Day says, is the one you use.
- Moisturizer: You really shouldn’t spend alot of money on skin care, and that’s true for moisturizer as well. NEUTROGENA and AVEENO make great moisturizers, including those with sunscreen (I use Aveeno Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizer with 30 SPF).
- Daytime Treatment: Two years ago, Dr. Day recommended a product that it helps to combat the signs of aging, evens skin tone, and builds collagen. It’s probably the most effective antioxidant on the market — Revale’ Coffeeberry. I apply it every morning after I exfoliate, and have found it to be incredibly effective.
- Nighttime Treatment: Dr. Day believes in the power of retinol, and highly recommends RETIN-A (or some version of it), which is prescription-only. There are excellent over-the-counter retinol products, but prescription-strength is superior and preferred. This should be applied at night, so it can work its magic while you sleep.
- Exfoliate: To help all these products work even better, you need to exfoliate the top layer of your skin every day. You can use a washcloth with a little bit of white sugar (that’s what I do), or an over-the-counter facial cleanser that specifically exfoliates.
That’s pretty much it: exfoliate, treat, moisturize and protect. Your skin will glow.
Best of everything,
Barbara
Dr. Doris Day:
Cosmetic, Laser and Surgical Dermatology
135 East 71st Street, Suite 1A
New York, NY 10021
url: www.MyClearSkin.com
212.772.0740
Tags: After 50, Aveeno, Barbara Grufferman, Barbara Hannah Grufferman, Colorscience, Dr. Doris Day, Neutrogena, Retin-A, retinol, skin care after 50, The Best of Everything After 50, The Best of Everything After 50: The Experts' Guide to Style, The Best of Everythng After 50, women over 50
Barbara, one of my favourite natural oils is Castor Oil (available at any natural food/health care store — not the pharmaceutical variety). It is thick and greasy, but penetrates quickly and is known to be the best “moisturizer”. It also has amazing healing powers. My little spider veins have either disappeared or faded over the last 5 years. They’ve certainly not gotten worse, even with varicose veins running in my family. It gradually lessens those age-moles we sometimes get on our faces. And it is amazing for those little calcified bumps under the eyes. (and safe enough to get in the eyes). I often use just castor oil at night on my face, or smudge it over my moles and under my eyes over my night cream. Awesome!
Which revale product do you use for daytime–do you use it underneath your spf moisturizer?
Dear Barbara,
I love that you use Castor Oil! Really, any kind of oil is great for use on skin and hair, but I stick with Olive Oil, and add a tiny bit of lavendar oil for the scent. It’s wonderful!
Dear MW,
I put Revale’ Day Cream (with spf 20) on my face immediately upon rinsing it in the morning, before moisturizer. I generally use a moisturizer with spf (my favorite is Neutragena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with spf 50. Hope this helps!
Best,
Barbara
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