What are you suppose to expect?

[eminenz2]

I'm not a make-up junkie, I don't think. But this past summer I thought I'd splurge with a couple of products on the 'higher end' of the make-up counter. I purchased soem Estee Lauder "Illumination" serum and some of their foundation make-up.

I actually don't see any benefit to the make-up but I'm wondering what is suppose to happen to your skin when you use a serum. I also purchased and inexpensive retinol product from the Target as well, just to see what it would do.

It doesn't seem as if my skin looks and brighter or more illuminated, but what does 'more illuminated' skin look like anyway?

I'm not meaning to review any particular products, I'm just wondering what is really suppose to be happening to your skin when you use these products.

Thanks!

 

[emigliori]

I think the two products you mentioned do two different things. Illuminating serums typically "brighten" or add a glow to the skin. They are usually worn under foundation and how much the "glow" shows through would be determined by how much coverage your foundation has.

Retinol treatments are used to treat acne or as an anti aging treatment to remove surface dead cells etc. they can come in the drugstore variety which contain low levels of active ingredients all the way up to prescription strength that you get from your dermatologist. FYI, you should stay out of the sun when using, any kind of sun, because your chance of sun damage can increase.

It depends on what your goals are, what skin care challenges you face and your age etc.

I have to admit I am a bit of a junkie in my experimentation of products so I'm happy to share what I've learned. I have combination skin and am in my late 30's.

I will tell you two things tried and true. Nothing works as well as clean eating, sufficient sleep, lots of water, sunblock and moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type.

Maybe another forum member who works in the skin care field can add to this

Goodnight!

Elizabeth

Sent from my iPhone using CatheForum

 

[eminenz2]

I thought the retin products are to help with anti-aging.

How do I know know I'm glowing? What does glowing skin look like? (I have a feeling it would be hard to find a picture of naturally glowing skin. Especially on a 45 year old woman. Without retouching or photoshop.)

I struggle getting enough sleep and CLEAN EATING (ugh! veggies just don't hold their allure for me anymore).

Thanks for answering!

 

[melagras]

You don't mention in your post your age but I think it all depends on that and the condition your skin is in. Stupid me didn't bother to use sunscreen for years and now I'm dealing with sun damage. I am 51 and just started using products with glycolic acid (Peter Thomas Roth line) and I also bought a Clarisonic. I can tell a difference in my skin. It is smooth as a baby's bottom. I tried to go back to the line I used ten years ago with no luck. My skin felt like sandpaper and my foundation looked horrible.

Keep experimenting - you'll find the right products. Always keep the original box and your receipt if what you purchased doesn't work and return it. I do.

 

[eminenz2]

I'm 45 and a religious user of sunscreen. I had a grandmother who died with melanoma so that ended the fun-in-the-sun nonsense for me!

Plus, I'm outside with the horses much of the time, so that also motivates my quest for an effective skin care regimen as my skin ages.

SPF45 for me, baby, all the way!

Thanks for your reply!

 

[RapidBreath]

I glow most after a good workout. I'm not being cute, its actually true. I have naturally peaches and cream skin, and when my skin is oxygenated, the blood flow gives it that 'glow' that people find attractive in young skin. Basically, it means that you are healthy and a viable sex partner (healthy appearance seems to equal healthy reproductive system.) I think you would get there faster with a little golden powder under your make up, giving you a little glow. In photography we use lights with gels (looks like plastic wrap) with some tint and then bounce the light under the chin and into the eyes to help relieve the sunken, dark eyes, and double chin effect. I guess the cosmetics are trying to achieve the same effect with pigment instead of light.

 

[eminenz2]

I get flushed bright pink after exercise to the point where if I'm around other people I'll get asked if I'm OK even though that's just what happens to my skin. But I wouldn't want to be that pink all the time! People might think I'm getting non-stop sexxins!