A is for anti-aging antioxidant

Vitamin A, a.k.a, Retinol or Betacarotene or Provitamin A

A lot of products for mature and aging skin utilize this vitamin. It has been shown to improve the elasticity of the skin and aid in cell repair. It is integral for skin health and function. Fights cancer, free radicals, and sun damage.  Necessary for the health of your eyes, hair and mucus membranes. Keeps your immune system battle-ready. 

Lack of this vitamin can manifest in poor vision, night blindness, bacterial infection, follicular keratinosis, and dry, scaly skin.

How to use it: Apply directly to thick, dry skin to improve firmness and texture. As a supplement, pair it with Vitamin E for a super-dose of skin regeneration power but be careful of your dose. Too much Vitamin A is toxic. No more than 15,000 RE per day is the recommendation. As a matter of fact, supplemental Vitamin A is unnecessary for most people who eat well. I say, skip the pills and eat your veggies. Eat or juice lots of carrots and dark green veggies like spinach and kale. Vitamin A is also found in fish oils, liver, egg yolks and fruits that are orange in color.

When scanning the skin care aisle, look for retinol. Serums are a great choice. At your market, think betacarotene. (Remember betacarotene is 'bright' in color.) 

What I'm Using

Philosophy Microdelivery Peel

It's a two part exfoliating system. Not as complicated as it sound. Just gently rub the vitamin-C peptide crystals onto your skin and then put the lactic/ salicylic acid "activator" on top. Leave it on for a few minutes to really let those vitamins sink in and allow the acids to do their thang. 

 

What you are getting is a double exfoliation: 

manual: from the crystals

and

chemical: from the lactic/ salicylic combo

The vitamin-C will brighten your skin like nothing else. It's a wonderful antioxidant for fighting age and environmental attack. I have sensitive skin and this product has never left me scratched-up. As a matter of fact, I always end up with a bright, even complexion that people really notice. But, respect the warning to "...not scrub, only massage". A time or two I thought...'but, I haven't exfoliated in a while and my skin is pretty dull and they must not be talking to ME...'and, yes, I looked like the victim of a sandpaper assault. It isn't necessary [or advisable]. This product is expensive for a reason. Just relax and let it do the work for you. 

This stuff is chock full of power ingredients in big doses. It is worth the investment. I bought mine in August and I still have lots left. 

For those who don't have the dough, you could still get some benefits from a home scrub.  From your kitchen, I suggest some brown sugar and sea salt in a base of olive oil and a touch of honey for a manual scrub. Pulverize some strawberries to deliver your alpha-hydroxy acid. Mix in a little yogurt if you want to make it gentler. Don't forget to apply your sunscreen, beautiful!

Time to shine

I start taking appointments for facials and limited waxing on Monday.  I'm excited that I'll be liberated from my home for two working days. I am also glad to finally be using all this knowledge and skill to make people smooth. I am still really nervous.  No one expects me to be perfect right out of the starting gate.  Most of the pressure is coming from myself.  I just want to do a good job and I'm really not ready to be thrust back into a service industry.  In any service industry, every mistake you make is a reason to call a manager.  And in this occupation, every single hair remaining on a waxed leg is a big mistake.  One single hair could damage my reputation.  Think about that.

Last night, the babe slept in her crib from 9something to 5:30 this morning.  I couldn't sleep at all.  I checked her breathing every couple hours.  I really missed her.  I'm glad she is ready for this important step.  I'll try to match my newborn's courage and leap into the unknown with grace.