As older women we get bombarded with skincare claims that promise to reduce the signs of aging and make our skin look younger and more vibrant. Aging is a natural occurrence. It’s difficult to stop, but women spend enormous amounts of money trying to halt it.
The purpose of all the hype is to turn us into lifelong customers of creams, potions, serums, and devices. But it’s impossible to tell what really works when you see celebrities hawking products who can afford plastic surgery, Botox, and fancy skin treatments.
How you age is dependent on your lifestyle
If you are the outdoorsy type, chances are you’ll have more wrinkles on your face than someone who isn’t even if you slather on massive doses of sunscreen. However, you’ll have the benefit of being out in the fresh air and enjoying the scenery. A woman who stays indoors most of the time applying expensive creams will probably have fewer wrinkles. The downside is she may miss the splendor of taking a mule trip down the Grand Canyon. It’s a choice. Anti-aging does not mean anti-living.
A plump woman will have less wrinkles than one who is fit
Excess fat has a smoothing effect on the face, but severe obesity is not healthy. We see this in what is called Ozempic Face. Rapid weight loss causes sagging and aging of the skin. It doesn’t have a chance to catch up.
Healthwise, it’s better to get rid of excess fat but that is the sacrifice. On the other hand, women who are not thin as rails have fewer instances of osteoporosis or injuries from falls.
Society only pretends to celebrate older women
There has been a movement recently to encourage authentic aging, embracing gray hair, and over 50 fitness but it often involves products that promise “vibrant skin” or expensive supplements for everything from boosting collagen to gut health. Still, natural aging is often belittled.
How many times have you seen a pop-up article with a headline like “Name of Celebrity was once a gorgeous bombshell. You’ll be shocked to see what she looks like now!” (photo of her frazzled and living in her car)
Reality check. She’s 50 years older. WTF do you expect?
Expensive skincare doesn’t mean it’s better
An expensive skincare line with a celebrity name attached to it doesn’t guarantee it will work miracles. Case in point: Jennifer Lopez touts using olive oil on her face and has licensed it as her brand. But dermatologists refute it as a healthy skin option. Lopez’s olive complexion doesn’t mean it comes from olives.
Some products are snake oil and others are unnecessary. Keep it simple Sweetie. Don’t spend a fortune on Le Mer. Eat an apple instead.
Anti-aging products are touted for 25-year olds
Kids in their 20s and 30s think they’re old. No honey! I’m 70. You’re not old. You can prevent the signs of aging, but it will get you eventually.
The only way to stave off an aging face is to take care of yourself
You can use all the expensive skincare products you want but if you smoke, drink too much, take drugs, eat junk food, and get no sleep, you will begin to look haggard fast. No amount of collagen supplements will help you if you are in self-destruction mode.
Embrace and celebrate aging rather than trying to defy it
I love great skincare products as much as the next person but there’s no need to bleed your bank account to stop what is inevitable. Make the best of aging instead. Every wrinkle is an obstacle that you have overcome. It means you made it through challenges in life and came out on the other end.
Great post, Rebecca. Though we DID NOT KNOW IT….sun block is the very best skincare on the planet. I will always remember what my mother said, when I was on my way to the beach. And this was long before sunblock creams and the true knowledge of how sun can damage our skin. In college we lay out with oil on our skin to tan. Crazy crazy. And Mom had red hair, later skin cancer…she was on to something. And yes, I use
lotions and apply them to my face OFTEN. But I maintain, and you live in California, sunblock has to be the best thing you can do for your skin. Thanks.