I’ve been a huge fan of skin care products since I was 8 and my mother bought me a bottle of Noxzema. After that, when I was 13, I got my first Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System. I couldn’t help myself — skin care has just always been my favorite thing!
So I’ve had this lifelong obsession with my skin. Since I was 18, I’ve been practicing religious sun avoidance, complete with big sunglasses, huge-brimmed sun hats anytime I’m outside, and long sleeves at the beach (except on my honeymoon)!
Now I’m in my thirties, and I’ve just started to notice my first wrinkle — a small crease under my eye, mind you, but still a wrinkle that was there. Here’s how I got rid of it without Botox or injectable fillers:
First, I applied a retinoid. Yes, retinoids have been shown to thin the skin and make skin photosensitive, which is why strong concentrations generally aren’t recommended for use under the eyes. But I trust my products, so I used my FutureDerm Time-Release Retinol 0.5 directly on my undereye wrinkle.
Next, I used MDSUN Med Eye Complex Cream. Think of this stuff like Skinceuticals on steroids: Infused with more vitamin C than water and packed with over a dozen peptides, ceramides, human stem cells media, and vitamin E, MDSUN Med-Eye Complex Cream is truly powerful eye cream designed to visibly promote firmness, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
During the day, I used a vitamin CE serum under my eyes, and applied a dab of sunscreen. Come nighttime, it was back to the FutureDerm Time-Release Retinol 0.5Â and the MDSUN Med-Eye Complex Cream.
I also made sure that I stepped up my relaxation a little bit. Sometimes I think we all just look chronically tired as we’re getting older because we are chronically tired! So I took the development of wrinkles as a sign I need to slow down and rest more. I stepped up my meditation in the morning. I made sure I got eight hours of sleep. (Alright, on Saturdays, I am getting nine)! And I made sure that I’m not constantly racing around, but am actually taking a moment here and there to enjoy life, appreciate all of the wonderful things in my life, and breathe.
Diet also plays a role in the development of wrinkles. Inflammation from sugar and fried foods, puffiness from salt, and a lack of B vitamins can make the skin look tired, inflamed, wan and depleted. I stepped up my fruit and vegetable intake with green smoothies and substituted my beloved sushi for salads for lunch. Dinner also starts with a small salad most nights, and I upped my water intake to the full 64 ounces.
Lastly, I think that being so uptight about aging makes you look older. If you’re insecure about your age or your wrinkles, you tend to judge yourself harshly, and criticize others on the basis of age. (Haven’t we all had an older woman glare at us for wearing skimpy clothing or too much makeup when we were in our twenties?)  Relaxing about it, being open to embracing ourselves at every age, and maintaining our sense of humor about the whole aging thing may be the most youth-inducing thing of all.
Look, I know that all of this sounds really vain, but let’s face it: I’m a skin care blogger, I run a skin care company, and skin care has been one of my favorite things for over 20 years. And two weeks later, I’m out of the danger zone — my wrinkles are gone! Not kidding. And while I know I’m not free of getting wrinkles forever, I am glad that these simple steps worked for now, and I’m happy to share with my readers what worked for me.