Between The Lines -- Wrinkle Defense

Between The Lines

 

 

Happily, I have a face that defies my age. On a good day, I can pass for many years younger than my real age, and on a bad day I can at least pass for an exhausted and stressed out twenty-something. (And being a worn out twenty-something beats a rested thirty-something any day of the week.) It’s a mystery why I am not coated in a web of wrinkles, after all, I spent the majority of my teenage and early adult years tanning in a self-made marinade of iodine and baby oil (Don’t judge me.), possessed my very own “sun lamp” (which is a euphemism for giant skin-scorching bulb of questionable safety standards) and even – I’m ashamed to say this now – held unlimited monthly passes at many a tanning salon.

 

But even though my cheeks, forehead and chin are still smooth, I apparently can’t go lineless forever around my eyes and mouth – the very expressions that make life fun eventually take their toll. Over time, tiny crinkles have popped up around my eyes and I’m getting those “marionette” smile lines around my mouth. Though I’m personally against using any substance that freezes your ability to crinkle up and renders you expressionless, (starts with a “B” and ends with an “ox”), there are so many advances in skin care that can halt your character-building crinkles before they turn into rampant creases.  I learned long ago that wrinkle diminishing is that a side effect of the Retinol that is my go-to at the first sign of any hormonal breakouts, and I still believe that it’s the gold standard ingredient in any skin treatment for wrinkles. However, there are times when it’s not appropriate to use, like when your skin is super-sensitive, or during pregnancy, or when you know you will be in the sun for extended periods of time. (Even with strong sunblock, retinol makes your skin particularly susceptible to burning.) So, I’m on the search for the best non-retinoid wrinkle treatments for those of us in danger of getting carded when we order our next Wasabi Pear Martini.

 

For Everyday

Sensitive skins should start and finish every day with good old derm-approved Cetaphil ($6.99 at drugstores) but all other skins can rev up the cleansing with Peter Thomas Roth AntiAging Cleansing Gel, $35, and Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads, $45, a line and wrinkle releasing, all-around glowifying treatment that rivals gentle spa peels; at www.sephora.com.

 

Moisturize, protect and pare down lines and wrinkles with the dynamic duo of Murad’s Intensive Wrinkle Reducer, $150, and Intensive Wrinkle Reducer for Eyes, $90, both of which turn back time by dramatically firming skin and lessening the look of lines without irritation, and feel refreshingly lightweight and breathable, unlike many other wrinkle creams.

 

 

 

Special Treatment

When feeling extra haggard, or when you need a fast skin boost before a big event, amp up your usual routine with an intensive mask, like Laboratoire Remède Alchemy Line Minimizing Masque ($68, www.bluemercury.com), which raises collagen and elastin production, softens the look of fine lines, super-hydrates, and generally lessens the visible toll of smog, sun, stress and sleep-deprivation. An ultra-luxe and ultra-effective treatment for eyes, RéVive Masque des Yeux ($185, www.neimanmarcus.com) is an investment for sure, but the results are extraordinary for tired eyes. It’s packed with Hyaluronic Filling Spheres, which is a fancy name for magical-line-plumping-eye-depuffery powers. Apply it to your under eye area before bed and wake to amazingly smooth, firm, vacation eyes even on a workday.

 

Last but not least, the best wrinkle prevention is the everyday-without-fail use of a broad-spectrum, UVA/UVB sunblock on your face. No excuses.