Why Skin Care is Not Enough

The lady in that picture looks pretty unhappy. No wonder; she probably has finally realized that all the money she’s been spending on that sticky white stuff just isn’t getting the job done. Poor kid . . .

Staggering amounts of money are spent on cosmetics and skin care products that promise to lift, firm and tighten our faces. How many times have we purchased a product that promises to do everything short of putting us on the surgeon’s table and how long must we wait for those promises to come true? Time is not on our side so instead of waiting for the (likely expensive) product to work, we stand in line to grab another over-priced promise. Do you think we jump from one product to the next because we don’t see or experience a real visible improvement? Are you like me and have tried many of them, only to be disappointed with the results?

The marketing and advertising companies know what they’re doing. The ads are so compelling and we want to believe we can look younger and have firmer, tighter, lifted skin just by smearing the latest and greatest topical cream, oil, or lotion on our faces, décolleté, legs, and butts. But so far, scientists that formulate the products, the marketing gurus that advertise it, and the companies behind them all fall unforgivingly short on their promises to get rid of our wrinkles, lift our jawline, and dissolve sagging skin. Even if they were successful, I wonder just how long those results would last? Something to think about.

It’s no wonder they can’t really do what they say they can do. The majority of us have not spent our entire lifetime as a fitness model or in the gym. We have worked our butts off in the home and out of the home, raised our children, and stressed ourselves out to the max living life and dealing with everything thrown at us. We are pretty incredible, ladies.

If your over 40 (give or take a few years) and you look in the mirror, the aging we see isn’t usually just about the wrinkles. We see looseness in our skin; we seem to be tired and our eyes aren’t nearly as bright as they once were. Our upper eyelids may be drooping and we may have dark circles under our eyes. Let’s not forget that deepening nose-to-mouth line and the turkey neck that seems to be nudging downward. The contours of our face and jawline have either gotten puffy or become shallow.

All-in-all, it’s just not where most of us want to be. Sometimes, I decide to just throw the towel in and let nature take its course; other times I become determined to fight the good fight. You may be like me and perhaps you’ve decided it’s time to make a change that will really count.

We all know the topical stuff that we’ve spent a small fortune on really doesn’t work and even if it showed any sign of hope, it simply doesn’t last. So what can we do, ladies?

Two things; we can start with two low-cost and even free things. They both require time and effort. It’s time we took a few minutes each day for our own self-care.

These are in no particular order so pick which you want to do first. Spend just two weeks trying these out and don’t forget to take a before and after picture so you can really know what you’ve accomplished. If you’re one of the rare people who really do the work but see zero improvements, well, that can’t happen if you really do the work.

First, we are not talking plastic surgery, injections, fillers, peels, or anything else related to these. We are talking simple actions you can take at home. Consistency is key. It cost almost nothing other than your time and a little bit more laundry.

Baking Soda and Coconut Oil

You’ll need to test a small area first with the baking soda to make sure your skin can tolerate it. Simply make a paste with the baking soda and some water and apply to your test area. Leave it there while you wash your hands with the remaining paste then wash the test area and pat dry. Apply organic, unrefined coconut oil* (CO) to the test area. It won’t take much so be careful with the CO. Wait 24 hours to see if there’s any redness or patchiness at the site of the test area. If not, wash your entire face and apply CO.

 

You may be able to do this daily or only once a week. You’ll need to experiment and see what your skin can handle. If you’re using the baking soda daily and originally there was no redness or patchiness but you begin to show signs of either of these, listen to your skin and give it a rest. Apply again when you’re ready but always be ready to change your routine based on what your skin is telling you.

Facial Exercises

Just like the body responds to weight training, sit ups, and jazzercise (am I showing my age?), your facial muscles must respond to exercise, as well. Just as the body becomes toned, so will the face. Just like the pictures of the 70-year-olds who have exercised for years look much younger, so will the face.

There are several vides on YouTube about facial exercises. Look for those that are isometric and resistance-type exercises for the face. I can tell you, from a naturopathic and a massage therapist perspective, that facial muscles attach to bone on one end, and the other end the muscle weaves over and under other muscles.

 

You may be able to do this daily or only once a week. You’ll need to experiment and see what your skin can handle. If you’re using the baking soda daily and originally there was no redness or patchiness but you begin to show signs of either of these, listen to your skin and give it a rest. Apply again when you’re ready but always be ready to change your routine based on what your skin is telling you.

Facial Exercises

Just like the body responds to weight training, sit ups, and jazzercise (am I showing my age?), your facial muscles must respond to exercise, as well. Just as the body becomes toned, so will the face. Just like the pictures of the 70-year-olds who have exercised for years look much younger, so will the face.

There are several vides on YouTube about facial exercises. Look for those that are isometric and resistance-type exercises for the face. I can tell you, from a naturopathic and a massage therapist perspective, that facial muscles attach to bone on one end, and the other end the muscle weaves over and under other muscles.

It is only when special ‘anchoring’ (or ‘resistance’) techniques are applied that a contraction can be caused in the muscle or muscle group. This contracting motion then allows the muscles to become fuller, plumper and more youthfully positioned. This action lifts the face (no knives or surgery involved).

I’ve had people report they feel as if they look 10 or 15 years younger in as little as two weeks. Others have reported lesser results, but results still the same.

Cathy’s ‘Faith Action’

I took a faith step and started my facial exercises on Valentine’s Day 2023 (is this appropriate? LOL). The last day of this 2-week program is February 28th. Not bad because my birthday is March 15th and we will be travelling the first week of March (non-birthday related; it’s a business thing).

I’ll be looking to see if these two steps:

  • Improve the muscle tone of my face?
  • Reduce or eliminate any wrinkles or fine lines?
  • Help any with the turkey neck?
  • Cause my face to look younger?

I’ll be using, at a minimum, these YouTube videos:

Here is the daily chart I’ll be using to track my actions and progress.

Discussion Questions

  • Have you ever faithfully stuck with a face cleansing routine? Extra credit if you’ve stuck with it longer than a month.
  • Did you like the picture of the facial muscles or did it give you the heebie-jeebies?
  • What’s your current favorite face cleanser?

* Both WalmartTM and CostcoTM have Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil; I find their pricing is usually less than Amazon.

 

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