Vicky Sanderson LOTS of talk these days on SM about how aging is positioned. At the centre of it is an unspoken belief that looking young and being young is a superior state of being. I think that’s nonsense, just as I think people who insist that weight is inexorably tied to health; that is, if you’re above a certain standard on a grid, you are by definition unhealthy. Who says that’s true? I’m almost as tired with these fuddy-duddy arguments, as I am with all the fuss made by folks who have oppressive definitions of gender, or want to police gender expression.
Aging without intervention
I am absolutely happy with the way I look at 64, without any surgical intervention. I do, however, rely on consistent skin care and good-quality products (although they don’t have to be expensive – shout out to Eucerin). That’s because I want my skin to be healthy, and to feel good.
As I’m aging I turned more and more to oil and serums. That’s because as we get older, skin cells regenerate less quickly and we produce less oil. We also lose fat in our face, which is what produces the softened jawline, the pillowy neck.
Natural skincare
I was delighted to try product from Éclat, a skincare company that uses plant and fruit extracts to create lines for the face, body and hair.
These Amazon stars are, I am happy to report, equal to the hype. I’ve been testing several items over the last few weeks, and find them really excellent, especially considering the prices. (A package of three serums sells for under $30.)
Morning and night, after cleansing, I start with a Cactus Water Toner, which is refreshing without being drying, and i believe has brightened my complexion.
Next, I apply Bakuchiol Oil Serum, which is a plant-based alternative to retinol, which I find irritating. This one per cent oil with a balanced 6.5 pH encourages cell turnover (see above). It’s extremely rich, but my aging skin absorbs it beautifully and it never feels heavy. After that, I apply an anti-wrinkle face cream that’s light as a feather. Purely anecdotal, I do feel like this skincare routine has evened out over the time I’ve been using it.
For kicks, I am trying the eyelash serum. My lashes have gotten increasingly sparse, a condition that can usually be corrected with a pass or two with a wand of mascara. But when you can’t see well enough to apply it without glasses, it becomes a bit of a nuisance.
P.S. I don’t recommend taking the position that you know where your own eyes are and just take a stab at it, which is what you literally do to your eye. And the results are invariably messy. So yes, having longer lashes with less work would suit me just dandy.
I’ll report back in a few weeks.
NOTE TO READERS: ÉCLAT sent me product to test but did not pay me for this post. It’s my honest review. Will I buy it again? Very likely, although I’d like to see retail availability in Canada. I’m not crazy about buying skincare – or much else, for that matter – online.
