I had a birthday on Friday. My celebration started on Thursday and stretched into the weekend, but there was definitely a point where I sat up and thought, I'm how old?! I don't mind getting older. I just want to look and feel good doing it. So in the spirit of sharing, I have three goodies to share with you, products I think are worth investing in and are making a real difference in my life.
Fish Oil Supplements
Yes, I've heard about these for years, but I don't even take a multivitamin on a daily basis, so fish oil supplements seemed like just another thing to remember - until I went for my yearly eye exam and mentioned to my doctor how dry and red my eyes had become over the last year. She confirmed that my tear production had dropped off and suggested a therapeutic regimen of fish oil supplements.
Discomfort tends to motivate me more than health concerns, so I bought a bottle. What surprised me in the end wasn't just how much better my eyes felt, but how much better I felt in general. I've noticed changes in my mood and mental acuity and general wellbeing. I'm a believer now. And if you're wrinkling your nose, thinking about a fishy aftertaste or smell, I can assure you there are quality brands that don't have anything fishy about them - and I take four a day, so I should know. (The brand I've been using is Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Soft Gels.)
Retin-A
I have the very sensitive, fair skin of my father (Scottish and English descent) coupled with the genetic gift of younger looking skin, courtesy of my grandmother (Spanish descent). I've taken decent care of my skin over the years, but I'd started noticing some changes that over-the-counter products just weren't touching, so I asked my dermatologist about Retin-A. She told me it was still the gold standard in treatment for wrinkles, sun damage, and general aging, and thought I could use it, even with the rosacea that I suffer from on occasion.
She was right. I started using it every other night, in a gel form (Tretinoin Gel .01%), and after just a month I started to see and feel the difference. There is an initial adjustment period - in my case, some dry patches and flaking skin (but no irritation) and different levels of benefits as you continue to use it. The first two months you can expect to see a difference in skin texture. Months three and four bring a reduction in hyperpigmentation and sun damage. After four months it goes to work on wrinkles and crows feet.
It's only available through your doctor's office and the price tag might seem heftier than over-the-counter products, but you end up using a lot less than non-pharmeceutical grade anti-aging products, meaning that in the end it costs almost exactly the same.
Adora Calcium Supplements
I know how important it is to take calcium supplements and yet, I've never been able to bring myself to take them on a consistent basis. I hate the giant pills, have no real fondness for the chews...but my mother-in-law just introduced me to to Adora, which looks and tastes exactly like a piece of chocolate - REALLY! (I've only tried the dark chocolate, but it comes in milk chocolate as well.) Problem solved. I no longer have to eat my way through the cheese tray to get enough calcium in my day.
Here's to another year of health, happiness, and beauty in all its forms!
(Photo from Temari 09)
Supplements work well, but to get the best results, you have to spread the benefits around. Exercise is the best, as your whole body will get the nutrients of the supplements that way. In the end, to ensure a youthful look, you need to be proactive in seeking solutions.
Posted by: Katie Hallison | 03 May 2012 at 03:05 PM
Yep, your dermatologist told you to do the right thing. Retin-A is proven to be a very effective product in delaying the skin's aging process. Being derived from Vitamin A, it works to reverse photodamage in the form of wrinkles and age spots.
Posted by: Lauri Hersh | 16 April 2012 at 04:37 PM
Happy Birthday Darling! :)
Posted by: teresa granath | 14 June 2011 at 12:06 PM
You should be careful with using this supplements. You can get a bad result.
Posted by: research paper | 14 June 2011 at 02:05 AM
Happy Belated Birthday Sweetie. I think I may try some of these products. I had lap band surgery in 2008 and I have to take multies and calcium supplements. Those horse pills gag me. So I will see about this Adora stuff. I mean, who does like chocolate and then you get your calcium too! Double benefit which you forgot to mention! LOL
Posted by: Betty aka ZacksNana | 13 June 2011 at 08:43 PM
Wow, I had no idea fish oil was good for dry eyes, which is something I had even when young (partly due to contact lens wear). Another reason to get on fish oil. Thanks for the tip!
(plus, I really dislike those TV Restasis drops for dry eyes ads and the way big companies make every little thing sound in need of a prescription drug -- got restless legs? Got dry eyes? Got skimpy eyelashes? Here, use this drug with its all side effects. Phooey on that!)
Posted by: Melissa | 13 June 2011 at 05:19 PM
Happy belated birthday!! Gonna have to try these products.
Posted by: Kelly | 13 June 2011 at 03:03 PM
I, too, was advised to take fish oil supplements for dry eyes, but REALLY disliked the after effects...until I saw a tip that stopped them cold. Keep your fish oil supplements in the freezer. By the time they are thawed and digested, they will be so far along your digestive tract that the unpleasantness is no longer a problem. Works great!
Posted by: Laura | 13 June 2011 at 10:49 AM
FYI, Costco's fish oil supplements are inexpensive and non-fishy. Fish oil is also a natural anti-inflammatory, so it helps with joint soreness.
Posted by: Greg Bulmash | 13 June 2011 at 09:31 AM