I am so allergic to something in this room right now. I think my nose may fall off. I had such big plans tonight to stay up, and, see what you guys were up to, and, to watch TV or a movie or something.
I scrounged up a Benadryl in my make-up bag, but, the last thing I need is to be even more dried up than I already am.
This winter has really done a number on my hair and skin. Until this season, the effects of cold weather and drying heat have been minimal for me. But, here recently, it's gotten bad.
My hair doesn't even feel like my hair anymore. Conditioners make it limp, but. if I don't use conditioner, it's getting positively crackle-y. And, my hair, even on a normal day is marginal at best. It doesn't need to be acting up.
On top of that, the gray-grey hair thing has accelerated with a life of it's own, and, even though I just got my hair colored recently, it's back, and, it's really getting bad, and, it's all in my part on one side.
My skin. Oh, Lordy, my skin. I've always had "problem" skin, and, at age 42, I am rocking the Proactive along with Jessica Simpson. But now, thanks to old man winter, I have wrinkles, dry skin, and, zits. What a lovely combination.
But, lately, the acne has taken on new characteristics, and, I'm starting to wonder if it's acne at all. It's not rosacea,but, its definitely different than it used to be, and, some things that used to work, don't work anymore. Benzoyl peroxide, and, salicylic acid are failing me. A lot.
My skin is also dried out, and, I've NEVER had a problem with dry skin on my face until this winter.
Every now and then I get a wild hair, and, think I should be using moisturizer, but, as soon as I do, I get more acne that might even warrant a visit to the emergency room. OK, I never said I never exaggerate, but, you get the drift.
I thought perhaps a few days here at the beach would make it better. However, it's not to be, because it's cold here, too, but, don't tell anyone. I hope you all brought a jacket.
And, I'm quite sure all these changes have nothing to do with aging. Right? RIGHT?
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Welcome to Perimenopause sistah!
You also might want to get your thyroid checked too. (Im not a doctor I just play one on the Internet!)
Sounds like you need another glass of wine. So what if its only 8am??
No you REALLY REALLY need to use a moisturizer!!!! You think you get more acne and maybe you do, but you need to use the right stuff. Non-comedigenic, fagrance free stuff. Have you ever tried Cetaphil? They have a face cleaner (you don't even need to use water to rinse...just wipe with a tissue or facecloth) and a great moisturizer as well. Use the Proactive acne "cream" in between and skip the toner. I am not kidding you!!! I have a similar skin type and if I skip the moisture I end up with more acne. Acne is a bacteria and it gets in your skin through the dry cracks in your face. You also should try to skip the water when you clean b/c water zaps the moisture from your skin. There. Now go buy me a nice little Coach keychain for my troubles and the fact that I saved you a trip to the dermatologist!!!!
Good luck and enjoy the rest of your trip... I am so jealous! :o)
I'm starting to fear that processed sugar aggravates my skin and well that just won't do.
I'm 37 and STILL have acne. Ugh!
Enjoy your trip! You picked a good weekend to go to the beach. It is snowing here!
Lord have mercy, girl. I am going through the exact same changes! We are the same age, too.
My skin has always been a bit oily in the T-zone, and normal elsewhere. I had no zits as a teenager, but starting in my 20s I would get these nasty cystic acne bumps, especially around "that time" and they were horrific! But I comforted myself with the fact that oily skin tends to have fewer wrinkles, and until a couple years ago, I didn't .... people refused to believe how old I was.
A few months ago, I started noticing dry, flaky skin AND more zits! Especially right on either side of my nose. The skin seems to have gotten thicker too, with big gaping pores. I am SO disgusted!
My hair and scalp are also much drier, and the grays are going wild. I swear one will grow out full length in a day or two ... I color also, but will find one every now and then that is gray from root to tip. Now I am also finding grays ... umm ... down there too. Ugghhh!
Another interesting change ... my once straighter than a stick hair is now getting wavy. Weird!
But, I have seen a big improvement in all the above, except the gray hairs, by drinking lots more water. Getting more sleep would probably also help a lot, but that is not a possibility in my world right now.
Go visit the Clinque counter at your local Macy's, Dillard's, ETC. Their skin care line is the best. I started using it over 2 years ago and it has cleaned up my skin and held back the aging. I used to look like a 14 yr old with a raging case of pizza face before I started using this stuff. They give you a combo that not only cleans but mosturizes too. I highly recommend it.
There is a brand called Alba that does a light facial moisturizer. hypo-allergenic, organic, etc... I use Cetephil, and it works well for me. Costco!
I'll see your grey hair, zits, and dry skin and raise you 15 lbs around the middle. What, no bet? ;-)
Okay, I agree - you need a moisturizer. Best thing I ever did for my face.
The other best thing I ever did was see a dermatologist. They helped me see the error of my ways and got me on a cleaning/skin care regimen that made sense with my skin type. You need to do the same. Just say uh-huh a lot and nod, and then use the cheaper products that have the same stuff in them.
As for the hair, I'm 38, graying and never color my hair. Just the way it is going to be. My hubby tells me it gives me character. I call it the cheap way out.
By the way, I took a Benadryl this afternoon because my allergies are so bad that my ear is killing me (along with the whole left side of my neck). In return, Benadryl gave me a three hour nap. Does it do that to you?
So many wonderful ideas from your faithful readers. And even though they are all different, I'll bet they all work. The trick is to find which one works for you and then stick with it. About the time I turned 40, I started noticing those kinds of problems too and I tried to ignore them for a while, but they would not go away. Now I wash twice a day with the cetaphil product, moisturize like crazy and pray a lot. My hair has always been thick and straight, but lately, it is thinner and curly. Go figure.
Ah yes, rosacea. The skin disorder which takes all the fun things in life (alcohol, sun, spicy foods, coffee) and turns your face so red that strangers feel compelled to comment. And even though they'll never admit it, all the dermatologists are just guessing when they give you stuff to treat it!
Yikes! Well, if I wasn't depressed before, I am now! Good tips, though, from your loyal readers. Try and have fun on your trip anyway!
my wife and I have our own home based biz with a European health and wellness company called Arbonne. Both our anti-aging line and other women's skin care line are INCREDIBLE!
If you DO have rosacea, you wouldn't be able to use the anti-aging products, but the others work wonders for sensitive skin and those with rosacea.
email me if you want to try the stuff for a few days, I'd be glad to let you do so. JSDavis82@gmail.com
I got the same problems with my skin and hair, at the age of almost 41. Sigh.
Sorry you are suffering, too.
I just bought some anti wrinkle cream - who knows if it will work.. but this getting old, sux! and I have this same grey hair in my part - what is with that?
But you still have one thing over me.. you're at the beach and I'm freezing!
Girl---I am so with you on this. Who's wrinkled hands are these at the end of my arms? I use Shishedo moisturizer on my face and any lotion within arms reach every where else. I even started using body cream VS lotion when it's REALLY cold out.
As soon as I read the word "perimenopause" in kym's comment, I was agog and aghast. Because I was going to say that I've been kinda going through the same thing. But now I'm not going to say that because. . .I want my mommy.
For your skin, have you tried using Olay Complete? It's the only thing that has worked for me to moisterize my skin and not make it break out. The generic brand makes my skin break out horribly. Also, I've never been able to use Proactive because it makes my skin incredibly dry.
Another thing you might try is taking a vitamin E tablet each day. Don't know if it works for you, but I take one daily in the winter and my skin isn't nearly as dried out.
It's called "relaxation" You aren't allergic to it, you just don't have it enough to be used to it.
It was mentioned above, but I thought it worth saying again. Clinique. I'm 42 and my skin is holding up better than the rest of me. No zits with their line. They are pretty good about giving free samples too.
Good luck, its hell getting old.
Have you tried baby oil? lemon juice? ;-)
Kick your feet up and relax, BM!!!
Advice, oh yes, that's my field of expertise. All kidding aside I have been plagued for a lifetime with psoriasis, eczema, and inbetween dry flaky skin. I have been to specialists and I have a bathroom full of cures. But then, although not a devotee to wholistic medicine, I decided on a wholistic approach to my skin.
I now spritz my hair with a condition after shampooing of water mixed with a bit of glycerine. (I hope this does not mean I am likely to explode if exposed to an open spark or if dropped). And I put a bit of good olive oil in my bath water and use a very mild soap. My skin is finally the best it has ever been.
Well, I don't know, Mom. One thing for sure: They sure don't sound like baby diseases.
I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with aging. Just with getting older. I agree with the person who said do what works for you. But with all your issues, you might want to consult a dermatologist.
Sure, none of that would have anything to do with aging. That's what I tell myself. It's becoming more mature that our skin changes with. Yeah, that's right.
I can completely sympathize with this post, I think my skin is about to fall apart it is so dry. But oily enough for zits in my 30's. I thought that was supposed to stop in your 20's. Where is he justice!!! My hair? I don't even want to discuss it.
Let's just hope that darn groundhog was right for once this year!
Come on Spring!
I am only at the ripe age of 37 and I am experiencing the same things as you are!
Though, the last few weeks (knock on wood), the acne hasn't been so bad but the dryness is awful and my cheeks are so red. I use St. Ives Intensive Healing Advanced Body Moisturizer on my face. Yes, on my face. I have to. Nothing else helps. Just put it on the dry spots in a thin layer. It doesn't clog my pores and it does help. Other than that I don't have advice just sympathy to offer from a fellow sufferer. Hope you find something that works.
I second Jen's comment about Olay Complete. It's great. Also, I started using tea tree oil after exhausting all the usual acne treatments. I like the one from the Body Shop, but I also have heard the one from Aveda is good. It literally works overnight for me. It doesn't dry your skin out and works good for spots as well as all over.
*yoga*
Have you tried the oil-free hydrating gel by Mary Kay? I really logged on just to see your site, not to sell ya something, and noticed this entry. If you want some I will send it to you ASAP.
My only area of expertise here is:
Acne (getting).
Latest treatment and one I'm VERY happy with : Neostrata wash and the day cream and the night cream. I'll see if I can nab samples next time I'm at the doc. Much less acne, but no peely skin either!
My only advice on the gray hair is to sell the children to the highest bidder. Or any bidder.