RETINOL THE CURE ALL?

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Is Retinol really the cure all?  Well, actually almost.  Did you know you stop producing collagen at age 28? Lovely, I’m 29, but I got a head start, and you should too.  Preventative maintenance is what I believe in.  Remember this post “MAKE HATS & SPF YOUR BFF” .  Start now!

I’ve listened to a ton of podcasts, done research, & asked a few estheticians about the cure all potion, and they all say the same thing.  It’s SO anti aging, and everyone should use it.  

okay, so here is the science behind it…

A retinol serum benefits the skin in many ways.  It is one of the most effective anti aging products available and is also useful to help control oily skin.  Retinol can fade age spots, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and make skin smoother.  It can help control acne and skin oil production, and even help make your pores appear smaller.  It increases cellular turnover and is a good age preventative.

Retinol is a popular anti aging active ingredient because it is very effective.  Users report a reduction in wrinkles and discoloration, such as age spots.  Some people have been able to completely eliminate fine lines and mild discoloration.  A retinol serum benefits the skin by increasing cellular turnover, which is a major contributor to aging.  As we age skin cells replace themselves at a slower rate, leaving it less able to repair itself from day to day damage.  Retinol also has an exfoliating effect, which can lead to mild peeling and skin flakiness.  Regular exfoliation makes skin smoother and also enhances the effects of skin care actives by removing a dead layer of cells that inhibits absorption.

A retinol serum benefits oily skin by reducing skin oil production.  Its exfoliating effect also helps keeps pores clear, leading to fewer breakouts.  Many users report a smaller pore size with regular use.  Dry skin is a side effect of retinol use, but this makes it possibly the best facial treatment for oily skin.

So, I can honestly say that this is the miracle potion every woman should use.  I recently started using this every other night, and have noticed my pores shrinking, and skin feels very soft with less and less break outs.  Which I’ve had the hardest time with on my chin.  I quit dairy (which I’ll get into soon) and that didn’t really help with the breakouts, but this has.  What more can you ask for?  This has to be the best beauty product on the market.

SO, how much is it?  $40 on amazon.  Not bad, and lasts months.  

Use it once a week, and see how your skin reacts to it.  Then once its used to it, try 3x a week, then every other night, then every night.  Makes my skin on the dryer side since it exfoliates and turns over the cells, so you can have the freshest layer of skin.  So gradually ease into it.  Use one single pump on the face after you’ve cleansed is all you need.

BUT you should also know that you MUST use a sunscreen every single day.  You should always protect that skin, but it’s super important for you to use sunscreen when using retinol.  You don’t want to damage the skin.  I use ELTA MD SPF 46 with tint.  I love this sunscreen so much! Another great anti aging product.  Prevents sun damage (brown spots & red spots) 

Something else to consider is that retinol, like all vitamin A derivatives, is NOT recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. That includes all skin care products, even serums and night creams.  I never used retinol while I was pregnant or breastfeeding.  It’s best to avoid it.  Just wait until you’re in the clear to start using it.  Always check with your doctor first.

If you use this product already, how are you liking it?

Let me know!  Have a great day!

xoxo

SARA LYNN

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THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF MOTHERHOOD

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MY TOP / SUNGLASSES 

OAKS HAT

What did I even get done today?  As I say to myself 80% of my days since becoming a new mother. The first year was like this a lot, the second year I’ve been able to do more, but the first two years of his life and becoming a mom, have been the biggest learning experience of balancing all things.

The thing is, as a new mom we aren’t going to get much done.  Thats just the reality of it. We won’t get anything done that can be crossed off our huge list of TO DO’S.  Laundry, dishes, errands etc.. 

But really all we do is respond patiently to hunger cues, cries, whines, teaching our baby how to navigate through this complex crazy emotional raw world we live in.  Thats all. 

Learning how to be a mom. 

Learning how to breastfeed.

Learning what cries mean.

Learning how to be a good wife after becoming a new mom.

Learning what patience really means.

Learning what true exhaustion really means.

Learning what to feed your baby.

Learning how to teach good behavior.

Learning how to sleep train.

LEARNING PATIENCE.

BUT THATS ALL WE DO. JUST BECOMING A MOTHER IS ALL. 🙂

We’re teaching this tiny little helpless person all about the world.  The most important parts of the world.  What it means to be loved, what it means to treat people nicely, what it means to be connected with your family.  Giving them they love they need to survive in this crazy world. But thats all.

Your baby is stretching and growing into this new body, and you’re too.  Your baby will grow and meet milestones, and you will feel so accomplished and proud to be this babies mom.  But to the untrained eye, most of this work, will look like nothing at the end of the day.  But we know better.   Give, give, give, and give some more.  There is no greater task than doing “nothing” all day, and tomorrow and the next day. 

Close your eyes and measure your day by laughs, sounds, smiles  and feelings.  Don’t measure it by tasks, or how “productive” you were.  Measure it by how often you got to hold your baby, see your baby smile for the first time, laugh or kick, or got excited to see you.  Those are the moments to cherish and hold close to your hearts.  You won’t remember the times you had a pile of laundry, unmade bed, or errands to run.  Those can wait.  These moments pass by and never return.  Soak them up.

You’ll never look back and think, “I wish I would’ve done the dishes instead of watching my baby giggle or just snuggle my baby” or “i should’ve put her down to make dinner earlier”.   

The love you feel for this tiny person, is so intense that you can’t even put it into words.  Soak in all the feelings and really live in the moment.  These past two years with my Oaks have gone by so fast.  Baby days are fleeting.  I soak up any chance I get to snuggle or hold him.  I don’t care if he’s almost 40lbs (I think) close to it haha.  I will hold him until I can’t anymore.  

The first two years are very much like this.  You will think what did I even get done today?  But always remember this and stop thinking that.  These are the hardest days of your life, but yet we feel this way.  All moms are amazing.  This part sort of gets unnoticed, but just remember you’re creating a foundation of love and trust , one that will help your parenting compass.  

I was so inspired by THIS ARTICLE on becoming a new mom, I had to share it with you!  Can’t take all the credit but I felt it was so important to spread this message since I know, most of you are new moms.  

Hope you loved this!  I shed a tear or two writing it.  Oh, the emotions of motherhood! 🙂

Have a great day!

xoxo,

SARA LYNN

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