Blog - Blue Bottle Passion

April 3, 2020 by Sue 4 Comments

7 Steps to Survive “Sheltering at Home”

Sheltering at home is definitely not something I ever thought I’d be writing about. And I certainly do not consider myself an expert. But I do consider myself a survivor at this point, so here goes.

Stick to a Schedule

Sure it’s tempting to binge-watch the hottest series late into the night, but getting a good night’s sleep is important for your health, both mental and physical. Stick to a bedtime you can live with, and get up the same time every morning.

Get Dressed

I’ve seen lots of jokes about staying in pajamas all day, and it’s certainly tempting when you don’t plan to see anyone. But resist the temptation, and put on a bit of makeup and jewelry. It just feels better!

Plan Healthy Meals

Whether you live alone, or have a family, don’t underestimate the importance of eating healthy. Don’t beat yourself up for snacking more than normal, just make sure you are getting plenty of fruits and veggies, whether fresh or frozen. Look on Pinterest for a new Instant Pot or sheet pan meal.

Take a Walk

If you have family and a dog with you during this time of social isolation, you are blessed indeed. Get outside, first thing each day if possible. If you can’t get out to walk, find a youTube video to exercise with.

Socialize Virtually

Reach out to friends and family, whether by phone, text or email every day. Check on those who live alone. We’re distancing, not isolating, even though it feels that way more often than I’d like.

Nurture your Spiritual Side

I miss attending church most of all. Our church has been posting Mass on their website, and so I can watch it on Sunday mornings. Choose someone to pray for each day, without telling them. We all know someone with serious issues that will benefit from extra prayers. Our leaders certainly need prayer during these times.

Count your Blessings

I really miss going out to eat, but I’m blessed to have plenty of good, healthy food here at home. I’m tired of not seeing friends and family, but I’m blessed to live in a comfortable home. Look around. An attitude of gratitude goes a long way during difficult times, including sheltering at home. When life hands you lemons, make lemon pie.

January 18, 2020 by Sue 1 Comment

The Sensitive Skin Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies

Finally effective skincare that is kind to sensitive skin!

And at this time of year, isn’t everyone’s skin is sensitive?!

The second biggest skincare concern after aging well, is sensitive skin. Neal’s Yard Remedies new Sensitive Collection is dermatologist tested and approved, fragrance free, alcohol free and certified organic. If you have ever experienced redness, irritation or excessive dryness and sensitivity, read on!

Many women with sensitive skin experience dryness, however products aimed at dry or atopic skin are frequently formulated to reduce water loss by acting as a barrier which locks in moisture. This is not always appropriate for sensitive skin as that can cause itching and irritation. The Sensitive Collection is formulated to encourage a healthier skin barrier while allowing skin to ‘breathe’.

Comfort + Hydrate Micellar Cleanser

A perfect morning and evening routine begins with cleansing. Sensitive Comfort + Hydrate Micellar Cleanser cleanses, hydrates, refreshes and soothes for 12 hours. Skin soothing oat extract moisturizes and plumps and hyaluronic acid attracts and retains water molecules, helping to plump the top layers of the skin.

Sensitive Restore + Smooth Serum

Just two drops of Sensitive Restore + Smooth Serum after cleansing provides a restoring blend of sodium hyaluronate, helichrysum and sea water extracts, and hydrating hyaluronic acid and smoothing oat extract, reducing the appearance of redness over time, and fine lines and wrinkles appear visibly plumped.

Sensitive Replenish + Balance Moisturiser

Finish your routine with Sensitive Replenish + Balance Moisturiser. A combination of skin-conditioning fatty acids, antioxidant-rich oat oil and helichrysum extract soothes, comforts and nourishes skin. Massage onto face and neck following cleansing and serum with gentle upward strokes until fully absorbed.

What’s left out?

What you won’t find in the Sensitive Collection is every bit as important as what is in it. Fragrance and alcohol are frequent irritants for many, and they are left out of the Sensitive Collection. Neal’s Yard Remedies has a list of 10 ingredients that could cause you or the planet harm, that you will never find in their products. Among them are ingredients derived from petroleum, an irritant for many.

Pamper your sensitive skin and protect it from harsh weather, dry air and the stress of hectic living with the clinically proven Sensitive Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies! As with all Neal’s Yard Remedies products, you are protected with a 45 day guarantee. And if you hurry, you can save $40 when you try the trio while supplies last before February 9th, 2020!

Read about easing facial redness here!

December 30, 2019 by Sue 1 Comment

A Better Merry Christmas, Next Year

You’ve received the Christmas cards and seen the Facebook posts. The perfect families wearing matching pajamas. Even the dog. You’ve watched the holiday movies. In the movies, they always find/receive the perfect gift. In the TV commercials, everyone always makes it home for Christmas. Guess what. It’s not real. I repeat. It’s not real.

No wonder we feel so stressed around the holidays. Apparently everyone else is having a perfect Christmas. We’ve been conditioned to believe everyone else is getting a car, or diamonds, or a big-screen TV for Christmas. December to remember, and all that. How many people do you know that actually received a car for Christmas?

In real life, your loved one may have to work, or your kids may not be with you at Christmas. They may not buy you a gift. They may be with their in-laws or an ex-spouse, or live too far. One of them may get the stomach flu. Your kids may be trying to figure out how to keep the various branches of their family happy. If you believe your Christmas will be ruined if your children aren’t with you, it just may be ruined.

For years Denny and I spent every Christmas Eve with his family, and Christmas Day with mine. Mom and Dad were divorced, so we had a third Christmas with Dad a few days before or after. Christmas with our own three kids was squeezed in there somewhere, until we finally decided if we didn’t start our own traditions, the kids would be gone and we’d never have one.

Let’s learn from this Christmas, and plan for a better one for next year. What will help you make the most of the holidays next year? Grab that 2020 planner, and start planning. If you are religious, start with pencilling in the service you will attend. If you know you will be alone for part of the time, decide what you’d like to do in advance. Maybe some Netflix binge-watching or reading a book you’ve been wanting, but been too busy to take time for.

What didn’t you squeeze in this year that would make next Christmas extra special? Whether it’s cards, crafting, cookies or whatever, pencil it in that planner, and make it happen.

If you are stressed by shopping, send quick thank you notes, and let the recipients know you plan to cut back next year. They may be relieved as well!

Set yourself up for a better holiday next year, by planning more, and expecting less!

Happy Holidays!

Some of the links in this blog are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission, at no additional expense to you. Any commissions will defray the expense of this blog. Whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

December 10, 2019 by Sue 1 Comment

5 Reasons to Try a Silk Pillowcase

Could the secret to better skin and hair be as simple as trying a silk pillowcase?

This post contains an affiliate link. If you make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality. Any commission I receive from your purchases will offset the expense of this blog. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Your face and hair are in contact with your pillowcase for one third of your life. Think about it. The oils from your hair, residue from makeup, sweat, all of this is absorbed by cotton pillowcases. And most of us wash our sheets once a week. Is it any wonder we have occasional breakouts and facial irritation? Maybe it’s time to add a silk pillowcase to your beauty regime.

Wrinkle Prevention

There is a reason we say smooth as silk. Cotton causes friction and tugging on your skin. It makes sense that if your pillow glides against your face, rather than tugs on it, you may prevent wrinkles and creases.

Facial Products Stay on your Skin

Cotton absorbs your moisturizers and serums, as well as sweat and oils from your hair. Using a silk pillowcase allows your serums and moisturizers to stay on your skin. Your skin stays more hydrated, even in winter.

Hair Benefits

If your hair has a tendency to be dry, it will benefit from a silk pillowcase. The smooth texture will help prevent frizz and dry scalp issues. Hair glides across the surface, so you will wake with less tangles, breakage and fewer split ends.

Temperature Regulation

Because silk doesn’t absorb moisture like cotton does, a silk pillowcase can keep you cool and dry all night.

Sensitive Skin Benefits

Silk pillowcases may help those with sensitive skin. Because silk is less abrasive, those with rosacea may notice less redness. Cotton is so absorbent, any hair products you’ve applied during the day can end up getting rubbed against your face. Those hair products can contain many things that are not so good for your skin.

Whether you sleep on your back, toss and turn all night, or sleep on your side with your face ground into your pillow, a silk pillowcase is worth a try. You can find silk pillowcases at many department stores. It’s a small investment with the potential for huge benefits! Whisper Silk offers products made with the finest Mulberry silk. (Affiliate Link) whisper silk

Have trouble sleeping? Read how to Sleep Beautifully Organically!

November 13, 2019 by Sue 5 Comments

Moving to a Smaller Home – Downsizing Lessons: Part 2

Moving to a smaller home is kind of a big deal after nearly 33 years in the same house. In 3 months we reduced our belongings to fit into the new house. Or so we hope! It still looks like we have a crazy amount of stuff!

We had just sold our house when I ended Downsizing Part 1. It’s been a whirlwind ever since. This week we have movers coming for wave 2 of moving things to storage. Next week the movers will move us into our rented townhome, and we will close on the house that’s been our home for nearly 33 years, and pass the keys on to the new owners.

I never realized decision fatigue is a thing. Moving can cause it. As I handled almost every item in our home I would ask myself, keep for townhouse, pack and store for new house, offer to kids, donate, or simply throw away? Every. Single. Item. Clothes, cleaning supplies, crafts, kitchen stuff, everything. As the days progressed, the most insignificant decisions could sometimes result in tears. Not the sad, what have I done kind of tears, but the emotions are so close to the surface and I have to let them out kind of tears.

Up until now, it’s all felt a little odd, as my heart catches up with the reality of moving. Every day is so filled with the tasks of packing, there’s been little time to reflect on what it will mean to no longer sleep, cook, watch TV, and live here. I’ve begun to feel like I will be packing for the rest of my life, and believe me that is not a fun job.

Maybe one of the reasons this feels so strange, is it’s so contrary to what we’ve done all these years. We marry, buy a home, have a family, accumulate stuff, buy a bigger home to accommodate everything, and now we are moving into a smaller home with a smaller yard.

Lessons from the last few weeks

We wanted to keep our land line through our moves, as it would be one of the few, ongoing ways to find us. Century Link would not let us keep the same phone number at our townhome rental, so we are giving up our land line. It surprised me to feel sad about losing our phone number from the last 30some years.

Deciding to what to take to the townhome rental feels a little like packing for an extended vacation. I’m hoping that’s what living there with a minimum of our possessions will be like. With no yard for Rosie, our two year old basset hound, we’ll be forced to get more walking in.

We waste a lot of food by buying ahead. Even with a pantry with pull out shelves I found salad dressing that expired 5 years ago. Note to self: stick with only buying what we need for the next week.

How do people who work full time manage to move? Denny and I are lucky we are retired, and have made packing our full time job. There is no way I could come home and pack all night after working all day at a job.

Join my Facebook Community for all the latest Neal’s Yard Remedies news, as well as tips for staying healthy!

October 15, 2019 by Sue Leave a Comment

2019 Holiday Gift Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies

Every year I look forward to the organic Holiday Gift Collection from Neal’s Yard Remedies. Once again this year they have surpassed all expectations! The 2019 holiday gift collection was inspired by this quote: “This year, our holiday theme is inspired by Nicholas Culpeper, a British Herbalist in the 17th century. Culpeper is credited with being the leading astrological botanist of his time. He popularized the concept of being able to harness the true power of botanicals if planted and harvested when certain planets and celestial bodies were aligned. We bring together the magical elements from the masters of apothecary and modern day remedies to help you radiate inner health and outer beauty!” Isn’t that what it’s all about and what you wish for everyone on your list?

FOR THE SPECIAL WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE

Let’s start with the special woman in your life, and it definitely could be yourself, your mother, your grandma, best friend, or whoever is on the top of your list! Neal’s Yard Remedies created the perfect luxury gift of Frankincense. After all, frankincense was one of the top three gifts for Baby Jesus, so why not gift it to someone special? The Frankincense Intense Lift Collection contains my favorite skincare products for aging well and stressing less, making it the ultimate beauty and wellbeing gift!

STOCKING STUFFERS AND TEACHER GIFTS

Budget is important when it comes to gifts for all those people you want to thank during the holidays. Mail carriers, teachers, hair stylists, secret Santa gifts, everyone will appreciate these budget friendly gifts. The Prepare For Bed – Night Time Gift will ensure a restful night with the Relaxation Remedies to Roll and a travel sized Goodnight Pillow Mist. Priced right at $16, it’s a great gift to keep in your stash for last minute gift giving needs. The Refine & Revitalise Melissa Handcare Collection will pamper your gift recipient, leaving their hardworking hands feeling silky soft and delicately scented. Contains Melissa Hand Cream and Melissa Hand Polish for $16.

THE PERFECT HOSTESS GIFT

Whether you are hosting or you need a gift for a favorite hostess the Warm Your Soul Handcare Collection will treat family and guests to the yummy fragrance of mandarin and clove. One bottle each of Mandarin & Clove Hand Wash and Lotion in an attractive caddy for $36.

FOR THE BEGINNING ESSENTIAL OIL ENTHUSIAST

The Aromatherapy Bespoke Blending Kit will have your recipient creating their own essential oil blends in no time at all. Included is organic orange, palmarosa and lavender essential oils as well as the Little Book of Essential Oils, base oil and a mixing bottle for $41.50.

CUSTOM GIFTS FOR EVERYONE

Neal’s Yard Remedies truly has something for everyone on your list. Check out the Energise Your Senses Men’s Collection for the special guys in your life. Give stocking stuffers that provide a moment of calm and mindfulness with the Meditation Remedies To Roll and restore balance and emotional harmony with Women’s Balance Remedies To Roll. If the 2019 Holiday Gift Collection doesn’t have exactly what you are looking for, choose a Neal’s Yard Remedies gift box or tote bag and fill it with personally chosen items for your special loved ones.

Getting ready for the holidays is hard work. Frankincense Intense Hand Treatment Serum smooths, firms and evens skin tone, while enhancing well-being with frankincense essential oil. A special gift for yourself or others in gorgeous holiday packaging! Read more about Frankincense Intense Hand Treatment Serum!

I would love to help you choose ethically sourced gifts, made with natural and organic ingredients that will nourish your loved ones inside and out. Contact me if you need any help with gift-giving this holiday season!

September 25, 2019 by Sue 4 Comments

Lessons Learned While Downsizing

We’ve been talking and debating about downsizing for a while. Stay or leave? Age in place or not? Put money into our home of nearly 33 years, or buy something newer? It’s different for everyone, but for us it came down to this. We aren’t getting any younger, so waiting didn’t seem like the best option, as packing and moving will only get harder. If something happened to one of us, the other would never stay alone in the house, and the task of moving would be overwhelming.

We’ve lived in our house for close to half my life. Yes, thinking about leaving can feel daunting, and I’ve shed a tear or two, preparing the house to go on the market. But hard as it is, it feels right to be downsizing.

Did I mention the process can be daunting? Denny and I are both savers. Our house made that easy, as we have a large attic and a pole barn. Three years ago we sold our lake home, and the buyers didn’t want the furniture. We gave most of it away, but a significant amount of items from the lake ended up here.

We’ve been talking about going through the attic for years, but there was always something that seemed more important, or more fun. We didn’t expect to find the perfect home for the next phase of our lives so soon. We swore we would not build a new house. Surely there was something already built out there that would work.

So Aug. 25 we signed on the dotted line and committed to building a new home. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of trips to the storage facility, Goodwill, and photographing items to list on Facebook Marketplace.

Our real estate agents walked through our house weeks before we found our dream home, to help us estimate its worth. Basically they advised taking half of the furniture out of our home before putting it on the market. At that point we decided we needed at least a year to get our house ready for listing. Don’t today’s home buyers have any imagination whatsoever? They also suggested painting the dining room and the guest room.

So step one for us was renting a self storage unit. We went with a 10’ X 15’ unit, which I reserved online. I got lucky and was able to take advantage of a Labor Day Sale, and got it for half price. Then we found a moving company and booked them to move the heavy furniture to our storage unit.

That led to about a week and a half of packing like crazy all the stuff in 2 hutches, a secretary, a couple of desks, and a coffee table with a couple of drawers. Once we had all the extra big stuff moved into storage, it was time to take a close look at what was left, and come up with a plan. Denny and his friend Wayne decided the only way to manage the pole barn was with a dumpster. I’m not sure I’d ever taken a look at what was out there. I thought of it as Denny’s domain.

What I’ve learned is the more space you have to store things, the more you store. Things like the stroller we bought in 1975 for our first born. Sadly all that time in hot and cold temps did a number on the upholstery. Into the dumpster it went.

Over the years we got a little casual or maybe just sloppy. Things we use every day, we left on the counters. Why put away the frying pan on the stove, when we knew we’d be making scrambled eggs the next morning? Now that we have to put things away, I decided to make some room by getting rid of coffee mugs. I pulled them all out, and decided which ones we could live without. Eight mugs should be more than enough for two people, right? At least another eight were donated. I told Denny no matter how cool a place we travel to is, we have no business bringing home a mug from there. Ever.

Picture day for photographing the house for the MLS arrived. Family pictures were packed away. Covers off the furniture. Kitchen counters cleared. The house looked great, but the closets and laundry room were strictly off limits. Not to mention the attic. No sense in scaring anyone or having something fall on someone.

Tips for Downsizing

If you think there is even a small chance you will be downsizing, start going through whatever you are storing soon.
Get your kids to take their stuff. A great way to encourage that is to tell them you are opening an Etsy shop, and you would be happy to list that “whatever” for them.
Sell the items you no longer need on Facebook Marketplace. Or Craigslist. I prefer Facebook Marketplace because you can see the profile of the buyer. This has been magic for us. Not everything sells, but I’ve been surprised more than once how quickly some items sell. And the big bonus is you don’t have to haul it anywhere but to the door.
Find out what Goodwill or other organizations will and won’t take. You don’t want to load up a heavy treadmill, and find out it’s not accepted.
Prepare to be surprised by how little your “collectibles” are worth. Right now I have 20something Bing and Grondahl Christmas plates on Facebook Marketplace for $5 each or 5 for $20, and no one has expressed any interest. Signed and numbered limited edition wildlife prints? Forget it. Grandma’s china? Nope.
As you pack, ask yourself, “how will I feel when I unpack this in my new home?” Will I be happy to see it again, or will I be asking “where the heck do I go with this?”

The house hit the MLS, and we had two showings the first day, and an offer within 24 hours. Now the challenge is finding interim housing for six months that is dog-friendly! Join me in my Facebook Community and I’ll keep you posted how it goes!

Can essential oils help sell your home?

September 19, 2019 by Sue 4 Comments

Essential Oils for Skin – Guest Post

Guest Post from ConsumersAdvocate.org

You’ve probably had friends rave to you about the benefits of essential oils lately, like how it can help you achieve healthy glowing skin at an affordable cost. Plus, it’s a natural home-remedy for almost anything. Well, they’re not wrong!

Studies show that due to their natural composition essential oils can help soothe a number of skin-related conditions when used accordingly.

As extracts from plants, essential oils possess a number of biological activities that are beneficial for all skin types. Their properties include antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial components that can provide incredible results for your complexion and overall health.

For instance, lavender oil is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits. Used topically and diluted with a carrier oil or coconut oil, lavender oil can support healthy skin by reducing inflammation. Its rich antioxidants protect your skin from wrinkles and can even help reduce small scars when used in combination with witch hazel.

Combined with tea tree oil’s antibacterial and natural painkiller properties, both can be used as an effective wound aid for small scrapes or burns. A 2015 study revealed that lavender’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects helped soothe painful rashes caused by poison ivy or mosquito bites.

Additionally, tea tree oil has been famously used as an anti-fungal treatment. Its antiseptic properties, like that of lavender oil, also helps manage dry or oily skin when used as a home-remedy toner.

However, if used in high concentrations tea tree and lavender oil could irritate skin and be poisonous. Experts say it should never be swallowed.

Since lavender and tea tree oil aren’t highly acidic, they’re considered safe for sensitive skin types when diluted. Although, consider talking to a dermatologist or family physician to determine if essential oils are right for you.

Essential oils are mainly used through three forms of application: topical, diffused (aromatherapy), and internal. However, the use and dose are very important. The American College of Healthcare Services identified the top three common mistakes when using essential oils we recommend you take a look at.

Because they are highly concentrated chemical plant-based substances, many people make the mistake of thinking they aren’t harmful. However, misuse could be poisonous.

When choosing an essential oil, whether it’s from a large brand or farmer’s market, you should go with a company that’s transparent and clear about the safety of their oils. Your safety and that of your family and pets could depend on it.

For example, eucalyptus is used for soothing effects when inhaled and can relieve chest congestion. If swallowed it can cause seizures, according to the National Capital Poison Center.

Essential oils are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Instead, the FDA considers essential oils as cosmetics. The problem is that this may give some companies room for error when advertising their products. Since they aren’t regulated, it’s difficult to determine what species of plant, concentration, contaminants or active ingredient may be in the bottle.

The best thing you can do is discuss use with a medical professional or use the essential oil according to label instructions if found in cosmetics, or medicine. Also, keep essential oils out of reach of children or pets as they may confuse them for food. If using for the first time, try a small spot treatment before full use to see if you could have an allergic reaction.

ConsumersAdvocate.org provides a thorough study on essential oils with insight on quality and testing of certain products within the industry from the basics of adulteration, to a company’s sustainability, and how to evaluate the purity of a product.

From promoting relaxation in a comforting environment to its overall healing properties, anyone can benefit from essential oils on a daily basis when used correctly.

Thank you to ConsumersAdvocate.org for this guest post!

Neal’s Yard Remedies is committed to providing quality essential oils that are sustainably sourced, and to advocating for safety and education when using oils. Read about how Neal’s Yard Remedies are Pioneers of Essential Oils

July 30, 2019 by Sue 2 Comments

NYR Organic’s Hand Treatment Serum Is Not For Everyone

Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum visibly smooths, firms and evens skin tone on your hands
to help you age well!

If you are a woman of a certain age, you know two things will give away your age besides your face. Your neck and your hands. Are you beginning to notice lines, wrinkles and age spots, also known as liver spots-ugh! or hyperpigmentation on your hands? My fair skin is more prone to aging, and I can tell you I’ve wished white gloves would come back in style more than once. Well, maybe there’s a better solution! I can’t promise your hands will look 10 years younger, but you may stop thinking about wearing white gloves. Neal’s Yard Remedies new Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum is the Rolls Royce of hand treatments and is clinically proven to firm and hydrate skin, and reduce the appearance of age spots! And like the Rolls Royce, it may not be for everyone.

Smooths

You will notice a visibly smoother appearance of lines and wrinkles after the first use! Restoring ribose reduces lines and wrinkles, while sodium hyaluronate acts as a moisture magnet.

Firms

Reviving narcissus extract visibly increases skins firmness.

Evens Skin Tone

Rosehip oil, rich in provitamin A, and antioxidant turmeric extract is clinically proven to even skin tone and target age spots.

Enhances Wellbeing

Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) is traditionally used for its deeply relaxing, therapeutic aroma. Combined with a blend of mandarin, bergamot, neroli and myrrh essential oils, this aroma will have you slowing down and breathing deeper for a moment of pampering. Used twice a day it will enhance your wellbeing and soothe your senses.

Hand Treatment Serum Pro Tips

Exfoliate the skin on your hands once or twice a week with Nourishing Melissa Hand Polish to smooth and nourish dull, dry hands before applying Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum. Simply wet your hands and massage the polish into the skin gently. Rinse thoroughly and follow with a small amount of hand treatment serum. For extra dry hands, follow the serum with your favorite Neal’s Yard Remedies hand cream.

So why do I say isn’t Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum for everyone? Of course if you are under 40, your hands are probably baby-soft and smooth. Not everyone is prepared to splurge on improving the appearance of their hands. I just got my bottle of hand serum, so I can’t tell you how long it will last, but you only use a small amount, twice a day. I was hooked after the first treatment. Frankincense Intense™ Hand Treatment Serum is worth the price and will make an amazing gift for your mom!

Check out this post for more Age Well tips!

June 30, 2019 by Sue 3 Comments

7 Simple Tips for Aging Well

We can agree we all want to age well. Aging well doesn’t have to involve drastic measures like plastic surgery or liposuction. Aging well can be small, simple steps taken for big results.

1. Be Aware of the Sun

The first step is the most obvious. I personally don’t believe the sun is my enemy, but with my fair and easily burned skin, I do wear a hat and use sunscreen when I’m outdoors for an extended period during the middle of the day. Don’t choose just any sunscreen, however. Some contain questionable ingredients. Check out the sunscreens at Made Safe™

2. Use a Moisturizer

It’s a fact. As you age, your skin produces less oil. Dry skin looks older. Dry skin doesn’t cause wrinkles, but aging skin becomes more dry. My favorite moisturizer protects, firms, lifts and recontours. Neal’s Yard Remedies has many wonderful moisturizers for different skin types, but I’m in love with Frankincense Intense™ Lift Cream

3. Exfoliate

As you age, skin renewal slows down, leaving your face with dulling, dead skin cells on the surface. Exfoliating speeds up the process of renewing your skin, helping your skin retain its youthful glow. Rehydrating Rose Facial Polish gently exfoliates and enriches normal to dehydrated skin with wild rose seed powder, milk thistle and aloe vera.

4. Avoid Bar Soap to Cleanse the Face

I get it. I never felt my face was clean unless I washed it with Ivory soap and water. When you are young you can get by with it, but soap is too harsh for aging skin. My recommendation is Frankincense Refining Cleanser.

5. Use an Eye Cream

The skin around the eyes is different from the rest of your face. Using your facial moisturizer in the eye area can cause puffiness or irritation. Eye cream is formulated for the thinner, more sensitive area around the eyes. Frankincense Intense™ Lift Eye Cream is scientifically formulated to target skin that’s starting to show a lack of firmness, elasticity and definition, including deep lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Check out my post on why you need eye cream.

6. Remove Makeup Before Bed

Going to bed without removing your makeup is a big fat no-no. Your makeup and the oils and dirt that build up over the day can settle in your pores, clogging them and causing breakouts. Your moisturizer should be applied to clean skin to work properly, especially if it has anti-aging ingredients. Eye makeup can damage your lashes. Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Eye Makeup Remover is Dermatologically and Opthamologically tested, conditions lashes and removes even water-proof eye makeup.

7. Give Up the Products You’ve Used Since You Were a Teenager

My go to product in my teenage years was Noxzema. Great for oily teenage skin, but would not help with my lines and wrinkles. Are you using the same products you used as a teenager? Maybe it’s time to try an age-defying option. I’d love to help you choose the perfect Neal’s Yard Remedies products for your skin type. Continue the age well discussion over on Facebook.

Heads up: My posts may contain affiliate links! If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!