My Skin Care Regime - If It's Not Broke, Why Fix It?

I have a confession to make.  I feel a little envious whenever I am face to face with my 19 year old stepdaughter.  Her skin is so 'young' and beautiful.  Sometimes I wish I had a time machine. I would travel back and tell the teenage version of me to spend less time in the sun and use more sunscreen.  I've always been a head strong, stubborn girl so I doubt I would have taken my own advice.  It wasn't until I was 28 years old that I became concerned about my skin.  I had combination skin - oily and dry.  Nothing like breaking out with pimples and noticing fine lines while approaching 30 at the speed of light.  I couldn't process the unfairness of having the problems of teenage skin while acquiring wrinkles.  I needed to make some changes fast.  When it came time to change my skin care regime, I asked a friend who had great skin.  That is when I started using Clinique cosmetics. 

I began using Clinique's 3 step skin care products at age 28.  Not only did I minimize breakouts, I managed to keep my skin younger looking.  I was still getting carded into my late 30's.  That's the only testimonial I needed to remain loyal to these products.  About 5 years later,  I read about the importance of exfoliating in order to maintain younger looking skin.  I learned that retinol and alpha hydroxy are proven exfoliants.  I modified my skincare regime by adding exfoliants and have been loyally using the same products for over 15 years.  I am completely happy with the appearance of my skin and wouldn't dream of trying something new - after all, if it's not broke, don't fix it!
The following are products I  use faithfully - some every day and some on alternating days.

I exfoliate 3 or 4 mornings a week with St. Ives Timeless Skin Apricot Scrub which contains alpha hydroxy.   I use it on my face AND my hands.  I can honestly say that I have no visible brown spots on my face or my hands. 

I have only one product I now cleanse my face with and that is Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash.  It's an oil-free and soap-free gel that has aloe, mint and lemongrass in it.  It doesn't dry out my skin and I don't feel the need to use a toner after using this product.

My greatest discovery is the one staple I've been using for 22 years.  Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizer.  I use it on my face, neck and even around my eyes - it is that gentle.  I have tried expensive under eye creams and they've actually made me look older!  I accidentally realized this product's ability to depuff the skin under my eyes.  I had gone through my usual cleansing and moisturising routine and then applied my Clinique liquid foundation makeup (Stay True is my favorite and it's oil-free and gentle enough to use around my eyes).  I noticed my under eyes still looked  puffy and the lines were noticeable.

Using a tiny dab, I applied a thin layer of moisturizer under my eyes, over my makeup.  I let it absorb in, verses massaging it in, so as not to mess up my makeup.  The result literally blew me away!  Once it absorbed into my skin, the puffiness was gone AND the lines were barely noticeable! I shared my discovery with the girls at the Clinique counter and they reinforced that it was gentle enough for use under my eyes.  No more experimenting with expensive eye creams for me and better results equals win, win!

After applying my moisturizer, there are 2 other products I use on alternating days. These should not be applied around the eyes.  I use Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream.  It has retinol, vitamins and sunscreen.  On opposite days I apply Clinique's Pore Minimizer Refining Lotion.   I apply these creams over my moisturizer (avoiding the eye area) and before I apply my foundation.   In summary:

1. I use an exfoliating scrub 3 or 4 days a week, before cleansing
2. Cleanse daily with Basis Cleaner Clean foaming gel
3. Apply Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizer all over my face, including around my eyes and on my neck
4. Apply Neutrogena's Anti-Wrinkle Cream or Clinique's Pore Minimizer Refining Lotion (on alternating days avoiding the eye area)
5. Apply Clinique Stay True (Oil-free) liquid foundation over my face including around my eyes
6. After I've finished applying all of my makeup, I apply a tiny amount of the Dramatically Different Moisturizer under my eyes, lightly over my makeup and let it absorb in - which depuffs and reduces the look of fine lines. 

I am not a paid spokes person for any of these products but I am glad to share what has been working for me for nearly half of my life.  Keeping my skin younger looking is a great way to defy my age.  I don't know if there's a better product out there, but I'm still a stubborn, head strong lady.  I'm sticking with what works because if it isn't broke, why fix it?