Snake Oil

In a very few days another year will have passed, and I will turn 61. There are those who tell me I look good for my age, and I always tell them that I thank my mother every day for the gene pool I come from.

The reality is, when I look in the mirror I see the lines that were not there a year ago. And, as my sister would say, "Do we look good for our age? Yes, but we look our age." She is right - the majority of us look our age, and our gene pool plays a big role in whether we age faster or more slowly than others.

If you watch television you have seen the never ending commercials for the numerous facial products that supposedly slow down or reduce the signs of aging. Many of these are done by actresses who lead you to believe that you can look as youthful as they do just by using their product, which will cost you a fortune if used as suggested. Years ago they would have called them snake oil salesmen.  I feel they are insulting our intelligence to think we believe the claims.

Anyone over the age of 40 who has skin like a 25 year old has had work done. Any of us could look that good if we went to a plastic surgeon, but not just by using face creams. Using moisturizers can improve the look and feel of your skin, however you will still have lines from living a certain number of years.

I have always tried to take care of my skin, but I now see the "crinkles" by my eyes when I smile, and when I am tired it shows much more than it did in my 30's. Living life and smiling will always show on your face in time, and what is wrong with that?

If I were to give any advice to young women it would be:

1. Don't believe everything you see or hear in advertisements.
2. Wear as little makeup as possible - it clogs your pores and your skin
     can't breathe.
3.Wash your face twice a day and use a good moisturizer made from
    ingredients as natural as possible (ditch all the chemicals).
4. Keep in mind that if someone looks half their age then they had work
    done - don't compare yourself to them.
5. Enjoy life, smile and be thankful for every line as you get older. You
    have earned them.

I still have days where I look in the mirror with a bit of dismay. Then I try to remind myself that all that I see has come from living life, and I wouldn't give up a single moment for fewer laugh lines.

So here's to another year of a very good life!



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