I Want My 18 Year Old Face Back

**By Chomeka Franklin **

As a 30-something woman with a busy life, I know I'm not the only one that has to find time to take care of their face. It's usually a great day if all the makeup that was applied in the AM still looks natural at the end of the day.

Since I work in what most would consider a professional environment, I have learned that you get more respect if you don't show up for work with a bare-face. That being said, even though we all have to eat and our jobs provide for us, we still have to take care of our skin underneath. There is no way that I'm going to retire from my job with wrinkles.

For the most part, I have lived most of my life with blemish-free skin. I intend to keep it that way. Of course, now that I am older, I am trying to prevent wrinkles, discoloration and growths. These inevitably come with age, but there are things that I am trying to do to help lessen these before they begin.

Everyone over the age of 10 should have a facial regime in place. Since the skin on our face and neck changes, we have to change the products that we use over time.

Here is my current daily regime. I do this in the AM and when I am settled in at home in the evening. I like to use products that are inexpensive and easy to find. I know that you can relate to this, since everything is so expensive now.

I wash my face with one Ponds Clean Sweep Towellette. These are awesome. They have a soft side and a side that lightly exfoliates. You just wet it, wipe your face and throw it away. No rinsing is required. These towellettes are non-irritating and removes all of your make-up with ease. You can find these at Walgreen's for $4.

After my face dries from using the towellette, I follow with Dr. Galen's Witch Hazel Skin Tonic on a cotton round. I have used all sorts of toners, and this one is the best by far. I liken it to Tend Skin for a portion of the price. I give this toner double-duty by using it after I do my eyebrows. It works wonders on ingrown hairs. It too, is non-irritating. You can find it at Bath & Body Works for $15. The clean, cool sensation it provides is addictive. You have been warned. I won't even look at another toner.

It's finally time to moisturize. I have under eye circles (our little secret). L'oreal has a treatment called Visible Effect Eye. I have used everything under the sun within the $20 range on my dark circles. This stuff is the business. I don't know how it works, but it does. It's also non-irritating to the eye. I have been using it for a little over a month and two-thirds of my darkness has disappeared. I promise that I don't work for L'oreal, but I am having a love affair with this product. You can find it at Rite-Aid for around $12.

I then moisturize with Oil of Olay classic. Yeah, yeah, I know it's retro, but it's still great. I am aware that it contains petroleum and mineral oil which are no-no's for the skin. I have not experienced any breakouts from the Oil of Olay. It is non-greasy and it blends in perfectly. I also give this product double-duty as a primer for my make-up. Olay Classic also helps to even the tone of my skin even while it's under my make-up. (See, beauty can be sneaky and fun too). I want to hold off on the crows feet, laugh lines and wrinkles for as long as possible. You should too. You can find Olay Classic at Walgreen's for around $10.

Now, I need for you to pinky swear that you will keep those instances of falling asleep with make-up on to a minimum. And don't forget your neck!