Age 15
Also, as a teen and in my late thirties, I developed bad acne and have some facial scars from it.
I moved from a very humid climate - Louisiana to a very dry climate - Wyoming. After three years of living in Wyoming, the desert-like air appears to have a mummifying effect on one's skin, to my horror!
Never pampered my skin -- worked outdoors and only began using sunscreen 13 years ago. I tried some mild at-home dermabrasion techniques and other stuff that didn't improve my skin.
Finally, recently I did research on making one's own lotions and creaes. Surprisingly, consumers in America are able to order ingredients online with the click of a computer mouse.
So I clicked and today received the ingredients I needed to make my own stuff. However, upon further research earlier, I learned I could simply add the ingredients I ordered to commercially produced lotions and creams, rather than creating them from scratch.
So why re-invent the wheel, I thought. Therefore here is the lotion I created tonight:
I love this lotion and have found it to be the most emollient that does not dry up on your skin. It spreads thinly and lasts a long time. The Q10 ingredient is the key to it's superiority over other lotions I've tried. Yes, the lotion does contain some Mineral Oil. But it also contains Glycerin and some other worthy emollients. It is nearly scent-free and blends well with one's facial skin, a transparent barrier to keep moisture in and keeps skin from drying out. I am able to tolerate it on my face as well as body and recommend it for people with sensitive skin. The product claims "Noticeably firmer and visibly tighter skin".
Well I never paid attention that aspect of it's effects. However, it is dermatologically tested and helps make skin younger looking. The special ingredients I ordered online that I added to this lotion are:
1) Coenzyme Q10. Yes, the same stuff that is the best ingredient in the base lotion mentioned above! If it works, why not add more of it to the lotion? Most products you buy only have a tiny fraction of the effective ingredients in them. I made this super Q10 lotion. This is a "Vitamin-like molecule obtained from plant material. Its encapsulated in liposomes (phospholipid emulsion) to maintain activity, enhance skin penetration and potency. It is a potent anti-oxidant with effective anti-aging and anti-wrinkle properties and reinforces collagen and elastin production of connective tissue, a potent moisturizer (liposomes penetrate skin deeply and prevent water loss).
2) Dehydrated (powdered) Aloe Vera 200x. This is the stuff inside Aloe Vera plant leaves, concentrated 200 times! It is an off-white fine powder and contains amino acids, enzymes, hormones and minerals.
It is: "A potent moisturizer, regenerating and healing (penetrates the skin, stimulating the immune system and increasing blood circulation), has anti-inflammatory effects, anti-aging effects (increases collagen synthesis and skin elasticity).
3) Snake Peptide! Yes! This is an anti-wrinkle active compound based on a synthetic tri-peptide that mimics the effect of Waglerin 1, found in the venom of the Malaysian Temple Viper! The peptide reduces the contraction frequency of muscle cells on the face, thereby decreasing expression lines. After using it twice daily for 28 days, wrinkles in tests were reduced by 50 percent! This is a clear liquid with no odor.
I removed lotion from bottle, added these 3 ingredients (didn't use all the aloe vera powder because it is a large jar) and mixed well, then placed new lotion back into bottle and had some extra to put in another bottle.
All of the 3 ingredients I added to the lotion require refrigeration to maintain potency.
Therefore, I am refrigerating the lotion and remaining aloe vera powder to ensure they remain potent and powerful.
Yes, this is powerful stuff! I put it on my face several hours ago and my face is still moisturized and feels wonderful! It does not sting or burn. However, I did get a smudge of lotion on my upper lip and it made it a little numb -- hmmm... - the snake venom surely is working!
I am posting photos I took today with the lotion applied on my face, and will update this blog over the next month with newer photos to show if there are positive results.
If it works, then it was well worth the money I spent. It will be much cheaper than paying for 1/4 oz and 1/2 oz bottles of expensive anti-aging and anti-wrinkle creams on the market.
And if it fails - well, at least it was fun making my own stuff and at least I'd made a valiant attempt to improve my appearance, without blowing a bunch of money on Botox treatments, Plastic Surgery, etc.!
p.s. I purchased the Aloe Vera Powder, Q10 and Snake Peptide at this website. They will mail you a free comprehensive hard copy catalogue if you request one. Their website also offers articles and recipes to make your own lotions and creams:
