Naheed

Age: Late-50s

Location: New York City

Skin Type: Combination

Skin Concerns: Sagging along jawline, uneven skin tone around mouth

Growing up in Pakistan, where the summers are long and very hot, I was never informed about sunscreen. However, I did always carry an umbrella when going out in the sun. I wasn’t aware of the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays; this was just so my complexion would not get dark. In Pakistan, a fair complexion is appreciated and no one has the desire to look tanned. I remember in my teenage years, my sister and I used to make all sorts of home remedies for face and hair. We would make a paste of fresh henna leaves to put on our hair and loved the reddish tint it added. We mixed glycerin, rose water and lemon to soften our hands in the winter. Mud masks for our faces.

When I got married and moved to the United States, all of that was left behind. I had twins after a year of marriage, and there was no time left for myself. Back then, all I wanted was a few hours of sleep!

Time went by fast. Although I am blessed with good skin, when I turned 45 I started noticing fine lines. I had just started using store-brand creams. I remember Oil of Olay was my first cream, and I used it for quite some time. It wasn’t until much later that I started looking into serious skincare tips. Now that everything was at your fingertips with the Internet, I started exploring. I read countless beauty tips and blogs. Looked into facial exercises and the quirky gadgets; I even tried a few of them. I have to admit, I became prey for advertisements and did splurge on miracle creams and gadgets. Unfortunately, none of them did what they promised.

I discovered Paula’s Choice and started reading her recommendations. Then I stumbled upon a forum, Skin Care Talk. That’s when I seriously got into skincare. This is also when I got into DIY skincare. I watched and read a ton of Dr. Oz as well, but I tend to take his advice with a (big) grain of salt.

Now in my 50s, I believe in beauty from the inside out. What you eat greatly affects the condition of your skin. I always try to eat as healthy as I can. I also take Fish oil, vitamin C and biotin supplements. I eat lots of vegetables and fruits and stay away from processed and sugary food. I work out and go for walks during my lunch breaks. And I still always use an umbrella or a hat when I go out in sun.

In my skincare regimen, I now use sunscreen every day. I try to get facials regularly, and do at-home peels twice a year. My daily routine consists of retinol and vitamin C. I use the Ultra Renew at least three times a week. This seems to be working fine for me. I like to play around with new creams for my eyes. My current choice is Eminence Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum; so far so good. I am always searching for the next great product and am open to experimenting – as long as it contains natural and healthy ingredients that are good for your skin. I am very vigilant about what I put on my skin.

These days, I get the majority of my skincare tips from Truth In Aging. I don’t recall how I discovered the website, but I have now been reading Marta’s reviews for a long time – and I am honored to be a contributor!