Saturday, November 24, 2007

Moisturizer for People Who Hate Moisturizers, or How to Turn Your Skin Peachy Smooth Overnight


Magical. Miraculous. Unbelievable. That's the feeling I got when I read the extensive, dramatic literature published by SkinMD Natural to describe their skin lotion. Testimony after testimony. Medical evidence. Extensive documentation. Braggadocio. Snake oil.

Or not? Well, I'm a chick, and a 40-something, so have only slightly besmirched hopes for the discovery of the next fabulous skin cream that will smooth the crepey skin on my hands and arms, iron out the tiny wrinkles under my eyes, and soften the lines on my neck and collarbone. Please, I ask the demi-gods of beauty. Let there by such a magic potion and let me be privy to it. (And let it not cost too much.)

Well, I got a sample of a new type of lotion called a "shielding lotion." I had no idea what that was or why shielding should be necessary for skin, but I watched the video on the SkinMD Natural website in which a scientist rubs the lotion on his hands and arms and then proceeds to pour acid over his hands—an acid so strong that it gradually eats away at the rocks he holds in his hand while pouring. All the while, his hands are undamaged—shielded as they are by the amazing SkinMD Natural lotion. The video was a bit cheesy, but the message was clear. Shielding means protecting. And sealing in.

So I tried SkinMD—hardly daring to be optimistic, expecting to be underwhelmed. I opened the container and smoothed it on. First, I noticed no fragrance. Check. Then, I noticed how silky it felt and how it disappeared lightly and immediately on my skin. Check and double-check. Next, I noticed my forearms, where I had spread a few drops, felt peachy rather than dry. Just a lovely, soft peachiness. Yum. But the next part didn't become evident until some time had passed. The next day, my forearms had—I want to say, become younger—but without any drama, I admit, the crepey skin was gone and softer skin was all I saw and felt.

I was encouraged and excited about this new, smooth skin thing. But I wondered if it were a fluke. I kept applying and after a week or so, became convinced something magical was indeed going on. I started applying a light dab to each cheek (I have oily, problem skin with a tendency to break out, so I'm VERY reluctant to put any lotion on). No problems. Then, I wondered about the skin under my eyes. The label reads, for "Face, Hand, & Body," so why not? I'm already happy with my nighttime under-eye cream (I use Juliet's, available on eBay), but could a shielding lotion be layered over an effective cream to seal it in and intensify it? The answer was immediately clear the next morning. Yes, yes, yes.

For one month, I've been using SkinMD, and I'm delighted in every way. No breakouts. Smooth, peachy, crepe-free skin. Soft, touchable, more youthful skin. If I were extravagant, I'd use this lotion everywhere—I'm convinced it would work beautifully on legs and tummies, but want to conserve the rest of my lotion. The cost is around $25 for a four-ounce container—a reasonable amount, to be sure, but I'm not quite ready to lavish myself in utter luxury. But maybe I'll change my mind about this—who knows? I've been surprised before.

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