Did you see the story released over the weekend about Botox and its possible link to decreased ability to empathize? Excessive Botox has long been linked with an expressionless face, but it turns out that inability to physically express emotion (through frowning or other facial gestures) might actually inhibit your ability to feel empathy toward people. It seems when humans can’t mimic the facial expressions of others, the ability to actually feel those emotions could be reduced.
As an anti-aging skincare strategies go, Botox is also prohibitive both financially and as a time-investment. In addition to a high price-tag, the treatments need to be touched up fairly often to remain effective. (But they are really effective.) If you don’t have a trust fund or are terrified of needles, here are five skin treatments that don’t require a trip to the dermatologist.
1.) DDF Wrinkle Relax: Doctor’s Dermatologic Formula- also known as DDF- is a popular, dermatologist-style line due to their simple, effective products. DDF Wrinkle Relax is rich in water-binding sodium hyaluronate, and contains lipopeptide Matrixyl to plump and reduce fine lines. Acetyl Hexapeptide is also among the reparative ingredients in this skin serum.
2.) Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Growth Factor Extreme Neuropeptide Serum: “Peptide” is a word you hear a lot in relation to damage-repairing and age-defying creams, and PTR’s Firmx Growth Factor Extreme Neuropeptide Serum. Ingredients like NEURO-BLOKKTM seem a bit- well, unscientific- but the product is designed to increase skin elasticity and hamper the muscle contraction that causes fine lines. At $150, it’s nearly a drugstore bargain in the realm of high-impact creams and treatments.
3.) Natura Bisse Diamond Drops: This top-shelf cream contains a skin-protecting ingredient called “Marine DNA.” Marine extracts are very popular in skincare, largely because in order for plants to thrive under water, they need highly concentrated nourishment. Diamond Drops isn’t a moisturizer- it goes on over your cream to protect and repair skin. In addition to its high tech ingredients, it also contains soothing lavender oil to calm skin and reparative grapeseed extract.
4.) Dior ‘L’Or de Vie’ La Crème: This fancy gold container houses an antioxidant-packed cream that is focused on renewing and repairing age and environmental damage skin has sustained. Dior ‘L’Or de Vie’ La Crème contains ingredients from a French vineyard that are put through a “17-step purification process (that) extracts every drop of the vines’ essence.” Hydroin, ectoin and hydroxyectoin are among the ingredients cited in this thick, skin-smoothing cream.
5.) Erno Lazlo ThranspHuse pHixation: Sometimes you need some on the spot, same-day results. Billed as a “surgiceutical” product, this lip-gloss like container proffers a “cooling, concentrated formula” with “Marine filling spheres” to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid draws and holds water, and a green tint masks redness.
Signs of aging aren’t necessarily the enemy, but a luxe, high-tech cream feels pampering and effective in your skincare routine. Have you found any high-impact creams or treatments that reduce damage? What’s your biggest skincare splurge?