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If you have your foot, heck, even your pinky, in the door of the skincare world, then chances are you’ve heard about retinol. It seems like there’s nothing hotter on the market right now than products that include this anti-aging and skin-clearing ingredient. But, it’s kinda hard to understand how to use it and where to put it on your skin.

See, retinoids are chemical compounds that boost the speed of skin cell turnover to help you shed everything from blemishes to scars. The vitamin A-derived compound is a fan-favorite of dermatologists and skincare obsessives alike for its ability to diminish the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots, as well. But, because it’s a chemical exfoliant, if you don’t use retinol properly, it can wreak some serious havoc on your skin. We’re talking about shedding spots, dry patches and, in extreme cases, burns.

RELATED: Here’s Exactly How to Use Retinol Without Killing Your Face

To avoid those mishaps, Peace Out Skincare developed a simple solution. It’s a retinol stick that allows for you to pinpoint exactly where you apply the product, and helps you avoid applying too much of it. And since today is National Retinol Day, there’s literally no other perfect time to try it then right now.

You might have heard of the brand before—it produces the extremely effective pore strips that went viral on TikTok. The face stick includes a 3 percent retinol blend, (most retinol products have anywhere from two to 10 percent, and experts agree that those with at least 2.5 percent of the ingredient will be effective in diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes) as well as fruit complexes that nourish and altar your skin in one fell swoop.

Designed to work with any skin type—oily, combination, dry, you name it—the retinol stick is best for those who have skincare concerns revolving around fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, discoloration and droopiness. The applicator takes the guess work out of applying the right amount of product to your skin, since you simply have to swipe it on to experience the impact. This makes implementing retinol into your routine so much less intimidating, shoppers say.

“I love this product because I get the benefits of retinol without the oily mess,” wrote one shopper who previously relied on serums. “I love this and recommend for those who have naturally oily skin, or anyone who doesn’t like having extra oils on.”

Even those who have never used retinol before have major success using it. 

“I am 23 and just starting to create an anti-aging skincare routine and this product has really helped me do that,” wrote one reviewer. “It’s easy to use, easy to travel with, and SO CUTE! I was also worried about irritation, being a first time retinol user but this product was ultra gentle and non-irritating, so that is a huge bonus for me!”

Courtesy of Peace Out Skincare.

Though the product is brand new to the market, this “magic wrinkle eraser” is already getting rave reviews by users and experimenters alike.

According to a consumer study, 100 percent of participants (seriously) said their skin felt smoother after a month of using the retinol stick compared to how it felt before they began using the product. What’s more, 92 percent of users said their fine lines and wrinkles looked softer and less noticeable. That’s not all, though. In just two weeks, 81 percent of testers said their skin seemed firmer. That’s about as instant as skincare results can get.

Use it under your eyes to get rid of droopiness, dark circles and fine lines. Or, apply it on your forehead to get rid of those valleys that never seem to go away when you raise your brows.

“I have noticed that my fine lines appear to be plumper and more hydrated after about a week of use,” wrote one user. “This makes me feel confident that they will improve even more with consistent use, so I will gladly continue to use this product for the foreseeable future.”

To use the face stick, apply it to areas of concern after cleansing and moisturizing your face at night. Make sure to use SPF the next morning; skin is more prone to getting sunburn when retinol is applied to it. If you have super sensitive skin, the brand recommends doing a patch test first before implementing it into your nighttime routine up to two times a week.

Once your skin is used to it, sit back, relax and wait for the results to appear. You’ll be shocked at what you’ll see. Score this unique and effective formulation for 25 percent off during the brand’s Labor Day sale, where everything across the site is fair game.

As we age, it’s important to stay active and exercise regularly. In fact, if you’re over 60, exercising is one of the best ways to stay healthy and mobile. But it can also be easy to make mistakes.

Here are three common mistakes seniors make when it comes to exercise:

Forgetting to Modify Exercises

If you’re new to a workout program, it’s important that you scale back your intensity until you feel comfortable with the movements. This will help prevent injuries and keep you injury-free as long as possible.

Here are some tips to help you modify your exercises:

Make Note of Pain

If an exercise causes pain, stop immediately. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong and needs attention. You can always try again later when you’re feeling better.

Range of Motion

If an exercise makes it difficult for you to complete a full range of motion (ROM), then use less ROM in the movement. For example, if a full squat causes your knees pain, try just a very small bend at the knee (I call these mini squats).

Another common area where seniors tend to feel restrictions is the ROM in their shoulder joints. This is another example of where you must listen to your body and move it within a range of motion that feels good for you.

Listening to your body and making modifications will set you up for success in the long run. This will allow for a safer and more comfortable workout routine which will help to keep you consistent in your workouts. The truth is, if a workout feels good then you are more likely to stick with it.

Not Adding in Strength Training Workouts

When we’re young, our ability to do intense cardio is great for burning calories and shedding pounds quickly – but as we get older, our bodies need more time to rest and recover from high-impact exercises like running or cycling.

That’s why it’s important for people over 60 who are just starting out with an exercise routine to focus on building muscle (strength training exercises) along with some aerobic activity (like walking). This will help you stay strong and healthy while still burning calories at a steady rate over time.

For strength training exercises to be effective all you’ll need is some sort of weight – free weights are fine, resistance bands or even cans filled with water will work too! You can even use your own body weight for strength training exercises. You don’t need expensive or fancy equipment to get started.

Strength training helps to increase your bone density. If you are a senior, strength training should be one of your top priorities. While the goal of a strength-training program is to increase muscle mass, it also helps improve bone density and balance – two things that tend to decline with age.

Include Exercises That Mobilize Joints

Strength training is useless without having good mobility through your joints.

Age-related joint pain is common and can be debilitating. To perform a proper squat, you need mobility through your knees and ankles. To do a shoulder press you need mobility through your shoulders and to do a bicep curl you need mobility at the elbow.

I could go on with a hundred different exercises where joint mobility is the foundation to any strength training exercises. Strength training workouts are useless if we don’t have the mobility of the joints to successfully complete the exercise.

If you’re starting to notice tired and achy joints, it’s time to spend some time working to improve your mobility. I like to think of my joints as a chain on a bicycle. When you move your joints this creates synovial fluid (it’s like grease for the body) to help your joints (the bicycle chain) to move better.

My workout of choice to increase mobility and build full body strength is Pilates. Pilates is a gentle, low-impact strength training workout that also includes lots of dynamic “flowy” movement to increase joint mobility.

Pilates also works to improve your balance, which is something that declines as we age. Be sure to find an instructor that is experienced in working with people over 60 to ensure you are getting the most out of your Pilates practice.

Whatever mobility workout you decide to go with, know that it’s a great compliment to any strength training program and will help to improve your performance in your workouts and in your everyday life.

If you take one thing from this article, I hope it’s this: that no matter what level you are at, everyone needs to do the right kind of exercises for their body!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What type of exercise do you do? How often do you exercise? What is your favorite way to build strength in your body? Have you found an exercise program that has improved your quality of life? I would love to hear about your experiences and favorite workouts!

Ashley Darby’s Silver Rain Boots Flower Picking

Real Housewives of Potomac Season 7 Episode 5 Fashion

Okay I can’t be the only one that is thinking divorce is looking quite nice on Ashley Darby? Not only that so are her silver rain boots she wore to pick some flowers. What a cute and unique activity to do with your girls and I like the boot attire for gettin’ down and dirty. Her particular boots are unfortunately sold out except for eBay (phew). But that’s okay because we also have Style Stealers below that you’ll certainly want to pick.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here to Shop Her Hunter Boots on eBay

Originally posted at: Ashley Darby’s Silver Rain Boots

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

The last time I went to a dermatologist, she took one look at the blackheads on my nose and said, “are you using retinol here?” When I said I wasn’t, she promptly replied, “well that needs to change.” I used to think absolutely nothing could minimize my pores, but hey, who am I to question a doctor?

I just started applying retinol cream religiously, so I’ll keep you posted on the results, but for now, there are tons of reviews on Amazon singing the praises of this $23 retinol cream that shoppers say “works miracles” on a variety of concerns. They’ve noticed shrinking pores, diminished dark spots and acne scars and an overall improvement on the skin’s appearance and tone. The fact that it’s on sale for less than the cost of lunch doesn’t hurt either. As always, if there’s a product on the market that people are actually excited to rave about, you better believe I’m going to pay attention.

The LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream is made up of a high-potency blend of retinol, of course, and also hyaluronic acid, organic green tea, shea butter and jojoba oil. Because retinol can be harsh and drying on the skin’s surface, the added moisturizing ingredients help to condition the skin and prevent any visible signs of redness or peeling. And shoppers have definitely taken note that the blend works to keep typically enflamed skin tame: “I LOVE this product,” wrote one reviewer, adding that, “it is so luxurious, never causes burning, peeling or redness.” Okay, sign me up.

Courtesy of Amazon.

LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream for Face

Another reviewer actually wrote that despite this retinol cream only being $23, it “beats their $75 serum.” The reviewer, who calls herself a “picky retinol user” said, “this product changed the playing field. With one use, I could tell this was different.”

This product only contains natural ingredients and is free of parabens, gluten, sulfates, and phthalates. It’s also 100 percent vegan and made in the U.S. Plus, because you get 1.7 ounces of product for $23, shoppers love that you can liberally apply it to the entire face and even the neck twice a day without having to be stingy due to high costs. Applying the product twice a day and extending it to your neck is a great way to see results faster.

Shoppers love that although the cream feels thick once it comes out of the dispenser, it goes on lightweight and doesn’t weigh down the skin or feel heavy under makeup. “It’s a thick cream, but very lightweight when it’s on and I haven’t been dry or irritated,” wrote one reviewer.

If you’ve been looking for an easy and affordable way to get into a retinol routine, this is a great place to start. You can even choose from a few different size options, depending on how much product you want to have on-hand. Pick one up today during National Retinol Day while it’s on sale.