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

Getting your neck firm and ready for the upcoming fall season might not be such a task with a little help from skin-lifting cream that shoppers say makes a “huge difference” on sagging skin. Dermelect’s neck firming lift cream is packed to the brim with skin revitalizing ingredients like avocado oil, alpha-hydroxy acid and green tea extract that hydrate and plump skin so well, wrinkles and fine lines look less prominent instantly. And to top it off, you can shop the brand’s New Year sale with code NY20. Right now, save 20 percent sitewide with free shipping on orders $60 and up, which gives you an ample opportunity to stock up on all of Dermelect’s bestsellers.

“This is THE only neck cream that does what it promises to do,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “My necklines have disappeared and my skin feels much softer. No negative side effects, either.”

With the purpose of being used daily, the cream is meant to improve the overall appearance of wrinkling and sagging skin from across the neck and jawline area. Basically, it gets rid of what’s so lovingly nicknamed “turkey neck.” 

Courtesy of Dermelect.

When you take a look at the product’s main ingredients, it’s easy to see how it’s so effective as an anti-aging, wrinkle-erasing tool.

Avocado oil works to nourish your skin, while the alpha-hydroxy acid evens your skin texture out and the green tea extract aids in UV protection as well as anti-inflammation. One shopper said the product’s a “game-changer” and added that, if “you want instant better skin tone—this is it!” 

Along with anti-aging ingredients, the cream is jam-packed with nourishing ones. Jojoba Oil is also another powerhouse ingredient in this firming cream and helps skin retain moisture. Say goodbye to dry, chapped skin.

This firming cream is a hit with customers who have mature skin problems,  many of whom said it helps them look younger and fixes sagging issues around their necks. 

“I have been using this cream for my ‘senior neck’ for a long time and I can report that my 89-year-old neck looks years younger,” says another customer. “Be consistent, I use it twice a day.” For best results, use your bare hand (or maybe a Gua Sha stone) to massage the cream into your skin with an upward motion until the product is fully absorbed. This can be done when you wake up and before you go to bed. 

Even better: the neck-firming cream is free of mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, sulfates and synthetic fragrances. Along with this, it’s also cruelty-free and gluten-free, making it the perfect product for you if you have relatively sensitive skin. 

So, if you’re in the market for a neck cream that performs wonders and has an ingredient list from the heavens, then Dermelect’s Self-Esteem Professional Neck Firming Cream might be something you might just want to add to your cart.

You’ve heard it: New Year’s resolutions don’t last! This doesn’t mean that you can’t take stock of what you want in life. The still dark, shorter days of January in the Northern hemisphere are the perfect time for taking stock.

The Reality of Retirement

If you are in your 60s or 70s, retirement and aging loom big. Images of couples bicycling along beach fronts, of women hanging out with grandchildren in sunny breakfast nooks, or grandfathers taking their grandkids fishing fill commercials of financial companies who want to sell you their products.

Your reality may not be so picture perfect. If you’re lucky, you can retire (or have retired) from work for a pay-check. If you’re not so lucky, you need to figure out ways you can reduce your spending so you can make what little you have, last.

Planning is the key to aging healthy and without financial worries. If you’ve planned for financial security, now is the time to plan for healthy aging. If you‘re healthy but not financially secure, the opposite is true.

These changes mean you may have to move your body in more ways than one. No wonder many women over 60 are worried and in a late life crisis.

The Perfect Timing Alarm

In one of his bestsellers, When, The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, Daniel Pink talks about the psychological alarm clock that goes off when people reach the midpoint of a pursuit, like a career midpoint or a life midpoint, or as many women over 60 experience a “late life point.”

This psychological alarm tells you it‘s too late to achieve certain things in life. Pink, however, states this is the time when instead of going into a life slump it’s a time to reinvent yourself.

Pink provides a formula centered on Warren Buffett’s 5/25 rule, for how to reinvent yourself in later life:

• Write out your top 25 goals;
• Circle the top five;
• Cross off the next 20;
• Ignore the 20 until you’ve finished the top five.

Numbers 1 and 2 on this list are something you’ve consciously or unconsciously done in your life already. More interesting are Numbers 3 and 4, which require you to avoid indulging in things or activities that deter you from your goals.

Stick to Your Activities

Family, friends, and media can easily pull you into activities that don’t serve your top five goals. If financial independence is one to those top five, you need to ignore the pull to give your money away, to buy unnecessary gifts for your grandchildren, to have that latte three times a week.

When health is your top goal, buy those new walking shoes and sign up for the gym. Get moving with your partner, family, or friends. Make activity dates instead of sitting around drinking coffee! To write your memoir, put a limit on your screen time and use the time to write!

A New Kind of Resolution

Instead of making new year resolutions of what you will do, make resolutions of what you will not do anymore based on your 5 top goals.

Do you like the sound of not doing?

This may sound easier than it is, though. We are creatures of habit. Not doing means changing habits. As Aristotle wisely said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence (read achievement) then is not an act, but a habit.”

My habit of endlessly storing pictures in my ever-expanding cloud has made a mess of my photo organization. I will stop doing this: I will file the pictures, delete the ones I don’t want and work toward reducing my iCloud stock. I will no longer pay a monthly fee for expanded iCloud storage. I feel better already!

I encourage you to sit down and make your list. Making the list can be an eye-opening experience. (I had trouble coming up with 25!)

Figure out what not to do in the new year. Find people who inspire you with their lifestyle as they age. Ask them how they got there and what habits they have dropped along the way. This will be your habit-downsizing project!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What habits do you want to change to achieve your goals? I look forward to comments on breaking habits that don’t serve you. Please join the conversation!

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

I’ve always struggled with dry skin on my legs, but during the pandemic, I knew that needed to change. I can’t remember exactly how many oat and aloe body lotions I’ve tried and never committed to. My legs have always lacked moisture and craved a remedy I could never find. That is, up until I discovered CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream.

The skin savior is on sale for $16 right now, so don’t wait up to shop it. I say this because the Moisturizing Cream makes me want to lather up after every shower, and that’s something its shelf buddies could never do for me in the past. And when previous lotions failed me, I either stuck with them out of defeat or temporarily stopped moisturizing my legs (10 out of 10 would not recommend doing this).

Regardless of the season or whether your skin appears visibly dry, your legs—and the rest of your body—need a reliable, effective, gentle moisturizer on an everyday basis. That’s a huge lesson I learned after ignoring my dry skin and then finding my Holy Grail solution. And, apparently, a whole lot of other people see it as the same. Over 92,000 shoppers on Amazon have given the moisturizer a perfect rating, and it has an average 4.8-star rating (!!). The last time I saw something with those marks was, well, never.

“Throw all your lotions away and buy this. I wish I had a bathtub full of it. I’ve never seen a cream work so fast or as good,” wrote one reviewer who had been struggling with dry skin for years. “After just using it for a week my legs are so soft and smooth, it’s amazing. I’ll never be without it.” TBH, same.

RELATED: This $4 Growth Treatment Left Shoppers Nails ‘Noticeably Stronger’ Within Days—They’re ‘Beyond Surprised’

Photo: CeraVe.

You’re probably wondering how the heck it does the trick so well. The key ingredients in every CeraVe product are ceramides, which function as the glue that holds your skin cells together. They work to give you a healthy skin barrier that locks in moisture. And in this specific formula, three essential ceramides mix with hyaluronic acid, the almighty ingredient that retains water. The formula is topped off with MVE Delivery Technology, which is a fancy way of saying that the product releases its superstar ingredients for around-the-clock hydration.

Did I mention that it’s multifunctional, too? You can spread the cream pretty much anywhere on your body, from your arms and legs to your face and hands. Real talk, though—I’ve never been more excited to cake my body in moisturizer after I hop out of the shower—and that says a lot. 

After rubbing this goop all over my arms and legs, they immediately feel silky smooth. Even if I skip a day or haven’t shaved in ages, my skin’s still soft and nourished. And if you’re worried about the texture, don’t. It’s thick, but it doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky or greasy. Plus, the product is non-comedogenic and certified by the National Eczema Association, so those with super sensitive skin can also join in on the fun.

“It’s seriously a holy grail product,” wrote one Amazon shopper who gave it a perfect rating. “I barely use any and it covers my entire face. About a teaspoon size drop covers my body!”

After falling head over heels for this cream, I may or may not have emptied my pockets on more CeraVe products. The Eye Repair Cream and the SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin both work wonders on my eyes and bacne, respectively. What can I say—I’m a certified CeraVe lover, and you know exactly where to find me, stocking up on yet another gigantic tub of the Moisturizing Cream.

“Grandma, why are your eyes so red?” asked my six-year-old grandson at the breakfast table.

I paused with my mouth full of blueberry pancakes, mumbling something about not sleeping well. That was only part of why my eyes looked like a crimson road map. The night before I had drunk two large glasses of pinot grigio, enjoying happy hour with my son and daughter-in-law after a long absence apart.

But the next morning my bloodshot eyes and a tired, puffy face stared back from my makeup mirror… along with a mildly blurry brain. I felt yucky after my grandson pegged that appearance.

Drinking Is Normalized In Our Culture

As a young adult, I drank wine to fit in with my social crowd, celebrate victories, and relax at the end of a grueling week. I thought conversations at parties flowed easier with a wine glass in hand. Festive toasts were made at friends’ birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, holidays, and job promotions.

When a major publication featured my work, colleagues congratulated me with bottles of premium wine. Drinking went in tandem with joyful activities.

The Pandemic Launched My Two Goblets a Day Habit

Before Covid crashed our lives in early 2020, I drank one glass of wine with dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. During the virtual lockdown period, that scenario soon repeated every evening. As the pandemic continued into a second year, I reduced my anxieties by pouring another glass while preparing the evening meal.

Research shows I wasn’t alone, as females consumed more alcohol during the epidemic. Indeed, a 41% increase in heavy drinking days happened among women since the pandemic’s start.

Health Dangers of Drinking as an Older Woman

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, women are especially sensitive to the negative effects of alcohol.

I’ve read several articles about how no amount of alcohol consumption improves our health. As we get older, it’s processed differently and can lead to more health risks.

Alcohol drinking in older adults can increase the risk of certain cancers, liver damage, diabetes, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, brain damage, and immune system conditions. The risk of a stroke increases. Excess alcohol is also linked to dementia and Alzheimers.

Reading further, I found there’s a connection between alcohol and the risk of female breast cancer. There’s no safe level of drinking alcohol. The danger of “holiday heart syndrome” goes up with age. That’s another name for alcohol-induced atrial fibrillation or A-fib, which peaks during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Indeed, a recent study published in the journal Nature concluded that just one drink per day shrank the brains of most healthy middle-aged and older adults.

Although I received amnesty when I drank in my 20s, a pardon in my 70s wasn’t happening.

One Day, One Week, One Month, Six Months… and Now One Year

It’s true. I haven’t taken a single sip of wine in 12 months.

Two days after my grandson’s breakfast table comment about my red eyes, I wrote in my journal, “I’m done with wine!” That incident was the tipping point for me.

I shared my intention to go wine-free with several supportive friends who checked on my progress. My husband rooted for me, too. None of them were teetotalers; however, since my start date, one close friend gave up her daily wine routine at the recommendation of her doctor.

Drinking kombucha with a splash of sparkling water in a pretty wine glass became a good replacement beverage. My son introduced me to Heiniken 0.0% beer a few months ago. It’s a great alcohol-free drink when I’m out and about with friends.

I planned to start my new journey one day at a time, building to the six-month mark. To celebrate arriving at that target, I wrote “Jane Fonda and I Happily Agree About Drinking After 60.” Then I kept going toward my one-year goal of being wine-free. There was no back-sliding, although I had to hold steady when news came of a friend’s sudden death.

On December 14, 2022, I reached that milestone. I’m sure to stay on this path forever because of so many personal benefits including:

• No morning bloodshot eyes
• Better sleep
• Greater sense of well-being
• Feeling empowered; more confident
• Enhanced creativity; without brain fog
• Losing a few pounds
• Improved productivity, including writing more legacy stories and assisting several nonprofits
• More lifetime with loved ones because of reduced risk for cancer, heart disease, stroke, liver troubles, accidents, Alzheimer’s, and related life-shortening problems.

For sure, all these good things didn’t happen only because I no longer drink wine. But for me, the right decision was throwing away the corkscrew. I respect everyone’s choice of beverage, including relatives and friends who enjoy wine and other alcohol.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What habits have you adopted to help you lead a healthier lifestyle? How have they affected your life and health? Did you find support in friends and family?

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

We don’t know about you, but going online and combing through endless pages of the best skincare products gets exhausting, even for the most dedicated shoppers. And when it comes to fighting dry and tired-looking skin when chillier temps hit, there are so many options to choose from. But thanks to Asterwood’s hyaluronic serum, you can finally kiss irritated skin goodbye.

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that locks in moisture to the skin and holds 1,000 times its weight in water. The moisturizing ingredient alleviates dry skin naturally without leaving it irritated and inflamed. Meaning, the acid seriously helps hydrate and plump your face. What’s more, hyaluronic acid also possesses anti-aging benefits because it improves the skin’s elasticity, leading to a youthful and dewy appearance. It’s also an ingredient that pairs well with the other ingredients in your skincare routine. So, if you’re using a retinol or even a vitamin C, the acid won’t counteract any of those products’ benefits. Bonus: you can use it in your morning or evening routine too.

Courtesy of Asterwood Naturals.

If you’re not using a hyaluronic acid serum in your routine, meet Asterwood Natural’s hydrating serum. It plumps the skin and locks in moisture for all-day hydration. The serum also promises to smooth lines, wrinkles and dark spots, while leaving the skin dewy and bright.

One shopper called the serum a “godsend” and added that it’s “probably the best hyaluronic acid serum I’ve ever purchased. My skin had been dry in spots, oily in others and breaking out in cystic acne around my chin. From the first time using this, my skin has been so happy! I seriously felt my face just slurp up and absorb the serum right away. My skin is now so soft, and the acne is healing up beautifully and not leaving angry marks.”

Even those with signs of aging love the transforming serum and its visible benefits.

“I’ve been using this for a couple of weeks just to see if it really works! My mind is blown! Fine lines are faded, skin is hydrated and younger-looking. People have asked what I use, I’m 34, and people think I’m at least 10 years younger!”

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Another said that the hyaluronic acid serum “turns back the clock.” Then added, “within a few days, I noticed my skin looked like it had a few years ago.”

Other shoppers report that the serum fades acne scars and dark spots with consistent use.

“It’s magic in a bottle!” another reviewer said. “Nothing really worked for my dark spots until now! I bought this for anti-aging, however, it did wonders for my acne scars.”

And, if you’re concerned with how the serum looks alongside your other skincare products for your next shelfie, rest assured that the bottle is stunning.

“The serum just arrived last night. I haven’t used it, so I can’t review how well it works yet, but the packaging is adorable. Very simplistic [and] clean-looking. [It] kind of looks like a vintage bottle. That can easily be left out because it is aesthetically pleasing.”

To use the hyaluronic acid serum, apply two to four drops and massage it into your face and neck area—after cleaning your skin. For the best (and fastest) results, use the serum in your AM and PM routines.