Skin Care At Ninety
By wwolfs
Simple Skin Care Routine
Today I want to talk about my mother's skin. She was close to ninety when she left her place here on earth. My mother went through a long process for years with what doctors claim was Alzheimer's disease. You know that awful disease where they don't remember who you are or even who they are. I was never quite sure if that's what she really had. I tend to think she knew who I was regardless of what they said even though she no longer communicated with me or anyone else.
It was hard watching her week after week which turned into year after year. She ended up bed-ridden and lay there for almost six years with occasional days of sitting in a different environment. I would sit by her side just to let her know I was there time and time again. I talked. And she listened. As I watched her I couldn't help but notice her skin getting younger.
What was going on? How was that happening? Where was my mother who over thirty years ago had many wrinkles etched in her face? I used to wonder if those would be the same wrinkles I might have one day. I didn't want them any more than she did. Though my mother was one who had yo-yoed with diets. As you get older you can almost expect any large weight loss to be noticeable in your face. As the days went on her skin looked better and better. That was amazing to me but what was causing this? My mother was not one to ever do much to her skin. Every now and then she would try a new product but I used to think she just used them to feel like she too was a part of some great beauty regimen. Somehow, I knew she knew those products were a waste of time and money.
I started to pay attention to what was going on with her daily routine as the nurses tended to her. What were they feeding her? Did they do anything to her face? And I even wondered if this Alzheimer's disease had anything to do with it. How many times have you wished you could forget about someone or something? Hmm, it makes one wonder. Stress is havoc to the skin.
The more I watched her, the more I was unsure of it being any one thing. She was on a feeding tube so it was easy to see what was going into her body. Water and protein with plenty of vitamins. That summed up her meals for the day. As for her face, they washed it with a gentle baby soap and water. There weren't any expensive facial creams or cleansers. Just a very simple daily routine. And a body that lay there without a stress in the world. She had lived her life, she was almost ninety, and she no longer cared to remember any of the stressful events that had taken place. She had her share and they were behind her. And every now and then when she would squeeze my hand.....I knew she hadn't forgotten everything. She was reliving a good memory, if only for a moment, and she wanted me to know.
I went to school to learn skin care, to find out about all the products that were good and bad for your skin, and how to properly take care of your face. We are living in a society that is buying every product in hopes of finding the next miracle cream. The skin care industry is big business. Who doesn't want to look younger? It's no longer just a women thing. Men have joined the ranks, too.
But as I think about what next product they will come out with, what next one I will try, and just how good any of them are, I can't help but think about my mother. My mother who was almost ninety. And her daily routine that had made her skin look so much better. It didn't happen overnight. It didn't happen in a day. Or even a month. It was a routine day after day after day. Could it be as simple as a proper amount of water and protein with vitamins, topped off with less stress in your life? Just maybe, that is the real fountain of youth.
Dad and Mom
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Comments
Thank you very much Bell du jour for the comment and the welcome. :)
Wonderful hub:) I enjoyed reading it:):):)
Thank you, Ana Gajic. I am happy to hear you enjoyed it :)
Everyone wants to look beautiful and the beauty industry takes advantage of that. I have seen some women who has beautiful skin like your Mum's and I sure want to know their secret!
I agree with you that the beauty industry takes advantage of people for that reason and it's more about the money. I'm sure some products might help but I'm leaning more toward natural products and what goes inside your body. Thanks for the comment, Pretty Sunflower.
I was really taken in by your hub, wwolfs! I am really looking forward to reading more from you.
This was probably the best way to start your career at HP - what a hub and what an idea.
Thank you, nemanjaboskov for the lovely comment. Very much appreciated! I am looking forward to writing more hubs as I really enjoy writing and I am determined to find the time to do that. Thanks so much for your support!!
You're welcome, and I am indeed excited about seeing your name in the new hubs feed!
Thanks so much for your story, she is smiling from above....I had breast cancer in 2005 and found an alternative dr who had me change my diet, herbs and etc ..I get comments all the time about my skin...and I tell them it's not what I use, it's from the inside out...you are, what you eat totally...within a year you can replace every cell in your body...good or bad!
Thank you for your comment and sharing your story. I am happy to hear that you had such good skin results, too and wish you the very best with your health. I strongly agree with you that what goes into your body through your diet, vitamins, herbs, etc. does have a direct result with how you look and feel. It is amazing how the body regenerates new cells and so important to have adequate nutrition to make that possible.
Fantastic article. I often thought that stress is one of the worst things you could have in your life. I've just seen to many people that were always stressed and the effects it had on them. We all get stressed, and need some kind of stress release. Everyone should try and find theirs.
healthywholefoods, Thank you for your comment. I totally agree with you that stress is one of the worst things you could have in your life. I think some is okay or normal, yet too much or a constant overload would be very damaging and show up in different symptoms. I definitely feel it causes one to age faster. You are right that everyone should try to find a way to release their stress.
very interesting.thanks!!!
Thank you so much for your comment. I am glad you found it interesting!
I have my theories, but even as a young person, I was told "Don't scowl." I now tell my kids that.
I totally agree with you and think sunglasses are also important to avoid crow's feet around the eyes. I think it's a good thing to tell kids because I believe it makes a difference with repeated facial expressions starting at a young age. I told my kids the same thing. Not that all wrinkles can be completely avoided as one ages but it can keep them from having them at younger ages and actually starts them on good skin care. Thanks for sharing a very useful tip!
Sorry about your mother. Stress is definitely one that ages the skin. Your observation will help you take care of your skin better. Thanks for sharing.
anginwu - Thank you for such a nice comment! I believe stress does definitely contribute to aging the skin. It was interesting to watch my mother's skin go through a change as there was a big difference once stress was eliminated from her life and also from what went inside her body. I know for most we cannot remove stress completely but finding ways to reduce it or release it can only benefit us. After watching her I do think differently on how to take care of your skin.
Thank you for such a wonderful hub. I need help with skin care, but as you know, all of the products are so expensive. You are helping me even if you don't know it.
Thanks again. Thumbs up!
Michele Travis - Thank you for such a nice comment and I am always happy if I can be of any help. You are so right about products being expensive. It is the marketing strategy that one uses to increase their profits on each product that is the next miracle cream and promise of youth. I'm sure some might help to some extent but after sitting with my mother I had much time to reflect on skincare in general. I believe what goes inside your body and how you deal with your stress has more to do with having better skin. As for topical products, I find less to actually be more. Most people are naturally manipulated daily into believing many things they are told by the media, advertisement, etc. I feel if one could only recognize the tactics being used they would find that skincare doesn't have to come with such a high price.
I agree with you about stress and smoking and what goes into your body. But as someone with epilepsy, even though I have had surgery, I still have to take a lot of medication, and have lost a lot of weight. That might be part of the problem. One of the medications takes away the appetite, but is very good for control of sezures. Anyway, I am going to drink more water and do the best I can in your hub. With water and vitamins it might help a lot. Someone told me that putting sliced cucumbers under you eyes helps. Is that true? By the way, I love the picture of your mother. I keep pictures of my mother also.
Thank you so much.
Michele Travis- I am sorry to hear about you having epilepsy. I wish you the very best in fighting that condition. It does sound to me like you have lost a lot of weight and that could very well be a factor that has affected your facial skin. I too have heard about cucumbers, a cold spoon pressed under the eyes, or even a washcloth with an ice cube that will help reduce the swelling but most likely that would only be a temporary fix. I do feel that drinking plenty of water throughout the day instead of large amounts at one time helps to retain it, plenty of rest as many times not having proper sleep shows up under the eyes, good nutrition with reducing salt intake, vitamins, and keeping stress free as much as possible are all factors in helping the skin. I also feel strongly that an increase in protein is needed. That is very important. Our skin, hair, nails, and so much of our body is made up of protein and it is needed for cell and tissue repair. All of this changed my mother's skin from having wrinkles to such a smooth and beautiful complexion. It was amazing to see that happen. Best of luck to you.Thank you so much for the comment on my mother's picture. Many times our mothers are a reminder of unconditional love and support. I am looking forward to reading your hubs and don't always have a lot time but I will definitely get to them.
I'm sorry that your mother had a serious health problem near the end of her life, wwolfs. Your idea about the relationship between stress and the appearance of the facial skin is very interesting. Thank you for sharing your observations and ideas.
AliciaC - Thank you so much for such a nice comment and you are quite welcome. Though it was hard watching her, I couldn't help but be amazed by the changes in her skin. For her to be almost ninety and have such a smooth complexion was so perplexing to me. Prior to her sickness, my mother was not without wrinkles for her age.
Very beautifully written and interesting too!
Sunita-Sharma - Thank you for such a sweet comment! I am happy you found it interesting. Thank you for stopping by!
This was a fun hub to read. My husbands mother is going to be 99 in July. Her skin is also lovely and smooth .. and get this - her hair is still mostly black. I do think nutrition has played a part and as you say .. her stressful days seem to be behind her .. she lives in the present moment and is content.
Voted up and beautiful.
Welcome to the Hubs!
Mekenzie
Mekenzie- Thank you for such a nice comment! That is really great to hear that about your husbands mother. I think that is amazing to see people at that age. Wow...99! I do think nutrition and especially the lack of stress play a big part. My father always had black hair until late in his life, too. He was funny when he did start showing more gray hair which I liked on him. He would tell me he had to get his hair colored and I would laugh. I never liked when he had it done but I guess he had dark hair for too long. Thank you for the vote and the welcome!
"Right amount of water and protein with vitamins, topped off with less stress in your life" is without doubt the real fountain of youth. I'm one with you a 100% wwolfs. No matter what people say, it shows. Lovely photo you have there, a beautiful legend. Thanks for sharing this very wonderful and mind-relaxing experience! This is an inspiration. Voted up!
Tonipet - I really feel after much thought and watching my mother that skincare doesn't have to be anything more than a simple routine. Many will continue to spend a lot of money in search of a miracle cream. And many will continue to damage their skin through sun, lack of proper nutrition, sleep, stress, etc. I too believe that what you do or don't do will show. Thank you for such a nice comment and the vote! I am happy for it to be an inspiration as I feel many can change their skin without a great expense. It is nice meeting you and I am looking forward to reading your hubs.
I really enjoyed reading your hub and I am sorry about your mother. I know stress is always a factor in the quality of our health and that includes skin. I totally agree with your health routine, which I think applies to everyone, not just the elderly. Rated up.
Pamela99 - I totally agree with you that it applies to everyone. The main thing I noticed with my mother is that it was time and the repetition of doing these things daily. Many get caught up in the demands of their daily lives and don't always eat or sleep proper. Or find ways to relieve stress. With my mother, unfortunately in her situation, she had that time and that is when I noticed many changes in her skin. It was actually the best I had ever seen her skin. Thank you so much for your comment and the vote!
Sorry to read about your mom. I agree...STRESS is a big killer in all aspects. Your mom did not have a cent of worry 'cause of Alzheimer's and thus, did not fret over anything.
I agree no natural made cream of the highest order can bring back a baby soft skin..than ourselves.
Beautiful message conveyed. Wishing your mom peace and you joy and happiness!
Cheers!
Ruchira - I agree with you that my mother didn't have the same stress as she did prior to Alzheimer's. Stress can definitely take a toll on your skin and age you faster. Many think expensive products are the answer but I feel what goes inside your body and how you deal with stress has more to do with it. Thank you so much for the nice comment. Much joy and happiness to you, too!
I enjoyed reading your hub. My mother-in-law died with Alzheimer. It was awful as she sometimes did not knew us. It is a good tribute to your mum. Thanks for sharing.
Thelma Alberts - I am sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. It is a terrible experience when someone we love no longer remembers who we are or can no longer communicate with us. Thank you so much for you comment.
Greetings- a friend of mine used Deberry cream until it was too difficult to find. Then she changed to plain cold cream. At 87 she has no wrinkles and doesn't look nearly her age.
Routine and gentleness I believe is the key.
tirelesstraveler - I do agree that routine and gentleness to your skin are very important. It's always amazing to see someone that age that has nice skin and no wrinkles.
It sounds like your friend took care of cleansing her skin and didn't use many products throughout her years. I think that is great to hear. Thank you for your comment.
Most interesting, wolfs. I must mention that I'm 80 and have a quite simple, but consistent and health-centered skin (and the rest of the bod) routine. I've never had any kind of surgery or botox, but believe in consistent routines of skin care.
I've been through many skin-care programs, from plain to very expensive. I've grown herbs and made my own beauty products. I've been a Mary Kay Cosmetics Sales Director. etc etc
I'm convinced that healthy diet and exercise, a well stimulated mind and attitude are good. I also believe in lanolin lubricaion and physical stimulation of the skin. I've used salt and lemon juice as an exfoliant followed by lubriication. I've also steamed with herbs to clarify the skin. Now, though, I prefer stimulating with a terry cloth washcloth with plenty of clear water, I clean off makeup with dairy whipping cream followed by rinsing with water.
Nellieanna - I would not have guessed you to be eighty years-old. Your skin looks really good. I really feel that your simple and consistent routine is all that is needed. After watching my mother, and knowing how her skin was prior to her getting sick, I just saw an amazing improvement without any beauty products.
You, definitely, sound as though you have taken care of your skin throughout the years. It is very interesting on the variety of things you have used from growing herbs to making your own beauty products. And I totally agree with you that your diet, exercise, attitude, etc are all very important factors.
I really like the natural remedies and think they are great to use. I didn't know about the dairy whipping cream so that one is new to me. Thank you so much for your comment. It's nice meeting you. I love to hear what others do for their skin, especially, someone your age. You look great!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I do believe stress affects our lives and the more we rush and do, the more we stress. Returning to basics is part of the secret, I feel. Taking care of the body that takes care of housing our mind and parts that run the body is vital. The adage of we are what we eat is true. But we are what we also think. Good frame of mind and exercising and eating well. We have to look after the body that gets us to work or the store or walks us to the neighbor's house. I would also prescribe to anything that is natural. Have a good week.
ytsenoh - Thank you so much for your comment. I totally agree with on the many factors that you have listed. I, definitely, feel that keeping our minds and body free from an excessive of amount of stress is very important. I also strongly agree that what goes inside your body does have everything to do with how you look and feel.
So many look for answers in expensive products when getting back to the basics, having a routine, and using natural products would be so much better for them. You have a great week as well. Nice meeting you.
I love this. Very interesting an i also learn something too. All you need to do is maintain a right diet have your protein, vitamins, drink lots of water and have a stress free life as much as possible and you dont need to buy all the expensive cream and stuff to have beautiful skin.. Thanks for sharing
Emily40 - I am happy you found this interesting and hope it will help you, too. Taking care of your skin at a younger age is really important for how you will look one day when you're older. Wearing sunscreen is also important as the sun is very damaging to the skin. Thank you so much for your comment. It's very nice to meet you.
WWolfs, What a charming, endearing, thought-provoking article! In particular, I like how you contrast the skin care choices which your mother made when she was aware of life's stresses and the choices which were being made for her by medical personnel. It's interesting that she was as helpless as a baby and the gentle baby-like products of soap and lotion gave her fresh, smooth baby-like skin.
Me too, I believe it's as simple as water since the skin needs to be hydrated, proper eating and positive acts, feelings and thoughts.
Thank you for sharing, and Welcome to HubPages.
Respectfully, Derdriu
Derdriu - Though my mother was not without wrinkles prior to her sickness, she really was not one that did much to her skin in the form of skin care products. I would have to say that she lacked water as she was never a big water drinker, and that she had her share of stress throughout the years.
When she became bed-ridden, she was very much helpless like a baby. Her basic needs were met and she always looked peaceful and stress-free. With baby products used on her skin, an increase in water and protein, and less stress, her skin changed and became smooth.
There were a few times, an out-of-state visitor who hadn't seen her in awhile, would ask me what happened to her wrinkles. I really didn't know what the answer was. I could only watch what was going on with her situation, and then compare it to when she did have wrinkles.
I want to thank you so much for your lovely comment and reading my hubs. I am looking forward to reading yours as well. Many blessings to you.
Stress, I believe, is one of the biggest causes of all our human ailments, including wrinkles. You have written beautifully about your mother and her lack of stress as the worries of the world are now behind her. How wonderful for you that you can see the beauty beyond. I truly enjoyed reading this Hub and all it signifies.
Karanda - I really do feel that too much stress is very damaging to the body and mind in many ways. Though I wasn't happy to see my mother bed-ridden, she really looked peaceful and relaxed with the worries of her world behind her.
I also feel she lacked water as she was never a big water drinker. Many times something so simple and available to us is the last thing we think can help us in any way. Thanks so much for your comment. It is very nice to meet you.
Reading your beautifully written hub and tell us about your mom reminded me of my mom, she was bed ridden to and also had a feeding tube but she always had very young looking skin i don't know why, maybe because she never worried or had a lot of stress in her life. Thanks i really enjoyed reading this hub!
Vote up and more !!!
kashmir56 - I am sorry to hear that your mom was bed-ridden and with a feeding tube as well. It certainly is not easy to watch a parent in that situation. It sounds as though your mother had lovely skin and could be that she didn't have a lot of stress in her life. Stress does take a toll on the skin.
I noticed mostly with my mother that protein, water, and lack of stress made a big difference with her as she had wrinkles prior to her sickness. Thank you so much for your nice comment and the votes. My best to you.
I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your mother, wwolfs. Otherwise, this is a very enlightening and interesting hub. Surely the secret to radiance and beauty inside and out is enjoying life, not stressing so much, and being as healthy as possible. The photo you've included is beautiful for so many reasons. =)Thank you for this article.
maryhoneybee - Thank you for such a nice comment. I agree that enjoying life, less stress, and being healthy, is so important for how we look and feel. So much of what we do or don't do shows up in our skin. I, too, love the old photos. Thank you for reading my hub. It's very nice to meet you.
I had an aunt who also went to the rigors of the deadly Alzheimer's.
Every 15 minutes, her mind went somewhere and didn't recognized her husband and only daughter (who's a psychologist).
She's always meticulous about her face whenever her mind was normal and often put talc powder on her face.
But as the disease wiped away her memories, her health deteriorated. As if, all her energies were sapped from her body as the once brave, big educator left this world as an individual full of wrinkles.
travel_man1971 - Alzheimer's disease is a horrible disease. I am sorry to hear about your aunt. My mother went through the same symptoms not recognizing anyone. It was terrible and sad for that to happen to her.
I'm not sure what kind of health care your aunt had. My mother was very fortunate to have home care for the entire time of her disease which lasted almost six years. I, however, don't feel she would have received the same treatment in a nursing home with the time involved that she did receive.
She had family around her daily, her nutrition was tended to round the clock, and she had a very deep bedsore that are normally hard to heal. Her bedsore did eventually heal. I am almost certain that her constant care, nutrition, water, and lack of stress had much to do with her skin looking better. Thank you much for your comment.
Amazing, so it is all about going to the basics - hydration (water), nourishment (vitamins), and a stress-free life! Yeah, skin care business is so huge and such a money-making machine. If we can just manage to go back to simple living and healthy eating then we may not need to count on pricey creams, lotions, and scrubs that much. Voting this one up and useful and awesome!
kerlynb - The skin care business is truly big business. A fancy package with promising words of youth is what sells to millions. It was after observing my mother's skin I no longer purchased any more pricey creams. I felt the natural products and scrubs, along with healthy eating, water, and less stress would be the better choice.
You are right, it really does come down to simple living. Thank you so much for your comment and the votes. Hope you're doing well. Appreciate you reading my hub.
bell du jour 7 months ago
Very interesting story and wonderfully written:-) Welcome to Hubpages I look forward to reading more of your hubs.
Bell du jour