Trading Faces

The other day I had a personal beauty consultation. It was wonderful. We took a good look at my skin and considered its good features and its problem areas. We determined what sort of “system” I needed to take proper care of my skin. The steps involved were demonstrated: Cleanse, tone, exfoliate, moisturize. (We also came to the conclusion that I could use a little extra help around the eyes.) Within a week of using these products my skin improved. I believe in the products, I’ve seen the products work – my point is not to mock the products. My point is this – I can’t believe that it now costs me $100 to wash my face.

I started thinking about my skin and all we’ve been through together. I was remembering my college days when my skin always looked smooth. I would even receive compliments on it. Now, let me think....What was I using back then that was working so well for me? What was my "regimen"? What was that "system"? Oh yeah – I remember – soap.

Is it fair to compare my 20-year-old face with my 38-year-old face? I’ve heard it said that it is what you put in your body, not what you put on your skin that gives you that healthy glow. What was I feeding my 20-year-old face? Here’s a typical day: bacon-egg-and-cheese on a roll for breakfast, French fries with melted cheese and gravy for lunch (don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it), midday candy, a sensible dinner (prepared by my mother, otherwise it was not sensible at all), cookies, chips, soda…you get the picture. Not only was my skin just fine – so was my body. I didn’t think twice about what I ate and I was in the best shape of my life.

Everyday my 38-year-old face wears a foundation with an SPF 15 to protect it from the sun. I know full well that I was the 20-year-old girl who used to “lay out” with Hawaiian Tropic on my body and peroxide and lemon juice in my hair. Now I’m all about sun block and big straw hats.

So maybe it all has finally caught up with me. The sunburn I got at the beach during my 19th summer has manifested itself as the light brown spot on my forehead (which everyone else insists they don’t notice until I point it out). Maybe the grease from those fries is still causing my occasional blemishes, and all those years of soap and water have done me in and caused those laugh lines. Or maybe I’ve just been laughing a lot the past eighteen years.

My 20-year-old face used to make worry lines as it wondered what the future would hold. What career path would I choose? When would I meet my one true love? Where would the road that I was on lead to?

My 38-year-old face smiles, contributing to the fine lines around my eyes as they see the road that I am on now. It is paved and leads to the end of the cul-de-sac. My once uncertain future is here and they are things that I know for sure. I have married my one true love. My career has gone from fast track to Mommy-track and I feel fulfilled. I have a family and friends who love me, and a boy and a girl that are the lights of my life.

So would I trade faces with my 20-year-old self? Not if it meant trading places. I like it where I am now, thank you very much. I know what’s important; I’m smarter about life, more confident in my self, and happier than ever.

But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to exfoliate.