I have progressed from moisturizer to face cream

[Mirrabooka]

So, this is a recent change and comes after a year or so of sometimes applying a moisturizer daily for periods of time, but not normally. 

 

We went on a vacation a month ago and I applied sunscreen every morning whether we were going to be spending much time outdoors, particularly on the beach, or not. I told my wife that I was wanting to look after my skin better regardless. When we got home, I continued with daily instead of sporadic application of moisturizer (it was a specific product, not just sorbolene, which is what I began with). I was wanting to progress things a bit more, so I began to look into different products. I settled on one of the Olay 7-in-1 Total Effects face creams, and I have applied it for the past five days now. I haven't noticed any difference to how my skin looks yet, but it feels beautiful to apply, smells lovely, and gives me an overall good feeling just by using it. And really, that's the most important thing.

 

I'm not into makeup and I'm not trying to pass, but if products like this (and I'm sure that there are thousands more similar ones) end up giving me a bit of an outer glow in the weeks/months/years ahead to match my inner one, I'll be very happy indeed.

 

I must admit that I am tempted to try the version that contains a tiny bit of inbuilt foundation one day and leave it at that, but at this stage it's a bridge too far.

 

[kat2]

Just now, Mirrabooka said:

but it feels beautiful to apply, smells lovely, and gives me an overall good feeling just by using it.

Its lovely when we find a product that is so in tune with our body, I tend to use sunblock applications mainly in the summer months, skin is all about health and genetics, good hydration is key as is exercise to keep our circulation going, but we often miss the most important thing " feeling good" keeping stress at bay 

[Timi]

OMG don't get me started! (Too late LOL!) My esthetician recommended the Olay product but I haven't tried it - I'm glad to hear you like it!

 

I think one of the best decisions in my life was maybe 30 years ago, ditching the aftershave and switching to a simple aloe cream. I mean really, what kind of sick mind thought that putting what is basically alcohol on freshly shaven skin is in any way a good idea!

 

Decades of using the aloe has paid off - my face was in pretty good shape when I accepted that I am trans about a year and a half ago. Then I had my first facial -- loved it! Now I've had three and looking forward to the next. I upped my game, first with CeraVe AM and PM lotions and eye cream for about a year. Also using Elizabeth Arden City Smart on occasion, which is a tinted moisturizer/protectant/sunscreen. I've definitely noticed an improvement, my face glows nicely!

 

Now I've gone even more to another level, trying more Elizabeth Arden serums and other products. After a couple months of that, even more noticeable improvement - my ruddy complexion is, I think, toned down a bit and I love the way my skin glows!

 

But wow ... I really have to budget my spending lol! I hear that beauty doesn't have to be expensive and I agree, in theory, to a point. I actually learned an interesting lesson on ultra premium products that I may share one day. I had no idea that there is some stuff out there that is jaw dropping expensive and pushed by hard sales. Beware of that stuff!

 

Anyway. I'm babbling. And waiting for my next shipment of products to arrive as I'm running out of stuff!

 

-Timi

[MaeBe]

Just now, Timi said:

what kind of sick mind thought that putting what is basically alcohol on freshly shaven skin is in any way a good idea!

Have to kill the bacteria that laced that blunt blade you scraped across your face! So very "manly"...

 

My wife still has a more complicated face regimen and I've had to keep mine simple because money is tight. I want to get an exfoliant, but if we can't afford hers then I cannot fathom to buy anything myself. I tend to use vitamin C in the morning with my moisturizer (which I'm running out of!!!) and will use one with sunscreen when there are actual UV rays to deal with but right now I'm using La Roche-Posay Double Repair Face Moisturizer both morning and evening (when I used to only use it at night and would use CeraVe with SPF 30 in the mornings). I do have a lovely enzyme cleanser, too.

 

This is all depressing me, because I feel so incredibly far away from being able to really afford anything ever again. Might just have to bite the bullet and see if the Casino will take me, since no one in tech seems to want to. /woe

[Mirrabooka]

On 2/28/2025 at 8:17 AM, MaeBe said:

This is all depressing me, because I feel so incredibly far away from being able to really afford anything ever again.

I'm sincerely sorry if I triggered you. 🙁 

 

So, it's been well over a week now, and the visible difference has been...zero! 😆

 

it's not like I actually expected to look like a Hollywood A-Lister or a supermodel by now, but I am a little bit disappointed that nothing has changed at all. But, I really really am enjoying applying a face cream as part of my normal morning routine now, openly and unashamedly. It still feels absolutely delightful to apply. One of those tiny little euphoric moments. ❤️

 

 

[Timi]

Just now, Mirrabooka said:

I'm sincerely sorry if I triggered you. 🙁 

@MaeBe - me too. I have such a warm regard for you, and I so much want you to be able to thrive and be happy in such an unfair world. I think you are such a wonderful person and I have faith that the world will also see that in you. 

[MaeBe]

@Mirrabooka and @Timi, you two are too sweet. I’ve just been on a bad run and it doesn’t look like changing any time soon, but tomorrow is another day and they wouldn’t be surprises if you knew they were coming for you. Thank you both. 
 

Mirra, I think it takes longer than a week. 🤭

 

Have you tried adding a vitamin C serum before your moisturizer and sunscreen? It definitely brightens and reduces redness, but I mostly use it for the 1-2 punch for sun protection with an spf. 

[Mirrabooka]

On 3/4/2025 at 8:54 AM, MaeBe said:

Mirra, I think it takes longer than a week. 🤭

Yep. I never believed the advertising guff which suggested immediate radiance etc., but I was kind of-sort of-maybe expecting people who I only see every week or so, to maybe notice some sort of difference, even if they couldn't identify what the difference was. But yes, it is early days.

 

Just in the past few days I have noticed a difference to how my face feels when I touch it, particularly my forehead. it's hard to describe. It's like my skin is now saturated with this product and it feels like the just-applied feeling lasts all day. It's nice! I have also noticed that when I do apply it, because my skin is already saturated with it, it goes on a lot 'whiter' and takes a bit more effort for it to be rubbed in and absorbed.

 

Whether it makes a visible difference or not matters, but only a little bit. Like I said previously the fact that I now have a daily beauty routine which makes me feel euphoric, is much more important.

[Sally Stone]

I convinced myself that high priced cremes formulated for women were going to make my face more feminine.  After using that particular creme for many years, I realized it was just a waste of money for me.  First, male skin is much thicker than female skin (I don't know if HRT changes this), so female oriented formulations aren't effective.  Second, I found a very inexpensive moisturizer from Ponds that is proving to be just as effective (smells wonderful and feels amazing) as the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair I was using previously.  We really have to be cautious of the advertising claims because they are mostly BS.

 

@kat2 I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned exercise and good hydration, as those are the critical considerations for healthy facial skin.   

[MirandaB]

1 hour ago, Sally Stone said:

First, male skin is much thicker than female skin (I don't know if HRT changes this)

 

The first effect of HRT I felt was a mental one (hey, I feel...happier?)

 

The second was softer skin, don't know if it's any less thick, but it definitely does something good for one's skin. 

[Mirrabooka]

On 2/28/2025 at 1:27 AM, Mirrabooka said:

I must admit that I am tempted to try the version that contains a tiny bit of inbuilt foundation one day and leave it at that, but at this stage it's a bridge too far.

So, I threw caution to the wind and did something slightly sneaky today.

 

My original 50g tub is almost empty and the whole range is on sale this week, so I bought a replacement. While my wife was in a different aisle in the supermarket, I made my choice. Yep, the one with a bit of foundation in it.

 

I was looking up online reviews the other day, knowing that I needed to buy more stuff, and noticed that people were referring to it as BB cream. -what the heck-? Then I discovered that BB, CC and DD creams were a thing. Who knew??? All of my knowledge with personal care products is self-taught; my wife doesn't use makeup or any other skin care product. She even resists using sunscreen if going to the beach. 🙁 Anyway, I have now apparently bought some Beauty Balm. Cool!

 

If it makes me look too different and my wife notices, I'll just say "Oops, I bought the wrong one!" If she doesn't notice or doesn't care, I'll feel even more euphoric during and after applying it. 😎

 

On 3/11/2025 at 9:53 AM, Sally Stone said:

I convinced myself that high priced cremes formulated for women were going to make my face more feminine.  After using that particular creme for many years, I realized it was just a waste of money for me.  First, male skin is much thicker than female skin (I don't know if HRT changes this),

A few things here. For me, the $20 spent on a product that lasts for over a month is totally worth it just for the mental stimulation. Apart from skin, men's BRAINS are thicker than women's, lol! And even though I have no experience with HRT, through my own research it is a given that with long-term usage, it is known that skin will become softer and drier with it. Body hair including that on arms and legs will also thin out.

[kat2]

its lovely when you find a product that makes you feel good, same if you go to a beauty salon its all about making you feel better refreshed. If you really want to look after your skin, drink plenty of fresh water and make sure you have a good sunblocker or hat to protect from the harmful sun. Anything that can stimulate the blood supply to the skin is also a win, so a facial scrub stimulates but also gets rid of dead skin cells.

[Mirrabooka]

Yes, it is lovely to use a product that just makes you feel nice! The range I use does have a bit of sunscreen built in, it is only SPF15 but better than nothing. Of course, I will use proper SPF50+ when I know I'm going to be exposed to the hot sun.

 

So I've used my latest cream with the foundation in it a couple of times and initially freaked out when I first squirted it into my hand because of how dark it is compared to the 'normal' day cream! it is tan, or even toffee color in appearance. It is significantly thicker too. But not to worry, it didn't make me look like Winnie the Pooh, in fact once applied, I couldn't really tell the difference at all. I'll see what happens with consistent use over a few weeks I guess, but at this stage, there's nothing to suggest that I'm actually using anything. That's a good thing - I'm euphoric about it and under the radar at the same time.