the woes of aging

I have never owned a wrinkle cream… and before a year ago, I had no interest in them.  Then something happened.  It seemed like my face aged exponentially in just a couple year's time.  To the point that, for a while, all I could see was my new wrinkles when I saw a picture of myself.  Then I noticed my eyelids were starting to sag.

What?!

I'm not yet thirty, why are my eyelids sagging?! Maybe this is normal.  And maybe everybody goes through this aging crisis and overreacts a wee bit.  I don't know, but I certainly did.  (And still do a little every time we have family photos taken. :/)

I immediately started looking into anti-wrinkle products, but was put off by the prices and the overwhelming amount of available products, options and active ingredients - retinol, acids, tea extracts, etc.  Because I was overwhelmed with my options and was afraid to pay a large chunk of money for something that may or may not work, I purchased nothing.

A year later (last month), I was offered the opportunity to test and review StriVectin-SD™ Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles.  Yes, please.

Only StriVectin formulas have a patented, clinically-proven NIA-114 molecule that powers up skin to help repair damage and fight off all visible signs of aging for a youthful look and feel. StriVectin has 30 patents and 25 years of biological research to back up their claims. Find out more about StriVecton on their website.

I started using it about three weeks ago.  The label suggests using it morning and night, and after two weeks you should notice a smoothing out of your skin. That's where I am.  

I haven't yet noticed diminished wrinkles or fine lines, but I have noticed my skin looking less ashy, my pores on my cheeks becoming less noticeable and a healthy glow to my skin when I'm sans makeup.  (Wrinkles and stretch marks aren't supposed to visibly diminish until eight weeks of consistent use.  But that seems like the standard for all wrinkle creams.) Every night before and after I wash my face, I find myself doing the forehead "wrinkle check" to see if they're diminishing.

True story:  I was getting ready one morning last week and had just finished washing my face when Zac said, "Your skin is looking really good… and I don't usually notice things like that." I think that says it all… my husband of all people noticed my skin was looking better.

What interests you most about NIA-114, a key active ingredient in StriVectin-SD™ Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles. Leave a comment, and you will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1.       Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2.       Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3.       Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4.       For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 2/25/13-3/24/13.

Be sure to visit the StriVectin brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!