So I'm going to start gradually. Went out to the drug store and looked in the moisturizer section. So many blasted ingrdients - AHA, BHA,s retinols. These things exfoliate, which will make the skin - I hope! look brighter and better. SUpposedly, they are added to moisturizers or oils and attract water to plump up the skin. They stimulate skin repair in immune-deficient rats and rabbits - ha ha, maybe they can do the same for me. Claims are they may help skin repair in humans over age 45 and decrease excessive breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin. I can only hope.

Also going to try the exfoliants. Products containing hydroxy acids include cleansers, moisturizers, toners, masks, age-spot removers, and other preparations. (so many) Hydroxy acids are naturally occurring, non-toxic substances found in the human body, fruits, wine, milk and sugarcane. They are more commonly known as alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs and betahydroxy acids, or BHAs. The AHAs and BHAs help retain moisture in very dry skin, as well as helping reduce fine lines and uneven color of sun-damaged skin. They can lighten "age" spots. They also reduce the glue (yuk) that holds the top skin cells together, whatever that means. But the overall promise is smoother softer skin.