Deborah Tosline wrote and published Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare in 2015. Deborah's education and work experience is in science, where hypotheses are tested through observation and experiments. She has Bachelor of Science degrees in geology and ecology. Her approach to skin care is based on that scientific background, a love of research and over 30 years of DIY skincare experience.
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Photo taken December 2013 at 54, see below for a more recent selfie

Click on the blue-green text for links to more information or to products that I currently use. I am not affiliated with any of the products.

As we hiked off the mountain at dusk, running to cross the bridge before nightfall, my friend called to me “Rambo Barbie”, yes it was funny and kinda true.

Rugged femininity is my approach to lifestyle and skin care.

There are a variety of ways to achieve skin care goals and assertive flexibility is a key to success. Your skin care routine typically depends on available resoures including: funds, time, products and information. With so many ways to accomplish a goal, you may pick and choose what works best for you based on where you live, your routine, and lifestyle.

My ‘Rambo Barbie Rugged Routine’ for Skincare was founded on having little expendable income; a need to protect my skin from southern Arizona’s harsh clime; and a desire to take good care of my largest organ to promote health and smooth clear skin.

The basic tenets of my skin care routine vary slightly however my use of additional skincare practices varies over time. Change takes effort but it’s beneficial to cross-train and stimulate the skin in a variety of ways for maximum benefit and self-maintenance.

Here is something different

I am carefully aggressive in my skincare practice. For decades, estheticians, product advertising, and everyone else told us to treat the eye and neck skin different from facial skin. I followed that advice for a couple of decades. After I began using advanced Do-It-Yourself (DIY) skin care methods, I saw significant improvements in my facial skin while my “delicate” eye and neck skin continued to decline.

Rambo Barbie executive decision: “my eye and neck area shall be treated the same as my facial skin”

After about a year of treating my eye and neck skin the same way that I treat my facial skin, I began to see significant improvements that continue today.

Time for Self-Care

I’ve made time for self-care and shared this time with my daughter to teach her its value for well-being and health. My daughter is grown and at this stage I have a little more time to practice self-care. Although, I am busy with a full-time career, spare time personal projects, marketing my “Skin Remodeling DIY” book, and pursuing a healthy lifestyle, you know how it is, but I do make time to integrate small DIY skin care practices into my day.

Daily Morning Routine:

Turn on one near-infrared Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamp while getting ready
Rinse face and neck with cool water
Scrub face with silk microfiber cloth if skin is peeling

Silk microfiber cloth is a gentle exfoliator/skin polisher
emulsifies skin oils which rinse off with water
does not abrade, no matter how hard I scrub = I love

Apply DIY glucosamine/niacinamide serum, let dry or wait five minutes You can buy ingredients here
Apply DIY 20% vitamin C serum, let dry or wait five minutes You can find several Vitamin C DIY recipes here
Apply DIY collagen building and skin firming lotion – I am currently using peptides. Buy a peptide and add it to a lotion that you are currently using. You can also buy ingredients here
Apply sunscreen

Sun Cream by Winter Sun in Flagstaff, AZ

apply craft formulated physical sunblock with zinc and titanium oxides
every day, rain or shine, inside or out
apply to face, neck, chest, and hands

Apply mineral makeup focus on natural ingredients
Avoid applying products with synthetic chemicals
Use sun protective clothing, umbrellas, hats, driving gloves, scarves

Daily Evening Routine

New! DIY near-infrared light spa:

built using internet instructions
began using 1/8/18
10 to 40 minutes daily, so far, its just so good
it’s fantastic

Still love to turn on near-infrared lamp while brushing teeth
Scrub face and neck skin with silk microfiber cloth and rinse:

Removes makeup, oil, dirt, grime delicately
I super scrub face from ear to ear, hairline to chest, eye and neck skin
The gentlest physical exfoliator that I’ve ever used

Apply 0.1 percent Retin-A two to three nights a week
Apply Alpha Hydroxy glycolic acid lotion when I remember but ideally once or twice a week
Apply craft formulated cream once or twice a week
Apply compounded hormones
Apply Frownies to release forehead muscles and retrain them to relax

Weekly Skin Treatments - I try to fit in a little bit of this and that

Apply raw local honey or “fresh from the leaf” aloe vera gel covered with a piece of Nori seaweed for a 20 minute (longer if you have the time) nourishing skin treatment
Release facial muscle tension/trigger point release, e.g. roll forehead on a firm 2-inch yoga ball
Reorganize and smooth facial fascia:

Sanford Bennett’s wrinkle rubout
Face Blaster fascia buster

Practice facial resistance and other exercises:

Flex Effect resistance facial exercise program

Use wrinkle friction massage (Sanford Bennett)
Use the TriPolar Stop radiofrequency device
Percutaneous Collagen Induction Therapy (PCIT) also known as dermarolling:

Short needle to increase penetration of high quality products
Short needle then apply green tea before using near infrared LED spa

Dry brush to stimulate lymph and more
Use a dry or wet sauna for 10 to 30 minutes

Additional Skin Treatments that I Strive to Use

Oil Cleansing Method (OCM):

When I do facial lymphatic massage
When I remember (I no longer have blackheads)
After dry brushing

Facial lymphatic massage:

When I remember, it eliminated under eye puffiness, now I forget to use it
When I have a cold or sinus condition
Following advance skin care treatments to reduce inflammation

PCIT / Dermaroll:

Use long needle four to six times per year
Promotes collagen and elastin

Ultrasound (sonophoresis or phonophoresis), during facials or after dermarolling
Dermawand radiofrequency device, blemish treatments as needed

At almost 59, I can say that I have the best skin of my adult life. Healthy skin is beautiful skin. It is possible to make changes to your lifestyle or skin care routine at any time, if you are consistent, you will see improvements. I veered away from mainstream skin care decades ago and my pocketbook and skin condition are better for it. I hope that sharing my skin care routine inspires you to rethink your skin care and integrate new protocols into your personal routine. Choose practices and treatments that you can easily integrate into your lifestyle. Use this time for relaxation, rejuvenation and health = beauty.

Take good care of yourself and for more skin care tips get my book "Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare" xo Deborah