No, this is not another sponsored blog about what you should use to make your wrinkles disappear and look 20 years younger. Aging is as unique as we are. Genetics, and a whole host of other factors play a roll on how our skin looks at any age. However, I wanted to share my current skin care routine because I’m hoping you can share some of your tips with me as well (like a skin care pot luck party…does anyone else feel a little sad inside whenever you hear the word party?—Sad face). My routine is constantly changing, tweaking and evolving just like I am, whether that has to do with age, hormones, the environment, what I’m eating, or a combination of these factors. The truth is no one product has worked for me consistently throughout the years except for doing one thing, drinking plenty of water (which I’m horrible at remembering to do, hold on let me grab a glass of water from the kitchen, now I feel guilty). I’m 42 and I still experience breakouts. I have rosacea that I’ve kept generally under control. In short, my skin could be so much worse, but my routine as of late seems to be doing the trick—for now.
Water: I’ve mentioned drinking plenty of water, which is the best place for me to start, but in the winter I have no desire to drink water, or eat any sort of fresh cut salad for that matter. It just all seems so cold, and I’m always cold in the winter (if there is a fireplace in the house you can bet your last dollar I’m standing in front of it causing second degree burns on the back of my legs). Although, if I have to attend any social event I do make sure to drink as much water as I can at least 2-3 days before, along with reducing my salt intake because it can cause swelling. I also reduce my sugar and dairy intake. Sugar and dairy products seem to flare up my rosacea.
Exfoliant: I wash my face using a product with exfoliant only in the morning. I find that if I use it to wash my face at night as well I tend to breakout the next day. It’s great to use in the morning because I find it helps to keep my make-up looking fresh (well pre-pandemic, I think my make-up bag is collecting cobwebs). I do exfoliate sometimes in the evening if I’ve worn make-up all day or if I just feel like my skin feels extra greasy (mostly due to hormonal fluctuations). For this I use Arbonne RE9 Advanced Prepwork, Cleansing Polish. I don’t find it overly gritty on my skin. It has just enough to get the job done without striping my face like sandpaper.
Toner: I discovered toner in the last few years. I find it helps with my enlarged pores (thanks mom!). I use it after washing my face and pat drying it with a clean towel every time (a clean small wash cloth every time I wash my face is key, the towel next to the sink is only used to dry my hands, never my face—all this drama to avoid breakouts!). I use Arbonne RE9 Advanced, Regenerating Toner. Just a couple of sprays then I dab it dry with my finger tips or just let it air dry.
Sunscreen: My favourite thing to put on my skin in the morning! I’ve been wearing sunscreen since I was a teenager (obsessed? maybe). I’m not talking about SPF 15, I now wear SPF 60 every day, all year round. It is just as important to wear it in the winter as it is in the summer. This is not to say I don’t enjoy the sun or getting tanned (well I didn’t enjoy it when I was younger, but I just learned to swim so I’ve found a love for naturally tanned skin). I think having blemishes and generally crappy skin as a teenager really made me focus on all the things I could possibly do to improve my skin tone and texture, and tanning is not the greatest thing for delicate skin—but we can all agree we all look great sun kissed! I’ve been using La Roche-Posay, ultra-fluid lotion, quick absorbing, matte finish (very important or else my skin will look too shiny).
Night Cream: Probably the second most important thing I do for my aging skin, besides wear sunscreen daily, is use a night cream. After I wash my face and use the above products, instead of sunscreen I use two separate night creams, one for my face and one for my eyes. For my face I use Perricone MD High Potency Classics, Face Firming Serum. I find it has a funny smell but it disipates very quickly once I spread it around. My eye cream is from the same company, Perricone MD, Firming Eye Lift. I sometimes think ‘this shit does nothing for my eyes’ until I run out and I’m too lazy to order it—two weeks go by and I start to see my eyes get puffy and a little darker underneath (thank goodness for concealer!).
Night Time Face Wash: I named this product my ‘night time face wash’ because it’s my in between wash. Basically, it forces me not to use the exfoliant face wash which can be addictive because it leaves my skin feeling so great, but if I over use it my skin will breakout. I am currently using the Arbonne RE9 Advanced, Smoothing Facial Cleanser. It gets the job done without over drying my skin.
Vitamins: I have to say I am in love with this product. I’ve started using it in the past year and I really see a difference, not only with my skin but my hair and my nails as well. Mega Food Vitamins for Skin, Nails, and Hair. I take two capsules a day, in between lunch and dinner because it’s best to take them on an empty stomach. I also take NutraSea+D Omega-3 with Vitamin D. Two capsules a day, at the same time. Again, I often ask myself if this stuff really works until I stop taking them and then I see a really big difference in my skin texture and glow.
Herbal Tea: My very good friend, Sonny, just recently revealed his little secret about how he keeps his skin clear, and I’m a big fan of this product now too! I drink tea in the evening, usually chamomile, but I’ve started drinking Flora Clear Skin Tea. I find it a little bitter on its own because I normally drink my tea black, but I add a teaspoon of honey and voila! I have noticed less blemishes since I started drinking this tea.
Furthermore, I’ll share a couple more little secrets I do for my skin. Firstly, I never sleep on the same side of the pillow case more than two times. I imagine my pillow case in quadrants. I sleep on one side one night, then turn my pillow upside down the next night. On the third night I turn my pillow right around and do the same thing on the other side. I change my sheets, including pillow cases and liners, every 7 days. NO exceptions. My husband says you can count on two things in life: taxes and me changing the sheets every 7 days like clockwork. Finally I should add—in case it wasn’t evident—that I really enjoy my time when washing my face each morning and each night (or if I’m in the shower, same face wash routine applies). Sometimes I relish in the silence and just the sound of running water, or I blast 80’s music and dance ‘like nuts’ as my son likes to say. Either way, it’s my sacred time alone and everyone in the house knows it. I am not available to answer questions or make anyone something to eat until I’m done washing my face. This is my daily dose of self care. What’s yours?
Thoughts At F___ It Forties 