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Updated Skincare Routine

how to care for aging skin

I don’t know about you, but I feel like skincare can be so confusing!  There are constantly new products being introduced to market + it’s hard to know which ones you actually need and what order to use them all in.  And it’s only further complicated by the fact that there are certain things you can combine & layer and certain things you can’t.

I’ve been testing and experimenting for what seems like forever and I’ve finally landed on products that work well for me.  My skin has never been clearer & I’m so pleased with the improvement I’ve seen in luminosity, evenness and moisture.  So I thought I would share my updated favorites with you today, along with my tips for how to layer skincare products  – I hope this helps you to create your own morning & nighttime routine!AM/PM Skincare Routine

DAYTIME SKINCARE

This oil-free foaming cleanser is a new discovery for me – I loved it so much that I immediately tossed out what I was using previously!  I only need a pea-sized amount to create a nice lather, so this tube will last me quite a while.  This is ideal for combination skin and it’s a clean beauty brand (I also love their eye cream & sheet masks).

Vitamin C is something everyone should be using!  So, if you don’t already have it in your daily routine, I highly recommend this serum.  I’ve talked about it before, but it has helped me so much with hyperpigmentation, evening out my skintone and brightening my complexion.  I just found it even cheaper here & here (limited quantities available).

I saw another influencer mention this hyaluronic acid on her Instagram Stories so I ordered it to try and wow!  It has made such a difference in helping my skin stay hydrated throughout the day (without breaking me out).  Hyaluronic acid, by nature, is a humectant, which means it draws water to the skin – so it has a plumping effect that really creates a nice natural dewy glow.  One pump is all I need to cover my whole face – be sure to let it absorb completely before layering another product on top!

If your skin is on the drier side, you can use both a facial oil & moisturizer.  I personally find that I usually only need one or the other & I like the light consistency of this oil for daytime because it layers so well under my sunscreen & doesn’t feel too heavy.  A little bit of this goes a long way – I only use a few drops, rub my palms together and then press it into the skin.

This broad-spectrum sunscreen is one of my holy grail products that I cannot live without!  It has a pearlescent finish that is perfect for wearing alone on no-makeup days and layers beautifully under any CC cream or foundation.  Regardless of what brand you prefer, sunscreen is something you should be wearing every single day – even if it’s winter, even if it’s cloudy, even if you’re only going outdoors for a short period of time.  Do not skip this step!!

EVENING SKINCARE (M/W/F)

I hate how expensive this exfoliating scrub is so I try to buy multiples anytime it goes on sale.  It really is the best I’ve tried so I try to make it last as long as I possibly can.  If your skin is more sensitive and requires a gentler scrub, this one is probably my second favorite (and much more affordable).

This Niacinamide is a new-to-me product that I just added to my routine about a month ago.  Also known as Vitamin B3, this powerhouse ingredient helps minimize pores, balance oil production to decrease breakouts & can lighten skin over time (great for dark spots or acne scars).  I use two drops and gently press it into the skin before moving onto my next product application.

My skin is really sensitive to retinol – it has been such a STRUGGLE for me to find one that doesn’t cause severe irritation!  I’m currently attempting to work my way up to this maximum strength cream…so I’m using it once a week and using this gentler version on all the other days (the only one I’ve found that my skin doesn’t react negatively to).

EVENING SKINCARE (T/Th/Sa)

Microneedling is something I started doing when I was in my mid-thirties and I can’t say enough good things about it.  It’s a quick extra step that is so worth adding into your weekly routine if you aren’t already doing it.  Microneedling stimulates collagen production, reduces the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles and helps topical products absorb better into the skin (making them more effective).  After cleansing, I grab my dermaroller (I like a .25mm, but you can also use .2mm or .3mm, but never go over .3mm for your face) & apply gentle pressure to roll the microneedler over my skin vertically, horizontally & diagonally.  You want to do 2-4 passes vertically, followed by another 2-4 rolls horizontally on the same section before moving onto another area.  As soon as I’m done, I disinfect my roller in alcohol for 3-5 minutes and then let it air dry. It’s really important to replace your roller regularly because the needles will eventually get dull (I swap mine out once a month).

I honestly wasn’t using peptides until my dermatologist mentioned it to me.  She explained that peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks of proteins such as collagen, elastin & keratin.  Without peptides, the skin is less intact, which can lead to a loss of firmness, the appearance of wrinkles & a change in texture.  Peptides basically tell your skin to create more collagen, so by applying them directly to the skin, you’re telling your body it needs to make more collagen.  I’m already taking a liquid collagen supplement daily, but I figured it couldn’t hurt!  She recommended this one and, after a few weeks, I’ve definitely noticed a change in the smoothness of my skin.  I only use 2-3 droplets and press it into the skin – fair warning: the smell isn’t great, but it dissipates once it’s fully absorbed.

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