Anti-Aging Morning and Evening Skincare Routine
Your skin evolves over time. It changes from decade to decade, even season to season. My perpetual goal is to identify and incorporate the most effective anti-aging products into my daily routine - those that give me the best shot at keeping my skin happy and healthy. We lose natural skin components as we age - like collagen and elastin - so I look for products to supplement those losses.
I’m 49, have no interest in invasive procedures, and want to look and feel my best. This is my current skincare routine - morning and evening - including the products I’m currently using. The most important things are not the products themselves, but rather than category of products. All links are listed below.
Morning
Cleanser
A good clean slate is where I start the day. I use a gentle cream cleanser to give me a boost. I do it in the shower but if you’re a fan of super-hot water (which isn’t good for the skin on our face) then do it in the sink when you hop out. No cloth needed, it’s super fast.
-Your Good Skin Nourishing Hot Cloth Cleanser
Toner
This balances PH levels and hydrates my skin, prepping it for the products to come. I use with a cotton pad, just sweep it over.
- Beauty Pie Japanfusion Hydra Prep Lotion
UK https://bit.ly/2ZHdtmj US https://bit.ly/3jor5em
Exfoliants
This removes the dead cells from the surface of my skin to reveal new cells. I alternate these 2 products every other day.
- Ordinary 10% Lactic Acid
UK https://bit.ly/3jnqNnJ US https://seph.me/2ZGdPd6
- Beauty Pie Dr Glycolic
UK https://bit.ly/2OBWRX3 US https://bit.ly/3jmlchp
Vitamin C
This powerhouse for your skin fights free radicals, reduces fine lines & wrinkles, brighten skin tone and increases collagen production.
- GOW 23% Vit C with Ferulic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid
Holding up to 1000 x its weight in water, HA is there to keep our skin hydrated. It collects and holds water, both from our bodies and the environment around us. It plumps our skin, fights free radicals and even has antibacterial properties. But like collagen and elastin, natural production decrease over time with age.
- Timeless Pure Hyaluronic
UK https://bit.ly/3hgSkWd US https://bit.ly/2ZIIl6f
Serums
EYE
This is eye serum is decadent step (not necessary, really) but I do love it! It's packed with ceramides that increase and trap hydration in this delicate area plus the rollerball applicator cools and soothes. I will continue to pamper myself and will repurchase shortly!
- Beauty Pie Pure Ceramide Elastic Boost Eye Moisture Serum
UK https://bit.ly/3fMvcym US https://bit.ly/2OIap32
FACE
This face serum is referred to (on their site) as the kryptonite for anit-aging. It diminishes fine lines and wrinkles, improves elasticity and brightens the skin. I like it. I don't I love it though.
- Beauty Pie Uber Youth Super Serum
UK https://bit.ly/399Nx5Y US https://bit.ly/2ZHanib
Moisturisers
EYE
While an eye cream is considered unnecessary by many (including myself), it’s a luxury I choose to include. I think I’m on the 4th pot of the stuff. It’s super hydrating and my eyes love it.
- Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
Ireland https://bit.ly/39bT4cd US https://seph.me/30pyDVf
FACE
This step is really to lock in all the goodness of the products we’ve just applied. This moisturiser is light enough to layer under makeup but heavy enough to make me feel like I’m getting the last dose of moisture my face needs. It's lovely.
- Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream
UK https://bit.ly/32M1fLt US https://bit.ly/2CrVI1H
SPF
This is the best thing you can to do for your skin. If you only use 1 product, make it this. If you’re young, you’ll thank yourself in the future. If you’re older - it’s never too late. And if you use any of the above products (especially Vitamin C or exfoliants, or retinol in the evening) you’re opening yourself up to a world of pain if you don’t protect your skin from the sun. Never settle for less than SPF 30 and make sure it has UVA and UVB protection.
- Elta MD UV Daily Tinted Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40
UK https://amzn.to/32AfT88 US https://amzn.to/2CSIz1G
- Make P:REM UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Fluid SPF50+
My morning routine products
Evening
This is my favourite part of the day. The whole house knows - I’m locking myself away and taking my time. It’s ritualistic, it’s therapeutic, it’s fun to dabble with lotions and potions. Some people take long baths….I take long moments of self care and indulgence.
Cleanse
I start with a double-cleanse in the evening, to remove all the makeup (and stress) of the day. First up - a cleansing balm to melt it all away. I apply the products to dry skin, which magically dissolves everything - it’s full of oils that my skin just drinks in. The trick here is to gently wiggle my fingers over my eyes and push the mascara down onto my cheeks. I do this a few times. Be super gentle. With the exfoliating side of my cloth, I wipe it all away.
- Pestle & Mortar Erase Balm Cleanser
I use a gentle cream cleanser for the 2nd step. I wet my face and and rub the cleanser all over (the eyes again, too). Then using the clean other side of the cloth, I wipe that all away. All gone!
- Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser
UK https://bit.ly/32xITxl US https://bit.ly/3eL45lW
Toner
I really like to use the step to be super sure I got all the gunk off. I put this on a cotton pad and wipe it all over my face. If anything was left, it’s certainly gone now.
- Beauty Pie Hydra Prep (see above)
Retinol
I’ve just started again on prescription retin a this month. I’m using a subscription service called Dermatica in the UK (Curology is available in the US). They formulate a subscription based on your objectives and ship it to your house every month. I apply this to all parts of my face - even under the eyes, my chest, neck and back of hands. Always avoid the corners of your mouth and the edges of your nose.
- Dermatica UK https://www.dermatica.co.uk/
- US alternative https://curology.com/
My initial prescription isn’t as potent as I’d like (.025% when I should be really be on .05%) so I am layering that with 2 other products I already have and want to use up. So each night I alternate between these two, on top of my Dermatica.
- Pestle & Mortar Superstar Retinoid Serum (this is probably my all-time favourite non-prescription product - it’s oil-based so super duper nourishing. I love, love, love it
- Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum
UK https://bit.ly/2CP73bU US https://bit.ly/2OBOSco
Serum
I find the retin a very drying - my skin feels tight, even as I’m applying it - so my skin really craves intense moisture. Ceramide products in particular are very soothing and hydrating. I’ve been using these capsules by Elizabeth Arden for donkey’s years. Aside from the Cerave cleanser, it’s probably the most repurchased products in my arsenal. I love it so.
- Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum
UK https://bit.ly/3jhZ2gp US https://bit.ly/2ZIs1SQ
Moisturiser
See description (and excuse) above.
- Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
This is a splurge-buy too. I always use a moisturiser but this one has a much steeper price point than most. I may have been a little ‘receptive' while in Sephora last February. I bought a few products (the Liquid Collagen is absolutely divine - but a little too pricey) but I was instantly sold on this cream - it's deeply hydrating and just feels amazing. I’m in love. But I’m almost at the end (cue sad music).
- Algenist Genius Sleeping Collagen Cream
My evening routine products
Later
About 2-3 hours later, as I climb into bed, I like to give my face one last hydration hit. I’ve already hit my skin pretty well with the above products, so I give my skin some time to absorb before these last 2 products.
Mist
I spray my face with this a few times. I cannot tell you how much I love this stuff. I have big bottles, little bottles. I have them on the bedside table, my office desk, my dressing table and my car. To be honest, I spray my face about 15 time a day, regardless of location.
- Kiehl’s Cactus Flower and Tibetan Ginseng Hydrating Mist
Ireland https://bit.ly/3jnj6xM US https://seph.me/3eNmGOm
Face Oil
My face loves oily stuff. As I age (ahem) I fight like crazy to get the dewiness. Oil-based products are a hit so this is the final, final step at night.
- Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Amazing Sleep Oil
UK https://bit.ly/2OBmrv8 US https://bit.ly/30sMD0E
’Night!
My products for 2-3 hours later
