Skincare Products in your thirties, forties & fifties. Jenn’s must haves!
To be clear, I am not a licensed skincare professional, nor do I have any medical training in the skincare field. I do, however, get complimented on my skin. I also do a lot of research on things that interest me (have I mentioned that before?), and skincare definitely interests me. I’m quickly heading up to the top of that hill that they call “FIFTY”, and I don’t plan on going over that hill without a fight!
As of yet, I do not do anything “medical” such as botox or filler. I’m not opposed tho, so stay tuned! But for now, I do my best to work with what I have. This means suncreen, hydrate, exfoliate, hydrate, suncreen, hydrate…and so on.
I’ve been reading a lot about the best ways to nurture skin as you age. If that interests you, read on! I’m sharing my favorite skincare products including my real life experience with them. (For reference: I am 49 years old with normal to dry skin.)
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CereVe is one of my favorite, affordable, skincare brands. At our age, it’s all about Retinoids! I use the CereVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum in the morning, or in place of Retin-A at night, if I feel my skin needs a break (Retin-A can be more irritating than the CereVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum).
Did I mention that CereVe is on one my favorite skincare brands? It’s simple and affordable. CereVe was developed with the expertise of dermatologists, and offers skincare products for all skin types. The CereVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen is always in my makeup bag, as well as my travel bag. The tint matches all skin tones, and has a lightweight, non-greasy feel. It can replace both your sunscreen and your tinted moisturizer!
Every Queen needs this! I am forever a skeptic of product claims, but after daily use of this serum I really saw a difference. It takes dedication and patience, but my skin looked brighter and a few of the pesky dark spots appeared lighter. I even had more than one person that regularly sees me comment on my skin without knowing that I was trying a new product! I bought some for my 30 year old daughter who also noticed a difference. I am a believer!
Anyone besides me suffer from extra redness in the cheeks (especially after a glass of wine, haha!)? Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 22 is like magic! The green undertone blends into a neutral beige color that is transparent enough to blend with most skin tones. It neutralizes the red, but it is not overly thick or opaque. I use it under my tinted moisturizer when want to cover up the redness in my cheeks. A little goes a long way! I only need a dab, so I expect this tub will last a long time. The SPF 22 is an added bonus. I love to have sunscreen in as many products as possible in order to layer protection, because prevention is the best way to fight aging skin!
Exfoliation is any process that takes off the top layers of skin cells before they come off naturally, which improves your skin’s appearance. Clearista claims this product can replace your face wash, facial cleanser, daily exfoliant, body scrub, make-up remover, pore minimizing toner & soap. In fact, if you do not see a difference in your skin within 30 days of using the product, they offer a money back promise! I don’t use this every day, but when I do, my skin feels refreshed, soft and glowing. Aftercare products go on like a dream. I definitely notice more of a difference with Clearista Retexurizing Gel than I do with my current “daily” exfoliator.
This is my current daily face wash to gently exfoliate my skin. The scent is subtle, which I appreciate. The topical salicylic acid treats acne by reducing swelling and redness and unplugging blocked skin pores to allow pimples to shrink. It treats other skin conditions by softening and loosening dry, scaly, or thickened skin so that it falls off or can be removed easily. In my opinion, this is an affordable addition to your daily routine that has subtle, yet important benefits.
Have you heard of Gua Sha yet? Gua Sha is an ancient traditional Chinese technique that is taking the social media world by storm. The closest English translation for gua sha would be “the act of scraping”. Promoters of the technique claim Gua Sha will give you a “snatched” jawline by supporting lymphatic drainage. This tool has both a heating and cooling setting. Each temperature setting also has a vibrating option. I immediately noticed a difference the first time I used the Emay Plus All in One Skin Massager. I love using this when I feel “puffy” after too much salt, or not enough sleep (aka late night shenanigans!). There are several oils you can use depending on your skin type. I’v included the ones I use later in this post. After treatment, my face feels moisturized and energized. Long lasting results, require consistent use, so if you don’t want to spend the money, or storage space, on this one, there are more simple options available.
If you like the ease of a package deal, the SACHEU Gua Sha Starter Kit with Skin Slick Oil takes the guess work out of which oil to use. Toss the tool in the fridge for some extra “de-puffing” action!
I love this oil! Maybe it’s because kiwi is such a cute word, but I think it’s because if leaves my face feeling so soft and moisturized. I use it for Gua Sha, to sooth Retinoid irritated skin, and for general moisturizing.
One of my most important steps in skincare is to wash my face at night. The rare times I sleep with makeup up on, I feel it, and regret it, the next morning. Emay Plus All in One Skin Massager to the rescue! I prefer the healthy route of a clean face at bedtime (topped with a good Retinoid and moisturizer!) The Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Daily Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin is a lovely way to cleanse your skin without disrupting its natural moisture barrier.
Sun protection is my NUMBER ONE must have skincare product. I’ve been fanatical about using it since my 30’s, and I wish I would have started much sooner! This broad spectrum SPF 60 really packs a punch. I love the light feel of it, and the small bottle is perfect for on the go. It’s sweat and water resistant and can be reapplied without messing up my makeup. I wear it underneath my makeup or on its own. I also toss it in my golf bag, beach bag, and travel bag to make sure my face and décolletage are protected.