Breaking Down My Skincare Routine in My 40s

Taking care of your skin is super important… even more so in your 40s. I’m a skincare junkie, so I'm always testing new products and love to get my hands on the best in anti-aging these days. I definitely invest in my skincare and I also think it’s super important to treat your skin from the inside out - I try to eat clean and drink tons of water and get my 8 hours in (*try* being the keyword there!).

You girls ask me all the time what my skincare routine is like, so I’m breaking down all my favorite products - ones I’ve used for years and swear by, and others that are new faves! I feel really good with my routine at the moment and think it’s a good one for anyone in your 30s, 40s, 50s, whatever!

I have normal to combination skin and am prone to hormonal breakouts and will get a bit congested if I use anything too rich. I'll also easily get irritation and milia if I use the wrong products, so I'm super picky with what I put on my skin!

Moisturizers

AM:

La Roche Posay: This is my go-to daytime SPF moisturizer and you've heard me talk about this for years! I bought it at the drugstore and haven't found anything I like as much. I love the combo of SPF and gentle moisturizer.

PM:

Augustine Baber: This is hands down my favorite moisturizer! I've gone through two bottles of it and will continue to repurchase! It's hard for me to find a great anti-aging moisturizer that 1. doesn't break me out while still hydrating and 2. doesn't interfere with my more aggressive treatment products. It's spendy but I make it last a while by only using it at night. It leaves my skin feeling supple, bright, hydrated and doesn't interfere with my treatment products!

Serums:

Serums are what you are going to see the biggest results with so I don't skimp! I always use a vitamin C and antioxidants in the daytime to brighten, help with age spots and combat free radicals.

Summer Fridays: This one is a new for me and I have to say, I love it! I have some stubborn breakout spots on one cheek and I have visibly seen the difference it’s made in brightening those!

Skinceuticals Vitamin C: The Skinceuticals Vitamin C works similar to the Summer Fridays one, but it's a bit more expensive. I've used and loved it for years. I feel like it also does a bit of firming to the skin BUT it doesn't smell so great so if that's a turnoff, I'd try the Summer Fridays one.

Skinceuticals HA Intensifier: Hyaluronic acid is your hydration BF! Like I said, I tend to break out but have combination skin with some dry areas and this serum gives me the intense hydration without the breakouts! I always use one of the vitamin C's above first before applying this.

UBeauty Resurfacing Compound: OK this one is a game changer if you have stubborn texture on your skin! I use this when my skin is feeling sluggish or around that time of the month. I feel like I'd go for this one if you’re having adult acne but still want the anti-aging benefits.

Retinol:

I am a BIG time lover of retinol products. In the winter, I love to religiously introduce retinol back into my nighttime routine to reverse signs of aging and repair any damage I may have done in the summer months. It isn't for everyone, but I truly believe it to be the fountain of youth! If you have super sensitive skin, make sure you ease into it - only use at night and maybe start with two times a week and also eliminate any other super active products until your skin gets used to it.

Shani Darden: After a rough start due to me being a bit too eager, it turns out I LOVE this retinol! I made the rookie mistake of using the viatmin C and retinol at the same time knowing my skin can only handle using them in tandem am/pm. Anyway, I went back to it and for the last two months, I have really been loving it! My skin feels the most firm it has in months, no breakouts, smooth and bright! If you're just starting out maybe invest in her gentle version until you build up a tolerance to retinol.

Colleen Rothschild Retinol Oil: This is another long time favorite, it's much more gentle and I reach for it more when my skin is feeling extra dry because it's an oil it just feels so soothing while still delivering great anti-aging results!

2 Step Cleansing!

If you haven’t already I would like to urge you to start double cleansing ASAP! The idea is cleansing first with a balm or oil cleanser then followed by a foaming cleanser. Bonus points if you use cleansing cloths, trust!

Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm: I double cleanse for life and my first cleanse is with this balm. It’s a long-time favorite - it lifts makeup and the days oils. PS - I love how it smells… it’s like breathing in a spa!

Tula Foaming cleanser: Tula Foaming is my step 2 cleanser. Gentle and efficient at removing all traces of makeup or leftover balm.

I swear by my cheapie Amazon cleansing cloths to remove the cleansing balm and give a mild exfoliation. This made such a simple drastic difference in my skin - I was blown away!

Exfoliator: To exfoliate, I like to use this one from Lancer. It’s made for combination skin so it gently and effectively removes surface debris and dull, dry skin cells.

Eye Cream:

For daytime, I use the Neocutis Lumiere Illuminating Eye Cream. It's super hydrating but doesn't cause the millia reaction to my skin that I'm prone to. It's also great under makeup! For nighttime, I go with a this Colleen Rothschild retinol Eye Balm to really buff out fine lines! i’d never heard of a retinol eye cream before this one and it’s gentle while still effective.

Treatment

On the go SPF: I use this powder SPF to touch up throughout the day and keep it in my desk while I work and another in my handbag for when I'm out of the house. PS - did you know you still get sun damage indoors? I love it because I can reapply over my makeup, it also mattifies the day’s oil.

Glamglow: I was dealing with some mask breakouts so I recently bought their charcoal mask and now I spot treat with it at night. Works like a charm!

PTR Eye Patches: These are great when my eyes are feeling tired looking or for any special occasion to really plump that eye area! I even sleep in them sometimes ha! Sorry Serg!

Lancer Exfoliating Polish: I’ve used this for almost 4 years and it’s still my go to! I like a good strong polish especially since I self tan so much I need something that will really. buff things out! It’s definitely more agressive so go gentle, you don’t have to use tons of pressure.

Red Light Therapy: The first time I had red light done on my skin was after a pretty aggressive peel and was educated on anti-aging and healing benefits of it. So, I invested in this device and love. I use it regularly and just keep it in my nightstand to use before bed while watching TV. Back when I had that skin reaction, this was the only thing I used to heal my skin and ensure no scarring! They also have one for acne, but I prefer this for my 40 something skin.

Bonus: This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Lux Unfiltered Bronzing Face Drops because it’s my new fave! you know I love me a self tan and I religiously tan my body weekly and my face nightly! YES, nightly because I use retinol every night right now and therefor my tan fades pretty quick. (Totally a non issue for you if you don’t use any brightening/retinol products fyi) A couple things I love about these drops is they are so light almost like water and don’t cause me any breakouts, the tan is really subtle but just the right amount and you can control the depth by how many drops you use! I go for 3 drops! They add the perfect sun-kissed bronze look to your skin, and make me feel like I don’t even have to wear makeup some days. I’ve also been loving the body version, it’s smells like a dream!

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