My Skin Care Regimen: Maintaining Glowing Skin In My 40’s

I do not consider myself a beauty blogger or skin care expert but…… if I were to show you all the beauty products I’ve amassed over the years you might think otherwise.  My skin care journey has been a tale of trial and error from the time I hit puberty and got my first pimple, and like most things in life the story keeps changing.  Now that I’m in my 40’s, I have a better idea of what works and what doesn’t work for me, but there are still those moments when my skin totally spazzes out (see my post on how Dermalogica products helped save my face last summer). I must admit, I haven’t always taken care of my skin the way I should. But when I stick to a skin care regimen and clean up my diet, there’s a natural glow from the inside out.

I really don’t know how helpful my skin care posts are, because everyone is different. What works for me, may not work for you. I do know that giving your skin the attention it deserves, works wonders, no matter what your regimen may be. Your skin, like your body responds positively or negatively to how well you treat it. And from experience, I know that things like falling asleep in makeup, or heading outside without SPF could cause a reaction you don’t want in the long run. So here’s how I take care of my 44 year old skin. I hope it helps you in some small way with your own skin care journey. Just for the record, I have no affiliation with any of the products in this post. These are all products I buy and use regularly.

 

Morning Regimen

Cleanser and Toner:

I prefer to use a gentle cleanser in the mornings. Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser is pretty much one of the best ones I’ve tried. It’s a clay formula specifically made for oily skin, but it cleans without stripping or drying which I love, and the menthol leaves my skin feeling fresh and tingly.  Even though I have an oily T-Zone, my skin tends to get a little flaky if I overdo it with harsh cleansers, so this  is perfect for me. Sometimes I follow it up with their Multiactive Toner if I feel like my face needs it. Most days it doesn’t, especially if I use a serum.

 

 

Treatment:

There was a time when I didn’t even know what a face serum was, now it’s a must-have.  It’s amazing how your skin care needs change as you get older.   A serum is the beauty product you never knew you needed until you actually use it. And there are all types: anti-aging, hydrating, acne-fighting…. you name it. They’re super lightweight and packed with ingredients like Retinol, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic acid that help give your skin a boost. After cleansing and toning, I dab on a pea-sized amount of Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum.  It keeps my skin plump and hydrated, and it helps to smooth out those little fine lines I started noticing after I turned 40. Sometimes I switch it up with Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum.

 

Moisturizer:

My moisturizers change depending on the season and the condition of my skin. Currently I’m using Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture with SPF 15 (I know I should probably be using a higher SPF but….) It moisturizes without making me feel like a grease pot by the end of the day.  My skin also loves Olay Complete Day Lotion which is filled with antioxidants. In the winter, I’m not usually fussy about my moisturizer being oil-free. However, I am wary of certain heavy creams and lotions, and use them with caution.

Nightly Regimen

Cleanser and Makeup Remover:

The first thing I always want to do after a long day of running around in makeup is wash my face. My skin always feels like it needs a deep cleansing, which is why I prefer to use a foaming cleanser at night.  Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel is one of my faves, the glycolic and salicylic acids help brighten as well as exfoliate my skin, which I love. It’s like two products in one (for one price). I then soak a cotton pad with Olay Luminous Micellar Water, to remove any remaining traces of dirt and makeup which leaves my face feeling ultra clean. Some people use Micellar Water (tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules in soft water) as a one step cleanser, I prefer to use it as the second step/toner in my double cleansing routine.

Treatment:

Retinol is a regular in my skin care regimen. It speeds cell turnover, brightens skin, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and helps with skin discoloration. Currently I use Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector when I need to even out minor discoloration, but I switch to my clay cleanser when I do( some skin care experts do not recommend using retinol with exfoliants such as glycolic or salicylic acid at the same time, as it can irritate the skin). I follow this up with Dermalogica’s Intensive Eye Repair.

Moisturizer:

Every girl needs a good overnight moisturizer, which is weird for me to say because I never used night creams in my 20’s or 30’s. I never thought I needed them. However, the right night cream can provide amazing anti-aging and hydrating benefits for your skin. I just started using Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Sleeping Cream and so far I am loving it. It sinks into my skin without feeling heavy or thick leaving it silky and hydrated. I switch some nights with Olay Age Defying Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream which I also love. It’s formulated with Vitamins  E, B3 and B5 and improves skin texture.

Weekly Regimen

Exfoliants:

Twice a week I give my skin an extra boost by adding Dermalogica’s Skin Prep Scrub, their Microfoliant or Neutrogena’s Microdermabrasion System to my skin care regimen. Again I switch to my clay cleanser when I do, since my PTR anti-aging cleanser is also a mild exfoliant.  It is so important to exfoliate at least twice a week to remove dead skin cells and to increase blood circulation.

Facial Masks:

Facial masks are great for deep cleaning and unclogging pores, and are a must for healthy, glowing skin. I recommend using them twice a week, but some skin care experts recommend three times a week depending on your skin’s needs.  My top three faves are Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, and Boscia Luminating Black Mask for Deep Cleansing, and Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque for Blemishes. Cream masks are also great for dry, dull skin.

 

A skin care regimen that works for you is essential to the health of your skin, but so too is your lifestyle and well-being. As I mentioned before, I see a huge difference in my skin when I’m eating right and exercising. I also find that meditation and self-care works wonders. In addition, I was introduced to Evening Primrose Oil after my bout with hormonal acne last summer. I can’t say for sure that it works, but I haven’t seen any adverse effects and my skin texture has improved significantly since I added it to my daily routine.

What about you? What does your skin care regimen look like? Which products work for you?

 

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