One of the reasons I started this blog a few years ago, way back when I was in my 40s, was because a friend asked me what I was doing to keep my skin looking healthy. I figured what better way to share this type of info (and clearly it evolved into covering pretty much everything else under the sun). Now I have to say, until my friend asked me that question, I had never really put too much thought into skincare, anti-aging, or whatever the catch phrase we use today regarding taking care of mature skin may be. To be honest, I hadn’t actually started taking care of my skin until I was 40 and my aunt introduced me to hyaluronic acid. Prior to that, I was using the exact same products I’d been using since my high school and college days…a little Noxema, some St. Ives, and a dab of Vaseline around the eyes. Sunscreen was a foreign concept, and the only routine I had going on in my life, was my kids’ bedtime one.
When my friend pointed out that my skin looked good for my age, it made me want to share what little I was actually doing, and that eventually turned into my own awareness of what more I could do as my skin continued to change. In doing so, I discovered that while a few longtime staples stayed in the rotation, others quietly stopped working the way they used to, and I realized skincare in this stage of life isn’t about throwing everything out and starting over…it’s about paying attention, making adjustments, and building a routine that reflects where you are now. These days, my routine is a mix of both…the products I’ve trusted for decades and the ones I’ve added along the way to support my skin as it’s evolved. Over the past few years, I’ve shared my “discoveries”, have been given the opportunity to try new things I would’ve never found on my own, and have curated a small but effective list of things that have earned a permanent spot in my skincare regimen.
So today, I’m sharing a few of my absolute favorite skincare products as a 50+ woman...the ones that have stood the test of time, the ones I’ve grown into, and the ones that have truly earned their place. It’s a simple list, and I continue to enjoy trying new things…but these are my diehard go-to’s….and maybe you’ll love them too.
As a quick side note...I will be 52 soon and while I am all for everyone doing what makes them feel best…I have chosen to not use injectables like Botox or fillers. What you see is what you get with my face….so any positive changes my skin shows is purely from the products and lifestyle choices I make (and also some fortunate genetics…which trust me have also come with some less fortunate ones lol). Also…my morning and evening skincare regimen has multiple steps now that I’m a woman of vintage age (ha!) but I am only sharing the things below that I refuse to ever go without. I will hoard these prepper-style if need be. That’s how much I love them.
I have linked the products as well as my older blog posts and/or YouTube videos that dig deeper into the benefits of these things I love….so click away to your heart’s content. I don’t normally add links within my blog posts, but I also don’t normally list out products like this either! This is my attempt at creating a shopable blog post for your convenience, so I hope it works!
So, first in the line up is the old-school St. Ives Apricot Scrub. Yes, I know that every esthetician and dermatologist on the planet will chastise me for this…but I’ve been using it since high school and I am holding up pretty well, in my humble opinion. As a matter of fact, all of the women I know who still use the scrub look amazing…so we are not about to fix what ain’t broke! The trick is not to forcefully scrub your face with it as if you were trying to remove the rust from an old Chevy. Just gently massage, then rinse. Whereas I used it daily in my youth, after age 40 I started using it 2-3 times a week. No one will ever make me change my mind about this product, so don’t even try, and thank you.
If the fact that I still use a Gen X skincare staple hasn’t scared you away, I am happy to keep sharing more of my “graceful aging” secrets! The second thing I swear by is not a lotion or potion. It’s something I add to my daily cup of coffee in the mornings…collagen powder. Several of the things I am sharing with you today are used more as a party of a healthy lifestyle than another item cluttering my bathroom counter. Collagen powder helps keep your skin and joints more supple and plumped up from the inside out. I have a blog post and YouTube video that goes into the benefits in-depth in case you want more info.
Tremella mushrooms are another must in my healthy aging skin care apothecary….and while you can find serums that use it as a main ingredient, I prefer to take tremella as a supplement. I was initially using it in powder form in my coffee along with the collagen, but recently discovered them in gummy form and that’s been my go-to (because they are delicious). I also have a long form video about their benefits on my YouTube channel so head there if you want to hear me nerd out on this ever-so-wonderful fungi for your skin!
While I could write a novel-length post on all of the supplements I use for my skin, and overall health, I’ll keep this short and sweet by sharing one more holy grail healthy-aging-from-the-inside-out item I never go without….Nettle Tea. I drink this tea at least four times a week after steeping it for at least an hour. It not only has a cornucopia of health benefits, vitamins, and minerals…it’s also incredibly beneficial for your skin. My father was from Hungary, and nettle tea has been used for centuries there (and in other European countries) to help with a laundry list of skin conditions. I wrote about my love affair with this herb here: https://adulthoodrewired.com/2020/09/28/stinging-nettles-in-your-cup/. Red Clover tea comes in as a close second and you can learn more about it here: RED CLOVER
When it comes to skincare brands, I have had the honor and pleasure of getting to try an amazing and wide range across all price points thanks to my humble status of “micro-influencer”. There are not many ladies in my age range in the online sphere that haven’t had any procedures done, and I think because of that…despite the fact my following is not large…companies have wanted my opinion on their products. While I have enjoyed using everything I’ve been gifted, the two stand out brands for me, because of how well my skin has taken to them, and because of their price points are Karuna and Medicube.
Karuna won my heart instantly because their products gave me almost instant results and I love their botanical based ingredients. As a matter of fact, their Balancing Cleanser has two of my favorite ingredients in it…red clover and tremella mushroom (a.k.a snow mushroom). Their Lights Out night cream works some level of magic on my dry perimenopausal skin overnight, and their spa-like facemasks are always my Sunday morning self-care for a woman too busy to actually go to a spa treat. Price point is amazing especially for such high quality and luxurious feeling skincare too!
Now, while I modeled briefly in Korea (the day I arrived for my two month modeling contract was 9/11…a story for another day), I never tried Korean skincare until Medicube sent me a very generous PR box about two years ago. While I was expecting a couple of items, they loaded me up with almost a year’s worth of products and several skincare devices…all of which I still use religiously a couple of years later! Medicube is always coming out with something new and innovative and my skin really responds amazingly well to everything of theirs that I’ve tried. I’ve also dabbled in other Korean skincare brands, and can truly say that Korea really knows what’s up when it comes to innovative and cutting edge treats for your skin…however, I always keep coming back to Medicube and their PDRN line is one of my favorites. While I’ve always had skin that leaned towards oily…perimenopause, and living in the desert has had a markedly drying effect on my face…but Medicube without fail gives me the “glass glow” skin they advertise.
I’ve shared about all of my favorite essential oils throughout this blog….but the one that stays permanently on my skincare must-haves is Frankincense Essential Oil. I add it to my face cream as a little added boost, both morning and night. It’s one of the most incredible skincare essential oils and also one of the first couple of healthy-aging items I started using when I turned 40….11 (almost 12) years later and this has been by my side ever since! You can read my love letter to Frankincense here: https://adulthoodrewired.com/2019/01/22/frankly-my-dear/ or if you prefer video form: Frankincense For Your Skin!
Now last, but absolutely not least are FROWNIES. If you don’t know what they are, immediately go watch my YouTube video about them (these are the magic behind my smooth, 51 year old, non Botoxed forehead!) They work so well that I actually had someone trolling me on YouTube freaking out that I don’t use Botox because they couldn’t believe that someone over 35 could have a smooth forehead. Seriously, they work THAT well (and no other product like scar tape, or face tape works as well as Frownies do, btw!).
So, like I said, I do use many other supplements, herbs, and skincare products to ease my face into midlife…but the ones above are the non-negotiables for me. I have shared about all of the other things I use throughout this blog and my YouTube channel and will happily continue to share more as you grow older with me!
At the end of the day, skincare in this season of life is about holding on to what still works, letting go of what doesn’t, and being open to adding in what your skin needs now. Some products earn their place for decades. Others come in later and quietly become essentials. There’s room for both. I’ve learned to stop chasing the idea of a “perfect” routine and instead focus on one that feels right…one that supports my skin as it changes, rather than fighting against the changes…because the truth is, our skin tells a story, and at this point, I’m not trying to erase mine…I just want to take care of it the best way I can.
**As an affiliate, I make a small portion of sales made via some of the links in my blog.
