Since no one among us escapes the aging process, we certainly see a few changes in our skin as we reach our fifth decade. But we are fortunate that there are some great skin care products out there that can help. And finding a good skin care routine definitely can make a very big difference.

It’s Never Too Late to Start

I’m embarrassed to say that I really didn’t start a formal skin care routine until about six years ago. But even though I got a late start, I have seen some improvements in my skin. So, the good news is that it’s never too late to start!

Although I am a professional makeup artist, I’m not a skin care expert or a licensed esthetician. But I have done quite a bit of research in order to create my own morning and evening skin care routines, which I share below.

Remember, it’s always important to check with your dermatologist before starting any skin care routine.

The Morning Skin Care Routine

I think we’ve all heard for years how important it is to drink enough water. And I can honestly say that once I upped my water intake, I felt better. I could also see improvement in my skin.

Since our body is composed of 60% water, and we lose fluid all day long, drinking water throughout the day is really important. Without enough water, our skin can become dry, tight, and flaky, and, therefore, more prone to wrinkling.

I was especially interested to learn that if our cells don’t have enough water, they can shrivel. This leads to muscle fatigue and loss of energy. This last fact – along with how water can help our skin – are certainly good reasons to keep the water flowing throughout the day.

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Thorough Cleansing Is Key

In the morning, to remove the layer of dirt and oil, I first go over my face with a cotton pad with micellar water on it.

In case you’re not familiar with micellar water, it’s a combination of purified water, hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, and small molecules that group together to form micelles which act like magnets for dirt and oil.

It’s gentle and highly effective at removing dirt, makeup, and oil and helps clean out our pores while toning the skin. I especially love it for removing eye makeup because it’s so gentle.

My next step is to thoroughly cleanse my skin and apply a witch hazel toner. In addition to helping our skin just feel fresher, toner also removes oil and creates the appearance of smaller pores while restoring the skin’s Ph balance.

Witch hazel is a natural astringent, so it removes oil from the skin, reduces redness, and prevents inflammation. The product I use, Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner, is also alcohol free.

Help for the Lips and Eyes

Next comes lip balm and eye cream. As our skin gets drier with age, a good lip balm and eye cream are an absolute must.

My Must-Have Serums

Then I complete my morning routine with three serums followed by a final step of moisturizer. I use three products from a brand called Timeless, and apply them in this order:

1. Vitamin C+E Ferulic Acid
2. Coenzyme Q10 Serum
3. Matrixyl Synthe 6 Serum.

You only need to apply one to two drops of each – though I have to admit I sometimes use 3 to 4 drops because I bring the serums down onto my neck and use what remains on the back of my hands.

The All Important Final Step

My final step before putting on sunscreen and makeup is to put on my moisturizer. I use a moisturizer which is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential oils. It also absorbs quickly into the skin without feeling greasy and is free of a multitude of chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances and dyes that are often found in other lotions.

A Twice-a-Week Important Addition to my Skin Care Routine

As we get older, our skin cells don’t turn over as quickly which leaves our skin looking dull. Using a good exfoliating product helps remove dead skin cells. I notice a real difference in how much brighter my skin looks when I use it.

The Evening Skin Care Routine

My evening skin care routine is the same as my morning routine except for two things. I use a sonic cleansing brush after applying my cleanser to really deep clean my skin before applying my three serums.

I’ve incorporated this step because I don’t want any makeup left on my skin to prevent my serums from being as effective as possible.

And instead of moisturizer, I apply a product from Curology. Curology is an online company that uses your photo, your answers to questions, your history, and goals to determine the ingredients for a personal skin care formulation to meet your individual needs.

You are given a personal provider to work with and a custom formula is shipped to you. My particular formula is comprised of 4% Niacinamide, 2% Azelaic Acid, and .012% Tretinoin which is a form of retinol. Your formula will be different.

How This Skin Care Routine Has Helped

So, what changes have I actually seen in my skin after using this routine for over a year? The biggest change is that I used to have a great deal of redness around my nose and cheeks, and that’s totally disappeared.

I also had a number of age spots along my jaw line on both sides of my face. They haven’t completely disappeared, but they certainly are lighter than they once were, and they’re easier to camouflage with makeup. I also have fewer fine lines in several areas of my face.

Some Final Thoughts

My skin is certainly different from your skin so what works for me may not work for you. No matter what products you choose, it’s important to create a regular routine that works for your skin.

Although all of us would love to see quick results from a skin care routine, it will realistically take 8 to 10 weeks for most of us to notice positive changes.

Do you have a regular skin care routine? If so, what are some of your favorite products? How have these products helped your skin? Please share in the comments below.