35 Plus Now What: Skincare
/Welcome to my new segment focusing on aging gracefully - I am calling it 35+ Now What?! At some point, this content might separate from my MorningKawa website - but for now, I don’t have the energy to build a new website for it. Most of the 35+ Now What Content will live on its own Instagram, YouTube and TikTok so be sure to check there if this stuff interests you more. Morning Kawa will focus primarily on home and DIY, as always, but we’ll sprinkle in some health and wellness type of blog posts here and there.
If you’re like me, once you turn 35, everything is just HARDER than it used to be at 20. I am not saying its impossible but: health, wellness, skincare, routine, etc. - is all just harder to see results more quickly than it used to be. That said, over the last month, I have become obsessed with trying to get youthful, more glowing skin and in LESS THAN A MONTH I think I am on my way to achieving it. I am excited to share even more results as I use the products more and more and I also just recently started trying out some new ones as well. Here is a look at my results, exactly 3 weeks apart.
I did a ton of research on products and I wanted to start with mostly affordable products that came highly recommend. I figured if I start with more affordable products and they work, then no need to switch to something else. In my experience, if you have an expensive thing that appears to work, it is hard to scale down. So that was my logic. I have a few splurges in here but for the most part, relatively affordable.
First things first. If you are not on a probiotic, you need to be. I think my skin has a lot to be thankful from this Culturelle probiotic (fun fact: when I lived in CT, I used to do the marketing for Culturelle - but I was 25 and did not need it yet ha!) This is my first ever subscribe and save ;) My skin, digestion, bloating - everything is just BETTER from taking this. I love it. I have so many more products I added into my diet this past month - more on that another day - but probiotics I feel totally changed my skin.
Nighttime Routine: I am going to focus mainly on my nighttime routine because I think it has had the biggest impact for my skin, as it has had the most change in the past month. My daytime routine is more of a ‘let’s use up what is under my sink before I buy new stuff’ kinda routine, so more to come on that. But the results I am seeing from my new night products has been INSANE!
Cleanse: I wash my face twice with this La Roche Posay Cleanser. Yes, I said twice. The first time gets my makeup off and the second gets my face clean. This is a gentle, non exfoliating milky cleanser so if you want something more than that, this might not be for you. I use a washcloth to get the makeup off then just my hands for the second wash.
Toner: I don’t even really want to tell you my toner because i am just using it to use it up and I plan to switch once it is out, but I am using a Rodan and Fields Toner for now. Comment if you really want to know which line ;) Make sure your toner is non alcoholic - more to come here in the next month or so once I run out! I likely won’t be rebuying this R&F one but that will make it easy to see if this is worth the splurge or not when I am just playing with one variable. Right now, I don’t think it is.
2x a week - Retinol: VO Wrinkle and Texture Repair. Here is my one and only skincare splurge I am recommending. I am currently only using this 2x a week and just upped it to 3x a week because retinol can cause peeling as your skin adjusts. I put this on before my night cream, but if you have sensitive skin you should put it on after so that your night cream acts like a barrier. Avoid eyelids/under eye area. The goal is to eventually use this every day but I am just not rushing it (plus it is expensive). I really do think I am seeing results from only using a few times a week - the mornings after I use it I can see a difference. Note: I purchased this from my dermatologist for less money than on this website, however, my dermatologist said that this product is sold over the counter but it is not prescription grade like it is from a health care professional, so just FYI make sure you get the real deal from a spa or healthcare professional.
Night Creams: THIS IS THE HAIL MARY OF SKINCARE! I just started using this Cerave night cream and I swear it is EVERYTHING you’ve been hoping for. If you only get one thing. Try this. It is not drying, not that heavy, and it has not made me breakout (hopefully same case for you, I do not really have super sensitive skin tho). I swear my neck lines started disappearing night one. I wish I took before and after pics of my neck too because my results have been that drastic - especially on my neck. I use this everynight without fail and you should too.
Eye Cream: I am currently experimenting with some retinol eye creams that I just added into my routine so more to come here too as I find a product worth sharing. Have any good ones you love? Send them my way!
Sleep: I just added this Satin Pillowcase to my sleep schedule. I heard it helps with fine lines on the face from sleeping and so far it has. Do I think this is the fountain of youth? Verdict is out on that BUT, my hair is not at all tangled when I wake up and I like the feel of satin on my face when I sleep so I feel like that is a win. (If you have kids tangly hair, this pillow might help). Also make sure you try to sleep for 8 hours. It will change your life - and your skin.
As for my daytime routine, I use the same wash and toner and then use an existing SPF30 face lotion that I have. I JUST bought this one to try, but I am probably a few weeks out from using this myself so no results to speak of yet on that. However, if you try it, let me know if you like it or if I should keep searching.
If you use any of these products and you love them, I would love to hear how they worked for you. As always, this is just my experience so your results might vary and I am by no means a dermatologist or anything. Just sharing my 35+ now what? as it relates to skincare!
Happy glowing!
