Anti Aging Facial Care

So I jumped on the Korean skincare bandwagon two years ago, and honestly it has made a HUGE difference - I also found a lot of inexpensive but great products that I swear by. My facial routine used to be St Ives peach scrub and MAYBE a moisturizer once in a while lol, and I am always short on time in the mornings - but when I say this routine is worth it, I mean it!

These are the products I use:
Cleansers:
Acure Brightening seaweed scrub (Target $10-12) - used every 3 days or so
Oh K! Chok Chok Cleansing balm stick (Ulta $15) - used on all other days

Toner:
Skinfood Peach Sake Toner (Ulta $15) - splash on after cleansing

Serum:
Elizavecca Witch Piggy Hell Pore Hyaluronic Acid serum (Amazon $8-10)

Other moisturizers:
Elisha Coy Snail essence (CVS $15) - I use this when my skin needs an extra moisture boost under regular moisturizer, or when I just need a really light moisturizer

CosRX All In One Snail cream (Amazon $15) - this is my everyday moisturizer

Pacifica Super Flower skin oil (Target $18) - I use this in a few different ways: 1) after the serum/essence to seal everything in; 2) as my sole moisturizer when I am really out of time; 3) when I am traveling by airplane, I apply it at the airport as extra protection (I get extra dry from the whole experience of travel, between the weird hours and the cabin atmosphere, and my skin freaking out from a change in environment).

Quick makeup removal:
Garnier Micellar wipes - (any drugstore, $6-8)

It sounds like a lot, but my morning routine is pretty quick at this point. I cleanse in the shower, pat on the toner then brush my teeth, apply the HA serum and dry off/get dressed while that's soaking in, apply the essence/moisturizer and then make my lunch and coffee while that soaks in, then I can put on makeup or whatever else I need to do before work. It added maybe 3 minutes to my morning routine because I do stuff in between each step that I'd do anyway.

at night, if I'm pooped I just do a quick cleanup with the micellar wipes. if i have time I will wash with the cleansing balm and pat on some toner and a little moisturizer for the night. As a treat, once in a while I use the CVS Honeydew Chamomile overnight moisturizer (CVS - $5) - it's literally just a heavier cream that you apply before bed and it soaks in while you sleep. No need to wash it off or anything.
 
you should never feel guilt or shame for showing your face makeup-free. think of the basic indignity that many women on the planet deal with - not being able to show their face in general, as a very punishable offense. and you're feeling bad because you don't want to walk out of your house smothered in crazy chemicals all over your face? be proud of you! never be ashamed of your body because we all are unique and THAT's beautiful.
Most of these anti-aging products have tons of crazy chemicals in them as well. So if we shouldn't be ashamed of going make-up free then we shouldn't be afraid of growing old gracefully either.
 
Most of these anti-aging products have tons of crazy chemicals in them as well. So if we shouldn't be ashamed of going make-up free then we shouldn't be afraid of growing old gracefully either.

And to add to that - nobody should be ashamed of doing something that makes them feel good about themselves. For some that means going makeup free. For some that means wearing makeup. It can mean wearing a particular style of clothes, hair, etc. The OP didn't ask for an opinion on what she wants to do for herself, she knows what she wants and asked for suggestions on accomplishing that.
 
Most of these anti-aging products have tons of crazy chemicals in them as well. So if we shouldn't be ashamed of going make-up free then we shouldn't be afraid of growing old gracefully either.
I feel the same way about skin aging as I do about turning grey...I earned every one of those grey hairs. Same with the laugh lines.
 


I totally agree but the poster I quoted made reference to the chemicals in make-up so I was responding to the chemicals in skin care products as well.
And to add to that - nobody should be ashamed of doing something that makes them feel good about themselves. For some that means going makeup free. For some that means wearing makeup. It can mean wearing a particular style of clothes, hair, etc. The OP didn't ask for an opinion on what she wants to do for herself, she knows what she wants and asked for suggestions on accomplishing that.
 
And to add to that - nobody should be ashamed of doing something that makes them feel good about themselves. For some that means going makeup free. For some that means wearing makeup. It can mean wearing a particular style of clothes, hair, etc. The OP didn't ask for an opinion on what she wants to do for herself, she knows what she wants and asked for suggestions on accomplishing that.
I completely agree with you. No one should be ashamed to either wear makeup or not wear it. I personally love to do my makeup and cannot wait each day to sit at the mirror and make all the colors come together in different ways each morning.
 
I completely agree with you. No one should be ashamed to either wear makeup or not wear it. I personally love to do my makeup and cannot wait each day to sit at the mirror and make all the colors come together in different ways each morning.


This mindset all the way. Wear makeup. Don't wear makeup. Who cares. Just do you.

Not OP, but thank you to all who posted products. I am in need of a few things and will look into these recommendations.
 


I decided I needed to use something stronger and I found something amazing that really works. I had read and heard quite a bit about the effectiveness of over the counter. I subscribe to the Mixed Makeup channel on Youtube and she recommended the Lilyana Naturals Retinol cream which sells on Amazon for just $20! It works very well! It lightened my dark spots, made my skin more taut and smoothed my wrinkles. I am 44 and finally feel like I found something that works!

Keep in mind, however, that retinols will make your face look worse before it gets better. I suggest starting the cream every two days and then switching to once a day in the evening. I also highly recommend using the Kiehl's microdermabrasion exfoliating cream a few times a week when you first start using the retinol cream.

Another youtuber(Hot and Flashy) also highly recommends the Cerave moisturizer. I use both the am and pm and love them! They are the only things that truly moisturize my dry skin. I also use a vitamin C serum that I bought at Target online for just $20.
 
I have had good success with Ole Henriksen "Three little wonders" set. It is not cheap, but it works better than every other drugstore product I've tried. I bought the full size versions after seeing the great results I had in just 2 weeks. I do also use Neutrogena Intensives Anti Wrinkle Deep Wrinkle Serum. That is a Retinol for night use. I alternate that and the Night Transformation Gel (AHA/BHA ) rom the Ole Henriksen set.

For washing my face, I use a Dove Sensitive beauty bar. I exfoliate on mornings after using the AHA gel with aveeno facial scrub.

I use Elta MD sunblock every day.

The cleanser is actually the least important part of your skincare regime, since you just rinse it off. The real change will come from the products you put on your face that stay there for hours.

I know this is the budget board, but after years of going cheap with my skincare, I decided my face was worth a bit more of an investment after I turned 40. FWIW, I have exactly ONE wrinkle, on my forehead, but numerous sun spots, rosacea, acne scars, and dark spots. My face looked TERRIBLE, splotchy, irritated, and not healthy at all before I started using these products. Now, I can leave the house with no makeup, just a dab of Maybelline Blur primer to get rid of the redness that remains from my rosacea near my chin and cheeks. It's truly amazing.

You need:
A retinol
An AHA/BHA (acid based) product
A vitamin C serum
A good daily sunblock
A good moisturizer, preferably with hyraulonic acid
I second the cleanser not being important since you rinse it off. Just make sure the makeup is off. Micellar water takes off any trace amounts left after I'm done cleansing. I've been curious about the Ole H! I'll have to give it a try now. Go cheap with the cleanser and focus on a good retinoid for night and vitamin c serum and sunscreen that you like the texture of for day. Sunscreen was the hardest for me, but I think I've finally settled on the supergoop unseen.
 
I swear by The Ordinary. You can buy at Sephora but I purchase directly from the brand online. They are cheap!

I use the..
~gylocic acid toner
~latic acid serum
~Niamincide + zinc serum (this will help with lightening sun spots)
~ Vit. C (absorbic acid) powder
~AHA+BHA face mask
~Retinol 0.2%

I have a routine and if interested, I will share. I have been using these products for 5 months now and my skin is amazing. Dark spots gone. Wrinkles are better. The most important thing is to use facial sunscreen every single day or dark spots will never go away.
I want to know your routine!
 
This mindset all the way. Wear makeup. Don't wear makeup. Who cares. Just do you.

Not OP, but thank you to all who posted products. I am in need of a few things and will look into these recommendations.
Yes girl! I have smoked cigarettes in my past and I love to have a glass of wine while slathering on the chemical laden makeup, but I think I look pretty dang good! There is a YouTube video called The Power of Makeup which is pretty good. I also go makeup free some days which is fun. It's fun to shock people either way!
 
I'm probably in the minority here..... I do almost nothing. Wash face in AM with damp wash cloth.
No soap, ever.
Religiously use Oil of Olay spf 15 every AM. I'm 46 and I've been using this since I was a teenager.

That's it. I used to use a cleanser daily, but my face was either dry or oily depending on time of year no matter what. I cut out the soap, and for the most part skip make up because remover wrecks my skin.
My skin is 10X's more healthy these days. It's been several years now.
 
Astaxanthin 12mg --(Hawaiian Bioastin, $50 on Amazon/Costco and Costco sells it for $40 at least once a year). Within 2 months all of my age spots on my face and hands disappeared. I am very fair, age 44, tons of sun damage from childhood sunburns and teenage stupid tanning. I live in Phoenix and do not have to wear sunscreen because of the astaxanthin---I can stay in full sun without burning for 90+ minutes. I do wear sunscreen at the beach because I am too chicken to do an all day test.
Also a good grass fed gelatin helps remove sagging and wrinkles (Great Lakes powder or Ancestral Collagen capsules). I use castor oil and jojoba oil mixed on my face in the morning, and vitamin C powder mixed with water overnight.
No sugar diet helps skin too.
 
Consider plain old baking soda for exfoliating. It's natural, cheap, and "just enough" to sloff off stuff from the top layer of skin.
Don't believe products that claim they "get into your pores"; if that could happen, your skin would be red and bleeding. All exfoliating items work only on the top layer.
Avoid products that insert plastic beads into the mix to create friction; these are very bad for the environment.
I love Cetaphil. My dermatologist says that as we age, our skin becomes thinner, and it's important to use something for "sensitive skin" ... even if we don't think we particularly have that particular condition. His other recommendation: VaniCream products, but they are more expensive and harder to find.
The other thing he says about aging skin that you might not know: No alcohol-based products. This cuts out things like Sea Breeze (and similar) that you used for acne as a teen.

That's a good segue into my best suggestion: Instead of guessing about this or that product, go to the dermatologist. Have one visit and ask about what over-the-counter products would work best for your skin.
Personally, I started having some skin problems around age 40, and I messed around with this or that product for 1-2 years. Everything worked ... for a week or three, then it'd slowly stop. Finally I went to the dermatologist, and in about 30 seconds I knew that I have Eczema and Roseacea. In about 60 seconds he told me the products he wanted me to try ... and they worked. Immediately. Permanently.
Yes, yes, don't underestimate these things!

My DH's dermatologist recommended VaniCream Light Lotion for his skin. He has cystic acne, and hates heavy, greasy lotions. Target carries it. I got him a vat-sized 16 ounce pump bottle for $10. Much to my amazement, he actually uses it every day! So, it must work well for him.
 
I want to know your routine!

Okay.. you asked for it LOL

1st off.. this is how I save money

~Ulta Waterfull Gel Moisturizer ($19.99/each but I stock up when they run B2G2 Sale. Just stocked up last night..unsure how long sale lasts)

~I buy SIMPLE Micellar water when I see it on sale. (Amazon, Walgreens, CVS)

~Aveeno Clear Complexion is rarely on sale but I found some at TJ Max and stocked up

~The Ordinary has amazing prices and low limit to hit for free shipping. Plus they accept all returns so if product doesn't work for you, they will accept return even if bottle is almost empty. You just have to buy directly from them.

Okay..

Morning:
#1: Water on wash cloth.
#2: Swipe of SIMPLE Micellar water to get PM products off face.
#3: The Ordinary Absobric Acid Powder (1 scoop) mixed with Ulta Waterfull Gel Moisturizer.
#4: Spot treat with The Ordinary Saicylic Acid 2% serum if needed (very rarely need anymore)
#5: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (sometimes SKIP this if face is oily)
#6: Neutrogena Clear Face SPF 55 on face & neck.
#7: Make up but these days that is just some gel blush and a bright red or pink lipsense.
#8: Reapply sunscreen throughout day.

For me... I wash face with water several times a day as needed and just reapply sunscreen...sometimes gel moisturizer if skin is tight. I live on a ranch though so always out in the sun.

PM:
Every night 1st 3 steps are the same.

#1: Water on wash cloth

#2: Cleanser (Using Nourish Organic Moisturizing cream facial cleanser with cucumber and watercress currently... Was on clearance at Wal-Mart for $5/each so bought 4 and was going to return the extra 3 if I didnt like. I love it.)

#3: Cotton pad....SIMPLE Micellar Water

Now here is where I switch up. I know my skin now so I can tell what I need.

Some nights:
#4: Cotton pad... The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. Let dry.
#5: The Ordinary Latic Acid 10% + HA
#6: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
#7: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (sometimes SKIP this if face is oily)
#8: Ulta Waterfull Gel Moisturizer

At least 1 night a week:
#4: 10 minute mask... The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
#5:The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
#6: Ulta Waterfull Gel Moisturizer, liberally.

Some nights:
#4: toner OR latic acid OR salicylic acid (read up on acids to understand what each one does)
#5: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
#6: Aveeno Clear Complexion daily moisturizer

I am taking a break from retionl for the summer as I am in sun so much.

Yes...this is a lot of steps. I was so overwhelmed at first. It took a few months to figure out what worked for me... now, I don't even think about it.

The mornings are simple. I wake up and immediately go wash my face with water, brush teeth and quick swipe of Micellar Water on cotton pad then mix/apply vit c powder & moisturizer. Make my bed then put Hydrolic acid on before going to start coffee. As soon as coffee is started, I put on sunscreen. It just flows and is actually peaceful having a set routine to wake up to.

I know which routine my skin needs at night. Same thing as morning. I let products absorb as I do other things so I am not just standing in bathroom.

It has all become very peaceful for me and I enjoy the self care. I am almost 32 and this is the best my skin has ever looked. I just went an had a microdermabrasion session this week and she raved over my skin. It is very freeing to be comfortable with my skin and worth every second of upkeep.
 
I was also going to recommend The Ordinary for cheap and good skin care.

Dark spots can be tough and you may need to try something drastic and expensive to see improvement (some people get improvement from OTC stuff, most people won't) Like a once a year salon chemical peel and/or laser zap treatment. That's expensive, but you'll save so much money using The Ordinary for things like retinol and HA that - especially if you can find a Groupon coupon - you might come out ahead.
 
I triple dog (I don't know how many others there were that recommended it, but there were a lot) recommend The Ordinary products. :cutie:

I'm 45 and people look at me and my daughters (who are in their early 20's) and think that I'm their older sister, not their mom. I haven't always used The Ordinary products, I've used Clinique, I've used La Mer, I've used Neutrogena & Oil of Olay, but The Ordinary products work and they're cheap! I'm actually about to get on Sephora and use that VIB Rogue 20% off that I am entitled to and order more The Ordinary products!
 

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