I still remember owning my first set of Clinque skin care 3 step package 30 years ago. I was wearing make up at the time and I knew by instinct that getting my grime off every night was paramount to flawless skin which I so associated with attractiveness. As I got older, I decided to eliminate makeup in its entirety and my money went to purchasing expensive skin care products. Being an explorer that I am, I would splurge on anything that caught my attention and there is no surprise that I have a full cabinet of skin care products of different brands, and I change products according to the season/ weather and what I feel my skin needs at the time.
At 50, my skin tone is the first thing that I notice that ages. My skin is rougher, extremely dry, ultra sensitive and more fragile. I have small lesions from time to time and there are occasional dark spots scattering all over my face and neck. Yes I am concerned but it is a fact that our skin lose elasticity, and the fatty issues under the bone features when you hit midlife. In order to rectify the problems without seeing the pro, I decided to change my skincare routine and stick to it regardless:
I wear sunscreen ( La Roche-Posay dry touch gel-cream with built in sunscreen 50+) during the day when I go out. Make sure the product contains at least 7% zinc or titanium oxide and have an SPF of 30+.
I use moisturising lotions in summer and cream / balm / oil based moisturisers in Winter. Facial oil is my favourite especially in air-conditioned confine as my skin absorbs the oil rapidly leaving it smooth and nourished without feeling greasy.
I tend to avoid using soaps and water based cleansers on my face as they strip away the natural oil and make my skin end up drier. I have tried hundreds of cleansers before (I don't mind being a guinea pig) and I only go for the ones that make my skin feel soft, supple and clean (not squeaky clean like the Korean / Japanese brands!). I keep my Luxe micellar water and cotton pads with me in my totebag in summer for a light cleanse throughout the day when pollution prevails in a city like Hong Kong.
After a lot of trial and error, not to mention the amount of money invested, I decided cleansing milk or oil are the best for my dry and maturing skin as they don't disturb the skin's Ph balance. Exfoliation is part of my twice a week routine and I swear by the Vitamin C range microdermabrasion scrub from the Body Shop. I do apply a mask (Swisse charcoal mask) once a week for deep cleansing while adding moisture.
As I am constantly confined in air conditioned rooms one way or the other, I use a serum after shower followed by either a richer night cream or oil (I love Argan and Sea Buckthorn, alternating with NYR Frankinscense oil) which contain skin repair ingredients for a more intense hydration effect. Just a few drops on your palms and massage all over your face and neck. A serum is not a moisturiser. Go for the ones with your particular concern and purpose:
hyluronic acid for hydration,
vitamin C or antioxidants for brightness,
retinol to smooth lines,
peptides and niacinamide for firmness
To be frank, I don't believe in anything that says 'anti-ageing' or 'age-reverse' because they are just psychological manipulation by companies trying to sell their chemical fuelled products to women who buy the phoney idea of 'forever young'! There is no way to go back to our youth but we can still be confident and looking fabulous. I don't even wear make up okay, and all I am hoping is to look healthy and keep my eczema at bay. There is no one size fits all solution for mature skin because our complexions and bodies do differ. What's more, our complexion reveals the effects of genes and history of lifestyles which are unique to every one of us. You may opt to simply follow a basic routine including a cleanser, serum and moisturiser with SPF upon waking and a cleanser, (matching) toner, serum, and moisturiser or oil before bed. You would know if a product is working when you see how easily the product is absorbed or how good it feels on your face.
If you can afford a bit more on the skin care department, go organic . You can tell the difference within days and you certainly deserve it!
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