Part of why I hated putting on daily sunscreen was how unpleasant it was. Most over-the-counter facial sunscreens felt greasy and time-consuming to fully rub in, so I was very inconsistent in wearing them.
Every dermatologist I’ve interviewed stressed the importance of using sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, including re-applications. A few recommended EltaMD, which costs around $40 — more than I would ever want to pay for sunscreen.
But after trying it once, I became obsessed with how dewy it made my skin look and how smoothly it went on. I actively enjoy applying it every morning and always make sure I’m restocked when I’m running low. I also try to minimize sun exposure by wearing a hat when I run outside.
2. I bought beginner-friendly products
The most daunting part of starting a routine was potentially wasting money (and precious cabinet space).
I began by finding more affordable products, such as a $12 retinol from The Ordinary, which I wouldn’t feel bad about tossing if it didn’t work.
Retinol, which promotes cell turnover, comes in a range of concentrations. The stronger, more effective ones can cause burning and peeling if applied daily. But in the beginning, it helped to use a milder formula I could get in the habit of applying every day before working my way up to a higher-strength one.
3. I committed to one new product at a time
I quickly learned that skincare is as complicated as you decide to make it.
Instead of buying every new product I hear about on TikTok, I read a good review from a coworker about Matter of Fact’s vitamin C serum, liked that I didn’t break out when I tried it, and kept buying it when I saw it brightened my skin within a few months. I haven’t changed it since, but if I did, I would only try a new serum once I finish my current one.
4. I took makeup removal seriously
Most dermatologists I’ve spoken to recommend in-house procedures, from injections to laser treatments for more dramatic results. I felt that it didn’t make sense to spend money on cosmetic surgery if I wasn’t already taking good care of my skin.
I got Botox only after I had a routine in place. While my wrinkles smoothed out, they didn’t fully go away because I developed too much sun damage in my 20s.
7. I’ve stayed consistent
As of now, my morning routine is as follows:
- Cleanse my face with a water-based drugstore cleanser in the morning
- Apply vitamin C serum
- Apply face sunscreen
- If going out, apply makeup
At night, I:
- Cleanse my face with an over-the-counter oil-based cleanser
- Cleanse with the water-based cleanser
- Apply retinol serum every other day
- Top with drugstore moisturizer
Knowing the order to apply products helped me stick to a plan without overthinking it. Ironically, putting a little effort into my skin twice a day is easier than constantly worrying about my shiny forehead, fine lines, or darkening acne scars. In that sense, doing the work has felt like no work at all.
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-i-reversed-my-skin-in-30s-2024-9