Is your skin showing signs of ageing, and you’d like to do something about it, but you haven’t updated your skincare routine in years because you don’t know where to start?
Or maybe you’re overwhelmed and confused by the excessive skincare marketing out there, all vying for your precious dollars but all you want is a simple, effective and focused skincare routine for mature skin?
Well, you’re not alone. And I’m going to show you that if you know what you actually need as opposed to what is simply nice to have, you’ll be able to create that simple, effective skincare routine that works (and it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg).
My love affair with skincare
I fell in love with all things skincare a few years ago. I would devour all articles about skincare, research ingredients and tweakments, and buy lots of different products. Following online skincare specialists who were properly trained, knowledgeable and no-nonsense was my jam, and I hung onto every word they uttered. Over time I learned a lot about what mature skin needs and which products to spend my money on.
But I still ended up with an excessive skincare routine which quickly became overwhelming and costly. And quite frankly, unnecessary.
Related: What you need to know about skincare for maturing skin
A great find
Then last year I discovered a brilliant book called The Positive Ageing Plan that I can’t recommend enough. Written by Dr Vicky Dondos, a fully qualified doctor who has been practising aesthetics for 15 years, this book reframes the way we look at ageing. And offers a simple and achievable way to a healthy skincare routine that ultimately empowers you.
I read it in one sitting, making personal notes as I went along. And even now I dip in and out of it, as I need to. It’s vastly changed the way I feel about ageing, my fine lines, wrinkles and sagging, and subsequently my skincare routine.
A quick overview
The book gives a thorough introduction to skin ageing, steps to changing your mindset and looks at stress, sleep, nutrition, hormones and the environment. There’s also a chapter on active skincare, with a step-by-step guide of what to use and how. And there’s also lots of information about tweakments. But my most valuable section was the detailed skincare programmes.
Dr Dondos has devised specialized programmes for different skins, based on the latest science. You can either do a reset or an intervention programme, depending on your skin’s needs.
A reset for mature skins (and creating a skincare routine)
I chose the reset for mature skins (there are also ones for dull, dehydrated skin and pigmentation) because I felt that my skin needed a boost. I also felt that it would benefit from a ‘reset’ after years of randomly trying various products.
The first stage is all about stripping back, only using the absolute basics for the first two weeks. I found this stage extremely difficult after having used so much active skincare before, but I persevered.
In Stage 2 (weeks 3-12), I slowly got to add to my routine. (Lots of patience is required to get through this stage.) And Stage 3 (weeks 13+) is for add-ons and maintenance.
After completing the reset (I’m now in the maintenance stage), I’m so pleased that I persisted because my skin is glowing more than it has in years.
And I love that my skincare can now work on a healthy foundation.
Also, the gradual reintroduction of retinol has resulted in being able to use retinol every day now. And I haven’t experienced any over-sensitivity, breakouts or dryness.
Related: My 23 best skincare products for a bright and glowing mature skin
A simple, effective skincare routine for mature skin
A simple yet effective morning skincare routine for mature skin includes
- a balm or oil cleanser
- an antioxidant
- add-ons, if needed
- a moisturizer
- SPF
The evening skincare routine would include
- a double cleanse (balm or oil)
- vitamin A/acid exfoliant/add-ons (eg. hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide)
- a moisturizer
In conclusion
If you’re unsure of what you should be doing to help your mature skin to look and feel its best, this book is filled with all the answers you’ve been looking for. It’ll take you through the whole process, and you’ll be able to work out what your skin needs. You can also follow a skin reset programme that would set you up for a great skincare routine and healthy skin.
And while there are brand recommendations throughout the book, once you know the products you need (eg. cleanser, antioxidant, moisturizer, vitamin A etc.), you can try different brands over time to see which ones work best for you. There are good products at all the different price points so don’t be told otherwise.
TOP TIP: Spend your money on your active skincare – that’s your antioxidants (like vitamin C) and your retinol (vitamin A). Your cleansers and even your moisturizers do not have to cost a fortune.
Remember: skincare should be easy, enjoyable and accessible, not confusing, a chore or prohibitively expensive.
So, invest in yourself – you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results.
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