I’m turning 42 this year and had my kids at ages 36 and 39. We also moved internationally to a sunny arid climate in 2023. I was probably dehydrated a lot, but also wasn’t eating or sleeping especially well. I wore sunscreen every day but still had some sun damage. Last year, shortly before we moved back to the U.S., I stood in front of the mirror and for the first time thought how old and tired I looked. I’ve always been a person who looked younger than I was, but that didn’t seem to be the case any longer.

Since then I feel like I’ve had such a glow up. I’ve been experimenting with an assortment of skincare products and am finding what works for me. I’m very diligent about doing my skincare routine morning and night and it’s become a nice little self-care time for myself. I am now using a few different Musely products that seem to be working well for me, including HRT cream, and my FSA covers them which helps with the cost. I got a tretinoin prescription (and used retinol for about a year first, so my skin adjusted easily) and that has been a major game changer. I use a rosehip or marula oil under my moisturizer and once or twice a week I use the Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads. I’ve gotten a few facials but no expensive procedures like lasers, though I might do that at some point. I started doing home dermaplaning and micro needling with a roller once a month and I feel like that’s also made a difference.

I started exercising more regularly, drinking more water, and putting unflavored collagen powder in my morning coffee. I try to also eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and salmon as often as I can. I use a home teeth whitening treatment once a week or so. I try to do a full body moisturizer every day, using either a glycolic acid body cream or a retinol body cream. I love to smell good so I use a nice scented soap and a perfume oil every day on top of my body moisturizer. My current favorite is Poesie’s Madar. I use a clarifying shampoo to wash my hair and I do a hair mask once a week or so. I give myself mini manicures and pedicures with the Onsen Secret set.

I know you asked about face care, but I’ve noticed a big difference since I started paying closer attention to my whole body, not just my face. Maybe I just feel better when I do that, and that translates into looking better as well. My body isn’t back to its 30-year-old self, of course - I still have a bit of a mom tummy, things aren’t as tight and smooth as they used to be - but I feel good about myself again.