The Ultimate Anti-Aging Skincare Guide for all Skin Types

I recently did a poll on my Instagram Stories about skincare, and 87% of respondents stated they were interested in anti-aging skincare. For the 13% who said they were not, why the heck not??  Even if you are young, you should never wait until you start to see signs of aging to start caring for your skin. I mean, I assume you want your skin to look youthful as long as possible, right? I know I do!

Some Background on Skin

Our skin “age” is determined by three factors- heredity, environment and habits (such as water intake, smoking, and diet), and your skincare routine. We can’t do much about our heredity, but we can definitely make a change in our environment and how we care for our skin. I’ve had some sort of skincare routine since I was in middle school, starting with washing my face religiously at age 12, to using eye cream at age 16, and now, using a morning and nighttime skincare routine every single day (even when I’m so tired and just want to go to bed!). I also eat a mostly plant-based diet with little dairy, I’ve never smoked, and I avoid the sun or wear sunscreen when I am outside. I’m very lucky to have two parents with good skin as well. My goal is to always have smooth, young looking skin, and if you are reading this, I assume you want the same!

Every person has different needs for their facial skin. For reference, my skin was oily when I was a teen, but has calmed down with age and now I have normal/combo skin, depending on the season. I can feel a little dry in my cheeks during colder months. I also have reactive redness, meaning that my facial skin turns red when there’s a change in temperature (especially when it gets very hot), when I exercise, or when I am angry or embarrassed.

My Little Secret!

On a side note, just as you probably wouldn’t take parenting advice from someone without children, you probably shouldn’t take anti-aging advice from a 22 year old (example: basically every cosmetic ad out there!). So in all transparency, I am 43 years old. I don’t share my age often because no one ever guesses I’m over 35. I am 100% ok with that! So you can trust in my recommendations!

Here I share all the products I use and recommend for an anti-aging skincare routine for all skin types. The key is to be consistent with your routine. Once you find one that works for you, stick with it! It can take several weeks to start to see a noticeable difference in your skin. As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have about skincare. I’ve spent quite a bit of time researching and trying out different products over the past 20 years!

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase something using my links. This in no way affects your price, it just supports this blog!*

Morning Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

Cleanser

In the morning, I cleanse with Tula Purifying Face Cleanser ($28) in the shower. This cleanser is good for all skin types. It can also take off makeup. If you have drier or sensitive skin, I recommend using a gentle cleanser, like Kiehl’s Centella Sensitive Facial Cleanser ($29) or Aveeno Ultra-Calming Hydrating Gel Cleanser ($9).

Treatment

After my shower, I apply Beautycounter Counter+ All Bright C Serum ($79) all over my face and neck. Vitamin C is great for brightening your skin and helping prevent fine lines. There are several really good serums out there to use before your moisturizer. I also like the Follain Brightening Serum ($38) and the No7  Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum ($34).

Moisturizer

After letting my serum sink in (I usually brush out my hair while I wait), I apply my moisturizer all over my face, neck, and chest. I use It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Sensitive Skin Moisturizer ($49.50). This moisturizer isn’t too heavy but is great for all skin types, especially if you experience redness. If I am going to be out in sun, I use Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF40 ($34). For a more budget-friendly option, I recommend Aveeno Positively Radiant Sheer Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 ($19) or Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer ($30).

Eye Cream

I use the same eye cream morning and night, Fresh Black Tea Firming and De-Puffing Eye Cream ($68). It is very moisturizing yet sinks in quickly so I can still apply eye makeup shortly after. This is one of the best eye creams I’ve ever used! But there are good eye creams for every budget. Here are my favorites: Beautycounter Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream ($69), It Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream ($39), Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado ($30), and No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Eye Cream ($22).

Nighttime Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

Cleanser

At night, I use a deeper cleanser since I wear makeup. Even if you don’t wear a lot of makeup, your skin is still exposed to pollutants throughout the day, and needs to be cleansed before bed. Here’s where I’ll harp on you- PLEASE wash your face before bed! If you don’t, you are just clogging your pores full of makeup, dirt, and chemicals when your face meets your pillow. Also, your skin renews while you sleep, so washing all the gunk off and applying good products is the best thing you can do for your skin. If you wear makeup, a cleansing wipe is not enough. It will never take off all your makeup- you need a sink with water and a cleanser! Using a wash cloth to rinse off is even better! But I digress…

First I use a cleansing balm to remove my makeup. Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm ($31) is excellent! Then I double cleanse with Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Clean Foaming Face Wash ($30). It takes off all my makeup, including eyeliner and mascara, without drying out my face. If you need a more gentle cleanser, I’d recommend the Beautycounter Nourishing Cream Cleanser ($29).

After cleansing, I use a toner to make sure I’ve removed all makeup and leftover cleanser. I recommend TULA Pro-Glycolic 10% Resurfacing Toner ($34), Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner ($35), or Pixi by Petra Glow Tonic ($29).

My favorite eye makeup remover is Beautycounter Instant Eye Makeup Remover ($21)

Treatment

Every third night, I use Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel ($63). This contains AHA’s and BHA’s and works to chemically exfoliate the skin overnight. This is one of those products you may think you don’t need, but trust me, you do! It stings a tiny bit upon application due to the acids, but this stuff is the real deal! I wake up to the softest, smoothest skin after using this. If you are age 30+, get this! After letting this soak for a few minutes, I apply my night cream (see below).

Oil and Moisturizer

On the nights I don’t use the peel, I mix a couple drops of facial oil with my night cream and apply to my face, neck, and chest. My favorite oils are Beautycounter No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil ($69) and Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil ($72). For a more affordable option, I recommend The Ordinary 100% Cold Pressed  Rose Hip Seed Oil ($9.80). Facial oil is so good for all skin types, even if you are oily! It helps balance out your oil production and will make your skin so soft, and may even clear it up! My night cream is Kate Somerville Age Arrest Wrinkle Cream ($68). Mixing the cream with the oil helps stretch it. More affordable but good options are L’Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Intensive Anti-Aging Day Cream Moisturizer ($25- I know it says Day, but it’s heavy enough for night!), Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream ($30), and Sephora Collection Firming Sleeping Cream ($16).

Eye Cream

As stated in my morning routine, I also use the Fresh Black Tea Firming and De-Puffing Eye Cream ($68) at night, or the Beautycounter Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream ($69).

Facial Masks and Exfoliators

I try to apply a facial mask once per week, but sometimes it’s every couple of weeks because I forget! There are several good masks out there, and I rotate them depending on how my skin is feeling that day. My favorite mask is the Follain Dual Detox Charcoal Mask ($34) . Another really great mask for combo, oily, or acne-prone skin is Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask ($26). My skin feels so clean after using! I also recently added in the TULA Detox in a Jar Exfoliating Treatment Mask ($48- save 15% with code ENG15) and it is really great! It is a clay mask with small beads and washes off clean. While I haven’t tried the next two out yet myself, I’ve heard amazing things about Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask ($48) and the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial™ 25% AHA + 2% BHA Mask ($80). For a good budget-friendly mask, try Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Mask ($4.29).

Since I’m already using an AHA/BHA in my skincare routine, I don’t want to over-exfoliate. If you prefer a physical exfoliator, I like the Acure Brightening Facial Scrub as a great budget-friendly option ($9.99), and the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate ($85) as a higher-end (but SO good!) option. For a gentle exfoliator and for drier skin, I recommend Beautycounter’s Nourishing Cream Exfoliator ($35).

Hands, Lips, and Body Skin

Anti-aging does not just stop at our necks! Be sure to use all your face products down your neck and onto your chest. You also don’t want to forget your hands- this is usually one of the first places that can show age. I recently started using Dermelect Timeless Anti-Aging Daily Hand Treatment ($22) before bed and in the morning. My hands feel moisturized without being greasy, and my hands are already looking smoother!

For my body, I use Kiehl’s Creme de Corps body lotion ($30). I’ve used this for years and years, and it’s my favorite!

Don’t forget your lips! I found the holy grail of lip balms this year. Seriously! I apply Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($20) on my lips each night before bed (and usually a couple times throughout the day!) and my lips have not been chapped at all since I started using it. It also smells amazing, like strawberries. But don’t worry if you don’t like strawberries, they have a couple other scent options. I also recently picked up the Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer Balm ($16) for the daytime and so far, love it! It looks like a gloss, feels incredibly soft, and smells like roses. It’s supposed to also enhance the lips and minimize lines around the lips.

And there you go!

My recommended anti-aging skincare routine that has kept my skin clean, clear, and almost line-free, despite getting closer and closer to middle age! Do you have any products that you love? Share your favorites below!

Also, check out my everyday makeup routine here!