Anti-Aging Evening Skincare Routine (2017)

Last June, I wrote a post about my Evening Skin Care Routine for Women Over 50. Since then, I have changed several things in my p.m. routine that are working well for me, so I wanted to do an updated post.


(This post may contain affiliate links which were added to make it easier for you to find the items. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). You are free to use the links or not - if you do, I thank you!)

Mature skin offers its own set of issues, and sometimes those issues combine with the same ones you had when you were younger. Thanks, Mother Nature and Father Time! You can read all about my own particular skin care issues here, but briefly, I have combination, sensitive skin that is breakout prone. I have a few fine lines, and have recently been struggling with undereye issues (puffiness, dark circles, sunken tear troughs). I feel like the undereye issues are due to increased allergies and the onset of insomnia (and of course, age). I was diagnosed with rosacea (subtype 2) in March 2018.

I am a two-step girl. I always remove my makeup prior to cleansing my face. I feel like my skin is cleaner that way, and then my active anti-aging products are going to work better. So, as I mentioned, I have added some new products to my routine, and eliminated others.


1) The first product I use at night is still Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water. I think it is the most awesome makeup remover ever because it removes waterproof makeup easily. I use this with exfoliating cotton pads. There are two versions of the micellar cleansing water - one has a pink cap and the other has a blue cap. I use the one with the blue cap because it's the one that removes waterproof makeup.



2) Next, I cleanse my face with one of my favorite cleansers and a konjac sponge. My go-to cleanser is the Pure & Pretty Clarifying Cleanser from I Feel Pretty Products. I also rotate between Acure Sensitive Facial Cleanser and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser. All three cleansers are gentle and don't strip my skin. A couple of days per week, I will use Acure Pore Clarifying Facial Scrub or Origins Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay to help get rid of any flakiness from the tretinoin.
(Update April 2018 - since the rosacea diagnosis, I have been using a prescription sulfacetamide cleanser every third evening.)



3) Before applying any skin care products, I use a cotton pad to wipe my face with Thayers Witch Hazel. I use the original aloe vera formula, but there are several other versions available. I never used to use a toner of any sort because I felt it wasn't necessary if I was using 2-step cleansing, and a good number of toners (especially years ago) contained alcohol. Do I think I could leave this product out of my routine? Probably. I don't know that it is necessarily doing anything, but I like the way it feels on my skin, and I like the visual evidence of a clean cotton pad, showing me that all of my makeup is indeed removed. (Update April 2018 - I haven't been using this for the past month because of the rosacea. Once it's under control, I feel I will be able to go back to my regular routine.)



4) The fourth step is where my routine starts to vary depending upon the day of the week. Every day except one Wednesday per month, I now apply The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and Buffet Multi-Technology Peptide Serum. (Update June 2018: For the past few months I switched the Buffet for The Ordinary's Matrixyl 10% + HA and also added their Argireline 10% Solution. However, I plan to switch to their Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% with my next purchase.)



Once a month, on a Wednesday, I use a 0.5mm dermaroller prior to applying The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and Buffet Multi-Technology Peptide Serum. I started dermarolling about 6-7 months ago, beginning with the 0.25mm weekly, and after 4 months, increasing to the 0.5mm once a month. I use fewer products on the day I use the dermaroller, basically just using those with a serum consistency. I do use Pretty Pearlfection Cream, but I wait at least 30 minutes after applying the serums. (Update April 2018 - I haven't been using this since the rosacea diagnosis. I don't know if I will be able to go back to it or not.)



On Saturdays and the Wednesdays I don't use the dermaroller, I use a mask after applying the serums. I rotate through different masks - clarifying, firming, hydrating - it just depends on what I feel my skin needs. Some of my favorites: boscia Wakame Firming Hydrogel Mask, boscia Tsubaki Oil Deep Hydration Hydrogel Mask, Tony Moly Snail Hydrogel Mask, TATCHA Violet-C Mask, Glamglow Bubblesheet™ Oxygenating Deep Cleanse Mask, and Roloxin® LIFT instant Wrinkle Smoothing Mask.



5) I started using tretinoin (Retin A) in March 2017, and have very slowly increased my usage. I am currently using it five days per week: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. If it is one of those days, I wait 20 minutes after applying the above serums, then I apply the tretinoin. After applying the tretinoin, I wait 30 minutes before moving on to the next product. Eventually, I will be using this daily. (Tip: If you want to use tretinoin and live in the USA, you will need a prescription. Depending upon your insurance, it may or may not be covered. Check sites like goodrx.com or singlecare.com - you can often find a card to give to the pharmacy that will greatly reduce your cost. My prescription would've been almost $100, but a card from goodrx reduced it to $28. I also recommend calling your pharmacy and asking them to run the codes on the card so you can verify your cost before going to pick up your prescription.)
(Update June 2018 - I had to stop the tretinoin for a couple of months due to the rosacea. I have now worked back up to using it every fourth day.)



6) On every day except "dermaroller Wednesday", I now apply Pretty Pearlfection Cream. This is another product that I make myself and sell on my website. It has been in my skincare routine for many years, and I can't imagine being without it. Not only is it a moisturizer, but it also helps heal my breakouts - sometimes overnight. I definitely see a difference in my skin if I don't use it.



7) On every day except "dermaroller Wednesday", the next product is First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum. I don't apply this all over my face. I only use it on any breakouts or red areas. This product is another one that is great at healing breakouts quickly. I find that using this and the Pearlfection Cream daily keeps my breakouts to a minimum.



8) The next product is a new one, so I don't know if it will be staying or not. After I use the entire tube, I will make a decision and do a review. The product is CeraVe Eye Repair Cream. My undereye area is very sensitive, and there are very few products I am able to use there. Most of the time, I don't bother using an "eye" product - whatever I use on my face, I also use under my eyes - but I do like CeraVe's products, so I decided to give this one a go. It's supposed to help with puffiness and dark circles. (Update June 2018: I've discontinued using this product. I was using watermelon oil under my eyes for a few months, but now I'm testing a product Lexli that I will review in the upcoming months.)



9) The last product I apply at night is usually Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. It contains peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and niacinamide. Yes, I realize that I am using other products that also contain those ingredients, but this contains different peptides. It's too heavy for me to use during the day (I still tend to get oily in the T-zone), but it's great for use at night. I prefer the fragrance-free version. I have also used L'Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Moisturizer. I like the cream, but it's heavily fragranced and doesn't come in a fragrance-free version. (Update April 2018 - I haven't been using this for the past month because of the rosacea. Once it's under control, I feel I will be able to go back to my regular routine.)

I know that seems like a lot of products and a complicated schedule! I'm committed to a good anti-aging skin care routine, so I'm willing to put in the effort. I keep a small calendar in my bathroom, and I have my skin care schedule written on it. I also utilize the timer on my phone to remind me when it's time to move on to the next product. Once my skin is acclimated to using tretinoin daily, I will move on to eliminating the 20 minute wait before applying it, so that will be one less complication.

What's are your can't-do-without anti-aging products? I'd love to know! Comment here or catch me on Instagram or Snapchat!