I Still Get Carded in My Late 30s Thanks to These Hardworking Skincare Products

When it comes to cleansers, my goal is to remove makeup and dirt, detoxify, and unclog pores, all without drying my skin. This one from bliss is gentle and purifying, with BHA and Brazilian seawater. It keeps pores clear of excess oil, and skin balanced without over-drying. And it’s made with clean ingredients that won’t irritate even sensitive skin. Since cleanser doesn’t stay in contact with the skin for very long, this is an area where I usually opt for a more budget-friendly option and save the more expensive, active ingredients for later steps in my routine.

I’ve got to admit that I let out a shriek of joy when this (splurge-y) serum showed up on my doorstep to try out. This new, highly potent formula is made with a powerful concentration of 50% Stem Cell Conditioned Media. “Regenerative peptides and growth factors claim to enhance collagen production and stimulate the skin’s natural reparative properties by accelerating turnover.” To use, I squirt two dropper-fulls into my hand, then gently massage all over my skin after toner. I’ve only been using it for a few weeks, but I’ve already noticed bouncier, brighter, more glowy skin, and I’m giving this serum the credit.

Over the last year, I’ve become a little obsessed with acid peels. They’re of the easiest and most effective ways to remove dead skin build-up, brighten the complexion, and keep oil at bay. I’ve tried lots of at-home “peel pads,” but after discovering this liquid version, I’m a total convert. You dispense about half a dropper into a little dish, then use the fan brush (sold separately) to brush the peel evenly over your face and neck. There’s a satisfying tingle, and that’s it! You don’t rinse—in fact, I find this product to be most effective when I use it and then don’t apply any other product on top before bed. I wake up in the morning with impossible smooth and glowing skin (I usually do this about once a week—see my Sunday night exfoliation routine here.)

Bonus: this peel also includes retinol to boost collagen and antioxidant vitamin C to nix dullness. At-home peels just don’t get better than this one.

I tend to steer away from physical exfoliants in favor of chemical ones (like the acid peel and mask listed above.) Except for this one. I’ve used GOOPGLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator ever since I spotted their first ad with glowing Gwyneth spreading it all over her face and feeling the burn. I ordered a jar of my own, and it really is that good. And since I’m a sucker for a third-party clinical trial, I also love the fact that 92% of the women in one such study showed improvement in skin barrier function after one use.

I always keep a bottle of this beautiful, clean, and relatively affordable facial oil made of organic botanicals in my bathroom drawer. It’s really simple and just plain nourishing, and that’s what makes it so good. And I love that since it’s not super pricey, I can smooth it all over my neck and chest without feeling like I have to “conserve.”

I’ll be honest, red is not my favorite color but I’m more than willing to overlook that tiny detail if it means slathering this nourishing yet non-greasy hydrator on my face each morning. Morning, you ask? Doesn’t “ultra-rich” sound more like something you’d apply before bed? I thought so too, until I tried this pre-makeup and noticed how much better my foundation felt upon application—no flakes or pilling in sight. I always use this moisturizer as the final touch to my skincare, after cleansing, toning, and serum-ing (usually, this is in place of oil.) It melts into the skin upon contact, and thanks to the Vitamin B3+ Peptides, this product will support all your anti-aging efforts.

Let’s be honest: nothing looks more youthful than a golden glow—not only does a light tan feel more carefree, it also seems to even skin tone and mask redness. Of course, a real deal tan is counterproductive to all of our anti-aging efforts, but thankfully, at-home sunless tanning formulas have come a long way over the last few years. (I should know, I’ve been using them weekly since high school.) Currently, these tanning drops from CLEANTAN are the most seamless and foolproof way to add an even, natural glow to the face. Just mix a few drops into any skincare product (I like to put it in my moisturizer since that goes in last), then rub evenly over the face, blending especially well at the hairline. Your tan develops within a couple of hours and is gorgeously subtle. Don’t forget your neck!