At 45, the boring basics always win. (All my favorites from every category linked 🩶) 1 - SPF. Every. Single. Day.
This is the one habit that compounds. I really believe that so much of my skin health today is due to the fact that I have continued to use SPF consistently over the years. I love the sun, but it can do a lot of damage to the skin. SPF is like the quiet overachiever of skincare. 2 - Double Cleansing.
If I’m layering skincare, sunscreen and makeup daily, I need to properly remove it. Texture, congestion, breakouts, and dullness often come down to buildup. And I don’t want to add fresh skincare on top of old grime from the day.  3 - Hydration.
My hydration game is top tier because hydrated skin looks smoother, calmer, plumper and brighter. In your 40s, dehydration can mimic “aging and no one has time for that - I LAYER on the hydration. 4 - Never Go to Bed With Makeup on. 
I think I was probably 20, the last time I went to bed with makeup on. I don’t care of I’m sick, hungover, exhausted. I will never go to bed makeup on. Sleeping in makeup = clogged pores, irritation, inflammation. Skin repairs itself at night. I don’t want my skin having to work overtime because I have junk on my face. 5 - Gentle Exfoliation.
I don’t punish my skin and absolutely no aggressive scrubs. I want just enough exfoliation to prevent buildup and keep my skin clear + bright without causing irritation. 6 - Actives (like Vitamin C and Retinol) - but never at the expense of your barrier. If my skin is feeling irritated, tight, or inflamed, I immediately stop using actives until my skin is calm. Healthy skin first, which allows the actives to show up and shine. LTKselfcare LTKBeauty LTKOver40