We can’t avoid age. However, we can avoid some aging. Continue to do things. Be active. Life is fantastic in the way it adjusts to demands; if you use your muscles and mind, they stay there much longer. – Charles H. Townes

When you were younger, life seemed so carefree.  You could stay up late, eat what you wanted, use any ole skincare routine, and still look gorgeous.

Now that you are older, it seems you need to think about every little thing.  Caring for our skin in our 50s and beyond requires a bit more finesse.

Your skin has unique needs, and your skincare routine should reflect self-care and self-love.

It seems everywhere you look you are bombarded with messages from magazine covers, social media, and society.  Wear sunscreen, use moisturizer, get collagen injections, or schedule Botox.

Everyone has a “magic” secret that will turn back the hands of time.

While we can’t stop the natural aging process, there are things we can do to keep that healthy glow. Here are four things you might be doing that unknowingly sabotage your efforts.

Waking up to a soiled pillowcase or smudged eyelids should be enough to scare you straight, but there are many more benefits to a gentle cleansing than less laundry. Your skin needs breathing time!

Makeup, plus pollution, dirt, and free radicals can suffocate your skin, preventing it from naturally rejuvenating and repairing itself. Some makeup has ingredients that when exposed to UV rays, can trigger the formation of age spots.

Sleeping with makeup on can clog pores and cause breakouts or irritation.

Plus, leftover makeup can age your skin, leaving it with a dull complexion and adding to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

A nighttime skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated – a makeup remover, gentle cleanser, and nighttime moisturizer 30 minutes before bed allows your skin to breathe and repair while you sleep. Your skin will repay you with a healthy glow.

As we age, collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Retinol encourages the production of new collagen, resulting in firmer and plumper skin.

Retinol is also effective at promoting cell turnover. Say what? That’s a fancy term for getting rid of skin cells, leaving a smoother and more radiant complexion. There’s that glow again!

Plus, retinol has a host of other benefits - reduces the appearance of enlarged pores, reduces inflammation that can lead to acne, and reduces the appearance of sun damage or dark spots.

And it doesn’t take much product or time. Do yourself a favor and choose a retinol serum formulated for your skin.  Vibriance Retinol Serum is perfect for sensitive and mature skin.

The plus - exfoliating your skin gets rid of impurities that can clog your pores and can cause complexion issues.

The drawback - exfoliating too harshly or too often can cause dry flaky skin, irritation, or redness.  Exactly the opposite of what you are aiming for!

Borrowing your daughter’s products may not work for your skin either. As we age, our skin has different needs.

Look for an exfoliating scrub that is gentle on your skin, works to unclog pores, and leaves your skin ready to absorb beneficial serums and creams, such as Vibriance Exfoliating Scrub.

Just 2-3 times a week is enough to get rid of those dead skin cells a leave your skin feeling soft and refreshed.

The last thing you want is for much of that product to end up on your pillowcase. A good rule of thumb is to start your evening skincare routine at least 30 minutes before getting into bed. If you are thinking, no way! The last thing I need is to add 30 minutes to my routine!

Hear us out – it’s easier than you think, plus adds to that vital self-care that helps you look and feel your best.

Head to your bathroom, and wash with a gentle cleanser, followed by a moisturizer or other skincare products.  Put on your favorite PJs, turn down the blankets, and lean back onto a silk pillowcase with a good book, a gratitude journal, or a nighttime meditation story.

By the time you’ve wound down and are ready to shut off the lights, 30 minutes will have passed.

While most skincare products are designed to be easily absorbed into the skin, products containing retinoids or alpha hydroxy acids need extra absorption time.

Plus, if those products get on your pillowcase, they could rub off and potentially get into your eyes causing irritation.  Yikes!