Skincare is one of those things I always feel like I should be better at (and that I’m failing as a girl because of it somehow). I’m lucky as my skin is fine really (I drink a lot of water) so I’ve never really done anything. Selfcare is something I struggle with generally so never found it worth the effort.
I’m thinking as I enter my thirties though I should. Just had a sheetmask and enjoyed it but I have no idea where to start generally in terms of it.
What’s your skincare routine? Is it worth the effort/cost?
If you have good skin already, do the least possible. Wear sun screen and hats to prevent sun damage, and gently cleanse/ moisturize at night. You don’t need a whole ass routine unless you have problem skin (acne, dark spots, etc). The less you mess with your natural biome, the happier your skin will be.
If your skin is happy, you don’t need to change what you are doing with it.
Sheetmasks and similar can be relaxing and make one feel more engaged with general self-care, so if you enjoyed that it could be good to do more often.
In my 40s with good skin, and just wash it with a good bar soap when in the shower, then a splash of rosewater whilst it is still damp, followed by moisturiser with SPF50.
My mother is in her 70s and has perfect skin - she just washes it with whatever kind of soap, including dish soap if that is what is to hand. In recent years she sometimes complains that it is getting dry - she sort of knows that moisturiser should help and even has some which would be suitable for her, but the whole idea is just too alien to her to actually get it on her face more than once every few weeks.
I’m in my 50s and was told my whole life that I needed a skin care routine or I’d regret it. My skin was always oily until I hit menopause so I didn’t see a point beyond washing my face every day.
So, I didn’t bother until I was like 49 and started getting a flaky forehead. Seriously, it was like dandruff of the face. It was that, and not wrinkles or fear of them (I have a few, nothing excessive yet) which drove me to using a cleanser and a moisturizer.
I just use Neutrogena Hydro Boost products, no fancy department store stuff. And it works really well, I no longer have facial dandruff. I’m told I look young for my age but I plan to age gracefully- no Botox or fillers or anything like that for me, ever.
Not sure my contribution is of any value to you, but I am a gay male in my 50’s. Never did much in terms of skincare. Only washed my face with water and was a heavy smoker up till about 15 years ago. Up until I started tuning bald people estimated my age to be 10-15 years younger. So I personally think genetics is the biggest determining factor. That said. I started using hyaluronic acid about a year ago because of dry skin, and it does SEEM to make the few wrinkles I had appear less and make my skin more firmer. All in all, I think some skincare helps a little bit, but never expect big changes or improvements. Most of it is just (bad) luck. I would at the very least never buy products that are ridiculously expensive. The cheap ones work just as well, just make sure you read the ingredients. This is just my personal, anecdotal experience and opinion ymmv
