Last Updated on August 3, 2025 by Michelle
Well Aging Skincare would be top of mind especially for women, and increasingly for men over 40. It certainly has been for me right after my realisation in the 30s that it is no longer how your features look to define my definition of beauty. As I looked at gracefully aged people, it was the health of the skin and the quality and quantity of hair that visually show the sign of well aging.
Of course aging doesn’t start at 40, it starts the moment we stop growing at around 25 when our bodies start procuding 1% less collagen every year and start to experience a drop in cellular repair efficiency.
In my attempt to holistic well aging, I am after well aging skincare. This is after years of consuming a few (not one) board certified dermatologists’ youtube content for 3 years (and continuing). I would disclaim that I also go to my Korean dermatologist twice a year religiously since I turned 40.
There are some things you can’t achieve at home as you’d need in office treatments for eg. treatments like ultherapy, thermal and skin botox etc.
What I have learned and what also makes absolute sense is that even if you regularly visit the dermatologist, what you do everyday matters A LOT. As per my earlier blog on atomic habits, consistency is key to success. In most of these atomic habits cases, I have seen micro results along the way which incentivises me to continue with the consistency.
Disclaimer: this is for someone that does not particularly have any specific skin issues, other than aging. For those that do have medical conditions, please consult a dermatologist.
This routine has made visible improvement to my skin – brighter, radiant, plump and possibly slowed down due to retinol? I’m no doctor, but this was a recommendation I had been following daily consistently for the past 2 years and I definitely feel a difference. Consistency is key!
Morning: After cleansing (I just use water in the morning)
1. Vitamin C – protects from oxidative stress, supports collagen production (Pullar et al., 2017)
I have used different products and the best thing is that as long as your skin does not react negatively to it, you can continue using. I am personally using Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster. It’s 15% vitamin c with vitamin e and ferulic acid which is a formula that Skinceuticals uses. I have been using skinceuticals vitamin c serum for about 4 years and switched over to try other products given the price.
2. Vitamin B (Niacinamide)
I use The Ordinary’s Niacinamide and Zinc serum it is the only Vitamin B product I’ve been using so far and love it. It’s affordable and seems to work, especially the brightening part.
3. Eye Cream for the eyes and Moisturizer for the face
For the eye cream, I’m still experimenting.
I’ve used La Mer’s infamous eye cream for years and started venturing into other more affordable products, e.g. La Roche-Posay’s Pigmentclar Eyes. I have not felt any difference though I continue to use the applicator that came with La Mer’s eye cream. It massages the eye area and personally think it’s gentler than using my fingers.
Speaking with dermatologists, again, the best products are those that do not cause any irritation to your skin while having the % of ingredients that you need. So, I’d suggest any rich moisturising eye cream works. Key is in moisturizing the eye area which has the thinnest skin hence prone to cracks and wrinkles and also in gentle application. The La Roche-Posay eye cream has an applicator which I keep cool in the fridge, hence awakens my eyes and I personally love the cooling feeling.
For the moisturizer, key is to use just a rich moisturizer (given our face becomes more dry as we age). I have been using the most basic ones like Zeroid’s Intensive Cream which I got from my dermatologist. The reason for basic moisturizer without any active ingredients is that we’ve already applied active ingredients like Vitamin C and Vitamin B earlier. There is no need for others. What we need now on top of the already applied serums is a moisturizer just to plump the skin with moisture and seal the face. Having too much active ingredients can’t be great either, as it could cause irritation which damages your skin barrier.
4. SPF
The key to SPF is to find the product you like (or don’t detest) such that you will keep using it and reapply throughout the day, depending on your outdoor activity level.
I have been loving Biore Aqua UV series, any of the derivative range is good as I’ve tried all. I don’t see any difference in them other than the naming or packaging. re
Why do I love it? It’s not sticky, is light weight and cooling even. It is a chemical SPV which means it does not leave any white cast after application and it gets absorbed so quickly. The thing about SPF is that I did not like applying because it was sticky, smelly and left a white cast. I could not like applying it.
Luckily for me, I realised early what is now validated by renowned dermatologists like Dr Idriss is that the best SPF is one you like such that you will keep applying it. Once I found Biore Aqua, I have been happy to apply and reapply which according to Dr Idriss in the Breaking Beauty podcast, amongst many is crucial. I have been carrying this around in my bag to re-apply 30mins before going outdoors. Additionally, it is affordable unlike many other branded SPFs. Because I use it up quickly through application and re-application, cost efficiency matters.
Night: After cleansing (I would recommend a gentle foam/milk cleanser depending on your skin type and amount of makeup used)
1. Vitamin C
2. Vitamin B (Niacinamide)
3. Retinol – increases collagent synthesis and reduces wrinkles (Harper et al., 2016)
This is the extra step for nights.
Retinol (or any type of retinoids) helps skin renew faster hence the non negotiable for aging skin. I am experiementing with different products but this is what I currently use. Seems good and cheap to me! The key to retinol is to start with the lowest % and use 1 time a week, then see how your skin reacts. It will likely peel the first time and it’s normal. Keep to the same consistency for a few weeks, then start increasing the frequency so that your skin has time to get used to it. Key again is consistency! And slowly increase the dosage.
4. Eye cream for the eyes and Moisturizer for the face
How you apply, how much to apply and how often also matter. I belive there is enough content on youtube by board certified dermatologists so I will not share here.
I’d love to see what you think of this daily routine. Don’t judge until you’ve tried for about 6 months consistently, chances are that you’d see your face more glowy, radiant and plump and hence the perfect well aging skincare routine to accompany you as you continue to age gracefully and youthfully (as much as possible).
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