“Truth is…” allows readers to get esthetician-backed advice without having to step foot into an office. In each article, certified skin therapist Samantha Mims shares her do’s and don’ts, product recommendations, and more to help you along your skin care journey.
They say with age you establish more perspective and a refined sense of beauty. As I’ve phased out of my twenties and into my thirties, I’ve discovered a new appreciation for my appearance—in every physical way.
Truth is, things have changed. I’m certainly not the younger girl I once was. My freestyle approach to beauty lacked structure and I just did what I wanted to do. I was fortunate enough to not experience many problems with my skin, my body, and even my hair during those years.
Fast forward to 34, and I’ve put on a few extra pounds (love weight), my skin and my hair are notably dryer than before, and I finally have to be intentional in my daily practices. Exercise, supplements, scalp treatments, and thoughtful eating has helped me stay on track. I can no longer just ride the wave of luck and good genes. But there are so many lessons in all of these changes and here’s what I’ve learned so far.
At-Home Skincare
I’d always put thought into my skincare. I was mostly inspired by the older women and men that I looked up to, which made me even more curious about discovering it for myself. My routine has matured in ways that reflect who I am today. It’s formed with purpose. Now that I’m older, I’ve chosen a results-driven route. I meet my skin where it’s at. I understand that my skin does well when I am consistent in rotating actives in a single routine. Knowing when and where to use them are also important.
In the mornings, I center my regimen around nourishment and protection. After cleansing my skin, I apply an antioxidant serum—something that will work towards treating hyperpigmentation while maximizing environmental protection. Skincare requires teamwork, so finishing off a morning routine with an SPF is the biggest key to good skin health. Without it, it could be causing more damage than you know.
I carry the same approach into my evening routine. Instead, I prefer to base it around resurfacing and support. To encourage cell turnover, I incorporate a retinol at least 4 times a week. Apart from using retinoids, I also exfoliate twice a week to reduce build-up within the pores. The support comes from peptide forward moisturizers. The kind that will provide a generous amount of moisture while strengthening the barrier overnight. The support that prepares your skin for the realities of aging.
Treatments
Treatments, other than my home routines, have also become an integral part of how I take care of my skin. I look at these as the highlights of maintenance. The advanced stage to deeper repair. I’ve turned to preventative care instead of reactive care. There are absolutely no quick fixes. Trendy diets and temporary routines will not create substantial change.
Intrinsically, collagen is one of the first to break down, so I’ve chosen to take a regenerative path. I indulge in treatments like microneedling, chemical peels, and multi-modal services that’ll help restore my skin. I’ve only experienced injections of PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) in my smile lines and hyaluronic acid in my lips to enhance hydration and smoothness. And although I have access to all types of cosmetic procedures, I go at a speed that works for me.
Beyond all of the cosmetic solutions, the greatest lesson throughout this entire journey has been acceptance. I’ve learned to appreciate each and every phase that I’ve gone through because inevitably our bodies are going to change. Our weight will fluctuate, our facial structure will evolve, and our skin will eventually lose its firmness. But how we come to embrace those changes are what matters most. It’s the strongest act of self care. The antidote to aging gracefully. The richest perspective at 34.
