All About Skincare: Our Tips, Techniques and Favorite Products

Today we are spilling the tea all about our skincare tips, techniques and favorite products. We’re talking about those AM and PM routines that make us feel and look like a million bucks. As we age our bodies change and our skin has different needs. Check out our go to products for our over 50 skin. From primers and retinols to eye drops and neck creams, we are sharing our tried and true skincare favorites.

Pro tip: Remember to patch test new products before incorporating them into your routine, and if you have any specific skin concerns or conditions, consult with a dermatologist for personalized recommendations.

Two completely different skincare routines…something for everyone!

LEFT: Megan’s Picks; RIGHT: Christa’s Picks


Megan’s Skincare Needs

I love skincare products, I get it from my Dad. We have been known to spend HOURS perusing the products at the local drug store. My skin has always been pretty normal, but with peri-menopause it’s leaning a bit drier (like everything else!). A true love of products keeps me busy trying new things, so if something sticks with me, you can bet it’s REALLY GOOD. It’s also important to note; it’s not just what you put ON your skin, it’s also about making sure you are eating real fruits and veggies and drinking plenty of water.


Megan’s Morning Routine

Taking care of your skin is an important part of your everyday routine, after all, it is your largest organ. My relationship with skincare began in the 80s when my mom gave me a little, yellow, square sample of Clinique moisturizer. And from there I have grown to love the process (and products!) that make up my morning skincare favorites. Pro tip from our fav aesthetician, Georgi on the Shore: Whatever you do to/put on your face make sure you are also doing that to your neck, chest and tops of hands. Wish I’d known that 30 years ago.

megan skincare morning

First thing in the morning I wipe my face with warm water. This gets any residue off without stripping it.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum : I don’t love Vit C serums, I think they all kinda smell funny. My stylish friend Mandy told me to try this Caudalie serum instead and voila! I’m addicted.

Sunscreen : I’m not picky here. If I’m not wearing any makeup I’ll use this Supergoop Glow Screen to give a little coverage, otherwise I use Elta MD under my moisturizer and makeup.

Moisturizer: This is another area that I’m not super picky or maybe I just haven’t found the holy grail yet. Currently using and really liking (especially the price!) The Ordinary daily moisturizer.

Natura Bisse Diamond Cocoon Sheer : I’m not sure what to call this magic elixir, part tinted moisturizer, part primer, this stuff is magic alone of under my foundation.

Shop Megan’s Favorite Products


Megan’s Evening Routine

Having a bedtime routine is part of my sleep hygiene. By doing the same things each night; brushing my teeth, washing my face, applying all of my (Hail Mary) products and then getting into bed, my body knows it’s time for sleep. Having a good sleep routine is essential to getting good rest, looking and feeling refreshed. Like anything in life consistency is key, if you use your magic lotions and potions each night you will see improvement in the quality of your skin. (Oh, and drink lots of water!)

Spa Headband : I saw these spa headbands on Hi Sugarplum (hey Cassie!) a few years ago. I immediately bought the eight pack and shared with my girlfriends. Perfect for washing your face and they go right in the washer machine.

Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm : I prefer a cleansing balm over a face wash. Currently using Elemis but I’m not finding it better or worse than any others. It leaves my face feeling soft and ready for the next step.

Bioderma Cleansing Water: After I was my face with a cleansing balm I always do a swipe of Bioderma and darn if that cotton pad doesn’t ALWAYS show some dirt that I missed. Pro tip: This exact bottle of Bioderma has a pump feature which I love.

Maree Daily Exfoliating Pads : These Glycolic Peel Pads have a cult following (TikTok anyone?) I find them mild enough to use everyday. They aid in the skin renewal process – glycolic acid targets fine lines and hyper pigmentation.

A313 : This is a favorite French pharmacy find. I was bribing people to bring it back from their European trips and then lo and behold I found it on Amazon. This is a retinol product, my go to for anti-aging, hyperpigmentation and fine lines.

NUXE : Another French beauty discovery, I layer this over the A313 and slather my neck and chest as well. Just feels like it seals it all in, ya know?

BLINK: My eyes have gotten super dry since I turned 50. These drops (AM and PM) help a lot.

Coco Floss: Coco Floss has turned me into a daily flosser! True story. I’ve tried the little picks and sticks but Coco Floss is like a loofah between your teeth. Amazing. I love it so much sometimes I floss twice a day. (who am i??)

Shop Megan’s Favorite Products


Shop More of Megan’s Favorite Products

A few bonus items worth mentioning. I love hand lotion and chapstick right before bed. My favorite face cloth is a cotton muslin that came with a cleanser years ago. I’ve been buying these on Amazon ever since. As with life, it’s all about the accessories; from super duper, heavy duty serums to dental floss these are a few of the bonus items you need to know about.


Christa’s Skincare Needs

My skin was always oily, but with menopause I am finding that it’s drier, and many products leave it feeling dried out. I also have some sensitive areas and red patches. So when purchasing something new, I look for products that are oil-free, non-greasy, and light. I also don’t like anything complicated and like to keep my routine simple. I’m a creature of habit, so when I find something I love, I stick with it as long as I can (so some of these may already be familiar if you’ve been reading the blog).


Christa’s Morning Routine

Simple is the name of my skincare game! I spent years getting sucked into trying this product and that product, but finally found a system that works for me — it’s easy to do, and something I can stick with daily. I believe it’s not necessarily the product you’re using, but the consistency with which you use it that makes it effective.

christa's morning skincare

Stripes Resting Clean Face Cleanser, The Power Move and Do As I Dew : This combo works great for me. I started using these a couple of years ago when Stripes was new. My skin feels amazing after these products. They smooth fine lines, improve dullness and don’t dry out your skin (menopause does enough drying out, we don’t need it in our skincare, too!). I also like that these products have hardly any scent — I’m not a big fan of heavily scented products! And a little goes a long way — they seem pricey, but they last a long time.

Gold Bond Neck and Chest Firming Cream : Non-greasy, lightly scented, give it about a week of day/night use to notice a difference. Works better than pricier products.

Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-free Foundation Primer : This is the last step before any makeup. I love this stuff! It’s light, doesn’t make me oily, and gives my skin a silky smooth finish ready for foundation. My Laura Gellar Baked Baked Balance-n-Brighten Foundation goes on so much better when I use this primer first!

EltaMD UV Restore Sunscreen : I apply this every morning as soon as I wake up, assuming I’m not showering right away, which is most mornings. I selected this brand after my dermatologist recommended it. Like everything else, this is light/not thick, goes on evenly and doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy. My foundation has uv protection in it, so I don’t usually apply this under my makeup.

Shop Christa’s Favorite Products


Christa’s Evening Routine

No surprise, I’m keeping the evening routine simple, too. There are more nights than I care to admit where I’m doing this at midnight, half asleep because I fell asleep on the couch watching TV. LOL! And, don’t forget, your evening skincare routine is only as good as the rest of your skincare habits–you need a morning routine, plenty of sunscreen and, like Megan said, lots of water.

simple nighttime skincare

Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm : This cleansing balm removes makeup, minimizes pores and leaves my skin feeling clean and smooth. Love this stuff! I linked the jumbo size, but they also sell a smaller size and a travel size (if you want to try before you commit). I use it with the included muslin cloth for a little extra exfoliation.

Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream : This night cream helps with fine lines and wrinkles, and leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth. It doesn’t transfer to my pillowcase, and the scent is heavenly before bedtime.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask : This lip mask helps soothe and moisturizer lips overnight.

EltaMD UV Restore Sunscreen : The most important part of the nighttime routine is to use UV protection the next morning so you don’t undo all the good you just did! This is the one I use in the morning.

Shop Christa’s Favorite Products


Shop More of Christa’s Favorite Products

A few odds and ends that have become favorites in my vanity drawer. Give ’em a try!


Looking for some makeup recommendations?

Now that you nailed the skincare, it might be time to try some new makeup products. We’ve recently shared our favorites in the Walk & Talk. Here they are again in case you missed it.

LEFT: Megan’s Makeup // RIGHT: Christa’s Makeup


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