I’m in My Mid-30s and Refuse to Wear Foundation—Here’s the Skincare Routine That Lets Me Go Bare-Faced

The best thing I’ve found to keep blemishes at bay is this foaming cream cleanser by CeraVe, which I wash my face with every night. It boasts 4% benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient proven to combat breakouts and the bacteria that causes them. Thanks to additions like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which work to hydrate and soothe, as well as ceramides to maintain the skin barrier, this formula feeds my skin as it cleanses and I’ve never found it to be drying.

Hailed for its affordable formulas that focus on effective actives, The Ordinary has gained my favor for its no-BS approach to skincare, free of fancy claims (and the upcharges that come with them). This particular serum has been in my rotation for years (beginning way back when it was still called Buffet) and there’s a reason I keep coming back to it. It’s the perfect does-it-all cocktail, offering both the hydrating benefits of hyaluronic acid and the skin-firming, collagen-promoting promises of peptides. This is my first step after cleansing, day or night.

Great for evening out dark spots, boosting brightness and providing a potent dose of antioxidant protection, this face oil has a cult following—and I’m a proud member. Its two hero ingredients, vitamin C and turmeric, work to give my complexion a sunny glow that I can see all day, while the oil formula makes my face feel like it’s basting in nourishment. But worry not, even on combination skin like mine, it doesn’t coat your face in a slick layer of oil; I’d say after about 20 minutes, it’s fully soaked in, leaving a bright, bouncy finish behind.

I’ll leave the house without a stitch of makeup, but if there’s one thing I’d never skip, it’s sunscreen. While there are lots of tried and true options out there, I’ll forever swear by EltaMD’s UV Clear formula with SPF 46. It uses both zinc oxide and octinoxate to provide full-spectrum sun protection, along with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to calm and hydrate. It’s the one facial sunscreen I’ve used that never leaves a white cast, irritates my skin (or eyes) or clogs my pores, so I always make sure to have another bottle on deck as soon as my stock starts running low.

I’m holding off on injections for as long as I can, so to aid in the fight against sagging and skin laxity, sans any needles, I turn to my trusty NuFACE Mini. The handheld device employs microcurrent technology to lift and tone the muscles of the face, which essentially act as skin’s “scaffolding,” plus stimulate cells to encourage the production of more collagen and elastin. Combined with the brand’s Hydrating Aqua Gel (a bottle of which comes with the starter kit), I glide this gadget over my face for five to ten minutes a few nights a week. I swear, it’s the secret to a snatched jawline and lifted cheekbones—and celebrities like Kate Hudson agree. 

Now, no 30-something’s skincare lineup is going to be complete without a retinol, so you knew this was coming. What I particularly like about SkinMedica’s line is that it offers different doses of the holy grail anti-aging ingredient (a form of vitamin A), so that you can gradually work your way up to a higher percentage without shocking your skin into the dreaded “retinol purge,” i.e., the extreme dryness, flaking and breakouts that come with the cell turnover. Since I’ve only recently begun getting serious about my retinol use, I started from the bottom with this .25% formula, which I apply every other night at bedtime. It’s definitely aided in smoothing out texture and fine lines, but hasn’t caused my skin any redness or irritation. I’d recommend it for fellow retinol newbies looking for a gentle way to incorporate it into their regimen.

I jumped on The Rich Cream train a couple of years ago after hearing my PureWow colleagues rave about it, and have been a happy passenger ever since. A splurge though it is, it has officially become a non-negotiable in my routine due to its unmatched moisturizing effect that leaves my skin soft, smooth and perfectly plump (if I do say so myself). A big part of it, I’m sure, is the brand’s TFC8 complex, a proprietary, science-backed blend of natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins and peptides that purport to promote skin renewal on a cellular level. Although I haven’t pulled out my microscope, I can’t argue with the results.

The latest addition to my collection of beauty gizmos, the Lyma Laser is a celebrity-loved (and admittedly, celebrity-priced) skincare wand that harnesses the power of near-infrared laser light to “trigger mitochondrial stimulation deep in the cells (a process called photobiomodulation), which boosts ATP production, enhances cell regeneration and reduces inflammation,” according to Plastic surgeon and Aesthetic Director of Lyma Dr. Graeme Glass. In layman’s terms, it encourages skin to act like its younger self. I alternate between this treatment and the NuFACE on different nights now, and have seen a noticeable improvement in the look of my forehead lines, under-eye area and nasolabial folds.   

If you ever catch me looking particularly radiant on a night out, this 111Skin sheet mask is why. While its diamond-infused formulation may sound like a gimmick, various studies suggest that diamond nanoparticles can help deliver active ingredients deeper into the skin (therefore increasing their effectiveness), and, thanks to gem's reflective nature, can even aid in protecting skin from UV rays. The two-piece hydrogel mask is aimed at lifting and firming, and I find that it delivers on every front—including giving my visage a diamond-like glow that comes through in photos.