Every single skincare product & treatment I use on my face in my 40's

Thought I was low maintenance 🙈

Wow, so there’s me thinking I was kind of low maintenance. Compared to many I am (have you seen Paris Hilton’s treatment room at home?) but until I typed this out I didn’t realise it was such a substantial list.

I’m not completely obsessed, but I enjoy doing a few things to keep things looking fresh. I also love the ritual of applying skincare—it feels like a form of self-care, and I take pleasure in shopping for and trying new products. I’m also a big fan of treatments and a good spa day. That being said, I’m not perfect—after a few too many glasses of wine, I’ll occasionally sleep in my makeup, but I do my best to keep everything in good shape.

For reference my skin is fairly ‘normal’, not overly sensitive, sometimes dehydrated and I can get a bit shiny. My big skin concerns are sun damage (freckles x 1000), evenness, texture and visible pores

I worked in and alongside the beauty industry for over 15 years as a makeup artist, including a long stint at Space NK (heaven when you want to be up on new product launches and the latest innovations).

I’m pragmatic about the skincare industry, I’m unconvinced that anything topical that claims to ‘lift’ your face works and there’s no serum that will get rid of deep wrinkles or eye bags but I know texture and clarity can be improved by a diligent skincare routine. I also know for sure that gua sha, micro current devices and massage can de-puff, slim and even lift your face (more on that below).

So starting off with what I use morning and evening:

Morning

I always start the day using this cleanser, I have used this for 15 years, it’s gentle, non-drying but leaves your skin totally clean. I’ve never found one I like more, it’s the dream wash off cleanser for me. I buy multi-packs of Amazon face cloths to finish taking off any traces left on my skin. Worth every penny.

Serum

Next is a Vitamin C serum, like for many this is a daily non-negotiable for me. I will swop around with this brands but I’m currently using Dr Zelens (20% stable vitamin C so this is real deal big hitter and designed by a genius plastic surgeon) I also like this one which is a better price. I’m happy to splurge on this stage of my skincare.

Eye Cream

Am I convinced that eye cream works or is it a just a moisturiser that they put in a tiny pot and charge you 25 x the amount per ml? I’m undecided but I guess looking for one with peptides, ceramides or retinol to boost and treat that more delicate area. I have recently been using this one which is full of peptides and squalene which I really like.

Moisturiser

I am currently using Sunday Riley ICE, it’s thick and comforting (if you’ve ever used Crème De La Mer it’s a similar consistency and needs encouraging and working into the skin)

I also love and totally swear by Nivea Soft and used it in my makeup artist kit for over a decade. There are some rumours that it has almost the exact same ingredients as Creme De La Mer?? Anyway I’m devoted to it, particularly the lighter one in the tube so evening skincare when you’re somewhere hot and it’s perfect under makeup. It’s a couple of quid and I always have 3 or 4 tubes at home as it’s good for hands and body.

SPF

I am ashamed to admit that I haven’t used sunscreen (outside of holidays and high summer) until very recently but now that I have a committed retinol routine I’m using SPF50 every. single. day. I totally love (and buy the much more economical large bottle of) this one and I also like this one which is great price for the quality - my skin is notorious for breaking out with most SPFs and I get on well with both of these.

Lips

Hands down the best lip balm. I no longer have flaky, dry lips.

Evening

Cleansing

In the evening I like a oil or balm cleanser that I can take off with a facecloth and hot water to really feel like I’m removing the grime of the day. I also like to have a couple on the go at once an my current rotation is Medik8 Oil Cleanser and Alpha H Balm (both excellent)

Any residual eye makeup I’ll remove with Garnier Micellar water

Retinol

The biggest improvement I notice to my major skin concerns (sun damage, overall clarity, larger pores) is using a retinol based product most evenings. I swop between Medik8 or Caroline Hirons (I would trust anything she does)

If I’m feeling dehydrated and dry I’ll go straight to moisturiser maybe with some face oil mixed in.

Eye cream – the same as the morning

Lash Serum - I really do try and keep up with my lash serum routine as they’re not as long and full as in my 20/30’s sadly. Unless you’re going to go for prescription Obagi (you can get this from my Dr Jess) I think there all much of a muchness but I have used this one as it’s the best price.

Weekly/When Needed Treatments

You know when your skin feels congested and bumpy and flaky just needs a major refresh, scour and scrub? My face can get like this after holidays, a heavy weekend or a period of busy-ness.

In my arsenal to get rid of this are this liquid exfoliant which I’ll use before bed to sweep away the decongestion. I also love Kate Somerville Exfolikate (a miracle worker) and the excellent Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial is always a joy to use occasionally when you just need a bit of a self care feel and quick refresh of your skin whilst you’re in bed.

Tan Lux Tan drops – I do try and remember to use these when I have an event or anything that involves me leaving the house/not at the workshop. They’re super easy to apply and give that a little imperceptible glow - good if you’re totally knackered and I always get comments of looking ‘well’ when I remember to put it on.

Masks – I think sheet masks feel nice but i don’t know if they do much other than giving instant moisture and a relaxing moment. I do like the spendy but special Sisley masks particularly this iconic one.

Tools

Gua Sha – on mornings that you feel like nothing will help my go to is a quick lymphatic drainage massage using this tool. Don’t bother with an expensive one, I like this one from Amazon. There are so many excellent tiktoks (sure they’re on insta as well) on how to use them . For slip I’ll either use whatever moisturiser/serums on my face or if I have time I’ll use a face oil.

Red Light Mask – there’s many studies that red light therapy has numerous benefits I use this one as it suits very close to the skin and is comfortable to wear. For a double whammy I like to use the 15 minutes whilst it’s on to meditate or visualise

Microcurrent - is a painless, low-grade electrical current that helps encourage your skin cells to help build muscle and produce collagen and elastin. I use the Bear 2. The at home technology has come on dramatically in recent years. The key is using it regularly (which I’m not that great at) but I’ll also use it before an event or going out for an instant lift. FOREO have given made a code for 30% off valid until 2/4/25: code is JODIEMD30 for 30% off

Ice Roller – as a chronic bad sleeper I keep this one permanently in the freezer and will grab it when I get that inevitable puffy/swollenness under the eye when I’m super tired. I will also hold it over my closed eyes to generally awaken myself. 10/10 works - get one - instant wake up of face.

Tweakments, treatments & Facials

The only place I go for any injectable or other tweakments is Dr Jess who works in Nottingham and London

Botox - I have Botox on my 11s, around my eyes to lift and smooth and also either side of my mouth to prevent/lift jowls (horrible word that isn’t it!)

Filler – I have had some very small amounts of filler in my cheeks and chin but there does seem to be a bit of a movement against filler as newer treatments start emerging. I also have been tempted to get a teeny amount in my upper lip but the fear of it migrating and getting a ‘lip ledge’ will probably stop me.

Also with Dr Jess I have also had Polynuclecides (incredible if you have a sunken undereye,) Profhilo which gives you a wonderful hydrated glow and Sofwave which is an ultrasound treatment which I found quite painful but the before/after images are incredible.

Hydrafacial – after a sunny holiday when your pores just feel grimy from a mixture of lots of spf, perspiring and not the best kept skincare routine I will sometimes have a hydrafacial when I’m home for a deep refresh.

Brows + lashes - I get HD brows and my lashes lifted and tinted by every couple of months.

Supplements

Magnesium – I take every night to hope that it helps me sleep

Not a supplement but I do try and eat oily fish and fermented food at least 3 times a week. And I religiously eat 2 brazil nuts a day(!)

Water - I try! This cup has transformed how much I drink when at home

Other recommendations

As a makeup artist who worked with over 600 brides one thing we always recommended before the big day (and you could apply this to an important event) as well as the requisite guzzling as much water as possible is to really reduce their salt intake the 5 days before the wedding to reduce any face puffiness. Models are also recommended not to eat sushi before a big shoot because of the high sodium levels.

Under the knife - things I would consider

I do spend a lot of time thinking about the right age to have a upper and lower blepharoplasty and my FYP has a LOT of deep plane facelifts on it but I don’t think I’m quite there yet!

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