Nobody Believes I’m Almost 40—Here Are My Holy Grail Skincare Products

Though I’m not a beauty editor, I’m passionate about skincare and beauty—even if I don’t have as much granular knowledge as my beauty editor colleagues do. But after a decade of working in magazines, I’ve picked up a ton of helpful skincare tips and tricks that have kept my skin glowy and youthful even as I come close to 40. Plus, with so many new product launches, I’m in a lucky position to test the newest formulas and devices over time in real life.

I have been told many times over that I don’t look my age (39), but the secret to “hacking” my oily, acne-prone skin type is more than some key products—it’s consistency. Just like anything else (exercise, eating healthy, learning a new skill), if you aren’t consistent, you won’t see results. And along with all of these amazing products that I can credit with a certain glow, I make sure to implement healthy lifestyle choices to augment my routine. 

16 Editor-Loved Skincare Products

• Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, $9 (was $12); amazon.com.
• Pixi Beauty Skintreats Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner, $15; amazon.com 
• Nurx Tretinoin .05% Cream, $30; nurx.com.
• The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2%, $10; amazon.com. 
• The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%, $10; amazon.com.
• Weleda Skin Food, $15 (was $20); amazon.com.
• Cosrx Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence, $16; amazon.com. 
• Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Babyfacial, $80; amazon.com. 
• St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Face Mist, $33; amazon.com. 
• Ziip Halo Microcurrent Device, $400; ziipbeauty.com. 

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

This Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is such a classic—I think I’ve probably been using it since high school. It’s a cult favorite for a reason: It’s simple, effective, and works with all skin types. I especially love using it on a cotton round to remove eye makeup, because it’s gentle and hydrating on the sensitive, thinner parts of the eye area. I also swipe it all over my face after my first cleanse to get rid of any stubborn bits of foundation that might still be left on my skin. 

Pixi Beauty Skintreats Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner

I have been repeatedly buying this Pixi toner for years and years, and it’s a purchase that lasts me several months even with daily use. I really love using this in the morning for a nice refresh, as I feel like it helps to gently remove and exfoliate the dead skin cells off my face, especially if I’ve been using a tretinoin or lactic acid the evening prior. The 5 percent glycolic acid formula also includes witch hazel and ginseng, a combination that is gentle enough for me and leaves my skin feeling glowy and lightly moisturized—unlike the toners I used when I was younger that dried out my skin.  With consistent use, I feel like it really has helped lessen the appearance of my pores over time.  

Nurx Tretinoin .05% Cream

My skin really started changing around age 30, and a dermatologist advised me to start using Differin every night to help aid in increased collagen production, skin cell turnover, and exfoliation. After a few years, though, I wanted something a little stronger. Everyone was touting the effects of tretinoin, so I gave it a shot—and I haven’t looked back! I’ve definitely seen a reduction in wrinkles, dark spots, and noticed an improvement in my skin texture—things feel smoother and more lifted.  We recommend talking to a dermatologist on how to best incorporate it into your skincare routine, but many introduce the ingredient in doses; use it a couple of times a week or try the “sandwich” method by applying a moisturizer directly onto your skin before applying the tretinoin and apply another layer of moisturizer after to mitigate the exfoliating effects.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2%

The Ordinary does everything so well and so affordably. I find its hyaluronic acid to be a delight for ensuring my skin is hydrated from the inside out. And thanks to the B5 and ceramides in the formula, it makes my skin feel and look bouncy and plump. I love layering it over my tretinoin, especially if my skin is feeling super dry, and the lightweight texture easily sinks into your skin to provide long-lasting moisture throughout the day and night. I do find that this goes pretty quickly for me, but for just $10, you really can’t go wrong.  

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%

Although some people like using lactic acid every night, I prefer alternating between this and my tret to optimize on each’s exfoliating powers. I started using Ordinary’s lactic acid quite recently, but I can definitely tell that my skin looks brighter and smoother than it has before. And again, it’s under $10! I’ll usually layer this with a light moisturizer in the evening, every couple of days, and let it work its magic while I sleep. 

Weleda Skin Food

This is truly the GOAT of ultra-moisturizing face creams. Technically, it can be applied wherever it’s most needed (think: heels, elbows, etc.), but I use it on my face either on a night when I’m focusing only on moisturizing between tret and lactic acid or when my skin is just beyond dry in the winter—which is when I use it the most. It’s an incredibly  dense, thick texture, which is fantastic for making my skin look super glowy in the morning. I wouldn’t personally suggest it for the daytime if you’re planning on wearing makeup, as I don’t think it would sit nicely under foundation. Although, if I’m feeling dehydrated and WFH, I’ll definitely use it during the day sans makeup to give my skin a little boost! 

Cosrx Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence

This is an apply-multiple-times-a-day skincare holy grail product for me—and don’t let the snail mucin part of it put you off! It’s kind of a chameleon product that I always reach for, and it plays nicely under lots of other products. The texture takes a little getting used to, but trust me when I say that this stuff is amazing. Like other K-Beauty products I’ve tried, this essence is very moisturizing without being oily and adds a gorgeous sheen that helps me achieve the glassy, radiant makeup look I love.I’m also a fan of the brand’sPeptide Collagen Booster Serum, which is a thinner consistency than the snail mucin and has an army of amazing ingredients that help make any other products you layer over it more effective. For both of these, remember to give them a little time to sink in before applying a moisturizer or SPF..

Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Babyfacial

OK, so Drunk Elephant is on the pricier side, but hear me out. This is a viral product for a reason. My dear friend Sophie introduced it to me a few years ago (we have very similar skin types, so I trust her recommendations), and now I regularly use it once a week. It really helps to slough off dead skin cells when I feel like I’m in need of a clean slate with my skin. It’s particularly effective at getting rid of stubborn tanning spray patches. The nights I use this, I follow with a combo of super-gentle, ultra-hydrating products so my skin doesn’t get irritated from the BHA/AHA exfoliants. 

St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Face Mist

I live in this tanning spray once the weather starts to warm up. I’ve tried tanning drops for my face and like those as well, but I prefer a mist atomizer application because the formula  comes out much more evenly in my opinion. I like to use it in the mornings; after using my Pixi toner, I’ll spray a bit onto my face and let it settle before applying moisturizers and SPF and by noon, my skin is glowing with a subtle tan. Plus, it’s hydrating and doesn’t make a mess when you apply!

Ziip Halo Microcurrent Device

My pal Sophie also introduced me to this a few years ago, and now I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t Ziip obsessed. The device produces microcurrents that promote muscle stimulation to help lift and tighten your skin, and it also helps boost collagen production. And it really works! My face just looks much more sculpted after I do a treatment—and continues to look so several days after, too.While I love seeing the immediate results, I have noticed a cumulative effect over a couple of years of consistent use. I have fewer fine lines that used to plague me more than they do now as well as a more even complexion. I use the respective app to guide me through different treatment programs, and you just follow along with videos that last between two and 14 minutes to either do a full “facial” or target specific areas, such as your eyes, neck, or even lips. 

Nira Pro+ Laser

This device is amazing, and one of my favorite skincare secrets. I would describe the Nira Pro Plus Laser as a baby-steps laser treatment that works and is easy to use. It doesn’t require any special gel to use and the treatment can be done in just a couple of minutes. I keep mine by my coffee table so I remember to use it in the evenings when I’m winding down for the night. Usually, I try to do this bare-faced before I do the rest of my skincare routine, but after a recent chat with the Nira founder, David Bean, he told me that as long as a serum or cream has been fully absorbed into your skin, you can use it in tandem with other skincare products. I sound like a broken record, but consistency is key here! I try to use it around four to five times a week and have definitely seen results. And if you aren’t seeing a change immediately, remember that these things take time; according to Nira’s testing, it usually takes about three months of consistent use to notice a visible change. It’s also great for preventive measures—even if you don’t have many issues now. 

Daybird 4-in-1 Tinted Serum

So this is kind of makeup, kind of skincare, but for my purposes, I’m going to call it skincare. Good lord, I’m not sure what magic lies in this, but the Daybird Tinted Serum is so dreamy. It’s super easy to apply and feels so lovely on my skin (again, I prefer a glossy, glowy base finish, so if you love matte, it may not be for you).  I personally also use an SPF under it, even though the serum already has zinc oxide to protect against UVA/UVB rays. (I’m crazy like that and to my beauty expert friends, I’m sorry if this is actually not the correct thing to do.) One thing to note if you’re pretty fair-skinned like me is that I use the fairest option (1.5 light), but it’s pretty dark on me if I’m not wearing my St. Tropez spray. 

The Beauty of Joseon Daily Relief Sunscreen

Chances are, you’ve heard about this sunscreen from, well, everyone on the internet. It just doesn’t get better than this in the SPF world—I buy it in bulk. The formula immediately soothes and moisturizes my sensitive skin, has a light viscosity that doesn’t at all feel goopy or heavy, doesn’t leave a white cast, and sits beautifully under makeup. There’s a version that’s produced (as far as I can tell) in the U.S. that’s available on Amazon, but I would recommend ordering from YesStyle to get the original Korean version, which is nicer in my opinion!

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sunscreen

I religiously apply sunscreen on not only my face, but also on my neck and hands year-round, rain or shine. This La Roche-Posay one is lovely; the texture feels thicker than the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen, but I don’t mind since I apply it on my body and not on my face. I keep it in my bag so I can reapply any time I’m out in the sun for long stretches of time, and it does the trick! The only thing I’ll say is the formula can leave a slight cast, which is the only con, but it does eventually settle into your skin and feels moisturizing and not chalky. 

Curel Intensive Moisture Care Moisture Facial Milk

This is my go-to, every-single-day moisturizer. It’s amazing in that it is somehow both very very lightweight but still incredibly moisturizing. That’s what’s so great about a lot of the serums and moisturizers I’ve suggested here; most of them are so lightweight and meant to be layered without feeling like your skin is weighed down or goopy. I think I’ve been using the Curel Facial Milk for about three or four years and have never looked back.