Entering my 30s, I still had no skincare routine. Doing these 7 things faded my forehead lines and dark spots.

On left, my skin in 2022. On right, how I look exactly two years later.

At 31, I had no skincare routine. To paint a clearer (and grimmer) picture, I thought my SPF 15 foundation was enough to protect my skin.

I was self-conscious about my forehead lines and post-acne dark spots, yet overwhelmed by 12-step nighttime regimens. But when I started covering skincare for my job, I began absorbing the advice dermatologists gave in interviews. They didn’t agree on every product, but they overlapped on a few big points, like the importance of wearing sunscreen.

Two years later, I feel like my skin aged backward. I no longer have the same issues with hyperpigmentation and a patchy complexion. I don’t feel as oily, and my lines have definitely faded.

As a result, I’m much more confident, often going makeup-free. I stopped zooming in on every candid photo taken of me, obsessing over every imperfection.

I now follow a basic routine (half of which involves drugstore products). Being consistent has not only transformed my skin over time but also given me peace of mind that I’m properly caring for my body’s biggest organ.

1.I found a sunscreen I love putting on

EltaMD UV Clear sunscreen with no makeup (left) and with makeup (right). I love how well it layers under foundation without getting greasy. 

Part of why I hated putting on daily sunscreen was how unpleasant it was. Most over-the-counter facial sunscreens felt greasy and time-consuming to fully rub in, so I was very inconsistent in wearing them.

Every dermatologist I’ve interviewed stressed the importance of using sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, including re-applications. A few recommended EltaMD, which costs around $40 — more than I would ever want to pay for sunscreen.

But after trying it once, I became obsessed with how dewy it made my skin look and how smoothly it went on. I actively enjoy applying it every morning and always make sure I’m restocked when I’m running low. I also try to minimize sun exposure by wearing a hat when I run outside.

2.I bought beginner-friendly products

The most daunting part of starting a routine was potentially wasting money (and precious cabinet space).

I began by finding more affordable products, such as a $12 retinol from The Ordinary, which I wouldn’t feel bad about tossing if it didn’t work.

Retinol, which promotes cell turnover, comes in a range of concentrations. The stronger, more effective ones can cause burning and peeling if applied daily. But in the beginning, it helped to use a milder formula I could get in the habit of applying every day before working my way up to a higher-strength one.

3.I committed to one new product at a time

I quickly learned that skincare is as complicated as you decide to make it.

Instead of buying every new product I hear about on TikTok, I read a good review from a coworker about Matter of Fact’s vitamin C serum, liked that I didn’t break out when I tried it, and kept buying it when I saw it brightened my skin within a few months. I haven’t changed it since, but if I did, I would only try a new serum once I finish my current one.

4.I took makeup removal seriously

An oil-based cleanser (right) removes more makeup than wipes. Even regular extra-virgin olive oil is more effective than wipes. 

My biggest obstacle to soft, blemish-free skin was my hatred for cleansing my face. Something about splashing water on my face after a long day just felt so tedious, so I scrubbed my flesh with makeup remover wipes instead.

It took learning about the harm I was doing to my skin to take it seriously. Scraping at my eyeliner wasn’t just rough on my eyelids, it was practically useless at getting the dirt off. There was no way around it: I just had to get into the habit of cleansing, no matter how I felt about it.

I now use an oil cleanser to slide the makeup and dirt off, since “like dissolves like.” I follow that up with a water-based cleanser to remove the oil and keep my pores clear.

I still get a pimple from time to time, but I don’t get the same patches of acne (and subsequent scarring) like I used to.

5.I made lifestyle changes

I learned I can’t fix my skin unless my lifestyle habits are healthy, too. If I’m dehydrated or not getting enough sleep, my skin looks drier and wrinklier. If I’m consuming too much sugar and alcohol, my skin feels puffier and more acne-prone.

It’s convenient how interconnected health is. The same things I do to increase my longevity, like eating a balanced diet, also benefit my skin.

6.I got Botox only after trying everything else

Most dermatologists I’ve spoken to recommend in-house procedures, from injections to laser treatments for more dramatic results. I felt that it didn’t make sense to spend money on cosmetic surgery if I wasn’t already taking good care of my skin.

I got Botox only after I had a routine in place. While my wrinkles smoothed out, they didn’t fully go away because I developed too much sun damage in my 20s.

I’ve stayed consistent

As of now, my morning routine is as follows:

• Cleanse my face with a water-based drugstore cleanser in the morning
• Apply vitamin C serum
• Apply face sunscreen
• If going out, apply makeup

At night, I:

• Cleanse my face with an over-the-counter oil-based cleanser
• Cleanse with the water-based cleanser
• Apply retinol serum every other day
• Top with drugstore moisturizer

Knowing the order to apply products helped me stick to a plan without overthinking it. Ironically, putting a little effort into my skin twice a day is easier than constantly worrying about my shiny forehead, fine lines, or darkening acne scars. In that sense, doing the work has felt like no work at all.