I shudder to think about the years I spent as a lifeguard sans sunscreen. I wish I could go back and encourage my younger self to just listen to what Baz Luhrmann was saying. No tan is worth the discoloration and wrinkles, not to mention the risks of skin cancer. 

Regardless of what the influencers are pedaling on my social media feed, I know the damage is irreversible. All I can do is look to the future and establish healthy routines from here on out. 

This year, I did what any mature 35-year-old woman would do and invested in the right products — exfoliant, brightening cleanser, retinol, hyaluronic acid, moisturizer, under eye patches infused with snail slime, and of course, sunscreen. For months, I applied all of these things every day like an absolute maniac. Then, one sleepless night, Dr. Whitney Bowe sailed onto my FYP page like a wise older sister with immaculate pores and two Ivy League degrees. 

Dr. Bowe explained that all of the individual products I had been using were important, but they weren’t intended to be used all at once. Her videos outline a simple process called skin cycling. Skin cycling typically takes place over the course of four nights and can be personalized to work with your favorite brands. Dr. Bowe emphasizes the value of recovery days, similar to that of an athlete in training. Here is the basic regimen:

Exfoliation removes the old dead skin cells from the surface of your gorgeous face, allowing products to penetrate the skin more efficiently. Dr. Bowe recommends a chemical exfoliant, but my skin is extra sensitive, so I opted for a gentle rice-based powder exfoliant from dermalogica that I picked up at Tu Moda  on Pleasant Street.

After cleansing, it's time for a “pea-sized” portion of your favorite retinoid. Retinoids rejuvenate your skin cells and stimulate collagen to reduce wrinkles. Retinoids can be really expensive. Before my wedding, I spent $85 on a one-ounce bottle of Sunday Rile’s high-dose serum. Right now, I am using the $27 version from RoC and it does the job just fine. Dr. Bowe recommends sandwiching your moisturizer before and after the retinoid. 

NIGHTS THREE AND FOUR: RECOVERY

On nights three and four, you need to allow your skin barrier to recover. I like to use the glo cleanser from NKD on Grove Street, followed by a Hyaluronic Acid to increase your skin’s natural moisture. Apply an additional moisturizer before bed.

When you get to the end, the four-day cycle repeats itself. Remember to wear sunscreen. I like the Supergoop I purchased at NKD, as well as the LaRoche-Posay double repair moisturizer with SPF I bought on Amazon. Both cost roughly $20 and are well worth every penny. 

What is your skincare routine? Find me on Instagram @sarah_connell and let me know.