Unveiling My Evening Exfoliation Ritual for Radiant, Age-Defying Skin

Hey beauties! Welcome back, and a warm hello to any new faces! I'm your trusted source for all things skincare and beauty, especially if you're over 40 and seeking authentic, relatable advice. For context, I'm 49, with combination sensitive, rosacea-prone skin. And yes, I recently took the plunge and embraced a brunette bob! It's just a semi-permanent gloss, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the new look.

I recently shared my summer morning skincare routine, featuring a minimalist makeup look, and my evening reset routine. I'll link those articles below, so be sure to check them out if you haven't already. Tonight, we're delving into my evening exfoliation routine – a fundamental step for achieving radiant, healthy, glowing skin.

For years, I underestimated the transformative power of regular exfoliation, and my skin definitely showed it. It appeared dull, dehydrated, and the texture was…well, let's just say it wasn't its best. I hadn't realized how much improvement was possible! Exfoliation is absolutely essential for a successful anti-aging skincare regimen. It not only removes dead skin cells and surface debris that dull the complexion, but, more importantly, it preps the skin for optimal absorption of other anti-aging ingredients, allowing them to penetrate deeper and work more effectively. Due to my rosacea, I limit exfoliation to once or twice a week, but some individuals can exfoliate nightly. Always listen to your skin and adjust your routine accordingly.

Before we begin the exfoliation process, we always start with a clean base. I'm a firm believer in the double cleansing method. In my previous article, I demonstrated my double cleanse using an oil cleansing balm and a gel cleanser. Remember, you don't need a different cleanser for every routine. I simply like to showcase various options to broaden your horizons.

Now, with my skin thoroughly cleansed, we're ready for the star of the show: exfoliation! This is the step I perform immediately after cleansing.

For gentle yet effective exfoliation, I gravitate towards chemical exfoliants, specifically acids. Today, I’m using The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid 10% + HA. This serum has been a holy grail product for me for years. They also offer a 5% strength for those new to acid exfoliation. My journey with acid exfoliation began with mandelic acid, then progressed to lactic acid. Now, my skin can even tolerate glycolic acid, and the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum is a fantastic option if you're interested in exploring glycolic acid. However, lactic acid remains my personal favorite due to its gentle, hydrating nature and its ability to effectively exfoliate without compromising my skin barrier. The added hyaluronic acid provides an extra boost of hydration, leaving my skin feeling plump and smooth.

A quick reminder before we continue: Always remove your jewelry before starting your skincare routine, especially necklaces at night. We all know that dynamic fine lines and wrinkles can develop from repetitive folding of the skin. Sleeping with a necklace can create the equivalent of a “pillow tattoo,” increasing the likelihood of wrinkles. I always remove mine so I can seamlessly apply my skincare products down my neck and across my chest.

Back to the lactic acid. You can apply it with a cotton pad or your hands. I prefer using my hands, gently pressing the serum into my skin, avoiding the delicate eye area. Another reason I love The Ordinary’s lactic acid? It’s incredibly affordable! Around $12 for 30ml. You can’t beat that value. Remember, with chemical exfoliants, less is more. Using more product doesn't equate to better results; it's more likely to cause irritation.

If you prefer physical exfoliants, I recommend avoiding anything too abrasive. While physical exfoliants can effectively remove dead skin cells, they can also be irritating, especially for sensitive, rosacea-prone skin. However, there are gentle options available. The Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Treatment is a rice enzyme powder with rounded particles, making it smooth and gentle on the skin. I’ve used it without any issues. It provides a pleasant, subtle scrubbing sensation without being harsh. If your skin tolerates exfoliation well, you could even use this daily. It’s a bit pricier, around $48. The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is another similar option – a rice-based powder exfoliant that’s soft and gentle. I recently picked up a mini size from Sephora to try. Both are designed to improve skin texture without causing irritation. Regardless of the exfoliant you choose, always be gentle! Rubbing too hard or using too much product won’t enhance the results.

After exfoliating, soothing and hydrating my skin are paramount. I like to apply a calming toner, and the Numbuzin Pure Full Calming Herb Toner is a lovely, lightweight option. I'm also drawn to the beautiful turquoise bottle – I admit, I'm a sucker for pretty packaging! Again, you can use a cotton round, but I prefer applying it directly with my fingers, down my neck and across the back. It feels incredibly replenishing and hydrating. The herbal blend in this toner helps to reduce redness and inflammation, leaving my skin feeling calm and balanced.

I generally avoid incorporating other actives into my routine on exfoliation nights, as the exfoliant itself is sufficient. However, I do like to include a serum, typically something hydrating, calming, soothing, or antioxidant-rich. Antioxidants are particularly beneficial in the evening because they help to counteract the oxidative stress our skin endures throughout the day. Remember, your skin repairs and replenishes itself overnight, making your evening routine crucial. The Round Lab Pine Calming Cica Cream is a fantastic choice. It contains Pycnogenol, a potent pine bark extract that’s a powerful antioxidant with anti-aging benefits. It also contains Centella Asiatica, another favorite ingredient for calming my rosacea. I apply this to damp skin after my toner for maximum hydration and a plumping effect.

Next up, moisturizer! I want to highlight the Omy personalized moisturizer. Omy is an independent Canadian skincare brand based in Quebec. They offer personalized skincare based on an AI quiz or a phone consultation. They then formulate a custom serum and moisturizer tailored to your specific needs, shipped fresh. I’ve collaborated with them on Instagram and TikTok and genuinely love their products. They recently sent me a refill, and it’s a beautiful purple! You can choose between fragranced and fragrance-free options. I always opt for fragrance-free whenever possible, especially with my rosacea. But I appreciate that they offer the choice. My new fragrance is lilac, which sounds absolutely divine. The packaging is also refillable, which is a definite plus. I do enjoy fragranced skincare occasionally, especially in the evening. I like a subtle touch of perfume before bed. But today, I’m using my existing fragrance-free moisturizer to finish it up. Have you tried Omy or any other personalized skincare brands? Let me know in the comments! And tell me, do you prefer fragrance in your skincare, or do you tend to avoid it?

Don’t forget the delicate areas: eyes and lips! I’m using the Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream. I embrace my crow’s feet, but I also prioritize hydrating and protecting the delicate skin around my eyes. If I have an eye cream on hand, I use it. If not, I ensure my moisturizer extends to the eye area as well. This rich eye cream helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, while also providing intense hydration.

And I never skip lip balm before bed. Tonight, I’m using The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm. I’m almost out, scraping the bottom of the jar! I received this at an Inkey List event (along with this amazing robe – seriously, the sleeves are huge!). This lip balm is genuinely plumping. I’ve noticed a visible difference in my lips. It also seems to be minimizing the fine lines around my mouth. They also offer tinted versions, which I love for daytime wear. The tripeptides in this balm help to stimulate collagen production, leading to fuller, smoother lips.

And that concludes my complete evening exfoliation routine for radiant skin! I hope you found these tips helpful. Share your own exfoliation routine in the comments below! And if you haven't seen my morning and evening reset routines, be sure to check them out. Thanks for reading, and have a fabulous day!