Updating Your Skincare Routine Is A Good Thing After 40.

I was watching an interview on daily skincare and beauty with one of my favourite models from the 80s, Chrissy Turlington. In it, the former Calvin Klein model – bare-faced, gorgeous, and yes with visible signs of maybe frolicking too much in the sun- said that she never worries about getting older.  “You’ve got to accept who you are as your best self. You’ve got to accept what you look like.”  Botox and injections she declared were not for her.

That resonated with me. Not because I have anything against women who do injectables to look good; to each her own. Still, anytime I contemplate doing something unnatural to my face I get nervous. Maybe I have seen too many examples of things going awry plus, am I alone in the belief that aging catches up with you? It can’t be defeated. The best we can in our constant aim to be well and look good is to eat well, keep active and fit, get rest (something I need to do more of)  love plenty, and stop worrying about the small stuff. Growing older doesn’t have to come at the cost of having good skin or feeling healthy; not if you’re proactive. That’s where a good daily skincare regime comes in. 

Understanding aging and its impact on the skin is no rocket science. As we grow older, our skin’s ability to produce key substances like collagen and elastin lessens  (both are responsible for your skin’s elasticity and flexibility). This results in wrinkles, crows feet, and other symptoms. Despite our skin’s innate defenses against aging – and there are a ton –  we must play an active role in maintaining it in the long run.

I have written this Bible on skincare, but in this post I wanted to focus on one line of products, which I found had an amazing impact on my skin and has left it feeling plump, healthy, and glowing. I’m a big fan of this Frech brand, Caudalie.

Caudalie Is My Best Daily Skincare Discovery 

I came across Caudalie 4 years ago. I wanted to update my regular moisturizing routine and was looking for something different. Their beauty detox oil struck me when I saw it on the shelf of a local pharmacy. First, I inhaled it. It was like walking into botanical garden and being awakened by the aroma of a beautiful garden at dawn. Secondly, I was struck by its promise for overnight suppleness.

I’m always open to trying new products for my daily skincare so I took a deep breath, forked out my card, and made the investment. It was pricey but it turned out to be the best beauty investment I’ve ever made. Within a week of usage my skin felt more supple, the people in my life noticed, which is the best compliment of all. 

     Why Caudalie?

Caudalie is a French skincare brand that relies on all-natural grape extracts from the regions of Bordeaux, Champagne, and Burgundy. Think grape seeds, grape extracts, grape oils. If you’re a red wine drinker then you already know that grapes are high in antioxidants and compounds resveratrol and polyphenols. This is what gives the entire line of products its unique and effective “pro-aging well” benefits.

Anyway, two years later after that first purchase, I was in Paris and stocked up on the entire line from one of the amazing pharmacies that dot the city. Caudalie and my skin have been in the most intense love affair since that trip.  I do not combine it with any other products. Ok confession, I know that flawless skin does not happen overnight and good genes, lifestyle and eating lots of greens help.  However, I believe that it is possible to get beautiful skin in the second chapter of your life. A good skincare regimen is part of that equation.

My Daily Skincare Routine With Caudalie

Step 1. Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser

 I’m a kid who grew up using foamy soap (YIKES)  on my face so it was natural that I’d gravitate towards a foam-based cleanser as an adult. First, it was Oil Of Olay, then L’Oreal, then L’Occitane and now Caudalie. That was my progression.  Thankfully, Caudalie has a full range of cleansers, from oils to milk but I Iike the foam especially for when I wear a lot of makeup for my live and video recordings and need something that removes the gunk but still conditions my skin and leaves it feeling moisturized. This product does it for me and is now a part of my daily skincare.

Step 2. Caudalie  Brightening Essence

 I know what you’re thinking: “What the hell is a Brightening Essence and what can it do for my skin?” Believe me, I asked the same thing too. Normally I would have passed on this but when my toner was finished I  picked up a bottle of the Essence and I have to tell you, it’s magic in the way it tones the skin but also really brightens up your newly washed face. Give it up  for the grapes! I  don’t use this with a cotton pad, instead, I pour a bit into my palm and lightly tap it into my skin.  I use this  Essence before my serum,  I’ve found is that it makes my skin ready to absorb all the goodness of the serum.

Step 3. Caudalie Vionperfect Serum

 I was never into serums, and then BOOM! I crossed 40, and my skin became dull. Blame it on the environment or just heck aging. But once again I fell for how Caudalie’s Serum, like all the brand’s products, is powered by natural extracts. I have never suffered from pigmentation or dark spots; this  Serum claims one of the best solutions to combat that. I’m not doubting it, but I use the Serum for the radiance and the fact that it works so well with the SPF moisturizer that follows.

Step 4. Caudalie Moisturizer  SPF20:

I’ll keep saying it, skincare is sun care. You cannot have good skin without a good SPF. I use Caudalie’s own daily because the sun is the root cause of everything that goes wrong with our skin and I’m not talking about wrinkles, that’s natural. I’m referring to the lack of suppleness and discoloration, not to mention skin cancer, which coming to think of it is all the reason you need.  I use this Caudalie SPF because I get a double bang for my buck, a moisturizer with anti-aging properties, and a sun protector.  I’m all about preventative skincare solution and this one packs a whopper of a beauty punch. Did I also mention it contains naturally-sourced Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, and Grapevine extract?

Step 5. Caudalie Beauty Elixir

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