Beauty & Health: Unretiring My Skincare Routine

A year ago, I made a bold declaration: I was retiring from my skincare routine. At the time, it felt like a logical decision. After all, I had stopped my regimen three months prior to that announcement and hadn’t noticed any significant changes in my skin. I thought, Maybe my skin doesn’t need all those products after all. Maybe I’ve been overcomplicating things. So, I stepped away from toners, serums, and sunscreens, and stuck to the basics: a facial wash and moisturizer. Simple, right?

Fast forward to today, and I’m here to admit something: I was wrong. Very wrong.

Over the past year, I’ve started to notice changes in my skin—changes that aren’t exactly welcoming. Fine lines are a little more pronounced, my complexion isn’t as bright as it used to be, and my skin just doesn’t feel as resilient as it once did. It hit me: I’m getting older. And while aging is a natural and beautiful process, I realized that abandoning my skincare routine at this stage of life was a misstep.

Let’s rewind a bit. I started my skincare journey way back in my teenage years. Acne-prone skin led me to explore cleansers, toners, and spot treatments. As I grew older, my routine evolved to include serums, moisturizers, and, of course, sunscreen. It became a ritual, a form of self-care that I genuinely enjoyed. But last year, I convinced myself that I didn’t need it anymore. Spoiler alert: I did.

The truth is, our skin changes as we age. Collagen production slows down, cell turnover isn’t as efficient, and environmental factors like pollution and UV rays take their toll. What worked for me in my 20s might not be enough in my 30s (or beyond). And while I’ve always believed in embracing natural beauty, I also believe in taking care of the skin I’m in. After all, it’s the only one I’ve got.

So, I’m officially unretiring my skincare routine. I’m bringing back the essentials that I foolishly cast aside: toner, serum, and, most importantly, sunscreen. These products aren’t just about vanity—they’re about maintaining healthy skin. Toner helps balance my skin’s pH, serums deliver targeted ingredients (hello, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C!), and sunscreen protects against premature aging and skin damage. Together, they’re my trifecta for aging gracefully.

I’ve come to terms with the fact that my skin needs more than just a facial wash and moisturizer. It needs nourishment, protection, and a little extra love. And honestly, I’m okay with that. I don’t want to look older than my actual age, but more importantly, I want to feel confident in my skin. If that means dedicating a few extra minutes each day to my skincare routine, so be it.

This journey has taught me an important lesson: sometimes, you don’t realize the value of something until it’s gone. In this case, it was my skincare routine. I’m grateful for the wake-up call, and I’m excited to reintroduce these steps back into my life. Aging is inevitable, but how we care for ourselves along the way is entirely up to us.

So, here’s to unretirement—and to glowing, healthy skin at every age. Cheers!

What about you? Have you ever taken a break from your skincare routine, only to realize later that it was a mistake? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Let’s navigate this journey together.