How Japan Influenced My Skincare Routine and Helped Me Look Younger in My 40s
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Skincare has always been a priority for me and this was ingrained in me when I was in high school. I grew up in Japan and it is a country that has been a leader in skincare and anti-aging products for decades. I remember when I first moved to the U.S. from Japan (circa 2000), I was shocked that there weren’t many skincare products on the market.
It took a while for the U.S. to catch up and I’m glad that they finally did because I like having a variety of product options. I have been a long time user of Shiseido’s skincare line, but in the last six years, I allowed my skin to experiment with different brands. As of today, there isn’t one particular brand that I am loyal to, but there are specific products that I use on a daily basis from day to night.
A variety of the skincare products that are currently sitting on my bathroom shelf.
I want to emphasize that it’s not just about the products I use, but when I use them. I’m going to share my night-to-day regime and you may be thinking that it’s odd that I am making it a point to indicate my night regimen first and not my day. I have always felt that my nighttime routine was the most important time for my skin to rejuvenate. I’m a strong believer that the products I use to recharge and nourish my skin, to its fullest, is best achieved by showering at night right before I go to bed.
Nighttime Skincare Routine
1. Shower Before Bedtime
It’s more customary in the U.S. to shower in the morning, but it’s actually the opposite in Japan. I grew up with a routine to shower at night before going to bed. I still do this and the great thing about showering at night is that the steam softens the first layers of your skin. This helps in the permeation of ingredients which is exactly what I want when I apply my skincare products.
I wash my face towards the end of my shower as I want to give my skin time to soften up. I typically use a foaming face wash as I personally like the gentle texture of the foam. I don’t wear foundation on a regular basis, but I do wear concealer and blush daily, so I use a face wash that gently removes that. On days where I wear foundation, I apply makeup remover and then wash my face. Sometimes it’s hard to remove foundation with just face wash, so that’s why I utilize the makeup remover.
Eve Lom Gel Balm Cleanser
Products I’m currently using
2. Apply Moisturizer with a Drop of Face Oil
I always apply moisturizer right after I hop out of the shower. In the winter months, my skin is a bit drier, so I typically put a drop of face oil in my moisturizer before application. I used to think face oils were too oily without even giving it a try, but when I received a sample from Sephora I discovered that my assumptions were wrong.
Products I’m currently using
3. Quick Eye Massage with Eye Cream
I have dark circles so I have always been picky about my eye creams. I tend to purchase products that target dryness and dark circles. I alternate my eye creams depending on how my skin feels and looks on a particular day. If it feels extra dry, then I grab the extra repair or creamy eye treatment. My go-to these days has been Farmacy’s eye cream. The ingredients consist of Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Sacha Inchi Peptide, and Caffeine. I especially love the bouncy texture of this cream as it feels like it’s been whipped, which is something I have never seen in an eye cream.
Products I’m currently using
4. Lip Mask
I used to never apply a lip mask before going to bed, but it has been a necessity lately. My lips crack so easily nowadays and applying a lip mask has helped nourish and plump my lips tremendously. It truly is a lip therapy as the product is ultra-concentrated and creamy. Also, when my lips are extremely dry in the winter, I like to scrub some lip polish (about once a week) to exfoliate them.
fresh Sugar Hydrating Lip Balm
Nighttime Skincare Routine
Products I’m currently using
5. Occasional Face Masks
Many of my girlfriends swear by face masks whether it be clay, charcoal, mud, etc. I have no doubt that these products are great for your skin, but I’m pretty lazy when it comes to this routine. I’ll apply a mask maybe once or twice a year, but so far it has not been a regular regimen for me.
Daytime Skincare Routine
1. Don’t Wash Your Face
Skip the morning wash. This may seem a bit odd, but a few years ago my mom told me that her dermatologist advised her to stop washing her face in the morning. Since she washes her face at night, there was no reason to strip the oils from her skin again the next morning.
2. Apply a Hydrating Toner
It was a bit odd for me to skip the morning face wash, but I have been doing it for about three years now. Instead, I soak a cotton ball with toner to freshen up. Toners look like water but do so much more good than water. I’m not talking about the toners that are filled with alcohol and dehydrate your skin. I’m referring to the moisturizing toners that do just the opposite. Depending on the toners, it can be packed with ingredients that help hydrate and minimize pores.
Morning Skincare Routine
Caudalie Toner
I was using Shiseido’s toner for many years but they recently discontinued the product I was using (boo!!!). I then switched to fresh’s Rose Deep Hydration Toner and absolutely love how it lightly hydrates my skin. I have recently been gifted Caudailie’s toner and so far I am loving this one as well. The lightweight organic grape water hydrates and instantly brightens my skin.
Products I’m currently using
3. Always Wear Sunscreen
If I know I’m going to be outdoors for more than thirty minutes, I always make sure to wear sunscreen. Sun damage can cause uneven skin tone, so using a daily sun cream helps prevent uneven complexions. On most days, I wear a daily moisturizer that contains SPF 15 or 30. However, when I go out and fancy a bit more coverage, I wear a tinted moisturizer. I prefer this over foundation as it’s lightweight, sheer, and has a dewy natural finish.
Products I’m currently using
Lifestyle Routine
I strongly believe that what we eat and drink also has a huge impact on our skin. I don’t drink soda and don’t consume a ton of sugar. I mainly drink water or barley tea and enjoy a glass (or two) of red wine a few nights a week. I rarely eat out or order takeout (unless I am traveling) and I prepare my own meals. My meals usually consist of rice, protein (typically chicken), and vegetables. I avoid frozen foods (except frozen veggies) and crave fermented dishes. I especially like to prepare meals that consist of onion, garlic, and fresh ginger.
Sleep
I try to get at least six hours of sleep. If I had it my way, I would squeeze in eight hours, but my pup thinks six hours is enough for now.
Extra Services
I do want to note one more thing in case there are some that are wondering about skincare services. I do not get routine facials nor have I tried botox. I am not against it and do not judge anyone that utilizes these resources. Needles scare me and facials are costly and time-consuming, so those are my main reasons for avoiding these aids.
So there you have it! That is my personal skincare routine and when I hit 50, we’ll see how I feel about the extra services. But for now, I’m pretty pleased with my results and feel that I am aging gracefully in my 40s.
I would love to hear what your skincare routine is like or if you took away something new from my methods.
