We all know that one person who looks as if they've stopped time. They might be in their thirties or forties but they easily look like they're a twenty-something. Maybe they still even get ID'd. Of course, we all know that ageing is inevitable (and nothing can ever truly reverse it), but no matter what age you are - or whether you're even at all concerned with "ageing" - it's near impossible not to be curious about how these people have managed to maintain plump, radiant skin right through from their twenties.
One such example is Caroline Labouchere, a grey hair ambassador and model whose glowy, flawless complexion has stopped me in my scrolling tracks on more than one occasion. Labouchere, who began a modelling career just three years ago at 54, now regularly shares her outfits, haircare tips, and of course, skincare treatments with her 508,000 Instagram followers. I don't think I'm alone in feeling that she somehow defies age - just one look at her feed confirms this, so naturally, I did what any skincare-obsessed writer would: I went straight to the source to find out Labouchere's best skin tips.
Ahead, read up on her top tips and the nuggets of wisdom that she credits for maintaining good skin in her fifties - or at any age for that matter.
1. Stay Out of the Sun
I know you've heard it over and over again, but Labouchere confirms the golden rule of skincare: sun protection. Whether you're opting for a massive sun hat or are slathering on the SPF (or both), we can't overstate how important it is. "I have been a sun worshipper all of my life," Labouchere admitted. "I finally stopped turning my face to the sun last year. Now, I wear a hat whenever I leave the house and wear an SPF 50."
Shop sun protection:
Smooth on this lightly tinted lotion for SPF protection with an added boost of radiance.
Perfect for (literally) topping off your looks on bright, sunny days.
A sophisticated take on the bucket hat trend, this sunhat doesn't just protect your face from the sun, it looks chic too.
Unlike the thick, chalky SPFs of yesteryear, this light silky serum disappears instantly into skin.
2. Quit Picking at Your Skin
"Don’t pick your spots ever," she said. It may sound obvious, but as a former skin picker myself, I know that this one is easier said than done. Labouchere insists that it's one of the skincare rules she lives by, and I know I personally could have avoided so many dark spots had I heeded her advice sooner. "If you have a whitehead, use two cotton buds to get rid of it," she advised. To quell acne in the first place, below are several products you can incorporate into your daily and weekly routines.
Shop acne-banishing treatments:
Retinol may be best known for its anti-ageing properties, but, since it stimulates skin cell turnover, it helps to reduce breakouts too.
Niacinamide is a true multitasker, which can simultaneously target various signs of ageing, including dark spots, redness, and dry skin while alsp reducing excess oil and pore size.
Not only do these (almost) invisible spot patches infuse the individual breakout with blemish-busting ingredients, they'll also stop you from picking.
3. Maintain Moisture Levels
I once heard that the main focus of any skincare regimen hinges on keeping your face hydrated, and Labouchere seems to agree with this. She told me that she uses a thick moisturiser at night (French pharmacy staple brand, Avène, is a favourite of hers) and will sometimes apply the same one for daytime if her skin can handle it. "Trapping moisture in your skin will make for happy skin," she noted.
Shop moisturisers:
This nourishing cream should be applied as the final step in your evening skincare routine to seal in moisture.
Suitable for use both morning and night, this soothing cream calms skin and protects against environmental aggressors.
Simple yet effective, this gentle everyday moisturiser targets the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with an innovative peptide and vitamin C blend.
4. Pick a Retinol Carefully
The conversation around skincare over fifty wouldn't be complete without a mention of retinol. After all, dermatologists and skin experts so frequently call out this multipurpose ingredient for its anti-ageing benefits - it helps to stimulate collagen production which in turn reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Of course, Labouchere's tip is only one of many out there, but according to her, a prescribed retinoid (the umbrella term for retinol and Retin-A) will always work better than store-bought retinoids.
Of course, it's not always easy to get face-time with a clinical dermatologist, so if you're looking to get on the retinol train ASAP, the below editor-approved products will be a good starting point.
Shop beauty editor-approved retinol serums:
The next best thing to a prescription-strength retinoid, this high-strength retinal works fast to target signs of skin ageing.
Ideal for those with dry skin, this serum combines retinol within a nourishing creamy base to prevent further dryness and irritation.
A purse-friendly alternative to the above, if you're using retinol for the first time, this gentle oil-serum formula is a great place to start.
5. Don't Over-Exfoliate Your Face
Exfoliating is an essential step in any skincare routine, as it sloughs away dead skin and promotes skin cell turnover, a process that tends to naturally slow down as we age. If you don't exfoliate enough, the rest of your serums, oils, and moisturisers might not live up to their full potential because you could have dead skin cell buildup. But on the other hand, exfoliating too much could strip the skin of its natural moisture barrier and cause irritation. Labouchere suggests using an exfoliant once every other week.
Shop facial exfoliators:
Buff away dry, dead skin with this refreshing, brightening face scrub. Guaranteed to leave skin glowing.
If you prefer to stay away from abrasive scrubs, try a chemical exfoliant instead. This one utilises glycolic acid to brighten skin and smooth patches of rough texture.
Combining exfoliating acids with peptides this is a great treatment if you want to target lines and wrinkles while also reducing redness and sensitivity.
6. Keep Makeup Minimal
If applying makeup starts to feel more like a chore, and less of an enjoyable experience, why not embrace a 'less is more' approach? Labouchere told me, "I don't wear makeup every day. I believe it is a good habit to get into. Once you are in a daily makeup rut, it is hard to get out." Instead, she wears a CC or BB cream only once or twice a week.
Shop CC and BB creams:
Part skincare and part makeup, this do-it-all formula both conceals redness instantly and works to reduce it in the long-term.
As well as providing a light tint of coverage, this BB cream is packed with hydrating ingredients to plump skin with moisture.
This story originally appeared onBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing US and has since been updated.
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