Barre with Justine

“Nature gives you the face you have at twenty, it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty.” – Coco Chanel

I think we have all heard some version of this quote as a reminder (or warning!) of the importance of taking care of ourselves. When we are young, it’s easy to take effortless energy and good health for granted. Watching my little ones pop out of bed, bursting with energy and excitement for the day ahead is a beautiful thing but it is in stark contrast with the experience of wishing for more sleep/time/enthusiasm.

The quote from Coco Chanel refers to a concept known as the long game: small strategic steps taken, over time, in anticipation of the future. It’s a phrase often used in politics and business, with individuals like Queen Elizabeth and Warren Buffett (she who never courted controversy or let her emotions rule, and he who plays the long game with investing). When playing the long game, impulsive decisions and short term comfort can be put aside in pursuit of a bigger goal.

The concept of the long game is SO relevant when it comes to fitness and beauty. Take for instance sunscreen. Research has found that the sun is responsible for approximately 80% of visible aging but, according to a recent national US survey (September 2023) only 13.5% of people use sunscreen daily. Using sunscreen every day is one example of how you can play the long game for beautiful and healthy skin.

How to play the ‘long game’ with your skin

Have a consistent skin care routine.

It doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive, but committing to cleansing your face at night, applying an active such as a retinol, Vitamin C or Bakuchiol, and using sunscreen every day will go a long way in keeping your skin lovely long term. Here’s a quote from dermatologist Natalia Spierings author of the book Skintelligent:

“My mother turned 70 in 2020. She has beautiful skin, like a plump apple. Her secret? She started using topical tretinoin when she was 30. My mum has never had Botox, fillers or a facelift. She’s never had microneedling, a laser facial or any other intervention. But she does use 0.1 strength tretinoin and a moisturiser from Neutrogena religiously every single night.”

Natalia Spierings, dermatologist

Now not everyone likes to use a prescription or over-the-counter retinol, but there are options like Bakuchiol (found in Beautycounter’s Countertime line) or other options to naturally boost the skin such as Vitamin C or rosehip oil.

Find a sunscreen that you love to use and wear it religiously!

Again, it’s the consistency of making sunscreen a daily habit (like every morning, after brushing your teeth) that is going to make the future literally brighter for your skin. Some dermatologists recommend using mineral sunscreen if you have sensitive skin or if you are concerned about the chemicals in sunscreen (I am both sensitive and worried about chemicals, which is why I usually pick zinc oxide sunscreens). There are so many formulations now that are light and feel just like moisturizer, so experiment until you find one that works for you.

Try Gua Sha and Face Massage

This is another ritual that takes time to do and see the results from, but there are benefits that you will see more quickly (less puffiness, more glow) and longer term results like smoother skin and less tension lines. These techniques are also incredibly beneficial for our mood, our senses (especially if you are incorporating a very gentle essential oil), and the love we feel towards ourselves.

Some of my favourite products:

Disclosure – I do sell Beautycounter because I love the products, you can shop with me here!

• Beautycounter Countertime Supreme Cream (includes Bakuchiol & arctic rose stem cells)
• Beautycounter Countersun Daily Sheer Defense for Face (so light, like moisturizer!)
• Prescription tretinoin 0.04% (I can’t go any higher just yet…I typically use a few times a week)
• Supergoop mineral eye cream (has such a light and primer-like effect – love!)
• favourite face oils: Lvnea Larmes de Rose, Saje Youth Dew, Garden City Essentials SeaBuckthorn and Camellia face oil.

It’s never too late to start taking care of your skin. A study in 2016 found that daily use of sunscreen may reverse some signs of aging. Perhaps this fall is the perfect time to get into a good routine with your skin, knowing that the benefits will not only be immediate (stress relief, glowy skin) but also long term (less signs of aging and healthier skin).

Resources

Flament F, Bazin R, Laquieze S, Rubert V, Simonpietri E, Piot B. Effect of the sun on visible clinical signs of aging in Caucasian skin. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2013 Sep 27;6:221-32. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S44686. PMID: 24101874; PMCID: PMC3790843.

Patlola M, Shah AA, Stead T, Mangal R, Ganti L. Sunscreen use amongst US adults: a national survey. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 Sep;315(7):2137-2138. doi: 10.1007/s00403-023-02603-8. Epub 2023 Mar 17. PMID: 36930290.