For years, we’ve been told that ageing skin is a problem to solve.
A new wrinkle? Find a cream to erase it. A little pigmentation? Brighten it away. Skin looking drier than it used to? Add another serum.
And if one product doesn’t work, perhaps we simply need three more.
But my ethos has always been that there’s a much nicer way to look at our skin as we get older.
What if, instead of fighting ageing, we concentrated on keeping our skin healthy, nourished and comfortable for as long as possible?
This is the thinking behind the growing skincare movement known as skin longevity, and it’s something I feel very naturally aligned with at LJ Natural and always have – it’s like everyone just caught up with me.
What is skin longevity?
Skin longevity is really about changing the question we ask of our skincare.
Instead of, “How can I make my skin look younger?”
it’s, “How can I look after the skin I have, so that it stays healthy, supple and radiant as I age?”
It’s a subtle difference, but I think it’s an important one. We’re not trying to turn back the clock. We’re supporting our skin as it change, and that’s a much kinder approach to ageing.
The skincare world has become incredibly sophisticated, with acids, retinoids, peptides, resurfacing treatments and an ever-growing list of ‘must-have’ ingredients. Many of these ingredients can have a place in skincare, but much of the time, this isn’t actually what you need. In fact, overloading the skin with too many active ingredients can contribute to dryness, irritation and sensitivity. That’s one reason the skin barrier has become such a huge focus in skincare recently. (Who What Wear)
Sometimes, our skin simply needs us to stop doing so much to it. So many of my new customers find me because they have damaged their skin barrier from doing too much.
Your skin doesn’t need fighting
I love the idea of skincare being about nourishment rather than correction. As we get older, our skin naturally changes. It can become drier, feel less plump and lose some of the fresh glow we had in our twenties. That doesn’t mean something has gone wrong, it means our skin needs something different and something more gentle; mostly a little more kindness. And perhaps a little less pressure to look like we haven’t aged at all. That’s where a simple, considered skincare routine can be so lovely.
What I always suggest:
- A gentle cleanser.
- Good hydration.
- Nourishing oils and moisturisers.
- Plant based ingredients chosen because they support the feel and appearance of healthy skin.
The beauty of keeping things simple
There is something rather wonderful about a skincare routine that doesn’t require a shelf full of products. I’ve always believed that natural skincare should feel like a pleasure rather than a chore. Something you look forward to, something that makes you stop for a moment.
Our skin doesn’t necessarily need more products. It needs the right products used consistently.
That’s why I’m a great believer in facial oils. A good facial oil can be wonderfully simple: a small amount massaged into the skin, leaving it feeling soft, nourished and beautifully conditioned. And there is something almost ritualistic about applying an oil. Warm a few drops between your fingertips, take a breath, massage it gently over your face, let the scent and texture make you slow down.
Skincare becomes a moment of self-care rather than another job on the list.
Why I love rosehip and frankincense
Two of the ingredients I particularly love in my Very Indulgent Face Oil are rosehip and frankincense.
Rosehip oil has become a much-loved ingredient in natural skincare because of its naturally occurring fatty acids and antioxidant compounds, and it has a beautiful lightweight feel on the skin.
Frankincense brings something quite different; it’s wonderfully aromatic and has been treasured for centuries, but what I particularly love is the sensory experience it brings to a skincare ritual. Together, they’re part of what makes this oil feel so indulgent without being heavy or greasy. It’s not about promising to erase every line or turn back time. It’s about giving your skin some love, helping it feel soft, nourished and comfortable, while giving you that lovely little moment of luxury at the end of your skincare routine.
Perhaps it’s time to forget “anti-ageing”
The phrase itself has always bothered (you can read this in another blog I wrote earlier in the year here). Because ageing isn’t something we’ve failed at, it’s something we’re lucky enough to do, so perhaps our skincare vocabulary should change too.
Not anti-ageing, but age-supporting.
Not fighting wrinkles, but nourishing our skin.
Not fixing ourselves, but looking after ourselves.
And not chasing somebody else’s idea of perfect skin, but enjoying the skin we’re actually in. That’s the philosophy behind LJ Natural; just plant based ingredients, beautiful textures and gentle scents, skincare that feels good to use and fits into real life, because the future of skincare isn’t about doing more or becoming what we are not.
If your skin is feeling like it deserves a little more nourishment, my Very Indulgent Face Oil is a beautiful place to start.
Lightweight, beautifully aromatic and made with organic plant oils including rosehip, neroli and frankincense, I created it to leave your skin feeling soft, nourished and glowing, and because you only need a few drops, a bottle goes a surprisingly long way.
And if you prefer an oil with no essential oils then this is your oil – Superfruit Face Oil. Read the 5 star reviews of both products to see what all the fuss is about.
If you’d like some advice about which face oil to use when, you can always fill in my skincare quiz right here. Thanks for reading and just get in touch if you want to talk skincare or aromatherapy. I’d love to hear from you.
Lisa x
