Welcome to the #CleanOver40 series! I’ve teamed up with my girl Sarah from Whoorl to highlight effective skincare, makeup and lifestyle products that are rocking our forty-something worlds. This series will air the second Monday of every month so check back for the latest. You can also search #CleanOver40 on our blogs to access the entire series. And tag #CleanOver40 on social with your picks. We want to see your faves!
Ladies. Okay, many of you know I hit a milestone this year and it goes by the name of FOURTY. WHAT. Okay moving on. We can’t change what’s inevitable so let’s embrace it with everything we’ve got CANIGETANAMEN!? Let’s take forty for what it’s worth, no looking back. I’m talking absorbent panties, a smokin’ pair of bifocals and…clean, effective skincare for all of us over-forty-somethings.
At forty, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do and that’s invest in some skincare that is going to work with her skin instead of working against it. So I’ve hooked up with my girl Sarah from Whoorl, a 43-year-old stunner committed to clean beauty with a unrelenting spirit to find the best of the best.
If you don’t know her yet, you will find a friend in Sarah – she is funny, witty, honest, has killer style, can crush a bag of chips and rock a red lipstick like nobodies business. And today we are dishing on our MUST-HAVE top three clean skincare items for women over forty. Let’s do this.
Here are my three and make sure you head over to Whoorl to check out Sarah’s top three.
First up? A killer face moisturizer.
MŪN Aknari Brightening Face Serum
*2023 note: MŪN is no longer in business.
When Sarah and I started brainstorming this post we asked each other what we thought our top three was and without hesitation, guess what we both mentioned?! MŪN’s Aknari Brightening Face Serum. Yeah, it’s that good. What makes this face moisturizer so special you ask? In a nutshell: prickly pear. You can read more about this effective ingredient here but in short, this serum not only brightens but totally plumps, moisturizes and addresses those pesky fine lines around my mouth and eyes. And I am not saying this lightly! It is crazy good!
Aknari is a light amber color and is more viscus than most. Upon application, my skin feels immediately more soft and supple. I legit can’t get enough. In addition, it’s perfect for daytime use yet moisturizing enough for overnight as well.
Besides how effective this oil is, I would be remiss not to point out this oil is formulated with only THREE ORGANIC INGREDIENTS. HELLO! (Yes, I’m yelling!)
- Organic Prickly Pear Seed Oil
- Organic Argan Oil
- Organic Rose Essential Oil
And PS, it smells amazing, like an early morning walk through a dewy spring rose garden. Two to three pumps at most is all you need to your cover face and neck. Use Aknari for a few weeks and you will be like SARAH AND LISA FOR PRESIDENT!
PSS, I know it’s not just me because after I started using this oil, I went to my functional medicine practitioner and the first thing she said to me was, “Wow! You are looking good. Your skin looks healthier!” And I’m just sitting there like; It’s the prickly pear lady!!!
Get Aknari Brightening Face Serum here!
Josh Rosebrook’s Active Enzyme Exfoliator
Okay after an effective moisturizer, every forty-something needs a good exfoliator. Josh Rosebrook knocks it out of the park with his Active Enzyme Exfoliator. The unique thing about Josh’s Active Enzyme Exfoliator is it exfoliates in two ways. First with enzymes like papaya and second with mechanicals like walnut shells. Apply and leave this on for 10 to 30 mins. Then wet fingertips and rub in circular motions to remove. Active Enzyme Exfoliator leaves my skin fresh, glowing, supple and soft.
Want the key to vibrant, younger, brighter and glowing skin? Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Getting rid of dead skin cells and stimulating regeneration is the key to success here. Most skin discrepancies are caused by blockage, dirt and lingering dead skin cells. Exfoliating 2-3 times a week can clear this up. It also leaves skin glowing and ready to receive hydration + nutrients from your face cream or oil. This honey-based mask-exfoliator is off the chain. A must for sure.
Josh’s entire line is also organic, cruelty free and fair trade. #topshelf
Get your Active Enzyme Exfoliator here!
LIVE Botanicals Aer Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Okay, don’t let the name scare you. Here is the full ingredient list for LIVE Botanical’s AER Hylaronic Acid Serum: Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Juice, Organic Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) hydrosol, Lactobacillus Ferment and Sodium Hyaluronate (vegan).
Hyaluronic acid is is a substance that is naturally present in the human body. It is found in the highest concentrations in fluids in the eyes and joints. It also has a unique capacity to bind and retain water molecules. And because skin aging is associated with loss of skin moisture, finding a clean and effective hyaluronic acid is basically like finding the fountain of youth.
LIVE Botanical’s Aer Hyaluronic Acid Serum is the most simple, effective, and cleanest formula I’ve found on the market. It also happens to be super affordable which is an anomaly all in itself. Not to mention you can use my code NEWKNEW and save an additional 15% – CRAY. ZAY.
So basically I use this hyaluronic acid serum as a milk substitute in my cereal, I load it in my coffee and I add a few pumps to my green smoothie. JK. I use it daily and nightly under my fave oil or cream. This helps draw in moisture to retain hydration all day and night. It’s literally the best thing that’s happened to me since scrunchies made a comeback.
P.S. Check out my favorite organic wine and the best natural deodorant!
Carmen Valentin
August 13, 2018Cannot wait for the next post love the theme skincare over 40+,going to Sarah blog also.Thank you @yarmelle7414
Lisa
August 14, 2018Thanks so much Carmen! xo! Lisa
asad
August 15, 2018thanks for sharing
PERRINE
August 15, 2018Hi Lisa, I’ve never tried any Mun products but read a lot of good things about them. How the Aknari serum compares with the True botanicals Renew Face Oil? I’ve read that the results are not as good for over 40 skin. Mun seems to be a beautiful brand though. Thank you 🙂
Lisa
August 16, 2018Hi Perrine! Those are both top notch oils with beautiful ingredients. I personally like how the prickly pear in Aknari works with my skin. It just makes my skin feel so plump, hydrated and healthy. Plus it smells divine. I can’t get enough. I’ve been through three bottles!
randi
August 19, 2018In what order do you use the serum and oil? Daytime and evening? Thanks!!
Lisa
August 20, 2018Hi Randi! Great question. So both of these are good for both day and night. I use the hyaluronic acid serum first because it’s water based and you want it to penetrate/absorb. Then apply the oil over after that. (It’s not as effective to apply a water-based serum over an oil serum because it has a hard time penetrating the oil).
Lynne
August 21, 2018Hey Lisa! Thank you for this list! Have you tried the Siam Seas toner? It’s kind of half serum/half toner as well…I have liked it after receiving via my Beauty Heroes monthly subscription. Just wondering how it compares to LIVE Botanicals…seems similar??
Lisa
August 22, 2018Hi Lynne! I have tried the Siam Seas Toner and I LOVE IT! You are speaking my love language girl. So the LIVE Botanicals is a very BASIC hylaronic acid formula with only 4 ingredients total. Siam Seas is like the super-sized motherlode of toners with aloe, hylaronic acid and 27 botanical extracts to feed and heal the skin. It’s also charged with adding a transparent layer of protection too. So it’s a GREAT option. I like recommending LIVE because it’s affordable, clean and effective – kind of an anomaly to be honest. But if you can splurge on Siam Seas girl – YES. 1,000 times yes.
PERRINE
August 29, 2018Thank you so much for your answer Lisa. The MŪN products seem to be so good but I LOVE TB too. So many good products out there. What do you put on top of the MŪN Aknari Brightening Face Serum? I’ve read on MŪN’s website that for some woman with very dry skin (me) it might not be enough. Would it be a good idea to put the Ayuna cream or the TB Renew oil? I’m always anxious about putting too much ingredients on my face because I tend to have a sensitive skin. Well I should write to MUN to see what they recommend. But I’d like know what you think too 🙂 Thanks a lot! Have a wonderful day!
Lisa
August 29, 2018Hi Perrine! So many good ones out there – so true! Okay, AKNARI is one of the more moisturizing oils I’ve tried. There is a chance it may be enough for you. But if not, I would recommend layering a Hyaluronic Acid under it. I like LIVE Botanicals and it’s only 25.50 if you use my code NEWKNEW. This is formulated with aloe juice and it also draws moisture in all day so you will get some good hydration with it. Or you could layer an SPF under it. I like HONUA’s MALU. You can also try layering a cream over. I think Ayuna I or II would be amazing. Getting the right moisture is dependent on so many things, elevation, humidity, personal chemistry. I would start with AKNARI straight up and then if you need more, play with a couple of options. Hope this helps!
Perrine
August 30, 2018Thanks again! I will definitely try that. And I LOVE the Honua’s MALU SPF too. It’s my favorite. I usually hate sunscreen…
Lisa
August 30, 2018Totally, that formula is pretty special!