Aging Gracefully in the Age of Filters

I asked my skincare gurus for a little advice and their favorite products, of course.

Truth be told, I never really paid much attention to my skin. I’m one of those people who rubs product all over my face without much intention, but now at the ripe ol’ age of 38, I’m pretty focused on it and getting much more particular about my products, go-to resources, and plan to keep my skin feeling and looking as vibrant (and natural) as possible.

Above all, I want my skincare choices to feel (and look) natural and not do any harm to my overall (or future) health. While there’s no shame in getting a little extra help from modern technology, I think we’d all be remiss not to first focus on our nutrition and other natural methods and tools for skin health.

We lose about 1-1.5% of the collagen in our face every year after the age of 25. From a nutrition perspective, I do a variety of things to replenish this (which are just generally healthy!): I drink copious amounts of water, eat an abundance of antioxidant-rich plants, prioritize sleep, and drink less alcohol than ever. I’ve also added in some supplements: I put a scoop of collagen in my coffee every morning (I take Needed, use the code MIA20 for a discount), and take a daily shot of LivOn Labs Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C (bonus: add this item to your cart and use the code MIA for a free sample pack with purchase).

But what about the products we put on our face? I asked my skincare gurus to share their thoughts on aging gracefully and getting the most from your skin. Here’s what they had to say (and the products they recommend—all of which I use!).

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JENNA LEVINE, FOUNDER LINNÉ BOTANICALS
Why I trust her. Everyone in my family uses LINNÉ—from baby to baby daddy, and Jenna is an absolute gem of a human who I’m lucky to call a dear friend. Her talents span way beyond skincare formulator—she’s whip-smart, wildly creative, a great cook (maybe even my favorite person to cook with), skilled at botany, passionate about sustainability, and is always a really good time. Basically, she’s the star of a dinner party, but I love how all these interests of hers shine through her holistic skincare line, LINNÉ BOTANICALS: It’s effective, plant-focused, sustainable, and fun. To say I am a mega mega fan is an understatement. Here’s what Jenna has to say about aging:

“The skin is an incredible organ tasked with the job of protecting us from the elements of the outer world. It is continuously exposed to oxidants that cause cellular damage, including UV radiation, chemical oxidants, air pollutants, and bacteria. Amazingly, the human body can produce its own collection of antioxidants to counteract some of these free radicals, but they become depleted by environmental stress and age. This is why we created RENEW, our antioxidant powerhouse, rich in plant-sourced polyphenols such as astaxanthin, lycopene, co-enzyme Q10, ellagic acid, and vitamin C. With additional ingredients known to build collagen, boost repair and regeneration, decongest pores, even skin tone, lessen hyperpigmentation, strengthen capillaries, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, our super serum is a skincare essential.”

Jenna’s Pick
RENEW Face Serum (Discount code: MIAXLINNE)

KARI GRAN, FOUNDER KARI GRAN
Why I trust her. I met Kari at a panel in New York more than a few years ago and just could not stop staring at her skin. She told me about her sunscreen, which I immediately bought and have not stopped buying since. I have very dry lips as well, and her lip whip seems to be the only product that really does the trick for me! Kari is also a reader of this Substack (hi, Kari!) and has been following our weekly meal prep series. How’s that for synergy? Here’s what she has to say about aging.

“Oil-based sunscreens are the superheroes in your skincare routine. Our Essential SPF goes beyond simple sun protection, providing much-needed hydration to dry skin. It creates a protective barrier, preventing moisture loss and promoting a supple complexion.”

Kari’s Pick
Essential SPF (use the code MIA20 for a discount)

LANEY CROWELL, CEO SAIE BEAUTY
Why I trust her. Laney & I first connected in New York in 2017. She was running a nontoxic beauty site called The Moment. I helped with some skin-friendly recipes for the site, and we became fast friends (Marin girls!). Since then, she’s been my go-to resource for clean makeup, and I’ve been a devotee of Saie since day 1.

“I feel so grateful to be aging, it means I’m alive! Just like with the food I eat, I try to nourish my skin with nutrient-rich ingredients to make me feel my best. This is why Saie products are skincare, with a little pigment. Infused with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, licorice root extract, and elderberry extract — it’s like a salad for your face!”

Laney’s Pick
Slip Tint

SOFIE PAVVIT, SKINCARE EXPERT & ESTHETICIAN
Why I trust her. Sofie has a strong science-backed and fun approach to skincare, it’s no wonder that she’s such a wildly popular esthetician. We connected last year for a conversation on nutrition and skincare over Instagram Live and I love loved her 360-degree approach to optimal skin health. Her new(ish) line, Sofie Pavvit Face, already has a cult following and I personally bought this product immediately after hearing about it.

“I love gentle exfoliation on a daily basis. Mandelic acid is a large molecule that dissolves the bonds between dead cells and healthy skin underneath without causing irritation. I tell clients to incorporate this alongside a retinol routine as this helps wipe away any dead cells created when using vitamin A (retinol) products to avoid flaky, dull skin.”

Sofie’s Pick
Mandelic Clearing Serum