#73 Skincare...It's So Much More Than Serums

My mom is going to be 89 years old, and every time someone meets her, the reaction is always the same: “Wait… she’s HOW old?! She looks and acts so much younger!” And I get it. We all have this idea in our heads of what aging should look like, how we’ll probably act when we reach a certain age—but my mom? She doesn’t fit that mold.

And looking back, it makes perfect sense.

I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but my mom was all about healthy living. Breakfast was oatmeal or a nutritious cereal. Lunch? Yogurt or cottage cheese with fruit. Cold cuts were special occasion food—they only made an appearance when company came over. Dinners were the classics—meatloaf, chicken, and if my dad cooked, the famous tuna casserole.

Snacks? We had them—but they weren’t mindless eating. My dad was the snack guy, so if there were Wise potato chips, butterscotch Krimpets, or chocolate chip cookies in the house, they were probably his doing. And if we were really lucky, he’d sneak in a box of Honeycombs from the store.

Drinks? Mostly milk and water. Soda was around, but again—only when we had guests.

And beyond food, our home was always full of music. Broadway show tunes, folk songs, comedy albums—something was always playing. And if it wasn’t coming from the record player, it was coming from my brother and his friends, singing and playing guitar on the back deck.

Now, I won’t pretend everything was perfect—it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows. But we had more happy, healthy moments than stressful, challenging ones. And looking at my mom today, I realize just how much of an impact all of that had—not just on her, but on me, too.

And that brings me to today’s topic—the #1 question I get asked all the time:

"What’s your skincare routine?"

Because while products matter, they’re only one piece of the puzzle. What you put in your body, how you take care of yourself, the energy you surround yourself with—that’s what really makes the difference.

So today, I’m breaking it all down. Let’s get into it.

Of all the things I write about, the classes I teach, the workshops I hold, and the videos I post on social media, the #1 question I get asked the most is:

"What’s your skincare routine?"

And listen, I’ll tell you what I tell everyone—the products and routine itself? That’s just one small piece of the puzzle.

Thanks, Mom!

I have to give credit where credit is due. My mom religiously took care of her skin with Merle Norman Cosmetics, and because of her, I’ve had a strict skincare routine since my late teens.

Now, let me digress for a second—because I know you want specifics.

I started using Mary Kay in high school when a friend of my mom’s introduced me to it, and I stuck with it for most of my adult life. I even sold it for a while and almost got the car! I loved it, but as I became more aware of the unnecessary chemicals I was putting on my skin, I started looking for cleaner options. Eventually, I landed on Andalou Naturals for skincare (the purpleline) and RMS Beauty for makeup, and that’s where I’ve stayed.

But That's Not All

Here’s the thing: what I put ON my skin is important, but what I put IN my body matters even more.

• I drink tons of water. Hydration is everything.
• I don’t drink caffeine. (I know, shocking, right?)
• I drink very little alcohol—almost none now, because honestly? I just don’t feel good afterward. So… why bother?
• I eat as clean as possible, even though I love me some sweats and a good burger now and then
• I stay out of the sun as much as possible. And yes, I wear SPF 30 every single day—on my face, ears, neck, and hands. Rain or shine.

The Secret Ingredient?

I truly believe that skincare is more than just cleansers and serums. It’s your lifestyle, your habits, and your mindset.

I genuinely love my life. My thoughts are predominantly happy ones. The music I listen to is fun and uplifting. The people I surround myself with light me up and support everything I do and believe. I focus on what makes me feel good, and I think that all of these things—products, diet, hydration, sun protection, and joy—are the real answer to:

"What’s your skincare routine?"

So, now that I’ve answered that for you… I have some questions for you:

When you think about aging, what image comes to mind? Does it match reality, or is it based on what you’ve been told aging should look like?

What daily habits are shaping your future self? Are they moving you toward the version of yourself you want to be at 50, 60, 70, or beyond?

What’s one small change you can make today to take better care of your skin (and yourself)? More water? Cleaner products? Less stress?

How does your environment influence your well-being? Are you surrounding yourself with people, music, and experiences that lift you up?

What’s your “secret ingredient” for feeling good in your skin? Because skincare isn’t just about serums, it’s about how you live your life.

Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about being easy with the practice.