Want Healthier Skin? Start with these 4 things…
At 49, I feel really good about the health of my skin—and I’ve had a few people ask recently what’s been working well for me. Skin care can be super confusing with so many products and so much advice being shared everywhere, so I thought I’d share what I do and why.
First, a quick note about consistency…
Like so many things in health, when it comes to skin care, consistency matters more than complexity. You don’t need a 10-step routine or a drawer full of trendy products. You just need a few solid habits that you actually stick with.
At this point, I haven’t done any Botox or fillers because I’m happy with the way my skin looks, and the cost and regular upkeep they require don’t appeal to me. These are the four main things I’ve found to be very helpful for my skin:
1. A simple, nourishing skin care routine
I’ve tried lots of skincare products—including clean ones—that didn’t do much for my skin. What’s made the biggest difference for me is finding products with high-quality, skin-supportive ingredients and sticking to a consistent routine, morning and night.
If you’re curious about the Canadian-made skincare line I’ve been using and loving for nearly three years (and why I believe it works so well), you can read more about it below.
No filter. No makeup (except for lip gloss!). No filler. No hair colour.
Just me, feeling good at 49.
2. Drinking enough water
This one might seem obvious, but it’s something many people struggle with. Hydrated skin starts from within. I am not naturally a great water drinker, but I’ve found adding something with flavour, like electrolytes, collagen or Greens, helps me stay more consistent in reaching my goal.
3. Eating whole foods
Nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich foods truly help your skin glow. Getting enough healthy fats (like avocado, olive oil, nuts), protein, and colourful fruits and veggies is foundational for skin health— as well as your waistline or hormones. This is another reason why it’s so valuable for my FASTer Way clients to learn what their personalized nutrition goals are.
4. Taking collagen
Our natural Collagen production decreases as we age, which contributes to fine lines and loss of firmness in our skin. To help compensate, I take collagen daily. If you’re curious to learn more about it, I break it all down in this blog post
Want to know what products I use?
For the last 3 years, I’ve been using Cole Skincare, a line created by Jillian Cole, a Naturopathic Doctor who also happened to cover one of my maternity leaves! She’s combined her naturopathic expertise with her deep understanding and passion for skincare to create her products.
Here’s what I use (I started with the first 3 and added the Perfecting Serum last year):
• Omega Cleansing Balm – gentle and non-stripping cleanser
• Barrier Protection Essence – hydrating and soothing spray
• Barrier Repair Cream – seals in moisture and supports the skin barrier
• Perfecting Serum – evens skin tone and helps with fine lines and wrinkles
I also love her Greens powder (delicious pineapple flavour!) to help top up what I get from food, and she just launched a new collagen powder I’m excited to try. You can check out her full product line here.
So what makes these products different?
When I asked Jillian what she considers when formulating her products, here’s what she said:
“It’s about using ingredients that are biocompatible—meaning they support your skin cells and skin barrier. Even “clean” ingredients can still be disruptive over time. Less is often more (when it comes to what your skin needs to be healthy).”
She explained that many cleansers and creams contain ingredients that can actually disrupt your skin’s protective barrier. That’s why she uses ingredients like:
• Sugar-based surfactants (like sucrose laurate in the cleansing balm) that cleanse without stripping
• Biocompatible emulsifiers (like lecithin, behenyl alcohol/behenic acid, and glyceryl behenate) that mimic the skin’s natural layers and help it stay hydrated and calm
When your skin barrier is supported, you’re less likely to deal with dryness, redness, or reactive oiliness that can occur when your skin is out of balance.
If you’ve felt overwhelmed by skincare—or frustrated with products that don’t deliver—I hope this gives you a clearer path forward.
If you’re looking for support with your overall health (including skin health from the inside out), I have virtual naturopathic appointments available starting August 20th. If the times listed don’t work for you, feel free to reach out—we can likely find something that fits.