If a product doesn’t make me say a clear yes, it stays on the shelf.
I’ve lived in enough cities and climates to learn this the hard way.
Central Asian winters, Malaysian humidity, and now São Paulo’s heat that sneaks up at 3 p.m. while I’m pushing a stroller through Itaim Bibi.
Different weather, same truth: some products we grew up trusting don’t love us back. In fact, a few make us look older than we are.
I’m big on routine. With a toddler, a full workday, and a kitchen that always smells like something simmering, my beauty routine has to be quick and effective.
That’s why I edit what I use. If you keep reaching for the seven products below, you might be adding ten years you didn’t sign up for.
Let’s clean out a few makeup bags together.
1. Heavy, mask-like foundation
Do you ever see your face in bright elevator lighting and think, why does my skin look tired even though I slept?
A dense, matte, full-coverage foundation often settles into fine lines and exaggerates texture. It flattens the natural light on your face, which is what makes skin look alive.
When I was a new mom and permanently sleep deprived, I used to paint on a thick base because I thought more coverage meant more polished.
It had the opposite effect. I looked chalky in photos and older in person. The fix was simple. I switched to a sheer or medium skin tint with light-reflecting pigments and used pinpoint concealer only where I needed it.
My face looked fresher within minutes. If you want extra longevity, apply a whisper of translucent powder only around the center of the face. Not everywhere.
If you love a fuller finish for events, try mixing a drop of moisturizer or facial oil into your foundation first. It keeps the product from caking and brings back bounce.
2. Talc-heavy baking and thick setting powders
“Baking” sounds fun in the kitchen. On the under-eye area, it’s a fast track to creases you didn’t know you had.
Talc-heavy powders can settle into lines, flash back in photos, and dull the natural sheen that signals healthy skin. I learned this during a date night with my husband.
The restaurant lighting was romantic, but in the bathroom mirror my under-eyes looked like crumpled paper.
A lighter touch goes a long way. Swap the heavy bake for a featherweight, finely milled powder and use a small brush only on areas that truly get shiny.
Another trick I use before meetings: press a bit of hydrating mist or a drop of eye cream into the under-eye with your ring finger after makeup. It revives the area without undoing your work.
3. Frosted lipstick and harsh lip liner combos
Frosted, metallic lipsticks can make lips look thinner and draw attention to dryness.
Pair that with a dark, obvious liner and you get a throwback that ages the whole face. I tried this trend again for nostalgia and immediately remembered why I stopped.
The contrast was unforgiving, especially in daylight while I was out with my toddler.
Pick a creamy satin or a tinted balm that matches the natural tone of your lips, then use a liner that is one shade deeper than your lip color. Blend the edges.
That subtle, blurred look reads youthful and modern. For my plant-forward readers, there are beautiful vegan formulas with butters and oils that keep lips soft without the glittery cast.
4. Alcohol-forward toners and astringents
If your toner stings and smells like a cocktail, it’s probably stripping your skin barrier. A compromised barrier looks dull and lined, no matter how much makeup you layer on top.
Years ago in Kuala Lumpur I loved the instant squeaky-clean feel after an alcohol-based toner. Then I realized I was creating a cycle of tightness, oil rebound, and irritation.
Trade the sting for support. Look for toners or essences with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or calming botanicals. They give your skin water, not just a quick tingle.
As noted by the dermatologists, gentle routines that avoid drying alcohols and replenish moisture help skin look smoother and healthier over time.
Keep it simple and watch your glow return.
5. Scratchy physical scrubs
Those apricot-kernel or walnut shell scrubs feel satisfying for about ten seconds.
Then they leave micro-scratches that make skin uneven and more reactive. Uneven texture grabs makeup and highlights lines.
I used a classic scrub through my early twenties. It made me believe I had “rough” skin. I didn’t. I had irritated skin.
Go gentle. Use a soft washcloth or a chemical exfoliant with low-dose lactic or mandelic acid a few times a week.
The goal is a smooth surface that reflects light, not a scrubbed-red face that needs a day to calm down.
6. Tanning oils and low-SPF moisturizers
This one is the biggest ager of them all. Any oil or lotion that invites the sun in without real protection accelerates fine lines, dark spots, and a leathery texture that no foundation can hide.
I grew up in a culture that equated color with health, so I get the appeal of a golden glow. The price is steep.
A daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is non-negotiable if you want your future face to thank you. This isn’t my opinion.
It’s established, science-backed advice you’ll find from dermatology organizations like the American Academy of Dermatology, which recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every day, even when it’s cloudy.
If you miss the look of a tan, reach for a modern self-tanner or a bronzing serum. Pair SPF with a hat and shade breaks if you live somewhere sunny like São Paulo.
I time playground visits for early morning or late afternoon, and my skin is happier.
7. Expired eye makeup
Old mascara, crusty liquid liner, and dried-out kohl do two things.
They smudge, weighing down the eyes, and they increase the risk of irritation or infection that leaves the area puffy and red. Nothing says “older and more tired” like inflamed eyes.
We hang out with friends who love swimming and outdoor lunches on weekends, and eye makeup takes a beating. That means I replace it more often than lipstick.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises tossing mascara after about three months, never adding water to “revive” it, and watching for any change in smell or texture.
Keep it clean, and your eyes will look clearer and more awake with less product.
A quick note on hair and vibe
Hair products can age you too, not because gray is bad, but because stick-straight, crunchy finishes read dated on most of us.
If your spray leaves hair stiff and dull, try a flexible hold option and a heat protectant that adds shine. I cut my hair to shoulder length for speed. A smooth blowout in ten minutes and I’m out the door.
The goal is movement. Movement looks youthful.
How I keep my routine quick and forgiving
My mornings are short. We wake up at 7, have breakfast at the kitchen island, and walk my husband to work.
After the supermarket run and a play stop, I have about five minutes for makeup before my workday starts. Here’s the exact order I use that avoids the aging traps above:
Sunscreen first. A skin tint next. A touch of creamy concealer only where needed. Brow gel to lift. Soft blush high on the cheek. Mascara that I replace often. A satin lip that matches my natural tone.
If I powder, it’s a quick tap at the sides of the nose and between the brows. That’s it. I look like myself, not a filtered version that cracks by 2 p.m.
On date nights we add a little spice. I’ll work a soft brown liner into the upper lash line and add a brighter lip. Emilia is usually asleep with Lara, and we get those precious two hours of appetizers and conversation.
Nothing melts faster than heavy layers, so I keep the same lightweight base and blot once if needed.
What to buy instead, in plain words
You don’t need a mountain of new products. Swap the seven offenders for modern, skin-friendly versions:
- A breathable base with a natural finish
- Finely milled translucent powder used sparingly
- A satin lipstick or tinted balm plus a close-match lip liner
- A hydrating toner or essence with barrier helpers
- A gentle chemical exfoliant a few times a week
- Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher
- Fresh eye makeup on a three-month rotation
If you want to align your routine with your values, plenty of vegan and cruelty-free options exist in each category. Half my girlfriends are plant-based, so I test a lot when we hang out. The textures have come a long way.
The mindset shift that makes this easy
I use a simple rule when I shop: cost per use. I’d rather have one elegant product I reach for every day than a drawer of maybes.
If a product doesn’t make me say a very clear yes, it stays on the shelf. This approach saves money, time, and the headache of wondering why my face looks off in photos.
It’s a small habit that pays off every single day.
One last thing. Be kind to your face. It carries your life. Mine carries early mornings, toddler cuddles, a lot of true crime while I stir dinner, plane rides to Santiago to see family, and late-night chats with my husband.
I want my skin to look like I care, not like I’m trying to scrub away the life I’ve lived.
If any of the seven products are still in your rotation, try one swap this week. See how your skin responds. See how you feel when you catch your reflection in a window and you look like you, only a bit more rested.
That’s the whole point.
What’s Your Plant-Powered Archetype?
Ever wonder what your everyday habits say about your deeper purpose—and how they ripple out to impact the planet?
This 90-second quiz reveals the plant-powered role you’re here to play, and the tiny shift that makes it even more powerful.
12 fun questions. Instant results. Surprisingly accurate.
