Ané Blog

You've probably seen the terms "hydration" and "moisture" used interchangeably everywhere, used as if they're the same thing. One adds water to your skin, the other seals it in, and both are essential, especially after 35 when our natural processes start to slow down.  

While it may be true that both refers to water levels in the skin, there is a difference in terms of the mechanisms, as well as product formulation practices and ingredient choices - and therefore the product choices in your routine. 

If your skin feels tight, dull, or dry no matter what you use, the missing link might be knowing whether you need (more) hydration, moisture, or both.

In this blog guide, I’ll unpack the science and show you how to balance hydration and moisture for smoother, stronger, more radiant skin.

Could hidden inflammation accelerating your skin ageing without you realising it?

In this comprehensive guide, I unpack the science of inflammaging, what it is, how it impacts your skin and overall health, and why it’s especially important for women 35+.

This is following on from the previous blog where I share more about my recent personal exprerience and discoveries. 

You’ll discover 9 key triggers behind chronic, low-grade inflammation and 12 practical, evidence-based steps to help calm it. 

Small, consistent changes can make a visible difference, building stronger, healthier, more radiant skin from the inside out.

Many women in midlife assume that struggles with weight, energy, and hormones are simply “part of ageing.” But often, there’s something else quietly driving these changes: hidden, low-level inflammation.

This type of silent inflammation doesn’t always show up as obvious skin problems or dramatic allergic reactions. Instead, it works beneath the surface — disrupting hormones, draining energy, locking weight in place, and slowly accelerating the ageing process in both body and skin. 

Food intolerances, gut imbalances, and hormonal shifts are all connected. Addressing inflammation and gut health is just as vital as supporting hormones if we want to feel better and protect our skin health in midlife.

This blog explores how hidden inflammation impacts hormones, metabolism, and skin, and what practical steps can help calm it down. If you’ve been doing “all the right things” and still feel stuck, this may be the missing piece.

If there’s one thing I wish I’d done more of in my twenties, it's investing in a good antioxidant serum and used it consistently.  That would've given me decades of additional protection against free radical damage, but now that I understand the importance of it I don't skip a day. 

The world of skincare can be overwhelming, but I hope this Antioxidants in Skincare guide will give you more clarity about the importance of this key ingredient family and more confidence to choose your next antioxidant product.

 I break down the science, explain the key ingredients, and share some practical shopping tips so you can better protect your skin over the long term. 

Collagen banking is your long-term plan for firmer, more resilient skin. Learn the science, the hormonal impact, key actives, and daily actions that work.

Ané Skincare was born from my own journey into midlife and the unexpected changes in my skin. My old routine wasn’t working anymore. That's when I discovered that what my skin was truly missing wasn't just hydration, but essential lipids. This led me to create Glow in a Bottle—a face oil specifically formulated to restore your skin's barrier, reduce dryness, and bring back a healthy, resilient glow. 

We know comparison doesn’t help, but why do we still do it? In this honest, science-backed blog, discover why your skin isn’t behind, it’s simply yours. And why it's not only unhelpful and unkind, but scientifically and biologically irrelevant. Not to mention unfair to the person and the woman you are today. 

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to find a sunscreen that actually does what it promises—and feels good to wear—this guide is for you.

Inside, I share the sunscreens I personally use and recommend most. From dermatologist-favourite Heliocare to lightweight, invisible ISDIN formulas and clever tinted options from Colorescience, these SPFs are chosen for their proven protection, elegant textures, and compatibility with real life (and real skin).

You’ll learn why certain filters, antioxidants, and “broad-spectrum” claims matter—and how these products help prevent visible ageing, pigmentation, and loss of firmness over time.

Confused by all the SPF jargon? You’re not alone.

This helpful sunscreen shopping checklist helps you finally decode sunscreen labels and helps to clarify terms and symbols like SPF, PA++++, and “broad spectrum”, what they really mean for your skin health and why they matter if you want to slow visible ageing, reduce pigmentation, and protect your collagen long-term.

I share the simple checklist long with my personal sunscreen recommendations—tried-and-tested favourites that I use every single day. From innovative mineral formulas to ultra-light fluids and tinted multitaskers, these products make consistent protection effortless.

Consider this your friendly, no-nonsense roadmap to choosing the right sunscreen for your skin type, your concerns, and your lifestyle—so you never feel overwhelmed in the skincare aisle again.

As we age, visible facial changes like sagging and jowls often have less to do with wrinkles and more to do with what’s happening beneath the skin — including bone resorption, fat pad descent, and muscle loss. In this blog we look into how and why these changes occur, what skincare can realistically help with, and how to take a proactive, realistic approach to ageing skin through midlife, menopause and beyond. 

A Skincare Staple, Reimagined: The humble face cloth, or flannel if you prefer, is making a powerful return in skincare, offering a gentle yet effective way to cleanse, exfoliate, and remove makeup. At Ané, our Dual-Sided Organic Cotton Muslin and Microfibre Face Cloths are designed for versatile, low-fuss cleansing that's kind to your skin and the planet. Dive into our comprehensive FAQ to discover why this skincare essential is a must-have for a soft, smooth radiant complexion.

Collagen is one of the most talked-about ingredients in skincare today, from collagen-infused creams to daily collagen supplements. But what really works? In this detailed blog, we unpack the science behind collagen support, from building blocks like amino acids to topical actives that promote skin’s structural integrity. We explain the best strategies to help your skin age gracefully, focusing on nourishment, protection, and prevention.

Dry, tight, uncomfortable skin can be more than just a surface issue—it’s often a signal that your skin barrier needs more support.

If you’ve noticed your skin is getting drier (especially during perimenopause or menopause), here are my personal go-to tips for increasing comfort, nourishment, and glow.

Dry and dehydrated skin might feel the same in some respects, but they’re not. Discover how to tell which one you’re dealing with, how it changes in midlife, and how to restore balance and comfort to your skin.

Looking for better sleep in midlife? Disrupted sleep (hormonal or otherwise) can feel like an unsolvable mystery and have a huge impact on our ability to function in our daily lives, not to mention the impact on our overall health and skin. In this blog, I share the supplement stack that transformed my own sleep, built through trial, error and experimentation over several years.  There are many factors that influence good quality sleep, but sometimes we may need a little external help in the form of supplements.  Not advice, just a starting point for your own research in case you're looking for something to help improve your sleep. 

Sleep often changes dramatically during perimenopause and menopause — even for women who’ve always slept well. In this blog, we explore how hormonal shifts disrupt your sleep cycle, impact your skin, and what you can do to restore better, deeper rest in midlife.

Discover how sleep impacts skin ageing, collagen, and barrier repair—plus science-backed tips to improve your skin overnight, literally.

Discover 12 timeless, essential beauty habits and sustainable rituals for strong and healthy skin. From daily sunscreen to more eco-friendly personal care choices, use our checklist to build your perfect routine

What are Active Ingredients in Skincare?  What about all the other ingredients on the INCI? In this blog you'll learn about the difference betweenActive and “Inactive” Functional Ingredients in Skincare Formulations and the Science of Rheology.  You'll see plenty of ingredient examples and categories and there's also a sample formulation to show you how it all comes together to create the product you hold in your hand. 

How to read skincare labels and decipher cosmetic ingredients is an important part of your choosing your products and routine. The INCI is the official term for your product ingredients list and this blog explains more about what the INCI is and how it works.

Acids in skincare are more than just exfoliants. This comprehensive guide reveals the power of AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, plus the essential role of acids naturally found in your body, like Hyaluronic Acid and amino acids, for truly healthy, radiant skin.