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Looking back at nearly four decades of my skincare journey, I’ve learned a lot—the hard way.
From SPF regrets to starting Retinoids too late, from neglecting my neck and chest to overcomplicating my routine, this is everything I wish I’d known sooner.
The biggest lesson?
Skincare isn’t just about products—it’s about consistency, patience, lifestyle and taking care of skin from the inside out.
If you’ve ever wondered what really makes a difference long-term, this post is for you. Because it’s never too late to start.
As I'm going into the last year of my fourties I've been reflecting on my skincare journey ove the decades - many rounds of trial and error, lessons learned the hard way, and things I wish I’d known (or taken more seriously) much earlier.
If I could go back and give my younger self some advice, these would be the biggest game-changers I’d tell her to focus on.
Some of them might seem obvious—but how many of us have fallen into the same traps?
This one is painfully obvious now, but back then? Not so much.
Like so many of us, I thought SPF was just for summer holidays, and if I did wear it, it was the tiny amount mixed into my moisturiser or foundation. I just cringe when I think about how much sun damage I could have prevented - especially growing up in South Africa - most of the time we just tanned with olive oil to be honest.
But let’s be fair too —SPF formulas back then were not great.
Do you remember those thick, sticky, greasy sunscreens that made makeup slide off by midday? No wonder we avoided them.
The truth?
Most of what I’m now trying to ‘fix’ (or at least slow down) is the result of that sun exposure. And I know I'm not alone.
If there’s one lesson I wish I’d learned sooner, it’s this:
These days SPF is non-negotiable. I use it every day, rain or shine.
And the best part? Sunscreens today are light, elegant, and very often packed with active skincare ingredients to help with hydration, pigmentation, and overall skin health.
If it’s not yet a solid part of your morning routine, make this your next step.
If I could go back, I’d tell myself that a daily Antioxidant Serum (like Vitamin C) is just as important as SPF.
Why? Because while SPF protects from UV damage, antioxidants protect against free radicals and oxidative stress, which accelerate ageing by breaking down collagen and elastin.
And let’s be honest—our 20s are full of late nights, stress, and questionable lifestyle choices (I’m looking at you, lack of sleep and too much caffeine).
A good Vitamin C serum would have helped:
✔ Boost collagen for firmer skin
✔ Fade pigmentation and brighten my complexion
✔ Strengthen my skin against environmental damage
This would've added two decades worth of additional skin protection and care as well as slowing down signs of ageing over the years.
For some reason, I thought I had to wait until I was 40 to start using Retinoids.
I also found them intimidating—they seemed like something only dermatologists prescribed.
I was wrong.
Retinoids (like Retinol or Retinaldehyde) are one of the most powerful tools for collagen support, texture refinement, and overall skin longevity.
If I could turn back time, I’d start with a gentle one in my early 30s.
👉 If you’ve been on the fence about Retinoids, it’s never too late to start—but I do wish I had done it sooner.
Again - let's be far. These days we have far more choice and accessible education and information about Retinoids. That wasn't the case 10-15 years ago - maybe not even really 5 years ago.
If I could go back, I would drill this into my younger self:
👉 Your face doesn’t stop at your jawline.
So much of what we call "ageing" actually shows up first on the neck and décolletage—yet for years, I completely neglected those areas. Quiet aside from the fact that since I barely used sunscreen on my face I most definitely didn't protect my neck and chest areas.
The result?
My face looks fresher and more even than my neck and chest, which show more sun damage and fine lines because I didn’t treat them the same way. Again, I know I'm not alone - this is a topic I often discuss with customers.
Now, my golden rule is:
Everything I apply to my face—SPF, serums, moisturisers —goes all the way down to my chest.
If you take one thing from this, start doing this today, it doesn't matter how old or young are. Younger is better, but still.
Your future self will thank you.
For years, I avoided face oils because I had verfy oily skin—and I assumed oils would make it worse.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Skin needs both water and oil to function properly, and once I tried a high-quality (Baobab) Oil, it changed everything. In fact, that moment inspired me to create Glow in a Bottle Face Oil. That is how Ané Skincare was born - and we still use Baobab Oil today as one of our key ingredients in Glow in a Bottle Face Oil as well as our beloved Radiance Reveal Cleansing Balm.
It gave me the nourishment and barrier support my skin needed, and I was amazed at how it softened my skin, gave it a glow, and helped balance oil production instead of making things worse.
Now, I can’t live without it.
For years, I thought my hands were enough for cleansing. Then, I tried muslin cloths and microfibre cloths, and it changed everything.
Using a gentle muslin cloth helped give my skin a subtle polish without irritation.
It gently lifted off any residue, leaving my skin smooth and fresh without any harsh scrubbing.
I loved them so much that I created my own Ané Dual-Sided Face Cloths—one side for soft polishing and the other for a deeper cleanse.
I also ditched face scrubs for good. A muslin cloth + a liquid exfoliant was all I needed to maintain smooth, healthy skin without the irritation I used to get from physical scrubs.
For years, the idea of using ‘acids’ on my face sounded terrifying.
But once I started using a well-formulated exfoliating toner, I never looked back.
✔ It boosts cellular turnover, helping skin renew itself
✔ It clears congestion and smooths texture
✔ It hydrates and preps skin for other treatments
The difference between my pre-exfoliant skin and my post-exfoliant skin was night and day. I went from dull, uneven skin to something far more refined, hydrated, and radiant.
I wish I had discovered Ané Liquid Exfoliant earlier because exfoliation done right is a game-changer.
I spent too many years stripping my skin with harsh foaming cleansers that left my face tight, dry, and sometimes irritated.
Creating and formulating Ané Radiance Reveal Cleansing Balm changed how I cleanse. Instead of leaving my skin feeling parched, it melts away makeup and sunscreen while nourishing and softening my skin barrier.
I wish I had stopped believing the myth that a squeaky-clean face was a good thing.
The right cleansing approach makes all the difference and is a foundational step in your skincare routine.
Such a small change, such a big difference.
I first looked into this when a brand started selling silk pillowcases for £80 (no, thanks!). I find silk pillowcases far too tricky to care for properly, especially washing them every 2-3 days.
But I found a great satin alternative on Amazon, and I now take it everywhere with me.
Why?
✔ Less friction = less tugging on skin and hair
✔ Helps prevent morning pillow-crease lines
✔ Hair stays smoother overnight
These days I don’t go anywhere without mine.
Honestly? I was lazy about this for years.
I spent so much time and money on my skincare, only to apply it with bacteria-laden brushes without thinking about it. I know this sounds terrible, I only washed my brushes occasionally - now I can't quite believe that I did that.
These days I make sure to:
✔ Wash makeup brushes once a week
✔ Wash foundation sponges every 3-4 days
It’s not fun, but it makes a huge difference.
For too many years, I overcomplicated everything.
I bought into the ‘more is more’ myth—constantly switching between products, buying every new thing I could get my hands on, layering too much, and never giving anything time to work.
Now, my routine is simple but targeted:
✔ Cleanse properly
✔ Hydration, moisture, and barrier support
✔ Core Actives:
• Antioxidant Serum (AM)
• Retinoid Serum (PM, 5 nights a week)
• Exfoliating Liquid (1-2 nights a week; sometimes mornings as I love how smooth my skin is underneath my makeup)
✔ Stay consistent and patient.
I am ageing, my skin is ageing and the shape of my face is changing - but as I'm going into my fifties my skin is happier, healthier, and stronger than ever.
For years, I believed my skin was all about what I put on it.
But as I've gotten older I’ve come to realise that relying solely on skincare products only gets you so far.
I know this sounds obvious, but it took me years to fully understand the impact of sleep, nutrition, gut health, reducing stress, and minimising inflammation in my body overall.
These internal factors, combined with the right skincare, deliver the best results over time. Results that last are built on habits that are sustainable, not quick fixes.
Even if you’re considering or already using tweakments and treatments like injectables or lasers, your daily skincare and lifestyle choices remain the foundation for long-term skin health.
It’s easy to look back and think, “I wish I’d known this sooner.” I'm sure most of us can relate to that - not just about skin, but just about life in general.
But the best thing? It’s never too late to start.
Every small, consistent step you take today is shaping the skin you’ll have in the decades to come.
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.
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Dealing with sun spots, blemishes, or stubborn post-acne marks? Dive into this comprehensive guide to discover the science behind pigmentation, plus effective skincare ingredients and routines, lifestyle tips, and treatments for a more radiant, even-toned complexion.
