From Noxzema to Now: What 40 Years of Skincare Taught Me About Aging Well

In 1986, I read in Seventeen magazine that sun tanning accelerates aging, and I ran inside forever. While my friends were slathering on baby oil, I was washing my face with Noxzema and saving up for Clinique’s yellow moisturizer, thrilled by the bonus makeup samples that came with every purchase. My teenage skincare routine was simple: wash, moisturize, repeat. And honestly? Decades (and many products) later, I still believe that consistency beats complexity every time.

In this post, I’ll share my go-to skincare habits at 55— and the one “rule” I break all the time. Whether you're a product minimalist or a self-care enthusiast, you'll leave with a fresh perspective on beauty, aging, and why simple practices often give us the most lasting results.

Skincare Wasn’t Always This Complicated (and Didn’t Need to Be)

Back in the day, skincare was a quick trip to the mall or drugstore and a dab of moisturizer, not a 12-step nightly commitment with LED masks and snail mucin. When I was 16, my routine was simple: wash with Noxzema or Ivory soap (I know, I know… I no longer do that), moisturize with Clinique’s iconic yellow lotion, and never—ever—go to bed with makeup on. That was it. No acids, no vitamin C, no toner. I turned in my baby oil for sunscreen. And honestly, my skin loved it. What I didn’t realize back then was that this kind of consistent, uncomplicated care was laying the foundation for habits that would last decades.

I’ve Tried the Trends—But Simple Still Wins

Since those early days, I’ve tried my fair share of skincare upgrades—facials, chemical peels, Botox, lasers, and more sample jars than I can count. Some of them worked beautifully, others made big promises and delivered nothing but regret. But what I’ve learned is this: no treatment can replace the impact of small, daily choices. These days, my routine is still simple, especially for 55. I use a gentle cleanser, a serum (either vitamin C or hyaluronic acid), eye cream, a daily moisturizer, and sunscreen. That’s it. No 12-step systems or complicated layering. Just a few steady habits that make my skin feel healthy and cared for. And honestly? That kind of consistency does more for my skin than any trendy treatment ever could.

One Rule I Break (and Why My Skin Forgives Me)

Here’s the truth: I don’t always reapply sunscreen as perfectly as I should. And yes, there are nights when I fall asleep with my mascara still on. But you know what? My skin forgives me—because I’m consistent the rest of the time. I don’t aim for perfection, just steadiness. That’s what keeps my skin happy, and it’s the same mindset I bring to my meditation practice. When you build habits that are steady and doable, you bounce back faster from the occasional slip. No drama, just a return to what works.

Skincare doesn’t have to be overwhelming to be effective. After nearly four decades of trying, tweaking, and learning, I’ve found that the best results—for both my skin and my sanity—come from keeping it simple and showing up consistently. Just like with meditation, the magic isn’t in doing it perfectly—it’s in doing it regularly.

So, if you’re feeling pulled in a hundred directions or second-guessing whether you’re “doing enough,” let this be your permission to start small. You don’t need 12 steps or a fancy regimen. Just a few minutes of care—inside and out—can change everything.

Here’s to simplicity and consistency, Carol

P.S. Want to see what I mean? Try Start Small: A 5-Minute Practice for Presence—my free guided meditation designed to help you reset, recharge, and reconnect. You can listen to it anywhere, anytime.

👉 Grab the free meditation here and start feeling the difference a few minutes can make.