I’ve been getting so many comments lately about how my skin looks, how much energy I have, or how I seem to look younger now than I did last year. What’s really worked for me is making changes across multiple areas of my life; skin, diet, fitness, and mindset, and being consistent with them. None of it happened overnight. It’s been a gradual process, but when you add it all up, the difference is huge. Here’s exactly what I’ve changed and why it works for me.
Skin
I used to be the person with a 10 step routine because I thought the more products I used, the better my skin would look. Turns out, I was just overwhelming my skin barrier and making it harder for anything to work properly. These days, my routine is much more simple. I’ve switched to more minimal products, focusing on gentle, hydrating formulas, and I find Korean skincare works really well for this. The products are effective without being too harsh, and they give my skin that healthy, plump look without irritation.
The only strong active I use consistently is tretinoin 0.05%. This alone has transformed my skin texture over time. It’s the one product that’s truly made a difference to fine lines, uneven texture, and just keeping my skin looking smoother overall. On top of that, I do treatments like Sculptra, which stimulates your own collagen production gradually, so the results look natural rather than overdone. I’ve also tried Salmon DNA treatments, which help with hydration, brightness, and overall skin quality and it gives you that lit-from-within look rather than something fake or too obvious.
And then there’s Gua Sha. When I do it regularly, I see a big difference in my face looking less puffy and more sculpted for the day. I’ll be honest…I’m not as consistent as I want to be because life gets busy, and most of the time I’m in a rush, but even a few sessions a week help. It’s one of those things where the results build up over time, so I try to make it part of my routine when I can.
Diet
I cannot stress enough how much changing my diet has impacted the way I feel and look. A year ago, I cut out processed junk and sugary drinks completely. I just didn’t feel good eating that way…it made me feel sluggish, my skin wasn’t as clear, and I never felt properly satisfied. Now I focus on whole foods and keep things balanced.
That doesn’t mean I live on salad or cut out all the foods I love. If I want a burger, I’ll have one, I just skip the bun and heavy sauces because I know they don’t make me feel great after. I don’t restrict entire food groups either. I eat bread, but I stick to sourdough because it’s easier to digest and feels lighter on my body. I have one coffee a day, usually in the morning, and then I make sure I’m getting enough protein with every meal because it supports my training, helps with muscle tone, and keeps my energy levels steady throughout the day.
This isn’t about dieting…it’s about eating in a way that feels good and actually supports my body rather than working against it. Over time, it’s become a lifestyle rather than something I have to think too hard about.
Fitness
I’ve always been on and off with fitness, but in the last year, I’ve finally found a routine that works for me, and I’ve stuck to it. I lift weights four times a week and do 30 minutes of cardio twice a week (just a steady walk). Nothing extreme, nothing unrealistic. Just consistent strength training that focuses on progressive overload so I can actually get stronger over time. My workouts are the exact same every session, and this is what I’ve found has really helped the change in my body.
What I love about lifting weights is how empowering it feels. When you start to see changes in your muscle tone, when you feel stronger carrying groceries or moving furniture around, it’s a confidence boost that goes way beyond looks. The cardio is more for my heart health, stamina, and overall energy, but it also keeps my workouts balanced.
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that you can work out all you want, but if your nutrition and recovery aren’t in place, the results won’t show. It took me months to really see visible changes (after a whole year I’ve only just started seeing results!) because it’s all the little things combined, consistent workouts, eating enough protein, getting enough sleep, and all this adds up over time. Now that I’m seeing the progress, it’s actually easier to stay motivated because I can feel and see the difference in my body.
Mindset
This one might be the most important because it affects everything else. A while ago, I made a decision to cut out negative, toxic people and focus on keeping my mental space as healthy as possible. It doesn’t mean I’m positive every second of the day…that’s not realistic…but I’ve stopped giving energy to situations and people that drain me.
Instead, I’ve made it a habit to focus on gratitude and to actually appreciate the opportunities I have, the progress I’ve made, and the things in my life that are going well. It’s so easy to get caught up in what’s missing or what’s next, but learning to appreciate what’s here now has changed everything for me. It keeps me grounded, makes me less stressed, and honestly, I think it even shows in how I look and carry myself. Stress ages you faster than anything, and keeping that in check is just as important as the skincare and the gym.
Aging backward at 45 hasn’t been about any one thing…it’s been a full lifestyle shift. None of it is extreme or impossible to keep up with. It’s been about simplifying my skincare, eating in a way that actually fuels me, training consistently, and protecting my mental space. The results didn’t happen overnight, but now, looking back, the difference between how I felt a year ago and how I feel now is massive.
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Some products live in that gray area between skincare and makeup. Tinted moisturizers, BB creams, and CC creams all promise coverage with a side of skincare benefits, but they’re not the same and it can easily become confusing. If you’ve ever wondered which one is actually right for your skin…then this is going to be your ultimate guide.
Kudos Nina for another well informed and knowledgeable post/article!
You are definitely right about consistency being the key to success in all areas of our lives, specifically in our health and beauty routines. That is something I suffer from however. I am not consistent in my beauty routine as much as I try to be. My adult ADHD doesn’t help the matter either. Lacking motivation and energy and being a pro at procrastination hinders me greatly. But it is the truth and facts about consistency to see results and to feel and look better. Something I’m in the process of working on. Must do better! Good for you for doing so yourself.
One thing I want to add however, is that I’ve learned a lot this past year about strength training and and how it can help women over 40 to be more active, strong (mentally and physically), balanced, and in shape. But one thing I want to add to this is how changing your routine up everyday/every week/etc. is very important for us to see faster and more consistent progress and results. Challenging our mind and our muscles, switching it up and keeping them guessing is a good thing. It also helps prevent injuries. It is crucial to gaining muscle mass and bone density too. Just a suggestion here. I have started strength training this year, only doing it for a half hour with a personal trainer 2-3 days per week. And I already saw results starting a couple of months ago already. It is really important to keep your body/muscles healthy and strong, along with seeing muscle growth and strength gain.
I’m very curious what you think about this, being such an important, effective, and inspiring leader in the health and beauty sector. I and many more of us are very fortunate to be here and know you, and to learn from you as well.
Keep going and keep up the good work and vibes! I wish you luck in your journey to self care and success.