5 Beauty-Obsessed Women on How They Keep Their Skin Looking Youthful

There are few things I love more than talking to people about their beauty routines. I love to find out what cleansers people are using, what serums they swear by and what skincare secrets they have been sat on. Sure, I love hearing from lots of different people with lots of different skin types, but the people I love speaking to the most? Those with mature skin, but undeniably youthful complexions.

You see, few things get people talking more passionately than the topic of skin ageing. And sure, we know that a huge amount of ageing is down to genetics, however, we can’t ignore the fact that there are a handful of women who appear to possess some sort of Benjamin Button–style gift. So in a bid to demystify this apparent anti-ageing phenomenon, I spoke to some of those most fresh-faced women in beauty to uncover their secrets.

Janka Polliani: @polliani

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(Image credit: @POLLIANI)

"At the age of 25, I didn’t even know what skincare was. But for the last 12 years or so, I have really been focusing on anti-ageing and glow-giving ingredients. I want to age well and good! Now, I always double cleanse in the morning and evening. I do also go for skin treatments, and I really recommend going to see a skin therapist who will give you a programme to fit your skin. It’s important to never skip your routine—not even when you fall asleep on the sofa after a few glasses of wine! My other top tip is, of course, apply SPF 50 365 days a year.”

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Tina Craig: @bagsnob, Founder of U Beauty

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(Image credit: @BAGSNOB)

"From a young age, I was taught to take care of my skin. Being told you have great skin is the highest physical accolade you can receive in Asian culture. My grandmother imbued in me that self-care is self-love which naturally leads to self-confidence. Skincare for us starts from the inside out, so everything we eat has a specific purpose for health and wellness. I was fed chicken feet, bone broth, white and black wood ear tree fungus (a type of wild mushroom), fish eyes and sea cucumber—all in the name of good skin. 

"Nowadays, I adhere to my 4 Cs of skincare: Cleanse, Compound, Cream (including the face, eye and neck area) and Cover (always with SPF in the day). I also never go to bed without washing my face with cold water. I drink at least 64 ounces of room-temperature water daily and make sure I sleep 7–8 hours a night. I also ‘roll’ every day and have been for years, long before it was popular. Great for tightening, sculpting and lymphatic drainage, it feels like an aesthetician’s fingertips on your skin.”

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Grece Ghanem: @greceghanem

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(Image credit: @GRECEGHANEM)

"Your skin is your best outfit—it is precious and cannot be replaced. I have been looking after my skin since a very young age and encouraged my daughter to do the same. I have been attentive to its varying needs as I grow older, too. Now, I’m focused on maintaining the collagen in my skin through the right skincare routines, at-home face massages and treatments.

"I swear by keeping my skin hydrated by drinking a lot of water throughout the day and maintaining a healthy diet full of fruits and veggies that is low in sugar and dairy. Second, exercising and working out keeps blood circulating and cells regenerating. Lastly, I believe it is important to create a skincare routine that you can stay committed to and enjoy doing.

"I gently cleanse with micellar water on a cotton pad followed by a cleanser. I follow with a tonic lotion that hydrates deeply and then apply my eye cream. I use either a lactic acid serum or a vitamin C before applying my moisturiser and a facial oil on top. My favourite step is to massage my face. I have always taken great care of protecting my skin from sun damage.”

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Tennille Murphy: @thetennillelife_

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(Image credit: @THETENNILLELIFE_)

"Taking pride in my skin is an extension of the pride I take in caring for my body as a whole. About 10 years ago, I realised that what I put inside my body can not only maintain me physically, but it also heals me mentally. I also learned how to self-care before it was something I could define as such. Ever since then, I have focused on eating a whole food, low sugar, non-processed diet and drink about a gallon of water daily. Treating my skin to lovely clean beauty skincare products is the cherry on top. 

"The best way to care for your skin is from the inside out. Foods I eat for happy, healthy skin include dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds, berries, avocado, veggies, lemon and olive oil. I know this will raise a few eyebrows, but I also avoid drinking alcohol, don’t smoke and stay away from refined sugars. My final tip is adopting a skincare routine that nourishes, hydrates, restores and protects the skin barrier.”

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Alexis Foreman: @alexisforeman

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(Image credit: @ALEXISFOREMAN)

"I love taking care of my skin, but it wasn’t always the case. When I was young and wrinkle-free I didn’t pay much attention to it, but once the lines started to set in, I started researching what products slow down the ageing process. Now, it’s a bit of a hobby and I love seeing how the right products can do so much. I turned 41 last month and my skin is better now than it was at 30.

"I love facial massage as it promotes blood circulation and a glowing complexion. I use a Gua Sha tool to massage my face in the morning after I’ve used an oil-based cleanser. It also preps the skin so it’s primed to better absorb ingredients. Then I apply hyaluronic acid, vitamin C serum, eye cream, moisturiser and SPF. I use SPF 50 even in the winter. I spent years unprotected from the sun, and I’m paying for it with frown lines now.

"In the evening, I double-cleanse with an oil or balm cleanser first followed by a gel or foaming formula. Then I apply hyaluronic acid, a glycolic acid serum, eye cream, moisturiser and facial oil if I feel like my skin needs it. I try to lay on my back when I sleep—it helps the products I apply to absorb into my skin rather than the pillow!”

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Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous.

Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics.

While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best.

When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.