Aging Gracefully: At-Home Skincare [Episode 2]

In episode 2 of our Aging Gracefully series, we dive into why at-home skincare matters most—because even if you get monthly facials, 70–80% of your results come from daily habits. I’m joined by triple-licensed esthetician Kari (@khorabykari) to break down the real drivers of aging, how to build an effective skincare routine, and which beauty fads are worth your time (or not).

Watch The Full Episode

The Two Faces of Aging

While some signs of aging are inevitable—driven by genetics and the natural passage of time—much of what we associate with premature aging is actually influenced by external factors we can control. Elements like sun exposure, pollution, poor diet, stress, sleep quality, and inconsistent skincare habits all contribute to how quickly our skin shows age.

By understanding and minimizing these extrinsic stressors, we can significantly improve skin health and appearance, preserving firmness, tone, and glow for years to come. Aging may be natural, but how gracefully we do it is, in many ways, up to us.

Kari recommended really focusing on these three extrinsic factors:

• Sun protection – The sun is the #1 contributor to premature aging. Wear a safe SPF daily. We love Earth Harbor's Eclipse.
• Sleep – If you're not sleeping, you're not repairing. Interesting enough, this factor has been mentioned in all 3 episodes of Aging Gracefully! 
• Healthy habits – Limiting sugar/fried foods and avoiding bad habits like smoking and drinking are very important for all aspects of health, but also your skin.

She also shared her enthusiasm for hypochlorous acid, one of the safest ways to kill acne-causing bacteria and prevent breakouts.

Beauty Fads: Kari’s Rapid-Fire Verdict

We had so much fun discussing all these beauty fads and whether they are worth the hype! For all the juicy details, listen in, but here's our quick summary:

• Face Yoga - meh, probably not going to give you big results.
• Dry Brushing - great for exfoliating, but Kari prefers chemical exfoliating for the face (chemical just means you are using a product, and not a mechanical tool like a sponge). There are safe chemicals 😉
• Gua Sha -👍Great for lymphatic flow; won’t chisel a jawline but reduces puffiness. Kari loves it!
• Dermarolling - No, no, no!
• Icing and Cold Therapy - 👍 Cuts inflammation for acne, rosacea, pigment triggers. Most skin issues are caused by inflammation and icing can be very helpful
• Facial steaming - No. Heat = pigmentation + barrier damage; modern enzymes soften pores better.
• Dermaplaning - Best done by a professional. People tend to over-exfoliate and causes ingrown hairs; leave it to the pros.
• Face taping - Can work, but you have to use it consistently.
• Side sleep pillows - If you're a side sleeper, it can be worth it. It helps prevent chest creases and vertical lines on your face.
• Red Light Therapy - Can work, but you have to use it consistently. At least 10 minutes a day, 5 days a week. She loves the technology, but consistency is key.
• Double cleansing - 👍 Highly recommended for creating the cleanest possible surface for the products that will follow. Clogged pores can't absorb your skincare!

Building A Skincare Routine

No one can recommend a skincare routine to you over the internet. Your best bet is to visit your local esthetician (preferably a holistic or naturally-minded one) and ask for a skin analysis. However, here are the 3 categories of routines you may consider:

1. The Basics - Everyone with skin needs a great cleanser, a great moisturizer, and a safe SPF.
2. The Extras - From there, you can consider adding in antioxidants and exfoliants. You can also consider a targeted serum, like Organic Ivy's Youth Nectar which tackles aging concerns specifically with 2% Bakuchiol and powerful antioxidants like Astaxanthin. 
3. The Wants - In this final category, you can consider adding in more hydration like toners, or perhaps peptides or an eye cream. 

The Ideal Order For Your Skincare Products

Always begin with your lightest products and end with your oils or occlusives. Your routine might look like this: Oil Cleanser → Water Cleanser → Exfoliation → Toner → Light Serums → Eye Cream → Spot Treatments → Heavy Serums → Light Oils → Heavy Oils, Balms, Butter or Tallow. The heavier the molecular weight, the later in your routine.

Exfoliation should be limited to 1-3 times a week, depending on your skin type. Kari highly recommended double-cleansing in the evenings. In the morning, you may not need to cleanse at all.

For More On All Things Skin

We want to thank Kari for lending her time and sharing her expertise. Be sure to watch the full episode for all the juicy details. And follow her skin adventures on Instagram: @khorabykari

For clean and effective skincare (and all your daily essentials), shop Ivy & Fields!