'I'm 54 and my skin looks better than ever. Here are the 5 products I owe it to.'

Anyone who knows me is well aware that I love looking after my skin — it probably comes from years of having very sensitive and dry skin. I'm also a product junkie who loves to slap on anything that promises to plump, hydrate and turn back the clock.

If there's a claim that a new *insert miracle ingredient here* will make me look a million bucks, you can bet I'll hop in the car and head off in search of it.

Over the last few years, though, I've started paying more attention to what I'm putting on my skin, and taking the time to understand the different ingredients and how they work on my face (or body).

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I'm about to turn 54, and I have managed to avoid injectables for another year, but I honestly think my skin looks better than ever.

Image: Suplied.

So, I'm going to share five products (well, technically six) that are absolutely worth it.

1. Essences.

NATIO Goji Berry & Vitamin E Antioxidant Facial Essence.. Image: Supplied.

Between you and me, if I could only use ONE product and had to give up everything else, an essence is what I would hold on to for dear life.

Why? Let's drill it down.

To start off, toners and essences aren't really the same. A toner will balance your skin's PH level and get rid of anything left on your skin, but an essence really preps your skin for everything that comes after. The main benefit is that it hydrates your skin (something we all need! Even people with oily skin need hydration.), but a good essence is usually plumping and packed full of vitamins and antioxidants, too.

The biggest change in my skin occurred once I had incorporated this step into my routine. In fact, K-Beauty has a routine based around using just this alone, and it's something I can confirm really works. (You can check out my method here).

The great thing is that you do not need to spend a fortune, either.

This Goji Berry & Vitamin E Antioxidant Facial Essence from Natio, $19.95, has been consistently repurchased over the last two years (you get used to the scent quickly — trust me!) and is under $20. 

2. Vitamin A (retinoids).

E.S.K. Ultimate A and Mukti Vitamin Booster Vital A Elixir. Image: Supplied.

If you're not really across it, retinoids derive from vitamin A and are a whole class of products that reduce a number of skin concerns, from the signs of ageing to acne. The gold standard is the prescription version, and then there's everything that falls under that — retinal, retinol, retinol esters, hydroxyphacolone retinoate (granactive retinoid), just to name a few.

Ask a question about vitamin A in the You Beauty Facebook group and a lot of people will tell you to go straight to prescription options — but not everyone is suitable for it (nor do they want to use it, myself included). 

My skin really loves retinals, which are the most powerful but gentle form of vitamin A. Retinals are as effective as retinoic acid, but they're gentle on the skin and don't cause irritation, which can be especially important for ageing skin as our hormones become reactive.

I have two products that I can't stop using. The first is my holy grail, which is E.S.K. Ultimate A, $115. I have used this consistently for more than two years. Then, I also cycled in the Mukti Vitamin Booster Vital A Elixir, $120, last year.

If you have been unsure what to use in a vitamin A, or you are worried about any reaction your skin may have, these are two great products to try.

3. Vitamin C.

E.S.K C Forte. Image: Supplied.

If you are of my vintage, then you grew up in the 70s and 80s, when we threw ourselves in the sun all day. Back then, we slathered ourselves in products like Reef Oil with absolutely no knowledge of the long term damage we were doing to our skin.

Of course, once we hit our 40s, all that sun damage became apparent in our pigmentation and sunspots — not to mention our "barnacles". You know exactly what I am talking about: those small mounds of dry, crusty cells that appear; the ones we constantly need to have checked and frozen off. The formal name for these lesions is 'seborrhoeic keratoses', and I once had 150 frozen off my body in one go, which was quite traumatic and not fun at all.

Vitamin C is an essential co-factor in our body to create collagen and the best way to nab the benefits is to apply it topically. The optimal formula is an L-Ascorbic Acid, which is the purest form of vitamin C. It sounds a bit science-y, but it really needs to be formulated with a vitamin E and ferulic acid and at a PH level lower than 3.5 for the best efficacy.

I have tried a lot of different formulas over the years, and I am sure you're expecting me to recommend the product that is considered the gold standard: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. It ticks all the boxes, but it's also stupidly expensive, and I just cannot pay that much for a product.

And of course, if you're anything like Leigh Campbell, you will invariably drop it on your tile floor, smash the bottle (on more than one occasion!) and find yourself heartbroken.

For this reason, the product I swear by — which also ticks all the boxes and is actually one per cent stronger — is the E.S.K C Forte, $103. Just compare the ingredients — they are so similar. It also comes in a smash-proof bottle (Leigh, I am looking at you). The best part? IT'S LESS THAN HALF THE PRICE! You can thank me later. 

On that note, let's quickly talk about moisturiser, because this is where I need a little extra something. I just want a good, all-round work horse that's been designed for skin my age, because it isn't the same as a 20-year-old, a 30-year-old or even a 40-year-old.

This is where the Let's Be Frank range comes in. This range is specifically created for the menopausal woman and is super soothing, hydrating and packed full of ingredients that I just bloody love. It has squalane, rosehip oil, sweet almond oil, aloe vera (which is delightfully cooling) and Matrixyl 3000 (which is one of those buzzy peptide ingredients that signals the skin to produce more collagen and elastin). It's just luscious on my skin and plumps it to perfection.

4. Facial oil.

Pyungkang Yul Oil. Image: Supplied.

Lastly, I cannot stress the importance of facial oil. Again, even if you are oil-prone, this product will help balance your skin, and once your skin is balanced, it is so much easier to maintain.

When it comes to where this product should sit in your routine, the type of oil you use will dictate how you should apply it.

If it is a light oil (jojoba, squalane, almond, avocado) it should be applied before your moisturiser or even combined with it. You only need a few drops, and it will enhance everything you have done to your skin. It will improve texture, hydration, enhance the skin barrier and will help even out skin tone.

K-Beauty has some absolute bangers in this category — I love the Pyungkang Yul Oil, $34.99, which is not only affordable, but easily found in Priceline. It's made from seven types of plant-based natural oils, including Jojoba seed oil, geranium oil, rosemary leaf oil and shea butter. It's so hydrating and leaves your skin glowy.

I wish I could get two miracle products — one for morning and one for night that combine everything in a single step, but until I do, I will continue to slap these bangers on my skin and just keep glowing. They are all my tried and true products.

What's your makeup must have over 50? Is it something I need to know about? Share with me in the comment section below.

Image: Supplied/Teresa McNamara.