The Edit · Skin by Amy

THE WEEKLY EDIT!

Mature Skin Isn’t “Giving Up”… It’s Just Changing

A few days ago I spent the afternoon chatting to a lovely local women’s group about skincare over 70.
I could’ve stayed there for another three hours (and that was just for the cake).

We talked about why skin changes as we age, what actually happens hormonally and structurally over time, why skin suddenly starts feeling drier or thinner or more reactive… and also why so many women feel completely abandoned by the beauty industry somewhere after 65.

Because skincare marketing has a habit of speaking about ageing like it’s a national emergency.

And im just as guilty, one wrinkle appears and suddenly I’m practically sleeping in an LED mask, drinking collagen powder out of a Stanley cup, needling salmon DNA into my skin and clinging onto my 25-year-old collagen levels with every spare penny I have left.

Although thank God collagen powders improved because was anybody around for the original sachet era? Thick, slightly suspicious, tasted faintly of sick and the only way to stomach it was ice cold from the fridge while trying not to breathe through your nose.

And to be fair some of these things have been brilliant. I love some of these treatments and many of them genuinely have a place in supporting skin health, confidence and wellbeing when used appropriately.

But if there was genuinely something that stopped ageing completely, I promise you, we’d all know about it.

But somewhere in the middle of all the preventative ageing conversations, I think we’ve forgotten about the women who simply wanted to understand their skin better.

The women who wanted to support it naturally.
The women who were already ageing happily before every line suddenly became a concern to correct.

The women who just want to know:

Why does my skin suddenly feel dry?
Why has my makeup started sitting differently?
Why does my face suddenly look more tired?
Why is my skin more sensitive than it used to be?

Because not everybody is trying to look 28 again.

Some people simply want their skin to feel comfortable, healthy and like themselves.
And that conversation deserves just as much space too.

Skin does change with age. Dramatically sometimes. But that doesn’t mean it’s failing.

It means it’s skin. Doing exactly what skin is designed to do over time.

And regardless of what any anti-ageing campaign tells us… ageing is still a privilege.

The goal was never supposed to be looking 28 forever.

Although if somebody invents a cream that gives me 2008 sleep levels and my original metabolism back, I’ll obviously report back immediately.

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So what actually changes in mature skin?

One of the biggest things we discussed was that mature skin often becomes:
• drier
• thinner
• slower to heal
• less elastic
• more reactive
• more prone to pigmentation
• duller or more tired-looking

And most of that comes down to changes happening underneath the skin over time.

Collagen production slows down.
Oil production drops.
Cell turnover slows.
Hormonal changes, especially after menopause, affect hydration, sensitivity and firmness massively.

Which is why skincare that once worked perfectly, suddenly doesn’t anymore.

And why many women suddenly feel like their skin changed overnight in their 50s, 60s or 70s.

Because sometimes… it kind of did.

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The dryness nobody warns you about.

This came up constantly when we were chatting.

Skin that suddenly feels tight, papery, uncomfortable or rough, even when you’re moisturising.
Mature skin often produces far less oil naturally, which means it loses water more easily and struggles to hold onto hydration in the same way it used to.

And this is usually the stage where people start over-exfoliating trying to "brighten" it.

When actually, skin often needs the opposite.

More comfort.
More nourishment.
Less fighting.

This is where barrier support becomes incredibly important:
ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, squalane, richer moisturisers, consistent SPF, and routines that focus on supporting skin rather than constantly correcting it.

Because glow in mature skin rarely comes from stripping more away.

It usually comes from restoring what’s missing.

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Pigmentation, age spots & uneven tone

Another huge one.

Pigmentation becomes far more common as we age because of cumulative sun exposure over decades, alongside hormonal and cellular changes within the skin.

And this is where I think a lot of women get frustrated because they’re using products aimed at teenagers with acne… for concerns that have absolutely nothing to do with teenage skin.

Very often, skin simply needs consistency.

Gentle support.
Hydration.
Protection from the sun.
A routine that makes sense for the skin you actually have now.

Not panic-buying every “brightening” product.

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The “my face suddenly changed” conversation

This one came up a lot too.

Women saying things like:
“My makeup suddenly doesn’t sit right anymore.”
“My skin feels thinner.”
“I look more tired.”
“My face looks different but I can’t explain why.”

And that’s incredibly common.

As we age, skin naturally loses collagen, elasticity and hydration over time. Fat pads shift. Skin becomes thinner and less bouncy. Light reflects differently. Makeup behaves differently too.

That doesn’t mean you’ve let yourself go.

It means your skin has changed.

And I think sometimes women are made to feel like they’re supposed to either fight ageing aggressively or completely stop caring altogether.

When actually most people sit somewhere in the middle.

Wanting to feel comfortable.
Fresh.
Healthy.
Like themselves.

Not frozen.
Not twenty five.
Just supported properly for the skin they have now.

And I think there’s something really lovely about that.

(Shout out to my fighting ageing aggressively girls though, because same. The struggle is very, very real)

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And confidence matters too.

This is something I feel really strongly about.

Women are often made to feel shallow for caring about their appearance as they get older… while simultaneously being judged constantly for ageing naturally.

It’s exhausting.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting your skin to feel fresher, brighter or healthier.

The problem isn’t caring about skin.

The problem is being sold the idea that ageing itself is somehow a flaw.

Because the truth is:
some of the most beautiful women I know look exactly like women who have lived.

Expression. Softness. Laughter lines. Character. Warmth.

Skin was never supposed to look airbrushed forever.

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The Edit way of approaching mature skin

Not aggressively.
Not fearfully.
Not trying to rewind somebody back 30 years.

Just understanding what the skin is asking for now.

Because mature skin doesn’t need punishment.

It usually needs support.

And very often, the women with the healthiest-looking skin aren’t the ones doing the most.

They’re the ones doing the right things consistently.

Hydration.
Protection.
Comfort.
Consistency.

And perhaps a little less panic about every line, crease and change along the way.

Because skin tells the story of a life.

And that was never something to apologise for.

Something little bit different for me this afternoon!

Today I had the loveliest time visiting Roxby WI and chatting all things skincare, confidence and the journey behind The Edit!

We covered everything from skin changes over time, hydration, SPF and ingredients that are actually worth knowing about… to treatment myths, realistic skincare expectations and the pressure women are constantly under to “look younger” all the time.

There were so many brilliant questions, honest conversations, a skincare demo, laughs amd even a slice of homemade cake throughout the afternoon, and it was genuinely such a lovely group to speak with 🥰

A really nice reminder that skincare isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about understanding your skin, looking after it properly, and feeling confident at every stage.

Thank you so much for inviting me 🤍

The Interruption Edit

Can we all collectively agree to pack it in with these Instagram vs reality celebrity comparison photos now?

Because honestly, I’m exhausted by them.

This Rihanna one has been absolutely everywhere this week and every single time I see it, the comments somehow get worse.

People zooming in, picking apart her face, comparing her to celebrities 10–15 years younger than her, or her younger self, like they’ve uncovered some huge scandal because a woman has aged over the last 15 years or looked different under flashing cameras at the Met Gala than she did in a professionally edited Instagram post.

Groundbreaking.

One image is a posed social media photo with perfect lighting, controlled angles, glam, editing and probably a filter. The other is a split second photo taken from a bad angle, under harsh event lighting, surrounded by cameras flashing from every direction imaginable.

That isn’t “exposing” somebody.

That’s literally just how photography works.

She had a baby what… eight or nine months ago? She’s a mother of two. Do people genuinely understand what that does to your body, your hormones, your sleep, your skin, your face, your entire nervous system?

I once left the house wearing odd shoes after having my son, never mind sitting through the Met Gala looking flawless for twelve hours straight.

Honestly, motherhood alone should exempt women from all close up photography taken by other people for at least five years.

Some of us were surviving on cold coffee and dry shampoo.

I spent maternity leave permanently sticky, emotionally unstable and with one b**b leaking through every outfit I owned.

The “baby weight” people talk about? My child is asking for pocket money and my baby weight still hasn’t got the memo.

So if Rihanna looked different under brutal lighting, I think we can all cope.

Because if motherhood teaches you anything, it’s that sometimes just turning up brushed and wearing matching footwear is the real luxury.

What really winds me up about posts like this is how warped people’s expectations of women’s faces have become. We’ve all become so used to filters, smoothing, ring lights and carefully curated content that the second somebody has visible texture, movement, under eyes or catches a bad angle, the internet acts like they’ve “aged badly”.

No.

They’ve just been photographed as an actual human being.

Most of us can barely survive the Tesco self checkout camera, never mind the Met Gala.

This is exactly why I hate this obsession with “catching women out” online. Especially mums. Like women are somehow expected to go through stress, hormones, exhaustion, ageing, childbirth and real life… but still look permanently filtered at every angle.

Meanwhile, Rihanna still looks absolutely stunning in both photos.

Because beauty does not disappear the second somebody sees your skin texture. Or your under eyes. Or your double chin. Or a less flattering angle.

She’s still iconic. Still gorgeous. Still a queen.

Always has been. Always will be.

And if the worst thing the internet can say about you is that you looked slightly different under brutal Met Gala lighting less than a year after giving birth, I’d say you’re doing just fine.

Thought I’d join in and practise for the day I’m dramatically photographed on a red carpet against my will.

These two photos below were taken on the SAME DAY. Same face. Same skin. Same person.

One is in my kitchen with soft lighting, a flattering angle, a nicer camera setup and a smoothing filter. The other? Terrible lighting, awkward angle, no mercy whatsoever.

Suddenly I look like I’ve gained 20lbs and been dragged through the week emotionally and physically.

*Newsflash*

Women don’t actually look like Instagram filters in Tesco lighting.

Shock.

THE WEEKLY EDIT!

Why do we spend everywhere else but hesitate when it comes to our skin...

Every six weeks, the hair appointment goes in the diary.
Nails booked.
Lashes topped up.

“I’ll just grab a coffee.”
“I’ll just add that to my basket.”
“Ooo everyone’s using this, go on then.”

Add to basket. Done. No thought.

£5 here. £12 there. £30 on something you absolutely didn’t need but suddenly did. But when it comes to your skin… suddenly we become financial advisors.

“Do I really need it?”
“Is it worth it?”
“I’ll wait until payday…”
“I’ll just try this £6 serum first.”

It’s not that you don’t care about your skin.

You do.

That’s the frustrating part. You notice it in certain lighting, you pick at it, you promise yourself you’ll sort it before that event, and you’ve got a bathroom shelf full of “this might work”.

But somewhere along the way, skin got put in the “luxury” category.
Hair feels like maintenance.
Nails feel like maintenance.
Brows, lashes, everything else… maintenance.

But skin? That’s the one we question.

And this is where the gap begins. Not because you don’t want better skin, but because you’ve never been shown how simple it can actually be.

We live in a world where there’s too much on offer. Too many products, too many opinions, too many “miracle” solutions. So instead of investing properly, we dabble, we guess, we hope.

And that’s exactly where I come in.

At The Edit, it’s not about throwing everything at your skin or selling you more for the sake of it. It’s about understanding your skin properly and building something that actually works for you.

Most of the women who come to me start with one facial, and then they come back. Not because they’re being sold to, but because for the first time it makes sense. It feels achievable. And they start to see the difference.

Skin isn’t a luxury. It’s the one thing you wear every single day.

And closing that gap?

It’s a lot simpler than you think. 🤍

This week is now fully booked ✨

The rest of May is filling up quickly, with limited evening appointments remaining.

Here’s the rest of my current availability for May 🤍

Message to book or if you need help deciding which treatment is best for your skin.

A share always goes a long way too 😉

Will be catching up on all messages soon 🥰

I work with professional skincare every day. I have access to things you can’t buy for home use. And I love them.

But I also really believe in good, accessible products, the kind you can keep in your own bathroom, reach for on normal days, and build consistency with over time.
I still keep my professional-only products for when I’m doing my own skin treatments and facials, so they still feel special, elevated… a little bit fancy.

These are different.

These aren’t presented as a perfect routine. Some weeks I’m great with my skin, some weeks I’m not. This isn’t “what I do morning and night without fail.”

These are the products I genuinely enjoy using. The ones I repurchase. The ones I go back to. The ones I trust. And in some cases, the ones I’ll even work into facials when they’re right for the skin in front of me.

This is what’s on my shelf right now - in the order you’d generally use them.

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Cleanse
Medik8 Calmwise Soothing Cleanser
Approx £21–£25

This is one I reach for when I want my skin to feel clean but never tight, stripped or reactive. It’s designed to support the skin barrier and keep things calm — which is something I focus on a lot, both at home and in the treatment room.

Why I love it:
It cleans properly but leaves skin comfortable. Soft. Settled. Not squeaky.

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Exfoliate (not every day)
Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator
Approx £18–£22

Exfoliation should smooth and brighten, not punish. This is one I’ll use when my skin feels a little dull or textured and needs a reset, without tipping it into sensitivity.

Why I love it:
It leaves skin feeling fresh and soft, not overworked.

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Hydration support
Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense
Approx £40–£50

Hydration is one of the biggest things I see skin lacking and one of the fastest ways to change how skin looks and feels.
This is a serum I go back to again and again when my skin needs plumping, comfort and that healthy, hydrated look.

Why I love it:
Skin drinks it in. Makeup sits better. Skin feels calmer and fuller.

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Targeted skin support
The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%
Approx £8–£10

This is the one that often gets called “Botox in a bottle” on social media, which is dramatic. What it actually is, is a lightweight peptide serum designed to support the appearance of fine lines over time.
I tend to use it around the eyes and forehead when I want to support those areas a little more intentionally.

Why I love it:
It’s simple, affordable, easy to layer, and a nice supportive step when skin is starting to show more movement or fine lines.

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Eye care
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
Approx £7–£12

A product I’ve used on and off for years. It’s lightweight, refreshing, and great for tired-looking eyes.

Why I love it:
It sinks in quickly, works well under makeup, and actually feels good to use.

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Everyday moisturising
Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream
Approx £48–£55

This is one of those moisturisers that just quietly does its job well. It supports hydration across different layers of the skin and leaves skin feeling comfortable rather than coated.

Why I love it:
Skin feels soft, balanced and properly nourished.

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Barrier and brightness days
Medi MD Brightening Barrier Cream
Approx £35–£45

This is one I reach for when my skin feels a bit stressed, dull or out of balance. It’s focused on supporting the barrier while helping skin look brighter and more even.

Why I love it:
It feels like a supportive skin reset.

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Daily protection
La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50+ Invisible Fluid
Approx £15–£25

SPF is the one non-negotiable. This is the one I’ve gone back to again and again because it actually fits into real life. It’s lightweight, high protection, and wearable.

Why I love it:
It disappears into the skin and doesn’t feel like a chore.

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The occasional glow moment
L’Oréal Revitalift Glass Skin Hydrogel Mask
Approx £3–£5 per mask

This is one I really love for an at-home glow boost. It’s hydrating, plumping, and gives that fresh, dewy, “just had a facial” look.
One of the reasons I keep going back to this mask is the way it transforms on the skin. It starts as a white hydrogel and gradually turns clear as it delivers hydration and it does this in around 90 minutes, rather than needing to be worn overnight.
I like that it gives that plumped, glass-skin finish without sitting heavily on the skin all night or potentially interfering with the skin barrier.

Why I love it:
Instant hydration, visible plumpness, and a proper treatment moment without needing to sleep in it.

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Lip care (because lips are skin too)
Glow Envy Lip Scrub & Mask
Approx £6–£10

This isn’t just a balm. It’s a scrub and mask in one, so it gently smooths the lips, then conditions and softens them at the same time.
Lips are often one of the first places to look dry, lined or tired, and one of the most ignored. This is one I keep going back to because it actually treats the skin on the lips, not just coats them.

Why I love it:
It leaves lips properly soft and smooth, and it feels like a real treatment step rather than a quick fix.

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I keep my professional products for my treatments and my own in-room skin days so they still feel special and a little bit fancy.

But these are the products that live in real life.

The ones that support skin between appointments.
The ones that build consistency.
The ones that make skin feel good on normal days.

Because long-term skin confidence isn’t built on occasional treatments alone.
It’s built in the everyday.