THE TRAVELER’S SKINCARE EDIT: 5 PRODUCTS THAT KEEP ME GLOWING (AND SLEEVELESS) AFTER 50

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Monday, July 7, 2025 in SKIN

THE TRAVELER'S SKINCARE EDIT: 5 PRODUCTS THAT KEEP ME GLOWING (AND SLEEVELESS) AFTER 50

I Never Thought I’d Feel Confident Traveling in Sleeveless Outfits Again

How 5 Simple Products Helped Me Keep That Promise to Never Grow Invisible

I’ve always loved skincare. Been doing it since I was 17. SPF every morning.

Serums at night. Eye cream before I even had a wrinkle.

Not because anyone told me to — but because I wanted to take care of myself. 

And honestly? At 45, it’s one of the best things I ever did.

When I travel now, I keep things streamlined — but I don’t compromise. A de-puffing serum. A glow mist. Sunscreen I actually like wearing. A tiny bottle of glow oil. Just the essentials… or so I thought.

Because here’s the truth: I was putting all that effort into my face… 

and completely ignoring the parts of me that actually made me want to cover up.

It hit me on a trip with friends. We were out to dinner, and someone snapped a candid photo of me — beautiful lighting, arms out, big smile.

And I hated it.

Not because of my face. 

Because of my arms.

That was my wake-up call. I’d been treating skincare like it stopped at the chin, while the areas that actually made me feel self-conscious were left out of the picture — literally.

So I changed how I pack. Not more. Just smarter.

These 5 products are the ones I bring with me now. They keep me hydrated, fresh, lifted, glowing — and most importantly, they make me feel confident in every single photo.

Start with #1. No one talks about it — but every woman over 40 should be using it.

1. FOUNTAIN’S ARM FIRMING CREAM

AKA the reason I’m wearing sleeveless again.

I used to put so much effort into my face — serums, SPF, all of it, and completely ignored my arms. I didn’t even realize it was bothering me until I saw a photo from a trip.

Sun kissed. Big smile. Arms…big and loose.

And I hated it.

Not because of my face. Because the skin on my arms just looked tired. Softer than I remembered. Like it didn’t match the rest of me.

I don’t know about you guys, but I just wanted to look proportionate, you know?

So I gave this a shot. I liked the ingredients and it had good reviews, so why not.

It felt good from the start. Light texture, clean scent, no stickiness at all. I applied it every night after my shower, mostly out of habit, not high hopes.

But around the three-week mark, I was getting ready, I caught my reflection and stopped.

My arms looked smoother. More even in tone. The skin had that subtle bounce I hadn’t seen in years. It wasn’t drastic, but it was real. Like, dead-ass

No, it didn’t change everything. But it changed how I saw myself — and that changed everything else.

I didn’t want compliments. I wanted results. This gave me both.

2. GLOW RECIPE’S WATERMELON GLOW NIACINAMIDE DEW DROPS

This gave me the glow without the grease

I first bought this because of TikTok. Not gonna lie. But now it’s one of those products I repack before every trip. No questions asked.

It gives me the softest glow. Like healthy, bouncy skin, not oily or wet-looking.

And it works with makeup, which is rare. My face looks fresh even when I’m tired and slightly jet-lagged.

It’s light, doesn’t clog anything, and makes my skin look like I drank water all day when I absolutely did not.

Drink water, please.

I use it under sunscreen in the morning or over makeup when I want to look alive again. Sometimes I put some on my Foundation before applying.

Either way, it’s become one of those things I rely on when I don’t want to try too hard but still want to look good in real life and in photos.

It just makes skin look… glowing from within. No shimmer. Even if I had 3 hours of sleep that day. My skin literally looks like I’ve rested and like I’m mentally doing okay. When I’m clearly not.

Honestly? It’s one of the only “glow” products that didn’t disappoint me. I highly recommend you to try this one!

3. JUNOCO CLEAN 10 CLEANSING BALM

Literally red carpet to bare-faced in 30 seconds

Okay, so picture this — I’m in full glam, waterproof everything, lashes still holding on. And I’m exhausted.

I got home and just stared at myself in the mirror. I wanted the makeup off, but I couldn’t bring myself to do the whole double cleanse routine. My face felt heavy.

You know that feeling?

I had just bought this balm earlier that week, so I figured I’d try it — no expectations.

I scooped a little out, rubbed it in, and I swear it started melting everything immediately. No stinging, no scrubbing, no big panda eyes.

Even the mascara and foundation that usually hang on for dear life? Gone. Like it was never there.

I rinsed it off, expecting that tight feeling most cleansers leave behind… but nope. My skin felt soft. Clean. There was no stinging. I’m so impressed

I thought it’d be one of those things I use once and forget. But I’ve been using it every night since. Highly recommend.

4. BEAUTY OF JOSEON RELIEF SUN: RICE + PROBIOTICS SPF 50

I thought my skin was the problem, until this sunscreen proved every other formula was the real issue.

My skin reacts to everything. Sunscreen especially. It either makes me break out, burns the edges of my nose, or leaves that tight, chalky feeling that makes me regret even trying.

So I avoided it for the longest time even though I knew I needed it.

Then I saw people talking about this one. It looked simple. No frills. I figured I’d try it once and toss it in a drawer with the rest.

But this one didn’t sting. It didn’t break me out. It didn’t feel like a layer on my face. It just… disappeared.

It’s smooth, hydrating, and feels like a moisturizer more than a sunscreen. And it leaves my skin looking healthy!

Now I wear SPF every day. Not because I have to. Because this one finally made it easy. It’s the only SPF I wear daily without complaining. It sits perfectly under makeup.

I would definitely repurchase and stock this up!

5. RHODE SKIN – PEPTIDE GLAZING FLUID

Thought it was all just TikTok noise — turns out, my skin’s obsessed.

I wasn’t going to buy it. I mean, how good could a Hailey Bieber skincare line actually be?

I assumed it was one of those influencer things that looks cute on Instagram and does absolutely nothing for your skin. But I cracked — tossed it in my cart, rolled my eyes, and figured I’d try it once.

First impression? Light, silky, and has no fragrance which is a personal favorite. And come the next morning? That’s when I noticed it. My skin looked smooth. Calm. Like I was glowing from the inside out.

Now it’s the first thing I reach for whenever I do my skincare. Even when I’m rushing. It gives me that effortless, healthy look without trying. And yeah… it lives up to the hype.

I hate that I love it. But I do.

Why This Arm Cream Ended Up in My Skincare Routine

You’re probably thinking: “An arm firming cream? Girl, why.”

(Girl? Same. I judged myself a little when I packed it.)

Because when you think “skincare,” you don’t usually think arms. 

It’s all face this, dewy that, serum serum serum. 

Meanwhile my arms were just…vibing. Aging. Quietly. Without permission.

Then one day, someone took a candid of me in a sleeveless top — and listen, the lighting was stunning, the smile was smiling… 

But my arms? Oh hell nah.

(I zoomed in and immediately reconsidered every tank top I own.)

So I tried this cream. Low expectations. Maybe it’d feel nice or smell expensive. 
I honestly didn’t expect it to work this much.

But it did.

Like… not overnight. But one day I looked in the mirror and my arms looked smoother. Less sag. Less “is that my grandma’s elbow?”

And weirdly… I stopped hiding them. 

No more reaching for a cardigan like it’s a reflex.

So yeah. It’s a little random. 

(Okay, it’s a lot random.) 

But out of everything I packed for that trip? 

This was the one thing that actually made me feel different.

And now I take it everywhere.

HOW DOES FOUNTAIN’S ARM FIRMING CREAM WORK?

Look, I didn’t buy this arm cream expecting miracles. I just wanted to feel… a little more comfortable.

Because to tell you honestly? I was dodging sleeveless tops like they were my ex I randomly saw at the grocery store.

Every time I wore one, I’d catch my reflection and feel off.

Like the rest of me looked glowy, pulled together — and then my arms just… didn’t get the memo. 

(Sorry arms, but y’all were looking a lil tired.)

So I started using this after my showers. Just a quick massage in, nothing fancy. 

I didn’t think much of it… until one night while getting ready, I did a little half turn in the mirror — and did a double take.

It wasn’t dramatic, but it was noticeable. 

My skin looked smoother. Firmer. Like someone had gently ironed out the weird texture I used to hide.

I even tried on a dress I hadn’t worn in two summers. 

It looked good. Like really good.

That’s when I realized this cream wasn’t just another cute bottle taking up space — it was part of why I finally felt okay going sleeveless again.

Now it’s in my regular lineup. No questions. No “maybe I’ll skip it tonight.”

It earned its spot — and honestly, I think it’s the product I’ve been missing all along.

THREE KEY INGREDIENTS BEHIND VISIBLE SKIN TIGHTENING

Sunflower Seed Oil
Boosts elasticity and firmness, helping skin stay strong and resilient.

Shea Butter
Deeply hydrates while improving skin texture and reducing sagging.

Meadowfoam Seed Oil
Locks in moisture and supports skin’s natural firmness and smoothness.

THE MIRROR DIDN’T LIE

Four weeks in, I looked — not expecting much. 

But my arms looked good. Firmer, smoother, like they finally caught up with the rest of me.

I didn’t adjust my top. I didn’t second-guess. I just smiled.

Did it tone my arms? Let’s just say I wore sleeveless all week

FOUNTAIN ARM FIRMING CREAM TESTIMONIALS

“I used to throw on a shrug even when it was hot outside. My arms made me feel a little self-conscious. But after a few weeks with this cream, I started reaching for sleeveless tops again.”
— Elena, 48

“We went on a weekend lake trip with friends. Normally, I’d stay in a t-shirt by the water. But this time I wore a sleeveless sundress and didn’t even think twice”
— Cynthia, 50

“My husband booked a beach dinner for our anniversary and I panicked about what to wear. I’d been using Fountain for a few weeks and decided to try that strapless dress. I looked amazing. I actually believed him when he said it.”
— Theresa, 54

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