The Beauty of Aging Gracefully: Supporting Your Skin Through Life

When I first started caring for my skin, I thought I had to fight aging. But now, in my mid-30s, I see it differently. I’ve come to realize that it’s all about supporting your skin through its natural journey with grace rather than battling to erase the marks and lines of a life well-lived and felt—fine lines from laughter, sun-kissed freckles from summers well spent, and the tiny wrinkles at the corners of my eyes, shaped by every smile shared and every love felt.

Spending time in the garden taught me so much about balance. Everything thrives when it’s cared for as a whole—when you work in sync with nature, not against it. The same goes for the skin. My philosophy—and Raw Care’s—is all about nourishing and strengthening the skin, supporting it while it does its 24/7 functions, instead of disrupting its natural environment and processes. That’s why I keep things simple in the formulas, using gentle, plant-based ingredients like flowers, seeds, and botanical oils and butters. No harsh chemicals, no synthetic retinol or vitamin C—just what your skin needs to thrive naturally.

At the heart of skin aging is oxidation.

Just like a sliced apple turns brown when exposed to air, our skin experiences oxidative stress due to pollution, UV rays, and internal factors like stress. This leads to dullness, uneven tone, and fine lines. But just as lemon juice (rich in antioxidants) slows an apple’s oxidation, we can support our skin with antioxidants that combat free radicals and promote resilience.

How to Support Your Skin From the Inside Out

Antioxidant-Rich Skincare & Foods

Look for antioxidant-rich ingredients like green tea, rosehip, aloe vera, and fruits such as berries, pomegranates, oranges, and grapes. These ingredients help reduce inflammation, fight signs of aging, and give your skin a natural, healthy glow.

For example, the Anti-aging Night Serum (I’ve always considered renaming it because "anti-aging" doesn’t feel quite right) blends argan oil and rosehip oil, both packed with antioxidants that help repair and protect the skin. It also includes frankincense, palmarosa, and geranium, which support your skin’s overnight renewal.

Hydration Is Non-Negotiable

Your skin thrives on moisture, both inside and out. Drink plenty of water—if that feels boring, infuse it with cucumber, citrus slices, hibiscus for a pink hue, or mint for freshness. Hydrating foods like melons, cucumbers, and berries also help.

For topical hydration, use hydrating mists or floral waters throughout the day. To lock in moisture, apply oils or creams over damp skin after misting—this simple ritual keeps skin feeling refresh.

Gentle Cleansing With Oils

Harsh cleansers strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to imbalance and dehydration. Instead, opt for oil cleansing, which dissolves impurities while keeping the skin barrier intact. Massage the oil into dry skin, then remove it with a warm, damp cloth for a nourished, clean feel.

Support Circulation

Massage isn’t just a luxury—it’s a ritual for skin longevity. A gentle facial massage stimulates blood flow, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the skin. After cleansing, I always use a gua sha tool with my serum or cream each night to lift, sculpt, and encourage natural vitality.

Nourish From Within

What you eat can either nourish or burden your body, directly impacting your skin, energy, and overall well-being. A well-supported liver and gut work together to detoxify, regulate hormones, and absorb the nutrients your skin needs to stay healthy and radiant.

Liver-loving foods like beets, broccoli, green leaves, cauliflower, turmeric, and lemon water help flush out toxins and maintain hormonal balance. Meanwhile, your gut thrives on fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, along with fiber-rich options like chia seeds, flaxseeds, and oats that promote healthy digestion and a balanced microbiome.

Best to avoid: Processed foods, excess sugar, alcohol, and refined oils, as they can overburden the liver, disrupt gut health, and throw off hormonal balance—often leading to breakouts, sluggish digestion, and dull skin.

Stress & Rest

Chronic stress accelerates aging, disrupts hormone balance, and depletes your body's ability to repair itself. Adaptogenic herbs like reishi, tulsi (holy basil), ashwagandha, rhodiola, and maca help your body adapt to stress, regulate cortisol levels, and promote resilience. Meanwhile, calming herbs like chamomile, passionflower, lemon balm, valerian, and lavender support relaxation and deep rest.

Prioritizing quality sleep is just as essential. Your body follows the circadian rhythm, a natural cycle that regulates sleep, hormone production, and cellular repair. During deep sleep, your skin regenerates, collagen production increases, and oxidative damage is repaired—this is why consistent, restful sleep is key to a youthful, glowing complexion.

How to Support Your Circadian Rhythm & Improve Sleep:

✔ Dim the lights in the evening to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.
✔ Avoid screens (blue light disrupts melatonin, your sleep hormone) at least an hour before bed.
✔ Create a bedtime ritual with herbal teas, breathwork, or journaling to calm the nervous system.
✔ Sleep in a cool, dark room to support melatonin production.
✔ Stick to a regular sleep schedule—going to bed and waking up at the same time each day helps regulate your circadian rhythm.

Daily Protection

Sun exposure accelerates oxidative stress. I rely on physical protection—seeking shade, wearing hats and sunglasses, and choosing mineral sunscreen over chemical options—to keep my skin healthy without unnecessary irritation.

Raw Care's Ritual for Facial Care

I created the Facial Care Ritual Set to support skin's healthy aging with simple, effective steps and pure, natural ingredients for everyday care.

Cleanse – Massage Everyday Balance Oil onto dry skin, dissolving the day’s impurities. Breathe deeply. Rinse gently. Use a damp cloth to remove all excess oil.

Hydrate – Mist Everyday Hydrating Mist to refresh and restore balance. Let your skin drink the rose water and aloe vera juice in.

Nourish – At night, press a few drops of Anti-Aging Night Serum into target areas that need nourishment, like under eyes and forehead. Massage with your hands or a tool like gua sha, letting it renew as you rest.

Moisturize – Seal in hydration with Daily Ritual Facial Cream for soft, protected skin.

A ritual of care, a moment of pause. Simple, natural, and made for me to share.

Follow @rawcarestudio for more insightful tips holistic health, beauty and living. If you have any questions or are seeking personalized holistic health advice, don't hesitate to get in touch at hellorawcare@gmail.com.

Model: Marie Bosbach | Photographer: Marcel Broer