Why Anti-Aging Becomes a Priority in Midlife
If you’re a woman over 35, you’ve probably noticed this strange mismatch; you feel young on the inside, but your skin doesn’t always reflect that. Vitality and energy are what you want. And yes… you want your skin to look plump, hydrated and youthful. But the advice online is overwhelming. Everyone is pushing some “turn back time” product. Almost none of it is grounded in science. That’s why I interviewed Dr. Kirsten Singler. She sees what actually makes a difference. So let’s cut through the noise and talk about what truly works.
Anti-Aging: What Matters More—Inside or Outside?
When it comes to skin, the question everyone asks is… what matters more? The products you put on your face? Or the nutrients you put into your body?
According to Dr. Singler… it’s both. Think of your body like a car on a cross-country road trip. You need gas. You need good tires. One without the other gets you nowhere. Your outside routine (retinoids, estriol, SPF) shapes the surface. Your inside routine (hydration, collagen, protein, minerals, antioxidants) shapes the structure.
Midlife skin quality comes down to four things: moisture, dermal thickness, collagen matrix and clarity. When those decline, you see crepiness, thinning under the eyes, pigment changes, dullness and fine lines that feel deeper than they are.
Anti-Aging Topicals That Actually Work
Most women overcomplicate this. These are the few topical treatments worth your time.
Retinoids (Tretinoin): The Anti-Aging Gold Standard
This is the quiet “celebrity secret.” Prescription tretinoin increases cell turnover, repairs sun damage, softens fine lines and fades melasma and old acne scars. It’s not gentle. It’s not instant. But it's proven. You start tiny—pea sized or less—once a week. Your skin peels, flakes, adapts, and then over months you build toward nightly use.
Estriol + Hyaluronic Acid for Anti-Aging Skin Thickness
There are three main estrogens: estradiol (strong), estrone (moderate) and estriol (gentle). Estradiol can improve dermal thickness and collagen but also gets into your system and can cause hormonal side effects. Estriol is different. It’s gentler, still improves thickness and fine lines, and is less likely to convert into stronger estrogens. Dr. Singler uses estriol with hyaluronic acid on her neck, under her eyes and anywhere she notices crepiness. (I get mine prescribed from Midi Health).
Castor Oil as a Weekly Anti-Aging Treatment
It’s old-school, thick and messy. But it's incredibly moisturizing and helpful for improving dermal thickness. Once a week is enough. Think of it as a deep conditioning night for your skin. (You need a good quality brand in glass- here's the only one I trust).
A Simple Anti-Aging Skincare Routine
Night: tiny amount of tretinoin.
Morning: estriol + hyaluronic acid, then sunscreen with niacinamide.
Weekly: castor oil at night.
Anti-Aging From the Inside Out: Collagen and Skin Structure
Your skin’s firmness depends heavily on collagen. Type I collagen is the main type in skin. Type II is more for joints and ligaments. You can support collagen internally through powdered collagen, bone broth or gelatin. If you’ve ever seen homemade broth turn to gel in the fridge, that gel is collagen. Your body also needs vitamin C to build collagen. When women start taking collagen consistently, nails harden, hair grows faster and skin looks more hydrated and resilient.
The Doctor-Recommended Anti-Aging Supplement Stack
This isn’t “take everything under the sun.” This is the condensed, evidence-backed list Dr. Singler believes makes the biggest anti-aging difference.
Magnesium
Helps with sleep, brain function, muscle recovery and bone health. Many women are deficient.
Vitamin D + K2
Vital for bones, immunity, mood and long-term anti-aging benefits. K2 helps direct calcium into bones instead of arteries.
Creatine
Supports muscle, strength, energy and potentially cognition. A major anti-aging tool for women over 40.
Astaxanthin
An antioxidant often called an “internal sunscreen.” Helps moisture, elasticity and UV protection.
Turmeric / Curcumin
Supports inflammation balance, joint comfort and long-term brain health.
CoQ10
Crucial if you take a statin. Supports mitochondrial energy—key for aging well.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Mitochondrial antioxidant that supports nerve health, metabolic function and cognitive performance.
Rapamycin (Advanced Anti-Aging Option)
A prescription longevity drug targeting the mTOR pathway. Promising in animal studies. Needs medical oversight.
Alcohol and Anti-Aging: The Hard Truth
Alcohol is one of the fastest ways to dull your skin. It dehydrates, inflames, disrupts sleep and stresses the liver. When patients stop drinking, Dr. Singler sees less puffiness, clearer skin, better sleep and a natural glow no serum can replicate.
How To Use Anti-Aging Strategies for Visible Change in 3–6 Months
Here’s what to do if you have an event coming up.
- Dial in basics: sleep, hydration, protein, whole foods, strength training, dramatically less alcohol.
- Run labs: vitamin D, magnesium and anything else your provider recommends.
- Build your stack: D3+K2, magnesium, collagen + vitamin C, creatine, astaxanthin, curcumin, CoQ10 or ALA.
- Streamline topicals: tretinoin nightly, estriol + hyaluronic acid in the morning, sunscreen daily, castor oil weekly.
Anti-Aging Isn’t About Looking 25
The goal isn’t to erase your face. The goal is vitality—inside and out. When you support your skin, hormones, mitochondria and lifestyle, you don’t just look younger… you feel younger.
Love you, mean it,
Chalene
P.S. Sometimes my links are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission if you use them. If you'd like my Supplement Stack for skin, weight and longevity (and all the discounts I've gotten for my audience), click here.
