A free guide

Pro-Aging SkinCare Protocols

Morning, evening and weekly skincare routines, plus what to avoid and when to scale back.

Dr. Catherine Price · Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Get started — jump to the morning routine ↓

Some years ago, I tried Botox but decided after a few treatments that it wasn't for me, mostly because I felt like it made me look like someone else. I felt like my face wasn't alive. I'm a big smiler.

The turning point came when my husband and kids told me I didn't look like 'me'. That was enough to make me pause and rethink what I truly wanted.

If you use and love Botox because it resolves pain or erases your wrinkles, I respect your choice. It's not about chasing youth because, to be completely honest, I'm much happier than I was 20-30 years ago but about finding new ways to support our skin and our bodies as we evolve.

This guide presents my clinical skincare protocols developed over two decades of practice. Rather than fighting aging, these routines support your skin's natural functions at every life stage.

Unlike conventional anti-aging approaches that often damage the skin barrier, these morning, evening, and weekly rituals work with your body's natural processes to enhance inherent radiance.

The focus is quality over quantity and nourishment over stripping—creating sustainable practices that honor your skin's journey and reveal its natural luminosity at any age.

MORNING ROUTINE

Gentle Cleansing

• Skip soap-based cleansers
• Use oil cleanser or warm water only
• Pat dry gently with clean towel

Hydration Layer

• Apply to damp skin
• Layer thin to thick
• Wait 30 seconds between layers

Protection Layer

• Mineral sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)
• Reapply every 2-3 hours if outside
• Don't forget neck and chest

EVENING ROUTINE

First Cleanse

• Oil-based cleanser
• Gentle massage 1-2 minutes
• Remove with warm cloth

Second Cleanse

• Cream or milk cleanser
• Focus on residue removal
• Avoid hot water

Moisture Seal

• Rich moisturizer
• Facial oil if needed
• Eye cream

WEEKLY TREATMENTS

Gentle Exfoliation (1-2x/week)

• Enzyme exfoliants preferred
• No harsh scrubs
• Follow with extra hydration

Hydrating Mask (1-2x/week)

• Sheet mask or cream mask
• Focus on hydration
• Go easy with clay

Facial Massage (2-3x/week)

• Use facial oil
• Incorporate lymphatic drainage
• Always move upward

IMPORTANT NOTES

Ingredients to Avoid

These are ingredients many women prefer to avoid. The evidence differs by ingredient, and often by dose and how it's used — this is a personal-preference list, not a verdict on safety.

• Harsh scrubs
• High % acids
• Denatured alcohol
• Parabens — studied for possible hormone activity
• Phthalates — studied for possible effects on reproductive health
• "Fragrance" — an umbrella term that can cover many undisclosed ingredients
• BHA — flagged for review by some safety bodies

Signs of Over-Treatment

• Redness
• Sensitivity
• Tight feeling
• Breakouts
• Peeling

How to Scale Back

• Reduce frequency
• Remove active ingredients
• Focus on barrier repair
• Increase hydration