If I could go back and talk to my 30-year-old self, I wouldn’t say much about the future—except this: take care of your skin.
Like many women my age, I grew up in a time when we didn’t talk about sunscreen unless we were already burned and then we just smothered ourselves in aloe! We also didn’t have well-defined skincare routine in our teens. There was no YouTube, no clean beauty blogs, no TikTok tutorials. And honestly? I didn’t even know where to start. Growing up on a farm, I spent a great deal of my time outdoors. IN THE SUN! Not knowing that the damage would show up later in life.
But now, looking back, there are a few things I wish I had done differently. So if you’re younger than me—or just feeling behind when it comes to skincare—consider this a note from a friend who’s been there.
Here are my biggest skincare regrets—and what I’d do differently now.
1. I didn’t wear sunscreen growing up
Like… at all. And I learned the hard way.
When I was 13, my family took a vacation to Disney World. On the way there, we stopped at Water World and spent the whole day riding slides and soaking up the sun. And I didn’t wear sunscreen.
The next day, I had full-on sun poisoning—blisters all over my chest, vomiting, chills. It was awful. It ruined the rest of the trip, and honestly, it still affects my skin to this day. My skin burns much easier where the blisters were and I have way more age spots in those areas.
Sun damage adds up, and you don’t always see it right away. I wish I had known that sunscreen isn’t just for summer—it’s for every day. Rain, snow, clouds, and everything in between.
2. I didn’t properly cleanse as a teenager
We didn’t grow up with skincare education, and I had no idea what I was doing. So when I started breaking out in my teen years, I didn’t understand how important cleansing was.
I also made a mistake a lot of people make—I picked. Constantly. I thought if I could just get rid of the bump, the acne would go away faster. But all it did was lead to worse skin and more inflammation. I struggled with acne all through high school because I didn’t have the right tools or support.
Now? I wish I could hand my teenage self our Acne-Supporting Kit: This is enough. Be gentle. Just be consistent.
3. I experimented without really understanding my skin
In my early 20s, I moved to Washington, D.C.—which is beautiful, but so polluted. I was just beginning to realize that my skin needed more care, but I didn’t really know where to start. So I did what a lot of women do—I went to the Clinique counter.
It didn’t go well. I had a full allergic reaction, and instead of helping my skin, it set me back. I felt frustrated and overwhelmed. (and broke 🙁
There was so much trial and error in those years—and so little real guidance. Call me naive, but I didn’t even know there were aestheticians to help you with your skin! I never knew what a facial was or even why I should do one!
4. I didn’t find my groove until Simple Body
It took years—decades, really—before I started to understand my skin.
And honestly, everything changed when I started formulating Simple Body products. I read EVERYTHING I could get my hands on…and still do! I watched educational videos. I went to school. I followed scientists and experts in the skincare fields. I was a literal sponge soaking up every bit of knowledge I could find! I wasn’t just throwing things at my face and hoping they’d work. I was learning. Studying. Testing. Listening to other women’s stories. Watching my own skin respond to plants, oils, herbs, and time.
Now, I don’t think of skincare as a chore or a fix. It’s a rhythm. It’s a relationship. It’s how I thank my skin for everything it’s carried me through.
So what would I tell my 30-year-old self?
Wear the sunscreen.
Cleanse your face every morning and night—especially if you’ve been sweating, wearing makeup, or just living in a big city.
Don’t panic when your skin changes—it always will.
Start simple. Be consistent. And listen to your skin instead of fighting with it.
You don’t need a medicine cabinet full of products. You just need a few clean, high-quality ones that work with your skin—not against it.
If you’re still finding your groove, that’s okay. It’s never too late to start treating your skin with the kindness it deserves.
Would you like to share your own skincare journey with me? I’d love to hear about it!!! Jewels@simplebodyproducts.com
xoxo
Jewels