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Glow Stack: My 4 Holy Grail Products for Moisture Retention and Anti-Aging Skin
Listen babes, I am in my mid 40s. I'm no different than the rest of the girlies out here trying to chase damn near perfect skin and pores. I've tried a LOT of skincare. Serums that promised the moon, creams that smelled like a hospital, trends that lasted two weeks. These four are the ones that stayed. They are my holy grail products for keeping my facial skin moisturized and looking its best as I age, and when I use all four together, my skin looks and feels like a different person's.
Here's the thing about glowing, healthy-looking skin as we get older: it is mostly about moisture you can actually keep. Dry skin shows lines faster, looks dull faster and feels tight and uncomfortable. When skin is well hydrated and sealed, it looks plumper, smoother and more rested. That's the whole idea behind this routine. Below I'll break down what each product does, what's actually inside the Sunny In Denbigh butters, why I stack all four, and the exact order I use them in.
You don't need a chemistry degree to build a routine that works, but this one idea changes everything. Moisturizing products do three different jobs:
Most people only use one of these, then wonder why their skin is dry again by lunchtime. My routine layers all three, and that's why it works so well for me.
Honey, I have been using this since my late 20's! This is the OG everyday workhorse. It's a classic, affordable cream moisturizer, and it gives my skin that soft, bouncy, plumped feeling that makes your face look rested. I love that it's easy to find, easy to layer over serums, and doesn't feel greasy. In my routine it's the layer that holds my serums in and gives everything after it a smooth base to sit on.
A quick honest note: creams with collagen and elastin in the name are great moisturizers. I'm sharing what they do for my skin, not promising that a cream rebuilds your own collagen. What I can tell you is that my skin looks more hydrated and smoother when this is in my routine, and it's a budget-friendly step you can start with today.
Grab the St. Ives I use here.
If you've never had a Sunny In Denbigh body butter, let me introduce you. These are whipped, rich, creamy butters, and they lock moisture in like nothing else I've used. The brand lists them as made with natural ingredients, and when you look at the label, you can see why they work so well.
Most of the Sunny In Denbigh butters share the same base. On the Signature Body Butter, the ingredient list reads: shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, coconut oil, cold pressed castor oil, cold pressed olive oil and vitamin E. (Scented butters also list fragrance, and ingredients can vary a little by product, so always check the label on the jar you're buying.) Here's what each one brings to the party:
That's a lot of butter and oil working as emollients and occlusives in one jar. Layered over a serum and cream, it acts like a protective blanket that keeps your moisture where it belongs.
Patch test first. Everyone's skin is different. Rich butters and coconut oil don't agree with every face, and fragrance can bother sensitive skin, so try a small amount on a small area and wait a day before using it all over, especially on your face or on little ones.
You can shop Sunny In Denbigh on TikTok Shop through my link here.
Pomegranate seed oil is rich in plant fatty acids and is well known for its antioxidant content. On my skin, it gives a soft glow and a more even, comfortable feel, and it absorbs without leaving me feeling slick. It's the layer I reach for when my skin looks tired or dull, and a little goes a long way. For anyone focused on keeping skin looking youthful, antioxidant-rich oils are a smart addition because they pair a protective feel with the moisture of an oil.
Grab the one I use here.
Argan oil is a lightweight oil that's rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, and it's my last step for a reason. Oils sit on top of the skin, so they help hold in everything underneath and leave a healthy, dewy finish. It's also soothing on dry areas, and it layers nicely over the butter without feeling heavy or greasy.
Here's the argan oil I use.
Each product does a different job, and that's the secret. Moisturizing well isn't about one miracle product. It's about layering things in the right order so nothing gets wasted:
That's hydration, softness, glow and a seal that lasts all day. Because the layers go from light to rich, every step helps the next one work better. The cream gives the butter something to hold onto, and the oils on top slow down the moisture loss from everything underneath. When you stack them, your skin stays moisturized for hours, and moisturized skin looks smoother, bouncier and healthier, which is exactly what we want as we age.
For faster results, I do this routine morning and night. Once my skin starts to look and feel better, I keep it going at night moving forward. That's what works for me. Your skin may need something different, so start slow, pay attention to how your skin feels, and adjust.
Can I really use body butter on my face? I do, and the Sunny In Denbigh butters work for me on my face, body and hair. Every face is different, so patch test first and pay attention to how your skin responds.
Is this good for kids? I love it for my family, including kids. As with anything new, do a small patch test first and check the ingredient list for anything your child is sensitive to.
Do I need all four products? No. You can start with the cream and the butter and build from there. I stack all four because that's what gives me the best results.
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This post shares my personal experience and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or dermatologist about skin concerns, allergies or conditions.
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. If you shop through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is my personal routine, not medical advice.