In this episode of the Life is Beauty Full podcast, Evalina Beauty’s CEO and Founder, Samantha Legge, had the pleasure of sitting down with good friend and trusted medical aesthetician, Tara Nemeth. With over a decade of experience in skincare and wellness, Tara brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and practical advice to the conversation, especially when it comes to the evolving needs of skin over 40.
At Evalina Beauty, we believe in celebrating beauty that comes from within and is supported by products and practices that nourish and enhance. This philosophy extends far beyond makeup. It’s about honouring ourselves, investing in our health, and making informed decisions about what we put on—and into—our skin. In this episode, we focus on why skincare matters deeply, especially as we age, and how to find routines and treatments that truly work.
The Foundation of Beauty: Healthy Skin
You can put the best products in the world on your face, but if your skin isn't taken care of, nothing will look or feel quite right. Beauty truly starts from the inside out. Tara emphasized that skin health is foundational—not only to our appearance but to our self-confidence and overall well-being.
Skin is the body's largest organ. It protects us, regulates temperature, and plays a key role in detoxification. As we age, our skin undergoes significant changes: collagen production decreases, cell turnover slows, and elasticity diminishes. These changes are natural, but with the right care, we can support our skin’s ability to renew and glow.
One of Tara’s key points is that there’s no one-size-fits-all skincare solution. Every person’s skin is unique, and a regimen that works beautifully for one person might not be effective for another. That’s why her approach is rooted in customization—tailoring treatments to the specific needs of each client.
This personalized method becomes even more critical as we get older. Hormonal changes, lifestyle factors, stress, and environmental exposure all affect our skin differently. Tara’s clients often come to her seeking solutions that consider these multifaceted influences. Her advice? Listen to your skin. Get to know it. Pay attention to how it reacts to different products, seasons, and stressors.
Skincare Over 40: What Changes and What Matters Most
Tara shared several powerful insights on how our skin evolves in our 40s and beyond, and what we can do to adapt our routines:
1. Hydration is Non-Negotiable
As estrogen levels decline, skin often becomes drier and thinner. Tara recommends prioritizing hydration, both internally (by drinking plenty of water) and externally, using humectants like hyaluronic acid and emollients to lock in moisture.
2. Invest in Exfoliation
Cell turnover slows with age, which can leave skin looking dull and uneven. Gentle exfoliation—whether with a chemical exfoliant like lactic acid or an enzyme-based product—helps slough off dead skin cells and reveals the brighter, smoother skin beneath.
3. Sun Protection Is More Important Than Ever
Sun damage is cumulative. Tara stressed that daily SPF is non-negotiable, even on cloudy days or when you’re indoors near windows. Look for broad-spectrum sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
4. Don’t Skip the Professional Treatments
In-office treatments like micro-needling, LED therapy, or medical-grade facials can significantly enhance your at-home regimen. Tara encourages regular professional care not only for the results, but for the education. Working with a professional helps you stay up to date on what your skin needs as it changes.
5. Simplicity Wins
You don’t need a 10-step routine to see real results. In fact, overloading your skin with too many products can do more harm than good. Tara advises starting with the basics and simplifying your routine to your Core Five:
- Cleaner - A gentle, effective formula to remove impurities and prep your skin.
- Vitamin C - For brightening and antioxidant protection.
- Sunscreen - Daily, broad-spectrum protection is essential.
- Retinol - To promote cell turnover and reduce signs of aging.
- Moisturizer - To nourish and maintain skin barrier health.
This streamlined approach helps you focus on what truly matters, saves time, and prevents unnecessary irritation.
The Power of Key Ingredients: Vitamin C and Retinol
To truly maximize your skincare routine, it's important to understand the role of powerful, proven ingredients like Vitamin C and retinol.
Vitamin C: The Brightening Antioxidant
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and pollution. Tara recommends incorporating Vitamin C into your morning routine to brighten skin tone, even out discoloration, and boost collagen production. It also enhances the effectiveness of your SPF, providing an extra layer of defense against environmental stressors. Over time, consistent use of Vitamin C can lead to a more radiant, youthful complexion.
Retinol: The Gold Standard in Anti-Aging
Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A, is considered one of the most effective ingredients for skin rejuvenation. Tara explains that retinol accelerates cell turnover, smooths fine lines and wrinkles, and improves skin texture and tone. For those over 40, retinol can be a game changer—but it must be used carefully. Start slowly (once or twice a week) and pair it with a gentle moisturizer to avoid irritation. Over time, your skin will become more tolerant, and the benefits will become more noticeable.
When used together—Vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night—these ingredients can significantly improve the health and appearance of aging skin.
Mindset and Skincare: The Emotional Side of Aging
It's easy to feel pressure to "fix" our skin, especially in a world that glorifies youth. But the goal of skincare shouldn't be perfection—it should be self-care.
Skincare is a form of daily ritual. It’s a way to check in with yourself, to slow down, and to honor the person you are today. Tara reminded us that aging is not a flaw—it’s a privilege. And when we care for our skin with intention and love, we radiate that beauty outward.
We wrapped up our chat by diving into a few of her personal beauty must-haves and easy everyday hacks. Tara’s approach is all about simplicity, hydration, and staying in tune with your evolving skin needs. Here are her top tips—no glam squad required.
1. Keep It Simple (And Honest!)
Tara admits she’s not a makeup expert—and that’s exactly why her go-to picks are so relatable. Her desert island product? A good lip stain (she loves Clairins Hydrating Lip Stain) paired with Evalina Beauty’s BB Cream. She loves our Dew BB Cream for its light coverage that tones down the glow of her tinted sunscreen without feeling heavy. It's perfect for a natural, dewy finish that feels effortless.
“I love your BB cream—it gives me coverage without feeling heavy. And that’s the honest truth!”
2. Apply Skincare to Damp Skin
This underrated trick is one of Tara’s favorite beauty hacks. Whether you’re applying face serums or body lotion, doing it while your skin is still damp locks in hydration and helps your products work harder.
“Applying skincare on damp skin helps seal in moisture—especially for dry skin like mine. It really makes a difference.”
3. A 5-Minute Routine That Works
Tara’s daily beauty routine is refreshingly low-key. If she has five minutes, she sticks to three basics: BB cream, mascara, and lip gloss. It’s fast, fresh, and polished—without overthinking it.
“If I’ve done my skincare, I just do a bit of BB cream, mascara, and gloss. That’s it.”
The Takeaway: You don’t need a 10-step routine or a drawer full of products to feel beautiful. As Tara shows us, staying hydrated, knowing your skin, and using a few essentials you love can go a long way. Beauty doesn’t have to be complicated—it just must feel like you.
This conversation reminds us why we started Evalina Beauty in the first place—to help people feel beautiful, worthy, and empowered at every stage of life. Skincare is not about chasing youth or hiding flaws. It’s about embracing yourself, caring deeply for your well-being, and showing up in the world with confidence.
Whether you’re 25 or 65, your skin tells a story. With thoughtful care, expert guidance, and a bit of daily intention, that story can be one of radiance, resilience, and self-love.
If you’d like to hear more from Tara and other inspiring guests, be sure to subscribe to the Life is Beautiful podcast. Let’s keep celebrating beauty that’s more than skin deep.
Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts. Available on Youtube, Spotify, Amazon and Apple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMUckIOzssw&t=487s
https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pq74lomvtQVVoNZZ3U4zs?si=f305092b00254212
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/episode-2-skincare-after-40-glowing-from-the-inside-out/id1818889476?i=1000713941483
https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/2a9eb985-4b77-46f5-a736-aecc4a03d667/episodes/30cdaac8-bad0-487a-b8e9-87c821b8e2b3/evalina-beauty's-life-is-beauty-full-episode-2-skincare-after-40-glowing-from-the-inside-out