What I Shared on Breakfast Television About Healthy Skin Through the Decades
- Roberta Robillos Harvey
- Jul 5
- 4 min read
By Roberta Harvey, BScN, RN
When I was invited to appear on Breakfast Television on June 23 to discuss healthy skin through the decades, I had one goal: simplify skincare.
Every day in my clinic, I meet people who feel overwhelmed by social media trends, influencers, and products promising miraculous results. The truth is, healthy skin doesn't require a 12-step routine. It starts with understanding how your skin changes as you age and focusing on a few ingredients that have stood the test of scientific research.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the show.
Your 20s: Protect Your Collagen
In your twenties, your skin is naturally producing plenty of collagen. The goal isn't to reverse aging—it's to slow unnecessary collagen loss. The most important thing you can do is wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day. Sunscreen protects against UV damage, helps prevent pigmentation, and preserves collagen. Just as important is protecting your skin barrier by avoiding harsh scrubs and over-exfoliation. Healthy skin starts with a healthy barrier.
Your 30s: Prevent Pigmentation Before It Becomes Stubborn
For many people, their thirties are when hormonal changes and years of sun exposure begin showing up as freckles, uneven skin tone, or melasma.
This is when I often recommend adding a Vitamin C serum to your morning routine. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps defend against environmental damage, supports collagen production, and brightens the complexion.
My routine is simple: Vitamin C in the morning, followed by a tinted mineral sunscreen. I often suggest mixing a few drops of a hyaluronic acid serum with your sunscreen for an extra boost of hydration.
Your 40s: Rebuild What Time Takes Away
By our forties, collagen production has naturally slowed, and many people notice fine lines, changes in skin texture, and a little less firmness.
This is where retinoids become one of the most valuable skincare ingredients available. They remain the gold standard for stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture. If you're worried about irritation, try the "retinol sandwich": moisturizer first, then your retinoid, followed by another layer of moisturizer. It can make retinoids much easier to tolerate.
Your 50s and Beyond: Support Your Skin Differently
After menopause, many women notice that their skin feels drier, thinner, and less resilient. Rather than chasing every wrinkle, the focus shifts to supporting your skin's health.
Continue wearing sunscreen every day. Keep using Vitamin C in the morning and a retinoid at night if your skin tolerates it. Add ceramide-rich moisturizers and hyaluronic acid to help strengthen the skin barrier and improve hydration.
Consistency matters far more than having a complicated routine.
When Skincare Needs a Little Extra Help
Daily skincare is the foundation, but professional treatments can complement your routine by addressing concerns that topical products can't fully treat.
At Glass Skin Med Spa, I often combine home skincare with treatments that target collagen, hydration, and pigmentation.
DP4 Microneedling stimulates your skin's natural healing response. Research has shown that a series of four treatments can increase collagen and elastin by up to 400% six months after treatment, making it an excellent option for improving skin texture, fine lines, acne scars, and overall skin quality.
For patients struggling with dryness or dullness, SkinVive® and Vasto® skin boosters help improve hydration and skin quality by delivering hyaluronic acid into the skin. These treatments are designed to refresh the skin rather than dramatically change your appearance.
When collagen loss becomes more noticeable, Radiesse® and Sculptra® biostimulators encourage your body to produce its own collagen over time. Combined with microneedling and a consistent at-home skincare routine, they can be part of a comprehensive approach to healthy aging.
For pigmentation caused by years of sun exposure, IPL photofacials can help improve brown spots and uneven skin tone. It's important to remember that IPL should only be performed when your skin isn't tanned, and you'll need to avoid significant sun exposure before and after treatment.
We also carry ALASTIN® and NeoCutis® medical-grade skincare because professional treatments work best when they're supported by evidence-based skincare at home.
My Biggest Takeaway
If there was one message I hoped viewers took away from Breakfast Television, it was this:
Healthy skin isn't about perfection—it's about consistency.
Wear sunscreen every day. Protect your skin barrier. Use ingredients backed by research, like Vitamin C and retinoids. And when the time is right, professional treatments can help support the healthy skin you've been building all along.
If you're not sure where to begin, I'd love to help. At Glass Skin Med Spa in Oakville, every complimentary consultation starts with understanding your skin, your goals, and your lifestyle. Together, we'll create a personalized plan using The Glass Skin Method™ to help your skin look healthy, refreshed, and naturally radiant at every stage of life.
Sincerely,
Roberta Harvey, BScN, RN
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