Let’s be honest—when it comes to skincare, I’ve had commitment issues. I’ve flirted with 10-step Korean routines. I’ve ghosted serums faster than a Hinge date who said “vibes” too many times. And don’t even get me started on the ex I call “The Charcoal Cleanser Debacle of 2021.”

But one crisp Tuesday morning, somewhere between slapping snooze for the fourth time and realizing I had exactly 17 minutes to look human for a Zoom call, I had a moment. Not an epiphany exactly—just that nagging whisper: “Your skin deserves better.”

So, I did what any modern-day woman does in a skin crisis: I went down the rabbit hole of clean beauty brands. And that’s where I found Ages—a wellness brand that doesn’t just want me to glow, it wants me to glow intentionally. Fancy, right?

While their whole line gave me serious “self-care goddess” energy, I found myself drawn to two stars: the Avocado C Morning Face Serum and the Willow Bark Face Cream. One promised dewy radiance. The other whispered sweet nothings about resilient, plump skin. I clicked add to cart faster than you can say “Mindful-Aging.”

I’ve been using these products for just over a month. And let me tell you: I’m a changed woman. My houseplants are thriving, my emails have fewer typos, and I may or may not have winked at myself in the mirror this morning. Coincidence? I think not.

Let me walk you through what these two products have done for my skin, my morning ritual, and frankly, my whole vibe.

Rise and Shine: Meet Avocado C Morning Face Serum

Let’s start with the Avocado C Morning Face Serum. First of all, the name sounds like a smoothie, which already makes me trust it. But here’s the magic: it’s lightweight, like, whisper-on-your-skin kind of lightweight. But don’t be fooled—it works hard.

The star ingredients read like a wellness retreat in a bottle:

• Vitamin C to brighten and tackle those little sun spots I pretend not to see.
• Avocado oil, which is basically a hug for your face.
• Hyaluronic acid—the Beyoncé of hydration.
• Green tea, aloe vera, rosehip, pro-vitamin B5… it’s the skincare equivalent of drinking water, stretching, journaling, and doing a face mask—all before 8 am.

After just a few days of using it, I noticed my skin looked… less tired. Not like “I got a full eight hours and drank celery juice” not-tired. More like “I finally left that toxic situationship” not-tired. Radiant, unbothered, glowing.

But here’s what sold me: the way it feels. There’s no sticky residue. No overpowering scent. Just smooth, silky absorption and that rare satisfaction of doing something nice for yourself before the rest of the world barges in.

I apply it right after cleansing (sometimes just splashing my face if we’re being realistic). Two pumps gently pressed into my skin. Instant freshness. And for the record, it layers like a dream under makeup or SPF.

It’s not just a serum. It’s a reset button.

The Closer: Willow Bark Face Cream

Now enter Willow Bark Face Cream. The one. The anchor. The silky-soft lullaby my skin didn’t know it needed.

If Avocado C is the morning matcha of my routine, Willow Bark is the cozy oat milk latte I didn’t know I was craving.

What makes it special? For starters:

• Willow Bark Extract—a gentle, natural exfoliant that sounds intimidating but feels like skincare sorcery. It clears out the gunk and polishes your skin without turning it into the Sahara.
• Botanical oils and butters—rich without being greasy.
• Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and B5—a dream team for hydration, bounce, and long-term skin health.

I use it after the serum, morning and night, as the final step of my routine. It’s creamy but not heavy, luxurious without suffocating my pores, and has this subtle, earthy scent that says “I hike on weekends” (even if the closest I’ve come to hiking is browsing outdoor gear online).

But more than that? It feels like kindness. It locks in all the goodness from the serum and leaves my face feeling held. And for someone who sometimes forgets to eat lunch or accidentally uses dry shampoo three days in a row, having something in my life that feels consistent and nourishing? Revolutionary.

The Glow-Up I Didn’t Know I Needed

Before using these two products, my skincare ritual was a revolving door of half-used bottles and broken promises. I had products that tingled (read: burned), smelled like chemicals, or made me break out in weird little bumps that Google convinced me were anything from a hormonal purge to impending doom.

But Ages is different.

There’s no aggressive “anti-aging” rhetoric here. No fear-mongering about “fighting wrinkles.” Instead, their whole thing is Mindful-Aging™—which, if I’m honest, felt like a warm hug for my inner 30-something. It’s about celebrating your skin, not punishing it. About supporting natural renewal instead of demanding it sprint back to its 20s.

It’s a perspective shift that feels good. Empowering. Refreshing.

And on the days I’m tired or running late or feeling a little “meh,” these two steps still feel doable. Still feel worth it. They remind me that my skin is not a project to fix—but a part of me that deserves care.

But Does It Work?

Short answer: yes.

Long answer: yes, and then some.

Here’s what I’ve noticed:

• My skin tone is more even. I have this annoying patch of hyperpigmentation near my temple that’s fading.
• My texture? Smoother. I used to describe my cheeks as “fine-grit sandpaper.” Now they’re closer to “baby seal meets croissant.”
• No mid-afternoon dryness or tightness anymore. My face feels comfortable all day.
• My makeup (when I wear it) sits better. Like a good primer, but natural.
• And that soft glow? It’s real. I’ve had three separate people ask what I’m using. One of them was my notoriously honest cousin, so you know it’s legit.

A Love Letter to Ages

There’s something about a brand that just gets it. Ages doesn’t feel like it’s yelling at me to be younger, better, prettier. It feels like it’s cheering me on to be softer, kinder, healthier. And that resonates.

The packaging? Minimal but chic. (Bonus: no plastic overload or unnecessary fluff.)

The formulas? Clean, vegan, cruelty-free, toxin-free. The stuff you’d want your future self to thank you for.

The philosophy? Built on balance, not extremes. Nature and science. Inner and outer wellness. It’s skincare for people who love rituals—but also sometimes just want to slap on a serum and call it a day.

And I love that they’re a collective. Real people—doctors, estheticians, shamans (yes, actual shamans)—pouring their knowledge into products that work with your body, not against it.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve Skin That Feels Like Home

Skincare isn’t just about appearances. It’s about how you show up for yourself when no one’s watching. It’s about those five quiet minutes when you press serum into your cheeks, breathe deeply, and whisper, “I’ve got you” to your reflection.

And with the Avocado C Morning Face Serum and Willow Bark Face Cream, those five minutes feel like a gift. A moment of intention in the chaos. A promise to care, not correct.

I didn’t expect two little bottles to shift my whole relationship with my skin—but they have. So if you’re tired of the fads, of the pressure, of the 14-step routines that leave you more confused than comforted… come join me in the glow.

Because aging isn’t something to fight.

It’s something to feel good in.