At Chicago’s Diva’s Run — a race designed entirely for women to cross the finish line in tiaras, pink tutus, and glamorous finisher medals — we asked racers a simple question: How do you celebrate your skin through every stage of life? A clear theme emerged: Women aren’t necessarily looking to turn back the clock. They’re looking for ways to care for the skin they’re in — and they want products that can keep up with them.
That philosophy is at the heart of Rodan + Fields, who was on the grounds with an activation at the finish line. The dermatologist-founded skincare brand was built around high-performance formulas and the idea that taking care of your skin should evolve right alongside you. So, from hydration and SPF to targeted treatments, here’s what women at the finish line had to say about aging, skincare, and learning to love every stage.
The goal isn’t necessarily to hide the evidence of all those years. It’s to care for the skin that has carried you through them.
The Mindset Shift
“Before I would be like, oh, I’m really getting older. Now I just think: ‘Let’s take care of what we got as long as we can.’” – Melissa, 40s
There’s a moment that happens in many women’s lives when “How do I look younger?” starts to become “How do I take care of what I have?” For some, it happens gradually. For others, it’s a deliberate choice to show up for themselves.
That mindset shift changes the skincare conversation, too. Instead of viewing every wrinkle or age spot as something that needs to be erased, women are becoming more intentional about supporting their skin through the years — with routines that prioritize hydration, protection, and targeted care. It’s a philosophy that aligns with Rodan + Fields’ approach to skincare: creating products designed to address visible signs of aging while helping women care for their skin at every stage.
Kit Karzen
The Basics: What Actually Works
When women talk about skincare, they’re not necessarily chasing every new trend. They’re talking about the things they’ve learned their skin needs consistently — and the answers are surprisingly universal.
Hydration, And More Hydration: “As I age, I notice that I have to drink more and more water. Moisture is what keeps the elasticity in the skin.” — Tequila, 30s
Hydration is truly a skincare basic that never really goes out of style. For women looking to give dry or mature skin an extra dose of moisture, a rich overnight moisturizer like Rodan + Fields’ REDEFINE Overnight Restorative Cream can be an easy way to make hydration part of a nightly routine.
Sun Protection Is A Non-Negotiable: “SPF daily. And definitely lots of water.” — Melissa
It’s hard to talk about caring for skin over time without talking about sun protection. Daily SPF is a foundational step for helping protect skin from UV exposure, making it one of the simplest — and most important — ways to care for your complexion long-term. Try: REDEFINE Triple Defense Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30.
A Routine That Lasts: “I keep it clean, and then I like to use my retinal.” — Betty, 60s.
From gua sha to targeted treatments, women are finding plenty of ways to make skincare feel personal. But there’s something to be said for finding a routine you’ll actually stick with.
For women incorporating retinol into their routines, the REDEFINE Intensive Renewing Serum can complement a broader skincare regimen by helping visibly improve the look of fine lines, uneven tone, and skin texture — making it an easy addition for anyone looking to keep their routine focused and consistent.
The Reframe: Wrinkles as Wisdom
“I am embracing the grooves as wisdom, and I’m embracing the age spots as focal points.” – Therese, 60s
The biggest shift these women noted as they aged was perspective. Caring about your skin doesn’t have to mean being at war with it. You can want hydrated, healthy-looking skin while also embracing the lines and marks that come with a life well lived.
“Even though I have more wrinkles as I’m getting older, I’m learning to embrace them.” – Betty
For these women, skincare becomes less about chasing an impossible idea of youth and more about investing in how their skin looks and feels today. And that’s where having a thoughtful, consistent routine — and products formulated to support it — can make a difference.
The Performance Factor: Skincare For Women Who Show Up
The women we talked to on the grounds weren’t exactly slowing down. They were crossing finish lines in tiaras, celebrating with friends, and showing up for an experience that was all about feeling strong, accomplished, and unapologetically themselves. That same energy can apply to skincare.
Kit Karzen
The goal isn’t to make your skin perform like it did 20 years ago. It’s to give it the care it needs now — whether that means replenishing moisture with a nourishing cream, protecting it with SPF, or adding a targeted treatment to your routine. That’s the thinking behind Rodan + Fields: skincare designed around real concerns and real routines, so women can focus less on chasing perfection and more on caring for the skin they’re in.
Skincare As Self-Care
“Taking care of your skin is part of your self-love. It’s part of being yourself. I am 40-years-old, so I have to be a little more conscious about my skin routine.” –Nandini, 40
For many women, the daily skincare ritual has become something deeper than maintenance. It’s become a small but meaningful act of self-care. And that may be the biggest takeaway of all. A skincare routine doesn’t have to be about correcting everything you think is “wrong” with your face. It can simply be a few minutes in the morning or at night when you choose to take care of yourself.
Whether that means layering on a targeted Rodan + Fields treatment, smoothing on an overnight moisturizer, or keeping things incredibly simple, the ritual itself can be a reminder that you’re worth the time.
And perhaps most powerfully, there’s a gratitude running through these conversations.
“You know, so many people don’t get to age. It’s such a blessing.” – Melissa
That perspective puts skincare in a different light. Instead of treating every sign of aging as something to fear, caring for your skin can become part of appreciating the fact that you get to experience another year, another birthday, another finish line. The goal isn’t necessarily to hide the evidence of all those years. It’s to care for the skin that has carried you through them.
The Takeaway
Women aren’t redefining aging by giving up on skincare. They’re redefining it by making skincare more personal — and more positive.
- Stay hydrated: Inside and out, moisture remains a skincare essential.
- Protect your skin: Daily SPF is one of the most important habits for long-term skin care.
- Find what works for you: From retinal and targeted treatments to a simple moisturizer, consistency matters more than having the most complicated routine.
- Embrace the process: Wrinkles, lines, and age spots can be part of the story rather than something to hide.
- Make time for yourself: A skincare routine can be a practical ritual of self-care.
- Choose products with purpose: Dermatologist-founded skincare, like Rodan + Fields, gives women options for addressing the visible concerns that evolve with their skin.
The most beautiful part? There’s no single right way to age — or to care for your skin while you do it. What matters is finding what makes you feel cared for. Redefining aging isn’t about looking younger. It’s about feeling good in the skin you’re in — and giving that skin the care it deserves at every finish line along the way.
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