My skin feels drier, my lips thinner and my makeup heavier. How do I adjust my routine for aging skin?

Dear Face Time, We’re about the same age (I’m also in my early 50s) so I’m wondering: Which products do you actually buy yourself? Do you have any secret favorite products that you haven’t shared? Like what’s in your makeup bag? Inquiring minds want to know! — Nosy but Nice

Dear Nosy but Nice,

It’s funny you ask, because I was just the other day looking through my makeup bag and realizing that, maybe for the first time in my adult life, I’ve actually got my routine down to a tight edit of items that not only work (meaning, they’re effective) but also work particularly well for me.

I am a super-low-maintenance person, at least beautywise, especially considering what I do for a living. I prefer a natural, even messy look; you won’t ever see me with a sleek blowout or in a full face of foundation. I have never once in my whole life double cleansed. I need my makeup, hair and skin care to be as easy as possible or I won’t use it. I want products that feel good on my skin and make me look like I’ve put in just enough effort to seem “pulled together” without taking up a lot of my time. When I choose the items I use every day, it’s always because they’re effectively solving a problem for my 52-year-old face better than other products I’ve tried. My goal is always to keep things as affordable as possible, but I’ll pay up if something is just that good .

Here’s most of what I currently have in rotation, a real murderer’s row of best-in-class beauty, especially if you’re over a certain age.

What's the best makeup for wrinkles? Does retinol work? Ask Jennifer Romolini anything, as the kids say, and she'll answer with straightforward, expert-backed advice. Submit questions in the comments below, on social @yahoolife or email [email protected] .