THE BEST SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR WOMEN OVER 50

When it comes to understanding our skin past the age of 50, we often feel that we’re getting a mixed bag of goods. On the one hand, we’re glad to be in-the-clear from that age-old acne (at least for the most part), on the other hand, we’re seeing fine lines and wrinkles pop up in their place instead. If that’s not bad enough, our skin doesn’t even feel like it used to: parchment paper-like rough patches appear out of nowhere, much to the dismay of our flabbergasted faces. To top it all off, we aren’t even able to turn to our skin products for help: the skincare concoctions that worked so well in the past don’t seem to be doing much to alleviate our skin woes. But before you throw your hands in the air—and throw in the towel—we’re here to tell you that having beautiful skin after age 50 isn’t out of your hands. But it may be time to overhaul your go-to products and create an age-positive and tailored regimen for your now mature skin. And how can I get glowing skin in my 50s? Read on for our step-by-step take on stepping up your skincare for anti-aging so that you can celebrate the skin you have now, but still put it in its best light.

Asking “How Do I Take Care of My Skin in My 50s?” - Read On.

We need to figure out what is going on with our changing skin at this time of life. We get that aging attracts a host of new skin issues, but what’s changed is rooted in a cellular level. The structure of the skin is different now in the amount of oil that is produced. To put it simply, the skin isn’t retaining the same moisture levels. Skincare experts say that we need to take a different approach than we did say, ten and twenty years ago. Because our skin thins out over time and isn’t as robust as it used to be, we need to find gentle but powerful ingredients that focus on anti-aging.

Skincare experts say skincare for 50s should involve looking for ingredients that we would naturally have in our skin, but that we are lacking now as time goes by. This way, the skin can heal what it has lost and start to regenerate from the inside.

What is a Good Skincare Routine for Mature Skin?

Oil Cleansing Is The Cure

We are doing our skin a great disservice if we use cleansers that are too abrasive for our skin. If you aren’t using a cleansing oil, we highly advise investing in one in your beauty arsenal. The beauty about cleansing oils is that they thoroughly clean the skin without drying it out, and it also helps your skin improve strength while rebalancing its pH level and natural oils.

Foam Is Not Your Friend

Skincare experts highly advise ditching any foamy face cleansers you may have gotten attached to. Sure, foam-based cleansers are great for removing dirt, oil, and debris, but they also strip the skin of precious natural oils that lubricate the skin.

Say Heck No To Harsh Scrubs

Gentle exfoliation is an excellent way to get rid of dead skin cells to reveal the healthy skin underneath but again, harsh scrubs will only dry out the skin and actually draw attention to the fine lines and wrinkles. Aging skin still attracts clog pores which give a dull appearance, and dermatologist recommend exfoliating just once a week with a very gentle liquid exfoliant that contains a low percent of AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) or BHA (beta hydroxy acid) that will work to keep flakes and dead skin cells at bay without the need for scrubbing. Gentle, low concentration AHA peels can work wonders as well, whether you do an at-home peel or have one done in your dermatologist’s office. Check out our article for the best exfoliation for mature skin to know the benefits of exfoliation in your 50s.

Tiktok user Lisa Adkins says that her skin has definitely become more sensitive with age, and that she chooses her skincare products accordingly. “I now choose skin care that is hypoallergenic, uses natural ingredients like vitamins, etc. which assures me that it will be non-irritating.”

There’s No Need To Be Moaning About Toning

Skincare routine for 50s needs this! Yes, it’s another cleansing step but that doesn’t mean that it’s an extra one that can be left out. Skipping the toner could mean leftover pore-clogging dirt that your cleanser missed, but it’s also an active anti-aging skincare step. Toners that have ingredients such as hydroxy acids (which gently exfoliate the skin and slough off dead skin cells), antioxidants, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid all work to prevent fine lines as well as working on existing ones. Toner also smooths out skin texture.

Serums That Will Save Your Skin

When it comes to the best anti-aging regimen for your 50s, adding some sort of serum is serious business. Serums are solutions for targeting specific concerns such as fine lines, sunspots, boosting collagen (something we lose significantly as we age), and overall texture. Skincare experts advise hydrating serums such those that contain hyaluronic acid which puts moisture back in the skin, as well as a Vitamin C serum, which is great for brightening the skin and reviving that lost glow.

We would be amiss if we didn’t recommend retinol, the revolutionary skincare game-changer. Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A and it has long been a skin savior for wrinkles, age spots, even acne and the like. Going the retinol route should involve the insight of a dermatologist who will advise you on the strength of retinol percent to use as well how often to use it—especially in the beginning. It takes time to build up a retinol tolerance and there can be side effects such as dryness and flaking to start, so it’s best to be guided by an expert. Retinol should only be used after cleansing at night, because it makes skin highly sensitive to the sun.

Retinol is also fabulous for fading sunspots and addressing hyperpigmentation.

Lila chooses products that are clean but they also have to be effective, she says. “There are so many natural alternatives for chemically enhanced products.” Her favorites are the ones that help with hyperpigmentation and plump up the skin, because she says that these are two of her concerns as she has gotten older.

A Moisturizer Is What Makes It Or Breaks It

The best skincare for your 50s barrier moisturizer is what is going to not only hydrate the skin and provide a shield, but it will also help to lock in the serum so that it can do its job of targeting and healing. Some ingredients to look for on the moisturizer front include hyaluronic acid (to plump and fortify the skin), ceramides, fatty acids, and Vitamin E. These will not only hydrate parched skin, but also improve texture, add plumpness and fullness, and help with uneven skin tone. Vitamin E also helps in skin cell reproduction.

Health coach Laurie Boudreaux says that as we age, it’s vital to achieve a naturally glowing look because it gives the appearance of younger and more vibrant skin. “The matted, powdery face is out.”

Be The Queen Of Sunscreen

If there’s one thing you can do for your skincare over 50, it’s to wear sunscreen. Over time, sun exposure without the benefit of sunscreen can pop up in the form of age spots, rosacea, fine lines and wrinkles, and rough patches on the skin. Sunscreen is perhaps the single most important anti-aging product that you can have in your skincare regime for youthful, beautiful skin. Hydrating sunscreens that contain botanical extracts are a great way to work on nourishing the skin while protecting it from both UVA and UVB rays. Skin care experts recommend an SPF of at least 30 all year round, not just during the summer months like many believe. Sun rays are ever present—even behind the clouds and in the winter.

Skincare expert Justina LeSassier, says that she highly recommends products that boost hydration to her mature clients. “Hydration will be the key to all skin types with any skin condition. The other key factor is the use of sunscreen because it is truly a contribution to aging well.”

How To Choose Skincare Products If You’re Over 50? Here Are Some Ingredients To Avoid.

The best skincare for women over 50 always involves avoiding anything that could harm the skin. There are some ingredients to avoid when looking for anti-aging skincare products and the number one culprit is alcohol. These include SD alcohol, ethanol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and ethyl alcohol. Not only are alcohols drying and really strip your skin’s natural oils, but alcohol will also accelerate aging not to mention cause irritation.

Design Architect Tina says that she is extremely careful about what she uses on her face. “I prefer to use products that come recommended by friends or by doctors. I am reluctant to buy products from big name cosmetic companies because I won't buy for the brand but rather for what it does for me.”

Debbie Morrison says that it’s important to be familiar with your skin and understand what it needs. “I find taking a skincare quiz is very helpful when buying my skincare,” she says. “Whether you are dry, oily or combination, using the right product for your skin is key to great results.”

Best Skincare Routine For Your 60s:

While skincare for your 50s also applies to your 60s, there are some extra steps to qualify your regime to be the best skincare for 50 plus divas. For one thing, dermatologists recommend taking baths instead of showers so as not to dry out the skin. People over 60 especially can develop dry and very itchy skin very easily so bathing is your best bet to keep irritation at bay—as long as you keep your baths pretty short. Secondly, make sure to use fragrance-free cleansers, serums, and moisturizers so as not to irritate your skin. Use warm—not hot—water as again, this can be drying and irritating. After you gently cleanse your skin (a muslin cloth is a good option), pat try, don’t rub. And let your skin be a little moist when you apply serum and moisturizer. This helps to lock in moisture.