“For mature skin, face masks are great for moisture and delivering additional therapeutic properties,” says Wexler, noting that you can extend a mask to the neck and décolleté. If skin is extra dry, or you want your complexion smoother and firmer for a special occasion, she recommends a powerful firming mask, such as Natura Bisse diamond mask, packed with hyaluronic acid and peptides. For de-puffing, consider a cooling treatment, also packed with plumping peptides, such as Skyn Iceland’s Hydro Cool firming facial gelswhich can be used to smooth out forehead creases and smile lines.
Consider Retinol at night
Women in their 50s may want to add a retinol step to their nighttime skincare regimen. According to Ilyas, the ingredient is most effective at addressing issues associated with aging skin, including fine lines, pigment spots, blemishes, redness, texture changes and thinning.
To note: “All retinoids are inherently drying, so while they are great anti-aging support pills, they are not for everyone – and that’s okay!” say Dr. Christina Chung, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia. “But if you can tolerate retinol, I recommend using it as often as possible.” Some of Chung’s patients use retinol every night, while others apply it once or twice a week. “It’s not the frequency of application, but rather the consistency of use over the long term that yields positive results,” she says. If Dr. Natalie Curcio, a board-certified dermatologist at Curcio Dermatology in Nashville says, “Retinoids are not for someone looking for a quick fix. I tell patients you will look better in two months, even better in two years, and even better in 20 years.”
What is the best skin care routine for a 50 year old?
“The foundation for any skin care routine, regardless of age, is to cleanse, protect and repair the skin,” says Dr. Erum Ilyas, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. However, Ilyas notes that women in their 50s tend to have “much more sensitive” skin due to hormonal changes caused by perimenopause and menopause. For these women, “I recommend using mild cleansers to achieve cleanliness without drying or irritating the skin,” she says. As a next step, SPF is a must.
At night the focus should shift to repairing. “Our skin is a functioning organ that faces environmental aggressors such as exposure to UV rays and external pollution, while simultaneously managing hormonal fluctuations, stress, sleep changes, dehydration, inflammation and a variety of other internal challenges,” notes Ilyas. “Give it the protection and hydration it needs at night to work at its best.”
Skin care ingredients for women over 50
While following these steps is essential for caring for mature skin, it’s just as important to ensure your regimen contains the right ingredients. Based on the advice of these experts and our own research, we’ve put together a list of the best skin care ingredients for women over 50.
