Whether you're a skin care minimalist or maximalist, your regimen will change over the long term as you adapt it to your needs. Due to the nature of time and gravity, the signs of aging – deep wrinkles, sun spots, wrinkled texture and loss of volume – are so visible in their 40s and beyond that many people want to wash their faces. - neck mode. Explore the best skin care products for women over 50. From the best ways to reduce the appearance of wrinkles to the most powerful brightening and rejuvenating masks, skincare experts share the best strategies and ways to build your arsenal here for youthful skin.
Cleanses and yes, tones
It goes without saying that the best skin care for women over 50 starts with daily face washing. Mature skin should be treated with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser that won't strip the skin of its natural oils or irritate dry, sensitive skin. For those with dry skin, New York dermatologist Patricia Wexler, MD, warns that because they're generally sensitive, it's best to use a cleanser that creates a good barrier with skin-protecting ingredients like ceramides. "After my first cleansing oil to remove makeup, I apply a cream cleanser, then rinse with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel," says Wexler. To help maintain skin's pH balance after cleansing, celebrity facialist Joanna Czech, who recently launched a skincare line, recommends using a pH-controlling toner, which can provide a layer. in skin care. .
Exfoliate, but don't overdo it
In terms of exfoliation, both physical (scrubs) and chemical (AHA and BHA) products can be used on mature skin, but proceed with caution. "Yes, exfoliation is necessary, but don't overdo it," ordered Çeç. "In women over 50, the outer layer of the skin becomes thinner and more delicate." To avoid deterioration, the Czech Republic recommends a minimal approach to physical exfoliation, which can cause micro-cracks in the epidermis. To safely remove dead skin cells, Wexler recommends using a gentle exfoliator like the Tata Harper Apricot Exfoliating Beaded Cleanser, followed by a soothing lotion with soothing ingredients like ceramides and chamomile, no more than three once a week. . For a mild chemical peel, try Powerglow Peel M-61, which is pre-soaked with glycolic and salicylic acid, plus acne-fighting vitamin K and evening cranberry extract, and is gentle enough for everyday use. take advantage of. Or consider a weekly exfoliating treatment like Drunk Elephant's Sukari Babyfacial TLC Resurfacing, formulated with 25% AHAs and their blend of glycolic, tartaric, lactic and citric acids.
Treat yourself to a facial massage
A daily facial massage is amazing for skin of all ages, but it's especially transformative for mature skin. It works to sculpt facial muscles (think: more defined cheekbones and jawline) and reduce water retention, as well as increase blood flow, cell turnover, tissue tone, and boost collagen production. "Collagen is the support network of our skin. It is collagen that provides the structural integrity of the skin, and when it is depleted, the skin becomes more saggy, saggy and wrinkled," says Rochelle Weitzner, founder and CEO of Pause Skincare. for menopausal women. Because women experience a major decline in collagen synthesis after menopause, Weitzner developed a special device to stimulate fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen. Using your fingertips or a tool like the Pause Fascia Stimulation Tool, curl and contour the facial muscles, moving along the jawline and up the cheekbones, under the eyes and forehead. For an extra boost at the end, wrap gauze around an ice cube filled with anti-inflammatory green tea or chamomile, then rub it into your skin, says Czech.
Restore lost volume with additional hydration
Starting in your 30s and 40s, hyaluronic acid levels begin to decline, making fine lines and deep wrinkles more visible. When applied topically, hyaluronic acid can help replenish and retain cellular moisture (it holds 1,000 times its weight in water), so it's a common ingredient in serums and moisturizers, especially those aimed at mature skin. "Serums have a higher concentration of ingredients than what we use in creams or lotions," says Wexler, who is a fan of SkinMedica's HA5 Rejuvenating Moisturizer. "Not only does it deliver hyaluronic acid into the dermis, but the complex chain of different hyaluronic acids stimulates your production of hyaluronic acid, increasing skin elasticity," she explains of the cream serums. To seal in a powerful serum, choose a moisturizer packed with ingredients to help repair and restore the skin's barrier, like KateCeuticals Total Repair Anti-Aging Cream by Kate Somerville, which combines ceramides and a special complex peptide to soothe irritation and minimize redness. .
Treat wrinkles and hyperpigmentation with care
For wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and photo-invisible damage, Wexler recommends looking to retinol, a vitamin A derivative that promotes skin renewal, brightens skin tone, fades hyperpigmentation, and boosts collagen production when applied topically. It is available by prescription and over the counter, and it is best to consult your dermatologist for advice on the proper strength and the best type of retinoid to use. Wexler also notes that retinol can be especially helpful in treating problem eye areas, working with peptides to stimulate new collagen, which in turn promotes tissue relaxation. For puffiness and puffiness, Wexler recommends eye creams that contain caffeine (such as Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Eye, infused with hyaluronic acid), cucumber or yeast extract to "expand and dry" oil cells, and haloxyl to treat pigmentation .
Another key ingredient for brightening dull skin and eliminating sun spots is vitamin C, which helps treat and fight free radical damage that causes oxidative stress and skin aging. Powerful antioxidants also work to eliminate hyperpigmentation. "Start with a low concentration of 10% and increase to 15% or 20% depending on your tolerance," says Wexler about determining the right concentration for your skin type in a serum or moisturizer. It should be noted that most of the more potent forms of vitamin C are photosensitive and therefore vitamin C use should coincide with broad spectrum UVA/UVB coverage, whichever is used. To protect against skin cancer and skin damage (fine lines, deep wrinkles, blemishes, discoloration and texture irregularities), use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30, such as La Roche-Posay Velvet, Sink-Right's Anthelios Melt-In. Sun milk SPF 60, every day.
A mask to optimize everything
"Face masks for mature skin are great for hydrating and providing extra therapy," says Wexler, noting that you can smooth the mask onto your neck and décolletage. If your skin is extremely dry or you want your skin to look smoother and firmer for a special occasion, she recommends a high-strength toning mask like the Natura Bisse Diamond Mask, rich in hyaluronic acid and peptides. Finally, look for refreshing treatments rich in infused peptides, such as Skyn Iceland's Hydro Cool Forming Facial Gels, which can be used to smooth forehead wrinkles and smile lines.