When it comes to building the perfect skincare routine, it can be confusing to know what products to go for. No matter how many articles you read on the best cleansers, the best serums or the best moisturisers on the market, it's always important to keep your own individual skin type in mind and not get lost in the noise of trending products that might not work for you.
One thing to also consider when building your skincare routine is your age. While we would never recommend ingredients such as retinol for teenagers or people in their early twenties, this is a great ingredient to use if you have more mature skin. In fact, those with more mature skin can benefit from a wide range of ingredients to help tackle skincare concerns such as fine lines and loss of elasticity.
The great news is that there are plenty of skincare products out there designed for mature skin, and I've been busy researching some of the best ones on the market. Not only that, but I reached out to industry experts including Kate Somerville, esthetician to the stars and founder of Kate Somerville Skincare, and Dr Jonathan Kentley, consultant dermatologist at Montrose, London, to find out everything there is to know about choosing the right skincare products for those of you who are 50 or older. Keep on scrolling for all of their advice...
How Does Our Skin Change as We Get Older?
So, what actually happens to our skin as we age? As explained by Dr Kentley, the main change is to do with the amount of collagen being produced. "The collagen in our skin is constantly being turned over, with old collagen being broken down and new collagen being formed," he says. "As we age, the harmony between these processes changes and we lose more collagen than we produce. Collagen levels peak around the age of 20, and from our 30s we lose around 1.5% of our collagen per year. Loss of collagen leads to changes [in our skin] such as fine lines, sagging and reduced elasticity."
Why do these changes happen, I hear you ask? "As the [collagen] fibres break down, the support structure beneath your skin is weakened, resulting in fine lines," explains Somerville.
It's not just collagen either. "The rate of cell turnover is also reduced," says Dr Kentley. "The amount of fats and proteins in our skin declines, leading to dry skin and a loss of radiance."
But not to fear, as there are plenty of effective skincare ingredients out there that are designed to help tackle these concerns.
What Skincare Ingredients Are Best for Mature Skin?
If you're wondering what ingredients to look out for, the experts have shared a handy guide with me.
Retinoids: "Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A and work to stimulate collagen production and cell turnover, as well as improving texture and tone," says Dr Kentley.
Vitamin C: "Using an antioxidant is essential to help prevent collagen breakdown caused by sun and urban pollution," says Dr Kentley. "Vitamin C is one of the best choices for this." Dr Kentley says that this ingredient can also help reduce pigmentation, which can be caused by sun exposure.
Hyaluronic acid: "Supporting the barrier of ageing skin is essential, so look for moisturisers that contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help restore the barrier and lock in moisture," says Dr Kentley.
Ceramides: As mentioned above, alongside hyaluronic acid, look for cleansers or moisturisers that contain ceramides too to help support your skin barrier.
Peptides: "Peptides are the building blocks of proteins in your skin," explains Somerville. "The most known protein in the skin is collagen. By adding peptides into your skincare routine, you can stimulate your skin to make more collagen, leading to a firmer, younger-looking complexion."
The Best Skincare Products for People Over 50
Now that we know the key ingredients to look out for, I've rounded up the best skincare products for mature skin, from cleaners to moisturisers and even targeted serums. Of course, you can't forget one of the best SPFs as a final step in your morning skincare routine. Whether you're looking for an eye cream for mature skin or a moisturiser for mature skin, our roundup has you covered.
The Best Cleansers for Over 50s
First up is this affordable yet effective cleanser from CeraVe. Dr Kentley is a fan of this brand, and this particular cleanser is great for mature skin as it is packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and protect the skin barrier.
For
- Affordable
- Hydrating formula
Against
- May work better as a second cleanser after removing makeup
Next is the Elemis cleansing balm. This is great for taking your makeup off at night, but I would recommend following this up with a water-based cleanser to ensure that your skin is clean and ready for bed. It's a ideal option for mature skin types as it's super hydrating and works to improve skin elasticity.
For
- Takes makeup off easily
- Very hydrating
Against
- Could be a little too greasy for some
Okay, this cleanser is a little pricier (read: a lot pricier), but if it's luxury skincare that you're after, you can't go wrong with Shiseido. This cleansing foam works to cleanse the skin without stripping it of moisture. It contains SkingenecellEnmei, an advanced ingredient for mature skin that works to reduce signs of ageing and promote a soft, smooth and radiant complexion.
For
- Cleanses skin without stripping it of moisture
- Contains Shiseido's advanced ingredient for mature skin
Against
- Expensive
As the name suggests, this Elizabeth Arden cleanser is packed with ceramides and works to preserve essential lipids in the skin that can be prone to damage as we age. It has a creamy consistency and cleanses the skin while helping to maintain moisture.
For
- Packed with ceramides
- Hydrating
Against
- Might not suit really oily skin types
The Best Serums for Over 50s
Dr Kentley says that this Medik8 serum is a great option for more mature skin as it's packed with peptides. He's certainly not wrong, as the clever product contains 13 different peptides to plump the skin, hydrate the complexion and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
For
- Contains lots of peptides
- Pump makes it easy to use
Against
- Expensive
Somerville recommends the KateCeuticals SuperCell Rejuvenation Serum as an effective product for more mature skin types. "Our vegan stem cells are known for reducing fine lines and effectively reversing the signs of ageing," she says. Other ingredients include squalane to deeply hydrate and enhance skin elasticity. The best bit? It comes with a super-refreshing rollerball so is a dream to apply.
For
- Hydrating
- Enhances skin elasticity
- Refreshing to apply
Against
- Rollerball can be a little messy at times
We've written about the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum many times as it's somewhat of a miracle product. As it turns out, the experts love it too. "I usually recommend Skinceuticals C E Ferulic," says Dr Kentley. Packed with antioxidants, this serum helps to protect skin against environmental aggressors, soften fine lines and add a radiant finish. It's definitely more of an investment, but there's a reason why industry experts and beauty editors swear by the stuff.
For
- Protects skin
- Adds radiance
Against
- Very expensive
If you are looking for a more affordable option, Dr Kentley also recommends this serum from L'Oréal Paris. It might not feature vitamin C, but it contains the brand's highest concentration of hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and plump fine lines.
For
- More affordable than other options in this roundup
- Super hydrating
Against
- Doesn't contain lots of other effective ingredients
If retinol is what you're after, Dr Kentley says this Dr Sam's serum is a great over-the-counter option. It features a cocktail of powerful ingredients including niacinamide to hydrate and brighten the skin, Granactive Retinoid®, azelaic acid to help exfoliate the skin and bakuchiol to help increase cell turnover. As with all retinol-based products, start using this slowly and gradually increase usage as your skin adjusts.
For
- Packed with effective ingredients
Against
- May have to introduce slowly to your skincare routine to avoid irritation
The Best Moisturisers for Over 50s
"Our Peptide K8 Cream is my desert-island product as it works quickly and progressively over time to improve skin texture and tone, increase elasticity, and firm the skin," says Somerville. The lightweight formula contains advanced, ceramide-infused peptides for a super plump, hydrated finish.
For
- Lightweight
- Plumps and hydrates the skin
Against
- Pump format can be a little messy
Another recommendation from Dr Kentley, this SkinCeuticals moisturiser is a powerhouse cream for plumping and firming the skin. It has been designed with mature skin in mind, and features 2% pure ceramides and 2% omega fatty acids to boost hydration, strengthen the skin barrier and add a plump, radiant finish.
For
- Features ceramides and fatty acids to plump the skin
- Supports the skin barrier
Against
- Very expensive
This moisturiser features so many key ingredients for mature skin. It is made with three pro-collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid and apple fruit extract and works to hydrate, plump and firm the skin while also protecting the skin barrier. Paula's Choice always delivers on formulas, and this one certainly lives up to expectations.
For
- Easy pump format
- Contains peptides and hyaluronic acid to plump and firm the skin
Against
- Packaging can be a little bulky to travel with
Ok, we need to talk about The Special from Klira. This prescription product comes recommended by Dr Kentley, but beauty editors are also big fans. Designed to replace all other serums and moisturisers in your evening skincare routine, the bespoke prescription formula contains a range of active ingredients to target your specific skincare concerns, from hyaluronic acid to ceramides and even retinoic acid. All you have to do is complete the skin analysis online to get your bespoke formulation. Yep, it's like having a dermatologist on speed dial.
For
- Bespoke formula
Against
- Have to commit to a subscription
The Best SPF for Over 50s
As explained by consultant dermatologist Dr Magnus Lynch, it is essential to use a high factor sunscreen every day, especially if you have more mature skin. He recommends this option from La Roche-Posay, a lightweight formula that helps to protect your skin against damage caused by UVA and UVB rays.
For
- Super lightweight
- Protects against UVA and UVB rays
Against
- Can be a little messy to apply
The brand has also created an SPF with mature skin types in mind. This product contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to hydrate and improve the appearance of fine lines.
For
- Designed with mature skin in mind
- Features hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Against
- A little more expensive
Another super hydrating option is this SPF from Ultra Violette. Infused with kakadu plum (antioxidant fruit extract rich in vitamin C), it helps to protect the skin against environmental aggressors.
For
- Hydrating formula
- Protects the skin
Against
- Oily skin types might prefer a mattifying option
Packed with antioxidants, this SPF helps to protect your skin from sun damage, pollution and premature signs of ageing. It has a lightweight yet moisturising texture and will leave your complexion feeling plump and happy.
For
- Protects the skin
- Lightweight formula
- Leaves skin feeling plump
Against
- Expensive
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