Best Skin Care for Women Over 50, According to Dermatologists

“For mature skin, face masks are wonderful for moisture and delivery of extra therapeutics,” says Wexler, noting that you can extend a mask to the neck and décolletage. If skin is extra dry, or you want your complexion to be smoother and tighter for a special occasion, she recommends a high-powered tightening mask, like Natura Bisse Diamond Mask, that’s loaded with hyaluronic acid and peptides. For depuffing, look to a cooling treatment, also packed with plumping peptides, such as Skyn Iceland’s Hydro Cool Firming Face Gels, which can be used to smooth forehead furrows and smile lines.

Consider Retinol At Night

Women in their 50s may want add a retinol step to their nighttime skin care regime. According to Ilyas, the ingredient is the most effective for tackling concerns associated with aging skin— including fine lines, pigmentation, breakouts, redness, textural changes, and thinning.

To note, “All retinoids are inherently drying, so while they are great anti-aging mainstays, they are not for everyone—and that is okay!” says Dr. Christina Chung, a board-certified dermatologist with the Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia. “But if you can tolerate retinol, I recommend using it as often as you can.” Some of Chung’s patients use retinol nightly, while others apply it once or twice a week. “It’s not the frequency of application but rather the long-term consistency of use that produces positive results,” she says. As Dr. Natalie Curcio, a board-certified dermatologist with Curcio Dermatology in Nashville puts it: “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 two decades.”

What is the best skin care routine for a 50-year-old?

“The basics for every skin care routine, regardless of age, are cleansing, protecting, and repairing skin,” says Dr. Erum Ilyas, a board-certified dermatologist with the Schweiger Dermatology Group in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. However, Ilyas notes that women in their 50s typically have “much more sensitive” skin due to hormonal changes brought on by perimenopause and menopause. For these women, “I recommend sticking with mild cleansers to achieve cleanliness without overdrying or irritating the skin,” she says. As a next step, SPF is a must.

At night, the focus should shift to repair. “Our skin is a functioning organ faced with environmental insults such as UV exposure and pollution from the outside while managing hormonal fluctuations, stress, sleep changes, dehydration, inflammation, and a variety of other internal challenges,” Ilyas notes. “Give it the protection and hydration it needs overnight to work at its best.”

Skin Care Ingredients for Women Over 50

While adhering to these steps is essential to care for mature skin, ensuring your regimen features the right ingredients is equally as important. Based on the advice of these experts and our own research, we’ve compiled a list of the best skin care ingredients for women over 50.