We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
The best skin care for women over 50 might not be able to stop the hands of time and gravity from leaving their marks, but they can be helpful for any reassessing their approach to addressing signs of aging—think deep wrinkles, sun spots, crepe-y texture, and loss of volume, which present themselves most often mid-life onward. Ahead, we tap skin care pros to share their best tips, tools, and strategies for building an arsenal for an ageless complexion.
Vogue’s Top Picks for the Best Skin Care for Women Over 50
- The Face Moisturizer: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream, $185
- The Vitamin C: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, $182
- The Gentle Cleanser: Tatcha The Rice Wash, $40
- The pH-Balancing Toner: SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner, $38
- The Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 60, $33
- The Gentle Exfoliant: Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser, $88
- The Facial Massager: Joanna Czech Facial Massager, $189
- The Face Mask: La Prairie Cellular Hydralift Firming Mask, $215
In this Article:
- Cleansers and Toners for Mature Skin
- Exfoliators for Women over 50
- Face Massagers to Boost Collagen
- Restore Volume Loss with Face Moisturizers
- Protect Skin with Vitamin C and SPF
- Consider Retinol at Night
- Face Masks for Aging Skin
- What is the best skincare routine for a 50-year-old?
- Skin Care Ingredients for Women Over 50
- Meet the Experts
Cleanse & Tone
The best skin care for women over 50 begins with daily face-washing. Mature skin should be treated with a mild, non-irritating cleanser that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils or irritate dry and sensitive types. For those on the dryer side, New York dermatologist Dr. Patricia Wexler cautions that because it’s usually sensitive, it’s best to use a face wash that provides good barrier protection with ingredients like ceramides. “After an initial oil cleanser to remove my makeup, I use a cream cleanser, then use a lukewarm water to rinse, and pat my skin dry with a soft cloth,” Wexler explains.
To help maintain the pH balance of the skin after cleansing, celebrity facialist Joanna Czech recommends using a pH-controlling toner, which can also supply an extra layer of moisture and “act as carrier” for the skin care steps that come next. The new class of hydrating toners are also worth considering.
Exfoliate—But Don’t Overdo It
In terms of exfoliation, both physical (scrubs) and chemical (AHAs and BHAs) may be used on mature skin—but proceed with caution. “Yes, exfoliation is necessary, but don’t overdo it,” Czech instructs. “With women over 50, the outer layer of skin becomes thinner and more delicate.” To avoid aggravation, Czech recommends taking a minimal approach to physical exfoliation, which can cause micro-tears on the epidermis if you get carried away.
Regenerating Cleanser
To buff away dead skin cells safely, Wexler recommends using a gentle scrub, such as Tata Harper’s Regenerating Exfoliating Cleanser with its apricot microspheres, no more than three times a week, and following it up with a calming elixir with soothing ingredients such as ceramide and chamomile.
Use Face Massagers to Boost Collagen
A daily facial massage does wonders for the skin at any age, but is especially transformative for mature complexions. These beauty tools can work to sculpt the facial muscles (think: more defined cheekbones and jawline) and reduce fluid buildup, as well as improve blood flow, cell turnover, tissue toning, and boost collagen production. “Collagen is the support net of our skin—it’s what gives the structural integrity of the skin and as it declines, skin becomes looser, sags and wrinkles form,” explains Rochelle Weitzner, founder and CEO of Pause Skincare, a line developed for women going through menopause. Because women experience a dramatic reduction in collagen synthesis after menopause, Weitzner designed a special tool to stimulate fibroblasts, which are the cells that produce collagen.
Using your fingertips or a tool, knead and contour the facial muscles, moving along the jawline and upward toward the highs of the cheekbones, under-eye region, and across the forehead. For an extra boost at the end, wrap gauze around ice cubes infused with anti-inflammatory green or chamomile tea, then glide them over the skin, per Czech.
Restore Volume Loss with Face Serums & Moisturizers
Starting in your 30s and 40s, hyaluronic levels begin to decrease, which is what makes fine lines and deep wrinkles more noticeable. When applied topically, hyaluronic acid can help replenish and retain cell moisture (it holds 1,000 times its weight in water), which is why it’s such a common ingredient in both serums and moisturizers—particularly in formulas targeting mature skin. Look for this and other nourishing ingredients like ceramides and peptides in hydrating serums and face moisturizers, which help restore the skin barrier with consistent use.
Augustinus Bader
The Rich Cream
One of our favorite moisturizers for dry skin, Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream as developed a cult-following. It replenishes skin's moisture levels, reduces the look of dark spots and fine lines thanks to an innovative blend of peptides, amino acids, and nourishing agents.
Protect Skin With Vitamin C & SPF
Another key ingredient for brightening up a dull complexion and erasing sun spots is vitamin C, which helps treat and fight against free radical damage that causes oxidative stress and skin aging. The powerhouse antioxidant also works to fade away hyperpigmentation. “Begin with a low concentration of 10% and increase to 15% or 20% as tolerated,” says Wexler of identifying the right concentration for your skin type in a serum or moisturizer. What’s important to note is that most potent forms of vitamin C are vulnerable to light exposure, and therefore the use of vitamin C must be in conjunction with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB coverage, which one should be using regardless. To shield skin against skin cancer and damage (fine lines, deep wrinkles, blotchiness, discoloration, and textural abnormalities), use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 every single day.
SkinCeuticals
C E Ferulic
This Vogue Verified vitamin C serum counts many of our editors as fans. Powered by a potent blend of 15% L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, C E Ferulic targets wrinkles and fine lines with ease.
Mask to Optimize It All
“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.
- Ceramides: “Ceramides are very important lipids that are naturally found within our body, [which] help to maintain the integrity of the skin barrier and hold hydration in the skin,” dermatologist Dr. Alexis Stephens previously told Vogue. It works well to restore skin’s moisture levels for a plumper, firmer complexion.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is an acclaimed ingredient known to hold 1,000x its weight in water—meaning it delivers ample hydration in a single use. It can be helpful to use it on its own (take your pick of the best hyaluronic acid serums), or as a key ingredient in your chosen face cream.
- Retinols: For wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and invisible photo-damage, Wexler recommends looking to retinol, a derivative of vitamin A that, when applied topically, can promote skin renewal, brighten skin tone, clear up hyperpigmentation, and aid in production of collagen. It is available both in prescription strength and over-the-counter, and it’s best to consult your dermatologist to advise on the potency, frequency, and type of retinoid to use. Wexler also notes that retinol can be especially beneficial in tending to eye-area concerns, working in combination with peptides to stimulate new collagen, and in turn, support the laxity of the tissue, she says.
- SPF: All skin experts can agree that prioritizing daily sunscreen wear is essential, but particularly in aging skin. “Hormonal changes in women tend to make us more susceptible to the impact of light exposure,” Ilyas says. Look for a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF 30 or higher.
- Vitamin C: Another key ingredient for brightening up a dull complexion and erasing sun spots is vitamin C, which helps treat and fight against free radical damage that causes oxidative stress and skin aging. The powerhouse antioxidant can also help to address hyperpigmentation.
Meet The Experts
- Dr. Christina Chung is a board-certified dermatologist with the Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia.
- Dr. Natalie Curcio is a board-certified dermatologist with Curcio Dermatology in Nashville.
- Joanna Czech is a skin expert and celebrity facialist to stars like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston.
- Dr. Erum Ilyas is a board-certified dermatologist with the Schweiger Dermatology Group in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
- Rochelle Weitzner is the founder and former CEO of Pause Skincare.
- Dr. Patricia Wexler is a New York-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in dermatology and dermatologic surgery.