The Only Skincare Products Women Over 50 Really Need

In a previous post, I wrote about the beauty products mature women do not need. However, some essential skincare products are worth the investment and will give an aging woman more luminous and younger-looking skin.

It’s easy to go overboard with products that marketers upsell us because we are aging. I sold skincare and cosmetics for 10 years and know how the industry works.

Click on this article to see how brands market skincare to mature customers.

Instead, invest in a few good skincare products that make a significant difference.

An older woman’s beauty routine does not have to be complicated with multiple steps to help improve her mature skin. And, it certainly doesn’t have to be expensive.

These are the most important skin care products that women over 50 should have on hand. I also provide my product recommendations for brands that I love.

Your daytime routine – cleanse, moisturize, and protect

Product #1 – A gentle cleanser

Look for a cleanser that is hydrating. It should be low or no foam and fragrance-free. A good cleanser will nourish your skin as you wash it.

• Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream is a silky and non-drying cleanser with a light lather. It will lift away oil and impurities. The formula is an encapsulated blend of lactic acid, a peptide that will brighten and renew the skin to help make it appear more youthful. Apricot and starflower oils create a moisture barrier to replenish hydration and protect aging skin.
• CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser has no parabens, fragrances, or preservatives and three ceramides that repair the skin. The National Eczema Association has endorsed it. The formula contains Hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin and is comedogenic so it doesn’t clog your pores. Make sure to rinse it all off before using additional products as it is formulated to be slow release.
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel is designed for normal to dry skin. It contains hyaluronic acid for hydration, is oil, soap, paraben, and fragrance-free. The product works well on sensitive skin or if you have eczema and is unscented.
• Dove Soap for Sensitive Skin is simple and easy to use in the shower or at night. It’s fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. (Kim Cattrell swears by it) And, yes, I know . . . It’s soap.

Product #2 – Daytime moisturizer

Your moisturizer is the MOST IMPORTANT SKINCARE PRODUCT you need when you are older. You can use a moisturizer with an SPF or apply sunscreen over a moisturizer without an SPF. Look for active ingredients such as niacinamide, ceramides, panthenol, and shea butter.

The moisturizers below do not contain SPF but can be used day or night, which saves you some money. There may be days when you are inside, but be wary that sun damage can occur from light inside your home or in a car.

• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is my absolute favorite! It contains 3 essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to lock in your skin’s moisture. Dermatologists developed it for dry and extra-dry skin and it is fragrance-free. It comes in a large 16 oz jar and can be used on the face and body.
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Extra Dry contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and is retinol and fragrance-free. It is a gel that is light and refreshing. The product hydrates for 48 hours and is dermatologist-recommended. Regular Hydro Boost has a fresh fragrance whereas the “Extra Dry” is fragrance-free.
• Neostrata Bionic Face Cream is designed for dry and sensitive skin. The cream contains bionic acid, a natural skin humectant that is water-binding, and does an excellent job keeping your skin barrier moist. It is also non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.
• Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is fragrance-free and highly touted. It is infused with Vitamin B3, amino peptides, Hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants. This excellent formula delivers moisture 10 layers deep.
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer contains ceramides, glycerin, and niacinamide, and is dermatologist-recommended. It is a light moisturizer that repairs the skin’s natural protective barrier and provides up to 48 hours of hydration

Product #3 – Sunscreen

Don’t rely on SPF in a daytime moisturizer or tinted foundation, even if it is more convenient. It is only effective for a short time so ALWAYS re-apply it.

The sunscreen products listed below will give you the best protection.

• Elta MD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 is a top-rated sunscreen product rich in antioxidants and niacinamide. The product is lightweight, fragrance-free, oil-free, will blend well with makeup, and won’t clog your pores. Dermatologists recommend it for sensitive skin.
• La Roche-Posay Melt in Milk Body and Face Sunscreen SPF 60 with cell shield technology is oil-free, and fragrance-free. It is recommended for sensitive skin and is oxybenzone-free.

If you have sensitive skin or eyes that get irritated easily, use a mineral sunscreen.

• CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is lightweight, non-greasy, fragrance-free, and suitable for sensitive skin. It is certified by the National Eczema Association. It also contains 3 essential ceramides and niacinamide to help restore and maintain the protective skin barrier. Active ingredients include zinc oxide. I like it because it doesn’t irritate my eyes. However, it may leave a white cast because of the zinc oxide.
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is lightweight, fragrance-free, does not leave a white cast, and is water resistant for 40 minutes. It will blend into your skin and can be used year round.

Nighttime Routine

Cleanse, apply serum, and then a night cream

If you wear foundation or water-resistant sunscreen, double-cleanse your face at night. Use an oil-based cleanser to get into your pores. Then, follow it up with your regular low foaming cleanser.

• DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is a Japanese oil-based brand that will remove foundation, mascara, and eye makeup. It is fragrance and color free and is a mix of olive and vitamin E oil that will soften and hydrate your face.

Product #4 – Antioxidant Serum

• Neostrata Skin Active Tri-Therapy Lifting Serum is oil and fragrance free. It is a high-end brand that contains MicroDiPeptide229®to lift and firm, Gluconolatone as an exfoliant, hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate, and Alpine Plant Extract Complex to brighten your skin. You can feel it work when you apply it.
• La Roche Posay Pure Retinol Face Serum with Vitamin B3 is an effective and more affordable serum. It helps to reduce lines and wrinkles, isn’t greasy, is lightweight, and works for sensitive skin.
• COSRX Snail Serum may sound yucky but I’m a huge fan! I’ve been using it for a while and it’s super hydrating! My skin feels amazing when I use it. I use it almost every morning.

Vitamin C Serums are also highly recommended by dermatologists.

• Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum is formulated with Vita-C Complex and glycolic acid, which will remove dull skin cells and even skin tone. It is fragrance-free and works for all skin types.
• CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid is affordable and is especially good for dry or sensitive skin. It is formulated with 10 percent L-ascorbic acid, contains ceramides and vitamin B5.

Product #5 Night Cream

Although you CAN use the same moisturizer as you do in the day, a night cream will give you extra hydration and its active ingredients work as you sleep.

• Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream works for all skin types. Your skin will feel smoother with improved texture, and it is super hydrating. Niacinamide and Dipeptide help strengthen your skin’s natural barrier, leaving you with a firmer and more lifted appearance. The product is paraben, sulfite, and mineral oil-free.
• Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer is fragrance-free and contains Retinol, niacinamide, and peptides. Good Housekeeping recommends it as the Best Overall Night Cream.
• Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Cream is fragrance-free and contains Retinol and hyaluronic acid. It is the number 1 retinol product recommended by dermatologists. It does not contain parabens, mineral oil, or dyes and has been proven by over 100 clinical studies. This night cream is particularly effective if you have dark (sun) spots on your skin.
• CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream Peptide Complex is retinol and fragrance-free if you have sensitive skin. It contains ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. The formula is Non-irritating, non-greasy, and intensely hydrating.

What is your skincare routine like now that you are older? What steps do you always include and what are your favorite brands? Please leave a comment below.