The Best Skincare Routine for Women Over 50

Your skin tells the story of your life—the laughter shared, the milestones reached, and the experiences that shaped you. But as you reach your 50s and 60s, your skin begins a new chapter, one that calls for extra care and attention.

At this stage, your skin’s needs change as natural aging processes, like reduced collagen and moisture levels, become more noticeable. But don’t worry—this is the perfect time to focus on self-care and create a skincare routine that not only protects your skin but celebrates the wisdom and beauty that comes with age.

Below, we’ve curated a simple, effective skincare routine designed to help you embrace your skin’s journey, keeping it healthy, radiant, and nourished in your 50s and beyond. Check it out!

First, What’s Happening to Your Skin?

While your 30s and 40s may have been about preventative steps and adjusting to an anti-aging routine, your 50s is about aging gracefully.

Your skin (and body!) goes through a lot of changes in your 50s, especially if you're postmenopausal. Just remember that everyone’s skin is unique. You may notice some or all of the following skin changes:

• Surprising sensitivity: For example, that product you loved a few years ago may now cause redness
• Loss of volume: Your collagen and elastin supply is running low from your 40s onward, meaning less of that youthful plumped look to your complexion.
• Crepiness around the eyes & neck: Loss of subcutaneous fat, especially in areas like the face and hands, may contribute to a gradual decrease in fullness.
• Dryness: This is due to a slowdown in oil production and cell turnover, especially after menopause. Check out our tips on dry skin below!
• Hyperpigmentation: Effects of sun damage are more prominent, meaning sun spots on the hands and face may be a skin concern of yours.
• Enlarged pores: Pores can get a little bit larger due to sun damage and hormonal changes.

Cleanser

The first step never changes–always start with a gentle cleanse. A sensitive or hydrating formula is going to leave your skin feeling clean and pampered.

“Cream cleansers, hydrating balms, and oil cleaners are ideal choices, as they effectively cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural oils,” Dendy Engelman, MD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic tells Instyle.

Toner

You may have once loved exfoliating your skin for that fresh radiant feeling, but it may be too hard for your skin now even if you were using a gentle formula. If that’s the case, you can opt for a post-cleanse toner. Toner gently cleanses, purifies and smoothes the skin helping to bring back your skin’s natural pH level.

The best part? Many toners have exfoliating ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) that can remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. Because it’s a tonic applied from a cotton pad, it’s quicker, simpler, and gentler than a full-on exfoliation product. If you have sensitive skin, be sure to grab a fragrance-free formulation.

LED Mask

A simple routine is amazing for maintaining your skin’s barrier function, protecting it from sunshine and pollution, and prolonging your youthful look but skincare can only go so far. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to add in highly efficient, non-invasive at-home devices to enhance results.

LED light therapy uses concentrated wavelengths (633nm & 830nm combination LED light, to be exact! Want to get nerdy with us? Read how LED light therapy transforms skin to go deep into the layers of the skin where creams and serums can’t. Your skin absorbs the natural light, boosting elastin and collagen production–something that, as mentioned earlier, slows quite a bit in your 50s.

There are many studies showing this combo of light reduces wrinkles (including crow’s feet) and improves photoaged skin (more even skin tone and fewer sun spots).

Serum

The signs of aging you would like to lessen will depend on you. As noted earlier, it could be the years of sun lovin’ fun showing up as hyperpigmentation or dry skin due to menopause. Targeted support is a great way to get a surplus of skin-loving ingredients all over your complexion or as an eye cream.

Some ingredients to consider:

• Antioxidant and brightening effect: Vitamin C
• Boost collagen for a plump effect: Peptides
• Aging gracefully wrinkle reduction: Retinal & its “cousin” bakuchiol
• Reduce spots for even skin tone: Tranexamic acid or niacinamide

Moisturizer

Your final step day and night will be a great moisturizer. Thicker is better from your 50s onward to really combat the dryness, but also be sure to choose one with a texture you love. The more you enjoy the experience, the more you’ll love your skincare routine. It is a moment for you, after all. “For best results, use a facial moisturizer, body moisturizer, and lip balm,” adds the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Sunscreen

UV rays are one of the leading causes of premature aging and skin cancer, so daily sunscreen application in your 50s is a must. "Sun protection in your 50s can help slow down aging but also decrease the risk of developing basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma," says Dr. Maral Kibarian Skelsey, director of the Dermatologic Surgery Center of Washington and clinical associate professor of dermatology at Georgetown University. Make it a habit by applying it every morning, even on cloudy days, to ensure your skin is always protected.

When shopping for sunscreen, select one that offers all of the following, according to the ADD:

• Broad spectrum
• SPF 30 (or higher)
• Water resistance

Tips for Dry Skin

From your 50s and into your 60s, dermatologists recommend making some lifestyle changes. For example, you may want to bathe to relieve dry skin. You could also consider a water filter to remove chlorine from the tap, a common skin irritant that exasperates dry and irritated skin as well as skin conditions like eczema and rosacea.

Here are some effective tips to keep your skin hydrated:

• Opt for Lukewarm Water: Avoid hot water, as it can strip your skin of its natural oils. Instead, choose lukewarm or even cool water for bathing.
• Use a Creamy Cleanser: Select a creamy cleanser specifically formulated for dry skin; there’s no need to splurge on expensive brands.
• Moisturize Deeply: Apply thick, moisturizing creams and oils to lock in hydration effectively.
• Incorporate Hyaluronic Acid: Consider investing in products that contain hyaluronic acid, which can help retain moisture in the skin

Get Glowing at Any Age

Aging gracefully is all about nurturing your skin and giving it the care it needs to maintain a healthy, vibrant glow. Each wrinkle, laugh line, and imperfection tells a story, reflecting the experiences and joys of your life. Take a moment to appreciate your skin for all it has endured and achieved over the years—it deserves your gratitude and care!