A Simple Skin Care Routine for Mature Skin Types

Everyone wants to have a youthful-looking complexion. Stopping the clock may not be an option, but improving the appearance of aging skin is, and it all starts with a well-rounded skin care regimen. Hydrating formulas and potent anti-aging products are a must to help address visible signs of aging. However, the amount of products and steps out there can be a bit overwhelming. Simply typing in the words “anti-aging routine” into an Internet search can unleash an uncanny amount of results, so much so it might cause many to scratch their heads. How can one possibly know where to begin or which products are the right ones to use? If you’re lost on where to start, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re battling wrinkles, dark spots, or sagginess, this simple skin care regimen for mature skin types can help you regain your youthful visage.

STEP ONE: WASH YOUR FACE WITH A GENTLE, HYDRATING CLEANSER

By now you know full-well how important it is to wash your face twice a day. But just to drive home the message even further, cleansing your skin daily helps to remove excess oil, dirt, and other impurities from the surface before they have the chance to clog your pores and cause subsequent breakouts. For the best results, your cleanser should target your mature skin concerns. Since dry skin can exacerbate the look of wrinkles, you’ll want to make sure your cleanser doesn’t strip your skin of natural oils. To keep your complexion clean and hydrated at the same time, reach for a cream-based face wash formulated for mature skin. Check out a few of the gentlest cleansers we love, here!

STEP TWO: APPLY A MOISTURIZER WITH GLYCOLIC ACID

No matter your skin type, no skin care routine is complete without moisturizer. If your skin is looking lackluster, reach for a formula with glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that offers exfoliating and rejuvenating properties. “It’s particularly helpful in addressing aging or dull-looking skin, helping to brighten and strengthen the skin foundation,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner. While we don’t recommend swapping every last product in your arsenal for one with glycolic acid (too much of it can irritate the skin), it can be beneficial to use an anti-aging moisturizer with glycolic acid, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Moisturizer. 

STEP THREE: USE A DARK SPOT CORRECTOR

Between acne scars, sun damage, air pollution, and hormonal fluctuations, dark spots are incredibly common. Also known as hyperpigmentation or age spots, they occur on the skin’s surface when melanin—the pigment responsible for the discoloration—is produced in excess, according to the Mayo Clinic. Dark spots can be difficult to cover up with makeup and even harder to eliminate altogether, and the bad news is they can add years to your face. The good news is, though, that there are plenty of preventative measures you can take in order to ensure your skin remains even in tone. Since dark spots have the proclivity to pop up in sun-damaged areas, wearing sunscreen and protective clothing is just one step you can take to keep dark spots at bay. To help address the dark spots you already have, incorporate specific products into your routine that can help fade their appearance with time. One in particular is the Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector, which promotes surface cell turnover to improve the look of dark spots and reveal younger-looking skin.

STEP FOUR: APPLY AN ANTI-AGING EYE CREAM 

Take a look at your eye contour. Do you notice the delicate skin around your eyes losing firmness, or showing more pronounced crow’s feet? Or maybe you’re finding the skin around your eyes to be dryer than the rest of your face? These are just a few of the telltale signs of (or precursors to) aging skin. To help combat these side effects, reach for an eye cream that can help to minimize visible signs of fatigue, smooth the look of wrinkles, and leave the skin looking more rejuvenated. We share a handful of dermatologist-approved ingredients to look out for in an eye cream, here.

STEP FIVE: APPLY BROAD-SPECTRUM SPF 

Regardless of age or skin type, you’re always at risk of sun damage if you don’t adequately protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. During the daytime hours remember to always—rain or shine—wear a broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher. Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays is perhaps the most important step out of any regimen. Not only can UV rays cause sunburns, they can also cause wrinkles, dark spots, and even some cancers. Make it a habit of applying sunscreen every morning and reapplying liberally throughout the day, at least every two hours. We share the best sunscreens for mature skin, here.

Pair your sunscreen applications with additional sun protection measures such as seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding peak sun hours. Maybe even try out some of the latest wearable technology that can actually track how much sun exposure you get per day and can also provide a personalized skin care routine to ensure you’re spending a healthy amount of time in the sun.

STEP SIX: TRY A FACE MASK 

Face masks are a great way to flood your skin with benefits. Skin a bit too dry? Grab a face mask. Or maybe your skin is looking a bit dull? There’s a face mask for that too. Where anti-aging is concerned, we recommend a face mask that’s able to feed skin all the anti-aging ingredients it needs while delivering a large boost of hydration. The Lancôme Advanced Génifique Hydrogel Melting Mask fits the bill in this regard. Formulated with bifidus extract and structured with a hydrogel matrix, the mask will leave skin feeling smooth and looking youthfully radiant after just 10 minutes of use.

STEP SEVEN: TREAT YOURSELF TO A FACIAL 

Much like face masks, facials are extremely diverse in form and benefits. From steam facials to “workout” facials, this beloved pastime is not only a great way to pamper yourself but can help skin to maintain a healthy appearance. Facials are also a great way to exfoliate the skin, utilizing mechanical methods to extract debris and other impurities from pores. But remember: there’s such a thing as getting too many facials. “Much like a massage, facials should be thought of as skin maintenance in addition to your daily skin care routine,” says board-certified dermatologist, and Skincare.com consultant, Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali.  

STEP EIGHT: BE SURE TO RELAX 

Stressing out can have a lot of unwanted side effects. If you’re feeling anxious, you may begin to wear that on your skin. Be sure to incorporate some method of relaxation into your skin care routine to make sure you’re completely at ease, both inside and out. Creating an at-home spa day is a surefire way to do this, and is something that is completely easy to create for yourself. Facials and face masks are also additional items you can add to your relaxing regimen, giving you a way to combine two steps into one. To help you get started, we suggest using the Garnier Glow Boost 2-in-1 Facial Mask and Scrub, a double-duty product that helps bring a spa-like experience to your home.

STEP NINE: INCORPORATE RETINOL INTO YOUR ROUTINE 

A derivative of vitamin A, retinol has been making waves as the anti-aging ingredient for quite a bit of time now. This certainly isn’t without good reason. Put simply by board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant, Dr. Ted Lain (@Dr.TedLain), “Retinol can deliver increased collagen production at prescription strength, improve tone, and even texture.” This means retinol is capable of improving elasticity and reducing the look of wrinkles and fine lines.

However, because of its strength and its penchant for making skin sensitive after use, people may find themselves a bit hesitant to give retinol a shot. But don’t be skittish—incorporating retinol into your skin care routine is all about building up a resistance. For starters, try using SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3. Formulated with the lowest concentration of retinol out of all three SkinCeuticals products, Retinol 0.3 is a great way to dip your toe into the world of retinol to see just how beneficial an anti-aging ingredient it is. As soon as your skin is used to it, you can eventually work all the way up to Retinol 1.0.

Editor’s note: Retinol can cause skin sensitivity to sunlight, so be sure to apply it during evening hours only. During daytime hours, apply broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher and take additional sun protection measures.