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. If you’re lost on where to start, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re battling wrinkles, dark spots, or sagginess, this five-step 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 remove excess oil, dirt, and other impurities from the surface before they have the chance to clog your pores and cause subsequent breakouts. For 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.  

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’Oreal 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 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. 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? These are just a few of the telltale signs of 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 our favorite eye creams, 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. Pair with additional sun protection measures such as seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding peak sun hours.  We share the best sunscreens for mature skin, here.