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The best skin care for women over 50 might not be able to defy gravity or turn back the hands of time, but it can certainly be a helpful addition to any anti-aging skincare routine. Whether wrinkles, sun spots, crepe-y texture, or dark circles are top of mind for patients of a certain age, top dermatologists have a list of go-to serums, night creams, tech-forward devices and more that can help—no prescription required. Luckily, they’ve shared them all with Vogue.
Ahead, skin care pros share their best tips, tools, and strategies to help you build an arsenal for an ageless complexion.
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Vogue’s Favorite 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 Story:
- Cleanse Tone
- Exfoliate—But Don’t Overdo It
- Use Face Massagers to Boost Collagen
- Prioritize Serums for Mature Skin
- Restore Volume Loss with Moisturizers
- Don’t Forget Sunscreen!
- Mask to Optimize It All
- Consider Retinol at Night
- Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
- Light It Up, LED-Style
- 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 dry skin is 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 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 a carrier” for the skin care steps that come next. The new class of hydrating toners is also worth considering.
- Why We Love It: This clarifying toner exfoliates skin to gently remove debris and dead skin cells, while rosemary, aloe, and chamomile extract soften and soothe. Its mix of fruit acids and botanical ingredients balances the skin’s pH levels, which can help it retain moisture and better absorb topical products in later steps of the skincare regime. By combining glycolic, salicylic, and lipohydroxy acids, it decongests without stripping moisture.
- Key ingredients: Exfoliating fruit acids, rosemary, aloe, chamomile
- Size: 6.8 fl oz
- Why We Love It: Hyaluronic acid, plant sugars, and fruit extract come together to create Joanna Czech’s signature Triple-Hydration Complex, which leaves the skin barrier in an optimal state. Though skin barrier protection is key to any regime, it’s particularly important for aging skin. The skin’s ability to repair itself weakens over time, and a compromised skin barrier can lead to issues like dryness, itching, and flaking in mature skin—all alleviated with consistent use of this incredible toner.
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, plant sugars, fruit extracts
- Size: 1 fl oz
- Why We Love It: Tatcha’s creamy cleanser gently washes the day away with an amino acid base, while Okinawa algae and hyaluronic acid deeply nourish the skin and replenish its water reserve. The wash is also enriched with Japanese rice powder, which gently sloughs off daily buildup for more radiant skin.
- Key ingredients: pH-neutral amino acid base, hyaluronic acid red algae, Japanese rice powder
- Size: 4.0 fl oz
- Why We Love It: Dior’s foaming cleanser has an airy texture that belies its heavy-duty cleansing capabilities. Equally adept at whisking off makeup residue, sunscreen, and other impurities—while leaving moisture intact—the face wash is fortified with soothing botanical ingredients with a designer pedigree. Water lily plucked from the Dior garden helps purify the skin of impurities, including heavy metals.
- Key ingredients: French water lily, cornflower water
- Size: 5 oz
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.
- Why we love it To buff away dead skin cells safely, Wexler recommends using a gentle scrub, such as Tata Harper’s Regenerating Exfoliating Cleanser. Infused with apricot microspheres, the cleanser should be used no more than three times a week and followed up with a calming elixir fortified with soothing ingredients such as ceramide and chamomile.
- Key ingredients: Apricot microspheres, white willow bark, pomegranate enzymes
- Size: 4.1 fl oz
- Why We Love It: A collaboration between Czech and Evolvetogether—a California brand known for sustainable products—this new enzyme cleanser harnesses a multitasking blend of plant-based ingredients. Ideal for oily or combination skin, it’s formulated with mattifying magnesium carbonate, kaolin and tapioca starches to draw impurities out of the skin, papaya-derived papain to soften and smooth, and rosemary leaf oil to de-puff. While some exfoliating cleansers can irritate the skin, this one is gentle enough for twice-a-day use.
- Key ingredients: Kaolin, tapioca starch, lactobacillus ferment, papain, magnesium carbonate, rosemary leaf oil
- Size: 1.4 oz
- Why We Love It: For mild chemical exfoliation, try M-61’s Power Glow Peel squares, which are pre-soaked with glycolic and salicylic acids to gently decongest pores and improve skin texture. They’re also infused with vitamin K, which helps heal acne scars, and skin-tone-evening bilberry extract.
- Key ingredients: Glycolic and salicylic acid, Vitamin K, bilberry extract
- Size: Each box contains 10 treatments
La Mer The Micro Peel Treatment
- Why We Love It: Vogue’s senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden was once an at-home-peel skeptic—until she met this gentle, bi-phase serum from a brand that plumbs the ocean floor for miraculous anti-aging ingredients. “La Mer’s The Micro Peel is proof that an at-home chemical peel does not need to be a harsh treatment to be effective,” Murden says. “A thin, even layer is all you need to allow La Mer’s Miracle Broth plus a blend of AHAs and BHA to go to work on your skin at night.” For a complexion that becomes softer, smoother, and nearly poreless overnight, follow the exfoliating treatment with your night cream of choice.
- Key ingredients: AHA, BHA, PHAs, miracle broth, miracle broth oil, The Refining Ferment
- Size: 1 oz
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.
- Why We Love It: As an esthetician for the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Cate Blanchett, Czech knows a thing or two about keeping skin lifted and taut. She designed this double-headed roller for her clients to use at home, underscoring her philosophy that facial massage is a key part of any skin-care regime. Use it for just a few minutes a day to stimulate collagen; though, the product also works to push in topical products or assist with lymphatic drainage.
- Type: Facial massager
- Specs: Made of aluminum and zinc alloys, the manual, handheld tool has two roller balls to chisel and sculpt the face.
- How to Use It: For a facial massage, run the roller from the jawline to the bottom of the ear five times. Then, roll it from the center of the lips to the middle of each ear two times; your next steps are to smooth it along the cheekbones five times before rolling it over the brow bones. To cap it off, run the roller from the center of the forehead up into the hairline five times, then from the clavicle up to the back of the ear five times. Finally, run the roller from the middle of the chest toward the shoulder five times. Czech recommends using the tool for about seven minutes a day; all motions should be completed on either side of the face.
- Why We Love It: Jillian Dempsey’s 24-karat gold bar makes skin look and feel more toned in a flash thanks to vibrations that mimic that of a facial massage. It relaxes the facial muscles and has a near-magical ability to sculpt and contour after just five minutes of use. Editor’s confession: It’s the single most effective tool I’ve found to smooth out lines associated with “tech neck”—and I look down at my phone a lot.
- Type: Gold sculpting bar
- Specs: Made of 24-karat gold, the vibrating, T-shaped bar can be activated by twisting the bottom of its handle. It runs on a single AA battery, which typically needs replacing every three months. It comes with a velvety bag for storage.
- How to Use It: Start with clean, makeup-free skin. Apply a pea-sized amount of moisturizer, then run the tool upwards along the jawline for five minutes (on either side) to sculpt the cheekbones. For the next five minutes, push the bar in from the underside of the chin toward the jawline. Finally, glide the tool up and down the neck to fade tech lines.
- Why We Love It: Weitzner’s handy tool is designed to stimulate fibroblasts, which are the cells that produce collagen. The FDA-cleared tool can be used on the face, neck, and chest, where it boosts skin health by improving blood flow, supporting cell turnover, and removing waste.
- Type: Fascia stimulating tool
- Specs: Made of medical-grade stainless steel and FDA-approved, the tool is operated manually and does not need batteries. It comes with a vegan leather storage case.
- How to Use It: Start by applying a moisturizer, then glide across your forehead, cheeks, lips, neck, and chest. Use once daily.
- Why We Love It: A mainstay in Chinese beauty rituals, jade rollers like this one by Mount Lai help boost circulation and support lymphatic drainage in a single use. Available in pink and sage green, the candy-colored tool features two roller sizes. Use the small roller to de-puff the hard-to-reach eye contour and the larger one across the cheeks and forehead.
- Type: Jade roller
- Specs: The manually operated tool has two ends. One end holds a small roller for hard-to-reach areas like the eye contour; a larger roller on the other end targets the cheeks and the forehead.
- How to Use It: To start, swipe the roller from the middle of the face outwards across the cheeks; then, roll it over the forehead moving from the eyebrows up the hairline. Swipe the smaller roller horizontally over the under-eyes, then finish the massage off by rolling the small end from the bottom of the lip toward the chin. As with all facial massagers, a slight pink flush on the skin indicates a boost in blood circulation, which proves that the tool is working as intended.
Prioritize Serums for Mature Skin
While skin-care basics like cleansers and moisturizers are important even for tweens, “serums are especially beneficial after age 50 because they deliver potent, targeted ingredients that address common skin concerns associated with aging like wrinkles, dryness, and dark spots,” says Dr. Nicole Lee, a board-certified dermatologist in Garden City, New York. “With ingredients like peptides, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid, they help boost collagen, hydrate, and even out skin tone.” Plus, serums have a lightweight formula designed for better absorption. “This makes them more effective at maintaining skin s health and radiance as we age,” Lee explains.
- Why We Love It: Designed to mimic the effects of neuromodulators like Botox, SkinCeuticals’s new serum is formulated with an advanced peptide complex designed to prevent the formation of dynamic lines. It’s also infused with niacinamide (for evening out the skin tone), and laminaria (for hydration.) When Vogue contributor Deanna Pai tested the serum, she was pleasantly surprised at its quick-working side effects. “My skin looked smoother—not necessarily in terms of wrinkles, but in its overall consistency and feel—and my hyperpigmentation appeared less noticeable,” she wrote after trialing the SkinCeuticals innovation for a week. “If one week has already given my complexion more of a glass-skin glow, imagine what it can do for me after 12.”
- Key ingredients: Advanced peptide complex, 5% PHA, niacinamide laminaria
- Size: 1 fl oz
- Why We Love It: Designed for nighttime use, Isdin’s three-in-one serum tucks the skin in for hours of rejuvenating repair. With melatonin, bakuchiol, and vitamin C, the antioxidant-rich treatment does triple duty to smooth, brighten, and firm. Meanwhile, its silky, serum-in-oil formulation delivers an instant rush of hydration. While vitamin C serums aren’t, in general, known for their pleasant scents, this one has a fresh and bright smell that reminds me of a high-end aquatic cologne.
- Key ingredients: Melatonin, bakuchiol, vitamin C
- Size: 1 fl oz
- Why We Love It: This Vogue Verified vitamin C serum counts many leading dermatologists 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. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Vicki Rapaport previously told Vogue: “The CE Ferulic has become the gold standard antioxidant product that dermatologists and other skin-care professionals recommend be used every morning like a prescription to achieve healthy skin,” she says. “It is substantially more than a vitamin-C serum, containing the three most utilitarian antioxidants available in skin care today.”
- Key ingredients: 15% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E, ferulic acid
- Size: 1 fl oz
- Why We Love It: Beautystat’s brightening serum has gone viral more times than we can count—and we’re sure it’ll happen again. The secret sauce is in the 20% vitamin C formula that’s blended with patented ingredients to keep it stable. What’s more, the serum pairs the antioxidant with the green tea derivative EGCG. When combined, the two ingredients work synergistically to deliver anti-aging benefits ranging from smoother, tighter skin to smaller-looking pores. It’s little wonder why TikTok users are quick to jump on screen after giving the serum a try. After all, blurring products have long had a hold on the platform.
- Key ingredients: EGCG (a green tea derivative that syncs with vitamin C for anti-aging benefits), vitamin C, squalane, tartaric acid
- Size: 1 oz
Restore Volume Loss with Moisturizers
Starting in your 30s and 40s, hyaluronic acid 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 moisturizers—particularly in formulas targeting mature skin. Look for this and other nourishing ingredients like ceramides and peptides in face moisturizers, which help restore the skin barrier with consistent use.
- Why We Love It: One of our favorite moisturizers for dry skin, Augustinus Bader s The Rich Cream has developed a cult following. It replenishes skin s moisture levels and reduces the look of dark spots and fine lines thanks to an innovative blend of peptides, amino acids, and nourishing agents. The patented TFC8 ingredient, known to stimulate skin-cell turnover, has made the cream a staple in the anti-aging skincare regime of celebrities like Eva Longoria; Victoria Beckham loves the ingredient so much, that she partnered with Bader to include it in her new concealer.
- Key ingredients: TFC8, vitamin E, evening primrose oil, hyaluronic acid, argan oil, avocado oil
- Size: 1.7 fl oz
- Why We Love It: Not too heavy, not too light, this just-right moisturizer uses pharmaceutical-grade botanicals, peptides, and antioxidants to repair irritated skin, while hydrating and reducing deep-set lines. Suited for all skin types, iS Clinical s smoothing capabilities make it an ideal makeup base.
- Key ingredients: Extremozymes (a proprietary combination of enzymes that protect the skin from free radicals), hyaluronic acid, Tripeptide-1
- Size: 1.7 fl oz
- Why We Love It: “SkinMedica s HA5 not only delivers hyaluronic acids to the dermis, [but] its complex chains of different hyaluronic acids stimulate the production of your own hyaluronic acid, increasing the resilience of your own skin,” Wexler explains of the creamy serum that’s known to hydrate and plump skin like no other.
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptide complex, vitamin E
- Size: 2 oz
- Why We Love It: Kate Somerville’s anti-aging KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream combines ceramides and a special peptide complex to calm irritation and minimize redness. Expect this to smooth out texture and firm the skin while making it ultra-soft to the touch.
- Key ingredients: Peptide ceramide complex, hyaluronic acid, squalane, hemp, macadamia, babassu, and jojoba seed oils
- Size: 1 fl oz
Don’t Forget Sunscreen!
“Sunscreen is essential at any age, but it becomes even more crucial after 50,” Lee says. “As we age, the skin becomes thinner and more fragile. Chronic, unprotected UV exposure speeds up the breakdown of collagen and elastin, leaving the skin delicate, dehydrated, inflamed, wrinkled, and prone to age spots. Sunscreen is especially important for optimizing skin health in this age group, as it helps prevent skin cancer, slows the signs of aging, and maintains skin hydration.” Dermatologists recommend using an SPF of at least 30, which ensures that the sunscreen filters out 97 percent of UVB rays—and not just when the sun is out. Daily, year-round use of SPF is key, Lee says, especially since the risk of skin cancer increases with age as UV damage accumulates.
- Why we love it: La Mer’s signature Miracle Broth infuses this SPF 50 formulation, which sinks into the skin with a silky, lightweight finish. It can be worn over moisturizer or under makeup, and it offers skin-care benefits that go even beyond the all-essential UV protection. Made with a blend of sea kelp, vitamins, and minerals, Miracle Broth strengthens the skin barrier, making it less prone to irritation.
- Key ingredients: Miracle Broth, avobenzone (to absorb UVA rays), homosalate (a chemical UV filter), octisalate (to absorb UVB rays)
- Size: 1.7 oz
Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
- Why we love it: Available in 15 shades, Merit’s mineral sunscreen provides SPF 45, broad-spectrum UV protection while giving the skin a blurred, lit-from-within glow. The formula is enhanced with featherlight emollients that bring suppleness back to dry and aging skin and fine, plant-based powders to refine pores. What’s more, its exclusive Pigment Dispersion Technology which delivers an even, blendable finish that’s rare in tinted mineral sunscreens. “The finish is natural—not matte, nor dewy—which serves as an excellent salve for all skin types and concerns, from breakouts to wrinkles,” Murden says. “And so far, it hasn’t pilled for me either.”
- Key ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide, natural powders, lightweight emollients, Pigment Dispersion Technology
- Size: 1.7 oz
- Why We Love It: La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios SPF is a lightweight, milky solution that sinks right into the skin—delivering not only a quick moisture boost, but broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. The formulation also contains the patented Cell-ox Shield Technology, which combines sun protection with antioxidants for deeper skin protection. And, like all the products from the beloved French pharmacy brand, the SPF incorporates a burst of thermal spring water to soothe and nourish the skin.
- Key ingredients: Cell-ox shield technology, dimethicone, silica, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water
- Size: 1.7 oz
- Why We Love It: EltaMD UV Clear is one of the most dermatologist-recommended sunscreens out there. Pairing chemical and physical UV filters, this is designed to be safe on all skin types, prevent acne, and reduce inflammation with consistent use. The oil-free formulation has a lightweight feel, and—thanks to an infusion of complexion-balancing niacinamide—it evens out redness on rosacea-prone skin.
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, zinc oxide, octinoxate
- Size: 1.7 oz
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 the 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 Bissé Diamond Mask, that’s loaded with hyaluronic acid and peptides. For irritated skin, look for a mask with a cooling effect and soothing ingredients, such as 111Skin’s Rose Gold Brightening Mask Set. The mask has a hydrogel texture that calms and cools the skin while its clinical-grade ingredients sink in to rejuvenate the complexion.
- Why We Love It: Reduce the look of pores and redness with this ultra-nourishing mask, fortified with La Prairie’s Cellular Complex. The proprietary complex, a staple of the brand since 1978, is the byproduct of a closely guarded secret recipe. What is widely shared are its results, which give the skin a fresher look by boosting its repair process. Apply the mask, then leave it on for five minutes before rinsing it off.
- Key ingredients: Cellular Complex
- Size: 1.7 oz
- Why We Love It: Designed as a leave-on mask to use overnight, this should be applied as a last step after a serum. Thanks to its cocktail of hyaluronic acid, retinol, niacinamide, and copper peptides, you can expect to wake up to buttery soft skin. What’s more, its exclusive marine DNA concentrate helps to firm the skin while you sleep.
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, retinol, copper peptides
- Size: 2.5 oz
- Why We Love It: A flower-infused fix for dull or sagging skin, Sisley Paris’s celebrity-loved mask moisturizes and tones the skin while evening out the complexion. The creamy gel contributes to a well-rested glow, and is a staple in Alycia Debnam-Carey’s “ultimate self-care routine.” Apply it for up to three minutes, two to three times a week, then wipe away any excess—no need to rinse. You’ll be left with refreshed, petal-soft skin.
- Key ingredients: Lily, iris, sesame, rose
- Size: 2 fl oz
- Why We Love It: 111Skin’s brightening mask harnesses clinical-grade ingredients to give the skin a radiant glow. The mask has a unique hydrogel texture that boasts a pleasantly cooling effect, and it’s infused with soothing ingredients that seep right into the skin. While the colloidal gold soothes inflammation and nourishes the skin with antioxidants, hexapeptides smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while Damask rose helps strengthen the skin barrier.
- Key ingredients: Colloidal gold, hexapeptides, damask rose
- Size: 5 masks
Consider Retinol At Night
Women in their 50s may want to add a retinol step to their nighttime skin care regime. According to Dr. Erum Ilyas, a board-certified dermatologist with the Schweiger Dermatology Group in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, 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.”
- Why We Love It: While some retinol products can be drying—rather unideal for mature skin, which is already prone to dehydration—this cream has hydrating properties that can counteract the risk of irritation. Powered by retinol and hyaluronic acid, the smoothing cream visibly firms and plumps the skin while offering a potent dose of hydration designed to last. The cream was formulated to hydrate the skin for 48 hours.
- Key ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid
- Size: 1.7 oz
Nurx Tretinoin Anti-Aging Cream
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- Why We Love It: Available by prescription, Nurx’s Anti-Aging cream is powered by tretinoin, a vitamin A derivative said to be 20 times stronger than your average, over-the-counter retinoid. “I recommend prescription retinoids to most women over 30, but it s especially important for women in perimenopause or menopause,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the medical director and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto. “The rapid decline in estrogen during these periods accelerates skin aging, causing noticeably thinner skin with more fine lines and wrinkles, crepiness, and laxity. A prescription retinoid like the generic formula offered by Nurx stimulates new collagen production and helps kickstart slowed cellular turnover at a much faster pace than an over-the-counter retinol, helping to smooth uneven texture, firm skin, and fade discoloration.”
- Key ingredients: Tretinoin
- Size: 0.7 oz
- Why We Love It: SkinMedica s Retinol 1.0 Complex exfoliates the skin to unveil a brighter, firmer complexion. Though the brand doesn’t recommend it for anyone new to retinol, those with a proven tolerance for the ingredient run little risk of irritation. Though highly concentrated, the retinol treatment is made with a patented Phytoshield complex, which floods the skin with antioxidants and protects it from harsh side effects such as drying or flaking.
- Key ingredients: Retinol, Phytoshield complex (an antioxidant complex that soothes irritation and improves skin texture)
- Size: 1 fl oz
- Why We Love It: Medik8 s creamy serum is powered by retinal—a maximum-strength form of vitamin A—encapsulated in crystal. The ingredient releases gradually overnight to restore elasticity, even out the skin tone, and minimize the appearance of wrinkles without irritating the skin. The formulation is also hydrating, thanks to an infusion of hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
- Key ingredients: Retinaldehyde, hyaluronic acid, glycerin
- Size: 1 fl oz
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Highly concentrated solutions for dark circles, fine lines, and more, the best eye creams for women over 50 are worth, ahem, taking a look at. “The skin around the eyes is thinner than the rest of the skin on the face—aside from the lips—and is therefore much more susceptible to signs of aging, including laxity and crow s feet,” says Dr. Yadav. “It s also an area commonly neglected when it comes to sun protection.” Therefore, she recommends tending to the eyes with creams infused with anti-aging ingredients such as plumping peptides. And if an eye cream contains a dash of SPF, that’s all the better.
Irene Forte Olive Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: This Italian brand’s stellar lineup—filled with potent botanical ingredients and exclusive, clinically backed complexes—is a favorite for Vogue contributor Jenny Berg. “Everything Irene Forte feels silky, lightweight, and luxe. Plus, the products smell like a sun-dappled Italian orchard—all pistachios, hibiscus, and pear—and my skin looks softer and brighter since I started using them,” she says. “I usually don’t even wear eye cream because so many of them irritate my sensitive eyes. The Olive Eye Cream, however, is in a class of its own. It glides on beautifully, sinks right in, and doesn’t cause any of the stinging and tearing up my eyes are prone to with other brands.” Enriched with hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf juice, and olive seed oil to hydrate the skin around the eyes, the formula is particularly well-suited for dry, dehydrated, mature, and sensitive skin types. It’s also enriched with the brand’s Penta-Phyto complex, which has been proven to boost microcirculation, thereby diminishing dark circles and puffiness.
- Key ingredients: Vitamin B complex, hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf juice, olive seed oil, Penta-Phyto complex
- Size: 1.01 oz
Dr. Few Skincare Rejuvenating Eye+ SPF
- Why We Love It: “Dr. Few’s mineral-based eye cream stands out as a trusted option,” says Dr. Peter Koltz, a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Pēkomd in Ohio. Created by a board-certified plastic surgeon, it boasts well-formulated active ingredients designed for optimal efficacy and safety. Its dual role—hydration and sun protection—is especially beneficial for mature skin.” Dr. Yadav notes that the formula not only has hydrators and peptides to plump and firm up thinning skin around the eye, but mineral sun blockers to shield skin from further sun damage. “Be sure to always wear UV-blocking sunglasses when you re outside for full protection,” she notes.
- Key ingredients: Peptides, zinc oxide 7%, titanium dioxide 5%
- Size: 1 oz
Chanel Sublimage La Crème Yeux
- Why We Love It: “This is Chanel’s most hydrating eye cream and comes in a refillable format, which is a nice sustainability detail for a luxury product,” says Shannon Humphrey MD, FRCPC, FFD, a cosmetic dermatologist in Vancouver. “This would be a good choice for patients who want a deeply hydrating eye cream paired with the sensorial experience of top-tier skincare.” Its star ingredient, polyfractioned vanilla planifolia, is extracted from plants grown at the fashion house’s open-air lab in Madagascar. The exclusive extract is part of the Sublime Eye Complex, which works like a charm to diminish puffiness and dark circles.
- Key ingredients: Vanilla planifolia
- Size: 1 fl oz
Sisley Paris Eye Contour Mask
- Why We Love It: At 58 years old, Salma Hayek Pinault carries this eye cream around in her purse, and—hack alert—she uses it to smooth both eyes and lips. The express mask works within 10 minutes to give the eyelids a contoured, smoother look. At the same time, it lessens the appearance of fine lines and other signs of fatigue with a blend of botanical ingredients. The formula contains soothing and softening linden blossom and rose, along with hydrating plant-based glycerin and toning arnica and gingko biloba.
- Key ingredients: Linden blossom, arnica, rose, glycerin, ginkgo biloba, provitamin B5
- Size: 1 oz
Light it Up, LED-Style
Women over 50 would do well to consider lighting up their skincare regimes with one of the market’s top red-light devices. According to Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, “Studies suggest that red light therapy may help boost collagen, reduce inflammation, and improve overall skin quality.” From a plastic surgeon’s perspective, Dr. Koltz notes that at-home red-light therapy treatments won’t produce the same results as in-office procedures—but they certainly can’t hurt. “Regular use provides meaningful anti-inflammatory benefits and promotes collagen remodeling,” he says. “While it isn’t a substitute for professional treatments like facelifts, consistent use can visibly enhance skin quality and health over time.”
Shark CryoGlow Cooling + LED Face Mask
- Why We Love It: “The Shark Beauty CryoGlow + LED Face mask uses FDA-cleared red, blue, and infrared light, giving it the flexibility to treat a wider range of skin concerns including acne, wrinkles or brown spots,” Dr. Angela Sturm, a Texas-based double board-certified plastic surgeon, previously told Vogue. “This infrared technology penetrates deeper in the dermis to improve deeper wrinkles and texture.” The innovative device isn’t just designed for red-light therapy, mind you. It also harnesses the brand’s InstaChill Cold Technology to tighten and soothe the under-eye area in a flash.
- Best For: Targeting acne, brown spots, and fine lines
- Device Type: Hard shell mask
- Treatment Modes: Four
- Usage: Daily treatments of six to fifteen minutes
- FDA-Approved: Yes, FDA-cleared
Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand
- Why We Love It: A longtime Vogue editor favorite, Solawave’s multitasking wand is an ideal solution for red-light therapy on the go. The lightweight, portable wand can be used for 12 minutes at a time to stimulate collagen production, decrease inflammation, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles—all while boosting skin’s radiance. Its four treatment modes include red-light therapy with a 630-nanometer wavelength, galvanic current, facial massage, and therapeutic warmth. After giving the wand a go for a short time, Murden reported: “Personally, I saw results in a matter of days. Specific skin concerns aside, I felt like my skin just felt better—glowing and firmer. Aesthetically, my dark spots faded, blemishes reduced, and my eye bags appeared less puffy the following morning. Honestly, even mentally, I felt a sense of accomplishment for completing the treatment.”
- Best For:
- Device Type: Wand
- Treatment Modes: Four
- Usage: 12-minute treatments, three to five times a week, spending three minutes on each area of the face
- FDA-Approved: Yes, FDA-cleared
OmniLux Contour Face
- Why We Love It: A favorite among Vogue editors for treating everything from wrinkles to redness in three 10-minute treatments a week, this flexible silicone face mask also gets a stamp of approval from the pros. “For red light therapy, the most effective wavelengths for skin benefits are typically in the range of 630 to 660 nanometers (nm),” Dr. Woolery-Lloyd says. “The Omnilux Contour Face uses a clinically proven 633 nm red light wavelength, and its technology is supported by numerous peer-reviewed studies. It is a great option for women over 50 who want to do an at-home treatment to help improve skin quality.”
- Best For: Treating fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and redness
- Device Type: Flexible, silicone mask
- Treatment Modes: One
- Usage: 10-minute treatments, three to five times per week
- FDA-Approved: Yes, FDA-cleared
CurrentBody LED Neck Décolletage Mask: Series 2
- Why We Love It: “The new CurrentBody Neck Décolletage Mask: Series 2 is an excellent at-home complement to in-office procedures,” Nicole Ruth, DO, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, previously told Vogue. “I often recommend it to patients looking for professional-grade LED therapy between office visits. It’s super easy to use, and especially good for the summer months as I don’t do as much in-office laser-based devices on patients who will be spending their summers outside.” This newer model of the Vogue-verified mask has 1072nm deep near-infrared LEDs, which penetrate deep into the dermis to stimulate collagen and elastin. It also features a 35% increase in treatment area and more LED bulbs offer more even coverage across the neck and chest.
- Best For: Targeting crepiness on the neck and chest
- Device Type: Hard shell mask
- Treatment Modes: Two
- Usage: 10-minute treatments, three to five times a week
- FDA-Approved: Yes, FDA-cleared
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
- Shannon Humphrey, MD, FRCPC, FFD, is a cosmetic dermatologist in Vancouver.
- Dr. Peter Koltz is a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Pēkomd in Ohio.
- Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and lifestyle medicine doctor in Miami.
- Geeta Yadav, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the medical director and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto.
- Dr. Mina Amin is a Los Angeles-based dermatologist at California Dermatology Specialists.
- Vanessa Coppola, APN-C, FNP-BC, is a board-certified nurse practitioner, aesthetic expert, and founder of Bare Aesthetics Medspa Wellness in New Jersey.
- Dr. Noah Gratch is a board-certified dermatologist, serves patients from throughout Manhattan, Commack and Plainview, NY at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology Cosmetic Surgery.
- Dr. Jennifer MacGregor is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist with fellowship training in cutaneous laser surgery and dermatologic procedures.
- Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist seeing patients in New York and Newport Beach; she’s also the founder of Skincare Junkie.
- Dr. Melanie Palm is a San Diego-based, board-certified dermatologist, fellowship-trained dermatologic cosmetic surgeon, and founder of Art of Skin MD.
- Dr. Pooja Rambhia is a board-certified dermatologist with specialized fellowship training in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery.
- Dr. Azadeh Shirazi is a California-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology.
- Dr. Divya Shokeen is a California-based board-certified dermatologist at the Ocean Skin and Vein Institute.
- Dr. Angela Sturm is a Texas-based double board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facelifts and rhinoplasty.