As we age our skin changes dramatically. What worked in our 20’s or 30’s just won’t cut it for mature women dealing with hormonal dips and spikes. Speaking as someone who spent most of their life battling acne and oily skin, it was alarming to be faced with skin that suddenly seemed to repel moisture and makeup. In the last five years I’ve had to completely revamp my skincare routine and pay a lot of attention to how various products work in tandem. I consider the following to be my current beauty saviors.
Top products for mature skin:
- Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Daily Serum 2.0: First up is my daily serum made by Prevage, which is a line under Elizabeth Arden. I first tried this as a sample and loved how smooth and soft it made my skin. Since it’s so expensive, I’ve tried to find dupes over the years, but nothing seems to work as well for me. This is an anti-aging serum that highlights powerful antioxidants like the powerhouse Idebenone, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, as well as a bunch of extracts including ginger, bushclover flower, peony petal, clary sage, and Indian cassia flower. It’s a beautiful glossy gel that sinks into skin quickly. I definitely notice a difference in radiance, smoothness and the texture of my skin. Just keep in mind that this isn’t a quick-fix serum and it’ll take some time to see results.
- La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm B5: This is a newer cream that I wear at night and I really love. It’s extremely hydrating and soothing, especially during winter or when you’re using retinol. It’s actually a barrier protection cream that is used for therapeutic issues like eczema, diaper rash and irritation from radiation, and you can tell from the way your skin is immediately nourished. This balm is perfect to seal in your serum and to prep skin for whatever treatment comes next.
- True Botanicals Moisture Lock Overnight Mask: Even though this is billed as a mask, I use most nights on top of the Cicaplast Balm. It doesn’t clog pores at all and is very light but potent. It contains plant-derived Hyaluronic Acid, Mango Butter, Squalane and Aloe Vera to help hydrate and balance moisture levels. The green tea extract helps to prevent skin damage and plump up wrinkles. I also really like that True Botanicals specializes in clean and sustainable products without toxins.
- Naked and Thriving Rejuvenate Restorative Face Oil: Another “green” choice is this face oil that provide skin with essential fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. These organic oils are vegan, cruelty-free and contain no parabens or phthalates. I don’t use this every night, but it’s helpful when my skin feels sluggish and is looking dull or saggy. I like that my skin seems to have more bounce in the morning, even if I’ve had a drink the night before.
- Innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask 2X: This is a wonder mask that my teenage daughter and I both love. Most clay masks are far too drying for this stage of my life, but this is the perfect delivery of a gentle AHA exfoliants to absorb excess oil and impurities. I don’t know if it’s the “Super Volcanic Clusters™” that are sourced from Jeju Island, Korea but this stuff is cooling and creamy. It squirts from the can like mousse, making for easy application and smooth clean-up. It is powerful though, so I only use a couple of times a month and always follow up with deep moisturizing.
I’m still on the lookout for the perfect day moisturizer with high SPF. It’s hard to find that sweet spot of enough hydration without an amount of oil that causes my makeup to pill or slide. If you’ve got something that works, leave a comment. I’d love your suggestions!