As skin matures beyond 50, it faces unique challenges—decreased elasticity, hormonal changes, slower cell turnover and a compromised moisture barrier. Creating an anti-aging routine that’s both gentle on the skin and appropriately effective requires more than just basic cleansing and moisturizing; it demands a strategic approach with targeted ingredients to address these specific concerns. That might sound intense—but it’s completely doable.
To develop the ultimate skincare regimen for women over 50, we've consulted with leading celebrity estheticians who work with Hollywood's most ageless stars. From Edyta Jarosz, who counts Madonna and Kelly Ripa among her clients, to Lika Alania, owner of Alania Aesthetics, our experts share their professional recommendations and insider techniques.
Related: The 20 Best Facial Cleansers for Aging Skin, Tested by Dermatologists and Makeup Artists
The Complete Anti-Aging Skincare Routine for Women Over 50
Read on to discover the essential products and surprising additions that should be part of every over-50 skincare routine, according to the professionals who help A-listers maintain their youthful glow.
Step 1: A Gentle, Nourishing Cleanser
Every effective skincare routine begins with proper cleansing, but the approach changes significantly for mature skin.
"A gentle, nourishing cleanser is essential for preserving hydration and keeping the skin barrier intact," explains Jarosz. She specifically recommends SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser, noting it's "formulated with soothing orange oil and allantoin, perfect for sensitive or mature skin."
Alania suggests tailoring your cleanser to your skin type: "It can start with something as simple as a hydrating and rebalancing cleanser.” She likes Lait Dermo-S for combination or sensitive skin or Cleansing Gel by Environ for oilier skin types.
Step 2: The Surprising Essential—Balancing Toner or Essence
Often overlooked but critically important for mature skin, a quality toner or essence creates the perfect canvas for the rest of your routine.
"A good toner or essence hydrates, plumps, and enhances absorption of serums that follow," notes Jarosz, identifying this as a surprise step many women miss.
Alania recommends specific options: "Great brightening and rebalancing toner options include P50 Pigm 400 by Biologique Recherche and Vita-Peptide Toner by Environ."
Related: 15 Best Serums for Mature Skin, According to Celebrity Dermatologists
Step 3: Brightening Vitamin C Serum
All experts emphasized the importance of vitamin C for mature skin, particularly for its ability to brighten, firm and protect.
"A brightening C serum helps fade pigmentation, firm the skin, and brighten tone," explains Jarosz. She recommends SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, which she calls the “gold standard” with 15% pure vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid. She also likes Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe, a nourishing yet lightweight serum with stabilized vitamin C and skin-loving oils.
Alania agrees, saying that a brightening serum can truly transform your skin and deliver necessary vitamins. She likes Environ C-Quence serums and the Mela-Fade system.
Step 4: Advanced Treatment Serum
Our experts recommend incorporating specialized treatment serums that target multiple signs of aging simultaneously.
Jarosz highlights TNS Advanced+ Serum by SkinMedica, which she says gets bonus points for excellent skin care. “A true innovation in anti-aging, this dual-chamber serum delivers growth factors, peptides and botanicals that visibly lift and smooth the skin in just weeks,” she shares. She adds that it’s perfect for women over 50 looking for dramatic yet non-invasive results.
Step 5: Retinol or Retinaldehyde Night Treatment
For cellular renewal and wrinkle reduction, retinoids remain an important step for mature skin.
"A retinol or retinaldehyde night serum encourages cell turnover and smooths fine lines with age-defying results," shares Jarosz. She specifically recommends Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10, saying they're "Ideal for mature skin; retinaldehyde works faster than traditional retinol, with minimal irritation."
Step 6: Rich Peptide Moisturizer
All experts emphasized the critical importance of deep hydration for mature skin.
"A rich peptide-infused moisturizer deeply nourishes while stimulating collagen for plumper, firmer skin," notes Jarosz. She recommends SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, sharing that it restores essential lipids and strengthens the skin barrier. She also likes Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream, which she says is a versatile moisturizer that delivers deep hydration with multi-weight hyaluronic acid and supports the skin barrier with prebiotic peptides.
Alania suggests: "A great firming and toning moisturizer that should be a staple in everyone's skincare routine is Crème ADN Métamorphique and Creme Biofixine known as 'Botox-like' cream specifically formulated to target fine lines and expression wrinkles."
Step 7: Targeted Eye Cream
The delicate eye area requires special attention, especially after 50.
"A high-performance eye cream targets puffiness, dark circles and crow's feet with advanced actives," explains Jarosz, making this a non-negotiable step in any mature skincare routine.
Related: 15 Best Eye Creams for Mature Skin, According to Celebrity Dermatologists
Bonus Enhancements
In addition to products, there are a few other things to add to your anti-aging regimen.
Weekly Treatment Mask
For an instant glow boost, our experts recommend incorporating a weekly treatment mask.
Jarosz suggests, "A weekly firming or oxygenating mask delivers an instant refresh and glow for tired or dull skin," identifying this as another surprise step many overlook.
Alania shares her professional favorites: "My favorite masks, or as I refer to them - 'facials in a bottle,' include Masque Vivant by Biologique Recherche, Revival Masque by Environ and Prime Renewing Pack by Valmont. Sleep in the Revival Masque and Prime Renewing Pack to wake up with brand-new skin."
At-Home Derma Roller
For enhanced product penetration, Alania offers a professional-level tip: "My tip for enhancing ingredient penetration and increasing the efficacy of all serums is to use a derma roller. I love Environ's derma roller—a revolutionary at-home 'micro-needling' tool that safely and effectively boosts product absorption by up to 80%."
Never Forget Sunscreen
Alania emphasizes perhaps the most important step: "My most important tip is to never forget to apply sunscreen to protect the skin from harmful UV rays that cause premature aging, sun damage and even skin cancer. My favorite mineral-based sunscreen is Eryfotona Actinica by Isdin. Its innovative formula contains patented DNA Repairsomes®, clinically proven to help repair existing sun damage."
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Sources:
- Edyta Jarosz, celebrity esthetician who works with Madonna, Kelly Ripa, and Kesha
- Lika Alania, celebrity esthetician and owner of Alania Aesthetics
