7 Skincare Ingredients for Women over 60 that Actually Work
After 60, collagen production drops dramatically, estrogen declines, and cell turnover slows to a crawl. Sadly, our mature skin gets thinner, drier, and more fragile. It’s no secret that things like sun damage and smoking age your skin fast, but stress and diet matter just as much. Since our skin basically acts as a mirror for what’s happening inside our bodies, the best way to keep it looking its best is through simple, healthy habits, like prioritizing sleep and eating real, whole foods. Let’s chat about 7 Skincare Ingredients for Women over 60 that Actually Work.
7 Skincare Ingredients for Women over 60 that Actually Work
Understanding Changes in Your Skin After 60
Collagen production drops by about 1% every year after age 20, but by the time you hit 60, the cumulative loss is dramatic. Your skin loses its “scaffolding”, which leads to dry skin, sagging, deeper wrinkles, and a loss of firmness and skin elasticity that no amount of surface-level moisturizer can fix.
Estrogen decline accelerates after menopause, which means your skin produces less oil, holds less water, and repairs itself more slowly. The result is dryness, increased sensitivity, and a barrier that can’t defend itself the way it used to. You’re not imagining that your skin feels thinner, it literally is. The epidermis thins by up to 20% in the years following menopause (ugh).
“Cell turnover slows to a crawl”. What used to take 28 days now takes 40 to 60 days, which means dead skin cells sit on the surface longer, making your complexion look dull, uneven, and rough, and products no longer absorb well.
If you aren’t too depressed, let’s move on.
7 Skincare Ingredients for Women over 60 that Actually Work
The Core Ingredients your Skin Needs Most
After 60 we need a skincare routine that will rebuild, protect, and hydrate at a deeper level than when we were younger. We need products that respect how delicate our skin has become while still delivering results that tackle the appearance of fine lines, improve skin texture, skin firmness and radiance for all different skin types
Retinoids-to stimulate collagen and speed up turnover
Ask any dermatologist to name the gold standard skincare ingredient that will deliver smoother, firmer skin, and the overwhelming response will be retinol. Retinoic acid, also known as tretinoin, is the most potent form of retinoid is available only with a prescription, and may be too irritating or drying for some. There are many over the counter retinal formulas that are effective without the irritation:
Bakuchiol-a plant based alternative to retinol that is less irritating. I was gifted this BYOS serum last year and it is one of my favorites.
Ceramides– nourish the skin and help it retain moisture
They promote lasting hydration and improve the skins firmness and smoothness. I have used Cerave moisturizing cream for years. I lather it on after showering. I also highly recommend Prequel Barrier Therapy Rich Skin Protectant Summer has excema and this has really improved it.
Vitamin C-brightens your skin, boosts collagen, and helps protect it from environmental damage
The powerful antioxidant helps fade dark spots, uneven skin tone, and hyperpigmentation by slowing excess melanin production, and plays a critical role in collagen synthesis, which helps skin look firmer and more plump. Serums that also contain ferulic acid are a bonus. The Skin-ceutical vitamin c serum often considered the gold standard ( but costly), I have used timeless vitamin c serum for a few years which has the same formulation, as does Drunk Elephant, Maelove the glo maker, and more. Medik8 (an inactive form) and Sunday Riley CEO (my current fave) a good option if your skin is sensitive and it stays stable longer.
Hyaluronic Acid-floods your skin with moisture
It holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which makes it crucial for plumping fine lines and keeping your skin barrier intact. Use it on damp skin, then seal it in with a heavier moisturizer. Without that second step, hyaluronic acid can actually pull moisture out of your skin if the air is dry (yikes who knew!).
I have been using Vichy for years but have recently been gifted other more expensive options that I am trying and will report on in a future post on Hyaluronic Acid serums.
Peptides-signal collagen production
“Collagen production drops by about 1% every year after age 20“, but by the time you hit 60, the cumulative loss is huge. Your skin loses its “scaffolding”, which leads to sagging, deeper wrinkles, and a loss of firmness that no amount of surface-level moisturizer can fix.
I am a huge fan of the Prequel Half and Half I was recently gifted. My skin is still oily enough to be picky and prone to the occasional breakout, so I need something that hydrates without the weight. love this stuff. Summer has
Niacinamide-helps strengthen the barrier of your skin
It’s one of the most versatile ingredients available and works well with almost all of your other products. A 5-10% niacinamide serum used morning or night will visibly improve skin tone and resilience within weeks.
Spf 30+-everyday to protect thinner skin
UV damage doesn’t stop accumulating when you age. Your skin is more vulnerable to uv rays now because it’s thinner and repairs itself more slowly. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every single day, even indoors. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are often better tolerated by those with sensitive skin. My longtime fave is CeraVe Facial Moisturizer with SPF 50 (great price), and Ulta MD. I like their tinted formulation. I am currently trying several new tinted formulations. Fre Glow Me (is a good one, as well as Merit. I will do a full post on sunscreen as well soon. If you don’t have a lot of dark spots or pigmentation either of these can be worn instead of foundation or added to your foundation of choice to lighten it up.
Let’s face it our skin at 60 isn’t the same as it was at 40, and pretending it is will only lead to frustration and wasted money. The routines that worked before don’t address the biological changes happening now. But when you choose the right ingredients, build a routine that protects and repairs, and give your skin the time it needs to respond, the results will be rewarding. If you are confused by all the formulations I hope this post 7 Skincare Ingredients for Women over 60 that Actually Work might be helpful. I will be breaking down the best products for each ingredient in upcoming posts. Please share any products you are loving and why in the comments!
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this is so helpful and informative. But now I’m confused. How many products can I use on my face in one day?!? They all sound essential. Could you please consider doing a post on exactly what you use on a typical day. I would love that and I think many other readers would appreciate it, too. As always, thanks for sharing with the oldsters (I just had giant party for my 70th!).
I have been an avid user of Elemis skin care fr at least 10 years. I purchased a jar of their marine moisturizer with SPF 30 in England; It was 50% less than in the U.S. I can’t justify this expense, so I am remember lacing my favorites rites with more reasonable options. I discovered Oil of Olay SPF moisturizer— I love it. At over $100 different per jar. This may be perfect. Now I will work on a great cleaner and serum. I will let you know. This winter has played hazoc with my
Lips. They are dry, cracked and painful. Any ideas, Cindy.
Hi Beth
The gal that owns the salon where I get my hair cut swears be Elemis and gave me some products to try. I will report back. I was gifted a product for lips that whose name escapes me right now. I will look it up and get back to you. I like Laniege but hate the flavors…and the stickiness. I don’t want my lips to taste like watermelon or berries!! It does work however. I have been gifted so many gifted serums. I try to keep reporting on them and will continue to do so. Some are not worth the hype that is for sure!!
I was wondering about your comment on face lifts and that it doesn’t help that much. I would love it, if you could expand on that. I do Botox, like you , about 3 times a year and am happy with the results and laser last year but the jaw line is sagging with lots of wrinkles, lol. Everyone seems to think a face lift is more effective.Your thoughts?
Hi Evelyn
I was really happy with my lower face lift a few years back. I don’t plan to have another one in my lifetime hopefully. For me it was a now or never thing. I had taken care of my mom for several years without the help of my sibling and I received some money from her estate and I thought if I don’t do it now I won’t ever spend the money again. I was very happy with the results and now I am just doing what I can to keep my skin in the best shape that I can. I spent waaay too much time in the sun for years, and also have some acne scarring. I have no interest in looking like I am 30 or 40. I just want to do the best I can.
Thanks for these tips. I think the hard part is to have a regimen laid out. When do you apply collagen? Vitamin C serum? Are some of these products layered on at one time? I get very confused on what is a basic skin care regime. Thanks for any help you can give.
Hi Ruth
I linked https://cindyhattersleydesign.com/favorite-skincare-products-afer-50/ this post that explains how to layer. It is confusing!
Thank you very much for your recommendations.
Hi Linda
Of course!!
Lovely article. Concise and practical. I love the lipstick color in you picture with that beautiful white top and your funky glasses. Would you share the lipstick brand and color, please?
Hi Robin
I wear two different lipcolors. I only wear this chanel lippie https://go.shopmy.us/p-32580475. It is expensive but it stays on and does not dry out your lips like all the other options that stay on. I wear either bright rasperry or strawberry red. Sometimes I layer the two. I wish they would come out with more colors-it drives me crazy that they don’t!
EXcellent article, albeit depressing (lol) with some great recommendations. I am going to have a go with the Carbon dioxide fractionated laser to my lower half of the face, to help reduce some of the coarse skin on my chin and it is supposed to soften wrinkles. Otherwise I use Tatcha serum, Estée Lauder night serum and resilience day cream, lip fillers which reduce the vertical lip lines and stops lipstick bleeding, fillers in my cheek and Botox on my forehead. Probably would have been cheaper and more effective to have had a face lift, but I am a nervous Nellie when it comes to surgery, plus I am on aspirin and can bleed like a stuck pig.
Hi Susan (my favorit fashion advisor!)
I have done the CO2 laser and I am having it done again this week. It does help and it is not painful at all. This time I had a chemical peel before and then will have two laser. I have a lot of sun damage and scarring from acne. A facelift really doesn’t help that much (I had a lower face lift a few years ago). At any rate I will be reporting on the peel next week and will report on the laser as well! Good luck to you can’t wait to hear what you think.
Have been hearing so much about Korean beauty products lately and am wondering if you’ve tried any of them. I’m so tempted as I see the glass like skin
Hi Pam
Yes I have used some of the Korean beauty products and like them very much. I am going to try the night time peel thing after I have my laser and will report on that!!
This was a good read but I’ve tried so many products and it don’t work for me. I’ve been to dermatologist and get answers that products off shelf don’t work or you need Lazer and….. I think my skin has been damaged by sun and really Im not going to get results from any product!
Hi Nancy
I agree there is only so much lotions and potions can do. I will be reporting on my chemical peel next week. I was happy with the results.
Cindy! This is great information! You’ve done the research, so we don’t have to! Thank you!
xx
Thanks Annie!
Thank you Cindy all great information.
I have sensitive skin and I love my CeraVe products. They work well for me and do not irritate my skin.
There is so much good info here, I think I’ll print this whole article off. That is, when I get home from a vacation in the sun. Naughty me, I’m still a bit of a sun worshipper although not like I use to be and now I wear SPF50. Thanks for your research, pal.
What do you use for wrinkles on your forehead? Botox? I’m trying to stay away from it now and it has been 9 months without it. Thank you
Hi Joann
I get what they call “baby botox” between my eyebrows three times a year. Kelly is very skilled at botox in my opinion. She never overdoes it. I am always able to wrinkle my forehead. She suggested recently that I might try a little on my lower face for a slight lift. I may try it.
Thoroughly enjoying your beauty posts and appreciate the products, both suggested and recommend. With so many different products doing many different things, I’m confused as to what to use when. C in the morning, retinol at night?? I love that Cerave day lotion is now available with SPF 50.
Hi Barb
It is confusing even for me. I research these posts heavily and I learn something every time! I agree about CeraVe. I am a big fan and love the price!
Thank you, Cindy! I am taking notes..wrote down the CeraVe SPF 50 product, etc…looking forward to your analysis and further in depth.. Hard to imagine I baked in the sun in my 20s and now race to retain what is left of my skin. That sounds awful but it is the truth. My era was one that sunscreen wasn’t considered although my mother wore a hat when she was on duty at her teaching job on recess/ playground duty. How we have advanced from that time.
I started using Paula’s Choice products during the pandemic. Now they are available everywhere. I started using their hyaluronic acid, and I love it. Their web site is very informative, and their prices are very good. I started talking to a lady about skin care while waiting in line at Ulta. She asked if I would mind if she could ask how old I was. She said she couldn’t believe it. I’m 75. When I grew up I had horses and always wore cowboy hats. They must have protected my skin!
Hi Lyn
I think I will try Paula’s choice hyaluronic acid. It is time to spread my wings. There are constantly new products and I am gifted so many it is hard to keep up!!
I have used a Paula’s Choice regimen for about 5 years and have been very pleased. I use her toner, serum, vitamin c, eye gel, 2 different exfoliators,retinol, and I adore her spf 50 moisturizer.
Hi Donnie
I baked in the sun for probably 45 years! I had a lower face lift a few years back and I am constantly getting treatments to keep the dark spots at bay as well. Oh and did I mention I have scarring from acne as well….
love this post Cindy. I’m a product junkie and love to try new things so adding some of these to my list. have to share that I tried typology products during the holiday season and am now obsessed. i just placed another order yesterday. #allegedly 😉