12 Top Affordable Skincare Products for Women Over 50

ByCindy Hattersley Hours Posted on Hours Updated on
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Aaaah the joys of aging. Our skin now requires more attention and care, but that doesn’t mean we have to break the bank to achieve healthy and radiant skin. There are numerous affordable skincare products specifically designed for women over 50 that can compete with the pricier luxury brands. Whether you’re facing fine lines, wrinkles, sensitive skin, enlarged pores or dark spots, or myriad other signs of aging, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 affordable skincare products that will have your skin looking youthful and glowing without draining your wallet. Let’s dive into my 12 Top Affordable Skincare Products for Women Over 50 that I use and love.

I originally penned this post a couple of years ago with six of my favorite products. Obviously my list has grown!

Your Skin Needs You Be Kind to it-12 Top Affordable Skincare Products for Women Over 50

As we age, our skin becomes thinner. We also have fine (and not so fine) lines, and age spots. With our hormone levels decreasing, our skin becomes dryer. Some key ingredients to look for to increase hydration are ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, Vitamin E, and Provitamin B5. These active ingredients work together to lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated. Antioxidants like niacinamide are important for protecting skin against sun damage, reducing inflammation, and delaying wrinkles.

12 Affordable Skincare Products for Women Over 50

My Night Time Skincare Routine

Nightime Skincare Routine

I keep my skincare routine pretty simple. I did however switch to double cleansing about a year ago in the evening. I cleanse with Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Remover first. FYI it removes mascara as well so no need for another product.

I follow that with my favorite gentle cleanser, Neutrogena Hydro Boost. I really like this cleanser. It is the perfect follow-up to the Farmacy but isn’t drying or too oily for my skin. My husband and I have been using this product for years.

At bedtime I use a prescription retinol serum and I add it to the Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion (night cream) to combat the dry skin caused by the retinol. It is inexpensive, not too heavy for my combination skin and is equally as effective as some of the more high end products I have used.

Steve and I both use the CeraVe moisturizing barrier creme which I always lather on while my skin is still wet after the shower.

I recently read up on the Gold Bond Overnight Body and Face Lotion. This formula contains retinoids (which increase collagen production) so I am currently using this as an all over moisturizing cream. It has great reviews.

I have been gifted and purchased many expensive eye creams and find the Neutrogena Retinol Eye Cream to be just as effective as any of the ones I have tried.

I really like the laneige lip mask, but I always keep Burts Bees lip balm in my nightstand and this one with sunscreen in my purse.

My Morning Skincare Routine

Morning Skincare Cindy Hattersley Design

In the morning I wash with the Neutrogena Hydro Boost.

I then use the Timeless Vitamin C & E Ferulic Acid Serum. I penned a post on Vitamin C Serums here, that I plan to update soon.

I follow it up with the Vichy Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

I apply the Vichy Hyaluronic Acid Serum before applying sunscreen and makeup.I recently tried the Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum (another price-friendly option that many of you love).  I didn’t like it nearly as well.  It is more reasonable. You might also enjoy my in depth post on Skincare After 50 Hyaluronic Acid Serums here.

I apply the lightweight CeraVe AM Moisturizing lotion under my makeup (  which has uva protection 30 as well), so I don’t feel a need to apply more sunscreen to my face. 

For sun protection, my daughter is a huge fan of the Trader Joe’s Spray Sunscreen, and one of you alerted me to the Trader Joe’s goop knockoff sunscreen. They are both broad spectrum and very effective. If you don’t have a local Trader Joes you can purchase them on Amazon as I have linked above.

 If you are looking for a higher spf the Sun Bum Spray Sunscreen is also highly rated., at a little higher price point.

We are big fans of the Elta MD sunscreen but are trying all of these as a less expensive alternative.

All of these products are under $30.  If you would like to read all of my beauty and skincare posts you can click on the beauty and skincare tab at the top of my page.

You can shop all of my beauty and skincare products in my Amazon Storefront here.

For more information on caring for your skin after 60 (sorry over 50’s there is a plethora of information available to you so I will focus on articles for those of us over 60)

American Academy of Dermatologists How to Care for your Skin in your 60’s and 70’s

Best Skincare Products in your 60’s Today 

Love your Skin in Your 50, 60’s and 70’s-AARP

Best Natural Healthy Skincare Tips for those in their 60’s

Prevention The Best Drugstore Skincare Products

I hope you found 12 Top Affordable Skincare Products for Women Over 50 helpful. Some of my favorite products are expensive but as you can see many are not. Almost all of these skin care products are fragrance-free.  Do you have any inexpensive products that you love?  If so, please share.  

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36 Comments

  1. I really like the Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight lotion. It’s one of the few products containing retinol that does not irritate the skin on my neck.

  2. Wonderful conversation, Cindy! So many great suggestions. The Neutrogena Eye Cream and Gold Bond Retinol Cream are definitely on my shopping list. Two of my favorites are SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, although pricey, and Vanicream cleansing bar recommended by an esthetician. Very affordable, gentle on my sensitive skin/eyes and travels well.
    My skin has been improving after being under the guidance of a functional doctor for the last 8 months. Issues going on inside the body show up on the outside. I’m feeling better, sleeping better and looking better! Things that no cream can accomplish. Getting more compliments on my skin at age 67 than I’ve gotten in years, even from my dermatologist. Oh, and don’t forget the hydration! My doc recommends at least half your body weight in ounces.

    1. Hi Marie
      You mentioned a ‘functional’ doctor. What kind of medicine is that? I am intrigued as you say how much you have improved in health. I am in my mid 70s and wondering if that would help me. Thx

    2. Hi Marie

      Thank you for all the great suggestions. I have used the skin ceuticals. My former facialist was a big fan. There is a dupe that has the exact same ingredients. I will look it up. It is less than 1/3 the price!

  3. And ladies, ALWAYS wear a wide brim hat when outdoors, not a baseball cap, whatever you choose to wear on your face. I am using Peaches Skincare – trying not to use any foundation anymore. I was told that the hat is so important.
    Thank you for all you share Cindy. Always a pleasure to read. (And I like all the hats that you wear!)

    1. Hi TJ

      I do wear a baseball cap when I am walking with 50 sunscreen! It stays on my head if it is windy!!

  4. ~ Great comments/suggestions. At age 12, I became interested in makeup and skin care. As I’ve matured, my skin has always been on the dry side. I began using Noxzema of all products on my skin before realising it is for women with oily skin. Since then, I’ve searched for products that really work with my skin. I’ve tried Mary Kay and Avon among others. In my late 60s, I pay attention to my eye area. The only two products I switch between now are Ahava and Paula’s Choice. They are wonderful at restoring my skin’s moisture levels, esp. in fall/winter. There’s an adage I’d like to quote: “Do not regret growing older. It’s a privilege denied to many.” Unknown. ~

    1. Hi Mrs. M

      I absolutely adore that quote. I remind myself of it everyday. I am very happy to be the age I am. Thank you for sharing with all of us!

      1. Thank you for a beauty post. I miss the health/lifestyle posts. Great job. We are not invisible

        Cara

      2. Many of your products are not cruelty free, and I only use cruelty free products. Any suggestions?

        1. I try to use as many cruelty free as I can personally, but I feel I owe it to my audience to offer inexpensive options as well

  5. I love Bioessence skin care products! Clean (no parabens etc) and just wonderful! I always check the EWG website for their rankings (Environmental Working Group)for skin care and household soaps and cleaners. Bioessence has a safe, effective sunscreen, moisturizers, serums, and other great products.

  6. Good recommendations. Thank you for sharing. I would suggest your readers to have a look at this clean skincare brand Refresh Skin Science.

  7. Good recommendations. Thank you for sharing. I would suggest your readers to have a look at this clean skincare brand Refresh Skin Science.

  8. Cindy, I’m going to order the CeraVe night cream. My criminally expensive night cream was replaced by something even more expensive and it’s just not worth it. After trying several other options I’m not really sold on anything. I’m a big believer in high low in all areas … and unless a product in a proven differentiator there’s no reason to spend a bundle. Plus, my husband would like to retire. 😉 CeraVe is a well respected brand and I love their body lotions. Great post! xo

  9. I love reading about skincare… especially when it’s affordable. For me as I’m so tired at night, removing my makeup must be fast. So keeping it simple is best. I’ve been using a mixture of products that luckily seem to work together … Riversol creamy cleanser, anti aging trio with the Ordinary then I moisturize with Nivea. I rediscovered Nivea during Covid. A product my Mom used. I use Riversol deep cleansing products every 7-10 days.
    Thanks Cindy for the info.

    Robin @glidingthru60

  10. About 11 years ago, I read an article in British Harpers Bazaar about Kate Middleton’s Skin Care Routine. It made sense to my much older skin. I started cleaning 2x and it changed my pore issues and my rosacea issues dramatically. Then about 6 years ago , while traveling in Scotland our hotel had the full range of Elemis products, which again changed things. I have been using them for the past 6 years. Yes, the are expensive; but worth the investment. I do use Garnier Micellar Water. Within the past year I have added the Retinol Serum and Night time sleep Mask from Neutrogena. Again over the past several months I have seen big changes. I attended my 55th High school class reunion in July and most of the women just couldn’t get over how wonderful my skin looked, which was very rewarding. I have not had work done, except for some broken capillary repair and I don’t see it in my future. So I am moving to a High-Low skin care routine and it is terrific.

  11. Great recommendations Cindy. I started double cleanse about 12 years ago after reading about Korean skincare. I too use the Farmacy green clean, LUV! I follow with Paula’s choice CALM cleanser. I have rosacea so I have to be gentle on my skin. I use Corsx snail mucin( started that because of Korean skincare) I find it makes my pores smaller and skin so soft. I then apply Weleda skin food. Great for dry skin and inexpensive too Sunscreen by Dr. Sam. A great dermatologist to follow is ranellamd on Instagram. She’s so good and cuts to the chase!

  12. Hi Cindy! I use the Cerave products that you mentioned as well as their facial wash, Vitamin C serum, and nightly toner. I’ve been happy with all of the Cerave products, and the price is right!

  13. I’d like to hear your recommendation on a good mascara remover. Over the years I’ve found many good makeup removers but getting waterproof mascara off – not so easy for me. Right now I’ve resorted back to my teenage years of using baby oil.

    1. ~ Hello. Perhaps you may be interested in one that I use: Ahava’s Time To Clear Eye Makeup Remover. The back of the label reads: Bi-phase formula, gently yet thoroughly removes WATERPROOF mascara. It is excellent and very gentle on my eyes (and I’m over 65 with a birthday approaching on 7 October). Simply follow the directions using a cotton swab dipped in the (oil) solution until all mascara is removed. I’ve used it and their other products on my dry skin since 2012. Very happy with the results, hope this helps. ~

    2. Hi Lynn

      The Farmacy removes eye makeup as well, I added it to the text. That is why I like it. No need for another product!

  14. I have been using Maybelline eye make up remover forever. First I use it on a cotton swab on lashes, then on a cotton ball for another swipe and mascara is gone. I also have been using CeraVe moisturizer and prefer the cream to lotion. It seems richer. When I was in my 30s, my dermatologist recommended Cetaphil for cleansing and I use that for one of two cleanses, like Cindy. I recently found Nuxe body oil thanks to Sandra. Love, love, love it thought not in the inexpensive category. A little goes a long way.

    1. Hi Wren

      I still have some of the Maybelline eye makeup remover. You are right, it is great! However the Farmacy removes eye makeup as well so it is a win win. I am getting lazy in my old age! I have tried cetaphil and it does not work for me. Since my skin can still tend to be a bit oily at times it just doesn’t work. I know it is great for many others who don’t have that issue! Thanks for weighing in!

  15. I just wanted to comment that I saw a spot on a national television channel that compared moisturizers , This was about 15 years ago. They found Oil of Olay was equal to a very high dollar moisturizer that was priced over $200. The quality and the result was the same. I also follow Angie on Hot and Flashy. I trust her recommendations. I think you have mentioned her too .

    1. Hi Marcia

      I used oil of olay serum for years until they changed the formula. I wonder if they changed it back. I loved that stuff. I completely trust Angie since her father is a chemist!

  16. I also use HydroBoost for cleaning twice daily. And the Timeless. The CeraVe has long been a favorite. I like Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 and the wonderful Josie Maran whipped Arian Oil Face Butter. It is ultra hydrating. Still using Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch 55 SPF sunscreen. I am always looking for recommended products. I just can’t afford expensive skin products! It interferes with my shoe fetish! Not to mention my love affair with clothes !

  17. How did I miss this post? I’m at an age where a simple routine works best for me. Through the years I’ve tried some pricey products and my experiencing is that there isn’t a lot of difference for this aging skin. Haha
    I use some of the products on your list and like them.
    Karen B.

  18. I use to double cleanse after reading Caroline Hi. Book on skin care but have gotten very lazy !!
    It was amazing how much dirt is still left on the face after the first go around!Have given up on Vit.C after using for a few years.I did like it!Again just lazy and too tired at bedtime!!! I try to get it all done before plopping in front of the TV after dinner!!

  19. Hello Cindy,

    Thank you for this great post. I use the CeraVe and the Timeless vitamin C, excellent products. Does the Farmacy cleanser remove waterproof mascara or is that why you follow with Neutrogena? Thanks.

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