Sep 17th 2021
Like it or not, a lot changes after 50, not least of all your skin! As you now know, the skin care routine you once considered tried and true is no longer delivering the results it used to. But there’s more than just your product lineup that should change as you get older. Updating your routine is just as key. Here are a few do’s and don’ts of skin care after 50.
1. Using the same moisturizer a.m. and p.m. is OK, but not perfect
We feel like a broken record here, but by now we hope you’re well aware that you can't skip sunscreen during the day, ever. Whether its rainy, cloudy, cold, or there’s a tornado – SPF should be the staple of your routine. A daily moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF 30 (like our Walking on Sunshine SPF 30) will prevent UVA rays from doing their damage year-round and can be applied under makeup. While using that same SPF cream before bed won't hurt, you'll miss the extra hydration of a separate, richer night cream with skin-repair ingredients that act best at night.
2. Clue in on cleanser
Cleanser should never leave skin feeling tight, greasy, sticky or dry. That's where we often slip up, and it affects the efficacy of all your skin care products and makeup. Select a cleanser that makes your skin feel soft, supple and clean (may we recommend our Clean It Up Exfoliating Cleanser, perhaps?). At night, double cleanse using a separate makeup remover (wipes are great) to gently but thoroughly get makeup and sunscreen off and out of pores. You'd be surprised how much residue is left if you don't. It’s essential if you wear any combo of full-coverage face makeup, concealer blush, bronzer, waterproof mascara, eye shadow and liner and sunscreen.
3. Less really is more, in this instance If a little is good, more is better does not apply to skin care. Don’t DIY your skin care when you think you know what’s plaguing it. Instead, look at what you’re using daily, to help diagnose. If your skin looks shiny and red, know that some very effective active ingredients can become irritants when layered with others at the same time. For example, combining retinol and vitamin C, for example, can irritate the skin in combination, and use should be spaced out. Instead, you might apply serum in the morning under a hydrating hyaluronic acid moisturizer. Redness is always a red flag that there's inflammation, so don’t ignore it.
4. Serums are the regimen extras, but they have star power Our Smooth Out Recovery Serum is our most popular product for a reason – it works! Serums are super-concentrated treatments designed to deliver specific problem-solving ingredients deeper into the skin, thanks to a smaller molecular structure. Apply a serum to damp skin before moisturizer. It takes just a drop or two for the entire face.
5. Don’t Overdo It Don't underestimate the appeal of going back to an easier, straightforward routine - every woman does not need the same number of products. Fewer products — but the right ones — can deliver your best-quality skin. And for the most consistency, sticking to one brand (and their scientific testing) is the most reliable way to go.