As we move beyond 50, our skin naturally begins to change. Hormonal shifts can lead to increased dryness, slower cell renewal and a loss of elasticity in the skin, making skin feel more delicate than before.
Rather than approaching this stage with negativity and with an anti-ageing mindset, it’s far more effective for both body and mind to focus on smarter, deeply nourishing skin care that supports the shift to more mature skin and the evolving needs that come along with it.
With the correct routine, skin that is both healthy and radiant is absolutely achievable over 50.
So, if you want the secrets on how to achieve flawless skin in your later years, this article explores gentle cleaning, hydration, targeted treatments, sun protection and lifestyle habits that help to keep more mature skin glowing and resilient.
Key Takeaways:
- After 50, skin often gets drier and more sensitive because oil production slows and collagen/elastin naturally decline.
- Cleanse gently once or twice daily with a creamy, non-foaming, fragrance-free cleanser; use lukewarm water and light circular motions.
- Make hydration your priority: look for hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and squalane in moisturisers to support the skin barrier.
- Layer for extra comfort: apply serum → moisturiser → (optional) facial oil to help lock in moisture, especially at night.
- Add targeted treatments slowly: consider retinol/retinoids for fine lines and texture, and vitamin C for brightness and antioxidant support, start low and go steady.
- Wear SPF daily (yes, even indoors near windows): consistent sun protection helps reduce visible ageing and uneven tone over time.
- Patch test and introduce one new product at a time to avoid irritation and to know what’s helping (or not).
- Lifestyle matters: sleep, stress, hydration, and protein-rich, nutrient-dense meals support skin resilience from the inside out.
How skin changes after 50
Change is life is uncontrollable, and the same comes to skin as you age. Although it’s a common sentiment in the media, it’s impossible to control the ageing of your skin.
Yes, there are things that you can do to slow againg such as wearing suncream; however, there is no way to rewind the clock, therefore it’s important to learn to embrace what you have.
As you age, your skin reduces in collagen and elastin production, impacting the firmness of your skin and making it feel less bouncy than before. Alongside the loss in elasticity aging skin also comes along with issues like dryness, an increase in fine lines, uneven skin tones, an increase in sensitivity and an appearance of dullness, partly due to a reduction in oil production in the skin.
Once you understand these changes in your skin, you can start to understand your skin’s needs and use this to implement meaningful changes and habits into your everyday routine.
READ ALSO: 20 Self Love Skincare Products For Women Over 50
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum
$44.99
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum is a lightweight dark-spot corrector that combines Melasyl with 10% niacinamide to help visibly fade sun spots, age spots, and post-acne marks while supporting a more even, smoother-looking complexion.
The importance of a good cleansing routine
Cleansing is the sound of any effective skincare routine, especially for women over 50. Some cleansers on the market, specifically perfumed cleansers, can strip mature skin of the oils that it desperately needs, weakening the skin barrier and further increasing the dryness and sensitivity.
This is why it’s important to opt for creamy, non-foaming and sulphate-free cleansers that do not disrupt moisture levels.
In addition to this, using lukewarm and not overly hot water and using light circular motions can avoid unnecessary irritation for a healthier and more balanced complexion.
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
$10.50
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is a gentle, hydrating balm-to-oil cleanser that melts away makeup, sunscreen, and daily grime without leaving your skin feeling tight or stripped. It is a great option for dry, mature, or sensitive skin, especially if foaming cleansers leave you feeling dry.
Hydration and moisturising
One of the most important steps for any aging skin routine is hydration. Due to the loss of oils in the skin, mature skin can dry out very easily, leading to an abundance of other issues.
This is why women over 50 should make this a top priority, ensuring that they put emphasis on a good quality and rich moisturiser and face primer that has ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceremides and squalene, for optimum moisture.
For those who need that extra layer of hydration, layering moisturising products can provide an intense moisture boost, which can leave skin looking and feeling replenished.
Laying products such as adding serums before creams and oils, after can add that extra layer of protection and hydration that you need.
READ ALSO: 15 Best Skin Toners for Women Over 50
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
$17.06
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a rich, fragrance-free, oil-free daily moisturiser for face and body that uses hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help hydrate dry skin and support the skin barrier without clogging pores.
Target treatments for mature skin
Some targeting treatments can be specifically beneficial for mature skin, which can help to reduce fine lines and increase cell turnover, with appropriate use.
Over-the-counter products such as retonals and retinoids can stimulate collagen and elastin production, which then has positive effects such as reducing dryness, the appearance of age spots and improving overall firmness.
As well as this, vitamin C in moisturisers or serums can help to increase brightness and acts as an antioxidant protection.
However, these more intense serums must be used carefully. Ensuring that you patch test any new serum that you use to test for reactions and fully read instructions for retonals, as using these inappropriately can reduce the effectiveness of the products or even harm the skin.
READ ALSO: What Years of Using Retin-A Taught Me About Skin, Aging, and Patience
The Ordinary High-Strength Retinol
$9.90
The Ordinary’s Retinol 1% in Squalane is a potent, water-free serum that reduces signs of aging and improves skin texture using pure retinol suspended in hydrating squalane.
Final thoughts
Glowing skin in your 50s arrives from consistency and listening to what your skin needs, rather than perfection. Just remember that skincare is a form of self-love and self-care, not fixing yourself, so be kind to yourself and have fun with it!
FAQs
Hormonal changes and lower oil production can make your skin lose moisture faster. The skin barrier may also become more fragile, so it holds onto hydration less effectively.
You can still cleanse daily, but choose a gentle cleanser and avoid harsh formulas. If your skin feels tight after cleansing, switch to a cream cleanser and consider cleansing once in the morning (or just rinsing with lukewarm water) and properly cleansing at night.
A creamy, non-foaming, sulphate-free, fragrance-free cleanser is usually the safest bet. These cleanse without stripping the oils your skin needs to stay comfortable.
Not everyone does—but layering can be helpful if your skin feels tight or flaky. A simple order is hydrating serum → moisturiser → optional oil (oil last), especially at night.
Retinol is a common over-the-counter vitamin A option. Retinoids is the broader family (including stronger prescription forms). Both can improve texture, fine lines, and uneven tone, but they must be introduced carefully to avoid irritation.
Yes. Vitamin C can support a more even-looking tone and adds antioxidant protection. If you’re sensitive, choose a gentler form and start a few times per week rather than daily.
Daily SPF is still worth it. Sun exposure through windows and everyday daylight can contribute to uneven tone and visible ageing over time. A broad-spectrum SPF in the morning is one of the most reliable steps you can take.
