What beauty routine should a 50+ woman follow to look her best?
I’m a 55 year old woman that would like to be attractive for as long as possible (I’m sure I’m not alone, here, lol). I’ve not ever indulged in manicures, pedicures, skin treatments, etc., so I was looking for input and recommendations on how to look my best!
Ohh yes, what an awesome question.
I would say that it’s gotta come down to: skincare! Skincare is your best weapon to stay young-looking and its never too late to start.
It all starts with a great base. No matter where you’re at, we all have room to grow in our skincare regimens.
Let me introduce you to the basics:
Step 1: Cleanse
No matter who you are, water ain’t gonna cut it. You gotta find a way to wash off the sweat, dirt and grime of daily life – and probably makeup, too!
A gentle, low pH, non-foaming cleanser is the way to go. Morning and night if you wish, but always remember to wash at night. My personal favorite is Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser, but many bloggers prefer the original Korean varieties of low pH cleansers.
Step 2: Protect
Protecting your skin against the sun is a must at any age. It doesn’t matter if you’re outside for 10 minutes a day, just get some incidental light through the car windows when driving, or work by a window at your office – it’s all sun exposure. Depending on your preference and sensitivity, I would suggest either Glossier’s new sunscreen – which is the nicest to use, but does have a few drawbacks ingredient-wise – or checking out a nice chemical sunscreen like Neutrogena’s Sheer Dry Zinc or even better, a physical sunscreen. Make sure to apply sunscreen in the morning before makeup (if you use makeup), and a chemical sunscreen needs reapplication every 2 hours. This is why I suggest Glossier’ssunscreen, because it’s water-based and really does well with makeup.
Step 3: Exfoliate
Skip the physical exfoliants, but don’t forget the chemical ones. Chemical exfoliants – AHAs and BHAs – help skin cells gently turnover, for glowing, smooth skin and reduced hyperpigmentation. My favorite combo is Drunk Elephant’s Framboos TLC AHA/BHA combo. Gentle, highly concentrated and effective. Results are visible. To learn more about chemical exfoliation, AHAs and BHAs, check out our guide here.
Step 4: Moisturize
This is the toughest category for me. It really depends on how much moisture your skin needs. If you are lacking in hydration, try finding a nice hyaluronic acid serum or and/or a non-comedogenic, cold-pressed, organic facial oil. My suggestion is argan oil (non-deodorized, yes it stinks a bit) or jojoba oil. Make sure you go organic and be careful who you purchase from. The facial oil that I make, SHINE, is non-comedogenic and also contains blackberry (alpha-arbutin), pomegranate seed oil (vitamin C), and licorice root extract (glabridin) to help reduce additional hyperpigmentation (fade dark spots) while hydrating and protecting skin. Learn more about how SHINE works here.
If oils really give you the heebie jeebies – and they DO give some people the heebie jeebies – try a night cream like Jurlique’s Herbal Recovery Night Cream. It’s not a superstar product, but it is a moderately moisturizing cream that’s non-comedogenic and made from natural botanical extracts. I like it, I don’t love it. It doesn’t contain any anti-aging rockstars. It will get the moisturizing job done in case you hate oils. That’s about all I can say!
Takeaways: Intro to Anti-Aging Skincare
That’s about it! Skincare is not supposed to be all that interesting, to be honest. There’s some key, proven ingredients to pay attention to, and typically whatever is “new” “emerging” or “hot” .. really ain’t all that hot.
The key to success is consistency.
I don’t know if I just spouted some serious life advice there, but when it comes to skincare, consistency really is key.
I tried to link all of the products suggested above. If you would like cheaper dupes, they exist, but I believe that skincare is truly an investment. Make sure you thoroughly read qualified bloggers’ reviews before purchasing any low-end skincare products. Cheaper products usually come with cheaper ingredients, which may have some tradeoffs that are less than ideal. Know what you’re signing up for.
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Dr. Vanessa Rodriguez
Dr. Vanessa Rodriguez is a board-certified general practitioner with more than 15 years of patient care experience. She takes an integrative approach to patient care that considers the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – and is deeply committed to assisting her patients in achieving and sustaining optimal health. Dr. Vanessa is also a skilled writer and medical reviewer, specializing in preventive care and health promotion. Her articles are written in an approachable manner that is simple to comprehend and implement in one’s own life. Dr. Vanessa’s mission is to equip her patients and readers with the knowledge and resources necessary to live their greatest lives.
If oils really give you the heebie jeebies – and they DO give some people the heebie jeebies – try a night cream like Jurlique’s Herbal Recovery Night Cream. It’s not a superstar product, but it is a moderately moisturizing cream that’s non-comedogenic and made from natural botanical extracts. I like it, I don’t love it. It doesn’t contain any anti-aging rockstars. It will get the moisturizing job done in case you hate oils. That’s about all I can say!
